2011 Seat Alhambra airbag

34
Airbag system
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 17 and
the airb ag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ fig. 18. Air-
bags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”.
When the front airbags are triggered they fill the zones marked in red (de-
ployment area) ⇒ fig. 17. Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas ⇒  , Factory-fitted accessories are outside the
ran g

e of the front airbag for the driver and the front passenger, e.g. the
baseplate for the mobile phone support.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the
driver and front passenger airbags are triggered ⇒ fig. 18. The airbag covers
remain connected to the steering wheel or the dash panel. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the front airbags free.
● Never secure objects to the covers or in the deployment area of the
airbag modu l

es, e.g. cup holders or phone supports.
● The deployment space between the front passengers and the airbags
must
not in any case be occupied by other passenger, pets and objects.
● Never fix any object to the windscreen above the front airbag on the
front p
assenger side.
● Do not alter, cover or stick anything to the steering wheel hub or the
surf
ace of the airbag module on the passenger side of the dash panel. WARNING
Front airbags are deployed in front of the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 17 and
the da sh p

anel ⇒ fig. 18.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel on the outer edge of
the ring with both h
ands: 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. WARNING (Continued)
● Adju st the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between
y our c

hest and the hub of the steering wheel. If you physical constitution
prevents you from meeting these requirements, make sure you contact a
specialist workshop.
● Adjust the front passenger's seat so there is as much distance as pos-
sibl
e between the front passenger and the dash panel. 
Types of front passenger airbag systems There are two different SEAT front passenger airbag systems:
A B
Characteristics of the front passen-
ger airb
ag th

at can only be disabled
in a specialist workshop. Characteristics of the front passen-
ger airb
ag th
at can be disabled
manually ⇒ page 35. 
Name: airbag sy s
tem 
Name: airbag sy s tem with front
passenger airbag disabling. 
Warning lamp  on the in s
tru-
ment panel. 
Warning lamp  on the in s tru-
ment panel. 
Front passenger airbag located in
the d a

sh panel. 
Front passenger airbag located in
the d a

sh panel. 
PASSENGER AIR BAG   warning
l amp on the in

strument panel. 
Key switch in the glove compart-
ment on the fr

ont passenger side of
the dash panel. 

35
Airbag system
Deactivating and activating the front passenger airbag
us in
g the key switch Fig. 19 In the glove com-
par
tment

on the front
passenger side: key
switch for disabling and
enabling the front pas-
senger airbag.
The front passenger airbag must be disabled when a rear-facing child seat
is mou
nted.
Disabling the front passenger airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Unfold the key shaft ⇒ page 71.
● T

urn the key switch to OFF ⇒ fig. 19 usin
g the vehicle key.
● Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● The PASSENGER AIR BAG  
control lamp on the instrument panel will
remain lit while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30.
Enabling the front passenger airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Turn the key switch to ON ⇒ fig. 19 u
sing the vehicle key. ●
Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Check

that the PASS
ENGER AIR BAG OFF  control lamp on the instru-
ment panel does not light up while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30.
How to know whether the front passenger airbag is disabled
Disabling of the front passenger airbag is only indicated by the PASSENGER
AIR BAG   control lamp that remains lit on the instrument panel (  
remains yellow) ⇒ page 30, Warning lamp.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   control lamp on the centre console does not
remain lit or is lit in combination with the control lamp  on the instrument
panel, a child restraint system cannot be mounted on the front passenger's
seat for safety reasons. The front passenger airbag may deploy during an
accident. WARNING
The front passenger airbag must only be disconnected in special cases.
● Disconnect and connect the front passenger airbag when the ignition
is sw

itched off to avoid damage to the airbag system.
● It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key operated switch
is set
to the correct position.
● Only disconnect the front passenger airbag when a child seat is to be
mounted u
nder exceptional circumstances.
● As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passeng-
er's seat, r
econnect the front passenger airbag. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

36
Airbag system
Side airbags Fig. 20 On the side of
the front
se
at: location of
the side airbag. Fig. 21 Range of action
of the fr
ont

and rear side
airbags. With 5 and 7
seats.
The side airbags are located in the outer cushion of the driver and front pas-
senger se
at backrests ⇒ fig. 20. Depending on the equipment of the model,
the outer seats of the second row of seats may also be fitted with side air- bags, located between the seat backrests and the access area. Their posi-
tion is indic

ated by the word “AIRBAG”. The red area (dotted line) ⇒ fig. 21
shows the field of action of the side airbags.
In a side collision, the side airbags are triggered on the affected side of the
vehicle, thus reducing the risk of injury to passengers on that side. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the side airbags free.
● Occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any oth-
er peopl e, pet

s or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not le
ave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Do not mount accessories on the doors.
● Only used protective covers for the seats that are approved for the ve-
hicle. Other
wise, the side airbag would be obstructed when deployed. WARNING
Incorrect handling of the driver's and front passenger's seat could pre-
vent the s

ide airbag from deploying properly and cause severe injuries.
● Never remove the front seats of the vehicle or modify any of their
components.
● Gr

eat forces must not be exerted on the backrest bolsters because
the side airbag
s might not deploy correctly, might not deploy at all or
might deploy unexpectedly.
● Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of
the side airbag u
nits must be repaired immediately by a Technical Serv-
ice. 

37
Airbag system
Curtain airbags Fig. 22 On the left side of the vehicle: location and de-
plo
yment
area of the curtain airbag. Fig. 23 Deployed curtain
airbag
s
The c

urtain airbags are located on the driver and front passenger side
above the door
s ⇒ fig. 22. Airbags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. The area framed red ⇒ fig. 22 is c

overed by the curtain airbag when it is de-
ployed (deployment area). Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas.
In a side collision, the curtain airbag on the side affected will be deployed.
The airbag covers the windows and pillars.
In a side collision, the curtain airbags for the front and outer rear seats re-
duce the risk of injury to the areas of the body facing the impact. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the curtain airbags free.
● Do not fix objects to the cover or in the deployment area of the cur-
tain airb ag. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

38
Airbag system WARNING (Continued)
● Occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any oth-
er peop l
e, pets or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not le
ave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Do not mount accessories on the doors.
● Do not fit curtains to the windows other than those expressly ap-
prov
ed for use in the vehicle.
● Only turn the sun blinds towards the windows if there is no object,
e.g. pens
or garage remote controls, secured to the sun blind. 
Kneed airbags Fig. 24 On the driver
side: loc
ation of

the knee
airbag. Fig. 25 On the driver
side: R
a

dius of action of
the knee airbag.
The knee airbag is located on the driver side below the instrument panel
⇒ fig. 24. Airbags
are identified by the word “AIRBAG”.
The area framed red ⇒ fig. 25 A is covered by the knee airbag when it is
deplo y

ed (deployment area). Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● The knee airbag is deployed in front of the driver's knees. Always
keep the dep lo

yment areas of the knee airbags free.
● Never not fix objects to the cover or in the deployment area of the
knee airbag.
● Adjus

t the driver's seat so that there is a distance of at least 10 cm (4
inches) betw
een your knees and the location of the knee airbag. If you
physical constitution prevents you from meeting these requirements,
make sure you contact a specialist workshop. 

39
Child safety
Child safety
Child seats (accessories) Introduction Please read the information regarding the airbag system fully before trans-
portin
g b
abies and children in a child seat or other child restraint system
installed on the front passenger seat.
This information is extremely important for driver and passenger safety, par-
ticularly that of babies and children.
SEAT recommends the use of child seats from the SEAT accessory pro-
gramme. These child seats have been designed and tested for use in SEAT
vehicles. You can purchase child seats with different mountings from a
Technical Service.
Using child restraint systems with a base or foot
Some child retention systems are secured to the seat using a base or foot.
For certain equipment the use of an additional accessory will be necessary
(for example, the accessory for the floor compartment) to fit the child reten-
tion system correctly and securely.
Additional information and warnings:
● Airbag system ⇒ page 31
● Int

egrated child seats ⇒ page 46 WARNING
Make sure children are properly belted in and correctly secured to avoid
sever e or f

atal injuries while the vehicle is in motion.
● Never use a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat if the
front p
assenger airbag is enabled.
● You should always transport all children up to 12 years of age on the
rear se
at.
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
syst
em suited to their height and weight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in whil
e travelling.
● Ensure the backrest of a seat is upright when a child seat is being
used on it.
● Do not

allow the child's head or other part of his or her body to fall
into the deplo
yment area of the side airbags.
● Make sure the belt webbing is correctly positioned.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap or in your arms.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● If you are using a child seat with a base or foot, always install this
base or f
oot correctly and safely.
● If the vehicle has a storage compartment in the foot well in front of
the las
t row of seats, this compartment cannot be used as designed; on
the contrary: It must be filled using the specially designed accessory so
that the base or foot is correctly supported by the closed compartment
and the child seat is secured properly. If this compartment is not suitably Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

42
Child safety
Different mounting systems Fig. 26 On the rear seats: figure
A shows the basic child restraint system mounting
us in
g lower retaining rings and the upper retaining strap. Figure B shows the child
re s
traint system mounting using the vehicle's seat belt.
Always secure child seats properly and safely in the vehicle according to the
child seat manufacturer's installation instructions.
Mounted child seats must rest correctly on the vehicle's seat and must not
move or rock more than 2.5 cm (1 inch).
Child seats equipped for a Top Tether strap must also be secured using the
Top Tether retaining strap in the vehicle ⇒ page 45. Only secure the re-
taining belt to the rings fitted for this purpose and identified as Top Tether.
Not all rings can be used with the Top Tether system. Always tighten the Top
Tether retaining strap so that the child seat fits snugly against the corre-
sponding seat in the vehicle.
Specific mounting systems for each country
Europe: ISOFIX retaining rings and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 45
and ⇒ page 45.
Three-point seat belt and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 44.
A B The systems include the child restraint system mounting with an upper re-
tainin
g s

trap (Top Tether) and lower anchoring points on the seat. 
Use of the child seat on the front passenger seat Transporting children on the front passenger seat is not permitted in all
cou
ntrie

s. Furthermore, not all child seats are approved for use on the front
passenger seat. Your SEAT qualified workshop has an updated list of all ap-
proved child seats. Only used child seats that are approved for each vehicle.
The frontal airbag on the front passenger side is highly dangerous for a
child. The front passenger seat is life-threatening to a child if he or she is
transported in a rear-facing child 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 severe or fatal injuries may re-
sult ⇒  . Therefore, rear-facing child seats must
never be u
sed on the front
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.
Only use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat if the front pas-
senger airbag is disabled. When it is disabled, the yellow PASSENGER
AIR BAG   control lamp on the instrument panel will be lit ⇒ page 31. If
you cannot disable the front passenger airbag and it remains enabled, it is
forbidden to transport children on the front passenger seat ⇒  .
Thing s

to note if using a child seat on the front passenger seat:
● The front passenger airbag must
be disabled  if using a rear-facing
child seat ⇒ page 35.
● The backrest of the front passenger seat must be upright.
● The front passenger seat must be moved as far back as possible.
● The backrest of the front passenger seat must be upright.
● The seat belt height adjustment must be as high as possible. 

43
Child safety
Suitable child seats
The chi l
d seat must be authorised by the manufacturer especially for use on
a front passenger seat with a frontal or side airbag.
If the front passenger seat is equipped with retaining rings, the child seat
can be secured using the approved retaining system provided it is approved
for this type of vehicle in accordance with current regulations in the country
in question.
Universal seats for children in groups 0, 0+, 1, 2 or 3 according to the ECE-
R 44 regulation. WARNING
If a child seat is mounted on the front passenger seat, the risk of the
chi l

d sustaining severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increa-
ses. Rear-facing child seats must never be mounted on the front passen-
ger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled. This is life-threaten-
ing to the child should the frontal airbag deploy, as the child seat would
be struck by the inflated airbag and thrown against the backrest. WARNING
If, in exceptional circumstances, a child must be transported in a rear-fac-
ing c hi

ld seat on the front passenger seat, strictly observe the following:
● Always disable the front passenger airbag and leave it disabled.
● The child seat must be approved by the manufacturer for use on a
front p
assenger seat with frontal and side airbag.
● Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer and
obser
ve the warnings.
● Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible and adjust it to
its highe
st position to keep as far away as possible from the frontal air-
bag. WARNING (Continued)
● Move the backrest to the upright position.
● The se
at

belt height adjustment must be as high as possible.
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
syst
em suited to their height and weight. 
Use of the child seat on the rear seat If a child seat is mounted on the rear seat, adapt the position of the front
pa
s

senger seat so that the child has enough space. Therefore, adapt the
front passenger seat to the size of the child seat and the height of the child.
Ensure the passenger is in the correct position  ⇒ page 10.
Move the second and third row of seats fully back and lock them. Place the
seat backs in a vertical position and fold the armrests down.
ISOFIX child seats approved for rear seats
The rear seats are suitable for child seats with the ISOFIX system specially
designed for this type of vehicle in accordance with regulation ECE-R 44.
ISOFIX child seats are divided into “specific categories for the vehicle”,
“limited” or “semi-universal”.
Child seat manufacturers supply a list of vehicles with each ISOFIX seat,
which includes the models for which the ISOFIX child seat in question is ap-
proved. If the vehicle is included in the manufacturer's list and the ISOFIX
child seat belongs to a seat category included in the list, then it can be
used in your vehicle. If necessary, contact the child seat manufacturer for an
updated list of vehicles. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data