Driving
Selecting the normal programme
– Put the selector lever into position D.
Sel ectin
g the s
port programme
– Put the selector lever into position S.
If y
ou select the normal programme, D, you
will drive in the economy mode, i.e. the pro-
gramme is designed to reduce fuel consump-
tion. The gearbox changes up into a higher
gear as soon as possible and down into a
lower gear as late as possible.
If you select the sport programme, S, you will
drive in a sporty mode, i.e. a programme in
which shifts into high gears are postponed in
order to use the full power of the engine.
Selector lever positions Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 38
Selector lever positions
The gear selected is displayed on the side of
the selector lever and on the display 1)
in the
combi-instrument. The currently selected gear for the automatic gearbox will also be
shown on the dis
play.
Tiptronic gear indicator
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually,
the selected gears are shown on the screen
at all times 1)
.
P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position,
the driven wheels are locked mechanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected
if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position P, the
locking button on the selector lever handle
must be pressed and the brake pedal de-
pressed at the same time while the ignition is
switched on.
To put the selector lever in position P, simply
press the lock button down and, if necessary,
depress the brake pedal down.
R - Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the
vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling. To move the selector lever to position R,
pres
s the lock button down and, at the same
time, press the brake pedal down, with the
ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the
ignition switched on the following occurs:
● Reverse lights light up.
● The air conditioner automatically changes
the air recir
culation mode.
● The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is
on.
● The parking distance warning system*
switc
hes on.
N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in
neutral. Power is not transmitted to the
wheels and the engine does not have a brak-
ing function.
Never use the N position to drive down a long
hill. There is no engine braking and the
brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if
you drive down hills with the gearbox lever in
position N and the engine switched off. »1)
Vehicles with the basic level of equipment do not
show the po s
ition of the gear selector lever on the
screen. 159
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
Selector lever lock Fig. 158
Automatic gearbox The selector lever lock in position P or N pre-
v
ents
g
ears from being engaged inadvertent-
ly, which would cause the vehicle to move.
The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch the ignition on.
– Press and hold the brake pedal and press
the selector l
ever lock on the left of the se-
lector lever at the same time ››› Fig. 158.
The warning lamp on the instrument panel
lights up when the brake pedal should be ap-
plied. This is essential when the selector lev-
er is taken from the P or N positions.
Level lock only engages with the vehicle sta-
tionary at a speed of up to 5 km/h (3 mph).
At speeds of over 5 km/h (3 mph) the selec-
tor lever lock is automatically deactivated in
position N. The selector lever lock is not engaged if the
selector l
ever is moved quickly through posi-
tion N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This
makes it possible, for instance, to “rock” the
vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck
in snow or mud. The selector lever lock en-
gages automatically if the brake pedal is not
depressed and the lever is in position N for
more than about 1 second.
Selecting gears manually with Tip-
tronic mode
* Fig. 159
Changing gear with Tiptronic. Fig. 160
Steering wheel with paddle levers
for aut om
atic gearbox. The Tiptronic system allows the driver to se-
l
ect
g
ears manually.
Changing gear with the selector lever – Press the selector lever from position D to
the right int
o the tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever forward
›››
Fig. 159 + to change up to a higher
g e
ar
.
– Lightly press the selector lever backward
›››
Fig. 159 - to change down to a lower
g e
ar
.
Changing gear with the steering wheel pad-
dle levers*
– Press the right paddle lever + towards the
s t
eerin
g wheel to change up ››› Fig. 160.
– Press the left paddle lever - towards the
s t
eerin
g wheel to change down ››› Fig. 160. »
161
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Using the paddle levers on the steering
wheel, y
ou c
an access manual driving mode
regardless of the pre-selected driving mode.
General information about driving in tiptron-
ic mode
When accelerating, the automatic gearbox /
DSG automatic gearbox goes into a higher
gear a little before the engine reaches its
maximum permitted revolutions.
If a lower gear is selected, the automatic
gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox will only
change down when the engine cannot go
over its maximum permitted revolutions.
If “tiptronic” is selected whilst the vehicle is
in motion and the automatic gearbox / DSG
automatic gearbox is in third gear and selec-
tor lever position D, “tiptronic” mode will
then also be in third gear.
Changing gears in the normal or sport pro-
gramme using the steering wheel paddle lev-
ers
If the paddle levers ››› Fig. 160 are used in
the normal or sport programme, the system
switches temporarily to “tiptronic” mode. To
exit “Tiptronic” mode again, press the right
paddle lever + towards the steering wheel
f or ap
pr
oximately one second. You will also
leave “tiptronic” mode if the paddle levers
are not moved for a certain time. Note
● The ge ar p
addle levers on the steering
wheel can be operated with the selector lever
in any position and with the vehicle in mo-
tion. Driving tips
The gearbox changes gear ratios automatical-
ly a
s
the vehicle moves.
Starting
– Start the engine with the selector lever in
pos ition
P or N.
Driving
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Holding down the lock button (button on
the selector l
ever), select R or D.
– Release the lever and wait a little for the
gearbo
x to engage the gear (a slight move-
ment can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator
›››
in Selector lever positions on
p ag
e 160
.
Stopping briefly – If stopping for a short time, keep the vehi-
cle s
tationary by pressing the foot brake
hard to prevent the vehicle moving back- wards on a slope or “creeping” forwards,
e.g. at tr
affic lights. The selector lever does
not need to be put into the positions P or N
for this.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parkin
g
– Press and hold the brake pedal until the ve-
hicle c
omes to a standstill ››› in Selector
l ev
er po
sitions on page 160.
– Apply the handbrake.
– By pressing the lock button down, move
the selector l
ever to P and release the lock
button.
Driving up and down hills
– Press the selector lever from position “D”
to the right int
o the tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever back to
chan
ge down.
Holding the car on a hill
– The brake must be always pressed down to
prevent
the vehicle from “rolling back-
wards” ››› in Selector lever positions on
p ag
e 160
. Do not try to prevent the vehicle
from “rolling backwards” by increasing the
engine speed while a range of gears is se-
lected.
162
Driving
Starting the vehicle up hills
– Apply the handbrake.
– With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and
at the s
ame time, r
elease the handbrake.
The steeper the slope, the lower the needed
gear. This increases the braking effect of the
engine. For example, when driving down a
very steep slope in third gear. If the engine
brake effect is not enough, the vehicle will
speed up. The automatic gearbox automati-
cally changes up to prevent the engine over-
revving. Use the foot brake to reduce speed
and change into 3rd gear using Tiptronic*
››› in Selector lever positions on page 160.
Y our
v
ehicle has an automatic interlock
which prevents the selector lever from being
put into a position for driving forwards or in
reverse from positions P or N if the brake
pedal is not depressed.
The ignition key cannot be removed unless
the selector lever is in position P.
Control lamp “Pressing brake pedal”
When the warning lamp next to the selector
lever lights up, press the brake pedal. This is
necessary when the automatic gearbox selec-
tor lever is moved out of positions P or N. A
text message or instructions to perform nec-
essary operations may appear on the instru-
ment panel. CAUTION
● If y
ou stop the vehicle up hills, do not at-
tempt to stop it from rolling back by depress-
ing the accelerator when a gear has been se-
lected. Otherwise, the automatic gearbox
may overheat causing damage. Pull the hand-
brake up or fully depress the brake pedal to
prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
● If you allow the vehicle to roll when the en-
gine is not
running, or with the selector lever
in position N, a lack of lubrication in the auto-
matic gearbox will damage it. Kick-down feature
This feature allows maximum acceleration.
If
y
ou press the accelerator down thoroughly,
the gearbox automatically changes down, de-
pending on speed and engine speed, into a
lower gear to take full advantage of give the
vehicle maximum acceleration.
The gearbox does not change gear until the
engine reaches the maximum determined en-
gine speed for the gear. WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you ac-
cel er
ate on slippery road surfaces. Risk of se-
rious injury.
● Be particularly careful when using the kick-
down fe
atures on slippery road surfaces. With a fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose
traction and sk
id.
● Y
ou should use the kick-down feature only
when traffic and w
eather conditions allow it
to be used safely. Gearbox malfunctions
Gearbox: Fault! Stop the ve-
hicle and place the lever in the
position P.
There i s
a fault in the gearbox. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place and do not continue driv-
ing. Seek specialist assistance.
Gearbox: System fault! You
may continue driving.
Have the fault corrected by a specialised
workshop without delay. Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving with re-
strictions. Reverse gear disa‐
bled
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop
and have the fault repaired without delay. Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving in D until
switching off the engine »
163
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
● Reduction of
volatile components, includ-
ing odour, in plastic 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.
Economical and environmentally-
friendly drivin
gFuel consumption, environmental pollution
and w
e
ar t
o the engine, brakes and tyres de- pends in large part on your driving style. By
adopting an ec
onomical 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.
Active cylinder management (ACT ®
)
Depending on the equipment, the vehicle
may have active cylinder management
(ACT ®
).
The active cylinder management (ACT ®
) may
automatically deactivate some of the engine
cylinders if the driving situation does not re-
quire too much power. When it is switched
off, no fuel is injected into these cylinders,
hence total fuel consumption may be re-
duced. The number of active cylinders can be
seen on the instrument panel display
››› page 30.
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
ahead. 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 w
ay 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 158.
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 »
165
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driver assistance systems
0.60 m
1.60 m
0.60 m
As
y
ou approach the obstacle, the time inter-
val between the audible warnings will be re-
duced. When you reach around 0.30 m the
warning will be constant: do not continue to
move forward (or backward)!
If you maintain separation from the obstacle,
the volume of the warning begins to reduce
after four seconds (does not affect the tone
of the constant warning).
Parking Aid operation Fig. 165
Centre console: parking aid button. Manual connection of Parking Aid
● Press the butt
on
once.
B C
D Manual disconnection of Parking Aid
●
Press the butt
on
again.
Manual disconnection of Parking Aid display
(the audible sounds remain active)
● Press a button on the main menu of the fac-
tory
-assembled infotainment system.
● OR: press the BACK fu
nction button.
Automatic connection of Parking Aid ● Engage reverse gear or turn the selector
lever t
o position R.
● OR: If the vehicle approaches an obstacle
that
is in its forwards path at a speed below
10 km/h (6 mph) ››› page 175, Automatic ac-
tivation. The obstacle is detected as of a dis-
tance of approx. 95 cm if the automatic con-
nection is activated in the infotainment sys-
tem. A reduced display is shown.
Automatic disconnection of Parking Aid
● Move the selector lever to position P.
● OR: accelerate to more than approx.
10 km/h (6 mph) for
ward.
Temporary suppression of sound in Parking
Aid
● Press the function b
utton found on the
steering wheel. Change from reduced view to full view
●
Engage reverse gear or turn the selector
lever t
o position R.
● OR: press the car icon in reduced view.
If nec
essary, switch to the rear-assist image
(Rear View Camera “RVC”)
● Engage reverse gear or turn the selector
lever t
o position R.
● OR: Press the RVC fu
nction button.
A short confirmation signal will be heard and
the button symbol will light up yellow when
the system is switched on.
Automatic activation Fig. 166
Miniature indication of automatic ac-
tiv ation When the Parking System Plus is switched on
aut
om
atic
ally, a miniature of the vehicle will »
175
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
screen in a different, vague manner. The
perc
eption of
distances is also distorted by
this effect.
● Some objects may, due to the resolution of
the disp
lay screen - not be displayed in a sat-
isfactory manner or may not be displayed at
all. Take special care with thin posts, fences,
railings or trees that might not be displayed
on screen and could damage the vehicle.
● The rear assist has blind spots where it is
not pos
sible to represent people or objects
(small children, animals and certain objects
cannot be detected in its field of vision). Mon-
itor the vehicle's surrounding area at all
times.
● Keep the camera lens clean, free of ice and
snow
, and do not cover it.
● The system is not a replacement for driver
awar
eness. Supervise the parking operation
at all times, as well as the vehicle's surround-
ing area. Adapt your speed and driving style
at all times to suit visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions.
● Do not be distracted from the traffic by
looking at
the screen.
● The images on the rear assist screen are
only tw
o-dimensional. Due to a lack of spatial
depth, protruding parts or holes in the road,
for example, are more difficult to detect or
may not be seen at all.
● Vehicle load modifies the representation of
the orientation lines
displayed. The width
represented by the lines diminishes with ve-
hicle load. Pay special attention to the vehi-
cle's surroundings when the inside of the ve- hicle of the luggage compartment is carrying
a heavy
lo
ad.
● In the following situations, the objects or
other vehic
les shown in the navigation sys-
tem display appear to be further away or
closer than they really are: Pay special atten-
tion:
– On moving from a horizontal plane to a
slope.
– On moving from a slope to a horizontal
plane.
– If the vehicle is heavily loaded at the
rear.
– When the vehicle approaches objects
that are not on the ground surface or are
jutting out from it. These objects may al-
so be outside the camera's angle of vi-
sion when reversing. Note
● It i s
important to take great care and pay
special attention if you are not yet familiar
with the system.
● Rear assist will not be available if the vehi-
cle's
rear lid is open. Instructions for use
Fig. 168
On the rear bumper: location of the
r e
ar a
ssist camera
›› ›
table on page 2
A camera on the rear bumper aids the driver
during reverse parking or manoeuvring
››› Fig. 168. The camera image is viewed to-
gether with orientation lines projected by the
system on the Infotainment system screen.
The bottom of the screen displays part of the
bumper corresponding to the number plate
area that will be used as reference by the
driver.
Rear assist settings:
Rear assist offers the user the possibility to
change the image's brightness, contrast and
colour settings.
To change these settings:
● Park the vehicle in a safe place.
178
Operation
To resume cruise control, release the brake or
c lut
c
h pedal or reduce the vehicle speed to
less than 180 km/h (112 mph) and press
once on the upper part of the rocker switch RES+ ››› Fig. 170 2 .
Complete system deactivation Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The sys
t
em is completely turned off by mov-
ing the control ››› Fig. 170 1 all the way to
the right h and s
ide (set into the OFF posi-
tion), or when the vehicle is stationary,
switching off the ignition.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
To completely disengage the system, the se-
lector lever must be placed in one of the fol-
lowing positions: P, N, R or 1 or with the vehi-
cle stopped and the ignition turned off. “SEAT Drive Profile” system
Fu nction and oper
ation Fig. 171
In the centre console: button to ad-
ju s
t
the "SEAT Drive Profile" system The “SEAT Drive Profile” system modifies the
s
u
s
pension system's characteristics and
power steering behaviour.
you can choose between 2 different settings
with different characteristics.
CONVEN-
IENCEBalanced setting, suitable, e.g. for day-to-
day use.
SPORTThis gives the vehicle sporty characteristics
and is suitable for a sporty driving style. Settings can be changed when the vehicle is
s
t
ation
ary or in movement. When a “SEAT
Drive Profile” setting is changed it is activa-
ted immediately. Selecting the system setting
● If necessary, switch on the ignition.
● To select SPORT mode, press the
›››
Fig. 171 b utt
on u
ntil it lights up.
The CONVENIENCE mode is active when the button is not lit. The set mode remains
sel ect
ed af
ter the ignition is switched off.
CUPRA vehicle version
The modes of operation for the CUPRA are
Normal and Sport rather than Comfort and
Sport. The vehicle always starts up in Nor-
mal. The last selection does not remain once
the vehicle is turned off. WARNING
Adjusting the “SEAT Drive Profile” modifies
drivin g pr
operties. The “SEAT Drive Profile”
system should never encourage you to take
risks.
● Adapt your speed and driving style at all
times t
o suit visibility, weather, road and traf-
fic conditions. WARNING
If the warning lamps and the corresponding
mes s
ages are ignored when they light up, the
vehicle may stall in traffic and cause acci-
dents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or messag-
es. 182