The essentials
● Pu
sh the loc
k and release it from the an-
choring support.
››› in Safety instructions on page 73 Starting the vehicle
Ignition lock Fig. 28
Ignition key positions. Switch ignition on: Place the key in the igni-
tion and s
t
ar
t the engine.
Locking and unlocking the steering wheel
● Engaging the steering wheel lock: Remove
the key fr
om the ignition and turn the wheel
until it locks. In vehicles with an automatic
gearbox, the gear lever must be in the P posi-
tion in order to remove the key. If necessary, press the locking key on the selector lever
and rele
ase it again.
● Unlocking the steering wheel: Put the key
into the ignition and turn it
at the same time
as the steering wheel in the direction indica-
ted by the arrow. If it is not possible to turn
the steering wheel, it may be because it is
locked.
Turning on/switching off the ignition, glow
plugs reheating
● Switch ignition on: Turn the key to the 2 position.
●
Switch ignition off. Turn the key to the 1 position.
●
Diesel vehicles : The glo
w p
lugs reheat
when the ignition is switched on
Starting the engine
● Manual gearbox: press the clutch pedal all
the way
down and move the gearbox lever in-
to neutral.
● Automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal
and move the sel
ector lever to the P position
or into N.
● Turn the key to the 3 position. The key au-
t om
atic
ally returns to the 2 position. Do not
pr e
s
s the accelerator. Start-Stop System*
When you s
top and release the clutch pedal,
the Start-Stop system* turns off the engine.
The ignition remains switched on.
››› in Ignition key positions on
page 147
››› page 147 Lights and visibility
He a
dlight
switch Fig. 29
Dash panel: light control. ●
Turn the switch to the required position
› ›
›
Fig. 29. » 21
The essentials
Gear-change indicator Fig. 38
Instrument panel: gear-change indica-
t or (m
anual
gearbox). A gear change will be recommended if the
g
e
ar
you are in is not the most economical
choice. If no gear-change is recommended, it
means that you are already in the most eco-
nomical gear.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The following display symbols ››› Fig. 38
mean:
● Chan ge to a higher gear: the suggested
g
ear appears to the right of the current gear
when a higher gear is recommended .
● Change to a lower gear: the suggested
g
ear appears to the left of the current gear
when a lower gear is recommended .
The gear recommendation may occasionally
skip a gear (2nd 4th). Vehicles with an automatic gearbox*
The dis
p
lay is only visible in tiptronic mode
››› page 161.
The following display symbols mean:
● Shiftin g up a gear
●
Shifting down a gear CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is intended to help
sav e f
uel, but it is not intended to recom-
mend the right gear for all driving situations.
In certain situations, only the driver can
choose the correct gear (for instance when
overtaking, driving up a steep gradient or
towing a trailer). Note
The display disappears from the instrument
panel when
you press the clutch pedal. Bonnet, rear lid and doors open
Fig. 39
A: bonnet open; B: rear lid open; C:
fr ont
l
eft door open; D: rear right door open
(5-door vehicles only). When the ignition is switched on or when
driv
in
g, the bonnet, r
ear lid or doors that are
open will be indicated on the instrument pan-
el display, and, as applicable, this will be in-
dicated audibly. The display may vary accord-
ing to the type of instrument panel fitted. 28
The essentials
Fault in the battery.›››
page
207
Driving light totally or partially
faulty.›››
page
83
Fault in the cornering light sys-
tem.››› page
117
Diesel particulate filter blocked›››
page
167
Level of windscreen washer fluid
too low.›››
page
207
Flashing: Fault in the oil level de-
tection. Control manually.›››
page
201
Ignition: Insufficient engine oil.
Fault in the gearbox.›››
page
163
Immobiliser active.›››
page
147
Service interval display›››
page
33
Mobile telephone is connected
via Bluetooth to the original tele-
phone device.›››
Book-
let Radio
or
››› Book-
let Navi-
gation
system
Mobile telephone battery charge
meter. Available only for devices
pre-installed in factory.
Freezing warning. The outside
temperature is lower than +4°C
(+39°F).›››
page
27
Start-Stop system activated.›››
page
170
Start-Stop system unavailable.
Low consumption driving status›››
page
27 On the instrument panel
Fig. 43
Warning lamp for disabling the front
p a
s
senger airbag.
Front passenger front airbag is
disabled (
).
››› page
66
››› in Warning symbols on page 99
›››
page 98 Gearbox lever
M anua
l
gearbox Fig. 44
Gear shift pattern of a 5 or 6-speed
m anual
g
earbox The position of the gears is indicated on the
g
e
arbo
x lever ››› Fig. 44.
● Press the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● Mo
ve the gearbox lever to the required po-
sition.
● Rel
ease the clutch.
Selecting r
everse gear
● Press the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● W
ith the gearbox lever in neutral, push it
upwar
ds, move it to the left as far as it will go
and then forwards to select reverse ››› Fig. 44
R .
» 37
The essentials
● Rel
e
ase the clutch.
››› in Driving with manual gearbox on
page 158
››› page 158 Automatic gearbox*
Fig. 45
Automatic gearbox: selector lever po-
s ition
s. Parking lock
R
ev
er
se gear
P
R Neutral (idling)
Drive (for
ward)
Sport programme: drive (forward)
Tiptronic mode: pull the lever forwards
(+) to go up a gear or backwards ( –) to
go down a gear.
››› page 158
››› page 38 Manual release of selector lever
Fig. 46
Manual release of the selector lever. N
D
S
+/–
If there is a fault in the power system to the
el
ectr
onic
selector lever lock system (flat bat-
tery, blown fuse) or the system itself is faulty,
the selector lever cannot be moved from po-
sition P in the normal manner, which pre-
vents the vehicle from being moved. The se-
lector lever must be unlocked using the man-
ual release.
● Apply the handbrake.
● Pull gently on both sides at the front of the
selector l
ever cover.
● Also loosen the cover at the rear.
● Press the yellow plastic part with your fin-
ger in the direction indic
ated by the arrow
››› Fig. 46.
● Press the interlock button on the selector
lever kno
b at the same time and move the se-
lector lever to position N (if the selector lever
is moved back to position P, it will lock
again). 38
The essentials
Emergency towing of the vehi-
c l
e
T
owing Fig. 67
Right side of the front bumper: Tow-
in g rin
g. Fig. 68
Right side of the rear bumper: Towing
rin g. Towline anchorages
Att
ac
h the b
ar or rope to the towline ancho-
rages.
The towline anchorages are located under
the floor panel in the luggage compartment,
next to the vehicle tools ››› page 47.
Screw the front towline anchorage into the
screw connection ››› Fig. 67 and tighten it
with the wheel brace. The rear towline an-
chorage is under the rear bumper, on the
right.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer for the vehicle to be tow-
ed using a tow bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to re-
duce the loading on both vehicles. It is advis-
able to use a tow rope made of synthetic fi-
bre or similarly elastic material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the
towline anchorages provided or a towing
bracket.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● The tow rope must be taut before you drive
off.
● Rel
ease the clutch very carefully when start-
ing the v
ehicle (manual gearbox), or acceler-
ate gently (automatic gearbox). Driving style
Tow
ing requires some experience, especially
when using a tow rope. Both drivers should
realise how difficult it is to tow a vehicle. In-
experienced drivers should not attempt to
tow.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle
and take care to avoid jerking the tow rope.
When towing on an unpaved road, there is al-
ways a risk of overloading and damaging the
anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must
be switched on to prevent the steering wheel
from locking and also to allow the use of the
turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and
washers.
Place the gear lever in neutral on vehicles
with a manual gearbox. With an automatic
gearbox, place the lever in N.
The brake servo only works when the engine
is running. When not running, you must ap-
ply considerably more pressure to the brake
pedal.
As the power assisted steering does not work
if the engine is not running, you will need
more strength to steer than you normally
would. » 51
The essentials
››› in Notes on page 79
››› page 79 Tow-starting
If the engine will not start, first try starting it
us
in
g the battery of another vehicle
››› page 52. You should only attempt to tow-
start a vehicle if charging the battery does
not work. This is done by leveraging wheel
movement.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol en-
gine, do not tow it more than a short dis-
tance, otherwise unburned fuel can enter the
catalytic converter.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-star-
ted:
● Engage 2 nd
or 3 rd
g e
ar.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Once both vehicles are moving, release the
clutc
h.
● As soon as the engine starts, press the
clutc
h and move the gear lever into neutral.
This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
››› in Notes on page 79
›››
page 79 How to jump start
Jump l e
a
ds The jump lead must have a sufficient wire
cr
o
ss section.
If the engine fails to start because of a dis-
charged battery, the battery can be connec-
ted to the battery of another vehicle to start
the engine.
Jump leads
Jump leads must comply with standard DIN
72553 (see cable manufacturer's instruc-
tions). The wire cross section must be at least
25 mm 2
for petrol engines and at least
35 mm 2
for diesel engines. Note
● The v ehic
les must not touch each other,
otherwise electricity could flow as soon as
the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly
connected t
o the on-board network. How to jump start: description
Fig. 69
Diagram of connections for vehicles
w ithout
Start-Stop system. Fig. 70
Diagram of connections for vehicles
w ith
St
art-Stop system. Jump lead terminal connections
1. Switch off the ignition of both vehicles
››
›
.
52
Safe driving
risk of injury. The following list includes most
of the s
af
ety equipment in your SEAT:
● Three-point seat belts
● Belt tension limiter for the front and rear
side seats
● B
elt tensioners for the front seats
● Front airbags
● Side airbags in the front seat backrests,
with che
st and head protection
● “ISOFIX” anchor points for “ISOFIX” rear
chil
d seat system
● Height-adjustable front head restraints
● Rear-centre head restraints with in-use po-
sition and non-use po
sition
● Adjustable steering column
The safety
equipment mentioned above
works together to provide you and your pas-
sengers with the best possible protection in
the event of an accident. However, these
safety systems can only be effective if you
and your passengers are sitting in a correct
position and use this equipment properly.
Safety is everyone's business! Correct position for passengers
Correct
sitting position for driver Fig. 74
The proper distance between driver
and s t
eerin
g wheel Fig. 75
Correct head restraint position for the
driv er
. For your own safety and to reduce the risk of
injur
y
in the ev
ent of an accident, we recom- mend the following adjustments for the driv-
er:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a
dist
ance of at least 25 cm between the
steering wheel and the centre of your chest
››› Fig. 74.
– Move the driver's seat forwards or back-
ward
s so that you are able to press the ac-
celerator, brake and clutch pedals to the
floor with your knees still slightly angled
››› .
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point
of the s
t
eering wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper
edge is
at the same level as the top of your
head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ››› Fig. 75.
– Move the seat backrest to an upright posi-
tion so that
your back rests completely
against it.
– Fasten your seat belt securely ›››
page 61.
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you
have the
vehicle under control at all times.
Adjustment of the driver's seat ››› page 127. WARNING
● An incorr ect
sitting position of the driver
can lead to severe injuries. » 57
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Seat belts
●
Do not sw ap the c
entre rear head restraint
with either of the outer seat rear head re-
straints. Risk of injury in case of an accident! Note
Note the instructions on the head restraints
a dju s
tment. Pedal area
P ed
a
ls –
Ensure that you can always press the accel-
er at
or
, brake and clutch pedals unimpaired
to the floor.
– Ensure that the pedals can return unim-
paired t
o their initial positions.
– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas-
tened during the trip and do not
obstruct
the pedals ››› .
On ly
u
se floor mats which leave the pedals
clear and which are secured to prevent them
from slipping. You can obtain suitable floor
mats from a specialised dealership.
If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must
be pressed down thoroughly in order to stop
the vehicle. Wear suitable footwear
Alwa
ys wear shoes which support your feet
properly and give you a good feeling for the
pedals. WARNING
● If the ped a
ls are obstructed, an accident
may occur. Risk of serious injuries.
● Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor cov-
erings
over the original floor mats. This
would reduce the pedal area and could ob-
struct the pedals. Risk of accident.
● Never place objects in the driver footwell.
An obj
ect could move into the pedal area and
impair pedal operation. In the event of a sud-
den driving or braking manoeuvre, you will
not be able to operate the brake, clutch or ac-
celerator pedal. Risk of accident! Seat belts
Wh y
w
ear a seat belt?
Number of seats Your vehicle has
five se
ats, two in the front
and three in the rear. Each seat is equipped
with a three-point seat belt.
In some versions, your vehicle is approved
only for four seats. Two front seats and two
rear seats. WARNING
● Never tr an
sport more than the permitted
amount of people in your vehicle.
● Every vehicle occupant must properly fas-
ten and we
ar the seat belt belonging to his or
her seat. Children must be protected with an
appropriate child restraint system. 61
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety