
Safe driving
8Therefore, information is provided about why this equipment is so important, 
how it protects you, what you have to consider when using it and how you and 
your passengers can achieve the greatest possible benefit from the safety 
equipment fitted. This manual includes  important warnings that you and your 
passengers should note in order to reduce the risk of injury.
Safety is everyone's business!Before every trip
The driver bears the responsibility for his passengers and the 
operational worthiness of the vehicle.For your own safety and the safety of your passengers, always note 
the following points before every trip:
– Ensure that the vehicle's lights and turn signals operate flaw- lessly.
– Check tyre pressure.
– Ensure that all windows provide a clear and good view of the  surroundings.
– Secure all baggage  ⇒page 15.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors properly acoording  to your size.
– Ensure that the passenger in the central rear seat always has the  head restraint in the correct position for use. – Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to 
their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly  applied seat belts  ⇒page 40.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers  also to assume a proper sitting position ⇒ page 9.
– Fasten your safety belt securely. Instruct your passengers also to  fasten their seat belts properly  ⇒page 16.
What affects driving safety?
Driving safety is largely determined by your driving style and 
the personal behaviour of all occupants.As a driver, you are responsible for yourself and your passengers. 
When your concentration or driving safety is affected by any circum-
stance, you endanger yourself as well as others on the road  ⇒, 
for this reason:
– Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic around you,  e.g. by passengers or telephone conversations.
– Never drive when your driving ability is impaired (e.g. by medica- tion, alcohol, drugs).
– Observe traffic laws and speed limits.
– Always reduce your speed as appropriate for road, traffic and  weather conditions.
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Cockpit49
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Operating instructionsCockpitOverviewOverview of the instrument panel
This overview will help you to  familiarise yourself with the 
controls and displays.
Door release lever 
Light switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Light dimmer for instrument panel ligh ting*   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Headlight range control*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air vent
Turn signal and dipped beam lever and cruise control system*
Instrument panel an d warning lights:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Indication lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Horn (works only when the igni tion is on)/ and driver front 
airbag* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering and starter lock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen wiper and and windscreen wash* lever and opera-
tion of the multi-function display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio
Glove box/Stowage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Passenger airbag* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Switches for: −
Heating and ventilation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Air conditioning*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cigarette lighter /Power point  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Drink-holder/Ashtray  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Controls on the centre console:
− Hazard warning lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Airbag disconnection warni ng light*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− ESP  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Tyre pressure control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Rear window heater  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Heated seats* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Central locking*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− AUX connection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
A utomatic* / manual gearbox lever 
  
 . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .
  . . . . . . 
Storage space
Pedals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column control lever*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Bonnet release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column controls for audio and telephone*  . . . . . . . . 
Fuse housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Control for adjusting electric wing mirrors*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Electric window controls* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
A1A2
89
A3
90
A4
90
A5A6
94, 145
A7
51
57
A8
26
A9
131
A10
97, 53
A11A12
109
A13
29
A14
118
121
124
A15
113
A16
112
A17
93
27
151 63
92
107 75
114
A18
142
A19 
135,  134
A20A21
14
A22
129
A23
183
A24
68
A25
211
A26
101
A27
84
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Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
WARNING
•
Failure to observe warning lamps and warning messages can result in 
serious personal injuries or damage to your vehicle.
•
The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Use a 
warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users in order to 
prevent danger to thirds.
•
The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before you open the 
bonnet to work on the engine or in  the engine compartment, you must 
switch the engine off and allow it to cool to reduce the risk of scalding or 
other kind of injuries. Read and observe the relevant warnings 
⇒ page 181.
Fuel level / reserve  ⇒page 64
Doors open ⇒page 64
Tailgate open ⇒page 65
Airbag or belt tension device system fault or airbag disabled ⇒page 27
Main beam switched on ⇒page 65
Electro-hydraulic steering ⇒page 65
Fault in the emission control system ⇒page 65
Coolant level / coolant temperature  ⇒page 65
Alternator fault ⇒page 66
 
Turn signals in operation ⇒page 66
SAFE Electronic immobiliser ⇒page 66
Item
Symbol Meaning of warning and control lamps Further information
A13A14A15A16A17A18A19A20A21
WARNING (continued)
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Cockpit65
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Tailgate open* 
The warning lamp 
 should switch off when the tailgate is fully closed.
Main beam headlights 
This warning lamp lights up when the main beams are on.The warning lamp 
 is switched on once main beams are on or once the 
headlight flasher is operating.
Further information  ⇒page 94
Electro-hydraulic steering* 
The level of steering assistance depends on the vehicle speed and on the 
steering wheel turning speed.
The warning lamp should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is 
switched on. It should go out once the engine is started.
There is a fault in the electro-hydraulic steering system if the lamp does not 
go out or lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. Take the vehicle to the 
Authorised Service Centre as soon as possible.
Note
When towing the vehicle with the engine stopped or due to a fault in the 
power steering, this will not operate. The vehicle can still be steered, but it 
will require greater force to turn the steering wheel.
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.
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.
Coolant Level* / temperature 
The warning lamp lights up if the coolant temperature is too 
high or if the coolant level is too low.There is a fault if:•
The warning symbol does not go out again after a few seconds.
•
The warning lamp lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving, while 
three acoustic warning signals  ⇒  are emitted.
This means that either the coolant level is too low or the coolant temperature 
is too high.
Coolant temperature too high
If the warning li ght lights up, stop the vehicle, switch the engine off and wait 
for it to cool down. Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the over heating may be caused by a malfunction 
of the radiator fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have it replaced if neces-
sary  ⇒page 211.
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Cockpit
66If the warning lamp lights up again  after driving on for a short distance,  stop 
the vehicle and switch the engine off . Contact an Authorised Service Centre 
or a qualified workshop.
Coolant level too low
If the warning li ght lights up, stop the vehicle, switch the engine off and wait 
for it to cool down.  First check the coolant level. If the level is below the “MIN” 
mark, top up with coolant  ⇒.
WARNING
•
If your vehicle is immobilised for any technical reasons, move it to a 
safe distance from traffic. Turn the engine off, turn the hazard lights on and 
place the warning triangle.
•
Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no 
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.
•
The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before carrying out any 
work in the engine compartment, swit ch off the engine and allow it to cool 
down. Always note the corresponding warnings  ⇒page 181.
Alternator 
 
This warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator.
The warning lamp 
 lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should go 
out when the engine has started running.
If the warning lamp  lights up while driving, the alternator is no longer 
charging the battery. You should immediately drive to the nearest qualified 
workshop.
You should avoid using electrical equipm ent that is not absolutely necessary 
because this will drain the battery. If the indicator flashes the voltage is insufficient for normal vehicle 
operation.
Turn sig nals 
 
The warning lamp flashes when the indicators are in opera-
tion.Depending on which indicator is operating, either the left 
 or right 
 indi-
cator lamp flashes. Both warning lamps will flash at the same time when the 
hazard warning lights are switched on.
If any of both indicators fails, the warni ng lamp will start flashing twice faster 
than normal.
Further information on the indicators  ⇒page 94.
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 display  shows the following message
6): SAFE . The 
vehicle cannot be started in this case.
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine 
key is used.
6)Depending on the version of the model.
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Unlocking and locking79
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
Never leave children or disabled persons in the vehicle. In case of emer-
gency, they may not be able to leave the vehicle and not manage on their 
own.
•
Never forget the keys inside the vehicle. Otherwise, this could result in 
serious injuries, accidents or even the theft of your vehicle. Always take the 
key with you when you leave the vehicle.
•
An uncontrolled use of the key could start the engine or activate any 
electric equipment(e.g. electric win dows), causing risk of accident. The 
vehicle can be locked when using the remote control key. This could 
complicate the aid in cas of emergency.Note
•
The remote control key functions only when you are within range 
⇒ page 78, fig. 44 .
•
If the vehicle cannot be unlocked or locked by using the radio-frequency 
remote control, the remote control key wi ll have to be re-synchronised. In this 
case, please refer to your Technical Service.
Changing the batteryIf the battery indicator does not flash when the buttons are pushed, the 
battery must be replaced.
Caution
The use of inappropriate batteries may damage the radio frequency remote 
control. For this reason, always replace the dead battery with another of the 
same size and power.
For the sake of the environment
The flat batteries must  be thrown away in accordance with regulations 
governing the protection of the environment.Anti-theft alarm system*Description of anti-theft alarm system*
The anti-theft alarm triggers if unauthorised movements are 
detected around the vehicle.The anti-theft alarm makes it more difficult to break into the vehicle or steal 
it. The system will emit acoustic an d optical warning signals if someone is 
trying to force your vehicle.
The anti-theft alarm system is automatically connected on locking the 
vehicle. For this, either rotate the key in the locking position or press button     on the radio-frequency remote control*. The system is immediately 
activated and the indicator light located on the driver's door will flash along 
with the indicators, indicating that the alarm and the locking security system 
(double lock) have been turned on.
If any of the doors or the bonnet are  open, they will not be included in the 
protection zones of the vehicle when the alarm is connected. If the door or the 
bonnet are subsequently closed, they will automatically be included in the 
protection areas of the vehicle and the indicators will flash accordingly when 
the doors close.•
The indicator light will flash twice on opening and deactivating the alarm.
•
The indicator light will flash once on closing and activating the alarm.
WARNING (continued)
A2
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Unlocking and locking
80When does the system trigger an alarm?
The system triggers an alarm if the following unauthorised actions are carried 
out when the car is locked:•
Opening of vehicle with mechanical key without switching ignition on 
within the following 15 seconds
•
Opening a door
•
Opening the bonnet
•
Opening the tailgate
•
Ignition switched on with a non-validated key.
•
Movements in the driving compartm ent (vehicles with a volume sensor)
•
To wi ng  o f  th e  ve hi cl e
7)
•
Tilt angle (tow-away protection)
7)
•
Undue manipulation of the alarm
•
Battery handling
The acoustic signals sound and the indicators flash for approx. 30 seconds. 
This may be repeated up to 10 times depending on the country.
How to switch the alarm off
To deactivate the anti-theft alarm, turn the key in the direction, to open, open 
the door and switch the ignition on,  or press the unlock button   on the 
remote control.
In vehicles equipped with an anti-theft alarm system, you have 15 seconds to 
insert the key in the ignition lock and activate the ignition if the vehicle is 
opened using the driver's door key.
Otherwise, the alarm will trigger for 30 sec. and the ignition will be blocked.
Note
•
After 28 days, the indicator light will be switched off to prevent the battery 
from exhausting if the vehicle has been left parked for a long period of time. 
The alarm system remains activated.
•
The alarm will trigger again if attempts are made to open another protec-
tion zone.
•
The alarm system can be activated or deactivated using the remote 
control  ⇒page 78.
Interior monitor and anti-towing alarm*
Monitoring or control function  incorporated in the anti-theft 
alarm* which detects unauthorized vehicle entry by means of 
ultrasound.Activation
– It is connected automatically when  the anti-theft alarm is acti-
vated.
Deactivation
– Open the vehicle with the key, either mechanically 
8) or by 
pressing the button   on the remote control.
– Press the button   on the remote control twice. The volumetric  sensor and tilt sensors will be deactivated. The alarm system 
remains activated.
7)For vehicles fitted with tow-away protection
8)The time period from when the door is opened until the key is inserted in the contact
should not exceed 15 sec., otherwise the alarm will be triggered.
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Lights and visibility93
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Hazard warning lights 
 
The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of 
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
2.  Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights  ⇒.
3.  Switch the engine off.
4.  Apply the handbrake.
5.  On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear, and for an automatic  move the selector lever to  P.
6.  Use the warning triangle to draw  the attention of other road users 
to your vehicle. 7.  Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehicle.
You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for 
instance when:•
reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,
•
there is an emergency,
•
your vehicle breaks down due to a technical fault,
•
you are towing another vehicle or
 your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are 
switched on. That is that the two turn signal indicator lamps 
  and the 
indicator lamp in the switch 
 will flash at the same time. The hazard 
warning lights also work when  the ignition is switched off.
WARNING
•
The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always 
use the hazard warning lights and a wa rning triangle to draw the attention 
of other road users to your stationary vehicle.
•
Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with 
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt 
petrol. This could start a fire!Note
•
The battery will run down if the hazard  warning lights are left on for a long 
time, even if the ignition is switched off.
•
The use of the hazard warning lights de scribed here is subject to the rele-
vant statutory requirements.
Fig. 55  Centre console: 
switch for hazard warning 
lights
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