2011 Seat Exeo ST Owner's manual

175
Driving
Stopping the engine
– Turn the ignition key to position 1 ⇒ fig. 148.
WARNING
● Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary.
● The brake servo and the power steering system work only when the
engine is running. You need more strength to steer and brake the vehicle
when the engine is switched off. Given that you will be unable to steer
and brake as usual, this could lead to a risk of accidents and injuries.
CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high load for a long time, there is a
risk of heat building up in the engine compartment after the engine has
been switched off; this could cause engine damage. Therefore, you should
let the engine idle for approximately 2 minutes before you switch it off.
Note
After the engine is switched off the radiator fan may run on for up to 10 mi-
nutes, even if the ignition is switched off. It may also start running again af-
ter some time if the coolant temperature rises due to a build-up of heat un-
der the bonnet, or if the engine is already warm and the engine compart-
ment is heated up further by direct sunlight. Handbrake
Handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the vehi-
cle from accidentally rolling away.
Fig. 149 Detailed view of
the centre console: Hand-
brake on
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and at the same time press in the re-
lease button ⇒ fig. 149 -arrow-.
– Keep the release button pressed and push the lever all the way
down ⇒ 
.
If you drive by mistake with the handbrake still applied, you will hear a
warning buzzer and the display will show the message: 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

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. 

177
Driving
SEAT Parking System*
SEAT Parking System is an acoustic parking aid.
Sensors are located in the rear bumper. When the sensors detect an obsta-
cle, you are alerted by acoustic signals. The measuring range of the sensors
starts at approximately:
RearSide0.60 mCentre1.60 m
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than 0.30 m away from the obstacle, the
warning tone will sound continuously. Do not drive on!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected obsta-
cle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).
The parking aid is switched on automatically when reverse gear is engaged.
You will hear a brief confirmation tone.
WARNING
● The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver
is personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.
● The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will
not always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid ac-
cidents.
● Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full
use of the rear view mirrors.
CAUTION
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the vehicle moves closer, so the system will not
give any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences,
chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be de-
tected by the system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
● Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒ page 178. 
SEAT Parking System Plus*
SEAT Parking System Plus is an acoustic parking aid.
Sensors are located in the front and rear bumpers. When the sensors detect
an obstacle, you are alerted by acoustic signals. The measuring range of the
sensors starts at approximately:
FrontSide0.90 mCentre1.20 m
RearSide0.60 mCentre1.60 m
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than 0.30 m from the obstacle the warn-
ing tone will sound continuously. Stop moving immediately!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected obsta-
cle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal). 
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178Driving
Activating/Deactivating
Fig. 150 Centre console:
switch for parking aid
Activating
– Engage reverse gear or
– Press the button  on the centre console ⇒ fig. 150 or on the
gear selector gate. You will hear a brief confirmation tone and
the LED on the switch will light up.
Deactivating
– Drive forward faster than 10 km/h, or
– Press the  button or
– Switch off the ignition or
– Disengage the reverse gear.
WARNING
● The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver
is personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.
● The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will
not always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid ac-
cidents.
● Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full
use of the rear view mirrors.
CAUTION
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the vehicle moves closer, so the system will not
give any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences,
chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be de-
tected by the system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
● Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒ page 178.
● There is a slight delay in the picture display. 
Towing bracket*
In towing mode, the rear parking aid sensors are not enabled when you se-
lect reverse gear or press the switch . This function may not be guaran-
teed on towing brackets that are not factory fitted. This results in the follow-
ing restrictions:
SEAT Parking System*
There is no distance warning. 

179
Driving
SEAT Parking System Plus*
There is no rear distance warning. The system will still give a warning when
obstacles are detected while driving forward. 
Fault messages*
If you hear a long beep for a few seconds and the LED on the  button*
starts flashing when you switch on the parking aid, a system fault has oc-
curred. Please have the fault corrected by a Dealer or qualified workshop.
Note
If the fault is not corrected before you switch off the ignition, it will only be
indicated by the flashing LED on the switch * the next time you switch on
the parking aid. 
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system)
Introduction
The cruise control system allows you to maintain a constant
speed. Using this system, any speed over 30 km/h can be kept constant, as long as
the engine power allows it. This is subject to power output and braking abil-
ity of the engine. This helps to reduce fatigue, especially on long journeys.
The indicator lamp  on the instrument panel lights up when the cruise
control system is operating.
WARNING
For safety reasons, the cruise control system should not be used in dense
traffic or poor road conditions (with ice, slippery surfaces, loose grit or
gravel), as this could cause an accident.
CAUTION
In vehicles with a manual gearbox: do not go into neutral if the device is en-
abled without previously releasing the clutch, as the engine will increase its
revs and, under certain conditions, could break down.
Note
The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when travelling down
steep hills. The vehicle tends to accelerate under its own weight. Change
down to a lower gear or use the foot brake to slow the vehicle. 
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180Driving
Setting the speed
The desired cruising speed has to be stored in the memory.
Fig. 151 Controls for the
cruise control system
– Drive at the desired speed.
– Pull the lever A
to position ⇒ fig. 151 1 to activate the sys-
tem.
– Briefly press button B
.
When button B
is released, the current speed is stored in the memory and
the vehicle will then maintain this speed. Adjusting the stored speed
The desired cruising speed can be adjusted up or down as
required.
Acceleration
– Move the lever A
up towards
⇒ fig. 151 +.
– Release the lever to store the current cruising speed.
Deceleration
– Move the lever A
down towards
⇒ fig. 151 -.
– Release the lever to store the current cruising speed.
Pressing lever A
briefly
– You can increase the set speed in steps of 2 km/h by briefly
pressing the lever A
up towards
⇒ fig. 151 +.
– You can decrease the set speed in steps of 2 km/h by briefly
pressing the lever A
down towards
⇒ fig. 151 -.
You can also use the accelerator pedal momentarily to increase speed. The
previously programmed speed will be automatically resumed when the ac-
celerator pedal is released.
However, if the vehicle exceeds the programmed speed by more than 10
km/h for more than 5 minutes, the programmed speed will be deleted. You
will then need to enter the speed again. 

181
Driving
Deactivating the cruise control temporarily
Fig. 152 Controls for the
cruise control system
– Press the brake pedal or
– The clutch or
– Press the lever A
⇒ fig. 152 to position a (click stop not en-
gaged).
– Any intervention of the TCS or the ESP will switch off the cruise
control.
The speed stored at this point remains in the memory if the system is only
temporarily deactivated.
To resume the programmed cruising speed, release the clutch or brake ped-
al and pull the lever A
to position b.
If no speed was stored when the system was temporarily disabled, a new
speed can be set as follows: drive at the desired cruising speed and briefly
press button ⇒ fig. 151 B
(SET).
WARNING
Retrieve the programmed speed only if this is not excessive for the cur-
rent traffic conditions. Failure to do so could result in an accident.

Deactivating the cruise control
While driving
– Move lever A
⇒ fig. 151 to position 2 (click stop engaged).
While the vehicle is stationary
– Switch the ignition off. 
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182Driving
Manual gearbox
Driving with a manual gearbox
Fig. 153 Detailed view of
the centre console: gear
shift pattern of a 6-speed
manual gearbox
Engaging the reverse gear
– The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press
the clutch down thoroughly.
– Place the gear lever into neutral and push the lever downwards.
– Slide the gear lever to the left, and then into the reverse posi-
tion shown on the gear lever.
The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When
the engine is running and before engaging this gear, wait about 6 seconds
with the clutch pressed down thoroughly in order to protect the gearbox.
The reverse lights light up when the reverse gear is selected and the igni-
tion is on.
WARNING
● When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as
a gear is engaged and the clutch released.
● Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of
accident.
Note
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever while driving. The pressure of
your hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.
● When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch fully to
avoid unnecessary wear and damage.
● Do not hold the car “on the clutch” on hills. This causes premature wear
and damage to the clutch.
● Do not leave your foot on the clutch pedal; although the pressure may
seem insignificant, it can cause the premature wear of the clutch plate. Use
the foot rest when you do not need to change gear. 
Automatic gearbox* Introduction
multitronic ®
, tiptronic (7-speed gearbox)
Vehicles with multitronic ®
gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled continuously varia-
ble transmission (multitronic ®
). Unlike conventional automatics, the gear
ratios are not shifted in fixed steps but continuously variable. This gives
smoother transmission and makes for better fuel economy. 