technical specifications Seat Exeo 2010 User Guide
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– 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 into the buckle for the appropriate seat and push  it down until it is securely locked with a click  ⇒page 22, fig. 11 .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in  the buckle.The seat belts are equipped with an automatic retractor on the shoulder 
strap. Full freedom of movement is permitted when the shoulder belt is pulled 
slowly. However, during 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 26.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt can cause severe injuries in the event of 
an accident.•The seat belts offer best protection only when the backrests are in an 
upright position and the seat belts have been fastened properly.•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.•I f  a n  o ccu p an t  is  i n co r re c t l y  be l te d  i n ,  t h e  b e l t  ca n n o t  p ro te c t  h i m  o r  h e r  
properly. An incorrectly positioned seat belt can cause extremely severe 
injuries.
Seat belt position
Seat belts offer their maximum protection only when they are 
properly positioned.
Fig. 12  Correct seat belt 
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from frontFig. 13  Correct seat belt 
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from side
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WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt can cause severe 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.•Read and observe the warnings  ⇒page 21.
Seat belt release
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has 
come to a standstill.– Press the red button on the belt buckle  ⇒fig. 15 . 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
WARNING
Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. If you do, you 
increase the risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries.Seat belt height adjustment
Seat belt height adjusters can be used to adjust the height of 
the shoulder area of the seat belt.The belt height adjuster can be lowered by keeping the button 
pressed down at the same time.
– Press button  ⇒fig. 16    to adjust the belt height.
Fig. 15  Removing latch 
plate from buckle
Fig. 16  Belt height 
adjuster
A1
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Seat belts27
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Technical Specifications
with these regulations and will be pleased to pass on the information to 
you.
Service and disposal of belt tensionersThe belt tensioners are components of the seat belts that are installed in the 
seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tensioners or remove and install 
parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat belt may be 
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the belt 
tensioners function incorrectly or not at all.
So that the effectiveness of the seat belt tensioner is not reduced and that 
removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions, which are known to the specialised workshops, must be observed.
WARNING
•Improper use or repairs not carried out by qualified mechanics increase 
the risk of severe or fatal injuries. The belt tensioners may fail to trigger or 
may trigger in the wrong circumstances.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt 
tensioners or seat belts.•The seat belt tensioner, seat belt and automatic 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 qualified workshop only.•The belt tensioners will only provide protection for one accident and 
must be changed if they have been activated.
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Page 31 of 319
Airbag system29
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Always adjust the front seats properly.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front 
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.The front passenger airbag is a serious risk for a child if it is activated. The 
front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if he/she is transpor ted in a 
rear-facing child seat. Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the 
rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating 
airbag can strike it with such force that it can cause critical or fatal injuries.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear seats. 
That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the front 
passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch  ⇒page 44. 
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size 
of each child ⇒ page 46.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to disconnect the 
airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
WARNING
•If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child 
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.•Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the 
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries if the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat 
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.•If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in a 
rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely essential 
that you observe the following safety measures:
−Deactivate the front passenger airbag  ⇒page 44, “Deactivating 
airbags”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for 
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructions given by the child seat manufac-
turer and observe the safety instructions  ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger 
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to 
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being 
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright 
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and seat belt tensioner 
 T
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and seat belt 
tensioner system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and seat belt tensioners in the vehicle, 
including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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For the sake of the environment
The airbags, which are a special type of waste, must be disposed of through 
an authorised service, because they contain pyrotechnic elements.
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The main parts of the front airbag system are:
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)•the two front airbags (airbag with gas generator) for the driver and front 
passenger,•a knee airbag* for the driver,•a warning lamp 
 T on the instrument panel  ⇒page 29
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning 
lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is switched on 
(self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the warning lamp 
 T:
•does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 29•turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,•lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving.
The front airbag system will not be triggered if:•the ignition is switched off•there is a minor frontal collision,•there is a side collision,•there is a rear-end collision•the vehicle turns overWARNING
•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 frontal collision 
the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.
Operation of front airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury.The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and front 
passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas and 
deploy in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒ fig. 19. The fully deployed 
airbags cushion the forward movement of the front occupants and help to 
reduce the risk of injury to the head and the upper part of the body.
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 
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. After the collision, the 
airbag deflates sufficiently to allow visibility.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to 
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may 
Fig. 19  Inflated front 
airbags
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Safety notes on the front airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the 
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•It is important for the driver and front passenger to keep a distance of 
at least 25 cm from the steering wh eel or dash panel. If the minimum 
distance is not observed then the airbags do not correctly protect the 
vehicle occupants; risk of fatal injuries! In addition, the front seats and 
head restraints must always be positioned correctly for the height of the 
occupant.•If you are not wearing a seat belt, 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 
increased if you are struck by an inflating airbag.•Never let a child travel on the front seat without an appropriate restraint 
system. If the airbag is triggered in an accident, children can sustain 
serious or fatal injuries from the airbag as it inflates  ⇒page 46, “Child 
safety”.•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 deployed.•It is also important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or 
telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any 
way.
Knee airbag*Description of the knee airbag
The airbag system provides additional protection to front seat 
passengers if they are properly secured.The knee airbag for the driver is located in the dash panel underneath the 
steering wheel ⇒ fig. 21.
The knee airbag offers additional protection to the driver’s knees and upper 
and lower thigh areas as a supplement to the seat belts.
If the front airbags deploy, the knee airbag also deploys in severe frontal colli-
sions  ⇒page 33.
Besides their normal safety function, seat belts help keep the driver in posi-
tion in case of a frontal collision so that the airbags can provide protection.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts. It is, on the other hand, 
part of the overall occupant safety system of your vehicle. Always remember 
Fig. 21  Driver knee 
airbag
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If the front airbag deploys, the knee airbag also deploys in severe frontal colli-
sions.
When the system is deployed, the airbag starts to fill with a propellant gas, 
and inflates between the lower part of the dash panel and the driver 
⇒
page 36, fig. 22.
Although they are not a soft pillow, they can cushion the impact and in this 
way they can help to reduce the risk of injury to the lower extremities.
All this takes place instantaneously, so fast that many people do not even 
realise that the airbags have deployed. The airbags also inflate with a great 
deal of force and it is important for occupant safety that nothing should be in 
their way when they deploy.
Fully  inf late d  ai rb ags  i n com binati on  wit h pr op er ly  wo r n s ea t b e lts  slow d own  
and limit the occupant’s forward movement and help to reduce the risk of 
injury.
Important safety notes on the knee airbag system
Airbags are only additional safetyAlways wear seat belts correctly and drive in a proper seated position. There 
is a lot of information that you and your passengers should know and do so 
that the seat belts and airbags can provide additional protection.
WARNING
An inflating knee airbag can cause serious injuries. Wearing seat belts 
incorrectly and improper seating positions increase the risk of serious 
personal injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.•The airbag system cannot protect you properly if you are seated too 
close to any of the airbag locations. When adjusting the seat positions, it  is important for the driver to keep the upper body and knees at the 
following minimum safety distances:
−25 cm between the chest and the steering wheel/dash panel.
− 10 cm between the knees and the lower part of the dash panel.
•The risk of personal injury increases if you lean forward or to the side, 
or if the seat is improperly positioned and you are not wearing your seat 
belt. The risk increases even more should the airbag deploy.•Always make sure that the knee airbag can inflate without interference. 
Objects between yourself and the airbag can increase the risk of injury in 
an accident by interfering with the way the airbag deploys or by being 
thrust into you as the airbag deploys.
−No objects of any kind should be carried in the footwell area in front 
of the driver’s seat. Bulky objects (shopping bags, for example) can 
hinder or prevent proper deployment of the airbag. Small objects can 
be thrown through the vehicle if the airbag deploys and injure you or 
your passengers.•Make sure there are no cracks, deep scratches or other damage in the 
area of the dash panel where the knee airbag is located.•If children are incorrectly seated, their risk of injury increases in the 
case of an accident  ⇒page 46.WARNING (continued)
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•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, 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 specialised work-
shop.•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, 
the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.
Operation of side airbags
Inflated airbags can reduce the risk of head or chest injury in 
many side impact collisions.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.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to 
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may 
develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication 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.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 24  Inflated side 
airbag on left side of 
vehicle
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Curtain airbagsDescription of curtain airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.The curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors 
⇒fig. 25  and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.
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  is required by law in most countries, but also for your safety 
⇒page 18, 
“Brief introduction”.
The main parts of the curtain airbag system are:
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)•the curtain airbags (airbags with ga s generator) for the driver, front 
passenger and passengers on the rear seats,•a warning lamp 
 T on the instrument panel  ⇒page 29
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically.
The curtain airbag system will not be triggered if:
•the ignition is switched off•there is a frontal collision•there is a rear-end collision•the vehicle turns over•there is a minor side collisionWARNING
If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a 
collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.
Fig. 25  Location of head 
airbags on the left side of 
the vehicle
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