151
Driving
Manual gearbox
Driving with a manual gearbox
Fig. 111 Centre Console:
gear shift pattern of a 5-
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.
Certain versions of the model may include a 6-speed manual gearbox, and
its diagram is 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.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
214Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the en-
gine is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic com-
ponents.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time,
as the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
● If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from freezing. If it freezes it will be damaged.
Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries. – Open the engine bonnet and the battery cover ⇒
in Safety in-
structions on working in the engine compartment on page 200
⇒
in Warnings on handling the battery on page 213.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the
battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently
until they disperse.
The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒ page 256.
The “magic eye” indicator, located on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge state and electrolyte level of the battery.
There are two different colours: ●
Black: correct charge status.
● Transparent/clear yellow: the battery must be replaced. Contact a spe-
cialist workshop.
Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.
If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long peri-
ods, the battery should be checked by a specialised workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle,
the battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have
the vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be
re-charged or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a specialised workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and
has special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety
specifications of your vehicle.
216Checking and refilling levels
Checking tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the
inside of the tank flap.
1. Read the required tyre inflation pressure from the sticker. The values refer to Summer tyres.
2. The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyres are cold. The slightly raised pressures of warm tyres must not be re-
duced.
3. Adjust the tyre pressure to the load you are carrying.
Tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure is especially important at high speeds. The pres-
sure should therefore be checked at least once a month and before starting
a journey.
WARNING
A tyre can easily burst if the pressure is too low, causing an accident!
● At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. In this way it becomes too hot, and this can cause tread separation
and tyre blow-out. Always observe the recommended tyre pressures.
● If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prema-
turely and the vehicle will not handle well. Risk of accident!
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption. Tyre service life
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driv-
ing style and fitting.
Fig. 142 Tyre tread wear
indicators
Fig. 143 Diagram for
changing wheels
247
If and when
How to jump start: description
Fig. 178 Diagram for
connecting jump leads if
the vehicle providing as-
sistance the current is
not fitted with the Start-
Stop system: flat battery A
and battery providing
current B.
Fig. 179 Diagram for
connecting jump leads if
the vehicle providing as-
sistance is fitted with the
Start-Stop system: flat
battery A
and battery
providing current B.
Jump lead terminal connections
1. Switch off the ignition of both vehicles ⇒
.2. Connect one end of the
red jump lead to the positive terminal
⇒ fig. 178 +
or ⇒
fig. 179 + of the vehicle with the flat bat-
tery A.
3. Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive ter-
minal +
in the vehicle providing assistance B.
4. On vehicles with no Start-Stop system , connect one end of the
black jump lead to the negative terminal -
in the vehicle pro-
viding assistance B ⇒ fig. 178.
5. On vehicles with the Start-Stop system , connect one end of the
black jump lead X
to a suitable ground terminal, to a solid
metal part bolted to the engine block or to the engine block it-
self ⇒ fig. 179.
6. Connect the other end of the black jump lead X
to a solid met-
al component bolted to the engine block or to the engine block
itself of the vehicle with the flat battery. Do not connect it to a
point near the battery A
.
7. Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Starting
8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery and let it run at idling speed.
9. Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat battery and wait one or two minutes until the engine is running.
Removing the jump leads
10. Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the headlights (if they are switched on).
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
256Technical specifications
Technical specifications
Checking fluid levels
From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the ve-
hicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, other-
wise serious damage to the engine may be caused.
Fig. 183 Diagram for the
location of the various el-
ements
Coolant expansion tank
Engine oil dipstick
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery
Windscreen washer fluid container
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the compo-
nents mentioned above. These operations are described in the ⇒ page 199.
1
23456
Overview
You will find further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the tech-
nical specifications as of
⇒ page 252.
Note
The layout of parts may vary depending on the engine.