2012 Seat Altea Freetrack weight

48Child safety
Child seats
Categorisation of child seats into groups
Use only child seats that are officially approved and suitable
for the child. Child seats are subject to the regulation ECE-R 44. ECE-R stands for: Eco-
nomic Commission for Europe Regulation
The child seats are grouped into 5 categories: Group 0: up to 10 kg
Group 0+: up to 13 kg
Group 1: from 9 to 18 kg
Group 2: from 15 to 25 kg
Group 3: from 22 to 36 kg
Child seats that have been tested and approved under the ECE R44 stand-
ard bear the test mark on the seat (the letter E in a circle with the test num-
ber below it). Group 0 and 0+ child seats
A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can
help you to protect your child.
Fig. 28 A group 0 rear-
facing child seat fitted on
the rear seat.
Group 0: For babies from about 9 months old and 10 kg in weight, the most
suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration ⇒ fig. 28.
Group 0+: For babies from about 18 months old and 13 kg in weight the
most suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats.
We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction
manual together with the on-board documentation.
WARNING
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of child seats ⇒ 
in Safety notes on using child seats on page 47.

51
Child safety
Securing child seats
Ways to secure a child seat
A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and
on the front passenger seat. You can secure a child seat to the rear seat or front passenger seat in the
following ways:
● Child seats in groups 0 to 3 can be secured with a seat belt.
● Group 0, 0+ and 1 child seats with the “ISOFIX” system can be secured
to the “ISOFIX” retaining rings. In this case, seat belts are not necessary.
CategoryWeightSeat locationsFront passen- gerRear outerRear centre
Group 0<10 kgU*U/LUGroup 0+<13 kgU*U/LUGroup 19-18 kgU*U/LUGroup 2 / 315-36 kgU*UU
Suitable for universal approved restraining systems for use in this age
category (universal retention systems are those fitted using the adult
seat belt).
Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible, as high as pos-
sible and always deactivate the airbag.
Suitable for retention systems using the “ISOFIX” anchors.
U:
*:
L:
WARNING
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a re-
straint system suitable for age, weight and size.
● Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger
seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This could
cause fatal injuries to the child! However, if, in exceptional cases, it is
necessary to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front pas-
senger airbag ⇒ page 44, Deactivating airbags* must always be disabled
and the seat adjusted to its highest position, where possible.
● Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the
use of child seats ⇒ 
in Safety notes on using child seats on page 47.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

134Seats and storage compartments
Front seats
Adjustment of the front seats
Fig. 93 Front left seat
controls
The control elements in ⇒ fig. 93 are mirrored for the front right-
hand seat.
1
Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move the seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip 1
and move the seat further until the
catch engages.
2
Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (several times if necessary) from
its home position. This adjusts the seat height in stages. 3
Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
4
Adjusting the lumbar support*
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel to
adjust the lumbar support.
As you make the adjustments, the curvature of the cushioned area of the
lumbar region becomes more or less acute. In this way, it adapts to the nat-
ural curvature of the spine.
WARNING
● Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adjust the driver or front passenger seat
only when the vehicle is stationary.
● To reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger in case of
a sudden braking or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted to-
wards the rear. The maximum protection of the seat belt can be achieved
only when the backrests are in an upright position and the driver and
front passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further the
backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to im-
proper positioning of the belt web!
● Exercise caution when securing the seat height into forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the seat height is adjusted with-
out due care and attention.


139
Seats and storage compartments
Stowage areas under the front seats*
There is a storage compartment with a cover under each
front seat.
Fig. 102 Storage com-
partment under the front
seats
The drawer* ⇒ fig. 102 A
is opened by pushing the button and putting the
cover back.
There are two open positions of 15 and 60 degrees depending on the pres-
sure applied to the cover. In the 60 degree position, the cover will collapse
if too much pressure is applied.
To close the drawer, press the cover until it locks into position.
WARNING
● The drawers will hold a maximum weight of 1.5 kg.
● Do not drive with the drawer cover open. There is an injury risk for
passengers if the cargo is released in case of sudden braking or an acci-
dent.
 Folding tray*
Folding trays are fitted to the rear of the front seat backrests.
Fig. 103 Folding tray on
the front left seat
– To open the tray, open it up in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 103.
WARNING
● The folding trays may not be folded down whilst the vehicle is in mo-
tion and anyone is seated on the second row of seats. There is a risk on
injury during a sudden braking manoeuvre! The tray must therefore be
closed and properly secured whilst the vehicle is in motion.
● Never place hot drinks in the drink holders. During normal or sudden
driving manoeuvres, sudden braking or an accident, the hot drink could
be spilled. Danger of scalding.
CAUTION
When driving, do not leave open cans in the cup holders. The drink might
be spilt on braking, for example, and could damage the vehicle. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

141
Seats and storage compartments
– Lift the luggage compartment floor and fold it back all the way
⇒ fig. 105.
– Fit the separator A
⇒ fig. 106, into the side grooves depending
on the size of the objects to be transported. The on-board tool
kit and the spare wheel are located underneath the luggage
compartment.
– Secure objects in the luggage compartment with suitable straps
on the fastening rings.
Note
● Do not exceed the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle
⇒ page 278. Luggage compartment net*
There is a storage net in the luggage compartment for secur-
ing objects.
Fig. 107 Luggage com-
partment net
– Use the fastening rings located on the side of the luggage com-
partment to attach the storage net ⇒ fig. 107.
Note
● Do not exceed the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle
⇒ page 278. 
Other storage compartments
Other storage compartments can be found:
● in the centre console,
● in the door trims (front and rear), 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

153
Seats and storage compartments
● It is essential that you follow the assembly instructions included with
the bars exactly, being especially careful to position the front and rear lug-
gage compartment cover bars on the special housings on the longitudinal
bars. You must also respect their position according to the direction of trav-
el indicated in the assembly manual. Not following these instructions may
cause marks on the longitudinal bars.
● Distribute the load evenly. A maximum load of 40 kg only is permitted
for each roof rack system support bar, the load must be distributed evenly
along the entire length. However, the maximum load permitted for the en-
tire roof (including the support system) of 75 kg must not be exceeded nor
should the total weight of the vehicle be exceeded. See the Technical Data
section.
● When transporting heavy or large objects on the roof, any change in the
normal vehicle behaviour due to a change in the centre of gravity or an in-
creased wind resistance must be taken into account. For this reason, a suit-
able speed and driving style must be used.
● For those vehicles fitted with a sunroof*, ensure that it does not interfere
with the load on the roof rack system when opened. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

183
Driving
CAUTION
● Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not
give any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences,
chains, thin posts or trailer draw bars, high kerbs or painted railings etc)
may not always be detected by the system, so there is a risk of damaging
the vehicle in such cases.
● In some cases, obstacles with uniform edges and bumps may not be de-
tected immediately by the system due to their geometry. Take special care
of this type of obstacle (corners, rectangular objects, etc.), as they can
cause damage to the vehicle.
● Be especially careful when manoeuvring into a corner between two per-
pendicular walls. Carefully watch the approach of the wall to the side of the
vehicle (using the mirrors).
● The parking aid system does not replace use of the mirrors for manoeu-
vres.
● External ultra-sonic sources (pneumatic drills, construction machinery,
other vehicles with PDC) may interfere with the operation of the system.
● Periodic cleaning of the sensors, take care not to damage or scratch
them. When cleaning with high pressure washers or steam cleaners, the
sensors should be sprayed for only a very short period and from a distance
of more than 10 cm. Cruise speed* (Cruise control system)
Description
The cruise control system is able to maintain the set speed
in the range of 30 km/h to 180 km/h.
Once the speed setting has been saved, you may take your foot off the ac-
celerator.
WARNING
It could be dangerous to use the cruise control system if it is not possible
to drive at constant speed.
● Do not use the cruise control system when driving in dense traffic, on
roads with lots of bends or on roads with poor conditions (with ice, slip-
pery surfaces, loose grit or gravel), as this could cause an accident.
● Always switch the cruise control system off after using it in order to
avoid an involuntary use.
● It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current
road, traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.
Note
The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when descending
downhill. The vehicle will accelerate due to its own weight. Use the foot
brake to slow the vehicle. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

198Driving and the environment
Drive anticipating the traffic situation
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. When you anticipate the situa-
tion, you have to brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If it is possible,
let the vehicle roll with a gear engaged, for example, if you see a red light
ahead. The braking effect achieved in this way helps to reduce the wear of
brakes and tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are reduced to zero (dis-
connection due to inertia).
Change gear early to save energy
An effective way of saving fuel is to change up quickly through the gears.
Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an unnecessary
amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox: Change from first to second gear as quickly as possible.
We recommend that, whenever possible, you change to a higher gear upon
reaching 2000 rpm. Follow the “recommended gear” indication that ap-
pears on the instrument panel ⇒ page 61.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed permitted by the vehicle. Fuel
consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels all increase very rapidly
at higher speeds. Driving at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic jam, at lev-
el crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The fuel saved after
only 30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to restart
the engine.
The engine takes a long time to warm up when it is idling. Mechanical wear
and pollutant emissions are also especially high during this initial warm-up
phase. It is therefore best to drive off immediately after starting the engine.
Avoid running the engine at high speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey,
you will not consume more than the required amount of fuel. A well-serviced engine gives you the benefit of
improved fuel efficiency as well as maxi-
mum reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and
the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum service tempera-
ture.
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not normalise until having
driven approximately four kilometres. This is why we recommend avoiding
short trips whenever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If
the tyre pressure is just one bar too low, fuel consumption can increase by
as much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also
increases tyre wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold.
Do not use winter tyres all year round as they increase fuel consumption by
up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Every kilo of extra weight will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no un-
necessary loads are being transported.
A roof rack is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even when it is
no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your vehicle will use about
12% more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof
rack even when it is not in use. 