Trailer towing199
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Trailer towingInstructions to followYour vehicle may be used to tow a trailer when fitted with the correct equip-
ment.
If the vehicle is supplied with a factory-fitted towing bracket it will already
have the necessary technical modifications and meet the statutory require-
ments for towing a trailer. For the after-market fitting of a trailer towing
bracket see ⇒page 201.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 12-pin connector for the electrical connection
between the trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use an adapter cable. This is
available in any SEAT dealer.
Trailer weight / drawbar load
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If you do not load the trailer up to
the maximum permitted trailer weight, you can then climb correspondingly
steeper slopes.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to
1000m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine power and there-
fore the vehicle’s climbing ability are impaired because of the reduced air
density. The maximum trailer weight has to be reduced accordingly. The
weight of the vehicle and trailer combination must be reduced by 10% for
every 1000 m of height. The gross combination weight is the actual weight of
the laden vehicle plus the actual weight of the laden trailer. When possible,
operate the trailer with the maximum permitted drawbar load on th e ba ll jo int
of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified limit. The figures for
trailer weights and drawbar loads that are given on the data
plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The correct
figures for your specific model, which may be lower than these figures for the
towing bracket, are given in the vehicle documents or in ⇒Section “Tech-
nical Data”.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the axle as
possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to prevent them
moving.
Tyre pressure
Set tyre pressure to the maximum permissible pressure shown on the sticker
on the inside of the fuel tank flap. Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer’s recommendations.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the
standard mirrors. If this is not the case, you should have additional mirrors
fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on hinged extension
brackets. Adjust the mirrors to give sufficient vision to the rear.
WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could result in fatal accidents.
Note
•Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. We recom-
mend additional services between the normal inspection intervals if the
vehicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
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Checking and refilling levels
224If the b onn et d o es n ot clos e , do not p ress d ownwa rds . Op e n it o nce m or e an d
let it fall as before.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving and
completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.•After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.•If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly. Risk
of accident.
Engine oilGeneral notesThe engine comes with a special, high quality, multi grade oil that can be
used in all seasons of the year except for those regions affected by extreme
cold.
As the use of good quality oil is necessary for the correct operation and long
service life of the engine, when it becomes necessary to replenish or change
the oil, always use an oil that complies with VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should
appear on the container of the service oil; when the container displays the
specific standards for petrol and diesel engines together, it means that the
oil can be used for both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change, indicated in the Maintenance
Programme, be performed by an Authorised Service Centre or a specialised
workshop. The correct oil specifications for your engine are listed in
⇒page 225, “Oil
properties”.
Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife service) or fixed (dependent on
time/distance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the Maintenance Programme
booklet is QG1, this means that your vehicle has the LongLife service
programmed. If it has the codes QG0 or QG2 the interval service is dependent
on time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife*)
Special oils and processes have been developed which, depending on the
characteristics and individual driving profiles, allow to extend the oil change
service (LongLife service intervals).
Because this oil is essential for extending the service intervals, it must only
be used observing the following indications:
•Avoid mixing it with oil for fixed service intervals.•Only in exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 225 and LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to top up (once)
with oil for fixed service intervals ⇒ page 225 (up to a maximum of 0.5
litres).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife service interval” or it has been
disabled (by request), you may use oils for fixed service intervals, which also
appear in ⇒page 225, “Oil properties”. In this case, your vehicle must be
serviced after a fixed interval of 1 year / 15,000 km (whatever comes first)
⇒ Booklet “Maintenance Programme”.•In exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 225 and you cannot obtain the oil specified for your vehicle, you can
put in a small quantity of oil conforming to the specification ACEA A2 or
ACEA A3 (petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (diesel engines) (up to 0.5 l).
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Checking and refilling levels225
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Vehicles with diesel particulate filter*
The “Maintenance Programme” states whether your vehicle is fitted with a
diesel particulate filter.
Only VW 507 00 engine oil, with reduced ash formation, may be used in
diesel engines equipped with particulate filter. Using other types of oil will
cause a higher soot concentration and reduce the life of the DPF. Therefore:
•Avoid mixing this oil with other engine oils.•Only in exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 225 and you cannot obtain the oil specified for your vehicle, you can
use a small quantity of oil (once) conforming to the VW 506 00, VW 506 01,
VW 505 00, VW 505 01 or ACEA B3 / ACEA B4 specification. (up to 0.5 l).Oil properties
Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed with the engine oil. The deterioration
caused by these additives is not covered by the warranty.
Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an engine oil that conforms to the
corresponding VW specifications and keeping it in the vehicle. This way, the
correct engine oil will always be available for a top-up if needed.Checking the engine oil level
The engine oil dipstick indi cates the level of the oil.Checking oil level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
Engine type
Specification
Petrol without flexible service inter-
val
VW 502 00/ VW 504 00
Petrol with flexible service interval
(LongLife)
VW 504 00
Diesel. Engines without Particulate
filter (DPF)
VW 505 01 / VW 506 01 / VW 507 00
Diesel. Engines with particulate filter
(DPF)
With or without flexible service inter-
val (with or without LongLife)
a)
a)Only use recommended oils, otherwise you may damage the engine.
VW 507 00
Fig. 144 Engine oil
dipstick
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Checking and refilling levels
226
– Briefly run the engine at idle speed until the service temperature is reached and stop.
– Wait two minutes.
– Pull out the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and insert it again, pushing it in as far as it will go.
– Then pull it out once more and check the oil level ⇒page 225,
fig. 144 . Top up with engine oil if necessary.Oil level in area
–Do not add oil.
Oil level in area
–Oil can be topped up. The indicated oil level should be after the zone
Oil level in area
–Oil must be topped up. The indicated oil level should be after in zone
Depending on how you drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is used,
oil consumption can be up to 0.5 l/1000 km. Oil consumption is likely to be
higher for the first 5000 km. For this reason the engine oil level must be
checked at regular intervals, preferably when filling the tank and before a
journey.
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the engine must be
carried out cautiously.•When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒page 221.
Caution
If the oil level is above the area do not start the engine. This could result
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact an Authorised
Service Centre.Topping up engine oil
E
Top up gradually with small quantities of oil.
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 221.
– Unscrew cap from oil filler opening ⇒fig. 145.
– Top-up oil in small amounts, using the correct oil.
AAAB
AA
AC
AA
AA
Fig. 145 In the engine
compartment: Engine oil
filler cap
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Checking and refilling levels227
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– To avoid over-filling with engine oil, you should top-up using
small quantities, wait a while and check the oil level before
adding any more oil.
– As soon as the oil level is in area , carefully close the cap.The position of the oil filler opening is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment illustration ⇒page 277.
Engine oil specification ⇒page 224.
WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil comes into contact with hot
engine components when topping up.
Caution
If the oil level is above the area do not start the engine. This could result
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact a specialised work-
shop.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area . Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the crankcase breather and escape into the atmosphere via the
exhaust system.
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals given in the
service schedule.We recommend that you have the engine oil changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
The oil change intervals are shown in the Maintenance Programme.
WARNING
Only change the oil yourself if you have the specialist knowledge required!•Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings
⇒ page 221, “Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment”.•Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil may cause burn injuries.•Wear eye protection to avoid injuries caused by splashes of oil.•When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arm hori-
zontal to help prevent oil from running down your arm.•Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.•Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be stored in a safe place out of
the reach of children.Caution
No additives should be used with engine oil. This could result in engine
damage. Any damage caused by the use of such additives would not be
covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
•Because of the disposal problems, the necessary special tools and
specialist knowledge required, we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by an Authorised Service Centre.
AB
AA
AA
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Checking and refilling levels233
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Brake fluidChecking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the service
schedule.– Read off the fluid level at the transparent brake fluid reservoir. It
should always be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment illustration ⇒page 277. The brake fluid reservoir has a black
and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear. However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low
⇒page 77.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 221.Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates the brake fluid
change intervals.We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 221 in
section “Safety notes for working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
It is important that you use only brake fluid compliant with US standard
FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
Fig. 151 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
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Index
300Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Engine oil pressure Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 87
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Environmental tip Avoiding pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Environmentally friendly driving . . . . . . . . . . . 195
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88, 187 See also Electronic Stability Programme . . 161
Example of menu use Program a speed limit warning . . . . . . . . . . 69
To activate and deactivate the speed limit warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Example of the use of the menus Open the Configuration menu with the MFI lever68
Open the Configuration menu with the steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Examples of menu use Open the main menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Open the winter tyres menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
To close the winter tyres menu . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
FFabric trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
First aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Flexible service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Fog lights with cornering function . . . . . . . . . . 122
Fold down the backrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Front drink holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Front interior light Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Switching on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Front passenger airbag deactivation . . . . . . . . . 44
Front reading lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Front seat adjustment Lumbar support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Fuel Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Fuel level Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Warning message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Fuel Tank
Opening the fuel tank flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Fuel tank See Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Fuel: save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
GG 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Gear shift pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
General overview of the engine compartment 277
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
GRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181HHandbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86, 176
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
HBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Head restraints Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136, 137
Adjustment of the head restraint angle . . . 137
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Headlight flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
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Index
304Tightening torque of wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Tow starting
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Towing bracket, fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Towing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Traction control system Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Trailer Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Trailer turn signals Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Tyre Mobility System (Tyre repair kit) . . . . . . . . 252
Tyre Mobility-System (Tyre repair kit) . . . . . . . 247
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Tyre pressure warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247, 252
Tyres and wheels
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Tyres service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . . 237
UUnderbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Unlocking and locking Personalisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102VVehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Vehicle modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Vehicle paintworkMaintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . 203
Vehicle tools Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Vehicle washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Volumetric sensor* Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Deactivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
WWarning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Warning messages in the display . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Warning reportsRed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 80
Yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 81
Warning symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Washing by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . . 205
Water Warning message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Water in the windscreen washer tank . . . . . . . 230
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Wearing suitable shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249, 276 Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Wheel trims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237, 276
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 30
Why should head restraints be correctly adjusted? 13
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 21, 30
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Windscreen interval wipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
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