Driving
130SafetyElectronic stabilisation programme (ESP)*
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.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. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS
systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it is
only possible to switch the TCS off.
When does the warning lamp light up 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 wh en the vehicle is moving if the ESP
or the TCS is activated. The warning lamp will light up slowly if the TCS is
switched off.
•
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 su it 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 149,
“Intelligent technology”.
Fig. 93 Detail of the
centre console: ESP
button
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Driving131
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Ignition lockPosition of the ignition keyIgnition switched off, steering lock
In this position ⇒fig. 94 the ignition and the engine are OFF and the steering
may be locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the ignition key, turn the steering
wheel until it locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the
steering wheel when you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle
theft ⇒ .
Switching the ignition or the glow plug system on
Turn the ignition key to this position an d release it. If the key cannot be turned
or it is difficult to turn from position to position , move the steering
wheel back and forth until it loosens up. Starting
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Every time the vehicle is started again,
the ignition key must be turned to
position . The repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter motor if the engine is already running.
WARNING
•
The ignition key must NOT be removed from the lock until the vehicle
comes to a standstill. Otherwise, the steering could be immediately
blocked- Risk of accident!
•
Always remove the key from the ignition lock when leaving the vehicle,
even for a short period. This is especially important if children or disabled
people are left alone in the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment su ch as the electric windows, conse-
quently resulting in an accident.
•
Unsupervised use of the keys could start the engine or any electrical
system, such as the electric window. This could result in serious injury.Caution
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key
position ).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.
Fig. 94 Ignition key posi-
tions
A0
A1
A0
A1
A2A0A2
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Driving
132The immobiliser will be activated again au tomatically as soon as you pull the
key out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with its correct code.
Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured if genuine SEAT keys are used.Starting and stopping the engineStarting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with
its correct code.– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the starter
to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position ⇒page 131.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the starter motor must not run on with the engine.After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the
accelerator.
When starting a very cold engine, it ma y be a little noisy for the first few
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern. If the engine does not start immediately, switch the starter off after
10 seconds and try again after half a minute. If the engine still does not start,
the fuel pump fuse should be checked
⇒page 211, “Fuses”.
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•
Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•
When the engine is cold, you should av oid high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
•
Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow
the instructions ⇒page 226, “Jump-starting”.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running th e engine with the vehicle stationary.
You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine
reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.
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Driving
134After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10
minutes. It is also possible that the fan turns itself on once more if the coolant
temperature increases due to the heat accumulated in the engine compart-
ment or due to its prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
WARNING
•
Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is completely stationary.
•
The brake servo works only when the engine is running. With the
engine switched off, more strength is needed to brake. As normal brake
operation cannot be performed, risk of accidents and serious injury may
exist.
•
The steering lock can be immediately blocked once the key is removed
from the ignition lock. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.Caution
If the engine has been driven hard for a long period, the engine could over-
heat when it is switched off. Risk of engine damage. For this reason, you
should idle the engine for approx. 2 m inutes before you switch it off.
Manual gearboxDriving a car with a manual gearboxEngaging the reverse gear
– The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press the
clutch down thoroughly.
– Place the gear lever into neutral and push the lever downwards.
– Slide the gear lever to the left, and then into the reverse position shown on the gear stick.Certain versions of the model may include a 6-speed manual gearbox, and its
diagram is shown on the gear stick.
The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When
the engine is running and before engagi ng this gear, wait about 6 seconds
with the clutch pressed down thoroughly in order to protect the gearbox.
Fig. 95 Centre Console:
gear shift pattern of a 5-
speed manual gearbox
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Driving
136If you select the sport programme, S, you will drive in a sporty mode, i.e. a
programme in which shifts into high gears are postponed in order to use the
full power of the engine.Selector lever lock functions
The selector lever lock in positi on P or N prevents gears from
being engaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle
to move.
The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch the ignition on.
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down and at the same time, hold
the selector lever lock on the left of the selector lever also
pressed down.The warning lamp
at the side of the lever and on the instrument panel
lights up when the brake pedal must be pressed. This is essential when the
selector lever is taken from the P or N positions.
The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or driving at
speeds up to 5 km/h. At higher speeds the selector lever lock is automatically
unlocked in the N position.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if it is moved quickly through position
N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This makes it possible, for instance, to
“rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The
selector lever lock engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed
and the lever is in position N for more than about 1 second.
Fig. 97 Automatic
gearbox
Fig. 98 Automatic
gearbox: Instrument
panel display
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Driving137
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the
display on the instrument panel.Driving a car with an automatic gearbox
The gearbox changes gear ratios automatically as the vehicle
moves.Starting
– Start the engine with the selector lever in position P or N.
Driving
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down. – By holding the lock button (button on the left in the selector
lever), select R or D.
– Release the lever and wait a little for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight movement can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– If stopping for a short time, keep the vehicle stationary by pressing the foot brake hard to prevent the car moving back-
wards on a slope or “creeping” forwards, e.g. at traffic lights. The
selector lever does not need to be put into the positions P or N.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill ⇒.
–Apply the handbrake.
– By pressing the lock button down, move the selector lever to P
and release the lock button.
Driving up and down hills
– Press the selector lever from position “D” to the right into the Tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever back to change down.
Fig. 99 Automatic
gearbox
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Driving
138
Holding the car on a hill
– The footbrake must be always pressed down to prevent the vehicle from “rolling backwards” ⇒. Do not try to prevent the
vehicle from “rolling backwards” by increasing the engine speed
while a range of gears is selected.
Starting the vehicle on a hill
–Apply the handbrake.
– With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time, release the handbrake.The steeper the slope, the lower the gear required. This increases the braking
effect of the engine. For example, when driving down a very steep slope in 3rd
gear. If the engine brake effect is not enough, the vehicle will speed up. The
automatic gearbox automatically changes up to prevent the engine over-
revving. Use the foot brake to reduce speed and change into 3rd gear again
using Tiptronic* ⇒.
Your vehicle has an automatic interlock which prevents the selector lever
from being put into a position for driving forwards or in reverse from positions
P or N if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The ignition key cannot be removed unl ess the selector lever is in position P.
Warning lamp “Pressing brake pedal”
When the warning lamp next to the selector lever lights up, press the brake
pedal. This is necessary when the automatic gearbox selector lever is moved
out of positions P or N. At the same time, a text message or instructions to
perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument panel.
WARNING
•
As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is
running, you must apply the parking brake and engage parking lock P.
•
If the engine is running and D or R are engaged, you will need to hold
the vehicle stopped by depressing the brake pedal. The car would keep on
creeping forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even
when the engine is idling.
•
Never accelerate when changing gear or you may cause an accident.
•
Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving. Risk of accident!
•
Before driving down a long, steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed
and change into a lower gear.
•
If you stop the vehicle up hill, always hold the foot brake strongly
depressed down to stop it from rolling back.
•
Never allow the brake to rub and do not use the brake pedal too often
or for long periods. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat and
will considerably reduce the braking effect. This increases the braking
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.
•
Never allow the car to roll down a mountain or a slope with the lever in
the N or D position, regardless of whether the engine is running or not.Caution
•
If you stop the vehicle on a hill, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back
by depressing the accelerator when a gear has been selected. Otherwise, the
automatic gearbox may overheat causing damage. Pull the handbrake up or
fully depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
•
If you allow the car to roll when the engine is not running, or with the
selector lever in position N, lack of lubrication in the automatic gearbox will
damage it.
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Driving
140P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the drive wheels are locked
mechanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position P, the locking button in the selector lever
handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same time
with the ignition switched on.
To put the selector lever in position P, simply press the lock button down and,
if necessary, depress the brake pedal down.
R -Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position R, press the lock button down and, at
the same time, press the brake pedal down, with the ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the ignition switched on the
following occurs:•
Reverse lights light up.
•
The air conditioning automatically changes the air recirculation mode.
•
The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is on.
•
The parking distance warning system switches on.*
N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in neutral. Power is not transmitted
to the wheels and the engine does not have a braking function.
Never use the N position to drive down a hill. The engine does not function as
a brake and the brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if you drive down hills with the
selector lever in position N and the engine switched off. D - Drive (forwards)
In this position the gearbox automatically changes to a lower or higher gear,
according to the engine requirements, driving style and speed. The braking
effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited when the selector is
in this position. The instrument panel screen displays the selected gear and
selector lever to position D
.
If position N has been selected and you wish to select D, you must press the
foot brake if the vehicle is stationary, or travelling at under 5 km/h.
S - Standard driving position (Sport programme)
When the selector lever is in position S, it will automatically change up into a
higher gear later, and change down into a low gear, if compared with position
D . This way, it is possible to take full advantage of the engine reserve power,
depending on the engine demand, dr iving style and speed. The braking
effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited. On the instrument
panel screen the selected gear is shown as well as the selector lever to posi-
tion S.
To select gear range S, press the lock button on the selector lever.
WARNING
If the vehicle moves with no control, an accident and serious injury may
occur.•
As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is
running, you must always apply the parking brake and engage parking lock
P.
•
If the engine is running and if D or R are engaged, you will need to hold
the vehicle stopped by depressing footbrake down. The car would creep
forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even when the
engine is idling.
•
Never accelerate when changing gear or you may cause an accident.
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