Seat belts25
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Belt tensioners*Function of the seat belt tensioner
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 tensioners.
Sensors will trigger the belt tensioners 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 seat belt tensioner can be triggered only once.
The belt tensioners will not be triggered in the event of light frontal and side
collisions, if the vehicle overturns, or in situations where no large forces act
on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•If the seat belt tensioners are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is
normal and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle.•The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the system are scrapped. Specialised workshops are familiar
with these regulations, which are also available to you.Service and disposal of belt tensionersThe belt tensioners are components of the seat belts that are installed in the
seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tensioners or remove and install
parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat belt may be
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the belt
tensioners function incorrectly or not at all. So that the effectiveness of the seat belt tensioner is not reduced and that
removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions, which are known to the specialised workshops, must be observed.
WARNING
•Improper use or repairs not carried out by qualified mechanics increase
the risk of severe or fatal injuries. The belt tensioners may fail to trigger or
may trigger in the wrong circumstances.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt
tensioners or seat belts.•The seat belt tensioner, seat belt and automatic retractor cannot be
repaired.•Any work on the belt tensioners and seat belts, including the removal
and refitting of system parts in conjunction with other repair work, must be
performed by a specialised workshop only.•The belt tensioners will only provide protection for one accident and
must be changed if they have been activated.
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Airbag system33
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Side airbagsDescription of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.The side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger seat back-
rests ⇒fig. 19 . The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in the upper
region of the backrests.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat occu-
pants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe side
collision ⇒page 35, “Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag
system”.
In a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to passengers on
the front seats to the areas of the body facing the impact. In addition to their
normal function of protecting the occupants in a collision, the seat belts also
hold the passengers on the front seats in a position where the side airbags
can provide maximum protection. The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle’s overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their
seat belts. For this reason, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all
times, not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also as
a contribution to your own safety
The side airbag system will not be triggered if:
•the ignition is switched off•there is a minor side collision•there is a frontal collision•there is a rear-end collision•the vehicle turns over
The main parts of the airbag system are:•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)•the side airbags in the sides of the backrests of the front seats,•a warning lamp
T on the instrument panel ⇒page 27
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning
lamp will light up for approx. 4 seconds every time the ignition is switched on
(self-diagnosis).
WARNING
•Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.•Never drive if the interior door panels have been removed or if the
panels have not been correctly fitted.•Never drive the vehicle if the loudspeakers in the door panels have
been removed, unless the holes left by the loudspeakers have been
correctly closed.•Always check that the openings are closed or covered if loudspeakers
or other equipment are fitted in the interior door panels.
Fig. 19 Side airbag in
driver seat
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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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Seats and storage compartments107
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Removing 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 13.
Removing the head restraint
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press the button ⇒fig. 68 (arrow).
– Pull head restraint out of fitting without releasing the button.
Fitting the head restraint
– Insert the head restraint into the guides on the backrest.
– Push head restraint down.
– Adjust the head restraint to suit passenger’s height ⇒page 12.
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 in ⇒page 106, “Correct adjust-
ment of head restraints”.Note
•To fit and remove the rear head restraints, gently tilt the seat backrest
forwards.
Fig. 68 Adjusting and
removing the head
restraints
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Seats and storage compartments
110Rear seatsFolding down rear seats
Folding seat down
– Remove the head restraint ⇒page 107.
– Pull the front edge of the seat cushion ⇒ fig. 71 upwards in
the direction of the arrow.
– Lift the cushion forwards in the direction of the arrow.
– Pull the release button ⇒fig. 72 in the direction of the arrow and
fold the backrest forwards
– Insert the head restraints in the spaces on the rear of the seat cushion which are visible when the seat cushion is lowered.
Folding seat forward
– Remove the head restraints from the spaces in the seat cushion.
– Lift the backrest, before securing it, replace the head restraints in the seat cushion, and then click the seat correctly onto the
locking rails.
– Once the backrest is locked, pull on the central seat belt or directly on the backrest to check that the backrest has properly
engaged in position.
– Check that the position lever is in neutral position.
– Lower the cushion and push it backwards below the seat belt buckles.
– Press the front part of the cushion downwards.
Fig. 71 Folding up the
rear seat cushionFig. 72 Button for
unlocking the rear back-
rest
A1
A2
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Seats and storage compartments119
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•If the luggage compartment is overloaded, remove the tray.Note
•Ensure that, when placing items of clothing on the luggage compartment
cover, rear visibility is not reduced.Roof rack*Please observe the following points if you intend to carry loads on the roof:•For safety reasons, only luggage racks and accessories approved by SEAT
should be used.•It is essential that you follow the assembly instructions included with the
bars exactly, being especially careful to position front and rear luggage
compartment cover bars on the special housings on the longitudinal bars.
You must also respect their position according to the direction of travel indi-
cated in the assembly manual. Not following these instructions may damage
the bodywork.•Pay special attention to the tightening torque of the attachment bolts and
check them following a short journey. If necessary, retighten the bolts and
check them at regular intervals.•Distribute the load evenly. A maximum load of 40 kg only is permitted for
each roof rack system support bar, the load must be distributed evenly along
the entire length. However, the maximum load permitted for the entire roof
(including the support system) of 75 kg must not be exceeded nor should the
total weight of the vehicle be exceeded. See the Technical Data section.•When transporting heavy or large objects on the roof, any change in the
normal vehicle behaviour due to a change in the centre of gravity or an
increased wind resistance must be taken into account. For this reason, a suit-
able speed and driving style must be used.
•For those vehicles fitted with a sunroof*, ensure that it does not interfere
with the load on the roof rack system when opened.
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Driving145
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Power steering does not work when the engine is not running. That is
why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.•Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer
the vehicle.•Never allow the car to roll downhill with the selector lever in “N”,
regardless of the engine is running or not.Caution
If you allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off or with the
selector lever in position “N”, take your foot off the accelerator and wait until
the engine starts idling before returning to position “D”.Kickdown feature
This feature allows maximum acceleration.If you press the accelerator down thoroughly, the gearbox automatically
changes down, depending on speed and e ngine speed, into a lower gear to
take full advantage of give the vehicle maximum acceleration.
The gearbox does not change gear until the engine reaches the maximum
determined engine speed for the gear.
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you accelerate on slippery road
surfaces. Risk of serious injury.
•Be particularly careful when using the kickdown features on slippery
road surfaces. With a fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose traction and
skid.•You should use the kickdown feature only when traffic and weather
conditions allow it to be used safely.
HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 106 Handbrake
between the front seats
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