46Child safety
Child safety
Brief introduction Introduction
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the rear
seat than on the front passenger seat.For safety reasons we recommend that children under 12 years of age travel
on the rear seats. Depending on their age, height and weight, children trav-
elling on the rear seat must use a child seat or a seat belt. For safety rea-
sons, the child seat should be installed in the centre of the rear seat or be-
hind the front passenger seat.
The physical laws involved and the forces acting in a collision apply also to
children ⇒ page 22.
But unlike adults, children do not have fully developed muscle and bone
structures. This means that children are subject to a greater risk of injury.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint systems
when travelling in the vehicle.
We recommend the use of child safety products from the SEAT Original Ac-
cessories Programme, which includes systems for all ages made by
“Peke” 1)
.
These systems have been especially designed and approved, complying
with the ECE-R44. regulation. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats. Always read and note
⇒ page 46.
We recommend you to always include the manufacturer's Child Seat Instruc-
tion Manual together with the on-board documentation.
Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of in-
jury in an accident! As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using the appropriate child
seats ⇒ page 48.
– Always ensure that the seat belt is properly positioned accord-
ing to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child
seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traf-
fic.
– Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least ev-
ery two hours.
1)
Not for all countries
47
Child safety
WARNING
● Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger
seat unless the front passenger front airbag has been disabled. Risk of
potentially fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in excep-
tional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front
passenger front airbag must always be disabled ⇒ page 43. If the pas-
senger seat has a height adjustment option, move it to the highest posi-
tion.
● For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to deactivate
the airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
● All vehicle occupants, especially children, must assume the proper
sitting position and be properly belted in while travelling.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potential-
ly fatal injuries to the child!
● Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being prop-
erly secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an acci-
dent, the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal
injuries to themselves and to the other vehicle occupants.
● If children assume an improper sitting position when the vehicle is
moving, they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of a
sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly impor-
tant if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag
system is triggered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or
even death.
● A suitable child seat can protect your child!
● Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the vehi-
cle.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or
cold inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.WARNING (Continued)
● Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal
seat belt without a child seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdomi-
nal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.
● Do not allow the seat belt to become twisted or jammed, or to rub on
any sharp edges.
● Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor colli-
sion or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
● The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the seat belt is
properly positioned ⇒ page 26, Seat belts.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒ page 48, Child seats.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
111
Seats and storage
Adjusting the front seats
Fig. 69 Seat adjustment
controls/Adjustment con-
trols for a sports seat
Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Lift the lever 1
⇒ Fig. 69 (the central part) and move the seat
forwards or backwards.
– Then release the lever 1
and move the seat further until the
catch engages.
Adjusting seat height
– To raise, pump the lever 2
⇒ Fig. 69 (several times if required)
upwards to the required seat position.
– To lower, pump the lever 2
(several times if required) down-
wards to the required seat position.
Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and pull the lever 3
⇒ Fig. 69
backwards, pressing on the backrest to the required angle.
– When the lever 3
is released, the backrest will remain in the
set position. Armrest on front seats with inner storage*
Fig. 70 Armrest/Opening and closing the storage compartment
Adjusting armrest height
– Lift the armrest as far as it will go and then fold it downwards.
– Raise the armrest until it engages in one of the 5 positions.
Opening storage compartment
– Press the button located on the front of the armrest ⇒ Fig. 70 -
.
– Lift the storage compartment lid ⇒ Fig. 70 - .
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
113
Seats and storage
Head restraints cannot be moved up or down or removed on sports
seats.
Adjusting height
– Take hold of the sides of the head restraint and pull upwards.
– To lower the hear restraint, press button A
⇒ Fig. 72 while
pushing the head restraint downwards.
Fitting and removing head restraints on front seats
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press catch A
⇒ Fig. 72 and remove the head restraint.
– To refit, insert the head restraint into the holes in the backrest,
pushing it down until it engages.
Fitting and removing head restraints on rear seats
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press catch 1
⇒ Fig. 72 while pressing on the catch in hole 2with a max. 5 mm flat-headed screwdriver and remove the head
restraint.
– To refit, insert the head restraint into the holes in the backrest,
pushing it down until it engages.
For maximum head restraint protection, adjust the head restraint so that its
upper edge is at the same level as the top of your head.
The head restraint must be adjusted in line with the height of users. Correct
adjustment of the head restraint, together with the seat belts, ensure effec-
tive passenger protection ⇒ page 10.
WARNING
● Badly adjusted head restraints increase the risk of injuries in the
event of an accident.
● Never drive with the head restraints removed. Risk of injuries!
● If the seats are in use, never drive with the rear head restraints in
their out-of-use position.
Rear seats
Folding the rear backrest
Fig. 73 Unlocking the backrest
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
118Seats and storage
Rear shelf
Fig. 79 Removing the
shelf
Fig. 80 Removing the
shelf
The shelf can be removed if a large load is to be transported.
Removing the shelf
– Remove the straps from the shelf 1
⇒ Fig. 79.
– Remove the shelf from its housing 2
by knocking it gently from
underneath between the supports. Fitting the shelf
–
Place the shelf on the side supports on the trim.
– Adjust the shelf supports 3
⇒ Fig. 80 to fit the supports 2 in
the trim.
– Fit into place by knocking the top of the shelf gently between
the supports.
– Attach the straps 1
to the tray.
WARNING
Do not place objects on the rear shelf that could endanger the vehicle oc-
cupants in case of a sudden braking manoeuvre or an accident.
CAUTION
● The rear shelf supports a maximum load of 1 kg.
● If handled incorrectly, the tray could bend on closing the rear lid and be-
come damaged or damage the trim. Follow the instructions below.
–The shelf supports 3
⇒ Fig. 80 must be securely in place in the trim
supports 2.
– The size of the load must not exceed the height of the shelf.
– When open, the shelf must not be bent against the shelf seal.
– There must be no objects in the space between the open shelf and
the backrest of the rear seat.
Note
The shelf will lift when the rear lid is opened.
119
Seats and storage
Roof carrier*
Introduction
WARNING
● The load on the roof carrier must be properly secured. Risk of acci-
dent!
● Always secure the load using retaining straps in good condition.
● Distribute the load evenly.
● When transporting heavy or large objects on the roof, any change in
the normal vehicle behaviour due to a change in the centre of gravity or
an increased wind resistance must be taken into account. Risk of acci-
dent! For this reason, a suitable speed and driving style must be used.
● Avoid sudden manoeuvres and braking.
● Adjust your driving style to suit visibility, the weather and road and
traffic conditions.
● Never exceed the allowed axle loads or allowed maximum weight.
Risk of accident!
CAUTION
● Only use SEAT-authorised roof carriers.
● Where roof carriers from other systems are used or where they are not
fitted properly, any damage caused to the vehicle will not be covered by the
warranty. Therefore, carefully follow the Instruction Manual for installation
of the roof carrier.
● On vehicles fitted with a sliding sunroof, make sure it does not hit the
load on the roof when opened
● Remember that the rear lid must not hit the roof load.
● The total height of the vehicle increases according to the roof load. Com-
pare the height of the vehicle with the heights of bridges or, for example,
the size of the garage door. ●
Do not forget to remove the roof carrier before entering an automatic
carwash.
● Take into account that the load must not damage the aerial located on
the roof.
For the sake of the environment
The increased air resistance means that the vehicle uses more fuel.
Attachment points
Fig. 81 Basic roof carrier attachment points
Location of the basic roof carrier attachment points ⇒ Fig. 81.
rear attachment points
front attachment points
Install and remove following the instructions given.
CAUTION
Follow the instructions given in the manual.
A
B
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
129
Heating and air conditioning
While in motion, the air conditioning should not be switched on if the win-
dows are open.
If the interior temperature can be reached without switching on the air con-
ditioning, the fresh air mode should be used.
For the sake of the environment
This saves on fuel and reduces emissions.
Faults
If the air conditioning does not work at outside temperatures above +5 °C
(+41 °F) then the system is faulty. This may be due to one of the following
reasons:
● One of the fuses has blown. Check the fuse and replace if necessary
⇒ page 219.
● The air conditioning compressor has switched off temporarily because
of an increased engine coolant temperature ⇒ page 58.
If you cannot repair the fault yourself or where the cooling power continues
to drop, switch the system off. Contact a specialised service. Air ventsFig. 96 Air vents
Opening air vents 3 and 4
– Turn the vertical circular control upwards.
Closing air vents 3 and 4
– Turn the vertical circular control downwards.
Changing the direction of air delivery from air vents 3 and 4
– The air circulation height can be varied by changing the posi-
tion of the sliding adjuster upwards or downwards ⇒ Fig. 96.
– The air circulation direction can be varied by changing the posi-
tion of the sliding adjuster to the right or to the left.
The flow of air from the vents is controlled using control C
⇒ Fig. 97. Vents
3 ⇒ Fig. 96 and 4 can be opened and closed individually.
Depending on the position of the adjusters and on the weather, open vents
can provide air which is either heated, unheated or cooled.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
162Driving and the environment
Note
You will receive information about the modification of the headlights at an
authorised SEAT dealer.
Preventing damage to the vehicle
In order to prevent damage to the vehicle, take special care:
● on roads in poor condition
● when mounting the kerb
● when approaching very steep ramps, etc.
● with the parts of the vehicle situated on the lower part of the vehicle, i.e.
the spoiler, the exhaust pipe,
This applies especially to vehicles with a very low suspension (sport) and
when the vehicle is fully loaded.
Driving through water
Fig. 113 Driving through
water To prevent the vehicle from being damaged when driving through water (i.e.
flooded roads), please observe the following:
●
Determine the depth of the water before entering. The water can reach a
maximum height of below the door sill ⇒ Fig. 113.
● Drive at a maximum pace of walking speed. Driving at a higher speed
can cause a wave in front of the vehicle, which can cause water to enter the
engine air intake system or other parts of the vehicle.
● Never stop in the water, never reverse and never stop the engine.
● Before driving through water deactivate the START-STOP system
⇒ page 154.
WARNING
● Driving through water, dirt and mud can reduce braking capability
and prolong the braking distance – Risk of accident!
● Do not carry out any sudden or strong braking manoeuvres after driv-
ing through water.
● Clean and dry the brakes as soon as possible after driving through
water by breaking intermittently. Carry out braking in order to dry the
brakes and clean the brake discs only if traffic so permits. Do not put oth-
er drivers at risk.
CAUTION
● In the event of driving through water the parts of the vehicle can be seri-
ously damaged, such as the engine, gearbox, catalytic converter, suspen-
sion or the electrical system.
● Oncoming vehicles that drive through water can cause waves that ex-
ceed your vehicle's permitted level for driving through water.
● There may be pot-holes mud or rocks under the water that can hinder or
prevent driving through water.
● Do not drive through salt water. The salt can cause rust. All components
that are exposed to salt water must be rinsed immediately with fresh water.