airbag off Seat Alhambra 2006 Owner's Manual

Safe driving11
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•Adjust the front passenger seat so that there is at least 25 cm between
your breastbone and the dash panel. If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm,
the airbag system cannot protect you properly.
•If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
•Always keep your feet in the foot well when the vehicle is moving;
never rest them on the instrument panel, out the window or on the seat. An
incorrect sitting position exposes you to an increased risk of injury in the
event of a braking manoeuvre or an accident. If the airbag is triggered, you
could sustain severe injuries due to an incorrect sitting position.
•To reduce the risk of injury to the front passenger during sudden
braking manoeuvres or an accident, never travel with the backrest tilted far
back! The airbag system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection
when the backrest is in an upright position and the front passenger is
wearing his or her seat belt properly. The further the backrests are tilted to
the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the
belt web or the incorrect sitting position!
•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the individual seats must sit up straight, keep
their feet in the footwells and wear their seat belts properly.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking
manoeuvre or an accident, passengers in the individual seats must
observe the following:– The backrest of the 3-seat seat bench must be in the upright
position and securely engaged in this position.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head.
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the individual seat.
– Always fasten your seat belt correctly before driving off.
– Use an appropriate child restraint system when you take children
in the vehicle .
WARNING
If the passengers on the individual seats are not sitting properly, they
could sustain severe injuries.
•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve maximum protection.
•The seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the backrests
are properly engaged in the upright position and the passengers are
wearing their seat belts properly. If passengers on the individual seats are
not sitting in an upright position, the risk of injury due to incorrect posi-
tioning of the belt web increases.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the rear seats must sit up straight, keep their
feet in the foot well s and wear their seat belts properly.
To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking
manoeuvre or an accident, passengers on the rear bench seat must
observe the following:
WARNING (continued)

Seat belts21
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Seat belts protect
Passengers not wearing seat belts risk severe injuries in the
event of an accident.
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting posi-
tions and substantially reduce the kinetic energy in the event of an accident.
Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could lead to
severe injuries. In addition, properly worn seat belts reduce the danger of
being thrown from the car.
Passengers wearing their seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability
of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to
absorb the kinetic energy generated in a collision. Taken together, all these
features reduce the forces acting on the occupants and consequently the risk
of injury.
Our examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts
reduce substantially the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is why it is so important to fasten seat belts before every trip, even when "just
driving around the corner".
Ensure that your passengers wear their seat belts as well. Accident statistics
have shown properly worn seat belts to be an effective means of substantially
reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious
accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection
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 airbags, the seat belts must be
fastened and worn. The front airbags, for example, are only triggered in some
frontal accidents. The front airbags will not be triggered during minor frontal
collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions, rolls or accidents in which the
airbag trigger threshold in the control unit is not exceeded.
Therefore, you should always wear your seat belt and ensure that your
passengers have fastened their seat belts properly before you drive off!Safety notes on using seat belts
If seat belts are used correctly, they can reduce the risk of
injury in an accident.
– Always wear the seat belt as described in this booklet.
– Ensure that the seat belts can be fastened at all times and are not
damaged.
WARNING
•If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe inju-
ries increases. The optimal protection from seat belts can be achieved only
if you use them properly.
Fig. 9 Driver protected by
the properly worn seat
belt during a sudden
braking manoeuvre.

Seat belts 30
Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe injuries.
Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. This is particularly true of seat belts with two buckles.
The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order described in this
chapter. An incorrect sitting position impairs substantially the
protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe or fatal injuries.
The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased when a
deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect
sitting position. As driver, you are responsible for the safety of all
vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in
the vehicle while travelling Ÿ.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt increases the risk of severe injuries.
•Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts
properly and to wear them during the trip.
•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of seat belts Ÿpage 22 and Ÿpage 27.
Belt tension devices
Function of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are
retracted automatically.
The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on, lateral
and rear collisions only if the seat belt is being worn. This retracts and
tightens the seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occupants.
The belt tension device can be triggered only once.
The belt tension devices will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal,
side or rear collision, if the vehicle overturns, or in situations where no large
forces act on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•If the belt tension devices are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is
normal and is no indication that there was a fire in the vehicle.
•The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the system are scrapped. A qualified workshop is familiar with
these regulations and will be pleased to pass on the information to you.
Service and disposal of belt tension devices
The belt tension devices are components of the seat belts that are installed
in the seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tension devices 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 acci-
dent, the belt tension devices function incorrectly or not at all.

Airbag system 34
Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
The functionality of the airbag and belt tension device system is constantly
monitored electronically. The warning lamp
T will light up for four seconds
every time the ignition is switched on. (self diagnosis).
If at least one airbag has been deactivated in a specialised workshop, the
warning light
T flashes for 12 seconds before starting the engine. This does
not apply when the front and side airbags have been deactivated using the
key switchŸpage 43.
The system must be checked when the warning lamp
T :
•does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•does not go off after four seconds, after switching on the ignition,
•goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched on,
•or if it comes on or flickers while the car is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously. In
addition, depending on the malfunction, an appropriate fault message
appears in the display
1) of the instrument panel. In this event, you should
have a qualified workshop check the system immediately.
WARNING
If there is a malfunction, the airbag and belt tension device system cannot
properly perform its protective function.
•If a malfunction should occur, have the system checked immediately by
a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a risk that, in the event of an acci-
dent, the airbag system and belt tension devices may not be triggered, or
may not be triggered correctly.
Repair, care and disposal of the airbags
The parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system
when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag system may be
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the
airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the airbag are scrapped. The specialist workshops and the
Vehicle disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used
incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries is increased. The airbags may
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.
•Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft
plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dashboard,
and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.
•It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.
•To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry cloth
or one moistened with water. Never clean the dash panel and surface of the
airbag module with cleansers containing solvents. Solvents cause the
surface to become porous. If the airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic
parts can cause substantial injuries.
•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag
system.
•Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of the airbag
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should
be performed only by a qualified workshop. Qualified workshops have the
necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
1)Depending on the model version

Airbag system 36
Front airbags
Description of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel Ÿfig. 22 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel Ÿfig. 23.
Airbags are identified by the text “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front
occupants additional protection for the head and chest in the event of a
severe frontal collision Ÿpage 37.
In addition to their normal function of restraining the occupants, the seat
belts also hold the driver and front passenger in a position where the airbags
can provide maximum protection in a frontal collision.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but 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. For this reason, 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
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 warning lamp T in the dash panel insert .
The functionality of the airbag system 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 come on when the ignition is switched on Ÿ page 33,
•does not go off after four seconds, after switching on the ignition,
•goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched on,
•or if it comes on or flickers while the car is moving.
Fig. 22 Driver airbag
located in steering wheel
Fig. 23 Front passenger
airbag located in dash
panel

Airbag system37
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a The front airbag system will not be triggered if:
•if the ignition is switched off,
•during a minor frontal collision,
•during a minor side collision,
•during a rear-end collision,
•or if the vehicle rolls.
WARNING
•The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if the
occupants are seated correctly.
•If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked
immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that
during a frontal collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger
correctly.
Function of front airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury.
The airbag system is designed so that the front 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 Ÿfig. 24. 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. Once the impact has been
absorbed, the airbag deflates sufficiently for the front occupants to see
forward.
Fig. 24 Inflated front
airbags

Airbag system39
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
The side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger seat back-
rests Ÿfig. 25.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat
occupants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe
side collision Ÿpage 40, “Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag
system”.
In a side collision the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to passengers on
the front seats to the areas of the body facing the impact. In addition to their
normal function of protecting the occupants in a collision, the seat belts also
hold the passengers on the front seats in a position where the side airbags
can provide maximum protection.The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but 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. For this reason, 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
The side airbag system will not be triggered
•if the ignition is switched off,
•during a minor side collision,
•during a minor frontal collision,
•during a rear-end collision,
•or if the vehicle rolls.
The main parts of the airbag system are
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),
•the side airbags in the sides of the backrests of the front seats,
•a warning lamp T in the dash panel insert
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The airbag
warning lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is
switched on (self-diagnosis).
WARNING
•The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if the
occupants are seated correctly.
•If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked
immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that
during a side collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger
correctly.
Fig. 25 Side airbag in left
rear seat

Airbag system41
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Curtain airbags
Description 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
Ÿfig. 26 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 Ÿpage 39.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but 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. For this
reason, 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 safetyThe main parts of the curtain airbag system are:
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),
•the curtain airbags (airbags with gas generator) for the driver, front
passenger and passengers on the rear seats,
• a warning lamp T in the dash panel insert.
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically.
The curtain airbag system will not be triggered
•if the ignition is switched off,
•during a frontal collision,
•during a rear-end collision,
•if the vehicle rolls,
•during a minor side collision,
WARNING
If a fault should occur 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. 26 Location of left
curtain airbag

Airbag system43
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.
•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way,
this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on
the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.
Deactivating airbags*
Disabling front passenger front and side airbags
The passenger airbags must be disconnected when a rear
facing child seat is fitted in the front passenger seat.The key switch can be used to disconnect the front and side airbag
for the passenger seat. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain
functional.
Disabling front and side airbags for front passenger
– Switch off ignition.
– Open centre compartment on instrument panel:
– Using the ignition key, turn the switch to OFF Ÿfig. 28.
– Check if, when the ignition is switched on, that the warning lamp
“PASS AIRBAG OFF” on the instrument panel Ÿfig. 29 remains lit
Ÿ.
– Close centre compartment on instrument panel:
Enabling front and side airbags for front passenger
– Switch off ignition.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 28 Interior of centre
compartment on instru-
ment panel: Key switch for
switching off the front
passenger airbags
Fig. 29 Warning lamp for
disabling airbag in dash
panel

Airbag system 44
– Open centre compartment on instrument panel:
– Using the ignition key, turn the switch to ON Ÿpage 43, fig. 28.
– Check if, when the ignition is switched on, that the warning lamp
“PASS AIRBAG OFF” on the instrument panel Ÿpage 43, fig. 29
does not light up Ÿ.
– Close centre compartment on instrument panel:
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch.
•You should only disable the front and side passenger airbags if, in
exceptional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat on the front
passenger seat Ÿpage 45
•Never fit a child seat in the passenger seat, where the child faces back-
wards to the direction of travel and the frontal airbag has not been deacti-
vated. This is highly dangerous for 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 will no longer be used on the front passenger
seat, enable the front and side passenger airbag again.
•Only deactivate the front and side passenger airbag when the ignition
is off, otherwise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create the
risk of the front, curtain or side airbag not deploying properly or not at all
in the event of an accident.
•If, while the front and side passenger airbag is turned off, the indicator
PASS. AIRBAG OFF on the instrument panel does not remain lit, this could
indicate 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 and
side passenger airbag may deploy during an accident in spite of the
fault.
−It is impossible to determine whether the front or side airbags will be
triggered in case of accident. Inform your passengers of this.
WARNING (continued)