2011 Seat Exeo ST handbrake

176Driving
Handbrake on
The handbrake warning switches on after driving for 3 seconds at speeds
above 5 km/h.
The handbrake warning lamp  lights up when the handbrake is applied
with the ignition on.
WARNING
Please note that the handbrake should be released all the way. If it is on-
ly partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating, which can
impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an accident.
CAUTION
Once the vehicle has come to a standstill, always apply the handbrake firm-
ly and then, on a manual gearbox, engage a gear, or select P on an auto-
matic. 
Parking
The following points will ensure there is no risk of the vehi-
cle rolling away accidentally after it is parked:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Switch the engine off.
– On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear or on an automatic move
the selector lever to P ⇒ 
. When parking on slopes:
Turn the steering wheel so that the, if the vehicle moves, it will do so to-
wards the curb.
WARNING
● Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehicle when it is
locked. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially
putting lives at risk.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could release
e.g. the handbrake or gear lever, moving the vehicle and causing an acci-
dent.

Parking aid acoustic system General notes
Various systems are available to help you when parking or manoeuvring in
tight spaces, depending on the equipment fitted on your vehicle.
The SEAT Parking System gives an acoustic warning if there are any obsta-
cles behind your vehicle ⇒ page 177.
When you are parking, SEAT Parking System Plus warns you acoustically
and optically about obstacles in front of and behind the vehicle
⇒ page 177.
Note
To ensure the acoustic parking aid works properly, the sensors must be kept
clean and free of snow and ice. 

211
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning General notes
Regular washing and care help maintain the value of your
vehicle.Vehicle maintenance
Regular care and washing help to maintain the value of the vehicle. This
may also be one of the requirements for acknowledging warranty claims in
the event of bodywork corrosion or paint defects.
The best way to protect your vehicle against the harmful effects of the envi-
ronment is through correct maintenance and frequent washing. The longer
substances such as insect remains, bird droppings, resinous tree sap, road
dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt and other aggressive materi-
als remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork. High
temperatures (for instance in strong sunlight) further intensify the corrosive
effect.
After winter, a period when salt is put on the roads, it is important to have
the underside of the vehicle washed thoroughly.
Products for vehicle maintenance
Car care products are available in your Authorised Service Centre. Keep the
product instructions until you have used them up.
WARNING
● Car care products can be toxic. Because of this, they must always be
kept closed in their original container. Keep them out of the reach of chil-
dren. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.
● Always read and observe the instructions and warnings on the pack-
age before using vehicle care products. Improper use could cause health
problems or damage the vehicle. The use of certain products may pro-
duce noxious vapours; they should be used in well ventilated areas.
● Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other
volatile fluids. These are toxic and highly flammable. Risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
● Before washing your vehicle, or carrying out any maintenance, switch
the engine off, apply the handbrake firmly and remove the key from the
ignition.
CAUTION
Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry.
Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could damage
the paintwork or the windows of your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with
plenty of water.
For the sake of the environment
● When purchasing products for your vehicle maintenance, select the
ones which are not harmful to the environment.
● The waste from car care products should not be disposed of with ordina-
ry household waste. Observe the disposal information on the package. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

226Checking and refilling levels
Opening the bonnet
Fig. 176 Release catch
under the bonnet
Before opening the bonnet make sure that the windscreen wiper
arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the paint may
be damaged.
– Lift the bonnet slightly ⇒ 
.
– Press the release catch under the bonnet upwards ⇒ fig. 176.
This will release the arrester hook under the bonnet.
– Open the bonnet.
The bonnet is held in position by a gas-filled strut.
WARNING
Never open the bonnet if you see steam or drips of coolant being re-
leased from the engine compartment. Failure to comply could result in
burns. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen before opening the
bonnet.
 Work in the engine compartment
Extra caution is necessary when working on components in
the engine compartment.
Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk of
accident or even fire when working in the engine compartment (e.g. when
checking and refilling fluids). Always observe the warnings listed below
and follow all general safety precautions. The engine compartment of the
vehicle is a potentially hazardous area ⇒ 
WARNING
● Switch the engine off.
● Remove the ignition key.
● Apply the handbrake firmly.
● If your vehicle is equipped with a manual gearbox, place the gear lev-
er in neutral. If you are driving an automatic vehicle, place the selector
lever in position P.
● Wait for the engine to cool down.
● Children should not be allowed to approach the engine compartment.
● Never spill liquids used for vehicle operation on the engine compart-
ment, as these may catch fire (e.g. coolant).
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the electrical system, especial-
ly when working on the battery.
● Never touch the radiator fan while the engine is hot, as the fan could
start up suddenly.
● Never open the expansion tank when the engine is hot. The cooling
system is under pressure.
● Protect face, hands and arms from any hot steam or hot coolant fluid
released by covering the cap with a large, thick rag when opening the ex-
pansion tank. 

254If and when
Changing a wheel
Preparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel.
– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away
from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as
level as possible.
– All passengers should leave the vehicle. They should wait in a
safe place (e.g. behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage first gear .
– When towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from your vehicle.
– Take the tools and the spare wheel ⇒  page 251 out of the lug-
gage compartment.
WARNING
If you have a puncture in heavy traffic, switch on the hazard warning
lights and place the warning triangle in a visible location. This is for your
own safety and also warns other road users.
CAUTION
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite the
wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to prevent
the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so. 
Changing a wheel
Change the wheel as described below.
– Remove the wheel cover .
– Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ page 255.
– Raise the vehicle with the jack ⇒ page 256.
– Take off the wheel with the flat tyre and then put on the spare
wheel ⇒ page 257.
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the
box spanner ⇒ page 255.
– Replace the cover. 
After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel, there are still tasks to complete. – Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the spare wheel well
and secure it.
– Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment. 

260If and when
Repairing a tyre
Fig. 198 Repairing a tyre
Preparations
– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away
from the flow of traffic as possible.
– Apply the handbrake firmly to prevent the vehicle from moving
accidentally on slopes.
– Engage first gear .
– Check whether a repair is possible using the Tyre Mobility Sys-
tem ⇒ page 258.
– Ensure that all passengers leave the vehicle and move away
from the danger area ⇒ 
.
– Take the tyre sealant can and the compressor out of the lug-
gage compartment. –
Stick the “max. 80 km/h” adhesive, which is included with the
tyre sealant can, onto the instrument panel where the driver will
see it.
Filling the tyre
– Shake the tyre sealant can well.
– Screw the enclosed filling hose onto the sealant can as far as it
will go. This will automatically pierce the foil sealing the can.
– Take the valve cap off the tyre valve and use the enclosed valve
insert tool to unscrew the valve insert ⇒ fig. 198.
– Place the valve insert onto a clean surface.
– Remove the sealing plug from the filling hose and insert the
hose into the tyre valve.
– Hold the tyre sealant can upside down and fill the complete
contents of the can into the tyre.
– Then disconnect the hose and screw the valve insert firmly back
into the tyre valve.
Inflating the tyre
– Screw the compressor filling hose onto the tyre valve and plug
the connector into the cigarette lighter.
– Pump the tyre up to 2.0 to 2.5 bar and monitor the pressure
shown on the pressure gauge.
– If the tyre pressure remains lower than the value specified
above drive the vehicle approx. 10 metres forwards or back-
wards, so that the sealant can spread evenly in the tyre. If the 

Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179Adjust the stored speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Deactivating temporarily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Setting the speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Cruise speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
D Danger of fitting a child seat on the front pas- senger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Dash panel cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Data entry control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Date display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Deactivating front passenger airbag Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Deactivating the airbag Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Diesel engine Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Diesel engine particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Diesel particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Dipped beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 DIS
Average fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Average speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Driving time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Instantaneous fuel consumption . . . . . . . . 85
Disposal Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Distance covered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Distance to empty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73, 85
Door and tailgate warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Door lock cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Doors Childproof lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Locking the doors manually if the centrallocking fails to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Driver see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 10, 11, 12
Driver information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Auto-check system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
CD and radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Door and tailgate warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Driver messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Handbrake warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Red symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Speed warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Yellow symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Driver messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 driver seat
Assigning the key to the seat . . . . . . . . . . 139
Driver seat Activating stored settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
With memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Driving Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Economically / Environmentally friendly . 198
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DRP see Dynamic gear control programme . . . 187
Dynamic gear control programme . . . . . . . . . . 187
E
Economical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Electric socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Possible malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Rear doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Switches on the driver door . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Switch on front passenger's door . . . . . . . 110
Electronic differential lock How it works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Electronic stabilisation programme How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
309
Index

Electronic Stability ProgrammeControl lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Emergencies Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Disconnecting the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251, 256
Sunroof emergency activation . . . . . . . . . . 113
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Tyre mobility system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Engine compartment Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Checking oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Checking the level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine oil pressure too low . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Oil sensor defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine speed governing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Roof racks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Environmentally friendly driving . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Environmental tip Avoiding pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
ESP see Electronic Stability Programme . . . . . 171 Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
F
Fabric trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Front drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Front passenger airbag deactivation . . . . . . . . 45
Fuel Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Fuel level low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instantaneous fuel consumption . . . . . . . . 85
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Fuel tank opening the fuel tank flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Fuel: save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Fuse Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
G
Gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Gear shift pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
General overview of the engine compartment 296
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Headlights Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Automatic headlight control . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Automatic headlight control photosensors . .116
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Front fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Headlight washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Head restraint Rear seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Head restraints Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Removing and fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Heated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
High pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
310 Index

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . . 213
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Wearing suitable shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241, 295 Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 29
Why should head restraints be correctly adjus- ted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20, 29
Windows Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Windscreen washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Windscreen wiper blades Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Changing blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Changing the rear wiper blade . . . . . . . . . 235
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Washer jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Winter Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Winter conditions
Defrost function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Winter driving Diesel engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Winter operation Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Wiper and washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Wooden trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
315
Index