Airbag system
in the direction of the collision. The belt ten-
sioner works in combination with the airbag
system. The belt tensioner will not be trig-
gered in the event of the vehicle overturning
if the side airbags are not deployed.
If the belt tensioner is triggered, a fine dust is
produced. This is normal and it is not an indi-
cation of fire in the vehicle.
Belt tension limiter
The belt tension limiter reduces the force of
the seat belt on the body in the event of an
accident. Note
The relevant safety requirements must be ob-
served when the vehicle is dismantled or sys-
tem components are removed. These require-
ments are known to specialised workshops
››› page 17. Service and disposal of belt
tensioners
If you work on the belt tensioners or remove
and install other parts of the vehicle when
performing other repair work, the seat belt
may be damaged. The consequence may be
that, in the event of an accident, the belt ten-
sioners function incorrectly or not at all. So that the effectiveness of the belt tensioner
is not reduced and that removed parts do not
cause any injuries or environmental pollu-
tion, regulations must be observed. These re-
quirements are known to specialised work-
shops.
WARNING
Improper handling and homemade repairs of
seat belts, automatic belt retainers and ten-
sion devices increase the risk of sustaining
severe or fatal injuries. The belt tensioner
may fail to trigger or may trigger in the wrong
circumstances.
● Never attempt to repair, adjust or remove or
install parts of the belt tensioners or seat
belts. Any work must be performed by a spe-
cialised workshop only ››› page 118.
● Belt tensioners and automatic belt retain-
ers cannot be repaired and must be replaced. For the sake of the environment
Airbag modules and belt tensioners may con-
tain perchlorate. Observe the legal require-
ments for their disposal. Airbag system
Brief introduction Introduction Front airbags have been installed for both
driver and passenger. The front airbags can
also protect the chest and head of driver and
passenger if the seats, seat belts head re-
straints and, for the driver, the steering
wheel are correctly adjusted and used. Air-
bags are considered as additional safety
equipment. An airbag cannot replace the
seat belt, which must be worn at all times,
even in front seats where front airbags have
been installed.
The airbag can protect vehicle occupants in
the event of an accidents, cushioning 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 deployment space within frac-
tions of a second. When an occupant with the
seat belt properly fastened puts pressure on
the inflated airbag, the propellant gas es-
capes 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
»
17Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Safety
as swelling, bruising and skin injuries can be
ruled out. Upon deployment of the airbag,
friction can cause the generation of heat.
Airbags do not protect the arms or the lower
part of the body.
The most important factors for triggering the
airbag are the type of accident, the angle of
impact, the vehicle speed and the character-
istics of the object the vehicle hits. Therefore,
airbags are not triggered every time the vehi-
cle is visibly damaged.
The activation of the airbag system depends
on the magnitude of the deceleration of the
vehicle caused by a collision, which registers
through an electronic control unit. If the de-
celeration magnitude value is below the ref-
erence value programmed in the control unit,
the airbags will not deploy even though seri-
ous damage might be caused to the vehicle
as the result of an accident. Damage suffered
by the vehicle, reparation costs or absence of
damage suffered from the accident are not
indications of whether an airbag should have
been deployed. Due to the varying nature of
collision situations, it is impossible to define
a speed range of the vehicle and reference
values. For this reason, it is not possible to
cover all types of collisions and collision an-
gles resulting in the deployment of the air-
bag. Factors necessary for the airbag to be
deployed can be, the characteristics of the
object (hard or soft) against which the vehi- cle collides, the collision angle and the vehi-
cle speed.
Airbags act in conjunction with the three-
point seat belts in certain accident situa-
tions, when the vehicle deceleration rate is
severe enough to trigger the airbags. Airbags
only deploy once and only under certain cir-
cumstances. Seat belts remain present to of-
fer protection in situations where airbags are
not triggered or where they have already de-
ployed. For example, when a vehicle hits an-
other after an initial collision or is hit by an-
other vehicle.
The airbag system is an integral part of the
car's passive safety system. The airbag sys-
tem can only work effectively when the vehi-
cle occupants are wearing their seat belts
correctly and have adjusted the head re-
straints properly
››› page 6. WARNING
Never exclusively trust the airbag system as a
means of protection.
● Even when triggered, airbag protection is
only auxiliary.
● The airbags provide the best protection
when the seat belts are properly fastened,
thus reducing the risk of sustaining injuries
››› page 11, Using seat belts .
● Before each trip, every occupant must sit
properly, correctly fasten the seat belt be-
longing to his or her seat and keeping it fas- tened throughout the trip. This rule is valid
for all vehicle occupants.
WARNING
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle
must never carry any objects in the deploy-
ment space between them and the airbags,
as this increases the risk of sustaining inju-
ries if the airbag is triggered. This modifies
the airbag deployment space or the objects
may fly uncontrollably and hit your body.
● Never carry objects in your hand or on your
lap while the vehicle is in motion.
● Never transport objects on the front pas-
senger seat. In the event of sudden braking
and manoeuvres, the objects may end up in
the airbag deployment space and fly uncon-
trollably around the interior if the airbag is
activated.
● Occupants of the front and rear seats must
never carry any other people, pets or objects
in the deployment space between them and
the airbags. Make sure children and other
passengers also respect this recommenda-
tion. WARNING
The airbag system provides protection for
one accident only. If they have been de-
ployed, they must be replaced. 18
Airbag system
●
Ensure deployed airbags and the system
components involved are immediately re-
placed with new, SEAT-approved components
for the vehicle.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried
out at a specialised workshop. Specialised
workshops have the necessary tools, diag-
nostics equipment, repair information and
qualified personnel.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag compo-
nents in your vehicle.
● Never modify the airbag system compo-
nents. WARNING
If the airbags are triggered, a fine dust is pro-
duced. This is normal and it is not an indica-
tion of fire in the vehicle.
● This fine dust may irritate the skin and eyes
and cause breathing difficulties, particularly
in people suffering from or who have suffered
from asthma or other illnesses of the respira-
tory tract. To reduce breathing difficulties,
get out of the vehicle and open and doors and
windows to breath in fresh air.
● Should you touch the dust, wash your
hands and face using a mild soap and water
before you eat.
● Prevent the dust from affecting the eyes or
open wounds.
● Rinse your eyes with water if you have dust
in them. WARNING
Solvents cause the surfaces of the airbag
modules to become porous. If an airbag is ac-
cidentally triggered, the detachment of plas-
tic parts could cause serious injury.
● Never clean the dash panel and the surfa-
ces of the airbag modules with cleaners con-
taining solvents. Description of airbag system
Vehicle safety components
The following safety equipment makes up the
vehicle safety design to reduce the risk of se-
vere and fatal injuries. Depending on the ve-
hicle equipment, some equipment may not
be fitted in the vehicle or may not be availa-
ble in some markets.
●
Optimised seat belts for all seats.
● Seat belt tension devices for driver and
passenger.
● Seat belt force limiters for driver and pas-
senger.
● Seat belt warning lamp
● Front airbags for driver and passenger.
● Side airbags for driver and passenger.
● Airbag control lamp .
● Control units and sensors. ●
Head restraints optimised for rear-end colli-
sion.
● Adjustable steering column.
● If necessary, anchor points for child seats
for the rear seats.
● Where applicable, mountings for the child
seat upper retaining strap.
Situations in which the front and side
airbags do not deploy:
● If the ignition is switched off during the col-
lision.
● In frontal collisions, when the deceleration
measured by the control unit is too low.
● In minor side collisions.
● In rear collisions.
● In the event of the vehicle overturning.
● When the impact speed is lower than the
reference value set in the control unit.
There is a fault in the system if the control
lamp :
● does not light up when the ignition is
switched on,
● turns off after 4 seconds after the ignition
is switched on
● turns off and then lights up again after the
ignition is switched on
● illuminates or flashes while the vehicle is
moving. »
19Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Airbag system
In the event of a side-on collision, the side
airbag will deploy in the side of the vehicle
affected ››› Fig. 15 , thus reducing the risk of
injurie s
to passengers on the side of the
body and the head facing the accident side. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in frac-
tions of a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the
side airbags vacant.
● The deployment space between the front
passengers and the airbags must not in any
case be occupied by other passenger, pets
and objects.
● Do not mount accessories on the doors.
● Only used protective covers for the seats
that are approved for the vehicle. Otherwise,
the side airbag would be obstructed when de-
ployed. WARNING
Incorrect handling of the driver's and front
passenger seat could prevent the side airbag
from deploying properly and cause severe in-
juries.
● Never remove the front seats of the vehicle
or modify any of their components.
● Great forces must not be exerted on the
seat backrest bolsters because the side air-
bags might not deploy correctly, might not
deploy at all or might deploy unexpectedly. ●
Any damage to the original seat upholstery
or around the seams of the side airbag units
must be repaired immediately by a special-
ised workshop. Deactivating airbags
Control lamps Fig. 16
Control lamp for disabling the front
passenger front airbag on the dash panel
It lights up on the combi-in-
strument
Fault in airbag sys-
tem and seat belt
tensioners.Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.
It lights up on the dash panel
Fault in the airbag
system.Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.
Front passenger
front airbag disa-
bled.Check whether the airbag should
remain disabled. Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.
If the front passenger airbag is deactivated,
the lamp
does not re-
m ain lit
, or if it is lit together with the control
lamp on the dash panel, 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 immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.
● Never mount a child seat in the front pas-
senger seat or remove the mounted child
seat! The front passenger front airbag may
deploy during an accident in spite of the
fault. » 23
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Transporting children safely
Transporting children safely Child safety Introduction Before transporting babies and children in a
child seat placed in the front passenger seat,
first completely read the information regard-
ing the airbag system.
This information is extremely important for
driver and passenger safety, particularly that
of babies and children.
SEAT recommends the use of child seats from
the SEAT accessory programme. These child
seats have been designed and tested for use
in SEAT vehicles. You can purchase child
seats with different mountings from a SEAT
dealership.
WARNING
Make sure children are properly belted in and
correctly secured to avoid severe or fatal inju-
ries while the vehicle is in motion.
● Never use a rear-facing child seat in the
front passenger seat if the front passenger
front airbag is enabled.
● Children up to 12 years old should always
travel on the rear seat. ●
Children must always be protected with an
approved child restraint system suited to
their height and weight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly belted in while trav-
elling.
● Ensure the seat backrest is upright when a
child seat is being used on it.
● Do not allow the child's head or other part
of his or her body to enter the deployment
area of the side airbags.
● Make sure the belt webbing is correctly
positioned.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap or
in your arms.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● Please read and observe the child seat
manufacturer's handling instructions. WARNING
An empty or loose child seat could fly uncon-
trollably around the vehicle interior and
cause injuries in the event of an accident or
sudden braking.
● When not in use while the vehicle is in mo-
tion, always safely secure the child seat or
store it in the luggage compartment. Note
Replace the child seat after an accident, as it
may have invisible damage. Important information regarding the
front passenger's airbag
Fig. 18
Passenger's side sun visor: airbag
sticker Fig. 19
On the rear frame of the passenger
side door: airbag sticker. A sticker with important information about
the passenger airbag is located on the pas-
senger's sun visor and/or on the passenger
side door frame. Read and always observe
»
25Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Safety
the safety information included in the
following chapters:
● Child seats and passenger side airbag
››› page 28, Use of the child seat on the
front passenger seat .
● Safety distance with respect to the passen-
ger airbag ››› in Introduction on page 18.
● Objects between the passenger and the
passenger side airbag ››› in Front airbags
on page 21 .26
Transporting children safely
General information on transporting
children in the vehicle Legal regulations and provisions will always
take priority over the descriptions of this in-
struction manual. There are different regula-
tions and provisions for the use of child seats
and their mountings (
››› table on page 27).
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 11
. However, unlike adults and
y ou
ngsters, children do not have fully devel-
oped muscle 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 systems must be
used that are especially adapted to their
height, weight and constitution. There are
laws in force in many countries that indicate the use of approved seat systems for trans-
porting babies and children.
Only used authorised, approved child seats
that are suitable for the vehicle. Always con-
sult with a SEAT dealership or a Specialised
workshop should you have any doubts.
Specific child seat regulations for each
country (selection)
Child seats must comply with the ECE-R 44
1)
regulation. You can consult additional infor-
mation at your SEAT dealership at the inter-
net address www.seat.es.
Categorisation of child seats according to
ECE-R 44
Weight cat- egoryWeight ofthe childAge
Group 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 31
/ 2 years
Group 215 to 25 kgapprox. 3 to 7 years
Group 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.
Child seats approved under the ECE-R 44 reg-
ulation are fitted with the corresponding ap-
proval symbol. The sign is an upper-case E in
a circle with the identification number below
it.
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 instal-
led and used on one of the rear seats offer
the most protection possible for babies and
children up to 12 years in most accidents. 1)
ECE-R: E conomic C
omission for Europe Regulation.
27
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Safety
Different mounting systems Fig. 20
On the rear seats: Possible installations for the child seat. 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 re-
taining strap in the vehicle
››› page 32. At-
tach the retaining strap to the corresponding
retaining rings only. 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 correspond-
ing seat in the vehicle.
Specific mounting systems for each country
Attachment variants ››› Fig. 20 : E
ur ope
: ISOFIX retaining rings and upper
retaining strap ››› page 31 and
››› page 32.
Three-point
seat belt and upper retaining
strap ››› page 30
.
The systems include the child restraint sys-
tem mounting with an upper retaining 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. Further-
more, not all child seats are approved for use
on the front passenger seat. Your SEAT deal-A
B ership has an updated list of all approved
child seats. Only used child seats that are ap-
proved for each vehicle.
The front airbag on the front passenger side
is highly dangerous for a child. The front pas-
senger seat is life-threatening to a child if he
or she is transported 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 placed
on the fr ont
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 passenger front
airbag is disabled. When it is disabled, the
28