
Driving
132Ignition lockPosition of the ignition keyIgnition switched off, steering lock 
In this position  ⇒fig. 101  the ignition and the engine are OFF and the 
steering may get locked.
For the  Steering lock  to operate without the ignition key, turn the steering 
wheel until it locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the 
steering wheel when you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle 
theft  ⇒ .
Switching the ignition or the glow plug system on 
Turn the ignition key to this position and release it. If the key cannot be turned 
or it is difficult to turn from position   to position  , move the steering 
wheel from one side to the other until it is released. Starting 
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components 
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Every time the vehicle is started again, the ignition key must be turned to 
position . The 
repetitive start prevention lock  of the ignition prevents 
possible damage to the starter motor if the engine is already running.
WARNING
•The ignition key must NOT be removed from the lock until the vehicle 
comes to a standstill. Otherwise, the steering could be immediately 
blocked- Risk of accident!•Always remove the key from the ignition lock when leaving the vehicle, 
even for a short period. This is especially important if children or disabled 
people are left alone in the vehicle. They could accidentally start the 
engine or work electrical equipment such as the electric windows, conse-
quently resulting in an accident.•Unsupervised use of the keys could start the engine or any electrical 
system, such as the electric window. This could result in serious injury.Caution
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key 
position ).Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driving 
the vehicle.Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser auto-
matically when the key is inserted into the ignition.
Fig. 101  Ignition key 
positions
A1
A2
A1
A2
A3A1A3
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Driving133
Safety First
Operating instructions
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  ⇒page 132 position.
– 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 209, “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 in  ⇒page 222, “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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Driving
134Starting 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 132, fig. 101   . The 
indicator 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 starting the engine, see the  ⇒page 222.
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 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 222, “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 vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position  ⇒page 132, fig. 101   .
A2A3
A1
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Driving135
Safety First
Operating instructions
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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 lever.Certain versions of the model may include a 6-speed manual gearbox, and its 
diagram is shown on the gear lever.
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.
Fig. 102  Centre Console: 
gear shift pattern of a 5-
speed manual gearbox
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Driving139
Safety First
Operating instructions
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Technical Data
– With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time, 
release the handbrake.The steeper the slope, the lower the needed gear. 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 gear 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 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 
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 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 gear 
lever in position N, a lack of lubrication in the automatic gearbox will damage 
it.WARNING (continued)
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Driving143
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
•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 
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.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when 
you park.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 110  Handbrake 
between the front seats
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Driving
144
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly  ⇒fig. 110 .
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc- tion of the arrow  ⇒fig. 110  and guide the handbrake lever down 
fully  ⇒ .Always apply the handbrake  as far as it will go in order to prevent you from 
driving with the handbrake applied by mistake  ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp 
 lights up when the handbrake is applied 
and the ignition 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 brake pedal 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.
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Vehicle maintenance and cleaning163
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Vehicle maintenance and cleaningGeneral notesRegular washing and care help maintain the value of your 
vehicle.Yo u r  v e h i c l e  m a i n te n a n ce
Regular care and washing help to maintain the value of the vehicle. This may 
also be one of the requirements for acknowledging warranty claims in the 
event of bodywork corrosion or paint defects.
The best way to protect your car against the harmful effects of the environ-
ment is through correct maintenance and  frequent washing. The longer 
substances such as insects remains, bird droppings, resinous tree sap, road 
dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt and other aggressive materials 
remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork. High 
temperatures (for instance in strong sunlight) further intensify the corrosive 
effect.
After winter, a period when salt is put on the roads, it is impor tant to have the 
underside of the vehicle washed thoroughly.
Products for vehicle maintenance
Car care products are available in your Authorised Service Centre. Keep the 
product instructions until you have used them up.
WARNING
•Car care products can be toxic. For this, they must always be kept 
closed in their original container. Keep them out of the reach of children. 
Failure to comply could result in poisoning.•Always read and observe the instructions and warnings on the package 
before using car care products. Improper use could damage your health or  your vehicle. The use of certain products may produce noxious vapours; 
they should be used in well ventilated areas.
•Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other 
volatile fluids. These are toxic and highly flammable. Risk of fire and explo-
sion.•Before washing your vehicle, or carrying out any maintenance, switch 
the engine off, apply your handbrake firmly and remove the key from the 
ignition.Caution
Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry. 
Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could damage the 
paintwork or the windows of your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with plenty 
of water.
For the sake of the environment
•When purchasing products for your vehicle maintenance, select the ones 
which are not harmful to the environment.•The leftovers of the car care products should not be disposed of with ordi-
nary household waste. Observe the disposal information on the package.WARNING (continued)
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