2018 Seat Arona warning

Towing bracket device
Towing bracket device
T o
w
ing bracket device*
Introduction The towing bracket device fitted to your vehi-
cl
e, be it

factory-fitted or a genuine SEAT ac-
cessory, meets all the national technical and
legal requirements for towing.
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin connector
for the electrical connection between the
trailer and the vehicle. If the trailer is equip-
ped with a 7-pin connector you can use the
corresponding adaptor, which is available as
a genuine SEAT accessory.
The maximum authorised towing load is 55
kg. WARNING
● Bef or

e each journey, make sure that the de-
tachable ball joint is properly fitted and se-
cured in its housing.
● If the detachable ball joint is not properly
fitted and secur
ed, do not use it.
● Do not use the towing bracket device for
tow
ing if it is damaged or has missing parts.
● Do not modify or adapt the towing device
connection.
● Never u

nhook the detachable ball joint
when the trail
er is hitched. CAUTION
Handle the detachable ball joint with care in
order t o av

oid damaging the bumper paint-
work. Note
Towing the vehicle with the detachable ball
joint ›

›› page 102. Description
Fig. 222
Towing bracket device support / de-
t ac h

able ball joint / key. Depending on the country or version, the
t
o
w

ing bracket device's detachable ball joint
is located:
● underneath the floor panel of the luggage
compar
tment.
The ball joint is fitted and removed by hand.
The towing device bracket is supplied with a
key.
Key to ››› Fig. 222
13-pin connector
Safety lug
Hook housing
Hook housing cap
Ball protective cover
Detachable ball
Locking lever
Lock cover
Release bolt
Lock
Locking balls
Key Note
Contact an Authorised Service Partner if you
lose y

our key. 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
249
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Towing bracket device
Thus adjusted, the detachable ball is ready
f or in
s
tallation. CAUTION
The key cannot be removed or turned in the
st andb

y position. Assembling the detachable ball - Step
1
Fig. 226
Fitting the detachable ball / Release
bo lt
in the dep

loyed position. Fitting the detachable ball
● Remove the hook housing cap 4›››
Fig. 222 down w
ards.
● Set the detachable ball to its standby posi-
tion ›››

page 250.
● Grip the detachable ball from below
›

›› Fig. 226 and insert it into the hook hous- ing following the direction of arrow
1 until it
en g
ag

es audibly ››› .
L ev
er A turns
automatically in the direction
of arr

ow 2 upwards, and the release bolt
B moves outwards (the red and green part will
be
v
i

sible) ››› .
If l
ev
er A does not turn automatically or the
r el
e

ase bolt B does not come out, the de-
t ac
h
able ball should be removed by turning
the lever as far as possible downwards from
the housing cavity, and the detachable ball's
support surfaces and the cavity should then
be cleaned. WARNING
● When attac hin

g the detachable ball, keep
your hands well away from the reach of the
lever's rotation to avoid getting your fingers
caught.
● Never try to pull the lever upwards by force
to turn the k
ey. The detachable ball would not
be secured properly! Assembling the detachable ball - Step
2
Fig. 227
Locking the lock. Fig. 228
Placing the cover over the lock. Do not omit this first step
››
›
page 251, As-
sembling the detachable ball - Step 1 !
● Turn key A in the direction of arrow
1 un-
ti l the p

art of the key with the holes reaches
the bottom position ››› Fig. 227. »
251
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
● Remo
v
e the key in the direction of arrow
2 .
● Place cover B in the lock in the direction
of arr
o

w 3
› ››
Fig. 228
››› .
● Check that the detachable ball is securely
att ac
hed ›

›› page 252, Checking proper at-
tachment. CAUTION
● Aft er r

emoving the key, always place the
cover over the lever's lock. If the lock be-
comes soiled it will be impossible to insert
the key.
● Keep the towing bracket device's housing
cavity
clean at all times. Dirtiness can pre-
vent the detachable ball from being properly
secured!
● If the detachable ball is removed, always
plac
e the cap on the hook's housing. Checking proper attachment
Fig. 229
Detachable ball properly attached. Whenever you go to use the detachable ball,
m
ak
e s

ure that it is properly attached first.
Detachable ball properly attached. ● The detachable ball will not fall out of the
housin
g cavity after a major “knock or jerk”.
● Lever A
› ›
› Fig. 229
is fully raised.
● The release bolt B
› ›
› Fig. 229
is sticking
fully out (the red and green part is visible).
● The key has been removed.
● Cover C
› ›
› Fig. 229
is placed over the lock. WARNING
● When remo v

ing the detachable ball, keep
your hands well away from the reach of the
lever's rotation to avoid getting your fingers
caught. ●
The to w

ing bracket device should only be
used if the detachable ball has been properly
locked! Removing the detachable ball - Step 1
Fig. 230
Removing the lock cover. Fig. 231
Releasing the lock. ●
Remove cover A from the lock in the direc-
tion of arr
o

w 1
› ›
› Fig. 230 .
252

Towing bracket device
● Inser
t
key B into the lock in the direction
of arr
o
w 2
› ››
Fig. 231
.
● T
urn the key in the direction of arrow 3 un-
ti l
the p

art of the key with the holes is facing
upwards. WARNING
Never remove the detachable ball joint when
the trai l

er is hitched. Note
Before you remove the detachable ball, you
are a dv

ised to place the protective cover on
the ball coupling. Removing the detachable ball - Step 2
Fig. 232
Releasing the detachable ball. Do not omit this first step
››
›

page 252, Re-
moving the detachable ball - Step 1 !Releasing the detachable ball
● Grip the detachable ball from below.
● Press the release bolt A in the direction of
arr o
w 1 as far as it will go, and at the same
time pr e
s

s lever B in the direction of arrow
2 as far as it will go.
In thi s
po

sition, the detachable ball is loose
and will fall/drop freely downwards. If this
does not occur when you release it, press it
with the other hand from above.
The detachable ball locks into the standby
position at the same time and is therefore
ready to be reinserted into the hook housing
››› .
● Fit the cap 4
› ›
› Fig. 222
onto its housing. WARNING
Never leave the detachable ball loose in the
lugg ag

e compartment. It could cause damage
in the luggage compartment in the case of
abrupt braking, and even jeopardise passen-
ger safety! CAUTION
● If y

ou hold the lever and do not press down
on it as far as you can, after you remove the
detachable ball, the latter will continue up-
wards and will not lock into the standby posi-
tion. The detachable ball should be placed in
this position before the next assembly. ●
Keep the det ac

hable ball in the standby po-
sition, with the key inserted into the box
while you place it facing downwards with the
side opposite to the one where the key is in-
serted. The key could get damaged!
● When operating the lever, do not apply too
much pre
ssure (for example, do not stand on
it)! Note
Remove any dirt from the detachable ball be-
f or e

you put it away with the vehicle tools. Operation and care
Put the cover on the housing cavity so that
dir
t
c

annot get in.
Before hooking up a trailer, always check the
ball coupling and apply suitable grease if
necessary.
Use the protective cover when putting the de-
tachable ball away to keep the luggage com-
partment clean.
Remove any dirt from the housing cavity sur-
faces and use a suitable cleaning product. CAUTION
The top part of the hook housing is greased.
Mak e s

ure that the grease has not been re-
moved. 253
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 257.
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 291, 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 255.
Trailer rear lights
The trailer's rear lights should comply with
the statutory safety regulations ››› page 255. 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. 254

Operation
WARNING
The towing bracket ball coupling must be
st or
ed securely in the luggage compartment
to prevent them being flung through the vehi-
cle and causing injury. Note
● By l

aw, the ball coupling must be removed
if a trailer is not being towed if it obscures
the number plate. Driving with a trailer
Fig. 234
Turn the 13-pin connector. Before driving
●
Grip the 13-pin connector at area A and
r emo
v

e it in the direction of the arrow
››› Fig. 234.
● Remove the protective cover 5
› ››
Fig. 222
up w

ards.
After driving
● Grip the 13-pin connector at area A and
in ser
t

it in the opposite direction to the arrow
››› Fig. 234.
● Fit the protective cover 5
› ›
› Fig. 222
on
the ball coupling.
Safety lug
The safety lug B
› ›
› Fig. 234
is used to hook
up the trailer's retainer cable.
On hooking it up to the safety lug, the retain-
er cable should have slack in all the trailer
positions with respect to the vehicle (sharp
bends, reverse gear, etc.).
Headlights
The front part of the vehicle may be raised
when the trailer is connected and the light
may dazzle the rest of the traffic.
Adapt the height of the headlights using the
headlight range rotary adjuster 1)
. WARNING
● Never u se the s

afety lug to tow!
● Adjust your speed to suit the road and traf-
fic condition
s.
● All work on the electrical system must be
carried out on
ly by specialised workshops.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
to the electric
al connections of the rear lights
or any other power sources.
● After hooking up the trailer and connecting
the socket, c
heck that all the trailer's rear
lights are working properly. Note
● If ther e i

s any fault in the trailer's lighting,
check the fuses in the instrument panel fuse
box ›››
 page 62.
● The contact between the retainer cable and
the safety
lug may give rise to mechanical
wear in the lug's surface protection. This
wear will not prevent the safety lug from op-
erating properly or cause any fault and is ex-
cluded from the warranty.
● When connecting and disconnecting the
trail
er, the towing vehicle's handbrake
should be applied. 1)
This does not apply for vehicles with bi-xenon
hea dlights.
256

Operation
If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the ve-
hic l
e i
s purchased, this must be completed
according to the instructions of the towing
bracket manufacturer.
The attachment points for the towing bracket A are on the lower part of the vehicle.
The di s
t

ance between the centre of the ball
coupling and the ground should never be
lower than the indicated value, even with a
fully loaded vehicle and including the maxi-
mum drawbar load.
Elevation values for securing the towing
bracket:
Elevation values for securing the towing bracket:
B65 mm (minimum)
C350 mm to 420 mm (fully laden vehicle)
D1,033 mm
E322 mm
F338 mm Fitting a towing bracket
●
Driving with a trailer involves an extra effort
f or the
v

ehicle. Therefore, before fitting a
towing bracket, please contact a Technical
Service to check whether your cooling system
needs modification.
● The legal requirements in your country
must
be observed (e.g. the fitting of a sepa-
rate control lamp). ●
Cert
ain vehicle components, e.g. the rear
bumper, must be removed and reinstalled.
The towing bracket securing bolts must be
tightened using a torque wrench, and a pow-
er socket must be connected to the vehicle
electrical system. This requires specialised
knowledge and tools.
● Figures in the illustration show the eleva-
tion value and the att
achment points which
must be considered if you are retrofitting a
towing bracket. WARNING
The towing brackets should be fitted at a spe-
ci a

lised workshop.
● If the towing bracket is incorrectly instal-
led, there i
s a serious danger of accident.
● For your own safety, please observe the tow
brack
et manufacturer's instructions. CAUTION
● If the po w

er socket is incorrectly installed,
this could cause damage to the vehicle elec-
trical system. Note
● SEA T r

ecommends that the towing hooks
be fitted at a specialised workshop. Consult
your SEAT dealer in case additional modifica-
tions to your vehicle are necessary.
● Due to the specific design of the exhaust,
the fitting of a c
onventional towing hook is not recommended for some sportier versions.
Ple
a

se consult your Technical Service.258

Care and maintenance
Advice
C ar
e and m
aintenance
Accessories and modifications to the vehicle
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications Your vehicle is designed to offer a high
s
t
and

ard of active and passive safety.
Before purchasing accessories and parts,
and before making technical changes to your
vehicle, we recommend that you consult your
Technical Service.
SEAT dealerships will be happy to provide
you with the latest information about the
use, legal requirements and recommenda-
tions from the manufacturer regarding acces-
sories and spare parts.
We recommend you use only SEAT Approved
Accessories ®
and SEAT Approved Spare
Parts ®
. This way, SEAT can guarantee that
the product in question is suitable, reliable
and safe. SEAT Technical Services have the
necessary experience and facilities to ensure
that parts are correctly and professionally in-
stalled. Despite a continuous observation of the mar-
ket, S

EAT is not able to assess the reliability,
safety and suitability of parts that SEAT has
not approved . For this reason, SEAT cannot
assume responsibility for any non-genuine
parts used, even if these parts have been ap-
proved by an official testing agency or are
covered by an official approval certificate.
Any retro-fitted equipment which has a direct
impact on the driver's control of the vehicle,
such as a cruise control system or electroni-
cally-controlled suspension, must be ap-
proved by SEAT for use in your vehicle and
bear the e mark (the European Union's au-
thorisation symbol).
If any additional electrical devices are fitted
which do not serve to control the vehicle it-
self, such as refrigerator boxes, laptops or
ventilator fans, they must bear the CE mark
(European Union manufacturer conformity
declaration). WARNING
Accessories, for example telephone holders
or cup ho l

ders, should never be fitted on the
covers, or within the working range, of the
airbags. Otherwise, there is a danger of in-
jury if the airbag is triggered in an accident. Technical modifications
Modifications must always be carried out ac-
cor
din

g to our specifications. Unauthorised
modifications to the electronic components
or software in the vehicle may cause malfunc-
tions. Due to the way the electronic compo-
nents are linked together in networks, other
indirect systems may be affected by the
faults. This can seriously impair safety, lead
to excessive wear of components, and also
invalidate your vehicle registration docu-
ments.
SEAT Technical Services cannot be held liable
for any damage caused by modifications
and/or work incorrectly performed. For this
reason, we recommend having all work per-
formed by a SEAT Technical Service using
SEAT ®
Original Spare Parts. WARNING
Any type of work or modification performed
incorr ectly

on your vehicle can lead to mal-
functions and can cause accidents. Radio transmitters and office equip-
ment
Radio transmitters (fixed installation)
An
y
r

etrofit installations of radio transmitters
in the vehicle require prior approval. SEAT
generally authorises in-vehicle installations »
259
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety