2006 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

Safe driving7
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Safety First
Safe driving
Brief introduction
Dear 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 information concerning the driver's
and passengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the vehicle
wallet also contain further information that you should be aware of for your
own safety and for the safety of your passengers.
•Ensure that the onboard documentation is kept in the vehicle at all
times. This is especially important when lending or selling the vehicle to
another person
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 for all seats,
•seat belt tension devices for driver and passenger,
•Belt height adjustment for the front seats and outer seats in the second
row,
•frontal airbags for driver and passenger,
•side airbags for driver and passenger,
•curtain airbags,
•ISOFIX anchorage for ISOFIX child seats in the outside seats in the second
and third rows,
•Height-adjustable head restraints and
•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
passengers assume an incorrect sitting position or do not properly adjust or
use this equipment.

Safe driving 8
Therefore, you have been provided with information about why this equip-
ment 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 Ÿpage 14.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors properly for your
size.
– Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to
their height.– Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly
applied seat belts Ÿpage 45.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers
also to assume a proper sitting position Ÿpage 9.
– Always fasten your seat belt correctly before driving off. Instruct
your passengers also to fasten their seat belts properly
Ÿpage 17.
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 Ÿ, 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.
– Always reduce your speed as appropriate for road, traffic and
weather conditions.
– When travelling long distances, take breaks regularly - at least
every two hours.

Safe driving9
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or are under pres-
sure of time.
WARNING
When driving safety is impaired during a trip, the risk of injury and acci-
dents increases.
Proper sitting position for occupants
Proper sitting position for driver
The proper sitting position for the driver is important for safe
and relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the driver:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a distance of at least
25 cm between the steering wheel and the centre of your chest
Ÿfig. 1.
– Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you are able
to press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with
your knees still slightly angled Ÿ.
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point of the steering
wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head Ÿfig. 2.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests
completely against it.
Fig. 1 The proper
distance between driver
and steering wheel
Fig. 2 Proper head
restraint position for
driver

Safe driving 10
– Fasten your seat belt correctly Ÿpage 17.
– Keep both feet in the foot well so that you have the vehicle under
control at all times.
Adjustment of the driver's seat Ÿpage 121.
WARNING
•An incorrect sitting position of the driver can lead to severe injuries.
•Adjust the driver's seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between
the centre of the chest and the hub of the steering wheel Ÿpage 9, fig. 1.
If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm, the airbag system cannot protect you
properly.
•If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
•When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This reduces the
risk of injury when the driver airbag is triggered.
•Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other
manner (e.g. in the centre of the steering wheel). In such cases, you may
sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.
•To reduce the risk of injury to the driver during sudden braking manoeu-
vres or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted far back! The airbag
system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the driver is wearing his or her seat belt
properly. The further the backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web or the incorrect sitting
position!
•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve optimal protection.
Proper sitting position for front passenger
The front passenger must sit at least 25 cm away from the
dash panel so that the airbag can provide the greatest
possible protection in the event that it is triggered.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the front
passenger:
– Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible Ÿ.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests
completely against it.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head Ÿpage 12.
– Keep both feet in the foot well in front of the front passenger
seat.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly Ÿpage 17.
It is possible to deactivate the passenger airbag in exceptional circum-
stances Ÿpage 24.
Adjusting the front passenger's seat.
WARNING
•An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe
injuries.

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Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•Adjust the front passenger seat so that there is at least 25 cm between
your breastbone and the dash panel. If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm,
the airbag system cannot protect you properly.
•If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
•Always keep your feet in the foot well when the vehicle is moving;
never rest them on the instrument panel, out the window or on the seat. An
incorrect sitting position exposes you to an increased risk of injury in the
event of a braking manoeuvre or an accident. If the airbag is triggered, you
could sustain severe injuries due to an incorrect sitting position.
•To reduce the risk of injury to the front passenger during sudden
braking manoeuvres or an accident, never travel with the backrest tilted far
back! The airbag system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection
when the backrest is in an upright position and the front passenger is
wearing his or her seat belt properly. The further the backrests are tilted to
the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the
belt web or the incorrect sitting position!
•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the individual seats must sit up straight, keep
their feet in the footwells and wear their seat belts properly.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking
manoeuvre or an accident, passengers in the individual seats must
observe the following:– The backrest of the 3-seat seat bench must be in the upright
position and securely engaged in this position.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head.
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the individual seat.
– Always fasten your seat belt correctly before driving off.
– Use an appropriate child restraint system when you take children
in the vehicle .
WARNING
If the passengers on the individual seats are not sitting properly, they
could sustain severe injuries.
•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
•The seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the backrests
are properly engaged in the upright position and the passengers are
wearing their seat belts properly. If passengers on the individual seats are
not sitting in an upright position, the risk of injury due to incorrect posi-
tioning of the belt web increases.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the rear seats must sit up straight, keep their
feet in the foot well s and wear their seat belts properly.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking
manoeuvre or an accident, passengers on the rear bench seat must
observe the following:
WARNING (continued)

Safe driving 12
– Adjust the headrest to the correct position.
– Keep both feet in the foot well in front of the rear seat.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly Ÿpage 17.
– Use an appropriate child restraint system when you take children
in the vehicle Ÿpage 45.
WARNING
•If the passengers on the rear seat are not sitting properly, they could
sustain severe injuries.
•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
•Seat belts can only provide optimal protection when backrests are in an
upright position and the passengers are wearing their seat belts properly.
If passengers on the rear seat are not sitting in an upright position, the risk
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web increases.
Correct adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
occupant protection and can reduce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
Fig. 3 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the front
Fig. 4 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the side

Safe driving13
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head and, at the very least, at eye level
Ÿpage 12, fig. 3 and Ÿpage 12, fig. 4
WARNING
•Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted
increases the risk of severe injuries.
•Incorrectly adjusted head restraints could result in death in the event of
a collision or accident.
•Incorrectly adjusted head restraints also increase the risk of injury
during sudden or unexpected driving or braking manoeuvres.
•The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the occu-
pant's size.
Examples of incorrect sitting positions
An incorrect sitting position can lead to severe injuries to
occupants.
Seat belts can provide optimal protection only when the belt webs
are properly positioned. Incorrect sitting positions substantially
reduce the protective function of seat belts and increase the risk of
injury due to incorrect belt web position. As the driver, you are
responsible for all vehicle occupants, especially children.
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in
the vehicle while travelling Ÿ.
The following list contains examples of sitting positions that could be
dangerous for all occupants. The list is not complete, but we would like to
make you aware of this issue.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is in motion:
•Never stand in the vehicle,
•never stand on the seats,
•never kneel on the seats,
•never tilt your backrest far to the rear,
•never lean against the dash panel,
•never lie on the rear bench,
•never sit on the front edge of a seat,
•never sit sideways,
•never lean out of a window,
•never put your feet out of a window,
•never put your feet on the dash panel,
•never put your feet on the surface of a seat,
•never travel in a foot well ,
•never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt,
•never carry any person in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•Every incorrect sitting position increases the risk of severe injuries.
•Sitting in an incorrect position exposes the occupants to severe injuries
if airbags deploy, striking an occupant who has assumed an incorrect
sitting position.
•Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and main-
tain it throughout the trip. Before every trip, instruct your passengers to
assume the proper sitting position and to maintain it during the trip
Ÿpage 9, “Proper sitting position for occupants”.

Safe driving 14
Pedal area
Pedals
The operation and freedom of movement of all pedals must
never be impaired by objects or floor mats.
– Ensure that you can always press the accelerator, brake and
clutch pedals unimpaired to the floor.
– Ensure that the pedals can return unimpaired to their initial posi-
tions.
Use only floor mats which leave the pedal area free and can be securely
fastened in the foot well.
If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must be free to move further than
normal in order to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Wear suitable shoes
Always wear shoes which support your feet properly and give you a good feel
for the pedals.
WARNING
•Restricting pedal operation can lead to critical situations while driving.
•Never place objects in the driver foot well. An object could move into the
pedal area and impair pedal operation. In the event of a sudden driving or
braking manoeuvre, you will not be able to operate the brake, clutch or
accelerator pedal. Risk of accident!
Floor mats on the driver side
Only floor mats may be used which can be securely fastened
in the foot well and do not impair operation of the pedals.
– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened during the trip
and do not obstruct the pedals Ÿ.
Only use floor mats which leave the pedals clear and which are secured to
prevent them from slipping. You can obtain suitable floor mats from a quali-
fied dealership.
WARNING
•If the pedals are obstructed, you could cause an accident. Risk of
serious injuries.
•Ensure that the floor mats are always securely attached.
•Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original floor
mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the pedals. Risk
of accident.
Stowing luggage
Loading the luggage compartment
All luggage and other loose objects must be safely secured in
the luggage compartment.
Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could impair the
driving safety or driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the
centre of gravity.