2012 Seat Exeo ST check engine light

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 10
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Storing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Knee airbag* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Side airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Deactivating airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Securing child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Operating Instructions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Warning and indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Driver information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Auto-check system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Speed warning*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Tyre pressure monitoring* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Multifunction steering wheel* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Unlocking and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Remote control keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Childproof lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Remote control key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Sliding/tilting sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Seats and storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 135
Manual adjustment of the front seats . . . . . . . . . 135
Electric adjustment of front seats* . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Lumbar support* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Driver seat memory* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Armrests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Roof rack / roof rails* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Ashtray*, cigarette lighter* and electric sockets* . .154
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Starting and stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Start-Stop function* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Parking aid acoustic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system) . . . . . . . . 183
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Automatic gearbox* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Practical Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Servotronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Economical and environmentally friendly driving 203
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
3
Table of Contents

Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Removable towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 216
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Vehicle interior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Accessories and spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Mobile phones and two-way radios . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Athermic windscreen* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades . . . . 241
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
If and when . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Tools, tyre repair kit and spare wheel . . . . . . . . . 259
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Tyre repair* (Tyre-Mobility-System) . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Changing bulbs. Halogen headlights . . . . . . . . . 273
Changing bulbs. Bi-Xenon AFS headlights . . . . . 279
Changing tail light bulbs (on side panel) . . . . . . 283
Changing tail light bulbs (on rear lid) . . . . . . . . . 288
Side turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 Luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Registration light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Sun visor light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Description of specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Information on fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Engine specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Dimensions and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
4Table of Contents

62Cockpit
CHECK button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Call-up button for service indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Reset button for trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Coolant temperature gauge
Fig. 38 Engine coolant
temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge ⇒ Fig. 38 only works when the ignition is
switched on. In order to avoid engine damage, please read the following
notes for the different temperature ranges.
Cold temperature A
If the needle is still on the left of the dial, this indicates that the engine has
not yet reached operating temperature. Avoid high revs and heavy accelera-
tion and do not make the engine work hard.
Normal temperature B
In normal operations, the needle will settle somewhere in the centre of the
dial once the engine has reached running temperature. The temperature
may also rise when the engine is working hard, especially at high outside8
910
temperatures. This is no cause for concern, provided the warning lamp

does not light up in the instrument panel.
Warning temperature C
If the symbol
 flashes in the display, this means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low ⇒ page 81.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet and checking the coolant level, observe
the warning information ⇒ page 234.
● Never open the bonnet when steam or coolant is being released from
it. This could lead to burns. Wait until you can no longer see or hear es-
caping steam or coolant.
CAUTION
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant.
At high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating. 

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 . 

70Cockpit
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.

71
Cockpit
Turn signals and hazard warning lights  
Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left  or right  turn
signal lamp flashes. Both turn signal lamps will flash when the hazard warn-
ing lights are switched on.
If a turn signal fails, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice as fast as
normal.
This does not apply when towing a trailer. Where a turn signal bulb does not
work, either on the trailer or on the towing vehicle, the turn signal bulb will
not flash. For further information on the turn signals, see ⇒ page 124.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*  / 
There are two control lamps for the electronic stability con-
trol. The  lamp provides information concerning the func-
tion and the  provides information on the disconnection
status
Both lamps come on together when the ignition is switched on and should
go out after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.
This programme includes the ABS, EDL and ASR. This also includes the
brake assistance system (BAS), automatic cleaning of the brake discs and
the trailer stability programme (TSP).
The warning lamp  has the following functions:
● It flashes whilst driving when the ASR/ESC is activated.
● It will light up continuously if there is a fault in the ESC.
● As the ESC operates in conjunction with the ABS, it will also light up if a
fault should occur in the ABS. If the ESC warning lamp
 lights up and stays on after the engine is started,
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESC.
In this case the ESC can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and
then on again. If the warning lamp goes out, this means the system is fully
functional.
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the ASR is disconnected when pressing the  switch.
Traction control system (ASR)*  / 
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is accelerating
There are two warning lamps for the traction control system:  and . Both
lamps come on together when the ignition is switched on and should go out
after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.
The  lamp has the following function:
● It flashes when the ASR is working if the vehicle is moving.
If the system is deactivated or if it has any fault, the warning lamp will re-
main lit. The warning lamp will also light up if a fault should occur in the
ABS because the ASR operates in conjunction with the ABS. For further in-
formation, see ⇒  page 195
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the ASR is disconnected when pressing the ASR OFF
switch.
By pressing it again, the ASR function is reactivated and the warning lamp
switched off. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

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.

73
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.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications