Operation
– Open and t urn outl
et
4 towards the side
w indo
w
s.
Keeping the windscreen and the side win-
dows demisted
– Turn the temperature selector ›››
Fig. 165
A to the heating area.
– Turn blower switch B to any of the head
settin g
s
2 -3.
– Turn air distribution control to .
– Close outlets 3–
Open and turn outlets 4 towards side win-
do w
s.
Onc
e the windows are demisted and as a pre-
ventive measure, the control C can be set in
po s
ition
, thus obtaining greater comfort
while preventing the windows from misting
again.
Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to
defrost the windows quickly, is only available
when the engine has reached its operating
temperature. Note
Remember that the temperature of the engine
coo l
ant should be optimum to ensure that the
heating system functions correctly (except in
vehicles fitted with additional heating*). Air conditioning*
C ontr
o
ls Fig. 166
Air conditioning controls on the
d a
sh p
anel. Temperature selector
››
›
page 149
Blower control. There are four speed set-
tings for the blower. At low speed, it is
recommended to set the blower to a mini-
mum of 1 to improve the intake of fresh
air.
Air distribution control ››› page 149
Air recirculation button
› ›
› p
age 149
A/C button – Switches on the cooling
sy s
t
em ››› page 149
The air conditioning system only works when
the engine is running and the fan is switched
on. A B
C
D
E ●
Us
in
g the rotary switches A ,
B and
C ›››
Fig. 166 y ou c
an a djust temperature, blow-
er speed and air distribution.
● To switch a function on or off, press the ap-
propriat
e button D or
E . When the function
i s
activ
ated, a red warning light on the but-
ton is turned on.
To demist the windscreen
● Turn air distribution to .
● Turn the fan control to one of the two levels
depending on the speed r
equired.
● Rotate the temperature control to the de-
sired l
evel of comfort.
● Close outlets 3 ●
Open and turn outlets 4 towards side win-
do w
s. WARNING
For your safety, the windows should never be
fog g
ed up or covered with snow or ice. This is
essential to ensure good visibility. Please fa-
miliarise yourself with the correct operation
of the heating and ventilation system, includ-
ing the demist/defrost functions for the win-
dows. Note
Please consider the general notes. 148
Air conditioning
Vehicle interior heating or cooling
sy s
t
em Interior heating
– Turn off the cooling system using the
›› ›
Fig. 166 A/C button (the button light
turn s
off).
– Turn the temperature selector A to set the
des ir
ed temperature inside the vehicle.
– Turn the blower switch to any of the set-
tings
1-4.
– Set the air distribution control C to the air
flo w c
onfigur
ation desired: (towards the
w ind
s
creen), (towards the chest),
(towards the footwell) and
(towards the
w ind
s
creen and footwell areas).
Interior cooling
– Turn off the cooling system using the A/Cbutton (the button light turns on).
– Turn the temperature control switch until
the de s
ir
ed interior temperature is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to any of the set-
tings
1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air
flow configur
ation desired: (towards the
w ind
s
creen), (towards the chest),
(towards the footwell) and
(towards the
w ind
s
creen and footwell areas). Heating
Maximum he
at output, which is needed to
defrost the windows quickly, is only available
when the engine has reached its operating
temperature.
Coolant system
When the air conditioning is switched on, the
temperature and the air humidity go down.
This way, if the outside humidity is extreme,
the air conditioning prevents the misting of
the windows and therefore, comfort is im-
proved.
If the air conditioning does not work, this
may be due to the following reasons:
● The engine is stationary.
● The fan blower is switched off.
● The outside temperature is lower than ap-
prox
imately +3°C (+37°F).
● The air conditioning system compressor
has
been temporarily switched off because of
an increased engine coolant temperature.
● The air conditioner fuse is faulty.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air
conditioning c
hecked by a specialised work-
shop. Air recirculation
Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells,
e.g. when p
a
ssing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic, from entering the interior.
If the rotary switch C
››› Fig. 166 i
s in the
thaw position, the recirculation flap will al-
ways be open (button light off).
If the rotary switch C is switched from any
pos ition t
o the thaw position, recirculation
will be automatically deactivated.
Connecting the recirculation
In any position of rotary switch C except
th a
w:
● Pr
ess button D
› ›
› Fig. 166
, the switch's
lamp will light up, indicating that air recircu-
lation inside the vehicle has been activated.
Disconnecting the recirculation
In any position of rotary switch C except
th a
w:
● Pr
ess button D again and the button's
l amp w
i
ll go off, indicating that air recircula-
tion from the outside has been activated.
In the thaw position of rotary switch C , the
entr y
of
air into the vehicle interior is always
from the outside. »
149
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the
outs ide ent
ers the vehicle interior. If the air
conditioner is switched off, the windows can
quickly mist over. Therefore, never leave the
air recirculation mode switched on for a long
time (risk of accident). Note
● When eng agin
g reverse gear, the air recir-
culation is connected automatically to pre-
vent the entrance of exhaust gases in the ve-
hicle on travelling backwards. The control
lamp on the button does not light up.
● If the temperature control is turned to the
co l
dest setting (blue point) and the A/C but- ton is on, the “Air recirculation” function is
autom
atic
ally activated in order to cool the
vehicle faster using less energy, and its func-
tion control lamp will light up.
● If the function is not deactivated by press-
ing the butt
on, it will deactivate after approx-
imately 20 minutes. Climatronic*
Genera l
notes Fig. 167
Climatronic: controls. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 39
Climatronic automatically maintains a com-
fortable temperature. To do so, it automati- cally regulates the supplied air temperature
and the blow
er and air distribution levels.
The system also allows for the effect of sun-
light, so there is no need for manual adjust-
ment. It also has a humidity sensor that helps to automatically demist the wind-
scr
een.
Automatic operations ››› page 151 guaran-
tee maximum comfort any time of year.
150
Air conditioning
Climatronic description
C oo
lin
g only works if the following conditions
are met:
● The engine is running
● the outside temperature is above +2°C
(+36°F);
● A/C
18
› ››
Fig. 167
sw
itched on.
Starting the Climatronic
The corresponding function will be switched
on when a button is pressed, turning on the
air conditioniNG if it was switched off, with
the exception of button 17
› ›
› Fig. 167
(recir-
culation)
Switching off the Climatronic
● Turn control 10 to the left until the seg-
ments of
c
olumn 9
› ›
› Fig. 167 switch off.
● After 1 second has elapsed, turn the control
again t
o switch off the display.
In order to ensure engines subject to heavy
loads are cooled, the air conditioning com-
pressor is switched off in the event of high
coolant temperatures.
Recommended setting for all seasons of the
year
● Set the required temperature. We recom-
mend +22 °C (72°F).
● Pre
ss the AUTO button
13
› ›
› Fig. 167
.●
Adjust
vents 3 and 4 ››› page 146 so that
the air flow is directed slightly upwards.
Change between degrees Centigrade and de-
grees Fahrenheit
Keep the AUTO and
A/C
› ››
Fig. 167
b
uttons
held down for 2 seconds at the same time.
The data is displayed on the screen in the
units required. Note
● A v i
sit to the specialised service once a
year is recommended to clean the Climatronic
system.
● The interior temperature sensor 11 ›››
Fig. 167 is at
the bottom. Do not cover it
with stickers or the like, as this could have a
negative effect on Climatronic operations. Automatic mode
Automatic mode is used to maintain a con-
s
t
ant
temperature and demist the windows
inside the vehicle.
Switching on automatic mode
● Set the interior temperature between +16°C
(+64°F) and +29°C (+84°F).
● Adjus
t vents 3 and 4 ›››
page 146 so that
the air flow is directed slightly upwards. ●
Pres
s the AUTO button
13
› ››
Fig. 167
and
AUTO di
splayed on the screen.
Automatic mode is switched off by pressing
the air distribution buttons or increasing or
decreasing the blower speed. However, the
temperature remains regulated.
Adjusting the temperature ●
When you switch on the ignition, control 1 ›››
Fig. 167 can be u sed t
o set the required in-
terior temperature.
It is possible to select interior temperatures
from +16°C (+64°F) to +29°C (+84°F). In this
range the temperature is regulated automati-
cally. If a temperature below +16°C (+64°F) is
selected, “LO” is displayed on the screen. If a
temperature above +29°C (+84°F) is selected,
“HI” is displayed on the screen. At both ex-
tremes, Climatronic works at maximum cool-
ing or heating power, respectively. The tem-
perature is not regulated.
In the event of prolonged, irregular distribu-
tion of the air flow from the outlets (particu-
larly the footwells) and significant differen-
ces in temperature, e.g. on leaving the vehi-
cle, sensitive people may catch cold.
151
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
could be engaged and vehicle steering would
not w
ork. Note
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must
be sw itc
hed on to prevent the steering wheel
from locking and also to allow the use of the
turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and
washers. Information relating to different vehi-
c
l
e pr
ocesses. In order to make the vehicle more difficult to
s
t
e
al, you should always lock the steering be-
fore leaving the vehicle.
Mechanical steering lock
The steering column is locked when the key
is removed from the ignition lock and the ve-
hicle is stationary.
Activating the steering lock
● Park the vehicle ›››
page 156.
● Remove the ignition key.
● Turn the steering wheel slightly until the
steerin
g lock has engaged. Deactivating the steering lock
●
Turn the steering wheel slightly to release
the lock.
● Inser
t the key in the ignition lock.
● Hold the steering wheel in this position
and switc
h on the ignition.
Electromechanical steering
In vehicles with electromechanical steering,
the assisted steering function automatically
adjusts according to vehicle speed, steering
wheel torque and wheel orientation. The
power steering only works when the engine
is running.
You should take into account that you will
need considerably more power than normal
to steer the vehicle if the power steering is
not working correctly or at all.
Power-assisted steering
Power-assisted steering helps the driver in
critical situations. In counter-steering, it as-
sists by applying additional torque ››› .
WARNING
Power-assisted steering, together with the
ESC, help s
the driver to control vehicle steer-
ing in critical situations. However, the driver
is ultimately responsible for steering the ve-
hicle at all times. Power-assisted steering
does not remove this responsibility. Starting and stopping the en-
gine
Ignition k ey
po
sitions Fig. 168
Ignition key positions. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 20
Ignition switched off, steering lock 1 In this position
››
›
Fig. 168, the ignition and
the engine are OFF and the steering may be
locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the
ignition key, turn the steering wheel until it
locks with an audible sound. You should al-
ways lock the steering wheel when you leave
your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle
theft ››› .
»
153
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Switching the ignition or the glow plug sys-
t em on 2 Turn the ignition key to this position and re-
l
e
a
se it. If the key cannot be turned or it is
difficult to turn from position 1 to position
2 , move the steering wheel from one side to
the other; thi s
w
ill release it.
Starting 3The engine is started when the key is in this
po
s
ition. El
ectrical devices with high power
consumption are switched off temporarily at
the same time.
Each time that the vehicle is restarted, the ig-
nition key must be turned to position 1 . The
r epetitiv
e s
tart prevention lock of the igni-
tion prevents possible damage to the starter
motor if the engine is already running. WARNING
● The ignition key mu
st NOT be removed from
the lock until the vehicle comes to a stand-
still. Otherwise, the steering could be imme-
diately blocked- Risk of accident!
● Always remove the key from the ignition
when leav
ing the vehicle, even if only for a
short period. This is especially important if
children or disabled people are left alone in
the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment such as
the electric windows, resulting in an acci-
dent. ●
Uns uper
vised use of the key could start the
engine or any electrical system, such as the
electric windows. This could result in serious
injury. CAUTION
The starter motor will only work when the en-
gine i s s
topped (ignition key position 3 ).
Electronic immobiliser
The electronic immobiliser prevents unau-
thori
sed per
son
s from driving the vehicle.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates
the electronic immobiliser automatically
when the key is inserted into the ignition.
The electronic immobiliser will be activated
again automatically as soon as you pull the
key out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genu-
ine SEAT key with its correct code. Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured
if g enuine
SEAT keys are used. Starting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genu-
ine S
EA
T key with its correct code.
– Move the gearbox lever to the neutral posi-
tion and depres
s the clutch pedal thor-
oughly and hold it in this position for the
starter to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting posi-
tion ›››
page 153.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the en-
gine star
ts; the starter motor must not run
on with the engine.
After starting a very hot engine, you may
need to slightly press down the accelerator.
When starting a cold engine, it may be a little
noisy for the first few seconds until oil pres-
sure has built up in the hydraulic valve com-
pensators. This is quite normal, and no cause
for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately,
switch the starter off after 10 seconds and try
again after half a minute. If the engine still
does not start, the fuel pump fuse should be
checked ›››
page 81, Fuses.
154
Driving
WARNING
● Never s t
art or run the engine in unventila-
ted or closed rooms. The exhaust gases con-
tain carbon monoxide, an odourless and col-
ourless poisonous gas. Risk of fatal acci-
dents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness and result in death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the
engine is
running.
● Never use “cold start sprays”, they could
explode or c
ause the engine to run at high
revs. Risk of injury. CAUTION
● When the engine i s
cold, you should avoid
high engine speeds, driving at full throttle
and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine
damage.
● The vehicle should not be pushed or towed
more than 50 metr
es to start the engine. Un-
burnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter
and damage it.
● Before attempting to push-start or tow a ve-
hicle in or
der to start it, you should first try to
start it using the battery of another vehicle.
Please observe and follow the notes on the
››› page 52, How to jump start. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the
engine w ith the
vehicle stationary. Start off
immediately, driving gently. This helps the engine reach operating temperature faster
and reduc
e
s emissions. Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genu-
ine S
EA
T key with its correct code.
– Move the gearbox lever to the neutral posi-
tion and depres
s the clutch pedal thor-
oughly and hold it in this position for the
starter to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to position ›››
Fig. 168
2 . The warning lamp
wi
l l light for en-
gine pre-heating.
– When the lamp turns off, turn the ignition
key t
o position 3 to start the engine. Do
not pr
e
ss the accelerator.
– Release the ignition key as soon as the en-
gine star
ts. The starter motor should not
turn at the same time.
When starting a cold engine, it may be a little
noisy for the first few seconds until oil pres-
sure has built up in the hydraulic valve com-
pensators. This is quite normal, and no cause
for concern.
If there are problems starting the engine, see
the ›››
page 52. Glow plug system for the diesel engine
To avoid u
nnecessary discharging of the bat-
tery, do not use any other major electrical
equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heat-
ing.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug
warning lamp goes out.
Starting a diesel engine after the fuel tank
has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry,
it may take longer than normal (up to one mi-
nute) to start a diesel engine after refuelling.
This is because the fuel system must elimi-
nate air first. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Starting
petro l
engines on page 155. CAUTION
● When the engine i s
cold, you should avoid
high engine speeds, driving at full throttle
and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine
damage.
● The vehicle should not be pushed or towed
more than 50 metr
es to start the engine. Un-
burnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter
and damage it.
● Before attempting to push-start or tow a ve-
hicle in or
der to start it, you should first try to » 155
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
start it using the battery of another vehicle.
Ple
a
se observe and follow the notes on the
››› page 52, How to jump start. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the
en gine w ith the
vehicle stationary. You
should drive off as soon as you start the en-
gine. This helps the engine reach operating
temperature faster and reduces emissions. Switching off the engine
–
Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position ››
›
Fig. 168
1 .
Af t
er sw
itching the engine off, the radiator
fan may run on for up to 10 minutes. It is also
possible that the fan turns itself on once
more if the coolant temperature increases
due to the heat accumulated in the engine
compartment or due to its prolonged expo-
sure to solar radiation. WARNING
● Never sw it
ch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is completely stationary.
● The brake servo works only when the en-
gine is ru
nning. With the engine switched off,
more strength is needed to brake. As normal brake operation cannot be performed, risk of
acc
ident
s and serious injury may exist.
● The steering lock can be immediately
block
ed once the key is removed from the ig-
nition. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of
accident.
● Power-assisted steering does not work
when the engine is
off, and more strength is
needed to turn the wheel.
● If the key is removed from the ignition lock
the steerin
g lock could be engaged and vehi-
cle steering would not work. CAUTION
When the engine has been running under a
heavy lo
ad for a long period, heat can accu-
mulate in the engine compartment and cause
engine damage. For this reason, idle the en-
gine for approximately 2 minutes before
switching it off. Braking and parking
Br ak
in
g capacity and braking distance The efficiency of the brakes depends directly
on the br
ak
e p
ad wear. This wear depends to
a great extent on the conditions under which
the vehicle is operated and the way the vehi-
cle is driven. If you often drive in town, drive
short distances or have a sporty driving style,
we recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by technical serv-
ices
more frequently than recommended in
the Maintenance Programme.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, af-
ter crossing areas of water, on days of heavy
rainfall or even after washing the car, the ef-
fect of the brakes is reduced as the brake
discs are wet or even frozen (in winter): in
this case, the brakes should be “dried” by
pressing the brake pedal several times. WARNING
Longer braking distances and faults in the
brak e sy
stem increase the risk of accidents.
● New brake pads must be run in and do not
have the c
orrect friction during the first
200 km. This reduced braking capacity may
be compensated for by pressing on the brake
pedal a little harder, which also applies when
the brake pads have to be changed further
on.
● If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are
driving on r
oads which have been salted,
braking power may be lower than normal.
● On steep slopes, if brakes are excessively
used, they w
ill overheat. Before driving down
a long steep slope, it is advisable to reduce
speed and change down into a lower gear or
range (depending on the type of transmis-
sion). Thus, make use of engine braking and
relieve the brakes.
● Never let the brakes “drag” by applying
light pre
ssure. Continuous braking will cause156