2012 Seat Exeo ST Owner's manual

63
Cockpit
Rev counter
The rev counter indicates the number of engine revolutions
per minute.
Fig. 39 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Rev counter
You should select a lower gear if the engine speed drops below 1500 rpm.
The start of the red zone on the dial indicates the maximum engine speed
which may be used when the engine is warm and after it has been run in
properly. Before reaching this zone, a higher gear must be selected or your
foot must be removed from the accelerator.
CAUTION
To prevent possible engine malfunctions, the rev counter needle should not
reach the red zone. The start of the red zone on the dial is different for some
engine versions.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears sooner following the recommended gear in-
dications ⇒ Fig. 50 will help you to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and
also engine noise. Digital clock and date
Your vehicle is equipped with a quartz clock.
Fig. 40 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Digital clock
The time and date are set using the +
and - buttons.
Setting the hour
– Press the MODE
button. The hour display will start to flash.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the hour.
Setting the minutes
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the minutes display flash-
es.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the minutes.
Setting the date
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the date display (day)
flashes. 
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64Cockpit
–Use the +
and - buttons to set the day.
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the month display flashes.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the month.
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the year display flashes.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the year.
Deactivating the date display
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the complete date display
flashes.
– Use the -
button to disable the date display.
Activating the date display
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the complete date display
flashes.
– Use the +
button to enable the date display.
When the display stops flashing, this means the setting you are performing
is completed and the time and date have been successfully stored.
When the ignition is switched off, the odometer and the digital clock with
date display can be switched on for a few seconds by pressing the CHECK
button ⇒ Fig. 37 8
. Instrument lighting
The brightness of the instrument lighting can be adjusted as
required.
Fig. 41 Instrument panel
lighting
– Press the "+" button to increase the brightness of the instru-
ment lighting.
– Press the "-" button to reduce the brightness of the instrument
lighting.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illumination
and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a photodiode incorpo-
rated in the instrument panel, depending on the outside light. 

65
Cockpit
Speedometer with odometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of the vehicle and the
distance travelled.
Fig. 42 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Odometer
The distance is normally stated in kilometres (km). On some models, how-
ever, the odometer will show “miles”.
Lower odometer
The lower odometer records the vehicle's total mileage.
Upper odometer (trip recorder)
The upper odometer shows the distance that has been travelled since the
trip recorder was last reset. It is used to measure short trips. The last digit of
the trip recorder indicates distances of 100 metres or tenths of a mile. The
upper odometer can be reset to zero by pressing the reset button ⇒ Fig. 42.
Fault display
If there is a fault in the instrument panel, the letters DEF will appear perma-
nently in the trip recorder display. Please have the fault repaired as soon as
possible. Electronic immobiliser
The vehicle key data is consulted when the ignition is switched on.
If an uncoded key is used, the message
SAFE will appear in the trip recorder
display. The vehicle can no longer be started if that happens. 
Fuel reserve
The display only works when the ignition is switched on.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone, the symbol  lights up in the
instrument panel display ⇒ page 83. At this point there are still about 8 to
10 litres of fuel left in the tank. This is your reminder to fill up soon.
You can consult the tank capacity of your vehicle in the ⇒ page 312, Di-
mensions and capacities section.
CAUTION
Never run the tank completely dry. If there is an irregular fuel supply, misfir-
ing can occur. This means that fuel could reach the exhaust system without
burning. This may lead to the catalytic converter reheating and being dam-
aged. 
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66Cockpit
CHECK button
Fig. 43 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
CHECK button
The CHECK
button has the following functions:
Activating the digital clock and the odometer
When the ignition is switched off, the odometer and the digital clock with
date display can be enabled for a few seconds by pressing the CHECK
but-
ton ⇒ Fig. 43.
Starting check procedure (auto-check control)
The auto-check control ⇒ page 78 checks important components and ve-
hicle systems. These background checks are run constantly, as long as the
ignition is switched on.
You can start the “check procedure” manually by pressing the CHECK
button
with the ignition switched on. This function check can be started with the
engine either stationary or running, but not at road speeds above 5 km/h.
Calling up driver messages
If a Priority 1 symbol flashes in the display ⇒ page 78, or if the bulb moni-
tor detects a failure of one of the lights ⇒ page 85, the relevant driver in- formation can be called up again by briefly pressing the
CHECK
button. For
example:
Switch off engine, check oil level
The message will disappear from the display after about 5 seconds.
Setting the speed warning
You can press the CHECK
button to set speed limit warning 1
⇒ page 86,
Setting speed limit warning 1 while the vehicle is moving . Speed limit warn-
ing 2* ⇒ page 87, Setting speed limit warning 2 can only be set when the
ignition is switched off . 

67
Cockpit
Warning and indicator lamps General description
The warning and indicator lamps indicate a number of dif-
ferent functions and possible faults.
Fig. 44 Instrument panel with warning and indicator lamps
Exhaust emission control system⇒ page 68
Airbag system⇒ page 68
Tyre pressure too low⇒ page 69
Cruise speed (Cruise control)⇒ page 69
Trailer turn signals⇒ page 69
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)⇒ page 70
Seat belt warning⇒ page 70
If it stays lit: ASR switched off⇒ page 71
⇒ page 71
⇒ page 172
Left turn signals⇒ page 71

If flashing: the Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) is working or the ASR is working
If the following remain lit: ESC or ASR
faulty⇒ page 71
⇒ page 71
⇒ page 172
Alternator⇒ page 72
Main beam headlights⇒ page 72
Handbrake on⇒ page 72
⇒ page 79
Engine management (alternative to )⇒ page 72
Glow plug system (alternative to )⇒ page 72
Fault in brake system⇒ page 73
Right turn signals⇒ page 71 
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Note
A number of functions are monitored by the auto-check control
⇒ page 78. If a malfunction should occur, this will be shown by the dis-
play in the instrument panel either with a red symbol (priority 1 - danger) or
a yellow symbol (priority 2 - warning). 
Exhaust emission control system 
If the warning lamp lights up continuously you should take your vehicle to a
specialised workshop as soon as possible in order to have the fault re-
paired.
If the warning lamp flashes drive on at reduced speed and seek professio-
nal help in order to avoid damage to the catalytic converter.
For further information on the catalytic converter, see ⇒ page 202.
Airbag system 
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and belt tension de-
vice system.
The warning lamp  should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on.
If the warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up, flashes or flickers
when the vehicle is moving, this indicates a malfunction in the system.
WARNING
If a malfunction should occur, have the system checked immediately by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a risk that the airbag system
and/or belt tensioners may not be triggered in an accident.


69
Cockpit
Tyre pressure warning lamp* 
The tyre pressure should be corrected as soon as possible if
it is too low.
Fig. 45 Display: system
fault
Fig. 46 Display: warning
message The yellow warning
 lamp remains on if the system is faulty or if
the pressure is too low in at least one tyre. In the event of a system
fault, the letters TPMS are displayed in the centre of the instrument
panel ⇒ Fig. 45. If the tyre pressure drops rapidly, message A
⇒ Fig. 46 will be shown on the central display of the instrument
panel. If the pressure loss is more gradual, message B ⇒ Fig. 46
will be shown on the central display of the instrument panel. This
message does not show the tyre affected. Should any of these
warnings be displayed:
– Stop the vehicle.
– Check the tyres. Although the warning corresponds to just one
tyre, you should also check the others.
– Correct the tyre pressure ⇒ page 250.
For more detailed information on the tyre pressure monitoring system,
please refer to ⇒ page 249. 
Cruise speed (Cruise control)* 
The indicator lamp  on the instrument panel lights up when the cruise
control system is operating. 
Trailer turn signals* 
This turn signal lamp flashes when the turn signals are op-
erating while towing a caravan or trailer. The turn signal lamp  flashes when the turn signals are operated if a trail-
er is correctly coupled to the vehicle. 
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Where a turn signal bulb does not work, either on the trailer or on the tow-
ing vehicle, the turn signal bulb will not flash. 
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 
The warning lamp monitors the ABS and the integrated elec-
tronic differential lock (EDL).
The warning lamp  lights up for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on and while the engine is being started. The lamp goes out again after
the system has run through an automatic test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
● The warning lamp does not light up when the ignition is switched on
● The warning lamp does not go out again after a few seconds
● The warning lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving
The vehicle can still brake in the normal way (except that the ABS control
function is out of action). Please take the vehicle to a specialised workshop
as soon as possible. For further information on the ABS, see ⇒ page 196.
If a malfunction should occur in the ABS, the ESC warning lamp will also
light up.
Entire brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp  lights up together with the brake warning lamp
 ⇒  page 73 (with the handbrake released), this indicates not only a
fault in the ABS function, but probably also a malfunction in the main brake
system ⇒ 
.
The symbol  will light up on the instrument panel if there if a fault in the
brake system. Please refer to ⇒ page 80. Electronic differential lock (EDL) fault
The EDL works in conjunction with the ABS. The ABS indicator lamp will light
up  to indicate an EDL fault. Please take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop as soon as possible. For further information on the EDL, see
⇒ page 197.
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  should light up together with the ABS
warning lamp , stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir. If the fluid level has dropped below the "MIN" mark
you must not drive on, as there is a risk of accident. Obtain technical as-
sistance.
● If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may
have been caused by a fault in the ABS control function. As a result, the
rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. Under certain cir-
cumstances, the rear of the vehicle could suddenly sway from side to
side, with the subsequent danger of skidding. Drive carefully to the near-
est specialised workshop and have the fault repaired.

Seat belt warning lamp* 
The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten
the seat belt. After switching on the ignition, the warning lamp  will remain lit until the
driver and front passenger (if applicable) have fastened their seat belts.
When the vehicle has reached a certain speed, you will also hear a warning
signal and the warning light will flash.
For further information on the seat belts, see ⇒ page 24.