
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
120•
In air recirculation mode, no ambient air enters the vehicle interior. The 
windows can quickly fog over if the heating is switched off. Therefore, you 
should never leave the air recirculation mode switched on for longer 
periods, as this increases the risk of an accident.Note
•
Please observe the general notes  ⇒page 128.
Vehicle ventilation or heatingVentilating the passenger compartment
– Turn the temperature selector  ⇒fig. 92    anti-clockwise.
– Turn blower switch   to speed settings 1 -4. – Set the airflow to the desired direction using air distribution 
control .
– Open the relevant air outlets.
Heating the interior
– Turn the temperature selector  ⇒fig. 92    clockwise to select 
the required temperature.
– Turn blower switch   to speed settings 1 -4.
– Set the airflow to the desired direction using air distribution  control .
– Open the relevant air outlets.
Defrosting the windscreen
– Turn the temperature selector  ⇒fig. 92    clockwise to the 
maximum temperature.
– Turn the blower switch   to setting 4.
– Set air distribution to 
.
–Close outlet  .
– Open and turn outlet   towards side windows
Demisting the windscreen and the side windows
– Turn the temperature selector  ⇒fig. 92    to the heating zone.
– Turn blower switch   to speed settings 2 -3.
– Set air distribution to 
.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 92  On the dash 
panel: Heater controls
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AC
AA
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AC
AA
AB
A3
A4
AA
A7
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 121
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Close outlets  .
– Open and turn outlets   towards side windowsWhen the windows are demisted and as a preventive measure, the switch   
can be set in position 
, thus obtaining greater comfort while preventing the 
windows from misting again. Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Note
Remember that the temperature of the engine coolant should be optimum to 
ensure that the heating system functions correctly ( except in vehicles fitted 
with additional heating*)
Air outlets
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A4
AC
Fig. 93  Air vent
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 123
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Turn the fan control to one of  the two levels depending on the 
speed required.
– Rotate the temperature control to the desired level.
– Close outlets  .
– Open and turn outlets   towards side windows.
Temperature selector  ⇒page 123
Blower control. There are four speed settings for the blower. The blower 
should always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
Air distribution control  ⇒page 123
Air recirculation button    ⇒page 124
Button   – Coolant on button  ⇒page 123WARNING
For your safety, the windows should never be fogged up or covered with 
snow or ice. This is essential to ensu re good visibility. Please familiarise 
yourself with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, 
including the demist/defrost functions for the windows.
Note
Please observe the general notes.
Vehicle interior heating or cooling system Heating of the vehicle interior
– Disconnect the cooling system using button  ⇒fig. 95    (the 
button light goes off).
– Turn the temperature selector   to set the desired temperature.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control   to the air flow configuration  desired:   (towards the windsc reen),  (towards the chest), 
 (towards the foot rest) and   (towards the windscreen and 
foot rest areas).
Cooling the passenger compartment
– Connect the cooling system with button   (the button light  should  light up).
A3
A4
AAABACAD
AE
AC
Fig. 95  On the instru-
ment panel: air condi-
tioning controls
AC
AAAC
AC
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
124
– Turn the temperature control switch until the desired interior temperature is obtained.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration  desired:   (towards the windsc reen),   (towards the chest), 
 (towards the foot rest) and   (towards the windscreen and 
foot rest areas).Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Coolant system
When the cooling system is switched on, not only the temperature, but also 
the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves comfort for 
the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows when the outside 
air humidity is high.
If the cooling system cannot be switched on this may be due to the following 
reasons:•
the engine is not running.
•
The blower is switched off.
•
The outside temperature is lower than +5°C.
•
the cooling system compressor has been temporarily switched off 
because the engine coolant temperature is too high.
•
The air conditioning fuse is faulty.
•
Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a qual-
ified workshop.
Air recirculation  
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells 
from entering the vehicle.When air recirculation mode is switched on (button  ⇒page 123, fig. 95    
with warning lamp) strong odours in the  outside air do not enter the vehicle 
interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in queuing traffic.
When the outside temperature is low, us ing air recirculation mode provides 
more effective heating by heating air from the vehicle interior instead of cold 
air from outside.
When the outside temperature is high,  using air recirculation mode provides 
more effective cooling by cooling air fr om the vehicle interior instead of warm 
air from outside.
For reasons of safety, air recirculation is  not possible when the control for air 
distribution is set to the windscreen setting 
.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no ambient air enters the vehicle interior. If the 
air conditioning system is switched off, the windows can quickly mist over. 
Therefore, you should never leave the air recirculation mode switched on 
for longer periods, as this increases the risk of an accident.
Note
•
When reverse gear is engaged the air recirculation connects automatically 
to prevent the entrance of exhaust fumes in the vehicle on travelling back-
wards. The control light on th e button   does not light up.
•
If the temperature control is turned to the coldest setting (blue point) and 
the switch   is activated, the “Air recirculation” function is automatically 
activated in order to cool the passenger compartment rapidly using a 
minimum of energy and the function indicator will light.
AC
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 125
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
If the function is not deactivated by pressing the button, this will be deac-
tivated after about 20 min.
Economic use of the air conditioningWhen the air conditioning is switched on, the compressor consumes engine 
power and has an effect on fuel consumption. Observe the following points 
in order to have the equipment operating for a short a time as possible.
•
If the vehicle interior has overheated due to excessive solar radiation, it is 
best to open the windows or doors to allow the hot air to escape.
•
When travelling the air conditioning  should not be switched on if the 
windows or sun roof are open.*
ClimatronicControl switchesThe air conditioning system only works when  t
he engine is 
running and the b lower
  is swit ched on.
Fig. 96  On the instrument panel: Climatronic controls
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
126
– Turn the temperature selector  ⇒page 125, fig. 96    to set the 
desired temperature.
– The functions will be switched on when the buttons are pressed.  When the function is activated,  a symbol is displayed on the 
screen. Press the button again to switch off the function.
Blower speed control and ON / OFF system.
Blower level indicator
Outside temperature display
Defrost windscreen display
Air recirculation display:
Display for air flow direction
D isplay  AUTO (aut omatic operation)
Interior temperature selected display
D isplay  ECON   (air conditioning off)
Interior temperature selector.
Button   – defrost function for the windscreen. The air drawn in from 
outside the vehicle is directed at the windscreen. The air recirculation 
mode, if switched on, will be switched off as soon as the defrost function 
is switched on. At temperatures over 3°C, the air conditioning system will 
be switched on automatically and the blower speed will be increased by 
one level in order to dry the air.
Button   – Automatic temperature, ventilation and air distribution 
control  ⇒page 126
Button   – Air distribution to footwell
Button   – Air distribution to the upper body.
Button   – Air distribution to head.
Button   – To connect economic mode. When the button light is on, 
the air conditioning is disconnected to save fuel.
Button   – Manual air recirculation mode.
WARNING
For your safety, the windows should never be fogged up or covered with 
snow or ice. This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise 
yourself with the correct operation of  the heating and ventilation system, 
including the demist/defrost  functions for the windows.
Note
Please observe the general notes.Automatic mode
In automatic mode air temperature, flow, and distribution are 
automatically regulated so that a specified temperature is 
attained as quickly as possible and then maintained.Switching on automatic mode
– Press the button  . The display is visible  ⇒page 125, 
fig. 96   .
– Turn the temperature selector to set the desired temperature  inside the vehicle. We recommend 22°C (72°F).A comfortable interior climate is quickly reached when a temperature of 
+22°C (72°F) is set in automatic mode. It can be changed as necessary to suit 
individual preferences or particular cir cumstances. It is possible to select 
interior temperatures from +18°C (64°F)  to +29°C (86°F). If a lower or higher 
temperature is selected,  LO or  HI is displayed on the screen. These are 
approximate temperatures and the actual  temperature may be slightly higher 
or lower depending on the outside conditions.
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AUTO
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ECON
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AUTO
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
128When the outside temperature is high, using air recirculation mode provides 
more effective cooling by cooling air from the vehicle interior instead of warm 
air from outside.
For reasons of safety, air recirculation is  not possible when the control for air 
distribution is set to the windscreen setting 
.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no ambient ai r enters the vehicle interior. If the 
air conditioning system is switched off, the windows can quickly mist over. 
Therefore, you should never leave the  air recirculation mode switched on 
for longer periods, as this increases the risk of an accident.
Note
When reverse gear is engaged the air recirculation connects automatically to 
prevent the entrance of exhaust fumes in the vehicle on travelling backwards. 
In this case the symbol   for air recirculation is not displayed.General notesThe pollen filter
The pollution filter (a combined part iculate filter and active carbon filter) 
serves as a barrier against impurities in the ambient air, including dust and 
pollen.
For the air conditioning system to work with maximum efficiency, the pollen 
filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Maintenance Program.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high 
levels of air pollution, the pollen filte r must be changed more frequently than 
stated in the Service Schedule.
Caution
•
If you suspect that the air conditioning is damaged, switch off the air 
conditioning with button   to prev ent further damage and have it 
checked by a qualified workshop.
•
Repairs to the air conditioning system require specialist knowledge and 
special tools. Therefore, we recommend  that you take the vehicle to a quali-
fied workshop should problems occur.Note
•
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high,  condensa-
tion  can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle, this is completely no rmal and there is no need to suspect 
a leak.
•
Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and 
leaves to ensure heating and cooling is not impaired, and to prevent the 
windows misting over.
•
The air from the vents flows through the passenger compartment and is 
extracted by slots designed for this purpose. Do not cover these slots with 
articles of clothing or other objects.
•
The air conditioning system operates most effectively with the windows 
and the sliding/tilting roof* closed. Howe ver, if the sun has heated up the 
vehicle, the air inside can be cooled more quickly by opening the windows for 
a short period.
•
Do not smoke while air recirculation mode is on, as smoke drawn into the 
air conditioning system leaves a r esidue on the evaporator, producing a 
permanent unpleasant odour.
•
At low outside temperatures the compressor switches off automatically. 
The   button cannot be switched on either.
•
It is advisable to connect the air conditioning at least once a month, to 
lubricate the system gaskets and prevent leaks. If a decrease in the cooling 
capacity is detected, an Authorised Service Centre should be consulted to 
check the system.
ECON
AUTO
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Driving133
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Starting 
The engine is started when the key is in
 this position. Electrical components 
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Each time that the vehicle must be started, the ignition key must be turned to 
the position  . The  repetitive start prevention lock  of the ignition prevents 
possible damage to the starter motor  if the engine is already running.
WARNING
•
Wait for the vehicle to come to a standstill before removing the ignition 
key from the lock. The steering lock could be activated immediately - Risk 
of accident!
•
Always remove the key from the ignit ion lock when leaving the vehicle, 
even if you only intend to be gone for a short period. This is especially 
important if you must leave children or disabled people in the vehicle, they 
could accidentally start the engine or work electrical equipment such as 
the windows possibly resulting in an accident.
•
Unsupervised use of the keys could result in the engine being started 
or electrical systems, such as the electric windows, being used. This can 
result in serious injury.Caution
The starter motor will only work when  the engine is stopped (ignition key 
position  ).
Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driving 
the vehicle.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 engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with the correct 
code.
Note
The vehicle cannot be operated properly  if you do not have a genuine SEAT 
key.Starting and stopping the engineStarting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with 
the correct code.– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the  clutch pedal fully and hold it in this position, the starter will then 
only have to turn the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position  ⇒page 132 to start the engine.
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