2012 Seat Alhambra seats

23
Seat belts
Fastening the seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
● Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒ page 10.
● Engage the backrest of the rear seat in an upright position ⇒ 
.
● Pull the latch plate and place the belt webbing evenly across your chest
and lap. Do not twist the seat belt when doing so ⇒ 
.
● Engage the latch plate in the buckle of the corresponding seat ⇒ fig. 10.
● Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the
buckle.
Unfastening the seat belt
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a stand-
still ⇒ 
.
● Press the red button on the buckle ⇒ fig. 11. The latch plate is released
from the buckle.
● Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim will not
be damaged.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe or fatal injuries in the
event of an accident.
● The seat belt cannot offer its full protection unless the backrests are
in an upright position and the seat belt is worn correctly, according to
your size.
● Unbuckling your seat belt while the vehicle is in motion can cause se-
vere or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
 Fastening or unfastening the seat belt with two buckles
Fig. 12 Fasten the seat
belt on the centre seat in
the second row of seats.
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the position that
most protects them in the event of an accident or sudden braking ⇒ 
.
The seat belts for the centre seat in the second row of seats and for the
seats in the third row of seats are fastened using two buckles.
Fastening the seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
● Adjust the rear seat and head restraint correctly ⇒ page 10.
● Engage the backrest of the rear seat in an upright position ⇒ 
.
● Use latch plate of the belt ⇒ fig. 12 1 to pull the seat belt down. Do
not
twist the seat belt when doing so ⇒ .
● Engage the latch plate 1 in the buckle of the corresponding seat A.
● Use the latch plate 2 to pull the seat belt across your lap.
● Engage the latch plate 2 in the buckle of the corresponding seat B.
● Pull the belt to ensure that both latch plates are securely engaged in the
buckles. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

25
Seat belts
Fig. 14 Correct position-
ing of seat belts during
pregnancy.
Seat belts offer their maximum protection in the event of an accident and
reduce the risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries only when they are
properly positioned. Furthermore, if the webbing is correctly positioned, the
seat belt will hold the occupants in the optimum position to ensure the air-
bag provides the utmost protection. The seat belt must therefore always be
worn and the webbing correctly positioned.
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe or even fatal injuries
⇒ page 10, Adjusting the seat position.
Correct seat belt position
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never across the neck or the arm, under the arm or behind the shoulder.
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably. Pull the belt tight if neces-
sary to take up any slack.
In the case of pregnant women , the seat belt must lie evenly across the
chest and as low as possible over the pelvis, never across the stomach and
must be worn properly at all times during the pregnancy ⇒ fig. 14.Adapting the position of the belt webbing to your size
The seat belt can be adapted using the following equipment:
●
Belt height adjustment for the front seats.
● Seat height adjustment (front seats).
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident or sudden braking or manoeuvre.
● The seat belt cannot provide optimum protection if it is not correctly
worn and the backrest is not tilted slightly backwards.
● The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause severe injuries if the
belt moves from hard areas of the body to soft areas (e.g. the stomach).
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoul-
der, never across the neck or the arm.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the torso
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across
the stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the pelvis
Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
● For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must lie as low as
possible over the pelvis and always lie flat, “surrounding” the stomach.
● Do not twist the seat belt while it is fastened.
● Never pull the seat belt away from your body using your hand.
● Do not lie the seat belt across rigid or fragile objects, e.g. glasses,
pens or keys.
● Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments to al-
ter the position of the belt webbing. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

26Seat belts
Note
If you physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct posi-
tion of the belt webbing, 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
seats: 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 your 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
Automatic belt retainer, belt tension device, belt tension
limiter
Seat belts are part of the vehicle safety concept ⇒ page 31 and consist 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. 

28Airbag system
Airbag system
Brief introduction Introduction
Front airbags have been installed for both driver and passenger. The front
airbags 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 ⇒ page 7
● Correct sitting positions ⇒ page 10
● Seat belts ⇒ page 21
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
● Care and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ page 253
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 261
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 259
WARNING
Never exclusively trust the airbag system as a means of protection.
● Even when triggered, airbag protection is only auxiliary.
WARNING (Continued)
● The airbags provide the best protection when the seat belts are prop-
erly fastened, 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 deployment 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 braking 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, pets or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags. Make sure children and other passengers also respect this
recommendation. 

31
Airbag system
CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit lamps and to the corresponding descriptions
and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle. 
Airbag system Description and function of the airbag
The airbag can protect vehicle occupants in the event of an accidents, cush-
ioning the movement 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-
cable, 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   control lamp. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

32Airbag system
● Control units and sensors.
● Height-adjustable head restraint optimised for rear collisions.
● Adjustable steering column.
● Where applicable, mountings for child seats on the rear seats and on
the front passenger's seat.
● Where applicable, mountings for the child seat upper retaining strap.
Situations in which the frontal, knee, side and curtain airbag does not
deploy:
● If the ignition is switched off during the collision.
● In frontal collisions when the deceleration measured by the control unit
is too low. ●
In minor side collisions.
● In rear collisions.
● In the event of the vehicle overturning.
● When the impact speed is lower than the reference value set in the con-
trol unit. 

36Airbag system
Side airbags
Fig. 20 On the side of
the front seat: location of
the side airbag.
Fig. 21 Range of action
of the front 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 seat 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 indicated 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 people, 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 leave 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. Otherwise, the side airbag would be obstructed when deployed.
WARNING
Incorrect handling of the driver's and front passenger's seat could pre-
vent the side airbag from deploying properly and cause severe injuries.
● Never remove the front seats of the vehicle or modify any of their
components.
● Great forces must not be exerted on the backrest bolsters because
the side airbags 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 units must be repaired immediately by a specialised
workshop.


37
Airbag system
Curtain airbags
Fig. 22 On the left side of the vehicle: location and de-
ployment area of the curtain airbag.
Fig. 23 Deployed curtain
airbags
The curtain airbags are located on the driver and front passenger side
above the doors ⇒ fig. 22. Airbags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. The area framed red ⇒ fig. 22 is covered 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 airbag. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications