2012 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

39
Child safety
Child safety
Child seats (accessories) Introduction
Please read the information regarding the airbag system fully before trans-
porting babies and children in a child seat or other child restraint system
installed on the front passenger seat.
This information is extremely important for driver and passenger safety, par-
ticularly that of babies and children.
SEAT recommends the use of child seats from the SEAT accessory pro-
gramme. These child seats have been designed and tested for use in SEAT
vehicles. You can purchase child seats with different mountings from a
Technical Service.
Using child restraint systems with a base or foot
Some child retention systems are secured to the seat using a base or foot.
For certain equipment the use of an additional accessory will be necessary
(for example, the accessory for the floor compartment) to fit the child reten-
tion system correctly and securely.
Additional information and warnings:
● Airbag system ⇒ page 31
● Integrated child seats ⇒ page 45
WARNING
Make sure children are properly belted in and correctly secured to avoid
severe or fatal injuries while the vehicle is in motion.
● Never use a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat if the
front passenger airbag is enabled.
● Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the rear seat.
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
system suited to their height and weight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in while travelling.
● Ensure the backrest of a seat is upright when a child seat is being
used on it.
● Do not allow the child's head or other part of his or her body to fall
into the deployment area of the side airbags.
● Make sure the belt webbing is correctly positioned.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap or in your arms.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● If you are using a child seat with a base or foot, always install this
base or foot correctly and safely.
● If the vehicle has a storage compartment in the foot well in front of
the last row of seats, this compartment cannot be used as designed; on
the contrary: It must be filled using the specially designed accessory so
that the base or foot is correctly supported by the closed compartment
and the child seat is secured properly. If this compartment is not suitably
secured when using a child seat with a base or foot then the compart-
ment cover could rupture in an accident and the child will be ejected and
suffer serious injury.
● Please read and observe the child seat manufacturer's handling in-
structions. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

40Child safety
WARNING
An empty or loose child seat could fly uncontrollably around the vehicle
interior and cause injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● When not in use while the vehicle is in motion, always safely secure it
or store it in the luggage compartment.
Note
Replace the child seat after an accident, as it may have invisible damage. 
General information on transporting children in the vehicle
Legal regulations and provisions will always take priority over the descrip-
tions of this instruction manual. There are different regulations and provi-
sions for the use of child seats and their mountings ( ⇒ table on page 41).
In some countries, for example, the use of child seats on certain seats in the
vehicle may be forbidden.
The physical principles and the forces acting on the vehicle in the event of a
collision or other type of accidents also apply to children ⇒ page 21. Howev-
er, unlike adults and youngsters, children do not have fully developed mus-
cle and bone structures. In the event of an accident, children are subject to
a greater risk than adults of sustaining severe injuries.
Given that children's bodies are not yet fully developed, child restraint sys-
tems must be used that are especially adapted to their height, weight and
constitution. There are laws in force in many countries that determine the
use of approved seat systems for transporting babies and children.
Only used authorised, approved child seats that are suitable for the vehicle.
Always consult with a Technical Service or a specialised workshop should
you have any doubts. Checklist
To transport children in the vehicle
⇒ 
:
● Observe the legal requirements specific to each country.
● For safety reasons, SEAT recommends that children under 12 years of
age are transported on the rear seats.
● Only if you have no alternative should a child travel on the front passen-
ger seat ⇒ page 42. The safest place in the vehicle is on the rear seat be-
hind the front passenger seat.
● Child must always use a child restraint system when travelling in the ve-
hicle. The child restraint system must be suitable for the height, weight and
constitution of the child.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● Follow the user instructions from the child seat manufacturer and always
keep them in the vehicle.
● If the child seat is secured using the seat belt, guide the seat belt
through or around the child seat according to the instructions of the child
seat manufacturer.
● Make sure the belt webbing is correctly positioned and that the child is
sitting properly.
● The child seat should be installed on the rear seat behind the front pas-
senger seat so that the child can exit the car on the kerb side.
● Do not leave toys or other loose objects on the child seat or on the seat
while the vehicle is in motion.
Specific child seat regulations for each country (selection)
RegulationFurther informationECE-R 44 a)Technical Service or qualified work-
shop
a)
ECE-R: Economic Comission for Europe Regulation.


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

44Child safety
Securing child seats with the seat belt
Securing the child seat using the seat belt
●Please read and observe the child seat manufacturer's handling instruc-
tions.
● Positioning the child seat on the seat according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
● The seat belt height adjustment must be as high as possible.
● Fasten the seat belt or pass it around the child seat structure in the man-
ner described in the manufacturer's instructions.
● Make sure the seat belt is not twisted.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it
down until it is securely locked with an audible click.
● Ensure that the upper belt web lies tightly on the child seat.
● Pull the belt (it must be no longer possible to pull the lower belt web-
bing out).
Removing the child seat
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a stand-
still ⇒ 
.
● Press the red button on the buckle. 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.
● Remove the child seat from the vehicle.
WARNING
Unbuckling the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion can cause severe
or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a
standstill.
 Securing the child seat using the lower anchor points
(ISOFIX, LATCH*)
Fig. 27 Version 2: identi-
fication of the anchor
points for the child seat
on the vehicle seat.
There are two retaining rings, the so-called lower anchor points, on each
rear seat or, where applicable, on the front passenger seat. The retaining
rings are attached to the seat frames.
Child seats with rigid mounting
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the child seat ⇒ 
.
● Press the child seat onto the retaining rings ⇒ fig. 27 in the direction of
the arrow. The child seat must be safely engaged and click audibly into
place.
● Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.
Child seat with adjustable retaining straps
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the child seat ⇒ 
.
● Place the child seat on the seat cushion and attach the retaining strap
hooks to the retaining rings ⇒ fig. 27. 

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.
