2012 Seat Toledo trailer

161
Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Driving the vehicle with a trailer Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Technical requirements
If your vehicle has a factory-fitted towing bracket or is equipped with a se-
lection of SEAT Original Accessories, it meets all the relevant technical and
legal requirements.
In vehicles with a towing bracket it is possible to remove the ball joint, situ-
ated (together with the special assembly instructions) in the housing for the
spare wheel in the vehicle luggage compartment ⇒ page 198, Vehicle tool
kit*.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power socket for the electrical connec-
tion between the trailer and the vehicle. If the trailer you are going to use
has a 7-pin connector, the corresponding adaptor, acquired from the SEAT
Original Accessories Catalogue, can be used.
If a towing bracket is to be retro-fitted to the car, it must be done according
to the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer.
Note
Any queries that may arise can be directed to an authorised SEAT dealer. 
Trailer weight
Trailer weight
The combined vehicle and trailer must be balanced. To do so use the maxi-
mum permitted towing bracket load. An insufficient weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball joint of the towing bracket will have a negative
impact upon the response of the vehicle-trailer assembly on the road.
Weight distribution
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the axle as
possible. Ensure that the objects do not move.
If the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer loaded then the load distribu-
tion is incorrect. However, if these conditions cannot be avoided, drive very
slowly.
Tyre pressure values
Correct the tyre pressure in your vehicle to “total load” ⇒ 
page 188, Tyre
useful life.
Trailer weight
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight under any circumstances
⇒  page 226, Description of the data.
The trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m
above sea level. Due to a lower air density the engine power decreases de-
pending on the increase in altitude, this also causes the climbing ability to
decrease, which requires a reduction of the weight of the vehicle with a
trailer by 10 % for every 1000 m increase in altitude. The weight of the as-
sembly is calculated by adding the vehicle weight (loaded) to the trailer
weight (loaded). Always drive with special care when towing a trailer.
The towed load and support load information that is displayed on the tow-
ing bracket manufacturers label are only values for the verification of the
device. The correct figures for your specific vehicle, which are usually lower
than these figures, are given in the documentation of your vehicle. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

162Driving the vehicle with a trailer
WARNING
● Exceeding the maximum established load per axle and the maximum
towing bracket load in addition to the maximum permitted load or the
load of the vehicle + trailer assembly can cause accidents and serious in-
juries.
● A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the
vehicle + trailer assembly, resulting in accidents and serious injuries.

Towing a trailer
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the
standard rear vision mirrors. If this is not the case, you should have addi-
tional exterior mirrors fitted. Observe the relevant statutory requirements of
the country you are in.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, also check the headlight beam settings with the
trailer hitched up. Adjust the headlight range settings if necessary
⇒ page 96, Range control of main lights .
Driving speed
For your own safety do not drive faster than the maximum permitted speed
indicated on the trailer.
At all times, immediately reduce speed if you detect the slightest swaying
movement of the trailer. Never try to “return the trailer to a straight posi-
tion” by accelerating.
Brakes
Brake in due course! If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakes
gently at first and then, firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can be caused by locking of trailer wheels. Change to a lower gear in good time be-
fore descending a slope in order to take advantage of the engine brake.
The trailer is incorporated into the vehicle anti-theft alarm system.
●
When the vehicle has a factory-fitted anti-theft alarm and a towing
bracket
● When the trailer is electrically connected to the vehicle via the towing
bracket socket
● When the vehicle electrical device and the towing bracket are operation-
al
● When the vehicle is locked and the vehicle anti-theft alarm device is ac-
tivated
Once the electrical connection is interrupted with the vehicle trailer locked,
the alarm sounds.
Always switch off the vehicle anti-theft alarm device before connecting or
disconnecting a trailer. The vehicle anti-theft alarm device could cause the
alarm to sound ⇒ page 88, Anti-theft alarm system.
Engine overheating
In the event that the coolant temperature gauge needle moves to the right
section of the scale or to the red area, immediately reduce speed. If the con-
trol lamp  flashes on the general instrument panel, stop the vehicle and
switch off the engine. Wait several minutes and check the coolant level in
the tank ⇒ page 179.
Please observe the following indications ⇒ page 68, Coolant level and tem-
perature .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating. 

163
Driving the vehicle with a trailer
WARNING
● Adjust your speed to suit the road and traffic conditions.
● An electrical installation that is connected incorrectly or by non-spe-
cialised personnel can prevent the connection of the current to the trailer
and cause faults in the electrical system operation throughout the entire
vehicle, leading to accidents and serious injury.
● All electrical work must be carried out only by the specialised serv-
ices.
● Never directly connect the trailer electrical device to the electrical
sockets of the reverse driving lights or other sources of electrical current.
CAUTION
● Avoid corners, and sudden and sharp braking.
● Once the trailing arm has been removed, place the corresponding cover
on the hole of the fastening point. This prevents dirt from entering the hole
– see the trailer system assembly manual.
Note
● In the event of frequent journeys with a trailer, we recommend also hav-
ing the vehicle inspected in-between the service intervals.
● When connecting and disconnecting the trailer, the handbrake must be
applied.
● For technical reasons, trailers with LED reverse lights cannot be incorpo-
rated into the vehicle anti-theft alarm system. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

178Checking and refilling levels
Oil level in area A
–
Do not top up oil.
Oil level in area B
–
Oil can be topped up. After topping up the oil level could be in
area A.
Oil level in area C
–
Oil must be topped up. After topping up the oil level should be
in area B.
It is normal for the engine to consume a certain amount of oil. Depending
on how you drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is used, oil con-
sumption can be up to 0.5 litres per 1000 km (621 miles). Oil consumption
can also be higher for the first 5000 km (3000 miles).
You should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, ideally every
time you fill the tank or before setting off on a long trip.
When the engine is working hard, for instance during sustained motorway
cruising in summer, when towing a trailer or caravan or climbing on moun-
tain passes, the oil level should preferably be kept within area A
, but no
higher.
A warning lamp will appear on the instrument panel ⇒ page 67, Engine oil
 if the oil level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as pos-
sible. Top up with the required amount of oil.
CAUTION
● The oil level must never exceed area A ⇒ Fig. 118. Risk of damage to
the exhaust system!
● If the engine oil cannot be topped up under the given conditions,  do
not drive on! Stop the engine and seek the professional assistance of an Of-
ficial Service, as this could cause serious damage to the engine. Topping up engine oil
–
Check the engine oil level ⇒ page 177, Checking the engine oil
level.
– Unscrew the cap from the filler opening.
– Put in the specified grade of oil 0.5 litres at a time ⇒ page 176.
– Check the oil level ⇒ page 177.
– Replace the oil filler cap carefully and push the dipstick all the
way in. 
Changing engine oil
Engine oil must be changed with the frequency indicated in the Mainte-
nance Programme or according to the service interval indicator ⇒ page 57.
CAUTION
Do not mix engine oil with additives. Risk of damage to the engine! Damage
caused by these products is not covered by the warranty.
Note
Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil. 

199
Self-help
WARNING (Continued)
● Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed.
● Never place parts of your body, e.g. arms and legs, underneath the
vehicle when supported only by the jack.
● Secure the base of the jack with suitable supports so that it cannot
slip. The jack could slide if the ground below it is soft and slippery and
the vehicle could slip off it. Therefore, place the jack on a firm surface or
use a large, stable base. On a slippery surface, e.g. tiles, use a non-slip
base such as a rubber mat.
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. Risk of injury.
● The jack should only be used in the correct jacking points.
CAUTION
● The prescribed tightening torque for wheel bolts on steel and alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.
● If the anti-theft wheel bolt is overly tightened, this could damage the
bolt and the adapter
Note
● The set of anti-theft wheel bolts or the adapter are available from au-
thorised SEAT dealers.
● Please observe the relevant local legal regulations when changing the
wheel. 
Preparation work
Some preparation is required before changing a wheel:
– If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from moving traffic. The surface must be horizontal.–
All vehicle occupants should leave the vehicle . Vehicle occu-
pants should waiting in a safe place, e.g. behind the roadside
crash barrier) while the wheel is being changed.
– Switch off the ignition and engage neutral or move the selector
lever on the automatic gearbox to position P.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– If towing a trailer, unhitch it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 198 and the spare wheel
⇒ page 198 out of the luggage compartment. 
Changing a wheel
If possible, change the wheel on a level surface.
– Pull off the hub cap ⇒ page 191 or the wheel bolt covers
⇒ page 191.
– First loosen the anti-theft wheel bolts and then the other wheel
bolts ⇒ page 200.
– Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is no longer
touching the ground ⇒ page 201.
– Remove the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface
(cloth, paper, etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Lift the spare wheel into position and tighten the wheel bolts
lightly. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

204Self-help
Before using the tyre repair kit
The following jobs must be performed before using the tyre repair
kit:
–If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle well away from moving
traffic. Stop on flat, solid ground.
– All vehicle occupants should leave the vehicle. Vehicle occu-
pants should waiting in a safe place, e.g. behind the roadside
crash barrier) while the wheel is being changed.
– Switch off the ignition and engage neutral or move the selector
lever on the automatic gearbox to position P.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Check whether the tyre can be repaired using the tyre repair kit
⇒ page 202.
– If towing a trailer, unhitch it.
– Take the tyre repair kit out of the luggage compartment.
– Fix the sticker 2
⇒ Fig. 135 ⇒ 
page 203 onto the dash panel
where the driver will see it.
– Do not remove the foreign body, e.g. bolts or nails, from the
tyre.
– Unscrew the tyre valve cap.
– Using the valve extractor 1
, unscrew the valve insert and place
it onto a clean surface (cloth, paper, etc.) Filling and inflating the tyre
Filling the tyre
–
Shake the tyre sealant can 10
⇒ Fig. 135 ⇒ page 203 thorough-
ly several times.
– Attach the flexible filling hose 3
onto the can 10. The foil seal-
ing the can will be automatically pierced.
– Remove the cap from the flexible filling hose 3
and insert the
open end as far as it will go into the tyre valve.
– Hold the can 10
upside down and fill the complete contents of
the can into the tyre.
– Remove the empty can from the tyre.
– Screw the valve insert back into the tyre valve using the valve
extractor 1
.
Inflating the tyre
– Screw the tyre filling hose 5
⇒ Fig. 135 ⇒ page 203 firmly onto
the tyre valve.
– Make sure that the bleed screw 7
is closed.
– Start the vehicle engine and leave it running.
– Plug the connector 9
into the 12-volt power socket.
– Turn the air compressor on with the switch 8
.
– Leave the air compressor running until the tyre pressure has
reached 2.0 - 2.5 bar. Max. operating time for the compressor is
8 minutes ⇒ 
! 

208Self-help
road. If the vehicle is towed with the rear wheels lifted off the road
the automatic gearbox will be damaged!
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a towbar. A towrope
should only be used if you do not have a towbar.
Follow the instructions below when towing a vehicle:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move or on vehi-
cles with automatic gearbox press the accelerator carefully.
– On vehicles with manual gearbox, the towrope must be taut be-
fore driving off.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h (31 mph).
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the steering wheel
lock is not engaged and the turn signals, horn and windscreen
wipers and washers can be used.
– Put the gear lever in neutral or move the selector lever to posi-
tion N (automatic gearbox).
The brake servo and power steering only work when the engine is
running. Considerably more effort is required on the brake pedal
and steering wheel when the engine is switched off.
Ensure the towrope remains taut at all times when towing.
CAUTION
● Do not tow-start the engine. Risk of engine damage! In vehicles with a
catalytic converter, unburnt fuel could reach the catalytic converter and
catch fire in it. This could damage and destroy the catalytic converter. Use
the battery from another vehicle for help in starting the engine ⇒ page 206,
Starting the engine.
● If, due to a fault, there is no oil in the gearbox, the car may only be tow-
ed with the driven wheels lifted clear of the road and transported on a spe-
cial vehicle transporter or trailer.
● If normal towing is not possible or if the vehicle is to be towed for further
than 50 km (31 miles), the vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle
transporter or trailer.
● The towrope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both ve-
hicles during towing. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre
or similar material only.
● Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and always take care to
avoid jerking the towrope. When towing on a loose surface there is always a
risk of overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
● Attach the towrope or towbar only to the towline anchorages or to the
removable towing bracket ⇒  page 161, or ⇒ page 209.
Note
● We recommend you use the towrope or towbar available in the SEAT
Original Accessories programme from authorised SEAT dealers.
● Towing a vehicle requires some experience. Both drivers should be fa-
miliar with the technique required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should
not attempt to tow away another vehicle or to have their vehicle towed.
● Note the legal regulations concerning towing, particularly those regard-
ing the signalling of the towed and towing vehicle.
● The towrope must not be twisted, as under certain circumstances this
could unscrew the front towline anchorage. 

227
Description of the data
Vehicle identification data on the data sticker
Fig. 167 Data sticker
Fig. 168 Type plate
Vehicle data sticker
The vehicle data sticker ⇒ Fig. 167 is located on the luggage compartment
floor and is also attached to the Service Plan.
The following information is provided on the vehicle data sticker:
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Vehicle model
Identifying letters of the gearbox/number of the original paint finish/In-
terior equipment number/engine power/engine identifying letter
1
23
Partial description of the vehicle
Weight in running order
Fuel consumption (in litres per/100 km (miles)) – urban/on the motor-
way/combined
Combined CO
2 emissions (g/km (miles))
Type plate
The type plate ⇒ Fig. 168 is located at the bottom of the front driver side
door pillar between the front and rear door.
The type plate indicates the following weights:
Total permitted weight of the vehicle when loaded
Maximum authorised weight of the vehicle with a trailer, when the vehi-
cle operates as a tractor
Maximum permitted load of the front axle
Maximum permitted load of the rear axle
Weight in running order
The weight in running order only has one approximate value. This value cor-
responds to the minimum operative weight of the vehicle without additional
equipment that increases its weight, i.e. air conditioning, spare wheel, tow-
ing bracket.
The weight in running order also includes 75 kg of the weight of the driver
and the service liquids, in addition to a fuel tank at 90 % capacity.
From the difference between the total permitted weight in running order the
approximate carrying capacity can be calculated ⇒ 
.
The carrying capacity must include:
● occupants
● all pieces of equipment and other weights
● roof loads incl. roof rack 
4
56
7
89
1011
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications