
Driving
Environmental friendliness Environmental protection is a top priority in
the design, choice of materials and manufac-
ture of your new SEAT.
Constructive measures to encourage
recycling
● Joints and connections designed for easy
dismantling
● Modular construction to facilitate disman-
tling
● Increased use of single-grade materials.
● Plastic parts and elastomers are marked in
accordance with ISO 1043, ISO 11469 and
ISO 1629.
Choice of materials
● Use of recycled materials.
● Use of compatible plastics in the same part
if its components are not easily separated.
● Use of recycled materials and/or materials
originating from renewable sources.
● Reduction of volatile components, includ-
ing odour, in plastic materials.
● Use of CFC-free coolants.
Ban on heavy metals, with the exceptions
dictated by law (Annex II of ELV Directive
2000/53/EC): cadmium, lead, mercury, hexa-
v al
ent chromium. Manufacturing methods
●
Reduction of the quantity of thinner in the
protective wax for cavities.
● Use of plastic film as protection during ve-
hicle transport.
● Use of solvent-free adhesives.
● Use of CFC-free coolants in cooling sys-
tems.
● Recycling and energy recovery from resi-
dues (RDF).
● Improvement in the quality of waste water.
● Use of systems for the recovery of residual
heat (thermal recovery, enthalpy wheels,
etc.).
● The use of water-soluble paints. Correct economical and ecological
driving Fig. 84
Fuel consumption in litres per 100 km
at 2 different outside temperatures Fuel consumption, environmental impact and
engine, brake and tyre wear depend largely
on three factors:
●
Personal driving style.
● Conditions of use (weather, road surface).
● Technical requirements.
Savings of up to 25% in fuel consumption
are possible with an appropriate driving style
and the adoption of certain simple tips.
Changing gear early
General instructions: The highest gear is al-
ways the most economical. As a guide, for
most vehicles at a speed of 30 km/h
(19 mph), drive in third gear, at 40 km/h »
99
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

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

Operation
the driver control the vehicle due to the loss
of adherence with the road surface prevent-
ing braking and steering. If the vehicle is
driven through series of bends at high
speed, the ESC* will not always be as effec-
tive: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driv-
ing is not the same as at reduced speeds.
Adjust your speed and driving style to suit
visibility, and weather, road and traffic condi-
tions. ESC* cannot push the limits of the laws
of physics; improve the transmission availa-
ble or maintain the vehicle on the road if a
lack of driver attention creates an inevitable
situation. Otherwise, ESC* assists in main-
taining vehicle control in extreme situations
and uses the movements of the steering
made by the driver to maintain the vehicle
moving in the desired direction. If the vehicle
is driven at such a speed that it will leave the
road before ESC* can intervene then the sys-
tem cannot provide assistance.
The ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL systems are in-
corporated into the ESC*. The ESC* is always
on 1)
.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS can prevent the wheels from locking dur-
ing braking until just before the vehicle stops
thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle
and maintain control. This means that, even during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:
● Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not
remove your foot from the brake pedal or re-
duce braking force!
● Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce
braking force!
● Maintain vehicle direction when braking
fully.
● When the brake pedal is released or when
the brake force is reduced, ABS is turned off.
ABS control can be observed by vibration of
the brake pedal and noise. You should never
e xpect
the ABS to reduce the braking dis-
tance under
any circumstances. This distance
will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy or slippery ground.
Brake assist system (BAS)
The brake assist system may reduce the re-
quired braking distance. The brake assist
system boosts the braking force if you press
the brake pedal quickly in an emergency. As
a result, the braking pressure increases rap-
idly, the braking force is multiplied and the
braking distance is reduced. This enables the
ABS to be activated more quickly and effec-
tively. ¡Do not lift your foot off the brake pedal!
When the br
ake pedal is released or when
the brake force is reduced, braking assist au-
tomatically turns off the brake servo.
Traction control system (ASR) or Traction
Control (TC)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control
system ASR or TC reduces the engine torque
to match the amount of grip available. The
ASR or TC makes some situations easier, for
example, when starting, accelerating or go-
ing uphill, even in unfavourable road condi-
tions.
Electronic differential lock system (EDL)
EDL is available when driving in straight lines
under normal conditions. When the EDL de-
tects wheelspin, it brakes the spinning wheel
and directs the power to the other one. To
prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel
from overheating, the EDL cuts out automati-
cally if subjected to excessive loads. The EDL
will switch on again automatically when the
brake has cooled down. WARNING
Driving at high speed on icy, slippery or wet
ground can result in loss of vehicle control 1)
Depending on the version.
104

Driver assistance systems
and serious injury to the driver and passen-
gers.
●
Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility, road, traffic and weather conditions.
Even though the brake assist systems, ABS,
BAS, EDL, ASR and ESC* provide more securi-
ty, do not take unnecessary risks while driv-
ing.
● Brake assist systems can not overcome the
laws of physics. Even with ESC* and other
systems, slippery and wet roads will always
be dangerous.
● Driving to quickly on wet ground can result
in the wheels losing contact with the ground
in an effect known as “aquaplaning”. Without
adherence, it is impossible to brake, steer or
control the vehicle.
● Brake assist systems cannot avoid acci-
dents if, for example, the driver does not re-
spect safety distances or drives to quickly in
difficult conditions.
● Even though brake assist systems are ex-
tremely effective and help control the vehicle
in difficult situations, remember that the ve-
hicle stability depends on tyre grip.
● When accelerating on a slippery surface,
for example on ice or snow, press the acceler-
ator carefully. The wheels can still slip even
with brake assist systems resulting in loss of
vehicle control. WARNING
The effectiveness of the ESC* can be consid-
erably reduced if other components and sys-
tems affecting driving dynamics are not main-
tained or are not functioning correctly. This
includes, among others, brakes, tyres and
other systems already mentioned.
● Remember that changing and fitting other
components to the vehicle can affect opera-
tion of the ABS, BAS, ASR TC, EDL and ESC*.
● Changes to the vehicle suspension or using
unapproved wheel/tyre combinations can af-
fect operation of the ABS, BAS, ASR, TC, EDL
and ESC* and their effectiveness.
● Likewise, the effectiveness of ESC* de-
pends on the use of suitable tyres
››› page 158. Note
● To ensure that the ESC*, ASR and TC work
properly, all four wheels must be fitted with
identical tyres. Any differences in the rolling
radius of the tyres can cause the system to
reduce engine power when this is not de-
sired.
● If a malfunction should occur in the ABS,
the ESC*, ASR, TC and EDL will also be affec-
ted.
● Noises may be heard while any of the
above systems are operating. Parking sensor system*
Introduction The parking sensor system assists the driver
when parking. If the rear of the vehicle is ap-
proaching an obstacle, an intermittent audi-
ble warning is emitted. The shorter the dis-
tance, the shorter the intervals between
tones. If the vehicle is too close to the obsta-
cle, the audible warning becomes constant.
If you continue to approach an obstacle when
the sound is continuous, this means the sys-
tem can no longer measure the distance.
Sensors situated on the rear bumper transmit
and receive ultrasound. Using the ultrasound
signal (transmission, reflection from the ob-
stacles and reception), this system continu-
ously calculates the distance between the
bumper and the obstacle.
WARNING
The parking distance warning system cannot
replace the driver's assessment of the situa-
tion.
● The sensors have blind spots in which ob-
stacles and people are not registered.
● Always observe the area around the vehi-
cle, as the sensors do not always detect
small children, animals or objects. » 105Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
The City Safety Assist function is limited by
the laws of physics and by the nature of the
system itself. For this reason, this may pro-
duce reactions from the City Safety Assist
system in certain circumstances that are late
or unexpected by the driver. For this reason,
always pay due attention and if necessary, in-
tervene.
For example, the following driving situations
require special attention:
Driving through a bend
When entering or leaving a “long” bend, the
vehicle may decelerate when the radar sen-
sor detects a vehicle travelling in the adjoin-
ing lane ››› Fig. 91
A. To interrupt deceleration
you can accelerate, turn the steering wheel or
press the clutch.
Narrow vehicles in front
The radar sensor will only detect narrow vehi-
cles in front if they are in the sensor detec-
tion zone ››› Fig. 91 B. This applies especially
to n
arrow vehicles such as motorbikes.
Other vehicles changing lanes
Vehicles moving into your lane in close prox-
imity can cause unexpected braking from the
City Safety Assist system ›››
Fig. 92. To inter-
rupt dec
eleration you can accelerate, turn the
steering wheel or press the clutch. Malfunction in the radar sensor
If the radar sensor operation is impaired, for
example due to heavy rain, mist, snow or dirt,
the City Safety Assist system function is tem-
porarily switched off. On the instrument pan-
el display the control lamp
flashes.
When the fau
lt in the radar sensor has been
rectified, the City Safety Assist system func-
tion automatically becomes available. The
control lamp
switches off.
The following conditions could prevent the
City Safety Assist system from functioning:
● Tight bends.
● Accelerator pressed all the way down to the
floor.
● If the City Safety Assist system is switched
off or there is a fault ››› page 111.
● If the radar sensor is dirty, covered or over-
heated ››› page 112.
● In the event
of snow, heavy rain or dense
fog.
● If there are vehicles in front.
● Vehicles changing lanes.
● Vehicles moving in the opposite direction
in the same lane.
● Very dirty vehicles with a low degree of re-
flection.
● Presence of thick dust. Hill driving assistant*
Operation This function is only included in vehicles with
ESC.
The hill driving assistant helps the driver to
move off and upward on a hill when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
The system maintains brake pressure for ap-
proximately two seconds after the driver
takes his foot off the brake pedal to prevent
the vehicle from lurching backward when it is
started. During these 2 seconds, the driver
has enough time to release the clutch pedal
and accelerate without the vehicle moving
and without having to use the handbrake,
making start-up easier, more comfortable
and safer.
These are the basic operation conditions:
● being on a ramp or hill/slope,
● doors closed,
● vehicle completely stationary,
● engine running and foot on the brake,
● besides having a gear engaged or being in
neutral for manual gear change and with the
selector lever at positions S
, D
or R in vehi-
cles with an automatic gearbox.
This system is also active when reversing up-
hill.
114

Advice
Advice
Care and maintenance
Accessories, replacement of
parts and modifications Introduction WARNING
The use of spare parts and accessories, or in-
correctly performed modifications or repairs
may result in damage to the vehicle, acci-
dents and serious injury.
● SEAT strongly recommends you to only use
SEAT approved accessories and SEAT ®
origi-
nal spare parts. These parts and accessories
have been specially tested by SEAT for suita-
bility, reliability and safety.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried
out at a specialised workshop. These work-
shops have the necessary tools, diagnostics
equipment, repair information and qualified
personnel.
● Only mount parts with the same specifica-
tions as the parts fitted at factory.
● Never mount, fasten or fit objects such as
drink holders or telephone cradles over the
covers of the airbag modules or within their
deployment zones. ●
Only use wheels and tyre combinations
which have been approved by SEAT for your
vehicle type. Accessories and spare parts
SEAT recommends you consult an Official
Service before purchasing accessories and
spare parts or consumables. For example,
when fitting accessories at a later date, or
when replacing a component. A SEAT Official
Service will advise you as to the legal require-
ments and manufacturer's recommendations
regarding accessories, spare parts and other
components.
SEAT recommend you use only approved
SEAT accessories
and
genuine SEAT spare
p
arts ®
. These parts and accessories have
been specially tested by SEAT for suitability,
reliability and safety. In addition, SEAT tech-
nical services will guarantee that assembly is
performed professionally.
Although we continually monitor the market,
SEAT cannot guarantee that products not ap-
proved by SEAT are reliable, safe or suitable
for the vehicle. Therefore, SEAT cannot accept
liability, even in those cases authorised by
an officially recognised technical inspection
office or other official body.
Any retro-fitted equipment which has a direct
effect
on vehicle control must be approved by SEAT for use in your vehicle and bear the
e
mark (the European Union's authorisation
symbol). This includes cruise control systems
or electronically controlled suspension.
If any additional electrical devices are fitted
which do not serve to control the vehicle it-
self, these must bear the mark (European
Union manuf
acturer conformity declaration).
This includes refrigerator boxes, laptops or
ventilator fans. WARNING
Unprofessional repairs or modifications to
the vehicle may affect the performance of the
airbags, and may cause operating faults or fa-
tal accidents.
● Never mount, fasten or fit objects such as
drink holders or telephone cradles over or
next to the covers of the airbag modules or
within their deployment zones.
● Objects placed over the airbag covers, or
within their deployment zones, could lead to
serious injury or loss of life if the airbags are
triggered. Fluids and consumables
All vehicle fluids and consumables
, such as
notched belts, tyres, coolant fluids, engine
oils, spark plugs and batteries are continual-
ly being developed. Therefore all fluids and
118

Advice
●
All repairs and modifications to the vehicle
should only be performed by a specialised
workshop. Repair and faults in the airbag system
When performing repairs and technical mod-
ifications, SEAT's directives must be ob-
served!
››› Modifications and repairs to the front bump-
er, doors, front seats, and repairs to the roof
or chassis should only be carried out in a
specialised workshop. These components
may contain parts or sensors belonging to
the airbag system.
If work is carried out on the airbag system or
parts have to be removed and fitted on the
system when performing other repair work,
parts of the airbag system may be damaged.
The consequence may be that, in the event of
an accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or
does not inflate at all.
So that the effectiveness of the airbag is not
reduced and that removed parts do not cause
any injuries or environmental pollution, regu-
lations must be observed. These require-
ments are known to specialised workshops.
Modifications to the vehicle suspension may
affect the operation of the airbag system in
the event of collision. For example, if wheel
and tyre combinations not approved by SEAT are used, or if the vehicle height is lowered,
the suspension is stiffened or the suspension
springs, telescopic arms, dampers, etc., are
modified, the results received by the airbag
sensors and sent to the control unit may not
be accurate. For example, some modifica-
tions to the suspension could increase the
force measured by the sensors and result in
the triggering of the airbag systems in colli-
sions. Under normal conditions, the meas-
ured values would be lower and the airbag
would not have been triggered. Other modifi-
cations may reduce the forces measured by
the sensors and prevent the airbags from be-
ing triggered when they should.
WARNING
Repairs or modifications which are not per-
formed correctly may result in damage or er-
rors in the vehicle operation, affecting the ef-
fectiveness of the airbag systems. This could
result in serious or fatal accidents.
● All repairs and modifications to the vehicle
should only be performed by a specialised
workshop.
● Airbag modules must never be repaired: if
damaged, they must be replaced.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag compo-
nents in your vehicle. WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle suspension, in-
cluding the use of unauthorised wheel and tyre combinations, may affect the perform-
ance of the airbags and increase the risk of
serious or fatal injury in the event of acci-
dent.
●
Never fit suspension components which are
not identical to the original parts in the vehi-
cle.
● Never use wheel and tyre combinations not
approved by SEAT. Retro-fitting of two-way radios
An exterior aerial is required for the use of
two-way radios in the vehicle.
The retro-fitting of electrical or electronic ap-
pliances in the vehicle is subject to their ap-
proval for use in your vehicle. Under certain
circumstances, this could mean that your ve-
hicle registration documents are no longer
valid.
SEAT has approved your vehicle for use with
two-way radios providing the following condi-
tions are observed:
● The exterior aerial must be mounted pro-
fessionally.
● The maximum transmitting power is 10
watts.
The optimal reach of the equipment is only
achieved with an external aerial.
120

Care and maintenance
SEAT recommends the use of car washes
without brushes.
To remove traces of wax on windows and to
prevent wiper blades from scratching, please
observe the following ››› page 128, Cleaning
windows and exterior mirrors .
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.
Start at the roof and work downwards. Spe-
cial car shampoo should only be used for
ver
y 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
Sharp components on the vehicle may cause
injury.
● Protect arms and hands from sharp edges
when cleaning the vehicle undercarriage or
the interior of the wheel hubs. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing effect will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “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. CAUTION
● The temperature of the water must not ex-
ceed +60 °C (+140 °F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the vehicle in full sun.
● Do not use rough sponges or similar which
could damage the surface to clean away the
traces of insects.
● Never wipe the headlights with a dry cloth
or sponge, always moisten first. It is best to
use soapy water.
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
When washing the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! CAUTION
To prevent damage to the vehicle, please ob-
serve the following before entering an auto-
matic car wash: ●
Compare the distance between the vehicle
wheels and the distance between the guide-
rails of the car wash to prevent damage to the
wheels and tyres!
● Switch off the rain sensor before taking the
vehicle to an automatic car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehi-
cle with the available height and width when
entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retracta-
ble exterior mirrors must not be folded in or
out by hand. Always use the electrical power
control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork,
rest the windscreen wipers on the windscreen
after drying the wiper blades. Do not let them
fall!
● Lock the rear lid to prevent it from opening
unexpectedly while inside the car wash. Washing the vehicle with high
pressure cleaning apparatus
When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. Pay special at-
tention to the required pressure of the jet
and the
distance
between the jet and the ve-
hic
le ››› .
Keep a suitable distance from soft materials,
such as rubber hoses or insulating material, »
127
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety