124Lights and visibility
Interior light switched on
–Move switch A
to position I.
Interior light switched off
– Move switch A
to position O.
Front reading lights
– Press one of the switches B
to turn the left and right reading
lights on and off.
Glove compartment light
– Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side. The
glove compartment light will come on automatically if the side
lights or headlights are switched on, and will go out again
when the glove compartment is closed.
Footwell* and door lighting
– This is switched on when the doors are opened and off when
they are closed.
If the switch is in the courtesy light position, the interior light comes on au-
tomatically when the vehicle is unlocked or the doors are opened. The light
also comes on when the key is pulled out of the ignition. The light turns off
about 30 seconds after closing the doors. The interior light is switched off
immediately when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is switched on.
If a door is left open, the light is switched off after about 10 minutes to pre-
vent the battery from running flat.
The brightness of the lights is automatically adjusted by a dimmer when
they are switched on. Ambient lighting*
The ambient lighting illuminates a number of important
controls.
Fig. 93 Detail of headlin-
er: Ambient lighting
The lights in the door handles come on automatically when the ignition is
switched on.
The lighting above the windscreen* also comes on when the side lights or
headlights are switched on. The centre console is illuminated from above.
The ambient lighting* cannot be switched off manually.
138Seats and storage
system when the vehicle is being driven temporarily by a different driver
whose settings do not need to be stored in the memory.
Note
You can also use the remote control to call up the stored settings
⇒ page 139.
Storing settings
The STOP button must be in its down position (pressed in) before
you can store the desired settings.
– Adjust the driver seat as required ⇒ page 135.
– Adjust both exterior mirrors ⇒ page 131.
– Press and hold the MEMO
button. At the same time, press one
of the memory buttons for at least a second.
– Release both buttons. The setting is now stored on the selected
memory button.
Any new setting selected automatically cancels the existing setting stored
on the memory button. It is best to begin with memory button No. 1 for the
first driver and then assign the other memory buttons to each subsequent
driver.
The seat and mirror positions are stored when the vehicle is locked with the
remote control and are assigned to the remote control key. The exterior mir-
rors adjust automatically to the previous position when you unlock the vehi-
cle; the driver seat adjusts automatically when you open the driver door.
However, this does not delete the settings stored in memory buttons 1 to 4.
These settings can be enabled at any time. Activating settings
Stored settings can be recalled using either the memory but-
tons or the remote control (remote control key).
Using the memory buttons
– If the driver door is open, press the desired memory button
briefly.
– If the driver door is closed, press and hold down the appropri-
ate memory button until the seat and exterior mirrors reach
their programmed positions.
Using the remote control
– Unlock the vehicle using the remote control and open the driver
door within the next ten minutes.
The seat adjustment will have to be called up using the memory buttons if
the driver door is not opened within 10 minutes after unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control.
WARNING
● For safety reasons, the seat must only be adjusted when the vehicle
is at a standstill. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
● In an emergency, the memory function can be stopped at any time by
pressing the STOP button or by briefly pressing any of the memory but-
tons.
139
Seats and storage
Assigning remote control keys
The key must be assigned to a memory button so that the
positions stored in the memory can also be recalled using
the remote control key. Assigning the remote control key to a memory button
– Using the memory button, recall the settings that are to be pro-
grammed onto the key.
– Keeping the memory button pressed down, press the unlock
button on the remote control key within 10 seconds.
– Wait for about 2 seconds before releasing the memory button.
Deleting assignment of the remote control key to the memory
button
– Press and hold the MEMO
button and press the unlock button
on the remote control key within 10 seconds.
– Wait for about 2 seconds before releasing the MEMO
button.
The previous settings are automatically cancelled when the keys are re-as-
signed to different memory buttons. Head restraints
Front head restraints
In combination with properly worn seat belts, the head re-
straints offer effective protection, provided they are properly
adjusted to suit the height of the occupant.
Fig. 110 Front seats:
Head restraints
Raising the head restraint
– Take hold of the sides of the head restraint with both hands.
– Pull up the head restraint.
Lowering the head restraint
– Press button A
and lower the head restraint.
Removing the head restraints
– Pull the head restraint up as far as it will go.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
143
Seats and storage
Extending the luggage compartment
The two sections of the backrest can be folded forwards ei-
ther together or separately to increase the capacity of the
luggage compartment.
Fig. 115 Backrest re-
lease lever
Folding the backrest forwards
– Press the release lever A
⇒ Fig. 115 in the direction indicated
by the arrow.
– Fold down the backrest.
Returning the backrest to its upright position
– Push the backrest up until it engages securely ⇒
. The red
marking on the tab B should no longer be visible when the
backrest is properly secured.
WARNING
● Make sure that the rear backrest is securely locked in position so that
the seat belt can provide proper protection on the centre rear seat.
● The rear backrest must always be securely latched so that objects
stored in the luggage compartment will not fly forward through the inte-
rior during sudden braking.
CAUTION
When returning the backrest to an upright position, make sure that the seat
belts for the outer rear seats are in their guides, so that they cannot be
caught up and damaged in the catches for the backrest.
Rear shelf
The rear shelf behind the rear seat backrest can be used to
store light items of clothing.
WARNING
Do not store any heavy or hard objects on the rear shelf. These could
cause injury if the brakes are applied suddenly.
CAUTION
Please note that hard objects could chafe against the wires of the heating
element in the rear window and cause damage.
Note
Make sure that the slots between the rear window and the rear shelf are
kept clear to ensure unimpaired ventilation.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
150Seats and storage
Note
The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge.
230 volt socket for Europlug*
Electrical equipment can also be connected to the 230 volt
socket in the centre console.
Fig. 125 Centre console:
230 volt socket
The 230 Volt socket can only be used when the engine is running
⇒
.
In vehicles with folding cover:
– Hold the cover of the socket at the lower recess.
– Lift the cover to open ⇒
Fig. 125. Inserting the Europlug
–
Insert the Europlug in the socket. The childproof safety device
on the socket is deactivated.
– If necessary, press the Europlug as far as possible into the sock-
et to ensure it is correctly inserted and will not jump out of
place while driving over a bump or similar.
LED warning lamp above socket
Steady green
light:The childproof lock is unlocked. The socket is ready for
use
Flashing red
light:There is a fault, for example, disconnection due to ex-
cess current or temperature
Equipment which may be connected
The 230 volt socket can be used to connect electrical equipment with a Eu-
roplug. Please note that the power consumption in this socket must not ex-
ceed 150 watts (peaks of 300 watts).
Even when more than one appliance is connected, the total consumption of
all the appliances must not exceed 150 watts. If necessary, please refer to
the manufacturer's label to confirm the power consumption of the connec-
ted equipment.
All connected appliances should be in perfect working order without any
faults.
152Seats and storage
● In some countries this socket is 115 volts. Therefore the socket should
have a different inverter installed at the factory. You can obtain retrofit kits
from your Technical Service. Do not connect 115 Volt appliances to the
230 Volt socket.
● The use of electrical equipment in the vicinity of the aerial in the rear
window may cause interference to the reception of stations broadcasting in
AM.
Compartments Overview
There are several storage compartments at various points in
the vehicle.
Your vehicle has the following storage compartments:
First-aid kit* Emergency triangle* Glove compartment⇒ page 152Storage compartment in the centre console On-board documentation compartment* Compartments in the door trims⇒ page 153Coat hooks⇒ page 153Rear shelf⇒ page 143Side storage compartment in luggage com-
partment
Some of the compartments listed are only provided in certain models or are
optional extras. Glove compartment
The lockable glove compartment is equipped with a light.
Fig. 126 Glove compart-
ment
Opening the glove compartment
– Pull the handle on the lid in the direction indicated (arrow)
⇒ Fig. 126 and open the lid.
Closing the glove compartment
– Close the lid and push it in until it engages.
If the side lights or headlights are switched on, the light in the glove com-
partment comes on when it is opened.
The lid has separate holders for a pen and a note pad.
WARNING
For safety reasons, the glove compartment must always be closed when
the vehicle is moving. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
166Driving
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) contains the electronic differential lock
(EDL) and the traction control system (ASR). The ESC works together with
the ABS. If a fault in the ABS occurs, both warning lamps light up, but if the
ESC fails, only the ESC warning lamp lights up.
The ESC system is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESC system is always active and cannot be switched off. The ESC switch
only switches the ASR off.
The ASR can be deactivated when wheel spin is desirable.
For example:
● When driving with snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
● When the vehicle is stuck, to rock it backwards and forwards.
Press the button to switch the ASR back on when you no longer need wheel
spin.
Situations in which the warning lamp lights
●
On switching the ignition on, it lights up for about two seconds to carry
out a function control.
● The warning lamp will start flashing when the vehicle is moving if the
ESC or the ASR is activated.
● It will light up continuously if there is a fault in the ESC.
WARNING
● Do not forget that the Electronic stability control ESC cannot defy the
laws of physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and
wet roads and when towing a trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. The greater safety provided by the ESC should not
encourage you to run any risks.
● Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESC in
⇒ page 188, Intelligent technology.
Ignition lock Ignition key positions
The ignition key is used to start and stop the engine.
Fig. 135 Ignition key po-
sitions
167
Driving
Position 1
The ignition key is inserted in this position. To
engage the steering wheel
lock, take out the key and turn the wheel until you hear the pin engage. You
should always engage the steering lock when you leave the vehicle. This
will help to deter thefts ⇒
.
Switching on the ignition/pre-heating glow plugs 2
If the key is difficult to turn in the lock, move the steering wheel (to take the
load off the steering lock mechanism) until the key turns freely. In the case
of vehicles with a diesel engine, the key is turned to this position to preheat
the glow plugs.
Starting the engine 3
The engine is started in this position. Electrical components with a high
power consumption are switched off temporarily.
After the engine has started, the ignition key returns to position 2
by itself.
The ignition key has to be turned back to position 1
before re-starting the
engine. The starter inhibitor in the ignition lock prevents the starter motor
from engaging when the engine is running, as this could cause damage.
Switching off the ignition 1
Turn the ignition key to this position.
WARNING
● Never remove the ignition key until the vehicle is stationary! Other-
wise the steering lock could engage suddenly, which could cause an acci-
dent.
● Always take the key with you when leaving the vehicle, even if you
only intend to be gone for a short time. This is particularly important if
there are children in the vehicle, as they might otherwise be able to start
the engine or use power-operated equipment (e.g. the electric windows),
which could cause injuries.
Note
● If the battery has been disconnected and then reconnected, it will be
necessary to leave the key in position 2
for about 5 seconds before start-
ing the engine.
● Vehicles with automatic gearbox: After switching off the ignition, you
can only remove the ignition key if the selector lever is in position “P” (park-
ing lock). The selector lever is locked after the ignition key has been re-
moved.
Starting and stopping the engine Starting the engine
The engine can only be started with an original SEAT key.
Fig. 136 Ignition key po-
sitions
Vehicles with a petrol engine:
– Apply the foot brake.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications