
Safe driving9
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– When travelling long distances, take breaks regularly - at least 
every two hours.
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or are under pres- sure of time.
WARNING
When driving safety is impaired during a trip, the risk of injury and acci-
dents increases.Proper sitting position for occupantsProper sitting position for driver
The proper sitting position for the driver is important for safe 
and relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an 
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the driver:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that  there is a distance of at least 
25 cm between the steering wheel and the centre of your chest 
⇒ fig. 1.
– Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you are able  to press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with 
your knees still slightly angled  ⇒.
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point of the steering  wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same  level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same 
level as the top of your head  ⇒fig. 2.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests  completely against it.
Fig. 1  The proper 
distance between driver 
and steering wheel
Fig. 2  Proper head 
restraint position for 
driver
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 9  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Safe driving
14•
never lean out of a window,
•
never put your feet out of a window,
•
never put your feet on the dash panel,
•
never put your feet on the surface of a seat,
•
never travel in a foot well,
•
never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt,
•
never carry any person in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
•
Every incorrect sitting position increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Sitting in an incorrect position exposes the occupants to severe injuries 
if airbags deploy, striking an occupant who has assumed an incorrect 
sitting position.
•
Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and main-
tain it throughout the trip. Before every trip, instruct your passengers to 
assume the proper sitting position and to maintain it during the trip 
⇒ page 9, “Proper sitting position for occupants”.
Pedal areaPedals
The operation and freedom of movement of all pedals must 
never be impaired by objects or floor mats.– Ensure that you can always press the accelerator, brake and 
clutch pedals unimpaired to the floor. – Ensure that the pedals can return unimpaired to their initial posi-
tions.
Use only floor mats which leave the pedal area free and can be securely 
fastened in the foot well.
If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must be free to move further than 
normal in order to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Wear suitable shoes
Always wear shoes which support your feet properly and give you a good feel 
for the pedals.
WARNING
•
Restricting pedal operation can lead  to critical situations while driving.
•
Never place objects in the driver foot well. An object could move into the 
pedal area and impair pedal operation.  In the event of a sudden driving or 
braking manoeuvre, you will not be ab le to operate the brake, clutch or 
accelerator pedal. Risk of accident!
Floor mats on the driver side
Only floor mats may be used which can be securely fastened 
in the foot well and do not impair operation of the pedals.– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened during the trip  and do not obstruct the pedals  ⇒.Only use floor mats which leave the pedals clear and which are secured to 
prevent them from slipping. You can obta in suitable floor mats from a quali-
fied dealership.
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 14  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

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.
A2A0
A2
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 133  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Driving
134
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the starter motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.After starting a very hot engine, you may need to press the accelerator briefly.
When starting from cold, the engine ma y be a little noisy for the first few 
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators. 
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter after about 
10 seconds and try again after about half a minute. If the engine still does not 
start, the fuel pump fuse should be checked  ⇒page 213, “Fuses”.
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in un ventilated or closed rooms. The 
exhaust fumes contain carbon mono xide, an odourless and colourless 
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of 
consciousness. It can also cause death.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•
Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine 
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•
When the engine is cold, you should av oid high engine speeds, driving at 
full throttle and over-loading the  engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed for more than approximately 
50 metres to start the engine. Fuel could enter the catalytic converter and 
damage it.
•
Before attempting to push-start or tow  a vehicle to start it, you should first 
try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow the instruc-
tions  ⇒page 230, “Jump-starting”.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running th e engine with the vehicle stationary. 
You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine 
reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with 
the correct code.– Move the gear lever to the ne utral 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 the starting position.
– Turn the ignition key to position  ⇒page 132, fig. 100   . The 
indication lamp 
 will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the warning lamp goes out, turn the key to position   to  start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the starter  motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few 
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators. 
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If there are problems starting the engine, see  ⇒page 230.
A1A2
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 134  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Driving
136
CautionIf the engine has been driven hard for a long period, the engine could over-
heat when it is switched off. Risk of engine damage. For this reason, you 
should idle the engine for approx. 2 m inutes before you switch it off.Manual gearboxDriving a car with a manual gearboxSelecting the reverse gear
– The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press the 
clutch right down.
– Place the gear lever into neutral gate and push the lever all the  way down. – Slide the gearstick to the left, and then into the reverse position 
shown on the gearstick.
Certain versions of the model may include a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 
diagram is shown on the gearstick.
The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When 
the engine is running, before engaging  this gear wait about 6 seconds with 
the clutch pressed in fully in order to protect the gearbox.
The reversing lights come on when the reverse gear is selected and the igni-
tion is on.
WARNING
•
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a 
gear is engaged and the clutch released.
•
Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of acci-
dent.Note
•
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure of your 
hand could cause premature wear on  the selector forks in the gearbox.
•
When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch fully to avoid 
unnecessary wear and damage.
•
Do not hold the car “on the clutch” on  hills. This causes premature wear 
and damage to the clutch.
Fig. 101  Centre Console: 
gear shift pattern of a 5-
speed manual gearbox
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 136  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

Driving145
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
if the clutch pedal is depressed,
•
if the vehicle is accelerated to over 180 km/h,
•
when the lever   is move d in the direction of OFF without fully being 
engaged.
To resume cruise control, release the brake or clutch pedal or reduce the 
vehicle speed to less than 180 km/h and press once on the upper part of the 
rocker switch  RES ⇒page 144, fig. 109  .
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed wh ich is too high for the current road, 
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.Completely switching off the system
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The system  is completely turned off  by moving the control   all the way to 
the right hand side (OFF engaged), or when the vehicle is stationary, ignition 
off.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
To completely disengage the system, the selector lever must be placed in one 
of the following positions:  P, N , R or  1 or with the vehicle stopped and the 
ignition turned off.
AA
AB
Fig. 110  Turn signal and 
main beam headlight 
lever switch and rocker 
switch for the cruise 
control
AA
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 145  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

If and when215
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Fuses on left side of dash panelFuses
Number Consumer Amperes
1 Secondary water pump 1.8 20 VT (T16) 15
2A BS/E S P 10
3 Vacant
4 Brake light, clutch switch, relay coils 5
5 Engine control unit (petrol) 5
6 Right side light 5
7 Left side light 5
8 Mirror heating unit 5
9 Lambda probe 10
10 Signal“S”
a). Radio unit 5
11 Electric mirror power supply 5
12 Headlamp height adjustment 5
13 Oil pressure/level sensor 5
14 Additional heating engine/fuel pump 10
15 Automatic gearbox unit 10
16 Heated seats 15
17 Engine control unit 5
18 Instrument panel /Heating and ventilation, Navigation, Headlamp height adjustment, Electric mirror 10
19 Reversing light 10
20 Windscreen washer pump 10
21 Main beam headlight, right 10
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 215  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15 

If and when233
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Towing and tow-startingTo w - s t a r t i n g *
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.We recommend that you do  not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting 
is preferable  ⇒page 230.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
–Engage the 2
nd or the 3
rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Once both vehicles are mo ving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear  lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing 
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when  tow-starting. The vehicle being towed 
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
Towing eyesPlease observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate  gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto- matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not  working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you 
would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Fig. 171  Towing eye at 
the front of the vehicle
IBI_ANG_0707  Seite 233  Montag, 6. August 2007  3:59 15