76Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Child seats (accessories)
Introduction
Before transporting babies and children in a child seat placed in the front
passenger seat, first completely read the information regarding the airbag
system.
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 SEAT
dealership.
Additional information and warnings:
● Seat belts ⇒ page 57
● Airbag system ⇒ page 67
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.
WARNING (Continued)
● 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 enter
the deployment area of the side airbags.
● Make sure the seat 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.
● Please read and observe the child seat manufacturer's handling in-
structions.
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.
77
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
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 77).
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 57. 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 SEAT dealership 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 pas-
senger seat
⇒ page 79. The safest place in the vehicle is on the
rear seat behind the front passenger seat.
¥ Child must always use a child restraint system when travelling in the
vehicle. 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 al-
ways 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 seat 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
passenger seat so that the child can exit the vehicle 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)
Child seats must comply with the ECE-R 44
1)
regulation. You can consult ad-
ditional information at your SEAT dealership at the internet address
www.seat.es.
Categorisation of child seats according to ECE-R 44
Weight categoryWeight of the childAgeGroup 0children up to 10 kgup to approximately. 9 months
Group 0+children up to 13 kgup to approximately. 18 months
Group 19 to 18 kgapprox. 8 months to 3 1
/2
years
Group 215 to 25 kgapprox. 3 to 7 yearsGroup 322 to 36 kgapprox. 6 to 12 years
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.
1)
ECE-R: Economic Commission for Europe Regulation.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data
80Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
WARNING (Continued)
● 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.
● 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 48.
Suitable child seats
The manufacturer must authorise the child seat for use in the rear seats with
side airbags.
Universal seats for children can be fitted in the passenger seat, in groups 0,
0+, 1, 2 or 3 according to the ECE-R 44 regulation.
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 approved for rear seats
ISOFIX child seats are divided into certified categories “universal”, “semi-
universal” or “specific categories for the vehicle”.
● If the ISOFIX child seat is certified “universal”, it must be supported by
the lower anchor points and the Top Tether retaining strap.
● If the ISOFIX child seat is certified “semi-universal” or “specific catego-
ries for the vehicle”, check that the child seat is certified for the vehicle be-
fore employing it. The child seat manufacturer supplies, in addition to the ISOFIX child seat, a list of vehicles for which the corresponding ISOFIX child
seat has been certified. If necessary, contact the child seat manufacturer for
an updated list of vehicles.
Securing child seats with the seat belt
The seat belt may be used to secure child seats with the universal marking
(on the orange label) to the vehicle seats marked with a u in the table be-
low.
CategoryFront passengerRear seatsGroup 0
Up to 10 kguu
Category 0+ Up to 13 kguu
Group 1
9 to 18 kguu
Group 2
15 to 25 kguu
Group 3
22 to 36 kguu
Securing the child seat using the seat belt
● Please read and observe the child seat manufacturer's handling instruc-
tions.
● Move the front passenger seat, or the rear seat bench back as far as pos-
sible and, in the case of an adjustable backrest, set it in the upright posi-
tion ⇒ page 48.
● Positioning the child seat on the seat according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
● Fasten the seat belt or pass it around the child seat structure in the man-
ner described in the manufacturer's instructions.
88Lights and visibility
Headlight range control, lighting of instruments and
controls
Fig. 57 Next to the
steering wheel: Head-
light range control
Headlamp height adjustment
The headlight range control ⇒ Fig. 57 is modified according to the value of
the headlight beam and the vehicle load status. This offers the driver opti-
mum visibility and the headlights do not dazzle oncoming drivers ⇒
.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To reset, turn switch ⇒ Fig. 57:ValueVehicle load status a)–Two front occupants, luggage compartment empty1All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty2All seats occupied, luggage compartment full.3Driver only, luggage compartment full.a)
If the vehicle load does not correspond to those shown in the table, it is possible to select
intermediary positions. Instrument and switch lighting
When the side lights or dipped beam headlights are switched on, the light-
ing for instruments and controls lights up at a constant brightness.
WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that the headlights dazzle and
distract other drivers. This could result in serious accident.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load status so that it does not
blind other drivers.
Reading light
Button / SwitchFunction
Switching off the reading light.
Switching on the reading light.
Switches door contact control on (central position).
The reading light comes on automatically when the vehicle is un-
locked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the ignition.
The light goes off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Note
The reading lights go out when the vehicle is locked, or a few minutes after
the key is removed from the ignition. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging.
98Transporting
Transporting a load
Secure all objects in the vehicle
●Distribute the load throughout the vehicle and on the roof as uniformly
as possible.
● Transport heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage com-
partment and lock the seat backs in the vertical position.
● Check the headlight adjustment ⇒ page 84.
● Use the suitable tyre pressure according to the load being transported.
Read the tire pressure information label ⇒ page 210.
CAUTION
Objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating element in
the heated rear window and cause damage.
Note
Please refer to the notes on loading the roof carrier ⇒ page 104.
Driving with the rear lid open
Driving with the rear lid open creates an additional risk. Secure all objects
and secure the rear lid correctly and take all measures possible to reduce
toxic gases from entering the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with the rear lid unlocked or open could cause serious injuries.
● Always drive with the rear lid closed.
WARNING (Continued)
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Loose items could fall out of the ve-
hicle and injure other road users or damage other vehicles.
● Drive particularly carefully and think ahead.
● Avoid sudden manoeuvres and braking given that this could cause an
uncontrolled movement of the open rear lid.
● When transporting objects that protrude out of the luggage compart-
ment, indicate them suitably. Observe legal requirements.
● If objects must project out of the luggage compartment, the rear lid
must never be used to “secure” or “attach” objects.
● If a baggage rack is fitted on the rear lid, it should be removed before
travelling with the rear lid open.
WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior when the rear lid is open. This
could cause loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious
injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle always drive with the rear lid
closed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must drive with the rear lid open,
observe the following to reduce the entry of toxic gases inside the vehi-
cle:
–Close all windows.
– Disable air recirculation mode.
– Open all of the air outlets on the instrument panel.
– Switch on the blower to maximum.
CAUTION
An open rear lid changes the length and height of the vehicle.
102Transporting
Rear shelf*
Fig. 68 In the luggage
compartment: removing
and installing the rear
shelf
You may put light items of clothing on the rear shelf. Check that the rear
view is not limited.
Lifting up the rear shelf
Lift up the rear shelf and secure it into the side locks ⇒ Fig. 68 1
. Check
that it is correctly engaged. To lower the rear shelf, press it until it is re-
leased from the locks.
Removing the shelf
Pull the rear shelf upwards, removing it from the side supports 2
.
Lifting up the rear shelf
Press the rear shelf downwards into the side supports 2
.
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects or animals on the rear shelf
could cause serious injuries in case of a sudden manoeuvre or braking or
even an accident.
● Do not leave hard, heavy or sharp objects (loose or in bags) on the
rear shelf.
● Never transport animals on the rear shelf.
● Never drive with the rear shelf raised. Always lower it or remove it be-
fore the journey.
CAUTION
To prevent the rear shelf from being damaged:
● Always check that the rear shelf is firmly engaged into the side supports.
● Regulate the height of the load in the luggage compartment to ensure
the rear shelf does not press down on the load with the rear lid closed.
Fastening rings*
In the front part of the luggage compartment, there may be fastening rings
to secure the luggage.
In order to use the fastening rings, they must be lifted beforehand.
104Transporting
Roof carrier system
Introduction
The vehicle roof has been designed to optimise aerodynamics. For this rea-
son, conventional roof carrier systems cannot be secured to the water
drains.
Given that the water drains have been incorporated into the roof for aerody-
namic reasons, only the SEAT approved basic supports and roof carrier sys-
tems can be used.
When the roof carrier system should be removed:
● When it is not being used.
● When the vehicle is being washed in a car wash.
● When the vehicle height exceeds the maximum height, for example, in a
garage.
Additional information and warnings:
● Light ⇒ page 84
● Transporting ⇒ page 97
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 144
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 210
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 222
WARNING
The risk of an accident is increased by transporting heavy or bulky loads
on the roof, which affects the vehicle's handling by shifting the centre of
gravity and increasing susceptibility to cross winds.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable and undamaged attach-
ment rope or straps.
● Large, heavy, wide and flat loads negatively affect the vehicle aerody-
namics, centre of gravity and handling.
● Avoid brusque manoeuvres and sudden braking.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
CAUTION
● Always remove the roof carrier system from the roof before entering a car
wash.
● The height of your vehicle is changed by the installation of the roof carri-
er and the load secured on it. Compare the vehicle height with the passage
height, for example in underground car parks or entering garage doors.
● The roof antenna and the range of the rear lid should not be affected by
the roof carrier system and the load being transported.
● Take extra care not to let the rear lid strike the roof load when opening.
For the sake of the environment
The vehicle uses more fuel when the roof carrier system is fitted.
184In the engine compartment
Opening the bonnet
● Before opening the bonnet, make sure that the windscreen wiper arms
are in place against the windscreen ⇒
.
● Pull the release lever 1 in the direction of the arrow
⇒ Fig. 109 A. The
bonnet is released from the lock carrier by a spring mechanism ⇒ .
● Lift the bonnet up slightly while pressing the release lever 2 B in the
direction of the arrow to completely open the bonnet.
● Take out the bonnet support rod from its clip in the direction of the ar-
row 3
C and place it in the corresponding open position 4 D (arrow).
Closing the bonnet
● Slightly lift the bonnet ⇒
.
● Take out the bonnet support rod from the opening catch 4 D and insert
it into its clip 3 C in the opening catch.
● Let the bonnet fall from a height of 30 cm into its clip; Do not apply pres-
sure!
If the bonnet is not correctly closed, open it once again and close it correct-
ly.
The bonnet is correctly closed when it is flush with the corresponding parts
on the bodywork.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not correctly closed, it could suddenly open while driving
leaving the driver without visibility. This could result in serious accident.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured by
the locking mechanism in the lock carrier piece. The bonnet must be
flush with the surrounding body panels.
● While driving, if you notice that the bonnet is not correctly closed
then stop immediately and close it correctly.
● Only open and close the bonnet when there is nobody within its
range.
CAUTION
● To avoid damage to the bonnet and to the windscreen wiper arms, only
open the bonnet when the windscreen wipers are in place against the wind-
screen.
● Before driving, always lower the windscreen wiper arms.