Safe driving
Safety
Safe driving Safety first! This chapter contains important information,
tips, suggestions and warnings that you
should read and consider for both your own
safety and for your passengers' safety.
WARNING
● This manual contains important informa-
tion about the operation of the vehicle, both
for the driver and the passengers. The other
sections of the on-board documentation also
contain further information that you should
be aware of for your own safety and for the
safety of your passengers.
● Ensure that the on-board documentation is
kept in the vehicle at all times. This is espe-
cially important when lending or selling the
vehicle to another person. Advice about driving
Before starting every trip For your own safety and the safety of your
passengers, always note the following points
before every trip: –
Make sure that the vehicle's lights and turn
signals are working properly.
– Check tyre pressure.
– Ensure that all windows provide a clear and
good view of the surroundings.
– Make sure all luggage is secured
››› page 81 .
– Mak
e sure that no objects can interfere
with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and rear vi-
sion mirrors properly according to your
size.
– Ensure that the passengers in the rear
seats always have the head restraints in
the in-use position ››› page 10.
– Instruct passengers to adjust the head re-
straints according to their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child
seats and properly applied seat belts
››› page 24.
– Ass
ume the correct sitting position. Instruct
your passengers also to assume a proper
sitting position. ››› page 6.
– Fasten your seat belt securely. Instruct your
passengers also to fasten their seat belts
properly. ›››
page 11. What
affects driving safety? As a driver, you are responsible for yourself
and your passengers. When your concentra-
tion or driving safety is affected by any cir-
cumstance, you endanger yourself as well as
others on the road
››› , for this reason:
– Always pay attention to traffic and do not
get distracted by passengers or telephone calls.
– Never drive when your driving ability is im-
paired (e.g. by medication, alcohol, drugs).
– Observe traffic laws and speed limits.
– Always reduce your speed as appropriate
for road, traffic and weather conditions.
– When travelling long distances, take
breaks regularly - at least every two hours.
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired
or stressed. WARNING
When driving safety is impaired during a trip,
the risk of injury and accidents increases. Safety equipment
Never put your safety or the safety of your
passengers in danger. In the event of an acci-
dent, the safety equipment may reduce the
»
5
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Instruments and warning lamps
Brake system›››
page
33
Fasten your seat belt›››
page
34
Alternator›››
page
34
Door open›››
page
34
Engine oil (red or yellow colour)›››
page
34
Coolant temperature/level (red or
blue colour)›››
page
35
Power steering›››
page
35
Electronic stability control (ESC)›››
page
35
Traction control system (ASR)›››
page
35
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)›››
page
36
Rear fog light›››
page
36
Bulb fault›››
page
36
Emission control system›››
page
36
Glow plug system (diesel en-
gines)›››
page
36
Engine electronics control (petrol
engines)›››
page
36
Particulate filter (diesel engines)›››
page
37
Fuel reserve›››
page
37
Airbag system›››
page
37
Tyre pressure›››
page
38
Liquid level in the window washer
system›››
page
38
Turn signals (left/right)››› page
38
Fog lights›››
page
38
Cruise speed›››
page
38
Selector lever lock›››
page
38
Main beams›››
page
38 WARNING
● Failure to observe control lamps and warn-
ing messages can result in serious personal
injuries or damage to your vehicle.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous
area. Carrying out work in the engine com- partment, i.e. checking and filling service liq-
uids, can lead to injury, scalding, burns and
fires. Therefore the corresponding warnings
must always be observed
››› page 132, En-
gine compartment. Handbrake
If the
warning lamp lights up, the hand-
br ak
e is applied. Additionally, driving the ve-
hicle at speeds exceeding 6 km/h (4 mph) for
at least 3 seconds produces an audible warn-
ing.
The informative display indicates:
Release the handbrake!
Brake system The warning lamp
illuminates if the brake
fluid level is too low or if there is a fault in the
ABS system.
The informative display indicates:
Brake fluid Instruction Manual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
check the level of the brake fluid
››› page 139
»
33
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
If the front passenger airbag has been disa-
bled with the airbag switch located in the
storage compartment side:
● When the ignition is turned on, the
warning lamp illuminates for about 4 sec-
onds.
● The airbag is disabled, signalled with the
warning lamp
which lights up with the
word placed in the cen-
tre part of the dash panel ››› Fig. 18
››› page 23. WARNING
When there is a fault in the airbag system,
have an inspection carried out by an Author-
ised Service. Otherwise the airbags may fail
to trigger in an accident. Tyre pressure monitoring system*
If the
warning lamp illuminates, the pres-
sure in one of the tyres has decreased signifi-
cantly. Check and adjust the pressure of all
the tyres ›››
page 144 .
If the
warning lamp flashes, there is a fault
in the system.
Go to a technical service.
Further information ›››
page 147, Tyre pres-
sure*
. Note
If the battery is disconnected the warning
lamp lights up when the ignition is switch-
ed on.
This warning lamp must switch off af-
ter covering a short distance. Windscreen washer fluid level
If the
warning lamp illuminates, the level
of w
indscreen washer fluid in the tank is very
low. Fill the windscreen washer fluid
››› page 139, Windscreen washer.
The informative display indicates: Refill windscreen washer fluid!
Turn signals Depending on the position of the turn signal
lever the left warning lamp on the left
or
right flashes.
If there is a turn signal fault, the warning
lamp flashes at approximately double the
normal speed.
All the turn signals flash in addition to both
warning lamps when the hazard warning
lights are switched on.
Further information ›››
page 63, Turn signal
and main beam lever. Fog lights
The control lamp
lights up when the fog
lights are switched on ››› page 64.
Cruise speed The warning lamp illuminates when the
cruise control is switched on (cruise speed)
››› page 111.
Sel ect
or lever lock If the
control lamp illuminates, press the
brake pedal. This is necessary when you re-
quire the automatic gearbox selector lever to
move out of the positions P or
N
›
›› page 103.
Main be
ams The warning lamp lights up with the main
beam headlights or when the headlights are
flashed
›››
page 63 .38
Transport and practical equipment
During an accident, even small and light ob-
jects can have so much kinetic energy that
they can cause very severe injuries. The
amount of kinetic energy depends on the
speed of the vehicle and the weight of the
object. However, the speed of the vehicle is
the most important factor.
Example: An unsecured object weighing 4.5
kg produces energy corresponding to 20
times its weight in a frontal collision at 50
km/h (31 mph). This means that its weight
reaches around 90 kg. You can imagine the
severity of the injuries that might be sus-
tained if this “projectile” strikes an occupant
as it flies through the vehicle interior. WARNING
● Store objects in the luggage compartment
and secure to the fastening points.
● In an accident or sudden manoeuvre, loose
objects in the interior can be flung forward
and possibly injure vehicle occupants or oth-
ers. This risk is even greater if the flying ob-
jects hit a triggering airbag. In this case, any
rebounding objects could injure vehicle occu-
pants. Risk of fatal injuries!
● Take into account that transporting heavy
objects changes the centre of gravity that
could also cause changes in vehicle handling.
Risk of accident! Therefore, always adjust
your speed and driving style to suit these cir-
cumstances. ●
Securing the load to the rings using unsuit-
able or damaged straps could lead to injuries
in the event of an accident or sudden braking
manoeuvre. Secure suitable straps safely to
the rings to ensure this does not happen.
● Position the load so it cannot move forward
during a sudden braking manoeuvre. Risk of
injuries!
● If transporting sharp or dangerous objects
in the space provided when the rear seats are
folded, ensure the safety of the occupant of
the remaining rear seat ››› page 8.
● If the r
ear seat located alongside a folded
seat is occupied, ensure safety, for example,
by placing the load so that it stops the seat
from folding backward in the event of being
hit from behind.
● Never drive with the rear lid open or half-
closed, exhaust gases may penetrate into the
interior of the vehicle. Danger of poisoning!
● Never exceed the allowed axle loads or al-
lowed maximum weight. Risk of accident!
● Never transport passengers in the luggage
compartment! CAUTION
Make sure sharp objects stored in the boot
cannot not damage the rear window heating
filaments. Note
Tyre pressure must be adapted to suit the
load ››› page 144, Life cycle of tyres . Category N1 vehicles
Category N1 vehicles with no protection grille
must use a retaining set compliant with
Standard EN 12195 (1 – 4) to secure the
load.
Retaining elements* Fig. 78
Luggage compartment: retaining ele-
ments. The following retaining elements are fitted in
the boot
›››
Fig. 78 :
Rin g
s to secure the load and the retain-
ing nets.
Rings used solely for the retaining nets. »
A B
83
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Driving
●
On long, steep gradients, reduce your
speed and change to a lower gear (manual
gearbox) or move the selector lever to a lower
gear position (automatic gearbox). This uses
the force of the engine and the brakes do not
suffer as much. If you still have to brake, do
so intermittently, pressing down repeatedly
on the brake pedal.
● Vehicle modifications (e.g. to the engine,
brakes, frame or a combination of wheels and
tyres) could impair the brake assist systems
››› page 122, Accessories and modifications
to the vehicle .
● In the event of a fault in the ABS system,
the ESC, TCS and EDL are switched off auto-
matically. A fault in the ABS is indicated by
the ››› page 36 warning lamp. Brakes
Wear
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends
on the driving style and on the way in which
the vehicle is used. The brake pads will wear
more quickly if you use your vehicle frequent-
ly in urban traffic and short trips or drive in a
sporty style. Under these
demanding condi-
tions , visit your specialised service, even be-
f or
e the scheduled service date, so that the
thickness of the brake pads can be meas-
ured. Wet roads or road salt
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driv-
ing on roads which have been gritted with
salt, braking power may set in later than nor-
mal. Dry the brakes as soon as possible by
braking repeatedly.
Corrosion
Long periods of inactivity and little use can
lead to rust on the brake discs and dirt on the
brake pads. Where the brake system is sub-
jected to light stress or in the case of corro-
sion, clean the brake discs by braking fully
several times at a high speed.
Brake system fault
If you notice that the braking distance sud-
denly increases and the brake pedal can be
pressed down more fully, there may be a fault
in the brake system. Visit a specialised serv-
ice immediately and adjust your driving style
to the extent of the damage and to limit the
effect of the brakes.
Low brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid could cause faults in
the brake system. The brake fluid level is con-
trolled electronically
››› page 33, Brake sys-
tem . Brake servo
The brake servo supplements the pressure
you exert on the brake pedal. The brake servo
only works when the engine is running.
Handbrake Fig. 90
Centre console: handbrake. Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and
press the unlock button at the same time
››› Fig. 90 .
– Keep the b
utton pressed down and push
the lever all the way down.
The warning lamp lights up when the hand-
brake is applied with the ignition on .
99
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
●
Refuelling just once with leaded petrol dis-
ables the exhaust system! Economical and environmentally
friendly driving
Fuel consumption, environmental pollution
and wear to the engine, brakes and tyres de-
pends in large part on your driving style. By
adopting an economical driving style and an-
ticipating the traffic situation ahead, you can
easily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%.
Some tips on how to help you reduce pollu-
tion while saving money are listed below.
Drive anticipating the traffic situation
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating.
When you anticipate situations, you have to
brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If
it is possible, let the vehicle roll with a
gear
engaged , for example, if you see a red light
ahe a
d. The braking effect achieved in this
way helps to reduce the wear of brakes and
tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are
reduced to zero (disconnection due to iner-
tia).
Change gear early to save energy
An effective way of saving fuel is to change
up
quickly through the gears. Running the
engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses
an unnecessary amount of fuel. Manual gearbox:
shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. We recommend
that, whenever possible, you change to a
higher gear upon reaching 2000 rpm. Follow
the “recommended gear” indication that ap-
pears on the instrument panel ››› page 32,
Recommended gear display.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed
permitted by the vehicle. Fuel consumption,
exhaust emissions and noise levels all in-
crease very rapidly at higher speeds. Driving
at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine
when waiting in a traffic jam, at level cross-
ings or at traffic lights with a long red phase.
The fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is
greater than the amount of fuel needed to re-
start the engine.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed. Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that,
before beginning a journey, you will not con-
sume more than the required amount of fuel.
A well-serviced engine gives you the benefit
of
improved fuel efficiency as well as maxi-
mum reliability and an enhanced resale val-
ue.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to
10% more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of
polluting exhaust gases, the engine and the
exhaust gas filtration systems should reach
the optimum operating temperature.
With the en
gine cold, fuel consumption is
proportionally higher. The engine does not
warm up and fuel consumption does not nor-
malise until having driven approximately four
kilometres (2.5 miles). This is why we recom-
mend avoiding short trips whenever possi-
ble.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an ad-
equate pressure saves fuel. If the tyre pres-
sure is just one bar (14.5 psi/100 kPa) too
low, fuel consumption can increase by as
much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resist-
ance, under-inflation also increases tyre wear
wear and impairs handling.
106
Driving
The tyre pressures should always be checked
when the tyres are cold.
Do not u
se winter tyres all year round as they
increase fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Given that every kilo of extra weight
will in-
crease the fuel consumption, it is advisable
to always check the luggage compartment to
make sure that no unnecessary loads are be-
ing transported.
A roof rack is often left in place for the sake
of convenience, even when it is no longer
needed. At a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)
and 120 km/h (75 mph) your vehicle will use
about 12% more fuel as a result of the extra
wind resistance caused by the roof rack even
when it is not in use.
Save electricity
The engine activates the alternator, which
produces electricity. With the need for elec-
tricity, fuel consumption also increases. Be-
cause of this, always turn off electrical devi-
ces when you do not need them. Examples of
devices that use a lot of electricity are: the
fan at high speeds, the rear window heating
and the seat heaters*. Note
● If you vehicle has Start-Stop, it is not rec-
ommended t o sw
itch this function off. ●
It is recommended to close the windows
when driving at more than 60 km/h (40 mph)
● Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, as the pressure can make the
p l
ate spin, more fuel will be used and it can
burn the clutch plate lining, causing a serious
fault.
● Do not hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch, use the foot brake or hand brake, us-
ing the latter to start. The fuel consumption
will be lower and you will prevent the clutch
plate from being damaged.
● On descents, use the engine brake, chang-
ing to the gear that is more suitable for the
slope. Fuel consumption will be “zero” and
the brakes will not suffer. Wading and driving off-road
Driving through water Fig. 94
Driving through water. To prevent the vehicle from being damaged
when driving through water (i.e. flooded
roads), please observe the following:
● Determine the depth of the water before
entering. Water can reach a maximum height
of below the door sill ››› Fig. 94 .
● Driv e at
a maximum pace of walking speed.
Driving at a higher speed can cause a wave
in front of the vehicle, which can cause water
to enter the engine air intake system or other
parts of the vehicle.
● Never stop in the water, never reverse and
never stop the engine.
● Before driving through water deactivate the
Start-Stop system ››› page 112. WARNING
● Driving through water, dirt and mud can re-
duce braking capability and prolong the brak-
ing distance – Risk of accident!
● Do not carry out any sudden or strong brak-
ing manoeuvres after driving through water.
● Clean and dry the brakes as soon as possi-
ble after driving through water by breaking
intermittently. Carry out braking in order to
dry the brakes and clean the brake discs only
if traffic so permits. Do not put other drivers
at risk. » 107Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
CAUTION
Switch off the Start-Stop system ››› page 107
before driving through a pool of water on the
road. Note
● The battery temperature may reflect
changes in outside temperature after several
hours. If the vehicle has been stopped out-
side at temperatures below zero or in direct
sunlight, for example, the battery tempera-
ture may take several hours to reach the val-
ues required for the correct operating of the
Start-Stop system.
● If the Climatronic system is operating auto-
matically, this could impair automatic engine
shut down under certain conditions. Towing bracket device
Driving the vehicle with a
trailer Technical requirements If your vehicle has a factory-fitted towing
bracket or is equipped with a selection of
SEAT Original Accessories, it meets all the rel-
evant technical and legal requirements.
In vehicles with a towing bracket it is possi-
ble to remove the ball joint, situated (togeth-
er with the special assembly instructions) in
the housing for the spare wheel in the vehi-
cle luggage compartment
›››
page 150, Vehi-
cle tool kit* .
Y our
vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power
socket for the electrical connection between
the trailer and the vehicle. If the trailer you
are going to use has a 7-pin connector, the
corresponding adaptor, acquired from the
SEAT Original Accessories Catalogue, can be
used.
If a towing bracket is to be retro-fitted to the
car, it must be done according to the instruc-
tions of the towing bracket manufacturer. Note
Any queries that may arise can be directed to
an authorised SEAT dealer. Trailer weight
Trailer weight
The combined vehicle and trailer must be
balanced. To do so use the maximum permit-
ted towing bracket load. An insufficient
weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the
ball joint of the towing bracket will have a
negative impact upon the response of the ve-
hicle-trailer assembly on the road.
Weight distribution
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
objects are as near to the axle as possible.
Ensure that the objects do not move.
If the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer
loaded then the load distribution is incorrect.
However, if these conditions cannot be avoi-
ded, drive very slowly.
Tyre pressure values
Correct the tyre pressure in your vehicle to
“total load”
›››
page 144, Life cycle of tyres .
Trailer weight
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight
under any circumstances ›››
page 174, Tech-
nical specifications .
The trailer weights listed are only applicable
for altitudes up to 1000 m above sea level.
D
ue to lower air density, engine power de-
creases depending on the increase in
114