Operation
Normal temperature
If in norm
al operations, the diodes light up
until the central zone, it means that the en-
gine has reached operating temperature. At
high outside temperatures and when making
the engine work hard, the diodes may contin-
ue lighting up and reach the upper zone. This
is no cause for concern, provided the control
lamp does not light up on the instrument
panel digital display.
Heat range
When the diodes light up in the upper area of
the display and the control lamp appears
on the instrument panel display, the coolant
temperature is excessive ››› page 286. CAUTION
● To en
sure a long useful life for the engine,
avoid high revs, driving at high speed and
making the engine work hard for approxi-
mately the first 15 minutes when the engine
is cold. The phase until the engine is warm al-
so depends on the outside temperature. If
necessary, use the engine oil temperature*
››› page 34 as a guide.
● Additional lights and other accessories in
front
of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect
of the coolant. At high outside temperatures
and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.
● The front spoiler also ensures proper distri-
bution of
the cooling air when the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is damaged this can re-
duc
e the c
ooling effect, which could cause
the engine to overheat. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Fuel level
Fig. 117
Fuel gauge. The display
6
› ›
›
Fig. 115 only works when
the ignition is switched on. When the display
reaches the reserve mark, the lower diode
lights up in red and the control lamp ap-
pears ››› page 102. When the fuel level is very
low, the lower diode flashes in red.
The distance to empty fuel level is displayed
on the instrument panel 3
› ›
›
Fig. 115.
The capacity of the fuel tank of your vehicle is
given in the Technical data section
››› page 48. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An ir-
r e
gular fuel supply could cause misfiring. In
this way the unburned fuel can reach the ex-
haust system, which could cause the catalytic
converter to overheat resulting in damage. Control lamps
W arnin
g and control lamps Read the additional information carefully
› ›
› page 38.
The control and warning lamps are indicators
of warnings, ››› , faults
››
› or certain func-
tion s.
Some control and warning lamps come
on when the ignition is switched on, and
switch off when the engine starts running, or
while driving.
Depending on the model, additional text
messages may be viewed on the instrument
panel display. These may be purely informa-
tive or they may be advising of the need for
action ›››
page 102, Instruments.
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the
vehicle, instead of a warning lamp, some-
times a symbol may be displayed on the in-
strument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are
lit, an audible warning is also heard.
106
Transport and practical equipment
Tailboard for transporting long items* Fig. 152
On the rear seat backrest: opening
the t ai
lboard. Fig. 153
In the luggage compartment: open-
in g the t
ailboard. On the rear seat, behind the central armrest,
ther
e i
s a tailboard for transporting long
items in the interior, such as skis. To avoid soiling the interior, dirty objects
shoul
d be wrapped (e.g. in a blanket) before
they are inserted through the tailboard.
When the armrest is down, nobody may trav-
el in the centre rear seat.
Opening the tailboard
● Lower the centre armrest.
● Pull the release lever in the direction of the
arro
w and push the tailboard cover
››› Fig. 152 1 down and forwards.
● Open the rear lid.
● Insert the long objects through the gap
fr om the lug
gage compartment.
● Secure the objects with the seatbelt.
● Close the rear lid.
Clo
sing the tailboard
● Lift the tailboard cover until it engages. The
red m
ark on the luggage compartment side
should never be visible.
● Close the rear lid.
● Lift the centre armrest if necessary. Note
The tailboard can also be opened from the
lug g
age compartment. To do so, press the re-
lease lever down, in the direction of the ar-
row, and the cover upwards ››› Fig. 153. Fastening rings*
Fig. 154
In the luggage compartment: fasten-
in g rin
gs In the front and rear part of the luggage com-
p
ar
tment there are fastening rings to secure
the luggage ››› Fig. 154.
In order to use the front fastening rings, they
must be lifted beforehand. WARNING
If unsuitable or damaged belts or retaining
s tr
aps are used, they could break in the event
of braking or an accident. Objects could then
be launched across the passenger compart-
ment and cause serious or fatal injuries.
● Always use belts or retaining straps that
are s
uitable and in a good condition.
● Belts and retaining straps should be se-
cur
ely fastened to the fastening rings. » 151
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
WARNING
● Nev er ru
n the engine in confined spaces, as
the exhaust gases are poisonous. CAUTION
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and
e xtr
eme load conditions until the engine has
reached its normal operating temperature,
otherwise this can damage the engine. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by idling it. You
shou l
d drive off as soon as you start the en-
gine. This will help avoid unnecessary ex-
haust emissions. Note
● If it
is difficult to turn the ignition key to
the position 1 , turn the steering wheel to
both s ide
s to release the steering lock.
● When starting from cold, the engine may be
a little noi
sy for the first few seconds until oil
pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve
lifters. This is quite normal, and no cause for
concern.
● If the vehicle battery is disconnected and
rec
onnected, the key must remain in the posi-
tion 1 for around 5 seconds before starting
up .
● V
ehicles with automatic gearbox: after
swit
ching off the ignition, you can only re-
move the ignition key if the selector lever is in position “P” (parking lock). Next, the se-
l
ect
or lever is locked. Switching off the engine with the key
Switching off the engine
– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position 1 ›››
Fig. 163.
En g
aging the steering wheel lock
In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the igni-
tion key can only be removed when the selec-
tor lever is in position P.
– Remove the key from the ignition in posi-
tion 1
› ›
›
Fig. 163 ››› .
– Turn the steering wheel until you hear it en-
gag
e.
Possible vehicle theft is prevented with the
steering lock engaged. WARNING
● Nev er sw
itch 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. ●
Nev er r
emove the key from the ignition if
the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could suddenly lock, making it impossible
to steer the vehicle: risk of accident!
● Always take the key with you when you
le
ave the vehicle. This is particularly impor-
tant if there are children in the vehicle, as
they might otherwise be able to start the en-
gine or use power-operated equipment (e.g.
the electric windows), which could cause in-
juries. CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high
lo a
d for a long time, there is a risk of heat
building up in the engine compartment after
it has been switched off; this could cause en-
gine damage. For this reason, you should idle
the engine for approximately 2 minutes be-
fore you switch it off. Note
● Af t
er the engine is switched off the radiator
fan may run on for up to 10 minutes, even if
the ignition is switched off. 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 exposure to solar ra-
diation.
● If the vehicle is stopped and the Start-Stop
sys
tem* switches off the engine, the ignition 166
Driving
●
Bef
ore driving down a long, steep gradient,
it is advisable to reduce speed and select a
lower gear. This makes use of engine braking
and relieves the brakes. If you still have to
use the brakes, it is better to brake firmly at
intervals than to apply the brakes continu-
ously. Note
● If the br
ake servo is out of action, for exam-
ple when the car is being towed, you will
have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal to make up for the lack of
servo assistance.
● If you wish to equip the vehicle with acces-
sories
such as a front spoiler or wheel covers,
it is important that the flow of air to the front
wheels is not obstructed, otherwise the
brakes can overheat. Front assist system
Electronic stability control (ESC)
The E
SC
helps to improve safety. It reduces
the tendency to 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 .
The ESC includes the anti-lock brake system
(ABS), the front assist system (HBA), the trac-
tion control system (ASR), electronic differen-
tial lock (EDS), electronic torque control
(XDS) and tractor-trailer sway mitigation*.
ESC also helps stabilise the vehicle by chang-
ing 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.
Front assist system (HBA)
The brake assist system can reduce the re-
quired braking distance. The braking force is
automatically boosted if you press the brake
pedal quickly in an emergency. You must
keep pressing the brake pedal until the dan-
ger has passed.
Traction control system (ASR)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control
system reduces the engine torque to match
the amount of grip available. This helps the car to start moving, accelerate or climb a gra-
dient.
El
ectronic differential lock (EDL)
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes
the spinning wheel and directs the power to
the other driven wheel. This function is active
up to approximately 100 km/h (62 mph).
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel
from overheating, the EDL cuts out automati-
cally if subjected to excessive loads. The ve-
hicle can still be driven. The EDL will switch
on again automatically when the brake has
cooled down.
Tractor-trailer sway mitigation*
If the vehicle is pulling a trailer, it will control
the following: Tractor-trailers tend to sway.
When the swaying of the trailer is felt by the
vehicle and detected by the ESC, it will auto-
matically brake the towing vehicle within the
limits of the system and mitigate the sway.
Tractor-trailer sway mitigation is not available
in all countries.
Electronic torque management (XDS)
When taking a curve, the driveshaft differen-
tial mechanism allows the outer wheel to turn
at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In
this way, the wheel that is turning faster (out-
er wheel) receives less drive torque than the
inner wheel. This may mean that in certain »
173
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›› › in Warning
and c ontr
ol lamps on page 107. Note
When the ACC is connected, the indications
on the in s
trument panel screen may be con-
cealed by warnings from other functions,
such as an incoming call. Radar sensor
Fig. 177
On the front behind the SEAT badge:
r a
dar sensor. On the front behind the SEAT badge, a radar
sen
sor h
as been installed to capture the traf-
fic situation ›››
Fig. 177. This sensor can de-
tect vehicles in front up to a distance of ap-
proximately 120 m. The radar sensor's visibility may be impaired
by
dirt, mud or snow, or by environmental in-
fluences such as rain or mist. In this case the
adaptive cruise control (ACC) does not work.
The instrument panel displays the following
message: ACC: No sensor vision! If
necessary, clean the SEAT badge area ››› .
When the r a
dar sensor begins to operate
properly again, the ACC will automatically be
available again. The message on the instru-
ment panel screen will switch off and the ACC
will be reactivated again.
ACC operation may be affected by a strong ra-
dar reverse reflection. This may occur, for ex-
ample, in a closed car park or due to the
presence of metallic objects (e.g. rails on the
road or sheets used in road works).
The area in front of and around the radar sen-
sor should not be covered with adhesives,
additional or similar headlights, as this may
negatively affect ACC operation.
If structural modifications are made to the ve-
hicle, for example, if the suspension is low-
ered or the front spoiler is modified, ACC op-
eration may be affected. So structural modifi-
cations should only be made by specialised
workshops. SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT
dealership for this purpose.
If work is done incorrectly on the front of the
vehicle, the radar sensor could be damaged
or lose its settings, and ACC operation may
be affected. So repair work should only be made by specialised workshops. SEAT recom-
mends
visiting a SEAT dealership for this pur-
pose. CAUTION
If you have the sensation that the radar sen-
sor i s
damaged or has lost its settings, dis-
connect the ACC. This will avoid possible
damage. If this occurs have it adjusted.
● The sensor may become damaged or lose
its
settings when knocked, for example, dur-
ing a parking manoeuvre. This may compro-
mise the system's efficacy or disconnect it.
● Repairs to the radar sensor require special-
is
t knowledge and special tools. SEAT recom-
mends visiting a SEAT dealership for this pur-
pose.
● Clean away the snow with a brush and the
ice pr
eferably with a solvent-free de-icer
spray. 200
Driver assistance systems
Radar sensor Fig. 185
On the front behind the SEAT badge:
r a
dar sensor. On the front behind the SEAT badge, a radar
sen
sor h
as been installed to capture the traf-
fic situation ››› Fig. 185. This sensor can de-
tect vehicles in front up to a distance of ap-
proximately 120 m.
The radar sensor's visibility may be impaired
by dirt, mud or snow, or by environmental in-
fluences such as rain or mist. In this case the
Front Assist monitoring system does not
work. The instrument panel displays the fol-
lowing message: Front Assist: No sensor vision! If necessary, clean the
SEAT badge area ››› .
When the r a
dar sensor begins to operate
properly again, the Front Assist will automati-
cally be available again. The message will
disappear from the instrument panel display. Front Assist operation may be affected by a
str
ong radar reverse reflection. This may oc-
cur, for example, in a closed car park or due
to the presence of metallic objects (e.g. rails
on the road or sheets used in road works).
The area in front of and around the radar sen-
sor should not be covered with adhesives,
additional or similar headlights, as this may
negatively affect Front Assist operation.
If structural modifications are made to the ve-
hicle, for example, if the suspension is low-
ered or the front spoiler is modified, Front As-
sist operation may be affected. So structural
modifications should only be made by speci-
alised workshops. SEAT recommends visiting
a SEAT dealership for this purpose.
If work is done incorrectly on the front of the
vehicle, the radar sensor could be damaged
or lose its settings, and Front Assist opera-
tion may be affected. So repair work should
only be made by specialised workshops.
SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT dealership
for this purpose. CAUTION
If you have the sensation that the radar sen-
sor i s
damaged or has lost its settings, dis-
connect the Front Assist. This will avoid pos-
sible damage. If this occurs have it adjusted.
● The sensor may become damaged or lose
its
settings when knocked, for example, dur- ing a parking manoeuvre. This may compro-
mi
se the sy
stem's efficacy or disconnect it.
● Repairs to the radar sensor require special-
is
t knowledge and special tools. SEAT recom-
mends visiting a SEAT dealership for this pur-
pose.
● Clean away the snow with a brush and the
ice pr
eferably with a solvent-free de-icer
spray. Operating the Front Assist
Fig. 186
On the instrument panel display:
Fr ont
Assist switched off message. The Front Assist monitoring system is active
whenev
er the ignition i
s switched on.
When the Front Assist is switched off, so too
are the advance warning function (pre warn-
ing) and the distance warning. »
209
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Care and maintenance
Automatic car washes
B ef
ore going through a car wash, be sure to
take the usual precautions such as closing
the windows and roof. If the vehicle has spe-
cial accessories such as spoilers or a roof
rack or two-way radio aerial, etc., it is advisa-
ble to consult the car wash tunnel operator.
It is best to use a car wash without revolving
bristles if possible.
Washing the vehicle with a high pressure
cleaner
When washing the vehicle with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. This applies
particularly to the operating pressure and the
spraying distance. Do not hold the nozzle too
close to soft materials such as rubber hoses
or seals. The same applies to the parking aid
sensors*, which are located in the rear bump-
er.
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out
in a direct stream or one that has a rotating
jet for forcing off dirt.
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove or brush using only slight pressure.
You should start on the roof and work down. Special car
soap should only be used for very
persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
● The v
ehicle should only be washed with the
ignition switched off. Failure to follow this in-
struction could result in an accident.
● Do not clean the underside of chassis, the
ins
ide of wheel arches or wheel trims without
protecting your hands and arms. You may cut
yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. Other-
wise, there is a risk of sustaining cuts.
● When washing the car during the winter
sea
son: water and ice in the brake system
can reduce braking effectiveness: risk of acci-
dent! CAUTION
● Do not w
ash the vehicle in direct sunlight –
otherwise the paint can be damaged.
● Do not use sponges, abrasive household
spon
ges or similar to clean insect remains.
This could damage the surface.
● Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from
the hea
dlights at regular intervals, for in-
stance when filling the fuel tank. The head-
lights should only be washed with water, do not wipe them with a dry cloth or sponge. It
i
s
best to use soapy water.
● Never wash tyres with a jet that sprays the
wat
er out in a direct stream. This could dam-
age the tyres even if the spray is kept at a
distance and only used for a very short time.
● Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car w
ash, please make sure to retract the ex-
terior mirrors to prevent them from being
damaged. Electrically retractable exterior
mirrors must not be folded in or out by hand,
always use the electrical power control. CAUTION
● Bef
ore washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, please proceed as follows to lock
the wiper arms so that they are not moved to-
wards the top of the windscreen:
–the bonnet must be closed.
– switch the ignition on and off.
– press the windscreen wiper lever forward
briefly (windscreen washer function).
This will lock the wiper arms. For the sake of the environment
The car should only be washed in special
w a
sh bays. These areas are prepared to pre-
vent oily water from getting into the public
drains. In some places, washing vehicles out-
side the areas intended for this purpose is
prohibited. 267
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Care and maintenance
Carbon parts The carbon parts on your vehicle have a pain-
t
ed s
urface. They do not need any special
care and are cleaned just like any other pain-
ted part ››› page 266.
Paint damage Minor damage to the paint, such as scratches
or s
t
one chips, should be touched up without
delay before the metal starts to corrode. Suit-
able touch-up brushes or sprays for your car
can be obtained from a SEAT Official Service.
The number of the original paint finish on the
vehicle is given on the data sticker
››› page 301.
If corrosion is already visible it must be thor-
oughly removed by a specialised workshop.
Windows Clear vision is an essential safety factor.
The w
ind
screen must not be cleaned with in-
sect remover or wax, otherwise the wind-
screen wipers will not function properly (jud-
dering).
Traces of rubber, oil, grease or silicone can
be removed with a window cleaning solution
or a silicone remover. Wax residue can only be removed with a special cleaner. Your SEAT
Offic
ial Service will be able to provide you
with more detailed information.
The windows should also be cleaned on the
inside at regular intervals.
Use a separate cloth or chamois to dry the
windows. Cloths used for waxing and polish-
ing contain residues that will cause smears
on the glass. WARNING
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the
w ind
screen. In bad visibility conditions (e.g.
in the rain, dark or with a low sun), these
coatings may cause dazzle: risk of accident!
Such coatings can also cause the windscreen
wiper blades to make noise. CAUTION
● Remo
ve snow and ice from windows and ex-
terior mirrors with a plastic scraper only. To
avoid scratches caused by dirt on the glass,
the scraper should only be pushed in one di-
rection and not moved to and fro.
● The heating element for the rear window is
locat
ed on the inner side of the window. To
avoid damaging them, do not apply stickers
to these heating elements.
● Never use warm or hot water to remove
sno
w and ice from windows and mirrors. This
could cause the glass to crack! Wheels
The wheels require regular attention to pre-
ser
v
e their appearance. It is important to re-
move road salt and brake dust by washing
the wheels at regular intervals, otherwise the
finish will be impaired.
After washing, the wheels should only be
cleaned with an "acid-free" cleaning agent
for alloy wheels. This is available from SEAT
Official Services and specialist retailers. Nev-
er leave the cleaning agent on the rims for
any longer than specified in the instructions
before rinsing it off. If the wheel cleaner fluid
contains acid it can attack the surfaces of the
wheel bolts.
Car polish or other abrasive agents should
not be used for maintaining the rims. If the
protective coating is damaged, e.g. by flying
stones, the damaged area should be re-
paired immediately. WARNING
Please note when cleaning the wheels that
w at
er, ice and road salt can impair the effec-
tiveness of the brakes; this can cause an acci-
dent. Exhaust tail pipe
It is important to remove road salt and brake
du
s
t by washing the wheels at regular »
269
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety