
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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Driving
136The 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 lever while 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 fully to avoid 
unnecessary wear and damage.•Do not hold the car “on the clutch” uphills. 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 the economy mode, 
i.e. the programme is designed to reduce fuel consumption. The gearbox 
changes up into a higher gear as soon as possible and down into a lower gear 
as late as possible.
Fig. 103  Automatic 
gearbox
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Driving139
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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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Driving141
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Changing gears in the normal or sport programme using the steering wheel 
paddle levers
If the paddle levers ⇒
page 140, fig. 108 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 lever 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 display.
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 on the selector 
lever handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same 
time while 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 conditioner automatically changes the air recirculation mode.•The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is on.•The parking distance warning system switches on.*
+Fig. 109  Automatic 
gearbox: Instrument 
panel display
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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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Driving147
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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.•Do not use the cruise control system when driving in dense traffic, on 
roads with lots of bends or on roads with poor conditions (with ice, slippery 
surfaces, loose grit or gravel), as this could cause an accident.•Always switch the cruise control system off after using 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-
hill. 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. 111   to the left to  ON.
Switching off the 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. 111  Turn signal and 
main beam headlight 
lever: switch and rocker 
switch for the cruise 
control
AA
AA
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Driving149
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
When you increase speed with the accelerator and then release the pedal, the 
system will automatically restore the set speed. This will not be the case, 
however, if the vehicle speed is more than 10 km/h higher than the stored 
speed for longer than 5 minutes. The speed will have to be stored again.
Cruise control is switched off if you reduce speed by depressing the brake 
pedal. Reactivate the control by pressing once on the upper par t of the rocker 
switch 
RES+ ⇒ page 148, fig. 113  .
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road, 
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.Switching off the system temporarily*The cruise control system will be switched off in the following situations:•if the brake pedal is depressed,
•if the clutch pedal is depressed,•if the vehicle is accelerated to over 180 km/h,•when the lever   is moved in the direction of  OFF without fully being 
engaged.
To resume cruise control, release the brake or clutch pedal or reduce the 
vehicle speed to less than 180 km/h and press once on the upper part of the 
rocker switch  RES ⇒fig. 114  .WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road, 
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.Completely switching off the system
AB
Fig. 114  Turn signal and 
main beam headlight 
lever: switch and rocker 
switch for the cruise 
control
AA
AB
Fig. 115  Turn signal and 
main beam headlight 
lever: switch and rocker 
switch for the cruise 
control
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