
Airbag system
40Deactivating airbags*Disabling front passenger airbag
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat, 
the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.
When the passenger airbag is  deactivated, this means that only the 
frontal and side airbags are deactivated. All the other airbags in the 
vehicle remain functional.
Disabling front passenger airbag
– Switch off ignition.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key operated switch in the glove  box to the position  OFF ⇒ fig. 25 .
– Check that the warning lamp “AIRBAG OFF” in the dash panel  ⇒fig. 26 remains lit  ⇒when the ignition is switched on.
Enabling front passenger airbag
– Switch off ignition.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key-operated switch in the glove  box to the position  ON ⇒fig. 25 .
Fig. 25  In the glove 
compartment: key for 
enabling and disabling 
front passenger airbag
Fig. 26  Warning lamp for 
deactivated passenger 
airbag in centre console
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 40  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Airbag system41
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Check that the warning lamp “AIRBAG OFF” in the dash panel 
does  ⇒page 40, fig. 26  not  light up when the ignition is 
switched on  ⇒.
WARNING
•
The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated 
switch. 
•
You should deactivate the front passenger airbag only if you have to use 
a rear-facing child seat in exceptional cases. ⇒ page 42, “Child safety”.
•
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 th e 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 is no longer needed on the front passenger 
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.
•
Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create a danger that 
in case of an accident, the airbag do es not deploy properly or does not 
deploy at all.
•
When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIRBAG 
OFF is not continuously lit up when the  front passenger airbag is disabled, 
there may be 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 
passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault 
in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-
ries. −
It is not certain whether the fron t passenger airbag will deploy 
during an accident! Inform your passengers of this.
•
When using the ignition key to activate / deactivate the passenger 
frontal airbag, only the passenger frontal and side airbag will be activated 
/ deactivated. The curtain airbag on the passenger side will remain 
active.WARNING (continued)
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 41  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Child safety43
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
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 
⇒page 44.
– Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned  according to the instructions prov ided 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 
could lead to a risk of pote ntially 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 40, 
“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passe nger 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 protection only when the belt web is 
properly positioned  ⇒page 20, “Seat belts”.
•
Only one child may occupy a child seat  ⇒page 44, “Child seats”.WARNING (continued)
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 43  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Unlocking and locking73
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Each door may be unlocked and opened 
from the interior (for example when 
a passenger gets out). For this, simply operate the lever on the inside of the 
door twice.
WARNING
The door handles should never be op erated when the vehicle is running: 
the door will open.Emergency unlocking systemThe entire vehicle is unlocked if the airbags are triggered during an accident, 
except for the boot. It is possible to lock the vehicle from inside using the 
central locking, after turning the  ignition off and back on again.
Central locking button
The vehicle can be locked and unlocked from the inside using 
the central locking button.Locking the vehicle
– Press the button   ⇒.
Unlocking the doors
– Press the button  .The central locking button is still operative when the ignition is switched off. 
Except, if the "safe" security system is activated.
Please note the following when you use the central locking button to lock your 
vehicle:•
It will not be possible to open th e doors or the tailgate from the outside 
(this may offer extra safety, for instance when stopped at traffic lights).
Fig. 43  Central locking 
button
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 73  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Seats and stowage
104Seats and stowageThe importance of correct seat adjustmentProper seat adjustment optimi ses the level of protection 
offered by seat belts and airbags.Your vehicle has  five passenger places, two individual front seats and three 
places on the rear seat. Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
The driver seat and front passenger seat can be adjusted in many ways to suit 
the physical requirements of the vehicl e occupants. The correct seat position 
is very important for:•
fast and easy operation of all controls on the instrument panel,
•
relaxed posture that does not cause drowsiness,
•
safe driving  ⇒page 7,
•
and to ensure that the seat belts and airbag system provide maximum 
protection  ⇒page 16.
WARNING
•
If the driver and passengers assume improper sitting positions, they 
may sustain critical injuries.
•
Never transport more people than there are seats available in the 
vehicle.
•
Every occupant in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat 
belt belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an appro-
priate child restraint system  ⇒page 42, “Child safety”.
•
The front seats and all head restraints must always be adjusted to body 
size and the seat belt must always  be properly adjusted to provide you and 
your passengers with optimum protection.
•
Always keep your feet in the foot well when the vehicle is moving; never 
rest them on the dash panel, out of  the window or on the seat. This also 
applies to passengers. 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 incor-
rect sitting position.
•
It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance 
of at least 25 cm from the steering wh eel or dash panel. Failure to respect 
the minimum distance means that the airbag will not protect you. Risk of 
fatal injury. The distance between the driver and the steering wheel or 
between the front passenger and the dash panel should always be as great 
as possible.
•
Adjust the driver or front passenger seat only when the vehicle is 
stationary. Otherwise your seat could move unexpectedly while the vehicle 
is moving. This could increase the risk of an accident and therefore injury. 
In addition, while adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting 
position. Risk of fatal accidents.
•
Special guidelines apply to installing a child seat on the front 
passenger seat. When installing a chil d seat, observe the warning note in 
the  ⇒page 42, “Child safety”.WARNING (continued)
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 104  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Driving131
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel so that there is a distance of at 
least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your breast bone  ⇒page 130, 
fig. 98 . If you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not 
protect you. Risk of fatal injury.
•
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the 
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact an Authorised Service Centre. The 
Authorised Service Centre will help you decide if special specific modifica-
tions are necessary.
•
If you adjust the steering wheel so th at it points towards your face, the 
driver airbag will not protect you prop erly in the event of an accident. Make 
sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.
•
When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the 
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Never hold the 
steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other manner (e.g. in 
the centre of the steering wheel, or on  the inside of the rim). In such cases, 
you could receive severe injuries to the arms, hands and head.
SafetyElectronic stabilisation programme (ESP)* 
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP ) contains the electronic differential 
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works in 
conjunction with the ABS. Both warning la mps will light up if the ESP or ABS 
systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
In specific circumstances where you requ ire less traction, you can switch off 
the ESP by pressing button  ⇒fig. 99  .
For example:•
When driving with snow chains,
•
when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 99  Detail of the 
centre console: ESP 
button
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 131  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
170Care of the vehicle interiorCleaning plastic parts and the dash panel– Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic parts and the dash 
panel.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special  solvent-free  plastic cleaning product.
WARNING
Never clean the dash panel and surface  of the airbag module with cleansers 
containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to become porous. If the 
airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic parts can cause substantial injuries.
Caution
Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.Cleaning wooden trim*– Clean the wooden trim with a clean cloth moistened with water.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a  gentle soap 
solution.
CautionCleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.
Cleaning cloth seat covers and fabric trimCloth seat covers and fabric trim on the doors, headlining etc. can be cleaned 
with a special interior cleanser or with dry foam and a soft brush.Cleaning leather*Normal cleaning
– Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with water and wipe over the  leather surfaces.
Cleaning stubborn stains
– More stubborn dirt can be removed using a mild soap solution  (pure liquid soap; two tablespoons diluted in one litre of water) 
and a cloth.
– Do not let the water soak through the leather or soak into the  seams.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
Leather care
– The leather should be treated regularly (about twice a year) with  a special leather-care product, which is available from your 
Authorised Service Centre.
– Apply these products very sparingly.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 170  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Accessories, parts replacement and modifications
172Accessories, parts replacement and modificationsAccessories and partsAlways consult an Authorised Service Centre before 
purchasing accessories and parts.Your vehicle is designed to offer a high standard of active and passive safety.
Before purchasing accessories and parts, and before making technical 
changes to your car, we recommend that you consult your Authorised Service 
Centre.
SEAT dealerships will be happy to provide you with the latest information 
about the use, legal requirements and recommendations from the manufac-
turer regarding accessories and parts.
We recommend you use only SEAT Approved Accessories
® and   SEAT 
Approved Spare Parts
®. This way, SEAT can guarantee that the product in 
question is suitable, reliable and safe. Authorised Service Centres have the 
necessary experience and facilities to ensure that parts are installed correctly 
and professionally.
Despite continuous observation of the market, SEAT is not able to assess the 
reliability, safety and suitability of parts  not approved by SEAT. For this reason 
SEAT cannot assume responsibility for any non-genuine parts used, even if 
these parts have been approved by an official testing agency or are covered 
by an official approval certificate.
Any  equipment subsequently installed  which has a direct effect on the 
vehicle and/or the way it is driven (e.g. cruise control system or electronically-
controlled suspension) must be approved by SEAT for use in your vehicle and 
bear the  e mark (the European Union's authorisation symbol).
If any  additional electrical components are fitted which do not serve to 
control the vehicle itself (for instance a refrigerator box, laptop or ventilator  fan, etc.), these must bear the 
CE mark (European Union manufacturer 
conformity declaration).
WARNING
Accessories, for example telephone holders or drink holders, should never 
be fitted on the covers of, or within the working range of, the airbags. If 
they are, there is a danger of resulting injury if the airbag is triggered in an 
accident.ModificationsModifications must always be carried out according to our 
specifications.Unauthorised modifications to the electr onic components or software in the 
vehicle may cause malfunctions. Due to the way the electronic components 
are linked together in networks, other systems may be affected by the faults. 
This can seriously impair safety, lead to excessive wear of components, and 
also invalidate your vehic le registration documents.
SEAT Authorised Service Centres cannot be held liable for any damage 
caused by modifications and/or work performed incorrectly.
For this reason, we reco mmend that all work should be performed by an 
Authorised Service Centre using  genuine and SEAT
® approved parts and 
accessories.
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 172  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15