Driving
130The immobiliser will be activated again automatically 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 129.
– Le t go o f t he ign itio n key as so o n as t he eng in e sta r ts; t he sta r te r 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 may 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,
please check the fuel pump fuse
⇒page 207, “Fuses”.
WARNING
•Never start or run the engine in un ventilated 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 avoid 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 in ⇒ page 219, “Jump-starting”.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the 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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Driving131
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Starting diesel 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.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 129, fig. 95 . The
indication lamp
will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the warning lamp turns off, turn the key to position to start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the starter motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting a very cold engine, it may 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 there are problems with starting the engine, see ⇒ page 219.
Glow plug system for the diesel engine
To avoid unnecessary discharging of the battery, do not use any other major
electrical equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heating.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp goes out.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal
(up to one minute) to start the engine after refuelling with diesel fuel. This is
because the system must eliminate air first.
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 avoid 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 in ⇒page 219, “Jump-starting”.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the 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.Switching the engine off– Stop the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 129, fig. 95 .
A2A3
A1
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Driving133
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
The reverse lights light up when the reverse gear is selected and the ignition
is on.
WARNING
•When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
gear is engaged and the clutch released.•Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of acci-
dent.Note
•Do not rest your hand on the gear rest when driving. The pressure of your
hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.•When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch down fully to
avoid unnecessary wear and damage.•Do not hold the car “on the clutch” up hills. This causes premature wear
and damage to the clutch.
Automatic gearbox*Gearbox programmes
The automatic gearbox has got two gearbox programmes.Selecting the normal programme
– Put the selector lever into position D.
Selecting the sport programme
– Put the selector lever into position S.If you select the normal programme, D, you will drive in economy mode, i.e.
the programme is designed to reduce fuel consumption. The gearbox
ch a n ge s u p i n t o a h i g h e r ge a r a s s o o n as p o ss i bl e a n d d o w n i n t o a l o w e r ge a r
as late as possible.
Fig. 97 Automatic
gearbox
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Driving
134If 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 position 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
on the instrument panel lights up when the brake pedal
must be applied. 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. 98 Automatic
gearbox
Fig. 99 Automatic
gearbox: Instrument
panel display
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Driving
136
– 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 unless 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.WARNING (continued)
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Driving
138Changing gears in the normal or sport programme using the steering wheel
paddle levers
If the paddle levers ⇒ page 137, fig. 102 are used in the normal or sport
programme, the system switches temporarily to “Tiptronic” mode. To exit
“Tiptronic” mode again, press the right paddle lever towards the steering
wheel for approximately one second. You will also leave “Tiptronic” mode if
the paddle levers are not moved for a certain time.
Note
•The gear paddle levers on the steering wheel can be operated with the
gear stick in any position and with the vehicle in motion.Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the
instrument panel screen.
Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the
instrument panel screen. The currently selected gear for the automatic
gearbox will also be shown on the screen.
Tiptronic gear indicator
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually, the selected gears are shown on
the screen.
P - 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.*
+Fig. 103 Automatic
gearbox: Display on the
instrument panel
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Driving
140•Never allow the car to roll downhill with the gear in “N”, regardless of
whether the engine is running or not.Caution
If you allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off or with the
selector lever in position “N”, take your foot off the accelerator and wait until
the engine starts idling before returning to position “D”.Kickdown feature
The kickdown feature is designed to give maximum accelera-
tion.If you press the accelerator down thoroughly, the gearbox automatically
changes down, depending on speed and en gine speed, into a lower gear to
take full advantage of the vehicle maximum acceleration.
The gearbox does not change gear until the engine reaches the maximum
determined engine speed for the gear.
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you accelerate on slippery road
surfaces. Risk of serious injury.•Be particularly careful when using the kickdown features on slippery
road surfaces. With fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose traction and
skid.•You should use the kickdown feature only when traffic and weather
conditions allow it to be used safely.
HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒fig. 104 .
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒fig. 104 and guide the handbrake lever down
fully ⇒ .
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 104 Handbrake
between the front seats
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Driving141
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Always apply the handbrake
firmly. This prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied ⇒ .
The handbrake warning lamp
lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition is switched on. The warning turns off when the handbrake is
released.
WARNING
•Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The
braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied to
the rear wheels. Risk of accident!•If it is only partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating,
which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an acci-
dent. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected.Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the
vehicle is parked.Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake.
– The first gear should also be selected. – Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition lock.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle ⇒ .
Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started
to roll.•If the vehicle is parked facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they
point towards the kerb .•If the vehicle is parked facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they
point away from the kerb .•Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and
engaging first gear.WARNING
•Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle
unattended.•Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.•Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.•Never leave children alone in the vehicle. They could set the vehicle in
motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear lever /
selector lever.•Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
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