
Cockpit81
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Engine management 
 
This warning lamp monitors th e engine management system 
for petrol engines.
The warning lamp 
 (Electronic Power Control) lights up when the ignition 
is switched on to show that the lamp  is working properly. It should go out 
when the engine has started running.
If a fault develops in the electronic engine management system while you are 
driving, this warning lamp will light  up. Stop the vehicle and seek technical 
assistance.
Glow plug system / Engine fault 
 
The warning lamp lights up to show that the glow plugs are 
preheating. It flashes if there is an engine fault.
Warning lamp 
 is lit
The warning lamp  lights up while the glow plugs are preheating. When the 
warning lamp goes off, the engine should be started straight away.
Warning lamp 
 flashes
If a fault develops in the engine management system while you are driving, 
the glow plug lamp will flash 
. Take the vehicle to an Authorised Service 
Centre as soon as possible and have the engine checked.
Emission control system* 
 
This warning lamp monitors the exhaust system.
Warning lamp 
 flashes:
When there is misfiring that can damage the catalytic converter. Reduce 
speed and drive carefully to the nearest qualified workshop to have the 
engine checked.
The instrument panel displays  shows the following message
15): EXHAUST 
GAS SEE WORKSHOP .
Warning lamp 
 is lit:
If a fault has developed during driving which has reduced the quality of the 
exhaust gas (e.g. lambda probe fault). Reduce speed and drive carefully to 
the nearest qualified workshop to have the engine checked.
The following information text displayed in the instrument panel display : 
EXHAUST GAS SEE WORKSHOP .
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)* 
 
This warning lamp monitors the electronic stabilisation 
programme.
This programme includes the ABS, EDL and TCS.
The warning lamp 
 has the following functions:
•
It will light for about 2 seconds when the ignition is switched on while a 
test of the function is carried out.
•
It flashes when the ESP is activated when driving.
•
It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
15)Depending on the model version
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Cockpit
82•
It will light up continuously if the ESP is switched off.
•
It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the ESP 
operates in conjunction with the ABS.
If the ESP warning lamp 
 lights up and stays on after the engine is started, 
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESP. 
In this case the ESP can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and then 
on again. If the warning lamp goes out, this means the system is fully 
functional.
Operating the foot brake 
The footbrake must be depressed when this warning lamp lights up. This is 
necessary when the automatic gearbox* selector lever is moved out of the 
positions P  or N.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 off 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 fault s. 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.
For those vehicles fitted with ESP* the function “Recommended steering 
manoeuvre” is included. See  ⇒page 181.
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 instrument panel displays shows the following message
16): 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.
16)Depending on the model version
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Cockpit83
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Electronic immobiliser* “Safe”
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.Inside the key there is a chip that deac tivates 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 instrument panel displays  shows the following message
17): SAFE. The 
vehicle cannot be used in that case  ⇒page 163.
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.17)Depending on the model version
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Lights and visibility113
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may 
cause disruptions or faults in the automatic lighting system.
Coming home / leaving home function*
After dark the area around the car is lit up with the aid of the 
coming home / leaving home function.Coming home function*
To activate the function
– Put the light switch into the position 
 or in the “Auto” position 
for those vehicles fitted with the automatic lighting function.
– Remove key from ignition switch.
To deactivate the function
– Turn light switch to position 0.
When the system is activated and it is  dark the dipped headlights, rear lights 
and number plate lights come on for 40 seconds, after the vehicle has been 
closed.
While one of the doors or the tailgate are open, the dipped headlights, the 
rear lights and the registration plate  lighting remain on for about 90 seconds. 
If, before this time is up, all of the doors and the tailgate are closed, another 
40 seconds of lighting is given. However, if all of the doors and the tailgate 
are closed after the 90 seconds have passed, the system will be deactivated 
and the lights will not come on.
If you wish to reactivate the system, you must start from the beginning.
The lighting time is defined at the time of manufacture. Leaving home function*
The function is activated when the vehicle is unlocked using the remote 
control. In the dark, the leaving home function will light the dipped beam 
lights, the rear lights and the registration plate lighting for about 40 seconds.
When the light control is in position “0” the leaving home function is not acti-
vated.
Note
•
If the vehicle is used often during the night for short trips using the 
coming home function, this will place a heavy demand on the battery. To 
avoid this, make longer journeys whenever possible.
•
Observe all relevant statutory requirements when using the lighting 
systems described here.
•
For those vehicles fitted with the “Dot Matrix” display, the time for the 
Coming home function (about 40 seconds) can be adjusted using the 
“Configuration, lights and visibility” menu.
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
150Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioningHeating and ventilationControls and equipment– Using the controls  ⇒fig. 126   and   and the control   you 
can set the temperature, air distribution and the turbine speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button   or  . When the function is activated, the display window in the 
lower left of the button is lit.Temperature
With the regulator   the heating level is determined. The  required tempera-
ture inside the vehicle cannot be lower than the ambient temperature.  Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Rear window heating 
This function   will be switched off automatically approximately 
20 minutes 
after being switched on. It can also be switched off beforehand by pushing 
the button
Air recirculation mode 
Air recirculation mode   prevents st rong odours in the outside air from 
entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in 
queuing traffic  ⇒.
Fig. 126  On the dash panel: Heater controls
A1
A4
A5A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
152Climatic*Control switchesThe climatic or semi-automatic air conditioning system only works 
when the engine is running and the turbine is switched on.
– Using the controls  ⇒fig. 127   and   and the control   you 
can set the temperature, air distribution and the turbine speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button  ,   or  . When the function is activated, the display window in 
the lower corner of the button is lit.
Temperature selector  ⇒page 153
Button   – Heating, ventilation an d air-conditioning system on/off 
⇒ page 153 Button   – Rear window heating. The heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately 20 minutes after switching on. It can also be 
switched off beforehand
 by pushing the button.
Button   – Air recirculation mode  ⇒page 154
Air distribution control  ⇒page 153
Blower switch. There are four speed settings for the air flow. The air flow 
should always be set at the low est speed when driving slowly.
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation. 
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with 
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the 
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
Fig. 127  On the dash panel: Climatic controls
A1
A5
A6A2
A3
A4
A1A2
AC
A3
A4
A5A6
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
156
The air conditioning system only works when the engine is running 
and the blower is switched on.
– Press the temperature control buttons  ⇒page 155, fig. 130   
or   in order to adjust the temperature on the left hand side or 
the right hand side respectively.
– The functions will be switched on when the buttons are pressed.  When these functions are activate d, they are indicated in the 
display. Also, the de-icing and re ar heated window functions will 
turn on along with their corresponding yellow symbol. Press the 
button again to switch off the function.The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right sides of the 
vehicle interior.
Display of the selected interior temperature for the left side.
Button   – Manual air recirculation mode.
Button   – Central air distribution
Button   – Downward air distribution
Button   – Upward air distribution
Display of the selected interior temperature for the right side.
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. The button lights up yellow and the 
symbol appears in the display.
Button   – Rear window heating. The  heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately  20 minutes after switching on. However, it may 
be turned off by pushing the button. Th e button lights up yellow and the 
symbol appears in the display.
Temperature selector for the left side  ⇒page 156 Blower control 
⇒page 157
Button   – Switches the 2C-Climatronic on and off  ⇒page 157
Button   – Automatic temperature, ventilation and air distribution 
control  ⇒page 156
Button   – Switches heating, ventilation and air-conditioning 
system off
Temperature selector for the right side  ⇒page 156
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation. 
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with 
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the 
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
Note
Please observe the general notes  ⇒page 159.Automatic mode
In automatic mode air temperatur e, air flow and distribution 
are automatically regulated so that a specified temperature is 
attained as quickly as possible and then maintained.The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right 
sides of the vehicle interior.
Switching on automatic mode
– Press the button    ⇒page 155, fig. 130 . “AUTO” is shown 
on the display.
A9
A14
A1A2
A3
A4
A5
A6A7
A8
A9
A10A11
OFF
A12
AUTO
A13
ECON
A14
AUTO
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 157
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Press the temperature selectors to set the desired temperatures 
for the left and right sides of the interior. 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 +16°C (61°F) to +29.5°C (86°F). These are approx-
imate temperatures and the actual temp erature may be slightly higher or 
lower depending on the ambient conditions. Climatronic maintains a constant temperature level fully automatically. The 
temperature of the air supplied to the interior, the blower speed and the air 
distribution are regulated automatically. The system also allows for the effect 
of strong sunlight, so there is no n
eed for manual adjustment. Therefore, 
automatic mode  provides the best comfort for the vehicle occupants in virtu-
ally all conditions throughout the year.
Automatic mode is switched off whenever an adjustment is made using the 
buttons for the air distribution, air flow or  . The temperature will 
continue to be regulated within the parameters manually selected by the 
user.Manual mode
In manual mode you can adjust the air temperat ure, air flow and distribution as required.Switching on manual mode
– To enter manual mode, press one of the buttons  ⇒fig. 131   to  ,   or press the air flow control  . The symbol   will 
disappear from the display.
ECON
Fig. 131  On the dash panel: 2C Climatronic controls
A3
A5
ECON
A10
AUTO
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