warning Seat Altea 2009 User Guide

Safe driving
16•
never travel in a foot well ,
•
never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt,
•
never carry any person in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•
Every incorrect sitting position increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Sitting in an incorrect position exposes the occupants to severe injuries
if airbags trigger, by striking a passenger who has assumed an incorrect
sitting position.
•
Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and main-
tain it throughout the trip. Before every trip, instruct your passengers to
assume the proper sitting position and to maintain it during the trip
⇒ page 10, “Proper sitting position for occupants”.
Pedal areaPedals
The operation of all pedals must never be impaired by objects
or floor mats.– Ensure that you can always press the accelerator, brake and
clutch pedals unimpaired to the floor.
– Ensure that the pedals can return unimpaired to their initial posi- tions.Use only floor mats which leave the pedal area free and can be securely
fastened on the foot well. If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal
must be pressed down thoroughly in
order to stop the vehicle.
Wear suitable shoes
Always wear shoes which support your feet properly and give you a good
feeling for the pedals.
WARNING
•
Restricting pedal operation can lead to critical situations while driving.
•
Never place objects on the driver footwell. An object could move into
the pedal area and impair pedal operatio n. In the event of a sudden driving
or braking manoeuvre, you will not be able to operate the brake, clutch or
accelerator pedal. Risk of accident!
Floor mats on the driver side
Only floor mats may be used which can be securely fastened
in the foot well and do not impair operation of the pedals.– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened 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 obta in suitable floor mats from a quali-
fied dealership.
WARNING
•
If the pedals are obstructed, an accident may occur. Risk of serious inju-
ries.
•
Ensure that the floor mats are always securely attached.
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Safe driving17
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original floor
mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the pedals. Risk
of accident.
Stowing luggageLoading the boot
All luggage and other loose object s must be safely secured in
the luggage compartment.Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could impair the
driving safety or driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the
centre of gravity.
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment.
– Lay and stow heavy luggage as far forward as possible in the luggage compartment.
– Stow heavy luggage as low as possible in the luggage compart- ment.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening rings ⇒page 18.
WARNING
•
Loose luggage and other objects in the boot could cause serious inju-
ries.
•
Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure them on
the fastening rings.
•
Use suitable specialist straps to secure heavy objects.
•
During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This increased risk of
injury will be further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating
airbag. If this happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of
fatal injury.
•
Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style
accordingly, to avoid accidents.
•
Never exceed the allowed axle loads or allowed maximum weight. If the
allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving char-
acteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries and
damage to the vehicle.
•
Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment closing the door
behind them; they will remain trapped without help and there is a mortal
risk.
•
Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Close and lock
both the tailgate and all the doors when you leave the vehicle. Before you
lock the vehicle, make sure that ther e are no adults or children in the
vehicle.
•
Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every
passenger must be properly belted in ⇒ page 19.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Safe driving
18
Note•
Air circulation in the vehicle helps re duce fogging of the windows. Used
air escapes through ventilation slits in the side trim of the luggage compart-
ment. Ensure that the ventilation slits are never covered.
•
Straps for securing the load to the fastening rings are commercially
available.
Fastening rings*
There can be four fastening rings in the boot for fastening
luggage and other objects.– Always use suitable and undamaged straps to secure luggage and other objects to the fastening rings ⇒ in “Loading the
boot” on page 17.
– Pull up the fastening rings to attach the straps.During a collision or an accident, even small and light objects can build up so
much energy that they can cause very severe injuries. The amount of “kinetic
energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the object.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle.
Example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying unsecured in the vehicle. During
a frontal collision at a s peed of 50 km/h, this object generates a force corre-
sponding to 20 times its weight. That means that the effective weight of the
object increases to about 90 kg. You can imagine the severity of the injuries
which might be sustained if this “projectile” strikes an occupant as it flies
through the passenger compartment. This increased risk of injury will be
further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating airbag.
WARNING
•
If pieces of baggage or other objects are secured to the fastening rings
with inappropriate or damaged retaining cords, injuries could result in the
event of braking manoeuvres or accidents.
•
To prevent pieces of luggage or other objects from flying forward,
always use appropriate retaining cords which are secured to the fastening
rings.
•
Never secure a child seat on the fastening rings.
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Seat belts19
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Seat beltsBrief IntroductionBefore driving: remember your seat belt!
Wearing a seat belt properly can save your life!In this chapter you will learn the importance of wearing seat belts,
how they work and how to properly fasten, adjust and wear them.
– Read and consider all the information as well as the warnings in
this chapter.
WARNING
•
If seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe injuries
increases.
•
Properly worn seat belts can reduce severe injuries in case of sudden
braking manoeuvres or accidents. For safety reasons, you and your passen-
gers must always wear the seat belts properly while the vehicle is moving.
•
Pregnant women or people with physical disabilities must also use seat
belts. Like all other passengers, these people can also sustain severe inju-
ries if they are not wearing their seat belts properly.
Number of seatsYour vehicle has five seats, two on the front part and three on the rear part.
Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
WARNING
•
More people than available seats must never be transported in your
vehicle.
•
Every passenger in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat
belt belonging to his or her seat. Chil dren must be protected with an appro-
priate child restraint system.
Seat belt warning lamp*

The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten
the seat belt.Before starting the vehicle:
– Fasten your safety belt securely.
– Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before driving off.
– Protect children by using a child seat according to the child's height and weight.After the ignition has been switched on, the warning lamp  on the instru-
ment panel lights up
1) if the driver has not fastened his/her seat belt, and a
warning sign
al* is heard if the vehi cl e is driven at more than 30 km/h for 90
seconds.
1)Depending on the model version
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Seat belts
20The warning lamp*
 is switched off if the driver seat belt is fastened while
the ignition is switched on.
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Seat belts23
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Seat belts protection
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 s eat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability
of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front part of your vehicle and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to
absorb the kinetic energy released in a collision. Taken together, all these
features reduce the releasing kinetic energy and consequently, the risk of
injury.
Our examples describe frontal collisions . Of course, properly worn seat belts
substantially reduce 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 that wearing seat belts is an effective mean of substan-
tially reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival 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 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 value 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 instructions 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. 11 Driver wearing
the seat belt properly: is
secured by the belt in
sharp braking
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Seat belts
24•
Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town. The
other passengers must also wear the seat belt, otherwise they may be
danger of injury!
•
The seat belt cannot offer its full prot ection if the belt web is not posi-
tioned correctly.
•
Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same seat belt.
•
Keep both feet in the foot-well in front of your seat as long as the
vehicle is in motion.
•
Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. Risk of fatal
injury.
•
The belt webbing must never be twisted while it is being worn.
•
The belt webbing 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 da maged or jammed, or to rub on any
sharp edges.
•
Never wear the seat belt under the arm or in any other incorrect posi-
tion.
•
Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket) impairs the
proper fit and function of the belts, reducing their capacity to protect.
•
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 securely.
•
Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments 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 acci-
dent. Therefore, you must check the co ndition of all seat belts at regular
intervals.
•
Seat belts which have been worn in an accident and stretched must be
replaced by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary 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 removed or modified in any way.
•
The belts must be kept clean, ot herwise the retractors may not work
properly ⇒ page 209.
Seat beltsSeat belt adjustment
The seat belts for the front and rear occupants are locked into
position by a latch.The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is not
positioned correctly.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 12 Belt buckle and
latch plate of seat belt
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Seat belts25
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– 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
⇒page 24, fig. 12.
– 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 mountains or bends
and during acceleration, the automati c retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front seats are fitted with belt tension
devices ⇒page 28.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web 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 belt s 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.
•
If an occupant is incorrectly belted in, the belt cannot protect him or her
properly. An incorrectly positioned belt web can cause extremely severe
injuries.
•
Always engage the retractor lock when you are securing a child seat in
group 0, 0+ or 1 ⇒ page 46.
Seat belt position
Seat belts offer their maximum pr otection only when they are
properly positioned.
Fig. 13 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from frontFig. 14 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from side
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Seat belts
26The following features are available to adjust the seat belt in the shoulder
region:•
belt height ad justment for the front seats.
•
front seat height adjustment*.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web c an cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident.
•
The shoulder part of the seat belt mu st lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never across the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso
⇒ page 25, fig. 13 .
•
The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the pelvis ⇒page 25,
fig. 14. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
•
Read and observe the warnings ⇒ page 23.
Pregnant women must also fasten their seat belts properly
The best protection for the unborn child is for the mother to
wear the seat belt properly at all times during the pregnancy.The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web
is properly positioned ⇒page 25.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒page 10.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and as low as possible over the pelvis ⇒fig. 15 .
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the corresponding seat and push it down until it is secu rely locked with an audible click
⇒ .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.
Fig. 15 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy
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Seat belts27
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt web 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 23.
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. 16. 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.Adjusting the seat belt height
Seat belt height adjusters can be used to adjust the position
of the seat belt at the shoulder.The seat belt adjuster for the front seats can be used to adjust the
proper belt position at the shoulder.
Fig. 16 Removing latch
plate from buckle
Fig. 17 Location of the
belt height adjuster
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