2016 Seat Ibiza ST belt

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

Airbag system
airbag. In this case, the inflating airbag may
inflict c
ritic al
or fatal injuries on the occu-
pant. This also applies to children.
Always maintain the greatest possible dis-
tance between yourself and the front airbag.
This way, the front airbags can completely
deploy when triggered, providing their maxi-
mum protection.
The most important factors that will trigger
an airbag are: the type of accident, the angle
of collision and the speed of the vehicle.
Whether or not the airbags are triggered de-
pends primarily on the vehicle deceleration
rate resulting from the collision and detected
by the control unit. If the vehicle deceleration
occurring during the collision and measured
by the control unit remains below the speci-
fied reference values, the front, side and/or
curtain airbags will not be triggered. Take in-
to account that the visible damage in a vehi-
cle involved in an accident, no matter how
serious, is not a determining factor for the
airbags to have been triggered. WARNING
● Wearin g the se

at belt incorrectly or assum-
ing an incorrect sitting position can lead to
critical or fatal injuries.
● All vehicle occupants, including children,
who are not properly
belted can sustain criti-
cal or fatal injuries if the airbag is triggered.
Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the rear seat. Never transport chil-
dren in the v
ehic

le if they are not restrained
or the restraint system is not appropriate for
their age, size or weight.
● If you are not wearing a seat belt, or if you
lean for
ward or to the side while travelling or
assume an incorrect sitting position, there is
a substantially increased risk of injury. This
increased risk of injury will be further in-
creased if you are struck by an inflating air-
bag.
● To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating
airbag, alwa
ys wear the seat belt properly.
● Always adjust the front seats properly. Description of airbag system
The airbag system mainly comprises (as per
v
ehic
le equipment):
● an el

ectronic control and monitoring sys-
tem (contro
l unit)
● frontal airbags for driver and passenger,
● side airbags,
● curtain airbags,
● a control lamp  on the dash panel
›

›› page 68.
● key-operated switch for front passenger air-
bag,
● a contro

l lamp for disabling/enabling the
front pa
ssenger airbag. The airbag system operation is monitored
electronical

ly. The airbag control lamp will il-
luminate for a few seconds every time the ig-
nition is switched on (self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the control
lamp :
● does not light up when the ignition is
switched on ›

›› page 68,
● turns off after 4 seconds after the ignition
is swit
ched on
● turns off and then lights up again after the
ignition is swit
ched on
● illuminates or flashes while the vehicle is
moving.
The airb

ag system is not triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a minor frontal collision
● there is a minor side collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over. WARNING
● The seat belt s

and airbags can only provide
maximum protection if the occupants are
seated correctly ››› page 57, Correct position
for passengers.
● If a fault has occurred in the airbag system,
have the sys
tem checked immediately by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise, during a » 67
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
frontal collision the system might not trigger
correctly
or m
ay fail to trigger at all.Airbag activation
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within
thousandths
of

a second, to provide addi-
tional protection in the event of an accident.
A fine dust may develop when the airbag de-
ploys. This is normal and it is not an indica-
tion of fire in the vehicle.
The airbag system is only ready to function
when the ignition is on.
In special accidents instances, several air-
bags may activate at the same time.
In the event of minor head-on and side colli-
sions, rear-end collisions, overturning or roll-
over of the vehicle, airbags do not activate.
Activation factors
The conditions that lead to the airbag system
activating in each situation cannot be gener-
alised. Some factors play an important role,
such as the properties of the object the vehi-
cle hits (hard/soft), angle of impact, vehicle
speed, etc.
Deceleration trajectory is key for airbag acti-
vation. The control unit analyses the collision trajec-
tory
and activ

ates the respective restraint
system.
If the deceleration rate is below the prede-
fined reference value in the control unit the
airbags will not be triggered, even though
the accident may cause extensive damage to
the car.
The following airbags are triggered in seri-
ous head-on collisions
● Driver airbag.
● Front passenger front airbag
The follo
wing airbags are triggered in seri-
ous side-on collisions
● Front side airbag on the side of the acci-
dent.
● Rear s

ide airbag on the side of the acci-
dent.
● Curt

ain (head) airbag on the side of the ac-
cident.
In an acc

ident with airbag activation:
● the interior lights switch on (if the interior
light switc
h is in the courtesy light position);
● the hazard warning lights switch on;
● all doors are unlocked;
● the fuel supply to the engine is cut. Airbag control lamp and seat belt ten-
sioner  The control lamp monitors all airbags and
seat belt
t

ensioners in the vehicle, including
control units and wiring connections.
Monitoring of airbag and belt tensioner sys-
tem
Both the airbag and belt tensioner systems
operation is constantly monitored electroni-
cally. The control lamp  will light up for a
few seconds every time the ignition is switch-
ed on (self-diagnosis).
The system must be checked when the con-
trol lamp  :
● does not light up when the ignition is
switc hed on,
● t

urns off after 4 seconds after the ignition
is swit
ched on
● turns off and then lights up again after the
ignition is swit
ched on
● illuminates or flashes while the vehicle is
moving.
In the ev

ent of a malfunction, the warning
lamp remains on continuously. Have the air-
bag system inspected immediately by a spe-
cialised workshop.
68

Airbag system
If any of the airbags are disabled by a Techni-
c al
Ser
vice, the warning lamp flashes for sev-
eral more seconds after verification and will
turn off if there is no fault. WARNING
● If there i s

a malfunction, the airbag and
belt tensioner system cannot properly per-
form its protective function.
● If a malfunction occurs, have the system
checked immedi
ately by a specialised work-
shop. Otherwise, in the event of an accident,
the airbag system and belt tensioners may
not be triggered, or may not be triggered cor-
rectly. Airbag safety instructions
Fr ont
airb ag

sRead the additional information carefully
› ›
›
 p

age 14. WARNING
● The seat belt s

and airbags can only provide
maximum protection if the occupants are
seated correctly ››› page 57, Correct position
for passengers.
● The deployment space between the front
passen
gers and the airbags must not in any
case be occupied by other passenger, pets
and objects. ●
The airbags pr

ovide protection for just one
accident; replace them once they have de-
ployed.
● It is also important not to attach any ob-
jects s
uch as cup holders or telephone
mountings to the surfaces covering the air-
bag units.
● Do not attempt to modify components of
the airbag syst
em in any way. Side airbags*
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
 p

age 15. WARNING
● If y ou do not

wear a seat belt, if you lean
forward, or are not seated correctly while the
vehicle is in motion, you are at a greater risk
of injury if the side airbag system is triggered
in an accident.
● In order for the side airbags to provide their
maximum prot
ection, the prescribed sitting
position must always be maintained with
seat belts fastened while travelling.
● Occupants of the outer seats must never
carry an
y objects or pets in the deployment
space between them and the airbags, or al-
low children or other passengers to travel in
this position. It is also important not to at-
tach any accessories (such as cup holders) to the doors. This would impair the protection
offered b
y

the side airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only
for lightweight c
lothing. Do not leave any
heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks,
must not
be exerted upon the backrest bol-
ster because the system may be damaged. In
this case, the side airbags would not be trig-
gered.
● Under no circumstances should protective
cover
s be fitted over seats with side airbags
unless the covers have been approved for use
in your vehicle. Because the airbag deploys
from the side of the backrest, the use of con-
ventional seat covers would obstruct the side
airbag, seriously reducing the airbag's effec-
tiveness.
● 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.
● The airbags provide protection for just one
accident; rep
lace them once they have de-
ployed.
● Any work on the side airbag system or re-
moval
and installation of the airbag compo-
nents for other repairs (such as removal of
the front seat) should only be performed by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise, faults may
occur during the airbag system operation.
● Do not attempt to modify components of
the airbag syst
em in any way. » 69
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
Transporting children safely Saf ety
for c
hildren
Introduction For safety reasons, as we have learned from
accident
s

tatistics, we recommend that chil-
dren under 12 years of age travel in the rear
seats. Depending on their age, height and
weight, children travelling in rear seats must
use a child seat or a seat belt. For safety rea-
sons, the child seat should be installed in the
rear seat, behind the front passenger seat or
in the centre back seat.
The physical laws involved and the forces
acting in a collision apply also to children
››› page 63. But unlike adults, children do not
have fully developed muscle and bone struc-
tures. This means that children are subject to
a greater risk of injury.
To reduce the risk of injuries, children must
always use special child restraint systems
when travelling in the vehicle.
We recommend the use of child safety prod-
ucts from the SEAT Original Accessories Pro-
gramme, which includes systems for all ages
made by “Peke” (not for all countries).
These systems have been especially de-
signed and approved, complying with the
ECE-R44. regulation. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and
obser
v

e any statutory requirements when in-
stalling and using child seats. Always read
and note ››› page 72.
We recommend you always carry the manu-
facturer's Child Seat Instruction Manual to-
gether with the on-board documentation.
Important information regarding the
front pa
ssenger's airbag Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
 p

age 16.
Read and always observe the safety informa-
tion included in the following chapters:
● Safety distance with respect to the passen-
ger airbag ››

› page 66.
● Objects between the passenger and the
passen
ger side airbag ››› in Front airbags
on p ag
e 69 .
The p
assenger side front airbag, when ena-
bled, is a serious risk for a child that is facing
backward since the airbag can strike the seat
with such force that it can cause serious or
fatal injuries. Children up to 12 years old
should always travel on the rear seat.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to
transport children on the rear seats. This is
the safest location in the vehicle. Alternative-
ly, the front passenger airbag can be disa- bled with a key-operated switch
››› p
age 70.
When transporting children, use a child seat
appropriate to the age and size of each child. WARNING
● If a chi l

d seat is secured to the front pas-
senger seat, the risk to the child of sustain-
ing critical or fatal injuries in the event of an
accident increases.
● An inflating front passenger airbag can
strike the re
ar-facing child seat and project it
with great force against the door, the roof or
the backrest.
● Never install a child seat facing backwards
on the front pa
ssenger seat unless the front
passenger front airbag has been disabled.
Risk of potentially fatal injuries to the child!
However, if it is necessary, in exceptional ca-
ses, to transport a child in the front passen-
ger seat, the front passenger front airbag
must always be disabled ››› page 70, Deacti-
vation of front passenger front airbag*. If the
front passenger seat has a height adjustment
option, move it to the highest position.
● For those vehicles that do not include a key
lock swit
ch to deactivate the airbag, the vehi-
cle must be taken to a technical service.
● All vehicle occupants, especially children,
must a
ssume the proper sitting position and
be properly belted in while travelling.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap,
this can r
esult in potentially fatal injuries to
the child! 72

Transporting children safely
●
Never al lo
w a child to be transported in a
vehicle without being properly secured, or to
stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling.
In an accident, the child could be flung
through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal in-
juries to themselves and to the other vehicle
occupants.
● If children assume an improper sitting posi-
tion when the vehicl
e 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 important if the
child is travelling on the front passenger seat
and the airbag system is triggered in an acci-
dent; as this could cause serious injury or
even death.
● A suitable child seat can protect your child!
● Never leave a child alone in the child seat
or inside the v
ehicle because depending on
the season, very high temperatures may be
reached inside a parked vehicle, which could
be fatal.
● 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
abdominal and neck areas during a sudden
braking manoeuvre or in an accident.
● Do not allow the seat belt to become twis-
ted and the seat belt
should be properly in
place ››› page 61.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat
››› p

age 73, Child seats. ●
When a chil d se

at is mounted in the rear
seats, the door child-proof lock should be ac-
tivated ››› page 110. Child seats
Safety in s

tructions Read the additional information carefully
›››
 p

age 16. WARNING
When travelling, children must be secured in
the vehic l

e with a restraint system suitable
for age, weight and size.
● Read and always observe information and
warnings
concerning the use of child seats
››› page 72. WARNING
The retaining rings are designed only for use
with “ISOFIX” and Top T

ether* system child
seats.
● Never secure other child seats that do not
have the “ISOFIX” or Top
Tether* system, or
retaining belts or objects to the fastening
rings - this can result in potentially fatal inju-
ries to the child.
● Ensure that the child seat is secured cor-
rectly us
ing the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* se-
curing rings. WARNING
An undue installation of the safety seat will
incre a

se the risk of injury in the event of a
crash.
● Never tie the retainer strap to a hook in the
luggage c
ompartment.
● Never secure or tie luggage or other items
to the lower anc
horages (ISOFIX) or the upper
ones (Top Tether). Categorisation of child seats into
gr
oup
s Only use child seats that are officially ap-
pr
o
ved and s

uitable for the child.
Child seats are subject to the regulation ECE-
R 44. ECE-R stands for: Economic Commis-
sion for Europe Regulation.
The child seats are grouped into 5 catego-
ries:
Group 0: Up to 10 kg (up to around 9
months)
Group 0+: Up to 13 kg (up to around 18
months)
Group 1: from 9 to 18 kg (up to approx. 4
years old)
Group 2: from 15 to 25 kg (up to approx. 7
years old) »
73
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety