
Airbag system
30The front airbag system will not be triggered if:•
if the ignition is switched off,
•
during a minor frontal collision,
•
during a 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. 19 . 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 th e airbag. Once the impact has been 
absorbed, the airbag deflates sufficiently for the front occupants to see 
forward.
Fig. 19  Inflated front 
airbags
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Airbag system
34•
Never drive the vehicle if the loudspeakers in the door panels have 
been removed, unless the holes left by the loudspeakers have been 
correctly closed.
•
Always check that the openings are closed or covered if loudspeakers 
or other equipment are fitted in the interior door panels.
•
Any work carried out to the doors should be made in a qualified author-
ised workshop.
•
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 side collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger 
correctly.
Function of side airbags
Inflated airbags can reduce the risk of head or chest injury in 
many side impact collisions.In some  side collisions  the side airbag is triggered on the impact side of the 
vehicle  ⇒fig. 22 .
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags 
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within 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 fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the occupants of the 
front seats and help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 22  Inflated side 
airbag on left side of 
vehicle
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Airbag system
38•
if the vehicle rolls,
•
during a minorside collision,
WARNING
If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a 
collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.Function of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the ri sk of head or chest injury in 
a side collision.During some  side collisions  the curtain airbag is tri ggered on the impact side 
of the vehicle  ⇒fig. 24 . In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the 
process, the curtain bag covers the side windows and door pillars.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags 
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within 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 fully deployed airbags cushion the 
movement of the front occupants and 
help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper 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.
Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the 
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•
In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the 
prescribed sitting position must alwa ys be maintained with seat belts 
fastened while travelling.
•
For safety reasons, the head air bag must be disconnected in those 
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an 
Authorised Service Centre  to make this adjustment.
•
There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-
pants of the outer seats and the depl oyment space of the curtain airbags 
so that the curtain airbag can deploy  without restriction and provide the 
Fig. 24  Deployed curtain 
airbags
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Driving and the environment161
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees 
that, before beginning a journey, you 
will not waste fuel. A well-serviced engine gives you the benefit of  improved 
fuel efficiency  as well as maximum reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A maladjusted engine may mean an increase of 10 % over normal fuel 
consumption.
Check the  oil level every time you fill the tank.  Oil consumption depends to a 
great extent on the  engine load and engine speed. It  is quite normal that the 
oil consumption of a new engine only  reaches its lowest level after a certain 
mileage. This means that the oil consumption can only be properly assessed 
after about 5,000 km. Depending on your personal driving style, oil consump-
tion can be up to 0.5 litres per 1,000 km.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and 
the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum  service tempera-
ture .
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine 
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not regularise until having 
driven some  four kilometres. This is the reason why we recommend avoiding 
short trips wherever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping  the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the 
tyre pressures are just 1 bar too low, this can put the fuel consumption up by 
as much as 5 %. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also 
increases  tyre wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are  cold.
Do not use  winter tyres  all through the year: they will increase fuel consump-
tion by up to 10 %. Avoid unnecessary weight
Every kilo of 
extra weight  will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth 
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-
essary loads are being transported.
Save electrical energy
The engine activates the alternator, whic h produces electricity. With the need 
for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always 
turn off electrical equipme nt when you do not need them. Examples of equip-
ment that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear window 
heating or the seat heaters*.
Logbook
A good way of keeping a check on  fuel consumption is to take regular notes. 
You will be able to note the variations (both positive and negative) and react 
accordingly.
 Environmental friendlinessEnvironmental protection is a top priori ty in the design, choice of materials 
and production of your new Seat.
Design measures for economical recycling•
Joints and connections designed for ease of dismantling
•
Modular construction to facilitate dismantling
•
Increased use of single-grade materials
•
Plastic parts and elastomers are labelled in accordance with ISO 1043, 
ISO 11469 and ISO 1629
Choice of materials
•
Nearly all materials used can be recycled
•
Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling
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