2009 Seat Altea Freetrack height adjustment

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 information 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 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 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 limiters for the front and rear side seats,
•
belt tension devices for the front seats,
•
belt height adjustment for the front seats,
•
front airbags,
•
side airbags in the front seat backrests,
•
curtain airbags,
•
crash-active front head restraints*,
•
“ISOFIX” anchorage points for child seats in the rear side seats with the
“ISOFIX” system,
•
height-adjustable head restraints,
•
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
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 7 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10

Safe driving13
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Correct adjustment of front seat head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
passengers protection and can reduce 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 130.
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.
Headrests in use*Vehicle occupants are pressed into their seats during a rear end collision. The
resulting body pressure on the backrest activates the crash-active head
restraint* on the front seat, which moves rapidly forwards and upwards at the
same time. This movement reduces the distance between the occupant's
head and the head rest, thus reducing the risk of head injuries such as brain
trauma.
Fig. 3 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the frontFig. 4 Properly adjusted
head restraint viewed
from the side
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 13 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10

Safe driving
14
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.Note
The crash-active head restraints* could also be triggered if a vehicle occupant
applies a high level of pressure on the backrest (e.g. by “falling” back into the
seat when entering the vehicle) or if pressure is applied to a front seat head
restraint from the rear. This accidental activation is, however, not dangerous
as the crash-active head restraints will return to the original position immedi-
ately and are thus once again ready.
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of the
occupant protection and can reduce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations
Fig. 5 Head restraints in
correct positionFig. 6 Head restraint
position warning label
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 14 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10

Seat belts
26The following features are available to adjust the seat belt in the shoulder
region:•
belt height adjustment for the front seats.
•
front seat height adjustment*.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident.
•
T h e s h o u l d e r p a r t o f t h e s e a t b e l t m u st l i e o n t h e ce n t r e o f t h e s h o u l d e r ,
never across the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso
⇒ page 25, fig. 13 .
•
The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis ⇒page 25,
fig. 14 . Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
•
Read and observe the warnings ⇒page 23.
Pregnant women must also fasten their seat belts properly
The best protection for the unborn child is for the mother to
wear the seat belt properly at all times during the pregnancy.The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web
is properly positioned ⇒page 25.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒page 10.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and as low as possible over the pelvis ⇒fig. 15 .
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the corresponding seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
⇒ .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.
Fig. 15 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 26 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10

Child safety47
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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 48.
– Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned according to the instructions provided 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 potentially 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 44,
“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passenger 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 to the other passengers.
•
If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving,
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of sudden
braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly important if the
child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is trig-
gered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or even death.
•
A suitable child seat can protect your child!
•
Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or 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 in sudden braking manoeuvres.
•
The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web is
properly positioned ⇒ page 24, “Seat belts”.
•
Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒page 48, “Child seats”.WARNING (continued)
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 47 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10

Seats and stowage131
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Head restraintsCorrect adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
passengers protection and can reduce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
– 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 minimum, at eye level
⇒fig. 91 and ⇒fig. 92 .Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 132
WARNING
•
Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted
increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Improperly adjusted head restraints could lead to 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. 91 Front view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
Fig. 92 Side view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 131 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10

Seats and stowage
132Removing or adjusting head restraints
The head restraints can be adjusted by moving them up and
down.Adjusting height (front seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired
position.
– To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head restraint downwards.
– Make sure that it engages securely into position.
Adjusting height (rear seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired position. – To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head
restraint downwards.
– Make sure that the head restraint engages securely in one of its positions ⇒page 14.
Angle adjustment (front seats)
– Press the head restraint forward or back to the required position.
Removing the head restraint
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press the button ⇒fig. 93 (arrow).
– Pull head restraint out of fitting without releasing the button.
Fitting the head restraint
– Insert the head restraint into the guides on the rear backrest.
– Push head restraint down.
– Adjust the head restraint to suit body size ⇒page 14 and
⇒ page 13.
WARNING
•
Never drive if the head restraints have been removed. Risk of injury.
•
Never drive if the head restraints are in an unsuitable position, there is
a risk of serious injury.
•
After refitting the head restraint, you must always adjust it properly for
height to achieve optimal protection.
•
Please observe the safety warnings ⇒page 131, “Correct adjustment
of head restraints”.
Fig. 93 Adjusting and
removing the head
restraints
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 132 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10

Seats and stowage133
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Front seatsAdjustment of the front seatsThe control elements in ⇒fig. 94 are mirrored for the front right-
hand seat.
Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move the seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip and move the seat further until the catch engages.
Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (several times if necessary) from its home position. This adjust s the seat height in stages. Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
Adjusting the lumbar support*
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel to adjust the lumbar support.
The backrest curvature of the cushioned area is determined by the settings
made in the lumbar region. This supports the natural curvature of the spine
very effectively.
WARNING
•
Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adjust the driver or front passenger seat
only when the vehicle is stationary.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger in case of
a sudden braking or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted
towards the rear. The maximum protection of the seat belt can be achieved
only when the backrests are in an upright position and the driver and front
passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further the back-
rests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to improper
positioning of the belt web!
•
Exercise caution when securing the seat height into forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the backrest is tilted without due
care and attention.
Fig. 94 Front left seat
controls
A1
A1
A2
A3A4
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 133 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10