2012 Seat Mii ignition

147
Starting, changing gears, parking
Steering Introduction
The power steering* is not hydraulic but electromechanical. The advantage
of this steering system is that it disposes of hydraulic tubes, hydraulic oil,
the pump, filter and other components. The electromechanical system
saves fuel. While a hydraulic system requires oil pressure to be maintained,
electromechanical steering only requires energy when the steering wheel is
turned.
With the electromechanical steering system, the power steering function au-
tomatically adjusts according to the vehicle speed, the steering torque and
the wheel turning angle. The electromechanical steering only works when
the engine is running.
Additional information and warnings:
● Start and stop the engine ⇒ page 119
● Vehicle battery ⇒ page 193
● Tow-starting and towing away ⇒ page 276
WARNING
If the power steering is not working then the steering wheel is much
more difficult to turn and the vehicle more difficult to control.
● The power steering only works when the engine is running.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering may lock and it will not be possible to turn the steering wheel.
 Control and warning lamps
lights upPossible causeSolution

(red)Electromechanical steering
faulty.The steering system should be
checked by a Specialised
workshop as soon as possible.

(yellow)Electromechanical steering
operation reduced.
The steering system should be
checked by a Specialised
workshop as soon as possible.
If, after restarting the engine
and driving for a short dis-
tance, the yellow warning light
no longer comes on, it will not
be necessary to take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop.
flashesPossible causeSolution

(red)Fault in the steering column
electronic lock. Do not drive on!
Seek professional advice.

(yellow)
Steering column deviation.Gently turn the steering wheel
to and fro.
Steering wheel not un-
locked or locked.
Remove the key from the igni-
tion and then switch the igni-
tion back on. If necessary,
check the messages displayed
on the instrument panel dis-
play.
Do not drive on, if the steering
column remains locked after
the ignition has been switched
on. You should obtain profes-
sional assistance. 
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148Starting, changing gears, parking
Several warning and control lamps light up for a few seconds when the igni-
tion is switched on while a test of the function is being carried out. They will
switch off after a few seconds.
WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle may stall in traffic, or may
cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they appear may result in faults in
the vehicle. 
Information on the steering
To prevent theft, we recommend you lock the steering before leaving the ve-
hicle.
Mechanical steering lock
Lock the steering column by removing the key from the ignition when the
vehicle is stopped.
Please engage steering lockUnlocking the steeringParking the vehicle ⇒ page 134.Insert the key in the ignition lock.Remove the ignition key from the ig-
nition.Turn the steering wheel slightly to
release the steering lock.
Turn the steering wheel slightly until
you hear the steering lock.Hold the steering wheel in this posi-
tion and switch on the ignition.
Electromechanical steering
With the electromechanical steering system, the power steering function au-
tomatically adjusts according to the vehicle speed, the steering torque and
the wheel turning angle. The electromechanical steering only works when
the engine is running.
You should remember that you will need considerably more power than nor-
mal to steer the vehicle if the power steering is not working correctly or not
at all. 

150Driver assistance systems
Parking distance warning system
Fig. 93 Parking distance
warning system sensors
on the rear bumper
The 3 sensors of the parking distance warning system are situated on the
rear bumper ⇒ Fig. 93. Switching the parking distance warning system on and off
● Switching on: With the ignition switched on, select reverse gear. A short
audible warning confirms that the parking distance warning system is
switched on and functioning.
● Switching off: release reverse gear.
Things to note on the parking distance warning system
● The parking distance warning system sometimes registers water on the
sensors as an obstacle.
● If the distance does not change, the warning signal will sound less loud-
ly after a few seconds. If the continuous signal sounds, the volume will re-
main constant. ●
When the vehicle moves away from the obstacle, the beeping sound au-
tomatically switches off. On approaching the obstacle again, the beeping
sound will automatically switch back on.
● Your SEAT dealership can adjust the volume of the warning signals.
Note
A fault in the parking distance warning system is indicated through a brief
audible warning that is constant for about 3 seconds when switching on for
the first time. Check the parking distance warning system at a Specialised
workshop as soon as possible. 
Optical parking system* (OPS)
Fig. 94 On-screen OPS
display: A an obstacle
has been detected in the
collision zone. B
an ob-
stacle has been detected
in the segment. C
zone
recorded behind the vehi-
cle
The optical parking system is an extension of the parking distance warning
system ⇒ page 150. On the screen of the SEAT Portable System (supplied by SEAT) the area be-
hind the vehicle is shown registered by the sensors. Any obstacles are dis-
play in relation to the vehicle ⇒ 
. 

156Driver assistance systems
Note
If the City Safety Assist function activates a brake, the brake pedal range is
reduced. This makes the brake pedal seem “harder”.
Note
Automatic brake intervention by the City Safety Assist function can be can-
celled by pressing the clutch pedal, the accelerator pedal or by a corrective
intervention.
Note
During the automatic braking by the City Safety Assist function you may
hear unusual noises. This is normal and is produced in the brakes system. 
Warning and control lamps
The City Safety Assist function is switched on every time the ignition is
switched on. No special indication is produced.
If the City Safety Assist function is switched off, functions or there is an error
in the system, this will be shown by a control lamp on the instrument panel
display.
lights upPossible cause ⇒ Solution
 
The City Safety Assist func-
tion has been switched on
manually using the button  
⇒ Fig. 98.
The control lamp turns off after
about 5 seconds.
flashesPossible cause ⇒ Solution

fast: The City Safety Assist
system function brakes auto-
matically or has braked auto-
matically.Control lamp turns off automati-
cally.
slow: City Safety Assist func-
tion is not currently available.
If the vehicle is stopped, switch
off the engine and switch it on
again. If necessary, inspect the
laser sensor (dirt, frozen) ⇒ 
in Laser sensor on page 157. If
it still does not function, refer to
a Specialised workshop to have
the system inspected.


within the operating area of
5-30– km/h (3-19 mph): The
City Safety Assist function
has been switched off man-
ually using the button  
⇒ 
Fig. 98.
Switch on the City Safety Assist
function manually using the but-
ton  
⇒ Fig. 98.
Several warning and control lamps light up for a few seconds when the igni-
tion is switched on while a test of the function is being carried out. They will
switch off after a few seconds.
WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle may stall in traffic, or may
cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they appear may result in faults in
the vehicle. 

161
Driver assistance systems
flashesPossible causeSolution
The Start-Stop system is not
available.Contact a Specialised
workshop.
Some warning and control lamps will light up briefly when the ignition is
switched on to check certain functions. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.
WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored when they light up, the vehicle may
stall in traffic and cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle at the next opportunity.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps when they light up may result in damage
to the vehicle. Start-Stop system
Fig. 101 At the top of
the centre console: Start-
Stop system button
With the Start-Stop system enabled, the engine is automatically stopped
when the vehicle is at a standstill. It will start again automatically as re-
quired.
This function remains enabled while the ignition is switched on. The instru-
ment panel display shows information on the current status ⇒ page 160.
Disconnect the Start-Stop system by hand whenever crossing water.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
● When the vehicle is stopped, put it into neutral and release the clutch
pedal. The engine will stop.
● To restart, simply engage the clutch. 
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171
At the filling station
At the filling station Refuelling
Introduction
The fuel tank plug is on the rear right of the vehicle.
Additional information and warnings:
● Exterior detail ⇒ page 6
● Fuel ⇒ page 177
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 180
WARNING
Refuelling or handling fuel carelessly can cause an explosion or fire re-
sulting in serious burns and injuries.
● Always make sure that you correctly close the fuel tank flap to avoid
evaporation and fuel spillage.
● Fuels are highly explosive and inflammable substances that can
cause serious burns and injuries.
● Fuel could leak out or be spilt if the engine is not switched off or if the
filler fuel nozzle is not fully inserted into the tank filler mouth when refu-
elling. This could lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries.
● When refuelling, turn off the engine and turn off the ignition for safe-
ty reasons.
● Always turn off mobile telephones, radio system apparatus and other
radio wave emitting equipment before refuelling. Electromagnetic waves
could cause sparks and lead to a fire.
WARNING (Continued)
● Never enter the vehicle while refuelling. If it is absolutely necessary
to enter the vehicle, close the door and touch a metal surface before
touching the filler nozzle again. This will prevent the generation of static
electricity. Sparks could cause a fire when refuelling.
● Never handle fuel close to open flames, sparks or objects with slow
combustion (e.g. cigarettes).
● Avoid static electricity and electro-magnetic radiation when refuel-
ling.
● Observe the safety regulations of the service station.
● Never spill fuel on the vehicle or in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
For safety reasons, SEAT does not recommend carrying a spare fuel canis-
ter in the vehicle. Fuel could be spilled and catch fire, above all in case of
an accident and this applies to a full container as well as empty contain-
ers. This could lead to explosions, fires and injuries.
● Observe the following if you exceptionally have to carry fuel in a can-
ister:
–Never place a fuel container, to fill it, inside the vehicle or on the
vehicle, for example, in the luggage compartment. Filling in these cir-
cumstances could create an electrostatic charge and spark that could
ignite fuel fumes.
– Always place the canister on the ground to fill it.
– Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as possi-
ble. 
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173
At the filling station
lights upGauge position
⇒ Fig. 105Possible cause ⇒ Solution
 a)Red mark (ar-
row)The fuel tank is almost
empty.
The reserve tank is being
used ⇒ page 290.Refuel as soon as
possible ⇒ .
–The vehicle is running in
natural gas operating
mode.–
a)This only applies to vehicles with the fuel gauge on the instrument panel ⇒ Fig. 105.
flashes
for about 10 sec- ondsState of the barsPossible cause ⇒ Solution
 and
the seg-
ments re-
maining a)Reserve zone
(four small seg- ments)The fuel tank is almost
empty.
The reserve tank is being
used ⇒ page 290.Refuel as soon as
possible ⇒ .
–The vehicle is running in
natural gas operating
mode.–
a)This only applies to vehicles with the fuel gauge on the instrument panel display.
Several warning and control lamps light up for a few seconds when the igni-
tion is switched on while a test of the function is being carried out. They will
switch off after a few seconds.
In natural gas engines
The warning lamp  lights up when both fuel types (petrol and natural gas)
have reached reserve level.
The warning lamp  lights up when the vehicle is running in natural gas op-
erating mode. The warning lamp 
switches off when the natural gas is exhausted. The
engine changes to operate with petrol.
Problem: If the vehicle is left parked for a long time immediately after refuel-
ling, the gas level indicator does not accurately indicate the same level
shown after refuelling when the vehicle is started up again. This is not due
to a leak in the system, but to a drop in pressure in the gas tank for techni-
cal reasons after a cooling phase immediately after refuelling.
WARNING
Driving with insufficient fuel reserve could result in the vehicle breaking
down in traffic and a serious accident.
● If the fuel level is too low then the fuel supply to the engine can be-
come irregular especially on slopes.
● If the engine “is choked” or stalls due to lack of or irregularity of the
fuel supply, the power steering as well as all of the driver assistance sys-
tems including braking assistance will stop working.
● Always refuel when there is only one quarter of the fuel tank left to
avoid running out of fuel.
CAUTION
● Always pay attention to any lit lamps and to the corresponding descrip-
tions and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply may lead
to ignition faults and unburnt fuel could enter the exhaust system. This
could damage the catalytic converter.
Note
The arrow next to the fuel pump symbol on the instrument panel ⇒ Fig. 105
indicates the side of the vehicle on which the fuel tank plug is located. 
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174At the filling station
Refuelling with petrol
Fig. 107 Open fuel tank
flap with tank plug at-
tached to the holder
Before refuelling, always turn off the engine, the ignition, mobile tele-
phones, auxiliary heating and keep them off during refuelling.
Opening the fuel tank flap
● The fuel tank plug is at the rear of the vehicle on the right.
● Pull the rear zone of the fuel tank flap to open.
● Unfold the key shaft if necessary
⇒ page 28.
● Insert the vehicle key into the lock cylinder of the fuel tank plug and turn
the key in an anticlockwise direction.
● Take out the fuel tank plug by turning it in an anticlockwise direction
and rest it on the upper part of the fuel tank flap ⇒ Fig. 107.
Refuelling
The correct petrol type for the vehicle is located on a sticker inside the fuel
tank flap ⇒ page 177. ●
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly, it will switch itself off
as soon as the fuel tank is full ⇒ 
.
● Do not continue to refuel if it is turned off! Otherwise, this will fill the ex-
pansion chamber and fuel may leak out if the ambient conditions are warm.
Closing the fuel tank flap
● Screw on the fuel tank filler plug in a clockwise direction until it is fully
inserted with a click.
● Insert the vehicle key into the lock cylinder of the fuel tank plug, turn the
key in a clockwise direction and remove the key.
● Press the tank flap until it clicks into place. The fuel tank flap must be
flush with the body contour.
WARNING
Do not continue refuelling once the fuel nozzle has switched itself off.
The fuel tank may be filled too much. As a result, fuel may spurt out and
spill. This could lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries.
CAUTION
● Always remove any fuel spilled anywhere on the vehicle to avoid dam-
age to the wheel housing, the tyre and vehicle paintwork.
For the sake of the environment
Fuels can contaminate the environment. Collect any spilt service fluids and
allow a professional to dispose of them. 