Driving
Flashes
An automatic gearbox
in the vehicle does
not guarantee that the
vehicle will not roll
away.Apply the handbrake.
Flashes
In the instrument pan-
el display, in addition
to the control lamp re-
questing the brake
pedal to be pressed
: indicated for start-
ing the engine.
Move the gearbox lever to the
position and start the en-
gine.
On the instrument
panel display: Whilst
driving in a forward di-
rection, try to move
the automatic gearbox
lever to the position
.
Stop the vehicle and move the
gearbox lever to the position in order to subsequently
change to the position .
On the instrument
panel display: The au-
tomatic gearbox lever
was placed in the po-
sition
or , but the
brake pedal was not
pressed.
Press the brake pedal, move
the gearbox lever to the posi-
tion
, and subsequently to
the required position or . When switching on the ignition some warn-
in
g and indic
ation l
amps light up for a short
time to check the operations. They will switch
off after a few seconds. Manual gear change
Fig. 147
Gear shift pattern of a 5-speed man-
ual g
e
arbox Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 26
Shifting down a gear
Shifting down a gear while driving must be
carried out gear by gear, i.e. to the gear im-
mediately preceding the current gear and at
an engine speed that is not excessive ››› .
At high s
peed
s, or high engine speeds, skip-
ping one or various gears when shifting
down a gear can cause damage to the clutch
and the gearbox, even if the clutch is not en-
gaged during the process ››› .
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will
st ar
t to move as soon as a gear is engaged
and the clutch released. ●
Never en g
age the reverse gear when a vehi-
cle is moving forward. WARNING
As a consequence of shifting down a gear in-
c orr ectly
, you may lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident with serious conse-
quences. CAUTION
If, at high speeds or high engine speeds, the
ge ar l
ever is shifted down to a gear that is too
low, serious damage can be caused to the
clutch and gearbox. This may also happen if
you press the clutch pedal and it does not en-
gage. CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature
we ar
, please observe the following:
● While driving, do not leave your hand rest-
ing on the ge
ar stick. The pressure applied by
your hand is transmitted to the gearbox se-
lector forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-
ly st
opped before engaging the reverse gear.
● When changing gear, always make sure the
clutc
h pedal is pushed right to the floor.
● Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on
hill
s with the engine on. 143
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Automatic gear change Fig. 148
Automatic gearbox diagram of gears Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 27
Move the selector lever to the N position to:
● Starting up the engine
● Remove the key from the ignition switch
● Engage the steering wheel lock
Move the sel
ector lever to the D or R position
to:
● Park the vehicle
● Repair a puncture
● Changing a wheel
To mov
e the gear selector lever from the posi-
tion N to D or to R, first press and hold the
brake pedal. In the instrument panel display, with the igni-
tion switc
hed on, the selected gear range or
the gear engaged in the gearbox is shown.
- Reverse gear
Reverse gear is selected. Engage only when
the vehicle is stopped.
- Neutral
The gearbox is in neutral. No movement is
transmitted to the wheels and the engine
does not act as a brake.
- Standard driving position
The gears are changed (up and down) auto-
matically. The gear shifts are determined by
the engine load, your individual driving style
and the speed of the vehicle.
- Tiptronic driving position (manual shift
programme)
All gears can be changed (up and down)
manually ››› page 145. This is possible as
long as the system is not changing gear auto-
matically due to a traffic situation. WARNING
Placing the selector lever in an incorrect posi-
tion ma y
cause loss of control of the vehicle
and a serious accident.
● Do not press the accelerator when engag-
ing a ran
ge of gears. ●
With the en gine ru
nning and a gear range
selected, the vehicle will move when the ac-
celerator is pressed.
● Never engage reverse gear while driving.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle
coul
d cause serious injury.
● As a driver, you should never leave your ve-
hicle if
the engine is running and a gear range
is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle
while the engine is running, you must always
apply the handbrake and put the selector lev-
er in position N.
● Never engage the R gear range when the
vehicl
e is moving.
● Never leave the vehicle without applying
the handbrak
e. With the engine running the
vehicle moves downhill regardless of the gear
range selected. Note
If, while driving, the selector lever is acciden-
ta l
ly placed in position N, lift your foot off the
accelerator. Wait until the engine is running
at idle speed before selecting a new gear
range. 144
Driving
Note
The recommended gear display is switched
off when the c lut
ch pedal is pressed.Steering
Introduction The power steering* is not hydraulic but elec-
tromec
h
anical. The advantage of this steer-
ing system is that it disposes of hydraulic
tubes, hydraulic oil, the pump, filter and oth-
er components. The electromechanical sys-
tem saves fuel. While a hydraulic system re-
quires oil pressure to be maintained, electro-
mechanical steering only requires energy
when the steering wheel is turned.
With the power steering system, the assisted
steering function automatically adjusts ac-
cording to the vehicle speed, the steering tor-
que and the wheel turning angle. The power
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning. WARNING
If the power steering is not working then the
st eerin
g wheel is much more difficult to turn
and the vehicle more difficult to control.
● The power steering only works when the
engine is
running. ●
Never a l
low the vehicle to move when the
engine is switched off.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. The steering may
lock and it will not be possible to turn the
steering wheel. Control and warning lamps
It lights up red
Power steer-
ing faulty.The steering system should be checked
by a specialised workshop as soon as
possible.
It lights up yellow
Power steer-
ing opera-
tion re-
duced.
The steering system should be checked
by a specialised workshop as soon as
possible.
If, after restarting the engine and driv-
ing for a short distance, the yellow
warning lamp no longer comes on, it will
not be necessary to take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop.
Flashes red
Fault in the
steering col-
umn elec-
tronic lock.
Do not drive on!
Seek professional advice.
It flashes yellow
Steering col-
umn devia-
tion.Gently turn the steering wheel to and
fro.
Steering
wheel not
unlocked or
locked.
Remove the key from the ignition and
then switch the ignition back on. If nec-
essary, check the messages 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 assis-
tance. Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or a f
ew sec
onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. 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. 147
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Information on the steering To prevent theft, we recommend you lock the
st
eerin
g before leaving the vehicle.
Steering column mechanical lock
Lock the steering column by removing the
key from the ignition when the vehicle is
stopped.
Please engage steer-
ing lockUnlocking the steering
Parking the vehicle
››› page 135.Insert the key in the igni-
tion lock.
Remove the key from the
ignition.Turn the steering wheel
slightly to release the
steering lock.
Turn the steering wheel
slightly until you hear the
steering lock.Hold the steering wheel in
this position and switch
on the ignition. Electromechanical power steering
W
ith the po
w
er steering system, the assisted
steering function automatically adjusts ac-
cording to the vehicle speed, the steering tor-
que and the wheel turning angle. The power
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning.
You should remember that you will need con-
siderably more power than normal to steer
the vehicle if the power steering is not work-
ing correctly or not at all. Run-in and economical driving
Runnin
g in Please observe the instructions for running-in
new components.
R u
nning-in the engine
The engine needs to be run in over the first
1,500 km. During its first few hours of run-
ning, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving
parts have bedded down.
How the vehicle is driven for the first 1,500
km influences the future engine perform-
ance. Throughout the life of the vehicle, it
should be driven at a moderate speed, espe-
cially when the engine is cold, as this will re-
duce engine wear and increase its useful life.
Never drive at extremely low engine speeds.
Change down to a lower gear when the en-
gine no longer runs “smoothly”. Up to 1,000
kilometres the following instructions apply:
● Do not use full throttle.
● Do not force the engine above two thirds of
its m ax
imum speed.
Between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres, gradu-
ally increase power until reaching the maxi-
mum speed and high engine speeds. Running in new tyres and brake pads
●
Replacement of wheel rims and new tyres
›››
page 200
● Notes on the brakes ›››
page 135 For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the
engine w i
ll be increased and the engine oil
consumption reduced. Environmental compatibility
Environmental protection is a top priority in
the de
s
ign, c
hoice of materials and manufac-
ture of your new SEAT.
Constructive measures to encourage recy-
cling
● Joints and connections designed for easy
dismantlin
g.
● Modular construction to facilitate disman-
tling.
● Incr
eased use of single-grade materials.
● Plastic parts and elastomers are marked in
accor
dance with ISO 1043, ISO 11469 and
ISO 1629.
Choice of materials
● Use of recycled materials.
148
Driving
When purchasing engine oil, always observe
l e
g
al requirements and ensure that the oil is
approved by SEAT.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical
and ecological the driving style. For example,
an additional weight of 100 kg will increase
fuel consumption up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove any unnecessary objects or loads
from the vehicle.
Remove optional equipment and unnecessa-
ry accessories
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the lower
the fuel consumption. Optional equipment
and accessories (such as roof racks or bike
carriers) reduce the aerodynamic benefits of
the vehicle.
Therefore, we recommend you remove all op-
tional and unnecessary equipment and racks,
especially if you intend to drive at high
speeds.
Other factors which increase fuel consump-
tion (examples):
● Fault in engine management.
● Driving on hills. WARNING
Always adapt your speed and the distance to
the v ehic
les ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation. Engine management and ex-
hau
s
t gas purification system
Introduction WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
ver y
high temperatures. This could cause a
fire.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhau
st system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as dried grass).
● Never apply additional underseal or anti-
corro
sion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter or the heat shields on the ex-
haust system. Control and warning lamps
It lights up
fault in the pet-
rol engine man-
agement.Take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop as soon as possible and
have the engine checked.
It lights up
Fault in the
emission control
system.Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest specialised workshop to
have the engine checked.
Flashes
Combustion
fault which could
damage the cat-
alytic converter.Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest specialised workshop to
have the engine checked.
Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or a f
ew sec
onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and to the c orr
esponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle. Note
While the or c
ontrol lamps remain lit,
the engine may have faults, there will be
higher fuel consumption and a possible loss
of engine power. 151
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
●
When cl e
aning the sensors with high-pres-
sure or steam cleaning equipment, spray the
sensors briefly at a distance of no less than
10 cm.
● Different sources of noise can produce er-
rors
in the parking distance warning system,
e.g. parking distance warning systems from
other vehicles, inductive loops or construc-
tion works machines.
● Retrofitting of components to the vehicle,
such a
s a bicycle carrier, may interfere with
the function of the parking distance warning
system. Parking distance warning system
Fig. 151
Parking distance warning system
sen sor
s
on the rear bumper The sensors of the parking distance warning
sy
s
t
em are situated on the rear bumper
››› Fig. 151. Switching the parking distance warning sys-
tem on and off
●
Swit
ching on: With the ignition swit
ched
on, select reverse gear. A short audible warn-
ing confirms that the parking distance warn-
ing system is switched on and functioning.
● Switching off: Rele
ase reverse gear.
Special features of the parking distance
warning system
● The parking distance warning system
sometimes r
egisters water on the sensors as
an obstacle.
● If the distance does not change, the warn-
ing sign
al will sound less loudly after a few
seconds. If the continuous signal sounds, the
volume will remain constant.
● When the vehicle moves away from the ob-
stac
le, the beeping sound automatically
switches off. When getting close again, it re-
connects.
● Your SEAT dealership can adjust the volume
of the warnin
g signals. Note
A fault in the parking distance warning sys-
tem i s
indicated through a brief audible warn-
ing that is constant for about 3 seconds when
switching it on the first time. Check the park-
ing distance warning system at a Specialised
workshop as soon as possible. Optical parking system* (OPS)
Fig. 152
On-screen OPS display: A has de-
tect ed an o
bstacle in the collision zone; B has detected an obstacle in the segment;
C zone recorded behind the vehicle.
The optical parking system is an extension of
the p
ark
in
g distance warning system
››› page 154.
The radio screen displays the area behind the
vehicle recorded by the sensors. Any obsta-
cles are displayed in relation to the vehicle
››› .
FunctionNecessary operations
Switching the
display on:Switching on the
››› page 154 park-
ing distance warning system. The
OPS switches on automatically.
Switching the
display off man-
ually:Release reverse gear. 154
Driver assistance systems
Zones explored
B ehind the
v
ehicle ››› Fig. 152 C , the zone
an aly
sed r
eaches a distance of up to 150 cm
and around 60 cm to the sides.
Screen display
The image displayed represents the super-
vised zones in several segments. As the vehi-
cle moves closer to an obstacle, the segment
moves closer to the vehicle displayed A or
B . When the penultimate segment is dis-
p l
a
yed, this means that the vehicle has
reached the collision zone. Stop the vehicle!
Distance from
the vehicle to
the obstacleAudible
warning
Displayed in col-
our on the screen: colour of the seg-ment if an obsta-cle is recognised
behind:
approx. 31-150
cmbeeping soundYellow
behind:
approx. 0-30 cmperma- nent
soundRed WARNING
Do not be distracted from traffic to look at the
sc r
een. Note
● SEA T r
ecommends practising using the
parking distance warning system in a traffic-
free zone or in a car park to familiarise your-
self with the system and its operation.
● The display on the radio screen of the area
explor
ed by the sensors may take up to 5 sec-
onds. Cruise control* (Cruise control
sys
t
em - CCS)
Control lamp
It lights upPossible cause
This cruise control system maintains the
set speed of the vehicle.
Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or a f
ew sec
onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. 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. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appe ar m
ay result in faults in the vehicle. Cruise control operation
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 24
The cruise control system (CCS) is able to in-
dividually maintain the set speed when driv-
ing forwards from approx. 20 km/h (15 mph).
The CCS only slows down by reducing the ac-
celerator but not by braking ››› .
T r
av
elling 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 increase the stored speed by press-
ing the acc
elerator pedal for a certain time.
● If the brake pedal is pressed. »
155
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
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