2012 Seat Leon 5D airbag

42Airbag system
Curtain airbags*
Description of curtain airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 25 Location of curtain airbagsThe curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors
⇒ Fig. 25 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the curtain airbag system gives the vehi-
cle occupants additional protection for the head and upper body in the
event of a severe side collision ⇒ page 43, Safety notes on the operation
of the curtain airbag system.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the vehicle occupants are
wearing their seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints
properly. Therefore, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your
safety
⇒ page 19, Brief introduction.
The main parts of the curtain airbag system are:
● an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● the curtain airbags (airbags with gas generator) for the driver, front pas-
senger and passengers on the rear seats
● a control lamp  in the dash panel
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically.
The curtain airbag system will not be triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a frontal collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over
● there is a minor side collision
WARNING
If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked im-
mediately by a specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that
during a collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.

Operation of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury
in a side collision. During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact
side of the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 25. 

43
Airbag system
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may
develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication
of fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants
and help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. 
Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce
the risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
● In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
● For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must be disabled in those vehi-
cles fitted with a screen dividing the interior of the vehicle. See a Techni-
cal Service to make this adjustment.
WARNING (Continued)
● There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the oc-
cupants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain air-
bags so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and pro-
vide the greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have
not been expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached
to the side windows.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do
not hang the clothes on coat hangers.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed.
● Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lin-
ing) should only be performed by a specialised workshop. Otherwise,
faults may occur during the airbag system operation.
● Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
● The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in
the interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct operation of the side
and head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modi-
fied in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged,
the airbag system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the
front door must be done in a specialised workshop.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

44Airbag system
Deactivating airbags
Deactivating airbags
The deactivation of airbags corresponds only to certain cases, i.e. if:
● a child seat is required in the front passenger seat with the child facing
in the opposite direction to the direction of travel (in some countries, due to
divergent legal requirements, facing in the direction of travel) ⇒ page 49;
● despite the driver seat being in the correct position, a minimum dis-
tance of 25 cm cannot be maintained between the centre of the steering
wheel and the driver's torso.
● installation of special devices is required in the steering wheel area due
to a physical disability.
● if you have special seats installed (e.g. an orthopaedic seat without side
airbag).
The front passenger front airbag can be disabled using the switch
⇒ page 45.
We recommend that you contact an authorised SEAT dealer for the disabling
of other airbags.
Airbag system control
The airbag system availability is controlled electronically, regardless of
whether an airbag is disabled.
If an airbag was disabled using a diagnostics system:
● the airbag system warning lamp  lights up after switching on the igni-
tion for about 4 seconds, and then flashes for about 12 seconds If the airbag has been disabled with the airbag switch on the side of the
dash panel:
●
the airbag control lamp  will light up for about 4 seconds after the ig-
nition is switched on.
● The airbag is disabled, signalled with the warning lamp   which
lights up with the word      placed in the centre part of the
dash panel ⇒ Fig. 26.
Note
● Respect the current legislation in your country regarding the deactiva-
tion of airbags
● At your authorised SEAT dealer you can find information on which vehi-
cle airbags can be deactivated. 

45
Airbag system
Front passenger front airbag switch
Fig. 26 Front passenger
front airbag switch
Fig. 27 Warning lamp for
disabling the front pas-
senger airbag
The switch disables only the front passenger front airbag.
Disabling the airbag
– Switch the ignition off. –
Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
– Turn the airbag switch slot with the key to the OFF position
⇒ Fig. 26.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that the control lamp 
 ⇒ Fig. 27 lights up with the word      in the
centre part of the dash panel.
Switching on the airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the airbag switch slot with the key to the ON position
⇒ Fig. 26.
– Close the passenger side storage compartment.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that the control lamp 
 ⇒ Fig. 27 does not light up, with the word    
 in the centre part of the dash panel.
– The warning lamp   is illuminated for 60 seconds in the cen-
tre part of the dash panel.
Control lamp with the word      (front passenger airbag
disabled)
If the front passenger front airbag is disabled, after switching on the igni-
tion, the control lamp will light up for several seconds, then it will switch off
for about 1 s and then switch on again.
If the control lamp is flashing, there is a fault in the disabling of the airbag
system ⇒ 
. Please go immediately to an Official Service. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

46Airbag system
WARNING
● The driver of the vehicle is responsible for disabling or switching on
the airbag.
● Always switch off the ignition before disabling the front passenger
airbag! Failure to do so could result in a fault in the airbag deactivation
system.
● If the control lamp   (airbag deactivated) flashes, the front pas-
senger front airbag will not trigger in the event of an accident! Have the
system immediately checked by an Official Service.


48Child safety
WARNING
● Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger
seat unless the front passenger front airbag has been disabled. Risk of
potentially fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in excep-
tional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front
passenger front airbag must always be disabled ⇒ page 44. If the pas-
senger seat has a height adjustment option, move it to the highest, most
upright position. If you have a fixed seat, do not install any child restraint
system in this location.
● For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to deactivate
the airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
● All vehicle occupants, especially children, must assume the proper
sitting position and be properly belted in while travelling.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potential-
ly fatal injuries to the child!
● Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being prop-
erly secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an acci-
dent, the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal
injuries to themselves and to the other vehicle occupants.
● If children assume an improper sitting position when the vehicle is
moving, they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of a
sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly impor-
tant if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag
system is triggered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or
even death.
● A suitable child seat can protect your child!
● Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the vehi-
cle.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or
cold inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.WARNING (Continued)
● Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal
seat belt without a child seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdomi-
nal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.
● Do not allow the seat belt to become twisted or jammed, or to rub on
any sharp edges.
● Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor colli-
sion or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
● The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the seat belt is
properly positioned ⇒ page 25, Seat belts.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒ page 49, Child seats.


53
Child safety
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 must always be disabled and the seat adjusted
to its backmost highest position, where possible.
● Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the
use of child seats ⇒ page 47.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

59
Controls and displays
Operating instructions Controls and displays
Overview
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Electric control to adjust exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Control lever for:
– Turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
– Lane Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
– Main beam assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
– Cruise control system (CCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Steering wheel with horn and
– Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
– On-board computer controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
– Controls for radio, telephone, navigation and speech dia-
logue system ⇒  Booklet Radio
– Paddle levers for tiptronic gearshift (automatic gearbox) . .159
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Control lever for:
– Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
– Wipe and wash system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
– On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
12345
6
7
89
Depending on equipment fitted: Radio or display for Easy
Connect (navigation, radio, TV/video)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Depending on the equipment, buttons for:
– SEAT driving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
– Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
– Park assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
– Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
– Airbag off display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Glove compartment with CD changer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Depending on the equipment:
– Multimedia interface* ⇒ Booklet Radio
– Tyre pressure switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Front passenger airbag switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Passenger seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Storage compartment
Depending on gearbox fitted, gear lever or selector lever for:
– manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
– automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Depending on the equipment, controls for:
– Heating and ventilation system or manual air conditioner .138, 137
– Automatic air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Driver seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
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