2011 Seat Exeo ST warning

201
Trailer towing
Trailer towing Trailer towing
Technical requirements
The towing bracket must meet certain technical require-
ments.
Your vehicle is intended mainly for transporting passengers and luggage.
However, if suitably equipped, it can also be used to tow a trailer or cara-
van.
If your vehicle has been factory-supplied with a towing bracket, all of the
necessary technical and legal aspects for trailing towing have been taking
into account during manufacturing.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole socket for the electrical connection be-
tween the trailer and the vehicle. If the trailer has a 7-pole connector you
can use an adapter cable. This can be purchased at an Authorised Service.
If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the vehicle is purchased, this must be
done according to the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer
⇒ page 209.
WARNING
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the installation should be carried out by
a qualified workshop.
● Particularly in high outdoor temperatures, it is not possible to drive
up long steep gradients without a suitable cooling system. The engine
would heat up.
● Incorrect installation can result in a safety risk!
 Notes on towing
There are a number of points which need to be checked be-
fore towing a trailer or caravan.
– Observe the maximum permitted trailer weights ⇒ page 296.
Trailer weight
Never exceed the maximum permitted trailer weight.
If you do not load the trailer up to the maximum permitted trailer weight,
you can then climb correspondingly steeper gradients.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to
1000 m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine power and
therefore 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 must be reduced by about 10% for every
subsequent 1000 m (or part thereof). This figure refers to the combined
weight of the (loaded) vehicle and (loaded) trailer.
The figures for the drawbar load that appear on the identification 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 registration documents and on ⇒ page 289. Also
refer to ⇒ page 296.
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 mov-
ing. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

202Trailer towing
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted drawbar
load on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified
limit.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your vehicle, and adjust for “full load” condi-
tions (refer to the sticker listing the tyre pressures on the door pillar). It may
also be necessary to adjust the tyre pressures on the trailer according to the
recommendations of the trailer manufacturer.
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. The two exterior mirrors should be fitted on folding arms. Adjust the
mirrors to give sufficient rear vision.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, check the headlight beam settings with the trailer
hitched up. If necessary, alter the height of the headlight beams by means
of the headlight range control. See ⇒ page 119.
Power supply
When you remove the ignition key, the power supply to the trailer is inter-
rupted.
Removable ball joint coupling
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket are equipped with a removable
ball joint coupling. This is stored in the spare wheel well in the luggage
compartment together with the necessary fitting instructions.
Note
If you frequently tow, we recommend you also have the vehicle serviced be-
tween services. Notes on towing
Towing a trailer involves additional attention by the driver.
Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slow to allow
for the unbalanced weight distribution.
Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed.
Therefore, it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed in
unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This especially applies
when driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slight-
est sign of swaying. Never try to stabilise the trailer by accelerating.
Anticipate hazards and brake in good time. If towing a trailer with an inertia
brake, first brake gently and then harder. This will prevent brake tapping by
the trailer wheels when they lock. Select a low gear in due course before go-
ing down a steep downhill. This enables you to use the engine braking to
slow down the vehicle.
Swaying and pitching can be reduced by stabiliser aids. We recommend
having stabiliser aids installed when towing trailers with a high trailer
weight. They can be purchased and installed at a Technical Service.
Reheating
When climbing long hills in hot weather with the engine running fast in low
gear, you should keep an eye on the coolant temperature gauge ⇒ page 60.
Reduce speed immediately if the needle moves to the right end of the scale.
If the temperature warning lamp  in the instrument panel should start
flashing, stop the vehicle and let the engine cool down by running it at
idling speed for a few minutes. 

203
Trailer towing
Equipment and accessories
Before mounting equipment and accessories (e.g. bicycle
rack) please observe the following notes.
Fig. 161 Load distribu-
tion of equipment and ac-
cessories
The equipment/accessories mounted must not protrude more than 700 mm
from the ball joint 1
.
The total weight (mounted equipment plus the load) must not exceed 75 kg.
The maximum load depends on where the centre of gravity lies.
The maximum weight decreases as the distance between the centre of grav-
ity and the ball joint 1
increases.
The following limits apply:
If the distance is 300 mm, the total weight (incl. the equipment mounted) A
must not exceed 75 kg.
If the distance is 600 mm, the total weight (incl. the equipment mounted) B
must not exceed 35 kg. Only bicycle racks for
a maximum of three bicycles may be used.
Equipment and accessories mounted on the towing bracket
SEAT recommends that you only mount equipment (e.g. bicycle rack) on the
towing bracket which has been officially approved.. If you wish to attach
other equipment please make sure that it has been approved by the manu-
facturer for use on the towing bracket. If you mount unsuitable equipment,
this can cause damage to the towing bracket. In an extreme case, damage
to the towing bracket could cause it to break ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● If you wish to mount equipment which has not been approved by
SEAT, please ensure that it is suitable for use on SEAT vehicles.
● Use of unsuitable equipment can result in severe damage to the tow-
ing bracket. The towing bracket could then break while pulling a trailer
and cause an accident.
● Never use tools of any kind when fitting and removing the ball joint.
This would damage the locking device, no longer guaranteeing the cor-
rect working order of the bracket. This could lead to an accident.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

204Trailer towing
Removable towing bracket
Introduction
Special care is required when fitting and removing the tow-
ing bracket.
Fig. 162 Luggage com-
partment: Spare wheel
with towing bracket
The removable ball joint attachment for the towing bracket is stored under
the floor panel in the luggage compartment.
● Vehicles with a spare wheel ⇒ fig. 162.
The ball joint can be fitted and removed by hand.
Accessories mounted on the towing bracket
Please note that the ball joint attachment can be damaged by using unsuit-
able equipment that is mounted onto the towing bracket (e.g. bicycle rack).
Due to the material construction, such damage to the towing bracket dra-
matically increases safety risks and in extreme cases could lead to breakage
of the towing bracket while towing ⇒ 
. Therefore, before buying such equipment, ensure that it is suitable for
mounting onto the vehicle's towing bracket and that it is approved for this
purpose. To prevent damage to the ball joint from unsuitable equipment, we
recommend that equipment for the towing bracket be purchased through
your SEAT Dealer. Also see
⇒ page 220.
WARNING
● Only mount equipment on the towing bracket of your vehicle if you
are certain it will not damage the bracket. Use of unsuitable equipment
can result in severe damage to the towing bracket. The towing bracket
could then break while pulling a trailer and cause an accident.
● Never use tools of any kind when fitting and removing the ball joint.
This would damage the locking device, no longer guaranteeing the cor-
rect working order of the bracket. This could lead to an accident.
Note
● Do not attempt to modify or repair the ball joint or other towing bracket
components.
● Should you have any difficulties when using the towing bracket, or sus-
pect that it is not fitted properly, contact a qualified workshop.
● Before setting off, always check that the ball joint is secured properly
⇒ page 207.
● Never disengage the ball joint with the caravan / trailer still hitched or
with a bicycle rack or similar accessory still attached.
● It is advisable to remove the ball joint when you are not towing a trailer.
Make sure that the cover piece is properly fitted on the mounting fixture on
the vehicle.
● Remove the ball joint before washing the vehicle with pressurised steam
equipment. Make sure the cover piece is fitted correctly onto the mounting
fixture. 

205
Trailer towing
Fitting the ball joint (step 1)
Fig. 163 Rear bumper:
Open the cover piece
– Remove the cover piece 2
⇒ fig. 163 on the mounting fixture
1 below the bumper as far as it will go. The cover piece is held
automatically in the open position.
– Make sure the mounting fixture is clean. If not, clean it ⇒ 
.
Cont ⇒ page 205, Fitting the ball joint (step 2).
WARNING
It is important to keep the mounting fixture clean. Otherwise the ball
joint may fail to engage safely and securely. This could lead to an acci-
dent.
 Fitting the ball joint (step 2)
Fig. 164 Removable tow-
ing bracket: Ball joint
Fig. 165 Removable tow-
ing bracket: Ball joint

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

207
Trailer towing
– Pull out the knob in direction A
, hold and turn in direction Buntil the locking pin 2 engages and the release pin 3 moves
out visibly ⇒ .
Inserting the ball joint
– With the spring mechanism in the ready position, insert the ball
joint into the mounting fixture and push it upwards ⇒ fig. 167
in the direction indicated (arrow) ⇒ 
. It should lock into posi-
tion automatically. You should now clearly hear it click into
place.
– Lock the ball joint by turning the key to the green marking.
– Remove the key.
Cont ⇒ page 207, Fitting the ball joint (step 4).
WARNING
● If it is not possible to set the spring mechanism to the ready position
as described above, do not use the ball joint. Please contact a qualified
workshop.
● To avoid injury, keep your hands away from the knob or cover piece
when inserting the ball joint in the mounting fixture. Otherwise, you
could be injured.
 Fitting the ball joint (step 4)
Fig. 168 Removable tow-
ing bracket: Safety check
Fig. 169 Rear bumper:
Pulling down the power
socket
Safety check
– Check that the green marking A
⇒ fig. 168 on the knob is in-
side the black zone marked on the ball joint. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

208Trailer towing
–Check that the knob is directly against the ball joint, so that
there is no gap between the knob and the ball joint -arrow-.
– Check that the ball joint is locked and the key is removed so
that the knob cannot be pulled out ⇒ 
.
– Check that the ball joint fits tightly in the mounting fixture (try
moving it about to check).
Towing socket
– To plug in the electrical connection for the trailer, pull down the
socket below the bumper ⇒ fig. 169.
If the safety check is not satisfactory, the ball joint must be fitted again
properly.
WARNING
To avoid accidents, the ball joint must meet all the safety requirements
listed in the safety check. The towing bracket must not be used if any one
of these requirements is not met. If this is the case, you should contact a
qualified workshop.
 Removing the ball joint
Fig. 170 Removable tow-
ing bracket: Removing
the ball joint
Fig. 171 Rear bumper:
fitting the cover piece
– Insert the key in the lock 1
⇒ fig. 170 on the knob.
– Unlock the ball joint by turning the key to the red marking. 

209
Trailer towing
– Take hold of the ball joint and pull out the knob in direction A
.
– Keep hold of the knob and turn it as far as it will go in direction
B
.
– Release the knob. The spring mechanism will remain in the
ready position ⇒ 
.
– Pull the ball joint down out of the mounting fixture 1
⇒ fig. 171. The cover piece will cover the mounting fixture auto-
matically 2.
– Put away the ball joint attachment under the floor panel in the
luggage compartment.
– Move the socket back up to its original position.
WARNING
● To avoid injury, keep your hands away from the locking pin and the
release pin when releasing the locking mechanism.
● Make sure that the cover piece is properly engaged on the mounting
fixture on the vehicle. Otherwise the ball joint may fail to engage secure-
ly if dirt accumulates in the mounting fixture.

Fitting a towing bracket*
It is possible to fit a towing bracket to the rear of the vehicle.
Fig. 172 Attachment
points for towing bracket 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications