2008 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

Safe driving15
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment.
– Lay and stow heavy luggage as far forward as possible in the
luggage compartment.
– Stow heavy luggage as low as possible in the luggage compart- ment.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening rings ⇒page 15.
WARNING
•
Loose luggage and other objects in the luggage compartment can
cause serious injuries.
•
Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure them on
the fastening rings.
•
Use suitable specialist straps to secure heavy objects.
•
During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This increased risk of
injury will be further increased if a lo ose object is struck by an inflating
airbag. If this happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of
fatal injury.
•
Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style
accordingly, to avoid accidents.
•
Never exceed the allowed axle loads or allowed maximum weight. If the
allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving char-
acteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries and
damage to the vehicle.
•
Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment closing the door behind them; they will remain trapped without help and there is a mortal
risk.
•
Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Close and lock
both the tailgate and all the doors when you leave the vehicle. Before you
lock the vehicle, make sure that there are no adults or children in the
vehicle.
•
Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every
passenger must be properly belted in ⇒ page 17.Note
•
Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce fogging of the windows. Used
air escapes through ventilation slits in the side trim of the luggage compart-
ment. Ensure that the ventilation slits are never covered.
•
Straps for securing the load to the fastening rings are commercially
available.
Fastening rings
There are four fastening rings in the luggage compartment
which can be used to secure luggage and other objects.– Always use suitable and undama ged straps to secure luggage
and other objects to the fastening rings ⇒ in “Loading the
luggage compartment” on page 14.
– Pull up the fastening rings to attach the straps.
WARNING (continued)
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 15 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10

Safe driving
16The retainers for the detachable seat belts for the third row of seats and the
floor anchorings for the seats can be used as fastening rings for items of
luggage.
During a collision or an accident, even small and light objects can build up so
much energy that they can cause very severe injuries. The amount of “kinetic
energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the object.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle.
Example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying unsecured in the vehicle. During
a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, this object generates a force corre-
sponding to 20 times its weight. That means that the effective weight of the
object increases to about 90 kg. You can imagine the severity of the injuries
which might be sustained if this “projectile” strikes an occupant as it flies
through the passenger compartment. This increased risk of injury will be
further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating airbag.
WARNING
If pieces of baggage or other objects are secured to the fastening rings with
inappropriate or damaged retaining cords, injuries could result in the event
of braking manoeuvres or accidents.•
To prevent pieces of luggage or other objects from flying forward,
always use appropriate retaining cords which are secured to the fastening
rings.
•
Never secure a child seat on the fastening rings.
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 16 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10

Seat belts17
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Seat belts IntroductionBefore driving: remember your seat belt!
Properly worn seat belts can save lives!In this chapter you will learn why seat belts are so important, how
they work and how to properly fasten, adjust and wear them.
– Read and observe all the information as well as the warnings in
this chapter.
WARNING
•
If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe inju-
ries increases.
•
Properly worn seat belts can reduce severe injuries in the event of
sudden braking manoeuvres or accidents. Therefore, you and your passen-
gers should always wear the seat belts properly as long as the vehicle is in
motion.
•
Pregnant women or persons with physical disabilities must also use
seat belts. Like all other occupants, these persons can also sustain severe
injuries if they are not wearing their seat belts properly.
Number of seatsVe hicle s with f ive s ea ts
Yo u r v e h i cl e has five passenger places, two individual front seats and three
places on the rear seat.
The front seats and the outer rear seats are fitted with a three-point automatic
seat belt.
Vehicles with seven seats*
The vehicle has seven seats, two seats in the front, three seats in the second
row and two seats in the third row.
WARNING
•
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.
Seat belt warning lamp*

The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten
the seat belt.Before starting the vehicle:
– Fasten your safety belt securely.
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 17 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10

Seat belts
18
– Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before driving off.
– Protect children by using child seats of the correct height for the age of the child.The warning lamp
 in the combi-instrument lights up if the driver seat belt
is not fastened when the ignition is switched on. In addition, an acoustic
signal can also be heard for a couple of seconds.
The warning lamp*  does not go out until the driver seat belt is fastened
while the ignition is switched on.
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 18 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10

Seat belts19
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.
It is easy to explain how the laws of physics work in the case of a head-on
collision: When a vehicle starts moving ⇒fig. 5 there is a certain amount of
energy known as “kinetic energy”, both in the vehicle and in the occupants.
The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the
weight of the vehicle and 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. 6 .
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. 5 Vehicle about to hit
a wall: the occupants are
not wearing seatbelts
Fig. 6 The vehicle hits
the wall: the occupants
are not wearing seatbelts
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 19 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10

Seat belts
20was travelling just before the impact. This example applies not only to frontal
accidents, but to all accidents and collisions.The danger of not using the seat belt
Many people believe that the occupants can protect them-
selves with their hands in a minor collision, this is false.
Even at low speeds the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great
that it is not possible to brace oneself with one's hands. In a frontal collision,
unbelted passengers are thrown forward and will make violent contact with
the steering wheel, dashboard, windscreen or whatever else is in the way
⇒ fig. 7 .
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When deployed,
airbags provide only additional protection. All occupants (including the
driver) must be wearing seat belts properly during the trip. This will reduce
the risk of severe injuries in the event of an accident – regardless of whether
an airbag is fitted for the seat.
Note that airbags can be triggered only once. To achieve the best possible
protection, the seat belt must always be worn properly so that you will be
protected in accidents in which no airbag is deployed.
It is also important for the rear passengers to wear seat belts properly, as they
could otherwise be thrown forward violently in an accident. Rear passengers
who do not use seat belts endanger not only themselves but also the front
occupants ⇒fig. 8 .
Fig. 7 A driver not
wearing a seat belt is
thrown forward violently.
Fig. 8 The unbelted rear
passenger is thrown
forward violently, hitting
the driver wearing a seat
belt.
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 20 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10

Seat belts21
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 seat 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 improving 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. 9 Driver wearing the
seat belt properly: is
secured by the belt in
sharp braking
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 21 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10

Seat belts
22•
Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town. That
applies also to your front and rear passengers – danger of injury!
•
The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is not posi-
tioned correctly.
•
Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same seat belt.
•
Keep both feet in the foot-well in front of your seat as long as the
vehicle is in motion.
•
Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. Risk of fatal
injury.
•
The belt webbing must never be twisted while it is being worn.
•
The belt webbing should never lie on hard or fragile objects (such as
glasses or pens, etc.) because this can cause injuries.
•
Do not allow the seat belt to be damaged or jammed, or to rub on any
sharp edges.
•
Never wear the seat belt under the arm or in any other incorrect posi-
tion.
•
Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket) impairs the
proper fit and function of the belts, reducing their capacity to protect.
•
The slot in the seat belt buckle must not be blocked with paper or other
objects, as this can prevent the latch plate from engaging securely.
•
Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments to alter
the position of the belt webbing.
•
Frayed or torn seat belts or damage to the connections, belt retractors
or parts of the buckle could cause seve re injuries in the event of an acci-
dent. Therefore, you must check the condition of all seat belts at regular
intervals.
•
Seat belts which have been worn in an accident and stretched must be
replaced by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if there
is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be checked.
•
Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts
must not be removed or modified in any way.
•
The belts must be kept clean, otherwise the retractors may not work
properly.
Seat beltsFastening seat belt (one buckle)
The seat belts on the front seats and the seats in the second
and third row are fastened using one buckle.The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is not
positioned correctly.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 10 Belt buckle and
latch plate of seat belt
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 22 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10