Airbag system
should have a specialised workshop check
the system immediately.
If any of the airbags are disabled by a Techni-
cal Service, the warning lamp flashes for sev-
eral more seconds after verification and will
turn off if there is no fault. WARNING
● If there is a malfunction, the airbag and
belt tensioner system cannot properly per-
form its protective function.
● If a malfunction occurs, have the system
checked immediately by a specialised work-
shop. Otherwise, in the event of an accident,
the airbag system and belt tensioners may
not be triggered, or may not be triggered cor-
rectly. Airbag overview
Front airbags Fig. 12
Driver airbag in the steering wheel
and front passenger airbag in the dash panel Fig. 13
Airbag covers reacting when the front
airbags are triggered. The front airbag for the driver is located in
the steering wheel
›››
Fig. 12
and the fr
ont
p
assenger airbag is located in the dash pan-
el ›››
Fig. 12 . Airbags are identified by the
w
ord “AIRBAG”.
The airbag covers fold out of the steering
wheel and dashboard respectively when the
driver and front passenger airbags are trig-
gered ›››
Fig. 13
. The airbag covers remain
»
19
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Airbag system
●
Occupants of the outer seats must never
carry any objects or pets in the deployment
space between them and the airbags, or al-
low children or other passengers to travel in
this position. It is also important not to at-
tach any accessories (such as cup holders) to
the doors. This would impair the protection
offered by the side airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only
for lightweight clothing. Do not leave any
heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks,
must not be exerted upon the backrest bol-
ster because the system may be damaged. In
this case, the side airbags would not be trig-
gered.
● Under no circumstances should protective
covers be fitted over seats with side airbags
unless the covers have been approved for use
in your vehicle. Because the airbag deploys
from the side of the backrest, the use of con-
ventional seat covers would obstruct the side
airbag, seriously reducing the airbag's effec-
tiveness.
● Any damage to the original seat upholstery
or around the seams of the side airbag units
must be repaired immediately by a special-
ised workshop.
● The airbags provide protection for just one
accident; replace them once they have de-
ployed.
● Any work on the side airbag system or re-
moval and installation of the airbag compo-
nents for other repairs (such as removal of
the front seat) should only be performed by a specialised workshop. Otherwise, faults may
occur during the airbag system operation.
●
Do not attempt to modify components of
the airbag system in any way.
● The side and head airbags are managed
through sensors located in the interior of the
front doors. To ensure the correct operation of
the side and curtain (head) airbags neither
the doors nor the door panels should be
modified in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeak-
ers). If the front door is damaged, the airbag
system may not work correctly. All work car-
ried out on the front door must be done in a
specialised workshop.
● In a side-on collision the side airbags will
not work if the sensors do not correctly meas-
ure the pressure increase on the interior of
the doors, due to air escaping through the
areas with holes or openings in the door pan-
el.
● Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels
have been removed.
● Never drive if the interior door panels have
been removed or if the panels have not been
correctly fitted.
● Never drive the vehicle if the loudspeakers
in the door panels have been removed, un-
less the holes left by the loudspeakers have
been closed properly.
● Always check that the openings are closed
or covered if loudspeakers or other equip-
ment are fitted inside the door panels.
● Any work carried out to the doors should be
made in an authorised specialised workshop. Head-protection airbags*
Fig. 16
Location of head-protection airbags. Fig. 17
Deployed head-protection airbags. The head-protection airbags are located on
both sides in the interior above the doors
››› Fig. 16 and are identified with the text
“AIRB AG”.
In c
onjunction with the seat belts, the head-
protection airbag system gives the vehicle
occupants additional protection for the head »
21
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Airbag system
● 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 3 .
Note
● Follow the current legislation in your coun-
try regarding the disabling of airbags.
● At your authorised SEAT dealer you can find
information on which vehicle airbags can be
disabled. Front passenger front airbag switch
Fig. 18
Front passenger front airbag
switch/warning lamp for disabling the front
passenger airbag. The switch disables only the front passenger
front airbag.
Disabling the airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the passenger side storage compart-
ment. –
Insert the key into the slot of the switch for
deactivating the front passenger airbag
››› Fig. 18 . About 3/4 of the key should en-
t er
, as far as it will go.
– Then turn the key gently to the position.
Do not f
orce it if you feel resistance, and
make sure you have inserted the key fully.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that
the control lamp
illuminates with the
word in the centre
part of the dash panel.
Switching on the airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the passenger side storage compart-
ment.
– Insert the key into the slot of the switch for
deactivating the front passenger airbag
››› Fig. 18. About 3/4 of the key should en-
ter
, as far as it will go.
– Then turn the key gently to the position.
Do not force it if you feel resistance, and
make sure you have inserted the key fully.
– Close the passenger side storage compart-
ment.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that
the control lamp does not illuminate,
with the words in the
centre of the dash panel. »
23
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Transporting children safety
Important information regarding the
front passenger's airbag Fig. 19
Passenger's side sun visor: airbag
sticker. Fig. 20
On the rear frame of the passenger
side door: airbag sticker. A sticker with important information about
the passenger airbag is located on the pas-
senger's sun visor and/or on the passenger
side door frame. Read and always observe the safety information included in the follow-
ing chapters:
● Safety distance with respect to the passen-
ger airbag ››› page 16, Why wear a seat belt
and assume the correct sitting position? .
● Objects between the passenger and the
passenger side airbag ››› in Front airbags
on page 20 .
The p a
ssenger side front airbag, when ena-
bled, is a serious risk for a child that is facing
backward since the airbag can strike the seat
with such force that it can cause serious or
fatal injuries. Children up to 12 years old
should always travel on the rear seat.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to
transport children on the rear seats. This is
the safest location in the vehicle. Alternative-
ly, the front passenger airbag can be disa-
bled with a key-operated switch ››› page 22.
When transporting children, use a child seat
suitable for the age and size of each child
››› page 24. WARNING
● If a child seat is secured to the front pas-
senger seat, the risk to the child of sustain-
ing critical or fatal injuries in the event of an
accident increases.
● An inflating front passenger airbag can
strike the rear-facing child seat and project it with great force against the door, the roof or
the backrest.
●
Never install a child seat facing backwards
on the front passenger seat unless the front
passenger front airbag has been disabled.
Risk of potentially fatal injuries to the child!
However, if it is necessary, in exceptional ca-
ses, to transport a child in the front passen-
ger seat, the front passenger front airbag
must always be disabled ››› page 22. If the
front passenger seat has a height adjustment
option, move it to the highest position.
● For those vehicles that do not include a key
lock switch to deactivate the airbag, the vehi-
cle must be taken to a technical service.
● All vehicle occupants, especially children,
must assume the proper sitting position and
be properly belted in while travelling.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap,
this can result in potentially fatal injuries to
the child!
● Never allow a child to be transported in a
vehicle without being properly secured, or to
stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling.
In an accident, the child could be flung
through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal in-
juries to themselves and to the other vehicle
occupants.
● If children assume an improper sitting posi-
tion when the vehicle is moving, they expose
themselves to greater risk of injury in the
event of a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an
accident. This is particularly important if the
child is travelling on the front passenger seat » 25
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Transporting children safety
Suitable for universal approved restrain-
ing systems for use in this age category
(universal retention systems are those
fitted using the adult seat belt).
Move the front passenger seat as far
back as possible, as high as possible
and always disable the airbag.
Suitable for retention systems using the
“ISOFIX” and Top Tether* anchors. WARNING
● When travelling, children must be secured
in the vehicle with a restraint system suitable
for age, weight and size.
● Read and always observe information and
warnings concerning the use of child seats
››› page 25. Child seats fastened with the
“ISOFIX” and Top Tether* system
Fig. 21
ISOFIX securing rings. U:
*:
L:
Fig. 22
Top Tether* securing ring. Child seats with the “ISOFIX” or Top Tether*
system can be secured quickly, easily and
safely on the rear outer seats.
When removing or fitting the child seat,
please be sure to follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
– Move the rear seat as far to the rear as it
will go.
– Press the child seat onto the “ISOFIX” re-
taining rings until the child seat can be
heard to engage. If the child seat is equip-
ped with Top Tether* anchor points, secure
it to the correspondent ring. Observe the
manufacturer's instructions.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat to en-
sure that it is secure.
Two “ISOFIX” retaining rings are fitted on
e ac
h rear seat. In some vehicles, the rings
are secured to the seat frame and, in others,
they are secured to the rear floor. Access to the “ISOFIX” rings is between the rear seat
backrest and the seat cushioning. The Top
Tether* rings are located at the rear of the
backrests of the rear seats (behind the seat
backrest or in the boot).
Child seats with the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether*
attachment system are available from Techni-
cal Services.
WARNING
● The retaining rings are designed only for
use with “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* system
child seats.
● Never secure other child seats that do not
have the “ISOFIX” or Top Tether* system, or
retaining belts or objects to the fastening
rings - this can result in potentially fatal inju-
ries to the child.
● Ensure that the child seat is secured cor-
rectly using the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* se-
curing rings. 27
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Controls and displays
Operation
Controls and displays Overview Electric window controls
. . . . . . . . . .60
Control for adjusting electric exteri-
or mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Multifunction switch lever:
– Turn signals, headlights, parking
lights, headlight flasher . . . . . . . .63
– Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . .111
Steering wheel:
– With horn
– With the driver front airbag . . . . . .19
– With controls for audio, naviga-
tion system and telephone . . . . . .46
General instrument panel: instru-
ments and warning lamps . . . . . . . .29
Multifunction switch lever:
– Multifunction display . . . . . . . . . . .39
– Windscreen wipers and wind-
screen washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Depending on the equipment:
– Audio system
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 –
Navigation system
Hazard warning lights switch . . . . . .65
Control lamp for front passenger
airbag deactivated warning lamp . .23
Front passenger airbag switch . . . .23
Passenger side storage compart-
ment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . .19
Light switch and main lights range
control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61, 62
Bonnet release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Fuse compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Steering column adjustment lever .7
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Driver seat heating control . . . . . . . .73
ASR switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Central lock button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Depending on the equipment:
– Gear lever (manual gearbox) . . . .100
– Selector lever (automatic gear-
box) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Depending on the equipment:
– Drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
– Ashtray holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Glove compartment/storage com-
partment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Heated rear window control . . . . . . .67
Passenger seat heating control . . . .73
10 11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27 Depending on the equipment:
– Heating controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
– Air conditioning controls . . . . . . . .90
– Climatronic controls . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Note
The location of the controls of right-hand
drive cars differs slightly from the location
shown here ››› Fig. 23. However, the symbols
c orr
espond to the respective controls. 28
29
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Instruments and warning lamps
Rev counter The red part of the rev counter scale
1›››
Fig. 24 ››› page 30 marks the area where
the engine control unit begins to limit the en-
gine speed. The engine control unit is re-
sponsible for reducing the revs to a safe lim-
it.
Before the needle reaches the red zone
change up into a higher gear, or move the se-
lector lever of the automatic gearbox to D.
In order to drive at an optimum RPM, follow
the gear change indications ››› page 32. For the sake of the environment
Changing to higher gears in advance helps to
reduce fuel consumption and noise levels,
helps to protect the environment and benefits
both the useful life and the reliability of the
engine. Speedometer
Speed warning
An audible warning will be heard when 120
km/h (75 mph) is exceeded. If the speed falls
below this limit, the audible warning
switches off. Note
This function is only valid for certain coun-
tries. Coolant temperature gauge
The coolant temperature gauge
4
››› Fig. 24
››› page 30 only works when the ignition is
sw it
ched on.
Damage to the engine can be avoided by ob-
serving the indications regarding the temper-
ature zones.
Engine cold
If the needle is still on the left of the scale,
the engine has not yet reached operating
temperature. Avoid high engine speeds, hard
acceleration and subjecting the engine to
high loads.
Operating temperature zone
When the needle has reached the central part
of the scale, this means the engine has
reached operating temperature. Running the
engine at full throttle and the high tempera-
tures involved can cause the needle to be
positioned in the zone on the right. CAUTION
The additional headlights and other parts
placed in front of the fresh air inlets reduce
the effect of engine cooling. With high out-
side temperatures and engine speeds a risk
becomes present of the engine overheating.
››› page 35, Coolant level and temperature
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge
7
›››
Fig. 24 ›
›
›
page 30 oper-
ates only when the ignition is switched on.
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 li-
tres. When the needle reaches the reserve
area, the ›››
page 37
warning symbol illu-
minates on the general instrument panel and
an audible warning can be heard. CAUTION
Never completely empty the tank! An irregu-
larity in the fuel supply system can cause ir-
regularities when the engine is running. Un-
burned fuel can reach the exhaust gas sys-
tem, which can cause deterioration of the cat-
alytic converter. Note
Some vehicles come fitted with the fuel
gauge on the general instrument panel. 31
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