Towing bracket deviceKey of the Schematic diagram
››› Fig. 171:
PinMeaning
12Unassigned
13Earth, pin 9 Electrical socket for trailer
The vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power
socket for the electrical connection between
the trailer and the vehicle. If the system de-
tects that a trailer has been connected elec-
trically, the electrical equipment on the trailer
will receive voltage through this connection.
Pin 9 has a permanent live. This powers, for
example, the trailer's interior lighting. Pin 10
is only powered when the engine is running.
The charge wire (pin 10) charges, for exam-
ple, a caravan battery.
Pin 9 and 10 should not be connected to
each other to avoid discharging or damaging
the vehicle's battery.
The earth wires, pin 3, pin 11 and pin 13,
should never be connected to each other to
avoid overloading the electrical system.
If the trailer has a
7-contact connector , you
will need to use an adapter cable. In this case
the function corresponding to pin 10 will not
be available. Trailer maximum electricity consumption
Brake lights (total)84 Watts
Turn signal, on each side42 Watts
Side lights (total)100 Watts
Rear lights (total)42 Watts
Rear fog light42 Watts
Never exceed the values indicated!
Note
● If the rear lights of the trailer are not cor-
rectly connected, the vehicle electronics may
be damaged.
● If the trailer absorbs excessive electric cur-
rent, the vehicle electronics may be dam-
aged.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
directly to the electrical connections of the
tail lights or any other power sources. Only
use the connections intended for providing
electric current to the trailer. Ball coupling of towing bracket*
The ball coupling is provided with instruc-
tions on fitting and removing the ball cou-
pling of the towing bracket. WARNING
The towing bracket ball coupling must be
stored securely in the luggage compartment
to prevent them being flung through the vehi-
cle and causing injury. Note
● By law, the ball coupling must be removed
if a trailer is not being towed if it obscures
the number plate. Driving tips
Driving with a trailer always requires extra
care.
Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer
with an unladen vehicle is very unfavourable.
However, if this cannot be avoided, drive ex-
tra slowly to allow for the unbalanced weight
distribution.
Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is re-
duced with increasing speed. For this reason,
it is advisable not to drive at the maximum
permissible speed in an unfavourable road,
weather or wind conditions. This applies es-
pecially when driving downhill.
»
179
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
You should always reduce speed immediately
if the trailer shows the slightest sign of snak-
ing . Never try to stop the “snaking” by in-
c r
easing speed.
Always brake in due course. If the trailer has
an overrun brake, apply the brakes gen
tly at
first and then, firmly. This will prevent the
jerking that can be caused by locking of trail-
er wheels. Select a low gear in due course
before going down a steep downhill. This en-
ables you to use the engine braking to slow
down the vehicle.
Reheating
At very high temperatures and during pro-
longed slopes, driving in a low gear and high
engine speed, always monitor the coolant
temperature gauge ››› page 71.
Electronic stability control*
The ESC* system helps to stabilise the trailer
in case of skidding or rocking. Retrofitting a towing bracket*
Fig. 172
Attachment points for towing brack-
et. If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the ve-
hicle is purchased, this must be completed
according to the instructions of the towing
bracket manufacturer.The attachment points for the towing bracket
A are on the lower part of the vehicle.
The distance between the centre of the ball
coupling and the ground should never be
lower than the indicated value, even with a
fully loaded vehicle and including the maxi-
mum drawbar load.
Elevation values for securing the towing
bracket:
B65 mm (minimum)
C350 mm to 420 mm (fully laden vehicle)
D1040 mm
E317 mm
FLEON/LEON SCLEON ST
319 mm596 mm Fitting a towing bracket
●
Driving with a trailer involves an extra effort
for the vehicle. Therefore, before fitting a
towing bracket, please contact a Technical
Service to check whether your cooling system
needs modification.
● The legal requirements in your country
must be observed (e.g. the fitting of a sepa-
rate control lamp).
● Certain vehicle components, e.g. the rear
bumper, must be removed and reinstalled.
The towing bracket securing bolts must be
180
Advice
Automatic car washes
Before going through a car wash, be sure to
take the usual precautions such as closing
the windows and roof. If the vehicle has spe-
cial accessories such as spoilers or a roof
rack or two-way radio aerial, etc., it is advisa-
ble to consult the car wash tunnel operator.
It is best to use a car wash without revolving
bristles if possible.
Washing the vehicle with a high pressure
cleaner
When washing the vehicle with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. This applies
particularly to the operating pressure and the
spraying distance . Do not hold the nozzle too
c lo
se to soft materials such as rubber hoses
or seals. The same applies to the parking aid
sensors*, which are located in the rear bump-
er.
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out
in a
direct stream or one that has a rotating
jet for forcing off dirt.
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove
or brush using only slight pressure.
You should start on the roof and work down. Special car
soap
should only be used for very
persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
● The vehicle should only be washed with the
ignition switched off. Failure to follow this in-
struction could result in an accident.
● Do not clean the underside of chassis, the
inside of wheel arches or wheel trims without
protecting your hands and arms. You may cut
yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. Other-
wise, there is a risk of sustaining cuts.
● When washing the car during the winter
season: water and ice in the brake system
can reduce braking effectiveness: risk of acci-
dent! CAUTION
● Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight –
otherwise the paint can be damaged.
● Do not use sponges, abrasive household
sponges or similar to clean insect remains.
This could damage the surface.
● Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from
the headlights at regular intervals, for in-
stance when filling the fuel tank. The head-
lights should only be washed with water, do not wipe them with a dry cloth or sponge. It
is best to use soapy water.
● Never wash tyres with a jet that sprays the
water out in a direct stream. This could dam-
age the tyres even if the spray is kept at a
distance and only used for a very short time.
● Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, please make sure to retract the ex-
terior mirrors to prevent them from being
damaged. Electrically retractable exterior
mirrors must not be folded in or out by hand,
always use the electrical power control. CAUTION
● Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, please proceed as follows to lock
the wiper arms so that they are not moved to-
wards the top of the windscreen:
–the bonnet must be closed.
– switch the ignition on and off.
– press the windscreen wiper lever forward
briefly (windscreen washer function).
This will lock the wiper arms. For the sake of the environment
The car should only be washed in special
wash bays. These areas are prepared to pre-
vent oily water from getting into the public
drains. In some places, washing vehicles out-
side the areas intended for this purpose is
prohibited. 184
Advice
could damage the engine
. If there is no
c
oolant in the expansion tank, do not con-
tinue driving. You should obtain professio-
nal assistance ››› .
– If there is still some coolant in the expan-
sion tank, top up to the upper mark.
– Top up with coolant until the level becomes
stable.
– Screw the cap back on correctly.
Any loss of coolant fluid normally indicates a
leak in the cooling system. Take the vehicle
straight to a specialised workshop to have
the cooling system examined. If there are no
leaks in the engine cooling system, a loss of
coolant can only occur if the coolant boils
and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating. WARNING
● The cooling system is under pressure. Do
not unscrew the cap on the coolant expan-
sion tank when the engine is hot: risk of
burns!
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a
health hazard. Therefore, the antifreeze
should be stored in the original container in a
safe place out of reach of children. Failure to
comply could result in poisoning.
● If working inside the engine compartment,
remember that, even when the ignition is
switched off, the radiator fan may start up au- tomatically, and therefore there is a risk of in-
jury.
CAUTION
Do not top up the expansion tank with cool-
ant fluid if it is empty! Air could enter the
cooling system. In this case, stop driving.
Seek specialist assistance. Otherwise, there
is a risk of engine damage. Brake fluid
Topping up the brake fluid Read the additional information carefully
››› page 32
Checking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid level must be between the
MIN and MAX markings.
However, if the brake fluid level goes down
noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
MIN mark, there may be a leak in the brake
system. Seek specialist assistance. A warn-
ing light on the instrument panel display
monitors the brake fluid level ››› page 71.
In right-hand drive vehicles the brake fluid
reservoir is on the other side of the engine
compartment. Changing brake fluid
The regular intervals at which the brake fluid
should be replaced are listed in the Mainte-
nance Programme. We recommend you have
it replaced at a SEAT Official Service, during
an Inspection Service.
WARNING
● Brake fluid should be stored in the closed
original container in a safe place out of reach
of children. Risk of poisoning!
● If the brake fluid is left in the system for
too long and the brakes are subjected to
heavy use, vapour bubbles may form in the
brake system. This would seriously affect the
efficiency of the brakes and the safety of the
vehicle. This may cause an accident. CAUTION
Brake fluid should not come into contact with
the vehicle paintwork, as it is abrasive. Windscreen washer reservoir
Checking and topping up the
windscreen washer reservoir with
water Read the additional information carefully
››› page 32
204
Advice
securely and that the brake system functions
correctly.
The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easi-
ly.
A special adapter is required to turn the anti-
theft wheel bolts* ››› page 218.
Tyre monitoring systems Introduction WARNING
Unsuitable handling of the wheels and tyres
may lead to sudden tyre pressure losses, to
tread separation or even to a blow-out.
● Check tyre pressures regularly and ensure
they are maintained at the pressures indica-
ted. Tyre pressure that is too low could cause
overheating, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● Tyre pressure should be that indicated on
the label when the tyres are cold at all times
››› page 243.
● Re
gularly check the cold inflation pressure
of the tyres. If necessary, change the tyre
pressure of the vehicle tyres while they are
cold.
● Regularly check your tyres for damage and
wear. ●
Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loads specified for the type of tyre
fitted on your vehicle. For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel
consumption and tyre wear. Note
● Driving for the first time with new tyres at a
high speed can cause them to slightly ex-
pand, which could then produce an air pres-
sure warning.
● Only replace used tyres with those author-
ised by SEAT for the corresponding type vehi-
cle.
● Do not only rely on the tyre monitoring sys-
tem. Regularly check your tyres to ensure
that the tyre pressure is correct and that the
tyres are not damaged due to puncture, cuts,
tears and impacts/dents. Remove objects
from the tyres only when they have not
pierced the tyres. Tyre monitor indicator warning lamp
If a light appears
The pressure in one or more tyres has
clearly reduced in comparison to the
tyre pressure set by the driver or the
tyre has structural damage.
Additionally, an audible warning can be heard and a text
message can be seen on the instrument panel display.
Stop the vehicle!
Reduce speed immediately! Stop
the vehicle safely as soon as possible. Avoid sudden
manoeuvres and braking! Check all tyres and pressures.
Replace any damaged tyres. If flashing
System malfunction
The control lamp flashes for approximately one minute
and then lights up permanently.
If tyre pressure is correct, switch the ignition off and on
again. If the control lamp remains lit up, the tyre moni-
toring indicator can be calibrated. Have the system
checked by a specialised workshop.
Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on while the function is verified. They will
switch off after a few seconds.
WARNING
When the tyres are inflated at different pres-
sures or at a pressure that is too low then a
tyre may be damaged resulting in a loss of 212
Emergencies
Snow chains will improve braking ability as
well as traction in winter conditions.
F or t
echnical reasons snow chains may only
be used with the following wheel rim/tyre
combination.
195/65 R15Chains with links of maximum 15 mm
205/55 R16Chains with links of maximum 15 mm
225/45 R17Chains with links of maximum 9 mm
225/40 R18Chains with links of maximum 9 mm Remove wheel covers and any
integral trim
ring before fitting snow chains.
R emo
ve the chains when roads are free of
snow
. Otherwise they will impair handling,
damage the tyres and wear out very quickly. Emergencies
Changing a wheel What to do first Read the additional information carefully
››› page 34
– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the
car as far away from the flow of traffic as
possible in a safe place. If you have a punc-
ture, stop the vehicle on a horizontal sur-
face. If you are on a slope, take extra care.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Switch on the hazard warning lights.
– Manual gearbox: select the 1st gear.
– Automatic gearbox: move the selector lever
to P.
– When towing a trailer: unhitch the trailer
from your vehicle.
– Have the vehicle tool kit ›››
page 220 and
the spare wheel ready ›››
page 214.
– Observe the applicable legislation for each
country (reflective vest, warning triangles,
etc.).
– All vehicle occupants should leave the car.
They should wait in a safe area (for in-
stance behind the roadside crash barrier). WARNING
● Always observe the above steps and pro-
tect yourself and other road users.
● If you change the wheel on a slope, block
the wheel on the opposite side of the car with
a stone or similar to prevent the vehicle from
moving. Wheel covers*
Fig. 182
Remove the wheel cover. The wheel covers must be removed for access
to the wheel bolts.
Removing
– Remove the wheel cover using the wire
hook ›››
Fig. 182 .
– Hook thi
s into one of the cut-outs of the
wheel cover. »
217
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Emergencies
TMS (Tyre Mobility System)* Read the additional information carefully
››› page 33
The Anti-puncture kit* (Tyre Mobility System)
will reliably seal punctures caused by the
penetration of a foreign body of up to about
4 mm in diameter. Do not remove foreign ob-
j
ects, e.g. screws or nails, from the tyre.
After inserting the sealant residue in the tyre,
you must again check the tyre pressure about
10 minutes after starting the engine.
You should only use the tire mobility set if
the vehicle is parked in a safe place, you are
familiar with the procedure and you have the
necessary tire mobility set! Otherwise, you
should seek professional assistance.
The tyre sealant must not be used in the
following cases:
● If the wheel rim has been damaged.
● In outside temperatures below -20°C (-4°F).
● In the event of cuts or perforations in the
tyre greater than 4 mm.
● If you have been driving with very low pres-
sure or a completely flat tyre.
● If the sealant bottle has passed its use by
date. WARNING
Using the tyre mobility system can be dan-
gerous, especially when filling the tyre at the
roadside. Please observe the following rules
to minimise the risk of injury:
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
Park it at a safe distance from surrounding
traffic to fill the tyre.
● Ensure the ground on which you park is flat
and solid.
● All passengers and particularly children
must keep a safe distance from the work area.
● Turn on the hazard warning lights to warn
other road users.
● Use the tyre mobility system only if you are
familiar with the necessary procedures. Oth-
erwise, you should seek professional assis-
tance.
● The tyre mobility set is intended for tempo-
rary emergency use only until you can reach
the nearest specialised workshop.
● Replace the repaired tyre with the tire mo-
bility set as soon as possible.
● The sealant is a health hazard and must be
cleaned immediately if it comes into contact
with the skin.
● Always keep the tire mobility set out of the
reach of small children.
● Never use an equivalent jack, even if it has
been approved for your vehicle.
● Always stop the engine, apply the hand-
brake lever firmly and engage gear if using a manual gearbox, in order to reduce the risk of
vehicle involuntary movement.
WARNING
A tyre filled with sealant does not have the
same performance properties as a conven-
tional tyre.
● Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and
fast cornering.
● Drive for only 10 minutes at a maximum
speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and then check
the tyre. For the sake of the environment
Dispose of used or expired sealant observing
any legal requirements. Note
A new bottle of sealant can be purchased at
SEAT dealerships. Note
Take into account the separate instruction
manual of the tyre mobility set* manufactur-
er. 221
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Advice
8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat battery and wait 2 or 3 minutes until the
engine is “running”.
Removing the jump leads
9. Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the dipped beam headlights (if they
are switched on).
10.Turn on the heater blower and heated rear window in the vehicle with the flat battery.
This helps minimise voltage peaks which
are generated when the leads are discon-
nected.
11. When the engine is running, disconnect
the l e
ads in reverse order to the details
given above.
Connect the battery clamps so they have
good metal-to-metal contact with the battery
terminals.
If the engine fails to start, switch off the start-
er after about 10 seconds and try again after
about 1 minute. WARNING
● Please note the safety warnings referring to
working in the engine compartment
››› page 198.
● The b att
ery providing assistance must have
the same voltage as the flat battery (12V) and
approximately the same capacity (see imprint on battery). Failure to comply could result in
an explosion.
●
Never use jump leads when one of the bat-
teries is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even af-
ter the battery has thawed, battery acid could
leak and cause chemical burns. If a battery
freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes
away from batteries, danger of explosion.
Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the jump leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the
other vehicle directly to the negative terminal
of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the
battery could be ignited by sparks. Danger of
explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the
other vehicle to parts of the fuel system or to
the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery
clamps must not be allowed to touch. The
jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the ve-
hicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they
cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could re-
sult in chemical burns. Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
erwise electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle
General information Read the additional information carefully
››› page 35
Points to observe when tow-starting or tow-
ing away
If you use a tow rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– The tow rope must be taut before you drive
off.
– Release the clutch very carefully when start-
ing the vehicle (manual gearbox), or accel-
erate gently (automatic gearbox).
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially
when using a tow rope
. Both drivers should
be f
amiliar with the technique required for
towing. Inexperienced drivers should not at-
tempt to tow.
224