Safe driving7
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Safety FirstSafe drivingBrief introductionDear SEAT Driver
Safety first!This chapter contains important in formation, 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 about the operation of the
vehicle, both for the driver and the passengers. The other sections of the
owner’s 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 on-board 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 or 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 tensioners for the front seats,•front airbags,•side airbags in the front seat backrests,•“ISOFIX” anchor points 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 an accident.
However, these safety systems can only be effective if you and your passen-
gers are sitting in a correct position and use this equipment properly.
Therefore, 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 ha t yo u ha v e t o co nsi 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
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Safe driving
8equipment 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 setting off
The driver is responsible for the safety of the passengers and
the safe operation of the vehicle.For your own safety and the safety of your passengers, always note
the following points before every trip:
– Make sure that the vehicle’s lights and turn signals are working
properly.
– 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 39.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers also to assume a proper sitting position ⇒page 9.
– Fasten your seat 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:
– Always pay attention to traffic and do not get distracted by passengers or telephone calls.
– 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.
– When travelling long distances, take breaks regularly - at least every two hours.
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Safe driving
12Correct adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
passenger 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 106.
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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Seat belts
16Seat beltsBrief introductionBefore driving: remember your seat belt!
Wearing a seat belt properly can save your life!In this chapter you will learn the importance of wearing seat belts,
how they work and how to properly fasten, adjust and wear them.
– Read and consider all the informat ion as well as the warnings in
this chapter.
WARNING
•Before inserting the central rear seat belt into its catch, make sure that
the backrest is properly engaged in position by pulling on the belt.•If seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe injuries
increases.•Properly worn seat belts can reduce severe injuries in case of sudden
braking manoeuvres or accidents. For safety reasons, you and your passen-
gers must always wear the seat belts properly while the vehicle is moving.•P r e g n a n t w o m e n o r p e o p l e w i t h p h y s i ca l d i s a b i l i t i e s m u s t a l s o u s e s e a t
belts. Like all other passengers, these people can also sustain severe inju-
ries if they are not wearing their seat belts properly.
Number of seatsYour vehicle has five seats, two in the front and three in the rear. Each seat is
equipped with a three-point seat belt.
In some versions, your vehicle is approved only for four seats. Two front seats
and two rear seats.
WARNING
•More people than available seats must never be transported in your
vehicle.•Every passenger in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat
belt belonging to h is or her s eat . Child ren m ust be protecte d with an appro-
priate child restraint system.
Seat belt warning lamp*
The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten
the seat belt.Before starting the vehicle:
–Fasten your seat belt securely.
– Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before driving off.
– Protect children by using a child seat according to the child’s height and weight.
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Airbag system
32develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication of
fire in the vehicle.Safety notes on the front 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, 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 occu-
pant.•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 39, “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.
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Child safety39
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Child safetyBrief introductionIntroduction
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the rear
seat than on the front passenger seat.For safety reasons we recommend that children under 12 years of age travel
on the rear seats. Depending on their age, height and weight, children trav-
elling on the rear seat must use a child seat or a seat belt. For safety reasons,
the child seat should be installed in the centre of the rear seat or behind the
front passenger seat.
The physical laws involved and the forces acting in a collision apply also to
children. ⇒page 18, “Why wear seat belts?”. But unlike adults, children do
not have muscle and bone structures fully developed. This means that chil-
dren are subject to a greater risk of injury.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint systems
when travelling in the vehicle.
We re co m m en d t he use o f child saf et y p rod uc ts fr om t he SE AT Ge nu ine Acces -
sories Programme, which includes systems for all ages made by “Peke”
2).
These systems have been especially designed and approved, complying with
the ECE-R44. regulation.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats. Always read and note
⇒ page 39, “Safety notes on using child seats”. We recommend you to include the manufacturer’s Child Seat instruction
manual together with the on-board documentation.
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 the appropriate child
seats ⇒page 41.
– Always ensure that the seat belt 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 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 37, “Deactivating
2)Not for all countries.
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Child safety
40airbags*”. 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 disconnect
the airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.•All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly be lted 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 vehicle is
moving, they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of a
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 triggered 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 seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdominal and
neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.•Do not allow the seat belt 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 seat belt is
properly positioned ⇒page 21, “Seat belts”.•Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒page 41, “Child seats”.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Seats and storage compartments
106Head restraintsCorrect adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
passenger protection and can reduce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
– 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. 66 and ⇒fig. 67 .Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 107.
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. 66 Front view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
Fig. 67 Side view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
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