88Lights and visibility
Headlight range control, lighting of instruments and
controls
Fig. 57 Next to the
steering wheel: Head-
light range control
Headlamp height adjustment
The headlight range control ⇒ Fig. 57 is modified according to the value of
the headlight beam and the vehicle load status. This offers the driver opti-
mum visibility and the headlights do not dazzle oncoming drivers ⇒
.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To reset, turn switch ⇒ Fig. 57:ValueVehicle load status a)–Two front occupants, luggage compartment empty1All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty2All seats occupied, luggage compartment full.3Driver only, luggage compartment full.a)
If the vehicle load does not correspond to those shown in the table, it is possible to select
intermediary positions. Instrument and switch lighting
When the side lights or dipped beam headlights are switched on, the light-
ing for instruments and controls lights up at a constant brightness.
WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that the headlights dazzle and
distract other drivers. This could result in serious accident.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load status so that it does not
blind other drivers.
Reading light
Button / SwitchFunction
Switching off the reading light.
Switching on the reading light.
Switches door contact control on (central position).
The reading light comes on automatically when the vehicle is un-
locked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the ignition.
The light goes off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Note
The reading lights go out when the vehicle is locked, or a few minutes after
the key is removed from the ignition. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging.
92Lights and visibility
Move the lever to the required position ⇒ :
0Windscreen wiper off.
1Windscreen interval wipe.
2Slow wipe.
3Continuous wipe.
4Brief wipe - short wipe. Hold the lever down for more time to
increase the wipe frequency.
5Automatic wipe for cleaning windscreens with the lever up.
6Interval wipe for rear window. The wiper will clean the win-
dow approximately every 6 seconds.
7Automatic wipe for cleaning rear windows with the lever
pressed.
CAUTION
If the ignition is switched off while the windscreen wipers are on, the wind-
screen wipers carry on wiping at the same level when the ignition is switch-
ed back on. Ice, snow and other obstacles may damage the windscreen wip-
er and the wiper motor.
● If necessary, remove snow and ice from the windscreen wipers before
starting your journey.
● Carefully lift the frozen windscreen wipers from the glass. SEAT recom-
mends a de-icer spray for this operation.
Note
The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.
Note
The interval wipe speed varies according to the vehicle speed. The faster
the vehicle is moving, the more often the windscreen is cleaned.
Note
The rear wiper is automatically switched on when the windscreen wiper is
connected and the vehicle is in reverse gear.
Windscreen wiper functions
Windscreen wiper performance in different situations:If the vehicle is at a stand-
still:The activated position provisionally changes
to the previous position.
For the interval wipe:The intervals between wipes vary according
to the speed of the vehicle. The higher the
vehicle speed the shorter the intervals.
Note
The windscreen wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the
windscreen. The windscreen wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its
path. Remove the obstacle and switch the windscreen wiper back on again.
94Lights and visibility
● To top up, mix water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT ⇒
.
Please follow the instructions for use found on the packaging.
● In cold weather, a special antifreeze should also be added to prevent
the water from freezing ⇒
.
Bottle capacity
The washer bottle capacity is approximately. 3 litres.
WARNING
Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other similar products with the
windscreen washer water. A greasy layer may be formed on the wind-
screen which will impair visibility.
● Use clean water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT.
● If necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to the water bottle.
CAUTION
● Do not mix cleaning products recommended by SEAT with other prod-
ucts. This could lead to flocculation and may block the windscreen washer
jets.
● When topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that you fill the
fluids into the correct reservoirs. Using the wrong fluids could cause serious
malfunctions and engine damage!
98Transporting
Transporting a load
Secure all objects in the vehicle
●Distribute the load throughout the vehicle and on the roof as uniformly
as possible.
● Transport heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage com-
partment and lock the seat backs in the vertical position.
● Check the headlight adjustment ⇒ page 84.
● Use the suitable tyre pressure according to the load being transported.
Read the tire pressure information label ⇒ page 210.
CAUTION
Objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating element in
the heated rear window and cause damage.
Note
Please refer to the notes on loading the roof carrier ⇒ page 104.
Driving with the rear lid open
Driving with the rear lid open creates an additional risk. Secure all objects
and secure the rear lid correctly and take all measures possible to reduce
toxic gases from entering the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with the rear lid unlocked or open could cause serious injuries.
● Always drive with the rear lid closed.
WARNING (Continued)
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Loose items could fall out of the ve-
hicle and injure other road users or damage other vehicles.
● Drive particularly carefully and think ahead.
● Avoid sudden manoeuvres and braking given that this could cause an
uncontrolled movement of the open rear lid.
● When transporting objects that protrude out of the luggage compart-
ment, indicate them suitably. Observe legal requirements.
● If objects must project out of the luggage compartment, the rear lid
must never be used to “secure” or “attach” objects.
● If a baggage rack is fitted on the rear lid, it should be removed before
travelling with the rear lid open.
WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior when the rear lid is open. This
could cause loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious
injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle always drive with the rear lid
closed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must drive with the rear lid open,
observe the following to reduce the entry of toxic gases inside the vehi-
cle:
–Close all windows.
– Disable air recirculation mode.
– Open all of the air outlets on the instrument panel.
– Switch on the blower to maximum.
CAUTION
An open rear lid changes the length and height of the vehicle.
99
Transporting
Driving a loaded vehicle
For the best handling when driving a loaded vehicle, note the following:
● Secure all objects ⇒ page 98.
● Accelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a roof carrier system
⇒ page 104.
WARNING
A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the ve-
hicle resulting in an accident with serious consequences.
● Secure loads correctly so they do not move.
● When transporting heavy objects, use suitable ropes or straps.
● Lock the seat backs in vertical position.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data
100Transporting
Loading luggage compartment
Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the luggage compartment and place the
seat backs in a vertical position. Never overload the vehicle. Both the carry-
ing capacity as well as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have ef-
fects on the driving behaviour and braking ability ⇒
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Airbag system ⇒ page 67
● Light ⇒ page 84
● Transporting ⇒ page 97
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 210
WARNING
When the vehicle is not in use or being watched, always lock the doors
and the rear lid to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
● Do not leave children unwatched, especially when the rear lid is open.
Children could climb into the luggage compartment, close the rear lid
from inside and be unable to escape themselves. This could lead to seri-
ous injury or death.
● Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle.
● Never transport people in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can cause serious injury in case
of a sudden manoeuvring or breaking or in case of an accident. This is es-
pecially true when objects are struck by a detonating airbag and fired
through the vehicle interior. To reduce the risks, please note the follow-
ing:
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Always keep equipment and heavy
objects in the luggage compartment.
● Always secure objects with suitable rope or straps so that they can-
not enter the deployment areas around the frontal or side airbags in case
of sudden braking or an accident.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
● Do not place hard, heavy or sharp objects inside the interior, in open
storage compartments, the rear shelf or on the dash panel.
● Remove hard, heavy and sharp objects from clothes and pockets in-
side the vehicle and store securely.
WARNING
The transport of heavy object changes vehicle handling and increases
braking distance. Heavy loads that have not been stored or secured cor-
rectly could cause loss of control and result in serious injury.
● The vehicle handling changes when transporting heavy objects due
to a change in the centre of gravity.
● Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as
possible.
● Store heavy objects in the luggage compartment as far from the rear
axle as possible.
CAUTION
Hard objects on the rear shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating
element in the heated rear window and cause damage.
101
Transporting
Note
The ventilating slits between the heated rear window and the rear shelf
must not be covered so that used air can escape from the vehicle.
Folding and lifting up the rear seat bench backrest
Fig. 67 Rear seat: unlock
button A; red marking
B
The rear seat backrest can be folded forward to extend the luggage com-
partment.
Folding the rear seat backrest forwards
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go or remove it if necessary
⇒ page 48 and store it in a safe place.
● Pull the unlock switch
⇒ Fig. 67 A
forwards whilst simultaneously lift-
ing the rear seat backrest.
● The rear seat backrest is not engaged when the red marking of the but-
ton B
is visible.
● If the rear seat backrest is folded, people (including children) are not
permitted to travel in the rear folded seats. Folding up the rear seat backrest
●
Lift back the backrest of the rear seat and push it firmly into the lock un-
til it clicks securely into place ⇒
.
● The red marking on the unlock button B must not be seen.
● Make sure that the backrest of the rear seat is securely locked in posi-
tion so that the seat belts can provide proper protection in the rear seats.
● If necessary, install and adjust the head restraints again ⇒ page 48.
WARNING
Folding and lifting the backrests of the rear seats carelessly without pay-
ing attention could cause serious injury.
● Never fold or lift the seats while driving.
● Do no trap or damage seat belts when raising the backrest.
● Keep hands, fingers, feet and other limbs away from the range of the
rear seat backrests when folding and lifting them.
● All backrests must engage correctly for the seat belts on the rear
seats to work properly. When the backrest of an occupied seat is not cor-
rectly locked in place, the passenger can be thrust forward with the rear
seat backrest in case of sudden braking, sudden manoeuvres or an acci-
dent.
● A red signal on the button B
warns that the backrest is not engaged.
Always check that the red marking is not visible when the backrest of the
rear seat is in the upright position.
● No seat must be occupied if the backrest of the rear seat is folded or
not correctly engaged.
CAUTION
Before folding the backrest of the rear seat, adjust the front seats so that
the head restraint or backrest do not hit them when it is folded. If necessary,
remove the head restraints ⇒ page 48 and store them safely.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data
102Transporting
Rear shelf*
Fig. 68 In the luggage
compartment: removing
and installing the rear
shelf
You may put light items of clothing on the rear shelf. Check that the rear
view is not limited.
Lifting up the rear shelf
Lift up the rear shelf and secure it into the side locks ⇒ Fig. 68 1
. Check
that it is correctly engaged. To lower the rear shelf, press it until it is re-
leased from the locks.
Removing the shelf
Pull the rear shelf upwards, removing it from the side supports 2
.
Lifting up the rear shelf
Press the rear shelf downwards into the side supports 2
.
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects or animals on the rear shelf
could cause serious injuries in case of a sudden manoeuvre or braking or
even an accident.
● Do not leave hard, heavy or sharp objects (loose or in bags) on the
rear shelf.
● Never transport animals on the rear shelf.
● Never drive with the rear shelf raised. Always lower it or remove it be-
fore the journey.
CAUTION
To prevent the rear shelf from being damaged:
● Always check that the rear shelf is firmly engaged into the side supports.
● Regulate the height of the load in the luggage compartment to ensure
the rear shelf does not press down on the load with the rear lid closed.
Fastening rings*
In the front part of the luggage compartment, there may be fastening rings
to secure the luggage.
In order to use the fastening rings, they must be lifted beforehand.