2012 Seat Exeo ST brake

72Cockpit
Alternator 
The warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator or in the
vehicle's electrical system.
The warning lamp  lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should
switch off after the engine has started.
If the warning lamp  lights up when you are driving, you can normally
continue as far as the nearest specialised workshop. However, given that
the battery will be running down, any electrical consumption not absolutely
vital should be switched off.
CAUTION
If the coolant warning lamp  in the instrument panel lights up as well as
the alternator waning lamp while driving ⇒  page 81, stop the vehicle im-
mediately and switch off the engine. In this case the coolant pump is no
longer working, and there is a risk of engine damage. 
Main beam headlights 
The indicator lamp  lights up when the main beams are on or when the
headlight flasher is operated.
For further information on the main beam headlights, see ⇒  page 124.Handbrake 
This lamp lights up when the handbrake is applied.
If you drive faster than 5 km/h with the handbrake on, the following mes-
sage will appear on the instrument panel display 1)
: HANDBRAKE ON. You will
also hear an acoustic warning signal ⇒ page 79. 
Engine management 
This warning lamp monitors the engine management sys-
tem for petrol engines.
The warning lamp  (Electronic Power Control) lights up while the function
is being checked.
Note
If the warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is moving, this indicates a
fault in the engine management system. The vehicle must be taken immedi-
ately to a specialised workshop to have the engine serviced. 
Glow plug system 
The control lamp lights up while the glow plugs are preheat-
ing the diesel engine. The indicator lamp  lights up while the glow plugs are preheating. When
the indicator lamp goes out the engine should be started straight away. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

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Cockpit
When the engine is warm, or at outside temperatures above +8°C, the warn-
ing lamp will only light up very briefly.
Note
● If the glow plug indicator lamp should start flashing while the vehicle is
moving, this indicates a fault in the engine management system. The en-
gine should be serviced without delay.
● If the indicator lamp fails to light up when the ignition is switched on,
this can mean that the glow plug system is defective. The engine should be
serviced. 
Brake system 
The warning lamp flashes when the handbrake is applied, or
if the brake fluid level is too low or if there is a fault in the
ABS system. If the warning lamp  flashes (and the handbrake is not applied), stop the
vehicle and check the brake fluid level ⇒ 
⇒ page 244.
If a failure should occur in the ABS, the ABS warning lamp  will light up
together with the brake warning lamp  ⇒ 
.
Handbrake on
The warning lamp  also lights up when the handbrake is applied. In addi-
tion to this, the handbrake warning ⇒ page 79 switches on after driving
for 3 seconds at a speed above 5 km/h.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, ob-
serve the warning information in ⇒ page 234, Work in the engine com-
partment.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driv-
ing, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low and this may cause an
increased accident risk. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain
technical assistance.
● If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp, this can mean that there is a fault in the ABS control function. As a
result, the rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. Under cer-
tain circumstances, the rear of the vehicle could suddenly sway from side
to side, with the subsequent danger of skidding. Drive carefully to the
nearest specialised workshop and have the fault repaired.

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74Cockpit
Driver information system
General notes
The driver information system in the instrument panel
shows the status of various on-board systems at a glance.
Fig. 47 Cockpit: Digital
instrument panel display
The display for the driver information system is in the centre of the instru-
ment panel.
The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the ig-
nition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. The DIS system gives
an audible warning if a fault should occur or if servicing is required, and a
red or yellow warning symbol (in some cases with a corresponding driver
message) appears in the instrument panel display.
The driver is informed on the audio system.
The driver information system includes the following functions:
CD player, radio and telephone display*⇒ page 75Outside temperature display⇒ page 75Gear indicator*⇒ page 76Selector lever positions for the 7-speed automatic
gearbox*⇒ page 192
Selector lever positions with multitronic ®
*⇒ page 189Distance to empty⇒ page 76Door and rear lid warning⇒ page 77Service indicator⇒ page 77auto-check control⇒ page 78Driving tips⇒ page 79Handbrake warning⇒ page 79Bulb monitor*⇒ page 85Onboard computer*⇒ page 88Tyre pressure monitoring*⇒ page 92Navigation information*Separate Instruc-
tion Manual
Note
● If a fault should occur, the display will show a red or yellow warning
symbol. A red warning symbol indicates a serious malfunction ⇒ page 80.
A yellow warning symbol indicates a less serious malfunction ⇒ page 82.

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Cockpit
The red symbol indicates danger, whereas the yellow one represents a
warning. Additional messages for the driver may be shown with the red or
yellow symbols. 
Driver messages
Additional messages for the driver are displayed together
with the warning symbols on the instrument panel.
Fig. 53 Instrument pan-
el: CHECK button
Driver messages and red symbols
If a red warning symbol appears on the display, you can press the CHECK
button ⇒ Fig. 53 to call up an additional driver message.
For example: in the event of an oil pressure malfunction, the oil pressure
symbol
 will appear in the display. If you now press the CHECK
button,
the following message will appear in the display:
Switch off engine, check oil level The message will disappear from the display after about 5 seconds. If re-
quired, the message can be called up again by briefly pressing the
CHECK
button.
Driver messages and yellow symbols
If a yellow warning symbol appears in the display, it will automatically be
accompanied by the corresponding driver message.
For example, the symbol
 is displayed to indicate that the windscreen
washer fluid level is low. In addition, the following message will appear:
Top up washer fluid
The message will disappear after a few seconds. If required, the message
can be called up again by briefly pressing the CHECK
button.
Note
● The messages handbrake on and when stationary apply footbrake to se-
lect gear cannot be called up a second time. They will remain in the display
until the handbrake is released or until a gear is selected. 
Handbrake warning
– Release the handbrake.
If you drive by mistake with the handbrake still applied, you will hear a
warning buzzer and the display will show the message: Handbrake on
The handbrake warning switches on after driving for 3 seconds at speeds
above 5 km/h. 
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80Cockpit
Red symbols
A red symbol warns of a danger.
Fig. 54 Display: Coolant
level warning
– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
– Check the fault. Obtain professional assistance if necessary.

BRAKESBrake fluid required or
brake system fault⇒ page 80

COOLANTCoolant level too low / coolant tem-
perature too high⇒ page 81

OIL PRES- SUREEngine oil pressure too low⇒ page 81
The red symbols are used to indicate a Priority 1 fault (serious malfunction).
A red symbol is accompanied by three warning chimes. The symbols will
keep flashing until the faults are corrected. If several Priority 1 faults are de-tected at the same time, the symbols are displayed one after the other for
about 2 seconds.

Fault in the brake system 
A fault in the brake system should be repaired as soon as
possible.
If the symbol  flashes in the display, there is a fault in the brake
system. One of the following messages will appear in the display
together with the symbol:
Stop vehicle, check brake fluid and hydraulic fluid levels
Warning! Fault in brake system (ABS) Take vehicle to workshop
– Stop the vehicle.
– Check the brake fluid level ⇒ page 244.
If the ABS fails, the ABS warning lamp  will light up together with the
brake system fault symbol  ⇒ 
. 

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Cockpit
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, ob-
serve the warning information in ⇒ page 234, Work in the engine com-
partment.
● If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this could result in
an accident. Do not drive on! Obtain technical assistance.
● If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp, this can mean that there is a fault in the ABS control function. As a
result, the rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. Under cer-
tain circumstances, the rear of the vehicle could suddenly sway from side
to side, with the subsequent danger of skidding. Drive carefully to the
nearest specialised workshop and have the fault repaired.

Fault in the cooling system 
Faults in the cooling system must be repaired immediately.
If the  symbol flashes in the display, this means that either the
coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. The
following message will appear in the display together with the
symbol:
Switch off engine and check coolant level
– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
– Check the coolant level ⇒ page 239.
– Add more coolant if necessary ⇒ page 240.
– Wait for the symbol to go out before driving on. –
Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may be caused by a malfunc-
tion of the radiator fan.
If the alternator warning lamp lights up as well ⇒ page 72, it is possible that
the drive belt has broken.
CAUTION
Do not drive on if the symbol  has come on to indicate a fault in the cool-
ing system, otherwise there is a risk of engine damage. 
Engine oil pressure too low 
If the engine oil pressure is too low the fault must be re-
paired immediately.
If the  symbol flashes in the display, the oil pressure is too low.
The following message will appear in the display together with the
symbol:
Switch off engine, check oil level
– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
– Check the engine oil level ⇒ page 237.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
Engine oil level too low
If the engine oil level is too low, add more oil ⇒ page 238.

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82Cockpit
Engine oil level correct
If the  symbol flashes and the engine oil level is correct, obtain profes-
sional assistance. Do not drive on! Do not continue to run the engine, even
at idle speed .
Note
The oil pressure warning lamp  is not an indicator for the oil level. The oil
level should therefore be checked regularly, preferably every time you fill
the tank. 
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol indicates a warning.
Fig. 55 Display: Fuel lev-
el low
Brake light failure warning light⇒ page 83
Fuel level low⇒ page 83
Engine speed governing⇒ page 83
Check engine oil level⇒ page 83
Engine oil sensor faulty*⇒ page 83
Diesel particulate filter* obstructed⇒ page 83
Photosensor/rain sensor faulty⇒ page 84
Brake pad worn⇒ page 84
Speed warning 1⇒ page 84
Dynamic headlight range control* faulty⇒ page 84
Adaptive headlights* faulty⇒ page 84
Washer fluid level low*⇒ page 84
Speed warning 2*⇒ page 84
Battery voltage too high or too low*⇒ page 84
Bulb monitor*⇒ page 85
Tyre pressure monitoring system*
Loss of pressure⇒ page 92
Tyre pressure monitoring system*
System not available⇒ page 69
Start-Stop system fault*⇒ page 178 

83
Cockpit
Yellow symbols are used to indicate a Priority 2 fault (warning).
Yellow symbols are accompanied by one warning buzzer. The function indi-
cated should be checked as soon as possible. If several Priority 2 faults are
detected at the same time, the symbols are displayed one after the other for
about 2 seconds at a time. 
Brake light failure 
This warning light will appear on the upper part of the display if any of the
brake lights has failed. A text message in the central part of the display indi-
cates which brake light has failed (left or right). 
Fuel level low 
When this symbol  comes on for the first time, there are about 8 to 10 li-
tres of fuel left in the tank. You should fill up as soon as possible
⇒  page 230. 
Engine speed governing 
Max. engine speed XXXX rpm
There is a fault in the engine management. In addition, the warning lamp 
on the instrument panel will light up. The engine speed will be governed to
the speed displayed in the driver information system. Please ensure that
the engine speed does not exceed the speed shown (for example, when
changing down a gear).
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop immediately to have the fault re-
paired. Checking the engine oil level

If the  symbol lights up, please check the engine oil level as soon as pos-
sible ⇒ page 237. Top up the oil at the next opportunity ⇒ page 238.
Engine oil sensor defective* 
If the  symbol lights up, take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and
have the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is advisable to check the oil
level every time you fill up with fuel ⇒ page 237. 
Diesel particulate filter obstructed 
If the symbol  lights up, you can contribute towards automatic filter
cleaning by driving in the right manner. To do this, drive about 15 minutes
in 4th or 5th gear (automatic gearbox: S gear range) at a speed of 60 km/h,
with the engine running at approximately 2000 rpm. The increase in temper-
ature will burn off any soot in the filter. When cleaning is successful, the
symbol switches off.
If the symbol  does not turn off, or the three lamps turn on (particulate
filter , emission control system fault  and heaters ), take the vehicle
to a specialised workshop to repair the fault.
For further information on the diesel particulate filter, see ⇒ page 203.
WARNING
It is essential that you adjust your speed to suit the weather, road, ter-
rain and traffic conditions. The recommended driving speed must never
lead to the driver disregarding the traffic regulations.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications