2009 Seat Ibiza SC page 63

Manual structure5
Manual structureWhat you should know before reading the on-board manualThis manual contains a description of the equipment supplied with the
vehicle at the time of press. Some of the equipment hereunder described will
not be available until a later date, or is only available in certain markets.
Due to the fact that this is a general manual for the IBIZA SC, some of the
equipment and functions that are described in this manual are not included
in all types or variants of the model; they may be different or be modified
depending on the technical requirements and on the market; this should in
no way be interpreted as misleading advertising.
The illustrations are intended as a general guide and may vary from the
equipment fitted in your vehicle in some details.
The direction indications (left, right, front, rear) appearing in this manual
refer to the normal forward working direction of the vehicle except when
otherwise indicated.
The equipment marked with an asterisk* is supplied as standard on certain
versions of the model only, it can be supplied as an option on some models,
or else it is only on sale in certain countries.
® All registered marks are indicated with ®. Although the copyright symbol
does not appear, it is a copyrighted mark.
The section is continued on the following page.

This shows the end of the section .WARNING
Texts preceded by this symbol contai n safety information. They warn you
of serious dangers, possibly involving accident or injury.
Caution
Texts preceded by this symbol draw your attention to a possible risk of
damage to your vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
Texts preceded by this symbol refer to relevant points concerning environ-
mental protection.
Note
Texts preceded by this symbol contain additional information.
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Safe driving
8Therefore, information is provided about why this equipment is so important,
h o w i t p r o t e c t s yo u , w h a t yo u ha v e to co n s i d e r w h e n u s i n g i t a n d h o w yo u a n d
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.
– Ensure that all luggage is correctly secured ⇒page 15.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors properly according to your size.
– Ensure that the passenger in the central rear seat always has the head restraint in the co rrect 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 38.
– 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 abil ity 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 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 100.
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 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 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.•When driving, always hold the steering 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 steering 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 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 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 injury in the event of an
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the front
passenger:
– Move the front passenger's seat as far back 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 36.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's seat, see
⇒ page 103.
WARNING
•An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe
injuries.
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Safe driving11
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
•Adjust the front passenger seat so that there is at least 25 cm between
your breastbone and the dash panel. If distance is less than 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.•Always keep your feet in the footwell when the vehicle is moving; never
rest them on the instrument panel, ou t 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 front 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 injury 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 head restraint 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 38.
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 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.
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 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 the top 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, at least at eye level ⇒fig. 3 and ⇒ fig. 4.Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 101.
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 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 operation. 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 obtain suitable floor mats from a quali-
fied dealership.
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Safe driving15
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
WARNING
•If the pedals are obstructed, an accident may occur. Risk of serious inju-
ries.•Ensure that the floor mats are always securely attached.•Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original floor
mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the pedals. Risk
of accident.
Stowing luggageLoading the boot
All luggage and other loose objects must be safely secured in
the luggage compartment.Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could affect safety or
driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the centre of gravity.
– 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.
WARNING
•Loose luggage and other objects in the boot could cause serious inju-
ries.
•Always put objects in the luggage compartment.•During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or even third parties. This increased
risk of injury will be further increased if a loose 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 permitted axle loads or permitted maximum weight.
If the allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving
characteristics 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 ther e are no adults or children in the
vehicle.•Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every
passenger must be properly belted in ⇒ page 16.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.WARNING (continued)
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Seat belts21
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 an audible click
⇒page 20, 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 24.
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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