2014 Seat Alhambra airbag disable

13
Safe driving
Also valid for the front passenger:
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible for optimum pro-
tection should the airbag deploy. 
Transporting objects Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the luggage compartment and place the
seat backs in a vertical position. Always use the anchors provided with suit-
able rope to secure heavy objects. Never overload the vehicle. Both the car-
rying 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 84
● To lower the front passenger seat back ⇒ page 118
● Light ⇒ page 96
● Luggage compartment ⇒ page 127
● Roof carrier ⇒ page 140
● Towing mode ⇒ page 237
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 297
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 slings so that they cannot
enter the areas around the front or side airbags in case of sudden braking
or an accident.
● Always ensure that objects inside the vehicle cannot move into the
area of the airbags 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 seat backrest of the front passenger seat is folded, the
front airbag must remain disabled 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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

31
Airbag system
Control lamp
Fig. 16 Control lamp for
disabling the front pas-
senger front airbag on
the dash panel
lights upDigitPossible causeSolution
Instrument
panelFault in airbag sys-
tem and seat belt
tensioners.Have the system checked
immediately by a special-
ised workshop.

Dash panel
Fault in the airbag
system.Have the system checked
immediately by a special-
ised workshop.
Front passenger front
airbag disabled.Check whether the airbag
should remain disabled.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   control lamp does not remain lit or if it is lit
together with the control lamp  on the instrument panel and the front pas-
senger front airbag is disabled, there may be a fault in the airbag system
⇒ 
.
WARNING
In the event of a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger
correctly, may fail to trigger or may even trigger unexpectedly, leading to
severe or fatal injuries.
● Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialised work-
shop.
● Never mount a child seat in the front passenger seat or remove the
mounted child seat! The front passenger front airbag may deploy during
an accident in spite of the fault.
CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps and to the corresponding de-
scriptions and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle. 
Airbag system Description and function of the airbag
The airbag can protect vehicle occupants in the event of an accidents, cush-
ioning the movement of the occupants in the direction of the collision in
frontal and side accidents.
Deployed airbags fill with a propellant gas. This causes the airbag covers to
break and the airbags to deploy extremely quickly in their entire deploy-
ment space within fractions of a second. When an occupant with the seat
belt properly fastened puts pressure on the inflated airbag, the propellant
gas escapes to absorb the force of the impact and slow the movement. This
reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Airbag deployment does not
mean that other types of injury such as swelling, bruising, burns and skin
injuries can be ruled out. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

34Airbag system
When the front airbags are triggered they fill the zones marked in red (de-
ployment area) ⇒ Fig. 17. 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 passenger, e.g. the
baseplate for the mobile phone support.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the
driver and front passenger front airbags are triggered ⇒ Fig. 18. The airbag
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 free.
● 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. 17 and
the dash panel ⇒ Fig. 18.
● 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 be-
tween 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.

Types of front passenger front airbag systems
There are two different SEAT front passenger front airbag systems:
ABCharacteristics of the front passen-
ger front airbag that can only be dis-
abled in a specialised workshop.Characteristics of the front passen-
ger front airbag that can be disabled
manually ⇒ page 35.
 Name: airbag systemName: airbag system with front
passenger front airbag disabling.
 Control lamp  on the instrument
panel. Control lamp  on the instrument
panel.
 Front passenger airbag located in
dash panel.
 Front passenger airbag located in
dash panel.
  PASSENGER AIR BAG  control
lamp on the dash panel.
 Key switch in the glove compart-
ment on the front passenger side of
the dash panel.


35
Airbag system
Deactivating and activating the front passenger front
airbag using the key switch
Fig. 19 In the glove com-
partment on the front
passenger side: key
switch for disabling and
enabling the front pas-
senger front airbag
The front passenger front airbag must be disabled when a rear-facing child
seat is mounted.
Disabling the front passenger front airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Unfold the key shaft ⇒ page 72.
● Using the vehicle key, turn the key switch to OFF ⇒ Fig. 19.
● Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● The PASSENGER AIR BAG   control lamp on the dash panel will re-
main lit while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 31.
Activating the front passenger front airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Using the vehicle key, turn the key switch to ON ⇒ Fig. 19. ●
Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF control lamp on the dash pan-
el does not light up while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 31.
How to know whether the front passenger front airbag is disabled
Disabling of the front passenger airbag is only indicated by the PASSENGER
AIR BAG   control lamp that remains  lit on the dash panel (remains
yellow) ⇒  page 31, Control lamp.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   control lamp on the centre console does not
remain lit or is lit in combination with the control lamp on the instrument
panel, a child restraint system cannot be mounted on the front passenger
seat for safety reasons. The front passenger front airbag may deploy during
an accident.
WARNING
The front passenger front airbag must only be disabled in special cases.
● Disable and activate the front passenger front airbag when the igni-
tion is switched off to avoid damage to the airbag system.
● It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key operated switch
is set to the correct position.
● Only disable the front passenger front airbag when a child seat is to
be mounted under exceptional circumstances.
● As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger
seat, reconnect the front passenger front airbag.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

42Child safety
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 (1 inch).
Child seats equipped for a Top Tether strap must also be secured using the
Top Tether retaining strap in the vehicle ⇒ page 45. Only secure the re-
taining belt to the rings fitted for this purpose and identified as Top Tether.
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 corre-
sponding seat in the vehicle.
Specific mounting systems for each country
Europe: ISOFIX retaining rings and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 44
and ⇒ page 45.
Three-point seat belt and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 44.
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 Technical Service 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. A
B
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   control lamp on the dash panel will be lit ⇒ page 31. If you
cannot disable the front passenger front airbag and it remains activated, it
is forbidden to transport children on the front passenger seat ⇒ 
.
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 35.
● 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.
● The seat belt height adjustment must be as high as possible.
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.
If the front passenger seat is equipped with retaining rings, the child seat
can be secured using the approved retaining system provided it is approved
for this type of vehicle in accordance with current regulations in the country
in question.
Universal seats for children of groups 0, 0+, 1, 2 or 3 according to the
standard ECE-R 44 can be mounted in the front passenger seat and the rear
seats.
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. 

43
Child safety
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.
● 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.
● The seat belt height adjustment must be as high as possible.
● 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 10.
Move the second and third row of seats fully back and lock them. Place the
seat backs in a vertical position and fold the head restraints down.
ISOFIX child seats approved for rear seats
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 are divided into “specific categories for the vehicle”,
“limited” or “semi-universal”. Child seat manufacturers supply a list of vehicles with each ISOFIX seat,
which includes the models for which the ISOFIX child seat in question is ap-
proved. If the vehicle is included in the manufacturer's list and the ISOFIX
child seat belongs to a seat category included in the list, then it can be
used in your vehicle. If necessary, contact the child seat manufacturer for an
updated list of vehicles.
Group (weight
category)ISOFIX child seat cate- gorySeat position on the rear seats
Group 0:to 10 kgEIUF a)
Group 0+:
to 13 kgEIUF a)DIUFa)CIUFa)
Group 1:
9 to 18 kg
DIUF a)CIUFa)BIUFa)B1IUFa)AIUFa)a)
IUF: suitable for “universal” ISOFIX child seats authorised for use in this group.
WARNING
If child seats are fitted to all the seats in the second row then it is possi-
ble that the seats of this row cannot be folded down from the third row of
seats in case of an accident. In case of an emergency, passengers in the
third row of seats will not be able to leave the vehicle or to help them-
selves.
● Child seats should not occupy all the seats of the second row if other
passengers are to occupy the third row of seats.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

46Child safety
WARNING
Child travelling without their seat belt fastened or not secured using a
suitable restraint system may sustain fatal injuries if the airbag is de-
ployed.
● Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the rear seat.
● Always disable the front passenger front airbag if, in exceptional ca-
ses, you have no alternative but to transport a child in a rear-facing child
safety seat on the front passenger seat.
● Children must always be protected with a child restraint system suit-
ed to their height and weight.
● Always fasten children's seat belts correctly.
WARNING
Children must travel in a child seat appropriate to their weight and
height while the vehicle is in motion.
● Children must always be protected with a child restraint system suit-
ed to their height and weight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in while travelling.
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie approximately on the cen-
tre of the shoulder, never across the neck or the arm.
● The seat belt must lie close to the upper part of the body.
WARNING (Continued)
● The lap belt part must lie across the pelvis, not across the stomach,
and always fit closely.
● Allow the belt to retract until it fits tightly over the child's seat.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap.
● Always use a child seat and the seat belt for children who are less
than 1.5 metres tall. The normal seat belt could cause injuries to the ab-
dominal and neck areas.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● Read and follow the information and warnings provided by the child
seat manufacturer.
● Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the vehi-
cle.
● All modifications to the integrated child seat must be carried out by a
specialised workshop.
● Replace the child seat or any seat components damaged or involved
in an accident.
WARNING
Loose objects could fly uncontrollably around the vehicle interior and
cause injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● Do not leave toys or other hard, loose objects on the child seat or on
the seat while the vehicle is in motion.


76Opening and closing
● Electric windows ⇒ page 89
● Panoramic sliding sunroof ⇒ page 93
● Towing mode ⇒ page 237
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 318
WARNING
The incorrect use of the central locking system may cause serious inju-
ries.
● The central locking system will lock all doors. A vehicle locked from
the inside can prevent any non-authorised individual from opening the
doors and accessing the vehicle. Nevertheless, in case of emergency or
accident, locked doors will complicate access to the vehicle interior to
help the passengers.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle. The cen-
tral locking button can be used to lock all the doors from within. There-
fore, passengers will be locked inside the vehicle. Individuals locked in
the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
● Depending on the time of the year, temperatures inside a locked and
closed vehicle can be extremely high or extremely low resulting in seri-
ous injuries and illness or even death, particularly for young children.
● Never leave individuals locked in a closed and locked vehicle. In case
of emergency, they may not be able to exit the vehicle by themselves or
get help.

Description of the central locking system
The central locking system allows all doors and the rear lid to be locked and
unlocked centrally.
● From outside, using the vehicle key.
● From inside, by pushing the central locking button ⇒ page 78. In the submenu Convenience in the Configuration menu, or by visiting a spe-
cialised workshop, special functions of the central locking system can be
switched on or off ⇒ page 62.
In case of a vehicle key fault or central locking system fault, all doors can be
locked or unlocked manually.
Locking the vehicle after the airbags have been deployed
If the airbags are deployed due to an accident, the vehicle will be automati-
cally and completely unlocked. Depending on the amount of damage, the
vehicle can be locked following an accident in the following ways:
effectNecessary operationsLocking the vehicle
from within:– Turn off the ignition and turn it on again.
– Push the central locking button .Locking the vehicle
from the outside:– Turn off the ignition and turn it on again.
OR: – Remove the key from the ignition.
– Open any door just once.
– Lock the vehicle with the key.
