Lights and visibility
●
In some v ehic
les, the brake lights will flash
when braking abruptly at speeds of approxi-
mately 80 km/h (50 mph) to warn vehicles
travelling behind. If braking continues, the
hazard warning lights system will automati-
cally be turned on at a speed of less than ap-
proximately 10 km/h (6 mph). The brake
lights remain lit. Upon accelerating, the haz-
ard warning lights will be automatically
turned off. Adjusting the headlights
In those countries where vehicles drive on
the other s
ide of
the r
oad to the home coun-
try, the asymmetric dipped beam may dazzle
drivers of oncoming vehicles.
For this reason, stickers may be needed to
cover the headlights when driving abroad.
For further information, please refer to a spe-
cialised workshop. SEAT recommends visiting
a technical service. Note
The use of stickers to cover headlights is only
permitted o v
er a short period. To modify the
direction of the headlamps more permanent-
ly, please take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop. SEAT recommends taking your car
in for technical service. Headlight range control, lighting of
the in
s
trument
panel and controls Fig. 111
Next to the steering wheel: Head-
light r
an
ge control Headlamp height adjustment
The he
a
dlight
range control ››› Fig. 111 is
modified according to the value of the head-
light beam and the vehicle load status. This
offers the driver optimum visibility and the
headlights do not dazzle oncoming drivers
››› .
The he a
dlights
can only be adjusted when
the dipped beam is switched on.
To reset, turn switch ››› Fig. 111:
ValueVehicle load status a)
–Two front occupants, luggage compart-
ment empty
To reset, turn switch
››› Fig. 111:
ValueVehicle load status a)
1All seats occupied, luggage compartment
empty
2All seats occupied, luggage compartment
full.
3Driver only, luggage compartment full
a)
If the vehicle load does not correspond to those shown in the
table, it is possible to select intermediary positions.
Instrument and switch lighting
When the side lights or dipped beam head-
lights are switched on, the lighting for instru-
ments and controls lights up at a constant
brightness. WARNING
Heavy objects in the back of vehicle may
cau se he
adlight dazzle and distract other
drivers. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load
stat
us so that it does not blind other drivers. Luggage compartment light
The light is activated when the rear lid is
open, ev
en when the ignition and lights
ar
e
turned off. For this reason, ensure that the
rear lid is always closed. 107
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Lights and visibility
●
Alw a
ys replace damaged or worn blades or
blades which do not clean the windscreen
correctly. CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper
b la
des are not frozen to the glass before us-
ing the wipers for the first time. In cold
weather, it may help to leave the vehicle
parked with the wipers in service position
››› page 45. CAUTION
If the ignition is switched off while the wind-
sc r
een wipers are on, the windscreen wipers
carry on wiping at the same level when the
ignition is switched back on. Ice, snow and
other obstacles may damage the windscreen
wiper and the respective motor.
● If necessary, remove snow and ice from the
winds
creen wipers before starting your jour-
ney.
● Carefully lift the frozen windscreen wipers
from the gla
ss. SEAT recommends a de-icer
spray for this operation. Note
● The wind s
creen wipers will only work when
the ignition is switched on.
● The interval wipe speed varies according to
the vehic
le speed. The faster the vehicle is moving, the more often the windscreen is
cl
e
aned.
● The rear wiper is automatically switched on
when the winds
creen wiper is on and the car
is in reverse gear. Windscreen wiper functions
Windscreen wiper performance in different sit-
uations
If the vehicle is at a
standstillThe activated position provision-
ally changes to the previous posi-
tion.
For intermittent wip-
ersIntervals between wipes depend
on the vehicle's speed. The high-
er the vehicle speed the shorter
the intervals.
Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles
that ar
e on the windscreen. The wiper will
stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path.
Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper
back on again. Rain and light sensor
Fig. 114
Windscreen wiper lever: adjusting
the r ain sen
sor 1 .
Fig. 115
Rain sensor reference surface. When activated, the rain and light sensor au-
t
om
atic
ally controls the windscreen washer
intervals depending on the intensity of the
rainfall. »
109
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
Maximum cooling power or heating power in
the c a
se of
Climatronic
When driving, the maximum cooling power or
heating power can be adjusted by pressing
the 1 or
2
› ››
Fig. 144
b
utton repeatedly.
The temperature is not regulated.
● Maximum cooling power: adjus
t the tem-
perature below +16°C (+60°F). The display
then shows LO.
● Maximum heating power: adjus
t the tem-
perature above +29°C (+84°F). The display
then shows HI.
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter should be changed
regularly in order to maintain air conditioner
performance.
If the vehicle is used frequently in areas
where the outside air is highly polluted, it
may be necessary to change the filter before
the next scheduled service.
Water under the vehicle
If the humidity and temperature outside the
vehicle are high, condensation can drip off
the evaporator in the cooling system and
form a small pool underneath the vehicle.
This is normal and does not indicate a leak! Driving
St op
pin
g and starting the en-
gine
Switching on the ignition and starting
the engine Fig. 145
Vehicle key positions Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 20
Immobiliser display
When an invalid key is used or in the event of
a system fault, is displayed on the instru-
ment panel. The engine cannot be started.
Pushing or towing
For technical reasons, the vehicle must not
be push- or tow-started. Jump starting is pref-
erable. Key not authorised for the vehicle
If a key
which is not authorised for this vehi-
cle is inserted in the ignition lock, it can be
removed as follows:
● Automatic gearbox : the key c
annot be re-
moved from the ignition lock. Press and re-
lease the selector lever locking button. Key
can be removed from the vehicle.
● Manual gearbox: Remov
e the key from the
ignition. WARNING
Switching off the engine while driving makes
st op
ping the vehicle difficult. As a conse-
quence you may lose control of the vehicle
and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The assisted braking and steering systems,
the airbag sys
tem, seat belts and certain
safety equipment are only active while the
engine is running.
● The engine should only be switched off
when the vehic
le is at a standstill. WARNING
While the engine is running or starting it
cou l
d help reduce the risk of serious injury.
● Never start or leave the engine running in
poorly v
entilated or closed spaces. Exhaust
gas contains carbon monoxide, a toxic, col-
ourless and odourless gas. Carbon monoxide
can cause people to lose consciousness. It
can also cause death. » 133
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
braking distance or even result in the total
fai
lur
e of the brake system.
● Reduce speed or change down a gear when
faced w
ith steep and long slopes. This allows
you to use the engine braking effect and to
reduce the strain on the brake system. Other-
wise, the brakes may overheat and fail. Only
use the brakes to reduce speed or to stop. Note
Make use, when having the front brake pads
c hec k
ed, and have the rear pads checked al-
so. The thickness of the brake pads should be
checked visually and regularly, by looking
through the openings in the wheel rims or
from underneath the vehicle. If necessary, re-
move the wheels to check them thoroughly.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service. Changing gear
Intr oduction When reverse gear is engaged and the igni-
tion i
s
sw
itched on the following takes place:
● Reverse lights light up.
● The rear wiper blade performs one move-
ment when the wind
screen wiper is activa-
ted. ●
If nece
ssary, connect the parking distance
warning system. WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction
and skid din
g, especially on slippery ground.
This could cause loss of control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident and considerable
damage.
● Use rapid acceleration only when visibility,
weather
, road conditions and traffic permit. WARNING
Do not allow the brakes to “rub” for a pro-
long ed period of
time, or brake frequently or
for long periods of time. Continuous braking
heats up the brakes. This could significantly
reduce braking power, increase braking dis-
tance or even result in the total failure of the
brake system. Control and warning lamps
It lights up red
Fault in the auto-
matic gearbox.
Do not drive on!
Seek professional advice. Failure to
do so could result in considerable
damage to the transmission
››› page 146.
It lights up yellow
In the automatic
gearbox the
gears can en-
gage incorrectly.Switch the ignition on and off.
When the control lamp does not
light up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the auto-
matic gearbox checked.
The automatic
gearbox over-
heats temporari-
ly.Let the transmission cool with the
gearbox lever in the position .
When the control lamp does not
light up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the auto-
matic gearbox checked.
It lights up
Place the automatic
gearbox lever in the
position
and do not
press the brake pedal.
Press the brake pedal to select
a gear range.
Together with the yel-
low control lamp for
the temperature of the
transmission
: the
automatic gearbox
overheats.
Press brake pedal and let the
transmission cool. Avoid
pressing the accelerator. When
the control lamp does not light
up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the
automatic gearbox checked.
Together with the turn
signal display in the
instrument panel dis-
play: the automatic
gearbox lever is not in
the position
, indica-
tion to start the en-
gine.
Move the gearbox lever to the
position and start the en-
gine. 142
Operation
ahead as you drive and keep a safe distance
fr om the
v
ehicle in front, it is possible to slow
down by simply lifting your foot off the accel-
erator. This eliminates the need for constant
braking and acceleration.
Calm and steady driving
Constancy is more important than speed: The
more you drive at a constant speed, the lower
the fuel consumption.
When driving on the motorway, it is more effi-
cient to drive at a constant and more moder-
ate speed than to be continuously accelerat-
ing and braking. As a general rule, you will
reach your destination just as quickly when
you drive at a constant speed.
The cruise control function helps you to ach-
ieve a constant style of driving.
Moderate use of additional devices
It is important to travel in comfort, but con-
venience systems should be used ecological-
ly.
Some equipment, when connected, increase
fuel consumption considerably, for example:
● Air conditioning cooling system: If the air
conditioning sy
stem is required to cool to
significantly lower temperatures than the true
outside temperature, it will require a large
amount of energy from the engine. Therefore,
we recommend that the selected temperature for the vehicle is not too different to the out-
side temper
ature. It is a good idea to air the
vehicle before starting your journey and to
drive a short distance with the windows
open. Then you can close the windows and
switch on the air conditioning. Keep windows
closed when travelling at high speeds. Driv-
ing with the windows open increases fuel
consumption.
● Switch off the seat heating when the seats
have w
armed up.
● Switch off the heated rear window when it
is not
moist or covered in ice.
Avoid short journeys
Fuel consumption is much higher when the
engine is cold, immediately after it has been
started. It takes a few kilometres of driving
for the engine to warm up and to normalise
consumption.
The engine and catalytic converter need to
reach their proper working temperature in or-
der to minimise fuel consumption and emis-
sions. The ambient temperature has a deci-
sive influence.
Fig. 150 shows the difference in consump-
tion for the same journey at +20°C (+68°F)
and at -10°C (+14°F).
Therefore, unnecessary short journeys
should be avoided. Try to combine trips. The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in
summer, ev
en when other conditions are the
same.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. In addition, mechanical
wear and pollutant emissions are also espe-
cially high during this initial warm-up phase.
It is therefore best to drive off immediately af-
ter starting the engine. Doing this avoids run-
ning the engine at a high speed.
Adjusting type pressures.
Having the correct pressure in your tyres
helps to reduce rolling resistance and, as a
result reduces fuel consumption. Increasing
the tyre pressure slightly (+0.2
bar/+3 psi/+200 kPa) can help to save fuel.
When you buy new tyres, make sure they are
optimised for minimum rolling resistance.
Use low friction engine oil
The use of low viscosity totally synthetic oils,
known as low friction engine oil, helps to re-
duce fuel consumption. These oils reduce the
resistance caused by friction in the engine,
they flow around the engine more quickly
and efficiently, particularly in cold starts. The
effect is particularly noticeable in vehicles
frequently used for short journeys.
Always check the engine oil level and ob-
serve service intervals (engine oil change in-
tervals).
150
Operation
Catalytic converter The catalytic converter permits the subse-
quent tr
e
atment of the exhaust gases thus
reducing contaminating gas emissions. To
ensure a longer working life for the exhaust
system and catalytic converter in a petrol en-
gine:
● Always use unleaded petrol.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry.
● Do not top up with too much engine oil
›››
page 189.
● Do not tow-start the vehicle; use the starter
cab l
es ›››
page 43.
If you should notice misfiring, uneven run-
ning or loss of power when the car is moving,
reduce speed immediately. Have the car in-
spected by a specialised workshop. If this
happens, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust
system and escape into the atmosphere. The
catalytic converter can also be damaged by
overheating. For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is
work in
g perfectly, there may be a smell of
sulphur under certain conditions. This de-
pends on the sulphur content of the fuel
used. Driving tips
Driv in
g abr
oad In some countries, certain safety regulations
and requir
ements
are in force relating to ex-
haust gas emissions, which differ from the
technical characteristics of the vehicle. Be-
fore travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you
consult a technical service about the legal re-
quirements and the following points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifica-
tions f
or driving abroad, for example, adjust-
ment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diag-
nostic
s equipment and spare parts required
for inspections and repairs?
● Are there any SEAT dealers in the destina-
tion countr
y?
● For petrol vehicles: Is unleaded petrol avail-
able at
the right octane rating?
● For diesel engines: is diesel fuel available
with a low s
ulphur content?
● Are a suitable engine oil ( ›››
page 189) and
other engine fluids complying with SEAT
specifications available in the destination
country?
● Are special tyres required in the destination
countr
y? CAUTION
SEAT does not accept liability for any damage
to the v
ehicle due to the use of a lower quali-
ty fuel, an inadequate service or the non-
availability of genuine spare parts. Driving through flooded roadways
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driv-
ing thr
ough w
ater, for example, along a floo-
ded road, please observe the following:
● Check the depth of the water before enter-
ing the flooded z
one. The water should never
come above the lower edge of the bodywork
››› .
● Do not drive faster than a pedestrian.
● Do not stop in the water, use reverse gear
or sw it
c
h off the engine.
● Oncoming traffic will cause waves which
raise the l
evel of the water, making it difficult
to cross the water.
● Disconnect the Start-Stop system whenever
cro
ssing water. WARNING
When driving through water, mud, melted
sno w
, etc., please remember that due to
damp or frozen brake discs and shoes in win-
ter, the braking effect may be delayed, there-
fore the required braking distance is greater. 152
Driver assistance systems
●
Any r
eparation of the laser sensor requires
specialist knowledge. SEAT recommends tak-
ing your car in for technical service. Note
● If the C ity
Safety Assist function activates a
brake, the brake pedal range is reduced. This
makes the brake pedal seem “harder”.
● Automatic brake intervention by the City
Safety As
sist function can be cancelled by
pressing the clutch pedal, the accelerator
pedal or by a corrective intervention.
● During automatic braking by the City Safety
Assi
st function you may hear unusual noises.
This is normal and is produced in the brake
system. Warning and control lamp
The City Safety Assist function is switched on
ev
er
y
time the ignition is switched on. No
special indication is produced.
If the City Safety Assist function is switched
off or on, or if there is an error in the system,
it will be shown by a control lamp on the in-
strument panel display.
It lights up
The City Safety Assist
function has been
switched on manual-
ly using the
button ››› Fig. 155.
The control lamp turns off after
about 5 seconds.
Flashes
Fast: The City Safety
Assist system func-
tion brakes automat-
ically or has braked
automatically.
Control lamp turns off automati-
cally.
Slow: City Safety As-
sist function is not
currently available.
If the vehicle is stopped, switch
off the engine and switch it on
again. If necessary, inspect the
laser sensor (dirt, frost)
›››
in
Laser sensor on page 158. If it
still does not function, refer to a
Specialised workshop to have
the system inspected.
Flashes
Within the operating
area of 5-30 km/h
(3-19 mph): the City
Safety Assist func-
tion has been
switched off manual-
ly using the
button
››› Fig. 155.
Switch on the City Safety Assist
function manually using the
button ››› Fig. 155. Several warning and control lamps should
light
up f
or a f
ew seconds when the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is
being v
erified. They will switch off after a few
seconds. WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
ma y
stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appe ar m
ay result in faults in the vehicle. 157
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Possible malfunction in the laser sensor
If l
a
ser sensor operation is impaired, for ex-
ample due to heavy rain, mist, snow or dirt,
the City Safety Assist system function is tem-
porarily switched off. On the instrument pan-
el display the control lamp flashes.
When the fault in the laser sensor has been
rectified, the City Safety Assist system func-
tion automatically becomes available again.
The control lamp switches off.
The following conditions could prevent the
City Safety Assist system from functioning:
● Tight bends.
● Accelerator pressed all the way down to the
floor.
● If the C
ity Safety Assist system is switched
off or there i
s a fault ››› page 157.
● If the laser sensor is dirty, covered or over-
heated ›
›› page 158.
● In the event of snow, heavy rain or dense
fog.
● If ther
e are vehicles in front.
● Vehicles changing lanes.
● Vehicles moving in the opposite direction
in the same lane.
● V
ery dirty vehicles with a low degree of re-
flection.
● Pre
sence of thick dust. Hill driving assistant*
Operation This function is only included in vehicles with
ESC.
The hi
l
l driving assistant helps the driver to
move off and upward on a hill when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
The system maintains brake pressure for ap-
proximately two seconds after the driver
takes his foot off the brake pedal to prevent
the vehicle from lurching backward when it is
started. During these 2 seconds, the driver
has enough time to release the clutch pedal
and accelerate without the vehicle moving
and without having to use the handbrake,
making start-up easier, more comfortable
and safer.
These are the basic operation conditions:
● being on a ramp or hill/slope,
● doors closed,
● vehicle completely stationary,
● engine running and foot on the brake,
● besides having a gear engaged or being in
neutral f
or manual gear change and with the
selector lever at positions S, D or R in vehi-
cles with an automatic gearbox.
This system is also active when reversing up-
hill. WARNING
● If y
ou do not start the vehicle immediately
after taking your foot off the brake pedal, the
vehicle may start to roll back under certain
conditions. Depress the brake pedal or use
the hand brake immediately.
● If the engine stalls, depress the brake ped-
al or u
se the hand brake immediately.
● When following a line of traffic uphill, if you
want t
o prevent the vehicle from rolling back
accidentally when starting off, hold the brake
pedal down for a few seconds before starting
off. Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop
can t el
l you if your vehicle is equipped with
this system. Start-Stop System
C ontr
o
l lamps
It lights up
The Start-Stop system is enabled.
160