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Seat Exeo ST. Service Manual - part 3

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38

Airbag system

Function of side airbags

WARNING (continued)

• Never drive if the interior door panels have been removed or if the

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

panels have not been correctly fitted.

many side impact collisions.

• Never drive the vehicle if the loudspeakers in the door panels have

been removed, unless the holes left by the loudspeakers have been

correctly closed.

• Always check that the openings are closed or covered if loudspeakers

or other equipment are fitted in the interior door panels.

• Any work carried out to the doors should be made in a qualified author-

ised workshop.

• The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if the

occupants are seated correctly ⇒ page 10, “Proper sitting position for

occupants”.

• If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked

immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, during a side collision,

Fig. 24 Inflated side

airbag on left side of

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

vehicle

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

vehicle ⇒ fig. 24.

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 thousandth of a second). A fine dust

may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indica-

tion of 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.

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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 a greater risk of injury if

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

the side airbag system is triggered in an accident.

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

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

occur during the airbag system operation.

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, the airbag

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

system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the front door must

protection offered by the side airbags.

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 is triggered 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 220,

“Accessories, replacement of parts 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 just one accident; replace them once

they have deployed.

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Airbag system

41

is required by law in most countries, but also for your safety ⇒ page 18,

Curtain airbags

“Brief introduction”.

The main parts of the curtain airbag system are:

Description of curtain airbags

•

an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),

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

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

passenger and passengers on the rear seats,

• a warning lamp  in the dash panel insert ⇒ page 29.

The airbag system operation is monitored electronically.

The curtain airbag system will not be triggered

• the ignition is switched off,

• there is a frontal collision,

• there is a rear-end collision,

• if the vehicle rolls,

• during a minor side collision,

Fig. 25 Location of left

curtain airbag

WARNING

If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-

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

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

⇒ fig. 25 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.

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

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

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

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

curtain airbag system”.

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 effectively when the occupants are wearing their

seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly. Therefore,

it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only because this

Safety First

Controls and equipment

Practical tips

Technical Data

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42

Airbag system

Function of curtain 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

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

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.

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

Fig. 26 Deployed curtain

airbags

vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an

Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.

• There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-

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

pants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags

of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 26.

so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide the

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

greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have not been

gered together.

expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached to the side

windows ⇒ page 220, “Accessories, replacement of parts and modifica-

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

tions”.

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

•

The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do

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

not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do not

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

hang the clothes on coat hangers.

may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indica-

• The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once

tion of fire in the vehicle.

they have deployed.

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

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

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

the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining)

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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. 28 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. 27 In the glovebox:

key for enabling and disa-

Disabling front passenger airbag

bling front passenger

airbag

- Switch the ignition off.

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

compartment to position

0

OFF ⇒ fig. 27.

– Check that the warning lamp “OFF” on the instrument panel

⇒ fig. 28 remains lit when the ignition is switched on ⇒

Enabling front passenger airbag

- Switch the ignition off.

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

compartment to position

1

ON ⇒ fig. 27.

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Airbag system

45

– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel does

WARNING (continued)

⇒ page 44, fig. 28 not light up when the ignition is switched on

⇒

− It is predictable whether the front passenger airbag will deploy

during an accident! Warn all 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 only deactivate the front passenger airbag when, in excep-

tional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat ⇒ 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

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Child safety

47

WARNING (continued)

WARNING (continued)

“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 22, “Seat 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.

• 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 injuries

to themselves and to the other passengers.

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

they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of 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 trig-

gered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or even death.

• A suitable child seat can protect your child!

• Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the

vehicle.

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

inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.

• 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

accident.

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

on any sharp edges.

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

or in sudden braking manoeuvres.

Safety First

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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 you 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. It means that:

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. 29 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. 29.

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 you to include together with the on-board documentation,

the manufacturer's Child Seat instructions manual.

WARNING

Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use of

child seats ⇒

in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.

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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 you to protect your child.

help you to protect your child.

Fig. 30 A category 1

Fig. 31 Forward-facing

forward-facing child seat

child seat installed on rear

fitted on the rear seat.

seat.

Child seats using the “ISOFIX” system or seats in which the child faces the

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

rear of the car are most appropriate for babies and small children weighing

ments when installing and using child seats.

between 9 and 18 kg.

We recommend you to include together with the on-board documentation,

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

the manufacturer's Child Seat instructions manual.

ments when installing and using child seats.

Group 2 child seats

We recommend you to include together with the on-board documentation,

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

the manufacturer's Child Seat instructions manual.

protected by group 2 child seats together with properly adjusted seat belts.

Group 3 child seats

WARNING

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

Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use of

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

child seats ⇒

in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.

with properly worn seat belts ⇒ fig. 31.

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Child safety

51

Securing child seats

WARNING

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

Ways to secure a child seat

restraint system suitable for age, weight and size.

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

A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and on

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

the front passenger seat.

could cause fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in excep-

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

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

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

following ways:

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

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

adjustment.

• Seats for children aged 0, 0+ and 1 with the “ISOFIX” system can be

• Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use

secured without fastening seat belts, using the “ISOFIX” and/or Top Tether

of child seats ⇒

in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.

securing rings ⇒ page 52.

Seat locations

Category

Weight

Front

Rear outer

Rear centre

passenger

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

category (universal retention systems are those fitted using the adult

seat belt).

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

and always deactivate the airbag.

L: Suitable for retention systems using the “ISOFIX” anchors.

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52

Child safety

Child seat mounting using the “ISOFIX” and/or Top Tether

system

The Child restraint systems may be fitted to the rear seat

quickly and safely with the “ISOFIX” and/or Top Tether system

(fitted to the rear seatback).

Fig. 33 The ISOFIX child

seat anchorings slide

along the fitted plastic

guides until secured in

the vehicle's ISOFIX

anchorages

Following the instructions given by the child seat manufacturer

when installing and removing the seat.

- Fit the plastic guides on the vehicle's ISOFIX anchorages

Fig. 32 Position of the

ISOFIX anchorages on the

between the backrest and the seat ⇒ fig. 32.

side rear seat

- Slide the child seat anchorages along the plastic guides until

secured in the car's ISOFIX rings (when correctly closed, you will

hear a “click” and the seat should also have a visual indicator to

confirm it is correctly secured) ⇒ fig. 33.

- Check that the ISOFIX system is correctly secured by pulling on

the child seat.

Detailed fitting instructions are supplied with the child safety seat.

Child seats with “ISOFIX” mountings are available from Dealers and specialist

retailers.

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Child safety

53

The retainer strap is used to reduce forwards movements of the safety seat in

WARNING

a crash, helping reduce the risk of injuries to the head from hitting the inside

of the vehicle.

The retainers employed for this child safety seat are specially designed for

the “ISOFIX” system. Never secure other child seats, seat belts or other

It is foreseen that an EU Directive will introduce requirements related to the

items into the retainers. If you do, you increase the risk of sustaining

retention of child restraint systems by means of ISOFIX and Top Tether anchor-

severe or fatal injuries.

ages (probably compulsory for new types from 2010), which will entail

improved retention of the child restraint seat and less head movement in

case of frontal collisions.

Top Tether retainer straps

Use of retainer straps on rear-facing seats

At present there are very few rear-facing child safety seats fitted with a

Some child restraint seats have a third Top Tether anchoring

retainer strap. Please carefully read and follow the safety seat manufacturer's

point, apart from both “ISOFIX” anchoring points, which

instructions for information on how to install the retainer strap properly.

allow better child retention.

WARNING

An undue installation of the safety seat will increase the risk of injury in the

event of a crash.

• 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).

Fig. 34 Position of the

Top Tether rings on the

rear tray

The Top Tether system has an upper strap for attachment to the vehicle's

upper anchoring point, which is found on the rear luggage compartment

cover.

Safety First

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