2008 Seat Exeo tow

Driving
168SEAT parking system*
The SEAT parking system is an acoustic parking aid.Sensors are located in the rear bumper. When the sensors detect an obstacle,
you are alerted by acoustic signals (beeps). The measuring range of the
sensors starts at about:
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the
obstacle, the warning tone will sound continuously. Do not drive on!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected
obstacle (it will not be reduced if the obstacle is closer than 0.30 m).
The parking aid is switched on automati cally when reverse gear is engaged.
You will hear a brief acknowledgement tone.
WARNING
•
The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is
personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not
always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.
•
Always keep a close watch on the ar ea around the vehicle and make full
use of the rear-view mirrors.
Caution
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not give
any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences, chains,
thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be detected by the
system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 169.
SEAT parking system plus*
The SEAT parking system plus is an acoustic parking aid.Sensors are located in the front and re ar bumpers. When the sensors detect
an obstacle, you are alerted by acous tic signals (beeps). The measuring
range of the sensors starts at about:
The acoustic signals sound with increa sing frequency as you approach the
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the
obstacle the warning tone will so und continuously. Stop moving immedi-
ately!
The volume of the warni ng beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected
obstacle (it will not be reduced if the obstacle is closer than 0.30 m).
Rear
Side
0.60 m
Centre
1.60 m
Front
Side
0.90 m
Centre
1.20 m
Rear
Side
0.60 m
Centre
1.60 m
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Driving169
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Enabling/DisablingEnabling
– Connect the radio or the MMI*
– Engage reverse gear or
– Press the button

on the central console ⇒fig. 142 or on the
gear selector gate. You will hear a brief acknowledgement tone
and the LED on the switch will light up.
Disabling
– Drive forwards faster than 10 km/h, or
– Press the button

or
– disconnect the on button or
– go out of reverse gear.
WARNING
•
The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is
personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not
always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.
•
Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full
use of the rear-view mirrors.Caution
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not give
any further warning. Certain kinds of ob stacles (such as wire fences, chains,
thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be detected by the
system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 169.
•
There is a slight delay in the picture display.
To w i n g b r a c k e t *In towing mode, the rear parking sensors are not enabled when you select
reverse gear or press the switch
. This function may not be guaranteed on
towing brackets that are not factory fitted. This results in the following restric-
tions:
Fig. 142 Centre console:
switch for parking aid
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Driving171
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Setting speed
The desired cruising speed needs to be stored in the memory.– Drive at the desired speed.
– Pull the lever to position ⇒fig. 143 to enable the system.
– Briefly press button .When button is released, the current speed is stored in the memory and
the vehicle will then maintain this speed.
Adjusting stored speed
The desired cruising speed can be adjusted up or down as
required.Acceleration
– Move the lever up towards ⇒fig. 143 .
– Release the lever to store the current cruising speed.
Decelerating
– Move the lever down towards ⇒fig. 143 .
– Release the lever to store the current cruising speed.
Pressing lever briefly
– You can increase the set speed in steps of 2 km/h by briefly pressing the lever up towards ⇒fig. 143 .
– You can decrease the set speed in steps of 2 km/h by briefly pressing the lever down towards ⇒fig. 143 .You can also use the accelerator pedal momentarily to increase speed. The
previously programmed speed will be automatically resumed when the accel-
erator pedal is released.
However, if the vehicle exceeds the programmed speed by more than 10
km/h for more than 5 minutes, the programmed speed will be deleted. You
will then need to enter the speed again.
Fig. 143 Controls for the
cruise control system
AA
A1
AB
AB
AA
A+
AA
A-
AA
AA
A+
AA
A-
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Intelligent technology
178(TCS)Traction control system
The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from
spinning when the car is accelerating.General notes
The traction control system (TCS) is one of the functions incorporated in the
electronic stabilisation programme (ESP).
The traction control system (TCS) helps the car to start moving, accelerate and
climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult
or even impossible.
How it works
The TCS acts automatically, i.e. without the driver's intervention. With the aid
of the ABS sensors ⇒page 176, the TCS monitors the speed of the driven
wheels. If the wheels start to spin, the engine power is reduced automatically
to match the amount of grip available. The system is active across the entire
speed range.
The TCS works in conjunction with the ABS. If a malfunction should occur in
the ABS, the TCS will also be out of action.
Note
To ensure that the TCS works properly, all four wheels must be fitted with
identical tyres. The difference in size of the wheels may lead to an undesired
reduction in engine power. Also see ⇒page 233.
BrakesGeneral notesNew brake pads
New brake pads do not provide optimal performance during the first 400 km
they must be “run in”. However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. Avoid over-
loading the brakes during run-in.
Wear
The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you drive and
the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative factors are, for
instance, city traffic, frequent short trip s or hard driving with abrupt starts
and stops.
Wet roads; road salt
In certain conditions, such as in heavy ra in, or after washing the car or driving
through water, the full braking effect ca n be delayed by moisture (or in winter
by ice) on the discs and brake pads. The brakes should be “dried” by pressing
the pedal to restore full braking effect.
When the velocity is over 80 km/h windscreen wipers are on, the brake
system moves the pads towards the brake discs for a few seconds. This
occurs - without warning to the driver - at regular intervals and requires a
more rapid response from the brakes when driving on wet roads.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if the car is
driven for some distance without using the brakes when there is a lot of salt
on the road in winter. In this case, the layer of salt on the brake discs and pads
has to wear off before braking.
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Intelligent technology179
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and corrosion
to form on the discs if the car is used
infrequently, or if you only drive low
mileages without using the brakes very much.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if rust has formed on the disks, it is
advisable to clean off the pads and disks by braking firmly a few times from a
moderately high speed ⇒.
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase suddenly, this may mean that
one of the two brake circuits has failed. Drive immediately to the nearest qual-
ified workshop and have the fault rectified. On the way to the dealer, be
prepared to use more pressure on the brake pedal, and allow for longer stop-
ping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is too low.
The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
WARNING
When applying the brakes to clean off deposits on the pads and discs,
select a clear, dry road. Be sure not to inconvenience or endanger other
road users. Risk of accident.
Caution
•
Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your foot on the pedal when you do
not really intend to brake. This overhe ats the brakes, resulting in longer stop-
ping distances and greater wear.
•
Before driving down a long, steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed
and change into a lower gear. This makes use of engine braking and prolongs
the service life of the brakes. If you still have to use the brakes, it is better to
brake firmly at intervals than to apply the brakes continuously.
Note
If you wish to equip the car with accessories such as a front spoiler or wheel
covers, it is important that the flow of air to the front wheels is not obstructed,
otherwise the brakes can overheat.Brake servo
The brake servo assists the driver when brakingThe brake servo amplifies the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. The
brake servo works only when the engine is running.
WARNING
Ensure the vehicle does not move whil e in neutral, when the motor is
stopped. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Note
If the brake servo is not working, e.g. because the vehicle has to be towed or
because it is broken, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder to make up for the lack of servo assistance.Power steeringThe power steering assists the driver when turning the
steering wheel (with the engine running).The power steering assists the driver by reducing the force needed to turn the
steering wheel.
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Intelligent technology
180The power steering does not work if the engine is off. In this case the steering
wheel is very hard to turn.
If the steering is held at its turning limit when the car is stationary, this will
place an excessive load on the power steering system. Turning the steering
wheel to its limit places a load on the sy stem, which causes noise. It will also
reduce the idling speed of the engine.
Caution
When the engine is running, do not tu rn the steering wheel to its limit for
more than 15 seconds. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the power
steering.
Note
•
If the power steering should fail at any time or the engine is switched off
(for instance when being towed), the ca r can still be steered. However, more
effort will be required to turn the steering wheel.
•
If the system is leaking or malfunctioning, please take the car to a quali-
fied workshop as soon as possible.
•
The power steering requires a special hydraulic fluid. The fluid reservoir is
located at the front of the engine compartment on the left ⇒page 282. The
correct fluid level in the reservoir is important for the power steering to func-
tion properly. The hydraulic fluid level is checked at the Inspection Service.
ServotronicThe servotronic system electronically adjusts the degree of
power assistanceIn cars equipped with servotronic power steering the degree of power assist-
ance ⇒page 179 is adjusted electronically according to road speed. If a fault should occur in the
servotronic system, the power steering will still
operate. The degree of power assistance will, however, no longer adapt to
different speeds. If the el ectronic regulating system is not working properly,
this is most noticeable when turning the steering wheel at low speeds (for
instance when parking) – more effort will be required than usual. The fault
should be corrected by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
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Driving and the environment181
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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 at speeds of more than 2/3 the maximum 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 gent ly, its life will be increased and its oil consumption,
reduced.
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
Authorised Service Centre more freque ntly than recommended in the Service
Schedule.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in
heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-
ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter): The brakes should
be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore 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, th e 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 po wer may set in later than normal.
•
On steep slopes, if brakes are excessively used, they will overheat.
Before driving down a long steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed and
change down into a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear if
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Driving and the environment
182your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine
braking and relieves the brakes.•
Never let the brakes “slip” by applying light pressure. Continuous
braking will cause the brakes to overheat and the braking distance will
increase. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.
•
Never let the vehicle run with the engine switched off. The braking
distance is increased considerably when the brake servo is not active.
•
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 206, “Technical modifications”.
•
If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary
journeys.
Exhaust gas purification systemCatalytic converter*To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Always use unleaded petrol.
– Do not let the fuel get too low in the tank.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine oil ⇒page 215. – Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary
⇒page 271.
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 66. 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
The catalytic converter reaches very high temperatures! Fire hazard!•
Never park where the catalytic convert er could come into contact with
dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.
•
Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust
system. These materials could catch fire when the vehicle is being driven.Caution
Never fully drain the fuel tank because the irregularity of the fuel supply may
cause ignition problems. This allows unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust
system, which could cause overheating and damage the catalytic converter.
For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is working perfectly, there may be a
smell of sulphur from the exhaust under some conditions. This depends on
the sulphur content of the fuel used. Quite often the problem can be solved
by changing to another fuel brand.
WARNING (continued)
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