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, 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 vehicle
handling both by passengers and the driver. The other booklets in the
vehicle wallet also contain further info rmation that you should be aware of
for your own safety and for the safety of your passengers.
•
Ensure that the complete vehicle wallet is always in the vehicle. This is
especially important when you lend or sell the vehicle to others.
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,• be lt te nsion limiter for the front and rear seats,•
belt tension devices for the front seats,
•
front airbags,
•
side airbags in the front seat backrests,
•
curtain airbags,
•
“ISOFIX” anchor points fo r “ISOFIX” child seats on the outer seats in the
second row,
•
height-adjustable head restraints,
•
rear-centre head restraints with in-use position and non-use position,
•
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.
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 7 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13
Safe driving
8Therefore, information is provided about why this equipment 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.
– Secure all baggage ⇒page 15.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors properly for your size.
– Ensure that the passenger in the central rear seat always has the head restraint in position ⇒page 13. – Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to
their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly applied seat belts ⇒page 41.
– 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 16.
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.
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 8 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13
Airbag system
32Safety 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 41, “Child
safety”.
•
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any
objects or pets in the deployment s pace between them and the airbags, or
allow children or other passenger s 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 35, “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.
Fig. 20 Side airbag in
driver seat
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 32 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13
Child safety41
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 18, “Why wear seat belts?”. But
unlike adults, children do not have fully developed muscle and bone struc-
tures. 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 programme including systems for all ages made by “Peke”
1).
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 41, “Safety notes on using child seats”. 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.
WARNING
•
Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This
represents a risk of fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in
exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front
passenger airbag must always be disabled ⇒page 39, “Deactivating
1)Not for all countries
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 41 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13
Child safety
42airbags*”. If the passenger seat has a height adjustment option, move it to
the highest position.•
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
•
All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly belted in while travelling.
•
Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially
fatal injuries to the child!
•
Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an accident,
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries
to themselves and other occupants.
•
If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving,
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury during a sudden braking
manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly the case if the child is trav-
elling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is triggered in an
accident; this could have consequences including serious injury or death.
•
A suitable child seat can protect your child!
•
Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat or alone in the vehicle.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
•
Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal seat
belt without a child restraint system, as this could cause injuries to the
abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an
accident.
•
Do not allow the belt webbing to become twisted or jammed, or to rub
on any sharp edges.
•
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision
or sudden braking manoeuvres.
•
The seat belt provides maximum prot ection only when the belt web is
properly positioned ⇒ page 21, “Seat belts”.
•
Only one child may occupy a child seat
Child seatsCategorisation of child seats into groups
Use only child seats that are of ficially approved and suitable
for the child.Child seats are covered by the European standard ECE R 44 (issued by the
Economic Commission of Europe).
The child seats are grouped into 5 categories:
Group 0 : to 10 kg
Group 0+ : to 13 kg
Group 1 : 9to18kg
Group 2 : 15 to 25 kg
Group 3 : 22 to 36 kg
Child seats that have been tested and approved under the ECE R 44 standard
bear the test mark on the seat (the letter E in a circle with the test number
below it).
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 42 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13
Seats and stowage
102Removing or adjust ing head restraints
The head restraints can be adjusted by moving them up and
down.Adjusting height (front seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired position.
– To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head restraint downwards.
– Make sure that it engages securely into position.
Adjust height (rear outer seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards or downwards to the desired position. – Make sure that the head restrain
t engages securely in one of its
positions.
Adjusting height (rear central seat)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired position.
– To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head restraint downwards.
– Make sure that the head restrain t engages securely in one of its
positions ⇒page 12.
Angle adjustment (front seats)
– Press the head restraint forward or back to the required position.
Removing the head restraint
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press the button ⇒fig. 70 (arrow).
– Pull head restraint out of fitting without releasing the button.
Fitting the head restraint
– Insert the head restraint into the guides on the rear backrest.
– Push head restraint down.
– Adjust the head restraint to suit body size ⇒page 12 and
⇒ page 12.
Fig. 70 Adjusting and
removing the head
restraints
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 102 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13
Seats and stowage103
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
•
Never drive if the head restraints have been removed. Risk of injury.
•
Never drive if the head restraints are in an unsuitable position, there is
a risk of serious injury.
•
After refitting the head restraint, you must always adjust it properly for
height to achieve optimal protection.
•
Please observe the safety warnings ⇒page 101, “Correct adjustment
of head restraints”.Note
•
To fit and remove the rear head restraints, gently tilt the seat back
forwards.
•
When fitting the head restraints again, insert the tubes as far as possible
into the guides without pressing the button.
Front seatsAdjustment of the front seats
Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move the seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip and mo ve the seat further until the
catch engages.
Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (several times if necessary) from its home position. This adjust s the seat height in stages.
Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
Fig. 71 Front left seat
controls
A1
A1
A2A3
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 103 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13
Seats and stowage
104
WARNING
•
Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adju st the driver or front passenger seat
only when the vehicle is stationary.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger during
sudden braking manoeuvres or an accident, never drive with the backrest
tilted far to the rear. The maximum protection of the seat belt can be
achieved only when the backrests are in an upright position and the driver
and front passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further
the backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to
improper positioning of the belt web!
•
Exercise caution when adjusting the seat height or forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the backrest is tilted without due
care and attention.
Heated seats*
The front seat cushions and backrests can be heated electri-
cally.
– Turn the appropriate thumb wheel ⇒fig. 72 t o s wi t ch o n t h e s e a t
heating. The seat heating is switched off in the 0 position.The seat heating only works when the ignition is switched on. The left thumb
wheel controls the left seat and the right thumb wheel the right seat.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements, please do not kneel on the seat or
apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat cushion and backrest.
Fig. 72 Thumb wheel for
the front seat heating
cordoba_ingles_0706 Seite 104 Montag, 28. August 2006 1:18 13