2011 Seat Exeo ST air condition

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. 

167
Air conditioning
Switching the temperature display from °C to °F and vice
versa
The temperature display can be switched from °C (degrees
Celsius) to °F (degrees Fahrenheit) and vice versa. – Press and hold the 
button for air recirculation mode and
briefly press the plus button of the left-hand temperature selec-
tor ⇒  fig. 141. 
Switching the air conditioner on/off
Switching the air conditioner off: models with an OFF button
– Press the OFF
button. The air conditioner is switched off and
the supply of air from outside the vehicle is cut off.
Switching the air conditioner off: models with a 
button
– Keep pressing the -
button for the blower until the display seg-
ment is empty. The air conditioner is switched off and the sup-
ply of air from outside the vehicle is cut off.
Switching the air conditioner on: models with an OFF
button
– Press the OFF
button again, or
– Press the AUTO
button or
– Press one of the air distribution buttons 
,  or .
Switching the air conditioner on: models with a 
button
– Press the +
button for the blower, or –
Press the AUTO
button or
– Press one of the air distribution buttons 
,  or .
The air conditioner also starts to operate if one of the blower or temperature
selector buttons is pressed. 
Blower speed -
+
The automatically selected blower speed can be reduced or
increased manually.
– Press the -
and + buttons in the centre of the control panel
⇒ fig. 141 to set the blower to the desired speed (and regulate
the volume of air delivery).
The air conditioner system automatically regulates the blower speed accord-
ing to the interior temperature. However, you can also adjust the air delivery
manually. The current blower setting is illustrated by a bar in the middle dis-
play (above the buttons). 
Automatic change of passenger temperature
In order to automatically set the passenger temperature like the driver tem-
perature, press the AUTO button on the driver side for 2 seconds approxi-
mately. In order to automatically set the driver temperature like the passen-
ger temperature, press the AUTO
button on the passenger side for 2 sec-
onds approximately. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

168Air conditioning
Air outlets
Fig. 143 Dash panel: Location of air outlets
The air outlets ⇒ fig. 143 3
and 4 can be operated as follows:
Outlets 3
and 4
–
The outlets can be opened and closed by turning the left
thumbwheels.
– The direction of air delivery from the outlets can be varied as re-
quired using the adjuster in the centre of each outlet grille. The
direction of air flow can be adjusted horizontally and vertically
as desired.
The flow of air from the outlets is controlled either automatically or manual-
ly, depending on the operating mode selected. All the outlets can provide
air that is either heated, unheated or cooled.
The heater outlets for the rear footwells are located under the front seats.
They are controlled together with outlets 5
.
Note
The cool air provided by the air conditioner is mainly issued from outlets 3
and 4. To ensure adequate cooling, outlets 3 and 4 should therefore
never be closed completely. 
Air distribution
The automatically-programmed air distribution can be al-
tered manually.
The buttons 
,  and  can be operated either separately or in combi-
nation. To return to automatically controlled air distribution, switch off the
selected functions separately or press the AUTO
button
Each of the three buttons has a specific function. The numbers relate to the
air outlets ⇒ fig. 143. 

169
Air conditioning
Air directed to windows 
This setting directs all the air to outlets 1 and 2. Unlike in setting , the
volume of air delivery remains the same.
Air to the driver/front passenger 
All the air comes from outlets 3 and 4 in the dash panel and from the rear of
the centre console.
Air to the footwells 
Most of the air emerges from outlets 5 and the outlets under the front seats.
Some of the air will also be issued from outlets 3 and 4.
Note
In all of the above air distribution settings, a small amount of air will still
come from the other outlets. 
Economical use of the air conditioner
Economical use of the air conditioner will help save fuel.
Engine power is reduced and fuel consumption increases when the
air conditioner is in cooling mode. To ensure that the system is on-
ly switched on when it is really necessary, please note the follow-
ing points:
– Select ECON mode if you wish to save fuel.
– Select ECON mode if you decide to open the windows or sun-
roof* while driving.
– If the vehicle has heated up after standing in the sun, open the
windows and doors for a short time to cool the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
By saving fuel you also reduce the amount of pollutants emitted from your
vehicle. 
Key settings
When the ignition is switched on, the air conditioner set-
tings assigned to the key are selected automatically.
The air conditioner settings selected are automatically stored and assigned
to the key in use. When the vehicle is started, the air conditioner automati-
cally selects the settings assigned to the key. Hence, every driver automati-
cally obtains his/her preferred settings without having to select them man-
ually.
Note
Should another driver use the key and enter other settings, the previous
settings will be deleted. 
Solar-powered blower/sunroof*
If the vehicle is parked in sufficiently strong sunlight, the
blower will operate in solar-powered mode when the igni-
tion is switched off.
After the ignition is switched off, the blower is supplied with electrical pow-
er from the sunroof. Please ensure that outlets 3 and 4 are open ⇒ fig. 143
to ensure the best possible ventilation.
The blower only works when the sunroof is closed or tilted open at the rear. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

170Air conditioning
If the air recirculation mode is on when you switch off the engine, the air
conditioner will automatically switch to fresh air ventilation. 
Auxiliary heater*
Diesel vehicles are fitted with an auxiliary heater 1)
to raise the temperature
of the interior as quickly as possible. At outdoor temperatures below +5 °C
and with the engine running, the auxiliary heater will switch on and off auto-
matically depending on the temperature of the coolant.
In order to save fuel, the auxiliary heater can be can be switched off by brief-
ly pressing the 
button on the air conditioner. Seat heating*
The surface and backrest of the front seats can be electrical-
ly heated.
Fig. 144 Detailed view of
the dash panel: Thumb-
wheel controls for seat
heating
Turn thumbwheel 1
or 2 ⇒ fig. 144 to switch on and adjust the
heating on the left or right front seats.
The heating is switched off when the thumbwheel is set to 0. The tempera-
ture settings range from 1 to 6.
CAUTION
To avoid damaging the heating elements of the seat heating, please do not
kneel on the seat or apply sharp pressure to a single point. 
1)
For Nordic countries only.

192Intelligent technology
Brake assist system
The brake assist system helps the driver to achieve optimum
braking effect.
The brake assist system helps to increase braking power and thus to ach-
ieve a shorter stopping distance. If the driver presses the brake pedal very
quickly, the brake assist system automatically boosts the braking force to
the maximum level, up to the point where the anti-lock brake function (ABS)
intervenes to stop the wheels from locking. You should then keep the brake
pedal pressed until the vehicle has braked to the required speed. The brake
assist system switches itself off as soon as you release the brake pedal.
The brake assist system will not be operative if there is a malfunction in the
ABS or the ESP.
WARNING
Please remember that the accident risk always increases if you drive too
fast, especially in corners or on a slippery road, or if you follow too close
behind the vehicle in front of you. An increased accident risk cannot be
compensated even by the brake assist system. Risk of accident.

Electronic differential lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock prevents the loss of traction
caused if one wheel starts spinning. General notes
The electronic differential lock (EDL) helps the vehicle to start moving, ac-
celerate and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may other-
wise be difficult or even impossible. How it works
The EDL works automatically, without the driver's involvement. With the aid
of the ABS sensors, the system monitors the rotational speed of the drive
wheels
⇒ page 191. If a considerable difference in revs is detected (approx.
100 rpm) in the speed of the drive wheels, e.g. when only one part of the
surface supporting the wheels is slippery, the system applies the brake to
slow down the skidding wheel so that more of the power is directed to the
other wheels. The systems works up to a speed of approx. 80 km/h. The
system will make noise while it is working.
Starting the vehicle
If one wheel has less grip and starts spinning (for instance, if one of the
drive wheels is on ice), keep pressing the accelerator gradually until the ve-
hicle starts moving.
Overheating of the brakes
To prevent the brake disk of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL
cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. In this case, the vehi-
cle will continue to run and will have the same running properties as those
of another without EDL.
The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled
down.
WARNING
● When accelerating on a uniformly slippery surface (for instance all
four wheels on ice or snow), press the accelerator gradually and careful-
ly. Despite EDL, the drive wheels may otherwise start to spin. This could
impair the vehicle's stability. Risk of accident.
● Even with EDL, you should always adjust your speed to suit the road
and traffic conditions. Do not let the extra safety features tempt you into
taking any risks when driving. Failure to do so could result in an accident. 