Cockpit81
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Power steering system*
For vehicles with power steering, the level of steering assistance depends on
the vehicle's speed and on the steering angle.
The warning lamp should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It should go out when the engine has started running.
If the battery is disconnected, the indicator remains lit, even with the engine
running. The warning light only goes of f after a distance of approx. 50 m.
There is a fault in the electromechanica l steering system if the lamp does not
go out or lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. The indicator may appear
in two different colours to indicate faults. If it lights yellow, this indicates a
minor fault. If it lights red, seek wo rkshop assistance immediately, if no
assistance is available stop driving. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance. The power steering does not work if the battery is flat or if the
engine is off (for example, for towing). You should take into account that you
will need considerably more power than normal to steer the vehicle if the
steering assistance is reduced or has failed completely.Brake pad wear indicator*
As the brake pad wear indicator only monitors the front brake pads, it is advis-
able to have the rear brake pads inspected at the same time.
The following information text displa yed in the instrument panel display
15):
CHECK BRAKE PADS .
WARNING
Have the brake pads inspected immediately by a qualified dealership if the
warning display
lights up.
Indicator for open doors or tailgate
This indicator lights if one of th e doors or the tailgate is open.The warning light
should go off when all the doors are closed correctly.
The system also works when the ignition is switched off. It should go off
about 15 seconds after the vehicle is locked.
Electronic immobiliser* “Safe”
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser auto-
matically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The immobiliser will be
activated again automatically as soon as you pull the key out of the ignition
lock.
The following information text displayed in the instrument panel display
16):
SAFE . The vehicle cannot be used in that case ⇒page 149.
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine
key is used.
Note
The vehicle cannot be operated properly if you do not have a genuine SEAT
key.
15)Depending on the model version
16)Depending on the model version
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Driving
158Always apply the handbrake firmly. This prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp
lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The warning lamp goes out when the hand-
brake is released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following
message* will appear in the combi-instrument display: HANDBRAKE ON.
Also, an audible warning is given.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to slow down the vehicle when it is in motion.
The braking distance is considerably longer, as braking is only applied to
the rear wheels. Ri sk of accident!
•
If it is only partially released this will cause overheating of the rear
brakes, which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead
to an accident. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake
pads/linings.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected.Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the
vehicle is parked.Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle. –Apply the handbrake.
– The first gear should also be selected.
– Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition lock.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle ⇒ .
Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle would roll against the kerb if it did
start to roll.•
If the vehicle is facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they point
towards the kerb .
•
If the vehicle is facing uphill , turn the front wheels so that they point away
from the kerb .
•
Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and
selecting first gear.
WARNING
•
Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle
unattended.
•
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
•
Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.
•
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could set the
vehicle in motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear
lever / selector lever.
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Driving and the environment169
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Driving and the environmentRunning-inRunning in a new engine
The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1,500 km.Up to 1,000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than three quarters of top speed.
– Do not accelerate hard.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1000 to 1500 km
–Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed
or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).During its first few hours of running, the internal fric tion in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving parts have bedded in.
For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil
consumption reduced.
Running in tyres and brake pads
New tyres should be run-in carefully for the first 500 km. New
brake pads should be run-in carefully for the first 200 km.During the first 200 km, you can compensate for the reduced braking effect
by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. If you need to make an emer-
gency stop, the braking distance will be longer with new brake pads than with
brake pads which have been run-in.
WARNING
•
New tyres do not give maximum grip to start with, and require running-
in. This may be an accident risk. Drive particularly carefully in the first 500
km.
•
New brake pads must be “run in” and do not have the correct friction
properties during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity
may be compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder.
Braking effect and braking distance
The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by
driving situations and road conditions.The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the brake pad wear. The rate
of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under
which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often
drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we
recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an
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Driving and the environment
170Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommended in the Service
Schedule.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after
heavy rainfall or after washing the car, the braking effect will be reduced as
the brake discs will be wet, or possibly frozen (in winter): the brakes must be
“dried” through careful braking.
The brake fluid must be changed every two years at the latest. Heavy use of
the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left in the system for
too long. This prevents the brakes developing their full braking effect.
WARNING
Longer braking distances and faults in the brake system increase the risk
of accidents.•
New brake pads must be run in and do not have the correct friction
during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. This also
applies when new brake pads are fitted.
•
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have
been gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal.
•
On steep descents if the brakes are excessively used they will over
heat. Before driving down a long steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce
speed and change to a lower gear (or mo ve the selector lever to a lower gear
if your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine
braking and relieves the brakes.
•
Never let the brakes “rub” by applying light pressure. Continuous
braking will cause the brakes to overheat and will increase the braking
distance. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.
•
Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off. The braking
distance is increased considerably as the brake servo does not function.
•
Very heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid
is left in the system for too long. This impairs the braking effect.
•
Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the
brakes and cause them to overheat. Observe the relevant instructions
before purchasing accessories ⇒page 186, “Modifications”.
•
If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary
journeys.
Catalytic converter*To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Always use unleaded petrol.
– Do not run the fuel tank dry.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine oil ⇒page 199, “Topping up engine oil ”.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary ⇒page 240.If you notice misfiring, uneven running or loss of power when the vehicle is
moving, reduce speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected at the
nearest qualified workshop. In general, the exhaust warning lamp will light
up when any of the described symptoms occur ⇒page 71. If this happens,
unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the environment.
The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating.
WARNING (continued)
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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
178Care of the vehicle exteriorAutomatic car washesThe paint is so durable that the car can normally be washed without problems
in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint depends to a large
extent on the design of the car wash, the brushes used, the filtering of the
wash water and the type of detergents and wax solutions used, etc.
After the car has been washed, the brakes could respond later than normal
as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or even frozen in winter. You
must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times
⇒ page 169, “Braking effect and braking distance”.
WARNING
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of
accident.Washing by handWashing the vehicle
– First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off.
– Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush. Start on
the roof and work your way down. Use only light pressure.
– Rinse the sponge or glove as much as possible.
– Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt. – Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last using a different sponge or
glove.
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry the surface of the vehicle gently using a chamois leather.
–If it is cold , dry the rubber seals and the surfaces they touch with
a cloth to prevent them freezing. Apply silicone spray to the
rubber seals.
After cleaning the vehicle
– If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes care-
fully several times ⇒page 169, “Braking effect and braking
distance”.
WARNING
•
The ignition must always be switched off before the vehicle is washed.
•
Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when
cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of
injury.
•
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk
of accident.Caution
•
Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is
dry. Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could scratch
the paintwork or glass on your vehicle.
•
Washing the vehicle in cold weather: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose,
do not direct the water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around the doors,
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Checking and refilling levels
206Brake fluidChecking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the service
schedule.– Read off the fluid level at the transparent brake fluid reservoir. It
should always be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment diagram ⇒ page 252. The brake fluid reservoir has a black and
yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear. However, if the level goes down noticeab
ly in a short time, or drops below the
“MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low ⇒page 71.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 193.Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be renewed every two years.We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 193 in
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the cour se of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also consider ably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
For this reason the brake fluid must be renewed every two years.
It is important that you use only use brake fluid compliant with the US
standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake
fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
Fig. 142 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
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Index269
Index
AABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Adjusting headlights driving on the left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
driving on the right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Adjusting the seat belt height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Air conditioner* 2C-Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Air conditioning system General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Air recirculation mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Manual air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Airbags
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Alterations to the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Ambient temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Ashtray* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Aspects to take into account before starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror* Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . 121
Deactivating anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . . 121
Automatic car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Automatic gearbox / DS G automatic gearbox . 153
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Automatic mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Automatic wiper/wash function for the rear window
119
BBall coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Battery
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Before starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Belt tension device Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Brake pad wear indicator* Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 169
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
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Index
274PPaintwork
Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Parts replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 55
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Trips to foreign countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Petrol engines, starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Physical principles of a frontal collision . . . . . . 21
Plastic key tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Pollen filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145RRadio frequency remote control Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Radio navigation St eering wheel controls
audio + telephone version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
audio version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Radio wave remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Rain sensor* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Rear fog light Indication lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Rear interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Rear reading lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Rear window heating
Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Registration light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Remote control key Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Reverse gear Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
RME fuel (biodiesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Roll-back function Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Roof carrier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Running in
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Running in tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
SSafe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructions Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Safety notes Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Disabling front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . 46
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Safety system- safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 126
Seat belt position Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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