2006 Seat Alhambra airbag

Airbag system37
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a The front airbag system will not be triggered if:
•if the ignition is switched off,
•during a minor frontal collision,
•during a minor side collision,
•during a rear-end collision,
•or if the vehicle rolls.
WARNING
•The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if the
occupants are seated correctly.
•If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked
immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that
during a frontal collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger
correctly.
Function of front airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury.
The airbag system is designed so that the front airbags for the driver and front
passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas and
deploy in front of the driver and front passenger Ÿfig. 24. The fully deployed
airbags cushion the forward movement of the front occupants and help to
reduce the risk of injury to the head and the upper part of the body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. Once the impact has been
absorbed, the airbag deflates sufficiently for the front occupants to see
forward.
Fig. 24 Inflated front
airbags

Airbag system 38
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within fractions of a second). A fine dust
may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication
that there was a fire in the vehicle.
The function of the airbag covers if the airbags are triggered
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the driver
and front passenger airbags deploy. The airbag covers remain connected to
the steering wheel or the dash panel.
Safety notes on front airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
When the front airbags are triggered they fill the zones marked in red (radius
of action) . Therefore additional accessories should never be placed in these
areas Ÿ,
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the driver
and front passenger airbags deploy. The airbag covers remain connected to
the steering wheel or the dash panel.
WARNING
•It is important that the driver keeps at a minimum of 25 cm from the
steering wheel It is important that the passenger moves the seat back as
far as possible, to keep a safe distance away from the instrument panel.
Failure to respect the minimum distance means that the airbag will not
protect you. Risk of fatal injury. In addition, the front seats and head restraints must always be positioned correctly for the height of the occu-
pant.
•If you are not wearing a seat belt or if you lean forward or to the side or
assume an incorrect sitting position, the risk of injury is increased
substantially. This increased risk of injury will be further increased if you
are struck by an inflating airbag.
•Never let a child travel on the front seat without an appropriate restraint
system. If the airbag is triggered in an accident, children can sustain
serious or fatal injuries from the airbag as it inflates Ÿpage 45.
•Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any
objects or pets in the deployment space between them and the airbags, or
allow children or other passengers to travel in this position.
•The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
•It is also important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or
telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.
•Nothing should be placed on the windscreen area above the passenger
side airbag, for example notebooks or telephone holders. If the airbag is
activated, these objects may fly uncontrollably around the vehicle interior
and could cause injury.
•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system39
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
The side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger seat back-
rests Ÿfig. 25.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat
occupants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe
side collision Ÿpage 40, “Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag
system”.
In a side collision the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to passengers on
the front seats to the areas of the body facing the impact. In addition to their
normal function of protecting the occupants in a collision, the seat belts also
hold the passengers on the front seats in a position where the side airbags
can provide maximum protection.The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but is an integral part of
the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their
seat belts. For this reason, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all
times, not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also for
your safety
The side airbag system will not be triggered
•if the ignition is switched off,
•during a minor side collision,
•during a minor frontal collision,
•during a rear-end collision,
•or if the vehicle rolls.
The main parts of the airbag system are
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),
•the side airbags in the sides of the backrests of the front seats,
•a warning lamp T in the dash panel insert
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The airbag
warning lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is
switched on (self-diagnosis).
WARNING
•The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if the
occupants are seated correctly.
•If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked
immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that
during a side collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger
correctly.
Fig. 25 Side airbag in left
rear seat

Airbag system 40
Function of side airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury.
In some side collisions the side airbag is triggered on the impact side of the
vehicle.
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within fractions of a second). A fine dust
may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication
that there was a fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the occupants of the
front seats and help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.
Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system
Correct behaviour considerably reduces the risk of injury.
WARNING
•If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not seated
correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at greater risk of injury
should the side airbag system be triggered in an accident.
•In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
•The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
•Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks, must not be exerted upon the
backrest bolster because the system may be damaged. In this case the side
airbags would not be triggered.
•Under no circumstances should protective covers be fitted over the
driver seat or front passenger seat unless the covers have been expressly
approved for use in your vehicle. Because the airbag deploys from the side
of the backrest, the use of conventional seat covers would obstruct the side
airbag, seriously reducing the airbag's effectiveness .
•Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of the
side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a qualified workshop.
•The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
•When children assume an incorrect sitting position, they expose them-
selves to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This is
particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat
and the airbag system is triggered in an accident; this could have critical
consequences including serious injury or death Ÿpage 45.
•Any work on the side airbag system or removal and installation of the
airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the front seat)
should only be performed by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, a fault may
be introduced into the operation of the airbag system.
•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system41
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Curtain airbags
Description of curtain airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
The curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors
Ÿfig. 26 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the curtain airbag system gives the occu-
pants additional protection for the head and upper body in the event of a
severe side collision Ÿpage 39.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but is an integral part of
the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their
seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly. For this
reason, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only
because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your safetyThe main parts of the curtain airbag system are:
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),
•the curtain airbags (airbags with gas generator) for the driver, front
passenger and passengers on the rear seats,
• a warning lamp T in the dash panel insert.
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically.
The curtain airbag system will not be triggered
•if the ignition is switched off,
•during a frontal collision,
•during a rear-end collision,
•if the vehicle rolls,
•during a minor side collision,
WARNING
If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a
collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.Fig. 26 Location of left
curtain airbag

Airbag system 42
Function of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury in
a side collision.
During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side
of the vehicle Ÿfig. 27.
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain bag covers the side windows and door pillars.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within fractions of a second). A fine dust
may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication
that there was a fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants and
help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.
Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
•For safety reasons, the head air bag must be disconnected in those
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an
Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.
•There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-
pants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags
so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide the
greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have not been
expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached to the side
windows .
•The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. When using the
coat hooks, do not hang the clothes on coat hangers.
•The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
•Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining)
should only be performed by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, a fault may
be introduced into the operation of the airbag system.
Fig. 27 Deployed curtain
airbags

Airbag system43
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.
•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way,
this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on
the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.
Deactivating airbags*
Disabling front passenger front and side airbags
The passenger airbags must be disconnected when a rear
facing child seat is fitted in the front passenger seat.The key switch can be used to disconnect the front and side airbag
for the passenger seat. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain
functional.
Disabling front and side airbags for front passenger
– Switch off ignition.
– Open centre compartment on instrument panel:
– Using the ignition key, turn the switch to OFF Ÿfig. 28.
– Check if, when the ignition is switched on, that the warning lamp
“PASS AIRBAG OFF” on the instrument panel Ÿfig. 29 remains lit
Ÿ.
– Close centre compartment on instrument panel:
Enabling front and side airbags for front passenger
– Switch off ignition.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 28 Interior of centre
compartment on instru-
ment panel: Key switch for
switching off the front
passenger airbags
Fig. 29 Warning lamp for
disabling airbag in dash
panel

Airbag system 44
– Open centre compartment on instrument panel:
– Using the ignition key, turn the switch to ON Ÿpage 43, fig. 28.
– Check if, when the ignition is switched on, that the warning lamp
“PASS AIRBAG OFF” on the instrument panel Ÿpage 43, fig. 29
does not light up Ÿ.
– Close centre compartment on instrument panel:
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch.
•You should only disable the front and side passenger airbags if, in
exceptional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat on the front
passenger seat Ÿpage 45
•Never fit a child seat in the passenger seat, where the child faces back-
wards to the direction of travel and the frontal airbag has not been deacti-
vated. This is highly dangerous for the child. However, if it is necessary in
exceptional circumstances to transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on
the front passenger seat, you must always disable the front passenger
airbag.
•As soon as the child seat will no longer be used on the front passenger
seat, enable the front and side passenger airbag again.
•Only deactivate the front and side passenger airbag when the ignition
is off, otherwise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create the
risk of the front, curtain or side airbag not deploying properly or not at all
in the event of an accident.
•If, while the front and side passenger airbag is turned off, the indicator
PASS. AIRBAG OFF on the instrument panel does not remain lit, this could
indicate a fault in the airbag system:−Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified work-
shop.
−Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front and
side passenger airbag may deploy during an accident in spite of the
fault.
−It is impossible to determine whether the front or side airbags will be
triggered in case of accident. Inform your passengers of this.
WARNING (continued)