Seat Altea 2008 Owner's Guide

Seat belts29
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
So that the effectiveness of the belt tension device is not reduced and that
removed parts do not cause
any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions, which are known to the qualifi ed workshops, must be observed.
WARNING
•
If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the belt tension
devices are used incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries increases.
The belt tension devices may fail to trigger or may trigger in the wrong
circumstances.
•
Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt
tension devices or seat belts.
•
The belt tension device and seat be lt including its automatic retractor
cannot be repaired.
•
Any work on the belt tension devi ces 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 tension devices will only provide protection for one accident
and must be changed it they have been activated.
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Airbag system
30Airbag systemBrief introductionWhy wear a seat belt and assume the correct sitting position?
For the inflating airbags to achieve the best protection, the
sea t b el t m u st al w ay s b e w o rn p ro p e rly a nd t h e co rrec t s i tt i n g
position must be assumed.For your own safety and the safety of the passengers, please ensure
the following before you drive:
– Always wear the seat belt properly ⇒page 19.
– Adjust the driver seat and the steering wheel correctly ⇒page 10.
– Adjust the front passenger seat correctly ⇒page 11.
– Adjust the head restraint seat correctly ⇒page 13.
– Use the correct child restraint system to protect children in your vehicle ⇒page 46.The airbag deploys in fractions of a second and with a high velocity. If you
have assumed an incorrect seating po sition at that moment, you could
sustain critical injuries. Therefore, it is essential that all occupants maintain
a correct sitting position while travelling.
Braking heavily the moment before an accident may cause an occupant not
wearing a seat belt to be thrown forwar d into the area of the deploying airbag. In this case, the inflating airbag may infl
ict critical or fatal injuries upon the
occupant. This applies particularly to children.
Always maintain the greatest possible distance between yourself and the
front airbag. This way, the front airbags can completely deploy when trig-
gered, providing their maximum protection.
The most important factors that will trigger an airbag are: the type of acci-
dent, the angle of collision and the speed of the vehicle.
Whether the airbags are triggered depends primarily on the vehicle deceler-
ation rate resulting from the collision an d detected by the control unit. If the
vehicle deceleration occurring duri ng the collision and measured by the
control unit remains below the specifie d reference values, the front, side
and/or curtain airbag will not be triggered. Take into account that the visible
damage in a vehicle following an accident, for whatever reason, are not an
indication as to why the airbags were triggered.
WARNING
•
Wearing the seat belt incorrectly or assuming an incorrect sitting posi-
tion can lead to critical or fatal injuries.
•
All occupants, including children, who are not properly belted can
sustain critical or fatal injuries if the airbag is triggered. You should always
transport all children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat. Never transport
children in the vehicle if they are not restrained 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 or
assume an incorrect sitting position, the risk of injury is increased
substantially. This increased risk of injury will be further increased if you
are struck by an inflating airbag.
•
To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, always wear the
seat belt properly ⇒ page 19.
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Airbag system31
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Always properly adjust the front seats.
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.An enabled front airbag on the front passenger side is potentially a major
danger to a child. The front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if you
transport the child in a rear-facing child seat. You should always transport all
children up to 12 years of age 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 great force that critical or fatal injuries may
result.
Therefore we urgently recommend that you transport children on the rear
seats. That is the safest place in the vehicle for children. 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 turn the airbag off,
an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
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 when 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 should be 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:
−Disable 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 instructio ns of the child seat manufacturer
and absolutely observe the warnings ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger
seat all the way to the rear 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 belt tension device system

This warning lamp monitors the airbag and belt tension
device system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and belt tension devices in the
vehicle, including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system
32Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
The functionality of the airbag and belt tension device system is constantly
monitored electronically. Each time th e ignition is switched on, the warning
lamp
 lights for several seconds and the display in the instrument panel*
shows AIRBAG / TENSIONER .
The system must be checked when the warning lamp
 :
•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•
does not go out about 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on,
•
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 malfunctio n, a fault message appears in the
display of the combi-instrument for approx. 10 seconds and a short acoustic
signal is given. In this event, you should have a qualified workshop check the
system immediately.
If any of the airbags are de-activated by the Authorised Service Centre, the
indicator lights for several seconds more after the veri fication and will turn off
if there is no fault.
WARNING
•
If there is a malfunction, the air bag 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 airbagsThe 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 re moval 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.
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Airbag system33
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
We urgently recommend that you go to a qualified workshop for all
work on the airbag system.
•
Never attempt to alter the front bumper or the body.
•
The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system
34Front airbagsDescription 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 ⇒fig. 18 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒fig. 19.
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 ⇒page 37, “Safety notes on front airbag system”.
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 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 safety
⇒ page 19, “Introduction”.
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
 in the dash panel insert ⇒ page 31.
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

•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on ⇒page 31,
•
does not go out about 4 seconds af ter the ignition is switched on,
•
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. 18 Driver airbag
located in steering wheelFig. 19 Front passenger
airbag located in dash
panel
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Airbag system35
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te 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 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 ⇒page 10, “Proper sitting position for
occupants”.
•
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 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. 20 . 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. 20 Inflated front
airbags
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Airbag system
36In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (withi n fractions of a second). A fine dust may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication
that there was a fire in the vehicle.The function of the airbag covers if the airbags are triggeredThe airbag covers fold out of the steering wheel or dash panel when the driver
and front passenger airbags deploy
⇒fig. 21 . The airbag covers remain
connected to the steering wheel or the dash panel.
Fig. 21 Airbag covers reacting when the airbags are trig-
gered
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Airbag system37
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Safety notes on 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 maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel 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 or if you lean forward or to the side or
assume an incorrect sitting position, the risk of injury is increased
substantially. 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”.
•
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any
objects or pets in the deployment sp ace between them and the airbags, or
allow children or other passengers to travel in this position.
•
The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been
deployed they must be replaced.
•
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.
Side airbags*Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.The front side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger seat
backrests ⇒fig. 22. The rear side airbags are located in the rear wheel
housing lining. The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in the upper
region of the backrests and in the rear wheel housing lining.
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 ⇒page 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 occupan ts in a collision, the seat belts also
Fig. 22 Side airbag in
driver seat
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Airbag system
38hold the passengers in the front seats and the outer rear 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 ⇒page 19, “Introduction”.
The side airbag system will not be triggered•
if the ignition is switched off,
•
during a minor side collision,
•
during a 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 front side airbags in the backrests of the front seats and the rear side
airbags in the lining of the rear wheel housing.
•
a warning lamp
 in the dash panel insert ⇒page 31.
The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically. The airbag
warning lamp will light up for approx. 4 seconds every time the ignition is
switched on (self-diagnosis).
WARNING
•
In a side-on collision, the side airb ags will not work, if the sensors do
not correctly measure the pressure increase on the interior of the doors,
due to air escaping through the areas with holes or openings in the door
panel.
•
Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.
•
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 sh ould 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 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.WARNING (continued)
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