belt Seat Exeo ST 2011 Owner's Guide

42Airbag 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 43, 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 19, 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 31
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.


43
Airbag system
Operation of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury
in a side collision.
Fig. 26 Deployed curtain
airbags
During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact
side of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 26.
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may
develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication
of fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants
and help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper 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.

Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce
the risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
● In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
● For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must be disconnected in those
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an
Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.
● There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the oc-
cupants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain air-
bags so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and pro-
vide the greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have
not been expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached
to the side windows ⇒ page 220, Accessories, parts replacement and
modifications.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do
not hang the clothes on coat hangers.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

47
Child safety
Child safety
Brief introduction Introduction
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the rear
seat than on the front passenger seat.For safety reasons we recommend that children under 12 years of age travel
on the rear seats. Depending on their age, height and weight, children trav-
elling on the rear seat must use a child seat or a seat belt. It is advisable
that children always travel in the rear seats, the rear central position being
the safest seat, since the risk of injuries in a side collision is diminished.
The physical laws involved and the forces acting in a collision apply also to
children. ⇒ page 20, Why wear seat belts?. But unlike adults, children do
not have muscle and bone structures fully developed. This means that chil-
dren are subject to a greater risk of injury.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint systems
when travelling in the vehicle.
We recommend the use of child safety products from the SEAT Genuine Ac-
cessories Programme, which includes systems for all ages made by Peke 1)
.
These systems have been especially designed and approved, complying
with the ECE-R44. regulation.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats. Always read and note
⇒ page 47, Safety notes on using child seats. We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction
manual together with the on-board documentation.

Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of in-
jury in an accident! As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using the appropriate child
seats ⇒ page 49.
– Always ensure that the seat belt is properly positioned accord-
ing to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child
seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traf-
fic.
– Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least ev-
ery two hours. 
1)
Not for all countries
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

48Child safety
WARNING
● Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger
seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This could
lead to a risk of potentially fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is nec-
essary, in exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger
seat, the front passenger airbag must always be disabled ⇒ page 45, De-
activating airbags. If the passenger seat has a height adjustment option,
move it to the highest position.
● For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to disconnect
the airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
● All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly belted in while travelling.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potential-
ly fatal injuries to the child!
● Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being prop-
erly secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an acci-
dent, the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal
injuries to themselves and to the other passengers.
● If children assume an improper sitting position when the vehicle is
moving, they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of a
sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly impor-
tant if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag
system is triggered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or
even death.
● A suitable child seat can protect your child!
● Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the vehi-
cle.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or
cold inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.WARNING (Continued)
● Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal
seat belt without a child seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdomi-
nal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.
● Do not allow the seat belt to become twisted or jammed, or to rub on
any sharp edges.
● Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor colli-
sion or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
● The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the seat belt is
properly positioned ⇒ page 24, Seat belts.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒ page 49, Child seats.


49
Child safety
Child seats
Categorisation of child seats into groups
Use only child seats that are officially approved and suitable
for the child. Child seats are subject to the regulation ECE-R 44. ECE-R stands for: Eco-
nomic Commission for Europe Regulation
The child seats are grouped into 5 categories: Group 0: up to 10 kg
Group 0+: up to 13 kg
Group 1: from 9 to 18 kg
Group 2: from 15 to 25 kg
Group 3: from 22 to 36 kg
Child seats that have been tested and approved under the ECE R44 stand-
ard bear the test mark on the seat (the letter E in a circle with the test num-
ber below it). Group 0 and 0+ child seats
A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can
help you to protect your child.
Fig. 29 A group 0 rear-
facing child seat fitted on
the rear seat.
Group 0: For babies from about 9 months old and 10 kg in weight, the most
suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration ⇒ fig. 29.
Group 0+: For babies from about 18 months old and 13 kg in weight the
most suitable seats are those appearing in the illustration.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats.
We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction
manual together with the on-board documentation.
WARNING
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of child seats ⇒ 
in Safety notes on using child seats on page 48.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

50Child safety
Group 1 child seats
A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can
help you to protect your child.
Fig. 30 A category 1 for-
ward-facing child seat fit-
ted on the rear seat.
Child seats using the ISOFIX system or seats in which the child faces the
rear of the vehicle are most appropriate for babies and small children
weighing between 9 and 18 kg.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats.
We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction
manual together with the on-board documentation.
WARNING
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of child seats ⇒ 
in Safety notes on using child seats on page 48.Group 2 and 3 child seats
A suitable child seat and a correctly adjusted seat belt can
help you to protect your child.
Fig. 31 Forward-facing
child seat installed on
rear seat.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats.
We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction
manual together with the on-board documentation.
Group 2 child seats
Children under 7 years of age weighing between 15 and 25 kg are best pro-
tected by group 2 child seats together with properly adjusted seat belts.
Group 3 child seats
Children over 7 years of age weighing between 22 and 36 kg but less than
1.5 metres tall are best protected by seat cushions with head restraints to-
gether with properly worn seat belts ⇒ fig. 31. 

51
Child safety
WARNING
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie approximately on the cen-
tre of the shoulder, never across the neck or the arm. The seat belt must
lie close to the upper part of the body. The lap belt part must lie across
the pelvis, not across the stomach, and always fit closely. Pull the belt
tight if necessary to take up any slack ⇒ page 24, Seat belts.
● Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the
use of child seats ⇒ 
in Safety notes on using child seats on page 48.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

52Child safety
Securing child seats
Ways to secure a child seat
A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and
on the front passenger seat. You can secure a child seat to the rear seat or front passenger seat in the
following ways:
● Child seats in groups 0 to 3 can be secured with a seat belt.
● Seats for children aged 0, 0+ and 1 with the “ISOFIX” system can be se-
cured without fastening seat belts, using the “ISOFIX” and/or Top Tether se-
curing rings ⇒ page 53.
CategoryWeightSeat locationsFront passen-
gerRear outerRear centre
Group 0<10 kgU*U/LUGroup 0+<13 kgU*U/LUGroup 19-18 kgU*U/LUGroup 2 / 315-36 kgU*UU
Suitable for universal approved restraining systems for use in this age
category (universal retention systems are those fitted using the adult
seat belt).
Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible, as high as pos-
sible and always deactivate the airbag.
Suitable for retention systems using the “ISOFIX” anchors.
U:
*:
L:
WARNING
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a re-
straint system suitable for age, weight and size.
● Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger
seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This could
cause fatal injuries to the child! However, if, in exceptional cases, it is
necessary to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front pas-
senger airbag ⇒ page 45, Deactivating airbags must always be disabled
and the seat adjusted to its highest position, where possible.
● Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the
use of child seats ⇒ 
in Safety notes on using child seats on page 48.

54Child safety
WARNING
The retainers employed for this child safety seat are specially designed
for the “ISOFIX” system. Never secure other child seats, seat belts or
other items into the retainers. If you do, you increase the risk of sustain-
ing severe or fatal injuries.

Top Tether retainer straps
Some child restraint seats have a third Top Tether anchoring
point, apart from both ISOFIX anchoring points, which allow
better child retention.
Fig. 34 Position of the
Top Tether rings on the
rear tray
The Top Tether system has an upper strap for attachment to the vehicle's
upper anchoring point, which is found on the rear luggage compartment
cover. The retainer strap is used to reduce forwards movements of the safety seat
in a crash, helping reduce the risk of injuries to the head from hitting the
inside of the vehicle.
It is foreseen that an EU Directive will introduce requirements related to the
retention of child restraint systems by means of ISOFIX and Top Tether an-
chorages (probably compulsory for new types from 2010), which will entail
improved retention of the child restraint seat and less head movement in
case of frontal collisions.
Use of retainer straps on rear-facing seats
At present there are very few rear-facing child safety seats fitted with a re-
tainer strap. Please carefully read and follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions for information on how to install the retainer strap properly.
WARNING
An undue installation of the safety seat will increase the risk of injury in
the event of a crash.
● Never tie the retainer strap to a hook in the luggage compartment.
● Never secure or tie luggage or other items to the lower anchorages
(ISOFIX) or the upper ones (Top Tether).


55
Child safety
Fitting the Top Tether child restraint to the anchoring point
Fig. 35 Retainer strap:
correct adjustment and
fitting
Securing the Top Tether child restraint to the anchoring point
situated on the rear shelf
– Pull out the fastening belt of the child restraint seat according
to the manufacturer's instructions.
– Lead the Top Tether fastening belt under the rear seat head re-
straint ⇒ fig. 35 (lift the head restraint where necessary).
– Slide the belt so that the Top Tether belt of the child restraint
seat is correctly secured to the rear shelf anchorage.
– Firmly tighten the Top Tether belt following the child restraint
seat manufacturer's instructions.
Releasing the retaining strap
– Release the retainer strap in line with the instructions given by
the child safety seat manufacturer. –
Push the lock and release it from the anchoring support.
WARNING
Read and bear in mind all the WARNINGS ⇒ page 54.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications