2012 Seat Mii lock

136Starting, changing gears, parking
WARNING (Continued)
your speed and drive carefully to a Specialised workshop close by to
check the brake system. During the following journey, avoid sudden brak-
ing and manoeuvres.
● If the ABS warning lamp  does not go out or if it lights while driv-
ing, the ABS is malfunctioning. The vehicle can only be stopped using
normal braking without ABS. The protection provided by the ABS is not
available. Visit a specialised workshop as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they appear may result in faults in
the vehicle. 
Handbrake
Fig. 90 Between the
front seats: Handbrake Using the handbrake
●
Pull firmly in an upwards direction on the handbrake lever while press-
ing the button.
● The handbrake is applied when the control lamp  lights up on the in-
strument panel ⇒ page 135 when the ignition is switched on.
Releasing the handbrake
● Pull gently in an upwards direction on the handbrake lever and press the
lock button ⇒ Fig. 90 (arrow).
● Move the handbrake lever downwards keeping the lock button pressed.
WARNING
The incorrect use of the handbrake may result in a serious accident.
● Never use the handbrake to brake the vehicle except in an emergency.
The braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only ap-
plied to the rear wheels. Always use the foot brake.
● Never drive with the handbrake gently applied. This can overheat the
brake, affecting the brakes system. This also causes premature wear on
the rear brake pads.
● Never accelerate from the engine compartment with the engine run-
ning and a gear engaged. The vehicle could move, even if the handbrake
is applied.
Note
If the vehicle moves at a speed superior to 6 km/h (4 mph) with the hand-
brake applied, an audible warning is sounded. 
Parking
When parking your vehicle, all legal requirements should be observed. 

137
Starting, changing gears, parking
To park the vehicle
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
● Park the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒ 
.
● Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill.
● Apply the handbrake firmly ⇒ page 136.
● For an automatic gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
● Switch off the engine and release the brake pedal.
● Remove the key from the ignition.
● If necessary, turn the steering wheel slightly to lock the steering.
● With a manual gearbox, engage the 1st gear on flat ground and slopes,
or even the reverse gear on hills, and release the clutch pedal.
● Ensure that all passengers leave the vehicle, especially children.
● When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with you.
● Locking the vehicle.
Additional information for steep slopes and hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the steering wheel so that if the vehi-
cle should move then it will be held by the kerb.
● On slopes, turn the front wheels so that they are against the edge of the
kerb.
● Uphill, turn the wheels towards the centre of the road.
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach very high temperatures.
This could cause a fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as wood, leaves, spilled
fuel, dried grass, etc).
CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking in areas with high kerbs or
fixed barriers. Objects protruding from the ground may damage the bumper
or other parts of the vehicle during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop be-
fore the wheels touched the barrier or kerb.
● Special attention is required when driving through entrances, over
ramps, kerbs or other objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers, mudguards
and running gear, and the engine and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. 
Information about the brakes
For the first 200 to 300 km (120 to 190 mph), the new brake pads have not
yet reached their maximum braking capacity, and need to be “run in” first
⇒ 
. The slightly reduced braking effect can be compensated for by in-
creasing pressure on the brake pedal. While running in, the full braking dis-
tance or emergency braking distance is larger then when the brake pads
have been run in. While running in, avoid full power braking or situations
requiring braking performance. For example, in heavy traffic.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the condi-
tions in which the vehicle is used and the way the vehicle is driven. If the
vehicle is used frequently in city traffic or for short trips or driven sport style,
visit a Specialised workshop regularly more frequently than advised in the
Maintenance Programme to have the brake pads checked.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in
heavy rainfall or even after washing the vehicle, the effect of the brakes is
lessened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter). At higher
speed, “dry” the brakes as quickly as possible by braking gently several
times. Only do this without endangering vehicles behind you or any other
road users ⇒ 
. 
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140Starting, changing gears, parking
The ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL systems are incorporated into the ESC*. The
ESC* is always on 1)
.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS can prevent the wheels from locking during braking until just before
the vehicle stops thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle and maintain
control. This means that, even during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:
● Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not remove your foot from the
brake pedal or reduce braking force!
● Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce braking force!
● Maintain vehicle direction when braking fully with the brake pedal.
● When the brake pedal is released or when the brake force is reduced,
ABS is turned off.
ABS control can be observed by vibration of the brake pedal and noise. You
should never expect the ABS to reduce the braking distance under any cir-
cumstances. Braking distances will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy and slippery ground.
Brake assist system (BAS)
The brake assist system may reduce the required braking distance. The
brake assist system boosts the braking force if you press the brake pedal
quickly in an emergency. As a result, the braking pressure increases rapidly,
the braking force is multiplied and the braking distance is reduced. This en-
ables the ABS to be activated more quickly and efficiently.
¡Do not lift your foot off the brake pedal! When the brake pedal is released
or when the brake force is reduced, braking assist automatically turns off
the brake servo. Traction control system (ASR) or Traction Control (TC)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control system ASR or TC reduces the
engine torque to match the amount of grip available. The ASR or TC makes
some situations easier, for example, when starting, accelerating or going
uphill, even in unfavourable road conditions.
Electronic differential lock system (EDL)
EDL is available when driving in straight lines under normal conditions.
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes the spinning wheel and directs
the power to the other driven wheel. To prevent the disc brake of the braked
wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to ex-
cessive loads. The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake
has cooled down.
WARNING
Driving at high speed on icy, slippery wet ground can result in loss of ve-
hicle control and serious injury to the driver and passengers.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions. Even though the braking assist systems, ABS, BAS,
EDL, ASR, TC and ESC*, provide more security, do not take unnecessary
risks while driving.
● Braking assist systems can not overcome the laws of physics. Even
with ESC* and other systems, slippery and wet roads will always be dan-
gerous.
● Driving to quickly on wet ground can result in the wheels losing con-
tact with the ground in an effect known as “aquaplaning”. Without ad-
herence, it is impossible to brake, steer or control the vehicle.
● Braking assist systems cannot avoid accidents if, for example, the
driver does not respect safety distances or drives to quickly in difficult
conditions. 
1)
According to version

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. 

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. 

175
At the filling station
Refuelling with natural gas
Fig. 108 Tank flap open:
gas filler mouth 1, filler
mouth retainer 2
Before refuelling, the engine and the ignition, mobile telephone and heat-
ing must be switched off separately
⇒ .
It is also essential to carefully read the instructions for the natural gas
pump.
The vehicle is not prepared for refuelling with liquefied natural gas (LNG)
⇒ 
. Before refuelling with natural gas, make sure to add the appropriate
type of fuel.
Opening the fuel tank cap
The natural gas filler mouth is behind the fuel tank cap, next to the petrol
filler mouth.
● Unlock the vehicle with the key or with the central locking button  situ-
ated on the driver door ⇒ page 36.
● Press on the rear area of the flap and open it. Refuelling
Problem: If the ambient temperature is very high, the natural gas pump pro-
tection against overheating disconnects this automatically.
●
Remove the plug from the gas filler mouth ⇒ Fig. 108 1
.
● Connect the pump filling nozzle to the gas filler mouth.
● The fuel tank will be full when the pump compressor automatically cuts
the supply.
● If you wish to finish refuelling in advance, press the button on the pump
to stop the flow.
Closing the fuel tank flap
● Check that the gas filler mouth retainer 2
is not trapped with the filler
nozzle. If necessary, place it in the filler mouth again.
● Insert the plug in the filler mouth.
● Close the tank flap. Make sure you hear it click into place.
WARNING
Natural gas is a highly explosive, easily flammable substance. Incorrect
handling of the natural gas can cause accidents serious burns and other
injuries.
● Before refuelling with natural gas, the filling mouth must be correctly
engaged. If you can smell gas, stop refuelling immediately.
WARNING
The vehicle is not prepared to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and this
fuel must not be added under any circumstances. Liquefied natural gas
can cause the natural gas tank to explode resulting in serious injury. 
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181
In the engine compartment
WARNING (Continued)
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam or coolant escaping from the
engine compartment. Hot vapours and coolant can cause serious burns.
Always wait until you cannot see or hear the sound of steam or coolant
coming from the engine compartment.
● Always allow the engine to cool down before opening the bonnet.
● Contact with hot elements of the engine and the exhaust system can
cause burns.
● Once the engine has cooled, follow the instructions below before
opening the bonnet:
–Engage the handbrake and place the gear selector lever in P or the
gear stick in neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave
them unsupervised.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised.
Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the engine
is hot. Otherwise, coolant may spray out under pressure causing burns
and serious injury.
–After cooling, carefully and slowly unscrew the cap anticlockwise,
gently pressing down on it.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and
steam using a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them on parts of the engine and
the exhaust system. Spilled liquids could cause a fire.WARNING
The high voltages of the electrical system can give electric shocks as well
as causing burns and serious injury and possibly even death!
● Never cause short circuits in the electrical system. The battery could
explode.
● To minimise the risk of electric shock and serious consequences
while the engine is running or starting the engine, note the following:
–Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
WARNING
In the engine compartment, there are rotating parts that could cause se-
rious injury.
● Never place your hands directly on or near the radiator fan. Touching
the rotor blades could seriously harm you. The ventilator works accord-
ing to the engine temperature and could start suddenly even when the ig-
nition is turned off and the key is removed.
● If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with
the engine running, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk
from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan
etc as well as from the high-voltage ignition system. Always work with
the utmost caution.
–Always make sure that no parts of your body, jewellery, ties, loose
clothing and long hair can be trapped by the rotating parts of the en-
gine. Before any work, remove ties and jewellery ( necklaces, etc), tie
longhair back and tie all items of loose clothing to your body to make
sure that they cannot be trapped by engine components.
– Take extreme caution when operating the accelerator and remain
attentive. The vehicle could move, even if the handbrake is applied.
● Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cloths or
tools, in the engine compartment. If any object is left in the engine com-
partment, this could cause malfunctions, engine faults and even a fire. 
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