Seat Ibiza: Curtain airbags

Seat Ibiza Owners Manual

Description of curtain airbags

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

Fig. 23 Location of left curtain airbag

The curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors ⇒ fig. 23 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”. In conjunction with the seat belts, the curtain airbag system gives the occupants additional protection for the head and upper body in the event of a severe side collision, “Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system”. The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but 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 for your safety

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 passenger and passengers on the rear seats,

• a warning lamp in the dash panel
insert.

The functionality of the airbag system is monitored electronically.

The curtain airbag system will not be triggered

• if the ignition is switched off,

• during a frontal collision,

• during a rear-end collision,

• if the vehicle rolls,

• during a minorside collision,

WARNING

If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system checked immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.

Function of curtain airbags

Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury in a side collision.

Fig. 24 Deployed curtain airbags

During some side collisions

the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 24.

In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be triggered together. When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the process, the curtain bag covers the side windows and door pillars. In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags have to deploy extremely rapidly (within fractions of a second). A fine dust may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and is no indication that there was a 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 propellant 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 head air bag 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 occupants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide 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.

• The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. When using the coat hooks, do not hang the clothes on coat hangers.

• The airbags provide protection for one accident only, if they have been deployed they must be replaced.

• Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining) should only be performed by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, a fault may be introduced into the operation of the airbag system.

• Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.

• The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged in any way, this may affect the correct working of the system. All work carried out on the front door must be made in a qualified workshop.