Driving
Gearbox: too hot. Adapt your
driving accordingly
C ontinue driv
in
g at moderate speeds. When
the warning lamp switches off, you can con- tinue driving in a normal manner.
Gearbox: press the brake and
engage a gear again.
If the fault was caused by a gearbox with a
high temperature, this driver message will be
displayed when the gearbox has cooled
again.
Run-in and economical driving Runnin
g-in the engine A new vehicle should be run in over a dis-
t
anc
e of
1500 km (1000 miles). For the first
1,000 km the engine speed should not ex-
ceed 2/3 of the maximum permissible engine
speed. In doing so, do not accelerate at full
throttle and do not drive with a trailer! From
1000 to 1500 km (600 to 1000 miles) you
can gradually increase the engine rpm and
road speed.
During its first few hours of running, the in-
ternal friction in the engine is greater than
later on when all the moving parts have bed-
ded down. How the vehicle is driven for the first 1,500
km influences
the future engine perform-
ance. Subsequently, also drive at a moderate
rate, especially when the engine is still cold:
this will lead to less engine wear and tear
and will prolong its useful life.
You should also avoid driving with the engine
speed too low. Change down to a lower gear
when the engine no longer runs “smoothly”.
If the engine revs too much, cut fuel injection
to protect the engine.
Environmental compatibility Environmental protection is a top priority in
the de
s
ign, c
hoice of materials and manufac-
ture of your new SEAT.
Constructive measures to encourage recy-
cling
● Joints and connections designed for easy
dismantlin
g
● Modular construction to facilitate disman-
tling
● Incr
eased use of single-grade materials.
● Plastic parts and elastomers are marked in
accor
dance with ISO 1043, ISO 11469 and
ISO 1629.
Choice of materials
● Use of recycled materials. ●
Use of c
ompatible plastics in the same part
if its components are not easily separated.
● Use of recycled materials and/or materials
originating fr
om renewable sources.
● Reduction of volatile components, includ-
ing odour, in p
lastic 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-
valent chromium.
Manufacturing methods
● Reduction of the quantity of thinner in the
protectiv
e wax for cavities.
● Use of plastic film as protection during ve-
hicle tr
ansport.
● Use of solvent-free adhesives.
● Use of CFC-free coolants in cooling sys-
tems.
● Recy
cling and energy recovery from resi-
dues (RDF).
● Impr
ovement in the quality of waste water.
● Use of systems for the recovery of residual
heat (therm
al recovery, enthalpy wheels,
etc.).
● The use of water-soluble paints.
175
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Exhaust gas filtration systems Catalytic converter
App
lie
s to vehicles with petrol engine: the
vehicle must only be used with unleaded pet-
rol, otherwise the catalytic converter will be
irreparably damaged.
Never drive until the tank is empty; an irregu-
lar supply of fuel can cause faulty combus-
tion. In these cases, unburned fuel reaches
the exhaust system, which can overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Diesel particulate filter
Applies to vehicles with diesel engine: the
diesel engine particulate filter eliminates
most of the soot from the exhaust gas sys-
tem. Under normal driving conditions, the fil-
ter cleans itself. The diesel particulate filter is
cleaned automatically without need for indi-
cation by the warning lamp . This may be
noticed because the engine idle speed in-
creases and an odour may be detected.
If automatic filter purification cannot be car-
ried out (because only short trips are taken,
for example), soot will accumulate on the fil-
ter and the Diesel particulate filter warning
lamp will switch on.
Facilitate the automatic filter cleaning proc-
ess by driving in the following manner: drive
for approximately 15 minutes at a minimum
speed of 60 km/h in 4th or 5th gear (auto- matic gearbox: gear S). Maintain the engine
speed at
ap
proximately 2,000 rpm. The rise
in temperature causes the soot on the filter
to burn. On completion of the cleaning the
warning lamp will switch off. If the warning
lamp does not switch off, go immediately to a
specialised workshop to rectify the problem. WARNING
● Bec au
se of the high temperatures which
can occur in the exhaust gas control system
(catalytic converter or diesel particulate fil-
ter), do not park the vehicle where the ex-
haust can come into contact with flammable
materials under the car (e.g. on grass or at
the forest edge). Fire hazard!
● Do not apply wax underneath the vehicle
around the ar
ea of the exhaust system: Fire
hazard! Driving through flooded roads
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driv-
in
g thr
ough w
ater, for example, along a floo-
ded road, please observe the following:
● The water should never come above the
lower edg
e of the bodywork.
● Drive at pedestrian speed. WARNING
After driving through water, mud, sludge,
etc ., the br
aking effect can be delayed slight-
ly due to moisture build-up on the discs and
brake pads. Applying the brakes carefully
several times will remove the moisture and
restore the full braking effect. CAUTION
● Drivin g thr
ough flooded areas may severely
damage vehicle components such as the en-
gine, transmission, running gear or electrical
system.
● Whenever driving through water, the Start-
Stop sys
tem* must be switched off
››› page 183. Note
● Check the depth of
the water before enter-
ing the flooded zone.
● Do not stop in the water, drive in reverse, or
stop the en
gine in any situation.
● Note that vehicles travelling in the opposite
direction ma
y splash water that could exceed
the maximum permitted water height for your
vehicle.
● Avoid driving through salt water (corro-
sion). 176
Driving
Economical and environmentally-
friendly driv
in
gFuel consumption, environmental pollution
and we
ar t
o the engine, brakes and tyres de-
pends largely on driving style. Fuel consump-
tion can be reduced by 10-15% with an eco-
nomical driving style and proper anticipation
of traffic conditions. The following section
gives you some tips on lessening the impact
on the environment and reducing your oper-
ating costs at the same time.
Active cylinder management (ACT ®
)*
››› table on page 2
Depending on vehicle equipment, the active
cylinder management (ACT ®
) may automati-
cally deactivate some of the engine cylinders
if the driving situation does not require too
much power. When it is switched off, no fuel
is injected into these cylinders, hence total
fuel consumption may be reduced. The num-
ber of active cylinders can be seen on the in-
strument panel display ›››
page 32.
Foresight when driving
Acceleration causes the vehicle to consume
more fuel. If you think ahead when driving,
you will need to brake less and thus acceler-
ate less. Wherever possible, let the car roll
slowly to a stop, with a gear engaged (for in-
stance when you can see that the next traffic lights are red). This takes advantage of the
engine br
ak
ing effect, reducing wear on the
brakes and tyres. Emissions and fuel con-
sumption will drop to zero due to the overrun
fuel cut-off.
Changing gear to save energy
An effective way of saving is to change in ad-
vance to a higher gear. Running the engine at
high rpm in the lower gears uses an unneces-
sary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox : shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. In any case, we rec-
ommend that you change to a higher gear
upon reaching 2,000 rpm. Choosing the right
gear enables fuel savings. Select the highest
possible gear appropriate for the driving sit-
uation (the engine should continue function-
ing with cyclical regularity).
Automatic gearbox : accelerate gradually and
without reaching the “kick-down” position.
Avoid driving at high speed
Avoid travelling at top speed, whenever pos-
sible. Fuel consumption, emission of harmful
gases and noise pollution multiply dispropor-
tionately as speed is increased. Driving at
moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Reduce idling time
In vehicles with the Start-Stop system idling
is automatically reduced. In vehicles without the Start-Stop system it is worth switching off
the engine, for e
xample, at level crossings
and at traffic lights that remain red for long
periods of time. When an engine has reached
operating temperature, and depending on
the cylinder capacity, keeping it switched off
for a minimum of about 5 seconds already
saves more than the amount of fuel necessa-
ry for restarting.
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.
Regular maintenance
Regular servicing helps in saving fuel even
before the engine is started. A well-serviced
engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel
efficiency as well as maximum reliability and
an enhanced resale value. A badly serviced
engine can consume up to 10% more fuel
than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
The engine and catalytic converter need to
reach their optimal operating temperature in
order to minimise fuel consumption and
emissions. »
177
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
A cold engine consumes a disproportionate
amou nt
of
fuel. The engine reaches its work-
ing temperature after about four kilometres
(2.5 miles), when fuel consumption will re-
turn to a normal level.
Check tyre pressure
Always make sure the tyres are inflated to the
correct pressures ››› page 256 to save fuel. If
the pressure is below half bar, fuel consump-
tion may increase by 5%. Due to the greater
rolling resistance, under-inflation also increa-
ses tyre wear and impairs handling.
Do not use winter tyres all year round as they
increase fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
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.
Since the luggage rack increases the aerody-
namic drag of the vehicle, you should remove
it when not needed. This will save, at a speed
of 100-120 km/h (60-75 mph), 12% of fuel.
Save electrical energy
The engine drives the alternator, thereby gen-
erating electricity. This implies that any in-
crease in power consumption also increases
fuel consumption! For this reason, switch off any unneeded electrical devices. Devices that
use a lot of
electricity includes the blower at
a high setting, the rear window heating or
the seat heating*. Driver assistance systems
Br ak
in
g and stability systems
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) The ESC helps to improve safety. It reduces
the tendency
t
o skid and improves the stabil-
ity and roadholding of the vehicle. The ESC
detects critical handling situations, such as
vehicle understeer or oversteer, or wheelspin
on the driving wheels. It stabilises the vehi-
cle by braking individual wheels or by reduc-
ing the engine torque. The warning lamp will
flash on the instrument panel when the ESC
is intervening .
ESC includes the Anti-lock brake system
(ABS), the brake assist system, the traction
control system (ASR), electronic differential
lock (EDL), electronic self-locking*, selective
torque control* and tractor-trailer sway miti-
gation*. ESC also helps stabilise the vehicle
by changing the torque.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking up un-
der braking until the vehicle has reached a
virtual standstill. You can continue to steer
the vehicle even when the brakes are on full.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and do not
pump the brakes. You will feel the brake ped-
al pulsate while the ABS is working.
178
Driver assistance systems
●
When fo l
lowing a line of traffic uphill, if you
want to prevent the vehicle from rolling back
accidentally when starting off, hold the brake
pedal down for a few seconds before starting
off. Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop
c an t el
l you if your vehicle is equipped with
this system. Start-Stop system*
D e
s
cription and operation
›› ›
table on page 2
The Start-Stop system helps save fuel and re-
duce CO 2 emissions.
In Start-Stop mode, the engine will automati-
cally switch off when the vehicle stops, when
stopping at traffic lights for example. The ig-
nition remains switched on during the stop-
ping phase. The engine automatically
switches back on when required.
As soon as the ignition is switched on, the
Start-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Basic requirements for the Start-Stop mode ● The driver door must be closed. ●
The driver mu s
t have their seat belt fas-
tened.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The vehicle must have travelled at more
than 4 km/h (2 mph) sinc
e the last stop.
● The vehicle cannot be towing a trailer. WARNING
● Never sw it
ch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is stationary. The brake servo and power
steering functions will not be completely cov-
ered under warranty. More force may also be
needed to turn the steering wheel or to brake.
As you cannot steer and brake in the normal
manner, there is a greater risk of accidents
and serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could lock making it impossible to steer
the vehicle.
● To avoid injury, make sure that the Start-
Stop sys
tem is switched off when working in
the engine compartment ››› page 185. CAUTION
The Start-Stop system must always be
swit c
hed off when driving through flooded
areas ››› page 185. Stopping/Starting the engine
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it into
neutral and r
elease the clutch pedal. The
engine will switch off. The warning lamp
will appear on the instrument panel dis-
play.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed the en-
gine wil
l start up again. The warning lamp
will switch off.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
– Use the foot brake to bring the vehicle to a
stop and k
eep the brake pedal pressed
down with your foot. The engine will switch
off. The warning lamp will appear in the
display.
– When you take your foot off the brake pedal
the engine wi
ll start up again. The warning
lamp will switch off.
Additional information related to the auto-
matic gearbox
The engine stops when the selector lever is in
the positions P, D, N and S, in addition to
when in manual mode. With the selector lev-
er in position P, the engine will also remain
switched off when you take your foot off the
brake pedal. In order to start the engine up
again the accelerator must be pressed, or an-
other gear engaged or the brake released. »
183
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driver assistance systems
In the FR and X-PERIENCE models equipped
w ith dy
n
amic chassis control and Navi Sys-
tem Plus, the Comfort profile is also
available.
In the Leon Cupra model the four profiles are Comfort , Sport, Cupra and Individual .
The Individual profile can be configured
according to personal preferences. The other
profiles are fixed.
Description Depending on the equipment fitted in the ve-
hic
l
e,
SEAT Drive Profile can operate on the
following functions:
Engine
Depending on the profile selected, the en-
gine responds more spontaneously or more
in harmony with the movements of the accel-
erator. Additionally, when Eco mode is selec-
ted, the Start-stop function is automatically
activated.
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the
gear change points are modified to position
them in lower or higher engine speed ranges.
Additionally, the Eco 1)
mode activates the In- ertia function, enabling consumption to be
further r
educed.
In manual gearbox vehicles, Eco1)
mode cau-
ses the gear change recommendation indica-
tions that appear on the instrument panel to
vary, facilitating more efficient driving.
Dynamic chassis control (DCC)
››› table on page 2
DCC continuously adapts the shock absorb-
ers to the condition of the road and current
driving conditions, according to the pre-set
programme.
In the event of a fault in the DCC, the follow-
ing message is displayed on the instrument
screen Fault: damping setting .
Address
Power steering becomes more robust in
Sport mode to enable a sportier driving
style. In the Leon Cupra the power steering
becomes more robust in Cupra mode.
Air conditioning
In vehicles with Climatronic, this can operate
in eco 1)
mode, especially restricting fuel con-
sumption. Ambient lighting
The ambient lightin
g guides located in the in-
terior front door panels of the Leon FR and
the Leon Cupra change colour from white to
red depending on the driving mode selected.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) 2)
According to the active driving profile, the ac-
celeration gradient of the adaptive cruise
control varies.
Electronic self-locking differential 2)
The self-locking differential adapts its behav-
iour depending on the driving profile chosen.
Normal mode or Cupra mode can be selected
to prioritise improved traction in sport driv-
ing. 1)
In the Leon Cupra model, Ec o
mode is selected
through the Individual profile.
2) Applies to the Leon Cupra model.
205
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Setting driving mode Fig. 209
Centre console: MODE button. You can select from
Normal, Sport, Eco
and Individual .
Y ou c
an sel
ect the required mode either by
repeatedly pressing the button MODE
››› Fig. 209, or on the touch screen, in the
menu that opens when the above button is
pressed.
An icon on the Easy Connect system display
informs about the active mode.
The MODE button light remains lit up yellow
when the active mode is different to Normal.
Driving
profileCharacteristics
NormalOffers a balanced driving experience, suit-
able for everyday use.
DrivingprofileCharacteristics
SportProvides a complete dynamic performance
in the vehicle, enabling the user a more
sporty driving style.
Eco
Places the vehicle in a particularly low
state of consumption, facilitating a fuel-
saving driving style that is respectful to
the environment.
Individ- ual
Enables some configurations to be modi-
fied by pressing the Profile settings
button. The functions that can be adjusted
depend on the equipment fitted in the ve-
hicle.
Conven- ience a)It permits more relaxed and comfortable
driving, for example for long motorway
journeys. Its main characteristic is the soft
suspension setting (DCC).
a)
Only for FR and X-PERIENCE models equipped with dynamic
chassis control and Navi System Plus. WARNING
When operating SEAT Drive Profile, pay atten-
tion to a l
l traffic: doing otherwise could cause
an accident. Note
● When the v ehic
le is switched off it will al-
ways store the driving profile that was selec-
ted when the ignition key was removed. Nev-
ertheless, when the engine is restarted the
engine and the gear will not restart in its sportier mode in order to save fuel. For en-
gine and ge
ar t
o revert to a sportier mode,
select the corresponding driving profile again
on the Easy Connect system screen.
● Your speed and driving style must always
be adjus
ted to visibility, weather, and traffic
conditions.
● The eco mode is not
available when towing
a trailer. Setting driving mode
3 App
lies to the model: Leon Cupra Fig. 210
Centre console: Cupra Drive Profile
b utt on.
›› ›
table on page 2
You can select from Convenience, Sport,
Cupra and Individual .
206
Driver assistance systems
Cupra Drive Profile button
Y ou c
an sel
ect the required mode either by
repeatedly pressing the button with the Cu-
pra logotype ››› Fig. 210, or on the touch
screen, in the menu that opens when the
above button is pressed.
An icon on the Easy Connect system display
informs about the active mode.
The light of the button with the Cupra logo-
type remains lit up only when the Cupra pro-
file is active.
Driving profileCharacteristics
Conven- ienceIt permits more relaxed and comfortable
driving, for example for long motorway
journeys. Its main characteristic is the
soft suspension setting (DCC).
SportIt represents the vehicle's default behav-
iour, suitable for dynamic driving.
CupraIt gives the vehicle a decidedly sportier
nature, and makes for maximum perform-
ance.
Individ- ual
Enables some configurations to be modi-
fied by pressing the Profile settings
button. The functions that can be adjus-
ted depend on the equipment fitted in the
vehicle. WARNING
When operating SEAT Drive Profile, pay atten-
tion to a l
l traffic: doing otherwise could cause
an accident. Note
● When the v ehic
le is switched off it will al-
ways store the driving profile that was selec-
ted when the ignition key was removed. Nev-
ertheless, when the engine is restarted the
engine and the gear will not restart in its
sportier mode in order to save fuel. For en-
gine and gear to revert to a sportier mode,
select the corresponding driving profile again
on the Easy Connect system screen.
● Your speed and driving style must always
be adjus
ted to visibility, weather, and traffic
conditions. Kick-down
The kick-down feature allows maximum ac-
c
el
er
ation to be reached.
If the eco* ›››
page 206 mode has been se-
lected in SEAT Drive Profile*, and the acceler-
ator is pressed beyond a hard point, the en-
gine power is automatically controlled to give
your vehicle maximum acceleration. WARNING
Please note that if the road surface is slip-
pery or w
et, the kick-down feature could
cause the driving wheels to spin, which could
result in skidding. 207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety