2012 Seat Alhambra child restraint

41
Child safety
Categorisation of child seats according to ECE-R 44
Weight cate- goryWeight of the childInstallation of the child seat
Group 0children up to 10 kgRear-facing. On rear seats, optionallyusing the ISOFIX system.
Group 0+children up to 13 kg
Group 19 to 18 kgForward-facing. On rear seats, optional-ly using the ISOFIX system.
Group 215 to 25 kg
Forward-facing. On the outer rear seatsor in the centre seat of the second row of seats and on all seats in the thirdrow. Optionally with ISOFIX system.
Group 322 to 36 kgForward-facing.
Not all children fit in the seat of their weight group. Nor do all seats adapt to
the vehicle. Therefore, always check whether the child fits properly in the
child seat and whether the seat can be installed safely in the vehicle.
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.
Child seats approved under the ECE-R 44 regulation are fitted with the corre-
sponding approval symbol. The sign is an upper-case E in a circle with the
identification number below it.
WARNING
Not following the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to ac-
cidents and severe injuries.
● Always follow the check list and perform the necessary operations.
WARNING
In general, the rear seat is always the safest place for correctly belted in
children in the event of an accident.
● A suitable child seat that is correctly installed and used on one of the
rear seats offer the most protection possible for babies and small chil-
dren in most accidents.
Note
Other accessories may be required to fit the child retention system with a
base or foot security and safely. Contact a Technical Service or specialised
workshop. 
Different mounting systems
Fig. 26 On the rear seats: figure A shows the basic child restraint system mounting
using lower retaining rings and the upper retaining strap. Figure B shows the child
restraint system mounting using the vehicle's seat belt. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

42Child safety
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 44
and ⇒ page 45.
Three-point seat belt and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 44.
The systems include the child restraint system mounting with an upper re-
taining strap (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
countries. Furthermore, not all child seats are approved for use on the front
passenger seat. Your Technical Service has an updated list of all approved
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 used on the front
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled. A
B
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 ⇒ 
.
Things 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.
Suitable child seats
The child 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
child 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. 

43
Child safety
WARNING
If, in exceptional circumstances, a child must be transported in a rear-fac-
ing child 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 passenger seat with frontal and side airbag.
● Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer and
observe the warnings.
● Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible and adjust it to
its highest position to keep as far away as possible from the frontal air-
bag.
● Move the backrest to the upright position.
● The seat belt height adjustment must be as high as possible.
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
system 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
passenger 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.
Group (weight
category)ISOFIX child seat cate- gorySeat position on the rear seats
Group 0: chil-
dren up to 10 kgEIUF a)
Group 0+: chil-
dren up to 13 kgEIUF a)DIUFa)CIUFa)
Group 1: 9 to 18
kg
DIUFa)CIUFa)BIUFa)B1IUFa)AIUFa)a)
IUF: suitable for “universal” ISOFIX child seats authorised for use in this group.
WARNING
If child seats are fitted to all the seats in the second row then it is possi-
ble that the seats of this row cannot be folded down from the third row of
seats in case of an accident. In case of an emergency, passengers in the
third row of seats will not be able to leave the vehicle or to help them-
selves.
● Child seats should not occupy all the seats of the second row if other
passengers are to occupy the third row of seats.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

45
Child safety
● Tighten the straps evenly using the corresponding adjustment device.
The child seat must sit flush against the vehicle seat.
● Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.
WARNING
The lower anchor points for child seats do not include rings. Only secure
booster seats to lower anchor points.

Securing a child seat using a Top Tether retaining strap
Fig. 28 Upper retaining
strap hooked in the lug-
gage compartment
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the child seat ⇒ 
.
● Raise the head restraint behind the child seat until it engages.
● Secure the child seat to the lower anchor points ⇒ page 44.
● Pull the upper child seat retaining strap back to the backrest of the rear
seat, below or on both sides of the head restraint (depending on the child
seat model). ●
Hook the upper retaining strap to the corresponding retaining ring (for
TOP TETHER) on the back of the backrest on the rear seat ⇒ fig. 28.
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go. Ensure that it does not
interfere with the seatbelt from the upper attachment.
● Tighten the strap so that the top of the child seat rests on the backrest.
WARNING
Child seats with lower anchor points and with an upper retaining strap
must be installed in line with the manufacturer's instructions. Failure to
comply could result in severe injuries.
● Always secure just one retaining strap from a child seat to a retaining
ring (for TOP TETHER) on backrest on the rear seat in the luggage com-
partment.
● Never secure a child seat to the retaining rings.
● Never secure a child seat to the movable attachment elements for ve-
hicles with an attachment element and rail system .

Integrated child seat Introduction
The integrated child seat is only suitable for children in Group 2 (15-25 kg)
and Group 3 (22-36 kg), according to the ECE-R 44 regulation.
Additional information and warnings:
● Seat belts ⇒ page 21 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

46Child safety
WARNING
Child travelling without their seat belt fastened or not secured using a
suitable restraint system may sustain fatal injuries if the airbag is de-
ployed.
● Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the rear seat.
● Always disable the front passenger airbag if, in exceptional cases,
you have no alternative but to transport a child in a rear-facing child safe-
ty seat on the front passenger seat.
● Children must always be protected with a child restraint system suit-
ed to their height and weight.
● Always fasten children's seat belts correctly.
WARNING
Children must travel in a child seat appropriate to their weight and
height while the vehicle is in motion.
● Children must always be protected with a child restraint system suit-
ed to their height and weight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in while travelling.
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie approximately on the cen-
tre of the shoulder, never across the neck or the arm.
● The seat belt must lie close to the upper part of the body.
WARNING (Continued)
● The lap belt part must lie across the pelvis, not across the stomach,
and always fit closely.
● Allow the belt to retract until it fits tightly over the child's seat.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap.
● Always use a child seat and the seat belt for children who are less
than 1.5 metres tall. The normal seat belt could cause injuries to the ab-
dominal and neck areas.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● Read and follow the information and warnings provided by the child
seat manufacturer.
● Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the vehi-
cle.
● All modifications to the integrated child seat must be carried out by a
specialised workshop.
● Replace the child seat or any seat components damaged or involved
in an accident.
WARNING
Loose objects could fly uncontrollably around the vehicle interior and
cause injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● Do not leave toys or other hard, loose objects on the child seat or on
the seat while the vehicle is in motion.


47
Child safety
Unfolding the integrated child seat
Fig. 29 Integrated child
seats. lift up the cushion.
Fig. 30 Integrated child seats. position the head re-
straint over the side head restraint A and fit into place
B.
The integrated child seat can be fitted with a side head restraint. SEAT rec-
ommends use of the integrated child seat with the side head restraint fitted
and also that this seat be used only for children above the age of 3. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

48Child safety
Lifting the cushion
● Pull the unlock lever ⇒ fig. 29 A
on the cushion in the direction of the
arrow 1.
● Fold both sides B up in the direction of the arrow 2.
● Push the cushion C back in the direction of the arrow 3 until it engag-
es.
Fitting the side head restraint
● Fold the backrest of the rear seat forwards ⇒ page 117.
● Remove the head restraint.
● Make sure the belt guide handle on the window side is on the side head
restraint ⇒ page 48.
● Insert the guide rods ⇒ fig. 30 1
of the head restraint into the guides
on the side head restraint 2.
● Insert the head restraint and the side head restraint into the guides on
the corresponding backrest B
.
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go.
● Fold the backrest of the rear seat back.
● Pull the rear seat and the backrest to check whether they are engaged
properly. Seat belt routing on the integrated child seat
Fig. 31 Integrated child
seats. Adjusting the belt
webbing.
Fig. 32 Integrated child
seats. seat belt routing
with guide handle.
Using the guide handle ⇒ fig. 32, position the seat belt so that the shoulder
part of the belt lies on the centre of the child's shoulder. 

49
Child safety
Seat belt guide handle
● Secure the seat belt guide handle to the side head restraint on the win-
dow side. The guide handle is secured by a button.
● Open the upper button on the seat belt guide handle and pass the belt
webbing below the side head restraint and through the guide handle.
● Close the button again.
Adjusting the belt routing
● Guide the automatic three-point seat belt below the side head restraint.
● Pull the latch plate and slowly place the belt webbing across the child's
chest and lap.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it
down until it is securely locked with an audible click.
● Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the
buckle.
WARNING
The seat belt only offers maximum protection from severe or fatal injuries
when it is correctly positioned.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in while travelling.
● The shoulder belt must be positioned against the middle of the
shoulder.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably.
● Allow the belt to retract until it fits tightly over the child's seat.
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across
the stomach.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
 Removing the seat belt
Fig. 33 Integrated
child seats. lowering
the cushion.
Lowering the cushion
● Pull the unlock lever ⇒ fig. 33 A
on the cushion in the direction of the
arrow 1.
● Push the cushion down through the central area B in the direction of
the arrow 2 until it safely engages
⇒ . The side supports fold away auto-
matically.
Removing the side head restraint
● Open the seat belt guide handle.
● Guide the seat belt by hand to pull the belt back in more easily and not
damage the trim.
● Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
● Fold the backrest of the rear seat forwards ⇒ page 117.
● Remove the head restraint along with the side head restraint.
● Remove the head restraint and side head restraint by pulling on it.
● Fitting the head restraint. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications