2013 Seat Exeo ST brakes

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 10
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Storing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Knee airbag* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Side airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Deactivating airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Securing child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Operating instructions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Warning and indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Driver information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Auto-check system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Speed warning*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Tyre pressure monitoring* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Multifunction steering wheel* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Remote control keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Childproof lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Remote control key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Sliding/tilting sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Rear vision mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Seats and storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Manual adjustment of the front seats . . . . . . . . . 136
Electric adjustment of front seats* . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Lumbar support* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Driver seat memory* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Armrests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Roof rack / roof rails* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Ashtray*, cigarette lighter* and electric sockets* . .155
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Starting and stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Start-Stop function* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Parking aid acoustic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system) . . . . . . . . 184
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Automatic gearbox* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Practical Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Servotronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Economical and environmentally friendly driving 204
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
3
Table of Contents

80Cockpit
Red symbols
A red symbol warns of a danger.
Fig. 55 Display: Coolant
level warning
– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Check the fault. Obtain professional assistance if necessary.

BRAKESBrake fluid required or
brake system fault⇒ page 80

COOLANTCoolant level too low / coolant tempera-
ture too high⇒ page 81

OIL PRES-
SUREEngine oil pressure too low⇒ page 81
The red symbols are used to indicate a Priority 1 fault (serious malfunction). A red symbol is accompanied by
three warning chimes. The symbols will
keep flashing until the faults are corrected. If several Priority 1 faults are de-
tected at the same time, the symbols are displayed one after the other for
about 2 seconds. 
Fault in the brake system 
A fault in the brake system should be repaired as soon as
possible.
If the symbol  flashes in the display, there is a fault in the brake
system. One of the following messages will appear in the display
together with the symbol:
Stop vehicle, check brake fluid and hydraulic fluid levels
Warning! Fault in brake system (ABS) Take vehicle to workshop
– Stop the vehicle.
– Check the brake fluid level ⇒ page 246.
If the ABS fails, the ABS control lamp  will light up together with the brake
system fault symbol  ⇒ 
. 

148Seats and storage
WARNING
The luggage compartment cover should not be used as a storage shelf.
Articles placed on this cover could cause injury to vehicle occupants in an
accident or if the brakes are applied suddenly.

Net partition*
The net partition prevents loose objects in the luggage com-
partment from being thrown forward into the passenger
compartment (e.g. under sudden braking).
Fig. 120 Retainers for
the net partition
Pulling out and securing the net partition
– Pull the net up as far as it will go.
– Engage the ends of the bar in the retainers B

⇒ 
Fig. 120. Using the net partition with the rear backrest folded down
–
Fold down the rear backrests ⇒ page 151.
– Pull the net upwards.
– Engage the ends of the bar in the retainers A
⇒ Fig. 120.
Retracting the net partition
– Unhook the bar from the retainers.
– Let the net retract slowly.
Removing and installing the net partition ⇒ page 149.

181
Driving
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and at the same time press in the re-
lease button ⇒ Fig. 153 (arrow).
– Keep the release button pressed and push the lever all the way
down ⇒ 
.
If you drive by mistake with the handbrake still applied, you will hear a
warning buzzer and the display will show the message: Handbrake on
The handbrake warning switches on after driving for 3 seconds at speeds
above 5 km/h.
The handbrake warning lamp  lights up when the handbrake is applied
with the ignition on.
WARNING
Please note that the handbrake should be released all the way. If the
handbrake is only partially released, this will cause the rear brakes to
overheat, which can impair the function of the brake system and could
lead to an accident.
CAUTION
Once the vehicle has come to a standstill, always apply the handbrake firm-
ly and then, on a manual gearbox, engage a gear, or select P on an auto-
matic. Parking
The following points will ensure there is no risk of the vehi-
cle rolling away accidentally after it is parked:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Switch the ignition off.
– On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear or on an automatic move
the selector lever to P ⇒ 
.
When parking on slopes:
Turn the steering wheel so that the, if the vehicle moves, it will do so to-
wards the curb.
WARNING
● Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehicle when it is
locked. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially
putting lives at risk.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could release
e.g. the handbrake or gear lever, moving the vehicle and causing an acci-
dent.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

196Intelligent technology
Practical Tips
Intelligent technology
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
General Observations
The Electronic Stability Control increases the vehicle's stabil-
ity on the road.
Fig. 164 Centre console
with ESC switch
The ESC is designed to increase the degree of control in situations where
the vehicle approaches the limits of adhesion, especially when accelerating
and cornering. It reduces the risk of skidding and improves stability in all
road conditions. The system is active across the entire speed range. The anti-lock brake system (ABS), the electronic differential lock (EDL) and
the traction control system (ASR) are all integrated into the Electronic Stabil-
ity Control.
How it works
The ESC control unit processes data from the three integrated systems. It al-
so processes additional inputs provided by other high-precision sensors.
These register the vehicle's rotation about the vertical axis (yaw rate), later-
al acceleration, brake pressure and steering wheel angle.
The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the
changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If the desired course is not being
maintained (for instance, if the vehicle is starting to skid), then the ESC
compensates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable
condition. If the vehicle
over swerves (tendency of the rear to leave the
road), the brakes will act on the front wheel facing the outside of the bend.
If the vehicle under swerves (tendency to leave the bend), the braking force
is applied to the rear wheel facing the inside of the bend.
The ESC works in conjunction with the ABS ⇒ page 197. If a malfunction
should occur in the ABS, the ESC will also stop working.
Deactivating
The ESC is activated automatically when the engine is started and performs
a self-test routine.
The ESC cannot be deactivated. 

198Intelligent technology
WARNING
Please remember that the accident risk always increases if you drive too
fast, especially in corners or on a slippery road, or if you follow too close
behind the vehicle in front of you. An increased accident risk cannot be
compensated even by the brake assist system. Risk of accident.

Electronic differential lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock prevents the loss of traction
caused if one wheel starts spinning. General notes
The electronic differential lock (EDL) helps the vehicle to start moving, ac-
celerate and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may other-
wise be difficult or even impossible.
How it works
The EDL works automatically, without the driver's involvement. With the aid
of the ABS sensors, the system monitors the rotational speed of the drive
wheels ⇒ page 197. If a considerable difference in revs is detected (approx.
100 rpm) in the speed of the drive wheels, e.g. when only one part of the
surface supporting the wheels is slippery, the system applies the brake to
slow down the skidding wheel so that more of the power is directed to the
other wheels. The systems works up to a speed of approx. 80 km/h. The
system will make noise while it is working.
Starting the vehicle
If one wheel has less grip and starts spinning (for instance, if one of the
drive wheels is on ice), keep pressing the accelerator gradually until the ve-
hicle starts moving. Overheating of the brakes
To prevent the brake disk of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL
cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. In this case, the vehi-
cle will continue to run and will have the same running properties as those
of another without EDL.
The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled
down.
WARNING
● When accelerating on a uniformly slippery surface (for instance all
four wheels on ice or snow), press the accelerator gradually and careful-
ly. Despite EDL, the drive wheels may otherwise start to spin. This could
impair the vehicle's stability. Risk of accident.
● Even with EDL, you should always adjust your speed to suit the road
and traffic conditions. Do not let the extra safety features tempt you into
taking any risks when driving. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Note
If the ABS warning lamp lights up, this can also mean there is a fault in the
EDL. Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. 
Traction control system (ASR)
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is accelerating. General notes
The traction control system (ASR) is one of the functions incorporated in the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 

199
Intelligent technology
The traction control system (ASR) helps the car to start moving, accelerate
and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be dif-
ficult or even impossible.
How it works
The ASR works automatically, i.e. without the driver's involvement. With the
aid of the ABS sensors , the ASR monitors the speed of the driven wheels
⇒  page 197. If the wheels start to spin, the engine speed is reduced auto-
matically to match the amount of grip available. The system is active across
the entire speed range.
The ASR works in conjunction with the ABS. If a failure occurs in the ABS,
the ASR will also stop working.
In general, the ASR should be left switched on at all times. It should only be
switched off manually in particular circumstances where a certain amount of
wheel slip may be desirable. Examples:
● when driving with snow chains
● when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces
● when rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it.
The ASR should be switched on again afterwards as soon as possible.
Note
To ensure that the ASR works properly, all four wheels must be fitted with
identical tyres. The difference in size of the wheels may lead to an unde-
sired reduction in engine power. Also see ⇒  page 257.Brakes
General notes
New brake pads
New brake pads do not provide optimal performance during the first 200 km
(250 miles); first they must be “run in”. However, the reduced braking ca-
pacity may be compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder.
Avoid overloading the brakes during run-in.
Wear
The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you drive
and the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative factors are, for
instance, city traffic, frequent short trips or hard driving with abrupt starts
and stops.
Wet roads or road salt
In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain, or after washing the vehicle or
driving through water, the full braking effect can be delayed by moisture (or
in winter by ice) on the discs and brake pads. In this case the brakes should
be dried by pressing the brake pedal several times.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if the vehi-
cle is driven for some distance without using the brakes when there is a lot
of salt on the road in winter. In this case, the layer of salt on the brake discs
and pads has to wear off before braking.
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for corrosion to form on the discs and dirt to build
up on the brake pads if the vehicle is used infrequently or the brakes are
not used very often.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if rust has formed on the disks, it is
advisable to clean off the pads and disks by braking firmly a few times at a
moderately high speed ⇒ 
. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

200Intelligent technology
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase suddenly, this may mean that
one of the two brake circuits has failed. Drive immediately to the nearest
specialised workshop and have the fault repaired. Drive there slowly and re-
member that you will have to apply more pressure on the brake pedal and
allow for longer stopping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is too
low. The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
WARNING
Apply the brakes heavily to clean the brake system only in a suitable traf-
fic situation. Be sure not to inconvenience or endanger other road users.
Risk of accident.
CAUTION
● Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your foot on the pedal when it is
not necessary to brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in longer stop-
ping distances and greater wear.
● Before driving down a long, steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce
speed and change to a lower gear (or move the gear lever to a lower gear
position if your vehicle has an automatic gearbox). This makes use of en-
gine braking and prolongs the useful life of the brakes. If you still have to
use the brakes, it is better to brake firmly at intervals than to apply the
brakes continuously.
Note
If you wish to equip the vehicle with accessories such as a front spoiler or
wheel covers, it is important that the flow of air to the front wheels is not
obstructed, otherwise the brakes can overheat. Brake servo
The brake servo assists the driver when braking
The brake servo increases the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. The
brake servo works only when the engine is running.
WARNING
Ensure the vehicle does not move while in neutral, when the engine is
stopped. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Note
If the brake servo is not working, e.g. because the vehicle has to be towed
or because it is broken, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder to make up for the lack of servo assistance. 
Power steering
Power steering makes it easier to turn the steering wheel
when the engine is running. Power steering assists the driver by reducing the force needed to turn the
steering wheel.
Power steering does not work if the engine is off. In this case the steering
wheel requires much more force to turn.
If the steering is held at its turning limit when the vehicle is stationary, this
will place an excessive load on the power steering system. Turning the
steering wheel to its limit places a load on the system, which causes noise.
It will also reduce the idling speed of the engine. 