2012 Seat Exeo ST warning light

280If and when
● Main headlight lamps: Xenon ⇒ 
lights.
● Sources of the DRL (daylight) light unit and position.
WARNING
● Take particular care when working on components in the engine com-
partment if the engine is warm - risk of burns!
● Bulbs are highly sensitive to pressure. The glass can break when you
touch the bulb, causing injury.
● The high voltage element of gas discharge bulbs* (xenon light) must
be handled correctly. Otherwise, there is a risk of death.
● When changing bulbs, please take care not to injure yourself on sharp
parts in the headlight housing.
CAUTION
● Remove the ignition key before working on the electric system. If not, a
short circuit could occur.
● Switch off the lights or parking lights before you change a bulb.
For the sake of the environment
Please ask your specialist retailer how to dispose of used bulbs in the prop-
er manner.
Note
● Depending on weather conditions (cold or wet), the front lights, the fog
lights, the tail lights and the turn signals may be temporarily misted. This
has no influence on the useful life of the lighting system. By switching on
the lights, the area through which the beam of light is projected will quickly
be demisted. However, the edges may continue to be misted.
● Please check at regular intervals that all lighting (especially the exterior
lighting) on your vehicle is functioning properly. This is not only in the inter-
est of your own safety, but also in that of all other road users. ●
Before changing a bulb, make sure you have the correct new bulb.
● Do not touch the glass part of the bulb with your bare hands, use a cloth
or paper towel instead. Otherwise, the fingerprints left on the glass will va-
porise as a result of the heat generated by the bulb, be deposited on the
reflector and impair its surface. 
Removing the air duct
The air duct has to be removed to gain access to the bulbs
for the right-side headlight.
Fig. 216 Air duct on
right side of vehicle
– Unscrew bolts A
⇒ Fig. 216.
– Detach air duct from guide B
and take it out. 

282If and when
Changing the turn signal bulb
The procedure for changing the bulb is the same on both
sides.
Fig. 219 Turn signal
Fig. 220 Turn signal
– Switch off the ignition and the lights. –
Raise the bonnet.
– Pull the rubber cap ⇒ Fig. 219 to remove it.
– Remove the bulb holder by pulling on the grip and turning it an-
ticlockwise ⇒ Fig. 220.
– Replace the blown bulb in the bulb holder (press and turn anti-
clockwise to remove) with a new bulb (press and turn clockwise
to insert).
– Insert the bulb holder into the socket with the tab facing up-
wards and the grip horizontal. Press it against the socket and
turn clockwise. When changing the bulb, you can check the po-
sition of the bulb through the headlight glass.
– Fit the rubber cap and tighten, making sure it fit properly into
the headlight casing.
– Check whether the new bulb is working. 
Changing the xenon bulb
The procedure for changing the bulb is the same on both sides.
WARNING
This type of bulb should be changed at a specialised workshop.


283
If and when
Changing tail light bulbs (on side panel)
Overview of tail lights
Fig. 221 Overview of tail
lights
Tail lights on side panel
● Brake lights and side lights
● Turn signal Overview of tail lights. LED lamps
Fig. 222 Overview of tail
lights
Tail lights on side panel
● Brake lights and side lights
● Turn signal
Note
● It is only possible to change the turn signal light.
● If the warning lamp for the side light and/or rear fog light (LED lights)
lights up, the tail light assembly should be replaced.
● The failure of the lamp is only shown when the LED function goes out
completely. Sometimes, a LED will stop working, without displaying the
warning as the function continues to operate. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

285
If and when
Remove the bulb holder
When changing a bulb, you must first remove the bulb hold-
er.
Fig. 225 Retaining tabs
on reverse side of tail
light
There are four securing tabs on the inside of the tail light unit.
– Release the retaining tabs A
⇒ Fig. 225.
– Lift the bulb carrier off in direction of the arrow B
.
– Change the defective bulb ⇒ page 285 ⇒ page 286.
WARNING
If a bulb is replaced in a tail light assembly with LED, do not pull too hard
on the bulb holder. This may damage the wiring of the LED module.
 Changing bulbs
All bulbs can be changed easily in the bulb holder.
Fig. 226 Position of the
bulbs in the bulb holder:
Example: Outer left tail
light
The bulbs are secured with a bayonet fastener. The table below
gives an overview of the bulb positions.
– Lightly press the defective bulb into the bulb holder, then turn it
to the left and remove it.
– Fit the new bulb, pressing it into the bulb holder and turn it to
the right as far as it will go.
– Use a cloth to remove any fingerprints from the glass part of the
bulb.
– Check whether the new bulb is working.
– Re-install the bulb holder ⇒ page 286. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

288If and when
CAUTION
Take care when fitting the tail light unit to make sure there is no damage to
the paintwork or any of its components. 
Changing tail light bulbs (on rear lid)
Overview of tail lights
Fig. 231 Overview of tail
lights
Tail lights on the rear lid
● Rear side lights
● Rear fog light
● Reverse lights Overview of tail lights. LED lamps
Fig. 232 Overview of tail
lights
Tail lights on the rear lid
● Rear side lights
● Rear fog light
● Reverse lights
Note
● It is only possible to replace the rear fog lamp and the reversing light.
● If the side light (LED lamp) gives signs of failing, the light should be re-
placed.
● The failure of the lamp is only shown when the LED function goes out
completely. Sometimes, a LED will stop working, without displaying the
warning as the function continues to operate. 

289
If and when
Remove the bulb holder
The rear lid must be open to change the bulbs.
Fig. 233 Remove the
cover of the rear lid trim
Fig. 234 Remove the
bulb holder
You can access the bulb holder for the inner tail lights via the in-
side of the rear lid. –
Check which of the bulbs is defective.
– Insert the screwdriver into the opening in the cover ⇒ Fig. 233
1
and detach the cover 2.
– Press on the tabs A
⇒ Fig. 234 in the direction of the arrows
and remove the bulb holder by pulling in the direction of the ar-
row B
.
– Change the bulbs ⇒ page 289 ⇒ page 290.
WARNING
If a bulb is replaced in a tail light assembly with LED, do not pull too hard
on the bulb holder. This may damage the wiring of the LED module.

Changing bulbs
All bulbs can be changed easily in the bulb holder.
Fig. 235 Position of the
bulbs in the bulb holder.
Example: Tail lights on
the rear lid 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

295
If and when
– Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive +
termi-
nal of the vehicle with the flat battery A ⇒ Fig. 245.
– Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive ter-
minal +
in the vehicle providing assistance B.
– Connect one end of the black jump lead X
to a suitable ground
terminal, a solid piece of metal in the engine block, or to the en-
gine block ⇒ Fig. 245.
– 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. However, connect it to
a point as far as possible from the battery A
.
4. Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Starting
5. Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery and let it run at idling speed.
6. 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
7. Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the headlights (if they are switched on).
8. Turn on the heater blower and heated rear window in the vehi- cle with the flat battery. This helps minimise voltage peaks
which are generated when the leads are disconnected.
9. When the engine is running, disconnect the leads in reverse or- der to the details given above. Connect the battery clamps so they have good metal-to-metal contact with
the battery terminals.
If the engine fails to start, switch off the starter after about 10 seconds and
try again after about half a minute.
WARNING
● Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment ⇒ page 234.
● The battery providing assistance must have the same voltage as the
flat battery (12V) and approximately the same capacity (see imprint on
battery). Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
● Never use jump leads when one of the batteries is frozen. Danger of
explosion! Even after the battery has thawed, battery acid could leak and
cause chemical burns. If a battery freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes away from batteries, dan-
ger of explosion. Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the jump
leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to
the negative terminal of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the battery
could be ignited by sparks. Danger of explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the other vehicle to parts of the
fuel system or to the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. The jump lead attached to the positive battery terminal must not
touch metal parts of the vehicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact
with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not bend over the batteries. This could result in chemical burns. 
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297
If and when
Towing and tow-starting
Tow-starting
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-start-
ing is preferable ⇒ page 293.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the
gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the
towing vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it. General notes
Please observe the following points if you use a tow rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
–
Drive slowly at first until the tow rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto-
matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not
working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake sooner than nor-
mal and pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. You should only use a
tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided or a tow-
ing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexper-
ienced drivers should not attempt to tow. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications