2008 Seat Ibiza SC Owner's manual

Safe driving7
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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 consider for both your own safety
and for your passengers safety.
WARNING
•
This manual contains important info rmation concerning the driver's
and passengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the on
board manual 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 in the event of acci-
dent.Never “put” your safety and the safety of your passengers in danger. In the
event of an accident, the safety equipment may reduce the risk of injury. The
following list includes most of the safety equipment in your SEAT:•
three-point seat belts,
•
belt tension limiter for the front and rear side seats,
•
belt tension devices for the front seats,
•
front airbags,
•
side airbags in the front seat backrests,
•
curtain airbags,
•
“ISOFIX” anchor po ints for “ISOFIX” rear child system,
•
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 the event of accidents.
But this safety equipment cannot neither help you nor your passengers if you
or they are sitting in an incorrect position or do not properly adjust or use this
equipment.
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Safe driving
8Therefore, information is provided about why this equipment is so important,
how it protects you, what you have to consider 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 note 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 acoording to your size.
– Ensure that the passenger in the central rear seat always has the head restraint in the correct position for use. – Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to
their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly applied seat belts ⇒page 40.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers also to assume a proper sitting position ⇒ page 9.
– Fasten your safety belt securely. 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 a driver, you are responsible for yourself and your passengers.
When your concentration or driving safety is affected by any circum-
stance, 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.
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Safe driving9
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– When travelling long distances, take breaks regularly - at least
every two hours.
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or are in tension.
WARNING
When driving safety is impaired during a trip, the risk of injury and acci-
dents increases.Proper sitting position for occupantsProper sitting position for driver
The proper sitting position for the driver is important for a
safe and relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the driver:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a distance of at least
25 cm between the steering wheel and the centre of your chest
⇒ fig. 1.
– Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you are able to press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with
your knees still slightly angled ⇒.
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point of the steering wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ⇒fig. 2.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests completely against it.
Fig. 1 The proper
distance between driver
and steering wheel
Fig. 2 Proper head
restraint position for
driver
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Safe driving
10
– Fasten your safety belt securely ⇒page 16.
– Keep both feet in the foot well so that you have the vehicle under control at all times.Adjustment of the driver's seat ⇒page 102.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the driver can lead to severe injuries.
•
Adjust the driver's seat so that the re is at least 25 cm distance between
the centre of the chest and the centre of the steering wheel ⇒ page 9,
fig. 1 . If distance is below 25 cm, the airbag system may not protect you
properly.
•
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
•
When driving, always hold the steer ing wheel with both hands on the
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This reduces the
risk of injury when the driver airbag is triggered.
•
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other
manner (e.g. in the centre of the stee ring wheel). In such cases, if the
airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the driver during sudden braking manoeu-
vres or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted far back! The airbag
system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the dr iver is wearing his or her seat belt
properly. The further the backrests are ti lted to the rear, the greater the risk
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web or to the incorrect
sitting position!
•
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve optimal protection.
Proper sitting position for front passenger
The front passenger must sit at least 25 cm away from the
dash panel so that the airbag can provide the greatest
possible protection in the event that it is triggered.For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injur y in the event of an
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the front
passenger:
– Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible ⇒.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests completely against it.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ⇒page 12.
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the front passenger seat.
– Fasten your safety belt securely ⇒page 16.The passenger airbag can be deactivated in exceptional circumstances
⇒ page 38.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's seat, see
⇒ page 105.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe
injuries.
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Safe driving11
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Adjust the front passenger seat so that there is at least 25 cm between
your breastbone and the dash panel. If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm,
the airbag system cannot protect you properly.
•
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
•
Always keep your feet in the footwe ll when the vehicle is moving; never
rest them on the instrument panel, out the window or on the seat. An incor-
rect sitting position exposes you to an increased risk of injury in case of a
sudden braking or an accident. If the airbag is triggered, you could sustain
severe injuries due to an incorrect sitting position.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the fr ont passenger in events such sudden
braking manoeuvres or an accident, never travel with the backrest tilted far
back! The airbag system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection
when the backrest is in an upright position and the front passenger is
wearing his or her seat belt properly. The further the backrests are tilted to
the rear, the greater the risk of inju ry due to incorrect positioning of the
belt web or to the incorrect sitting position!
•
Adjust the head restraint properly in order to achieve maximum
protection.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the rear seats must sit up straight, keep their
feet on the footwells, have the rear central head restraint
positioned for use and wear their seat belts properly.To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking
manoeuvre or an accident, passengers on the rear bench seat must
consider the following: – Adjust the headrest to the correct position
⇒page 12
– Keep both feet in the foot well in front of the rear seat.
– Fasten your safety belt securely ⇒page 16.
– Use an appropriate child restraint system when you take children in the vehicle ⇒page 40.
WARNING
•
If the passengers on the rear seat are not sitting properly, they could
sustain severe injuries.
•
Adjust the head restraint properly in order to achieve maximum protec-
tion.
•
Seat belts can only provide optimal protection when backrests are in an
upright position and the passengers ar e wearing their seat belts properly.
If passengers on the rear seat are not sitting in an upright position, the risk
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web increases.
WARNING (continued)
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Safe driving
12Correct adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
passengers protection and can re duce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
Adjust the head restraint properly in order to achieve maximum
protection.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head and, at the very least, at eye level
⇒fig. 3 and ⇒ fig. 4.Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 103
WARNING
•
Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted
increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Incorrectly adjusted head restraints could result in death in the event of
a collision or accident.
•
Incorrectly adjusted head restraints also increase the risk of injury
during sudden or unexpected driving or braking manoeuvres.
•
The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the
passenger's height.
Fig. 3 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the frontFig. 4 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the side
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Safe driving13
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Rear head restraintsThe rear head restraints have 2 positions:•
Raised position or position for use ⇒fig. 5 . In this position, the head
restraint is used normally, protecting the occupant of the rear seats, along
with the rear seat belts.
•
Rest position ⇒fig. 5 . This position improves the driver's rear visi-
bility.
To fit the head restraint in position for use , pull on the edges with both
hands in the direction of the arrow. To place it in rest position , lower the
head restraint.
WARNING
Whenever a passenger is seated on the rear central seat, the head restraint
should be placed in the position for use .
Note
Note the instructions on the head restraints adjustment.Examples of incorrect sitting positions
An incorrect sitting position can lead to severe injuries to
occupants.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only when the belt webs
are properly positioned. Incorrec t sitting positions substantially
reduce the protective function of se at belts and increase the risk of
injury due to incorrect belt web position. As the driver, you are
responsible for all vehicle occupants, especially children.
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in the vehicle while travelling ⇒ .The following list contains examples of sitting positions that could be
dangerous for all occupants. The list is not complete, but we would like to
make you aware of this issue.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is in motion:•
Never stand in the vehicle,
•
never stand on the seats,
•
never kneel on the seats,
•
never tilt your backrest far to the rear,
•
never lean against the dash panel,
•
never lie on the rear bench,
•
never sit on the front edge of a seat,
•
never sit sideways,
Fig. 5 Adjusting the rear
head restraints
AA
AB
AA
AB
AA
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Safe driving
14•
never lean out of a window,
•
never put your feet out of a window,
•
never put your feet on the dash panel,
•
never put your feet on the surface of a seat,
•
never travel in a foot well ,
•
never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt,
•
never carry any person in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•
Every incorrect sitting position increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Sitting in an incorrect position exposes the occupants to severe injuries
if airbags trigger, by striking a passenger who has assumed an incorrect
sitting position.
•
Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and main-
tain it throughout the trip. Before every trip, instruct your passengers to
assume the proper sitting position and to maintain it during the trip
⇒ page 9, “Proper sitting position for occupants”.
Pedal areaPedals
The operation of all pedals must never be impaired by objects
or floor mats.– Ensure that you can always press the accelerator, brake and
clutch pedals unimpaired to the floor. – Ensure that the pedals can return unimpaired to their initial posi-
tions.
Use only floor mats which leave the pedal area free and can be securely
fastened on the foot well.
If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must be pressed down thoroughly in
order to stop the vehicle.
Wear suitable shoes
Always wear shoes which support your feet properly and give you a good
feeling for the pedals.
WARNING
•
Restricting pedal operation can lead to critical situations while driving.
•
Never place objects on the driver footwell. An object could move into
the pedal area and impair pedal operatio n. In the event of a sudden driving
or braking manoeuvre, you will not be able to operate the brake, clutch or
accelerator pedal. Risk of accident!
Floor mats on the driver side
Only floor mats may be used which can be securely fastened
in the foot well and do not impair operation of the pedals.– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened during the trip and do not obstruct the pedals ⇒.Only use floor mats which leave the pedals clear and which are secured to
prevent them from slipping. You can obta in suitable floor mats from a quali-
fied dealership.
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