145
Starting, changing gears, parking
Moderate use of additional electrical appliances
It is important to travel in comfort, but convenience systems should be used
in an ecological manner.
Some equipment, when connected, increase fuel consumption considera-
bly, for example:
● Air conditioning cooling system: If the air conditioning system is re-
quired to cool to significantly lower temperatures than the true outside tem-
perature, it will require a large quantity of energy from the engine. There-
fore, we recommend that the selected temperature for the vehicle is not too
different to the outside temperature. It is a good idea to open all the win-
dows of the car before starting your journey, and to drive a short distance
with all the windows open to allow the vehicle to cool down slightly. Only
then should you close all the windows and switch on the air conditioning.
Keep windows closed when travelling at high speeds. Driving with the win-
dows open increases fuel consumption.
● Switch off the seat heating when the seats have warmed up.
● Switch off the heated rear window when it is not moist or covered in ice.
Other factors which increase fuel consumption (examples):
● Fault in engine management.
● Driving on hills. Saving fuel while driving
Fig. 95 Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km
at 2 different outside
temperatures
By adopting an economical driving style and anticipating the traffic situa-
tion ahead, you can easily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%.
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. By anticipating the traffic situa-
tion ahead, you will brake and therefore accelerate less. Wherever possible,
let the car roll slowly to a stop, for instance when you can see that the next
traffic lights are red.
Avoid short journeys
Fuel consumption is much higher when the engine is cold, immediately af-
ter it has been started. It takes a few kilometres of driving for the engine to
warm up and to normalise consumption.
The engine and catalytic converter need to reach their proper working tem-
perature in order to minimise fuel consumption and emissions. The ambient
temperature has a decisive influence.
Fig. 95 shows the difference in consumption for the same journey at +20 °C
(+68 °F) and at -10 °C (+14 °F).
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical specifications
164Air conditioning
Air conditioning
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
system
Introduction
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter with its activated charcoal cartridge serves as a
barrier against impurities in the interior ambient air.
For the air conditioner to work with maximum efficiency, the dust and pollen
filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high
levels of air pollution, the filter must be changed more frequently than sta-
ted in the Service Schedule.
Additional information and warnings:
● SEAT information system ⇒ page 22
● Windscreen wash system ⇒ page 89
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 197
WARNING
Reduced visibility through the windows increases the risk of serious acci-
dents.
● Ensure that all windows are free of ice and snow and that they are not
fogged up preventing a clear view of everything outside.
WARNING (Continued)
● The maximum heat output required to defrost windows as quickly as
possible is only available when the engine has reached its normal run-
ning temperature. Only drive when you have good visibility.
● Always ensure that you use the heating system, ventilation, air condi-
tioner and the heated rear window to maintain good visibility.
● Never leave the air recirculation on for a long period of time. If the
cooling system is switched off and air recirculation mode switched on,
the windows can mist over very quickly, considerably limiting visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required.
WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
possibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never leave the fresh air fan turned off or use the air recirculation for
long periods of time; the air in the vehicle interior will not be refreshed.
CAUTION
● Switch the air conditioner off if you think it may be broken. This will
avoid additional damage. Have the air conditioner checked by a specialised
workshop.
● Repairs to the air conditioner require specialist knowledge and special
tools. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service.
165
Air conditioning
Note
When the cooling system is turned off, air coming from the outside will not
be dried. To avoid fogging up the windows, SEAT recommends leaving the
cooler (compressor) on. To do this, press the AC
button. The button lamp
should light up.
Note
The maximum heat output required to defrost windows as quickly as possi-
ble is only available when the engine has reached its normal running tem-
perature.
Note
Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and
leaves to ensure heating and cooling are not impaired, and to prevent the
windows from misting over.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical specifications
167
Air conditioning
Control
buttonAdditional information. Heating and ventilation system
⇒ Fig. 105 and air conditioning system ⇒ Fig. 106.
1 ...
Temperature.
Rotate the control to adjust the temperature accordingly.
2
...
Air fan.
setting 0: Air fan and air conditioning system switched off, set-
ting 4: Air fan maximum setting.
3Air distribution.
Rotate the continuous control to direct the airflow to the desired
area.
Heating and ventilation system: defrost function. Distribution of
air to the windscreen and the side windows in the exterior rear
vision mirror area.
Air conditioning system: defrost function. Distribution of air to
the windscreen and the side windows in the exterior rear vision
mirror area. Press the AC
button, increase the air fan speed and
switch on the air recirculation ⇒ page 169 to clear the wind-
screen of condensation as soon as possible.
Air distribution towards the body.
Air distribution towards the footwell.
Air distribution towards the windscreen and the footwell.
Air conditioner: press the button to turn off/on the cooling sys-
tem ⇒ page 167.
4
Air conditioner: sliding control for air recirculation ⇒ page 169.
Switch off
Turn the air fan switch 2 to position 0.
Heated rear window
The heated rear window button is located on the centre console. The
heated rear window only works when the engine is running and switches off
automatically after a maximum of 10 minutes.
WARNING
Never turn off the air fan for a long time or the air in the vehicle interior
will not be refreshed.
● Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver and passen-
ger concentration possibly resulting in a serious accident.
Heating and ventilation system user instructions
Temperature
The desired temperature for the interior cannot be lower than that of the ex-
terior air temperature, as the heating and fresh air system cannot cool or de-
humidify the air.
Setting for conditions of optimal visibility
● Set the fan ⇒ Fig. 105 2
to setting 1 or 2.
● Turn the temperature control ⇒ Fig. 105 1 to the centre position.
● Open and direct the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ page 169.
● Turn the air distribution control ⇒ Fig. 105 3
to the required position.
User instructions for the air conditioner*
The interior cooling system only works when the engine is running and fan
is switched on.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical specifications
168Air conditioning
The air conditioning operates most effectively with the windows closed.
However, if the vehicle has heated up after standing in the sun for some
time, the air inside can be cooled more quickly by opening the windows
briefly.
Setting for conditions of optimal visibility
When the air conditioning is switched on, the temperature and the air hu-
midity in the vehicle interior drop. Hence, when the outside air humidity is
high, the windows do not mist over and comfort for the vehicle occupants is
improved:
● Disable air recirculation mode ⇒ page 169.
● Set the fan to the required setting.
● Turn the temperature control to the centre position.
● Open and direct the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ page 169.
● Turn the air distribution control to the defrost position.
● Press the AC
button to turn on cooling. The button will light up.
The cooling system does not switch on
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on, this may be caused by
the following: ●
The engine is not running.
● The fan is switched off.
● The air conditioner fuse has blown.
● The outside temperature is lower than approximately +2 °C (+36 °F).
● The air conditioner compressor has been temporarily switched off be-
cause the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioner checked by a speci-
alised workshop.
Things to note
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation
can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak!Note
After starting it, any residual humidity in the air conditioner could mist over
the windscreen. Switch on the defrost function as soon as possible to clear
the windscreen of condensation.
170Air conditioning
WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
possibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never use recirculation mode for long periods as it does not refresh
the air inside the vehicle.
● If the cooling system is switched off and air recirculation mode
switched on, the windows can mist over very quickly, considerably limit-
ing visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required.
CAUTION
Do not smoke when the air recirculation is activated. The smoke taken in
could lie on the cooling system vaporiser and on the dust and pollen filter,
leading to a permanently unpleasant smell.
173
At the filling station
lights upGauge position
⇒ Fig. 108Possible cause ⇒ Solution
a)Red mark (ar-
row)The fuel tank is almost
empty.
The reserve tank is being
used ⇒ page 288.Refuel as soon as
possible ⇒ .
–The vehicle is running in
natural gas operating
mode.–
a)This only applies to vehicles with the fuel gauge on the instrument panel ⇒ Fig. 108.
flashes
for about 10 sec- ondsState of the barsPossible cause ⇒ Solution
and
the seg-
ments re-
maining a)Reserve zone
(four small seg- ments)The fuel tank is almost
empty.
The reserve tank is being
used ⇒ page 288.Refuel as soon as
possible ⇒ .
–The vehicle is running in
natural gas operating
mode.–
a)This only applies to vehicles with the fuel gauge on the instrument panel display.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
In natural gas engines
The warning lamp lights up when both fuel types (petrol and natural gas)
have reached reserve level.
The warning lamp lights up when the vehicle is running in natural gas op-
erating mode. The warning lamp
switches off when the natural gas is exhausted. The
engine changes to operate with petrol.
Problem: If the vehicle is left parked for a long time immediately after refuel-
ling, the gas level indicator does not accurately indicate the same level
shown after refuelling when the vehicle is started up again. This is not due
to a leak in the system, but to a drop in pressure in the gas tank for techni-
cal reasons after a cooling phase immediately after refuelling.
WARNING
Driving with insufficient fuel reserve could result in the vehicle breaking
down in traffic and a serious accident.
● If the fuel level is too low then the fuel supply to the engine can be-
come irregular especially on slopes.
● If the engine “is choked” or stalls due to lack of or irregularity of the
fuel supply, the power steering as well as all of the driver assistance sys-
tems including braking assistance will stop working.
● Always refuel when there is only one quarter of the fuel tank left to
avoid running out of fuel.
CAUTION
● Always pay attention to any lit control lamps and to the corresponding
descriptions and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply may lead
to ignition faults and unburnt fuel could enter the exhaust system. This
could damage the catalytic converter.
Note
The arrow next to the fuel pump symbol on the instrument panel ⇒ Fig. 108
indicates the side of the vehicle on which the tank flap is located.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical specifications
178At the filling station
Not all petrol additives have been shown to be effective. The use of unsuita-
ble petrol additives may cause significant damage to the engine and the
catalytic converter. Metal additives should never be used. Metal additives
may also be contained in petrol additives for improving anti-detonation rat-
ings or octane ratings ⇒
.
SEAT recommends “genuine Volkswagen Group fuel additives for petrol en-
gines”. These additives can be bought at SEAT Authorised Services, where
information on how to use them can also be obtained.
CAUTION
● Do not refuel if the filler indicates that the fuel contains metal. LRP (lead
replacement petrol) fuels contain high concentrations of metal additives.
Using them may damage the engine!
● Only use fuel with an octane rating that is in line with the norm EN 228,
otherwise significant damage could be caused to the engine and fuel sys-
tem. Furthermore, it could lead to a loss of performance with the conse-
quent engine fault.
● The use of unsuitable petrol additives could seriously damage the en-
gine and the catalytic converter.
● If, in exceptional circumstances, petrol with a lower octane rating to that
recommended is used, only use moderate engine speeds and a light throt-
tle. Avoid using full throttle and overloading the engine. Otherwise engine
damage may occur. Fill up with fuel of a suitable octane rating as soon as
possible.
● Just filling one full tank of leaded fuel or with other metal additives
would seriously impair the efficiency of the catalytic converter and could
damage it.
Natural gas
Natural gas, in addition to others, can be in liquid form. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the result of heavy cooling of natural gas.
Therefore its volume is considerably reduced compared with compressed
natural gas (CNG). In vehicles with a natural gas engine, liquefied natural
gas cannot be directly refilled, given that the gas would expand excessively
in the vehicle gas tank.
Therefore, vehicles with a natural gas engine must only be refuelled using
compressed natural gas
⇒
.
Natural gas quality and consumption
Natural gas is divided into the groups H and L depending on its quality.
Gas type H has a superior heating power and inferior nitrogen and carbon
dioxide content than type L. The higher the heating power of the natural
gas, the lower the consumption will be.
However, the heating power and the proportion of nitrogen and carbon di-
oxide can fluctuate within the quality groups. Therefore, vehicle consump-
tion can also vary when using one type of gas only.
The engine management automatically adapts to the natural gas used ac-
cording to its quality. Therefore, different quality gases can be mixed in the
tank, without the need for comprehensive draining before applying a differ-
ent quality gas.
Natural gas and safety
If you can smell gas or suspect that there is a leak ⇒
:
● Stop the vehicle immediately.
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the doors to appropriately ventilate the vehicle.
● Immediately extinguish cigarettes.
● Move away from the vehicle or switch off objects that may cause sparks
or a fire.
● If you continue to smell gas, do not continue driving!
● Seek specialist assistance. Have the fault repaired.