Lights and visibility
Note
● The windscreen wipers will only work when
the ignition is switched on.
● The interval wipe speed varies according to
the vehicle speed. The faster the vehicle is
moving, the more often the windscreen is
cleaned.
● The rear wiper is automatically switched on
when the windscreen wiper is on and the car
is in reverse gear. Windscreen wiper functionsWindscreen wiper performance in different sit-
uations
If the vehicle is at a
standstillThe activated position provision-
ally changes to the previous posi-
tion.
For intermittent wip-
ersIntervals between wipes depend
on the vehicle's speed. The high-
er the vehicle speed the shorter
the intervals.
Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles
that are on the windscreen. The wiper will
stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path.
Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper
back on again. Windscreen wipers service position
Fig. 49
Wipers in service position The wiper arms can be raised when the wip-
ers are in service position
››› Fig. 49 . To place
the w ind
screen wipers in the service posi-
tion, proceed as follows:
● The bonnet must be closed ››› page 143.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever down-
wards briefly ››› Fig. 48 4 .
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms.
When the ignition is switched on, the wind-
screen wiper arms return to their initial posi-
tion upon activating the windscreen wiper
lever.
Lifting and returning windscreen wiper arms
● Place the wiper arms in the service position
››› .●
Only hold the wiper arms at the point
where the blade is fixed. CAUTION
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the
wiper arms, only leave them in the service
position.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper
arms. Rear vision mirror
Rear vision mirror Fig. 50
Manual anti-dazzle function for rear
vision mirror The driver should always adjust the rear vi-
sion mirror to permit adequate visibility
through the rear window.
»
61
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
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 Programme.
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 stated in the Service Sched-
ule.
WARNING
Reduced visibility through the windows in-
creases the risk of serious accidents. ●
Ensure that all windows are free of ice and
snow and that they are not fogged up pre-
venting a clear view of everything outside.
● The maximum heat output required to de-
frost windows as quickly as possible is only
available when the engine has reached its
normal running temperature. Only drive when
you have good visibility.
● Always ensure that you use the heating
system, ventilation, air conditioner and the
heated rear window to maintain good visibili-
ty.
● 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 re-
duce 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 spe-
cialist knowledge and special tools. SEAT rec-
ommends taking your car in for technical
service. Note
● When the cooling system is turned off, air
coming from the outside will not be dried. To
avoid fogging up the windows, SEAT recom-
mends leaving the cooler (compressor) on. To
do this, press the A/C button. The button
lamp should light up.
● The maximum heat output required to de-
frost windows as quickly as possible is only
available when the engine has reached its
normal running temperature.
● Keep the air intake slots in front of the
windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves to en-
sure heating and cooling are not impaired,
and to prevent the windows from misting
over. 80
Driving
weather, and road and traffic conditions
permit.
WARNING
Driving without the brake servo may signifi-
cantly increase the braking distance and re-
sult 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 operate. 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 signifi-
cantly reduce braking power, increase brak-
ing distance or even result in the total failure
of the brake system.
● Reduce speed or change down a 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. Other-
wise, 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 al-
so. The thickness of the brake pads should be
checked visually and regularly, by looking
through the openings in the wheel rims or
from underneath the vehicle. If necessary, re-
move the wheels to check them thoroughly.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service. Changing gear
Introduction When reverse gear is engaged and the
ignition is switched on the following takes
place:
● Reverse lights light up.
● The rear wiper blade performs one move-
ment when the windscreen wiper is activa-
ted.
● If necessary, connect the parking distance
warning system. WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction
and skidding, especially on slippery ground.
This could cause loss of control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident and considerable
damage. ●
Use rapid acceleration only when visibility,
weather, road conditions and traffic permit. WARNING
Do not allow the brakes to “rub” for a pro-
longed period of time, or brake frequently or
for long periods of time. Continuous braking
heats up the brakes. This could significantly
reduce braking power, increase braking dis-
tance or even result in the total failure of the
brake system. Warning and control lamps
(red)It lights up
Fault in the auto-
matic gearbox.
Do not drive on!
Seek professional advice. Failure to
do so could result in considerable
damage to the transmission
››› page 97.
(yellow)It lights up
In the automatic
gearbox the
gears can en-
gage incorrectly.Switch the ignition on and off.
When the control lamp does not
light up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the auto-
matic gearbox checked.
»
93
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Driving
The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in
summer, even when other conditions are the
same.
“Warming” the engine is not only forbidden
in some countries, but in practice it is techni-
cally superfluous as it is a waste of fuel.
Adjusting type pressures.
Having the correct pressure in your tyres
helps to reduce rolling resistance and, as a
result reduces fuel consumption. Increasing
the tyre pressure slightly (+0.2
bar/+3 psi/+200 kPa) can help to save fuel.
When you buy new tyres, make sure they are
optimised for minimum rolling resistance.
Use low friction engine oil
The use of low viscosity totally synthetic oils,
known as low friction engine oil, helps to re-
duce fuel consumption. These oils reduce the
resistance caused by friction in the engine,
they flow around the engine more quickly
and efficiently, particularly in cold starts. The
effect is particularly noticeable in vehicles
frequently used for short journeys.
Always check the engine oil level and ob-
serve service intervals (engine oil change in-
tervals).
When purchasing engine oil, always observe
legal requirements and ensure that the oil is
approved by SEAT. Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical
and ecological the driving style. For example,
an additional weight of 100 kg will increase
fuel consumption up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove any unnecessary objects or loads
from the vehicle.
Remove optional equipment and
unnecessary accessories
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the lower
the fuel consumption. Optional equipment
and accessories (such as roof racks or bike
carriers) reduce the aerodynamic benefits of
the vehicle.
Therefore, we recommend you remove all op-
tional and unnecessary equipment and racks,
especially if you intend to drive at high
speeds.
Other factors which increase fuel
consumption (examples):
●
Fault in engine management.
● Driving on hills. WARNING
Always adapt your speed and the distance to
the vehicles ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation. Engine management and
exhaust gas purification
system
Introduction WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
very high temperatures. This could cause a
fire.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as dried grass).
● Never apply additional underseal or anti-
corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter or the heat shields on the ex-
haust system. Control lampsIt lights
upPossible causeSolution
Fault in engine
management
(Electronic Power
Control).Take the vehicle to a
specialised work-
shop as soon as
possible and have
the engine checked.
»
101
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
OperationIt lights
upPossible causeSolution
Fault in catalytic
converter.
You should reduce
speed accordingly.
Drive carefully until
you reach the next
specialised work-
shop. Have the en-
gine checked there.
FlashesPossible causeSolution
Combustion fault
which could dam-
age the catalytic
converter.
You should reduce
speed accordingly.
Drive carefully until
you reach the next
specialised work-
shop. Have the en-
gine checked there.
Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.
CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and to the corresponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle. Note
While the control lamps or
maintain lit
up, the engine will present faults, a higher consumption of fuel and a loss of engine
power.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter permits the subse-
quent treatment of the exhaust gases thus
reducing contaminating gas emissions. To
ensure a longer working life for the exhaust
system and catalytic converter in a petrol en-
gine:
● Always use unleaded petrol.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry.
● Do not top up with too much engine oil
››› page 146 .
● Do not t
ow-start the vehicle; use the starter
cables ››› page 181.
If
you should notice misfiring, uneven run-
ning or loss of power when the car is moving,
reduce speed immediately. Have the car in-
spected by a specialised workshop. If this
happens, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust
system and escape into the atmosphere. The
catalytic converter can also be damaged by
overheating. For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is
working perfectly, there may be a smell of
sulphur under certain conditions. This de- pends on the sulphur content of the fuel
used.
Driving abroad
In some countries, certain safety regulations
and requirements are in force relating to ex-
haust gas emissions, which differ from the
technical characteristics of the vehicle. Be-
fore travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you
consult a technical service about the legal re-
quirements and the following points:
●
Does the vehicle need technical modifica-
tions for driving abroad, for example, adjust-
ment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diag-
nostics equipment and spare parts required
for inspections and repairs?
● Are there any SEAT dealers in the destina-
tion country?
● For petrol vehicles: Is unleaded petrol avail-
able at the right octane rating?
● For diesel engines: is diesel fuel available
with a low sulphur content?
● Are a suitable engine oil ( ››› page 146) and
other engine fluids complying with SEAT
specifications available in the destination
country?
102
Driver assistance systems
● Will the navigation system fitted at the fac-
tory operate correctly in the destination coun-
try with the available navigation data?
● Are special tyres required in the destination
country? CAUTION
SEAT does not accept liability for any damage
to the vehicle due to the use of a lower quali-
ty fuel, an inadequate service or the non-
availability of genuine spare parts. Driving along flooded roadways
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driv-
ing through water, for example, along a floo-
ded road, please observe the following:
● Check the depth of the water before enter-
ing the flooded zone. The water should never
come above the lower edge of the bodywork
››› .
● Do not drive faster than a pedestrian.
● Do not stop in the water, use reverse gear
or switch off the engine.
● Oncoming traffic will cause waves which
raise the level of the water, making it difficult
to cross the water.
● Disconnect the Start-Stop system whenever
crossing water. WARNING
When driving through water, mud, melted
snow, etc., please remember that due to
damp or frozen brake discs and shoes in win-
ter, the braking effect may be delayed, there-
fore the required braking distance is greater.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
carefully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process.
● After driving through water, avoid sudden
sharp manoeuvres. CAUTION
● Driving through flooded areas may severely
damage vehicle components such as the en-
gine, transmission, drive train or electrical
system.
● Never drive through salt water as salt cau-
ses corrosion. Always rinse any parts of the
vehicle which have been in contact with salt
water. Driver assistance systems
Braking and stability systems 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 increasing active safety.
Electronic stability control (ESC)*
ESC* reduces the risk of skidding and increa-
ses 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 ESC* is also subject to the laws of phys-
ics. ESC* will not be able to deal with all sit-
uations with which drivers may be faced. For
example, if the road surface changes sudden-
ly then ESC* will not be useful in all cases. If
the vehicle suddenly enters a section cov-
ered by water, mud or snow then ESC* will
not provide assistance in the same way as on
dry ground. If the vehicle loses its grip on the
ground and moves on a film of water (“aqua-
planing”), the ESC* will not be able to help
»
103Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Driver assistance systems
system is not a replacement for driver aware-
ness.
●
Always adapt your speed and the distance
to the vehicles ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation.
● The City Safety Assist function does not re-
act to people, animals or vehicles that cross
or move in the opposite direction in the same
lane.
● If after switching on the City Safety Assist
function the vehicle begins to move, slow the
vehicle with the foot brake. CAUTION
If you suspect that the City Safety Assist ra-
dar feature is damaged, switch it off. This will
avoid additional damage.
● Any repair of the radar sensor requires spe-
cialist knowledge. SEAT recommends taking
your car in for technical service. Note
● If the City Safety Assist function activates a
brake, the brake pedal range is reduced. This
makes the brake pedal seem “harder”.
● Automatic brake intervention by the City
Safety Assist function can be cancelled by
pressing the clutch pedal, the accelerator
pedal or by a corrective intervention.
● During automatic braking by the City Safety
Assist function you may hear unusual noises. This is normal and is produced in the brake
system.
Warning and control lamps
The City Safety Assist function is switched on
every time the ignition is switched on. No
special indication is produced.
If the City Safety Assist function is switched
off or on, or if there is an error in the system,
it will be shown by a control lamp on the in-
strument panel display.It lights
upPossible cause
››› Solution
The City Safety As-
sist function has
been switched on
manually using
the button
›››
Fig. 90.
The control lamp
turns off after about
5 seconds.
FlashesPossible cause
››› Solution
Fast: The City Safe-
ty Assist system
function brakes
automatically or
has braked auto-
matically.
Control lamp turns
off automatically.
FlashesPossible cause
››› Solution
Slow: City Safety
Assist function is
not currently avail-
able.
If the vehicle is stop-
ped, switch off the
engine and switch it
on again. If necessa-
ry, inspect the radar
sensor (dirt, frost)
›››
in Radar sen-
sor on page 112. If
it still does not func-
tion, refer to a Speci-
alised workshop to
have the system in-
spected.
Within the operat-
ing area of
5-30 km/h
(3-19 mph): The
City Safety Assist
function has been
switched off man-
ually using the
button
››› Fig. 90.
Switch on the City
Safety Assist func-
tion manually using
the button
››› Fig. 90. 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.
»
111
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Driver assistance systems
WARNING
● If you do not start the vehicle immediately
after taking your foot off the brake pedal, the
vehicle may start to roll back under certain
conditions. Depress the brake pedal or use
the hand brake immediately.
● If the engine stalls, depress the brake ped-
al or use the hand brake immediately.
● When following a line of traffic uphill, if you
want to prevent the vehicle from rolling back
accidentally when starting off, hold the brake
pedal down for a few seconds before starting
off. Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop
can tell you if your vehicle is equipped with
this system. Start-Stop system
Warning lampsIt
lights upPossible causeSolution
The Start-Stop system
is enabled.
It
lights upPossible causeSolution
The Start-Stop system
is enabled but the en-
gine cannot be auto-
matically stopped.Contact a special-
ised workshop.
The Start-Stop system
cannot start the en-
gine.Start the engine by
hand using the ve-
hicle's key
››› page 86.
There is a fault in the
alternator.››› page 154
Flash-
esPossible causeSolution
The Start-Stop system
is not available.Contact a special-
ised workshop.
Some warning and control lamps will light up
briefly when the ignition is switched on to
check certain functions. They will switch off
after a few seconds.
WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ››› in Control
and warning lamps on page 40. Start-Stop system
Fig. 93
At the top of the centre console: Start-
Stop system button With the Start-Stop system enabled, the en-
gine is automatically stopped when the vehi-
cle is at a standstill. It will start again auto-
matically as required.
This function remains enabled while the igni-
tion is switched on. The instrument panel dis-
play shows information on the current status
››› page 115 .
Di s
connect the Start-Stop system by hand
whenever crossing water.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
● When the vehicle is stopped, put it into
neutral and release the clutch pedal. The en-
gine will stop.
● To restart, simply engage the clutch. »
115
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety