
Operation
● After emptying the ashtray, insert it into the
drink holder from above. WARNING
Incorrect use of the ashtray may cause a fire
or burns and other serious injuries.
● Never put paper or other flammable objects
in the ashtray. Cigarette lighter*
Fig. 67
In the front part of the centre console:
lighter ●
Push the button on the cigarette lighter in-
ward with the ignition on ››› Fig. 67
.
● Wait
for the lighter to pop out slightly.
● Pull out the cigarette lighter and light the
cigarette on the glowing coil ››› .
● Replace the cigarette lighter in its insert. WARNING
Undue use of the cigarette lighter may cause
a fire or burns and other serious injuries.
● The cigarette lighter must only be used to
light cigarettes or similar.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. The cigarette lighter can be used
when the ignition is switched on. Note
The cigarette lighter can also be used with
the 12 Volt socket. Power socket*
Fig. 68
Front centre console: 12 Volt socket in
the storage compartment Electrical equipment can be connected to the
socket in the vehicle.All connected appliances should be in per-
fect working order without any faults.
Maximum power consumption
Power sock-
etMaximum power consumption
12 Volts120 Watts
The maximum capacity of the socket must
not be exceeded. The power consumption is
indicated on the rating plate of each appli-
ance.
Where 2 or more appliances are connected at
the same time, the total rating of all the con-
nected devices must never exceed 190 Watts
››› .
12 volt power socket
The 12 volt socket is found in the storage
compartment at the front of the centre con-
sole ›››
Fig. 68 and only functions when the
ignition i s
switched on.
Using electrical appliances with the engine
stopped and the ignition switched on will
drain the battery. Therefore, electrical devi-
ces connected to the power socket can only
be used when the engine is running.
To prevent voltage variations from causing
damage, switch off the electrical device con-
nected to the 12 Volt power socket before
72

Transport and practical equipment
switching the ignition on or off and before
starting the engine. WARNING
Improper use of the socket or electrical devi-
ces could lead to a fire and cause serious in-
juries.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. The socket and equipment connected
to it can be used when the ignition is switch-
ed on.
● Should a connected electrical device over-
heat, switch it off and unplug it immediately. CAUTION
● Always follow the operating instructions for
the appliances to be connected!
● Never exceed the maximum power rating as
this could damage the vehicle's general elec-
trical system.
● 12 volt power socket:
– Only use accessories with approved elec-
tromagnetic compatibility according to
current regulations.
– Never power the socket. CAUTION
● To avoid damage to the vehicle's electrical
system, never connect equipment that gener-
ates electrical current, such as solar panels
or battery chargers, to the 12 Volt power sockets in order to charge the vehicle's bat-
tery.
● Only use accessories with approved elec-
tromagnetic compatibility according to cur-
rent regulations.
● To avoid damage due to voltage variations,
switch off all devices connected to the 12 V
socket before switching the ignition on or off
and before starting the engine.
● Never connect an appliance to the 12 Volt
power socket that consumes more than the
power indicated in watts. Exceeding the max-
imum power absorption could damage the ve-
hicle's electrical system. For the sake of the environment
Do not leave the engine running when the ve-
hicle is at a standstill. Note
● Using devices with the engine stopped and
the ignition switched on will drain the bat-
tery.
● Unshielded equipment can cause interfer-
ence on the radio equipment and the vehi-
cle's electrical system.
● If electrical equipment is used near an aer-
ial, you may observe interference in the re-
ception of AM stations. Loading luggage compartment
Introduction Always transport heavy loads in the luggage
compartment and place the seat backs in a
vertical position. Never overload the vehicle.
Both the carrying capacity as well as the dis-
tribution of the load in the vehicle have ef-
fects on the driving behaviour and braking
ability
››› .
WARNING
When the vehicle is not in use or being
watched, always lock the doors and the rear
lid to reduce the risk of serious injury or
death.
● Do not leave children unwatched, especial-
ly when the boot is open. Children could
climb into the luggage compartment, close
the rear lid from inside and be unable to es-
cape themselves. This could lead to serious
injury or death.
● Never allow children to play in or around
the vehicle.
● Never transport people in the luggage com-
partment. WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can
cause serious injury in case of a sudden ma-
noeuvring or breaking or in case of an acci-
dent. This is especially true when objects are » 73Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
CAUTION
Never place food, medicines or other heat-
sensitive objects close to the air vents. Being
heat-sensitive, they may be damaged or
made unsuitable for use by the air coming
from the air vents. Air recirculation
Important
Air recirculation mode prevents the ambient
air from entering the interior.
When the outside temperature is very high or
very low, selecting manual air recirculation
mode for a short period refreshes or heats
the interior more quickly.
● Switch off air recirculation mode by turning
the air distribution control to the ››› po-
sition.
Switching the air recirculation mode on and
off
Switching on: Move the sliding control
› ›
› Fig. 77 4 to the right to maximum.
Switching off: Move the sliding control
› ›
› Fig. 77 4 to the left to maximum. WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and re-
duce driver concentration possibly resulting
in a serious accident.
● Never use recirculation mode for long peri-
ods as it does not refresh the air inside the
vehicle.
● If the cooling system is switched off and air
recirculation mode switched on, the windows
can mist over very quickly, considerably limit-
ing visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is
not required. CAUTION
Do not smoke when the air recirculation is ac-
tivated. The smoke taken in could lie on the
cooling system vaporiser and on the dust and
pollen filter, leading to a permanently un-
pleasant smell. Driving
Steering Introduction The power steering* is not hydraulic but elec-
tromechanical. The advantage of this steer-
ing system is that it disposes of hydraulic
tubes, hydraulic oil, the pump, filter and oth-
er components. The electromechanical sys-
tem saves fuel. While a hydraulic system re-
quires oil pressure to be maintained, electro-
mechanical steering only requires energy
when the steering wheel is turned.
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
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning.
WARNING
If the power steering is not working then the
steering wheel is much more difficult to turn
and the vehicle more difficult to control.
● The power steering only works when the
engine is running.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the
engine is switched off.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehicle is in motion. The steering may 84

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

Operation
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning.
You should remember that you will need con-
siderably more power than normal to steer
the vehicle if the power steering is not work-
ing correctly or not at all.
Stopping and starting the
engine
Introduction Immobiliser display
When an invalid key is used or in the event of
a system fault, is displayed on the instru-
ment panel. The engine cannot be started.
Pushing or towing
For technical reasons, the vehicle must
not
be push- or tow-started. Jump starting is pref-
erable. WARNING
Switching off the engine while driving makes
stopping the vehicle difficult. As a conse-
quence you may lose control of the vehicle
and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The assisted braking and steering systems,
the airbag system, seat belts and certain safety equipment are only active while the
engine is running.
●
The engine should only be switched off
when the vehicle is at a standstill. WARNING
While the engine is running or starting it
could help reduce the risk of serious injury.
● Never start or leave the engine running in
poorly ventilated or closed spaces. Exhaust
gas contains carbon monoxide, a toxic, col-
ourless and odourless gas. Carbon monoxide
can cause people to lose consciousness. It
can also cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the
engine is running. The vehicle could move off
suddenly or something unexpected could
happen resulting in damage and serious in-
jury.
● Never use start boosters. Cold start sprays
could explode or increase the engine speed
unexpectedly. WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
very high temperatures. This could cause a
fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood, leaves,
spilled fuel, dried grass, etc). ●
Never apply additional underseal or anti-
corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter or the heat shields on the ex-
haust system. Ignition lock
Fig. 79
Vehicle key positions Car keys ››› Fig. 79
No key in the ignition lock: The steering lock may
be activated.
0Ignition switched off. Key can be removed from
the vehicle.
1Ignition is switched on. The steering lock can be
unlocked.
2Switch on the engine. Release the key when the
engine has started. When it is released, the key
returns to position 1
.86

Driving
Key not authorised for the vehicle
If a key which is not authorised for this vehi-
cle is inserted in the ignition lock, it can be
removed as follows:
● Automatic gearbox : the key cannot be re-
moved from the ignition lock. Press and re-
lease the selector lever locking button. Key
can be removed from the vehicle.
● Manual gearbox : Remove the key from the
ignition. WARNING
Unsuitable or careless use of the vehicle key
could result in serious injury.
● Always take all the keys with you whenever
you leave the vehicle. If not, the engine could
accidentally be started and electrical equip-
ment such as the windows could accidentally
be operated resulting in serious injury.
● Never leave children or disabled people
alone in the car. Passengers could be trapped
in the car in an emergency and 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.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehicle is in motion. The steering may
lock and it will not be possible to turn the
steering wheel. Note
● If the key is left in the ignition lock with the
engine off for long periods, the vehicle bat-
tery will run flat.
● For automatic gearbox vehicles the key can
only be removed from the ignition lock if the
gear selector lever is in position P. In this
case, press and release the selector lever
locking button. Starting the engineComplete operations only in the sequence giv-
en.
1.Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until
step 5 has been completed.
1 a.In vehicles with a manual gearbox: Press the
clutch pedal all the way and keep pressed un- til the engine starts.
2.Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the selector lever in position N.
3.Turn the key in the ignition lock to position
››› Fig. 79 2; do not press the accelerator.
4.When the engine has started, release the key
in the ignition lock.
5.If the engine does not start, stop the processand try again after one minute.
6.Release the handbrake when you want to be- gin driving ››› page 89. WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the en-
gine is running. The vehicle could move off
suddenly, especially if it is in gear, resulting
in an accident and serious injury. WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a
sudden increase in the engine speed.
● Never use start boosters. CAUTION
● An attempt to start the engine while driving
or starting the engine immediately after turn-
ing it off can cause damage to the engine or
starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, avoid high revs
and heavy acceleration and do not make the
engine work hard.
● Do not push or tow start the engine. Un-
burnt fuel could damage the catalytic con-
verter. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm the engine at idle speed; start
driving immediately if the visibility is OK.
This helps the engine reach operating tem-
perature faster and reduces emissions. » 87
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
Note
● Electrical devices with a high power con-
sumption are switched off temporarily when
the engine starts.
● When the engine is started cold, there may
be strong vibrations for a few moments for
technical reasons. This is quite normal, and
no cause for concern.
● Natural gas engines always start up with
petrol, as a certain operating temperature is
required for running with gas. Once the re-
quired operating temperature is reached, the
engine will change to operate with natural
gas. Stopping the engineComplete operations only in the sequence giv-
en.
1.Stopping the vehicle completely
››› .
2.Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until
step 4 has been completed.
3.In automatic gearboxes, put the selector lever in position D or R.
4.Apply the handbrake firmly ››› page 89.
5.Turn the key in the ignition lock to position
››› Fig. 79 0.
6.With a manual gearbox, put the vehicle in first
or reverse gear. WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle
is moving. You may lose control of the vehicle
and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not
work when the ignition is switched off.
● The brake servo does not work with the en-
gine off. To stop, the brake pedal must be
pressed with more force.
● As the power steering does not work if the
engine is not running, you will need more
strength to steer than normally.
● If the key is removed from the ignition, the
steering may lock and it will not be possible
to steer the vehicle. CAUTION
If the engine has been driven at high speed
for a prolonged period of time, it may over-
heat when turned off. To avoid engine dam-
age, allow the engine to run for approximate-
ly 2 minutes in neutral before switching it off. Note
After stopping the engine, the engine com-
partment fan may continue running for a few
minutes, even when the ignition has been
switched off or the key removed. The radiator
fan is automatically switched off. Electronic immobiliser
The gear lock prevents the engine from being
started with an unauthorised key and the ve-
hicle being moved.
The vehicle key has a built-in chip. It auto-
matically deactivates the electronic immobil-
iser when the key is inserted into the ignition
lock.
The electronic immobilizer will be activated
again automatically as soon as you remove
the key from the ignition lock.
For this reason, the vehicle can only be used
with a genuine SEAT key with the correct
code. Coded keys can be obtained from SEAT
dealerships
›››
page 43 .
If an u
nauthorised key is used, the signal
appears on the instrument panel display. The
vehicle cannot be started in this case Note
The correct operation of the vehicle is only
guaranteed when original SEAT keys are
used. 88

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