
Operation
Removing and installing the rear head
restraints Fig. 54
Removing the rear head restraint The rear seats are equipped with a head re-
straint.
Removing the rear head restraint.
● Unlock the seat backrest and fold it forward
››› page 73 .
● Pu
sh the head restraint up as far as it will
go ››› .
● Pull the head restraint out of the fitting
without releasing the button ››› Fig. 54 1 .
● Fold the backrest of the rear seat backward
again until it is engaged.
● Safely store the removed head restraints.
Removing the rear head restraint.
● Unlock the seat backrest and fold it forward
››› page 73 . ●
Inser
t the head restraint into the guides on
the seat backrest.
● Push the head restraint down as far as it
will go while pressing button 1 .
● Fold the backrest of the rear seat backward
again until it is engaged.
● Adjust the head restraint to the correct po-
sition ››› page 9 . WARNING
Travelling with the head restraints removed
or improperly adjusted increases the risk of
severe or fatal injuries in the event of acci-
dents and sudden braking or manoeuvres.
● Always fit and adjust the head restraint
properly whenever a person is occupying a
seat.
● Refit any removed head restraints immedi-
ately so that passengers are properly protec-
ted. CAUTION
When removing and fitting the head restraint,
make sure it does not hit the headliner of the
vehicle or the front seat backrest. Otherwise,
the interior roof and other parts of the vehicle
could be damaged. Seat functions
Seat heating* Fig. 55
In the centre console: Front seats
heating switch The front seat cushions can be heated electri-
cally when the ignition is switched on.
Switch off seat heating if there is nobody in
the seat.
FunctionAction
››› Fig. 55
ActivatePress button . Seat heating is
switched on fully. All warning sig-
nals light up.
Adjusting the
heating outputPress the button again to adjust
the desired heat.
DeactivatingKeep pressing button until all of
the lights are switched off. 64

Driving
lock and it will not be possible to turn the
steering wheel.
Control and warning lampsIt lights
upPossible causeSolution
(red)Power steering
faulty.
The steering system
should be checked
by a specialised
workshop as soon as
possible.
(yellow)Power steering op-
eration reduced.
The steering system
should be checked
by a specialised
workshop as soon as
possible.
If, after restarting the
engine and driving
for a short distance,
the yellow warning
lamp no longer
comes on, it will
not
be necessary to take
the vehicle to a spe-
cialised workshop.
FlashesPossible causeSolution
(red)
Fault in the steer-
ing column elec-
tronic lock. Do not drive on!
Seek professional
advice.
FlashesPossible causeSolution
(yellow)
Steering column
deviation.Gently turn the steer-
ing wheel to and fro.
Steering wheel not
unlocked or
locked.
Remove the key from
the ignition and then
switch the ignition
back on. If necessa-
ry, check the mes-
sages displayed on
the instrument panel
display.
Do not drive on, if
the steering column
remains locked after
the ignition has
been switched on.
Seek specialist as-
sistance. 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.
WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
may stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appear may result in faults in the vehicle. Information on the steering
To prevent theft, we recommend you lock the
steering before leaving the vehicle.
Mechanical steering lock
Lock the steering column by removing the
key from the ignition when the vehicle is
stopped.
Please engage steer-
ing lockUnlocking the steering
Parking the vehicle
››› page 89.Insert the key in the igni-
tion lock.
Remove the key from the
ignition.Turn the steering wheel
slightly to release the
steering lock.
Turn the steering wheel
slightly until you hear the
steering lock.Hold the steering wheel in
this position and switch
on the ignition. Electromechanical power steering
With the power steering system, the assisted
steering function automatically adjusts ac-
cording to the vehicle speed, the steering tor-
que and the wheel turning angle. The power
»
85
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Driving
Braking and parking Introduction The assisted braking systems
are the elec-
tr
onic distribution of the brake force (EBV),
the anti-lock brake system (ABS), the brake
assist system (BAS), the electronic differen-
tial lock (EDL), the traction control (TC), the
traction control system (ASR) and the elec-
tronic stability control (ESC*). WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or a faulty
brake system may lead to serious accident.
● If you believe the brake pads to be worn or
the brake system to be faulty, immediately
refer to a specialised workshop to check the
brake pads and replace the worn ones. WARNING
Careless parking can cause serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehicle is in motion. The steering lock
may engage and lock the steering wheel mak-
ing the vehicle impossible to control.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood, leaves,
dried grass, spilled fuel, etc.).
● Always apply the handbrake when you
leave your vehicle and when you park. ●
Never leave children or disabled people
alone in the vehicle. They could release the
electronic parking brake, activate the selec-
tor lever or gear stick and start the vehicle
moving. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.
● Always take all the keys with you whenever
you leave the vehicle. The engine could acci-
dentally be started and electrical equipment
such as the windows could accidentally be
operated resulting in serious injury.
● Never leave children or disabled people
alone in the car. They could be trapped in the
car in an emergency and will not be able to
get themselves to safety. For example, de-
pending on the time of the year, tempera-
tures inside a locked and closed vehicle can
be extremely high or extremely low resulting
in serious injuries and illness or even death,
particularly for young children. CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking
in areas with high kerbs or fixed barriers. Ob-
jects protruding from the ground may dam-
age the bumper or other parts of the vehicle
during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop
before the wheels touch the barrier or kerb.
● Special attention is required when driving
through entrances, over ramps, kerbs or oth-
er objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers,
mudguards and running gear, and the engine
and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. Warning and control lamps
It lights
upPossible cause
››› Solution
Handbrake ap-
plied.›››
page 90.
Fault in the brake
system Do not drive on!
Seek professional
advice ››› page 92.
Brake fluid level
inadequate. Do not drive on!
Check brake fluid
level ››› page 153.
Together with the
ABS control lamp
: ABS and EBV
do not function.
Do not drive on!
Seek professional
advice ››› page 92.
ESC* disconnec-
ted by system.Switching the igni-
tion on and off If
necessary, drive for a
short distance.
Fault in ESC*.Contact a special-
ised workshop.
Together with the
ABS control lamp
: Fault in the
ABS.
Contact a special-
ised workshop. The
vehicle can be
braked without ABS.
The battery has
been reconnected.››› page 154.
Traction Control
faulty or switched
off by the system.Contact a special-
ised workshop.»
89
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

OperationIt lights
upPossible cause
››› Solution
Together with the
ESC* control lamp
: Fault in the
ABS.
Contact a special-
ised workshop. The
vehicle can be
braked without ABS.
Together with the
warning lamp :
ABS and EBV do
not function. Do not drive on!
Seek professional
advice ››› page 92.
FlashesPossible causeSolution
ESC* or ASR regu-
lating.Take your foot off the
accelerator. Adjust
your driving style to
the road conditions.
Traction Control
regulator operat-
ing.Take your foot off the
accelerator. Adjust
your driving style to
the road conditions.
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.
WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
may stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps. ●
Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. WARNING
Driving with brakes in bad condition could re-
sult in a serious accident.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go
out, or if it lights up when driving, the brake
fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there
is a fault in the brake system. Obtain profes-
sional assistance immediately ››› page 152,
Checking the brake fluid level.
● If the brake warning lamp lights up to-
gether with the ABS warning lamp , the
regulation function of the ABS could be mal-
functioning. As a result, the rear wheels can
lock relatively easily when braking. If the rear
wheels lock this could result in loss of vehicle
control! If possible, reduce your speed and
drive carefully to a specialised workshop
close by to check the brake system. During
the following journey, avoid sudden braking
and manoeuvres.
● If the ABS warning lamp does not go out
or if it lights while driving, the ABS is mal-
functioning. The vehicle can only be stopped
using normal braking without ABS. The pro-
tection provided by the ABS is not available.
Visit a specialised workshop as soon as pos-
sible. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appear may result in faults in the vehicle. Handbrake
Fig. 80
Between the front seats: handbrake. Using the handbrake
●
Pull firmly in an upwards direction on the
handbrake lever while pressing the button.
● The handbrake is applied when the control
lamp lights up on the instrument panel
››› page 89 when the ignition is switched on.
R el
easing the handbrake
● Pull gently in an upwards direction on the
handbrake lever and press the lock button
››› Fig. 80 (arrow).
● Mov
e the handbrake lever downwards
keeping the lock button pressed. WARNING
The incorrect use of the handbrake may result
in a serious accident. 90

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

Operation
(yellow)It lights up
The automatic
gearbox over-
heats temporari-
ly.Let the transmission cool with the
gearbox lever in the position .
When the control lamp does not
light up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the auto-
matic gearbox checked.
It lights up
Place the automatic
gearbox lever in the
position
and do not
press the brake pedal.
Press the brake pedal to select
a gear range.
Together with the yel-
low control lamp for
the temperature of the
transmission
: the
automatic gearbox
overheats.
Press brake pedal and let the
transmission cool. Avoid
pressing the accelerator. When
the control lamp does not light
up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the
automatic gearbox checked.
Together with the turn
signal display in the
instrument panel dis-
play: the automatic
gearbox lever is not in
the position
, indica-
tion to start the en-
gine.
Move the gearbox lever to the
position and start the en-
gine.
Flashes
An automatic gearbox
in the vehicle does
not guarantee that the
vehicle will not roll
away.Apply the handbrake.
Flashes
In the instrument pan-
el display, in addition
to the control lamp re-
questing the brake
pedal to be pressed
: indicated for start-
ing the engine.
Move the gearbox lever to the
position and start the en-
gine.
On the instrument
panel display: Whilst
driving in a forward di-
rection, try to move
the automatic gearbox
lever to the position
.
Stop the vehicle and move the
gearbox lever to the position in order to subsequently
change to the position .
On the instrument
panel display: The au-
tomatic gearbox lever
was placed in the po-
sition
or , but the
brake pedal was not
pressed.
Press the brake pedal, move
the gearbox lever to the posi-
tion
, and subsequently to
the required position or . When switching on the ignition some warn-
ing and control lamps light up for a short
time to check the operations. They will switch
off after a few seconds.Manual gearbox: engaging gears
Fig. 81
Gear shift pattern of a 5-speed man-
ual gearbox The position of each of the gears is shown on
the gear stick
››› Fig. 81 .
● Keep the c
lutch pedal pushed all the way
down.
● Move the gearbox lever to the required po-
sition ››› .
● Release the clutch pedal to engage clutch.
In some countries, it is necessary to press the
clutch pedal to the floor to start the engine.
Selecting reverse gear
● Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle
is stopped.
● Keep the clutch pedal pushed all the way
down ››› .
94

Operation
required direction, there is a system malfunc-
tion. Seek specialist assistance and have the
system checked. CAUTION
● When the gearbox is displayed as overheat-
ing for the first time, the vehicle must be
parked safely or must be driven at a speed of
more than 20 km/h (12 mph).
● When the warning lamp lights up and the
audible warning is heard, the vehicle must be
parked safely and the engine switched off.
Let the gearbox cool down.
● To prevent damage to the gearbox, driving
must only be continued when the warning
lamps are no longer lit up. While the gearbox
is overheated, starting up and driving, even
at a slow speed should be avoided. Recommended gear display
In some vehicles, the recommended gear for
reducing fuel consumption is displayed on
the instrument panel:DisplayMeaning
Optimum gear.
Recommendation to change up a gear.
Recommendation to change down a
gear. WARNING
The recommended gear display is intended as
a guideline only; it should never replace the
driver's attention to driving carefully.
● Responsibility for selecting the correct gear
for each situation continues to lie with the
driver, for example when overtaking or climb-
ing a hill. For the sake of the environment
Selecting the most appropriate gear for the
situation will help you to save fuel. Note
● The recommended gear display is switched
off when the clutch pedal is pressed.
● On the display of the Portable Navigation
System (supplied by SEAT) ››› page 123 the
recommended gear can also be seen. Run-in and economical driving
Running-in Please observe the instructions for running-in
new components.
Running-in the engine
The engine needs to be run in over the first
1,500 km. During its first few hours of run-ning, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving
parts have bedded down.
How the vehicle is driven for the first 1,500
km influences the future engine perform-
ance. Throughout the life of the vehicle, it
should be driven at a moderate speed, espe-
cially when the engine is cold, as this will re-
duce engine wear and increase its useful life.
Never drive at extremely low engine speeds.
Change down to a lower gear when the en-
gine no longer runs “smoothly”.
Up to 1,000
k i
lometres the following instructions apply:
● Do not use full throttle.
● Do not force the engine above two thirds of
its maximum speed.
Between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres, gradu-
ally increase power until reaching the maxi-
mum speed and high en
gine speeds.
Running in new tyres and brake pads
● Replacement of wheel rims and new tyres
››› page 158
● Notes on the brakes ››› page 89 For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the
engine will be increased and the engine oil
consumption reduced. 98

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