Safety
Even at low speeds the forces acting on the
body in a c
o
llision 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. 99.
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. 100. How to properly adjust your
seatbelt
F
astening and unfastening your seat
belt Fig. 101
Positioning and removing the seat
belt b
uc
kle. Fig. 102
Position of seat belt during pregnan-
cy . Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 19.
Fasten your seat belt
The seat belt cannot 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
plat
e and pull it slowly across your chest and
lap.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the
appropri
ate seat and push it down until it is
securely locked with an audible click
››› Fig. 101.
● Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is
securely
engaged in the buckle.
84
Seat belts
The seat belts are equipped with an automat-
ic r
etr
actor 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 85.
Releasing the seat belt ● Press the red button on the belt buckle
›››
Fig. 101. The latch plate is released and
springs out ››› .
● Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls
up e a
s
ily 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 u nb
uckle 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 worn seat belt can cause se-
vere injurie
s in the event of an accident.
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie
on the centre of
the shoulder, 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, nev
er across 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
must 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. 102.
● Always engage the retractor lock when you
are securin
g a child seat in group 0, 0+ or 1
››› page 92.
● Read and observe the warnings ›››
page 82. Seat belt tensioners*
Ho w the se
at
belt tensioner works Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 20 The seat belts for the front and side rear oc-
cupants
are equipped with belt tensioners.
The belt tensioners are activated by sensors,
although only in severe head-on and lateral
collisions. This retracts and tightens the seat
belts, reducing the forward motion of the oc-
cupants.
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 se at
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
obser
ved when the vehicle or components of
the system are scrapped. Specialised work-
shops are familiar with these regulations,
which are also available to you. Maintenance and disposal of belt ten-
s
ioner s The belt tensioners are components of the
se
at
belts
that 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 »
85
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Safety
such as the properties of the object the vehi-
c l
e 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 activates 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 fol
lowing airbags are triggered in seri-
ous side-on collisions:
● Front side airbag on the side of the acci-
dent.
● Cur
tain (head) airbag on the side of the ac-
cident.
In an ac
cident with airbag activation:
● the interior lights switch on (if the interior
light swit
ch is in the courtesy light position);
● the hazard warning lights switch on; ●
all door
s are unlocked;
● the fuel supply to the engine is cut.
Safety instructions about air-
bags Fr
ont airbags Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 21. WARNING
● The seat belt
s and airbags can only provide
maximum protection if the occupants are
seated correctly ››› page 76, Correct position
of the vehicle occupants .
● The deployment space between the front
pas
sengers and the airbags must not in any
case be occupied by other passenger, pets
and objects.
● The airbags provide protection for just one
accident; r
eplace them once they have de-
ployed.
● It is also important not to attach any ob-
jects
such as cup holders or telephone
mountings to the surfaces covering the air-
bag units.
● Do not attempt to modify components of
the airbag sys
tem in any way. Side airbags*
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 22. 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 pr
otection, the prescribed sitting
position must always be maintained with
seat belts fastened while travelling.
● Occupants of the outer seats must never
carry
any 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 by the side airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only
for lightweight
clothing. 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
cov
ers be fitted over seats with side airbags
unless the covers have been approved for use 88
Transporting children safely
●
Never in s
tall 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 exceptional ca-
ses, to transport a child in the front passen-
ger seat, the front passenger front airbag
must always be disabled ››› page 90, Activa-
tion and deactivation of front passenger air-
bag*. If the passenger seat has a height ad-
justment option, move it to the highest, most
upright position. If it is a fixed seat, it should
be moved to the rearmost position possible.
● For those vehicles that do not include a key
lock sw
itch to deactivate the airbag, the vehi-
cle must be taken to a technical service. Do
not forget to reconnect the airbag when an
adult wants to sit in the front passenger seat.
● 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 c
an result in potentially fatal injuries to
the child!
● Never allow a child to be transported in a
vehicl
e 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 vehic
le 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
chi
l
d 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
vehicle 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 81.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat
›››
page 93, Child seats.
● When a child seat is mounted in the rear
seats, the door c
hild-proof lock should be ac-
tivated ››› page 138. Child seats
Saf ety
in
structions Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 23. WARNING
When travelling, children must be secured in
the v ehic
le with a restraint system suitable
for age, weight and size.
● Read and always observe information and
warning
s concerning the use of child seats
››› page 92. WARNING
The retaining rings are designed only for use
with “ISOFIX” and T op
Tether* system child
seats.
● Never secure other child seats that do not
have the “ISOFIX” or T
op 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 u
sing the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* se-
curing rings. WARNING
An undue installation of the safety seat will
incr e
ase the risk of injury in the event of a
crash.
● Never tie the retainer strap to a hook in the
luggag
e compartment.
● Never secure or tie luggage or other items
to the low
er anchorages (ISOFIX) or the upper
ones (Top Tether). 93
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Safety
Categorisation of child seats into
gr oup
s Use only child seats that are officially ap-
pro
v
ed and suitable for the child.
These seats are subject to the ECE-R 44 or
ECE-R 129 standard. ECE-R stands for: Eco-
nomic Commission 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)
Group 3: From 22 to 36 kg (over around 7
years old)
Child seats that have been tested and ap-
proved under the ECE-R 44 or ECE-R 129
standard bear the test mark ECE-R 44 or ECE-
R 129 on the seat (the letter E in a circle with
the test number below it).
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and
observe any statutory requirements when in-
stalling and using child seats. We recommend you to always include the
manuf
act
urer's Child Seat Instruction Manual
together with the on-board documentation.
SEAT recommends you use child seats from
the Original Accessories Catalogue . These
child seats have been designed and tested
for use in SEAT vehicles. You can find the
right child seat for your model and age group
at SEAT dealers.
Child seats by approval category
Child seats may have the approval category
of universal, semi-universal, vehicle specific
(all according to the ECE-R 44 standard) or i-
Size (according to the ECE-R 129 standard).
● Universal: Child se
ats with universal appro-
val can be installed in all vehicles. There is
no need to consult any list of models. In the
case of universal approval for ISOFIX, the
child seat is additionally provided with a Top
Tether belt.
● Semi-universal: semi-univer
sal approval, in
addition to the standard requirements of uni-
versal approval, requires safety devices to
lock the child seat, which require additional
testing. Child seats with semi-universal ap-
proval include a list of vehicle models for
which they can be installed.
● Vehicle-specific: vehic
le-specific approval
requires a dynamic test of the child seat for
each vehicle model separately. Child seats
with vehicle-specific approval also include a list of vehicle models for which they can be
inst
alled.
● i-Size: Child seats with i-Size approval must
meet the r
equirements prescribed in the ECE-
R 129 standard in relation to installation and
safety. Child seat manufacturers can tell you
which seats have i-Size approval for this vehi-
cle.
Attachment systems Depending on the country, different attach-
ment
sy
s
tems are used for safely installing
child seats.
Attachment systems overview
● ISOFIX: ISOFIX is
a standardised attach-
ment system allowing quick and safe attach-
ment of child seats in the vehicle. ISOFIX at-
tachment establishes a rigid connection be-
tween the child seat and the car body.
The child seat has two rigid attachment clips,
called connectors. These connectors are fit-
ted into the ISOFIX attachment rings found
between the seat cushion and the backrest of
the vehicle's back seat (on the sides). ISOFIX
attachment systems are used mainly in Eu-
rope ›››
page 27. If necessary, ISOFIX at-
tachment may have to be supplemented with
a Top Tether belt or a support bracket.
94
Emergencies
Changing the windscreen wiper
b l
a
des
Changing the windscreen and rear
window wiper blades Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 73.
Perfect windscreen wiper blade condition is
essential for clear vision. Damaged wiper
blades should be replaced immediately.
The windscreen wiper blades are supplied as
standard with a layer of graphite. This layer is
responsible for ensuring that the wipe is si-
lent. If the graphite layer is damaged, the
noise of the water as it is wiped across the
windscreen will be louder.
Check the condition of the wiper blades regu-
larly. If the wipers scrape across the glass ,
they should be changed if they are damaged,
or cleaned if they are dirty ››› .
If thi
s
does not produce the desired results,
the setting angle of the windscreen wiper
arms might be incorrect. They should be
checked by a specialised workshop and cor-
rected if necessary. WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility
through a l
l windows! ●
Cle
an the windscreen wiper blades and all
windows regularly.
● The wiper blades should be changed once
or twice a
year. CAUTION
● Dam aged or dir
ty windscreen wipers could
scratch the glass.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or simil
ar products to clean the win-
dows. This could damage the windscreen
wiper blades.
● Never move any windscreen wiper by hand.
This c
ould cause damage.
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the
winds
creen wiper arms, the latter should only
be lifted off the windscreen when in service
position. Note
● The wind s
creen wiper arms can be moved
to the service position only when the bonnet
is properly closed.
● You can also use the service position, for
examp
le, if you want to fix a cover over the
windscreen in the winter to keep it clear of
ice. Towing or tow-starting
Gener a
l
information Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 70.
Tow-starting means starting the engine of
the vehicle while another pulls it.
Towing means one vehicle pulling another
that is not roadworthy.
If the vehicle comes with the Keyless Access
system, towing is only allowed with the igni-
tion on!
The vehicle battery drains if the vehicle is
towed with the engine switched off and the
ignition connected. Depending on the battery
charge status, the drop in voltage may be so
large, even after just a few minutes, that no
electrical device in the vehicle may work e.g.
the hazard warning lights. In vehicles with
the Keyless Access system, the steering
wheel could lock up. WARNING
If the vehicle has no electrical power, the
brak e light
s, turn signals and all other lights
will no longer function. Do not have the vehi-
cle towed away. Failure to follow this instruc-
tion could result in an accident. 100
Self-help
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-start-
ing, f or e
xample, the towed vehicle can easily
be driven into the towing vehicle. CAUTION
If there is no oil in the gearbox or no lubricant
in the autom atic
transmission the car may
only be towed with the driven wheels lifted
clear of the road, or transported on a special
car transporter or trailer. CAUTION
Do not tow a vehicle for more than 50 m in at-
tempt t
o start it. There is risk of damage to
the catalytic converter. Note
● Ple a
se observe related legal requirements.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both
vehicl
es. However, observe any regulations
to the contrary.
● The tow rope must not be twisted. Other-
wise the fr
ont tow line anchorage could be
pulled off the vehicle. Indications for tow-starting
Vehicle's should not generally be tow-star-
t
ed.
The jump s
tart should be used instead
››› page 71. For technical reasons, towing the following
vehicl
es is not allowed:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
● If the vehicle battery is discharged, be-
cause in
vehicles with the Keyless Access
locking and ignition system the steering re-
mains locked and the electronic parking
brake cannot be deactivated nor can the elec-
tronic lock of the steering column be re-
leased if they are activated.
● If the battery is flat, it is possible that the
engine contr
ol units may not operate correct-
ly.
However, if the vehicle must absolutely be
tow-started (in the case of manual gearbox-
es):
● Engage the 2nd or 3rd gear.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch on the ignition and the hazard warn-
ing lights.
● Once both
vehicles are moving, release the
clutc
h.
● Once the engine starts, press the clutch
and diseng
age the gear to avoid colliding
with the towing vehicle. Note
The vehicle can only be tow-started if the
electr onic
parking brake and, if appropriate,
the electronic lock of the steering column are deactivated. If the vehicle has no power sup-
ply
or ther
e is an electric system fault, the
engine must be tow-started to deactivate the
electronic parking brake and the electronic
lock of the steering column. 101
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Self-help
WARNING
● If the t o
wline anchorage is not screwed in
as far as the stop, there is a risk of the screw
connection shearing off during towing (acci-
dent risk).
● If your car has a towing bracket, only use
speci
al towing ropes. Risk of accident! CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with a towing bracket, only
use s pec
ial tow bars to prevent damage to
the ball joint. These tow bars have been spe-
cially approved for use with towing brackets. Towing vehicles with a manual gear-
bo
x Towing is relatively straightforward.
Pl
e
a
se observe the relevant instructions
››› page 100.
The vehicle can be towed using a tow bar or
tow rope in the normal way, with all four
wheels on the road; it can also be towed with
either the front or rear wheels lifted off the
road. The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h
(30 mph). Towing a vehicle equipped with auto-
matic g
earbox Certain restrictions must be observed when
to
w
ing your vehicle.
Please observe the relevant instructions
››› page 100.
The vehicle can be towed with a tow bar or
tow rope in the normal way, with all four
wheels on the ground. When doing so,
please note the following points:
● Make sure the select or l
ever is in the N po-
sition.
● The vehicle must not be towed faster than
50 km/h (30 mph).
● The vehicle must not be towed further than
50 km (30 mile
s). Reason: when the engine
is not running, the gearbox oil pump does
not work and the gearbox is not adequately
lubricated for higher speeds or longer distan-
ces.
If the vehicle has to be towed with a break-
down truck, it must only be suspended at the
front wheels. Reason: the drive shafts are lo-
cated on the front wheels. If the car is towed
with the rear wheels lifted off the road (I.e.
travelling backwards), the drive shafts also
turn backwards. The planetary gears in the
automatic gearbox then turn at such high
speeds that the gearbox will be severely
damaged in a short time. Note
● If it i
s not possible to tow the vehicle in the
normal way, or if it has to be towed further
than 50 km (30 miles), it must be transported
on a special car transporter or trailer.
● Should the power supply to the selector
lever be int
errupted in position P, the selector
lever will be locked. Before the vehicle can be
recovered/manoeuvred you must manually
release the selector lever. 103Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety