2012 Seat Exeo ST warning light

154Seats and storage compartments
WARNING
● Do not put any hot drinks in the drink holder while the vehicle is mov-
ing. You can be scalded if the hot liquid is spilt.
● Do not use hard china cups or glasses. These could cause injury in the
event of an accident.

Drink holder in the rear armrest*
Fig. 130 Drink holder in
the rear armrest
Opening the drink holder
– Press the symbol 
A

⇒ 
Fig. 130.
Adjusting the retainer arm
– To adjust one of the retainer arms B
, release it by pressing in
the direction indicated (arrow) and move it as required.
The retainer arm should be positioned against the drink holder so that it is
held securely. One or two drink holders can be held in the centre console.
WARNING
● Do not put any hot drinks in the drink holder while the vehicle is mov-
ing. You can be scalded if the hot liquid is spilt.
● Do not use hard china cups or glasses. These could cause injury in the
event of an accident.

Ashtray*, cigarette lighter* and electric
sockets* Front ashtray*
Fig. 131 Centre console:
Open ashtray
Opening the ashtray
– Lightly press the front part of the ashtray A

⇒ 
Fig. 131. 

155
Seats and storage compartments
Removing the ashtray
– Take hold of the sides of the ashtray B
⇒ Fig. 131 and lift it
out.
Fitting the ashtray casing
– Insert the casing and press it into its mountings.
WARNING
Never put waste paper in the ashtray, as this could cause a fire.

Rear ashtray
Fig. 132 Rear ashtray
Opening the ashtray
– Lift the lid. Removing the ashtray
–
Take hold of the lid ⇒ Fig. 132 and lift out the ashtray.
Fitting the ashtray casing
– Open the lid on the ashtray and press the casing into the
mounting as far as it will go.
WARNING
Never put waste paper in the ashtray, as this could cause a fire.

Cigarette lighter*
The 12 volt socket for the cigarette lighter can also be used
as a power source for other electrical appliances.
Fig. 133 Cigarette light-
er in the centre console 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

156Seats and storage compartments
Using the cigarette lighter
–Press in the cigarette lighter button.
– Wait for the lighter to pop out slightly.
– Pull out the cigarette lighter immediately.
– Use the glowing heater element of the cigarette lighter to light
your cigarette.
– Put the cigarette lighter back in its socket.
Operating the socket
– Take out the cigarette lighter.
– Insert the plug of the electrical appliance into the cigarette
lighter socket.
The cigarette lighter ⇒ Fig. 133 employs a standard 12 volt socket, which can also be used as a power source for electrical appliances. The applian-
ces connected to the socket must not exceed a power rating of 100 W.
WARNING
● Be careful when using the electric cigarette lighter. Carelessness or
negligence when using the cigarette lighter can cause burns.
● The lighter will only work when the ignition is switched on.
● The electrical sockets and, therefore, any appliances connected to
them will only work when the ignition is switched on.
CAUTION
Always use the correct type of plugs to avoid damaging the sockets.
Note
The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge. 
Electric socket in the luggage compartment*
Electrical equipment can be connected to the 12 volt socket.
Fig. 134 Detailed view of
the side trim in the lug-
gage compartment: 12
volt socket
– Lift the power socket cover ⇒ 
Fig. 134.
– Insert the plug of the electrical appliance into the socket.
Electrical equipment can be connected to the 12 volt socket. The appliances
connected to the socket must not exceed a power rating of 100 W. 

157
Seats and storage compartments
WARNING
The power points, and any accessories connected to them are also func-
tional with the ignition switched off or the key removed. To avoid the risk
of injury, never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
CAUTION
Always use the correct type of plugs to avoid damaging the sockets.
Note
The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge. 
230 volt socket for Europlug*
Electrical equipment can also be connected to the 230 volt
socket in the centre console.
Fig. 135 Centre console:
230 volt socket The 230 Volt socket can only be used when the engine is running
⇒ 
.
In vehicles with folding cover:
– Hold the cover of the socket at the lower recess.
– Lift the cover to open ⇒ Fig. 135.
Inserting the Europlug
– Insert the Europlug in the socket. The childproof safety device
on the socket is deactivated.
– If necessary, press the Europlug as far as possible into the sock-
et to ensure it is correctly inserted and will not jump out of
place while driving over a bump or similar.
LED warning lamp above socket
Steady green
light:The childproof safety device is disconnected. The socket
is ready for use
Flashing red
light:There is a fault, for example, disconnection due to ex-
cess current or temperature
Equipment which may be connected
The 230 volt socket can be used to connect electrical equipment with a Eu-
roplug. Please note that the power consumption in this socket must not ex-
ceed 150 watts (peaks of 300 watts).
Even when more than one appliance is connected, the total consumption of
all the appliances must not exceed 150 watts. If necessary, please refer to
the manufacturer's label to confirm the power consumption of the connec-
ted equipment.
Connected equipment must be in perfect condition and show no signs of
faults. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

159
Seats and storage compartments
● In some countries this socket is 115 volts. Therefore the socket should
have a different inverter installed at the factory. You can obtain retrofit kits
from your Technical Service. Do not connect 115 Volt appliances to the
230 Volt socket.
● The use of electrical equipment in the vicinity of the aerial in the rear
window may cause interference to the reception of stations broadcasting in
AM. 
Compartments Overview
There are several storage compartments at various points in
the vehicle.
Your vehicle has the following storage compartments:
First-aid kit* Emergency triangle* Glove compartment⇒ page 159Storage compartment in the centre console On-board documentation compartment* Compartments in the door trims⇒ page 160Coat hooks⇒ page 160Side storage compartment in luggage com-
partment
Some of the compartments listed are only provided in certain models or are
optional extras. Glove compartment
The lockable glove compartment is equipped with a light.
Fig. 136 Glove compart-
ment
Opening the glove compartment
– Pull the handle on the lid in the direction indicated (arrow)
⇒ Fig. 136 and open the lid.
Closing the glove compartment
– Close the lid and push it in until it engages.
If the side lights or headlights are switched on, the light in the glove com-
partment comes on when it is opened.
The lid has separate holders for a pen and a note pad.
WARNING
For safety reasons, the glove compartment must always be closed when
the vehicle is moving. Failure to do so could result in an accident.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

160Seats and storage compartments
Compartments in the door trim
Storage compartments are provided in the door trims.
Fig. 137 Door trim with
storage compartment
WARNING
The storage compartments in the door trims should only be used to store
small objects. Make sure that they are stored safely inside the compart-
ment, as they might otherwise impair the protection offered by the side
airbags.
 Coat hooks
There is a coat hook above each of the rear doors.
Fig. 138 Area above the
rear doors: Coat hooks
WARNING
● Please make sure that any items of clothing hanging from the coat
hooks do not obstruct your view to the rear.
● The coat hooks should only be used for lightweight clothing. Do not
leave any heavy or sharp objects in the pockets.
● Do not use clothes hangers to hang up the clothing, as this could in-
terfere with the function of the head-protection airbags*.


173
Driving
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) contains the electronic differential lock
(EDL) and the traction control system (ASR). The ESC works together with
the ABS. If a fault in the ABS occurs, both warning lamps light up, but if the
ESC fails, only the ESC warning lamp lights up.
The ESC system is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESC system is always active and cannot be switched off. The ESC switch
only switches the ASR off.
The ASR can be deactivated when wheel spin is desirable.
For example:
● When driving with snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
● When the vehicle is stuck, to rock it backwards and forwards.
Press the button to switch the ASR back on when you no longer need wheel
spin.
Situations in which the warning lamp lights 
●
On switching the ignition on, it lights up for about two seconds to carry
out a function control.
● The warning lamp will start flashing when the vehicle is moving if the
ESC or the ASR is activated.
● It will light up continuously if there is a fault in the ESC.
WARNING
● Do not forget that the electronic stability control ESC cannot defy the
laws of physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and
wet roads and when towing a trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. The greater safety provided by the ESC should not
encourage you to run any risks.
● Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESC in
⇒ page 195, Intelligent technology.

Ignition lock Ignition key positions
The ignition key is used to start and stop the engine.
Fig. 145 Ignition key po-
sitions 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

175
Driving
– Manual gearbox: Push the clutch pedal all the way down.
– Move the gear lever into neutral (automatic gearbox: selector
lever to P or N) ⇒ 
.
– Turn the ignition key to position 3
without pressing the accel-
erator.
– Release the ignition key as soon as the engine starts (the start-
er motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine).
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
– Use the foot brake.
– Manual gearbox: Push the clutch pedal all the way down. Other-
wise, the engine will not start.
– Move the gear lever into neutral (automatic gearbox: selector
lever to P or N) ⇒ 
.
– Turn the ignition key to position 2
. The pre-heating indicator
light  comes on while the glow plugs are preheating.
– When the indicator light  goes out, turn the ignition key to
position 3
. Do not press the accelerator.
– Having completed the previous action the key can be released
immediately, it will return to position 2
and the engine will
have started.
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 fails to start straight away, stop after 10 seconds and try again
after about half a minute. Glow plug system*
To assist starting at low temperatures,
diesel engines are equipped with a
glow plug preheating system. The preheating time depends on the coolant
temperature and the outside temperature. Start the engine as soon as the
glow plug indicator light  goes out.
When the engine is warm or at outside temperatures above +8°C the glow
plug indicator lamp will only light up for about one second. This means that
the engine can be started immediately.
If the engine will not start...
● ⇒ page 293
● ⇒ page 297
● ⇒ page 230, Refuelling
WARNING
Never run the engine in confined spaces, as the exhaust gases are poi-
sonous.
CAUTION
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and extreme load conditions until
the engine has reached its normal operating temperature, otherwise this
can damage the engine.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle station-
ary. Start immediately. This will help avoid unnecessary exhaust emissions. 
Stopping the engine
– Turn the ignition key to position 1 ⇒ Fig. 146.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications