2006 Seat Ibiza 5D maintenance

Seat belts17
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Why wear seat belts?Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
In the event of a frontal collision, a large amount of kinetic
energy is generated.
The action of the laws of physics in the case of a frontal collision may be
explained in the following way: As the vehicle moves ⇒fig. 6 the vehicle and
the passengers alike accumulate a stored energy called “kinetic energy”.
The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the
weight of the vehicle an d passengers. The higher the speed and the greater
the weight, the more energy there is to be “released” in an accident.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed
doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic energy increases
by a factor of four.
Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the
entire amount of kinetic energy has to be absorbed at the point of impact
⇒ fig. 7 .
Even at speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on bodies in a colli-
sion can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kg). At greater speed these forces
are even higher.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “attached” to the vehicle. In a
frontal collision they will continue to move forward at the speed their vehicle
Fig. 6 Passengers of a
vehicle heading for a brick
wall. They are not wearing
seat belts.
Fig. 7 The vehicle with
unbelted occupants
strikes the wall.
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Seat belts19
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Seat belts protect
Passengers not wearing seat belts risk severe injuries in the
event of an accident.Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting posi-
tions and substantially reduce the kinetic energy in the event of an accident.
Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could lead to
severe injuries. In addition, properly worn seat belts reduce the danger of
being thrown from the car.
Passengers wearing their s eat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability
of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to
absorb the kinetic energy generated in a collision. Taken together, all these
features reduce the forces acting on the occupants and consequently the risk
of injury.
Our examples describe frontal collisions . Of course, properly worn seat belts
reduce substantially the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is why it is so important to fasten seat
belts before every trip, even when "just
driving around the corner".
Ensure that your passengers wear their seat belts as well. Accident statistics
have shown properly worn seat belts to be an effective means of substantially
reducing the risk of injury and improvi ng the chances of survival in a serious
accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection
provided by airbags in the event of an accident. For this reason, wearing a
seat belt is required by law in most countries.
Although your vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be
fastened and worn. The front airbags, for example, are only triggered in some
frontal accidents. The front airbags will not be triggered during minor frontal
collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions, rolls or accidents in which the
airbag trigger threshold in the control unit is not exceeded.
Therefore, you should always wear your seat belt and ensure that your
passengers have fastened their seat belts properly before you drive off!
Safety notes on using seat belts
If seat belts are used correctly, they can reduce the risk of
injury in an accident.– Always wear the seat belt as described in this booklet.
– Ensure that the seat belts can be fastened at all times and are not damaged.
WARNING
•
If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe inju-
ries increases. The optimal protection from seat belts can be achieved only
if you use them properly.
Fig. 10 Driver protected
by the properly worn seat
belt during a sudden
braking manoeuvre.
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Seat belts21
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te 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.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
⇒page 20, fig. 11.
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.The seat belts are equipped with an automatic retractor on the shoulder
strap. 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 automati c retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front seats are fitted with belt tension
devices ⇒page 24.
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 belt s 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.
Seat belt position
Seat belts offer their maximum pr otection only when they are
properly positioned.
Fig. 12 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from frontFig. 13 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from side
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Seat belts23
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
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. 15. 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.
Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe injuries.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order
described in this chapter. An incorrect sitting position impairs
substantially the protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe
or fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially
increased when a deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has
assumed an incorrect sitting position. As driver, you are responsible
for all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in the vehicle while travelling ⇒ .
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts
properly and to wear them during the trip.
•
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of seat belts ⇒ page 19.
Fig. 15 Removing latch
plate from buckle
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Airbag system25
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Airbag systemBrief introductionWhy wear a seat belt and assume the correct sitting position?
For the inflating airbags to achieve the best protection, the
sea t b el t m u st a l w ay s be w o rn p ro p e rly a n d t h e co rrec t s i tt i ng
position must be assumed.For your own safety and the safety of the passengers, please ensure
the following before you drive:
– Always wear the seat belt properly
– Adjust the driver seat and the steering wheel correctly.
– Adjust the front passenger seat correctly.
– Adjust the head restraint seat correctly ⇒page 12.
– Use the correct child restraint system to protect children in your vehicle.The airbag deploys in fractions of a second and with a high velocity. If you
have assumed an incorrect seating position at that moment, you could
sustain critical injuries. Therefore, it is essential that all occupants maintain
a correct sitting position while travelling.
Braking heavily the moment before an accident may cause an occupant not
wearing a seat belt to be thrown forwar d into the area of the deploying airbag. In this case, the inflating airbag may inflict critical or fatal injuries upon the
occupant. This applies particularly to children.
Always maintain the greatest possible distance between yourself and the
front airbag. This way, the front airbag
s can completely deploy when trig-
gered, providing their maximum protection.
The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident,
the angle of impact and the vehicle speed.
Whether the airbags are triggered depends primarily on the vehicle deceler-
ation rate resulting from the collision an d detected by the control unit. If the
vehicle deceleration occurring during the collision and measured by the
control unit remains below the specifie d reference values, the front, side
and/or curtain airbag will not be triggered. Take into account that the visible
damage in a vehicle following an accident, for whatever reason, are not an
indication as to why the airbags were triggered.
WARNING
•
Wearing the seat belt incorrectly or assuming an incorrect sitting posi-
tion can lead to critical or fatal injuries.
•
All occupants, including children, who are not properly belted can
sustain critical or fatal injuries if the airbag is triggered. You should always
transport all children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat. Never transport
children in the vehicle if they are not restrained or the restraint system is
not appropriate for their age, size or weight.
•
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.
•
To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, always wear the
seat belt properly.
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Airbag system27
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
The functionality of the airbag and belt tension device system is constantly
monitored electronically. The warning lamp
 will light up for a few seconds
every time the ignition is switched on (self-diagnosis).
The system must be checked when the warning lamp
 :
•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•
does not go out about 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on,
•
goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched on,
•
or if it comes on or flickers while the car is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously.
Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified workshop.
If any of the airbags are deactivated by the Authorised Service Centre, the
indicator lights for several seconds more after the verification and will turn off
if there is no fault.
WARNING
•
If there is a malfunction, the airbag and belt tension device system
cannot properly perform its protective function.
•
If a malfunction should occur, have the system checked immediately by
a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a risk that, in the event of an acci-
dent, the airbag system and belt tens ion devices may not be triggered, or
may not be triggered correctly.
Repair, care and disposal of the airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system
when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag system may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the
airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the airbag are
scrapped. The specialist workshops and the
Vehicle disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•
If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used
incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries is increased. The airbags may
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.
•
Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft
plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dashboard,
and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.
•
It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.
•
To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry cloth
or one moistened with water. Never clean the dash panel and surface of the
airbag module with cleaners containing solvents. Solvents cause the
surface to become porous. If the airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic
parts can cause substantial injuries.
•
Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag
system.
•
Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of the airbag
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should
be performed only by a qualified wo rkshop. Qualified workshops have the
necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
•
We urgently recommend that you go to a qualified workshop for all work
on the airbag system.
•
Never attempt to alter the front bumper or the body.
•
The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
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Airbag system29
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te 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 ⇒page 9, “Proper sitting position for occu-
pants”.
•
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 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 ⇒fig. 18 . 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. 18 Inflated front
airbags
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Airbag system31
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Safety notes on front airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•
It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. If the minimum
distance is not observed then the airbags do not correctly protect the
vehicle occupants; risk of fatal injuries! In addition, the front seats and
head restraints must always be positioned correctly for the height of the
occupant.
•
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 ⇒page 40, “Child
safety”.
•
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any
objects or pets in the deployment sp ace 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.
•
Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
Side airbagsDescription 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 ⇒fig. 20 . The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in the upper
region of the backrests.
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 ⇒page 34, “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 occupan ts 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.
Fig. 20 Side airbag in
driver seat
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