8Safe driving
The safety equipment mentioned above works together to provide you and
your passengers with the best possible protection in the event of an acci-
dent. However, these safety systems can only be effective if you and your
passengers are sitting in a correct position and use this equipment proper-
ly.
Therefore, information is provided about why this equipment is so impor-
tant, how it protects you, what you have to consider when using it and how
you and your passengers can achieve the greatest possible benefit from the
safety equipment fitted. This manual includes important warnings that you
and your passengers should note in order to reduce the risk of injury.
Safety is everyone's business!
Before starting every trip
The driver is always responsible for the safety of the passen-
gers and the safe operation of the vehicle.
For your own safety and the safety of your passengers, always note
the following points before every trip:
– Make sure that the vehicle's lights and turn signals are working
properly.
– Check tyre pressure.
– Ensure that all windows provide a clear and good view of the
surroundings.
– Make sure all luggage is secured ⇒ page 17.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals. –
Adjust front seat, head restraint and rear vision mirrors properly
according to your size.
– Ensure that the passengers in the rear seats always have the
head restraints in the in-use position ⇒ page 15
– Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to
their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly ap-
plied seat belts ⇒ page 45.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers al-
so to assume a proper sitting position. ⇒ page 10.
– Fasten your seat belt securely. Instruct your passengers also to
fasten their seat belts properly. ⇒ page 20.
What affects driving safety?
Driving safety is largely determined by your driving style
and the personal behaviour of all vehicle occupants.
As a driver, you are responsible for yourself and your passengers.
When your concentration or driving safety is affected by any cir-
cumstance, you endanger yourself as well as others on the road
⇒
, for this reason:
– Always pay attention to traffic and do not get distracted by pas-
sengers or telephone calls.
– Never drive when your driving ability is impaired (e.g. by medi-
cation, alcohol, drugs).
64Controls and displays
When exceeding the maximum speed the following is shown on the display: Winter tyres max speed … km/h … (mph)
Units
The units of measure for temperature, consumption and journey distances
can be set here.
Second speed
The second speed can be activated/deactivated in mph or km/h respective-
ly here.
Inspection Service
Here you can choose to display the kilometres (miles) and days remaining
until the next service, and reset the service interval display.
Factory settings
Select Factory setting to reset the values of the informative display to their
factory settings.
Door, rear lid or bonnet open indicator
If at least one of the doors, rear lid or bonnet is open, a symbol is shown on
the informative display indicating that the door, rear lid or bonnet con-
cerned is open.
An audible warning is also given simultaneously if the vehicle is being driv-
en at a speed of above 6 km/h (4 mph). Auto-check system
Vehicle status
When the ignition is switched on, some vehicle functions such as the condi-
tion of its systems are automatically checked.
The warning messages about eventual faults in addition to other informa-
tion is displayed on the informative display. This information is displayed
together with their respective symbols on the informative display or by
warning lamps that light up on the general instrument panel
⇒ page 65.
The option, Vehicle status, appears in the menu when at least one warning
message is present. The first of the warnings given is displayed upon se-
lecting this option. If there is more than one message present, this is dis-
played on the screen, i.e. 1/3. This means that the warning currently dis- played is the first of a total of three.
Warning symbols
The engine oil pressure is too low⇒ page 67
Automatic gearbox overheated clutches⇒ page 64
Engine oil level,
engine oil sensor faulty⇒ page 67
Engine oil pressure fault⇒ page 65
Automatic gearbox overheated clutches
If the symbol appears on the informative display, the temperature of the
automatic gearbox clutches has reached an unacceptable level.
The informative display indicates:
Gearbox overheated. Stop! Instruction Manual!
66Controls and displays
Engine electronics control (petrol engines)⇒ page 71
Particulate filter (diesel engines)⇒ page 71
Fuel reserve⇒ page 71
Airbag system⇒ page 72
Tyre pressure⇒ page 72
Liquid level in the window washer system⇒ page 73
Turn signals (left/right)⇒ page 73
Fog lights⇒ page 73
Cruise speed⇒ page 73
Selector lever lock⇒ page 73
Main beams⇒ page 73
WARNING
● Failure to observe control lamps and warning messages can result in
serious personal injuries or damage to your vehicle.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Carrying out work in
the engine compartment, i.e. checking and filling service liquids, can
lead to injury, scalding, burns and fires. Therefore the corresponding
warnings must always be observed ⇒ page 173, Engine compartment.
Handbrake
If the
warning lamp lights up, the handbrake is applied. Additionally,
driving the vehicle at speeds exceeding 6 km/h (4 mph) for at least 3 sec-
onds produces an audible warning.
The informative display indicates:
Release the handbrake!
Brake system
The warning lamp lights up if the brake fluid level falls too low or if there
is a fault in the ABS system.
The informative display indicates:
Brake fluid Instruction Manual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and check the level of the brake fluid
⇒ page 181
WARNING
● If the vehicle has to be stopped for technical reasons, park it a safe
distance away from moving traffic, switch off the engine and turn on the
hazard warning lights ⇒ page 98.
● The following indications must be taken into account when opening
the engine compartment to check the brake fluid ⇒ page 173, Engine
compartment.
72Controls and displays
The informative display indicates: Refuel! Fuel range…km...(miles)
Note
The message on the display switches off only after refuelling and carrying
out a short journey.
Airbag system
If the warning lamp is lit up, there is a fault in the airbag system.
The informative display indicates: Airbag fault!
The airbag system availability is controlled electronically, regardless of
whether an airbag is disabled.
If the front airbag, side airbag, head protection airbag or the belt tensioner
are disabled using the diagnostics system:
● After switching on the ignition, the warning lamp lights up for around
4 seconds and flashes for another 12 seconds.
The informative display indicates:
Airbag/belt tensioner disabled! If the front passenger airbag has been disabled with the airbag switch loca-
ted in the storage compartment side:
●
When the ignition is turned on, the warning light switches on for
around 4 seconds.
● The airbag is disabled, signalled with the warning lamp which
lights up with the word placed in the centre part of the
dash panel ⇒ Fig. 24 ⇒ page 44.
WARNING
When there is a fault in the airbag system, have an inspection carried out
by an Authorised Service. Otherwise the airbags may fail to trigger in an
accident.
Tyre pressure monitoring
If the warning lamp lights up, the pressure of a tyre has decreased signif-
icantly. Check and adjust the pressure of all the tyres ⇒ page 187.
If the warning lamp flashes, there is a fault in the system.
Seek professional help.
Further information ⇒ page 192, Tyre pressure.
Note
If the battery is disconnected the warning lamp lights up when the igni-
tion is switched on. This warning lamp must switch off after covering a short
distance.
113
Seats and storage
CAUTION
Make sure sharp objects stored in the luggage compartment cannot not
damage the rear window heating filaments.
Note
Tyre pressure must be adapted to suit the load ⇒ page 188, Tyre useful life.
Luggage compartment light
The light switches on automatically when the rear lid is opened. The light
switches off automatically 10 seconds after the rear lid has been opened.
Category N1 vehicles
Category N1 vehicles with no protection grille must use a retaining set com-
pliant with Standard EN 12195 (1 – 4) to secure the load. Retaining elements
Fig. 76 Luggage com-
partment: Retaining ele-
ments
The following retaining elements are fitted in the luggage compartment
⇒ Fig. 76.
Rings to secure the load and the retaining nets.
Rings used solely for the retaining nets.
CAUTION
The rings support a maximum load of 3.5 kN (350 kg).
Note
The front ring B is below the folding backrest of the rear seats
⇒ Fig. 76.
A
B
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
140Driving
● Vehicle modifications (e.g. to the engine, brakes, frame or a combina-
tion of wheels and tyres) could impair the brake assist systems
⇒ page 195, Accessories, modifications and spare parts.
● In the event of a fault in the ABS system, the ESC, ASR and EDL are
switched off automatically. A fault in the ABS is indicated by the
⇒ page 70 warning lamp.
Brakes
Wear
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends on the driving style and on the
way in which the vehicle is used. The brake pads will wear more quickly if
you use your vehicle frequently in urban traffic and short trips or drive in a
sporty style. Under these demanding conditions, visit your specialised serv-
ice, even before the scheduled service date, so that the thickness of the
brake pads can be measured.
Wet roads or road salt
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have been
gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal. Dry the brakes
as soon as possible by braking repeatedly.
Corrosion
Long periods of inactivity and little use can lead to rust on the brake discs
and dirt on the brake pads. Where the brake system is subjected to light
stress or in the case of corrosion, clean the brake discs by braking fully sev-
eral times at a high speed.
Brake system fault
If you notice that the braking distance suddenly increases and the brake
pedal can be pressed down more fully, there may be a fault in the brake sys-
tem. Visit a specialised service immediately and adjust your driving style to
the extent of the damage and to limit the effect of the brakes. Low brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid could cause faults in the brake system. The brake flu-
id level is controlled electronically
⇒ page 66, Brake system .
Brake servo
The brake servo supplements the pressure you exert on the brake pedal.
The brake servo only works when the engine is running.
Handbrake
Fig. 103 Centre console:
handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and press the unlock button
at the same time ⇒ Fig. 103.
– Keep the button pressed down and push the lever all the way
down.
157
Driving and the environment
Make less short journeys
Fig. 113 Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km
(miles) at different tem-
peratures
In short journeys fuel consumption quantity is incomparably high.
Therefore we recommend avoiding journeys of less than 4 km (2
miles) when the engine is cold. Immediately after starting, a cold engine consumes the maximum amount
of fuel. After driving approximately one kilometre (0.62 miles), consumption
drops approximately 10 litres per 100 km (62 miles). Consumption returns
to normal only after the engine and the catalytic converter have reached op-
erating temperature.
In this context, this is also determined by the outside temperature. Fuel
consumption is different for the same journey, as shown once at +20 °C
(+68 °F) and again at -10 °C (+14 °F) ⇒ Fig. 113. Your vehicle will consume
more fuel in winter than in summer. Maintain correct tyre pressure
Maintaining correct tyre pressure saves fuel.
Always maintain correct tyre pressure. Insufficiently tyre pressure increases
rolling resistance. This leads not only to increased fuel consumption, but al-
so tyre wear and deteriorated vehicle behaviour.
Always check the tyre pressure when the tyre is
cold.
Do not carry unnecessary loads
Transporting unnecessary loads also consumes fuel.
Every additional kilo of weight increases fuel consumption. Check for un-
necessary objects in the luggage compartment.
The weight of the vehicle considerably influences fuel consumption, espe-
cially in urban traffic where frequent acceleration is required. As a general
rule, every 100 kg of weight increases consumption by approximately 1 litre
per 100 km (62 miles).
Your vehicle consumes almost 10% more fuel than the normal amount at a
speed of 100 – 120 km/h (62 – 75 mph) when a roof carrier without a load
is fitted.
Save electrical energy
An electrical current is generated with help from the alternator when the en-
gine is running. The more electrical devices there are connected to the on-
board network, the larger the quantity of fuel is required for the alternator
service. This is why electrical devices should be disconnected when they
are not required.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
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