Driving
WARNING
If the gear is changed down inappropriately
by sel
ecting a gear that is too low, you may
lose control of the vehicle, causing an acci-
dent and serious injuries. CAUTION
When travelling at high speeds or at high en-
gine speed s, sel
ecting a gear that is too low
can cause considerable damage to the clutch
and the gearbox. This can also occur if the
clutch pedal is pressed and held and it does
not engage. CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature
we ar
, please observe the following:
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever
while driv
ing. The pressure applied by your
hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector
forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-
ly st
opped before engaging the reverse gear.
● Always press the clutch to the floor when
chan
ging gears.
● Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on
hill
s with the engine on. Automatic gearbox/DSG auto-
m
atic
g
earbox*
Introduction Your vehicle is equipped with an electronical-
ly c
ontr
olled manual gearbox. Torque be-
tween the engine and the gearbox is trans-
mitted via two independent clutches. They re-
place the torque converter found on conven-
tional automatic gearboxes and allow for
smooth, uninterrupted acceleration of the ve-
hicle.
The tiptronic system allows the driver to
change gears manually if desired
››› page 193, Engaging gears with the trip-
tonic mode*.
Selector lever positions Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 50
The selector lever position engaged is high-
lighted on the display in the instrument clus-
ter. With the selector lever in the manual
gearbox positions G, D, E and S, the engaged
gear is also indicated on the display.
P – Parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position,
the driven wheels are locked mechanically. The parking lock must be engaged only when
the vehic
le is stationary ››› .
The int erloc
k
button (the button on the selec-
tor lever handle) must be pressed in and si-
multaneously the brake pedal must be de-
pressed before moving the selector lever ei-
ther in or out of position P.
R – Reverse gear
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the
vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling
››› .
T o mo
v
e the selector lever to position R, the
interlock button must be pressed in and at
the same time the brake pedal must be de-
pressed. The reverse lights come on when
the selector lever is in the R position with the
ignition on.
N – Neutral (idling)
With the selector lever in this position, the
gear is in neutral.
D/S – Permanent drive (forward) position
The selector lever in the D/S position enables
the gears to be controlled in normal mode (D)
or Sport (S) mode. To select Sport mode (S),
move the selector lever backwards. Moving
the lever again will select normal mode (D).
The selected driving mode is shown on the
instrument panel display. »
191
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Changing gear manually with the selector
l ev
er
It
is possible to change to tiptronic mode,
both when the vehicle is stopped and while
driving.
– To switch to tiptronic mode, move the se-
lector l
ever from position D/S to the right.
As soon as the change is made the selector
level will be shown in the position M on the
instrument panel display (for example M4
means that the fourth gear is engaged).
– Move the selector lever forwards + to se-
l ect
a higher g
ear ››› Fig. 199.
– Move the selector lever backwards – to
sel ect
a lo
wer gear.
Changing gear manually with the gearshift
paddles*
The gearshift paddles can be used when the
selector lever is in the position D/S or M.
– Press the gearshift paddle + to select a
higher g e
ar ›
›› Fig. 200.
– Press the gearshift paddle – to select a
lo w
er g
ear.
– With the selector lever in position D/S, if no
pad
dle is operated during a short period of
time, the gearbox control system switches
back to automatic mode. To switch to per-
manent manual gear change using the
gearshift paddles, move the selector lever
from position D/S to the right. When accelerating, the gearbox automatical-
ly shifts
up into the next gear shortly before
the maximum engine speed is reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gear-
box will not shift down until there is no risk of
over-revving the engine.
When the kick-down feature is used, the
gearbox shifts down to a lower gear, depend-
ing on road speed and engine speed.
Driving tips The gearbox changes gear ratios automatical-
ly
a
s
the vehicle moves.
The engine can only start with the selector
lever in position P or N. At low temperatures,
below -10°C (14°F), the engine can only start
with the selector lever in position P.
Starting the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the
button on the sel
ector lever handle), move
the selector lever to the desired position,
for instance D ›››
page 191, and release the
interlock button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a
slight mo
vement can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator
›››
.Stopping briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle
briefly when s
t
ationary (for instance at traf-
fic lights). Do not press the accelerator.
Stopping/Parking
If the driver door is opened and the selector
lever is not in position P, the vehicle could
move. The driver message will be: Gear
change: selector lever in the
drive position! . Additionally, a buzzer
will sound.
– Press and hold the brake pedal ›››
.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Move the selector lever to position P.
Ho l
din
g the car on a hill
– Always apply the brake pedal firmly to pre-
vent
the vehicle “from moving backwards”;
if necessary, apply the handbrake ››› . Do
not tr y
t
o stop the vehicle “rolling back” by
increasing the engine speed when a gear is
engaged (pressing the accelerator) ››› .
Mo v
in
g off uphill in vehicles without Hill
start assistant*
– Apply the handbrake.
– Once you have engaged a gear press the
accel
erator carefully and disengage the
handbrake.
194
Driving
Moving off uphill in vehicles with Hill start
a s
s
istant*
– Once you have engaged a gear, release the
footbr
ake and press the accelerator
››› page 190, Hill driving assistant .
Driving down hills: in some situations (on
mountain roads or when towing a trailer or
caravan) it can be advantageous to switch
temporarily to the manual gearbox pro-
gramme so that the gear ratios can be selec-
ted manually to suit the driving conditions
››› .
On l ev
el
ground it is sufficient to move the
selector lever to position P. On slopes, first
engage the parking brake and then put the
selection lever into the P position. This
avoids overloading the locking mechanism
and it will be easier to move the selector lev-
er from position P. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Selector
lev er po
sitions on page 192.
● Never allow the brake to rub and do not use
the brake ped
al too often or for long periods.
Constant braking causes overheating in the
brakes. This could significantly reduce brak-
ing power, increase braking distance or even
result in the total failure of the brake system.
● To avoid rolling back on gradients always
hold the
vehicle with the footbrake or hand-
brake if you have to stop. CAUTION
● If y
ou stop the vehicle on a gradient, do not
attempt to stop it from rolling by depressing
the accelerator when a gear has been selec-
ted. This could cause overheating and dam-
age the automatic gearbox. Apply the hand-
brake firmly or press the brake pedal in order
to prevent the vehicle from rolling back.
● If you allow the car to roll with the selector
lever in po
sition N with the engine switched
off, the automatic gearbox will be damaged
as it will not be lubricated.
● In certain driving situations or traffic condi-
tions, suc
h as frequently starting, prolonged
“creeping” of the vehicle or traffic jams with
continuous stoppages, the gearbox could
overheat causing damage! If the warning
lamp lights up, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible and wait for the gearbox to cool
››› page 198. Kick-down feature
The kick-down feature allows maximum ac-
c
el
er
ation to be reached.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right
down past the point of resistance at full throt-
tle, the gearbox will shift down to a lower
gear, depending on road speed and engine
speed. The upshift to the next higher gear is
delayed until the engine reaches maximum
rpm. WARNING
Please note that if the road surface is slip-
pery or w
et, the kick-down feature could
cause the driving wheels to spin, which could
result in skidding. Launch control program
3 Valid for vehicles: with Launch-Control/6-Speed
D SG w
ith diesel engines superior to 125 kW and pet-
rol engines superior to 140 kW.
The Launch control programme enables maxi-
mum acceleration.
Important: the engine must have reached op-
erating temperature and the steering wheel
must not be turned.
The engine speed for launch-control is differ-
ent on petrol and diesel engines. To use the
launch-control you must disconnect the anti-
slip regulation (ASR) through the Easy Con-
nect system menu ›››
page 120. The warning
lamp will stay switched on or will flash
slowly depending on whether or not the vehi-
cle has a driver information system*.
On vehicles with the driver information sys-
tem, the ESC lamp lights up permanently and
the corresponding text message Stability
control deactivated (temporary) ap-
pears on the instrument panel to indicate the
deactivation status. »
195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driver assistance systems
● The b att
er
y is very low.
● The steering wheel is overly turned or is be-
ing turned.
● If
there is a danger of misting.
● After engaging reverse gear.
● In case of a very steep gradient.
The indication
is shown on the instrument
panel display, and in addition, the driver in-
formation system* shows, .
The engine starts by itself
During a stopping phase the normal Start-
Stop mode can be interrupted in the follow-
ing situations: The engine restarts by itself
without involvement from the driver.
● The interior temperature differs from the
value select
ed on the air conditioner.
● Defrost function button activated
›››
page 52.
● The brake has been pressed several times
consec
utively.
● The battery is too low.
● High power consumption. Note
In vehicles with an automatic gearbox, if the
select or l
ever is placed in position D, N or S
after engaging reverse gear, the vehicle must
be driven at a speed faster than 10 km/h (6 mph) for the system to return to conditions in
which the en
gine c
an be stopped. Manually switching on/off the Start-
Stop sy
s
tem Fig. 201
Centre console: Start-Stop system
b utt
on. If you do not wish to use the system, you can
sw
it
c
h it off manually.
– To manually switch on/off the Start-Stop
syst
em, press the button. The button
symbol remains lit up yellow when the sys-
tem is switched off. Note
The system is automatically switched on each
time the engine i s
deliberately stopped dur-
ing a stopping phase. The engine will start
automatically. Driver messages on the instrument
p
anel
di
splay Start-Stop system deactivated.
Start the engine manually
This driv
er message is displayed when cer-
tain conditions are not met during the stop-
ping phase and the Start-Stop system cannot
restart the engine. The engine must be star-
ted manually.
Start-Stop system: Fault! Func-
tion not available There is a fault in the Start-Stop system. Take
the vehicle to a workshop to have the fault
repaired.
207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driver assistance systems
The Auto Hold function is automatically
t urned off
if
the following conditions are
met:
Manual gearboxAutomatic gearbox
1.
If any of the conditions mentioned on
››› page 208, Conditions for keeping the vehicle
stationary with the Auto Hold function are no lon- ger met.
2.If the engine is running irregularly or an anomalyis detected.
3.If the engine is turnedoff or stalls.If the engine is switch- ed off.
4.The clutch and the ac-
celerator are pressed at the same time.If the accelerator is pressed.
5.
If any of the tyres hasonly minimal contact
with the ground, e.g. in the case of axle articu- lation. WARNING
The smart technology incorporated into the
Auto Ho l
d function cannot defy the laws of
physics; it only works within the limits of the
system. The greater convenience provided by
the Auto Hold function should never tempt
you to take any risk that may compromise
safety.
● Never leave the vehicle running and with
the Auto Hol
d function switched on. ●
The Auto Ho l
d function cannot always keep
the vehicle stationary uphill or downhill or
stop it sufficiently, for example, on slippery
or frozen surfaces. Note
Before entering a car wash, always switch off
the Aut o Hol
d function, because if the elec-
tronic parking brake is automatically connec-
ted, it may cause damage. Cruise control system (CCS)*
Oper ation Fig. 203
Instrument panel display: CCS status
indic ation s. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 45
The cruise control system (CCS) is able to
maintain the set speed from 20 km/h (15
mph).
The CSS only reduces vehicle speed by ceas-
ing to accelerate, not by actively braking the
vehicle ››› .
C ontr
o
l lamp
When the warning lamp is lit, cruise con-
trol is active.
Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.
Displayed on the CCS screen
Status Fig. 203:
CCS temporarily switched off. The set
speed is displayed in small figures.
System error. Contact a specialised work-
shop.
CCS switched on. The speed memory is
empty.
The CCS is switched on. The set speed is
displayed in large figures. »
A B
C
D
209
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
WARNING
Use of the cruise control could cause acci-
dents and sev
ere injuries if it is not possible
to drive at a constant speed maintaining the
safety distance.
● Do not use the cruise control in heavy traf-
fic, if the dis
tance from the vehicle in front is
insufficient, on steep roads, with several
bends or in slippery circumstances (snow,
ice, rain or loose gravel), or on flooded roads.
● Never use the CCS when driving off-road or
on unpav
ed roads.
● Always adapt your speed and the distance
to the v
ehicles ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation.
● To avoid unexpected operation of the cruise
contro
l system, turn it off every time you fin-
ish using it.
● It is dangerous to use a set speed which is
too high for the pr
evailing road, traffic or
weather conditions.
● When travelling down hills, the CCS cannot
maintain a c
onstant speed. The vehicle tends
to accelerate under its own weight. Select a
lower gear or use the foot brake to slow the
vehicle. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Warning
and contr o
l lamps on page 119. Operating the cruise control system*
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 45
The value indicated in the table in brackets
(in mph, miles per hour) only refers to instru-
ment panels with indications in miles.
Changing gear in CCS mode
The CCS decelerates as soon as the clutch
pedal is pressed, intervening again automati-
cally after a gear is engaged.
Travelling down hills with the CCS
When travelling down hills the CCS cannot
maintain a constant speed. Slow the vehicle
down using the brake pedal and reduce
gears if required.
Automatic off
The cruise control system (CCS) is switched
off automatically or temporarily:
● If the system detects a fault that could af-
fect the w
orking order of the CCS.
● If you press and maintain the accelerator
pedal f
or a certain time, driving faster than
the stored speed.
● If the dynamic driving control systems in-
terv
ene (e.g. ASR or ESC).
● If the airbag is triggered. Emergency brake assist system
(Front As
sist)*
Topic introduction Fig. 204
On the instrument panel display:
pr e-w
arnin
g messages. The objective of the emergency brake assist
sy
s
t
em is to prevent head-on collisions
against objects that may be in the vehicle’s
path or minimise the consequences of such
impacts.
Within the limitations imposed by the envi-
ronmental conditions and by the system it-
self, the function acts in staggered fashion,
depending on how critical the situation is. In-
itially it warns the driver, and if the driver’s
reaction does not occur or is insufficient, it
activates an independent emergency brak-
ing.
210
Driver assistance systems
The function is intended to prevent collisions
w ith p
ark
ed vehicles or vehicles in the same
lane travelling in the same direction, or with
pedestrians crossing the vehicle’s path. It
may fail to activate in other danger situa-
tions.
The Front Assist function is active within a
range of speeds between 4 km/h (2.5 mph)
and 250 km/h (156 mph). Depending on
speed, traffic conditions and driver behav-
iour, some of the sub-functions described be-
low are omitted in order to optimise the sys-
tem’s general behaviour.
The Front Assist is a driving assistance func-
tion that can never replace the driver’s atten-
tion.
Safety distance warning
If the system detects a situation of danger
because the vehicle is too close to the vehi-
cle ahead, it will warn the driver by means of
an indication on the instrument panel display
.
The timing of the warning varies depending
on driver behaviour and the traffic situation.
Advance warning
If the system detects a possible collision with
the vehicle in front, it may alert the driver by
means of an audible warning and an indica-
tion on the instrument panel display
››› Fig. 204. The warning moment varies depending on
the traffic s
ituation and driver behaviour. At
the same time, the vehicle will prepare for a
possible emergency braking ››› .
C ritic
a
l warning
If the driver fails to react to the pre-warning
(advance warning), the system may actively
intervene in the brakes and generate a brief
jolt to warn the driver of the imminent danger
of a collision.
Automatic braking
If the driver also fails to react to the critical
warning, the system may initiate independ-
ent emergency braking by progressively in-
creasing the braking effect in accordance
with how critical the situation is.
Driver emergency brake assist system
Faced with an imminent collision, the system
may detect that the driver is not braking hard
enough to avoid the collision. In this case, it
will automatically increase the braking effect.
Due to certain driving circumstances and the
limitations of its operation, there are some
cases in which the system cannot prevent a
collision, although it can significantly mini-
mise the consequences by reducing the
speed and the force of the impact. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Warning
and contr o
l lamps on page 119. WARNING
The Front Assist system cannot change the
la w
s of physics or replace the driver in terms
of keeping control of the vehicle and reacting
to a possible emergency situation. WARNING
Following a Front Assist emergency warning,
pa y
immediate attention to the situation and
try to avoid the collision by braking or by
dodging the obstacle, as applicable.
● If the Front Assist does not work as descri-
bed in this c
hapter (e.g. it repeatedly inter-
venes unnecessarily), switch it off.
● Adapt your speed and safe distance to the
vehicl
e in front of you at all times to suit visi-
bility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
● The Front Assist alone cannot avoid acci-
dents and seriou
s injuries.
● In complex driving situations, occasionally
the Front As
sist may issue warnings and in-
tervene in braking unnecessarily, for example
at traffic islands.
● If the operation of the Front Assist is im-
paired, f
or example, by dirt or because the ra-
dar sensor has lost its settings, the system
may issue unnecessary warnings and inter-
vene inopportunely in the braking. » 211
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
●
The Front As
sist does not react to animals
or vehicles crossing your path or approaching
head-on down the same lane.
● The Front Assist does not react to pedes-
trians
walking in the same direction or ap-
proaching head-on down the same lane.
● The driver must always be ready to take
over the c
ontrol of the vehicle.
● When the Front Assist causes a braking,
the brake ped
al is “harder”.
● Automatic interventions by the Front Assist
on the brake
s may be interrupted by pressing
the clutch, accelerator or moving the wheel. Note
● When the Front As
sist is connected, the in-
dications on the instrument panel screen may
be concealed by warnings from other func-
tions, such as an incoming call.
● When the Front Assist causes a braking,
the brake ped
al is “harder”.
● Automatic interventions by the Front Assist
on the brake
s may be interrupted by pressing
the clutch, accelerator or moving the wheel.
● The Front Assist may brake the vehicle until
it st
ops completely. However, the brake sys-
tem does not halt the vehicle permanently.
Use the foot brake!
● If the Front Assist does not work as descri-
bed in this c
hapter (e.g. in intervenes several
times unnecessarily), switch it off. Have the
system checked by a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT dealership. Radar sensor
Fig. 205
On the front bumper: radar sensor. A radar sensor is installed on the front bump-
er t
o det
ermine the tr
affic situation
››› Fig. 205 1 .
The r a
d
ar 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 does not work. The instrument
panel displays the following message:
Front Assist: No sensor vision! If
necessary clean the radar sensor ››› .
When the r a
d
ar 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
strong 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 roa
d 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 the front of the vehicle is not properly re-
paired or structural modifications are made
to it, for example if the suspension is low-
ered, Front Assist operation may be affected.
SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT dealership
for this purpose. CAUTION
If you have the sensation that the radar sen-
sor is d
amaged or has lost its settings, dis-
connect the Front Assist. This will avoid pos-
sible dangerous situations caused by a sys-
tem malfunction. If this occurs have it adjus-
ted.
● The sensor may become damaged or lose
its settin
gs 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-
ist
knowledge and special tools. SEAT recom-
mends visiting a SEAT dealership for this pur-
pose.
● A registration plate or plate holder on the
front th
at is larger than the space for the reg-
istration plate, or a registration plate that is
curved or warped can cause the radar to mal-
function. 212