2011 Seat Alhambra warning

26
Seat belts Note
If you physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct posi-
tion of the belt w
ebbing, contact a Technical Service for help with any spe-
cial devices to ensure the optimum protection of the seat belt and airbag.
SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
Belt height adjustment Fig. 15 Next to the front
seat
s: belt

height adjust-
er.
Using the height adjusters for the front seats and the outer seats of the sec-
ond row
, the position of the seat belts can be adjusted in the shoulder area
according to the height of the occupant:
● Keep the guide device pressed down in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 15.
● Move the guide device up or down until the seat belt lies over the centre
of y

our shoulder ⇒ page 24, Seat belt position.
● Release the guide device.
● Pull the belt sharply to check that the device is engaged securely. WARNING
Never adjust the belt height while the vehicle is in motion. 
Seat belt tensioners
Autom atic

belt retainer, belt tension device, belt tension
limiter Seat belts are part of the vehicle safety concept
⇒ page 31 and c
onsist of
the following important functions:
Automatic belt retainer
Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retainer on the shoulder
belt. If the belt is pulled slowly or during normal driving, the system allows
for total freedom of movement on the shoulder belt. However, during sud-
den braking, during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration,
the automatic belt retainer on the seat belt is locked is pulled quickly.
Belt tension devices
The seat belts on the front seats and the outer seats of the second row are
equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on, lateral
and rear collisions and retract and tighten the seat belts. If the seat belt is
loose, it is retracted to reduce the forwards movement of occupants or
movement in the direction of the collision. The belt tension device works in
combination with the airbag system. The belt tension device will not be trig-
gered in the event of the vehicle overturning if the side airbags are not de-
ployed.
If the belt tension device is triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal
and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle. 

27
Seat belts
Belt tension limiter
The belt t en
sion limiter reduces the force of the seat belt on the body in the
event of an accident. Note
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of

the system are scrapped. These requirements are known to
specialised workshops ⇒ page 27. 
Service and disposal of belt tension devices If you work on the belt tension devices or remove and install other parts of
the v
ehic

le when performing other repair work, the seat belt may be dam-
aged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the belt
tension devices function incorrectly or not at all.
So that the effectiveness of the belt tension device is not reduced and that
removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions must be observed. These requirements are known to qualified dealer-
ships. WARNING
Improper handling and homemade repairs of seat belts, automatic belt
ret ainer

s and tension devices increase the risk of sustaining severe or fa-
tal injuries. The belt tension device may fail to trigger or may trigger in
the wrong circumstances.
● Never attempt to repair, adjust or remove or install parts of the belt
tens
ion devices or seat belts. Any work must be performed by a Technical
Service only ⇒ page 257.
● Belt tension devices and automatic belt retainers cannot be repaired
and must
be replaced. For the sake of the environment
Airbag modules and belt tension devices may contain perchlorate. Observe
the le g

al requirements for their disposal. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

28
Airbag system
Airbag system
Brief introduction Introduction Front airbags have been installed for both driver and passenger. The front
airbag
s
can also protect the chest and head of driver and passenger if the
seats, seat belts head restraints and, for the driver, the steering wheel are
correctly adjusted and used. Airbags are considered as additional safety
equipment. An airbag cannot replace the safety belt, which must be worn at
all times, even in front seats where front airbags have been installed.
Additional information and warnings:
● Driving tips ⇒ pag
e 7
● Correct sitting positions ⇒ pag
e 10
● Seat belts ⇒ pag
e 21
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ pag
e 39
● Care and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ pag
e 249
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ pag
e 257
● Notes for the user ⇒ pag
e 255WARNING
Never exclusively trust the airbag system as a means of protection.
● Even when triggered, airbag protection is only auxiliary. WARNING (Continued)
● The airb ags provide the best protection when the seat belts are prop-
erly f

astened, thus reducing the risk of sustaining injuries ⇒ page 21,
Seat belts.
● Before each trip, every occupant must sit properly, correctly fasten
the seat belt
belonging to his or her seat and keeping it fastened
throughout the trip. This rule is valid for all occupants. WARNING
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any objects
in the deplo yment

space between them and the airbags, as this increa-
ses the risk of sustaining injuries if the airbag is triggered. This modifies
the airbag deployment space or the objects may fly uncontrollably and
hit your body.
● Never carry objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in
motion.
● Never transport objects on the front passenger seat. In the event of
sudden br
aking and manoeuvres, the objects may end up in the airbag
deployment space and fly uncontrollably around the vehicle interior if the
airbag is activated.
● Occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any oth-
er people, pet
s or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags. Make sure children and other passengers also respect this
recommendation. 

29
Airbag system WARNING
The airbag system provides protection for one accident only. If they have
been deplo y
ed, they must be replaced.
● Ensure deployed airbags and the system components involved are im-
mediately
replaced with new, SEAT-approved components for the vehicle.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried out at a Technical Service.
Qualified work
shops have the necessary tools, diagnostics equipment,
repair information and qualified personnel.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag components in your vehicle.
● Never modify the airbag system components. WARNING
If the airbags are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal and it
is not

an indication of fire in the vehicle.
● This fine dust may irritate the skin and eyes and cause breathing dif-
ficultie
s, particularly in people suffering from or who have suffered from
asthma or other illnesses of the respiratory tract. To reduce breathing dif-
ficulties, get out of the vehicle and open and doors and windows to
breath in fresh air.
● Should you touch the dust, wash your hands and face using a mild
soap and wat
er before you eat.
● Prevent the dust from affecting the eyes or open wounds.
● Rinse your eyes with water if you have dust in them. WARNING
Solvents cause the surfaces of the airbag modules to become porous. If
an airbag i s

accidentally triggered, the detachment of plastic parts could
cause serious injury.
● Never clean the instrument panel and the surfaces of the airbag mod-
ule

s with cleaners containing solvents. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

30
Airbag system
Warning lamp Fig. 16 Warning lamp for
dis
ab
ling the front pas-
senger airbag on the in-
strument panel. lights up Digit Possible cause Solution
 Instrument panel Fault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners. Have the system checked immediately by a specialist
work
shop

.   Dash panel Fault in the airbag system. Have the system checked immediately by a specialist
work
shop

. Front passenger airbag disabled. Check whether the airbag should remain disabled.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is
sw

itched. This signals that the lamp is working properly. They
will switch off after a few seconds.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   warning lamp does not remain lit or if it is lit
together with the control lamp  on the instrument panel and the front pas-
senger airbag is disabled, there may be a fault in the airbag system ⇒  . WARNING
In the event of a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger
corr ectly

, may fail to trigger or may even trigger unexpectedly, leading to
severe or fatal injuries.
● Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialist work-
shop.
● Never mou

nt a child seat in the front passenger seat or remove the
mounted c
hild seat! The front passenger airbag may deploy during an ac-
cident in spite of the fault. 

31
Airbag system CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit lamps and to the corresponding descriptions
and ins truction
s to avoid damage to the vehicle. 
Airbag system Des
cription and function of the airbag The airbag can protect vehicle occupants in the event of an accidents, cush-
ioning the mo
v

ement of the occupants in the direction of the collision in
frontal and side accidents.
Deployed airbags fill with a propellant gas. This causes the airbag covers to
break and the airbags to deploy extremely quickly in their entire deploy-
ment space within fractions of a second. When an occupant with the seat
belt properly fastened puts pressure on the inflated airbag, the propellant
gas escapes to absorb the force of the impact and slow the movement. This
reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Airbag deployment does not
mean that other types of injury such as swelling, bruising, burns and skin
injuries can be ruled out.
Airbags do not protect the arms or the lower part of the body.
The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident,
the angle of impact, the vehicle speed and the characteristics of the object
the vehicle hits. Therefore, airbags are not triggered every time the vehicle
is visibly damaged.
The airbag system is designed to be triggered in collisions with a severe im-
pact. The front, curtain, side and knee airbags may be triggered under spe-
cial circumstances. The scope of any visible damage to the vehicle is not an
indication of airbag deployment. Airbags act in conjunction with three-point seat belts in the event of certain
accidents, when the

vehicle deceleration rate is severe enough to trigger
the airbags. Airbags only deploy once and only under certain circumstan-
ces. Seat belts remain present to offer protection in situations where air-
bags are not triggered or where they have already deployed. For example,
when a vehicle hits another after an initial collision or is hit by another vehi-
cle.
The airbag system is an integral part of the car's passive safety system. The
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing
their seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly 
⇒  page 10.
Vehicle safety components
The following safety equipment makes up the vehicle safety design to re-
duce the risk of severe and fatal injuries. Depending on the vehicle equip-
ment, some equipment may not be fitted in the vehicle or may not be avail-
able in some markets.
● Optimised seat belts for all seats.
● Belt tension devices for the driver and front passenger and, where appli-
cabl
e, on the outer seats of the second row of seats in combination with the
side airbags.
● Furthermore, belt tension limiters for the driver's and front passenger's
seat belt
.
● Belt height adjustment for the front seats and, where applicable, the
outer seats
of the second row of seats.
● Seat belt warning lamp
● Frontal airbags for driver and passenger.
● Side airbags for the driver, front passenger and, where applicable, the
outer seats
of the second row of seats.
● Left and right curtain airbags.
● One airbag for the driver's knees.
● Airbag control lamp .
● PASSENGER AIR BAG   contro
l lamp. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

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