Driver assistance systems
Driver assistance systems
Braking and stability systems Electronic Stability Control (ESC)* Fig. 140
Detailed view of the dash panel: ESC
switch. This Electronic Stability System reduces the
risk of skidding and improves the vehicle's
stability and ability to hold the road.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) contains
the electronic differential lock (EDL) and the
traction control system (ASR). The ESC works
together with the ABS. Both control lamps
will light up if the ESC or ABS systems are
faulty.
The ESC system is started automatically
when the engine is started. The ESC system is always active and cannot
be switched off. The ESC switch only switches
the ASR off.
The ASR can be deactivated when wheel spin
is desirable
››› page 141 .
F or e
xample:
● When driving with snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on loose sur-
faces.
● When the vehicle is stuck, to rock it back-
wards and forwards.
Press the button to switch the ASR back on
when you no longer need wheel spin.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*
The ESC reduces the risk of skidding by brak-
ing the wheels individually.
The system uses the steering wheel angle
and road speed to calculate the changes of
direction desired by the driver, and constant-
ly compares them with the actual behaviour
of the vehicle. When irregularities occur, for
example, if the vehicle begins to skid, the
ESC brakes the appropriate wheel automati-
cally.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring
the vehicle back to a stable condition. If the
vehicle tends to oversteer (the rear end
slides out), the system will act on the front
wheel on the outside of the turn. WARNING
● Do not forget that the electronic stability
control ESC cannot defy the laws of physics.
This should be kept in mind, particularly on
slippery and wet roads and when towing a
trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the
condition of the roads and the traffic situa-
tion. The greater safety provided by the ESC
should not encourage you to run any risks. CAUTION
● To ensure that the ESC works correctly, all
four wheels must be fitted with the same
tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of
the tyres can cause the system to reduce en-
gine power when this is not desired.
● Any modifications made to the vehicle (for
example, to the engine, brake system, run-
ning gear or to the combination of wheels
and tyres) may affect the operation of the
ABS, EDL, ESC and ASR. Electronic differential lock (EDL)*
EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accel-
erate and climb a gradient in slippery condi-
tions where this may otherwise be difficult or
even impossible.
It uses the ABS sensors to monitor the speed
of the driven wheels. In case of an EDL fault,
»
139Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
XDS* When taking a curve, the driveshaft differen-
tial mechanism allows the outer wheel to turn
at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In
this way, the wheel that is turning faster (out-
er wheel) receives less drive torque than the
inner wheel. This may mean that in certain
situations the torque delivered to the inner
wheel is too high, causing the wheels to
spin. On the other hand, the outer wheel is
receiving a lower drive torque than it could
transmit. This causes an overall loss of lateral
grip on the front axle, resulting in understeer
or “lengthening” of the trajectory.
The XDS system can detect and correct this
effect via the sensors and signals of the ESC.
Via the ESC, the XDS will brake the inside
wheel and counter the excess driving torque
of that wheel. This means that the driver's
desired trajectory is much more precise,
The XDS system works in combination with
the ESC and is always active, even when ASR
traction control is disconnected.
Brake servo The brake servo increases the pressure you
apply to the brake pedal. It works
only when
the engine is running . If the brake servo is not functioning, e.g. due
to a malfunction, or if the vehicle is being
towed, you will have to press the brake pedal
considerably harder to make up for the lack
of servo assistance.
WARNING
The braking distance can also be affected by
external factors.
● Never let the vehicle coast with the engine
switched off. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. The braking dis-
tance is increased considerably when the
brake servo is not active.
● If the brake servo is not working, for exam-
ple when the vehicle is being towed, you will
have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal. Start-Stop System*
Description and operation The Start-Stop function stops the engine
when the vehicle is stopped and starts it au-
tomatically when required.
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it in neu-
tral and release the clutch pedal. The en-
gine will stop.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed, the en-
gine starts again. –
The instrument panel display shows infor-
mation about the status of the Start-Stop
function ››› Fig. 142 .
St ar
t-Stop function conditions
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The engine must be at operating tempera-
ture.
● The steering wheel must be straight.
● The vehicle must be on flat ground.
● The vehicle must not be in reverse.
● A trailer must not be connected.
● The temperature of the interior must be
within the comfort limits ( A/C button should
be selected).
● The windscreen de-mist function must be
off.
● If in an increase in airflow is not requested.
● The t emper
ature must not be set to HI or
LO.
● The driver door must be closed.
● The diesel particulate filter must not be in
regeneration mode, for diesel engines.
● The battery charge must not be low for the
next start.
● Battery temperature must be between -1 °C
(+30 °F) and +55 °C (+131 °F).
142
Driver assistance systems
Start-Stop function interruption
In the following situations, the Start-Stop
function will be interrupted and the engine
will automatically start:
● The vehicle starts moving.
● The brake pedal is pressed several times in
a row.
● The battery has been discharged excessive-
ly.
● The Start-Stop System is manually deacti-
vated.
● The windscreen de-mist function is turned
on.
● The temperature of the interior exceeds the
comfort limits ( A/C button).
● If the airflow is increased by more than 3
presses.
● Temperature setting HI or LO is selected.
● The engine coolant temperature is insuffi-
cient.
● The alternator is faulty, for example the V-
belt has ruptured.
● If any of the conditions described in the
previous section are not fulfilled. WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the en-
gine off for any reason. You could lose control
of your vehicle. This could cause an accident
and serious injury. ●
The brake servo does not work with the en-
gine off. You need more force to stop the vehi-
cle.
● Power steering does not work when the en-
gine is not running. That is why it is much
more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
● Turn off the Start-Stop system when driving
through water (fording streams, etc.). Note
● For vehicles with the Start-Stop function
and a manual gearbox, when the engine is
started, the clutch must be pressed.
● When the conditions for the Start-Stop
function are not fulfilled, the instrument pan-
el displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than
270°, it will not be possible to start the vehi-
cle again. To start the vehicle, straighten the
steering wheel so that it is turned less than
270°. Activating and deactivating the Start-
Stop function
Fig. 141
The Start-Stop function button. Every time the ignition is switched on, the
Start-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Manually deactivating the Start-Stop
function
– Press the
››› Fig. 141 button located on
the c entr
e console. When the Start-Stop
function is switched off, the warning lamp
comes on.
– If the Start-Stop function is operating then
the engine starts immediately.
»
143
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
Parking and manoeuvring with the
rear assist Fig. 144
View of the left side of the interior
rear view mirror on the display: orientation
lines. Switching the system on and off
● The rear assist will switch on when the igni-
tion is on or the engine running, on engaging
reverse gear (manual gearbox) or on chang-
ing the selector lever to the R position (auto-
m atic
gearbox).
● The system switches off 8 seconds after
disengaging reverse gear (manual gearbox)
or removing the selector lever from the R po-
sition (automatic gearbox). The system will
also disconnect immediately after the igni-
tion is switched off.
Meaning of the orientation lines
››› Fig. 144 Side lines: extension of the vehicle (the
approximate width of the vehicle plus the
rear view mirrors) on the road surface.
End of the side lines:
the area marked in
green ends approximately 2 m behind
the vehicle on the road surface.
Intermediate line: indicates a distance of
approximately 1 m behind the vehicle on
the road surface.
Red horizontal line: indicates a safe dis-
tance of approximately 40 cm at the rear
of the vehicle on the road surface.
Parking manoeuvre
● Place the vehicle in front of the parking
space and engage reverse gear (manual
gearbox) or move the selector to the R posi-
tion (automatic gearbox).
● Reverse slowly, and turn the steering wheel
so that the side orientation lines lead to-
wards the parking space.
● Guide the vehicle into the parking space so
that the side orientation lines run parallel to
it. 1 2
3
4 Parking aid*
General information Various aid systems are in place to help in
parking and manoeuvring depending on the
vehicle’s equipment:
The rear parking aid
is an audible aid that
w
arns against obstacles behind the vehicle
››› page 147.
The front parking aid i
s an audible aid that
warns against obstacles both behind and in
front of the vehicle ›››
page 148.
Apart from the acoustic signals, when the ve-
hicle is equipped with a portable navigator
(PND), this visually displays information re-
garding front and/or rear areas. WARNING
● The sensors have blind spots in which ob-
stacles may not be detected.
● Always look out for small children and ani-
mals because the system will not always de-
tect them. Pay attention when reversing to
avoid accidents.
● The parking aid is not a replacement for
driver awareness. The driver must take full re-
sponsibility for parking and other manoeu-
vres. 146
Advice
Depending on the make, there will be 6 to 8
of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Mark-
ings on the tyre sidewall (for instance the let-
ters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the po-
sitions of the tread wear indicators. The mini-
mum tread depth required by law is 1.6 mm
(measured in the tread grooves next to the
tread wear indicators). Worn tyres must be re-
placed. Different figures may apply in export
countries ››› .
Tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature
wear and could cause tyre blow-out. For this
reason, the tyre pressure should be checked
at least once per month ››› page 177.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard
braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more
than the rear ones it is advisable to change
them around as shown ››› Fig. 155 . The use-
f u
l life of all the tyres will then be about the
same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced.
However, various factors encountered in nor-
mal driving can cause them to become unbal-
anced, which results in steering vibration. Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as
they otherwise cause excessive wear on
steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive
tyre wear, impairing the safety of the vehicle.
If tyres show excessive wear, you should
have the wheel alignment checked by a Tech-
nical Service.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre
bursts during driving!
● The tyres must be replaced at the latest
when the tread wear indicators are worn
››› page 177. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. Worn tyres do not
grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There
is also a greater risk of “aquaplaning”.
● At continuously high speeds, a tyre with in-
sufficient pressure flexes more. This causes it
to overheat. This can cause tread separation
and tyre blow-out. Risk of accident. Always
observe the recommended tyre pressures.
● If tyres show excessive wear, you should
have the running gear checked by a Technical
Service.
● Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake
fluid away from tyres.
● Damaged wheels and tyres must be re-
placed immediately! For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
sumption. New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run in.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential
part of the vehicle's design. Those approved
by SEAT are specially matched to the charac-
teristics of the vehicle and make a major con-
tribution to good road-holding and safe han-
dling
››› .
Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and
not individually (i.e. both front tyres or both
rear tyres together). A knowledge of tyre des-
ignations makes it easier to choose the cor-
rect tyres. Radial tyres have the tyre designa-
tions marked on the sidewall, for example: 195/65 R15 91T
This contains the following information:
Tyre width in mm
Height/width ratio in %
Tyre construction: R
adial
Rim di
ameter in inches
Load rating code
Speed rating
195
65
R
15
91
T
178
Advice
Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
erwise electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Towing or tow starting
Tow-starting* We recommend that you do
not tow-start your
v ehic
le. Jump-starting is preferable
››› page 188.
Ho w
ever, if your vehicle has to be tow-
started:
– Engage 2 nd
or 3 rd
gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the
clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the
clutch and move the gear lever into neutral.
This helps to prevent driving into the tow-
ing vehicle. WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-start-
ing. The vehicle being towed can easily col-
lide with the towing vehicle. CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the cata-
lytic converter and damage it. Comments
Please observe the following points if you
use a tow rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the tow rope is
taut. Then accelerate gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you
are driving an automatic vehicle, accelerate
gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power
steering are not working in the vehicle you
are towing. Brake sooner than normal and
pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all
times when towing.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer for the vehicle to be tow-
ed using a tow bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to re-
duce the loading on both vehicles. It is advis- able to use a tow rope made of synthetic fi-
bre or similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the
towline anchorages provided or a towing
bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially
when using a tow rope. Both drivers should
be familiar with the technique required for
towing. Inexperienced drivers should not at-
tempt to tow.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle
and take care to avoid jerking the tow rope.
When towing on an unpaved road, there is al-
ways a risk of overloading and damaging the
anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must
be switched on to prevent the steering wheel
from locking and also to allow the use of the
turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and
washers.
The brake servo only works when the engine
is running. When not running, you must ap-
ply considerably more pressure to the brake
pedal.
As the power assisted steering does not work
if the engine is not running, you will need
more strength to steer than you normally
would.
190
Emergencies
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
● Put the selector lever into position “N”.
● Do not drive faster than 50 km/h (31 mph).
● Do not tow further than 50 km.
● If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle
must be towed with the front wheels raised. Note
● Observe legal requirements when towing or
tow-starting.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both
vehicles. However, observe any regulations
to the contrary.
● For technical reasons, vehicles with an au-
tomatic gearbox must not be tow-started.
● If there is no lubricant in the gearbox as the
result of a fault, you must raise the driven
wheels while the vehicle is being towed.
● If the vehicle has to be towed more than
50 km (30 miles), the front wheels should be
raised during towing, and towing should be
carried out by a qualified person.
● The steering wheel is locked when the vehi-
cle has no electrical power. The vehicle must
then be towed with the front wheels raised.
Towing should be carried out by a qualified
person.
● The towline anchorage should always be
kept in the vehicle. Front towline anchorage
Fig. 166
Towline anchorage at the front of the
vehicle Read the additional information carefully
››› page 28
Fitting the towline anchorage
– Take the towline anchorage from the on-
board tool set.
– Remove the front cover by pressing down
on its left-hand side. For FR finishes, press
down and pull outwards. For the rest of the
Sport finishes, remove the cover by insert-
ing a screwdriver into the lower slot and
levering gently.
– Bolt the anchorage to its limit to the left, in
the dir ection of
the arrow ››› Fig. 166. Rear towline anchorage Read the additional information carefully
››› page 28
There is a towline anchorage at the rear on
the right below the rear bumper.
191
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Index
Differential lock fault (EDL) control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Disposal Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Door handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Door lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Door lock cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Door release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Double headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Driver see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . . . 30, 31, 32
Driv e
shaft differential
XDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Driving driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Economically/with Respect for the Environ-ment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Driving Economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Driving with Respect for the Environment . . . . . 136
Duplicate keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
E EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 87 Electro-hydraulic steering
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 139
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Emission control system control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 167 Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . 166
Engine coolant G 12 plus-plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
G 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Engine coolant fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Engine fault control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Engine management control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Engine oil Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Engine oil pressure control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Environmental tip Avoiding pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 139
see also Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . 139
Exhau
st gas emission control system . . . . . . . . . 135
Exterior mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Exterior view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
External aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
F Fabric trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Filling the fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Fog light bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Fog lights with cornering function . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Footwell lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Front head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
headrests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Front ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Front drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Front interior light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Front parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Front passenger airbag deactivation . . . . . . . . . . 45 safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Front passenger front airbag Deactivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Front reading light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
231