2016 Seat Ibiza ST seats

Safety
Safety
Saf e driv
ing
Saf
ety first! This chapter contains important information,
tips, sug
g

estions and warnings that you
should read and consider for both your own
safety and for your passengers' safety. WARNING
● This m anua

l contains important informa-
tion about the operation of the vehicle, both
for the driver and the passengers. The other
sections of the on-board documentation also
contain further information that you should
be aware of for your own safety and for the
safety of your passengers.
● Ensure that the on-board documentation is
kept in the v
ehicle at all times. This is espe-
cially important when lending or selling the
vehicle to another person. Advice about driving
B ef or
e settin

g offFor your own safety and the safety of your
p
a
ssen

gers, always note the following points
before every trip: –
Make sur
e that the vehicle's lights and turn
signals are working properly.
– Check tyre pressure.
– Ensure that all windows provide a clear and
good view of

the surroundings.
– Ensure that all luggage is correctly secured
››› p

age 135.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere
with the pedals.
– Adju

st front seat, head restraint and mir-
rors pr
operly according to your size.
– Ensure that the passenger in the central
rear seat

always has the head restraint in
the correct position for use.
– Instruct passengers to adjust the head re-
straints ac

cording to their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child
seats and properly

applied seat belts
››› page 72.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct
your pas

sengers also to assume a proper
sitting position. ››› page 57.
– Fasten your seat belt securely. Instruct your
passen

gers also to fasten their seat belts
properly. ››› page 61. What affects driving safety? As a driver, you are responsible for yourself
and your p
a

ssengers. When your concentra-
tion or driving safety is affected by any cir-
cumstance, you endanger yourself as well as
others on the road ››› , for this reason:
– Always pay attention to traffic and do not
get di s

tracted by passengers or telephone
calls.
– Never drive when your driving ability is im-
paired (e.g. b

y medication, alcohol, drugs).
– Observe traffic laws and speed limits.
– Always reduce your speed as appropriate
for ro a

d, traffic and weather conditions.
– When travelling long distances, take
breaks

regularly - at least every two hours.
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired
or stres

sed. WARNING
When driving safety is impaired during a trip,
the risk of injur

y and accidents increases. Safety equipment
Never put your safety or the safety of your
p
a
ssen

gers in danger. In the event of an acci-
dent, the safety equipment may reduce the
56

Safe driving
risk of injury. The following list includes most
of the s
afety
equipment in your SEAT:
● Three-point seat belts
● Belt tension limiter for the front and rear
side seats
● Belt

tensioners for the front seats
● Front airbags
● Side airbags in the front seat backrests,
with ches
t and head protection
● “ISOFIX” anchor points for “ISOFIX” rear
child se
at system
● Height-adjustable front head restraints
● Rear-centre head restraints with in-use po-
sition and non-use pos
ition
● Adjustable steering column
The safety equipment
mentioned above
works together to provide you and your pas-
sengers with the best possible protection in
the event of an accident. However, these
safety systems can only be effective if you
and your passengers are sitting in a correct
position and use this equipment properly.
Safety is everyone's business! Correct position for passengers
Correct s
itting position for driver Fig. 75
The proper distance between driver
and s t
eerin g wheel Fig. 76
Correct head restraint position for the
driv er
. For your own safety and to reduce the risk of
injur
y
in the ev ent

of an accident, we recom- mend the following adjustments for the driv-
er:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a
distanc

e of at least 25 cm between the
steering wheel and the centre of your chest
››› Fig. 75.
– Move the driver's seat forwards or back-
wards

so that you are able to press the ac-
celerator, brake and clutch pedals to the
floor with your knees still slightly angled
››› .
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point
of the s
teerin

g wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper
edge is at

the same level as the top of your
head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ››› Fig. 76.
– Move the seat backrest to an upright posi-
tion so that y

our back rests completely
against it.
– Fasten your seat belt securely ››› p
age 61.
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you
have the v

ehicle under control at all times.
Adjustment of the driver's seat ››› page 128. WARNING
● An incorrect s

itting position of the driver
can lead to severe injuries. » 57
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safe driving
●
Alwa y
s keep your feet in the footwell when
the vehicle is moving; never rest them on the
dash panel, out the window or on the seat. An
incorrect sitting position exposes you to an
increased risk of injury in case of a sudden
braking or an accident. If the airbag is trig-
gered, you could sustain severe injuries due
to an incorrect sitting position.
● To reduce the risk of injury to the front pas-
senger in event
s such as sudden braking ma-
noeuvres or an accident, never travel with the
backrest tilted far back! The airbag system
and seat belts can only provide optimal pro-
tection when the backrest is in an upright po-
sition and the front passenger is wearing his
or her seat belt properly. The further the seat
backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater
the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning
of the belt web or to the incorrect sitting po-
sition!
● Adjust the head restraint correctly in order
to achieve m
aximum protection. Correct sitting position for rear seat
p
a
ssen

gers To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a
s
ud
den br ak

ing manoeuvre or an accident,
passengers on the rear seat bench must con-
sider the following:
– Sit up straight.
– Adjust the head restraint to the correct po-
sition ›››

page 60. –
Alway
s keep both feet in the footwell in
front of the rear seat.
– Fasten your seat belt securely ››› p
age 61.
– Use an appropriate child restraint system
when you tak

e children in the vehicle
››› page 72. WARNING
● If the pa s

sengers in the rear seats are not
sitting properly, they could sustain severe in-
juries.
● Adjust the head restraint correctly in order
to achieve m
aximum protection.
● Seat belts can only provide optimal protec-
tion when seat bac
krests are in an upright
position and the vehicle occupants are wear-
ing their seat belts correctly. If passengers In
the rear seats are not sitting in an upright po-
sition, the risk of injury due to incorrect posi-
tioning of the seat belt increases. Examples of incorrect sitting posi-
tion
s Seat belts can provide optimal protection on-
ly
when the belt
we

bs are properly posi-
tioned. Incorrect sitting positions substan-
tially reduce the protective function of seat
belts and increase the risk of injury due to in-
correct seat belt position. As the driver, you
are responsible for all passengers, especially
children. –
Never allow an
yone to assume an incorrect
sitting position in the vehicle while travel-
ling ››› .
The f o
llo

wing list contains examples of sit-
ting positions that could be dangerous for all
vehicle occupants. The list is not complete,
but we would like to make you aware of this
issue.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is in motion:
● Never stand in the vehicle.
● Never stand on the seats.
● Never kneel on the seats.
● Never tilt your seat backrest far to the rear.
● Never lean against the dash panel.
● Never lie on the rear bench.
● Never sit on the front edge of a seat.
● Never sit sideways.
● Never lean out of a window.
● Never put your feet out of a window.
● Never put your feet on the dash panel.
● Never put your feet on the surface of a seat.
● Do not allow anyone to travel in the foot-
well.
● Nev

er travel without wearing the seat belt.
● Do not allow anyone to travel in the lug-
gage comp
artment. »
59
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
WARNING
● Any inc orr
ect sitting position increases the
risk of severe injuries.
● Sitting in an incorrect position exposes the
vehicle oc
cupants to severe injuries if airbags
are triggered, by striking a vehicle occupant
who has assumed an incorrect sitting posi-
tion.
● Before the vehicle moves, assume the prop-
er sitting pos
ition and maintain it throughout
the trip. Before every trip, instruct your pas-
sengers to sit properly and to stay in this po-
sition during the trip ››› page 57, Correct posi-
tion for passengers. Correct adjustment of front head re-
s
tr
aint s Fig. 77
Correctly adjusted head restraint as
v iew
ed fr om the fr

ont and the side. Properly adjusted head restraints are an im-
por
t
ant p

art of passenger protection and can
reduce the risk of injuries in most accident
situations.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper
edge is, as

far as possible, at the same lev-
el as the top of your head, or at the very
least, at eye level ››› Fig. 77. WARNING
● Trav el

ling with the head restraints removed
or improperly adjusted increases the risk of
severe injuries. An improper adjustment of
the head restraints may cause death in an ac-
cident and increase the risk of suffering inju-
ries during abrupt braking actions or unex-
pected manoeuvres.
● The head restraints must always be adjus-
ted accor
ding to the height of the passenger. Correct adjustment of rear head re-
s
tr
aint s Fig. 78
Rear head restraint adjustment. The rear head restraints have 2 positions:
● Raised position or position for use A ›››
Fig. 78. In this po s ition, the head restraint
is used normally, protecting the occupant of
the rear seats, along with the rear seat belts.
● Rest position, not in use B
› ›
› Fig. 78 .
This
position improves the driver's rear visibility.
To fit the head restraint in position for use A , pull on the edges with both hands in the
dir ection of
the arro

w. To place it in rest posi-
tion B , lower the head restraint.
WARNING
● Whenever a pa s

senger is seated on the rear
seats, the head restraint should be placed in
the position for use A .
60

Seat belts
●
Do not swap the c entr
e rear head restraint
with either of the outer seat rear head re-
straints. Risk of injury in case of an accident! Note
Note the instructions on the head restraints
a djus tment

.Pedal area
P ed
al

s –
Ensure that you can always press the accel-
er at
or , br

ake and clutch pedals unimpaired
to the floor.
– Ensure that the pedals can return unim-
paired to their initi

al positions.
– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas-
tened during the trip and do not o

bstruct
the pedals ››› .
On ly
u se floor m

ats which leave the pedals
clear and which are secured to prevent them
from slipping. You can obtain suitable floor
mats from a specialised dealership.
If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must
be pressed down thoroughly in order to stop
the vehicle. Wear suitable footwear
Alway

s wear shoes which support your feet
properly and give you a good feeling for the
pedals. WARNING
● If the peda l

s are obstructed, an accident
may occur. Risk of serious injuries.
● Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor cov-
erings o
ver the original floor mats. This
would reduce the pedal area and could ob-
struct the pedals. Risk of accident.
● Never place objects in the driver footwell.
An object
could move into the pedal area and
impair pedal operation. In the event of a sud-
den driving or braking manoeuvre, you will
not be able to operate the brake, clutch or ac-
celerator pedal. Risk of accident! Seat belts
Wh y
w e

ar a seat belt?
Number of seats Your vehicle has
five seats, tw
o in the front
and three in the rear. Each seat is equipped
with a three-point seat belt.
In some versions, your vehicle is approved
only for four seats. Two front seats and two
rear seats. WARNING
● Never tran s

port more than the permitted
amount of people in your vehicle.
● Every vehicle occupant must properly fas-
ten and wear the se
at belt belonging to his or
her seat. Children must be protected with an
appropriate child restraint system. 61
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
called “kinetic energy” is created both in the
p a
ssen
gers and inside the vehicle.
The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on
the speed of the vehicle and the weight of
the vehicle and its passengers. The higher
the speed and the greater the weight, the
more energy there is to be “absorbed” in an
accident.
The most significant factor, however, is the
speed of the vehicle. If the speed doubles
from 25 km/h (15 mph) to 50 km/h
(30 mph), for example, the corresponding ki-
netic energy is multiplied by four.
Because the vehicle occupants in our exam-
ple are not restrained by seat belts, in the
event of crashing against a wall, all of the oc-
cupants' kinetic energy will be absorbed
solely by said impact.
Even at speeds of 30 km/h (19 mph) to
50 km/h (30 mph), the forces acting on bod-
ies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne
(1000 kg). At greater speed these forces are
even higher.
Vehicle occupants not wearing seat belts are
not “attached” to the vehicle. In a head-on
collision, they will move forward at the same
speed their vehicle was travelling just before
the impact. This example applies not only to
head-on collisions, but to all accidents and
collisions. Even at low speeds the forces acting on the
body in a col
lision are so great that it is not
possible to brace oneself with one's hands.
In a frontal collision, unbelted passengers
are thrown forward and will make violent con-
tact with the steering wheel, dash panel,
windscreen or whatever else is in the way
››› Fig. 81.
It is also important for rear passengers to
wear seat belts properly, as they could other-
wise be thrown forward violently through the
vehicle interior in an accident. Passengers in
the rear seats who do not use seat belts en-
danger not only themselves but also the front
occupants ››› Fig. 82. How to properly adjust your
seatbelt
Fa
stening and unfastening the seat
belt Fig. 83
Positioning and removing the seat
belt b
uc k

le. 64

Seat belts
Fig. 84
Position of seat belt during pregnan-
cy . Fasten your seat belt
The se
at
belt c
annot offer its full protection if
the seat belt is not positioned correctly.
● Adjust the seat and head restraint correctly.
● To fasten the belt, take hold of the latch
plate and p
ull it slowly across your chest and
lap.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the
appropriat
e seat and push it down until it is
securely locked with an audible click
››› Fig. 83.
● Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is
securely en
gaged in the buckle.
The seat belts are equipped with an automat-
ic retractor on the shoulder strap. Full free-
dom of movement is permitted when the
shoulder belt is pulled slowly. However, dur- ing sudden braking, during travel in steep
areas

or bends and during acceleration, the
automatic retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front
seats are fitted with seat belt tensioners
››› page 65.
Releasing the seat belt ● Press the red button on the belt buckle
››› Fig. 83

. The latch plate is released and
springs out ››› .
● Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls
up e a
si

ly and the trim is not damaged.
Positioning seat belts
Seat belts offer their maximum protection on-
ly when they are properly positioned. WARNING
● The seat belt s

offer best protection only
when the backrests are in an upright position
and the seat belts have been fastened prop-
erly.
● Never put the latch plate in the buckle of
another seat. If
you do this, the seat belt will
not protect you properly and the risk of injury
is increased.
● Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehi-
cle is
in motion. If you do, you increase the
risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries. ●
An incorrectly w

orn seat belt can cause se-
vere injuries in the event of an accident.
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie
on the centre of the shou
lder, never across
the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and fit
comfortably on the torso
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across
the pelvis, never ac
ross the stomach. The
seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on
the pelvis Pull the belt tight if necessary to
take up any slack.
● For pregnant women, the lap part of the
seat belt mu
st lie as low as possible over the
pelvis, never across the stomach, and always
lie flat so that no pressure is exerted on the
abdomen ››› Fig. 84.
● Always engage the retractor lock when you
are securing a c
hild seat in group 0, 0+ or 1
››› page 72.
● Read and observe the warnings ››› p
age 63. Belt pretensioners*
Ho w the se at
belt

tensioner works Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
 p

age 13
The seat belts for the occupants in the front
seats are equipped with belt tensioners. Sen-
sors will trigger the belt pretensioners during
severe head-on, lateral and rear collisions »
65
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
only if the seat belt is being worn. This re-
tr acts
and tight en
s the seat belts, reducing
the forward motion of the occupants.
The belt tensioners will not be triggered in
the event of minor collisions, if the vehicle
overturns, or in accidents where no major
forces act on the vehicle. Note
● If the seat belt

tensioners are triggered, a
fine dust is produced. This is normal and it is
not an indication of fire in the vehicle.
● The relevant safety requirements must be
observ
ed when the vehicle or components of
the system are scrapped. Specialised work-
shops are familiar with these regulations,
which are also available to you. Service and disposal of belt tension-
er
s The belt tensioners are components of the
se
at
belts th

at are installed in the seats of
your vehicle. If you work on the belt tension-
ers or remove and install parts of the system
when performing other repair work, the seat
belt may be damaged. The consequence may
be that, in the event of an accident, the belt
tensioners function incorrectly or may not
function at all.
So that the effectiveness of the seat belt ten-
sioner is not reduced and that removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental
pollution, re

gulations, which are known to
the specialised workshops, must be ob-
served. WARNING
● Improper use or r ep

airs not carried out by
qualified mechanics increase the risk of se-
vere or fatal injuries. The belt tensioners may
fail to trigger or may trigger in the wrong cir-
cumstances.
● Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or
insta
ll parts of the belt tensioners or seat
belts.
● The seat belt tensioner, seat belt and auto-
matic retr
actor cannot be repaired.
● Any work on the belt tensioners and seat
belts, including the r
emoval and refitting of
system parts in conjunction with other repair
work, must be performed by a specialised
workshop only.
● The belt tensioners will only provide pro-
tection for one acc
ident and must be changed
if they have been activated. Airbag system
Brief intr
oduction
Wh y

is it so important to wear a seat
belt and to sit correctly? For the inflating airbags to achieve the best
protection, the se
at

belt must always be worn
properly and the correct sitting position must
be assumed.
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 ef-
fectively when the vehicle occupants are
wearing their seat belts correctly and have
adjusted the head restraints properly. There-
fore, it is most important to properly wear the
seat belts at all times, not only because this
is required by law in most countries, but also
for your safety ›››
page 61, Why wear a seat
belt?.
The airbag inflates in a matter of seconds, so
if you are not properly seated when the air-
bag is triggered, you may sustain fatal inju-
ries. Therefore, it is essential that all vehicle
occupants assume a correct sitting position
while travelling.
Sharp braking before an accident may cause
a passenger not wearing a seat belt to be
thrown forward into the area of the deploying
66