2011 Seat Exeo ST light

33
Airbag system
Front airbags
Description of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 17 Driver airbag in
the steering wheel and
knee airbag in the dash
panel
Fig. 18 Front passenger
airbag located in dash
panel The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 17 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ fig. 18. Air-
bags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. On the driver side, the knee air-
bag* is found in the footwell lining, under the instrument panel.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front
occupants additional protection for the head and chest in the event of a se-
vere frontal collision ⇒ page 36, Safety notes on the front airbag system.
In addition to their normal function of restraining the occupants, the seat
belts also hold the driver and front passenger in a position where the air-
bags can provide maximum protection in a frontal collision.
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 correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly.
Therefore, 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 for your safety
⇒ page 19, Brief introduction.
The main parts of the front airbag system are:
● an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● the two front airbags (airbag with gas generator) for the driver and front
passenger,
● a knee airbag* for the driver,
● a warning lamp  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 31
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning
lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is switched on
(self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the warning lamp :
● does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 31
● turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,
● lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving. 
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Airbag system
that the airbag system can only help to protect you if you are wearing your
seat belt and wearing it properly.
Remember too that airbags will deploy only once and only in certain kinds
of accidents - your seat belts are always there to offer protection in those
accidents in which airbags are not supposed to deploy or when they have
already deployed, for example when your vehicle strikes or is struck by an-
other after the first collision.
This is just one of the reasons why an airbag is not a substitute for the seat
belt. The airbag system works most effectively when used with the seat
belts. Therefore, always wear your seat belts correctly.
It is important to remember that while the airbag system is designed to re-
duce the possibility of serious injuries, other injuries, for example, swelling,
bruising, and minor abrasions can also be associated with airbags.
The knee airbag system basically consists of:
● The electronic control module
● One inflatable airbag (airbag and gas generator) for the driver
● An airbag indicator light on the instrument panel
The knee airbag system will not be triggered:
● if the ignition is switched off
● in frontal collisions when the deceleration measured by the control unit
is too low
● in side collisions
● in rear-end collisions
● in rollovers
● in the event of a system malfunction (hazard warning lights/turn signals
illuminated) ⇒ page 65.
WARNING
● Seat belts and the airbag system can only provide protection when
occupants are in the proper seating position.
● If the airbag indicator light comes on when the vehicle is being used,
have the system inspected immediately by your Authorised Service Cen-
tre. The airbag may not work properly when the vehicle acceleration in a
side collision is high enough to deploy the airbag. See also ⇒ page 65.

How knee airbags work
The risk of injury to the leg area is reduced by fully deployed
knee airbags.
Fig. 22 Inflated airbags
protect in a frontal colli-
sion.
The knee airbag system has been designed so that the airbag for the driver
is deployed in certain but not all frontal collisions.
If the front airbag deploys, the knee airbag also deploys in severe frontal
collisions. 
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Airbag system
Side airbags* Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 23 Side airbag in
driver seat
The front side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger
seat backrests ⇒ fig. 23. The rear side airbags* are located in the rear wheel
housing lining. The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in the up-
per region of the backrests and in the rear wheel housing lining.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat oc-
cupants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe
side collision ⇒ page 41, 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 in the front seats and the outer rear 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. Therefore, 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
for your safety
⇒ page 19, Brief introduction.
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 front side airbags in the backrests of the front seats and the rear
side airbags in the lining of the rear wheel housing
● a warning lamp  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 31
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
● In a side collision, the side airbags will not work, if the sensors do
not correctly measure the pressure increase on the interior of the doors,
due to air escaping through the areas with holes or openings in the door
panel.
● 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. 
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Airbag system
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. 
Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system
If airbags are used correctly, they can considerably reduce
the risk of injury in side impact collisions.
WARNING
● If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not seated
correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at a greater risk of injury
if the side airbag system is triggered in an accident.
● In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
● Occupants of the outer seats must never carry any objects or pets in
the deployment space between them and the airbags, or allow children
or other passengers to travel in this position. It is also important not to
attach any accessories (such as cup holders) to the doors. This would im-
pair the protection offered by the side airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks, must not be exerted upon
the backrest bolster because the system may be damaged. In this case,
the side airbags would not be triggered.
● Under no circumstances should protective covers be fitted over seats
with side airbags unless the covers have been approved for use in your
vehicle. Because the airbag is triggered from the side of the backrest, the
WARNING (Continued)
use of non-approved seat covers would obstruct the side airbag, serious-
ly reducing the airbag's effectiveness ⇒ page 220, Accessories, parts re-
placement and modifications.
● Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of
the side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a specialised
workshop.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed.
● When children assume an incorrect sitting position, they expose
themselves to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This
is particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front passenger
seat and the airbag system is triggered in an accident; this could have
critical consequences including serious injury or death ⇒ page 47,
Child safety.
● Any work on the side airbag system or removal and installation of the
airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the front seat)
should only be performed by a specialised workshop. Otherwise, faults
may occur during the airbag system operation.
● Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
● The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in
the interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the
side and head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be
modified in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is dam-
aged, the airbag system may not work correctly. All work carried out on
the front door must be made in a specialised workshop.

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Airbag system
Operation of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury
in a side collision.
Fig. 26 Deployed curtain
airbags
During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact
side of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 26.
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may
develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication
of fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants
and help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body. The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.

Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce
the risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
● In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
● For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must be disconnected in those
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an
Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.
● There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the oc-
cupants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain air-
bags so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and pro-
vide the greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have
not been expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached
to the side windows ⇒ page 220, Accessories, parts replacement and
modifications.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do
not hang the clothes on coat hangers.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed. 
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Airbag system
Deactivating airbags
Front passenger airbag deactivation
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat,
the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.
Fig. 27 In the glove com-
partment: switch for acti-
vating and deactivating
the front passenger air-
bag
Fig. 28 Warning lamp for
deactivated passenger
airbag in centre console
When the passenger airbag is deactivated, only the front airbag is
deactivated. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain activated.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to position 0
OFF ⇒ fig. 27.
– Check that the warning lamp “OFF” on the instrument panel
⇒ fig. 28 remains lit when the ignition is switched on ⇒ 
.
Activating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to position 1
ON ⇒ fig. 27.
– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel ⇒ fig. 28
does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ 
.
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Cockpit
Operating Instructions Cockpit
Overview Dash panel overview
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Electric control for exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Air outlets with thumbwheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Lever for turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . .122
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Levers and switches for:
– Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
– Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
– Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
– Warning lamp indicating that front passenger airbag has
been disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
– Switch for acoustic parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
123456789
1011
1213
Storage compartment
Depending on equipment fitted: Sound system or navigation
system
Lockable glove compartment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Switch for heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Thumbwheel for seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Manual gear lever
Cigarette lighter / Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Auxiliary socket
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Storage compartment
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Seat memory* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Bonnet lock release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
– coming home and leaving home: delayed lights off and
anticipated lights on function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Steering wheel with:
– Horn
– Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
– Controls for radio and telephone* 
1415
161718192021222324252627282930
3132
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58Cockpit
Adjustable steering column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
On-board documentation compartment / knee airbag* . . . . . .33
33
34Note
● Separate Instruction Manual is enclosed if the vehicle is equipped with
a factory-fitted radio or navigation system.
● The arrangement of switches and controls on right-hand drive models*
may be slightly different from the layout shown in ⇒ fig. 36. However, the
symbols used to identify the controls are the same. 