
Cockpit61
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Brake system* / handbrake 
 
The warning lamp lights up if the handbrake is applied, if the 
brake fluid level falls too low or if there is a fault in the brake 
system.
This warning lamp 
 lights up if
•the handbrake is on.•the brake fluid level is too low  ⇒page 191.•there is a fault in the brake system.
This warning lamp can light up together with the ABS system warning lamp.WARNING
•If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when 
driving, the brake fluid level  ⇒page 191, “Brake fluid” in the reservoir is 
too low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain tech-
nical assistance.•If the brake warning lamp 
 lights up together with the ABS warning 
lamp 
, the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could 
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the 
rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical 
assistance.
Cruise control system* 
The warning lamp comes on when the cruise control system 
is switched on.The warning lamp 
 lights up when the cruise control system is switched on. 
For further information on the cruise control system, see  ⇒page 147.
Tyre pressure* 
The tyre monitor 
5) co m p a r e s  w h e e l  r e v o l u t i o ns  a n d  wi t h  t h is  i n f o r m a t i o n ,  t h e  
diameter of each wheel using the ESP sensors. If the diameter of a wheel 
changes, the tyre monitor indicator lights  . The wheel diameter changes 
when:
•Tyre pressure is insufficient.•The tyre structure is damaged.•The vehicle is unbalanced because of a load.•The wheels of one axle are under more pressure (for example, driving with 
a trailer or on extreme slopes).•The vehicle is fitted with snow chains.•The temporary spare wheel is fitted.•The wheel on one axle is changed.5)Depending on the model version
Fig. 36  Centre console: 
tyre monitor system 
button
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Driving145
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
•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.•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  approximately 
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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Intelligent technology153
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
T h e  T C S  is  s w i tch e d  o n  a u t o m a t i ca ll y  w h e n  t h e  e n g i n e  is  s ta r t e d .  I f  n e ce s sa r y,  
it may be turned on or off by briefly pushing the ESP button on the centre 
console.
When the TCS is switched off, the warning lamp flashes slowly. The TCS 
should normally be left switched on at all times. Only in exceptional circum-
stances, when the slipping of the wheels is required, can they be discon-
nected using the ESP button, for example.
•With compact temporary spare wheel.•When using the snow chains.•When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces•When the vehicle is bogged-down, to free it by “rocking.”
The TCS should be switched on again afterwards as soon as possible.WARNING
•It must be remembered that TCS cannot defy the laws of physics. This 
should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads and when 
towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and 
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by TCS tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.Caution
•In order to ensure that TCS function correctly, all four wheels must be 
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can 
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.•Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the ABS and TCS.
XDS*
Driveshaft differentialWhen taking a bend, the driveshaft differential mechanism allows the outer 
wheel to turn at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In this way, the wheel 
that is turning faster (outer wheel) receives less drive torque than the inner 
wheel. This may mean that in certain situations the torque delivered to the 
inner wheel is too high, causing the wheels to spin. On the other hand, the 
outer wheel is receiving a lower drive torque than it could transmit. This 
causes an overall loss of lateral grip on the front axle, resulting in understeer 
or “lengthening” of the trajectory.
By using the ESP sensors and signals, the XDS system is able to detect and 
correct this effect.
Through the ESP, the XDS brakes the inner wheel, thereby counteracting the 
excess drive torque in this wheel. This means that the driver's desired trajec-
tory is much more precise,
The XDS system operates in combination with the ESP and is always active, 
even when the traction control, TCS, is disconnected.Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*General notes
The Electronic Stability Programme increases the vehicle's 
stability on the road.The Electronic Stability Programme helps reduce the danger of skidding.
The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) consists of  ABS, EDL and TCS.
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Intelligent technology
154Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels individually.
The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the 
changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them 
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If the desired course is not being 
maintained (for instance, if the car is starting to skid), then the ESP compen-
sates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable 
condition. If the vehicle tends to oversteer, the system will act on the front 
wheel on the outside of the turn.
WARNING
•It must be remembered that ESP cannot defy the laws of physics. This 
should be kept in mind, particularly  on slippery and wet roads and when 
towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and 
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.Caution
•In order to ensure that ESP functions correctly, all four wheels must be 
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can 
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.•Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running 
gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-
ciency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during braking 
⇒ page 152.Electronic differential lock (EDL)*
The electronic differential lock  helps prevent the loss of trac-
tion caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning.EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-
pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.
The system will control the revolutions of the drive wheels using the ABS 
sensors (in case of an EDL fault the warning lamp for ABS lights up) 
⇒ page 59.
At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out differ-
ences in the speed of the driven wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by 
a slippery road surface on one side  of the vehicle. It does this by braking the 
wheel which has lost traction and distributing more driving force to the other 
driven wheel via the differential.
To prevent the disc brake of the braking wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts 
out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will continue to 
function normally without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not informed that 
the EDL has been switched off.
The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
•When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow, 
press the accelerator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven wheels may start to 
spin. This could impair the vehicle's stability.
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If and when
210The individual electrical circuits are protected by fuses. The fuses are located 
behind a cover at the left-hand end of the dash panel. When the steering 
wheel is on the right, the fuses are on the right-hand side of the dash panel, 
behind a cover.
The electric windows are protected by circuit breakers . These reset automat-
ically after a few seconds when the overload (caused for example by frozen 
windows) has been corrected.
Fuses colour code
WARNING
Never “repair” damaged fuses and never replace them with fuses with a 
higher rating. Failure to comply could result in fire. This could also cause 
damage to other parts of the electrical system.
Note
•If a newly replaced fuse blows again after a short time, the electrical 
system must be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.•If you replace a fuse with higher-rating fuse, you could cause damage to 
another location in the electrical system.
•Always keep some spare fuses in the vehicle. These are available from 
SEAT dealers.Fuses on left side of dash panelFuses
Colour
Amps
Beige
5
Brown 
7,5
Red
10
Blue
15
Ye ll ow
20
Natural (white)
25
Green
30
Number
Consumer
Amps
1
Power steering/Engine operation
7,5
2
Diagnostics/Heater/Autoclimate/Cli-
matronic/Electric anti-dazzle mirror/Naviga-
tor/Air conditioning pressure switch/ Climate 
fan/ Kisi/ AFS Control unit/Coming home 
relay/Soundaktor
10
3
Petrol engine control unit/Flow meter/Diesel 
engine control unit/Relay coils/Engine opera-
tion/Bi-turbo fuel control unit
5
4
ABS/ESP switch (turning sensor)/Light lever
10
5
Reverse light/Heating nozzles
10
6
Instrument panel
5
7
Rear fog light
5
8
Vaca n t
9
Headlight lever
10
10
Headlight lever/Clutch (Petrol)/Brakes (all)
5
11
Airbag control unit
5
12
Automatic gearbox/ Headlight lever
10
13
Exterior mirror control
5
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