2012 Seat Alhambra airbag disable

30Airbag system
Warning lamp
Fig. 16 Warning lamp for
disabling the front pas-
senger airbag on the in-
strument panel.
lights upDigitPossible causeSolution
Instrument panelFault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners.Have the system checked immediately by a specialised
workshop.
 Dash panelFault in the airbag system.Have the system checked immediately by a specialised
workshop.
Front passenger airbag disabled.Check whether the airbag should remain disabled.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched. This signals that the lamp is working properly. They
will switch off after a few seconds.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   warning lamp does not remain lit or if it is lit
together with the control lamp  on the instrument panel and the front pas-
senger airbag is disabled, there may be a fault in the airbag system ⇒ 
.
WARNING
In the event of a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger
correctly, may fail to trigger or may even trigger unexpectedly, leading to
severe or fatal injuries.
● Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialised work-
shop.
● Never mount a child seat in the front passenger seat or remove the
mounted child seat! The front passenger airbag may deploy during an ac-
cident in spite of the fault. 

34Airbag system
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”.
When the front airbags are triggered they fill the zones marked in red (de-
ployment area) ⇒ fig. 17. Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas ⇒ 
, Factory-fitted accessories are outside the
range of the front airbag for the driver and the front passenger, e.g. the
baseplate for the mobile phone support.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the
driver and front passenger airbags are triggered ⇒ fig. 18. The airbag covers
remain connected to the steering wheel or the dash panel.
WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the front airbags free.
● Never secure objects to the covers or in the deployment area of the
airbag modules, e.g. cup holders or phone supports.
● The deployment space between the front passengers and the airbags
must not in any case be occupied by other passenger, pets and objects.
● Never fix any object to the windscreen above the front airbag on the
front passenger side.
● Do not alter, cover or stick anything to the steering wheel hub or the
surface of the airbag module on the passenger side of the dash panel.
WARNING
Front airbags are deployed in front of the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 17 and
the dash panel ⇒ fig. 18.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel on the outer edge of
the ring with both hands: 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position.
WARNING (Continued)
● Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between
your chest and the hub of the steering wheel. If you physical constitution
prevents you from meeting these requirements, make sure you contact a
specialised workshop.
● Adjust the front passenger's seat so there is as much distance as pos-
sible between the front passenger and the dash panel.

Types of front passenger airbag systems
There are two different SEAT front passenger airbag systems:
ABCharacteristics of the front passen-
ger airbag that can only be disabled
in a specialised workshop.Characteristics of the front passen-
ger airbag that can be disabled
manually ⇒ page 35.
 Name: airbag system Name: airbag system with front
passenger airbag disabling.
 Warning lamp  on the instru-
ment panel. Warning lamp  on the instru-
ment panel.
 Front passenger airbag located in
the dash panel.
 Front passenger airbag located in
the dash panel.
 PASSENGER AIR BAG   warning
lamp on the instrument panel.
 Key switch in the glove compart-
ment on the front passenger side of
the dash panel.


35
Airbag system
Deactivating and activating the front passenger airbag
using the key switch
Fig. 19 In the glove com-
partment on the front
passenger side: key
switch for disabling and
enabling the front pas-
senger airbag.
The front passenger airbag must be disabled when a rear-facing child seat
is mounted.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Unfold the key shaft ⇒ page 71.
● Using the vehicle key, turn the key switch to OFF ⇒ fig. 19.
● Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● The PASSENGER AIR BAG   control lamp on the instrument panel will
remain lit while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30.
Activating the front passenger airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Using the vehicle key, turn the key switch to ON ⇒ fig. 19. ●
Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF  control lamp on the instru-
ment panel does not light up while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30.
How to know whether the front passenger airbag is disabled
Disabling of the front passenger airbag is only indicated by the PASSENGER
AIR BAG   control lamp that remains lit on the instrument panel (  
remains yellow) ⇒ page 30, Warning lamp.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   control lamp on the centre console does not
remain lit or is lit in combination with the control lamp  on the instrument
panel, a child restraint system cannot be mounted on the front passenger's
seat for safety reasons. The front passenger airbag may deploy during an
accident.
WARNING
The front passenger airbag must only be disconnected in special cases.
● Disconnect and connect the front passenger airbag when the ignition
is switched off to avoid damage to the airbag system.
● It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key operated switch
is set to the correct position.
● Only disconnect the front passenger airbag when a child seat is to be
mounted under exceptional circumstances.
● As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passeng-
er's seat, reconnect the front passenger airbag.

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

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.


75
Unlocking and locking
● Electric windows ⇒ page 88
● Panorama sliding sunroof ⇒ page 92
● Towing mode ⇒ page 237
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 318
WARNING
The incorrect use of the central locking system may cause serious inju-
ries.
● The central locking system will lock all doors. A vehicle locked from
the inside can prevent any non-authorised individual from opening the
doors and accessing the vehicle. Nevertheless, in case of emergency or
accident, locked doors will complicate access to the passenger compart-
ment to help the passengers.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle. The cen-
tral locking button can be used to lock all the doors from within. There-
fore, passengers will be locked inside the vehicle. Individuals locked in
the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
● Depending on the time of the year, temperatures inside a locked and
closed vehicle can be extremely high or extremely low resulting in seri-
ous injuries and illness or even death, particularly for young children.
● Never leave individuals locked in a closed and locked vehicle. In case
of emergency, they may not be able to exit the vehicle by themselves or
get help.

Description of the central locking system
The central locking system allows all doors and the tailgate to be locked
and unlocked centrally.
● From outside, using the vehicle key.
● From inside, by pushing the central locking button ⇒ page 77. In the submenu Convenience in the Configuration menu, or by visiting a spe-
cialized workshop, special functions of the central locking system can be
switched on or off ⇒ page 62.
In case of a vehicle key fault or central locking system fault, all doors can be
locked or unlocked manually.
Locking the vehicle after the airbags have been deployed
If the airbags are deployed due to an accident, the vehicle will be automati-
cally and completely unlocked. Depending on the amount of damage, the
vehicle can be locked following an accident in the following ways:
FunctionNecessary operationsLocking the vehicle
from within:– Turn off the ignition and turn it on again.
– Push the central locking button .Locking the vehicle
from the outside:– Turn off the ignition and turn it on again.
OR: – Remove the key from the ignition.
– Open any door just once.
– Lock the vehicle with the key.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications