Driving133
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒ fig. 97.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the locking knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒fig. 97 and guide the handbrake lever down
fully ⇒ .
Always 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 wa rning lamp goes out when the hand-
brake is released.
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.
Fig. 97 Handbrake
between the front seats
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Driving and the environment143
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 in the first 500 km. New
brake pads should be run-in carefully in 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
144Authorised 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 move 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 162, “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 175, “Topping up engine oil ”.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary ⇒page 214.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 60. 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
154Care 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 143, “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 143, “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
182Brake 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 coolant expansion tank is shown in the corresponding
engine compartment diagram ⇒page 224. 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 60.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 169.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 169 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 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. 126 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
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Index245
Index
AABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Adjusting simp le headlights
driving on the left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
driving on the right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Adjusting the seat belt height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Air conditioning system Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Air conditioning* Semiautoamtic air conditioning* . . . . . . . . 115
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Air recirculation Semi-automatic air conditi oning . . . . . . . . 117
Air recirculation mode Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Airbags
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Alterations to the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Ambient temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 58
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror* Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . 96
Deactivating anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . . . 96
Automatic car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Instructions for driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
BBall coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
BatteryChanging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Belt tension device Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139, 143
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92, 124
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Index
250RME fuel (biodiesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Roll-back function
Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Roof carrier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Running in Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Running in tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143SSafe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructions Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Safety notes Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Disabling front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . 42
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Safety system- safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99, 102 Seat belt position
Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Incorrectly fastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seat belts protect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Selective opening* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Semiautomatic air conditioning controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55, 58
Shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Sitting position Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sitting position, occupants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 223
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Starting Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125, 126
After the fuel tank has been run dry . . . . . 127
Steam cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Steering lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Steering wheel height adjustment . . . . . . . . . 122
Stowage Front right seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Stowage compartment Front passenger side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Sunroof blind Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Switch Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Rear window heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Switches Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Electrical exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
TTailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
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