Seats and stowage145
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
During a collision or an accident, even small and light objects can build up so
much energy that they can cause very severe injuries. The amount of “kinetic
energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the object.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle.
Example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying unsecured in the vehicle. During
a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, this object generates a force corre-
sponding to 20 times its weight. That means that the effective weight of the
object increases to about 90 kg. You can imagine the severity of the injuries
which might be sustained if this “projectile” strikes an occupant as it flies
through the passenger compartment. This increased risk of injury will be
further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating airbag.
WARNING
If pieces of baggage or other objects are secured to the fastening rings with
inappropriate or damaged re
taining cords, injuries could result in the event
of braking manoeuvres or accidents.•
To prevent pieces of luggage or other objects from flying forward,
always use appropriate retaining cords which are secured to the fastening
rings.
•
Never secure a child seat on the fastening rings.
Loading heavy objects
Special care is required when loading heavy objects and
when driving a vehicle which contains heavy objects.Observe the following points to prevent damage and accidents:
– If necessary, remove the seats to increase the load area. –
Before loading the vehicle place a sturdy mat or similar cover
flush on floor of the vehicle.
– Where necessary, do not cover protruding parts of the vehicle floor.
– Protect the seat anchor points from damage.
– Avoid overloading small areas - spread the load.
– Use suitable straps to secure the objects to retaining rings.
– Drive particularly carefully and think ahead.
– If possible, avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres.
WARNING
For safety reasons, you should read and observe all information on loading
the vehicle ⇒ page 145.
Caution
•
If you have removed the seats from the passenger compartment, you
should place a large, robust covering over the seat rails to prevent damage.
•
Avoid overloading small areas - spread the load.
Safety notes on loading the vehicle
WARNING
Loose luggage and other objects in the luggage compartment can cause
serious injuries.
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 145 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10
Seats and stowage
146•
Always stow objects safely in the vehicle and secure them on the
fastening rings if necessary.
•
Use suitable specialist straps to secure heavy objects.
•
Loose objects in the vehicle can move suddenly. As the centre of gravity
moves, safety is impaired and the vehicle becomes difficult to handle.
•
During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This increased risk of
injury will be further increased if a l oose object is struck by an inflating
airbag. If this happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of
fatal injury.
•
Remember that transporting heavy objects modifies the driving condi-
tions as the centre of gravity has been altered. There is a risk of accident.
Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style accordingly,
to avoid accidents.
•
Never exceed the allowed axle loads or allowed maximum weight. If the
allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving char-
acteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries and
damage to the vehicle.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is
open. Children could climb into the interior of the vehicle closing the door
behind them; they will remain trapped without help and there is a mortal
risk.
•
Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Close and lock all
windows, the tailgate and all doors when you leave the vehicle.
•
Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every
passenger must be properly belted in.
Luggage compartment cover
The luggage compartment cover protects your luggage from
prying eyes.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 114 Luggage
compartment cover::
holders on the rightFig. 115 Luggage
compartment cover::
holders on the right
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Driving163
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 ignition 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 must not be used unless the vehicle is at a standstill (key position ). If the starter is used as soon as the engine is switched off, the starter or
the engine could be damaged.
Safety interlock for ignition key
The ignition key can only be taken out of the ignition lock if the
selector lever is in position P.After switching off the ignition, you can remove the ignition key only if the
automatic gearbox gear selector lever ⇒ page 168 is in position P. The
selector lever is blocked after the ignition key has been removed.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 electronic immobiliser is automatically activated when you take 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.
A3A1
A3
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Checking and refilling levels209
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
The exhaust fumes produced are eliminated through an exhaust pipe below
the vehicle.
Note
•
For short journeys, very low outside temperatures and a percentage of
biodiesel fuel of over 50 % too much smoke may be produced.
•
Every time the engine is switched off, the fan continues to operate for a
short time in order to more quickly cool the heater. When refuelling it is not
necessary to wait until the fan stops operating.
Working in the engine compartmentSafety instructions on working in the engine compartment
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the
engine must be carried out cautiously.Before starting any work on the engine or in the engine compart-
ment:
1. Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Apply the handbrake.
3. Move the gear stick to neutral or the selector lever to position P.
4. Wait for the engine to cool down.
5. Keep children away from the vehicle.
6. Raise the bonnet ⇒page 98.
You should not do any work in the engine compartment unless you know
exactly how to carry out the jobs and have the correct tools! Have the work
carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. coolant, engine oil, spark plugs and
batteries, are being constantly developed. SEAT provides a constant flow of
information to the Authorised Service Centres concerning modifications. For
this reason we recommend that you have service fluids and consumables
replaced by an Authorised Service Centre. Please observe the relevant
instructions ⇒page 202. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a
hazardous area ⇒ .
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the engine compartment, e.g. checking and
refilling fluids, involves the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk
of accident or fire.•
Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. Otherwise, there is a risk of sustaining
burns. Wait until no more steam or coolant is emitted, then allow the
engine to cool before carefully opening the bonnet.
•
Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
•
Apply the handbrake and move the gear stick to neutral or selector
lever to position P.
•
Keep children away from the vehicle.
•
Never touch hot engine parts. There is a risk of burns.
•
Never spill liquids on a hot engine or on a hot exhaust gas system. This
is a fire hazard.
•
Avoid causing short-circuits in the electrical system, particularly at the
points where the jump leads are attached ⇒page 250. The battery could
explode.
•
Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and could
start automatically, even when the engine has been switched off and the
key removed from the ignition!
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Checking and refilling levels
222However, if the level goes down noticeably 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 70.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒ page 209.Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Program indicates the brake fluid change
intervals.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 209 in
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course 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 considerably 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.
It is important that you use only 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.
•
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and
observe the warnings ⇒page 209.
•
Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. There is a toxic risk.
•
Complete the brake fluid change according to the Maintenance
Program. Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid
is left in the system for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency
of the brakes and the safety of the vehicle. This may cause an accident.Caution
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid must be drained and disposed of in the proper manner observing
environmental regulations.
WARNING (continued)
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 222 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10
If and when
236
WARNING
•
Do not allow the sealant to get onto your skin or into your eyes. Risk of
injury.
•
Keep children away from the sealant.
Changing a wheel Preparation
You must park the vehicle correctly before changing a tyre.– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the car as far away from the flow of traffic as possible on a flat surface.
– Switch off the engine. Switch on the hazard warning lights.
– Apply the handbrake firmly and engage a gear or put the selector in the P position.
– Chock the wheel opposite the wheel being changed with a stone or similar object.
– If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
– Remove the spare wheel and the vehicle tools from the luggage compartment.
– All passengers should leave the car. They should wait in a safe place (for instance behind the safety barrier).
WARNING
•
If you have a puncture, stop the car well away from moving traffic.
Switch on the hazard warning lights and set the emergency triangle in
position. Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
•
All passengers should leave the car.
•
Apply the handbrake firmly and engage a gear or put the gear selector
in the P position. Chock the wheel opposite the wheel being changed with
a stone or similar object.
•
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
•
Only use jacks which have been approved for your vehicle by SEAT.
•
Never use other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other
SEAT models. The jack could slip. Risk of injury.
•
Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. This may cause an
accident.
•
Never place your body (e.g. arm or leg) underneath the vehicle if it is
only supported by the jack Risk of injury.
•
If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable
stands additionally to support the vehicle - Risk of accident!.
alhambra_ingles_0708 Seite 236 Mittwoch, 10. September 2008 10:55 10
Index
284Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Belt tensioner
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Brake pad wear Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brake pad wear indicator* Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 185
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 185
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Breakdown set storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Bulb defect warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162CCar care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Car care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Car phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
CCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
CD changer
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 individual opening of doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Central locking button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Central stowage on instrument panel . . . . . . . 133
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Changing a light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236, 240
Changing brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Changing bulbs lights on tailgate/rear door . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Lights on vehicle body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Reading light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Registration plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Changing gear See Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Changing the bulbs interior light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Changing the lamps Side indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 224 Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
in front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Cleaning alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cleaning and caring for your vehicle . . . . . . . . 193
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cleaning cloth seat covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Cleaning fabric trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Cleaning plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Cleaning wooden trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Air outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
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Index287
Gear selector lever
See Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
See Automatic gearbox with Tiptronic . . . . 172
General overview of the engine compartment . 262
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Glove compartment light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Guide lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109HHand brake warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76, 173
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
head restraints Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122, 123
fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Headlamp washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Headlight flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Headlights Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Heated rear window Heating elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
High pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Hubcaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
IIdentification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Ignition key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Illumination of instruments and switches . . . . 109
Indicator lights indication lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Individual opening of doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Information messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Instrument lighting control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Integrated child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Adjusting belt routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Cleaning the child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Fastening harness belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Releasing harness belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Interior light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Interior monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Intermittent wipe rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
windscreen wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116JJack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
KKey tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Key with remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Kick-down function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172LLifting platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lifting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lighting of controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Load compartment See Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Loading area See Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 143 See also Luggage compartment . . . . . . 14, 143
Luggage compartment cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146MMain beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Main beam headlights Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
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