Operation
Variable floor in the tilted position
When the v
ari
able floor is tilted you can ac-
cess the spare wheel/anti-puncture kit area.
● Lift the variable floor in the high position
usin
g the handle 1
› ››
Fig. 169
, p ull it up
and push it towards the backrest of the rear
seats until the floor folds along the hinge line
and the movable part of the floor is resting
on itself.
● Rest the floor on its housings ›››
Fig. 170
(arrows).
Variable floor with folded seats
● To move from the high position to the low
position, lif
t the floor using the handle
››› Fig. 169 1 and pull it back a little.
● Push the variable floor towards the folded
r e
ar se
ats with the handle 1 using some
do wn
w
ard pressure so that the moving part
of the floor is flush with the backs of the rear
seats. WARNING
During a sudden driving or braking manoeu-
vre, or in the ev ent
of an accident, objects
could be flung though the interior and cause
serious or fatal injuries.
● Always secure objects, even when the lug-
gage c
ompartment floor is properly lifted.
● Only objects that do not protrude more
than 2/3 the height of
the floor may be car- ried between the rear seat and the raised lug-
gag
e c
ompartment floor.
● Only objects that do not weigh than ap-
prox
imately 7.5 kg may be carried between
the rear seat and the raised luggage compart-
ment floor. CAUTION
● The m aximum w
eight that can be loaded on
the luggage compartment variable floor in
the top position is 150 kg.
● Do not let the luggage compartment floor
fal
l when closing it. Always carefully guide it
downwards in a controlled manner. Other-
wise, the lining and the floor of the luggage
compartment could be damaged. Note
SEAT recommends the use of straps to secure
ob j
ects to retaining rings. Roof carrier*
Intr oduction The vehicle roof has been designed to opti-
mi
se aer
ody
namics. For this reason, cross
bars or conventional roof carrier systems can-
not be secured to the roof water drains. As the roof water drains are integrated in the
roof t
o reduce air resistance, only SEAT-ap-
proved cross bars and roof carrier systems
can be used.
Cases in which cross bars and the roof carri-
er system should be disassembled.
● When they are not used.
● When the vehicle is washed in a car wash.
● When the vehicle height exceeds the maxi-
mum height, for ex
ample, in some garages. WARNING
When heavy or bulky loads are transported
on the roof c
arrier system, car driving per-
formance is affected, as the centre of gravity
shifts and there is greater wind resistance.
● Always secure the load properly using belts
or retainin
g straps that are suitable and in a
good condition.
● Bulky, heavy, long or flat loads have a neg-
ative effect
on aerodynamics, the centre of
gravity and driving performance.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Adapt your speed and driving style at all
times t
o suit visibility, weather, road and traf-
fic conditions. CAUTION
● Remo v
e the cross bars and the roof carrier
system before entering a car wash. 168
Operation
WARNING
Never programme the auxiliary heater so that
it sw it
ches itself on and is running in an en-
closed space or an area with no ventilation.
The auxiliary heater exhaust fumes contain
carbon monoxide, an odourless and colour-
less toxic gas. Carbon monoxide can cause
people to lose consciousness. It can also
cause death. Operating instructions
The auxiliary heater exhaust system located
belo
w the
v
ehicle must be kept clear of snow,
mud and other objects. The exhaust fumes
must be able to exit freely. The emissions
generated by the auxiliary heater are re-
moved via an exhaust pipe fitted underneath
the vehicle.
On heating the vehicle interior, depending on
the outside temperature, the warm air is first
directed at the windscreen and then to the
rest of the vehicle interior through the air
vents. Directing the diffusers – towards the
windows for example – can affect air distribu-
tion.
When will the auxiliary heater not be activa-
ted?
● The auxiliary heater requires about as
much po w
er as the dipped beam headlights.
If the 12-volt battery charge is too low, the auxiliary heater switches off automatically
and cannot
be sw
itched on. This avoids prob-
lems when starting the engine.
● The heating must be activated every time
you want
to set off. Similarly, the departure
time must reactivate each time.
● The control lamp (fuel l
evel indicator)
lights up. Note
● Noise s
will be heard while the auxiliary
heater is running.
● When the air humidity is high and the in-
side temper
ature low, condensation from the
heating and ventilating system may evapo-
rate when the auxiliary heater is switched on.
In this case, steam may be released from un-
derneath the vehicle. This does not mean
that there is a vehicle malfunction.
● If the vehicle is tilted, e.g. if parked on a
slope, the operation of
the auxiliary heater
may be restricted if the fuel tank level is low
(just above the reserve level).
● If the auxiliary heater is used a number of
times f
or a long period of time, the 12-volt
battery will lose its charge. To recharge the
battery, the vehicle must be driven for a num-
ber of kilometres from time to time. As a
guideline: The journey should last approxi-
mately as long as the heater was connected.
● At temperatures below +5°C (+41°F), the
auxili
ary heater may switch itself on automat-
ically when the engine is switched on. The auxiliary heater is switched off again after a
cer
t
ain time.180
Driving
pulling up the ››
› Fig. 180 switch when
starting off.
The electronic parking brake is not discon-
nected until the button is released. This
can facilitate starting off when a heavy load
is towed ››› page 273.
Automatic activation of the electronic park-
ing brake when exiting the vehicle incorrect-
ly
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the
electronic parking brake is activated auto-
matically when exiting the vehicle incorrectly
if: ● The selector lever is in the D/S or R posi-
tion or in the
Tiptronic selector gate.
● AND: the vehicle is stationary.
● AND: the driv
er door is
open.
Emergency braking function
Only use the emergency brake function if you
are unable to stop the vehicle with the foot
brake ››› .
● Pull and hold the › ›
›
Fig. 180 button in
this position to forcefully stop the vehicle. At
the same time, an acoustic warning can be
heard.
● To stop the braking process, release the
button or pr
ess the accelerator. WARNING
The improper use of the electronic parking
brak e c
an cause accidents and serious injury.
● Never use the electronic parking brake to
stop the
vehicle, unless it is an emergency.
Braking distances can be considerably lon-
ger, since, under certain circumstances, only
the rear wheels brake. Always use the foot
brake.
● Never accelerate from the engine when a
gear r
ange or a gear is engaged and the en-
gine is running. The vehicle could move, even
if the electronic parking brake is activated. CAUTION
To prevent the vehicle from unintentionally
mov in
g when parking it, first apply the elec-
tronic parking brake and then remove your
foot from the brake pedal. Note
● In v ehic
les with a manual gearbox, releas-
ing the clutch and accelerating at the same
time automatically disconnects the electronic
parking brake.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it will not be
poss
ible to disconnect the electronic parking
brake. Use the jump-start ›››
page 69.
● When the electronic parking brake is ap-
plied or rel
eased, noises may be heard.
● The system performs automatic and audi-
ble t
ests sporadically in the parked vehicle if some time elapses without the electronic
park
in
g brake being used. Parking
The electronic parking brake should always
be app
lied when the
vehicle is parked.
Always note the following points when park-
ing the vehicle: – Use the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the electronic parking brake.
– Put it in 1st gear.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key
from the ignition. T
urn the steering wheel
slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Never leave a vehicle key in the vehicle.
Additiona
l notes on parking the vehicle on
gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle
rolls against the kerb if it started to roll.
● If the vehicle is parked facing downhil
l,
turn the front wheels so that they point to-
wards the kerb .
● If the vehicle is parked facing uphill
, turn
the front wheels so that they point away from
the kerb. »
187
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
Low brake fluid level
M alf
u
nctions can occur in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is too low. The brake flu-
id level is monitored electronically.
Brake servo
The brake servo increases the pressure you
apply to the brake pedal. It works only when
the engine is running. WARNING
● App ly
the brakes heavily to clean the brake
system only in a suitable traffic situation. Do
not put other road users in danger: there is
risk of causing an accident.
● Ensure the vehicle does not move while in
neutral, when the en
gine is stopped. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in an
accident.
● If the brake fluid loses its viscosity and is
subj
ected to heavy use, vapour bubbles can
form in the brake system. This reduces the ef-
ficiency of the brakes. CAUTION
● Never l et
the brakes “drag” by leaving your
foot on the pedal when it is not necessary to
brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in
longer stopping distances and greater wear.
● Before driving down a long, steep gradient,
it is
advisable to reduce speed and select a
lower gear. This makes use of engine braking and relieves the brakes. If you still have to
use the br
ak
es, it is better to brake firmly at
intervals than to apply the brakes continu-
ously. Note
● If the br ak
e servo is out of action, for exam-
ple when the car is being towed, you will
have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal to make up for the lack of
servo assistance.
● If you wish to equip the vehicle with acces-
sories s
uch as a front spoiler or wheel covers,
it is important that the flow of air to the front
wheels is not obstructed, otherwise the
brakes can overheat. Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
The E
SC
help
s to improve safety. It reduces
the tendency to skid and improves the stabil-
ity and roadholding of the vehicle. The ESC
detects critical handling situations, such as
vehicle understeer or oversteer, or wheelspin
on the driving wheels. It stabilises the vehi-
cle by braking individual wheels or by reduc-
ing the engine torque. The warning lamp will
flash on the instrument panel when the ESC
is intervening .
The ESC includes the anti-lock brake system
(ABS), the hydraulic brake assist (HBA), the traction control system (ASR), electronic dif-
ferenti
al lock (EDS), electronic torque control
(XDS) and tractor-trailer sway mitigation*.
ESC also helps stabilise the vehicle by chang-
ing the torque.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking up un-
der braking until the vehicle has reached a
virtual standstill. You can continue to steer
the vehicle even when the brakes are on full.
Keep your foot on the brake pedal and do not
pump the brakes. You will feel the brake ped-
al pulsate while the ABS is working.
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
The brake assist system can reduce the re-
quired braking distance. The braking force is
automatically boosted if you press the brake
pedal quickly in an emergency. You must
keep pressing the brake pedal until the dan-
ger has passed.
Traction control system (ASR)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control
system reduces the engine torque to match
the amount of grip available. This helps the
car to start moving, accelerate or climb a gra-
dient.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes
the spinning wheel and directs the power to »
189
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
the other driven wheel. This function is active
up t o ap
pr
oximately 100 km/h (62 mph).
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel
from overheating, the EDL cuts out automati-
cally if subjected to excessive loads. The ve-
hicle can still be driven. The EDL will switch
on again automatically when the brake has
cooled down.
Tractor-trailer sway mitigation*
If the vehicle is pulling a trailer, it will control
the following: Tractor-trailers tend to sway.
When the swaying of the trailer is felt by the
vehicle and detected by the ESC, it will auto-
matically brake the towing vehicle within the
limits of the system and mitigate the sway.
Tractor-trailer sway mitigation is not available
in all countries.
Electronic torque management (XDS)
When taking a curve, the driveshaft differen-
tial mechanism allows the outer wheel to turn
at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In
this way, the wheel that is turning faster (out-
er wheel) receives less drive torque than the
inner wheel. This may mean that in certain
situations the torque delivered to the inner
wheel is too high, causing the wheels to
spin. On the other hand, the outer wheel is
receiving a lower drive torque than it could
transmit. This causes an overall loss of lateral
grip on the front axle, resulting in understeer
or “lengthening” of the trajectory. The XDS system can detect and correct this
effect
via the sensors and signals of the ESC.
Via the ESC, the XDS will brake the inside
wheel and counter the excess driving torque
of that wheel. This means that the driver's
desired trajectory is much more precise.
The XDS system works in combination with
the ESC and is always active, even when ASR
traction control is disconnected, or the ESC in
Sport mode or disconnected.
Multi-collision brake
In an accident, the multi-collision brake can
help the driver by braking to avoid the risk of
skidding during the accident, which could
lead to further collisions.
The multi-collision brake works for front, side
or rear accidents, when the airbag control
unit records its activation level and the acci-
dent takes place at a speed of over 10 km/h
(6 mph). The ESC automatically brakes the
vehicle, as long as the accident has not dam-
aged the ESC, the brake hydraulics or the on-
board network
The following actions control automatic brak-
ing during the accident:
● When the driver presses the accelerator,
the automatic
braking does not take place.
● When the braking pressure through press-
ing the brak
e pedal is greater than the sys- tem’s braking pressure the vehicle will brake
automatic
ally.
● Multi-collision braking will not be available
if ESC
is malfunctioning. WARNING
● The ESC, ABS, ASR, ED S
and the electronic
torque control system cannot exceed the lim-
its imposed by the laws of physics. Always
bear this in mind, especially on wet or slip-
pery roads. If you notice the systems cutting
in, you should reduce your speed immediate-
ly to suit the road and traffic conditions. Do
not be encouraged to take risks by the pres-
ence of more safety systems. If you do, an ac-
cident may occur.
● Please remember that the accident risk al-
way
s increases if you drive fast, especially in
corners or on a slippery road, or if you follow
too close behind the vehicle in front of you.
The ESC, ABS, brake assist, EDS and the elec-
tronic torque control system cannot prevent
accidents: risk of accidents!
● Accelerate with caution on slippery surfa-
ces
(for example, icy or snow-covered). De-
spite the control systems, the driven wheels
could spin, affecting the stability of the vehi-
cle: risk of accident! Note
● The ABS and ASR w i
ll only operate correctly
if the four wheels have identical tyres. Any
differences in the rolling radius of the tyres 190
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
Driving
Inertia mode The inertia mode enables the kinetic energy
of the
v
ehicle to be harnessed enabling cer-
tain stretches to be driven without using the
accelerator. This enables fuel to be saved.
Use the inertia mode to “let the vehicle roll”
before, for example, arriving in a town.
Switching on inertia mode
Important: selector lever must be in position
D, gradients below 12 %.
– Select, in SEAT Drive Profile*, Eco mode
›› ›
page 242.
– Take your foot off the accelerator.
The driver mes
sage Inertia will be dis-
played. At speeds higher than 20 km/h (12
mph), the gearbox will automatically disen-
gage and the vehicle will roll freely, without
the effect of the engine brake. While the vehi-
cle rolls, the engine runs at idling speed.
Stopping inertia mode
– Press the brake or the accelerator pedal.
To mak
e use of the braking force and switch
off the engine again, simply press the brake
pedal briefly.
Applying both the inertia mode (= prolonged
section with less energy) and the switching
off using inertia (= shorter section without the need for fuel) facilitates improved fuel
cons
umption and emission balance. WARNING
● If the iner ti
a mode has been switched on,
take into account, when approaching an ob-
stacle and releasing the accelerator pedal,
that the vehicle will not decelerate in the usu-
al manner: risk of accident!
● When using inertia mode while travelling
down hil
ls, the vehicle can increase speed:
risk of accident!
● If other users drive your vehicle, warn them
about inerti
a mode. Note
● Inerti a mode i
s only available in eco (SEAT
Drive Profile*) driving mode.
● The driver message Inertia is on
ly dis-
played with the current consumption. In iner-
tia mode the gear will no longer be displayed
(for example “E” will appear instead of “E7”).
● On downhill sections with gradients above
15 %, the inertia mode w
ill automatically be
switched off temporarily. Emergency program
A backup programme is in place if a fault
shou
l
d oc
cur in the control system. If all the positions of the selector lever are
shown ov
er a light background on the instru-
ment panel display, there is a system fault
and the automatic gearbox will operate in
with the backup programme. When the back-
up programme is activated, it is possible to
drive the vehicle, however, at low speeds and
within a selected range of gears. In some ca-
ses driving in reverse gear may not be possi-
ble. CAUTION
If the gearbox operates with the backup pro-
gramme, t ak
e the vehicle to a specialised
workshop and have the fault repaired without
delay. Clutch
Clutch overheating! Please
stop!
The c lut
ch has overheated and could be dam-
aged. Stop the vehicle and wait for the gear-
box to cool with the engine at idling speed
and the selector lever in position P. When the
warning lamp and the driver message switch
off, have the fault corrected by a specialised
workshop without delay. If the warning lamp
and the driver message do not switch off, do
not continue driving. Seek specialist assis-
tance.
199
Technical 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