Seat ALTEA Owner's Manual page 30

28 Airbag system
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel
bags 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 se-
vere frontal collision ⇒ p age 29, Safety notes on the front airbag system.
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 control lamp  on the dash panel ⇒ p age 25
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag system
control lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is switch-
ed on (self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the control lamp :
● does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ p age 25,
● turns off after 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on
● turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on
● lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving.
The front airbag system will not be triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a minor frontal collision
● there is a side collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over.
⇒ F ig. 18
and
WARNING
⇒ F ig.
19. Air-
● The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if
the occupants are seated correctly ⇒ p age 9, Proper sitting position for
occupants.
● If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked
immediately by a specialised workshop. Otherwise, during a frontal colli-
sion the system may fail to trigger or not trigger correctly.
Operation of front airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of injuries to the head or chest.
The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and front
passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In certain types of accident, the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas and de-
ploy in front of the driver and front passenger

Fig. 20 Inflated front air-
bags.
⇒ F ig.
20. The fully deployed
