159
Driving
Stopping briefly
– If stopping for a short time, keep the vehicle stationary by
pressing the foot brake hard to prevent the vehicle moving
backwards on a slope or “creeping” forwards, e.g. at traffic
lights. The selector lever does not need to be put into the posi-
tions P or N.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking
– Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a
standstill ⇒
.
– Apply the handbrake.
– By pressing the lock button down, move the selector lever to P
and release the lock button.
Driving up and down hills
– Press the selector lever from position “D” to the right into the
tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever back to change down.
Holding the car on a hill
– The brake must be always pressed down to prevent the vehicle
from “rolling backwards” ⇒
. Do not try to prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards by increasing the engine speed while a
range of gears is selected.
Starting the vehicle up hills
– Apply the handbrake. –
With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time,
release the handbrake.
The steeper the slope, the lower the needed gear. This increases the brak-
ing effect of the engine. For example, when driving down a very steep slope
in third gear. If the engine brake effect is not enough, the vehicle will speed
up. The automatic gearbox automatically changes up to prevent the engine
over-revving. Use the foot brake to reduce speed and change into 3rd gear
using Tiptronic* ⇒
.
Your vehicle has an automatic interlock which prevents the selector lever
from being put into a position for driving forwards or in reverse from posi-
tions P or N if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The ignition key cannot be removed unless the selector lever is in position
P.
Control lamp “Pressing brake pedal”
When the warning lamp next to the selector lever lights up, press the brake
pedal. This is necessary when the automatic gearbox selector lever is
moved out of positions P or N. A text message or instructions to perform
necessary operations may appear on the instrument panel.
WARNING
● As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is run-
ning and a gear range is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while
the engine is running, you must apply the parking brake and put the se-
lector lever in position P.
● If the engine is running and D or R are engaged, you will need to hold
vehicle stopped by depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle would keep
on creeping forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted
even when the engine is idling.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
161
Driving
Changing gear in tiptronic mode
– Press the selector lever from position D to the right into the tip-
tronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever forward + to change up into high
gears.
– Lightly press the selector lever backwards - to change down into
low gears.
Changing gear with the steering wheel paddle levers*
– Press the right paddle lever +
towards the steering wheel to
change up ⇒ Fig. 120.
– Press the left paddle lever -
towards the steering wheel to
change down ⇒ Fig. 120.
Using the paddle levers on the steering wheel, you can access manual driv-
ing mode regardless of the pre-selected driving mode.
General information about driving in tiptronic mode
When accelerating, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox goes
into a higher gear a little before the engine reaches its maximum permitted
revolutions.
If a lower gear is selected, the automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox
will only change down when the engine cannot go over its maximum permit-
ted revolutions.
If tiptronic is selected whilst the vehicle is in motion and the automatic
gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox is in third gear and selector lever position
D, tiptronic mode will then also be in third gear. Changing gears in the normal or sport programme using the steering wheel
paddle levers
If the paddle levers
⇒ Fig. 120 are used in the normal or sport programme,
the system switches temporarily to tiptronic mode. To exit “tiptronic” mode
again, press the right paddle lever +
towards the steering wheel for approx-
imately one second. You will also leave tiptronic mode if the paddle levers
are not moved for a certain time.
Note
● The gear paddle levers on the steering wheel can be operated with the
selector lever in any position and with the vehicle in motion.
Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the in-
strument panel display.
Fig. 121 Automatic
gearbox: Instrument
panel display
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
162Driving
Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the
instrument panel display. The currently selected gear for the automatic
gearbox will also be shown on the display.
Tiptronic gear indicator
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually, the selected gears are shown
on the screen.
P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the driven wheels are locked me-
chanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position P, the locking button on the selector
lever handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same
time while the ignition is switched on.
To put the selector lever in position P, simply press the lock button down
and, if necessary, depress the brake pedal down.
R - Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position R, press the lock button down and, at
the same time, press the brake pedal down, with the ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the ignition switched on the follow-
ing occurs:
● Reverse lights light up.
● The air conditioner automatically changes the air recirculation mode. ●
The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is on.
● The parking distance warning system* switches on.
N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in neutral. Power is not transmit-
ted to the wheels and the engine does not have a braking function.
Never use the N position to drive down a long hill. There is no engine brak-
ing and the brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if you drive down hills with the
gearbox lever in position N and the engine switched off.
D - Drive (forward)
In this position the gearbox automatically changes to a lower or higher gear,
according to the engine's requirements, the driving style and speed. The
braking effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited when the
selector is in this position. The instrument panel display shows the selected
gear as well as the selector lever in position D.
If position N has been selected and you wish to select D, you must press the
foot brake if the vehicle is stationary, or travelling at under 5 km/h (3 mph).
S - Standard driving position (Sport programme)
When the selector lever is in position S, it will automatically change up into
a higher gear later, and change down into a low gear, if compared with posi-
tion D. This way, it is possible to take full advantage of the engine reserve
power, depending on the engine demand, driving style and speed. The
braking effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited. On the
instrument panel display the selected gear is shown as well as the selector
lever to position S.
To select gear range S, press the lock button on the selector lever.
171
Driving
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system)
Description
The CCS is able to maintain the set speed in the range from
approx. 30 km/h (19 mph) to 180 km/h (112 mph). Once the speed setting has been saved, you may take your foot off the ac-
celerator.
WARNING
It could be dangerous to use the cruise control system if it is not possible
to drive at constant speed.
● Do not use the cruise control system when driving in dense traffic, on
roads with lots of bends or on roads with poor conditions (with ice, slip-
pery surfaces, loose grit or gravel), as this could cause an accident.
● Always switch the cruise control system off after using it in order to
avoid involuntary use.
● It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current
road, traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.
Note
The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when descending
downhill. The vehicle will accelerate due to its own weight. Use the foot
brake to slow the vehicle. Switching the cruise control system on and off
Fig. 125 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise con-
trol
Switching on the cruise control system
– Move the control ⇒ Fig. 125 A
to the left to
ON.
Switching off the cruise control system
– Move the control A
to the right to
OFF or turn the ignition off
when the vehicle is stationary.
When the cruise control is on and a speed is programmed, the lamp on
the instrument panel is lit. 1)
If the cruise control system is switched off, the symbol is switched off.
The system will also be deactivated completely when 1st gear is selected.*
1)
Depending on the model version
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
182Driving and the environment
WARNING
● The diesel engine particulate filter may reach extremely high temper-
atures; the vehicle should be parked so that the exhaust pipe does not
come into contact with flammable materials underneath the vehicle. Oth-
erwise there is a risk of fire.
CAUTION
● Your vehicle is not designed to use biodiesel fuel. Never, under any cir-
cumstances refuel with biodiesel. The use of biodiesel fuel could damage
the engine and the fuel system. The addition of biodiesel to diesel by the
diesel producer in accordance with standard EN 590 is authorised and will
not cause damage to the engine or the fuel system.
● Using diesel fuel with a high sulphur content may significantly reduce
the useful life of the diesel particulate filter. Your Technical Service will be
able to tell you which countries have diesel with a high sulphur content.
Economical and environmentally friendly
driving
Economical and environmentally friendly driving
Fuel consumption, environmental pollution and wear to the engine, brakes
and tyres depends in large part on your driving style. By adopting an eco-
nomical driving style and anticipating the traffic situation ahead, you can
easily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. Some tips on how to help you
reduce pollution while saving money are listed below.
Drive anticipating the traffic situation
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. When you anticipate the situa-
tion, you have to brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If it is possible, let the vehicle roll with a
gear engaged, for example, if you see a red light
ahead. The braking effect achieved in this way helps to reduce the wear of
brakes and tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are reduced to zero (dis-
connection due to inertia).
Change gear early to save energy
An effective way of saving fuel is to change up quickly through the gears.
Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an unnecessary
amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox: Change from first to second gear as quickly as possible.
We recommend that, whenever possible, you change to a higher gear upon
reaching 2000 rpm. Follow the “recommended gear” indication that ap-
pears on the instrument panel ⇒ page 60.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed permitted by the vehicle. Fuel
consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels all increase very rapidly
at higher speeds. Driving at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic jam, at lev-
el crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The fuel saved after
only 30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to restart
the engine.
The engine takes a long time to warm up when it is idling. Mechanical wear
and pollutant emissions are also especially high during this initial warm-up
phase. It is therefore best to drive off immediately after starting the engine.
Avoid running the engine at high speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey,
you will not consume more than the required amount of fuel. A well-serviced
engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as maxi-
mum reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
219
Checking and refilling levels
Brake fluid Checking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the serv-
ice schedule.
Fig. 144 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
– Read off the fluid level at the transparent brake fluid reservoir. It
should always be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding en-
gine compartment illustration ⇒ page 267. The brake fluid reservoir has a
black and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below
the “MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the
instrument panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low ⇒ page 65.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and ob-
serve the warnings ⇒ page 206.
Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates the brake fluid
change intervals. We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by a Technical Serv-
ice.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒
in
Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment on page 206 in
section “Safety notes for working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of
the brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock
which could impair the braking effect.
Be sure to always use the correct brake fluid. Only use brake fluid that ex-
pressly meets VW 501 14 standards.
You can buy VW 501 14 standard brake fluid in a SEAT dealership or SEAT
Official Service. If none is available, use only high quality brake fluid that
meets DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards, or USA Standards FMVSS 116 DOT
4.
Using any other kind of brake fluid or one that is not of a high quality may
affect operation of the brake system and reduce its effectiveness. Never use
a brake fluid if the container does not state that it complies with VW 501 14,
DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards, or USA standards FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
I
Identification plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Ignition key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Information in the multifunction display Memory displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Instrument and switch lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Instrument panel Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Interior rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Interval wipe, windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
J Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
K
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
L
Leather cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Leaving Home function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Load compartment in the luggage compart-
ment
see Loading the luggage compartment . . . 16
Loading the luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . 16
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
LPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 152, 202
LPG system Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Filler neck adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Level indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Luggage net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
see also Loading the luggage compartment . .16
Luggage compartment light . . . . . . . . . . 110, 256
M
Main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101, 108
Main beam headlights control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Maintenance Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Manual heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Manual heating system
Defrosting the windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Demisting the windscreen and side win-dows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
MFI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Mirrors Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Interior rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
vanity mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Multifunction display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
N
Number of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
O
Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Octane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Oil change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
One-touch opening and closing Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Opening and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Operation when a fault occurs panoramic/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Outside temperature indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
287
Index
Overviewcontrol lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
P Paintwork Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Panoramic sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Passenger see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 10, 11, 12
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Physical principles of a frontal collision . . . . . . 21
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Plastic parts cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Pollen filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Pollution filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Power socket in the luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 187 R
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Rear drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Rear fog light control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Rear head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Emergency opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Rear parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Rear seat folding down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Rear shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Rear shelf with storage compartment Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Rear window automatic wiper/washer . . . . . . 113
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Remote control key Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Replacement of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Reverse gear
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Roll-back function panoramic/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Running in Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Running in tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
S Safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructions Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Deactivating front passenger airbag . . . . . . 42
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
288 Index