2009 Seat Exeo ST ECU

Seat belts21
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Seat belt protection
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 part of your vehicle and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to
absorb the kinetic energy released in a collision. Taken together, all these
features reduce the releasing kinetic energy and consequently, the risk of
injury.
Our examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts
substantially reduce 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 that wearing seat belts is 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 value 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 instructions 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 section.
– 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. 10 A driver wearing
the seat belt properly: is
secured by the belt in
sharp braking
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Seat belts
22•Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town. The
other passengers must also wear seat belts, otherwise they may be in
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 severe 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 ⇒page 219.
Seat beltsSeat belt adjustment
The seat belts for the front and rear occupants are locked into
position by a latch.The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is not
positioned correctly.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 11 Belt buckle and
latch plate of seat belt
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Seat belts23
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Adjust the seat and head restraint correctly.
– To fasten the belt, take hold of the latch plate and pull it slowly
across your chest and lap.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it is securely locked with a click ⇒ page 22,
fig. 11 .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.The seat belts are equipped with an automatic retractor on the shoulder
strap. Full freedom of movement is permitted when the shoulder belt is pulled
slowly. However, during sudden braking, during travel in mountains or bends
and during acceleration, the automatic retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front seats are fitted with belt tension
devices ⇒page 26.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident.•The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an
upright position and the seat belts have been fastened properly.•Never put the latch plate in the buckle of another seat. If you do this, the
seat belt will not protect you properly and the risk of injury is increased.•I f a n o ccu p an t is i n co r re c t l y be l te d i n , t h e b e l t ca n n o t p ro te c t h i m o r h e r
properly. An incorrectly positioned belt web can cause extremely severe
injuries.
Seat belt position
Seat belts offer their maximum protection only when they are
properly positioned.
Fig. 12 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from frontFig. 13 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from side
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Seat belts
24The 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.•The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never across the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso
⇒ page 23, fig. 12 .•The lap par t 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 23,
fig. 13. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.•Read and observe the warnings ⇒page 21.
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 23.
– 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. 14 .
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it down until it is securely locked with a click ⇒.
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.
Fig. 14 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy
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Seat belts
26
– Take hold of the top guide fitting and slide it up or down so that the shoulder part of the seat belt is positioned roughly midway
over the shoulder, although it must never rest against the neck
⇒ page 25, fig. 16 ⇒ in “Seat belt position” on page 23.
– After adjusting, pull the belt sharply to check that the catch on the guide fitting is engaged securely.
NoteIt is also possible to adjust the height of the front seats to obtain the best
position for the front seat belts.Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe or even mortal
injuries.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order
described in this chapter. An in correct sitting position impairs
substantially the protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe
or fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially
increased when a deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has
assumed an incorrect sitting position. As the driver, you are respon-
sible for all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never allow anyone to wear the seat belt incorrectly while the vehicle is moving ⇒.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt increases the risk of severe injuries.•Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts
properly and to wear them for the whole journey.•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of seat belts ⇒page 21.
Belt tension devicesFunction of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are
retracted automatically.The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on, lateral
and rear collisions only if the seat belt is being worn. This retracts and
tightens the seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occupants.
The belt tension device can be triggered only once.
The belt tension devices will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal,
side or rear collision, if the vehicle overturns or in situations where no large
forces act on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•If the belt tension devices are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is
normal and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle.
A2
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Airbag system29
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
•Always properly adjust the front seats.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.An enabled front airbag on the front passenger side is potentially a major
danger to a child. The front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if
he/she is transported in a rear-facing child seat. You should always transport
all children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
airbag can strike it with such great force that critical or fatal injuries may
result.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear seats.
That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the front
passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch ⇒page 44.
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size
of each child ⇒ page 46.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the airbag off,
an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
WARNING
•If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.•Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries when the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.•If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in a
rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely essential
that you observe the following safety measures:
−Disable the front passenger airbag ⇒page 44, “Deactivating
airbags*”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructions given by the child seat manufac-
turer and observe the safety instructions ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and belt tension device system

This warning lamp monitors the airbag and belt tension
device system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and belt tension devices in the
vehicle, including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system
34Safety notes on the frontal airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•It is important for the driver and front passenger to keep a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. If the minimum
distance is not observed then the airbags do not correctly protect the
vehicle occupants; risk of fatal injuries! In addition, the front seats and
head restraints must always be positioned correctly for the height of the
occupant.•I f yo u are n o t w ea r i ng a s ea t b e l t , i f yo u l e an fo r w a rd o r t o t h e s id e w h il e
travelling or assume an incorrect sitting position, there is a substantially
increased risk of injury. This increased risk of injury will be further
increased if you are struck by an inflating airbag.•Never let a child travel on the front seat without an appropriate restraint
system. If the airbag is triggered in an accident, children can sustain
serious or fatal injuries from the airbag as it inflates ⇒page 46, “Child
safety”.•The deployment space between the front passengers and the airbags
must not in any case be occupied by other passenger, pets and objects.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once
they have deployed.•It is also important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or
telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
Knee airbag*Description of the knee airbag
The airbag system provides additional protection to front seat
passengers if they are properly secured.The knee airbag for the driver is located in the instrument panel underneath
the steering wheel ⇒fig. 21.
The knee airbag offers additional protection to the driver's knees and upper
and lower thigh areas as a supplement to the safety belts.
If the front airbags deploy, the knee airbag also deploys in severe frontal colli-
sions ⇒page 32.
Besides their normal safety function, safety belts help keep the driver in posi-
tion in case of a frontal collision so that the airbags can provide protection.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts. It is, on the other hand,
part of the overall occupant safety system of your vehicle. Always remember
Fig. 21 Driver's knee
airbag
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Child safety47
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
“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 22, “Seat belts”.•Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒page 48, “Child seats”.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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