2011 Seat Exeo traction control

166Driving
The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) contains the electronic differential
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works to-
gether with the ABS. If a fault in the ABS occurs, both warning lamps light
up, but if the ESP fails, only the ESP warning lamp lights up.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP switch deactivates both TCS and ESP functions. The ESP, in spite of
being deactivated, will always self-connect when necessary if brakes are be-
ing used.
The TCS can be deactivated when in cases where wheel sliding is desirable.
For example:
● When driving with snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
● When the vehicle is stuck, to rock it backwards and forwards.
Next, the button should be pressed to reactivate the TCS.
When does the lamp light up or flash 
●
On switching the ignition on, it lights up for about two seconds to carry
out a function control.
● The warning lamp will start flashing when the vehicle is moving if the
ESP or the TCS is activated.
● It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
WARNING
● The Electronic Stability Programme (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, as this can cause accidents.
● Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in
⇒ page 184, Intelligent technology.

Ignition lock Ignition key positions
The ignition key is used to start and stop the engine.
Fig. 136 Ignition key po-
sitions 

184Intelligent technology
Practical Tips
Intelligent technology
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) General notes
The Electronic Stability Programme increases the vehicle's
stability on the road.
Fig. 149 Centre console
with ESP switch
The ESP is designed to increase the degree of control in situations where
the vehicle approaches the limits of adhesion, especially when accelerating
and cornering. It reduces the risk of skidding and improves stability in all
road conditions. The system is active across the entire speed range. The anti-lock brake system (ABS), the electronic differential lock (EDL) and
the traction control system (TCS) are all integrated into the Electronic Stabil-
ity Programme.
How it works
The ESP control unit processes data from the three integrated systems. It al-
so processes additional inputs provided by other high-precision sensors.
These register the vehicle's rotation about the vertical axis (yaw rate), later-
al acceleration, brake pressure and steering wheel angle.
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 vehicle is starting to skid), then the ESP
compensates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable
condition. If the vehicle
over swerves (tendency of the rear to leave the
road), the brakes will act on the front wheel facing the outside of the bend.
If the vehicle under swerves (tendency to leave the bend), the braking force
is applied to the rear wheel facing the inside of the bend.
The ESP works in conjunction with the ABS ⇒ page 185. If a malfunction
should occur in the ABS, the ESP will also stop working.
Deactivating
The ESP is activated automatically when the engine is started and performs
a self-test routine. 

187
Intelligent technology
Note
If the ABS warning lamp lights up, this can also mean there is a fault in the
EDL. Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. 
Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is accelerating. General notes
The traction control system (TCS) is one of the functions incorporated in the
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
The traction control system (TCS) helps the vehicle to start moving, acceler-
ate or climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be
difficult or even impossible.
How it works
The TCS acts automatically, without the driver's intervention. With the aid of
the ABS sensors ⇒ page 185, the TCS monitors the speed of the drive
wheels. If the wheels start to spin, the engine speed is reduced automati-
cally to match the amount of grip available. The system is active across the
entire speed range.
The TCS works in conjunction with the ABS. If a malfunction occurs in the
ABS, the TCS will also be inoperative.
Note
To ensure that the TCS works properly, all four wheels must be fitted with
identical tyres. The difference in size of the wheels may lead to an unde-
sired reduction in engine power. Also see ⇒  page 241.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

The environmentHeated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Warming up the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Tightening torque of wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . 289
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196, 283 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Notes on towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196, 197
Removable towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Technical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Towing bracket, fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Towing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Tow starting General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Traction control system Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Turn signal lamps Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Trailer turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Tyre mobility system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 90, 235
Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tyre repair kit Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tyres and wheels Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Tyres service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . 235
U Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
V Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Vehicle keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Vehicle modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Vehicle paintwork Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . 206
Vehicle washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 W
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Alternator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Warning lamps Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Electronic Stability Programme . . . . . . . . . . 68
Engine management (EPC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Exhaust emission control system . . . . . . . . 66
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Red symbols in central display . . . . . . . . . . 77
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Yellow symbols on central display . . . . . . . 79
Warning lamps - overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Washer fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Washing by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . . 208
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Wearing suitable shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235, 289 Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 28
Why should head restraints be correctly adjus- ted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 19, 28
Windows Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
308 Index