Driving
Driving down hills: in some s it
uation s (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 194.
● 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-
brak
e firm
ly 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 200. 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
re
s
ult 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. »
197Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Gearbox malfunctions Gearbox: Fault! Stop the ve-
hicle and place the lever in the
position P.
Ther e is
a fault in the gearbox. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place and do not continue driv-
ing. Seek specialist assistance.
Gearbox: System fault! You
may continue driving.
Have the fault corrected by a specialised
workshop without delay. Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving with re-
strictions. Reverse gear disa‐
bled
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop
and have the fault repaired without delay. Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving in D until
switching off the engine
Stop the vehicle in a safe place well away
from moving traffic. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Gearbox: too hot. Adapt your
driving accordingly
Continue driving at moderate speeds. When
the warning lamp switches off, you can con-
tinue driving in a normal manner. Gearbox: press the brake and
engage a gear again.
If the fau
lt was caused by a gearbox with a
high temperature, this driver message will be
displayed when the gearbox has cooled
again.
Address Electromec
hanical steering Electro-mechanical power steering assists
the driv
er when s
t
eering.
Electro-mechanical power steering adapts
electronically to the speed of the car, torque
and turning angle.
If the power steering should fail at any time
or the engine is switched off (for instance
when being towed), the car can still be
steered. However, more effort than normal
will be required to turn the steering wheel.
Driver warning lamps and messages (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 warnin
g 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.
Go to a specialised workshop as soon as
possible 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 el se
(in yellow)
lights up briefly, you may continue driving. 200
Driving
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
Giv en th
at
every kilo of extra weight will in-
crease the fuel consumption, it is advisable
to always check the luggage compartment to
make sure that no unnecessary loads are be-
ing transported.
Since the luggage rack increases the aerody-
namic drag of the vehicle, you should remove
it when not needed. At speeds of 100-120
km/h (62-75 mph), this will save 12% of fuel.
Save electrical energy
The engine drives the alternator, thereby gen-
erating electricity. This implies that any in-
crease in power consumption also increases
fuel consumption! For this reason, switch off
any unneeded electrical devices. Devices that
use a lot of electricity includes the blower at
a high setting, the rear window heating or
the seat heating*.
Power management
This sy
stem helps to ensure reliable
starting The power management controls the distribu-
tion of
el
ectric
al energy and thus helps to en-
sure that there is always enough power avail-
able to start the engine. If a vehicle with a conventional electrical sys-
tem is
left parked for a long time, the battery
will gradually lose its charge because certain
electrical devices, such as the electronic
gearbox lock continues to draw current even
when the ignition is off. In some cases there
may not be enough power available to start
the engine.
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent
power management system to control the
distribution of electrical energy. This signifi-
cantly improves reliability when starting the
engine, and also prolongs the useful life of
the battery.
The main functions incorporated in the power
management system are battery diagnosis,
residual current management and dynamic
power management.
Battery diagnosis
The battery diagnosis function constantly
registers the condition of the battery. Sen-
sors detect the battery voltage, battery cur-
rent and battery temperature. This enables
the system to calculate the current power lev-
el and charge condition of the battery.
Residual current management
The residual current management reduces
power consumption while the vehicle is
parked. It controls the supply of power to the
various electrical devices while the ignition is switched off. The system takes the battery di-
agnosi
s data into consideration.
Depending on the power level of the battery,
switch off the individual electrical devices
one after the other to prevent the battery
from losing too much charge and to ensure
that the engine can be started reliably.
Dynamic power management
While the vehicle is moving, this function dis-
tributes the available power to the various
electrical devices and systems according to
their requirements. The power management
ensures that on-board systems do not con-
sume more electrical power than the alterna-
tor can supply, and thus maintains the maxi-
mum possible battery power level. Note
● Neither is the po
wer management system
able to overcome the given physical limits.
Please remember that the power and useful
life of the battery are limited.
● When there is a risk that the vehicle will
not st
art, the alternator power failure or low
battery charge level warning lamp will be
shown ››› page 119. Flat battery
Starting ability has first priority.
»
203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Driver assistance systems
St ar
t
-Stop System*
Description and operation The Start-Stop system helps save fuel and re-
duce C
O
2 emi
ssions.
In Start-Stop mode, the engine will automati-
cally switch off when the vehicle stops or is
stopping; for example when stopping at traf-
fic lights. The ignition remains switched on
during the stopping phase. The engine auto-
matically switches back on when required. In
this situation, the light of the START ENGINE STOP button stays on
1)
.
As soon a
s
the ignition is switched on, the
Start-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Further information about the Start-Stop sys-
tem can be found in the Easy Connect sys-
tem: by pressing the button in the Vehi-
cle status menu.
B a
s
ic requirements for the Start-Stop mode
● The driver door must be closed.
● The driver must have their seat belt fas-
tened. ●
The bonnet mus
t be closed.
● The engine must have reached a minimum
servic
e temperature.
● The reverse gear must not be engaged.
● The vehicle must not be on a very steep
slope. WARNING
● Never sw it
ch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is stationary. The brake servo and power
steering functions will not be completely cov-
ered under warranty. More force may also be
needed to turn the steering wheel or to brake.
As you cannot steer and brake in the normal
manner, there is a greater risk of accidents
and serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could lock making it impossible to steer
the vehicle.
● To avoid injury, make sure that the Start-
Stop sys
tem is switched off when working in
the engine compartment ››› page 210. CAUTION
The Start-Stop system must always be
swit c
hed off when driving through flooded
areas ››› page 210. Stopping/Starting the engine
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
– Before stopping the vehicle or when it is
stop
ped, put it into neutral and release the
clutch pedal. The engine will switch off. The
warning lamp will appear on the instru-
ment panel display. The engine may stop
before the vehicle comes to a halt in the
deceleration phase (at 7 km/h).
– When the clutch pedal is pressed the en-
gine wil
l start up again. The warning lamp
will switch off.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox – Use the foot brake to bring the vehicle to a
stop and k
eep the brake pedal pressed
down with your foot. The engine will switch
off. The warning lamp will appear in the
display. The engine may stop before the ve-
hicle comes to a halt in the deceleration
phase (at 7 km/h or 2 km/h, depending on
the vehicle’s gearbox).
– When you take your foot off the brake pedal
the engine wi
ll start up again. The warning
lamp will switch off. In vehicles with the Au-
to Hold* system, when the system is active,
the engine will not start if you remove your
foot from the brake pedal. The car starts
when you press the accelerator pedal. 1)
Only in vehicles with Keyless Access.
208
Operation
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. 184
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.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) De s
cription and operation 3 V
alid for vehicles: 4Drive
Hi
ll Descent Control limits the speed on steep
descents by automatically braking all four
wheels, both when moving forward and in re-
verse. As the anti-lock brake system remains
active, it prevents the wheels from locking. In
vehicles with manual transmission, the Hill
Descent Control adapts the theoretical speed
without slowing the engine below its idling
speed. After starting the descent of a slope below
30 km/h (18 mph), speed i
s
limited to a min-
imum of 2 km/h (1 mph) and a maximum of
30 km/h (18 mph). When appropriate, the
driver may increase or decrease the speed
within the limit by pressing the accelerator or
the brake. At this point the function is inter-
rupted and, if necessary, it is then reactiva-
ted.
Even so, it is imperative that the surface
guarantees sufficient adhesion. For this rea-
son, the Hill Descent Control will not fulfil its
function when, for example, descending a
slope with a frozen or slippery surface.
Hill Descent Control is available when the
dash panel display shows the message .
Hill Descent Control automatically intervenes
if the following conditions are met:
● The vehicle engine is running.
● The Offroad driving profile has been selec-
ted ›
›› page 242. Driving at a speed below 30
km/h (18 mph) (the message is shown on
the dash panel display).
● The slope of the descent is at least 10%
when driving f
orward and 9% when driving in
reverse.
● The brake and the accelerator are not
pres
sed.
Hill Descent Control is deactivated on press-
ing the brake and the accelerator or if the
slope is below 5%. The function may be
210
Towing bracket device*
not going to be used. In the event of a rear-
end co
l
lision, the damage to the vehicle
could be greater if the bracket is fitted.
● Some retrofitted towing brackets cover the
rear t
owing eye. In these cases, the towing
eye should not be used for tow-starting or for
towing other vehicles. For this reason, if the
vehicle has been retrofitted with a towing
bracket, always keep the tow hitch in the ve-
hicle when you disassemble it. Control lamp
Lamp on button lights up
The tow hitch is not securely locked in position.
Check that the towing bracket is locked
››› page 276. Some warning and control lamps will light up
briefly
when the ignition i
s
switched on to
check certain functions. They will switch off
after a few seconds. WARNING
If the warning lamps and the corresponding
mes s
ages are ignored when they light up, the
vehicle may stall in traffic and cause acci-
dents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or messag-
es.
● Stop the
vehicle at the next opportunity
and in a safe p
lace. CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and corre-
spondin g t
ext messages when they light up
may result in damage to the vehicle. Technical requirements
Vehicles that are
factor
y-equipped with a
towing bracket fulfil all the technical and le-
gal requirements for driving with a trailer.
If the vehicle is retrofitted with a towing
bracket, only a bracket that is authorised for
the maximum authorised load of the trailer
that is to be towed may be fitted. The towing
bracket must be suitable for the vehicle and
the trailer and must be properly secured to
the vehicle's chassis. Only use a towing
bracket that has been authorised by SEAT for
this vehicle. Always check and take into ac-
count the towing bracket manufacturer's in-
structions. Never fit a towing bracket “with
weight distribution” or “load compensation”.
Towing bracket fitted on the bumper
Never fit a towing bracket to the bumper or to
the area where the bumper is mounted. The
towing bracket should not impair the bum-
per's function. Do not make modifications or
repairs to the exhaust system or the brake
system. Make regular checks to ensure that
the towing bracket is secure. Engine cooling system
Drivin
g w
ith a trailer increases the load on
the engine and cooling system. The cooling
system should have sufficient coolant and be
prepared for the additional effort involved in
driving with a trailer.
Trailer brakes
If the trailer has its own brake system, please
take the relevant legal requirements into ac-
count. Never connect the trailer's brake sys-
tem to the vehicle's brake system.
Tow rope
Always use a cable between the vehicle and
the trailer ››› page 278.
Trailer rear lights
The trailer's rear lights should comply with
the statutory safety regulations ››› page 278.
Never connect the trailer's rear lights directly
to the vehicle's electric system. If you are not
sure that the trailer's electrical connection is
correct, have it checked by a specialised
workshop. SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT
dealership for this.
Exterior mirrors
If you cannot see the area behind the trailer
with the exterior mirrors of the towing vehi-
cle, additional mirrors will have to be instal-
led in accordance with the regulations of the »
275
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
country in question. The exterior mirrors
shou l
d be a
djusted before you start driving
and must provide a sufficient field of vision
at the rear.
Trailer maximum electricity consumption
ConsumersEurope, Asia, Africa, South America and
Central AmericaAustralia
Brake lights (total)84 Watts108 Watts
Turn signal (on each
side)42 Watts54 Watts
Side lights (on each
side)50 Watts100 Watts
Reverse lights (in
total)42 Watts54 Watts
Rear fog light42 Watts54 Watts
Never exceed the values indicated! WARNING
If the towing bracket is wrongly fitted or is
not the right one, the tr
ailer could become
detached from the vehicle and cause serious
injury. CAUTION
● If the r e
ar lights of the trailer are not cor-
rectly connected, the vehicle's electronic sys-
tem may be damaged.
● If the trailer absorbs excessive electric cur-
rent, the v
ehicle's electronic system may be
damaged.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
directly t
o the electrical connections of the
tail lights or any other power sources. Only
use the connections intended for providing
electric current to the trailer. Electrical unlocking tow hitch
Fig. 235
On the right side of the luggage
c omp
ar
tment: button for unlocking the tow
hitch. The tow hitch is located in the bumper. The
el
ectric al
unlocking tow hitch cannot be dis-
assembled. There should be no person, animal or object
in the path of the t
ow hitch ››› .
Un loc
k
the tow hitch and remove it
● Stop the vehicle and connect the electronic
parkin
g brake ››› page 186.
● Switch off the engine.
● Open the rear lid.
● Pull the ››› Fig. 235 b
utton briefly. The tow
hitch unlocks electrically and automatically
turns outwards. The control lamp in the but-
ton will flash ››› Fig. 235.
● Remove the tow hitch with your hand until
you feel
and see that it has engaged and the
control lamp on the button stays on.
● Close the rear lid.
Cov
er the tow hitch
● Stop the vehicle and apply the electronic
parkin
g brake.
● Switch off the engine.
● Unhook the trailer and interrupt the electri-
cal c
onnection between it and the vehicle. If
you are using an adapter, remove it from the
trailer's power socket.
● Open the rear lid.
● Pull the ››› Fig. 235
button briefly. The tow
hitch unlocks electrically.
276
Operation
Hooking up and connecting a trailer Fig. 236
Schematic diagram: assignment of
the pins of the trailer's power socket.
Key to the Fig. 236:
PinMeaning
1Left turn signal
2Rear fog light
3Earth for pins 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
4Right turn signal
5Rear light, right
6Brake lights
7Rear light, left
8Reverse lights
9Permanent live
10Live charge cable
11Earth for pin 10
Key to the Fig. 236:
PinMeaning
12Unassigned
13Earth for pin 9 Trailer power socket
The v
ehic
le is fitted with a 13-pole power
socket for the electrical connection between
the trailer and the vehicle. With the engine
running, electrical devices on the trailer re-
ceive power from the electrical connection
(pin 9 and pin 10 of the trailer power socket).
If the system detects that a trailer has been
connected electrically, the electrical equip-
ment on the trailer will receive voltage
through this connection (pins 9 and 10). Pin
9 has a permanent live. This powers, for ex-
ample, the trailer's interior lighting. Electrical
devices such as a fridge in a caravan only re-
ceive electrical power if the engine is running
(through pin 10).
To avoid overloading the electrical system,
you cannot connect the ground wires of pin
3, pin 11 or pin 13.
If the trailer has a 7-contact connector , you
will need to use an adapter cable. In this case
the function corresponding to pin 10 will not
be available. Tow rope
The to
w r
ope must always be securely fixed
to the towing vehicle and loose enough so
that the vehicle can handle turns smoothly.
However, make sure that the cable does not
rub on the ground while driving.
Trailer rear lights
Always check the trailer's rear lights to en-
sure they are working correctly and that they
comply with the relevant safety regulations.
Make sure that the maximum permissible
power that can be absorbed by the trailer is
not exceeded ››› page 276.
Connection to the anti-theft system
The trailer is included in the anti-theft system
if the following conditions are met: ● If the vehicle is factory-equipped with an
anti-theft al
arm and towing bracket.
● If the trailer is electrically connected to the
tow
ing vehicle through the trailer power
socket.
● If the electrical systems of the vehicle and
trail
er are in perfect condition and have no
faults or damage.
● If the vehicle is locked with the key and the
anti-theft al
arm is activated.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is trig-
gered if the electrical connection with the
trailer is cut off.
278