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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Driving135
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
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.
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.
Fig. 100 Automatic
gearbox
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Driving137
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Changing gear with the Tiptronic gear system*
The Tiptronic system allows the driver to select gears manu-
ally
General information about driving in Tiptronic mode
Changing gear with Tiptronic
– Press the selector lever from position D to the right into the
Tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector forward + to change up into high gears.
– Lightly press the selector lever backwards - to change down into
low gears.
Changing gear with the steering wheel paddle levers*
– Press the right paddle lever towards the steering wheel to
change up ⇒ fig. 102.
– Press the left paddle lever towards the steering wheel to change down ⇒ fig. 102.Using the paddle levers on the steering wheel, you can access manual driving
mode regardless of the driving mode pre-selected.
General information about driving in Tiptronic mode
When accelerating, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox goes
into a higher gear a little before the engine reaches its maximum permitted
revolutions.
If a lower gear is selected, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox
will only change down when the engine cannot go over its maximum
permitted revolutions.
If the “Tiptronic” is selected suddenly while the vehicle is in motion and the
automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox is in 3rd gear in selector lever
position D, the “Tiptronic” will then also be in 3rd gear.
Fig. 101 Changing gear
with TiptronicFig. 102 Steering wheel
with paddle levers for
automatic gearbox
A+A–
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Driving139
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
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 as
well as the selector lever in 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
h igh er gea r late r, an d change d own i nto a low g ea r, if com pare d wi th p osi ti on
D . This way, it is possible to take full advantage of the engine reserve power,
depending on the engine demand, driving 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.•Never move the selector lever to “R” or “P” when driving. Risk of acci-
dent.•Before driving down a very steep slope, reduce your speed and shift to
position 1st.•Always hold the vehicle on the foot brake if you stop uphill. Otherwise,
the vehicle could roll 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.WARNING
Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary. You could lose
control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and serious injury.•The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is
switched off.•The brake servo does not work when the engine is not running. You
need more force to stop the vehicle.•Power assisted steering does not work when the engine is not running.
That is why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.•Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer
the vehicle.WARNING (continued)
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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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Driving143
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Provided that it is not in continuous mode, the tone on the parking aid system
stops when it detects a wall parallel to the vehicle.
Trailer towing
For vehicles factory-fitted with a towing bar, the parking aid system will not
be activated by the engagement of the reverse gear when pulling a trailer, as
the trailer's electric connector will be plugged into the vehicle.
Possible faults
If a continuous bleep is heard for some seconds when the reverse gear is
engaged, this indicates that there is a fault in the parking aid system.
If the fault continues until the ignition is turned off, the acoustic signal
warning of the fault will not be emitted every time the system is reactivated
(by engaging reverse gear).
Thus, the system ready indication will not sound
either. Have the fault repaired by an Authorised Service Centre as soon as
possible.
If there is no ready signal or no acoustic warning signal, then the parking aid
loudspeaker is faulty and may not warn of obstacles.
To ensure that the system works properly, the sensors must be kept clean and
free of ice and snow.
WARNING
•The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles may not be detected.•Always look out for small children and animals because the system will
not always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.•The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver
must take full responsibility for parking and other manoeuvres.
Caution
•Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not give
any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences, chains,
thin posts or trailer draw bars, high kerbs or painted railings etc) may not
always be detected by the system, so there is a risk of damaging the vehicle
in such cases.•In some cases, obstacles with uniform edges and bumps may not be
detected immediately by the system due to their geometry. Take special care
with these types of obstacle, e.g. corners, rectangular objects, etc.., these
can cause damage to the vehicle.•Be especially careful when manoeuvring into a corner between two
perpendicular walls. Survey the approach of the wall to the side of the vehicle
(using the mirrors)•The parking aid system does not replace use of the mirrors for manoeu-
vres.•Distant ultra-sonic sources (hammers, tyres, construction machinery,
other vehicles with PDC) may interfere with the operation of the system.•During the periodic cleaning of the sensors, take care not to damage or
scratch them. When cleaning with high pressure washers or steam cleaners,
the sensors should be sprayed for only a very short period and from a
distance of more than 10 cm.
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Driving145
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Setting speed*– Press the lower part SET of the rocker switch ⇒ fig. 106 once
briefly when you have reached the speed you wish to set.When you release the rocker switch, the current speed is set and held
constant.
Adjusting set speed*
The speed can be altered without touching the accelerator or
the brake.Setting a higher speed
– Press the upper part RES of the rocker switch ⇒ fig. 107 to
increase the speed. The vehicle will continue to accelerate as
long as you keep the rocker switch pressed. When you release
the switch, the new speed is stored.
Setting a lower speed
– Press the lower part SET– of the rocker switch to reduce the
speed. The vehicle will automatically reduce its speed for as long
as you keep the switch pressed. When you release the switch, the
new speed is stored.
Fig. 106 Indicator and
main beam headlight
lever: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise
control
AB
Fig. 107 Indicator and
main beam headlight
lever: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise
control
AB
AB
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