Transport and practical equipment
– Di s
trib
ute the load evenly in the luggage
compartment.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possi-
ble in the lug
gage compartment
››› Fig. 166.
– Place the heavy objects first.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening
rings* ›
›› page 162.
– Secure loose loads with a luggage net* or
with non-ela
stic straps secured to the fas-
tening* rings. WARNING
● Loo se lug
gage and other objects in the lug-
gage compartment could cause serious inju-
ries.
● Always stow objects in the luggage com-
partment
and secure them with the fastening
rings*.
● During sudden manoeuvres or accidents,
loose ob
jects can be thrown forward, injuring
vehicle occupants or even third parties. This
increased risk of injury will be further in-
creased if a loose object is struck by an inflat-
ing airbag. If this happens, objects may
shoot outward like a missile. Risk of fatal in-
jury.
● Always keep all objects in the luggage com-
partment
and use appropriate grips to secure
them, particularly in the case of heavy ob-
jects. ●
Never e x
ceed the allowed axle weights or
allowed maximum weight. If said weights are
exceeded, the driving characteristics of the
vehicle may change, leading to accidents, in-
juries and damage 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
the rear lid when you leave the vehicle. Be-
fore you lock the vehicle, make sure that
there are no adults or children in the vehicle.
● Please observe the notes on the ›››
page 75. 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 adhesive label stuck to the back of the front left door frame
›› ›
page 275.
● Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce
foggin
g of the windows. Used air escapes
through ventilation slits in the side trim of
the luggage 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. 161
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
the
button and the
S
ET
TINGS and
E SC
System function buttons.
WARNING
You should switch on the ESC Sport mode on-
ly if the tr
affic conditions and your driving
ability allow you to do so safely: risk of skid-
ding!
● With ESC in Sport mode, the stabilising
function w
ill be limited to allow for a sportier
drive. The driving wheels could spin and the
vehicle could skid. Note
If the ASR is disconnected or the ESC’s Sport
mode is sel
ected, cruise control* will be
switched off. Electronic differential lock (EDS)*
The EDL operates along with the ABS in vehi-
c
l
e
s equipped with Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC)*.
EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accel-
erate and climb a gradient in slippery condi-
tions where this may otherwise be difficult or
even impossible.
It uses the ABS sensors to monitor the speed
of the driven wheels.
At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h
(50 mph), it is able to balance out differences in the speed of the driven wheels of approxi-
mately
100 rpm/min caused by a partially
slippery road surface. It does this by braking
the wheel which has lost traction and distrib-
uting more driving force to the other driven
wheel via the differential.
To prevent the disc brake of the braking
wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out au-
tomatically if subjected to excessive loads.
The vehicle will continue to function normally
without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not
informed that the EDL has been switched off.
The EDL will switch on again automatically
when the brake has cooled down.
Control lamp
A malfunction in the EDL is indicated by the
ESC control lamp . Take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop as soon as possible. WARNING
● When acc el
erating on a slippery surface,
for example on ice and snow, press the accel-
erator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven
wheels may start to spin. This could impair
the vehicle's stability.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit road
conditions
and the traffic situation. Do not let
the extra safety afforded by EDL tempt you in-
to taking any risks when driving, this can
cause accidents. CAUTION
Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the en-
gine, the brak e sy
stem, running gear or any
components affecting the wheels and tyres)
could affect the efficiency of the EDL
››› page 247. Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)*
The function (Hydraulic Brake Assist HBA) is
only
inc
luded in vehicles with ESC.
In an emergency, most drivers brake in time,
but not with maximum force. This results in
unnecessarily long braking distances.
This is when the brake assist system comes
into action. When pressing the brake pedal
rapidly, the assistant interprets it as an emer-
gency. It very quickly builds up the full brake
pressure so that the ABS can be activated
more quickly and efficiently, thus reducing
braking distance.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake ped-
al, since the brake assist system switches off
automatically as soon as you release the
brake.
Automatic hazard warning lights activation
The brake lights flash automatically to indi-
cate that the vehicle is braking suddenly or in
an emergency situation. If the emergency
braking continues until the vehicle comes to
186
Driving
a standstill, the hazard warning lights will
then c ome on and the br
ak
e lights will re-
main on permanently from that moment. The
warning lights will automatically switch off
when the vehicle begins to move again or
when the "warning" light button is pressed. WARNING
● The risk of
accident is higher if you drive
too fast, if you do not keep your distance from
the vehicle in front, and when the road sur-
face is slippery or wet. The increased acci-
dent risk cannot be reduced by the brake as-
sist system.
● The brake assist system cannot defy the
law
s of physics. Slippery and wet roads are
dangerous even with the brake assist system!
Therefore, it is essential that you adjust your
speed to suit the road and traffic conditions.
Do not let the extra safety features tempt you
into taking any risks when driving. Anti-lock brake System (ABS)
The anti-lock brake (ABS) system prevents
the wheel
s
fr
om locking during braking and
is an important part of the vehicle's active
safety system.
How the ABS works
If one of the wheels turns too slowly in rela-
tion to the vehicle's speed, and is close to
locking, the system will reduce the braking pressure to this wheel. The driver is made
awar
e of this control process by a pulsating
of the brake pedal and audible noise. This is
a deliberate warning to the driver that one or
more of the wheels is tending to lock and the
ABS control function has intervened. In this
situation it is important to keep the brake
pedal fully depressed so the ABS can regu-
late the brake application. Do not “pump”.
If you brake hard on a slippery road surface,
the best possible control is retained as the
wheels do not lock.
However, ABS will not necessarily guarantee
shorter braking distances in all conditions.
Braking distance could even be further if you
brake on gravel or on fresh snow on a slip-
pery surface.
Control lamp
The control lamp lights up for a few sec-
onds when the ignition is switched on. It
goes out again after the system has run
through an automatic test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
● The control lamp does not
light up when
the ignition is switched on.
● The control lamp does not go out again af-
ter a few sec
onds.
● The control lamp lights up when the vehicle
is mo
ving. The vehicle can still be braked in the normal
way
, without the ABS function. Take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop as soon as
possible.
If there is a fault in the ABS, the ESC* and the
tyre pressure control lamp will also light up.
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp lights up together
with the brake warning lamp , there is a
fault in the ABS function and in the brake
system ››› .
WARNING
● The anti-lock br
ake system cannot defy the
laws of physics. Slippery and wet roads are
dangerous even with ABS! If you notice that
the ABS is working (to counteract locked
wheels under braking), you should reduce
speed immediately to suit the road and traffic
conditions. Do not let the extra safety fea-
tures tempt you into taking any risks when
driving.
● The effectiveness of ABS is also determined
by the ty
res fitted ››› page 274.
● If the running gear or brake system is modi-
fied, the effectivene
ss of the ABS could be se-
verely limited. » 187
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
Deactivating the steering lock
● Turn the steering wheel slightly to release
the loc k.
● Inser
t the key in the ignition lock.
● Hold the steering wheel in this position
and switc
h on the ignition.
Electromechanical steering
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.
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. Run-in and economical driving
R u
nnin
g in a new engine The engine needs to be run-in over the first
1500 km (900 mil
e
s).
For the first 1,000 kilometres (600 miles)
– Do not drive at speeds of more than 2/3
the maximum s
peed.
– Do not accelerate hard.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1,000 k i
lometres (600 miles) to 1,500
kilometres (900 miles)
– Speeds can be gradual
ly increased to the
maximum road speed or maximum permis-
sible engine speed (rpm).
During its first few hours of running, the in-
ternal friction in the engine is greater than
later on, when all the moving parts have bed-
ded in. For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, its life will be in-
cr e
ased and its oil consumption reduced. Running in tyres and brake pads
New tyres should be run in carefully for the
firs
t
500 km (300 miles) and new brake pads
should be run in carefully for the first 200 km
(125 miles).
During the first 200 km (125 miles) you have
to compensate for the reduced braking effect
by applying more pressure to the brake ped-
al. In case of a sharp braking, the braking
distance will be longer with new brake pads
than with brake pads which have been run-
in. WARNING
● At fir s
t, new tyres do not give maximum
grip, and require running-in. This may cause
an accident. Drive particularly carefully in the
first 500 km (300 miles).
● New brake pads must be “run in” and do
not hav
e the correct friction properties during
the first 200 km (125 miles). However, the re-
duced braking capacity may be compensated
by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. Environmental compatibility
Environmental protection is a top priority in
the de
s
ign, c
hoice of materials and manufac-
ture of your new SEAT. »
199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
exhaust emissions and noise levels all in-
c r
e
ase 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
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that,
before beginning a journey, you will not con-
sume more than the required amount of fuel.
A well-serviced engine gives you the benefit
of improved fuel efficiency as well as maxi-
mum reliability and an enhanced resale val-
ue.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to
10% more fuel than necessary. Avoid short journeys
To reduc
e the consumption and emission of
polluting exhaust gases, the engine and the
exhaust gas filtration systems should reach
the optimum operating temperature.
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is
proportionally higher. The engine does not
warm up and fuel consumption does not nor-
malise until having driven approximately four
kilometres (2.5 miles). This is why we recom-
mend avoiding short trips whenever possi-
ble.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an ad-
equate pressure saves fuel. If the tyre pres-
sure is just one bar (14.5 psi/100 kPa) too
low, fuel consumption can increase by as
much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resist-
ance, under-inflation also increases tyre wear
wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked
when the tyres are cold.
Do not use winter tyres all year round as they
increase fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Given that every kilo of extra weight will in-
crease the fuel consumption, it is advisable
to always check the luggage compartment to
make sure that no unnecessary loads are be-
ing transported. A roof rack is often left in place for the sake
of con
venience, even when it is no longer
needed. At a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)
and 120 km/h (75 mph) your vehicle will use
about 12% more fuel as a result of the extra
wind resistance caused by the roof rack even
when it is not in use.
Save electricity
The engine activates the alternator, which
produces electricity. With the need for elec-
tricity, fuel consumption also increases. Be-
cause of this, always turn off electrical devi-
ces when you do not need them. Examples of
devices that use a lot of electricity are: the
blower at high speeds, the rear window heat-
ing or the seat heaters*. Note
● If y
our vehicle has Start-Stop, it is not rec-
ommended that you switch this function off.
● It is recommended that you close
the win-
dows when driving at more than 60 km/h
(37 mph).
● Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutc
h pedal,, as the pressure can make the
plate spin, more fuel will be used and it can
burn the clutch plate lining, causing a serious
fault.
● Do not hold the car on a hill with the clutch,
use the foot
brake or hand brake, using the
latter to start. The fuel consumption will be » 201
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Trailer towing Wh at
do
you need to bear in mind
when towing a trailer? Your vehicle may be used to tow a trailer
when fitted w
ith the c
orrect equipment.
If you wish to retrofit a towing bracket, con-
sult ››› page 245.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin connector
for the electrical connection between the
trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to
use an adapter cable. It is available at any
Technical Service.
Trailer weight/drawbar load
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If
you do not load the trailer up to the maxi-
mum permitted trailer weight, you can then
climb correspondingly steeper slopes.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only
applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above
sea level. With increasing altitude the engine
power and therefore the vehicle climbing
ability are impaired because of the reduced
air density. The maximum trailer weight has
to be reduced accordingly. The weight of the
vehicle and trailer combination must be re- duced by 10% for every further 1000 m (or
par
t
thereof). The gross combination weight
is the actual weight of the laden vehicle plus
the actual weight of the laden trailer. When
possible, operate the trailer with the maxi-
mum permitted drawbar load on the ball joint
of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the
specified limit.
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar
loads that are given on the data plate of the
towing bracket are for certification purposes
only. The correct towing bracket figures for
your specific model, which may be lower than
these figures, are given in the vehicle docu-
mentation or on ››› page 281, Technical
specifications.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
objects are as near to the axle as possible.
Loads carried in the trailer must be secured
to prevent them moving.
Tyre pressure
The maximum permissible tyre pressure val-
ues are shown on the sticker on the rear part
of the left front door frame. Set the tyre pres-
sure of the trailer tyres in accordance with the
trailer manufacturer's recommendations. 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.
Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on
hinged extension brackets. Adjust the mirrors
to give sufficient vision to the rear.
Tow rope
Always use a cable between the vehicle and
the trailer ››› page 243.
Trailer rear lights
The trailer's rear lights should comply with
the statutory safety regulations ››› page 243. WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could
re s
ult in fatal accidents. Note
● To w
ing a trailer places additional demands
on the vehicle. We recommend additional
services between the normal inspection inter-
vals if the vehicle is used frequently for tow-
ing a trailer.
● Find out whether special regulations apply
to to
wing a trailer in your country. 242
Advice
freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
se al
s.
Af
ter washing the vehicle
– After washing, avoid sudden and sharp
brakin
g. “Dry” the brakes by braking sever-
al times. WARNING
● Wa sh
your vehicle with the ignition switch-
ed off.
● Protect your hands and arms from cuts on
sharp meta
l edges when cleaning the under-
body, the inside of the wheel housings etc.
Risk of injury.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce br
aking effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Never r emo
ve dirt, mud or dust if the vehi-
cle surface is dry. Never use a dry cloth or
sponge for cleaning purposes. This could
scratch the paintwork or glass on your vehi-
cle.
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
when washin
g the vehicle with a hose, do not
direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors, rear lid, or sunroof.
Risk of freezing. For the sake of the environment
To protect the environment, the vehicle
shoul d be w
ashed only in specially provided
wash bays, to prevent toxic, oil-laden waste
water from entering the sewer system. In
some places, washing vehicles outside wash
bays is prohibited. Note
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight. Washing the vehicle with a high pres-
s
ur
e c
leaner Be particularly careful when using a high
pr
e
s
sure cleaner!
– Always observe the instructions for the
high-pres
sure cleaner, particularly those
concerning the pressure and the spraying
distance.
– Increase the spraying distance for soft ma-
terial
s and painted bumpers.
– Do not use a high pressure cleaner to re-
move ic
e or snow from windows
››› page 251.
– Never use concentrated jet nozzles (“rotat-
ing jets”) ›
›› .–
Af t
er w
ashing, avoid sudden and sharp
braking. “Dry” the brakes by braking sever-
al times ››› page 181. WARNING
● Never w a
sh tyres with a concentrated jet
(“rotating nozzle”). Even at large spraying
distances and short cleaning times, damage
can occur to the tyres. This may cause an ac-
cident.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce br
aking effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Do not u se w
ater hotter than +60°C
(+140°F). This could damage the vehicle.
● To avoid damage to the vehicle, keep a suf-
ficient di
stance from sensitive materials such
as flexible hoses, plastic, soundproofing ma-
terial, etc. This also applies to bumpers pain-
ted in the colour of the bodywork. The closer
the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the
wear on the material. Factory-fitted adhesive sheets
The following indications should be taken in-
t
o ac
c
ount to avoid damaging adhesive
sheets:
● Do not use high pressure cleaners.
250
Wheels
Concealed damage
Dam ag
e t
o tyres and rims is often not readily
visible. If you notice unusual vibrations or the
vehicle pulling to one side, this may indicate
that one of the tyres is damaged. They
should be checked immediately by a Techni-
cal Service.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the di-
rection of rotation on tyres with directional
tread. Always observe the direction of rota-
tion indicated when fitting the wheel. This
guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid
aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear. WARNING
● New tyr e
s do not have maximum grip dur-
ing the first 500 km. Drive particularly care-
fully to avoid possible accidents.
● Never drive with damaged tyres. This may
cause an ac
cident.
● If you notice unusual vibrations or if the ve-
hicle p
ulls to one side when driving, stop the
vehicle immediately and check the tyres for
damage. Tyre pressure monitoring system
Fig. 231
Location of the tyre pressure sticker. The maximum tyre pressure values are shown
on a s
tic
k
er stuck to the back of the left front
door frame ›››
Fig. 231.
1. Read the required tyre inflation pressure from the stic
ker. The values refer to Sum-
mer tyres.
2. The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyre
s are cold. The slightly raised
pressures of warm tyres must not be re-
duced.
3. Adjust the tyre pressure to the load you are carr
ying. Tyre pressure
The correct
tyre pressure is especially impor-
tant at high speeds. The pressure should
therefore be checked at least once a month
and before starting a journey.
Depending on the vehicle, tyre pressure can
be adjusted to medium load to improve driv-
ing comfort (“comfort” tyre pressure). When
driving with comfort tyre pressure fuel con-
sumption may increase slightly. WARNING
A tyre can easily burst if the pressure is too
low , c
ausing an accident!
● At continuously high speeds, a tyre with in-
sufficient
pressure flexes more. In this way it
becomes too hot, and this can cause tread
separation and tyre blow-out. Always observe
the recommended tyre pressures.
● If the tyre pressure is too low or too high,
the tyre
s will wear prematurely and the vehi-
cle will not handle well. Risk of accident! For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
sumption. 275
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety