2013 Seat Toledo tow

154Driving
To recover the set speed, briefly press switch B
in RES once you have re-
leased the brake or clutch pedal. 
Switching off cruise control completely
– Move knob A ⇒ Fig. 109 ⇒ page 153 to OFF. 
START-STOP*
Fig. 110 Instrument
panel: Start-Stop system
button
The START-STOP system helps save fuel and reduce harmful emis-
sions and CO 2.
The system is automatically switched on every time the ignition is
switched on.
The system automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle
is stationary, e.g. waiting at traffic lights.
The current status of the START-STOP system is displayed on the
general instrument panel display. Automatic engine shut down (Stop phase)
–
Stop the vehicle (if necessary using the handbrake).
– Shift to neutral.
– Release the clutch pedal.
Automatic engine start up (Start phase)
– Release the clutch pedal.
Switching the START-STOP system on and off
The START-STOP system can be switched on and off by pressing the 
⇒ Fig. 110 button.
The warning lamp in the button will light up when the system is
switched off.
If the vehicle is in Stop phase when the button is pressed, the en-
gine will start immediately.
The START-STOP system works under complex driving conditions that are dif-
ficult to detect without specialist technology. The set of necessary condi-
tions for the correct operating of the START-STOP system are indicated be-
low.
Conditions for automatic engine shut down (Stop phase)
● Selector lever in neutral
● Clutch pedal not pressed
● Driver with seat belt fastened
● Driver door closed
● Bonnet closed
● Vehicle stationary
● The factory-fitted towing bracket is not electrically connected to a trailer 

156Driving and the environment
Practical Tips
Driving and the environment
The first 1500 km (900 miles) New engine
Over the first 1500 kilometres (900 miles) the engine must be run
in.
Up to 1,000 kilometres (600 miles)
– Do not drive at more than 3/4 of the maximum speed corre-
sponding to the engaged gear, i.e. up to 3/4 of the maximum
permitted engine speed.
– Do not drive at full speed.
– Avoid high engine speeds.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres (600 to 900 miles)
– Slowly increase the engine speed until reaching the maximum
permitted speed of the engaged gear, i.e. the maximum permit-
ted engine speed.
During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on, when all the moving parts have bedded in. How the
vehicle is driven over approximately the first 1500 kilometres (900 miles),
determines the success of the process of running in the engine. After the running in, the vehicle should not be driven at
high engine
speeds. The maximum permitted engine speed is marked at the start of the
red zone on the rev counter dial. The gear must be changed up when the red
area is reached in vehicles with a manual gearbox. Extremely high engine
speeds when accelerating are automatically limited, however the engine is
not protected against high engine speeds produced by incorrectly changing
to a lower gear, which could cause the engine to run at revs above the maxi-
mum permitted amount, and consequently result in damage to the engine.
Additionally, vehicles with a manual gearbox must also bear the following in
mind: do not drive with the engine speed too low. Change down to a lower
gear when the engine no longer runs smoothly. Observe the recommenda-
tions for changing gear ⇒ page 60, Recommended gear display.
CAUTION
All the information for speed and engine speed refers to an engine that op-
erates at operating temperature. Do not run the engine at high engine
speeds, neither when stopped or while driving.
For the sake of the environment
Do not drive at unnecessarily high engine speeds – an anticipated change
to a higher gear contributes to saving fuel, reducing operating noise and
protects the environment. 

158Driving and the environment
Fuel consumption also depends on factors that cannot be influenced by the
driver. It is normal for consumption to be greater in winter or in difficult con-
ditions, on roads in poor condition, when towing a trailer, etc.
Fuel consumption can also vary considerably from that stated by the manu-
facturer due to the outside temperature, the weather and driving style.
The vehicle has factory-fitted technical conditions in order to save fuel and
to operate in economic mode. SEAT pays special attention to minimize the
environmental impact. Take the following indications in this chapter into ac-
count in order to conserve and to take advantage of these qualities:
The engine speed must be maintained at the maximum in order to prevent
vehicle resonance and high fuel consumption. 
Foresighted driving
The vehicle consumes the majority of fuel when accelerating, therefore
avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. If you think ahead when driv-
ing, you will need to brake less and thus accelerate less. For example, when
approaching a red traffic light, allow the vehicle to decelerate freely or use
the engine braking effect. Saving energy when changing gear
Fig. 111 Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km
(miles) relating to the en-
gaged gear
Changing up early to the next higher gear will save fuel.
Manual gearbox
● Drive in first gear only at a length of approximately one length of the ve-
hicle.
● When 2000 revs have been reached, change up to the next gear.
An efficient way of saving fuel is to change up early to a higher gear. Ob-
serve the recommendations for changing gear ⇒ page 60, Recommended
gear display.
An appropriately engaged gear can influence fuel consumption ⇒ Fig. 111.
Automatic gearbox
● Press the accelerator pedal slowly. Avoid pressing the pedal to the kick-
down position.
● If you press the accelerator pedal slowly with an automatic gearbox, and
economical program will automatically be selected.
Note
Observe the recommendations for changing gear ⇒ page 60.

164Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Technical requirements
If your vehicle has a factory-fitted towing bracket or is equipped with a se-
lection of SEAT Original Accessories, it meets all the relevant technical and
legal requirements.
In vehicles with a towing bracket it is possible to remove the ball joint, situ-
ated (together with the special assembly instructions) in the housing for the
spare wheel in the vehicle luggage compartment ⇒ page 207, Vehicle tool
kit*.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power socket for the electrical connec-
tion between the trailer and the vehicle. If the trailer you are going to use
has a 7-pin connector, the corresponding adaptor, acquired from the SEAT
Original Accessories Catalogue, can be used.
If a towing bracket is to be retro-fitted to the car, it must be done according
to the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer.
Note
Any queries that may arise can be directed to an authorised SEAT dealer. 
Trailer weight
Trailer weight
The combined vehicle and trailer must be balanced. To do so use the maxi-
mum permitted towing bracket load. An insufficient weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball joint of the towing bracket will have a negative
impact upon the response of the vehicle-trailer assembly on the road.
Weight distribution
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the axle as
possible. Ensure that the objects do not move.
If the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer loaded then the load distribu-
tion is incorrect. However, if these conditions cannot be avoided, drive very
slowly.
Tyre pressure values
Correct the tyre pressure in your vehicle to “total load” ⇒ 
page 197, Tyre
useful life.
Trailer weight
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight under any circumstances
⇒  page 233, Description of the data.
The trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m
above sea level. Due to a lower air density the engine power decreases de-
pending on the increase in altitude, this also causes the climbing ability to
decrease, which requires a reduction of the weight of the vehicle with a
trailer by 10 % for every 1000 m increase in altitude. The weight of the as-
sembly is calculated by adding the vehicle weight (loaded) to the trailer
weight (loaded). Always drive with special care when towing a trailer.
The towed load and support load information that is displayed on the tow-
ing bracket manufacturers label are only values for the verification of the
device. The correct figures for your specific vehicle, which are usually lower
than these figures, are given in the documentation of your vehicle. 

165
Driving the vehicle with a trailer
WARNING
● Exceeding the maximum established load per axle and the maximum
towing bracket load in addition to the maximum permitted load or the
load of the vehicle + trailer assembly can cause accidents and serious in-
juries.
● A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the
vehicle + trailer assembly, resulting in accidents and serious injuries.

Towing a trailer
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the
standard rear vision mirrors. If this is not the case, you should have addi-
tional exterior mirrors fitted. Observe the relevant statutory requirements of
the country you are in.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, also check the headlight beam settings with the
trailer hitched up. Adjust the headlight range settings if necessary
⇒ page 99, Range control of main lights .
Driving speed
For your own safety do not drive faster than the maximum permitted speed
indicated on the trailer.
At all times, immediately reduce speed if you detect the slightest swaying
movement of the trailer. Never try to “return the trailer to a straight posi-
tion” by accelerating.
Brakes
Brake in due course! If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the brakes
gently at first and then, firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can be caused by locking of trailer wheels. Change to a lower gear in good time be-
fore descending a slope in order to take advantage of the engine brake.
The trailer is incorporated into the vehicle anti-theft alarm system.
●
When the vehicle has a factory-fitted anti-theft alarm and a towing
bracket
● When the trailer is electrically connected to the vehicle via the towing
bracket socket
● When the vehicle electrical device and the towing bracket are operation-
al
● When the vehicle is locked and the vehicle anti-theft alarm device is ac-
tivated
Once the electrical connection is interrupted with the vehicle trailer locked,
the alarm sounds.
Always switch off the vehicle anti-theft alarm device before connecting or
disconnecting a trailer. The vehicle anti-theft alarm device could cause the
alarm to sound ⇒ page 91, Anti-theft alarm system*.
Engine overheating
In the event that the coolant temperature gauge needle moves to the right
section of the scale or to the red area, immediately reduce speed. If the con-
trol lamp  flashes on the general instrument panel, stop the vehicle and
switch off the engine. Wait several minutes and check the coolant level in
the tank ⇒ page 188.
Please observe the following indications ⇒ page 72, Coolant level and tem-
perature .
The coolant temperature can be reduced by switching on the heating. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

167
Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Towing bracket device Introduction
If the vehicle is equipped with a towing bracket device from the factory or
consisting of genuine SEAT accessories, it meets all the national technical
and legal requirements for towing.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power socket for the electrical connection
between the trailer and the vehicle. If the towing bracket is equipped with a
7-pin connector, the corresponding available adaptor may be used as a
genuine SEAT accessory.
The towing device has a maximum vertical load of 50 kg.
WARNING
● Before driving with the ball-headed bar fitted, verify its correct as-
sembly and placement in the clamping bush.
● Do not use the ball-headed bar if it is not correctly placed and fixed in
the clamping bush.
● Do not use the towing device for towing if it is damaged or missing
parts.
● Do not modify or adapt the towing device for towing.
● Never disengage the ball-headed bar with the trailer still hitched.
CAUTION
Be careful not to damage the paint on the bumper when handling the ball-
headed bar. Description
Fig. 114 Towing bracket device support for hitching/ball-headed bar
The ball-headed bar is detachable. It is located in the spare wheel space or
in the spare wheel compartment in the luggage compartment ⇒ page 207,
Vehicle tool kit*.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 114
13-pin socket
Safety flange
Clamping bush
Clamping bush cap
Ball head cover
Ball-headed bar
Locking balls
Centred
Red marking on the manual regulator
Manual regulator
Key
Key slot cover 
1
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Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

168Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Red marking on the manual regulator
White marking on the ball-headed bar
Note
Contact an Authorised Service Partner if you lose your key. 
Placing in service position
Fig. 115 Placing in service position
Fig. 116 Service position 13
14Before assembling, place the ball-headed bar in service position.
–
Turn key A
fully in the direction of arrow 1 ⇒ Fig. 115.
– Hold the ball-headed bar with your left hand.
– Pull manual regulator B
outwards in the direction of arrow 2and turn it fully in the direction of arrow 3.
The manual regulator will remain in this position.
Service position ⇒  Fig. 116
● Key C
is in an open position – the key arrow points to the “unlocked”
symbol. The key cannot be removed from the key slot.
● The D
locking balls may be completely inserted into the body of the
ball-headed bar with some pressure.
● The red E
marking on the manual regulator points towards the white
marking on the ball-headed bar.
● Between the manual regulator and the body of the ball-headed bar there
is a clearly visible space of approx. 4 mm F
.
Once the ball-headed bar has been positioned like this, it will be ready to
be placed in the clamping bush.
WARNING
Do not use the ball-headed bar if it cannot be correctly placed in the serv-
ice position.
CAUTION
The key cannot be removed from the manual regulator key slot when it is in
the service position. 

170Driving the vehicle with a trailer
Verification of correct placement
Fig. 119 Correct place-
ment of the ball-headed
bar
Before using the ball-headed bar, ensure it is correctly fitted.
Ensure that:
● The ball-headed bar does not come out of the clamping bush with a
strong “shake”.
● The red mark A
⇒ Fig. 119 on the manual regulator signals towards the
white mark on the ball-headed bar.
● The manual regulator is adjusted to the ball-headed bar, with no space
between them.
● The regulator is locked and the key has been removed.
● Cover B
has been placed over the manual regulator lock.
WARNING
Only use the towing bracket device when the ball-headed bar is properly
fitted!
 Disassembly of the ball-headed bar
Fig. 120 Remove the key slot cover/unlock
Fig. 121 Unblock the
ball-headed bar
– Remove cover A
from over the regulator key slot in the direc-
tion of arrow 1 ⇒ Fig. 120.
– Insert key B
in the key slot.
– Open the manual regulator lock by turning key B
fully to the
left in the direction of arrow 2. The arrow on the key points to
the “unlocked” symbol. 