2009 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

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, tips, suggestions and
wa rn in gs tha t y ou sh ould read a n d follow in the i nterest of yo ur own
safety and the safety of your passengers.
WARNING
•
This manual contains important information concerning the driver's
and passengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the vehicle
wallet 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 documentation 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 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 for all seats,
•
seat belt tension devices for driver and passenger,
•
Belt height adjustment for the front seats and outer seats in the second
row,
•
frontal airbags for driver and passenger,
•
side airbags for driver and passenger,
•
curtain airbags,
•
ISOFIX anchorage for ISOFIX child seats in the outside seats in the second
and third rows,
•
Height-adjustable head restraints and
•
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.
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Safe Driving
8Therefore, you have been provided with information about why this equip-
ment 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.
– Securely restrain all parcels ⇒page 16.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors properly for your size.
– Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to their height. – Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly
applied seat belts ⇒page 46.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers also to assume a proper sitting position ⇒page 10.
– Fasten your safety belt securely. Instruct your passengers also to fasten their seat belts properly ⇒page 18.
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.
– When travelling long distances, take breaks regularly - at least every two hours.
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Safe Driving9
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or are under pres-
sure of time.
WARNING
When driving safety is impaired during a trip, the risk of injury and acci-
dents increases.
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Safe Driving
10Proper sitting position for occupantsProper sitting position for driver
The proper sitting position for the driver is important for 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 Driving11
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒page 18.
– 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 122.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the driver can lead to severe injuries.
•
Adjust the driver's seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between
the centre of the chest and the hub of the steering wheel ⇒page 10, fig. 1 .
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.
•
When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
o u t si d e o f t h e r i n g a t t h e 9 o ' c l o ck a n d 3 o ' c l o ck p o si t i o n s . T h i s r e d u ce s t h e
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 steering wheel). In such cases, you may
sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.
•
To re du ce t he risk of in j ur y to the dr iv er du ri ng su dd en b ra ki ng ma n oe u-
v res or a n a ccide n t, ne v er dr iv e wit h the ba ckre st tilte d fa r ba ck! T he a irb ag
system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the driver is wearing his or her seat belt
properly. The further the backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web or the incorrect sitting
position!
•
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve optimal protection.
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Safe Driving
12Proper 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 injury 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 14.
– Keep both feet in the foot well in front of the front passenger seat.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 18.It is possible to deactivate the passenger airbag in exceptional circum-
stances ⇒ page 25.
Adjusting the front passenger's seat.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe
injuries.
•
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 pr events 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 foot well 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 the event
of a braking manoeuvre 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 front passenger during 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 injury due to incorrect positioning of the
belt web or the incorrect sitting position!
•
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the individual seats must sit up straight, keep
their feet in the footwells and wear their seat belts properly.To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking
manoeuvre or an accident, passengers in the individual seats must
observe the following:
– The backrest of the 3-seat seat bench must be in the upright position and securely engaged in this position.
WARNING (continued)
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Safe Driving13
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head.
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the individual seat.
– Fasten your safety belt securely.
– Use an appropriate child restraint system when you take children in the vehicle.
WARNING
If the passengers on the individual seats are not sitting properly, they
could sustain severe injuries.•
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
•
The seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the backrests
are properly engaged in the upright position and the passengers are
wearing their seat belts properly. If passengers on the individual seats are
not sitting in an upright position, the risk of injury due to incorrect posi-
tioning of the belt web increases.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the rear seats must sit up straight, keep their
feet in the foot well s 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
observe the following:
– Adjust the headrest to the correct position. – Keep both feet in the foot well in front of the rear seat.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly
⇒page 18.
– Use an appropriate child restraint system when you take children in the vehicle ⇒ page 46.
WARNING
•
If the passengers on the rear seat are not sitting properly, they could
sustain severe injuries.
•
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
•
Seat belts can only provide optimal protection when backrests are in an
upright position and the passengers are 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.
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Safe Driving
14Correct adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restrain ts are an important part of
occupant protection and can reduce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
Adjust the head restraint properly 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 .
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 occu-
pant's size.
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. Incorrect sitting positions substantially
reduce the protective function of seat 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 ⇒.
Fig. 3 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the frontFig. 4 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the side
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