
Operation
Air conditioning
He atin
g and air c
onditioning
General notes The power of the heating depends on the
temper
at
ure of the coolant. Therefore, maxi-
mum power is only obtained when the en-
gine has reached operating temperature.
The temperature and humidity of the air in-
side the vehicle decrease when the cooling
system is turned on. This therefore increases
the comfort of all vehicle occupants when
outside temperatures and humidity are high.
It also helps prevent the windows from mist-
ing over during cold periods of the year.
The air recirculation system can be switched
on temporarily to increase the cooling effect.
Keep the air intake slots in front of the wind-
screen clear of ice, snow or leaves to ensure
unimpaired heating and cooling.
When the air conditioning is on, condensa-
tion can drip from the evaporator in the air
cooling system and form a pool underneath
the vehicle. This is normal and does not indi-
cate a leak! WARNING
● All
windows must be clear of ice, snow and
condensation for driving safety. Therefore, make sure you familiarise yourself with the
corr
ect
use of heating and ventilation, win-
dow demisting and defrosting and cooling.
● Never use the air recirculation system for
too long, a
s it prevents fresh air from enter-
ing the vehicle and used air can cause tired-
ness, reduce your attention span and cause
the windows to mist over. This increases the
risk of an accident. Switch off the air recircu-
lation system as soon as the windows begin
to mist over. WARNING
Do not switch off Climatronic for longer than
nece s
sary.
● Switch Climatronic back on as soon as the
window
s begin to mist over. Note
● Used air e s
capes through ventilation slots
in the rear of the luggage compartment.
● Smoking is not recommended while the air
recir
culation system is in use, as the smoke
drawn from the interior of the vehicle settles
in the evaporator of the air conditioning sys-
tem. This causes a persistent, unpleasant
smell while the system is running that is
time-consuming and expensive (evaporator
replacement) to eliminate.
● To guarantee proper operation, never cover
the air outlets
in the luggage compartment. Economic use of the air-conditioning
sy
s
t
em When the air conditioning is switched on, the
compr
e
ssor consumes engine power and has
influence on fuel consumption.
If the vehicle interior has overheated due to
excessive solar radiation, it is best to open
the windows or doors to allow the hot air to
escape.
While in motion, the air conditioning should
not be switched on if the windows are open.
If the interior temperature can be reached
without switching on the air conditioning, the
fresh air mode should be used. For the sake of the environment
Saving fuel reduces emissions. Faults
If the air conditioning does not work at out-
s
ide t
emper
atures above +5°C (+41°F) then
the system is faulty. This may be due to one
of the following reasons:
● One of the fuses has blown. Check the fuse
and repl
ace if necessary ›››
page 81.
146

Operation
Heating and fresh air Oper ation Fig. 170
Heating: controls. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 39
Temperature selection
– Turn rotary control A
› ›
› Fig. 170
clockwise
to increase the temperature.
– Turn rotary control A anti-clockwise to re-
duc e the t
emper
ature.
Blower selection
– Turn rotary control B
› ›
› Fig. 170
to posi-
tion 1 to 4 to switch the blower on.
– Turn rotary control B to position 0 to
sw it
c
h the blower off. –
Pres
s button 1
› ›› in Air recirculation
on p ag
e 148
to close the fresh air vent.
Air distribution selection – Turn rotary control C
› ››
Fig. 170
t
o select
the air vents ››› page 147, Air vents you
wish to activate.
All controls, except control B
› ››
Fig. 170
,
c
an be set to any intermediate position.
Leave the blower activated at all times to pre-
vent the windows from misting over. Note
If the system is set so that all of the air is
used t o defr
ost the windows, no air is sup-
plied to the footwell area. This could limit
heating comfort. Air recirculation
Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells,
e.
g. when p
a
ssing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic, from entering the interior.
If the rotary switch C
› ›
›
Fig. 170 is in the
thaw position, the recirculation flap will al-
ways be open (button light off).
If the rotary switch C is switched from any
po sition t
o the thaw position, recirculation
will be automatically deactivated. Connecting the recirculation
In any po
sition of rotary switch C except
th a
w:
● Pr
ess button 1
› ››
Fig. 170
, the sw
itch's
lamp will light up, indicating that air recircu-
lation inside the vehicle has been activated.
Disconnecting the recirculation
In any position of rotary switch C except
th a
w:
● Pr
ess button 1 again and the button's
l amp w
i
ll go off, indicating that air recircula-
tion from the outside has been activated.
In the thaw position of rotary switch C , the
entr y
of
air into the vehicle interior is always
from the outside. WARNING
Read and observe the safety warnings ›››
in
Genera l
notes on page 146. Air conditioning (manual)*
Gener a
l
notes The air cooling system only works if button
2
› ›
›
Fig. 171 ›››
page 149 is pressed
and under the following conditions:
● The engine is running,
148

Air conditioning
● The outs ide t
emper
ature is above +2°C
(+36°F),
● The blower control is in position 1–4.
When the coolin
g system is on and under cer-
tain conditions, air can be blown from the
vents at a temperature of approximately +5°C
(+41°F). In the event of prolonged, irregular
distribution of the air flow from the outlets
and significant differences in temperature,
e.g. on leaving the vehicle, sensitive people
may catch cold. Note
A visit to the specialised service once a year
is r
ecommended to clean the air conditioning
system. Manual operation
Fig. 171
Air conditioning: controls. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 38
Temperature selection – Turn rotary control A
› ››
Fig. 171
c
lockwise
to increase the temperature.
– Turn rotary control A anti-clockwise to re-
duc e the t
emper
ature.
Blower selection
– Turn rotary control B
› ››
Fig. 171
t
o posi-
tion 1 to 4 to switch the blower on.
– Turn rotary control B to position 0 to
sw it
c
h the blower off.
– Press button 1
› ›
› p
age 149, Air recir-
culation to close the fresh air vent.
Air distribution selection – Turn rotary control C
› ›
› Fig. 171
to select
the air vents ››› page 147 you wish to acti-
vate.
Switching cooling on and off
– Press button 2
› ›
› Fig. 171
and the
lamp in the button will illuminate.
– Press button 2 again and the light in
the b utt
on w
ill switch off. Coldest setting
– On turning the control A to the coldest
settin g (b
lue indic
ator), buttons 1 and
2
light up.
– The r ec
irculation function is activated auto-
matical
ly in order to cool faster. Note
● If the air di s
tribution is directed towards
the windows, all, of the heating power is
used to defrost the windscreen. No warm air
is directed to the footwell area. This could
limit heating comfort.
● The AC button lamp w
ill illuminate after
the system has been switched on, even if not
all of the cooling system's operating condi-
tions are met. Cooling is indicated as availa-
ble once all of the conditions are met
››› page 148, General notes . Air recirculation
Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells,
e.
g. when p
a
ssing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic, from entering the interior.
If the rotary switch C
› ›
›
Fig. 171 is in the
thaw position, the recirculation flap will al-
ways be open (button light off).
If the rotary switch C is switched from any
po sition t
o the thaw position, recirculation
will be automatically deactivated. »
149
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Air conditioning
The system also allows for the effect of sun-
light, so ther e i
s
no need for manual adjust-
ment. It also has a humidity sensor that
helps to automatically demist the wind-
screen.
Automatic operations ››› page 151 guaran-
tee maximum comfort any time of year.
Climatronic description
Cooling only works if the following conditions
are met:
● The engine is running
● the outside temperature is above +2°C
(+36°F);
● ››› Fig. 172 18 turned on.
St ar
tin
g the Climatronic
The corresponding function will be switched
on when a button is pressed, turning on the
air conditioning if it was switched off, with
the exception of button 17 (recirculation).
Sw it
c
hing off the Climatronic
● Turn control 10 to the left until the seg-
ments of
c
olumn 9
› ›
› Fig. 172 switch off.
● After 1 second has elapsed, turn the control
again t
o switch off the display.
In order to ensure engines subject to heavy
loads are cooled, the air conditioning com-
pressor is switched off in the event of high
coolant temperatures. Recommended setting for all seasons of the
year
● Set
the required temperature. We recom-
mend +22°C (+72°F).
● Pre
ss the button 13
› ››
Fig. 172
.
● Adju
st vents 3 and 4 ›››
page 147 so that
the air flow is directed slightly upwards.
Change between degrees Centigrade and de-
grees Fahrenheit
Keep the and buttons ››› Fig. 172
held down for 2 seconds at the same time.
The data is displayed on the screen in the
units required. Note
● A v i
sit to the specialised service once a
year is recommended to clean the Climatronic
system.
● The interior temperature sensor 11 ›››
Fig. 172 is at
the bottom. Do not cover it
with stickers or the like, as this could have a
negative effect on Climatronic operations. Automatic mode
Automatic mode is used to maintain a con-
s
t
ant
temperature and demist the windows
inside the vehicle. Switching on automatic mode
● Set a interior temperature between +16°C
(+64°F) and +29°C (+84°F).
● Adjus
t vents 3 ›››
page 147 and 4 so that
the air flow is directed slightly upwards.
● Press the button 13
› ››
Fig. 172
, and
AUTO i
s displayed on the screen.
Automatic mode is switched off by pressing
the air distribution buttons or increasing or
decreasing the blower speed. However, the
temperature remains regulated.
Adjusting the temperature ●
When you switch on the ignition, control 1 ›››
Fig. 172 can be u sed t
o set the required in-
terior temperature.
It is possible to select interior temperatures
from +16°C (+64°F) to +29°C (+84°F). In this
range the temperature is regulated automati-
cally. If a temperature below +16°C (+64°F) is
selected, “LO” is displayed on the screen. If a
temperature above +29°C (+84°F) is selected,
“HI” is displayed on the screen. At both ex-
tremes, Climatronic works at maximum cool-
ing or heating power, respectively. The tem-
perature is not regulated. »
151
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
●
Never l e
ave the vehicle unattended if the
engine is running.
● Never switch the engine off until the vehi-
cle h
as come to a complete stop. Risk of acci-
dent! CAUTION
● Turnin g the s
teering wheel fully in either
direction when the vehicle is stationary and
the engine is in gear puts the power steering
under great stress. This could lead to noise.
Never leave the steering wheel turned fully in
either direction for more than 15 seconds.
Risk of damage to the power steering system!
● The starter motor may only be used (key
position 3
››› Fig. 173 ›
›› page 154 in the ig-
nition) if the engine is off. Using the starter
motor when the engine is running could dam-
age it.
● Immediately release the ignition key when
the engine st
arts, otherwise damage could be
caused to the starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid
high engine speed
s, driving at full throttle
and over-loading the engine before it reaches
operating temperature. Risk of engine dam-
age!
● Do not tow-start the engine. Risk of engine
damag
e! In vehicles with a catalytic convert-
er, fuel that has not been burned could reach
the catalytic converter and catch fire in it.
This would lead to a fault in the catalytic con-
verter. You may use the battery from another vehicle to help you start your engine
›› ›
page 52.
● After prolonged and demanding operation
of the engine, when the j
ourney has ended,
do not stop the engine immediately. Let the
engine run at idle for about one more minute.
This will stop the engine from overheating. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine when the vehicle
i s s
tationary. If possible, move off immediate-
ly after starting the engine. This will help the
engine reach operating temperature more
quickly, reducing the quantity of emissions. Note
● The engine c an on
ly be started with the
original SEAT key.
● Loud running noises may be heard briefly
after c
old-starting the engine. This is normal
and is no cause for concern.
● After the engine has been stopped and the
ignition switc
hed off, the radiator fan may
continue running for around 10 minutes.
● If the engine still does not start after a sec-
ond attempt, the fuel
pump fuse might have
blown. Check it and replace if necessary
››› page 81 or contact your Specialised Serv-
ice.
● You should always engage the steering lock
when you e
xit the vehicle. This will hinder
any attempts at theft. Power steering
The power steering allows you to turn the
st
eerin
g wheel more easily.
If the power steering fails or the engine is off
(towing), it is still possible to turn the vehi-
cle's steering wheel fully. However, you need
more strength to steer the vehicle.
Driver control lamps and warnings (in red) Faulty steering! To
park the vehicle
If the warning lamp remains on and the driver
indication appears, the power steering could
be faulty.
Do not continue driving. Seek specialist as-
sistance. (in yellow) Steering: System
fault! You may continue driving.
If the warning lamp comes on, the steering
could react with more difficultly or more sen-
sitivity than normal. In addition, when driving
in a straight line the steering wheel may be
off-centre.
Drive slowly to a specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired. (in yellow) Steering lock:
fault! Go to an Official Service
The electronic steering lock is malfunction-
ing. »
153
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Go to a specialised workshop as soon as
po s
s
ible and have the fault repaired. WARNING
Take it immediately to a specialised work-
shop and hav e the f
ault repaired: risk of acci-
dent! Note
If the lamp (in red) or (in
yellow) lights
up briefly, you may continue driving. Start-up lock security system (immo-
b
i
li
ser) There is an electronic chip in the key. The
el
ectr
onic
immobiliser is deactivated when
the key is inserted into the ignition. The elec-
tronic immobiliser is automatically activated
when the key is removed from the ignition.
The engine will not start if an unauthorised
key is used.
The informative display indicates:
Immobiliser active! Ignition lock
Fig. 173
Ignition key positions. Petrol engines
1 – Ignition switched off, engine stopped,
s t
eerin
g can be locked
2 – Ignition switched on
3 – Starting
Die sel
en
gines
1 – Fuel supply stopped, ignition switched
off , en
gine s
topped, steering can be locked
2 – Engine pre-heating, ignition switched
on
3 – Starting
T o en
g
age the Steering lock without the key
in the ignition, turn the steering wheel slight-
ly until you hear it engage. If the
steering lock is engaged and it i
s diffi-
cult or impossible to turn the key to position 2 , release the lock by turning the steering
wheel s
lightly
in both directions.
154

Driving
Starter button Fig. 174
In the steering column: start-up
p u
sh b
utton for the Keyless Access lock and
start-up system. The layout in right-hand
drive vehicles is symmetrical. Fig. 175
Emergency ignition in vehicles with
K eyl
e
ss Access. The start-up button may only be used if there
i
s a
valid key in the vehicle. Opening the driver's door
when exitin
g the
vehicle activates the electronic lock on the
steering column if the ignition is disabled.
Switching the ignition on/off
● Briefly push the start-up button ›››
Fig. 174
without touching the brake or clutch ped-
al ››› .
Emer g
ency
starting function
If no valid key is detected inside the vehicle,
an emergency start-up will be required. The
relevant message will appear in the dash
panel display. This may happen when, for ex-
ample, the vehicle key battery is very low or
flat:
● Immediately after pushing the start-up but-
ton, keep the
vehicle key next to the steering
column ››› Fig. 175.
● The ignition connects and the engine starts
automatic
ally.
Emergency disconnection
If the engine does not stop after briefly press-
ing the start-up button, an emergency dis-
connect will be required:
● Press the starter button twice within 1 sec-
ond or pres
s it once for more than 2 seconds
››› .
● The engine turns off automatically. Engine restart feature
If
no
v
alid key is detected inside the vehicle
after the engine stops, you will only have 5
seconds to restart it. A warning will display
on the dash panel screen.
After this interval, it will not be possible to
start the engine without a valid key inside
the vehicle. WARNING
Any accidental movement of the vehicle could
re s
ult in serious injury.
● When pressing the start-up button, do not
pre
ss the brake or clutch pedal, this way the
engine will start immediately. WARNING
If vehicle keys are used negligently or with-
out due c ar
e, this may cause accidents and
serious injury.
● Never leave any key inside the vehicle
when exitin
g. Otherwise, a child or unauthor-
ised person could lock the vehicle, start the
engine or connect the ignition and, in this
way, operate electronic equipment (e.g. the
windows). Note
● In diesel
vehicles with the Keyless Access
system, there may be a delay in the engine
starting if it requires preheating. » 155
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
●
If the v
ehicle is stationary for a long time
with the ignition on, the vehicle battery
might be discharged and it might not be pos-
sible to start the engine. Starting the engine
Vehicles with a
diesel en
gine are equipped
with a glow plug system. When you switch on
the ignition, the glow plug warning lamp
will light up. The engine can be started
straight away when the lamp switches off.
Do not connect electrical appliances during
preheating so as not the drain the vehicle
battery unnecessarily.
Starting the engine
● Move the gearbox lever into neutral or
mov e the sel
ector lever to position P or N and
pull firmly on the handbrake.
● Press the clutch pedal all the way down
and star
t the engine 3
› ›
› Fig. 173
›
›› page 154, without pressing the accelera-
tor. Keep the clutch pedal pressed down until
the engine starts.
● Release the ignition key as soon as the en-
gine star
ts. The key returns to position 2 .
● If the engine does not start after 10 sec-
ond s, t
urn the k
ey back to position 1 . Re-
pe at
the action af
ter 30 seconds.
● Release the handbrake before moving off. Switching off the engine with the key Stop the engine by turning the ignition key to
pos
ition 1
››› Fig. 173 ›
›› page 154.
Brakes and brake servo sys-
tems Introduction WARNING
● The brak e ser
vo only works when the en-
gine is running. Braking when the engine is
switched off requires applying more strength
to the brake pedal. Risk of accident!
● Press down on the clutch pedal when stop-
ping and brak
ing with a manual gearbox, pet-
rol engine vehicle at low speed. Otherwise,
the brake servo might not work properly. Risk
of accident!
● In the event of damage to the standard
front s
poiler or where a different front spoil-
er, wheel trims, etc. are subsequently fitted,
make sure the air vent to the brakes on the
front wheels is not blocked. Otherwise, brak-
ing operations may be impaired. Risk of acci-
dent!
● Always fully release the handbrake. If it is
only p
artially released, this will cause over-
heating of the rear brakes, which can impair
the function of the brake system. Risk of acci-
dent! ●
Never l e
ave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could release the handbrake or
move the gear lever. The vehicle could start
moving. Risk of accident!
● Insufficient fuel can cause the engine to run
irregu
larly or to switch off. Brake assist sys-
tems could be impaired. Risk of accident!
● Always adjust your driving style to suit visi-
bility
, the weather and road and traffic condi-
tions. The best vehicle safety offered by
brake assist systems must never encourage
you to run greater risks. Risk of accident! CAUTION
● Ob ser
ve the information concerning new
brake pads ››› page 165.
● Where braking is not necessary, do not
wear do
wn the brake pads by pressing down
gently on the brake pedal. This causes the
brakes to overheat, increasing their wear and
increasing braking distances.
● To ensure the brake assist systems work
properly, a
ll wheels must be fitted with tyres
approved by the manufacturer. Note
● If y
ou brake suddenly and the brake system
control unit regards the situation as hazard-
ous for the drivers behind you, the brake
lights will begin to flash automatically. After
reducing speed to approximately 10 km/h (6
mph) or stopping the vehicle, the brake lights
will stop flashing and the hazard warning 156