Get Safety First -> Seat belts Guide for Seat Leon 4 Door First Generation (1999-2006)

Seat belts 19

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

Seat belts

Introduction

Always fasten seat belts before driving!

Properly worn seat belts can save lives!

In this chapter you will learn why seat belts are so important, how

they work and how to properly fasten, adjust and wear them.

– Read and observe all the information as well as the warnings in

this chapter.

WARNING

• If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe inju-

ries increases.

• Properly worn seat belts can reduce severe injuries in the event of

sudden braking manoeuvres or accidents. Therefore, you and your passen-

gers should always wear the seat belts properly as long as the vehicle is in

motion.

• Pregnant women or persons with physical disabilities must also use

seat belts. Like all other occupants, these persons can also sustain severe

injuries if they are not wearing their seat belts properly.

Number of seats

Your vehicle has five passenger places, two individual front seats and three

places on the rear seat. Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.

WARNING

• Never transport more people than there are seats available in the

vehicle.

• Every occupant in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat

belt belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an appro-

priate child restraint system.

Seat belt warning lamp* 

The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten

the seat belt.

Before you drive:

– Always fasten your seat belt correctly before driving off.

– Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before

driving off.

– Protect your children with child restraint systems appropriate for

the size and age of the children.

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Seat belts20

The warning lamp  in the combi-instrument lights up if the driver seat belt

is not fastened when the ignition is switched on. In addition, an acoustic

signal is given for a few seconds and a text is displayed on the combi-instru-

ment Please fasten your seatbelt.

The warning lamp*  does not go out until the driver seat belt is fastened

while the ignition is switched on.

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Seat belts 21

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

Why wear seat belts?

Frontal collisions and the laws of physics

In the event of a frontal collision, a large amount of kinetic

energy must be released.

The action of the laws of physics in the case of a frontal collision may be

explained in the following way: As the vehicle moves ⇒ fig. 6 the vehicle and

the passengers alike accumulate a stored energy called “kinetic energy”.

The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the

weight of the vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the greater

the weight, the more energy there is to be “released” in an accident.

The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed

doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic energy increases

by a factor of four.

Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the

entire amount of kinetic energy has to be absorbed at the point of impact

⇒ fig. 7.

Even at speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on bodies in a colli-

sion can easily exceed one tonne (1,000 kg). At greater speed these forces

are even higher.

Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “attached” to the vehicle. In a

frontal collision they will continue to move forward at the speed their vehicle

Fig. 6 Passengers of a

vehicle heading for a brick

wall. They are not wearing

seat belts

Fig. 7 The vehicle with

unbelted occupants

strikes the wall

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Seat belts22

was travelling just before the impact. This example applies not only to frontal

accidents, but to all accidents and collisions.

The danger of not using the seat belt

Many people believe that they could protect themselves with

their hands in case of a collision, this is completely untrue!

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 one's hands. In a frontal collision,

unbelted passengers are thrown forward and will make violent contact with

the steering wheel, dashboard, windscreen or whatever else is in the way

⇒ fig. 8.

The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts. When deployed,

airbags provide only additional protection. All occupants (including the

driver) must be wearing seat belts properly during the trip. This will reduce

the risk of severe injuries in the event of an accident – regardless of whether

an airbag is fitted for the seat.

Note that airbags can be triggered only 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.

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 passengers

who do not use seat belts endanger not only themselves but also the front

occupants ⇒ fig. 9.

Fig. 8 A driver not

wearing a seat belt is

thrown forward violently

Fig. 9 The unbelted rear

passenger is thrown

forward violently, hitting

the driver wearing a seat

belt

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Seat belts 23

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

Seat belts protect

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 which 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 crumple zones and other

passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to

absorb the kinetic energy generated in a collision. Taken together, all these

features reduce the forces acting on the occupants and consequently the risk

of injury.

Our examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts

reduce substantially 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 substantially

reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a serious

accident. Further, 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 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 notes 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 booklet.

– 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 Driver protected

by the properly worn seat

belt during a sudden

braking manoeuvre

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Seat belts24

• Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town. That

applies also to your front and rear passengers – danger of injury!

• The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is not posi-

tioned correctly.

• Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same seat belt.

• Keep both feet in the foot-well 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 belt webbing must never be twisted while it is being worn.

• The belt webbing 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 condition 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 ⇒ page 185.

Seat belts

Seat 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 belt web is not

positioned correctly.

WARNING (continued) WARNING (continued)

Fig. 11 Belt buckle and

latch plate of seat belt

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Seat belts 25

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

– 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 securely locked with an audible click

⇒ page 24, 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

strap. Full freedom of movement is permitted when the shoulder belt is pulled

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 tensioning

devices ⇒ page 28.

WARNING

• An incorrectly worn seat belt web 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.

• If an occupant is incorrectly belted in, the belt cannot protect him or her

properly. An incorrectly positioned belt web can cause extremely severe

injuries.

• Always engage the retractor lock when you are securing a child seat in

group 0, 0+ or 1 ⇒ page 46.

Seat belt position

Seat belts offer their maximum protection only when they are

properly positioned.

Fig. 12 Correct belt web

and head restraint posi-

tions, viewed from front

Fig. 13 Correct belt web

and head restraint posi-

tions, viewed from side

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Seat belts26

The following features are available to adjust the seat belt in the shoulder

region:

• belt height adjustment for the front seats,

• front seat height adjustment*.

WARNING

• An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event

of an accident.

• The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder,

never across the neck. The seat belt must lie flat and snugly on the torso

⇒ page 25, 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 25,

fig. 13. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.

• Read and observe the warnings ⇒ page 23.

Pregnant women must also fasten their seat belts properly

The best protection for the unborn 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 belt web

is properly positioned ⇒ page 25.

– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒ page 10.

– 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.

Fig. 14 Positioning seat

belts during pregnancy

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Seat belts 27

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

WARNING

• An incorrectly worn seat belt web 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 23.

Seat 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.

Adjusting the seat belt height

Seat belt height adjusters can be used to adjust the position

of the seat belt at the shoulder.

The seat belt adjuster for the front seats can be used to adjust the

proper belt position at the shoulder.

Fig. 15 Removing latch

plate from buckle

Fig. 16 Location of the

belt height adjuster

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Seat belts28

– Press the upper part of the shoulder belt guide and hold it in this

position ⇒ page 27, fig. 16.

– Move the shoulder belt guide up or down until you have adjusted

the seat belt ⇒ page 25.

– After adjusting, pull the shoulder belt sharply to check that the

catch on the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.

Incorrectly fastened seat belts

Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe 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 incorrect 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 driver, you are responsible

for all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:

– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in

the vehicle while travelling ⇒ .

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 during the trip.

• Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use

of seat belts ⇒ page 23.

Belt tensioning devices

Function of the belt tensioning device

During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are

tensed automatically.

The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tensioning

devices. Sensors will trigger the belt tensioning devices 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 tensioning device can be triggered only once.

The belt tensioning devices will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal,

side or rear collision, 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 tensioning devices are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This

is normal and is no indication that there is a 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 tensioning devices

The belt tensioning devices are components of the seat belts that are

installed in the seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tensioning

devices 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

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Seat belts 29

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

the event of an accident, the belt tensioning devices function incorrectly or

not at all.

So that the effectiveness of the belt tensioning 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 tensioning

devices are used incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries increases.

The belt tensioning devices may fail to trigger or may trigger unexpectedly.

• Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt

tensioning devices or seat belts.

• The belt tensioning device and seat belt including its automatic

retractor cannot be repaired.

• Any work on the belt tensioning devices 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 tensioning devices will only provide protection for one accident

and must be changed it they have been activated.

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Safety First -> Seat belts for Your Seat Leon 4 Door First Generation (1999-2006)

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