Operation
Trailer weight Trailer weight
The comb
ined
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 216, Useful life of tyres .
Trailer weight
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight
under any circumstances ›››
page 221, Tech-
nical specifications .
The trailer weights listed are only applicable
for altitudes up to 1000 m above sea level.
Due to lower air density, engine power de-
creases depending on the increase in alti- tude, this also reduces climbing ability,
which r
equir
es a reduction of the weight of
the vehicle with a trailer by 10% for every
1000 m increase in altitude. The weight of
the assembly is calculated by adding the ve-
hicle weight (loaded) to the trailer weight
(loaded). Always drive with special care when
towing a trailer.
The towed load and support load information
that is displayed on the towing bracket man-
ufacturers label are only values for the verifi-
cation of the device. The correct figures for
your specific vehicle, which are usually lower
than these figures, are given in the documen-
tation of your vehicle. WARNING
● Exc eedin
g the maximum established load
per axle and the maximum towing bracket
load in addition to the maximum permitted
load or the load of the vehicle + trailer as-
sembly can cause accidents and serious inju-
ries.
● A sliding load can considerably affect the
stab
ility and safety of the vehicle + trailer as-
sembly, resulting in accidents and serious in-
juries. Driving with a trailer
Exterior mirrors
Check
whether
you can see enough of the
road behind the trailer with the standard rear
vision mirrors. If this is not the case, you
should have additional exterior mirrors fitted.
Observe the relevant statutory requirements
of the country you are in.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, also check the
headlight beam settings with the trailer
hitched up. Adjust the headlight range set-
tings if necessary ›››
page 122, Main light
range control .
Driving speed
For your own safety do not drive faster than
the maximum permitted speed indicated on
the trailer.
At all times, immediately reduce speed if you
detect the slightest swaying movement of the
trailer. Never try to “return the trailer to a
straight position” by accelerating.
Brakes
Brake in due course! If the trailer has an over-
run brake, apply the brakes gently at first and
then, firmly. This will prevent the jerking that
can be caused by locking of trailer wheels.
Change to a lower gear in good time before
186
Towing bracket device
descending a slope in order to take advant-
ag e of
the en
gine brake.
The trailer is incorporated into the vehicle's
anti-theft alarm system:
● When the vehicle has a factory-fitted anti-
theft al
arm and a towing bracket.
● When the trailer is electrically connected to
the vehic
le via the towing bracket socket.
● When the vehicle electrical device and the
tow
ing bracket are operational.
● When the vehicle is locked and the vehi-
cle's
anti-theft alarm device is activated.
Once the electrical connection is interrupted
with the vehicle trailer locked, the alarm
sounds.
Always switch off the vehicle anti-theft alarm
device before connecting or disconnecting a
trailer. The vehicle anti-theft alarm device
could cause the alarm to sound ››› page 117,
Anti-theft alarm system*.
Engine overheating
In the event that the coolant temperature
gauge needle moves to the right section of
the scale or to the red area, immediately re-
duce speed. If the control lamp flashes on
the general instrument panel, stop the vehi-
cle and switch off the engine. Wait several
minutes and check the coolant level in the
tank ››› page 208. Please observe the following indications
›››
page 100, Coolant level and temperature
.
The coolant temperature can be reduced by
switching on the heating. WARNING
● Adjus t
your speed to suit the road and traf-
fic conditions.
● An electrical installation that is connected
incorrectly
or by non-specialised personnel
can prevent the connection of the current to
the trailer and cause faults in the operation of
the electrical system throughout the entire
vehicle, leading to accidents and serious in-
jury.
● All electrical work must be carried out only
by s
pecialised services.
● Never directly connect the trailer electrical
device t
o the electrical sockets of the reverse
driving lights or other sources of electrical
current. CAUTION
● Av oid c
orners, and sudden and sharp brak-
ing.
● Once the trailing arm has been removed,
plac
e the corresponding cover on the hole of
the fastening point. This prevents dirt from
entering the hole – see the trailer system as-
sembly manual. Note
● In the event of
frequent journeys with a
trailer, we recommend also having the vehi-
cle inspected in between the service inter-
vals.
● When connecting and disconnecting the
trail
er, the handbrake must be applied.
● For technical reasons, trailers with LED re-
verse light
s cannot be incorporated into the
vehicle anti-theft alarm system. Towing bracket device for trail-
er
Intr oduction If the vehicle is equipped with a towing
br
ac
k
et device from the factory or is a genu-
ine SEAT accessory, it meets all national tech-
nical and legal requirements for towing.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin power
socket for the electrical connection between
the trailer and the vehicle. If the towing
bracket is equipped with a 7-pin connector,
you can use the corresponding available
adaptor that is a genuine SEAT accessory.
The towing device has a maximum vertical
load of 50 kg. »
187
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
WARNING
● Bef or
e driving with the ball-headed bar fit-
ted, verify its correct assembly and place-
ment in the clamping bush.
● Do not use the ball-headed bar if it is not
correctly
placed and fixed in the clamping
bush.
● Do not use the towing device for towing if it
is d
amaged or has missing parts.
● Do not modify or adapt the towing device
connection.
● Never di
sengage the ball-headed bar with
the trail
er still hitched. CAUTION
Be careful not to damage the paint on the
bumper when h andlin
g the ball-headed bar. Description
Fig. 195
Towing bracket device support for
hit c
hin
g/ball-headed bar. The ball-headed bar is detachable. It is loca-
t
ed in the s
p
are wheel compartment or in the
spare wheel compartment in the boot
››› page 75, Vehicle tool kit*.
Key to ››› Fig. 195
13-pin socket
Safety flange
1 2 Clamping bush
C
l
ampin
g bush cap
Ball head cover
Ball-headed bar
Locking balls
Centred
Red marking on the manual regulator
Manual regulator
Key
Key slot cover
Red marking on the manual regulator
White marking on the ball-headed bar Note
Contact an Authorised Service Partner if you
lose y
our key. 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
188
Towing bracket device
Placing in service position Fig. 196
Placing in service position. Fig. 197
Service position. Before assembling, place the ball-headed bar
in ser
v
ic
e position.
– Turn key A fully in the direction of arrow
1
› ›
› Fig. 196
.
– Hold the ball-headed bar with your left
hand.
– Pu
ll manual regulator B outward in the di-
r ection of
arr
ow 2 and turn it fully in the
dir ection of
arr
ow 3 .The manual regulator will remain in this posi-
tion.
Ser
vic
e position ››› Fig. 197
● Key C is in an open position – the key ar-
r o
w points
to the “unlocked” symbol. The key
cannot be removed from the key slot.
● The D locking balls may be fully inserted
int o the body
of
the ball-headed bar by ap-
plying some pressure.
● The red E marking on the manual regula-
t or points
t
owards the white marking on the
ball-headed bar.
● Between the manual regulator and the
body of the b
all-headed bar there is a clearly
visible space of approximately 4 mm F .
Onc e the b
al
l-headed bar has been posi-
tioned like this, it will be ready to be placed
in the clamping bush. WARNING
Do not use the ball-headed bar if it cannot be
corr ectly
placed in the service position. CAUTION
The key cannot be removed from the manual
re gu
lator key slot when it is in the service po-
sition. 189
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Assembly of the ball-headed bar Fig. 198
Placing the ball-headed bar/locking
and r emo
v
ing the key. Fig. 199
Placing the key slot cover. –
Remove the cap from the clamping bush 4 ›››
Fig. 195 by p
ulling downwards.
– Place the ball-headed bar in the service po-
sition ››
› page 189.
– Hold the ball-headed bar from underneath
›››
Fig. 198 and push it into the clamping
bush as far as possible until you hear it
click into place ››› .
The m anual
r
egulator A aut
omatically turns
in the op po
site direction, adjusting to the
ball-headed bar ››› .
– Switch off the manual regulator lock with
key
B by turning the key fully to the right
in the dir ection of
arr
ow 1 – the arrow in
the k ey
di
splays the “locked” symbol.
– Remove the key in the direction of arrow
2 .
– Place cover C over the manual regulator
loc k
in the dir
ection of arrow 3
› ›
› Fig. 199 .–
Verify
the correct placement of the ball-
headed bar ››› page 191. WARNING
● Do not ho l
d the manual regulator with your
hand when fitting the ball-headed bar since
you could sustain injuries to your fingers.
● When mounting the ball-headed bar, al-
way
s lock it with a key and remove the key
from the slot.
● The ball-headed bar must not be in the
servic
e position with the key in the key slot.
● If the ball-headed bar is not placed in the
servic
e position you will not be able to place
it in the clamping bush. CAUTION
When removing the key, always place the
co v
er over the key slot of the manual regula-
tor to prevent dirt from entering. Note
Once removed, place the clamping bush cap
in an appr opri
ate location in the boot.190
Towing bracket device
Verification of correct placement Fig. 200
Correct placement of the ball-head-
ed b ar
. Before using the ball-headed bar, ensure it is
c
orr
ectly
fitted.
Ensure that:
● The ball-headed bar does not come out of
the clampin
g bush in a “jerky” manner.
● The red mark A
› ›
› Fig. 200
on the manual
regulator signals toward the white mark on
the ball-headed bar.
● The manual regulator is adjusted to the
ball-he
aded bar, leaving no space between
them.
● The regulator is locked and the key has
been remov
ed.
● Cover B has been placed over the manual
r e gu
lator lock. WARNING
Only use the towing bracket device when the
ba l
l-headed bar is properly fitted! Disassembly of the ball-headed bar
Fig. 201
Remove the key slot cover/unlock
w ith the k
ey
. Fig. 202
Unblock the ball-headed bar. –
Remove cover A from over the regulator
k ey
s
lot in the direction of arrow 1 ›››
Fig. 201.
– Insert key B in the key slot.
– Open the manual regulator lock by turning
key
B fully to the left in the direction of ar-
r o
w 2 . The arrow on the key points to the
“u n
loc
ked” symbol.
– Hold the ball-headed bar from underneath
›››
Fig. 202 and remove manual regulator
C with your other hand in the direction of
arr o
w 3 .
– Turn the removed regulator fully in the di-
rection of
arr
ow 4 and hold it firmly in this
po s
ition.
– R
emove the ball-headed bar from the
clampin
g bush, pulling downward in the di-
rection of arrow 5 .
»
191
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
The ball-headed bar should be placed in the
ser v
ic
e position so that it is ready to be inser-
ted into the clamping bush ››› .
– Place the cover over the clamping bush 4›››
Fig. 195. WARNING
● Never leave the ball-headed bar unsecured
in the boot. It c
ould be damaged in the event
of sudden braking, putting the safety of pas-
sengers at risk!
● Never disassemble the ball-headed bar
with the trai
ler still hitched. CAUTION
● If y
ou do not turn the manual regulator
fully, it will return to its original position
when the ball-headed bar is removed. The
manual regulator will be stuck to the ball-
headed bar and you will not be able to put it
in the service position. Therefore, before you
assemble it again, you must place the ball-
headed bar in this position.
● When disassembling, place the cap on the
clampin
g bush holder’s key slot. This way
you will prevent dirt from entering the clamp-
ing bush. Note
● Bef or
e disassembling the ball-headed bar,
we recommend placing the cover on the ball
head. ●
Cle
an the ball-headed bar thoroughly be-
fore returning it to the on-board toolbox. Use and maintenance
Cover the clamping bush with the cap to pre-
vent
dir
t from entering.
Before hooking on the trailer, check the ball
head and, if necessary, lubricate it with ade-
quate lubricant.
Place the protective cover over the ball head
when storing the bar. This way, you will avoid
getting the boot dirty.
If it gets dirty, clean and dry the clamping
bush thoroughly with an appropriate prod-
uct. CAUTION
The top part of the clamping bush opening is
lubricat ed. B
e careful not to remove this lu-
brication. 192
Care and maintenance
Advice
C ar
e and m
aintenance
Accessories and modifications to the vehicle
Accessories, replacement parts and
repair work If you wish to retrofit accessories in the vehi-
c
l
e, or if
a part of the vehicle has been re-
placed by a new part or technical modifica-
tions are required, the following instructions
must be taken into account:
● Before purchasing accessories or spare
par
ts and before making technical modifica-
tions, always request advice from an Author-
ised SEAT dealer ››› .
● In the event that technical modifications
ar e c
arried out
on the vehicle, the instruc-
tions and regulations specified by the com-
pany, SEAT, must be observed.
No damage will be caused to the vehicle if
the established procedures are respected,
which guarantees safe driving and operation.
After the modifications are carried out, the
vehicle will comply with the restrictions and
regulations of the highway code. More infor-
mation can be obtained at an Authorised SEAT dealer, where all jobs required can be
carried out ap
propriately.
Vehicle improvements and modifications
The owner must keep the technical documen-
tation regarding the modifications carried out
on the vehicle so it can be handed over to
those responsible for processing end-of-life
vehicles. This ensures end-of-life processing
of the vehicle, while protecting the environ-
ment.
Work done on the electrical components and
software can cause disruption in operations.
Due to the interconnection of electronic com-
ponents, their malfunction can also impair
systems that are not directly affected. This
can adversely affect reliability of the vehicle,
and can produce excessive wear of the parts.
Damage caused by technical modifications
that are not made with the consent of SEAT
will be excluded from the warranty – see war-
ranty certificate. WARNING
● Job s
or modifications unduly carried out on
your vehicle can cause disruption to opera-
tions - Risk of accident!
● We recommend that you use only expressly
authorised SEA
T Accessories and SEAT Origi-
nal Spare Parts for your vehicle. The reliabili-
ty, safety and compatibility with your vehicle of SEAT original spare parts and accessories
ha
s
been verified.
● Despite the continuous observation of the
market, w
e cannot judge nor guarantee the
suitability of other products for your vehicle,
be they authorised products or products ap-
proved by a state testing facility. Note
SEAT original spare parts and accessories can
be p urc
hased at authorised SEAT dealers
where the purchased parts can also be fitted. Modifications and effects of the air-
b
ag sy
s
tem In the adjustment and modification, respect
the S
EA
T dir
ective.
Modifications and corrections of the front
bumper, doors, front seats, roof or bodywork
must be carried out at authorised SEAT work-
shops. Components of the airbag system can
be found in these parts of the vehicle. WARNING
● Airbag modu l
es must never be repaired.
They must be replaced.
● Never fit components of the airbag system
remov
ed from old vehicles or those originat-
ing from a recycling process in the vehicle. » 193
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety