
Cockpit
Operation
Cockpit Overview Legend for the Fig. 23
:
Int
erior door release lever . . . . . . . . .49
Turn switch for adjusting the exteri-
or mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
– Exterior mirror adjustment
– Heated exterior mirrors
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Lever for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
– Turn signals and main beam
headlights
– Cruise control system (CCS) –
– – /+ – /- . . . . . . .107
Steering wheel with horn and
– Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, 39
Windscreen wiper/ windscreen
wash lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
– Windscreen wipers
– Rear window wiper
1 2
3
4
5
6
7 –
Lever with buttons for controlling
the SEAT information system - ,
/
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
C ontr
ols for:
– Start-Stop system button . . .115
– Rear window heating button . .80
– Left seat heating controls . . . . . 64
Switches for: – Heating and ventilation system .80
– Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
SEAT Portable System (supplied by
SEAT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Radio (factory fitted) ››› Booklet Ra-
dio
Controls for:
– Hazard warning lights switch . 170
– Passenger front airbag off warn-
ing lamp . .17
– Right seat heating controls
or rear window heating button
(alternative position) . . . . . . . . . . .64, 80
Storage compartment with drink
holder in the centre console . . . . . . .71
Handle of the storage compartment
or storage compartment open 1)
. . . 67
8 9
10
11
12
13
14 In the side of the dash panel: Key
switch for switching off the front
passenger airbag
1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Position of passenger front airbag
on the dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Ashtray* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
12 volt socket or cigarette lighter* .72, 72
Lever for:
– Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
– Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Button for:
– City Safety Assist function . 110
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Steering column adjustment lever .6
Open bonnet lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Headlamp range adjustment . . . 55
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Central lock button . . . . . . . . . .45
Button for operating the electric
windows of the driver door . . . . .52
15 16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1)
According to version
35
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Cockpit
Control lamps Control and warning lamps The control and warning lamps are indicators
of warnings,
››› , faults
››› or certain func-
tions. Some control and warning lamps come
on when the ignition is switched on, and
switch off when the engine starts running, or
while driving.
When certain control and warning lamps are
lit, an audible warning is also heard.SymbolMeaning ››› See
Handbrake applied.
›››
page
89 Do not continue driving!
The brake fluid level is too low
or there is a fault in the brake
system.
it lights up:
Do not continue
driving!
The liquid coolant level is too
low,
the engine liquid coolant tem-
perature is too high or
there is a fault in the liquid cool-
ant system.
››› page
150
flashes: engine coolant system
faulty.››› page
150
Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.››› page
146
SymbolMeaning ››› See
lights up or flashes:
Do not
continue driving!
Fault in the steering.››› page
84
On the instrument panel: driver
or passenger has not fastened
seat belt.
›››
page
11
Instrument panel display: a pas-
senger in the rear seats has fas-
tened their seatbelt.
A passenger in the rear seats
has not fastened their seat belt.›››
page
11
Faulty generator.›››
page
154
Vehicles with the Start-Stop sys-
tem: it is necessary to start the
engine manually.››› page
115
flashes in addition to the rest of
the segments of the fuel gauge:
Fuel tank almost empty.›››
page
139
SymbolMeaning ››› See
flashes quickly:
the City Safety
Assist system function* brakes
automatically or has braked au-
tomatically. Or:
flashes slowly: City Safety Assist
function is not currently availa-
ble.
››› page
110
The City Safety Assist* function
has been connected manually. It
switches off after 5 seconds.
flashes: The City Safety Assist*
function has been manually dis-
connected.
after the ignition is switched on:
indication that the end of the
period for an inspection to be
performed is approaching.››› page
36
it lights up:
ESC* faulty or dis-
connected by the system. ALTER-
NATIVELY:
flashes: ESC* or ASR regulating.
››› page
89 it lights up:
Traction Control faul-
ty or switched off by the system.
ALTERNATIVELY:
flashes: Traction Control regula-
tor operating.
ABS faulty or does not work.
Rear fog light switched on.›››
page
55» 39
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

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

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
●
Never use the handbrake to brake the vehi-
cle except in an emergency. The braking dis-
tance is considerably longer, because braking
is only applied to the rear wheels. Always use
the foot brake.
● Never drive with the handbrake gently ap-
plied. This can overheat the brake, affecting
the brakes system. This also causes prema-
ture wear on the rear brake pads.
● Never accelerate from the engine compart-
ment with the engine running and a gear en-
gaged. The vehicle could move, even if the
handbrake is applied. Note
If the vehicle moves at a speed superior to
6 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake applied,
an audible warning is sounded. Parking
When parking your vehicle, all legal require-
ments should be observed.
To park the vehicle
Complete operations only in the sequence
given.
● Park the vehicle on a suitable surface ››› .
● Press and hold the brake pedal until the ve-
hicle comes to a standstill.
● Apply the handbrake firmly ››› page 90. ●
For an automatic gearbox, move the selec-
tor lever to position P
.
● Sw
itch off the engine and release the brake
pedal.
● Remove the key from the ignition.
● If necessary, turn the steering wheel slight-
ly to lock the steering.
● With a manual gearbox, engage 1st gear on
flat ground and slopes, or even reverse gear
on hills, and release the clutch pedal.
● Ensure that all passengers leave the vehi-
cle, especially children.
● When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with
you.
● Lock the vehicle.
Additional information for steep slopes and
hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the
steering wheel so that if the vehicle should
move, it will be held by the kerb.
● On slopes, turn the front wheels so that
they are against the edge of the kerb.
● Uphill, turn the wheels towards the centre
of the road. 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,dried grass, or spilled fuel). 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. Information about the brakes
For the first 200 to 300 km, the new brake
pads
have not yet reached their maximum
br ak
ing capacity, and need to be “run in”
first ››› . The slightly reduced braking effect
can be compensated for by increasing pres-
sure on the brake pedal. While running in,
the f u
ll braking distance or emergency brak-
ing distance is larger then when the brake
pads have been run in. While running in,
avoid full power braking or situations requir-
ing braking performance. For example, in
heavy traffic. »
91
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