2013 Seat Exeo Owner's manual

31
Airbag system
WARNING (Continued)
● Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of the air-
bag components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel)
should be performed only by a specialised workshop. Specialised work-
shops have the necessary tools, repair information and qualified person-
nel.
● We strongly recommend you to go to a specialised workshop for all
work on the airbag system.
● Never attempt to alter the front bumper or the body.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed.
For the sake of the environment
The airbags, which are a special type of waste, must be disposed of through
an authorised service, because they contain pyrotechnic elements. 
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32Airbag system
Front airbags
Description of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 18 Driver airbag in
the steering wheel and
knee airbag in the dash
panel
Fig. 19 Front passenger
airbag located in dash
panel The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel
⇒ Fig. 18 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 19. Air-
bags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. On the driver side, the knee air-
bag* is found in the footwell lining, under the instrument panel.
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 ⇒ page 35, Safety notes on the front airbag system.
In addition to their normal function of restraining the occupants, the seat
belts also hold the driver and front passenger in a position where the air-
bags can provide maximum protection in a frontal collision.
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 18, Brief introduction.
The main parts of the front airbag system are:
● an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● the two front airbags (airbag with gas generator) for the driver and front
passenger
● a knee airbag* for the driver,
● a control lamp  on the dash panel ⇒ page 30
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag control
lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is switched on
(self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the control lamp :
● does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30
● turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on
● lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving 

33
Airbag system
The front airbag system will not be triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a minor frontal collision
● there is a side collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over
WARNING
● The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if
the occupants are seated correctly ⇒ page 10, Proper sitting position for
occupants.
● If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked
immediately by a specialised workshop. Otherwise, during a frontal colli-
sion the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.
 Operation of front airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of injuries to the head or
chest.
Fig. 20 Inflated front air-
bags
The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and front
passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas and de-
ploy in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒ Fig. 20. The fully deployed
airbags cushion the forward movement of the front occupants and help to
reduce the risk of injury to the head and the upper part of the 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. After the collision, the
airbag deflates sufficiently to allow visibility. 
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34Airbag system
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.

Airbag covers when the frontal airbags are triggered
Fig. 21 Airbag covers reacting when the front airbags
are triggered
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the
driver and front passenger airbags are triggered ⇒ Fig. 21. The airbag cov-
ers remain connected to the steering wheel or the dash panel. 

35
Airbag system
Safety notes on the front airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce
the risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
● It is important for the driver and front passenger to keep a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel and dash panel. If the minimum
distance is not observed then the airbags do not correctly protect the ve-
hicle occupants; risk of fatal injuries! In addition, the front seats and
head restraints must always be positioned correctly for the height of the
occupant.
● If you are not wearing a seat belt, if you lean forward or to the side
while travelling or assume an incorrect sitting position, there is a sub-
stantially increased risk of injury. This increased risk of injury will be fur-
ther increased if you are struck by an inflating airbag.
● Never let a child travel on the front seat without an appropriate re-
straint system. If the airbag is triggered in an accident, children can sus-
tain serious or fatal injuries from the airbag as it inflates ⇒ page 46,
Child safety.
● The deployment space between the front passengers and the airbags
must not in any case be occupied by other passenger, pets and objects.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed.
● It is also important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or
telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.
● Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
 Knee airbag*
Description of the knee airbag
The airbag system provides additional protection to front
seat passengers if they are properly secured.
Fig. 22 Driver knee air-
bag
The knee airbag for the driver is located in the dash panel underneath the
steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 22.
The knee airbag offers additional protection to the driver's knees and upper
and lower thigh areas as a supplement to the seat belts.
If the front airbags deploy, the knee airbag also deploys in severe frontal
collisions ⇒ page 33.
Besides their normal safety function, seat belts help keep the driver in posi-
tion in case of a frontal collision so that the airbags can provide protection.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts. It is, on the other hand,
part of the overall occupant safety system of your vehicle. Always remember 
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36Airbag system
that the airbag system can only help to protect you if you are wearing your
seat belt and wearing it properly.
Remember too that airbags will deploy only once and only in certain kinds
of accidents - your seat belts are always there to offer protection in those
accidents in which airbags are not supposed to deploy or when they have
already deployed, for example when your vehicle strikes or is struck by an-
other after the first collision.
This is just one of the reasons why an airbag is not a substitute for the seat
belt. The airbag system works most effectively when used with the seat
belts. Therefore, always wear your seat belts correctly.
It is important to remember that while the airbag system is designed to re-
duce the possibility of serious injuries, other injuries, for example, swelling,
bruising, and minor abrasions can also be associated with airbags.
The knee airbag system basically consists of:
● The electronic control module
● One inflatable airbag (airbag and gas generator) for the driver
● An airbag indicator light on the instrument panel
The knee airbag system will not be triggered:
● if the ignition is switched off
● in frontal collisions when the deceleration measured by the control unit
is too low
● in side collisions
● in rear-end collisions
● in rollovers
● in the event of a system malfunction (hazard warning lights/turn signals
illuminated) ⇒  page 65.
WARNING
● Seat belts and the airbag system can only provide protection when
occupants are in the proper seating position.
● If the airbag indicator light comes on when the vehicle is being used,
have the system inspected immediately by your Technical Service. The
airbag may not work properly when the vehicle acceleration in a side col-
lision is high enough to deploy the airbag. See also ⇒ page 65.

How knee airbags work
The risk of injury to the leg area is reduced by fully deployed
knee airbags.
Fig. 23 Inflated airbags
protect in a frontal colli-
sion.
The knee airbag system has been designed so that the airbag for the driver
is deployed in certain but not all frontal collisions.
If the front airbag deploys, the knee airbag also deploys in severe frontal
collisions. 

37
Airbag system
When the system is deployed, the airbag starts to fill with a propellant gas,
and inflates between the lower part of the dash panel and the driver
⇒ Fig. 23.
Although they are not a soft pillow, they can cushion the impact and in this
way help to reduce the risk of injury to lower limbs.
All this takes place instantaneously, so fast that many people do not even
realise that the airbags have deployed. The airbags also inflate with a great
deal of force and it is important for occupant safety that nothing should be
in their way when they deploy.
Fully inflated airbags in combination with properly worn seat belts slow
down and limit the occupant's forward movement and help to reduce the
risk of injury. 
Important safety notes on the knee airbag system
Airbags are only additional safety
Always wear seat belts correctly and drive in a proper seated position. There
is a lot of information that you and your passengers should know and do so
that the seat belts and airbags can provide additional protection.
WARNING
An inflating knee airbag can cause serious injuries. Wearing seat belts
incorrectly and improper seating positions increase the risk of serious
personal injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.
● The airbag system cannot protect you properly if you are seated too
close to any of the airbag locations. When adjusting the seat positions, it
is important for the driver to keep the upper body and knees at the fol-
lowing minimum safety distances:
–25 cm between the chest and the steering wheel/dash panel.
– 10 cm between the knees and the lower part of the dash panel.
● The risk of personal injury increases if you lean forward or to the side,
or if the seat is improperly positioned and you are not wearing your seat
belt. The risk increases even more should the airbag deploy.
● Always make sure that the knee airbag can inflate without interfer-
ence. Objects between yourself and the airbag can increase the risk of in-
jury in an accident by interfering with the way the airbag deploys or by
being thrust into you as the airbag deploys.
–No objects of any kind should be carried in the footwell area in
front of the driver's seat. Bulky objects (shopping bags, for example)
can hinder or prevent proper deployment of the airbag. Small objects
can be thrown through the vehicle if the airbag deploys and injure
you or your passengers.
● Make sure there are no cracks, deep scratches or other damage in the
area of the dash panel where the knee airbag is located.
● If children are incorrectly seated, their risk of injury increases in the
case of an accident ⇒ page 46.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

38Airbag system
Side airbags*
Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 24 Side airbag in
driver seat
The front side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger
seat backrests ⇒ Fig. 24. The rear side airbags* are located in the rear
wheel housing lining. The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in
the upper region of the backrests and in the rear wheel housing lining.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat oc-
cupants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe
side collision ⇒ page 40, Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system.
In a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to passengers
on the front seats to the areas of the body facing the impact. In addition to
their normal function of protecting the occupants in a collision, the seat
belts also hold the passengers in the front seats and the outer rear seats in
a position where the side airbags can provide maximum protection. 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 occupants are wearing
their seat belts. 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 18, Brief introduction.
The side airbag system will not be triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a minor side collision
● there is a frontal collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over
The main parts of the airbag system are:
● an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● The front side airbags in the backrests of the front seats and the rear
side airbags in the lining of the rear wheel housing
● a control lamp  on the dash panel ⇒ page 30
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag control
lamp will light up for approx. 4 seconds every time the ignition is switched
on (self-diagnosis).
WARNING
● In a side collision, the side airbags will not work, if the sensors do
not correctly measure the pressure increase on the interior of the doors,
due to air escaping through the areas with holes or openings in the door
panel.
● Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.
● Never drive if the interior door panels have been removed or if the
panels have not been correctly fitted. 