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Seat Altea Freetrack. Service Manual - part 3

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Airbag system

39

Function of side airbags

The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-

lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and

Inflated airbags can reduce the risk of head or chest injury in

chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.

many side impact collisions.

Fig. 23 Inflated side

airbag on left side of

vehicle

In some side collisions the side airbag is triggered on the impact side of the

vehicle ⇒ fig. 23.

In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-

gered together.

When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas.

In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags

have to deploy extremely rapidly (within fractions of a second). A fine dust

may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication

that there was a fire in the vehicle.

The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the occupants of the

front seats and the outer rear seats and help to reduce the risk of injury to the

upper body.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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40

Airbag system

Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system

WARNING (continued)

If airbags are used correctly, they can considerably reduce the

• When children assume an incorrect sitting position, they expose them-

risk of injury in side impact collisions.

selves to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This is

particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat

and the airbag system is triggered in an accident; this could have critical

WARNING

consequences including serious injury or death ⇒ page 46, “Child safety”.

• If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not seated

• Any work on the side airbag system or removal and installation of the

correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at greater risk of injury

airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the front seat)

should the side airbag system be triggered in an accident.

should only be performed by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, a fault may

be introduced into the operation of the airbag system.

• In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the

prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts

• Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.

fastened while travelling.

• The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the

• Occupants of the outer seats must never carry any objects or pets in the

interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and

deployment space between them and the airbags, or allow children or

head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in

other passengers to travel in this position. It is also important not to attach

any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way,

any accessories (such as cup holders) to the doors. This would impair the

this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on

protection offered by the side airbags.

the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.

• 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 bolster because the system may be damaged. In this case the side

airbags would not be triggered.

• Under no circumstances should protective covers be fitted over the

driver seat or front passenger seat unless the covers have been expressly

approved for use in your vehicle. Because the airbag deploys from the side

of the backrest, the use of non-approved seat covers would obstruct the

side airbag seriously reducing the airbag's effectiveness ⇒ page 210,

“Accessories, parts replacement and modifications”.

• Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of the

side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a qualified workshop.

• The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been

deployed they must be replaced.

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Airbag system

41

Curtain airbags

Description of curtain airbags

The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.

Fig. 24 Location of left curtain airbag

The curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors

because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your safety

⇒ fig. 24 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.

⇒ page 19, “Introduction”.

In conjunction with the seat belts, the curtain airbag system gives the occu-

The main parts of the curtain airbag system are:

pants additional protection for the head and upper body in the event of a

• an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),

severe side collision ⇒ page 42, “Safety notes on the operation of the

• the curtain airbags (airbags with gas generator) for the driver, front

curtain airbag system”.

passenger and passengers on the rear seats,

The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but is an integral part of

• a warning lamp  in the dash panel insert ⇒ page 31.

the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the

airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their

The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically.

seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly. For this

The curtain airbag system will not be triggered

reason, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times - not only

• if the ignition is switched off,

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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42

Airbag system

• during a frontal collision,

During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side

of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 25.

• during a rear-end collision,

• if the vehicle rolls,

In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-

gered together.

• during a minorside collision,

When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the

process, the curtain bag covers the side windows and door pillars.

WARNING

In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags

If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-

have to deploy extremely rapidly (within fractions of a second). A fine dust

diately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a

may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication

collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.

that there was a fire in the vehicle.

The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants and

help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.

Function of curtain airbags

The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-

Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury in

lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and

chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.

a side collision.

Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system

If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the

risk of injury in many kinds of accident.

WARNING

• In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the

prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts

fastened while travelling.

Fig. 25 Deployed curtain

• For safety reasons, the head air bag must be disconnected in those

airbags

vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an

Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.

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44

Airbag system

Deactivating airbags*

Disabling front passenger airbag

If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat,

the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.

Fig. 27 Warning lamp for

deactivated passenger

airbag in centre console

When the passenger airbag is deactivated, this means that only the

frontal airbag is deactivated. All the other airbags in the vehicle

remain functional.

Fig. 26 In the glove

compartment: key for

Disabling front passenger airbag

enabling and disabling

front passenger airbag

- Switch off ignition.

- Turn the ignition switch in the key operated switch in the glove

box to the position OFF ⇒ fig. 26.

- Check that the warning lamp “OFF” in the instrument panel

⇒ fig. 27 remains lit when the ignition is switched on ⇒

Enabling front passenger airbag

- Switch off ignition.

- Turn the ignition switch in the key-operated switch in the glove

box to the position ON ⇒ fig. 26.

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Airbag system

45

– Check that the warning lamp in the instrument panel does

WARNING (continued)

⇒ page 44, fig. 27 not light up when the ignition is switched on

⇒

− It is not certain whether the front passenger airbag will deploy

during an accident! Inform your passengers of this.

• When using the ignition key to activate / deactivate the passenger front

WARNING

airbag, only the passenger front airbag will be activated / deactivated. The

side airbag and head airbag on the passenger side will remain active.

• The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated

switch.

• You should deactivate the front passenger airbag only if you have to use

a rear-facing child seat in exceptional cases. ⇒ page 46, “Child safety”.

• Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front

passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This

represents a risk of fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary in

exceptional circumstances to transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on

the front passenger seat, you must always disable the front passenger

airbag.

• As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger

seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.

• Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-

wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create a danger that

in case of an accident, the airbag does not deploy properly or does not

deploy at all.

• When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIRBAG

OFF is not continuously lit up when the front passenger airbag is disabled,

there may be a fault in the airbag system:

− Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified work-

shop.

− Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front

passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault

in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-

ries.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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Child safety

47

Safety notes on using child seats

WARNING (continued)

Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of

• Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially

injury in an accident!

fatal injuries to the child!

• Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly

As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in

secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an accident,

your vehicle.

the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries

to themselves and other occupants.

- Protect your children by properly using appropriate child seats

• If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving,

⇒ page 48.

they expose themselves to greater risk of injury during a sudden braking

manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly the case if the child is trav-

- Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned

elling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is triggered in an

according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the

accident; this could have consequences including serious injury or death.

child seat.

•

A suitable child seat can protect your child!

- When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traffic.

• Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat or alone in the vehicle.

• Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold

- Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least

inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.

every two hours.

Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal seat

•

belt without a child restraint system, as this could cause injuries to the

abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an

WARNING

accident.

• Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front

• Do not allow the belt webbing to become twisted or jammed, or to rub

passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This

on any sharp edges.

could lead to a risk of potentially fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is

• Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision

necessary, in exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger

or sudden braking manoeuvres.

seat, the front passenger airbag must always be disabled ⇒ page 44,

“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passenger seat has a height adjustment

• The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web is

option, move it to the highest position.

properly positioned ⇒ page 24, “Safety belts”.

• For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the

• Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒ page 48, “Child seats”.

airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.

• All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting

position and be properly belted in while travelling.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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48

Child safety

Child seats

Group 0 and 0+ child seats

A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can

Categorisation of child seats into groups

help to protect your child.

Use only child seats that are officially approved and suitable

for the child.

Child seats are subject to the regulation ECE-R 44. ECE-R means: Economic

Commission for Europe Regulation

The child seats are grouped into 5 categories:

Group 0: Children up to 10 kg

Group 0+: Children up to 13 kg

Group 1: from 9 to 18 kg

Fig. 28 A group 0 rear-

Group 2: from 15 to 25 kg

facing child seat fitted on

the rear seat.

Group 3: from 22 to 36 kg

Child seats that have been tested and approved under the ECE R 44 standard

Group 0: For babies from about 9 months old and 10 kg in weight the most

bear the test mark on the seat (the letter E in a circle with the test number

suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration ⇒ fig. 28.

below it).

Group 0+: For babies from about 18 months old and 13 kg in weight the most

suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-

ments when installing and using child seats.

We recommend that you include the manufacturer's directions for child seat

use in the vehicle wallet and always keep them in the vehicle.

WARNING

Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use of

child seats ⇒

in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 47.

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Child safety

49

Group 1 child seats

Group 2 and 3 child seats

A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can

A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can

help to protect your child.

help to protect your child.

Fig. 29 A category 1

Fig. 30 Forward-facing

forward-facing child seat

child seat installed on rear

fitted on the rear seat.

seat.

Child seats using the “ISOFIX” and “Toptether” system (or even the anti-rota-

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-

tion system) or seats in which the child faces the rear of the car are most

ments when installing and using child seats.

appropriate for babies and small children weighing between 9 and 18 kg.

We recommend that you include the manufacturer's directions for child seat

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-

use in the vehicle wallet and always keep them in the vehicle.

ments when installing and using child seats.

Group 2 child seats

We recommend that you include the manufacturer's directions for child seat

Children under 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg are best

use in the vehicle wallet and always keep them in the vehicle.

protected by group 2 child seats in conjunction with properly adjusted seat

belts.

WARNING

Group 3 child seats

Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use of

Children over 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg but less than 1.5

child seats ⇒

in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 47.

metres tall are best protected by seat cushions with head restraints in

conjunction with properly worn seat belts ⇒ fig. 30.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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Child safety

51

Securing child seats

Ways to secure a child seat

A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and on the front passenger seat.

You can secure a child seat to the rear seat or front passenger seat in the

• Child seats from the groups 0, 0+ and 1 using the “ISOFIX” and

following ways:

“Toptether” systems or the antirotation system may be secured without using

the adult seatbelt and using the “ISOFIX” and “Toptether” anchors or the anti-

• Child seats in groups 0 to 3 can be secured with a seat belt.

rotation mechanism/brackets.

Seat locations

Weight class

Weight

Front passenger

Rear outer

Rear centre

Group 0

<10 kg

U*

U/L

U

Group 0+

<13 kg

U*

U/L

U

Group 1

9-18 kg

U*

U/L

U

Group 2 / 3

15-36 kg

U*

U

U

U: Suitable for universal approved restraining systems for use in this age

WARNING (continued)

category (universal retention systems are those fitted using the adult

seat belt.

• Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front

*: Move the passenger seat as far to rear as possible, as high as possible

passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This

and always deactivate the airbag.

represents a risk of fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in

L: Suitable for retention systems using the “ISOFIX” and “Toptether”

exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front

anchors or antirotation mechanism/bracket

passenger airbag must always be disabled ⇒ page 44, “Deactivating

airbags*” and move the seat to its highest position, in case it has this

adjustment.

WARNING

• Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use

• When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a

of child seats ⇒

in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 47.

restraint system suitable for age, weight and size.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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52

Child safety

Securing the child seat by “ISOFIX” and “Toptether”

Two “ISOFIX” retaining rings are fitted on each rear seat. In some vehicles, the

rings are secured to the seat frame and in others they are secured to the rear

systems or anti-rotating system

floor. Access to “ISOFIX” rings is between the rear back rest and the seat.

The child seat with “ISOFIX” system can be secured quickly,

“Toptether” rings are located in the space behind the rear seats. They are

often located on the rear of the seat backs.

easily and safely on the rear outer seats using the system

Child seats with “ISOFIX” and “Toptether” mountings are available from the

Authorised Service Centres.

WARNING

• The retaining rings are designed only for use with “ISOFIX” and

“Toptether” child seats.

• Never secure child seats that do not have the “ISOFIX” or “Toptether”

system, retaining belts or objects to the fastening rings - this can result in

potentially fatal injuries to the child!

• Ensure that the child seat is secured correctly using the “ISOFIX” and

“Toptether” anchors.

Fig. 31 ISOFIX securing

rings

When removing or fitting the child seat, please be sure to follow the

manufacturer's instructions.

- Move the seat as far to rear as it will go.

- Press the child seat onto the “ISOFIX” retaining rings until the

child seat can be heard to engage securely. If the child seat is

equipped with “Toptether” anchor points, secure it to the corre-

spondent ring. If the child seat is fitted with any other antirota-

tion system, follow the manufacturer instructions carefully.

– Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.

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