2012 Seat Mii check engine light

20Instrument panel
Type of mes-
sageSymbol
colourMeanings
Priority 1
warning.Red
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audible warnings.
 Stop the vehicle! It is dangerous ⇒ 
!
Check the function that is faulty and repair it. If
necessary, request assistance from specialised
personnel.
Priority 2
warning.Yellow
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audible warnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below the
correct levels may cause damage to the vehi-
cle! ⇒ 
Check the faulty function as soon as possible.
If necessary, request assistance from special-
ised personnel.
Odometer
The odometer registers the total distance travelled by the vehicle.
The odometer (trip) shows the distance travelled since the last odometer re- set. The last figure indicates 100 m.
Outside temperature indicator
When the outside temperature is below +4 °C (+39 °F), the symbol “ice crys-
tal” (warning of risk of freezing) is also displayed next to the temperature.
At first this symbol flashes and then it remains lit until the outside tempera-
ture rises above +6 °C (+43 °F) ⇒ 
.
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the tempera-
ture displayed may be slightly higher than the actual outside temperature
as a result of heat coming from the engine.
The temperatures measured range from -40 °C to +50 °C (-40 °F to +122 °F). Selector lever positions
The range of engaged gears of the selector lever is shown on the side of the
lever, and on the instrument panel display. In positions
D and M, and with
the Tiptronic, the corresponding gear is also indicated on the display.
Recommended gear* (manual gearbox)
The recommended gear to save fuel can be displayed on the instrument
panel display while you are driving ⇒ page 124.
Seat belt status display for rear seats *
The seat belt status display on the instrument panel display informs the
driver, when the ignition is switched on, whether any passengers in the rear
seats have fastened their seat belts ⇒ page 57.
Start-Stop system status display
The instrument panel display shows information on the current status
⇒ page 160.
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.
● A faulty vehicle represents a risk of accident for the driver and for oth-
er road users. If necessary, switch on the hazard warning lamps and put
out the warning triangle to advise other drivers.
● Park the vehicle away from the traffic, ensuring that there are no easi-
ly inflammable materials under the vehicle which could come into contact
with the exhaust system (e.g. dry grass, fuel). 

25
Before starting the engine
Prior to a journey... Before starting the engine
Tips for driving
Introduction
Depending upon how you expect to use your vehicle, it may a good idea to
protect the engine from below. A guard underneath the engine may help to
reduce the risk of damage to the lower part of the vehicle and the oil sump
when driving over kerbs, or along dirt tracks or rough roads... Before instal-
lation, SEAT recommends going to a SEAT dealership.
Additional information and warnings:
● Ensure you are correctly seated ⇒ page 48
● Transporting ⇒ page 97
● Starting, changing gears, parking ⇒ page 119
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 144
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 233
WARNING
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics
may result in severe accidents and even loss of life.
● Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics may significantly alter per-
ception, affect reaction times and safety while driving, which could result
in the loss of control of the vehicle.
 Journey preparations and safe driving
Check list
For your own safety, for the safety of vehicle occupants in the vehicle, and
for that of other road users, the following should be checked before and
during each journey
⇒ 
:
¥ Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
¥ Check the tyre pressures (
⇒ page 210) and level of fuel
(⇒ page 171).
¥ Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
¥ Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in
the luggage compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are se-
curely fastened
⇒ page 97.
¥ Ensure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot ped-
als.
¥ Use child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight
and height
⇒ page 76.
¥ Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit
your height
⇒ page 48, ⇒ page 95.
¥ Wear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the
pedals correctly.
¥ The driver's floor mat in the footwell should be fixed to the floor,
leaving the pedal area unobstructed.
¥ Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in
this position throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers
in the vehicle
⇒ page 48. 
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

91
Lights and visibility
Window wash/wipe system
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Exterior detail ⇒ page 6
● Air recirculation mode ⇒ page 164
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 180
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 197
WARNING
Water from the windscreen washer water bottle may freeze on the wind-
screen if it does not contain enough anti-freeze, reducing forward visibili-
ty.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer contains enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the ventilation system. The anti-
freeze could freeze on the windscreen and reduce visibility.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the windscreen wipers for the first time. In cold weather,
it may help to leave the vehicle parked with the windscreen wipers in serv-
ice position ⇒  page 93. Windscreen wiper lever
Fig. 60 Using the wind-
screen wipers
Fig. 61 Using the rear
window wipers

Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

93
Lights and visibility
Windscreen wipers service position
Fig. 62 Windscreen wip-
ers in service position
The wiper arms can be raised when the wipers are in service position
⇒  Fig. 62. To place the windscreen wipers in the service position, proceed
as follows:
● The bonnet must be closed
⇒ page 180.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever downwards briefly
⇒ Fig. 60 4
.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. When the ignition is switched
on, the windscreen wiper arms return to their initial position upon activating
the windscreen wiper lever.
Lifting and returning windscreen wiper arms
● Place the windscreen wiper arms in the service position
⇒ 
.
● Only hold the windscreen wiper arms at the point where the blade is
fixed.
CAUTION
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the windscreen wiper arms, only
leave them in the service position.
● Before driving, always lower the windscreen wiper arms. 
Checking and topping up the windscreen washer bottle
with water
Fig. 63 In the engine
compartment: wind-
screen washer bottle top
Check the water level in the windscreen washer bottle regularly and top up
as required.
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 180.
● The washer bottle is marked with the symbol  on the lid ⇒ Fig. 63.
● Check there is enough water in the bottle. 
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

125
Starting, changing gears, parking
Warning and control lamps
If lit upPossible causeSolution

(red)Fault in the automatic gear-
box.
 Do not drive on!
Seek professional advice. Fail-
ure to do so could result in
considerable damage to the
transmission ⇒ page 132.

(yellow)
In the automatic gearbox
the gears can engage incor-
rectly.
Switch the ignition on and off.
When the control lamp does
not light up, find the nearest
specialised workshop and
have the automatic gearbox
checked.
The automatic gearbox
overheats temporarily.
Let the transmission cool with
the gearbox lever in the posi-
tion . When the control lamp
does not light up, find the
nearest specialised workshop
and have the automatic gear-
box checked.
If lit upPossible causeSolution

Place the automatic gear-
box lever in the position 
and do not press the brake
pedal.Press the brake pedal to select
a gear range.
Together with the yellow
control lamp for the temper-
ature of the transmission
: the automatic gearbox
overheats.
Press brake pedal and let the
transmission cool. Avoid
pressing the accelerator.
When the control lamp does
not light up, find the nearest
specialised workshop and
have the automatic gearbox
checked.
Together with the turn sig-
nal display in the instru-
ment panel display: the au-
tomatic gearbox lever is not
in the position , indication
to start the engine.
Move the gearbox lever to the
position  and start the en-
gine. 
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

126Starting, changing gears, parking
If
flash- ingPossible causeSolution

An automatic gearbox in the
vehicle does not guarantee
that the vehicle will not roll
away.
Apply the handbrake.

In the instrument panel dis-
play, in addition to the control
lamp requesting the brake
pedal to be pressed : Indica-
tion to start the engine.
Move the gearbox lever to the po-
sition  and start the engine.
On the instrument panel dis-
play: Whilst driving in a for-
ward direction, try to move the
automatic gearbox lever to the
position .Stop the vehicle and move the
gearbox lever to the position  in
order to subsequently change to
the position .
On the instrument panel dis-
play: The automatic gearbox
lever was placed in the posi-
tion  or , but the brake pedal
was not pressed.Press the brake pedal, move the
gearbox lever to the position ,
and subsequently to the required
position  or .
When switching on the ignition some warning and control lamps light up for
a short time to check the operations. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. 

132Starting, changing gears, parking
Automatic gearbox malfunction
Back-up programme
When automatic gearbox warning and control lamps light up on the instru-
ment panel, there may be a system malfunction ⇒ page 124. In the event of
some faults the automatic gearbox functions using a backup programme.
When the backup programme is activated, it is possible to drive the vehicle,
however, at low speeds and within a selected range of gears.
With the manual gearbox, in some cases it is not possible to drive with all
the gears.
In all cases the automatic gearbox must be checked at a specialised work-
shop.
Automatic gearbox overheating
The automatic gearbox can overheat with a prolonged start up, or when
stopping and starting continuously. This overheating is displayed with a
warning lamp  in the instrument panel. Additionally, an audible warning
can be heard. Stop and let the gearbox cool ⇒ 
.
The vehicle moves forward or back despite having selected a gear range
When the vehicle does not move in the required direction, the system may
not have the gear range correctly engaged. Press the brake pedal and en-
gage the gear range again. If the vehicle still does not move in the required
direction, there is a system malfunction. Seek specialist assistance and
have the system checked.
CAUTION
● When the gearbox is displayed as overheating for the first time, the vehi-
cle must be parked safely or must be driven at a speed of more than 20 km/
h (12 mph).
● When the warning lamp lights up and the audible warning is sounded,
the vehicle must be parked safely and the engine switched off. Let the gear-
box cool down.
● To prevent damage to the gearbox, driving must only be continued when
the warning lamps are no longer lit up. While the gearbox is overheated,
starting up and driving at walking speed should be avoided. 
Recommended gear display
In some vehicles, the recommended gear for reducing fuel consumption is
displayed on the instrument panel display:
DisplayMeaning
Optimum gear.
Recommendation to change up a gear.
Recommendation to change down a gear.
WARNING
The recommended gear display is intended as a guideline only; it should
never replace the driver's attention to driving carefully.
● Responsibility for selecting the correct gear for each situation contin-
ues to lie with the driver, for example when overtaking or climbing a hill. 

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. 