Lights and visibility
Switching on the front fog lights*
● Turn the switch from position
or
to the first stop and pull it. The symbol in
the light switch lights up.
Switching on the rear fog light (vehicles with
front fog lights)
● Turn the lights control from position
or to the second stop and pull it ››› in
Sw it
c
hing lights on and off on page 117. A
lamp on the control and warning lamps panel
lights up.
Switching on the rear fog light (vehicles with
no front fog lights)
● Turn the light control to the end from posi-
tion or and pul
l it. A lamp on the con-
trol and warning lamps panel lights up.
Turn signal and main beam lever Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 22
Parking lights
● Switch the ignition off and remove the key
from the lock.
● Mo
ve the turn signal lever up or down to
turn the right or l
eft-hand parking lights on,
respectively. Convenience turn signals
For the con
venience turn signals, move the
lever as far as possible upwards or down-
wards and release the lever. The turn signal
will flash three times.
The convenience turn signals are activated
and deactivated in the Easy Connect system
via the key and the
Set
up function button
› ›
›
page 99.
In vehicles that do not have the correspond-
ing menu, this function can be deactivated in
a specialised workshop. WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk
of ac c
ident! Never use the main beam head-
lights or the headlight flasher if they could
dazzle other drivers. Note
● If the c on
venience turn signals are operat-
ing (three flashes) and the other convenience
turn signals are switched on, the active part
stops flashing and only flashes once in the
new part selected.
● The turn signals only
work when the igni-
tion is switched on. The corresponding warn-
ing lamp or flashes in the instrument
panel. The control lamp flashes when the
turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehi-
cle. If a turn signal bulb is defective, the con- trol lamp flashes at double speed. If the trail-
er turn s
ign
al bulbs are defective, the control
lamp does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headligh
ts can only be
switched on if the dipped beam headlights
are already on. The warning lamp then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● The headlight flasher come
s on for as long
as you pull the lever – even if no other lights
are switched on. The warning lamp then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● When the parking ligh
ts are switched on,
the headlight and the tail light on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle light up. The
parking lights will only work if the key is re-
moved from the ignition. If said light is on, an
audible warning will be emitted while the
driver door is open.
● If the turn signal lever is left on after the
key h
as been taken out of the ignition lock,
an acoustic signal sounds when the driver
door is opened. This is intended as a remind-
er to switch off the turn signal, unless you
wish to leave the parking light on. Coming Home/Leaving Home Func-
tion*
The Coming Home function is controlled man-
ual
ly
.
The Leaving Home function is control-
led with a photosensor.
If the Coming Home or Leaving Home func-
tion is connected, the front side and dipped »
119
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
lights, the tail lights and the number plate
light w
i
ll light up to provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by
switching off the ignition and briefly flashing
the lights. When the driver door is opened,
the Coming Home lighting comes on. If the
driver door is already open when the lights
are flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting
comes on immediately.
When the last door of the vehicle or the rear
lid is closed, the Coming Home function
starts and the switching off the headlights is
delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the
following cases:
● On completion of the time period establish-
ed for the dela
y in switching off the lights af-
ter all the vehicle doors and the rear lid have
been closed.
● If, 30 seconds after being connected, any
doors or the r
ear lid remain open.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on.
Automatic
Leaving Home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when
the vehicle is unlocked if:
● the light control is in position and●
the photosen
sor detects “darkness”.
The Leaving Home lighting switches off in the
following cases: ● If the time period for the delay in switching
off the hea
dlights has ended
● If the vehicle is locked again.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on.
Manual
Leaving Home function
In vehicles without an automatic headlight
system (light sensor), if the manual Coming
Home function is activated when leaving the
car, upon returning to the car and unlocking
it the manual Leaving Home function will be
activated automatically. Note
● To activ at
e the Coming/Leaving home func-
tion, the rotary light switch must be in posi-
tion and the light sensor must detect
darkness.
● If the ignition key is removed while the
lights ar
e on, the lights flash briefly and the
driver door opens, no audible warning is
heard, since with the Coming Home function
on, the lights are automatically switched off
after a period of time (except when the light
switch is in position or . Adaptive headlights* (for driving
r
ou
nd bend
s) Fig. 126
Cornering lighting using adaptive
he a
dlights. When driving around bends, the headlights
w
i
l
l light the most important areas of the
road.
This cornering light gives better illumination
of the side of the road and the corner area.
The dynamic lighting is controlled automati-
cally according to speed and the steering
wheel angle.
The two main headlights move at different
angles to avoid that the front of the vehicle is
left completely in the dark. Note
The system operates from a speed of about
10 km/h (6 mph). 120
Seats and head restraints
intensity, the upper LED goes out, the sys-
t em i
s
deactivated for 2 minutes and is
then reactivated at low intensity (the lower
LED remains on permanently).
– Press the switch again to set the heating to
minimum forc
e. (The lower LED lights up).
– To disconnect the heating, press the switch
again. CAUTION
To avoid damaging the heating elements,
pl e
ase do not kneel on the seat or apply
sharp pressure at a single point to the seat
cushion and backrest. Note
The seats are only heated electrically when
the engine i s
running. Folding down the back seat
Fig. 135
Folding up the rear seat cushion. Fig. 136
Button for unlocking the rear back-
r e
s
t. Folding seat down
– Remove the head restraint ››
›
page 128.
– Pull the front edge of the seat cushion
›››
Fig. 135 1 upwards in the direction of
the arr o
w
. –
Lift the c
ushion 2 forwards in the direc-
tion of the arr
o
w.
– Pull the release button ›››
Fig. 136 in the di-
rection of the arrow and fold the backrest forwards.
– Insert the head restraints in the spaces on
the rear of
the seat cushion which are visi-
ble when the seat cushion is lowered.
Folding seat forward
– Remove the head restraints from the
spac
es in the seat cushion.
– Lift the backrest, and before securing it, re-
plac
e the head restraints in the seat cush-
ion, and then click the seat correctly onto
the locking rails.
– Once the backrest is locked, pull on the
central
seat belt or directly on the backrest
to check that the backrest has properly en-
gaged in position.
– Check that the position lever is in neutral
position.
– L
ower the cushion and push it backwards
below the seat
belt buckles.
– Press the front part of the cushion down-
ward
s.
On split rear seats*, the backrest and cush-
ion can be lowered and raised respectively in
two sections. »
129
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries
and d
amage to the vehicle.
● Please note that the centre of gravity may
shift when tr
ansporting heavy objects; this
may affect vehicle handling and lead to an ac-
cident. Therefore, it is essential to adjust
your speed and driving style accordingly, to
avoid accidents.
● Never leave your vehicle unattended, espe-
cia
lly when the rear lid is open. Children
could climb into the luggage compartment,
closing the door behind them; they will be
trapped and run the risk of death.
● Never allow children to play in or around
the vehic
le. Close and lock all the doors and
rear lid when you leave the vehicle. Before
you lock the vehicle, make sure that there are
no adults or children in the vehicle.
● Please observe the notes on the ›››
page 56. CAUTION
Hard objects on the rear shelf could chafe
again s
t the wires of the heating element in
the heated rear window and cause damage. Note
● The tyr e pr
essure must be adjusted accord-
ing to the load. When necessary check the
tyre pressures on the label located on the in-
side fuel tank flap ››› page 210.
● Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce
foggin
g of the windows. Used air escapes through ventilation slits in the side trim of
the lugg
ag
e compartment. Ensure that the
ventilation slots are never covered.
● Straps for securing the load to the fasten-
ing ring
s* are commercially available from ac-
cessory shops. Fastening rings*
Fig. 148
Location of fastening rings in lug-
g ag
e c
ompartment. There may be four fastening rings included in
the lug
g
ag
e compartment for fastening lug-
gage and other objects ››› Fig. 148 (arrows).
– Always use suitable and undamaged straps
to secur
e luggage and other objects to the
fastening rings ››› in Loading the lug-
g ag
e c
ompartment on page 133.
– Pull up the fastening rings to attach the
strap
s. Example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying
unsec
ured in the vehicle. During a frontal col-
lision at a speed of 50 km/h (31 mph), this
object generates a force corresponding to 20
times its weight. That means that the effec-
tive weight of the object increases to approxi-
mately 90 kg. You can imagine the severity of
the injuries which might be sustained if this
“object” strikes an occupant as it flies
through the interior of the vehicle. This in-
creased risk of injury will be further increased
if a loose object is struck by an inflating air-
bag. WARNING
● If piec e
s of baggage or other objects are se-
cured to the fastening rings with inappropri-
ate or damaged retaining cords, injuries
could result in the event of braking manoeu-
vres or accidents.
● Never secure a child seat on the fastening
rings. 134
Operation
If the rotary switch C
› ››
Fig. 153
i s in the
thaw position, the recirculation flap will al-
ways be open and air will always enter from
the outside.
If the rotary switch C is switched from any
po s
ition t
o the thaw position, recirculation
will be automatically deactivated. WARNING
● In air rec ir
culation mode, no cold air from
the outside enters the vehicle interior. The
windows can quickly fog over if the heating is
switched off. Therefore, never leave the air re-
circulation mode switched on for a long time
(risk of accident). Vehicle ventilation or heating
Ventilating the vehicle interior
– Turn the temperature selector ››
›
Fig. 153
A anticlockwise.
– Turn blower switch B to any of the head
settin g
s
1-4.
– Set the airflow to the desired direction us-
ing air dis
tribution control C .
– Open the relevant air outlets. Interior heating
– Turn the temperature selector ››
›
Fig. 153
A clockwise to select the desired tempera-
t ur
e.
– T
urn blower switch B to any of the head
settin g
s
1-4.
– Set the airflow to the desired direction us-
ing air dis
tribution control C .
– Open the relevant air outlets.
D efr
o
sting the windscreen
– Turn the temperature selector ›››
Fig. 153
A clockwise to reach the maximum tem-
per at
ur
e.
– Turn the blower switch B to setting 4.
– Turn air distribution control to .
– Close outlet 3 .
– Open and turn outlet 4 towards the side
w indo
w
s.
Keeping the windscreen and the side win-
dows demisted
– Turn the temperature selector ›››
Fig. 153
A to the heating area.
– Turn blower switch B to any of the head
settin g
s
2-3.
– Turn air distribution control to .
– Close outlets 3 –
Open and t urn outl
ets
4 towards side win-
do w
s.
Onc
e the windows are demisted and as a pre-
ventive measure, the control C can be set in
po s
ition
, thus obtaining greater comfort
while preventing the windows from misting
again.
Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to
defrost the windows quickly, is only available
when the engine has reached its operating
temperature. Note
Remember that the temperature of the engine
coo l
ant should be optimum to ensure that the
heating system functions correctly (except in
vehicles fitted with additional heating*). 140
Driving
It is possible, however, to set the blower
s peed t
o s
uit requirements.
● Turn control 10
› ››
Fig. 155
c
ounter-clock-
wise (to lower the speed) or clockwise (to in-
crease the speed).
Climatronic will switch off when the blower
switches off. WARNING
Read and observe the safety warnings ›››
in
Genera l
notes on page 137. Windscreen defrost
Switching on windscreen defrosting
●
Press the button
12
› ›
›
Fig. 155.
Switching off windscreen defrosting
● Press button
12
› ›
›
Fig. 155 several
times or press the AUTO button.
The t emper
at
ure is regulated automatically.
The air output is increased from vents 1 and
2 ›››
page 138. Driving
Ad dr
e
ss
Introduction The power steering is not hydraulic but elec-
tromec
h
anical. The advantage of this steer-
ing is that it foes not need flexible hydraulic
pipes, hydraulic oil, pump, filter or other
parts. The electromechanical system saves
fuel. Whereas a hydraulic system needs con-
tinuous oil pressure, electromechanical
steering only needs power when it is used.
In vehicles with electromechanical steering,
the assisted steering function automatically
adjusts according to vehicle speed, steering
wheel torque and wheel orientation. The
power steering only works when the engine
is running. WARNING
If the power steering does not work, you will
need much mor e s
trength to turn the wheel.
This has a considerable effect on vehicle
safety.
● The power steering only works when the
engine is
running.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the
engine is
switched off.
● Never remove the key from the ignition
while the
vehicle is moving. The steering lock could be engaged and vehicle steering would
not w
ork. Note
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must
be sw itc
hed on to prevent the steering wheel
from locking and also to allow the use of the
turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and
washers. Control lamp
The control lamp should light up for a few
sec
ond
s
when the ignition is switched on. It
should go out once the engine is started.
It lights up red
The electromechani-
cal steering is dam-
aged.Have the steering checked im-
mediately by a specialised work-
shop.
It lights up yellow
Electromechanical
steering operation
is limited.See a specialised workshop im-
mediately and have the steering
checked.
If the yellow warning lamp does
not light up again after the en-
gine is restarted and the vehicle
has travelled a short distance,
you do not need to take it to a
specialised workshop.
» 145
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
It lights up yellow
The 12-volt battery
was disconnected
and has been recon-
nected.Take the vehicle for a short run
at 15-20 km/h (9-12 mph).
It flashes yellow
The steering column
is tight.Turn the wheel a little to both
sides.
The steering column
does not unlock or
lock.Remove the key from the ignition
and switch the ignition back on.
If necessary, check the messag-
es displayed on the instrument
panel display.
Do not drive on if
the steering
column remains locked after the
ignition has been switched on.
Seek specialist assistance. 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.
● Stop the
vehicle at the next opportunity
and in a safe p
lace. Note
Failure to heed the control lamps and corre-
spondin g t
ext messages when they light up
may result in damage to the vehicle. Information relating to different vehi-
cl
e pr
ocesses. In order to make the vehicle more difficult to
st
e
al, you should always lock the steering be-
fore leaving the vehicle.
Mechanical steering lock
The steering column is locked when the key
is removed from the ignition lock and the ve-
hicle is stationary.
Activating the steering lock
● Park the vehicle ››
›
page 149.
● Remove the ignition key.
● Turn the steering wheel slightly until the
steerin
g lock has engaged.
Deactivating the steering lock
● Turn the steering wheel slightly to release
the lock.
● Inser
t the key in the ignition lock.
● Hold the steering wheel in this position
and switc
h on the ignition. Electromechanical steering
In vehic
les with electromechanical steering,
the assisted steering function automatically
adjusts according to vehicle speed, steering
wheel torque and wheel orientation. The
power steering only works when the engine
is running.
You should take into account that you will
need considerably more power than normal
to steer the vehicle if the power steering is
not working correctly or at all.
Power-assisted steering
Power-assisted steering helps the driver in
critical situations. In counter-steering, it as-
sists by applying additional torque ››› .
WARNING
Power-assisted steering, together with the
ESC, help s
the driver to control vehicle steer-
ing in critical situations. However, the driver
is ultimately responsible for steering the ve-
hicle at all times. Power-assisted steering
does not remove this responsibility. 146
Driving
Starting and stopping the en-
gine Ignition k ey
po
sitionsFig. 156
Ignition key positions. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 21
Ignition switched off, steering lock 1In this position
››
›
Fig. 156, the ignition and
the engine are OFF and the steering may be
locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the
ignition key, turn the steering wheel until it
locks with an audible sound. You should al-
ways lock the steering wheel when you leave
your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle
theft ››› . Switching the ignition or the glow plug sys-
t
em on 2 Turn the ignition key to this position and re-
l
e
a
se it. If the key cannot be turned or it is
difficult to turn from position 1 to position
2 , move the steering wheel from one side to
the other; thi s
w
ill release it.
Starting 3 The engine is started when the key is in this
po
s
ition. El
ectrical devices with high power
consumption are switched off temporarily at
the same time.
Each time that the vehicle is restarted, the ig-
nition key must be turned to position 1 . The
r epetitiv
e s
tart prevention lock of the igni-
tion prevents possible damage to the starter
motor if the engine is already running. WARNING
● The ignition key mu
st NOT be removed from
the lock until the vehicle comes to a stand-
still. Otherwise, the steering could be imme-
diately blocked- Risk of accident!
● Always remove the key from the ignition
when leav
ing the vehicle, even if only for a
short period. This is especially important if
children or disabled people are left alone in
the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment such as
the electric windows, resulting in an acci-
dent. ●
Uns uper
vised use of the key could start the
engine or any electrical system, such as the
electric windows. This could result in serious
injury. CAUTION
The starter motor will only work when the en-
gine i s s
topped (ignition key position 3 ).
Electronic immobiliser “SAFE”
The electronic immobiliser prevents unau-
thori
sed per
son
s from driving the vehicle.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates
the electronic immobiliser automatically
when the key is inserted into the ignition.
The electronic immobiliser will be activated
again automatically as soon as you pull the
key out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genu-
ine SEAT key with its correct code.
If the following message* is shown on the in-
strument panel display: SAFE, the vehicle
cannot be started.
The engine can, however, be started if the
appropriate coded SEAT genuine key is used. »
147
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety