2009 Seat Exeo ST change time

Driving
186Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down past the point of resistance
at full throttle, the gearbox will shift down to a lower gear, depending on road
speed and engine speed. The upshift to the next higher gear is delayed until
the engine reaches maximum rpm.
WARNING
P l eas e n o te t ha t i f t h e road s u r fa ce is s l i pp e r y o r w e t , t h e k ick- d ow n fe at u re
could cause the driving wheels to spin, which could result in skidding.Dynamic gear control program (DCP)
The automatic gearbox is controlled electronically.The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled gearbox. The gear
ratios are selected automatically according to preset gearshift programmes.
When you drive at moderate speeds the gearbox will select the most econom-
ical shift programme. It will then change up early and delay the downshifts to
give better fuel economy.
If you drive at higher speeds with heavy acceleration, if you open the throttle
quickly, or if you use the kick-down or the car's maximum speed, the gearbox
will automatically select the more sporty shift programmes.
The gearbox is self-adapting, and continuously selects the most suitable shift
programme. At the same time, the driver can also make the gearbox switch to
a more sporty programme by pressing the accelerator quickly. Depending on
road speed, this makes the gearbox shift down early into a lower gear ratio
for more rapid acceleration (for instance to pass another vehicle), without
having to press the accelerator all the way down into the kick-down position.
After the gearbox has shifted back up it returns to the original programme,
depending on your style of driving. Vehicles with multitronic® gearbox: the gearbox continuously adapts the
gear ratios to gradients. If the brake
pedal is pressed on a downhill gradient
the gearbox automatically shifts to a lower gear ratio. This increases the
engine braking effect.
Vehicles with tiptronic gearbox: in mountainous areas, the gearbox adapts
the gearshifts for uphill and downhill gradients. This prevents the gearbox
from shifting up and down unnecessarily on uphill gradients.
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Intelligent technology193
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
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 overheats the brakes, resulting in longer stop-
ping distances and greater wear.•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce speed
and change to a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear position
if your car has automatic transmission). 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 while 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.
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Driving and the environment197
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Diesel engine particulate filter*
The diesel engine particulate filter eliminates soot produced
by burning diesel.The diesel engine dust filter eliminates most of the soot from the exhaust gas
system. Under normal driving conditions, the filter cleans itself. If the driving
conditions do not allow the filter to clean itself (for example, multiple short
trips) the filter will be obstructed by dust and pollen and the indicator
 for
the diesel engine particulate filter indicator will light up. See section on
Warning Lights.
WARNING
•The diesel engine particulate filter may reach extremely high tempera-
tures; it should not enter into contact with flammable materials under-
neath the vehicle. Failure to comply could result in fire.Caution
•The vehicle is not designed for refuelling with mixtures of FAME fuel
(biodiesel) over 7% in accordance with DIN 51628. The diesel particle filter
will be damaged if this mixture percentage is exceeded.Economical and environmentally friendly
drivingEconomical and environmen tally friendly drivingFuel consumption, environmental pollution and wear to the engine, brakes
and tyres depends in large part on your driving style. By adopting an econom- ical driving style and anticipating the traffic situation ahead, you can easily
reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. Some tips on how to help you reduce
pollution while saving money are listed below.
As you drive try to anticipate the traffic situation
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. When you anticipate the situa-
tion, you have to brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If it is possible,
let the vehicle roll with a gear engaged
, for example, if you see a red light
ahead. The braking effect achieved in this way helps to reduce the wear of
brakes and tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are reduced to zero
(disconnection due to inertia).
Change gear early to save energy
An effective way of saving fuel is to change up quickly through the gears.
Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an unnecessary
amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox: Change from first to second gear as quickly as possible. We
recommend that, whenever possible, you change to a higher gear upon
reaching 2,000 rpm.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed permitted by the vehicle. Fuel
consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels all increase very rapidly at
higher speeds. Driving at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic jam, at level
crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The fuel saved after only
30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to restart the
engine.
The engine takes a very long time to warm up when it is running at idling
speed. Mechanical wear and pollutant emissions are also especially high
during this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore best to drive off immediately
after starting the engine. Avoid running the engine at high speed.
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Checking and refilling levels231
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Carefully fill with the specified grade of oil ⇒page 229, adding
0.5 litres at a time.
– After two minutes, check the oil level once again ⇒page 230.
– Where necessary, add more engine oil.
– Replace the oil filler cap carefully and push the dipstick all the way in.
WARNING
•When refilling with oil, make sure no oil falls onto hot engine parts.
Failure to comply could result in fire.•Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.Caution
•The oil level must never be above area . This could damage the cata-
lytic converter or the engine. Contact a specialist garage to drain the engine
oil if necessary.•No additives should be used with engine oil. Any damage caused by the
use of such additives would not be covered by the factory warranty.For the sake of the environment
•Oil must not be disposed of into the drains or onto the ground.•Always observe legal requirements when disposing of empty oil
canisters.
Cooling systemLiquid coolant
The purpose of the liquid coolant is to carry heat away from
the engine. The correct amount of antifreeze is decisive in
preventing the cooling system from freezing in winter.The your vehicle's engine cooling system is filled for life at the factory, so no
coolant needs to be changed. The liquid coolant consists of a mixture of water
and anti-freeze G12++. This is a glycol-based antifreeze with anti-corrosion
additives.
Liquid coolant additive
The amount of antifreeze required depends on the temperatures to be
expected in the winter season. If the antifreeze concentration is too low the
coolant can freeze, resulting in failure of the cooling system and heater.
The cooling system is filled at the factory with the correct amount of anti-
freeze for the country concerned.
In most cases, the mixture consists of 60% water and 40% anti-freeze . This
mixture gives the required anti-freeze protection at temperatures down to -
25°C and particularly protects the metal parts of the cooling system against
corrosion. It also prevents scaling and significantly raises the boiling point of
the liquid coolant.
Countries with warm climate
The liquid coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding plain water,
even in the summer or in warm climates. The concentration of the anti-freeze
must always be at least 40%.
Countries with cold climate
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
the anti-freeze G12++ can be increased. A concentration of 60% offers anti-
Aa
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Checking and refilling levels237
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Removing the wiper blade
– Lift the wiper arm away from the glass ⇒ page 236, fig. 185.
– Slide the blade adapter in the di rection of the arrow and remove
the blade ⇒ page 236, fig. 185 .
Fitting the wiper blade
– With one hand, hold the top end of the wiper arm.
– Place the blade as shown in the ⇒ page 236, fig. 186 and slide
the adapter along until it engages.Check the condition of the wiper blad e regularly. Change as required.
If the windscreen wiper scrapes, i t s h o u l d b e r e p la ce d i f d a m a ge d , o r c l ea n e d
if soiled.
If this is not sufficient, refer to a qualified workshop.
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!•Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all windows regularly.•The wiper blades should be changed once or twice a year.Caution
•A damaged or dirty window wiper could scratch the rear window.•Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the window.•Never move the windscreen wiper by hand. This could cause damage.
Brake fluidChecking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked at a glance.The brake fluid level must be between the “Min” and “Max” ⇒fig. 187 mark-
ings.
The fluid level may drop slightly after a period of time due to the automatic
compensation for brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
H owe ve r, if th e le ve l goes d own not icea bly i n a short time, or drops below the
“Min” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. If the fluid level in the
reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the brake warning lamp
⇒ page 70 and ⇒page 77. If this should happen, take the car to a qualified
workshop immediately and have the brake system inspected.
Fig. 187 Engine compart-
ment: markings on brake
fluid reservoir
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Checking and refilling levels
238Topping up and changing the brake fluid
It is best to have the brake fluid changed by a professional.Brake fluid absorbs damp. Therefore, in the course of time it will absorb water
from the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the
brake system could corrode. In addition, the boiling point of the brake fluid
will be considerably reduced. This could adversely affect the braking ability in
certain circumstances.
For this reason the brake fluid must be changed periodically.
Your vehicle's Service Schedule will tell you when the brake fluid has to be
renewed.
We recommend you have the brake fluid changed as part of a regular Inspec-
tion Service at your garage. They are familiar with the procedure and have the
necessary special tools and spare parts as well as the proper facilities for
disposing of the old fluid.
Use only the genuine brake fluid specified by the factory Specialist garages
know that the brake fluid -DOT 4- is factory approved. The brake fluid must be
new.
WARNING
•Therefore, it must always be kept cl osed in its original container. Keep
out of the reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.•Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left
in the system for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency of the
brakes and the safety of the car, leading to the risk of accident.Caution
Please note that brake fluid will attack the paintwork on contact.
For the sake of the environment
If the fluid has to be drained out of the brake system, use an appropriate
container to catch the used brake fluid and dispose of it in the proper
manner.BatteryGeneral notes
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.The battery is virtually maintenance-free and is checked in the Inspection
Services.
We recommend that you replace a battery once it is older than 5 years.
Disconnecting the battery
If the battery is disconnected, some of the vehicle's functions will become
inoperative (e.g. electric windows). These functions will require resetting
after the battery is reconnected. For this reason, the battery should only be
disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system when absolutely necessary.
Long periods of non-use
The battery will gradually lose its charge because certain electrical equip-
ment continues to draw current even when the ignition is off. If you park the
vehicle for long periods of time in winter you should take the battery out of
the vehicle and keep it in a frost-proof room. Store the battery in a place
where it cannot “freeze up” and become damaged. At warm outside temper-
atures it is sufficient to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Even
when the battery is not connected you should charge it from time to time.
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Checking and refilling levels
240•A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is
under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room
only.•Keep children away from acid and batteries.•Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the
engine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery
must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only switch
off the light.•Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.•When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system,
disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.•Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery.
Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never
reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.•Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0°C.•Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.•Never use a defective battery. This may be fatally explosive. Replace a
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine
is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents.•Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time, as
the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.•If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.
Charging the battery
A fully-charged battery is important for reliable starting.– Note the warnings ⇒ in “Important safety warnings for
handling a car battery” on page 239 and ⇒.
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
– Only if “fast-charging”: both battery cables must be discon- nected (first the “negative” cable, then the “positive” cable).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery terminals, noting the colour code (red is used for “positive”, black or brown for “nega-
tive”).
– Now connect the battery charger to the power point and switch on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger and disconnect the power point cable.
– Finally disconnect the charger cables from the battery.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first the “positive” cable, then the “negative” cable).When charging with a low current (for instance with a small battery charger)
the battery does not normally have to be disconnected. However, both
battery cables must be disconnected before “ fast-charging” the battery with
a high current. However, always follow the instructions given by the manufac-
turer of the battery charger.
The fast-charging procedure for a battery is dangerous ⇒ in “Important
safety warnings for handling a car battery” on page 239, as it requires a
WARNING (continued)
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Wheels and tyres
246Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
⇒ page 245, fig. 189 , running across the tread. Depending on the make,
there will be six to eight of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on
the tyre sidewall (for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the
positions of the tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by
law is 1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indica-
tors). Worn tyres must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export
countries ⇒.
Tyre pressure
Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce the life of the tyres considerably
and also impair the car's handling. The inflation pressures are listed on a
sticker on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
Correct inflation pressures are very important, especially at high speeds. The
pressure should therefore be checked at least once a month and before
starting any long journey.
Tyre pressure monitoring (RKA+)*
Monitoring of the tyre pressures is based on the tyre pressures you have
stored. The tyre pressure monitoring system cannot function as intended if
you store tyre pressure settings for a normal load, but then drive with the
vehicle fully laden. The tyre pressure must be adapted to the actual load and
stored accordingly in the tyre pressure monitoring system ⇒ page 244.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable
to change them around as shown ⇒page 245, fig. 190. All the tyres will then
last for about the same time. Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results
in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause excessive
wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of
the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel align-
ment checked by an Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre bursts during driving!•The tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread is worn down to
the tread wear indicators. Failure to do so could result in an accident. Worn
tyres do not grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There is also a greater
risk of “aquaplaning” •At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. This causes it to overheat. This can cause tread separation and tyre
blow-out. Risk of accident. Always observe the recommended tyre pres-
sures.•I f t y r e s s h o w e x ce s s i v e w e a r, y o u s h o u l d h a v e t h e r u n n i n g g e a r ch e cke d
by an Authorised Service Centre.•Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake fluid away from tyres.•Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately!For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.
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