2013 Seat Mii steering

86Lights and visibility
Headlight range control, lighting of instruments and
controls
Fig. 57 Next to the
steering wheel: Head-
light range control
Headlamp height adjustment
The headlight range control ⇒ Fig. 57 is modified according to the value of
the headlight beam and the vehicle load status. This offers the driver opti-
mum visibility and the headlights do not dazzle oncoming drivers ⇒ 
.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To reset, turn switch ⇒ Fig. 57:ValueVehicle load status a)–Two front occupants, luggage compartment empty1All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty2All seats occupied, luggage compartment full3Driver only, luggage compartment fulla)
If the vehicle load does not correspond to those shown in the table, it is possible to select
intermediary positions. Instrument and switch lighting
When the side lights or dipped beam headlights are switched on, the light-
ing for instruments and controls lights up at a constant brightness.
WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that the headlights dazzle and
distract other drivers. This could result in a serious accident.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load status so that it does not
blind other drivers.

Reading light
Button/ Switcheffect
Switching off the reading light.
Switching on the reading light.

Switches door contact control on (central position).
The reading light comes on automatically when the vehicle is un-
locked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the ignition.
The light goes off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Note
The reading lights go out when the vehicle is locked, or a few minutes after
the key is removed from the ignition. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging. 

119
Starting, changing gears, parking
While driving
Starting, changing gears, parking
Stopping and starting the engine Introduction
Immobiliser display
When an invalid key is used or in the event of a system fault,  is dis-
played on the instrument panel. The engine cannot be started.
Pushing or towing
For technical reasons, the vehicle must not be push- or tow-started. Jump
starting is preferable.
Additional information and warnings:
● Vehicle key set ⇒ page 28
● Changing gear ⇒  page 124
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒  page 134
● Steering ⇒  page 147
● Refuelling ⇒  page 171
● Fuel ⇒ page 177
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 244
● Jump starting ⇒  page 275
● Tow starting and towing away ⇒ page 278
WARNING
Switching off the engine while driving makes stopping the vehicle diffi-
cult. As a consequence you may lose control of the vehicle and there is a
risk of serious accident.
● The assisted braking and steering systems, the airbag system, seat
belts and certain safety equipment are only active while the engine is
running.
● The engine should only be switched off when the vehicle is at a
standstill.
WARNING
While the engine is running or starting it could help reduce the risk of se-
rious injury.
● Never start or leave the engine running in poorly ventilated or closed
spaces. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a toxic, colourless and
odourless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose conscious-
ness. It can also cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running. The vehi-
cle could move off suddenly or something unexpected could happen re-
sulting in damage and serious injury.
● Never use start boosters. Cold start sprays could explode or increase
the engine speed unexpectedly. 
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120Starting, changing gears, parking
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach very high temperatures.
This could cause a fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as wood, leaves, spilled
fuel, dried grass, etc).
● Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust sys-
tem.

Ignition lock
Fig. 86 Vehicle key positions
Car keys ⇒ Fig. 86 No key in the ignition lock: The steering lock may be activated.0Ignition switched off. Key can be removed from the vehicle.1Ignition is switched on. The steering lock can be unlocked.2Switch on the engine. Release the key when the engine has star-
ted. When it is released, the key returns to position 1.
Key not authorised for the vehicle
If a key which is not authorised for this vehicle is inserted in the ignition
lock, it can be removed as follows:
●
Automatic gearbox : the key cannot be removed from the ignition lock.
Press and release the selector lever locking button. Key can be removed
from the vehicle.
● Manual gearbox: Remove the key from the ignition. 

121
Starting, changing gears, parking
WARNING
Unsuitable or careless use of the vehicle key could result in serious in-
jury.
● Always take all the keys with you whenever you leave the vehicle. The
engine could accidentally be started and electrical equipment such as
the windows could accidentally be operated resulting in serious injury.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the car. They could
be trapped in the car in an emergency and will not be able to get them-
selves to safety. For example, depending on the time of the year, temper-
atures inside a locked and closed vehicle can be extremely high or ex-
tremely low resulting in serious injuries and illness or even death, partic-
ularly for young children.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering may lock and it will not be possible to turn the steering wheel.
Note
● If the key is left in the ignition lock with the engine off for long periods,
the vehicle battery will run flat.
● In vehicles with automatic gearbox the ignition key can only be with-
drawn with the selector lever in position P. In this case, press and release
the selector lever locking button. 
Starting the engine
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
1.Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until step 5 has been completed.
1 a.In vehicles with a manual gearbox: Press the clutch pedal all
the way and keep pressed until the engine starts.
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
2.Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the selector lever in posi- tion P or N.
3.Turn the key in the ignition lock to position ⇒ Fig. 86 2; do
not press the accelerator.
4.When the engine has started, release the key in the ignition lock.
5.If the engine does not start, stop the process and try again af-ter one minute.
6.Release the handbrake when you want to begin driving⇒ page 134.
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running. The vehicle
could move off suddenly, especially if it is in gear, resulting in an acci-
dent and serious injury.
WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a sudden increase in the engine
speed.
● Never use start boosters.
CAUTION
● An attempt to start the engine while driving or starting the engine imme-
diately after turning it off can cause damage to the engine or starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, avoid high revs and heavy acceleration and do
not make the engine work hard.
● Do not push or tow start the engine. Unburnt fuel could damage the cat-
alytic converter. 
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122Starting, changing gears, parking
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm the engine at idle speed; start driving immediately if the visi-
bility is OK. This helps the engine reach operating temperature faster and
reduces emissions.
Note
Electrical components with a high power consumption are switched off tem-
porarily when the engine starts.
Note
When the engine is started cold, there may be strong vibrations for a few
moments for technical reasons. This is quite normal, and no cause for con-
cern.
Note
Natural gas engines always start up with petrol, as a certain operating tem-
perature is required for running with gas. Once the required operating tem-
perature is reached, the engine will change to operate with natural gas. 
Stopping the engine
Complete operations only in the sequence given.1.Stopping the vehicle completely ⇒ .
2.Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until step 4 has been
completed.
3.In automatic gearboxes, put the selector lever in position P4.Apply the handbrake firmly ⇒ page 134.5.Turn the key in the ignition lock to position ⇒ Fig. 86 0.6.With a manual gearbox, put the vehicle in first or reverse gear.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle is moving. You may lose
control of the vehicle and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is
switched off.
● The brake servo does not work with the engine off. To stop, the brake
pedal must be pressed with more force.
● As the power steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
will need more strength to steer than normally.
● If the key is removed from the ignition, the steering may lock and it
will not be possible to steer the vehicle.
CAUTION
If the engine has been driven at high speed for a prolonged period of time,
it may overheat when turned off. To avoid engine damage, allow the engine
to run for approximately 2 minutes in neutral before switching it off.
Note
● In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the key can only be removed when
the selector lever is in position P.
● After stopping the engine, the engine compartment fan may continue
running for a few minutes, even when the ignition has been switched off or
the key removed. The radiator fan is automatically switched off. 
Electronic immobiliser
The gear lock prevents the engine from being started with an unauthorised
key and the vehicle being moved.
The vehicle key has a built-in chip. It automatically deactivates the electron-
ic immobiliser when the key is inserted into the ignition lock. 

134Starting, changing gears, parking
Braking, stopping and parking
Introduction
The assisted braking systems are the electronic distribution of the brake
force (EBV), the anti-lock brake system (ABS), the brake assist system (BAS),
the electronic differential lock (EDL), the traction control (TC), the traction
control system (ASR) and the electronic stability control (ESC*).
Additional information and warnings:
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 210
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 222
WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or a faulty brake system may lead to seri-
ous accident.
● If you believe the brake pads to be worn or the brake system to be
faulty, immediately refer to a specialised workshop to check the brake
pads and replace the worn brake pads.
WARNING
Careless parking can cause serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering lock may engage and locked the steering wheel making the vehi-
cle impossible to control.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as wood, leaves, spilled
fuel, dried grass, etc).
WARNING (Continued)
● Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle. They
could release the electronic parking brake, activate the selector lever or
gear stick and start the vehicle moving. This could result in a serious ac-
cident.
● Always take all the keys with you whenever you leave the vehicle. The
engine could accidentally be started and electrical equipment such as
the windows could accidentally be operated resulting in serious injury.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the car. They could
be trapped in the car in an emergency and will not be able to get them-
selves to safety. For example, depending on the time of the year, temper-
atures inside a locked and closed vehicle can be extremely high or ex-
tremely low resulting in serious injuries and illness or even death, partic-
ularly for young children.
CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking in areas with high kerbs or
fixed barriers. Objects protruding from the ground may damage the bumper
or other parts of the vehicle during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop be-
fore the wheels touched the barrier or kerb.
● Special attention is required when driving through entrances, over
ramps, kerbs or other objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers, mudguards
and running gear, and the engine and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. 

137
Starting, changing gears, parking
To park the vehicle
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
● Park the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒ 
.
● Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill.
● Apply the handbrake firmly ⇒ page 136.
● For an automatic gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
● Switch off the engine and release the brake pedal.
● Remove the key from the ignition.
● If necessary, turn the steering wheel slightly to lock the steering.
● With a manual gearbox, engage the 1st gear on flat ground and slopes,
or even the reverse gear on hills, and release the clutch pedal.
● Ensure that all passengers leave the vehicle, especially children.
● When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with you.
● Lock the vehicle.
Additional information for steep slopes and hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the steering wheel so that if the vehi-
cle should move then it will be held by the kerb.
● On slopes, turn the front wheels so that they are against the edge of the
kerb.
● Uphill, turn the wheels towards the centre of the road.
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach very high temperatures.
This could cause a fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as wood, leaves, spilled
fuel, dried grass, etc).
CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking in areas with high kerbs or
fixed barriers. Objects protruding from the ground may damage the bumper
or other parts of the vehicle during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop be-
fore the wheels touched the barrier or kerb.
● Special attention is required when driving through entrances, over
ramps, kerbs or other objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers, mudguards
and running gear, and the engine and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. 
Information about the brakes
For the first 200 to 300 km (120 to 190 mph), the new brake pads have not
yet reached their maximum braking capacity, and need to be “run in” first
⇒ 
. The slightly reduced braking effect can be compensated for by in-
creasing pressure on the brake pedal. While running in, the full braking dis-
tance or emergency braking distance is larger then when the brake pads
have been run in. While running in, avoid full power braking or situations
requiring braking performance. For example, in heavy traffic.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the condi-
tions in which the vehicle is used and the way the vehicle is driven. If the
vehicle is used frequently in city traffic or for short trips or driven sport style,
visit a specialised workshop regularly, more frequently than advised in the
Maintenance Programme, to have the bake pads checked.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in
heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-
ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter). At higher speed,
dry the brakes as quickly as possible by braking gently several times. Only
do this without endangering vehicles behind you or any other road users
⇒ 
. 
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139
Starting, changing gears, parking
WARNING
Driving without the brake servo may significantly increase the braking
distance and result in a severe accident.
● Never allow the vehicle to move forwards when the engine is switched
off.
● If the brake servo does not operate or the vehicle must be towed,
then the brake pedal will have to be pressed with more force given that
the braking distance will be increased when the brake servo does not op-
erate.
CAUTION
● Never make the brakes slip by pressing the pedal gently, if it is not really
necessary to brake. Continuously pressing on the brake pedal will heat the
brakes. This could significantly reduce braking power, increase braking dis-
tance or even result in the total failure of the brake system.
● Reduce speed or reduce the gear when faced with steep and long
slopes. This allows you to use the engine braking effect and to reduce the
strain on the brake system. Otherwise, the brakes may overheat and fail.
Only use the brakes to reduce speed or to stop.
Note
Make use, when having the front brake pads checked, and have the rear
pads checked also. The thickness of the brake pads should be checked vis-
ually and regularly, by looking through the openings in the wheel rims or
from underneath the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels to check them
thoroughly. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. Brake assist systems
The assisted braking systems ESC*, ABS, EBV, BAS, ASR, TC and EDL only
operate when the ignition is switched on. They contribute significantly to in-
creasing active safety.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
ESC* reduces the risk of skidding and increases the vehicle stability by
braking individual wheels under specific driving conditions. ESC* detects
critical handling situations, such as understeer, oversteer and wheelspin on
the driven wheels. The system stabilises the vehicle by braking individual
wheels or by reducing the engine torque.
The ESC* has limits. It is important to realise that the ESC* is also subject to
the laws of physics. ESC* will not be able to deal with all situations with
which drivers may be faced. For example, if the road surface changes sud-
denly then ESC* will not be useful in all cases. If the vehicle suddenly enters
a section covered by water, mud or snow then ESC* will not provide assis-
tance in the same way as on dry ground. If the vehicle loses its grip on the
ground and moves on a film of water (“aquaplaning”), the ESC* will not be
able to assist the driver to control the vehicle due to the loss of adherence
with the road surface preventing braking and steering. If the vehicle is driv-
en through series of bends at high speed, the ESC* will not always be as
effective: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driving is not the same as at re-
duced speeds.
Adjust your speed and driving style to suit visibility, and weather, road and
traffic conditions. ESC* cannot push the limits of the laws of physics; im-
prove the transmission available or maintain the vehicle on the road if a
lack of driver attention creates an inevitable situation. Otherwise, ESC* as-
sists in maintaining vehicle control in extreme situations and uses the
movements of the steering made by the driver to maintain the vehicle mov-
ing in the desired direction. If the vehicle is driven at such a speed that it
will leave the road before ESC* can intervene then the system cannot pro-
vide assistance.

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