2013 Seat Exeo ST stop start

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
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Table of Contents

19
Seat belts
Seat belts
Brief introduction Before driving: remember your seat belt!
Wearing a seat belt properly can save your life!
In this section you will learn the importance of wearing seat belts,
how they work and how to properly fasten, adjust and wear them.
– Read and consider all the information as well as the warnings in
this chapter.
WARNING
● If seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe inju-
ries increases.
● Properly worn seat belts can reduce severe injuries in case of sudden
braking manoeuvres or accidents. For safety reasons, you and all other
vehicle occupants must always wear the seat belts properly while the ve-
hicle is moving.
● Pregnant women or people with physical disabilities must also use
seat belts. Like all other vehicle occupants, these people can also sustain
severe injuries if they are not wearing their seat belts properly.

Number of seats
Your vehicle has five seats, two in the front and three in the rear. Each seat
is equipped with a three-point seat belt. In some versions, your vehicle is approved
only for four seats. Two front
seats and two rear seats.
WARNING
● Never transport more than the permitted amount of people in your ve-
hicle.
● Every vehicle occupant must properly fasten and wear the seat belt
belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an appro-
priate child restraint system.

Seat belt warning lamp* 
The control lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten
the seat belt.
Before starting the vehicle:
– Fasten your seat belt securely.
– Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly be-
fore driving off.
– Protect children by using a child seat according to the child's
height and weight.
After switching on the ignition, the warning lamp  will remain lit until the
driver and front passenger (if applicable) have fastened their seat belts.
When the vehicle has reached a certain speed, you will also hear a warning
signal and the warning light will flash. 
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59
Cockpit
Operating instructions Cockpit
Overview Dash panel overview
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Electric control for exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Air outlets with thumbwheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lever for turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . .124
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Levers and switches for:
– Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
– On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
– Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
– Start-Stop switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
– Warning lamp indicating that front passenger airbag has
been disabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
– Switch for acoustic parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
123456789
1011
12
Drink holder
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Storage compartment
Depending on equipment fitted: Sound system or navigation
system
Lockable glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Switch for heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Thumbwheel for seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Manual gear lever
Cigarette lighter/Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Auxiliary socket
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Storage compartment
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Seat memory* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Bonnet lock release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
– coming home and leaving home: delayed lights off and
anticipated lights on function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
131415
161718192021222324252627282930
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63
Cockpit
Rev counter
The rev counter indicates the number of engine revolutions
per minute.
Fig. 40 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Rev counter
You should select a lower gear if the engine speed drops below 1500 rpm.
The start of the red zone on the dial indicates the maximum engine speed
which may be used when the engine is warm and after it has been run in
properly. Before reaching this zone, a higher gear must be selected or your
foot must be removed from the accelerator.
CAUTION
To prevent possible engine malfunctions, the rev counter needle should not
reach the red zone. The start of the red zone on the dial is different for some
engine versions.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears sooner following the recommended gear in-
dications ⇒ Fig. 51 will help you to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and
also engine noise. Digital clock and date
Your vehicle is equipped with a quartz clock.
Fig. 41 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Digital clock
The time and date are set using the +
and - buttons.
Setting the hour
– Press the MODE
button. The hour display will start to flash.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the hour.
Setting the minutes
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the minutes display flash-
es.
– Use the +
and - buttons to set the minutes.
Setting the date
– Keep pressing the MODE
button until the date display (day)
flashes. 
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65
Cockpit
Speedometer with odometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of the vehicle and the
distance travelled.
Fig. 43 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
Odometer
The distance is normally stated in kilometres (km). On some models, how-
ever, the odometer will show “miles”.
Lower odometer
The lower odometer records the vehicle's total mileage.
Upper odometer (trip recorder)
The upper odometer shows the distance that has been travelled since the
trip recorder was last reset. It is used to measure short trips. The last digit of
the trip recorder indicates distances of 100 metres or one tenths of a mile.
The upper odometer can be reset to zero by pressing the reset button
⇒  Fig. 43. Fault display
If there is a fault in the instrument panel, the letters
DEF will appear perma-
nently in the trip recorder display. Please have the fault repaired as soon as
possible.
Electronic immobiliser
The vehicle key data is consulted when the ignition is switched on.
If an uncoded key is used, the message SAFE* will appear in the trip record-
er display. The vehicle can no longer be started if that happens. 
Fuel reserve
The display only works when the ignition is switched on.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone, the symbol lights up in the in-
strument panel display ⇒ page 83. At this point there are still about 8 to
10 litres of fuel left in the tank. This is your reminder to fill up soon.
You can consult the tank capacity of your vehicle in the ⇒ page 314, Di-
mensions and capacities section.
CAUTION
Never run the tank completely dry. If there is an irregular fuel supply, misfir-
ing can occur. This means that fuel could reach the exhaust system without
burning. This may lead to the catalytic converter reheating and being dam-
aged. 
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70Cockpit
Where a turn signal bulb does not work, either on the trailer or on the tow-
ing vehicle, the turn signal bulb will not flash. 
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) 
The warning lamp monitors the ABS and the integrated elec-
tronic differential lock (EDL).
The control lamp  lights up for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on and while the engine is being started. The lamp goes out again after
the system has run through an automatic test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
● The warning lamp does not light up when the ignition is switched on
● The control lamp does not go out again after a few seconds.
● The control lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving.
The vehicle can still brake in the normal way (except that the ABS control
function is out of action). Please take the vehicle to a specialised workshop
as soon as possible. For further information on the ABS, see ⇒ page 197.
If a malfunction should occur in the ABS, the ESC warning lamp will also
light up.
Entire brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp  lights up together with the brake warning lamp
 ⇒  page 73 (with the handbrake released), this indicates not only a
fault in the ABS function, but probably also a malfunction in the main brake
system ⇒ 
.
The symbol  will light up on the instrument panel if there if a fault in the
brake system. Please refer to ⇒ page 80. Electronic differential lock (EDL) fault
The EDL works in conjunction with the ABS. The ABS control lamp will light
up  to indicate an EDL fault. Please take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop as soon as possible. For further information on the EDL, see
⇒ page 198.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, ob-
serve the warning information in ⇒ page 235, Work in the engine com-
partment.
● If the brake warning lamp  should light up together with the ABS
warning lamp , stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir. If the fluid level has dropped below the "MIN" mark
you must not drive on, as there is a risk of accident. Obtain technical as-
sistance.
● If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may
have been caused by a fault in the ABS control function. As a result, the
rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. Under certain cir-
cumstances, the rear of the vehicle could suddenly sway from side to
side, with the subsequent danger of skidding. Drive carefully to the near-
est specialised workshop and have the fault repaired.

Seat belt warning lamp* 
The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten
the seat belt. After switching on the ignition, the warning lamp  will remain lit until the
driver and front passenger (if applicable) have fastened their seat belts.
When the vehicle has reached a certain speed, you will also hear a warning
signal and the warning light will flash.
For further information on the seat belts, see ⇒ page 24.

71
Cockpit
Turn signals and hazard warning lights  
Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left  or right  turn
signal lamp flashes. Both turn signal lamps will flash when the hazard warn-
ing lights are switched on.
If a turn signal fails, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice as fast as
normal.
This does not apply when towing a trailer. Where a turn signal bulb does not
work, either on the trailer or on the towing vehicle, the turn signal bulb will
not flash. For further information on the turn signals, see ⇒ page 124.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*  / 
There are two control lamps for the electronic stability con-
trol. The  lamp provides information concerning the func-
tion and the  provides information on the disconnection
status
Both lamps come on together when the ignition is switched on and should
go out after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.
This programme includes the ABS, EDL and ASR. This also includes the
brake assistance system (BAS), automatic cleaning of the brake discs and
the trailer stability programme (TSP).
The warning lamp  has the following functions:
● It flashes whilst driving when the ASR/ESC is activated.
● It will light up continuously if there is a fault in the ESC.
● As the ESC operates in conjunction with the ABS, it will also light up if a
fault should occur in the ABS. If the ESC control lamp
 lights up and stays on after the engine is started,
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESC.
In this case the ESC can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and
then on again. If the control lamp goes out, this means the system is fully
functional.
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the ASR is disconnected when pressing the  switch.
Traction control system (ASR)*  / 
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is accelerating
There are two warning lamps for the traction control system:  and . Both
lamps come on together when the ignition is switched on and should go out
after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.
The  lamp has the following function:
● It flashes when the ASR is working if the vehicle is moving.
If the system is deactivated or if it has any fault, the warning lamp will re-
main lit. The warning lamp will also light up if a fault should occur in the
ABS because the ASR operates in conjunction with the ABS. For further in-
formation, see ⇒  page 196.
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the ASR is disconnected when pressing the ASR OFF
switch.
By pressing it again, the ASR function is reactivated and the warning lamp
switched off. 
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72Cockpit
Alternator 
The warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator or in the
vehicle's electrical system.
The control lamp  lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should
switch off after the engine has started.
The alternator is disconnected at very low temperatures and when the en-
gine is cold in order to facilitate starting.
Depending on the external temperature, the warning lamp  might remain
on for up to 5 seconds after the engine has been started. This does not
therefore indicate a fault.
If the warning lamp  lights up when you are driving, you can normally
continue as far as the nearest specialised workshop. However, given that
the battery will be running down, any electrical consumption not absolutely
vital should be switched off.
CAUTION
If the coolant warning lamp  in the instrument panel lights up as well as
the alternator waning lamp while driving ⇒  page 81, stop the vehicle im-
mediately and switch off the engine. In this case the coolant pump is no
longer working, and there is a risk of engine damage. 
Main beam headlights 
The indicator lamp  lights up when the main beams are on or when the
headlight flasher is operated.
For further information on the main beam headlights, see ⇒  page 124.Handbrake 
This lamp lights up when the handbrake is applied.
If you drive faster than 5 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake on, the following
message will appear on the instrument panel display 1)
: HANDBRAKE ON. You
will also hear an acoustic warning signal ⇒ page 79.
Engine management 
This warning lamp monitors the engine management sys-
tem for petrol engines.
The control lamp  (Electronic Power Control) lights up while the function
is being checked.
Note
If the warning lamp lights up while the vehicle is moving, this indicates a
fault in the engine management system. The vehicle must be taken immedi-
ately to a specialised workshop to have the engine serviced. 
Glow plug system 
The control lamp lights up while the glow plugs are preheat-
ing the diesel engine. The control lamp  lights up while the glow plugs are preheating. When
the indicator lamp goes out the engine should be started straight away. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.