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, tips, suggestions and
warnings that you should read and follow 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 information that you should be aware of for your
own safety and for the safety of your passengers.
•
Ensure that the onboard documentatio n 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.
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Safe driving
8Therefore, 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 fi tted. 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 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 ⇒page 45.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers also to assume a proper sitting position ⇒ page 9.
– Always fasten your seat belt correctly before driving off. Instruct your passengers also to fasten their seat belts properly
⇒page 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 ⇒, 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.
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Seat belts25
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te 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 l ie 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 ⇒page 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 ⇒page 24.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒page 9.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and as low as possible over the pelvis ⇒ fig. 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
⇒ .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.
Fig. 14 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy
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Seat belts
26
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web c an 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 21.
Belt height adjustment
Using the height adjusters for the front seats and the outer
seats in the second row the position of the seat belts can be
adjusted in the shoulder area according to the height of the
occupant.
The seat belt adjustment for the front seats and the outer seats in
the second row can be used to adjust the proper belt web position
at the shoulder.
–Press the upper part ⇒fig. 15 of the shoulder belt guide in the
direction of the arrow and hold it in this position.
– Move the shoulder belt guide up or down until you have the seat belt in a position suitable for your size.
– Release the shoulder belt guide.
– Check that the retractor is secure by giving the belt a sharp tug.Unfastening seatbelt (with one buckle)
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has
come to a standstill.
Fig. 15 Location of the
belt height adjuster
Fig. 16 Removing latch
plate from buckle
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Seat belts29
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Belt retainer*
WARNING
•
When the belt for the outer seats in the centre row is removed insert the
webbing behind the guide of the side trim ⇒fig. 20, in order to lower the
backrest without damaging the webbing.
•
The seat belts must be removed fr om the holder before removing the
individual seats. This means that the belts will not be damaged.
Belt height adjustment
This device enables the positi on of the seat belts to be
adjusted for the height of the wearer at the shoulder area.The seat belt adjustment for the front seats and the outer seats in
the second row can be used to adjust the proper belt web position
at the shoulder.
– Press the upper part ⇒fig. 21 of the shoulder belt guide in the
direction of the arrow and hold it in this position.
– Move the retractor reel up or down to adjust the seat belt.
– Check that the retractor is secure by giving the belt a sharp tug.
Fig. 20 Belt retainer for
outer seats in centre row
Fig. 21 Location of the
belt height adjuster
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Airbag system
38In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (withi n 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 triggeredThe airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the driver
and front passenger airbags deploy. Th e 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 ⇒,
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the driver
and front passenger airbags deploy. Th e airbag covers remain connected to
the steering wheel or the dash panel.
WARNING
•
It is important that the driver keep s 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 ⇒page 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 wi ndscreen 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)
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Child safety45
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Child 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 19. But unlike adults, children do not
have fully developed muscle and bone structures. 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”
2).
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 45. We recommend that you include the manufacturer's directions for child seat
use in the vehicle wallet and always keep them in the vehicle.
Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of
injury in an accident!As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using appropriate child seats.
– Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned
according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the
child seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traffic.
– Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least every two hours.We recommend that you include the manufacturer's directions for child seat
use in the vehicle wallet and always keep them in the vehicle.
WARNING
•
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. If it is necessary, in excep-
2)Not for all countries
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Child safety49
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt mu st lie approximately on the centre
of the shoulder, never across the neck or the arm. The seat belt must lie
close to the torso. The lap belt part must lie across the pelvis, not across
the stomach, and always fit closely. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take
up any slack ⇒page 22, “Seat belts”.
•
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of child seats ⇒page 45.
Installation of child seats in vehicle seatsGeneral notesThe correct fitting of child seats in the different seats is described below.
Child restraint systems that have been checked according to ECE-R 44 are
suitable for installation on the front passenger seat or on the rear seats.
Note
The passenger seat and the rear seats comply with directive 77/541 EEC for
the installation of child restraint systems.
Front passenger seat
Only the use of an officially approved child seat corre-
sponding to the weight and height of the child is permitted.Universal seats for children in groups 0, 0+, 1, 2, or 3 (⇒ page 52) ⇒ can
be fitted in the passenger seat.
To fit a child seat, position the seat in the upright position and move the
passenger seat as far back as possible. The seat must be in the highest posi-
tion
3) on vehicles with a height-adjustable ⇒ front passenger seat.WARNING
•
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. If it is necessary in excep-
tional cases to transport a child on the front passenger seat, you must
always disable the front and side passenger airbags ⇒page 43.
•
Children must travel in a child seat appropriate to their weight and
height.
•
The vehicle seat must always be fitt ed in the direction of travel when
securing child restraint systems in weight class 0 or 0+.
•
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of child seats ⇒ in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 45.
•
Please always read and follow the information and warnings provided
by the child seat manufacturer.
3)Optional equipment
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