25
Before starting the engine
Prior to a journey... Before starting the engine
Tips for driving
Introduction
Depending upon how you expect to use your vehicle, it may a good idea to
protect the engine from below. A guard underneath the engine may help to
reduce the risk of damage to the lower part of the vehicle and the oil sump
when driving over kerbs, or along dirt tracks or rough roads... Before instal-
lation, SEAT recommends going to a SEAT dealership.
Additional information and warnings:
● Ensure you are correctly seated ⇒ page 48
● Transporting ⇒ page 97
● Starting, changing gears, parking ⇒ page 119
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 144
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 233
WARNING
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics
may result in severe accidents and even loss of life.
● Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics may significantly alter per-
ception, affect reaction times and safety while driving, which could result
in the loss of control of the vehicle.
Journey preparations and safe driving
Check list
For your own safety, for the safety of vehicle occupants in the vehicle, and
for that of other road users, the following should be checked before and
during each journey
⇒
:
¥ Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
¥ Check the tyre pressures (
⇒ page 210) and level of fuel
(⇒ page 171).
¥ Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
¥ Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in
the luggage compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are se-
curely fastened
⇒ page 97.
¥ Ensure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot ped-
als.
¥ Use child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight
and height
⇒ page 76.
¥ Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit
your height
⇒ page 48, ⇒ page 95.
¥ Wear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the
pedals correctly.
¥ The driver's floor mat in the footwell should be fixed to the floor,
leaving the pedal area unobstructed.
¥ Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in
this position throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers
in the vehicle
⇒ page 48.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data
48Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Adjusting the seat position
Introduction
Number of seats
The vehicle has a total of 4 seats: 2 front seats and 2 rear seats. Each seat is
equipped with a seat belt.
Additional information and warnings:
● Seat functions ⇒ page 55
● Seat belts ⇒ page 57
● Airbag system ⇒ page 67
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 76
WARNING
An incorrect sitting position in the vehicle can lead to severe injuries or
death in the event of sudden braking or manoeuvres, collision or acci-
dents or if the airbag deploys.
● Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and
maintain it throughout the trip. This also includes fastening the seat
belt.
● Never transport more people than there are seats with a seat belt
available in the vehicle.
WARNING (Continued)
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
system suited to their height and weight ⇒ page 76, ⇒ page 67.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
Never, for example, put your feet on the surface of a seat or on the dash
panel and never put them out of a window. Otherwise the airbag and seat
belt offer insufficient protection and the risk of injury in the event of an
accident is increased.
WARNING
Before every trip, adjust the seat, the seat belt and the head restraints
and instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly.
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
● Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between
your chest and the hub of the steering wheel. Adjust the driver seat so
that you are able to press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the
floor with your knees slightly angled and that the distance between your
knees and the dash panel is at least 10 cm. If your physical constitution
prevents you from meeting these requirements, contact a Specialised
workshop to make any modifications required.
● Never drive with the backrest tilted far back. The further the backrests
are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect posi-
tioning of the belt web or to the incorrect sitting position.
● Never drive with the backrest tilted forwards. Should a front airbag
deploy, it could throw the backrest backwards and injure the passengers
of the rear seats.
● Sit as far away as possible from the steering wheel and the dash pan-
el.
49
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
WARNING (Continued)
● Keep your back straight and resting completely against the backrest
and the front seats correctly adjusted. Never place any part of your body
in the area of the airbag or very close to it.
● If passengers on the rear seats are not sitting in an upright position,
the risk of severe injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web in-
creases.
WARNING
Incorrect seat adjustment may lead to accidents and severe injuries.
● Only adjust the seats when the vehicle is stationary, as the seats
could move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion and you could
lose control of the vehicle. Furthermore, an incorrect position is adopted
when adjusting the seat.
● Only adjust the height, backrest and forwards or backwards position
of the seat when there is nobody in the seat adjustment area.
● There must be no objects blocking the front seat adjustment area.
Danger of injuries due to an incorrect sitting position
If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe or fatal
injuries increases. Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt
web is properly worn. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt
web is not positioned correctly. This could result in severe and even fatal in-
juries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased when a de-
ploying airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect sitting
position. The driver is responsible for all passengers in the vehicle, particu-
larly children.
The following list shows just some examples of incorrect sitting positions
which can be dangerous to all occupants. When the vehicle is in motion:
●
Never stand in the vehicle.
● Never stand on the seats.
● Never kneel on the seats.
● Never tilt your backrest too far to the rear.
● Never lean against the dash panel.
● Never lie on the rear seats.
● Never sit on the front edge of a seat.
● Never sit sideways.
● Never lean out of a window.
● Never put your feet out of a window.
● Never put your feet on the dash panel.
● Never put your feet on the surface of a seat or backrest.
● Never travel in a footwell.
● Never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt.
● Never carry any person in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Every incorrect sitting position increases the risk of severe or fatal inju-
ries in the event of accidents or sudden braking or manoeuvres.
● All vehicle occupants must assume the proper sitting position and be
properly belted in while travelling.
● Occupants in incorrect sitting positions, not wearing their seat belt or
too close to the airbag run the risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries,
particularly if the airbag deploys and hits an occupant sitting in an incor-
rect position.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data
50Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Correct sitting position
Fig. 28 The proper dis-
tance between driver and
steering wheel
Fig. 29 Correct seat belt
web and head restraint
positions
The correct sitting positions for the driver and passengers are shown below.
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct sit-
ting position, contact a Specialised workshop for help with any special devi-
ces. The seat belt and airbag can only provide optimum protection if a cor- rect sitting position is adopted. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Serv-
ice.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent or sudden braking or manoeuvre, SEAT recommend the following posi-
tions:
Valid for the driver:
●
Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests com-
pletely against it.
● Adjust the seat so that there is a distance of at least 25 cm between the
steering wheel and your chest ⇒ Fig. 28 and so that you can hold the steer-
ing wheel with both hands on the outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3
o'clock positions with your arms slightly bent.
● The adjusted steering wheel must face your chest and not your face.
● Adjust the driver seat forwards or backwards so that you are able to
press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with your knees
slightly angled and the distance between your knees and the dash panel is
at least 10 cm ⇒ Fig. 28.
● Adjust the height of the driver seat so that you can easily reach the top
of the steering wheel.
● Keep both feet in the footwell so that you have the vehicle under control
at all times.
● Adjust and fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 57.
Valid for the passenger:
● Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests com-
pletely against it.
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible for optimum pro-
tection should the airbag deploy.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
● Adjust and fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 57.
51
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Valid for the passengers in the rear section:
● Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same level as
the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same level as the top of
your head and under no circumstances below eye level. Keep the back of
your neck as close as possible to the head restraint ⇒ Fig. 28 and ⇒ Fig. 29.
● Short people must lower the head restraint to the first anchorage posi-
tion, even if your head is below its upper edge.
● Tall people must raise the head restraint completely.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
● Adjust and fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 57.
Controls on the front seat
Fig. 30 Front left seat
controls
The controls are mirrored for the front right-hand seat.
The front seat head restraints are integrated in the backrests and adjusting
them is not possible.
Fig. 30FunctionNecessary operations
1Moving the head re-
straint backwards or for-
wards.Pull the lever and move the seat for-
wards. The front seat must be engag-
ed when the lever is released!
2Adjusting the seat
height.Pull the lever up or push down (sever-
al times if necessary) from its home
position.
3
3 doors: Easy Entry + ad-
justable seat angle func-
tion.
5 doors: only adjustable
seat angle function.
Adjust: Pull the lever and adjust the
backrest seat angle until you reach the
desired position. The backrest must
be engaged.
To fold: Pull the lever and fold the
backrest. At the same time, move the
seat forward.
To tilt open: Move the seat back until
the catch engages. Pull the lever and
tilt open the backrest. The backrest
must engage in the upright position.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data
52Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Adjust the rear head restraints
Fig. 31 Adjusting the
rear head restraints
All seats are equipped with a head restraint.
The front seat head restraints are integrated in the backrests and adjusting
them is not possible.
Adjusting height
● Push the head restraint up or down in the direction of the arrow with the
button pressed ⇒ Fig. 31 1
⇒ .
● The head restraint must engage securely in position.
Correct adjustment of head restraints
Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same level as the
top of your head, or as close as possible to the same level as the top of your
head and under no circumstances below eye level. Keep the back of your
neck as close as possible to the head restraint. Adjusting the head restraint for short people
Set the head restraint in the first anchorage position, even if your head is
below its upper edge. When the head restraint is at its lowest, it is possible
that a small gap remains between it and the backrest.
Adjusting the head restraint for tall people
Raise the head restraint completely.
WARNING
Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted in-
creases the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the event of accidents and
sudden braking or manoeuvres.
● Always fit and adjust the head restraint properly whenever a person
is occupying a seat.
● All occupants must correctly adjust the head restraint according to
their height to reduce the risk of back injuries in the event of an accident.
The upper edge of the head restraint must be as close as possible to the
same level as the top of your head and under no circumstances below eye
level. Keep the back of your neck as close as possible to the head re-
straint.
● Never adjust the head restraint while the vehicle is in motion.
57
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Seat belts
Introduction
Check the condition of all the seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that the belt webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of the
belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced immediately by a Specialised
workshop ⇒
. The Specialised workshop must use the appropriate spare
parts corresponding to the vehicle, the equipment and the model year. SEAT
recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
● Adjust the seat position ⇒ page 48
● Airbag system ⇒ page 67
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 76
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 222
WARNING
Unbuckled or badly buckled seat belts increase the risk of severe or even
fatal injuries. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if it is not fas-
tened and used correctly.
● Seats belts are the most effective ways of reducing the risk of sus-
taining severe or fatal injuries In the event of an accident. Correctly fas-
ten seat belts when the vehicle is in motion to protect the driver and all
vehicle occupants.
● Before each trip, every occupant in the vehicle occupants must sit
properly, correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and
keep it fastened throughout the trip. This also applies to other occupants
when driving in town.
WARNING (Continued)
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a child
restraint system suitable for their weight and height and with the seat
belts correctly fastened ⇒ page 76.
● Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before
driving off.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and en-
sure it is engaged. Using the latch plate in the buckle of another seat will
not protect you properly and may cause severe injuries.
● Do not allow liquids or foreign bodies to enter the buckle fastenings.
This could damage the buckles and seat belts.
● Never unbuckle your seat belt when the vehicle is moving.
● Never allow more than one passenger to share the same seat belt.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap sharing the same seat belt.
● Loose, bulky clothing (such as a jacket) impairs the proper fit and
function of the seat belt.
WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to drive using damaged seat belts and could re-
sult in serious injury or loss of life.
● Avoid damaging the seat belt by jamming it in the door or the seat
mechanism.
● If the fabric or other parts of the seat belt are damaged, the seat belts
could break in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● Always have damaged seatbelts replaced immediately by seat belts
approved for the vehicle in question by SEAT. Seat belts which have been
worn in an accident and stretched must be replaced by a Specialised
workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if there is no apparent dam-
age. The belt anchor points should also be checked.
● Never attempt to repair, modify or remove a seat belt yourself. All re-
pairs to seat belts, retractors and buckles must be carried out by a Speci-
alised workshop.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data
64Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Fig. 45 Correct position-
ing of seat belts during
pregnancy
Seat belts offer their maximum protection in the event of an accident and
reduce the risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries only when they are
properly positioned. Furthermore, if the webbing is correctly positioned, the
seat belt will hold the occupants in the optimum position to ensure the air-
bag provides the utmost protection. The seat belt must therefore always be
worn and the webbing correctly positioned.
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe or even fatal injuries
⇒ page 48, Adjusting the seat position.
Correct seat belt position
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never across the neck or the arm, under the arm or behind the shoulder.
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably. Pull the seat belt tight if
necessary to take up any slack.
In the case of pregnant women , the seat belt must lie evenly across the
chest and as low as possible over the pelvis, never across the stomach.
Pregnant women must wear the seat belt properly at all times during the
pregnancy ⇒ Fig. 45. Adapting the position of the seat belt webbing to your size
The seat belt can be adapted using the following equipment:
●
Front seat height adjustment.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident or sudden braking or manoeuvre.
● The seat belt cannot provide optimum protection if it is not correctly
worn and the backrest is not tilted slightly backwards.
● The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause severe injuries if the
belt moves from hard areas of the body to soft areas (e.g. the stomach).
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoul-
der, never across the neck or the arm.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the torso.
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across
the stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the pelvis.
Pull the seat belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
● Pregnant women must wear the lap part of the seat belt as low as
possible over the pelvis and always lie it flat, “surrounding” the stom-
ach.
● Do not twist the seat belt while it is fastened.
● Never pull the seat belt away from your body using your hand.
● Do not lie the seat belt across rigid or fragile objects, e.g. glasses,
pens or keys.
● Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments to al-
ter the position of the belt webbing.