
Safe driving7
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Safety FirstSafe drivingBrief introductionDear SEAT Driver
Safety first!This chapter contains important information, advice, suggestions 
and warnings that should be read and followed in the interest of 
your own safety and the safety of your passengers.
WARNING
•
This manual contains important info rmation concerning the driver's 
and passengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the vehicle 
wallet also contain further informatio n which you should be aware of for 
your own safety and for the safety of your passengers.
•
Ensure that the complete vehicle wallet  is always in the vehicle. This is 
especially important when you lend  or sell the vehicle to others.
Safety equipment
The safety equipment is a part of the occupant protection 
system and can reduce the risk of injury during an accident.Never “gamble” with your safety and the safety of your passengers. In the 
event of an accident, the safety equipment could reduce the risk of injury. The 
following list includes most of the safety equipment in your SEAT:•
Optimised three-point seat belts,
•
Belt tension limiter for the front and rear seats,
•
belt tension devices for the front seats,
•
belt height adjustment for the front seats,
•
front airbags,
•
side airbags in the front seat backrests.
•
curtain airbags,
•
crash-active front head restraints*,
•
“ISOFIX” anchor points for “ISOFIX” child seats on the outer seats in the 
second row,
•
height-adjustable head restraints,
•
head restraints with in-use position and non-use position
•
adjustable steering column.
The safety equipment mentioned above works together to provide you and 
your passengers with the best possible protection in accident situations. But 
this safety equipment cannot help you or your passengers if you or your 
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Safe driving
8passengers assume an incorrect sitting position or do not properly adjust or 
use this equipment.
Therefore, information is provided about why this equipment is so important, 
how it protects you, what you have to observe when using it and how you and 
your passengers can achieve the greatest possible benefit from the safety 
equipment fitted. This manual includes  important warnings that you and your 
passengers should observe in order to reduce the risk of injury.
Safety is everyone's business!Before every trip
The driver bears the responsibility for his passengers and the 
operational worthiness of the vehicle.For your own safety and the safety of your passengers, always note 
the following points before every trip:
– Ensure that the vehicle's lights and turn signals operate flaw- lessly.
– Check tyre pressure.
– Ensure that all windows provide a clear and good view of the  surroundings.
– Securely restrain all parcels  ⇒page 17.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors properly for your  size. – Ensure that the passengers in the rear seats always have the 
head restraints in the in-use position ⇒page 14
– Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to  their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly  applied seat belts  ⇒page 46.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers  also to assume a proper sitting position.  ⇒page 10.
– Always fasten your seat belt correctly before driving off. Instruct  your passengers also to fasten their seat belts properly. 
⇒page 19.
What affects driving safety?
Driving safety is largely determined by your driving style and 
the personal behaviour of all occupants.As driver, you are responsible for yourself and your passengers. 
When your concentration or driving  safety is affected, you endanger 
yourself as well as others on the road  ⇒, for this reason:
– Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic around you,  e.g. by passengers or telephone conversations.
– Never drive when your driving ability is impaired (e.g. by medica- tion, alcohol, drugs).
– Observe traffic laws and speed limits.
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Seat belts
26The following features are available to adjust the seat belt in the shoulder 
region:•
belt height ad justment for the front seats.
•
front seat height adjustment*.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web c an cause severe injuries in the event 
of an accident.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt mu st lie on the centre of the shoulder, 
never across the neck. The seat belt  must lie flat and snugly on the torso 
⇒ page 25, fig. 13 .
•
The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the 
stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis  ⇒page 25, 
fig. 14. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
•
Read and observe the warnings ⇒ page 23.
Pregnant women must also fasten their seat belts properly
The best protection for the unborn child is for the mother to 
wear the seat belt properly at all times during the pregnancy.The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web 
is properly positioned ⇒page 25.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly  ⇒page 10.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and  as low as possible over the pelvis  ⇒fig. 15 .
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the corresponding seat  and push it down until it is secu rely locked with an audible click 
⇒ .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in  the buckle.
Fig. 15  Positioning seat 
belts during pregnancy
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Seat belts27
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event 
of an accident.
•
For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must lie as low as 
possible over the pelvis, never across the stomach, and always lie flat so 
that no pressure is exerted on the abdomen.
•
Read and observe the warnings  ⇒page 23.
Seat belt release
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has 
come to a standstill.– Press the red button on the belt buckle  ⇒fig. 16. The latch plate 
is released and springs out ⇒ . – Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim 
is not damaged
WARNING
Never unbuckle a seat belt while the  vehicle is in motion. If you do, you 
increase the risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries.Adjusting the seat belt height
Seat belt height adjusters can be used to adjust the position 
of the seat belt at the shoulder.The seat belt adjuster for the front seats can be used to adjust the 
proper belt position at the shoulder.
Fig. 16  Removing latch 
plate from buckle
Fig. 17  Location of the 
belt height adjuster
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Child safety
46Child safetyBrief introductionIntroduction
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the rear 
seat than on the front passenger seat.We recommend that children under 12 years of age be transported on the rear 
seats. Children travelling on the rear seat must use a child restraint system or 
the seat belts provided, depending on their age, height and weight. For 
safety reasons, the child restraint system should be installed in the centre of 
the rear seat or behind the front passenger's seat.
The physical principles involved and the forces acting in a collision apply to 
children just as much as adults  ⇒page 21, “Why wear seat belts?”. But 
unlike adults, children do not have fully developed muscle and bone struc-
tures. This means that children are subject to a greater risk of injury.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint systems 
when travelling in the vehicle.
We recommend the use of child safety products from the SEAT Genuine Acces-
sories Program including systems for all ages made by “Peke”
1).
These systems have been especially designed and approved, complying with 
the ECE-R44. regulation.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats. Always read and observe 
⇒ page 47, “Safety notes on using child seats”. We recommend that you include the manu
facturer's directions for child seat 
use in the vehicle wallet and always keep them in the vehicle.
1)Not for all countries
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Seats and stowage127
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Removing or adjusting head restraints
The head restraints can be adju sted by moving them up and 
down.Adjusting height (front seats)
– Press the button on the side  and pull upwards to the desired 
position.
– To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head  restraint downwards.
– Make sure that it engages securely into position.
Adjusting height (rear seats)
– Press the button on the side  and pull upwards to the desired 
position. – To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head 
restraint downwards.
– Make sure that the head restraint engages securely in one of its  positions.  ⇒page 14
Angle adjustment (front seats)
– Press the head restraint forward or back to the required position.
Removing the head restraint
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press the button  ⇒fig. 94  (arrow).
– Pull head restraint out of fitting without releasing the button.
Fitting the head restraint
– Insert the head restraint into the guides on the rear backrest.
– Push head restraint down.
– Adjust the head restraint to suit body size  ⇒page 14 and 
⇒ page 13
WARNING
•
Never drive if the head restraints have been removed. Risk of injury.
•
Never drive if the head restraints are in an unsuitable position, there is 
a risk of serious injury.
•
After refitting the head restraint, you must always adjust it properly for 
height to achieve optimal protection.
•
Please observe the safety warnings  ⇒page 126, “Correct adjustment 
of head restraints”.
Fig. 94  Adjusting and 
removing the head 
restraints
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Seats and stowage
128Electric Front seatsAdjustment of the front seatsThe control elements in  ⇒fig. 95 are mirrored for the front right-
hand seat.
 Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move th e seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip   and move the seat further until the  catch engages.
 Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (s everal times if necessary) from 
its home position. This adjusts the seat height in stages.  Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
 Adjusting the lumbar support*
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel to  adjust the lumbar support.
The backrest curvature of the cushioned area is determined by the settings 
made in the lumbar region. This supports the natural curvature of the spine 
very effectively.
WARNING
•
Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in 
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting 
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adju st the driver or front passenger seat 
only when the vehicle is stationary.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to th e driver and front passenger during 
sudden braking manoeuvres or an acci dent, never drive with the backrest 
tilted far to the rear. The maximum protection of the seat belt can be 
achieved only when the backrests are in  an upright position and the driver 
and front passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further 
the backrests are tilted to the rear,  the greater the risk of injury due to 
improper positioning of the belt web!
•
Exercise caution when adjusting the seat height or forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the backrest is tilted without due 
care and attention.
Fig. 95  Front left seat 
controls
A1
A1
A2
A3A4
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Driving155
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
DrivingSteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely 
adjusted to suit the driver.
– Adjust the driver seat to the correct position.
– Push the lever under the steering column  ⇒fig. 128  down 
⇒ .
– Adjust the steering wheel in this way until the correct position is  set  ⇒fig. 129 .
– Then push the lever up again firmly  ⇒.
WARNING
•
Incorrect use of the steering column adjustment function and an inc or-
rect seating position can result in serious injury.
•
To avoid accidents, the steering column should be adjusted only when 
the vehicle is stationary. Risk of accident.
Fig. 128  Adjusting the 
steering wheel position
Fig. 129  Proper sitting 
position for driver
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