
138Driving
Starting and stopping the engine
Starting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key
with its correct code.
– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the start-
er to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position ⇒ page 136.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the start-
er motor must not run on with the engine.
After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the ac-
celerator.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few sec-
onds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch the starter off after 10 sec-
onds and try again after half a minute. If the engine still does not start, the
fuel pump fuse should be checked ⇒ page 223, Fuses.
WARNING
● Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The ex-
haust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless poi-
sonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
● Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.
CAUTION
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving
at full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
● The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
● Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and fol-
low the instructions in ⇒ page 240, Jump-starting.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle station-
ary. Start off immediately, driving gently. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emissions.

139
Driving
Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key
with its correct code. – Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the start-
er to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ fig. 98 2
. The indicator
lamp will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the warning lamp turns off, turn the key to position 3
to
start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the start-
er motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few sec-
onds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If there are problems starting the engine, see the ⇒ page 240.
Glow plug system for the diesel engine
To avoid unnecessary discharging of the battery, do not use any other major
electrical equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heating.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp goes out.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal
(up to one minute) to start the engine after refuelling with diesel fuel. This is
because the system must eliminate air first.
WARNING
● Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The ex-
haust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless poi-
sonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
● Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.
CAUTION
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving
at full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
● The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
● Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and fol-
low the instructions in ⇒ page 240, Jump-starting.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle station-
ary. You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the en-
gine reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.
Switching off the engine
– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ fig. 98 1
.
After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10 mi-
nutes. It is also possible that the fan turns itself on once more if the coolant
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

194Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the engine compartment, e.g. checking and
refilling fluids, involves the danger of injury and scalding as well as the
risk of accident or fire.
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. Otherwise, there is a risk of sustaining
burns. Wait until no more steam or coolant is emitted, then allow the en-
gine to cool before carefully opening the bonnet.
● Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
● Apply the handbrake and move the gear lever to neutral or selector
lever to position P.
● Keep children away from the vehicle.
● Never touch hot engine parts. There is a risk of burns.
● Never spill liquids on a hot engine or on a hot exhaust gas system.
This is a fire hazard.
● Avoid causing short-circuits in the electrical system, particularly at
the points where the jump leads are attached ⇒ page 241. The battery
could explode.
● Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and could
start automatically, even when the engine has been switched off and the
key removed from the ignition!
● Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is
hot. If the coolant is hot, the cooling system will be pressurised!
● Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large, thick
cloth to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
● Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cleaning
cloths and tools, in the engine compartment.
● If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable
stands additionally to support the vehicle, there is a risk of accident!. A
hydraulic jack is insufficient for securing the vehicle and there is a risk of
injury.WARNING (Continued)
● If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with
the engine running, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk
from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan,
etc., and from the high-voltage ignition system. You should also observe
the following points:
–Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
– Ensure that jewellery, loose clothing and long hair do not get trap-
ped in rotating engine parts. Danger of death. Before starting any
work remove jewellery, tie back and cover hair, and wear tight-fitting
clothes.
– Never accelerate with a gear engaged without taking the necessary
precautions. The vehicle could move, even if the handbrake is ap-
plied. Danger of death.
● If work has to be carried out on the fuel system or on electrical com-
ponents, you must observe the following safety notes in addition to the
above warnings:
–Always disconnect the battery. The vehicle must be unlocked when
this is done, otherwise the alarm will be triggered.
– Do not smoke.
– Never work near naked flames.
– Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.
CAUTION
When topping up service fluids, make sure not to mistake them. Using the
wrong fluids could cause serious malfunctions and engine damage!
For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the environment. For this reason you
should make regular checks on the ground underneath your vehicle. If you
find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a specialised
workshop.

RRadio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Rain sensor* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Rear cup holder* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Rear fog light Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Rear head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rear pilot lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Rear seat folding down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Rear shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Rear window automatic wiper/washer . . . . . . 105
Rear window heating Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Remote control key Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Replacement of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Reverse gear
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Roll-back function Panorama/ tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Roof rack* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Running in Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
S Safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructions Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Deactivating front passenger airbag . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110, 113
Seat belt cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Seat belt position
Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belt protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Incorrectly fastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Seat belt tensioner Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Selective opening* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Semiautomatic air conditioning controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Single headlight bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Sitting position Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sitting position, occupants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214, 249
272 Index