198Driving and the environment
Environmental friendliness
Environmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of materials
and manufacture of your new SEAT.
Constructive measures to encourage recycling
●Joints and connections designed for easy dismantling
● Modular construction to facilitate dismantling
● Increased use of single-grade materials
● Plastic parts and elastomers are marked in accordance with ISO 1043,
ISO 11469 and ISO 1629
Choice of materials
● Use of recycled materials.
● Use of compatible plastics in the same part if its components are not
easily separated.
● Use of recycled materials and/or materials originating from renewable
sources.
● Reduction of volatile components, including odour, in plastic materials.
● Use of CFC-free coolants.
Ban on heavy metals, with the exceptions dictated by law (Annex II of ELV
Directive 2000/53/EC): cadmium, lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium.
Manufacturing methods
● Reduction of the quantity of thinner in the protective wax for cavities.
● Use of plastic film as protection during vehicle transport.
● Use of solvent-free adhesives.
● Use of CFC-free coolants in cooling systems.
● Recycling and energy recovery of residues (RDF).
● Improvement in the quality of waste water. ●
Use of systems for the recovery of residual heat (thermal recovery, en-
thalpy wheels, etc.).
● The use of water-soluble paints
Driving abroad Observations
To drive abroad, the following must be taken into consideration:
● For vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter ensure that unleaded petrol
is available for the journey. See the chapter “Refuelling”. Automobile organ-
isations will have information about service station networks selling unlea-
ded fuel.
● In some countries, it is possible that your vehicle model is not sold, and
therefore spare parts are not available or the Technical Services can only
carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information about the
technical preparations that you vehicle requires and also about necessary
maintenance and repair possibilities.
Adhesive strips for headlights
If you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or
vice versa, the asymmetric dipped beam headlights will dazzle oncoming
traffic.
To prevent dazzling, you must apply stickers to certain parts of the head-
light lenses. Further information is available at your Technical Service.
199
Driving and the environment
In vehicles with adaptive headlights, the rotation system must previously be
disconnected. To do this, please go to a specialised workshop.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
201
Trailer towing
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted drawbar
load on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified
limit.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your vehicle, and adjust for “full load” condi-
tions (refer to the sticker listing the tyre pressures on the door pillar). It may
also be necessary to adjust the tyre pressures on the trailer according to the
recommendations of the trailer manufacturer.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the
standard mirrors. If this is not the case you should have additional mirrors
fitted. The two exterior mirrors should be fitted on folding arms. Adjust the
mirrors to give sufficient rear vision.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, check the headlight beam settings with the trailer
hitched up. If necessary, alter the height of the headlight beams by means
of the headlight range control. See ⇒ page 119.
Power supply
When you remove the ignition key, the power supply to the trailer is inter-
rupted.
Removable ball joint coupling
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket are equipped with a removable
ball joint coupling. This is stored in the spare wheel well in the luggage
compartment together with the necessary fitting instructions.
Note
If you frequently tow, we recommend you also have the vehicle serviced be-
tween services. Notes on towing
Towing a trailer involves additional attention by the driver.
Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slow to allow
for the unbalanced weight distribution.
Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed.
Therefore, it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed in
unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This especially applies
when driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slight-
est sign of swaying. Never try to stabilise the trailer by accelerating.
Anticipate hazards and brake in good time. If towing a trailer with an inertia
brake, first brake gently and then harder. This will prevent brake tapping by
the trailer wheels when they lock. Select a low gear in due course before go-
ing down a steep downhill. This enables you to use the engine braking to
slow down the vehicle.
Swaying and pitching can be reduced by stabiliser aids. We recommend
having stabiliser aids installed when towing trailers with a high trailer
weight. They can be purchased and installed at a Technical Service.
Reheating
When climbing long hills in hot weather with the engine running fast in low
gear, you should keep an eye on the coolant temperature gauge ⇒ page 60.
Reduce speed immediately if the needle moves to the right end of the scale.
If the temperature warning lamp in the instrument panel should start
flashing, stop the vehicle and let the engine cool down by running it at
idling speed for a few minutes.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
265
If and when
Preparation
● Switch off the ignition, lights and all electrical equipment.
● Open the corresponding fuse box ⇒ page 264.
Identifying a blown fuse
A fuse is blown if its metal strip is ruptured ⇒ Fig. 190.
Point a lamp at the fuse. This will make it easier to see if the fuse is blown.
To replace a fuse
● Remove the fuse.
● Replace the blown fuse by one with an identical amperage rating (same
colour and markings) and identical size ⇒
.
● Replace the cover again or close the fuse box lid.
CAUTION
If you replace a fuse with higher-rating fuse, you could cause damage to an-
other part of the electrical system.
Bulbs
General information
You can change the following bulbs for exterior lights yourself:
● Main headlights: all bulbs (except xenon headlights)
● Tail lights: all bulbs
● Side turn signal bulb
The following bulbs can only be changed by a specialised workshop:●
Main headlights: Xenon* bulb ⇒ page 272
● Front fog lights: Bulb
As a rule, you require a certain degree of practical skill to change defective
bulbs. This applies in particular to those bulbs which are only accessible
from the engine compartment.
If in doubt, we recommend that you have defective bulbs changed by a spe-
cialised workshop or qualified mechanic.
If you do decide to change bulbs in the engine compartment yourself, be
aware of the safety risks involved ⇒ page 227 ⇒
in Types of bulbs on
page 266.
The name of many of the lamps fitted by SEAT ends in "LL". This means Long
Life. These lamps are used for functions with a long service time (dipped
beam, side lights, daylight driving, etc.). This does not apply to lamps with
a shorter service time (turn signals, etc.). A lamp with the same name ex-
cept for the last two letters, "LL“ or “SLL”, is compatible, but will have a
service life of approximately half of the LongLife lamps.
When replacing lamp bulbs, the same type of bulb as originally fitted
should always be used where possible.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
266If and when
Changing bulbs. Halogen headlights
Types of bulbs
You must only replace a bulb with a bulb of the same type. The name can be
found on the base of the bulb holder.
BulbTypeDipped beam headlights (halogen)12 V/55 W (H7 LL)Main beam headlights12 V/55 W (H1)Turn signal12 V/21 W (PY21W)Side lights12 V/5 W (W5W LL)
WARNING
● Take particular care when working on components in the engine com-
partment if the engine is warm. Risk of burns.
● Bulbs are highly sensitive to pressure. The glass can break when you
touch the bulb, causing injury.
● The high voltage element of gas discharge bulbs* (xenon light) must
be handled correctly. Otherwise, there is a risk of death.
● When changing bulbs, please take care not to injure yourself on sharp
parts in the headlight housing.
CAUTION
● Remove the ignition key before working on the electric system. Other-
wise, a short circuit could occur.
● Switch off the lights or parking lights before you change a bulb.
For the sake of the environment
Please ask your specialist retailer how to dispose of used bulbs in the prop-
er manner.
Note
● Depending on weather conditions (cold or wet), the front lights, the fog
lights, the tail lights and the turn signals may be temporarily misted. This
has no influence on the useful life of the lighting system. By switching on
the lights, the area through which the beam of light is projected will quickly
be demisted. However, the edges may continue to be misted.
● Please check at regular intervals that all lighting (especially the exterior
lighting) on your vehicle is functioning properly. This is not only in the inter-
est of your own safety, but also in that of all other road users.
● Before changing a bulb, make sure you have the correct new bulb.
● Do not touch the glass part of the bulb with your bare hands, use a cloth
or paper towel instead. Otherwise, the fingerprints left on the glass will va-
porise as a result of the heat generated by the bulb, they will be deposited
on the reflector and will impair its surface.
268If and when
Halogen headlight bulbs
Fig. 193 Halogen bulbs
Main beam headlights
Side lights
Dipped beam headlights
Side lights
Turn signal
A
BCDE
Changing the turn signal bulb
The procedure for changing the bulb is the same on both
sides of the vehicle.
Fig. 194 Turn signal
bulb
– Switch off the ignition and the lights.
– Raise the bonnet.
– Turn the bulb holder anticlockwise, pulling it by the grip
⇒ Fig. 194 and removing the bulb holder and the bulb.
– Replace the blown bulb in the bulb holder (press and turn anti-
clockwise to remove) with a new bulb (press and turn clockwise
to insert).
– Installation involves all of the above steps in reverse sequence.
– Check whether the new bulb is working.
269
If and when
Note
Although it is not necessary, previously remove the rigid cover ⇒ Fig. 197
for easier turn signal bulb changes.
Changing the main headlight bulb
The procedure for changing the bulb is the same on both
sides of the vehicle.
Fig. 195 Main beam
headlights
Fig. 196 Main beam
headlights
– Switch off the ignition and the lights.
– Raise the bonnet.
– Pull up on the rubber cover A
⇒ Fig. 195 to remove it.
– Remove connector ⇒ Fig. 196 1
from the bulb.
– Press the spring ⇒ Fig. 196 2
inwards and to the right.
– Remove the bulb. pulling it from the connection terminal and
fitting fit the replacement so that it sits correctly in the cut-out
on the reflector. To ensure correct lighting, the filament must be
vertical. When changing the bulb, you can check the position of
the bulb through the headlight glass.
– Installation is in reverse order, ensuring that the rubber cover is
well fitted to the housing.
– Check whether the new bulb is working.
– Have the headlight settings checked as soon as possible.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
270If and when
Changing the dipped beam headlight bulb
The procedure for changing the bulb is the same on both
sides of the vehicle.
Fig. 197 Dipped beam
headlights
Fig. 198 Dipped beam
headlights
– Switch off the ignition and the lights. –
Raise the bonnet.
– Move the brace ⇒ Fig. 197 1
in the direction of the arrow and
remove the rigid cover, separating the brace side and then re-
moving the two tabs from the other end of the cover.
– Pull the connector ⇒ Fig. 198 2
from the bulb.
– Unclip the retainer spring ⇒ Fig. 198 3
pressing inwards to the
right.
– Remove the bulb and fit the new one in the headlight casing
with the tab upwards, starting to position it from below.
– Clip on the spring, raising it and pressing it slightly while turn-
ing it anticlockwise. To ensure correct lighting, the filament
must be vertical. When changing the bulb, you can check the
position of the bulb through the headlight glass.
– Connect the connector to the bulb.
– Fit the cover, first inserting the side tabs and then closing the
cover and the brace. Make sure that the gasket sits well on the
casing cover during the operation.
– Check whether the new bulb is working.
– Have the headlight settings checked as soon as possible.