2006 Seat Alhambra ECU

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 driving11
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 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.

Safe driving15
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment.
– Lay and stow heavy luggage as far forward as possible in the
luggage compartment.
– Stow heavy luggage as low as possible in the luggage compart-
ment.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening rings Ÿ page 15.
WARNING
•Loose luggage and other objects in the luggage compartment can
cause serious injuries.
•Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure them on
the fastening rings.
•Use suitable specialist straps to secure heavy objects.
•During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown
forward, injuring vehicle occupants. This increased risk of injury will be
further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating airbag. If this
happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of fatal injury.
•Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style
accordingly, to avoid accidents.
•Never exceed the allowed axle loads or allowed maximum weight. If the
allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving char-
acteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries and
damage to the vehicle.
•Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment closing the door
behind them; they will remain trapped without help and there is a mortal
risk.
•Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Close and lock
both the tailgate and all the doors when you leave the vehicle. Before you
lock the vehicle, make sure that there are no adults or children in the
vehicle.
•Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every
passenger must be properly belted in Ÿpage 17.
Note
•Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce fogging of the windows. Used
air escapes through ventilation slits in the side trim of the luggage compart-
ment. Ensure that the ventilation slits are never covered.
•Straps for securing the load to the fastening rings are commercially
available.
Fastening rings
There are four fastening rings in the luggage compartment
which can be used to secure luggage and other objects.
– Always use suitable and undamaged straps to secure luggage
and other objects to the fastening rings Ÿ in “Loading the
luggage compartment” on page 14.
– Pull up the fastening rings to attach the straps.
The retainers for the detachable seat belts for the third row of seats and the
floor anchors for the seats can be used as fastening rings for items of
luggage.
WARNING (continued)

Safe driving 16
During a collision or an accident, even small and light objects can build up so
much energy that they can cause very severe injuries. The amount of “kinetic
energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the object.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle.
For example: an object weighing 4.5 kg is lying unsecured in the vehicle.
During a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, this object generates a force
corresponding to 20 times its weight. That means that the effective weight of
the object increases to about 90 kg. You can imagine the severity of the inju-
ries which might be sustained if this “projectile” strikes an occupant as it flies
through the passenger compartment. This increased risk of injury will be
further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating airbag.
WARNING
If pieces of baggage or other objects are secured to the fastening rings with
inappropriate or damaged retaining cords, injuries could result in the event
of braking manoeuvres or accidents.
•To prevent pieces of luggage or other objects from flying forward,
always use appropriate retaining cords which are secured to the fastening
rings.
•Never secure a child seat on the fastening rings.

Seat belts 22
•Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town. That
applies also to your front and rear passengers – danger of injury!
•The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is not posi-
tioned correctly.
•Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same seat belt.
•Keep both feet in the foot-well in front of your seat as long as the
vehicle is in motion.
•Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. Risk of fatal
injury.
•The belt webbing must never be twisted while it is being worn.
•The belt webbing should never lie on hard or fragile objects (such as
glasses or pens, etc.) because this can cause injuries.
•Do not allow the seat belt to be damaged or jammed, or to rub on any
sharp edges.
•Never wear the seat belt under the arm or in any other incorrect posi-
tion.
•Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket) impairs the
proper fit and function of the belts, reducing their capacity to protect.
•The slot in the seat belt buckle must not be blocked with paper or other
objects, as this can prevent the latch plate from engaging securely.
•Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments to alter
the position of the belt webbing.
•Frayed or torn seat belts or damage to the connections, belt retractors
or parts of the buckle could cause severe injuries in the event of an acci-
dent. Therefore, you must check the condition of all seat belts at regular
intervals.
•Seat belts which have been worn in an accident and stretched must be
replaced by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if there
is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be checked.
•Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts
must not be removed or modified in any way.
•The belts must be kept clean, otherwise the retractors may not work
properly.
Seat belts
Fastening seat belt (one buckle)
The seat belts on the front seats and the seats in the second
and third row are fastened using one buckle.
The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is not
positioned correctly.
WARNING (continued)WARNING (continued)
Fig. 10 Belt buckle and
latch plate of seat belt

Seat belts23
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
– Adjust the seat and head restraint correctly.
– To fasten the belt, take hold of the latch plate and pull it slowly
across your chest and lap Ÿ.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and
push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
Ÿpage 22, fig. 10.
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in
the buckle.
Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retractor on the shoulder
belt. Full freedom of movement is permitted when the shoulder belt is pulled
slowly. However, during sudden braking, during travel in mountains or bends
and during acceleration, the automatic retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front seats are fitted with belt tension
devices .
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event of
an accident.
•The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an
upright position and the seat belts have been fastened properly.
•Never put the latch plate in the buckle of another seat. If you do this, the
seat belt will not protect you properly and the risk of injury is increased.
•If an occupant is incorrectly belted in, the belt cannot protect him or her
properly. An incorrectly positioned belt web can cause extremely severe
injuries.
Fastening seat belts (with two buckles)
The seat belt for the centre seat in the second row of seats is
fastened using two buckles.
– Adjust the seat and head restraint correctly.
– Use latch plate of the belt Ÿfig. 11 to pull the belt down.
– Insert latch plate into the buckle belonging to the seat and
push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click.
– Use latch plate of the belt to pull the belt across your lap.
– Insert latch plate into the buckle belonging to seat and
push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click.
– Pull the belt to ensure that both latch plates are securely
engaged in the buckles.
Fig. 11 Fastening the
seat belt on the centre
seat in the second row of
seats
A1
A1AA
A2
A2AB

Seat belts25
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a The following features are available to adjust the seat belt in the shoulder
region:
•Belt height adjustment for the front seats and the outer seats in the
second row,
•front seat height adjustment*.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event of
an accident.
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never across the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the
torso
•The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the pelvis Pull
the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
•Read and observe the warnings Ÿpage 22.
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 Ÿpage 24.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly Ÿpage 9.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and
as low as possible over the pelvis Ÿfig. 14.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the corresponding seat
and push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
Ÿ.
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in
the buckle.
Fig. 14 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy