75
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 75).
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 56. 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 77. 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 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 car 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 0up to 10 kgup to approximately. 9 months
Group 0+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 Comission for Europe Regulation.
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76Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Child seats approved under the ECE-R 44 regulation are fitted with the corre-
sponding approval symbol. The sign is an upper-case E in a circle with the
identification number below it.
WARNING
Not following the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to ac-
cidents and severe injuries.
● Always follow the check list and perform the necessary operations.
WARNING
In general, the rear seat is always the safest place for children, who are
belted correctly, in the event of an accident.
● A suitable child seat that is correctly installed and used on one of the
rear seats offer the most protection possible for babies and children up
to 12 years in most accidents.
Different mounting systemsFig. 52 On the rear seats: figure
A shows the basic child restraint system mounting
using lower retaining rings and the upper retaining strap figure B shows the child re-
straint system mounting using the vehicle seat belt
Always secure child seats properly and safely in the vehicle according to the
child seat manufacturer's installation instructions.
Mounted child seats must rest correctly on the vehicle's seat and must not
move or rock more than 2.5 cm.
Child seats equipped for a Top Tether strap must also be secured using the
Top Tether retaining strap in the vehicle ⇒ page 81. Only attach the retain-
ing strap to the corresponding retaining rings. Not all rings can be used
with the Top Tether system. Always tighten the Top Tether retaining strap so
that the child seat fits snugly against the corresponding seat in the vehicle.
77
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Specific mounting systems for each country
Attachment variants ⇒ Fig. 52:
Europe: ISOFIX retaining rings and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 79
and ⇒ page 81.
Three-point seat belt and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 78.
The systems include the child restraint system mounting with an upper re-
taining strap (Top Tether) and lower anchoring points on the seat.
Use of the child seat on the front passenger seat
Transporting children on the front passenger seat is not permitted in all
countries. Furthermore, not all child seats are approved for use on the front
passenger seat. Your SEAT dealership has an updated list of all approved
child seats. Only used child seats that are approved for each vehicle.
The front airbag on the front passenger side is highly dangerous for a child.
The front passenger seat is life-threatening to a child if he or she is trans-
ported in a rear-facing child seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
front airbag can strike it with such great force that severe or fatal injuries
may result ⇒
. Therefore, rear-facing child seats must never be used on
the front passenger seat when the front passenger front airbag is enabled.
Only use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat if the front pas-
senger front airbag is disabled. When it is disabled, the yellow PASSENGER
AIR BAG ⇒ page 65 control lamp on the dash panel will be lit. If you
cannot disable the front passenger front airbag and it remains activated, it
is forbidden to transport children on the front passenger seat ⇒
.
A
B
Things to note if using a child seat on the front passenger seat:
●
The front passenger front airbag must be disabled when using a rear-
facing child seat ⇒ page 65.
● The seat backrest of the front passenger seat must be upright.
● The front passenger seat must be moved as far back as possible.
● The seat backrest of the front passenger seat must be upright.
Suitable child seats
The child seat must be authorised by the manufacturer especially for use on
a front passenger seat with a front or side airbag.
Universal seats for children can be fitted in the front passenger seat, in
groups 0, 0+, 1, 2 or 3 according to the ECE-R 44 regulation.
WARNING
If a child seat is mounted on the front passenger seat, the risk of the
child sustaining severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increa-
ses. Rear-facing child seats must never be mounted on the front passen-
ger seat when the front passenger front airbag is enabled. This is life-
threatening to the child should the front airbag deploy, as the child seat
would be struck by the inflated airbag and thrown against the seat back-
rest.
WARNING
If, in exceptional circumstances, a child must be transported in a rear-fac-
ing child seat on the front passenger seat, strictly observe the following:
● Always disable the front passenger front airbag and leave it disabled.
● The child seat must be approved by the manufacturer for use on a
front passenger seat with front and side airbag.
● Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer and
observe the warnings.
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78Ensuring 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 front airbag.
● Move the seat 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 47.
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 47.
● 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.
● Make sure the seat belt is not twisted.
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Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push it
down until it is securely locked with an audible click.
● Ensure that the upper belt web lies tightly on the child seat.
● Pull the belt (it must be no longer possible to pull the lower belt web-
bing out).
Removing the child seat
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a stand-
still ⇒
.
● Press the red button on the buckle. The latch plate is released from the
buckle.
● Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim will not
be damaged.
● Remove the child seat from the vehicle.
WARNING
Unbuckling the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion can cause severe
or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a
standstill.
Securing the child seat using the lower anchor points (ISOFIX, LATCH)
Fig. 53 On the vehicle
seat: Identification var-
iants of the anchor points
for the child seats Each seat of the rear seat bench has
two retainers named lower anchor
points.
Overview of ISOFIX installation
In compliance with the European directive ECE 16, The following table de-
tails the installation possibilities for ISOFIX child seats with the lower an-
chor points in each of the vehicle seats.
The allowed body weight for the child seat or information regarding size A
to G is indicated on the label on the child seat with certification “universal”
or “semi-universal”.
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80Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Group (weight category)
Group 0: up to 10 kgGroup 0: up to 10 kgGroup 1: 9 to 18 kgGroup 0+: up to 13 kg
Installation directionfacing backwards
(in the direction oppo- site to travel)facing backwards
(in the direction opposite to trav- el)facing backwards
(in the direction oppo- site to travel)facing forwards
(in the direction of travel)
SizeFGCDECDABB1installed on front passenger seatSeat does not have anchor points, it is not possible to secure with ISOFIX/LATCHInstalled on the rear seat benchIL-SUIL-SUIL-SUIUF/IL-SU
IL-SU: seat suitable for installing an ISOFIX child seat with certification
“semi-universal”, take note of the list of vehicles of the manufacturer of the
child seat.
IUF: seat suitable for the installation of an ISOFIX child seat with certifica-
tion “universal” and with Top Tether retaining strap.
Child seats with rigid mounting
For the installation of a child seat with rigid mounting auxiliary introduction
elements can be used. Using auxiliary introduction elements facilitates in-
stallation and protects upholstery. Auxiliary introduction elements form part
of the supply volume of the child seat or can be acquired at a SEAT dealer-
ship. If necessary, auxiliary introduction elements are inserted in both an-
chor points of the vehicle ⇒
.
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the child seat ⇒
.
● Press the child seat onto the retaining rings ⇒ Fig. 53 in the direction of
the arrow. The child seat must be safely engaged and click audibly into
place.
● Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure. Child seat with adjustable retaining straps
●
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the child seat ⇒
.
● Place the child seat on the seat cushion and attach the retaining strap
hooks to the retaining rings ⇒ Fig. 53.
● Tighten the straps evenly using the corresponding adjustment device.
The child seat must sit flush against the vehicle seat.
● Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.
WARNING
The lower anchor points for child seats do not include rings. Only secure
booster seats to lower anchor points.
CAUTION
● To avoid making permanent marks in the padding, remove the auxiliary
introduction elements from the anchor points when the child seat is not in-
stalled in the vehicle anchor points.
● To prevent damage being done to the upholstery, the padding or the
auxiliary introduction elements, always remove the auxiliary introduction el-
ements from the anchor points before folding the rear seat bench.
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Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Securing a child seat using a Top Tether retaining strap
Fig. 54 Example of an
upper retaining strap
connected.
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the child seat ⇒
.
● Unlock the seat backrest and fold it gently forward
⇒ page 54.
● Remove the head restraints situated behind the child seat and store
them safely in the vehicle ⇒ page 47.
● Guide the upper retaining strap from of the child seat back to the lug-
gage compartment, feeding it through the seat backrest and the rear shelf.
● Fold back the seat backrest and push it firmly into the lock.
● Secure the child seat to the lower anchor points
⇒ page 79
● Hook the upper retaining strap in the luggage compartment, to the cor-
responding retaining ring ⇒ Fig. 54.
● Tighten the strap so that the top of the child seat rests on the seat back-
rest.
WARNING
Child seats with lower anchor points and with an upper retaining strap
must be installed in line with the manufacturer's instructions. Failure to
comply could result in severe injuries.
● Always secure just one retaining strap to a child seat with the lug-
gage compartment retaining ring.
● Always use the correct retaining rings for the retaining strap.
● Never secure the retaining strap to a retainer.
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98Transporting
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 65
● Light ⇒ page 82
● Transporting ⇒ page 95
● 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 vehicle 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.