instrument panel Seat Exeo 2011 Owner's manual

32Airbag system
Front airbags
Description of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 17 Driver airbag in
the steering wheel and
knee airbag in the dash
panel
Fig. 18 Front passenger
airbag located in dash
panel The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 17 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ fig. 18. Air-
bags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. On the driver side, the knee air-
bag* is found in the footwell lining, under the instrument panel.
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 se-
vere frontal collision ⇒ page 35, Safety notes on the 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 air-
bags can provide maximum protection in a frontal collision.
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 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  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 30
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 :
● does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30
● turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,
● lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving. 

36Airbag system
that the airbag system can only help to protect you if you are wearing your
seat belt and wearing it properly.
Remember too that airbags will deploy only once and only in certain kinds
of accidents - your seat belts are always there to offer protection in those
accidents in which airbags are not supposed to deploy or when they have
already deployed, for example when your vehicle strikes or is struck by an-
other after the first collision.
This is just one of the reasons why an airbag is not a substitute for the seat
belt. The airbag system works most effectively when used with the seat
belts. Therefore, always wear your seat belts correctly.
It is important to remember that while the airbag system is designed to re-
duce the possibility of serious injuries, other injuries, for example, swelling,
bruising, and minor abrasions can also be associated with airbags.
The knee airbag system basically consists of:
● The electronic control module
● One inflatable airbag (airbag and gas generator) for the driver
● An airbag indicator light on the instrument panel
The knee airbag system will not be triggered:
● if the ignition is switched off
● in frontal 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 (hazard warning lights/turn signals
illuminated) ⇒  page 65.
WARNING
● Seat belts and the airbag system can only provide protection when
occupants are in the proper seating position.
● If the airbag indicator light comes on when the vehicle is being used,
have the system inspected immediately by your Authorised Service Cen-
tre. The airbag may not work properly when the vehicle acceleration in a
side collision 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.
Fig. 22 Inflated airbags
protect in a frontal colli-
sion.
The knee airbag system has been designed so that the airbag for the driver
is deployed in certain but not all frontal collisions.
If the front airbag deploys, the knee airbag also deploys in severe frontal
collisions. 

38Airbag system
Side airbags*
Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 23 Side airbag in
driver seat
The front side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger
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 up-
per region of the backrests and in the rear wheel housing lining.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat oc-
cupants 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 occupants in a collision, the seat
belts also hold 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 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  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 30
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 collision, the side airbags 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. 

41
Airbag system
Curtain airbags
Description of curtain airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 25 Location of head
airbags on the left side of
the vehicle
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 cur-tain 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 gas generator) for the driver, front pas-
senger and passengers on the rear seats,
● a warning lamp  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 30
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 collision
WARNING
If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked im-
mediately by a specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that
during a collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

44Airbag system
Deactivating airbags
Front passenger airbag deactivation
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat,
the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.
Fig. 27 In the glove com-
partment: switch for acti-
vating and deactivating
the front passenger air-
bag
Fig. 28 Warning lamp for
deactivated passenger
airbag in centre console
When the passenger airbag is deactivated, only the front airbag is
deactivated. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain activated.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to position 0
OFF ⇒ fig. 27.
– Check that the warning lamp “OFF” on the instrument panel
⇒ fig. 28 remains lit when the ignition is switched on ⇒ 
.
Activating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to position 1
ON ⇒ fig. 27.
– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel ⇒ fig. 28
does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ 
.

57
Cockpit
Operating Instructions Cockpit
Overview Dash panel overview
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Electric control for exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
Air outlets with thumbwheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Lever for turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . .122
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Levers and switches for:
– Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
– Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
– Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
– Warning lamp indicating that front passenger airbag has
been disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
– Switch for acoustic parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
– Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
123456789
1011
12
Drink holder
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Storage compartment
Depending on equipment fitted: Sound system or navigation
system
Lockable glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Switch for heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Thumbwheel for seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Manual gear lever
Cigarette lighter / Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Auxiliary socket
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Storage compartment
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Seat memory* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Bonnet lock release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
– coming home and leaving home: delayed lights off and
anticipated lights on function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
131415
161718192021222324252627282930
31
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

59
Cockpit
Instruments Instrument panel overview
The instrument panel is the driver's information centre.
Fig. 37 Overview of instrument panel Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Rev counter incorporating digital clock and date . . . . . . . . . . . .61, 61
Warning and indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Speedometer (incorporating odometer display) . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
1
2345
Adjuster buttons for
–
Digital clock and date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
– Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Digital display with
– Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
– Driver information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
6
7
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

60Cockpit
CHECK button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Call-up button for service indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Reset button for trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Coolant temperature gauge
Fig. 38 Engine coolant
temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge ⇒ fig. 38 only works when the ignition is
switched on. In order to avoid engine damage, please read the following
notes for the different temperature ranges.
Cold temperature A
If the needle is still on the left of the dial, this indicates that the engine has
not yet reached operating temperature. Avoid high revs and heavy accelera-
tion and do not make the engine work hard.
Normal temperature B
In normal operations, the needle will settle somewhere in the centre of the
dial once the engine has reached running temperature. The temperature
may also rise when the engine is working hard, especially at high outside8
910
temperatures. This is no cause for concern, provided the warning lamp

does not light up in the instrument panel.
Warning temperature C
If the symbol
 flashes in the display, this means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low ⇒ page 78.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet and checking the coolant level, observe
the warning information ⇒ page 221.
● Never open the bonnet when steam or coolant is being released from
it. This could lead to burns. Wait until you can no longer see or hear es-
caping steam or coolant.
CAUTION
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant.
At high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating. 

61
Cockpit
Rev counter
The rev counter indicates the number of engine revolutions
per minute.
Fig. 39 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Rev counter
You should select a lower gear if the engine speed drops below 1500 rpm.
The start of the red zone on the dial indicates the maximum engine speed
which may be used when the engine is warm and after it has been run in
properly. Before reaching this zone, a higher gear must be selected or your
foot must be removed from the accelerator.
CAUTION
The rev counter needle ⇒ fig. 39 must only reach the red zone for a short
period, otherwise the engine could be damaged. The start of the red zone
on the dial is different for some engine versions.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears sooner following the recommended gear in-
dications ⇒ fig. 50 will help you to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and
also engine noise. Digital clock and date
Your vehicle is equipped with a quartz clock.
Fig. 40 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Digital clock
The time and date are set using the +
and - buttons.
Setting the hour
– Press the MODE
button. The hour display will start to flash.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the hour.
Setting the minutes
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the minutes display flash-
es.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the minutes. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

62Cockpit
Setting the date
–Keep pressing the MODE
button until the date display (day)
flashes.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the day.
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the month display flashes.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the month.
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the year display flashes.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the year.
Deactivating the date display
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the complete date display
flashes.
– Use the -
button to disable the date display.
Activating the date display
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the complete date display
flashes.
– Use the +
button to enable the date display.
When the display stops flashing, this means the setting you are performing
is completed and the time and date have been successfully stored.
When the ignition is switched off, the odometer and the digital clock with
date display can be switched on for a few seconds by pressing the CHECK
button ⇒ fig. 37 8
. Instrument lighting
The brightness of the instrument lighting can be adjusted as
required.
Fig. 41 Instrument panel
lighting
– Press the "+" button to increase the brightness of the instru-
ment lighting.
– Press the "-" button to reduce the brightness of the instrument
lighting.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illumination
and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a photodiode incorpo-
rated in the instrument panel, depending on the outside light. 