
Child safety
48Child seatsCategorisation of child seats into groups
Use only child seats that are officially approved and suitable 
for the child.Child seats are subject to the regulation ECE-R 44. ECE-R stands for: Economic 
Commission for Europe Regulation
The child seats are grouped into 5 categories:
Group 0 : children up to 10 kg
Group 0+ : children up to 13 kg
Group 1 : from 9 to 18 kg
Group 2 : from 15 to 25 kg
Group 3 : from 22 to 36 kg
Child seats that have been tested and approved under the ECE R44 standard 
bear the test mark on the seat (the letter E in a circle with the test number 
below it).
Group 0 and 0+ child seats
A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can 
help you to protect your child.Group 0: For babies from about 9 months old and 10 kg in weight the most 
suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration ⇒ fig. 28.
Group 0+:  For babies from about 18 months old and 13 kg in weight the most 
suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats.
We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction 
manual together with the on-board documentation.
WARNING
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use of 
child seats ⇒  in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.
Fig. 28  A group 0 rear-
facing child seat fitted on 
the rear seat.
Altea_EN.book  Seite 48  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Child safety49
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Group 1 child seats
A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can 
help you to protect your child.Child seats using the ISOFIX system or seats in which the child faces the rear 
of the vehicle are most appropriate for babies and small children weighing 
between 9 and 18 kg.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats.
We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction 
manual together with the on-board documentation.
WARNING
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use of 
child seats ⇒ in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.
Group 2 and 3 child seats
A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can 
help you to protect your child.Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats.
We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction 
manual together with the on-board documentation.
Group 2 child seats
Children  under 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg are best 
protected by group 2 child seats together with properly adjusted seat belts.
Group 3 child seats
Children  over 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg but less than 1.5 
metres tall are best protected by seat cushions with head restraints together 
with properly worn seat belts  ⇒fig. 30 .
Fig. 29  A category 1 
forward-facing child seat 
fitted on the rear seat.
Fig. 30  Forward-facing 
child seat installed on rear 
seat.
Altea_EN.book  Seite 49  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Child safety
50
WARNING
•The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie approximately on the centre 
of the shoulder, never across the neck or the arm. The seat belt must lie 
close to the upper part of the body. The lap belt part must lie across the 
pelvis, not across the stomach, and always fit closely. Pull the belt tight if 
necessary to take up any slack  ⇒page 24, “Seat belts”.•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use 
of child seats  ⇒ in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.
Altea_EN.book  Seite 50  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Child safety51
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Securing child seatsWays to secure a child seat
A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and on 
the front passenger seat.You can secure a child seat to the rear seat or front passenger seat in the 
following ways:•Child seats in groups  0 to 3 can be secured with a seat belt.•Child seats in groups  0, 0+ and 1 with the ISOFIX and Top Tether* systems 
can be secured without using the seatbelt, thanks to the ISOFIX and Top 
Tether* securing rings ⇒ page 52.
U: Suitable for universal approved restraining systems for use in this age  category (universal retention systems are those fitted using the adult 
seat belt).
*: Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible, as high as  possible and always deactivate the airbag.
L: Suitable for retention systems using the ISOFIX and Top Tether* anchors.
WARNING
•When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a 
restraint system suitable for age, weight and size.•Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger seat 
unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This could cause fatal 
injuries to the child! However, if, in exceptional cases, it is necessary to 
transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front passenger airbag 
⇒ page 44, “Deactivating airbags*” must always be disabled and the seat 
adjusted to its highest position, where possible.•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use 
of child seats ⇒  in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.
Category
Weight
Seat locations
Front 
passenger
Rear outer
Rear centre
Group 0
<10 kg
U*
U/L
U
Group 0+
<13 kg
U*
U/L
U
Group 1
9-18 kg
U*
U/L
U 
Group 2 / 3
15-36 kg
U*
U
U
Altea_EN.book  Seite 51  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Child safety
52Child seats fastened with the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* system
Child seats with the ISOFIX or Top Tether* system can be 
secured quickly, easily and safely on the rear outer seats.
When removing or fitting the child seat, please be sure to follow the 
manufacturer's instructions.
– Move the seat as far to rear as it will go.
– Press the child seat onto the ISOFIX retaining rings until the child 
seat can be heard to engage securely. If the child seat is 
equipped with Top Tether* anchor points, secure it to the corre-
spondent ring  ⇒fig. 32 . Observe the manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.Two  ISOFIX retaining rings are fitted on each rear seat. In some vehicles, the 
rings are secured to the seat frame and, in others, they are secured to the rear 
floor. The access to the “ISOFIX” rings is between the rear seat backrest and 
the seat cushioning. The Top Tether* anchors are located at the rear of the 
backs seats (behind the seat or in the luggage compartment).
Child seats with the ISOFIX and Top Tether* attachment system are available 
from the Authorised Service Centres.
WARNING
•The securing rings are designed only for use with ISOFIX and Top 
Tether* child seats.•Never secure child seats that do not have the ISOFIX and Top Tether* 
system, retaining belts or other objects to the securing rings – this could 
result in potentially fatal injuries to the child!•Ensure that the child seat is secured correctly using the ISOFIX and Top 
Tether* securing rings.
Fig. 31  ISOFIX securing 
ringsF i g .  3 2  To p  Te t h e r *  
securing ring
Altea_EN.book  Seite 52  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14