2008 Seat Exeo traction control

Driving163
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
The Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP
) contains the electronic differential
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works
together with the ABS. If a fault in the ABS occurs, both warning lamps light
up, but if the ESP fails, only th e ESP warning lamp lights up.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP switch deactivates both TCS and ESP functions. The ESP, in spite of
being off, will always self-connect wher e necessary if brakes are being used.
The TCS can be deactivated when in cases where wheel sliding is desirable.
For example:
•
When driving with snow chains,
•
when driving in deep sn ow or on loose surfaces,
•
when rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it from mud, for
example.
Next, the button should be pressed to reactivate the TCS.
When does the warning light switch on or flash ?
•
On switching the ignition on, it lights up for about two seconds to carry
out a function control.
•
The warning lamp will start flashing when the vehicle is moving if the ESP
or the TCS is activated.
•
It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
WARNING
•
The electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of
physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet
roads and when towing a trailer.
•
Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.
•
Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in ⇒page 175,
“Intelligent technology”.
Ignition lockIgnition key positions
The ignition key is used to start and stop the engine.Position
The ignition key is inserted in this position. To engage the steering wheel
lock , take out the key and turn the wheel until you hear the pin engage. You
should always engage the steering lock when you leave the vehicle. This will
help to deter thefts ⇒.

WARNING (continued)
Fig. 139 Ignition key
positions
A0
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Intelligent technology175
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Practical tipsIntelligent technologyElectronic stabilisation programme (ESP)General notes
The electronic stabilisation programme increases the
vehicle?s stability on the road.The ESP is designed to increase the degree of control in situations where the
car approaches the limits of adhesion, especially when accelerating and
cornering. It reduces the risk of skidding and improves stability in all road
conditions. The system is active across the entire speed range. The anti-lock brake system (ABS), the electronic differential lock (EDL) and
the traction control system (TCS) are all
integrated into the electronic stabili-
sation programme.
How it works
The ESP control unit processes data from the three integrated systems. It also
processes additional inputs provided by other high-precision sensors. These
register the vehicle's rotation about the vertical axis (yaw rate), lateral accel-
eration, brake pressure and steering wheel angle.
The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the
changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them
with the actual behaviour of the vehi cle. If the desired course is not being
maintained (for instance, if the car is starting to skid), then the ESP compen-
sates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the car back to a stable condi-
tion. If the vehicle over swerves (tendency of the rear to leave the road), the
brakes will act on the front wheel facing the outside of the bend. If the vehicle
under swerves (tendency to leave the bend), the braking force is applied to
the rear wheel facing th e inside of the bend.
The ESP works in conjunction with the ABS ⇒page 176. If a malfunction
should occur in the ABS, the ESP will also be out of action.
Disabling
The ESP is enabled automatically when the engine is started and performs a
self-test routine.
Fig. 146 Centre console
with ESP switch
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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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Index
298Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Tow starting
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186, 274 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Notes on towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186, 187
Removable towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Technical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Towing bracket, fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Towing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Traction control system How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Type plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Tyre mobility system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 89, 227 Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tyre repair kit Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Tyres and wheels Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Tyres service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . . 227
UUnderbody maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202VVehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Vehicle Maintenance
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Vehicle modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Vehicle paintwork Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . 197
Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Vehicle washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17WWarning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Alternator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Warning lamps Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Electronic stabilisation programme . . . . . . . 68
Engine management (EPC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Exhaust emission control system . . . . . . . . 66 Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Red symbols in central display . . . . . . . . . . 76
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Yellow symbols in central display . . . . . . . . 78
Warning lamps - overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Washer fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Washing by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . . 199
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227, 280 Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 28
Why should head restraints be correctly adjusted? 13
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 28
Why wear seatbelts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Windows Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Windscreen washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Windscreen wiper blades Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Changing blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Washer jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Winter Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Winter conditions Defrost function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
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