2011 Seat Exeo ST Owner's manual

159
Seats and storage compartments
Compartments in the door trim
Storage compartments are provided in the door trims.
Fig. 139 Door trim with
storage compartment
WARNING
The storage compartments in the door trims should only be used to store
small objects. Make sure that they are stored safely inside the compart-
ment, as they might otherwise impair the protection offered by the side
airbags.
 Coat hooks
There is a coat hook above each of the rear doors.
Fig. 140 Area above the
rear doors: Coat hooks
WARNING
● Please make sure that any items of clothing hanging from the coat
hooks do not obstruct your view to the rear.
● The coat hooks should only be used for lightweight clothing. Do not
leave any heavy or sharp objects in the pockets.
● Do not use clothes hangers to hang up the clothing, as this could in-
terfere with the function of the head-protection airbags*.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

160Seats and storage compartments
Compartments in the front seats
There is a storage compartment with a lid at the front of
each front seat.
Opening
– Pull the handle to open the compartment.
Closing
– Close the lid and push it in until it engages.
Note
The compartments will hold a maximum weight of 1 kg. 

161
Air conditioning
Air conditioning 2C-Climatronic
Description
The air conditioner is designed to automatically keep the
passenger compartment at the temperature you find most
comfortable at all times of the year. Recommended settings:
– Set the temperature to 22 °C (71 °F).
– Press the AUTO
⇒ fig. 141 button.
The following setting quickly provides a comfortable temperature inside the
vehicle. We therefore recommend you do not modify the setting unless you
find this temperature uncomfortable or where circumstances require as
such.
The air conditioner provides heating and ventilation and also cools and de-
humidifies the air inside the vehicle.
The air conditioner is fully automatic and will constantly maintain the tem-
perature which has been set. To achieve this, the temperature of the air sup-
plied to the interior, the blower speed (volume of air delivery) and the air
distribution are regulated automatically. The system also takes solar radia-
tion into account and, therefore, no subsequent manual readjustments are
required. Therefore, automatic mode ⇒ page 164 should be used for the
comfort of all the passengers in virtually all conditions throughout the year.
Please note the following points: The humidity of the air is automatically reduced when the system cools the
interior of the vehicle. This helps to prevent condensation on the windows.
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high,
condensation
can drip off the evaporator in the air cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak.
If the outside temperature is low, the blower normally only switches to a
higher speed once the coolant has warmed up sufficiently (this does not ap-
ply to the defrost setting).
In order to achieve maximum engine power, the air conditioner compressor
is temporarily switched off when pulling away from standstill with full throt-
tle.
The compressor also switches off if the coolant temperature is excessively
high to ensure adequate engine cooling under extreme loads.
Pollution filter
The pollution filter (a combined particulate filter and activated charcoal fil-
ter) serves as a barrier against impurities in the outside air, including dust
and pollen.
For the air conditioner to work with maximum efficiency, the pollution filter
element must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Service Plan.
If the vehicle is driven in areas with a high level of air pollution and the filter
is no longer fully effective, it may be necessary to change the filter element
more frequently. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

162Air conditioning
CAUTION
● If you suspect that the air conditioner system is damaged, switch over to
ECON mode to prevent further damage and have the system checked by a
qualified workshop.
● Repairs to the air conditioner require specialist knowledge and special
tools. For this reason, please contact a qualified workshop if the system is
not working properly.
Note
● Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen clear of snow, ice and
leaves to ensure unimpaired heating and cooling and to prevent the win-
dows misting over.
● The air from the outlets flows through the passenger compartment and
out through the slots below the rear window. Therefore, do not cover these
slots with items of clothing or other objects.
● The air conditioner operates most effectively with the windows and the
sliding/tilting sunroof* closed. However, if the vehicle has heated up after
standing in the sun for some time, the air inside can be cooled more quickly
by opening the windows briefly. 

163
Air conditioning
Controls
This overview will help you become quickly familiar with the controls for the air conditioner.
Fig. 141 Air conditioner controls
The left-hand display shows the temperature selected for the left-hand side
and the right-hand display the temperature for the right-hand side.
The functions can be switched on or off by briefly pressing the buttons. The
diode on the buttons lights up when the function is enabled.
The grille between buttons 
and  must be kept clear, as the tempera-
ture sensors are located behind the grille.
● Do not cover the grille.
● Do not clean the grille with a vacuum cleaner, as this could damage the
temperature sensors located behind the grille.
Button(s)Meaning
Automatic mode
 (left and right)Temperature selection for driver and passenger
sides
Defrost
Manual air recirculation mode
Switches off air cooling
Switches off air conditioner (instead of )
Automatic air recirculation mode (instead of OFF)

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

164Air conditioning
Button(s)Meaning
 (in the centre)Adjusts blower speed
Air to the windows
Air from the dashboard outlets
Air to the footwells
The ,  and  buttons (which regulate air distribution) can either be
selected individually or in combination. 
Automatic mode AUTO
Standard setting for all seasons.
Switching on automatic mode
– Select a temperature between +18 °C (64 °F) and +29 °C (86 °F).
– Press the AUTO

⇒ 
fig. 141 button.
The automatic mode maintains a constant temperature inside the vehicle
and dehumidifies the air. Air temperature, air delivery and air distribution
are regulated automatically to reach the desired interior temperature as
quickly as possible, and then to maintain this temperature. The system au-
tomatically compensates for any variations in the outside temperature and
for the effect of direct sunlight.
The automatic temperature regulation only operates at temperature settings
between +18 °C and +29 °C. If a temperature below +18 °C is selected, LO
appears on the display. If a temperature is selected which is higher than
+29 °C, the display will show HI. In the maximum and minimum settings,
the climate control operates continuously with maximum cooling or heating output and the temperature is not regulated automatically. The temperature
is not regulated.
Note
By keeping the AUTO button on the driver side pressed for several seconds,
the temperature of the passenger side can be set to the temperature of the
driver side or vice versa. The display indicates the new temperature value. 
Selecting the temperature -
+
Separate temperatures can be selected for the driver and
front passenger sides.
– Press the -
or + buttons below the displays
⇒ fig. 141 until the
desired temperature is selected for the driver side or front pas-
senger side.
The currently selected temperature setting is shown in the display above
the buttons.
By keeping the AUTO
button on the driver side pressed for several seconds,
the temperature of the passenger side can be set to the temperature of the
driver side or vice versa. The display indicates the new temperature value.
The previous temperature setting can be restored by resetting the display
on the driver or passenger side as required. 

165
Air conditioning
Defrosting 
The windscreen and side windows are defrosted or demisted
as quickly as possible.
– To enable this mode, press the 
⇒ 
fig. 141 button.
– To switch off, press the 
button again, or select the AUTO but-
ton.
The temperature is regulated automatically. The air output is increased to
maximum and most of the air comes out of outlets 1 and 2 ⇒ page 168.
The air recirculation and ECON modes are switched off when the 
button
is pressed. 
Air recirculation: manual activation 
The air recirculation setting prevents fumes etc. from enter-
ing the interior.
Activating air recirculation mode
– Press button 
⇒ fig. 141 ⇒ .
Deactivating air recirculation mode
– Press the 
button again or
– Press the AUTO
button or
– Press button 
.
In this setting, the air in the vehicle is constantly recirculated. We recom-
mend using the air recirculation mode in the following circumstances: ●
When driving through a tunnel or in traffic congestions, to prevent ex-
haust gas entering the interior of the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not drive for too long with the air recirculation mode enabled because,
if the compressor is disconnected, the windscreen may mist up because
no fresh air is entering the interior of the vehicle, with the subsequent
risk of accidents.

ECON Mode (economy) ECON
ECON mode helps save fuel.
– To activate, press the ECON
button ⇒ fig. 141.
– To deactivate, press the ECON
button again or select the AUTObutton.
Air cooling is disconnected in ECON mode. The heating and the blower are
adjusted automatically. “ECON” stands for “Economy”. Disconnecting air
cooling (compressor) reduces fuel consumption.
Please note that the interior temperature must not be lower than the outside
temperature in ECON mode. The blower does not cool or dehumidify the air
in the interior. The windows could therefore mist up.
In diesel vehicles, the auxiliary heater is switched off in ECON mode to save
fuel. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

166Air conditioning
Note
If the diode on the ECON button continues to light up when the ECON mode
has been switched off (i.e. the air conditioner has been switched on) this is
due to a defect in one of the air conditioner components. If a malfunction
should occur, please contact a specialised workshop. 
Air recirculation: automatic activation* 
If the outside air is polluted by diesel and petrol emissions,
an air quality sensor in the vehicle will automatically switch
on the air recirculation.
Fig. 142 Button for auto-
matic air recirculation
Activating air recirculation mode
– Press the button 
⇒ fig. 142.
Deactivating air recirculation mode
– Press the 
button again or –
Press the AUTO
button or
– Press button 
.
The automatic air recirculation mode should normally be left switched on at
all times.
The system is ready to operate approx. 30 seconds after the engine ignition
key has been turned. During this initial period, fresh air is fed into the vehi-
cle.
If the air purity sensor in the air conditioner detects a certain concentration
of fumes in the outside air, the control unit will either pass the incoming air
through the pollution filter or automatically switch on the air recirculation. If
there is a high concentration of pollution in the outside air, the air condi-
tioner automatically switches to air recirculation and the supply of air from
the outside is cut off. As soon as the level of pollution decreases, air is fed
into the vehicle from the outside again.
The automatic air recirculation operates for a maximum period of 12 mi-
nutes. If the windows mist up when the automatic air recirculation is on,
press the 
button immediately.
The automatic air recirculation switches itself off under certain circumstan-
ces (for instance if 
or  is selected). In “ECON” and at temperatures
lower than approx. 8 °C below zero, the automatic air recirculation mode is
limited to 12 seconds. 