
Intelligent technology185
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
With compact temporary spare wheel.
•
When using the snow chains.
•
When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces
•
When the vehicle is bogged-down, to free it by “rocking.”
The TCS should be switched on again afterwards as soon as possible.
WARNING
•
It must be remembered that TCS cann ot defy the laws of physics. This 
should be kept in mind, particular ly 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 TCS tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.Caution
•
In order to ensure that TCS function correctly, all four wheels must be 
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can 
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.
•
Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to  the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wh eels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the ABS and TCS.
XDS*
Driveshaft differentialWhen taking a bend, the driveshaft differential mechanism allows the outer 
wheel to turn at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In this way, the wheel 
which is turning faster (outer wheel) receives less drive torque than the inner 
wheel. This may mean that in certain situations the torque provided to the  inner wheel is too high, causing the wheels to spin. On the other hand, the 
outer wheel receives a lower drive torque than it could transmit. This causes 
an overall loss of lateral grip on the front shaft, resulting in understeering or 
“lengthening” of the path.
The XDS system is able, using the ESP sensors and signals, to detect and 
correct this effect.
The XDS, via the ESP, brakes the inner wheel thus counteracting the excess 
drive torque in this wheel. This means that the path requested by the driver 
is more precise,
The XDS system operates in combination with the ESP and is always active, 
even when the traction control, TCS, is disconnected.
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)*General notes
The electronic stabilisation programme increases the 
vehicle's stability on the road.The electronic stabilisation programme helps to reduce the danger of skid-
ding.
The electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) consists of 
ABS, EDL, TCS and 
Steering manoeuvre recommendations.
Electronic Stabilising Program (ESP)*
ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels individually.
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 
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Wheels and tyres
236wheels or tyres which have not been approved by SEAT for use with your 
model may invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public roads.•
If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the 
vehicle - for example with winter tyres - you should only use the spare tyre for 
a short period of time and drive with extra care. Refit the normal road wheel 
as soon as possible.
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are 
fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the  right length and correctly shaped bolt 
heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the 
brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you may not  use wheel bolts from a different car - 
even if it is the same model  ⇒page 208.
After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel bolts 
should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench  ⇒. The tight-
ening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened  correctly, the wheel could become 
loose while driving. Risk of accident.•
The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or oil 
to them.
•
Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
•
If the torque of the wheel bolts is to o low, they could loosen whilst the 
vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident!  If the tightening torque is too high, 
the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
Caution
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and 
ice.In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicles 
handling. The design of summer ty res (width, rubber compound, tread 
pattern) gives less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a  pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pressures 
specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
Information on permitted  winter tyre sizes can be found in the vehicle's regis-
tration documents. Use only radial winter tyres. All tyre sizes listed in the 
vehicle documentation also apply to winter tyres.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth 
of 4 mm.
The speed rating code  ⇒page 235, “New tyres and  wheels” determines the 
following  speed limits  for winter tyres:  ⇒
Q max. 160 km/h
S max. 180 km/h
T max. 190 km/h
H max. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles which can exceed the speed rating of the fitted 
tyre must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These 
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If and when
238If and whenTools, tyre repair kit and spare wheelVehicle To ols
The vehicle onboard tools are located under the floor panel in 
the luggage compartment.– Lift the cover of the luggage compartment, by pulling it up with a 
finger in the fitting.
– Take the onboard tools out of the vehicle.The tool kit includes:•
Jack*
•
Hook for removing wheel covers* or hub caps*
•
Box spanner for wheel bolts*
•
Reversible screwdriver with handle  (including hexagonal interior) for the 
wheel bolts. The screwdriver is a combination tool.
•
To wi ng  e ye
•
Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*
Some of the items listed are only prov ided in certain models / model years, 
or are optional extras.
WARNING
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in  the screwdriver handle to tighten 
the wheel bolts as with this it is not possible to tighten the bolts to the 
required torque. Risk of accident.
•
The jack* supplied by the factory is  only designed for changing wheels 
on this model. On no account attempt to  use it for lifting heavier vehicles 
or other loads. Risk of injury.
•
Use the jack* only on firm, level ground.
•
Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack. Risk of accident.
•
I f  wo r k  is  t o  b e  ca r r i e d  o u t  un d e r n ea th the vehicle, this must be secured 
by suitable stands. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury.WARNING (continued)
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If and when241
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel there are still tasks to complete.– Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment.
– Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the luggage compart-
ment and secure it.
– Check the tyre pressure of the  newly fitted tyre as soon as 
possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as  possible with a torque wrench. The prescribed torque must be 
120 Nm.
Note•
If you notice that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn when 
changing a wheel, they must be replaced  before having the wheel bolt torque 
checked.
•
For your safety, drive at moderate speeds until the wheel bolt torque has 
been checked.
Wheel trims
The wheel trims must be removed to gain access to the wheel 
bolts.Removing
–Insert the extraction hook from the tools into the designated  ring, located in one of the bolt hole covers of the wheel cover 
⇒fig. 171.
–Pull off the hub cap .
Fig. 171  Changing the 
wheel: Removing a hub 
cap
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Index
294TCS (Traction control system)
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  82
Technical modifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  208
The danger of not using the  seat belt  . . . . . . . .  21
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  238
Towing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  265
Towing a trailer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  272
Towing bracket  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  196
Towing bracket, fitting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  197
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  265
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  265
Traction control system warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  82
Trailer Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  195
Trailer turn signals Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  116
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  272
Trips, checklist  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  116 Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76, 116
Turning light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  114
Type plate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  270
Tyre Mobility-System (Tyre repair kit)  . . . . . . .  239
Tyre monitor indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  78
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  230 Loss  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  232
Tyre pressure monitoring  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  231
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239, 247
Tyre-Mobility-System (Tyre repair kit)  . . . . . . .  247 Tyres and wheels
Dimensions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  235
Tyres service life  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  232
Tyres tread depth  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  233
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . .  230
UUnderbody sealant  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  205
Unlocking and locking Personalisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
Using the Tiptronic gear syst em  . . . . . . . . . . .  173VVehicle battery  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  227
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  270
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  270
Vehicle identification number  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  270
Vehicle Maintenance
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  200
Vehicle modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  208
Vehicle paintwork Products for vehicle maintenance  . . . . . . .  199
Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  201
Vehicle tools Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  238
Vehicle wallet storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  135
Vehicle washing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  200
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18 Volumetric sensor*
Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  100
Deactivation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  100
WWarning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Warning lamps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
Warning reportsRed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
Yellow  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
Warning texts in the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
Warning triangle and first-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . .  147
Washer fluid  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  222
Washing by hand  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  200
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . .  201
Water warning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
Water in the windscreen washer tank  . . . . . . .  222
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  233
Wheel bolts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  242 Torque  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  236
Wheel change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  240
Wheel trims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  241
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  230
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . .  29
Why should head restraints be correctly adjusted? 13
Why to wear seat belts?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
Why wear seat belts?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 29
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