Seat Ateca. Service Manual - part 5

Safe driving

Rear head restraints

–

The rear head restraints have 2 positions:
use and non-use.

–

One position for 

use (head restraint raised)

››› 

Fig. 85

. In this position, the head re-

straints are used normally, protecting pas-
sengers along with the rear seat belts.

–

And one position for 

non-use (head re-

straint lowered).

–

To fit the head restraints in position for use,
pull on the edges with both hands in the
direction of the arrow.

WARNING

●

Under no circumstances should the rear

passengers travel while the head restraints
are in the non-use position. See the warning
label located on the rear side fixed window

››› 

Fig. 86

.

●

Do not swap the centre rear head restraint

with either of the outer seat rear head re-
straints. Risk of injury in case of an accident!

CAUTION

Note the instructions on the adjustment of
the head restraints 

››› 

page 147

.

Pedal area

Pedals

–

Ensure that you can always press the accel-
erator, brake and clutch pedals unimpaired
to the floor.

–

Ensure that the pedals can return unim-
paired to their initial positions.

–

Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas-
tened during the trip and do not obstruct
the pedals 

››› 

.

Only use floor mats which leave the pedals
clear and which are secured to prevent them
from slipping. You can obtain suitable floor
mats from a specialised dealership. Fasten-
ers* for floor mats are fitted in the footwells.

If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must
be pressed down thoroughly in order to stop
the vehicle.

Wear suitable footwear
Always wear shoes which support your feet
properly and give you a good feeling for the
pedals.

WARNING

●

Restricting pedal operation can lead to crit-

ical situations while driving.

●

Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor cov-

erings over 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!

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Seat belts

Why wear a seat belt?

Number of seats

Your vehicle has 

five seats, two 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 transport more than the permitted

amount of people in your vehicle.

●

Every vehicle occupant must properly fas-

ten and wear the seat belt belonging to his or
her seat. Children must be protected with an
appropriate child restraint system.

Seat belt lamp* 



Fig. 87 

Instrument panel: right rear seat oc-

cupied and corresponding seat belt fastened
display.

The control lamp illuminates to remind the
driver to fasten his seat belt.

Before starting the vehicle:

–

Fasten your seat belt securely.

–

Instruct your passengers to fasten their
seat belts properly before driving off.

–

Protect children by using a child seat ac-
cording to the child's height and weight.

When the ignition is switched on, the control
lamp  in the instrument panel lights up (de-
pending on the model version) if the driver or
passenger have not fastened their seat belts.

An audible warning signal will sound for a
few seconds if the seat belts are not fastened
as the vehicle drives off and reaches a speed

of more than approximately 25 km/h
(15 mph) or if the seat belts are unfastened
while the vehicle is in motion. The warning
light will also flash .

The  lamp goes out when the driver and
passenger seat belts are fastened with the ig-
nition switched on.

Rear seat belts fastened display.*
Depending on the model version, when the
ignition is switched on, the seat belt status
display 

››› 

Fig. 87

 on the instrument panel in-

forms the driver whether the passengers in
the rear seats have fastened their seat belts.
The  symbol indicates that the passenger in
this seat has fastened “his or her” seat belt.

When a seat belt in the rear seats is fastened
or unfastened, the seat belt status is dis-
played for approximately 30 seconds. The in-
dication can be hidden by pressing the

0.0/SET

 button on the dash panel.

The seat belt status flashes for a maximum of
30 seconds when a seat belt in the rear seats
is unfastened while the vehicle is in motion.
An audible warning will also be heard if the
vehicle is travelling at over 25 km/h
(15 mph).

70

Seat belts

The protective function of seat belts

Fig. 88 

Drivers with properly worn seat belts

will not be thrown forward in the event of sud-
den braking

Properly worn seat belts hold the occupants
in the proper position. They also help prevent
uncontrolled movements that may result in
serious injury and reduce the risk of being
thrown out of the vehicle in case of an acci-
dent.

Vehicle occupants wearing their seat belts
correctly benefit greatly from the ability of the
belts to absorb kinetic energy. In addition,
the front part of your vehicle and other pas-
sive safety features (such as the airbag sys-
tem) are designed to absorb the kinetic ener-
gy released in a collision. Taken together, all
these features reduce the releasing kinetic
energy and consequently, the risk of injury.
This is why it is so important to fasten seat
belts before every trip, even when "just driv-
ing around the corner".

Ensure that your passengers wear their seat
belts as well. Accident statistics have shown
that wearing seat belts is an effective means
of substantially reducing the risk of injury
and improving the chances of survival when
involved in a serious accident. Furthermore,
properly worn seat belts improve the protec-
tion provided by airbags in the event of an
accident. For this reason, wearing a seat belt
is required by law in most countries.

Although your vehicle is equipped with air-
bags, the seat belts must be fastened and
worn. The front airbags, for example, are only
triggered in some cases of head-on collision.
The front airbags will not be triggered during
minor frontal collisions, minor side collisions,
rear collisions, overturns or accidents in
which the airbag trigger threshold value in
the control unit is not exceeded.

Therefore, you should always wear your seat
belt and ensure that all vehicle occupants
have fastened their seat belts properly before
you drive off!

Safety instructions on using seat
belts

–

Always wear the seat belt as described in
this section.

–

Ensure that the seat belts can be fastened
at all times and are not damaged.

WARNING

●

If seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at

all, the risk of severe injuries increases. The
optimal protection from seat belts can be
achieved only if you use them properly.

●

Fasten your seat belt before every trip -

even when driving in town. Other vehicle oc-
cupants must also wear the seat belts at all
times, otherwise they run the risk of being in-
jured.

●

The seat belt cannot offer its full protection

if the seat belt is not positioned correctly.

●

Never allow two passengers (even children)

to share the same seat belt.

●

Always keep both feet in the footwell in

front of your seat as long as the vehicle is in
motion.

●

Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehi-

cle is in motion. Risk of fatal injury.

●

The seat belt must never be twisted while it

is being worn.

●

The seat belt should never lie on hard or

fragile objects (such as glasses or pens, etc.)
because this can cause injuries.

●

Do not allow the seat belt to be damaged or

jammed, or to rub on any sharp edges.

●

Never wear the seat belt under the arm or

in any other incorrect position.

●

Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat

over a jacket) impairs the proper fit and func-
tion of the seat belts, reducing their capacity
to protect.

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●

The slot in the seat belt buckle must not be

blocked with paper or other objects, as this
can prevent the latch plate from engaging se-
curely.

●

Never use seat belt clips, fastening rings or

similar items to alter the position of the belt
webbing.

●

Frayed or torn seat belts or damage to the

connections, belt retractors or parts of the
buckle could cause severe injuries in the
event of an accident. Therefore, you must
check the condition of all seat belts at regular
intervals.

●

Seat belts which have been worn in an acci-

dent and stretched must be replaced by a
specialised workshop. Renewal may be nec-
essary even if there is no apparent damage.
The belt anchorage should also be checked.

●

Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat

belt yourself. The seat belts must not be re-
moved or modified in any way.

●

The belts must be kept clean, otherwise the

retractors may not work properly.

Head-on collisions and the laws of
physics

Fig. 89 

A driver not wearing a seat belt is

thrown forward violently

Fig. 90 

The unbelted passenger in the rear

seat is thrown forward violently, hitting the
driver who is wearing a seat belt.

It is easy to explain how the laws of physics
work in the case of a head-on collision: when
a vehicle starts moving, a type of energy

called “kinetic energy” is created both in the
passengers 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
they are, the more energy there is to be “ab-
sorbed” in the event of 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.

Given that the passengers of the vehicle in
our example do not have their seat belts fas-
tened, in the event of a collision the entire
amount of the passengers' kinetic energy will
be only absorbed by the mentioned 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 collision are so great that it is not

72

Seat belts

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. 89

.

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. 90

.

How to properly adjust your
seatbelt

Fastening and unfastening the seat
belt

Fig. 91 

Positioning and removing the seat

belt buckle.

Fig. 92 

Position of seat belt during pregnan-

cy.

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 13

.

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

plate and pull it slowly across your chest and
lap.

●

Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the

appropriate seat and push it down until it is
securely locked with an audible click

››› 

Fig. 91

 

A.

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●

Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is

securely engaged 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 for the front
seats and for the window seats in the rear

1)

are fitted with belt tensioners 

››› 

page 74

.

Releasing the seat belt

●

Press the red button on the belt buckle

››› 

Fig. 91

 

B. The latch plate is released and

springs out 

››› 

.

●

Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls

up easily 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 belts 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 worn seat belt can cause se-

vere injuries in the event of an accident.

●

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. 92

.

●

Always engage the retractor lock when you

are securing a child seat in group 0, 0+ or 1

››› 

page 82

.

●

Read and observe the warnings 

››› 

page 71

.

Seat belt tensioners

How the seat belt tensioner works

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 14

.

The seat belts for the front seats and the win-
dow seats in the rear

1)

 are equipped with belt

tensioners. Sensors will trigger the belt ten-
sioners only during severe head-on, lateral
and rear-end collisions. This retracts and
tightens 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

observed 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-
ers

The belt tensioners are components of the
seat 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

1)

Depending on version/market.

74

Airbag system

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, regulations, which are known to
the specialised workshops, must be ob-
served.

WARNING

●

Improper use or repairs 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

install parts of the belt tensioners or seat
belts.

●

The seat belt tensioner, seat belt and auto-

matic retractor cannot be repaired.

●

Any work on the belt tensioners and seat

belts, including the removal 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 accident and must be changed
if they have been activated.

Airbag system

Brief introduction

Why is it so important to wear a seat
belt and to sit correctly?

For the inflating airbags to achieve the best
protection, the seat 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 70, 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

airbag. In this case, the inflating airbag may
inflict critical 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

●

Wearing the seat 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

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travel on the rear seat. Never transport
children in the vehicle if they are not restrain-
ed 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 forward 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, always wear the seat belt properly

››› 

page 70

.

●

Always adjust the front seats properly.

Description of the airbag system

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 15

.

The airbag system is not a substitute for the
seat belts. The airbag system offers addition-
al protection for the driver and passenger in
combination with the seat belts.

The airbag system comprises the following
modules (as per vehicle equipment):

●

Electronic control unit

●

Front airbags for driver and passenger

●

Knee airbag for the driver

●

Side airbags

●

Head airbag

●

Airbag control lamp  on the instrument

panel

●

Key-operated switch for front passenger air-

bag

●

Control lamp to disconnect/connect the

front passenger airbag.

The airbag system operation is monitored
electronically. 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,

●

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.

The airbag 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 belts and airbags can only provide

maximum protection if the occupants are
seated correctly 

››› 

page 65, Correct position

for passengers

.

●

If a fault has occurred in the airbag system,

have the system checked immediately by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a
danger that during a collision, the system
may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.

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,

76

Airbag system

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 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

●

Knee airbag for the driver.

The following airbags are triggered in seri-
ous side-on collisions

●

Front side airbag on the side of the acci-

dent.

●

Rear side airbag on the side of the acci-

dent.

●

Curtain (head) airbag on the side of the ac-

cident.

In an accident with airbag activation:

●

the interior lights switch on (if the interior

light switch 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 safety instructions

Front airbags

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 15

.

WARNING

●

The deployment space between the front

passengers and the airbags must not in any
case be occupied by other passenger, pets
and objects.

●

The airbags provide protection for just one

accident; replace 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 system in any way.

Knee airbag*

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 16

.

WARNING

●

The knee airbag is deployed in front of the

driver's knees. Always keep the deployment
areas of the knee airbags free.

●

Never not fix objects to the cover or in the

deployment area of the knee airbag.

●

Adjust the driver's seat so that there is a

distance of at least 10 cm (4 inches) between
your knees and the location of the this air-
bag. If your physical constitution prevents
you from meeting these requirements, make
sure you contact a specialised workshop.

Side airbags*

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 17

.

WARNING

●

If you 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 protection, the prescribed sitting

»

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position must always be maintained with
seat belts fastened while travelling.

●

In a side-on collision the side airbags will

not work if the sensors do not correctly meas-
ure the pressure increase on the interior of
the doors, due to air escaping through the
areas with holes or openings in the door pan-
el.

●

Never drive if the interior door panels have

been removed or if the panels have not been
correctly fitted.

●

Never drive the vehicle if the loudspeakers

in the door panels have been removed, un-
less the holes left by the loudspeakers have
been closed properly.

●

Always check that the openings are closed

or covered if loudspeakers or other equip-
ment are fitted inside the door panels.

●

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

covers 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; replace 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 system in any way.

Curtain airbags*

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 17

.

WARNING

●

In order for the head-protection airbags to

provide their maximum protection, the pre-

scribed sitting position must always be main-
tained with seat belts fastened while travel-
ling.

●

For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must

be disabled in those vehicles fitted with a
screen dividing the interior of the vehicle.
See your technical service to make this ad-
justment.

●

There must be no other persons, animals or

objects between the occupants of the outer
seats and the deployment space of the head-
protection airbags so that the head-protec-
tion airbag can deploy completely without re-
striction and provide the greatest possible
protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have
not been expressly approved for use in your
vehicle may not be attached to the side win-
dows

●

The built-in coat hooks should be used only

for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any
heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
Please, do not hang the clothes on coat hang-
ers.

●

The airbags provide protection for just one

accident; replace them once they have de-
ployed.

●

Any work on the head-protection airbag

system or removal and installation of the air-
bag components for other repairs (such as re-
moval of the roof lining) should only be per-
formed by a specialised workshop. Other-
wise, faults may occur during the airbag sys-
tem operation.

●

Do not attempt to modify components of

the airbag system in any way.

78

Airbag system

●

The side and head airbags are managed

through sensors located in the interior of the
front doors. To ensure the correct operation of
the side and curtain airbags neither the
doors nor the door panels should be modified
in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the
front door is damaged, the airbag system
may not work correctly. All work carried out
on the front door must be done in a special-
ised workshop.

Deactivating airbags

Deactivation of front airbag

Fig. 93 

Control lamp for disabling the front

passenger front airbag on the dash panel



It lights up on the combi-in-
strument

Fault in airbag

system and seat

belt tensioners.

Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.



 

It lights up on the dash panel

Fault in the air-
bag system.

Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.

Front passenger
front airbag dis-
abled.

Check whether the airbag should re-
main disabled.



 

It lights up on the dash panel

Front passenger
front airbag ena-
bled.

The control lamp switches off about
60 seconds after the ignition is
turned on or after enabling of the
front passenger front airbag with the
key lock switch.

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-

main lit, or if it is lit together with the control
lamp  on the dash panel, there may be a
fault in the airbag system 

››› 

.

The disabling of airbags is only carried out in
certain cases, i.e. if:

●

a child seat is required in the front passen-

ger seat with the child facing in the opposite
direction to the direction of travel (in some
countries, due to divergent legal require-
ments, facing in the direction of travel)

››› 

page 83

;

●

despite the driver's seat being in the cor-

rect position, a minimum distance of 25 cm
cannot be maintained between the centre of
the steering wheel and the driver's torso,

●

installation of special devices is required in

the steering wheel area due to a physical dis-
ability,

●

if you have special seats installed (e.g. an

orthopaedic seat without side airbags).

The front passenger front airbag can be disa-
bled using the switch 

››› 

page 80

.

We recommend that you contact an author-
ised SEAT dealer for the disabling of other air-
bags.

Airbag system control
The airbag system availability is controlled
electronically, regardless of whether an air-
bag is disabled.

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If an airbag was disabled using a diagnostics
system:

●

the airbag system warning lamp  illumi-

nates after switching on the ignition for
about 4 seconds, and then flashes for about
12 seconds.

If the airbag has been disabled with the air-
bag switch on the side of the dash panel:

●

the airbag control lamp  will illuminate

for about 4 seconds after the ignition is
switched on,

●

The airbag is disabled, signalled with the

warning lamp   which lights up with the
word      placed in the cen-
tre part of the dash panel 

››› 

Fig. 94

.

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.

CAUTION

Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and to the corresponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle.

Note

●

Follow the current legislation in your coun-

try regarding the disabling of airbags.

●

At your authorised SEAT dealer you can find

information on which vehicle airbags can be
disabled.

Front passenger front airbag switch

Fig. 94 

Front passenger front airbag switch.

Fig. 95 

Warning lamp for disabling the front

passenger airbag.

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 16

.

The switch disables only the front passenger
front airbag.

Switching on the airbag

–

Switch the ignition off.

–

Open the front passenger door.

–

Insert the key into the slot of the switch for
deactivating the front passenger airbag

››› 

Fig. 94

. About 3/4 of the key should en-

ter, as far as it will go.

–

Then turn the key gently to the 

ON position.

Do not force it if you feel resistance, and
make sure you have inserted the key fully.

–

Close the front passenger door.

–

Check, with the ignition switched on, that
the control lamp   

››› 

Fig. 95

 does not

80

Airbag system

light up, with the word    


 in the centre part of the dash panel.

–

The warning lamp   is illuminated for
60 seconds in the centre part of the dash
panel.

Control lamp with the word   


  (front passenger airbag disabled)

If the front passenger front airbag is 

disa-

bled, after switching on the ignition, the con-
trol lamp will light up for several seconds,
then it will switch off for about 1 s and then
switch on again.

If the control lamp is flashing, there is a fault
in the disabling of the airbag system 

››› 

.

Please go immediately to an Official Service.

WARNING

●

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for

disabling or switching on the airbag.

●

Always switch off the ignition before disa-

bling the front passenger airbag! Failure to do
so could result in a fault in the airbag deacti-
vation system.

●

Never leave the key in the airbag disabling

switch as it could get damaged or enable or
disable the airbag during driving.

●

If the   (airbag disabled) control lamp

flashes, the front passenger front airbag will
not trigger in the event of an accident! Have
the system immediately checked by an Offi-
cial Service.

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Transporting children safely

Safety for children

Introduction

For safety reasons, as we have learned from
accident statistics, 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 72

. 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) (see
www.seat.com).

These systems have been especially de-
signed and approved, complying with the
ECE-R44. regulation.

SEAT recommends securing the child seats
shown on the website as described below:

●

Child seats in the opposite direction of

travel (group 0+): ISOFIX and support bracket
(Peke G0 Plus + ISOFIX Base (RWF)).

●

Child seats in the direction of travel (group

1): ISOFIX and Top Tether (Peke G1 ISOFIX
DUO Plus).

●

Child seats in the direction of travel (group

2): seat belt and ISOFIX (Peke G3 KIDFIX)

1)

.

●

Child seats in the direction of travel (group

3): with seat belt (Peke G3 KIDFIX)

1)

.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and
observe any statutory requirements when in-
stalling and using child seats. Always read
and note 

››› 

page 82

.

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 passenger's airbag

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 18

.

Read and always observe the safety informa-
tion included in the following chapters:

●

Safety distance with respect to the passen-

ger airbag 

››› 

page 75

.

●

Objects between the passenger and the

passenger side airbag 

››› 

 in Front airbags

on page 77

.

The passenger 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 

››› 

page 80

.

When transporting children, use a child seat
suitable for the age and size of each child

››› 

page 84

.

1)

Temporarily, the child seat recommended by the

Accessories Programme for groups 2 and 3 will be
ROMER KIDFIX XP© instead of Peke G3 KIDFIX. It is
available from the SEAT website.

82

Transporting children safely

WARNING

●

If a child 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 rear-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 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 79

. If the

passenger seat has a height adjustment op-
tion, move it to the highest, most upright po-
sition. If you have a fixed seat, do not install
any child restraint system in this location.

●

For those vehicles that do not include a key

lock switch 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 can result in potentially fatal injuries to
the child!

●

Never allow 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 vehicle 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 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 70

.

●

Only one child may occupy a child seat

››› 

page 83, Child seats

.

●

When a child seat is mounted in the rear

seats, the door child-proof lock should be ac-
tivated 

››› 

page 124

.

Child seats

Safety instructions

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 18

.

WARNING

When travelling, children must be secured in
the vehicle with a restraint system suitable
for age, weight and size.

●

Read and always observe information and

warnings concerning the use of child seats

››› 

page 82

.

WARNING

The retaining rings are designed only for use
with “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* 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 using the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* se-
curing rings.

WARNING

An undue installation of the safety seat will
increase the risk of injury in the event of a
crash.

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●

Never tie the retainer strap to a hook in the

luggage compartment.

●

Never secure or tie luggage or other items

to the lower anchorages (ISOFIX) or the upper
ones (Top Tether).

Categorisation of child seats into
groups

Use only child seats that are officially ap-
proved 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
manufacturer'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 seats 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-universal 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: vehicle-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
installed.

●

i-Size: Child seats with i-Size approval must

meet the requirements 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 systems 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.

84