Seat Ibiza ST 2009 Owner's Guide

Seat belts
20Seat belt 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 seat 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 that wearing seat belts is an effective means of substantially
reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious
accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection
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 section.
– 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. 10 A driver wearing
the seat belt properly: is
secured by the belt in
sharp braking
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 20 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Seat belts21
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
•Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town. The
other passengers must also wear seat belts, otherwise they may be in
danger of injury!•The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the seat belt is not posi-
tioned correctly.•Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same seat belt.•Keep both feet in the footwell 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 seat belt must never be twisted while it is being worn.•The seat belt 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 damaged 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, otherwise the retractors may not work
properly.
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 seat belt is not
positioned correctly.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 11 Belt buckle and
latch plate of seat belt
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 21 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Seat belts
22
– 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 secure ly locked with an audible click
⇒ page 21, fig. 11 .
– 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
s t ra p. Fu ll f r e e d o m o f m ov e m e n t i s p e r m i t t e d w h e n t h e s h o u l d e r b e l t is p ul le d
slowly. However, during sudden braking, during travel in mountains or bends
and during acceleration, the automatic retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front seats are fitted with belt tension
devices ⇒page 25.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat seat belt 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 belts 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.•I f an o cc u pa n t is i n co r re c t l y b e l te d i n , t h e b e l t can n ot p ro te c t h i m o r h e r
properly. An incorrectly positioned seat belt can cause extremely severe
injuries.
Seat belt position
Seat belts offer their maximum protection only when they are
properly positioned.
Fig. 12 Correct seat belt
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from frontFig. 13 Correct seat belt
and head restraint posi-
tions, viewed from side
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 22 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Seat belts23
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat seat belt can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident.•The shoulder belt must be positioned around the middle of the
shoulder. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso ⇒page 22,
fig. 12 .•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 22,
fig. 13 . Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.•Read and observe the warnings ⇒page 20.
Pregnant women must also fasten their seat belts properly
The best protection for the unbo rn 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 seat belt
is properly positioned ⇒page 22.
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly.
– Holding the latch plate, pull the belt evenly across your chest and as low as possible over the pelvis ⇒fig. 14 .
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the corresponding seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an audible click
⇒ .
– Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the buckle.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat seat belt 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 20.
Fig. 14 Positioning seat
belts during pregnancy
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 23 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Seat belts
24Seat 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. 15 . 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.
Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe or even mortal
injuries.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order
described in this chapter. An in correct sitting position impairs
substantially the protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe
or fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially
increased when a deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has
assumed an incorrect sitting position. As the driver, you are respon-
sible for all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never allow anyone to wear the seat belt incorrectly while the vehicle is moving ⇒.
WARNING
•An incorrectly worn seat belt increases the risk of severe injuries.•Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts
properly and to wear them for the whole journey.•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of seat belts ⇒page 20.
Fig. 15 Removing latch
plate from buckle
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 24 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Seat belts25
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Belt tensioners*Function of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are
retracted automatically.The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tensioners.
Sensors will trigger the belt tensioners during severe head-on, lateral and
rear collisions only if the seat belt is being worn. This retracts and tightens the
seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occupants.
The belt tension device can be triggered only once.
The belt tensioners will not be triggered in the event of light frontal and side
collisions, if the vehicle overturns, or in situations where no large forces act
on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•If the belt tensioners are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal
and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle.•The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the system are scrapped. A qualified workshop is familiar with
these regulations and will be pleased to pass on the information to you.Service and disposal of belt tensionersThe belt tensioners are components of the seat belts that are installed in the
seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tensioners or remove and install
parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat belt may be
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the belt
tensioners function incorrectly or not at all. 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 qualified workshops, must be observed.
WARNING
•If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the belt tensioners
are used incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries increases. The belt
tensioners may fail to trigger or may trigger in the wrong circumstances.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt
tensioners or seat belts.•The belt tension device and seat belt including its automatic retractor
cannot be repaired.•Any work on the belt tensioners 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 tensioners will only provide protection for one accident and
must be changed it they have been activated.
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 25 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Airbag system
26Airbag systemBrief introductionWhy wear a seat belt and assume the correct sitting position?
For the inflating airbags to achieve the best protection, the
seat belt must always be worn properly and the correct sitting
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
– Adjust the driver seat and the steering wheel correctly.
– Adjust the front passenger seat correctly.
– Adjust the head restraint correctly ⇒page 12.
– Use an appropiate child restraint system to protect children in your vehicle.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 and detected by the control unit. If the
vehicle deceleration occurring during the collision and measured by the
control unit remains below the specified 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 cr it ical or fatal inju ries if t he airbag is triggered. You s hould al ways
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.•I f yo u are n o t w ea r i ng a s ea t b e l t , i f yo u l e an fo r w a rd o r t o t h e s id e w h il e
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.
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 26 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Airbag system27
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
•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 36.
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size
of each child.
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 36, “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 of the child seat manufacturer
and absolutely observe all warnings
− 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 tensioner
system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and belt tensioners in the vehicle,
including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 27 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Airbag system
28Monitoring of airbag and belt tensioner system
Both the airbag and belt tensioner systems operation is constantly monitored
electronically. The warning lamp
 will light up for a few seconds every time
the ignition is switched on (self-diagnosis).
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.
Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified workshop.
If any of the airbags are de-activated by the Authorised Service Centre, the
indicator lights for several seconds more after the verification and will turn off
if there is no fault.WARNING
•If there is a malfunction, the airbag and belt tensioner system cannot
properly perform its protective function.•If a malfunction occured, have the system checked immediately by a
qualified workshop. Otherwise, in th e event of an accident, the airbag
system and belt tensioners may not be triggered, or may not be triggered
correctly.
Repairs, maintenance and disposal of the airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle.
If work is carried out 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
incorrectl y, the ris k of severe or fatal inju ries is increase d. T he 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 dash panel,
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 triggered, 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 removal and installation of the airbag
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should
be performed only by a qualified wo rkshop. Qualified workshops have the
necessary tools, repair inform ation and qualified personnel.•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.
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 28 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16

Airbag system29
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Front 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. 16 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒fig. 17 .
Airbags are identified by the word “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 31, “Safety notes on the frontal 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 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. 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 as a contribution
to your own safety
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 instrument panel ⇒page 27.
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 27•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.
Fig. 16 Driver airbag
located in steering wheelFig. 17 Front passenger
airbag located in dash
panel
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 29 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16