2012 Seat Mii wheel

60Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
At speeds of 30 km/h (18 mph) to 50 km/h (30 mph), the forces acting on
bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1000 kg or
2.205 pounds). At greater speed these forces are even higher.
This example applies not only to frontal accidents, but to all accidents and
collisions. 
Dangers of not using the seat belt
Fig. 39 A driver not
wearing a seat belt is
thrown forward violently
Fig. 40 The unbelted
rear seat passenger is
thrown forward violently,
hitting the driver wearing
a seat belt
Many people believe that the occupants can protect themselves with their
hands in a minor collision. This is false!
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great
that it is not possible to brace oneself with just one's arms and hands. In a
frontal collision, unbelted vehicle occupants are thrown forward and will
make violent contact with the steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen or
whatever else is in the way ⇒ Fig. 39.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts. When triggered, airbags
provide only additional protection. Airbags do not deploy in all types of ac-
cident. All occupants (including the driver) must be wearing seat belts prop-
erly during the trip, even if the vehicle is equipped with airbag systems.
This will reduce the risk of critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident
– regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
The airbag is only deployed once. To achieve the best possible protection,
the seat belt must always be worn properly so that you will be protected in
accidents in which no airbag is deployed. Vehicle occupants not wearing
belts could be thrown from the vehicle and sustain even more severe or fa-
tal injuries. 

67
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Airbag system Introduction
Front airbags have been installed for both driver and passenger. The front
airbags can also protect the chest and head of driver and passenger if the
seats, seat belts head restraints and, for the driver, the steering wheel are
correctly adjusted and used. Airbags are considered as additional safety
equipment. An airbag cannot replace the safety belt, which must be worn at
all times, even in front seats where front airbags have been installed.
Additional information and warnings:
● Driving tips ⇒ page 25
● Correct sitting position ⇒ page 48
● Seat belts ⇒ page 57
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 76
● Care and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ page 205
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 222
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 233
WARNING
Never exclusively trust the airbag system as a means of protection.
● Even when triggered, airbag protection is only auxiliary.
● The airbags provide the best protection when the seat belts are prop-
erly fastened, thus reducing the risk of sustaining injuries ⇒ page 57,
Seat belts.
● Before each trip, every occupant must sit properly, correctly fasten
the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and keeping it fastened
throughout the trip. This rule is valid for all occupants.
WARNING
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any objects
in the deployment space between them and the airbags, as this increa-
ses the risk of sustaining injuries if the airbag is triggered. This modifies
the airbag deployment space or the objects may fly uncontrollably and
hit your body.
● Never carry objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in
motion.
● Never transport objects on the front passenger seat. In the event of
sudden braking and manoeuvres, the objects may end up in the airbag
deployment space and fly uncontrollably around the interior if the airbag
is activated.
● Occupants of the front and rear seats must never carry any other peo-
ple, pets or objects in the deployment space between them and the air-
bags. Make sure children and other passengers also respect this recom-
mendation.
WARNING
The airbag system provides protection for one accident only. If they have
been deployed, replace them.
● Ensure deployed airbags and the system components involved are im-
mediately replaced with new, SEAT-approved components for the vehicle.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried out at a Specialised work-
shop. Specialised workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostics
equipment, repair information and qualified personnel.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag components in your vehicle.
● Never modify the airbag system components. 
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

72Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Front airbags
Fig. 47 Location and deployment area of the front air-
bag for the driver
Fig. 48 Location and deployment area of the front air-
bag for the driver
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front
occupants additional protection for the head and chest in the event of a se-
vere frontal collision. Always remain as far away as possible from the front
airbag ⇒ page 48. This way, the front airbags can completely deploy when
triggered, providing their maximum protection. The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel
⇒ Fig. 47 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 48. Air-
bags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. 

73
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
When the front airbags are triggered they fill the zones marked in
red ⇒ Fig. 47 and ⇒ Fig. 48 (radius of action). 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 passen-
ger, e.g. the baseplate for the mobile telephone support.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 47 or dash panel
⇒ Fig. 48 when the driver and front passenger airbags are triggered. The air-
bag 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 vacant.
● Never secure objects to the covers or in the deployment area of the
airbag modules, e.g. drink 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. 47 and
the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 48.
● 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 a distance of at least
25 cm(10 inches) between the centre of 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 seat so there is as much distance as possi-
ble between the front passenger and the dash panel.

Deactivating and activating the front passenger airbag
using the key switch
Fig. 49 On front passen-
ger side: key switch for
disabling and enabling
the front passenger air-
bag
Disable the front passenger airbag when a rear-facing child seat is moun-
ted.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the door on the front passenger side.
● Unfold the key shaft ⇒ page 28. 
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

86Lights and visibility
Turning on and off lights
Fig. 56 Next to the steering wheel: diagram of some of
the types of light switch
Observe the legal requirements regarding the use of vehicle lights in each
country.
Turn the light switch to the required position ⇒ Fig. 56: when the ignition is turned offwhen the ignition is on
Fog lights, dipped beam and
side lights off.Lights off, daytime driving light
on.
Side light on.Side light on.

Dipped beam off; if necessary,
the side light comes on for a
time.Dipped beam switched on.
Fog lights*
The control lamp  appears on the fog lights control connected. ●
Switching on the fog lights : Turn the switch to position  or pull out
 to the first stop.
● Switching on the rear fog light : turn the light switch to position  or
pull out  to the maximum.
● To switch off the fog lights, press the light switch or turn it to position .
Audible warnings to advise the driver that the lights have not been
switched off
If the key is not in the ignition and the driver door is open, an audible warn-
ing signal is heard in the following cases: This is a reminder to turn off the
lights.
● When the light switch is in position .
● When the light switch is in position . 

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. 

97
Transporting
Transporting
Driving tips Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the luggage compartment and place the
seat backs in a vertical position. Never overload the vehicle. Both the carry-
ing capacity as well as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have ef-
fects on the driving behaviour and braking ability ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Rear lid ⇒ page 40
● To lower the front passenger seat backrest ⇒ page 55
● Light ⇒ page 84
● Luggage compartment ⇒ page 100
● Roof carrier ⇒ page 104
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 210
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can cause serious injury in case
of a sudden manoeuvring or breaking or in case of an accident. This is es-
pecially true when objects are struck by a detonating airbag and fired
through the vehicle interior. To reduce the risks, please note the follow-
ing:
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Always keep equipment and heavy
objects in the luggage compartment.
WARNING (Continued)
● Always secure objects with suitable rope or slings so that they cannot
enter the deployment areas around the frontal or side airbags in case of
sudden braking or an accident.
● Always ensure that objects inside the vehicle cannot move into the
deployment area of the bags while driving.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
● Remove all objects from the front passenger seat when this is fol-
lowed down. When the seat backrest is folded down, it presses on small
and light objects and these are detected by the weight sensor on the
seat; this sends false information to the airbag control unit.
● While the backrest of the front passenger seat is folded, the frontal
airbag must remain disconnected and the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF 
light on.
● Objects secured in the vehicle should never be placed in such a way
as to make passengers sit in an incorrect position.
● If secured objects occupy a seat then this should not be occupied or
used by anybody.
WARNING
The driving behaviour and braking ability change when transporting
heavy and large objects.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
● Accelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.

Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

100Transporting
Loading luggage compartment
Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the luggage compartment and place the
seat backs in a vertical position. Never overload the vehicle. Both the carry-
ing capacity as well as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have ef-
fects on the driving behaviour and braking ability ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Airbag system ⇒ page 67
● Light ⇒ page 84
● Transporting ⇒ page 97
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 210
WARNING
When the vehicle is not in use or being watched, always lock the doors
and the rear lid to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
● Do not leave children unwatched, especially when the rear lid is open.
Children could climb into the luggage compartment, close the rear lid
from inside and be unable to escape themselves. This could lead to seri-
ous injury or death.
● Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle.
● Never transport people in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can cause serious injury in case
of a sudden manoeuvring or breaking or in case of an accident. This is es-
pecially true when objects are struck by a detonating airbag and fired
through the vehicle interior. To reduce the risks, please note the follow-
ing:
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Always keep equipment and heavy
objects in the luggage compartment.
● Always secure objects with suitable rope or straps so that they can-
not enter the deployment areas around the frontal or side airbags in case
of sudden braking or an accident.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
● Do not place hard, heavy or sharp objects inside the interior, in open
storage compartments, the rear shelf or on the dash panel.
● Remove hard, heavy and sharp objects from clothes and pockets in-
side the vehicle and store securely.
WARNING
The transport of heavy object changes vehicle handling and increases
braking distance. Heavy loads that have not been stored or secured cor-
rectly could cause loss of control and result in serious injury.
● The vehicle handling changes when transporting heavy objects due
to a change in the centre of gravity.
● Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as
possible.
● Store heavy objects in the luggage compartment as far from the rear
axle as possible.
CAUTION
Hard objects on the rear shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating
element in the heated rear window and cause damage. 