The essentials
Starting the vehicle Ignition loc kFig. 35
Ignition key positions. Switch ignition on: Place the key in the igni-
tion and s
t
ar
t the engine.
Locking and unlocking the steering wheel
● Engaging the steering wheel lock: Remove
the key fr
om the ignition and turn the wheel
until it locks. Depending on the country, in
vehicles with an automatic gearbox, to re-
move the key the gear lever must be in the P
position. If necessary, press the locking key
on the selector lever and release it again.
● Unlocking the steering wheel: Put the key
into the ignition and turn it
at the same time
as the steering wheel in the direction indica-
ted by the arrow. If it is not possible to turn
the steering wheel, it may be because it is
locked. Turning on/switching off the ignition, glow
plugs
reheating
● Switch ignition on: Turn the key to the 2 position.
●
Switch ignition off. Turn the key to the 1 position.
●
Diesel vehicles : The glo
w p
lugs reheat
when the ignition is switched on.
Starting the engine
● Manual gearbox: press the clutch pedal all
the way
down and move the gearbox lever in-
to neutral.
● Automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal
and move the sel
ector lever to the P position
or into N.
● Turn the key to the 3 position. The key au-
t om
atic
ally returns to the 2 position. Do not
pr e
s
s the accelerator.
Start-Stop System*
When you stop and release the clutch pedal,
the Start-Stop system* turns off the engine.
The ignition remains switched on.
››› in Switching the ignition on and
starting the engine with the key on
page 182
››› page 181 Lights and visibility
Light sw
it
ch Fig. 36
Dash panel: light control. ●
Turn the switch to the required position
› ›
›
Fig. 36.
Sym-
bolIgnition switched
offIgnition is
switched on
Fog lights, dipped
beam and side lights
off.Daylight running
lights switched on.
The “Coming home”,
“Leaving home” and
Welcome lights may
be switched on.Automatic control of
dipped beam and
daytime running
light.
Side light on.Daylight running
lights switched on.
Dipped beam head-
light offDipped beam
switched on.
30
The essentialsPriority 1 warning (red symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
Stop the vehicle!
It is dangerous ››› in Warning
and control lamps on page 119 !
Check the function that is faulty and repair it. If necessa-
ry, request assistance from specialised personnel.
Priority 2 warning (yellow symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below the correct
levels may cause damage to the vehicle! ›››
in Warn-
ing and control lamps on page 119
Check the faulty function as soon as possible. If neces-
sary, request assistance from specialised personnel.
Informative text
Information relating to different vehicle processes. Gear-change indicator
Fig. 47
Instrument panel: gear-change indica-
t or (m
anual
gearbox). A gear change will be recommended if the
g
e
ar
you are in is not the most economical
choice. If no gear-change is recommended, it
means that you are already in the most eco-
nomical gear.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The following display symbols ››› Fig. 47
mean:
● Chan ge to a higher gear: the suggested
g
ear appears to the right of the current gear
when a higher gear is recommended .
● Change to a lower gear: the suggested
g
ear appears to the left of the current gear
when a lower gear is recommended .
The gear recommendation may occasionally
skip a gear (2nd 4th). Vehicles with an automatic gearbox*
The dis
p
lay is only visible in tiptronic mode
››› page 195.
The following display symbols mean:
● Shiftin g up a gear
●
Shifting down a gear CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is intended to help
sav e f
uel, but it is not intended to recom-
mend the right gear for all driving situations.
In certain situations, only the driver can
choose the correct gear (for instance when
overtaking, driving up a steep gradient or
towing a trailer). Note
The display disappears from the instrument
panel when
you press the clutch pedal. Outside temperature display
When the outside temperature is below +4°C
(+39°F), the “ic
e c
r
ystal” symbol (warning of
risk of freezing) is also displayed. At first, this
symbol flashes and then it remains lit until
the outside temperature rises above +6°C
(+43°F) ››› in Indications on the display on
p ag
e 117
. » 41
The essentials
Gearbox lever M anua
l
gearbox Fig. 54
Gear shift pattern of a 5 or 6-speed
m anual
g
earbox. The position of the gears is indicated on the
g
e
arbo
x lever ››› Fig. 54.
● Press the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● Mo
ve the gearbox lever to the required po-
sition.
● Rel
ease the clutch.
Selecting r
everse gear
● Press the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● W
ith the gearbox lever in neutral, push it
downw
ards, move it to the left as far as it will
go and then forwards to select reverse
››› Fig. 54 R . ●
Rel
e
ase the clutch.
››› in Changing gear on page 192
››› page 192 Automatic gearbox*
Fig. 55
Automatic gearbox: selector lever po-
s ition
s. Parking lock
R
ev
er
se gear
Neutral (idling)
Drive (forward)
Tiptronic mode: pull the lever forwards
(+) to go up a gear or backwards ( –) to
go down a gear.
P
R
N
D/S
+/–
››› in Selector lever positions on
page 194
››› page 193
››› page 49 Manual release of the selector lever
Fig. 56
Selector lever: manual release from
po s
ition P
. Should the power supply be interrupted,
ther
e i
s
a manual unlocking device located
under the console of the selector lever, on
the right. Releasing the selector lever re-
quires a certain degree of practical skill.
● Unlocking: use the flat part of a screwdriver
bla
de. » 49
The essentials
Emergency towing of the vehi-
c l
e
T
owing Fig. 77
Right side of the front bumper: tow-
line anc hor
ag
e screwed in. Fig. 78
Right side of the rear bumper: towline
anc hor
ag
e screwed in. Towline anchorages
Att
ac
h the b
ar or rope to the towline ancho-
rages.
The towline anchorages are located under
the floor panel in the luggage compartment,
next to the vehicle tools ›››
page 95.
Screw the towline anchorage into the screw
connection ››› Fig. 77 o ››› Fig. 78 and tighten
it with the wheel brace.
Tow rope or tow bar
The tow bar offers increased safety and a
lower risk of damage.
The tow rope is recommended when there is
no tow bar. It must be elastic so that it does
not damage the vehicle.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● The tow rope must be taut before you drive
off.
● Rel
ease the clutch very carefully when start-
ing the v
ehicle (manual gearbox), or acceler-
ate gently (automatic gearbox).
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially
when using a tow rope. Both drivers should
realise how difficult it is to tow a vehicle. In-
experienced drivers should not attempt to
tow. Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle
and take c
are to avoid jerking the tow rope.
When towing on an unpaved road, there is al-
ways a risk of overloading and damaging the
anchorage points.
Switch on the ignition so that the turn sig-
nals, windscreen wipers and windscreen
washer can work. Ensure that the steering
wheel is unlocked and moves freely.
Place the gear lever in neutral on vehicles
with a manual gearbox. With an automatic
gearbox, place the lever in N.
To brake, press the brake pedal firmly. The
brake servo does not work when the engine
is switched off.
The power steering only works when the igni-
tion is switched on and the vehicle is moving,
provided that the battery is sufficiently charg-
ed. Otherwise, it will need more force.
Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all
times.
››› in Introduction on page 98
››› page 98 68
The essentials
Tow-starting If the engine will not start, first try starting it
us
in
g the battery of another vehicle
››› page 69. You should only attempt to tow-
start a vehicle if charging the battery does
not work. This is done by leveraging wheel
movement.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol en-
gine, do not tow it more than a short dis-
tance, otherwise unburned fuel can enter the
catalytic converter.
● Engage 2nd or 3rd gear before moving off.
● Press the clutch and hold the pedal down.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Once both vehicles are moving, release the
clut c
h.
● As soon as the engine has started, press
the clutc
h and move the gear lever to neutral.
How to jump start Jump lea
dsThe jump lead must have a sufficient wire
c
r
o
ss section.
If the engine fails to start because of a dis-
charged battery, the battery can be connec-
ted to the battery of another vehicle to start
the engine. Jump leads must comply with standard
DIN
72553 (see cabl
e manufacturer's instruc-
tions). The wire cross section must be at least
25 mm 2
for petrol engines and at least
35 mm 2
for diesel engines. Note
● The v ehic
les must not touch each other,
otherwise electricity could flow as soon as
the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly
connected t
o the on-board network. How to jump start: description
Fig. 79
Diagram of connections for vehicles
w ithout
Start Stop system Fig. 80
Diagram of connections for vehicles
with St
art Stop system Jump lead terminal connections
Swit
c
h off the ignition of both vehicles
››› .
C onnect
one end of
the red jump lead to
the positive + terminal of the vehicle
w ith the fl
at
battery A
› ›
› Fig. 79 .
Connect the other end of the red jump
lead to the positive terminal + in the
v ehic
l
e providing assistance B .
F or
vehicles without Start-Stop system:
connect one end of the black jump lead
to the negative terminal – of the vehi-
c l
e pr
oviding the current B
› ›
› Fig. 79 .
For vehicles with Start-Stop system: con-
nect one end of the black jump lead X to a suitable ground terminal, to a solid
piec
e of
met
al in the engine block, or to
the engine block itself ››› Fig. 80. »
1.
2.
3.
4a.
4b.
69
Safety
risk of injury. The following points cover part
of the s
af
ety equipment in your SEAT 1)
:
● three-point seat belts,
● belt tension limiters for the front and rear
side seats,
● belt
tensioners for the front and rear side
seats,
● front
airbags,
● knee airbags,
● side airbags in the front seat backrests,
● head-protection airbags,
● “ISOFIX” anchor points for child seats in
the rear s
ide seats with the “ISOFIX” system,
● height-adjustable front head restraints,
● rear head restraints with in-use position
and non-use pos
ition,
● adjustable steering column.
The safety
equipment mentioned above
works together to provide you and your pas-
sengers with the best possible protection in
the event of an accident. However, these
safety systems can only be effective if you
and your passengers are sitting in a correct
position and use this equipment properly.
Safety is everyone's business! Correct position of the vehicle
occup
ants
Correct sitting position for the driver Fig. 84
The proper distance between driver
and s t
eerin
g wheel. Fig. 85
Correct head restraint position for the
driv er
. For your own safety and to reduce the risk of
injur
y
in the ev
ent of an accident, we recom-
mend the following adjustments for the driv-
er:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a
dist
ance of at least 25 cm between the
steering wheel and the centre of your chest
››› Fig. 84.
– Move the driver's seat forwards or back-
ward
s so that you are able to press the ac-
celerator, brake and clutch pedals to the
floor with your knees still slightly angled
››› .
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point
of the s
t
eering wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper
edge is
at the same level as the top of your
head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ››› Fig. 85.
– Move the seat backrest to an upright posi-
tion so that
your back rests completely
against it.
– Fasten your seat belt securely ›››
page 79.
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you
have the
vehicle under control at all times.
Adjustment of the driver's seat ››› page 156. 1)
Depending on the version/market.
74
Safety
Rear head restraints – The rear head restraints have 2 positions:
use
and
non-use.
– One position for use (he
ad restraint raised)
››› Fig. 87. In this position, the head re-
straints are used normally, protecting pas-
sengers along with the rear seat belts.
– And one position for non-use (he
ad re-
straint lowered).
– To fit the head restraints in position for use,
pul
l on the edges with both hands in the
direction of the arrow. WARNING
● Under no cir c
umstances should the rear
passengers travel while the head restraints
are in the non-use position. See the warning
label located on the rear side fixed window
››› Fig. 88.
● Do not swap the centre rear head restraint
with either of the out
er seat rear head re-
straints. Risk of injury in case of an accident! CAUTION
Note the instructions on the adjustment of
the hea d r
estraints ››› page 157. Pedal area
P ed
a
ls –
Ensure that you can always press the accel-
erat or
, brake and clutch pedals unimpaired
to the floor.
– Ensure that the pedals can return unim-
paired t
o their initial positions.
– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fas-
tened during the trip and do not
obstruct
the pedals ››› .
On ly
u
se floor mats which leave the pedals
clear and which are secured to prevent them
from slipping. You can obtain suitable floor
mats from a specialised dealership. Fasten-
ers* for floor mats are fitted in the footwells.
If a brake circuit fails, the brake pedal must
be pressed down thoroughly in order to stop
the vehicle.
Wear suitable footwear
Always wear shoes which support your feet
properly and give you a good feeling for the
pedals. WARNING
● Re s
tricting pedal operation can lead to crit-
ical situations while driving. ●
Never l a
y or fit floor mats or other floor cov-
erings over the original floor mats. This
would reduce the pedal area and could ob-
struct the pedals. Risk of accident.
● Never place objects in the driver footwell.
An obj
ect could move into the pedal area and
impair pedal operation. In the event of a sud-
den driving or braking manoeuvre, you will
not be able to operate the brake, clutch or ac-
celerator pedal. Risk of accident! 78
Self-help
–
Ac c
elerate with particular care and cau-
tion.
– Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
– Brake earlier than usual and more
smoothly. CAUTION
● To av oid d
amaging the vehicle, for example
the paint, remove and replace the lid and
towing eye carefully.
● Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic con-
vert
er and damage it during towing. Indications for tow-starting
Vehicle's should not generally be tow-star-
t
ed.
The jump s
tart should be used instead
››› page 69.
For technical reasons, towing the following
vehicles is not allowed:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
● If the vehicle battery is discharged, be-
cause in
vehicles with the Keyless Access
locking and ignition system the steering re-
mains locked and the electronic parking
brake cannot be deactivated nor can the elec-
tronic lock of the steering column be re-
leased if they are activated. ●
If the batt
ery is flat, it is possible that the
engine control units may not operate correct-
ly.
However, if the vehicle must absolutely be
tow-started (in the case of manual gearbox-
es):
● Engage the 2nd or 3rd gear.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch on the ignition and the hazard warn-
ing lights.
● Once both
vehicles are moving, release the
clutc
h.
● Once the engine starts, press the clutch
and diseng
age the gear to avoid colliding
with the towing vehicle. CAUTION
When tow-starting, unburnt fuel could enter
the cat a
lytic converter and damage it. Note
The vehicle can only be tow-started if the
electr onic
parking brake and, if appropriate,
the electronic lock of the steering column are
deactivated. If the vehicle has no power sup-
ply or there is an electric system fault, the
engine must be tow-started to deactivate the
electronic parking brake and the electronic
lock of the steering column. Indications for towing
Tow rope or tow bar
It i
s
safer for the vehicle to be towed using a
tow bar, avoiding damage to the vehicle. A
tow rope should only be used if a tow bar is
not available.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to avoid
damage to both vehicles. It is advisable to
use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or sim-
ilarly elastic material.
Only attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the
towing eyes provided or a towing bracket.
If the vehicle is factory-equipped with a tow-
ing bracket, it is only allowed to tow with a
tow bar if this has been specially designed to
be installed with a tow hitch ›››
page 276.
When the vehicle needs to be towed:
Check whether the vehicle may be towed
››› page 100, Cases where towing a vehicle
is not allowed .
● Switch the ignition on.
● Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the se-
lect or l
ever in the N ›››
page 192 position.
● Do not allow the vehicle to be towed at
speeds
of over 50 km/h (30 mph).
● The vehicle must not be towed further than
50 km (30 mil e
s). »
99
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety