2018 Seat Ateca power steering

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

Emergencies
they should be changed if they are damaged,
or c l
e
aned if they are dirty ››› .
Dam ag
ed w
indscreen wiper blades should be
replaced immediately. These are available
from qualified workshops. WARNING
Worn or dirty windscreen wiper blades reduce
vi s

ibility and increase the risk of accident
and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn wind-
scr
een wiper blades or blades that no longer
clean the windscreen properly. CAUTION
● Damag ed or dir

ty windscreen wipers could
scratch the glass.
● If products containing solvents, rough
spong
es or sharp objects are used to clean
the blades, the graphite layer will be dam-
aged.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or simil
ar products to clean the win-
dows.
● In icy conditions, always check that the
wiper bl
ades are not frozen to the glass be-
fore using the wipers. In cold weather, it may
help to leave the vehicle parked with the wip-
ers in service position ›››
 page 71. CAUTION
● To pr ev

ent damage to the bonnet and the
wiper arms, only leave them in the service
position.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper
arms. Tow-starting and towing
Introduction Tow-starting me
an
s
starting the engine of
the vehicle while another pulls it.
Towing means one vehicle pulling another
that is not roadworthy.
Always consider the legal provisions relating
to tow-starting and towing.
For technical reasons, towing a vehicle with a
discharged battery is not allowed. The jump
start should be used instead ›››
 page 69.
If the vehicle comes with the Keyless Access
system, towing is only allowed with the igni-
tion on!
The vehicle battery drains if the vehicle is
towed with the engine switched off and the
ignition connected. Depending on the battery
charge status, the drop in voltage may be so
large, even after just a few minutes, that no
electrical device in the vehicle may work e.g. the hazard warning lights. In vehicles with
the Keyle

ss Access system, the steering
wheel could lock ››› .
WARNING
A vehicle with no power should never be tow-
ed.
● During towing, never switch off the ignition
with the s t

arter button. Otherwise, the elec-
tronic lock of the steering column could sud-
denly get blocked and it would be impossible
to steer the vehicle. This could cause an acci-
dent, serious injury and loss of control of the
vehicle.
● If during towing the vehicle runs out of
power
, stop towing immediately and request
the assistance of specialist personnel. WARNING
Vehicle handling and braking capacity
ch an

ge considerably during towing. Please
observe the following instructions to mini-
mise the risk of serious accidents and injury:
● As the driver of the vehicle being towed:
– You shoul

d depress the brake much hard-
er as the brake servo does not operate.
Pay the utmost attention to avoid crash-
ing into the towing vehicle.
– More strength is required at the steering
wheel as the power steering does not op-
erate when the engine is switched off.
● As the driver of the towing vehicle: 98

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

Emergencies
● If a br
e
akdown lorry is used, vehicles with
automatic transmission are only allowed to
be towed with the front wheels suspended.
Towing vehicles with four-wheel drive
(4Drive)
Four-wheel drive vehicles (4Drive) can be
towed using a tow bar or tow rope. If the ve-
hicle is towed with the front or rear axle sus-
pended, the engine must be switched off,
otherwise the transmission may be damaged.
Cases where towing a vehicle is not allowed
● If, due to a fault, the gearbox is out of lubri-
cant.
● If

the vehicle battery is discharged, be-
cause the s
teering remains locked and, if ap-
propriate, the electronic parking brake can-
not be deactivated or the electronic lock of
the steering column released.
● If a distance above 50 km needs to be trav-
elled.
● When, f

or example, after an accident, the
smooth rotation of
the wheels or the steering
operation cannot be guaranteed.
When the vehicle is to tow another vehicle:
● Observe legal requirements.
● Keep in mind the instructions in the man-
ual on to
wing vehicles. Note
The vehicle can only be towed if the electron-
ic p ark

ing brake and the electronic lock of the
steering column are deactivated. If the vehi-
cle has no power supply or there is an electric
system fault, the engine must be tow-started
›››  page 69 to deactivate the electronic
parking brake and the electronic lock of the
steering column. Fitting the front towing eye
Fig. 98
Front bumper on right: remove the lid. Fig. 99
Front bumper on right: towline an-
chor ag

e screwed in. The housing of the screw towing eye is on the
right
s
ide of

the front bumper behind a lid
››› Fig. 98.
The towing eye should always be kept in the
vehicle.
Bear in mind the instructions for towing
››› page 99.
Fitting the towline anchorage
● Remove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool
kit in the luggage compartment
››› page 95.
● Extract the lid for the towing eye using the
vehicl
e key blade (if you do not have the spe-
cific tool), pressing on the side and levering
gently from left to right.
● Remove the lid and let it hang from the ve-
hicle.
100

Emergencies
CAUTION
● The to w
ing eye must always be completely
and firmly tightened. Otherwise, it could be
released while towing and tow-starting.
● 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. If an unsuita-
ble tow bar is used, both the tow hitch and
the vehicle may be damaged. Instead, a tow
rope should be used. Driving tips for towing
Towing requires some expertise and experi-
enc
e, e
s

pecially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the difficulties
involved in towing. For this reason, inexper-
ienced drivers should abstain from towing.
During towing, it should be ensured that no
impermissible tractive forces or shocks are
generated. When towing on an unpaved
road, there is always a risk of overloading
and damaging the anchorage points.
During towing, the towing vehicle can signal
the change of direction even with the hazard
warning lights turned on. To do so, at the
same time, the turn signal lever must be op-
erated with ignition switched on. Meanwhile,
the hazard warning lights will go off. When
the turn signal lever is returned to the rest position, the hazard warning lights will be
automatic

ally reactivated.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle ● Leave the ignition on, so that the steering
is not
blocked, and the electronic parking
brake may be deactivated and the turn sig-
nals and wash/wipe operated.
● More strength is required at the steering
wheel as
the power steering does not oper-
ate when the engine is switched off.
● You should depress the brake much harder
as the br
ake servo does not operate. Avoid
hitting the towing vehicle.
● Bear in mind the information and instruc-
tions in the m
anual of the vehicle to be tow-
ed.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● Accelerate with particular care and caution.
Avoid sh
arp manoeuvres.
● Brake earlier than usual and smoothly.
● Bear in mind the information and instruc-
tions in the m
anual of the towed vehicle. Fuses and bulbs
F u
se

s
Introduction In general, a fuse can be assigned to various
electric
al

components. Likewise, an electrical
component can be protected by several
fuses.
Only replace fuses when the cause of the
problem has been solved. If a newly inserted
fuse blows after a short time, you must have
the electrical system checked by a special-
ised workshop as soon as possible. WARNING
The high voltages in the electrical system can
give seriou s

electrical shocks, causing burns
and even death!
● Never touch the electrical wiring of the igni-
tion syst
em.
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the
electrica
l system. WARNING
Using unsuitable fuses, repairing fuses or
bridging a c urr

ent circuit without fuses can
cause a fire and serious injury. 102

Operation
WARNING
● Never ru n the en
gine in confined spaces, as
the exhaust gases are poisonous. CAUTION
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and
extr eme lo

ad conditions until the engine has
reached its normal operating temperature,
otherwise this can damage the engine. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by idling it. You
shoul d driv

e off as soon as you start the en-
gine. This will help avoid unnecessary ex-
haust emissions. Note
● If it i

s difficult to turn the ignition key to
the position 2 , turn the steering wheel to
both side s
to release the steering lock.
● When starting from cold, the engine may be
a little noisy
for the first few seconds until oil
pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve
lifters. This is quite normal, and no cause for
concern.
● If the vehicle battery is disconnected and
reconnect
ed, the key must remain in the posi-
tion 1 for around 5 seconds before starting
up.
● Vehic

les with automatic gearbox: depend-
ing on the cou
ntry, after switching off the ig-
nition, you can only remove the ignition key if the selector lever is in position “P” (parking
lock). Ne
xt, the sel

ector lever is locked. Switching off the engine with the key
Switching off the engine
– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position 1 ›››
Fig. 177.
Eng agin

g the steering wheel lock
In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the igni-
tion key can only be removed when the selec-
tor lever is in position P.
– Remove the key from the ignition in posi-
tion 1
› ›
› Fig. 177
››› .
– Turn the steering wheel until you hear it en-
gag
e.
P

ossible vehicle theft is prevented with the
steering lock engaged. 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 r emo

ve the key from the ignition if
the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could suddenly lock, making it impossible
to steer the vehicle: risk of accident!
● Always take the key with you when you
leav
e the vehicle. This is particularly impor-
tant if there are children in the vehicle, as
they might otherwise be able to start the en-
gine or use power-operated equipment (e.g.
the electric windows), which could cause in-
juries. CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high
loa d f

or a long time, there is a risk of heat
building up in the engine compartment after
it has been switched off; this could cause en-
gine damage. For this reason, you should idle
the engine for approximately 2 minutes be-
fore you switch it off. Note
After the engine is switched off the radiator
fan m a

y run on for up to 10 minutes, even if
the ignition is switched off. It is also possible
that the fan turns itself on once more if the
coolant temperature increases due to the
heat accumulated in the engine compartment
or due to its prolonged exposure to solar ra-
diation. 182

Driving
●
Never u se s
prays to cold start the engine. CAUTION
● The s tar

ter motor or the engine may be
damaged if you try to start the engine while
driving or if you restart it immediately after
switching it off.
● If the engine is cold, avoid high engine
speeds, p
ushing the engine too hard and rap-
id acceleration.
● Do not start the engine by pushing the ve-
hicle or t
owing it. Unburnt fuel could enter
the catalytic converter and damage it. Note
● Do not w ait

until the engine warms up with
the vehicle stationary; if you have good visi-
bility through the windows, start driving im-
mediately. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emis-
sions.
● Electrical components with a high power
cons
umption are switched off temporarily
when the engine starts.
● When starting with a cold engine, noise
level
s may briefly increase. This is quite nor-
mal, and no cause for concern.
● When the outside temperature is below
+5°C (+41°F), if the en
gine is diesel, some
smoke may appear under the vehicle when
the fuel-operated auxiliary heater is on. Stopping the engine
3 Valid for vehicles: with Keyless Access
StepSwitch off the engine with the starter
button
››› page 183.
1.Stop the vehicle completely ››› .
2.Press and hold the brake pedal until the step
4 is performed.
3.If you are driving an automatic vehicle, place
the selector lever in position P.
4.Connect the electronic parking brake
››› page 186.
5.
Briefly press the start-up button ››› Fig. 178.
The START ENGINE STOP button blinks again. If
the engine fails to switch off, perform an
emergency disconnect ››› page 183.
6.If the vehicle is equipped with a manual
gearbox, put it into 1st or reverse. WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle
is mo

ving. This could cause loss of control of
the vehicle, accidents and serious injury.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not
work when the ignition i
s switched off.
● The brake servo does not work with the en-
gine off. Ther
efore, you need to press the
break pedal harder to brake the vehicle. ●
Po w

er steering does not work when the en-
gine is not running. You need more strength
to steer when the engine is switched off.
● If the ignition is switched off, the steering
column c
ould be locked, making it impossible
to control the vehicle. CAUTION
If the engine is made to work hard for a long
time, it ma

y overheat after being switched
off. To prevent damage to the engine before
switching it off, leave it idle for approx. 2 mi-
nutes in neutral. Note
After switching off the engine, the cooling fan
ma y

continue to operate in the engine com-
partment for a few more minutes, even with
the ignition off. The radiator fan is automati-
cally switched off. “My Beat” Function
For vehicles with a convenience key there is
the “M
y
B

eat” function. This feature provides
an additional indication of the vehicle igni-
tion system.
When accessing the vehicle, e.g. by opening
the doors with the remote control, the START ENGINE STOP button flashes, calling at-
t ention t
o the r

elevant starter system button. »
185
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

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