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Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
The 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 128.
– Le t go o f the ig nit io n key as so on as the e ngin e star t s; t he sta r ter 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,
the fuel pump fuse should be checked
⇒page 205, “Fuses”.
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 ⇒page 218, “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
After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10
m i n u t e s . I t i s a l s o p o s si bl e t ha t t h e fa n tu r n s i t s e l f o n o n ce m o r e i f t h e co o la n t
temperature increases due to the heat accumulated in the engine compart-
ment or due to its prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
WARNING
•Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is completely stationary.•The brake servo works only when the engine is running. With the
engine switched off, more strength is needed to brake. As normal brake
operation cannot be performed, risk of accidents and serious injury may
exist.•The steering lock can be immediately blocked once the key is removed
from the ignition lock. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.Caution
If the engine has been driven hard for a long period, the engine could over-
heat when it is switched off. Risk of engine damage. For this reason, you
should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you switch it off.
Manual gearboxDriving a car with a manual gearboxEngaging the reverse gear
– The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press the clutch down thoroughly.
– Place the gear lever into neutral and push the lever downwards.
– Slide the gear lever to the left, and then into the reverse position shown on the gear stick.The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When
the engine is running and before engaging this gear, wait about 6 seconds
with the clutch pressed down thoroughly in order to protect the gearbox.
The reverse lights light up when the reverse gear is selected and the ignition
is on.
Fig. 95 Centre Console:
gear shift pattern of a 5-
speed manual gearbox
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Technical Data
If 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 positi on 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 dash panel lights up when the brake pedal
should 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
s p e e d s u p t o 5 k m / h . A t h i g h e r s p e e d s t h e s e le c to r le v e r l o ck is a u t o m a t i ca ll y
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. 97 Automatic
gearbox
Fig. 98 Automatic
gearbox: Dash panel
display
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– 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 the instructions
to perform necessary operations may appear on the dash 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
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 slop e, 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 brake 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 up hills, 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, a lack of lubrication in the automatic gearbox will
damage it.WARNING (continued)
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Driving137
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Changing gears in the normal or sport programme using the steering wheel
paddle levers
If the paddle levers ⇒
page 136, fig. 101 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 dash
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 brak e pedal depressed at the same time
when the ignition is 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 changes automatically the air recirculation mode.
+Fig. 102 Automatic
gearbox: Display in the
dash panel
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Driving139
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
•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.•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 e ngine speed, into a lower gear to
take full advantage of give 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 a 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.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 103 Handbrake
between the front seats
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•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.
Hill-start assist*
This function is only included in vehicles with ESP.This device helps when starting uphill.
These are the basic operation conditions: doors closed, brake pedal pressed
down and vehicle in neutral. The system gets activated on engaging gear.
After removing your foot from the brake pedal, the braking force is maintained
for a few seconds to prevent the vehicle from moving backward when putting
into gear. This short space of time is enough to start the vehicle with ease.
This system also works when reversing uphill.
WARNING
•If you do not start the vehicle immediately after taking your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle may start to roll back under certain conditions.
Depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake immediately.
•If the engine stalls, depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake
immediately.•When following a line of traffic uphill, if you want to prevent the vehicle
from rolling back accidentally when starting off, hold the brake pedal down
for a few seconds before starting off.Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop can tell you if your vehicle is
equipped with this system.Acoustic parking aid system*Rear parking aid
The parking aid system will use an acoustic signal to warn of
the approach of any object towards the rear of the vehicle.Description
The acoustic parking aid system will measure the distance between the rear
of the vehicle and any possible obstacle using four ultrasonic sensors located
on the rear bumper. The measuring range of the sensors starts at approxi-
mately and depending on the nature of the obstacle at a distance of:•side of the rear bumper: 0.6 m•middle of the rear bumper: 1.6 m
Activation
The system is activated by engagement of the reverse gear. A brief acoustic
signal confirms the activation and correct function of the system.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Technical Data
Cruise control* (GRA)Description
The cruise control system is able to maintain the set speed in
the range from approx. 30 km/h to 180 km/h.Once the speed setting has been saved, you may take your foot off the accel-
erator.
WARNING
It could be dangerous to use the cruise control system if it is not possible
to drive at constant speed.•For safety reasons the cruise control system should not be used in
dense traffic, in sections with bends or where roads are in bad conditions
(e.g. aquaplaning, loose chippings, slippery surfaces, snow). Risk of acci-
dent.•Always switch the CCS off when finish to use it in order to avoid an
involuntary use.•It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.Note
The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when descending down
hills. The vehicle will accelerate due to its own weight. Use the foot brake to
slow the vehicle.
Switching the cruise cont rol system on and offSwitching on the system
–Move the control ⇒fig. 104 to the left to ON.
Switching off system
– Move the control to the right to OFF or turn the ignition off
when the vehicle is stationary.When the cruise control is on and a speed is programmed, the indicator on
the instrument panel is lit.
10)
If the cruise control system is switched off, the
symbol is switched off. The
system will also be fully switched off when the 1st gear is selected.*
10)Depending on the model version
Fig. 104 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever switch and rocker
switch for the cruise
control
AA
AA
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