warning Seat Exeo 2008 Owner's Guide

Airbag system
28Airbag 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 driving:
– Always wear the seat belt properly ⇒page 18.
– Adjust the driver's seat and the steering wheel correctly ⇒page 10.
– Adjust the front passenger seat correctly ⇒page 11.
– Adjust the head restraint correctly ⇒page 13.
– Use the correct child restraint system to protect children in your vehicle ⇒page 46.The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second. If you have an
incorrect seating position at the time the airbag is deployed, it could cause
you critical injuries. Therefore, it is essential that all passengers in the vehicle
assume a correct sitting position while travelling.
A sharp braking before an accident may cause a passenger not wearing a seat
belt to be thrown forward into the area of the deploying airbag. In this case, the inflating airbag may inflict critical or fatal injuries on the occupant. This
also applies 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 involved in an accident, for whatever reason, is not an
indication as to why the airbags had been 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, 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.
•
To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, always wear the
seat belt properly ⇒ page 18.
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Airbag system29
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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
he/she is transported 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 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 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 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:
−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 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 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
30Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
Both the airbag and belt tension device systems operation 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 light up when the ignition is switched on,
•
after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,
•
it turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,
•
lights up or flashes 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 occured, have the system checked immediately by a
qualified workshop. Otherwise, in the event of an accident, the airbag
system and belt tension devices may no t be triggered, or may not be trig-
gered correctly.
Repairs, maintenance 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 fit 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 or a
water-moistened cloth. Never clean the dash panel and the airbag module
surface with cleansers containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to
become porous. If the airbag trigger ed, disintegrating plastic parts could
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 system31
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
We strongly recommend you to 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 just one accident; replace them once
they have deployed.WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system33
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
The main parts of the front airbag system are:
•
an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),
•
the two front airbags (ai
rbag with gas generator) for the driver and front
passenger,
•
a knee airbag* for the driver,
•
a warning lamp
 in the dash panel insert ⇒page 29.
The airbag system operation is monito red 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 light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒page 29
•
after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,
•
it turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,
•
lights up or flashes while the car 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 over.
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 has occured 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 frontal 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 for the front occupants to see forward.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (withi n thousandth of a second). A fine dust
Fig. 19 Inflated front
airbags
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Airbag system35
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Safety notes on the frontal 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 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, 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 airbagDescription of the knee airbag
The airbag system provides additional protection to the front
seat passengers if they are properly secured.The airbag for the driver is located in the instrument 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 safety belts.
If the front airbags deploy, the knee airbag also deploys in frontal collisions
above a certain severity ⇒page 33.
Besides their normal safety function, safety belts work to help keep the driver
in position in case of a frontal collision so that the airbags can provide protec-
tion.
Fig. 21 Driver knee
airbag
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Airbag system
36The airbag system is not a substitute for your seat belts. Rather, it is part of
the overall occupant restraint system in your vehicle. Always remember that
the airbag system can only help to protect you if you are wearing your safety
belt and wearing it properly.
Remember too, airbags will deploy only once and only in certain kinds of acci-
dents - your safety belts are always there to offer protection in those acci-
dents in which airbags are not supposed to deploy or when they have already
deployed, for example when your vehicle strikes or is struck by another after
the first collision.
This is just one of the reasons why an airbag is not a substitute for the safety
belt. The airbag system works most effectively when used with the safety
belts. Therefore, always wear your safety belts correctly.
It is important to remember that while the supplemental airbag system is
designed to reduce the likelihood of serious injuries, other injuries, for
example, swelling, bruising, and minor ab rasions can also be associated with
airbags.
The knee airbag system basically consists of:•
The electronic control module
•
One inflatable airbag (airbag an d gas generator) for the driver
•
airbag indicator light in the instrument panel
The knee airbag system will not deploy:
•
when the ignition is turned off
•
in front-end collisions when the deceleration measured by the control unit
is too low
•
in side collisions
•
in rear-end collisions
•
in rollovers
•
in the event of a system malfunction (warning/indicator light illuminated)
⇒ page 65.
WARNING
•
Safety belts and the airbag system can only provide protection when
occupants are in the proper seating position.
•
If the airbag indicator light comes when the vehicle is being used, have
the system inspected immediately by your authorized SEAT dealer. The
airbag may not work properly when the vehicle acceleration in a side colli-
sion is high enough to deploy the airbag. See also ⇒page 65.
How knee airbags work
The risk of injury to the leg area is reduced by fully deployed
knee airbags.The knee airbag system has been designed so that the airbag for the driver is
deployed in certain but no t all frontal collisions.
Fig. 22 Inflated airbags
protect in a frontal colli-
sion.
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Airbag system37
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
If the front airbag deploys, the knee airbag also deploys in frontal collisions
above a certain severity.
When the system is deployed, the airbag starts to fill with a propellant gas,
and inflates between the lower part of the instrument 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 don't even
realize 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 inflated airbags in combination with properly worn safety belts slow
down and limit the occupant's forward movement and help to reduce the
risk.
Important safety notes on the knee airbag system
Airbags are only supplemental restraints.Always wear safety belts correctly and ride in a proper seating position. There
is a lot that you and your passengers must know and do to help the safety
belts and airbags to provide supplemental protection.
WARNING
An inflating knee airbag can cause serious injury. Wearing safety belts
incorrectly and improper seating posi tions 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. Wh en adjusting their seat positions, it is important that the driver keep
their upper bodies and knees at the
following minimum safe distances:
−25 cm between the chest and the steering wheel/instrument panel.
− 10 cm between the knees and the lowe r part of the instrument 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 safety
belt. The risk increases even more should the airbag deploy.
•
Always make sure that the knee airb ag 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
pushed 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
hamper 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 instrument 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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Airbag system
38Side 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's seat and front passenger's
seat backrests ⇒fig. 23 . 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.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat occu-
pants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe side
collision ⇒page 40, “Safety notes on the op eration 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 in the front seats an
d 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 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. 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 side airbag system will not be triggered if:
•
the ignition is switched off,
•
there is a minor side collision,
•
there is a frontal collision,
•
there is a rear-end collision,
•
the vehicle turns over.
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 29.
The airbag system operation 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 incr ease on the interior of the doors,
due to air escaping through the areas wi th holes or openings in the door
panel.
•
Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.
Fig. 23 Side airbag in
driver seat
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Airbag system39
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
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 cl osed 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 occured 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.
Function 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.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (withi n 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.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 24 Inflated side
airbag on left side of
vehicle
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