2018 Seat Ateca acc

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

Towing bracket device*
● Turn the t
o
w hitch under the bumper with
your hand until you feel and see that it en-
gages and the control lamp on the ››› Fig. 235
button stays on.
● Close the rear lid.
Meanin
g of control lamp
● If the warning light of the button ›››
Fig. 235
is flashing , this means that the tow hitch has
not been attached properly or is damaged
››› .
● If the warning lamp st
a
ys on with the rear
lid open, the tow hitch is correctly in place
both when engaged and when covered.
● The control lamp of the button will go off
appro
x. 1 minute after closing the rear lid. WARNING
Undue use of the towing bracket may cause
injury and ac

cidents.
● Only use the tow hitch if it is properly en-
gaged.
● A

lways ensure that no person, animal or
obj
ect is to be found in the path of the tow
hitch.
● Never use a tool or instrument while the
tow hit
ch is moving.
● Never press the ›››
Fig. 235 button when
there is a trailer hooked to the vehicle or
when a carrier system or other accessories
are mounted on the tow hitch. ●
If the t o

w hitch is not attached properly, do
not use it. Instead, go to a specialised work-
shop and have the towing bracket checked.
● If you detect any fault in the electrical sys-
tem or in the to
wing bracket, contact a speci-
alised workshop and ask them to check it.
● If the ball has a diameter of less than 49
mm at any
one point, do not use the towing
bracket under any circumstances. CAUTION
If you clean the vehicle with high-pressure or
s te

am devices, do not point the jet directly
towards the retractable tow hitch or the trail-
er power socket, as this may damage the
joints or remove the grease necessary for lu-
brication. Note
At extremely low temperatures, the tow hitch
ma y

be impossible to use. In this case, place
the vehicle in a warmer location (for example,
a garage). Fitting a bicycle carrier on the retract-
ab
le t

ow hitch The maximum allowed weight of the carrier
sy
s
t

em, including the load, is 75 kg. The car-
rier system should not protrude more than
700 mm backwards from the spherical head.
Only carrier systems on which up to 3 bikes can be mounted are allowed. Heavier bicy-
cle

s must be mounted as close to the vehicle
as possible (tow hitch). WARNING
The incorrect use of the tow hitch with a bicy-
cl e r

ack mounted on the tow hitch can cause
accidents and injury.
● Never exceed the maximum weight or the
limits indic
ated above.
● The bicycle rack may not be mounted to the
neck of
the hitch below the ball because, due
to the shape of the neck and depending on
the rack model, the rack could be incorrectly
mounted on the vehicle.
● Always read and take the manufacturer as-
sembly in
structions into account. CAUTION
If the maximum weight and limits indicated
abov e ar

e exceeded, the vehicle may suffer
considerable damage.
● Never exceed the values indicated! Note
SEAT recommends removing, as far as possi-
bl e, a

ll removable parts of the bicycles before
setting off. These parts include, for example,
baskets and saddlebags, child seats or bat-
teries. This improves aerodynamics and the
centre of gravity of the rack system. 277
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Towing bracket device*
Before hitching or unhitching a trailer, always
t urn off
the anti-thef
t alarm. Otherwise, the
tilt sensor could cause the alarm to go off.
Trailers with LED rear lights
For technical reasons, trailers fitted with LED
rear lights cannot be connected to the anti-
theft alarm system.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm does
not go off when the electrical connection with
the trailer is cut if it has rear lights with light-
emitting diodes.
If the Eco driving profile was selected when
hitching the trailer, this will automatically
switch to the Normal profile. If the system
cannot detect the attached trailer or if the
towing bracket has been retrofitted by an au-
to repair shop other than SEAT, you must
manually select the Normal profile before you
start driving with a trailer attached. To recon-
nect the Eco profile once the trailer has been
unhitched, switch the ignition off and back
on once. WARNING
If the cables are improperly or incorrectly
connect ed, it

may lead to an excessive
amount of current supplied to the trailer,
which can cause abnormalities in the entire
vehicle electronic system, as well as acci-
dents and serious injuries. ●
Ens ur

e that any repairs that need to be car-
ried out on the electrical system are carried
out by a specialised workshop.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
directly t
o the electrical connections of the
tail lights or any other power sources. WARNING
Contact between the pins of the trailer power
soc ket

can cause short circuits, overloading
of the electrical system or failure of the light-
ing system, and consequently can cause acci-
dents and serious injuries.
● Never connect the pins of the trailer power
socket
to each other.
● Make sure any work on bent pins is carried
out by
a specialised workshop. CAUTION
Do not leave the trailer connected to the vehi-
cl e when p

arked; place it on its support
wheel or its supports. If the vehicle rises or
falls due, for example, to a variation of the
load or a burst tyre, increased pressure will
be placed on the towing bracket and the trail-
er, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. Note
● In ca se of

malfunctioning of the electrical
systems of the vehicle or trailer, as well as of the anti-theft system, have these checked out
by
a s

pecialised workshop.
● If the trailer accessories consume energy
through the pow
er socket to the trailer and
the engine is turned off, the battery will dis-
charge.
● If the vehicle battery is running low, the
electrica
l connection with the trailer will be
automatically cut. Loading a trailer
Technically permissible maximum trailer
w
eight
and

vertical load on the coupling de-
vice
The technically permissible maximum trailer
weight is the weight that the vehicle can tow
››› . The vertical load on the coupling load
i s
e

xerted vertically from above on the tow
hitch of the towing bracket ››› page 319.
The information on the maximum trailer
weight and vertical load on the coupling de-
vice contained in the type plate of the towing
bracket are experimental values only. The
correct figures for your specific model, which
may be lower than these figures, are given in
the vehicle documentation. The information
in the vehicle documentation takes prece-
dence at all times. »
279
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
To promote safety while driving, SEAT recom-
mend s
m
aking the most of the maximum ver-
tical load technically permissible on the cou-
pling device ››› page 273. An insufficient ver-
tical load has a negative influence on the be-
haviour of both the vehicle and trailer.
The vertical load increases the weight on the
rear axle, reducing the vehicle's carrying ca-
pacity.
Gross combination weight of the towing ve-
hicle and trailer
The gross combination weight is the actual
weight of the loaded vehicle plus the actual
weight of the loaded trailer.
In some countries trailers are classified into
distinct categories. SEAT recommends ob-
taining information from a specialised work-
shop regarding which type of trailer is most
suitable for your vehicle.
Trailer loading
The weight of the towing vehicle and trailer
must be balanced. In order to do this, the
load must be as close as possible to the max-
imum vertical load technically permissible on
the coupling point, and it must be evenly dis-
tributed between the back and front of the
trailer:
● Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
obj
ects are as near to the axle as possible or
above it. ●
Secure the tr
ailer load properly.
Tyre pressure
Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in ac-
cordance with the trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendations.
When towing a trailer, inflate the tyres of the
towing vehicle with the maximum allowable
pressure ››› page 308. WARNING
If the maximum permissible axle weight, the
max imum lo

ad technically permissible on the
coupling point, the maximum authorised ve-
hicle weight or the gross combination weight
of the towing vehicle and trailer are excee-
ded, accidents and serious injuries may oc-
cur.
● Never exceed the values indicated!
● The actual weight on the front and rear
axle
s must never exceed the maximum per-
missible axle weight. The weight on the front
and rear axles must never exceed the maxi-
mum permissible weight. WARNING
A shift in weight could jeopardize the stabili-
ty and sec urity

of the towing vehicle and
trailer, which could lead to accidents and se-
rious injuries.
● Always load the trailer correctly. ●
Alw a

ys secure the load properly using belts
or straps that are suitable and in good condi-
tion. Driving with a trailer
Adjusting the headlights
When to
w

ing a trailer, the front part of the ve-
hicle could lift up, and if the dipped beams
are on, this could dazzle other drivers. Use
the headlight range control to lower the cone
of light. If you do not have headlight range
control, have the headlights adjusted by a
specialised workshop.
Special characteristics of driving with a trail-
er
● If your trailer has an overru
n brake, brake
gently at first and then rapidly. This will pre-
vent the jerking that can be caused by the
locking of trailer wheels.
● Due to the gross combination weight of the
tow
ing vehicle and trailer, the braking dis-
tance increases.
● When going down a slope, go into a lower
gear (if
using a manual gearbox or the tip-
tronic automatic gearbox mode) to take ad-
vantage of the braking power provided by the
engine. Otherwise, the braking system could
overheat and even fail.
280

Towing bracket device*
● The tr ai
l
er weight, as well as the gross com-
bination weight of the towing vehicle and
trailer, change the centre of gravity and the
properties of the vehicle.
● If the towing vehicle is empty and the trail-
er is lo
aded, then the load distribution is in-
correct. Under these conditions, drive slowly
and with extra caution.
Hill starts with a trailer
Depending on the slope of the hill and the
combination weight of the towing vehicle
and trailer, the vehicle might start rolling
backwards slightly when you first start up.
For hill-starting with a trailer, do the follow-
ing:
● Press and hold the brake pedal.
● Press the  button t
o disconnect the elec-
tronic parking brake ››› page 186.
● If the vehicle is equipped with a manual
gearbo
x, push the clutch pedal all the way
down.
● Put the vehicle into first gear or turn the se-
lector l
ever to position D/S ››› page 192.
● Pull out the  button and ho
ld it in that
position to stop the towing vehicle and trailer
with the electronic parking brake.
● Release the brake pedal.
● Start driving slowly. To do this, in the case
of a manual
gearbox, slowly release the
clutch pedal. ●
Do not rel
ease the  button until the en-
gine has sufficient force to start driving. WARNING
If a trailer is pulled incorrectly, this may lead
to lo s

s of control of the vehicle and serious
injury.
● Driving with a trailer and transporting
heavy or l
arge objects will change the vehicle
handling and braking distances.
● Always drive cautiously and carefully.
Brake e
arlier than usual.
● Adapt your speed and driving style at all
times t
o suit visibility, weather, road and traf-
fic conditions. Slow down, especially when
driving down hills or slopes.
● Accelerate with particular care and caution.
Avoid s
udden braking and manoeuvres.
● Take great care when overtaking. Reduce
speed immediat
ely if you notice that the trail-
er is swaying, however slightly.
● Never attempt to “straighten” the towing
vehicl
e and trailer while accelerating.
● Take into account the speed limit for vehi-
cle
s with a trailer, as it could be lower than
for vehicles without a trailer. Stabilisation of the towing vehicle
and tr
ai
l

er The stabilisation of the towing vehicle and
trai
l

er together is an additional function of
the electronic stability control (ESC).
If the system detects that the trailer is sway-
ing, it intervenes automatically with the driv-
er steering recommendation to reduce the
swaying of the trailer.
Requirements for the stabilisation of the
towing vehicle and trailer
● The vehicle is factory-equipped with a tow-
ing br ac

ket or has been retro-fitted with a
compatible towing bracket.
● The ESC and ASR are active. The control
lamp  or  is

not lit up on the instrument
panel.
● The trailer is electrically connected to the
tow
ing vehicle through the trailer power
socket.
● The vehicle is travelling at over 60 km/h
(appro
x. 37 mph).
● The maximum vertical load technically per-
miss
ible is being utilised on the coupling de-
vice.
● The trailer has a rigid draw bar.
● If the trailer has brakes, it must be equip-
ped with a mech
anical overrun brake. »
281
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
WARNING
The enhanced security provided by the elec-
tric s t
ability control of the towing vehicle and
trailer should not lead you to take any risks
that could compromise your safety.
● Adapt your speed and driving style at all
times t
o suit visibility, weather, road and traf-
fic conditions.
● Accelerate with caution when the road is
slipper
y.
● When adjusting any settings, stop acceler-
ating. WARNING
The electric stability control for the towing
vehic l

e and trailer may not correctly detect all
driving conditions.
● When the ESC is switched off, the stabilisa-
tion of the to
wing vehicle and trailer is also
switched off.
● The stability system does not always detect
light and un
stable trailers, so it may not sta-
bilise these correctly.
● When driving on slippery surfaces with
poor grip, the trai
ler can even interfere with
the stability system.
● Trailers with a high centre of gravity can tip
even without
having previously swayed.
● If a trailer is not attached, but the trailer
power soc
ket is connected (e.g. installation
of a bicycle rack with lights), repeated auto- matic braking may occur in extreme driving
condition
s. Retrofitting a towing bracket
Fig. 237
Limits and attachment points for ret-
r ofittin g a t
owing bracket. SEAT recommends that towing brackets be
r
etr
ofitt

ed at a specialised workshop. For ex-
ample, it may very well be necessary to ad-
just the cooling system or mount thermal pro-
tection plates. SEAT recommends visiting a
SEAT dealership for this.
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the distance
specifications should always be kept in
mind. The distance between the centre of the
spherical head and the road ››› Fig. 237 D must never be less than that indicated. This
al
so ap
p

lies when the vehicle is fully loaded,
including the technically permissible maxi-
mum vertical load on the coupling device.
Distance specifications ››› Fig. 237:
Attachment points
932.5 mm
65 mm min.
350-420 mm
220 mm
615.5 mm
1,043 mm WARNING
If the cables are improperly or incorrectly
connect ed, thi

s may lead to malfunctions in
the entire vehicle electronic system, as well
as to accidents and serious injuries.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
to the electric
al connections of the tail lights A
B
C
D
E
F
G
282

Advice
Advice
C ar
e and m
aintenance
Accessories and modifications to the vehicle
Accessories, replacement parts and
repair work Always ask your dealer or specialist retailer
f
or a
dv

ice before purchasing accessories and
replacement parts.
Your vehicle is designed to offer a high
standard of active and passive safety. For this
reason, we recommend that you ask a SEAT
Official Service for advice before fitting ac-
cessories or replacement parts. Your SEAT Of-
ficial Service has the latest information from
the manufacturer and can recommend acces-
sories and replacement parts which are suita-
ble for your requirements. They can also an-
swer any questions you might have regarding
official regulations.
We recommend you to use only SEAT acces-
sories and Genuine SEAT parts ®
. SEAT has
tested these parts and accessories for suita-
bility, reliability and safety. SEAT Official
Services have the necessary experience and
facilities to ensure that the parts are installed
correctly and professionally. Any
retro-fitted equipment which has a direct
effect
on the vehicle and/or the way it is driv-
en, such as a cruise control system or elec-
tronically-controlled suspension, must be
approved for use in your vehicle and bear the
e mark (the European Union's authorisation
symbol).
If any additional electrical devices are fitted
which do not serve to control the vehicle it-
self (for instance a refrigerator box, laptop or
ventilator fan, etc.), they must bear the 
sign (manufacturer conformity declaration in
the European Union). 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 air-
bags. Otherwise, there is a danger of injury if
the airbag is triggered in an accident. Technical modifications
Modifications must always be carried out ac-
c
or
din

g to our specifications.
Unauthorised modifications to the electronic
components, software, wiring or data transfer
in the vehicle may cause malfunctioning. Due
to the way the electronic components 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
vehicl

e registration documents.
You will appreciate that your SEAT dealership
cannot be held liable for any damage caused
by modifications and/or work performed in-
correctly.
We therefore recommend that all work should
be performed by a SEAT Official Service using
genuine SEAT parts ®
. WARNING
Incorrectly performed modifications or other
work on

your vehicle can lead to malfunctions
and 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
of approved types of radio transmitters provi-
ded that:
● The aerial is installed correctly.
● The aerial is installed on the exterior of the
vehicl
e (and shielded cables are used togeth-
er with non-reflective aerial trimming).
● The effective transmitting power does not
exc
eed 10 Watts at the aerial base.
284

Advice
Automatic car washes
B ef
or
e going through a car wash, be sure to
take the usual precautions such as closing
the windows and roof. If the vehicle has spe-
cial accessories such as spoilers or a roof
rack, it is advisable to consult the car wash
tunnel operator.
It is best to use a car wash without revolving
bristles if possible.
Washing the vehicle with a high pressure
cleaner
When washing the vehicle with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. This applies
particularly to the operating pressure and the
spraying distance. Do not hold the nozzle too
close to soft materials such as rubber hoses
or seals. The same applies for the parking aid
sensors*, which are located in the rear
and/or front bumper.
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out
in a direct stream or one that has a rotating
jet for forcing off dirt.
Factory-fitted adhesive sheets
The following indications should be taken in-
to account to avoid damaging adhesive
sheets:
● Do not use high pressure cleaners. ●
Do not use s crapers to remove ice or snow
from the sheets.
● Do not polish the adhesive sheets.
● Do not use dirty cloths or sponges.
● It is preferable to wash them with a soft
spong
e and gentle neutral soap.
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove or brush using only slight pressure.
You should start on the roof and work down.
Special car soap should only be used for very
persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
● The v ehic

le should only be washed with the
ignition switched off. Failure to follow this in-
struction could result in an accident.
● Do not clean the underside of chassis, the
inside of
wheel arches or wheel trims without
protecting your hands and arms. You may cut
yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. Other-
wise, there is a risk of sustaining cuts. ●
When wa shin

g the car during the winter
season: water and ice in the brake system
can reduce braking effectiveness: risk of acci-
dent! CAUTION
● Do not wa

sh the vehicle in direct sunlight –
otherwise the paint can be damaged.
● Do not use sponges, abrasive household
spong
es or similar to clean insect remains.
This could damage the surface.
● Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from
the headlight
s at regular intervals, for in-
stance when filling the fuel tank. The head-
lights should only be washed with water, do
not wipe them with a dry cloth or sponge. It
is best to use soapy water.
● Never wash tyres with a jet that sprays the
water out
in a direct stream. This could dam-
age the tyres even if the spray is kept at a
distance and only used for a very short time.
● Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wa
sh, please make sure to retract the ex-
terior mirrors to prevent them from being
damaged. Electrically retractable exterior
mirrors must not be folded in or out by hand,
always use the electrical power control. CAUTION
● Bef or

e washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, please proceed as follows to lock
the wiper arms so that they are not moved to-
wards the top of the windscreen: 286