Seat Mii 2013 Repair Manual

59
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
At speeds of 30 km/h (18 mph) to 50 km/h (30 mph), the forces acting on
bodies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1000 kg or
2.205 pounds). At greater speed these forces are even higher.
This example applies not only to head-on collisions, but to all accidents and
collisions. 
Dangers of not using the seat belt
Fig. 39 A driver not
wearing a seat belt is
thrown forward violently
Fig. 40 The unbelted
rear passenger is thrown
forward violently, hitting
the driver wearing a seat
belt
Many people believe that the vehicle occupants can protect themselves
with their hands in a minor collision. This is false!
Even at low speeds, the forces acting on the body in a collision are so great
that it is not possible to brace oneself with just one's arms and hands. In a
frontal collision, unbelted vehicle occupants are thrown forward and will
make violent contact with the steering wheel, dash panel, windscreen or
whatever else is in the way ⇒ Fig. 39.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts. When triggered, airbags
provide only additional protection. Airbags do not deploy in all types of ac-
cident. All vehicle occupants (including the driver) must be wearing seat
belts properly during the trip, even if the vehicle is equipped with airbag
systems. This will reduce the risk of critical or fatal injuries in the event of an
accident – regardless of whether an airbag is fitted for the seat.
The airbag is only deployed once. To achieve the best possible protection,
the seat belt must always be worn properly so that you will be protected in
accidents in which no airbag is deployed. Vehicle occupants not wearing
belts could be thrown from the vehicle and sustain even more severe or fa-
tal injuries. 
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60Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
It is also important for the rear passengers to wear seat belts properly, as
they could otherwise be thrown forward violently in an accident. Rear pas-
sengers who do not use seat belts endanger not only themselves but also
the driver and other vehicle occupants ⇒ Fig. 40. 
Seat belt protection
Fig. 41 Drivers with
properly worn seat belts
will not be thrown for-
ward in the event of sud-
den braking
Wearing a correctly fastened seat belt can significantly change the situa-
tion. Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sit-
ting positions 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 ⇒ Fig. 41.
Passengers wearing their seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability
of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front crumple zones and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to ab-
sorb the kinetic energy generated in a collision. Taken together, all these
features reduce the energy released and decrease 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 worn seat belts to be an effective
means of considerably reducing the risk of severe injury and improving the
chances of survival in a serious accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat
belts improve the protection provided by deployed 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 fas-
tened 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 pas-
sengers have fastened their seat belts properly before you drive off!

Using seat belts
Checklist
Use of the seat belt ⇒ 
:
 Check the condition of all the seat belts at regular intervals.
 Keep the seat belts clean.
 Keep the belt web, the latch plate and the buckle free of foreign bod-
ies and liquids.
 Do not jam or damage the seat belt or the latch plate when closing
the door, for example.


61
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Checklist (Continued)
 Never remove, modify or repair the seat belt or belt fastening mecha-
nisms.
 Fasten your seat belt properly before each trip and keep it fastened.
Twisted seat belt
If it is difficult to remove the seat belt from the guide, the seat belt may
have become twisted inside the side trim after being wound too quickly on
unfastening:
●
Pull out the seat belt completely, carefully pulling on the latch plate.
● Untwist the belt and guide it back, assisting it by hand.
The seat belt must be fastened even if it is impossible to untwist it. In this
case, the twisted area must not be in an area in direct contact with your
body. Have the seat belt untwisted urgently by a specialised workshop.
WARNING
An improperly handled seat belt increases the risk of sustaining severe
or fatal injuries.
● Regularly check that the seat belts and their components are in per-
fect condition.
● Always keep your seat belt clean.
● Do not jam or damage the seat belt or rub it with sharp edges.
● Make sure there are no liquids or foreign bodies on the latch plate
and in the buckle.
 Fastening or unfastening a seat belt
Fig. 42 Insert the latch
plate into the buckle
Fig. 43 Release the latch
plate from the buckle
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the position that
most protects them in the event of an accident or sudden braking ⇒ 
.
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62Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Fastening the seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
● Correctly adjust the front seat ⇒ page 47.
● Engage the seat backrest in the upright position and correctly adjust the
hear restraint ⇒ 
.
● Pull the latch plate and place the belt webbing evenly across your chest
and lap. Do not twist the seat belt when doing so ⇒ 
.
● Engage the latch plate in the buckle of the corresponding seat ⇒ Fig. 42.
● Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the
buckle.
Unfastening the seat belt
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a stand-
still ⇒ 
. ●
Press the red button on the buckle ⇒ Fig. 43. The latch plate is released
from the buckle.
● Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim will not
be damaged.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe or fatal injuries in the
event of an accident.
● The seat belt cannot offer its full protection unless the seat backrests
are in an upright position and the seat belt is worn correctly, according to
your size.
● Unbuckling your seat belt while the vehicle is in motion can cause se-
vere or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.

Seat belt position
Fig. 44 Correct seat belt position 

63
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Fig. 45 Correct position-
ing of seat belts during
pregnancy
Seat belts offer their maximum protection in the event of an accident and
reduce the risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries only when they are
properly positioned. Furthermore, if the webbing is correctly positioned, the
seat belt will hold the vehicle occupants in the optimum position to ensure
the airbag provides the utmost protection. The seat belt must therefore al-
ways be worn and the webbing correctly positioned.
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe or even fatal injuries
⇒  page 47, Adjusting the seat position.
Correct seat belt position
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never across the neck or the arm, under the arm or behind the shoulder.
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stomach.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably. Pull the belt tight if neces-
sary to take up any slack.
In the case of pregnant women , the seat belt must lie evenly across the
chest and as low as possible over the pelvis, never across the stomach and
must be worn properly at all times during the pregnancy ⇒ Fig. 45. Adapting the position of the belt webbing to your size
The seat belt can be adapted using the following equipment:
●
Seat height adjustment (front seats).
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an accident or sudden braking or manoeuvre.
● The seat belt cannot provide optimum protection if it is not correctly
worn and the seat backrest is not tilted slightly backwards.
● The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause severe injuries if the
belt moves from hard areas of the body to soft areas (e.g. the stomach).
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoul-
der, never across the neck or the arm.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the torso
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across
the stomach. The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the pelvis
Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
● For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must lie as low as
possible over the pelvis and always lie flat, “surrounding” the stomach.
● Do not twist the seat belt while it is fastened.
● Never pull the seat belt away from your body using your hand.
● Do not lie the seat belt across rigid or fragile objects, e.g. glasses,
pens or keys.
● Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments to al-
ter the position of the belt webbing.
Note
If you physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct posi-
tion of the belt webbing, contact a specialised workshop for help with any
special devices to ensure the optimum protection of the seat belt and air-
bag. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
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64Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Automatic belt retainer, belt tensioner, belt tension limiter
Seat belts are part of the vehicle safety concept ⇒ page 65 and consist of
the following important functions:
Automatic belt retainer
Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retainer on the shoulder
belt. If the belt is pulled slowly or during normal driving, the system allows
for total freedom of movement on the shoulder belt. However, during sud-
den braking, during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration,
the automatic belt retainer on the seat belt is locked is pulled quickly.
Belt tensioners
The seat belts for the occupants in the front seats are equipped with belt
tensioners.
Sensors will trigger the belt tensioners during severe head-on, lateral and
rear collisions and retract and tighten the seat belts. If the seat belt is
loose, it is retracted to reduce the forwards movement of occupants or
movement in the direction of the collision. The belt tensioner works in com-
bination with the airbag system. The belt tensioner will not be triggered in
the event of the vehicle overturning if the side airbags are not deployed.
If the belt tensioner is triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal and
it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle.
Belt tension limiter
The belt tension limiter reduces the force of the seat belt on the body in the
event of an accident.
Note
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the system are scrapped. These requirements are known to
specialised workshops ⇒ page 64. Service and disposal of belt tensioners
If you work on the belt tensioners or remove and install other parts of the
vehicle when performing other repair work, the seat belt may be damaged.
The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the belt tension-
ers function incorrectly or not at all.
So that the effectiveness of the belt tensioner is not reduced and that re-
moved parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions must be observed. These requirements are known to specialised work-
shops.
WARNING
Improper handling and homemade repairs of seat belts, automatic belt
retainers and tension devices increase the risk of sustaining severe or fa-
tal injuries. The belt tensioner may fail to trigger or may trigger in the
wrong circumstances.
● Never attempt to repair, adjust or remove or install parts of the belt
tensioners or seat belts. Any work must be performed by a specialised
workshop only ⇒ page 222.
● Belt tensioners and automatic belt retainers cannot be repaired and
must be replaced.
For the sake of the environment
Airbag modules and belt tensioners may contain perchlorate. Observe the
legal requirements for their disposal. 

65
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Airbag system Introduction
Front airbags have been installed for both driver and passenger. The front
airbags can also protect the chest and head of driver and passenger if the
seats, seat belts head restraints and, for the driver, the steering wheel are
correctly adjusted and used. Airbags are considered as additional safety
equipment. An airbag cannot replace the seat belt, which must be worn at
all times, even in front seats where front airbags have been installed.
Additional information and warnings:
● Driving tips ⇒ page 25
● Correct sitting position ⇒ page 47
● Seat belts ⇒ page 56
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 74
● Care and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ page 205
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 222
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 233
WARNING
Never exclusively trust the airbag system as a means of protection.
● Even when triggered, airbag protection is only auxiliary.
● The airbags provide the best protection when the seat belts are prop-
erly fastened, thus reducing the risk of sustaining injuries ⇒ page 56,
Seat belts.
● Before each trip, every occupant must sit properly, correctly fasten
the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and keeping it fastened
throughout the trip. This rule is valid for all vehicle occupants.
WARNING
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any objects
in the deployment space between them and the airbags, as this increa-
ses the risk of sustaining injuries if the airbag is triggered. This modifies
the airbag deployment space or the objects may fly uncontrollably and
hit your body.
● Never carry objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in
motion.
● Never transport objects on the front passenger seat. In the event of
sudden braking and manoeuvres, the objects may end up in the airbag
deployment space and fly uncontrollably around the interior if the airbag
is activated.
● Occupants of the front and rear seats must never carry any other peo-
ple, pets or objects in the deployment space between them and the air-
bags. Make sure children and other passengers also respect this recom-
mendation.
WARNING
The airbag system provides protection for one accident only. If they have
been deployed, they must be replaced.
● Ensure deployed airbags and the system components involved are im-
mediately replaced with new, SEAT-approved components for the vehicle.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried out at a specialised work-
shop. Specialised workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostics
equipment, repair information and qualified personnel.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag components in your vehicle.
● Never modify the airbag system components. 
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66Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
WARNING
If the airbags are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal and it
is not an indication of fire in the vehicle.
● This fine dust may irritate the skin and eyes and cause breathing dif-
ficulties, particularly in people suffering from or who have suffered from
asthma or other illnesses of the respiratory tract. To reduce breathing dif-
ficulties, get out of the vehicle and open and doors and windows to
breath in fresh air.
● Should you touch the dust, wash your hands and face using a mild
soap and water before you eat.
● Prevent the dust from affecting the eyes or open wounds.
● Rinse your eyes with water if you have dust in them.
WARNING
Solvents cause the surfaces of the airbag modules to become porous. If
an airbag is accidentally triggered, the detachment of plastic parts could
cause serious injury.
● Never clean the dash panel and the surfaces of the airbag modules
with cleaners containing solvents.


67
Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
Types of front passenger front airbag systems
There are 2 different SEAT front passenger airbag systems:ABCharacteristics of the passenger
front airbag without disabling.Characteristics of the front passen-
ger front airbag that can be disabled
manually ⇒ page 71.
- * Control lamp  on the instru-
ment panel.– Control lamp  on the instrument
panel.
- Front passenger airbag located in
dash panel.- PASSENGER AIR BAG   control
lamp on the dash panel.
- Key switch in the glove compart-
ment on the front passenger side of
the dash panel.
- Front passenger airbag located in
dash panel.
- Description: airbag system- Description: airbag system with
front passenger front airbag disa-
bling.
- Description: airbag system without
disabling.* Control lamps
Fig. 46 Control lamp for
disabling the front pas-
senger front airbag on
the dash panel
lights
upLocationPossible causeSolution
Instrument
panelFault in airbag system
and seat belt tension-
ers.Have the system checked
immediately by a special-
ised workshop.

Dash panel.
Fault in the airbag
system.Have the system checked
immediately by a special-
ised workshop.
Front passenger front
airbag disabled.Check whether the airbag
should remain disabled.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   warning lamp does not remain lit or if it is
lit together with the control lamp  on the instrument panel and the front
passenger airbag is disabled, there may be a fault in the airbag system
⇒ 
. 
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68Ensuring you are correctly and safely seated
WARNING
In the event of a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not trigger
correctly, may fail to trigger or may even trigger unexpectedly, leading to
severe or fatal injuries.
● Have the airbag system checked immediately by a specialised work-
shop.
● Never mount a child seat in the front passenger seat or remove the
mounted child seat! The front passenger front airbag may deploy during
an accident in spite of the fault.
CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps and to the corresponding de-
scriptions and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle. 
Description and function of the airbag
The airbag can protect vehicle occupants in the event of an accidents, cush-
ioning the movement of the occupants in the direction of the collision in
frontal and side accidents.
Deployed airbags fill with a propellant gas. This causes the airbag covers to
break and the airbags to deploy extremely quickly in their entire deploy-
ment space within fractions of a second. When an occupant with the seat
belt properly fastened puts pressure on the inflated airbag, the propellant
gas escapes to absorb the force of the impact and slow the movement. This
reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Airbag deployment does not
mean that other types of injury such as swelling, bruising and skin injuries
can be ruled out. Upon deployment of the airbag, friction can cause the
generation of heat.
Airbags do not protect the arms or the lower part of the body. The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident,
the angle of impact, the vehicle speed and the characteristics of the object
the vehicle hits. Therefore, airbags are not triggered every time the vehicle
is visibly damaged.
The activation of the airbag system depends on the magnitude of the decel-
eration of the vehicle caused by a collision, which registers through an elec-
tronic control unit. If the deceleration magnitude value is below the refer-
ence value programmed in the control unit, the airbags will not deploy de-
spite serious damage being caused to the vehicle by the accident. Damage
suffered by the vehicle, reparation costs or absence of damage suffered
from the accident are not indications of whether an airbag should have
been deployed. Due to the varying nature of collision situations, it is impos-
sible to define a speed range of the vehicle and reference values. For this
reason, it is not possible to cover all types of collisions and collision angles
resulting in the deployment of the airbag. Factors necessary for the airbag
to be deployed can be, the characteristics of the object (hard or soft)
against which the vehicle collides, the collision angle and the vehicle
speed.
Airbags act in conjunction with three-point seat belts in the event of certain
accidents, when the vehicle deceleration rate is severe enough to trigger
the airbags. Airbags only deploy once and only under certain circumstan-
ces. Seat belts remain present to offer protection in situations where air-
bags are not triggered or where they have already deployed. For example,
when a vehicle hits another after an initial collision or is hit by another vehi-
cle.
The airbag system is an integral part of the car's passive safety system. The
airbag system can only work effectively when the vehicle occupants are
wearing their seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints
properly
 ⇒ page 47.
Vehicle safety components
The following safety equipment makes up the vehicle safety design to re-
duce the risk of severe and fatal injuries. Depending on the vehicle equip-
ment, some equipment may not be fitted in the vehicle or may not be avail-
able in some markets. 