2009 Seat Exeo ST towing

Trailer towing205
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Make sure the ball joint is clean and undamaged
– Check the locking pin , release pin , shaft section and
knob ⇒page 204, fig. 164 on the ball joint to make sure they
are clean and undamaged.
The spring mechanism inside the ball joint must be in the ready
position
– Check that the red marking ⇒page 204, fig. 165 on the knob
is inside the black zone marked on the ball joint.
– Check that the locking pin is inside the holes in the shaft section of the ball joint.
– Check that the knob protrudes visibly from the ball joint, so that there is a clear gap between the knob and the ball joint.The ball joint can only be installed if the internal spring mechanism is in the
ready position.
Cont ⇒page 205, “Fitting the ball joint (step 3)”.
Fitting the ball joint (step 3)
AA
AB
AC
AD
AAAB
AC
Fig. 166 Removable
towing bracket: Setting
the spring mechanism to
the "ready" positionFig. 167 Removable
towing bracket: inserting
the ball joint
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Trailer towing
206
Setting the spring mechanism to the ready position (if required)
– Insert the key ⇒page 205, fig. 166 in the lock on the knob
and turn it towards the red marking.
– Pull out the knob in direction , hold and turn in direction
until the locking pin engages and the release pin moves
out visibly ⇒.
inserting the ball joint
– With the spring mechanism in the ready position, insert the ball joint into the mounting fixture and push it upwards ⇒page 205,
fig. 167 in the direction indicated (arrow) ⇒. It should lock
into position automatically. You should now clearly hear it click
into place.
– Lock the ball joint by turning the key to the green marking.
– Remove the key.Cont ⇒page 206, “Fitting the ball joint (step 4)”.
WARNING
•If it is not possible to set the spring mechanism to the ready position as
described above, do not use the ball joint. Please contact a specialist
garage.•To avoid injury, keep your hands away from the knob or cover piece
when inserting the ball joint in the mounting fixture. Otherwise, you could
be injured.
Fitting the ball joint (step 4)
A1
AA
AB
A2
A3
Fig. 168 Removable
towing bracket: Safety
checkFig. 169 Rear bumper:
Pulling down the
connecting socket
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Trailer towing207
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Safety check
– Check that the green marking ⇒page 206, fig. 168 on the
knob is inside the black zone marked on the ball joint.
– Check that the knob is directly against the ball joint, so that there is no gap between the knob and the ball joint -arrow-.
– Check that the ball joint is locked and the key is removed so that the knob cannot be pulled out ⇒.
– Check that the ball joint fits tightly in the mounting fixture (try moving it about to check).
To w i n g s o c k e t
– To plug in the electrical connection for the trailer, pull down the socket below the bumper ⇒page 206, fig. 169 .If the safety check is not satisfactory, the ball joint must be fitted again prop-
erly.
WARNING
To avoid accidents, the ball joint must meet all the safety requirements
listed in the safety check. The towing bracket must not be used if any one
of these requirements is not met. If this is the case, you should contact a
specialist garage.
Removing the ball joint– Insert the key in the lock ⇒fig. 170 on the knob.
– Unlock the ball joint by turning the key to the red marking.
AA
Fig. 170 Removable
towing bracket: Removing
the ball jointFig. 171 Rear bumper:
fitting the cover piece
A1
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Trailer towing
208
– Take hold of the ball joint and pull out the knob in direction .
– Keep hold of the knob and turn it as far as it will go in direction
.
– Release the knob. The spring mechanism will remain in the ready position ⇒.
– Pull the ball joint down out of the mounting fixture ⇒page 207, fig. 171. The cover piece will cover the mounting
fixture automatically .
– Put away the ball joint attachment under the floor panel in the luggage compartment.
– Move the socket back up to its original position.
WARNING
•To avoid injury, keep your hands away from the locking pin and the
release pin when releasing the locking mechanism.•Make sure that the cover piece is properly engaged on the mounting
fixture on the vehicle. Otherwise the ball joint may fail to engage securely
if dirt accumulates in the mounting fixture.
AA
AB
A1
A2
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Trailer towing209
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Fitting a towing bracket*
It is possible to fit a towing bracket to the rear of the vehicle.
Fig. 172 Attachment
points for towing bracket
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Trailer towing
210If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the vehicle is purchased, this must be
completed according to the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer.
The attachment points for the towing bracket are on the lower part of the
vehicle.
The distance between the centre of the ball coupling and the ground should
never be lower than the indicated value, even with a fully loaded vehicle and
including the maximum resting weight.
Elevation values for securing the towing bracket:
65 mm (minimum)
403
629 mm
1112 mm (vehicle with max. load)
from 350 to 420 mm (fully loaded vehicle)
1,000 mm
Fitting a towing bracket•Driving with a trailer involves an extra effort for the vehicle. Therefore,
before fitting a towing bracket, please contact an Authorised Service Centre
to check whether your cooling system needs modification.•Submit to the legal requirements in your country (e.g. the fitting of a sepa-
rate warning lamp).•Certain vehicle components, e.g. the rear bumper, must be removed and
reinstalled. The towing bracket securing bolts must be tightened using a
torque wrench, and an electrical socket must be connected to the vehicle's
electrical system. The above-mentioned require specialized knowledge and
tools.•Figures in the illustration show the elevation value and the attachment
points which must be considered if you are retrofitting a towing bracket.WARNING
Towing brackets should be fitted by specialists.
•If the towing bracket is incorrectly installed, there is serious danger of
accident.•For your own safety, please observe the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the towing bracket.Caution
•If the electrical socket is incorrectly installed, this could cause damage to
the vehicle's electrical system.Note
For the Sport finish, fitting a trailer bracket is not recommended due to the
design of the bumpers.
AA
ABACADAEAFAG
WARNING (continued)
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If and when
254Changing a wheelPreparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel.– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the car as far away from
the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as level
as possible.
– All passengers should leave the vehicle. They should wait in a
safe place (e.g. behind the roadside crash barrier).
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
–Engage 1st gear.
– When towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from your vehicle.
–Take the tools and the spare wheel ⇒ page 251 out of the
luggage compartment.
WARNING
If you have a puncture in heavy traffic, switch on the hazard warning lights
and place the warning triangle in a visible location. This is for your own
safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite the
wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to prevent
the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.Changing a wheel
Change the wheel as described below.– Remove the wheel cover.
–Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ page 255.
– Raise the car with the jack ⇒page 256.
– Ta k e o f f the wheel with the flat tyre and then put on the spare
wheel ⇒page 257.
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the box
spanner ⇒page 255.
–Replace the cover .After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel, there are still tasks to complete.– Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the spare wheel well
and secure it.
– Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment.
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If and when
288Towing and tow-startingTo w - s t a r t i n g
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting
is preferable ⇒ page 285.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2
nd or the 3
rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
CommentsPlease observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto- matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you
would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexperi-
enced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow away another vehicle.
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