Seat Mii. Service Manual - part 9

Driving

Recommended settings in case of heating
and fresh air system, and manual air condi-
tioning.

●

Disconnect the air recirculation.

●

Select speed  o  from the blower.

●

Put the temperature control in the inter-

mediate position.

●

Open and direct all of the air outlets on the

dash panel .

●

Turn the air distribution regulator to the de-

sired position.

●

Manual air conditioning: press the button



 on the control panel to connect the cool-

ing. The air is dehumidified in the cooling
mode.

Recommended settings in case of Climatron-
ic

●

Press the button 



 on the control panel.

●

Set the temperature to +22 °C (+72 °F).

●

Open the air vents on the dash panel and

direct them.

Maximum cooling or heating output in case
of Climatronic
While in gear, the maximum cooling and
heating output is set by pressing button 

1

or 

2

 several times 

››› 

Fig. 144

. The tempera-

ture is not regulated.

●

Maximum cooling output: set the cooling

below +16 °C (+60 °F). The following appears
on the screen 

LO

.

●

Maximum heating output: set the cooling

above +29 °C (+84 °F). The following appears
on the screen 

HI

.

Dust and pollen filter
The dirt and pollen filter must be changed
regularly so that the air conditioning output
does not decrease.

If the vehicle is used frequently in areas
where the outside air is very contaminated, it
is possible that you may have to change the
filter prior to the next suggested service.

Water under the vehicle
When the outside humidity and ambient tem-
perature are high, it is possible that 

conden-

sation water may drip from the cooling evap-
orator and a puddle may from below the vehi-
cle. This is normal and does not indicate a
leak!

Driving

Steering

Introduction

The power steering* is not hydraulic but elec-
tromechanical. The advantage of this steer-
ing system is that it disposes of hydraulic
tubes, hydraulic oil, the pump, filter and oth-
er components. The electromechanical sys-
tem saves fuel. While a hydraulic system re-
quires oil pressure to be maintained, electro-
mechanical steering only requires energy
when the steering wheel is turned.

With the power steering system, the assisted
steering function automatically adjusts ac-
cording to the vehicle speed, the steering tor-
que and the wheel turning angle. The power
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning.

WARNING

If the power steering is not working then the
steering wheel is much more difficult to turn
and the vehicle more difficult to control.

●

The power steering only works when the

engine is running.

●

Never allow the vehicle to move when the

engine is switched off.

●

Never remove the key from the ignition if

the vehicle is in motion. The steering may

»

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lock and it will not be possible to turn the
steering wheel.

Control and warning lamps



It lights up red

Power steer-
ing faulty.

The steering system should be checked
by a specialised workshop as soon as
possible.



It lights up yellow

Power steer-
ing opera-
tion re-
duced.

The steering system should be checked
by a specialised workshop as soon as
possible.
If, after restarting the engine and driv-
ing for a short distance, the yellow
warning lamp no longer comes on, it will
not be necessary to take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop.



Flashes red

Fault in the
steering col-
umn elec-
tronic lock.



 

Do not drive on!

Seek professional advice.



It flashes yellow

Steering col-
umn devia-
tion.

Gently turn the steering wheel to and
fro.



It flashes yellow

Steering
wheel not
unlocked or
locked.

Remove the key from the ignition and
then switch the ignition back on. If nec-
essary, check the messages displayed
on the instrument panel display.
Do not drive on, if the steering column
remains locked after the ignition has
been switched on. Seek specialist assis-
tance.

Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.

WARNING

If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
may stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.

●

Never ignore the warning lamps.

●

Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.

CAUTION

Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appear may result in faults in the vehicle.

Information on the steering

To prevent theft, we recommend you lock the
steering before leaving the vehicle.

Steering column mechanical lock
Lock the steering column by removing the
key from the ignition when the vehicle is
stopped.

Please engage steer-
ing lock

Unlocking the steering

Parking the vehicle

››› 

page 137

.

Insert the key in the igni-
tion lock.

Remove the key from the
ignition.

Turn the steering wheel
slightly to release the
steering lock.

Turn the steering wheel
slightly until you hear the
steering lock.

Hold the steering wheel in
this position and switch
on the ignition.

Electromechanical power steering
With the power steering system, the assisted
steering function automatically adjusts ac-
cording to the vehicle speed, the steering tor-
que and the wheel turning angle. The power
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning.

You should remember that you will need con-
siderably more power than normal to steer
the vehicle if the power steering is not work-
ing correctly or not at all.

134

Driving

Stopping and starting the en-
gine

Switching on the ignition and starting
the engine

Fig. 145 

Vehicle key positions

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 20

Immobiliser display
When an invalid key is used or in the event of
a system fault,  is displayed on the instru-
ment panel. The engine cannot be started.

Pushing or towing
For technical reasons, the vehicle must 

not

be push- or tow-started. Jump starting is pref-
erable.

Key not authorised for the vehicle
If a key which is not authorised for this vehi-
cle is inserted in the ignition lock, it can be
removed as follows:

●

Automatic gearbox: the key cannot be re-

moved from the ignition lock. Press and re-
lease the selector lever locking button. Key
can be removed from the vehicle.

●

Manual gearbox: Remove the key from the

ignition.

WARNING

Switching off the engine while driving makes
stopping the vehicle difficult. As a conse-
quence you may lose control of the vehicle
and there is a risk of serious accident.

●

The assisted braking and steering systems,

the airbag system, seat belts and certain
safety equipment are only active while the
engine is running.

●

The engine should only be switched off

when the vehicle is at a standstill.

WARNING

While the engine is running or starting it
could help reduce the risk of serious injury.

●

Never start or leave the engine running in

poorly ventilated or closed spaces. Exhaust
gas contains carbon monoxide, a toxic, col-
ourless and odourless gas. Carbon monoxide
can cause people to lose consciousness. It
can also cause death.

●

Never leave the vehicle unattended if the

engine is running. The vehicle could move off
suddenly or something unexpected could
happen resulting in damage and serious in-
jury.

●

Never use start boosters. Cold start sprays

could explode or increase the engine speed
unexpectedly.

WARNING

The components of the exhaust system reach
very high temperatures. This could cause a
fire and considerable damage.

●

Always park your vehicle so that no part of

the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood, leaves,
spilled fuel, dried grass, etc).

●

Never apply additional underseal or anti-

corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter or the heat shields on the ex-
haust system.

WARNING

Unsuitable or careless use of the vehicle key
could result in serious injury.

●

Always take all the keys with you whenever

you leave the vehicle. If not, the engine could
accidentally be started and electrical equip-
ment such as the windows could accidentally
be operated resulting in serious injury.

●

Never leave children or disabled people

alone in the car. Passengers could be trapped

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in the car in an emergency and not be able to
get themselves to safety. For example, de-
pending on the time of the year, tempera-
tures inside a locked and closed vehicle can
be extremely high or extremely low resulting
in serious injuries and illness or even death,
particularly for young children.

●

Never remove the key from the ignition if

the vehicle is in motion. The steering may
lock and it will not be possible to turn the
steering wheel.

CAUTION

●

An attempt to start the engine while driving

or starting the engine immediately after turn-
ing it off can cause damage to the engine or
starter motor.

●

When the engine is cold, avoid high revs

and heavy acceleration and do not make the
engine work hard.

●

Do not push or tow start the engine. Un-

burnt fuel could damage the catalytic con-
verter.

For the sake of the environment

Do not warm the engine at idle speed; start
driving immediately if the visibility is OK.
This helps the engine reach operating tem-
perature faster and reduces emissions.

Note

●

If the key is left in the ignition lock with the

engine off for long periods, the vehicle bat-
tery will run flat.

●

For automatic gearbox vehicles, the key can

only be removed from the ignition lock if the
gear selector lever is in position N. In this
case, press and release the selector lever
locking button.

●

Electrical devices with a high power con-

sumption are switched off temporarily when
the engine starts.

●

When the engine is started cold, there may

be strong vibrations for a few moments for
technical reasons. This is quite normal, and
no cause for concern.

●

Natural gas engines always start up with

petrol, as a certain operating temperature is
required for running with gas. Once the re-
quired operating temperature is reached, the
engine will change to operate with natural
gas.

Stopping the engine

Switching off the engine

–

Stop the vehicle 

››› 

.

–

Turn the ignition key to position 

1

››› 

Fig. 145

.

Engaging 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 

N.

–

Remove the key from the ignition in posi-
tion 

1

 

››› 

Fig. 145

 

››› 

.

–

Turn the steering wheel until you hear it en-
gage.

Possible vehicle theft is prevented with the
steering lock engaged.

WARNING

Never switch off the engine while the vehicle
is moving. You may lose control of the vehicle
and there is a risk of serious accident.

●

The airbags and belt tensioners do not

work when the ignition is switched off.

●

The brake servo does not work with the en-

gine off. To stop, the brake pedal must be
pressed with more force.

●

As the power steering does not work if the

engine is not running, you will need more
strength to steer than normally.

●

If the key is removed from the ignition, the

steering may lock and it will not be possible
to steer the vehicle.

136

Driving

CAUTION

If the engine has been driven at high speed
for a prolonged period of time, it may over-
heat when turned off. To avoid engine dam-
age, allow the engine to run for approximate-
ly 2 minutes in neutral before switching it off.

Note

After stopping the engine, the engine com-
partment fan may continue running for a few
minutes, even when the ignition has been
switched off or the key removed. The radiator
fan is automatically switched off.

Electronic immobiliser

The gear lock prevents the engine from being
started with an unauthorised key and the ve-
hicle being moved.

The vehicle key has a built-in chip. It auto-
matically deactivates the electronic immobil-
iser when the key is inserted into the ignition
lock.

The electronic immobilizer will be activated
again automatically as soon as you remove
the key from the ignition lock.

For this reason, the vehicle can only be used
with a genuine SEAT key with the correct
code. Coded keys can be obtained from SEAT
dealerships 

››› 

page 92

.

If an unauthorised key is used, the signal 
appears on the instrument panel display. The
vehicle cannot be started in this case

Note

The correct operation of the vehicle is only
guaranteed when original SEAT keys are
used.

Braking and parking

Introduction

The 

assisted brake systems are the electron-

ic distribution of braking force (EBV), the an-
ti-lock brake system (ABS), the brake assist
system (BAS), the electronic differential lock
(EDL), traction control (TC)*, the traction con-
trol system (ASR) and the electronic stability
control (ESC*).

WARNING

Driving with worn brake pads or a faulty
brake system may lead to serious accident.

●

If you believe the brake pads to be worn or

the brake system to be faulty, immediately
refer to a specialised workshop to check the
brake pads and replace the worn ones.

WARNING

Careless parking can cause serious injury.

●

Never remove the key from the ignition if

the vehicle is in motion. The steering lock
may engage and lock the steering wheel mak-
ing the vehicle impossible to control.

●

Always park your vehicle so that no part of

the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood, leaves,
dried grass, spilled fuel, etc.).

●

Always apply the handbrake when you

leave your vehicle and when you park.

●

Never leave children or disabled people

alone in the vehicle. They could release the
electronic parking brake, activate the selec-
tor lever or gear stick and start the vehicle
moving. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.

●

Always take all the keys with you whenever

you leave the vehicle. The engine could acci-
dentally be started and electrical equipment
such as the windows could accidentally be
operated resulting in serious injury.

●

Never leave children or disabled people

alone in the car. They could be trapped in the
car in an emergency and will not be able to
get themselves to safety. For example, de-
pending on the time of the year, tempera-
tures inside a locked and closed vehicle can
be extremely high or extremely low resulting
in serious injuries and illness or even death,
particularly for young children.

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CAUTION

●

Special care should be taken when parking

in areas with high kerbs or fixed barriers.
Objects protruding from the ground may
damage the bumper or other parts of the ve-
hicle during manoeuvres. To avoid damage,
stop before the wheels touch the barrier or
kerb.

●

Special attention is required when driving

through entrances, over ramps, kerbs or oth-
er objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers,
mudguards and running gear, and the engine
and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects.

Control and warning lamps



It lights up 

››› 

Handbrake applied.

››› 

page 141

.



It lights up 

››› 

Fault in the brake
system



 

Do not drive on!

Seek professional advice

››› 

page 142

.

Brake fluid level in-
adequate.



 

Do not drive on!

Check brake fluid level

››› 

page 194

.

Together with the
ABS control lamp


: ABS and EBV do

not function.



 

Do not drive on!

Seek professional advice

››› 

page 142

.



It lights up 

››› 

ESC* disconnected
by system.

Switching the ignition on and off
If necessary, drive for a short dis-
tance.

Fault in ESC*.

Contact a specialised workshop.

Together with the
ABS control lamp


: Fault in the ABS.

Contact a specialised workshop.
The vehicle can be braked with-
out ABS.

The battery has
been reconnected.

››› 

page 196

.



It lights up 

››› 

Traction Control*
faulty or switched
off by the system.

Contact a specialised workshop.



It lights up 

››› 

Together with the
ESC* control lamp


: Fault in the ABS.

Contact a specialised workshop.
The vehicle can be braked with-
out ABS.

Together with the
warning lamp :
ABS and EBV do not
function.



 

Do not drive on!

Seek professional advice

››› 

page 142

.



Flashes

ESC* or ASR regulat-
ing.

Take your foot off the accelera-
tor. Adjust your driving style to
the road conditions.



Flashes

Traction Control*
regulator operating.

Take your foot off the accelera-
tor. Adjust your driving style to
the road conditions.

Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.

WARNING

If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle
may stall in traffic, or may cause accidents
and severe injuries.

●

Never ignore the warning lamps.

●

Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.

WARNING

Driving with brakes in bad condition could re-
sult in a serious accident.

●

If the brake warning lamp  does not go

out, or if it lights up when driving, the brake
fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there
is a fault in the brake system. Obtain profes-
sional assistance immediately 

››› 

page 194,

Checking the brake fluid level

.

●

If the brake warning lamp  lights up to-

gether with the ABS warning lamp , the
regulation function of the ABS could be mal-
functioning. As a result, the rear wheels can
lock relatively easily when braking. If the rear

138

Driving

wheels lock this could result in loss of vehicle
control! If possible, reduce your speed and
drive carefully to a specialised workshop
close by to check the brake system. During
the following journey, avoid sudden braking
and manoeuvres.

●

If the ABS warning lamp  does not go out

or if it lights while driving, the ABS is mal-
functioning. The vehicle can only be stopped
using normal braking without ABS. The pro-
tection provided by the ABS is not available.
Visit a specialised workshop as soon as pos-
sible.

CAUTION

Failure to heed the warning lamps when they
appear may result in faults in the vehicle.

Brake assist systems

The assisted braking systems ESC*, ABS,
EBV, BAS, ASR, TC and EDL only operate when
the ignition is switched on. They contribute
significantly to increasing active safety.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*
ESC* reduces the risk of skidding and increa-
ses the vehicle stability by braking individual
wheels under specific driving conditions.
ESC* detects critical handling situations,

such as understeer, oversteer and wheelspin
on the driven wheels. The system stabilises
the vehicle by braking individual wheels or
by reducing the engine torque.

The ESC* has limits. It is important to realise
that ESC* is also subject to the laws of phys-
ics. ESC* will not be able to deal with all sit-
uations with which drivers may be faced. For
example, if the road surface changes sudden-
ly then ESC* will not be useful in all cases. If
the vehicle suddenly enters a section cov-
ered by water, mud or snow then ESC* will
not provide assistance in the same way as on
dry ground. If the vehicle loses its grip on the
ground and moves on a film of water (“aqua-
planing”), the ESC* will not be able to help
the driver control the vehicle due to the loss
of adherence with the road surface prevent-
ing braking and steering. If the vehicle is
driven through series of bends at high
speed, the ESC* will not always be as effec-
tive: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driv-
ing is not the same as at reduced speeds.

Adjust your speed and driving style to suit
visibility, and weather, road and traffic condi-
tions. ESC* cannot push the limits of the laws
of physics; improve the transmission availa-
ble or maintain the vehicle on the road if a
lack of driver attention creates an inevitable
situation. Otherwise, ESC* assists in main-
taining vehicle control in extreme situations

and uses the movements of the steering
made by the driver to maintain the vehicle
moving in the desired direction. If the vehicle
is driven at such a speed that it will leave the
road before ESC* can intervene then the sys-
tem cannot provide assistance.

The ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL systems are in-
corporated into the ESC*. The ESC* is always
on

1)

.

Anti-lock system (ABS)
ABS can prevent the wheels from locking dur-
ing braking until just before the vehicle stops
thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle
and maintain control. This means that, even
during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:

●

Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not

remove your foot from the brake pedal or re-
duce braking force!

●

Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce

braking force!

●

Maintain vehicle direction when braking

fully.

●

When the brake pedal is released or when

the brake force is reduced, ABS is turned off.

ABS control can be observed by 

vibration of

the brake pedal and noise. You should never

»

1)

Depending on the version.

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expect the ABS to reduce the braking dis-
tance under any circumstances. This distance
will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy or slippery ground.

Brake assist system (BAS)
The brake assist system may reduce the re-
quired braking distance. The brake assist
system boosts the braking force if you press
the brake pedal quickly in an emergency. As
a result, the braking pressure increases rap-
idly, the braking force is multiplied and the
braking distance is reduced. This enables the
ABS to be activated more quickly and effec-
tively.

¡Do 

not lift your foot off the brake pedal!

When the brake pedal is released or when
the brake force is reduced, braking assist au-
tomatically turns off the brake servo.

Traction control system (ASR) or Traction
Control (TC)*
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control
system ASR or TC reduces the engine torque
to match the amount of grip available. The
ASR or TC makes some situations easier, for
example, when starting, accelerating or go-
ing uphill, even in unfavourable road condi-
tions.

Electronic differential lock (EDS)
EDL is available when driving in straight lines
under normal conditions. When the EDL de-
tects wheelspin, it brakes the spinning wheel
and directs the power to the other one. To
prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel
from overheating, the EDL cuts out automati-
cally if subjected to excessive loads. The EDL
will switch on again automatically when the
brake has cooled down.

WARNING

Driving at high speed on icy, slippery or wet
ground can result in loss of vehicle control
and serious injury to the driver and passen-
gers.

●

Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-

bility, road, traffic and weather conditions.
Even though the brake assist systems, ABS,
BAS, EDL, ASR and ESC* provide more securi-
ty, do not take unnecessary risks while driv-
ing.

●

Brake assist systems can not overcome the

laws of physics. Even with ESC* and other
systems, slippery and wet roads will always
be dangerous.

●

Driving to quickly on wet ground can result

in the wheels losing contact with the ground
in an effect known as “aquaplaning”. Without
adherence, it is impossible to brake, steer or
control the vehicle.

●

Brake assist systems cannot avoid acci-

dents if, for example, the driver does not re-

spect safety distances or drives to quickly in
difficult conditions.

●

Even though brake assist systems are ex-

tremely effective and help control the vehicle
in difficult situations, remember that the ve-
hicle stability depends on tyre grip.

●

When accelerating on a slippery surface,

for example on ice or snow, press the acceler-
ator carefully. The wheels can still slip even
with brake assist systems resulting in loss of
vehicle control.

WARNING

The effectiveness of the ESC* can be consid-
erably reduced if other components and sys-
tems affecting driving dynamics are not main-
tained or are not functioning correctly. This
includes, among others, brakes, tyres and
other systems already mentioned.

●

Remember that changing and fitting other

components to the vehicle can affect opera-
tion of the ABS, BAS, ASR TC, EDL and ESC*.

●

Changes to the vehicle suspension or using

unapproved wheel/tyre combinations can af-
fect operation of the ABS, BAS, ASR, TC, EDL
and ESC* and their effectiveness.

●

Likewise, the effectiveness of ESC* de-

pends on the use of suitable tyres

››› 

page 199

.

140

Driving

Note

●

To ensure that the ESC*, ASR and TC work

properly, all four wheels must be fitted with
identical tyres. Any differences in the rolling
radius of the tyres can cause the system to
reduce engine power when this is not de-
sired.

●

If a malfunction should occur in the ABS,

the ESC*, ASR, TC and EDL will also be affec-
ted.

●

Noises may be heard while any of the

above systems are operating.

Handbrake

Fig. 146 

Between the front seats: handbrake.

Using the handbrake

●

Pull firmly in an upwards direction on the

handbrake lever while pressing the button.

●

The handbrake is applied when the control

lamp  lights up on the instrument panel

››› 

page 138

 when the ignition is switched

on.

Releasing the handbrake

●

Pull gently in an upwards direction on the

handbrake lever and press the lock button

››› 

Fig. 146

 (arrow).

●

Move the handbrake lever downwards

keeping the lock button pressed.

WARNING

The incorrect use of the handbrake may result
in a serious accident.

●

Never use the handbrake to brake the vehi-

cle except in an emergency. The braking dis-
tance is considerably longer, because braking
is only applied to the rear wheels. Always use
the foot brake.

●

Never drive with the handbrake gently ap-

plied. This can overheat the brake, affecting
the brakes system. This also causes prema-
ture wear on the rear brake pads.

●

Never accelerate from the engine compart-

ment with the engine running and a gear en-
gaged. The vehicle could move, even if the
handbrake is applied.

Note

If the vehicle moves at a speed superior to
6 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake applied,
an audible warning is sounded.

Parking

When parking your vehicle, all legal require-
ments should be observed.

To park the vehicle
Complete operations only in the sequence
given.

●

Park the vehicle on a suitable surface 

››› 

.

●

Press and hold the brake pedal until the ve-

hicle comes to a standstill.

●

Apply the handbrake firmly 

››› 

page 141

.

●

For an automatic gearbox, move the selec-

tor lever to position 

N.

●

Switch off the engine and release the brake

pedal.

●

Remove the key from the ignition.

●

If necessary, turn the steering wheel slight-

ly to lock the steering.

●

With a manual gearbox, engage 1st gear on

flat ground and slopes, or even reverse gear
on hills, and release the clutch pedal.

●

Ensure that all passengers leave the vehi-

cle, especially children.

●

When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with

you.

●

Lock the vehicle.

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Additional information for steep slopes and
hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the
steering wheel so that if the vehicle should
move, it will be held by the kerb.

●

On slopes, turn the front wheels so that

they are against the edge of the kerb.

●

Uphill, turn the wheels towards the centre

of the road.

WARNING

The components of the exhaust system reach
very high temperatures. This could cause a
fire and considerable damage.

●

Always park your vehicle so that no part of

the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood,
leaves,dried grass, or spilled fuel).

CAUTION

●

Special care should be taken when parking

in areas with high kerbs or fixed barriers. Ob-
jects protruding from the ground may dam-
age the bumper or other parts of the vehicle
during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop
before the wheels touch the barrier or kerb.

●

Special attention is required when driving

through entrances, over ramps, kerbs or oth-
er objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers,
mudguards and running gear, and the engine
and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects.

Information on the brakes

For the first 200 to 300 km, the 

new brake

pads have not yet reached their maximum
braking capacity, and need to be “run in”
first 

››› 

. The slightly reduced braking effect

can be compensated for by increasing pres-
sure on the brake pedal. 

While running in,

the full braking distance or emergency brak-
ing distance is larger then when the brake
pads have been run in. While running in,
avoid full power braking or situations requir-
ing braking performance. For example, in
heavy traffic.

The 

rate of wear of the brake pads depends

to a great extent on the conditions in which
the vehicle is used and the way the vehicle is
driven. If the vehicle is used frequently in city
traffic or for short trips or driven sport style,
visit a specialised workshop regularly, more
frequently than advised in the Maintenance
Programme, to have the brake pads checked.

If you drive with 

wet brakes, for example, af-

ter crossing areas of water, in heavy rainfall
or even after washing the car, the effect of
the brakes is lessened as the brake discs are
wet or even frozen (in winter). At higher
speed, “dry” the brakes as quickly as possi-
ble by braking gently several times. Only do
this without endangering vehicles behind
you or any other road users 

››› 

.

A 

layer of salt on the discs and brake pads

will reduce the effectiveness of the brakes

and increase braking distance. If you drive for
a prolonged period on salted roads without
braking then brake carefully several times to
eliminate the layer of salt on the brakes 

››› 

.

If the vehicle remains parked for considera-
ble lengths of time, is used little, or if the
brakes are not used, there may be 

corrosion

on the brake discs and a build up of 

dirt on

the brake pads. If the brakes are not used fre-
quently, or if rust has formed on the discs,
SEAT recommends cleaning the pads and
discs by braking firmly a few times at a mod-
erately high speed. Only do this without en-
dangering vehicles behind you or any other
road users 

››› 

.

Faults in the brake system
During braking, if you notice that the vehicle
does not react as usual (that the braking dis-
tance has increased suddenly) it may be pos-
sible that there is a fault in the braking sys-
tem. This is indicated by the warning lamp


. Take the vehicle to a specialised work-

shop immediately and have the fault re-
paired. Drive at a moderate speed and be
prepared to use more pressure on the brake
pedal, and allow for longer stopping distan-
ces.

Brake servo
The brake servo only operates when the en-
gine is running and the pressure applied by
the driver on the brake pedal increases.

142

Driving

If the brake servo does not operate or the ve-
hicle must be towed, then the brake pedal
will have to be pressed with more force given
that the braking distance will be increased
when the brake servo does not operate 

››› 

.

WARNING

New brake pads do not brake to full efficien-
cy.

●

For the first 320 km, new brake pads have

not yet reached their maximum braking ca-
pacity, and need to be “run in” first. For this,
to compensate for reduced braking efficiency
the brake pedal will have to be pressed with
more force.

●

To avoid losing control of the vehicle and

causing serious accidents, always take great
care when driving with new brake pads.

●

When running in new brake pads, always

respect the safety distances between you and
other vehicles and do not cause situations re-
quiring extreme braking performance.

WARNING

When brakes overheat, braking is less effi-
cient and braking distances increase.

●

When driving on slopes, brakes can be

overloaded and overheat quickly.

●

Reduce speed or change down a gear when

faced with steep and long slopes. This allows
you to use the engine braking effect and to
reduce the strain on the brake system.

●

Non-standard or damaged front spoilers

could restrict the airflow to the brakes and
cause them to overheat.

WARNING

Wet, frozen or salt-covered brakes take lon-
ger to engage and this increases braking dis-
tances.

●

Test the brakes carefully.

●

Dry the brakes, free them of ice and salt by

braking gently several times, when visibility,
weather, and road and traffic conditions per-
mit.

WARNING

Driving without the brake servo may signifi-
cantly increase the braking distance and re-
sult in a severe accident.

●

Never allow the vehicle to move forwards

when the engine is switched off.

●

If the brake servo does not operate or the

vehicle must be towed, then the brake pedal
will have to be pressed with more force given
that the braking distance will be increased
when the brake servo does not operate.

CAUTION

●

Never make the brakes “slip” by pressing

the pedal gently, if it is not really necessary
to brake. Continuously pressing on the brake
pedal will heat the brakes. This could signifi-
cantly reduce braking power, increase brak-

ing distance or even result in the total failure
of the brake system.

●

Reduce speed or change down a gear when

faced with steep and long slopes. This allows
you to use the engine braking effect and to
reduce the strain on the brake system. Other-
wise, the brakes may overheat and fail. Only
use the brakes to reduce speed or to stop.

Note

Make use, when having the front brake pads
checked, and have the rear pads checked al-
so. The thickness of the brake pads should be
checked visually and regularly, by looking
through the openings in the wheel rims or
from underneath the vehicle. If necessary, re-
move the wheels to check them thoroughly.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service.

Changing gear

Introduction

When reverse gear is engaged and the igni-
tion is switched on the following takes place:

●

Reverse lights light up.

●

The rear wiper blade performs one move-

ment when the windscreen wiper is activa-
ted.

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●

If necessary, connect the parking distance

warning system.

WARNING

Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction
and skidding, especially on slippery ground.
This could cause loss of control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident and considerable
damage.

●

Use rapid acceleration only when visibility,

weather, road conditions and traffic permit.

WARNING

Do not allow the brakes to “rub” for a pro-
longed period of time, or brake frequently or
for long periods of time. Continuous braking
heats up the brakes. This could significantly
reduce braking power, increase braking dis-
tance or even result in the total failure of the
brake system.

Control and warning lamps



It lights up red

Fault in the auto-
matic gearbox.



 

Do not drive on!

Seek professional advice. Failure to
do so could result in considerable
damage to the transmission

››› 

page 147

.



It lights up yellow

In the automatic
gearbox the
gears can en-
gage incorrectly.

Switch the ignition on and off.
When the control lamp does not
light up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the auto-
matic gearbox checked.

The automatic
gearbox over-
heats temporari-
ly.

Let the transmission cool with the
gearbox lever in the position .
When the control lamp does not
light up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the auto-
matic gearbox checked.



It lights up

Place the automatic
gearbox lever in the
position  and do not
press the brake pedal.

Press the brake pedal to select
a gear range.

Together with the yel-
low control lamp for
the temperature of the
transmission : the
automatic gearbox
overheats.

Press brake pedal and let the
transmission cool. Avoid
pressing the accelerator. When
the control lamp does not light
up, find the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the
automatic gearbox checked.

Together with the turn
signal display in the
instrument panel dis-
play: the automatic
gearbox lever is not in
the position , indica-
tion to start the en-
gine.

Move the gearbox lever to the
position  and start the en-
gine.



Flashes

An automatic gearbox
in the vehicle does
not guarantee that the
vehicle will not roll
away.

Apply the handbrake.



Flashes

In the instrument pan-
el display, in addition
to the control lamp re-
questing the brake
pedal to be pressed


: indicated for start-

ing the engine.

Move the gearbox lever to the
position  and start the en-
gine.

On the instrument
panel display: Whilst
driving in a forward di-
rection, try to move
the automatic gearbox
lever to the position .

Stop the vehicle and move the
gearbox lever to the position 
in order to subsequently
change to the position .

On the instrument
panel display: The au-
tomatic gearbox lever
was placed in the po-
sition  or , but the
brake pedal was not
pressed.

Press the brake pedal, move
the gearbox lever to the posi-
tion , and subsequently to
the required position  or .

When switching on the ignition some warn-
ing and indication lamps light up for a short
time to check the operations. They will switch
off after a few seconds.

144

Driving

Manual gear change

Fig. 147 

Gear shift pattern of a 5-speed man-

ual gearbox

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 26

Shifting down a gear
Shifting down a gear while driving must be
carried out gear by gear, i.e. to the gear im-
mediately preceding the current gear and at
an engine speed that is not excessive 

››› 

.

At high speeds, or high engine speeds, skip-
ping one or various gears when shifting
down a gear can cause damage to the clutch
and the gearbox, even if the clutch is not en-
gaged during the process 

››› 

.

WARNING

When the engine is running, the vehicle will
start to move as soon as a gear is engaged
and the clutch released.

●

Never engage the reverse gear when a vehi-

cle is moving forward.

WARNING

As a consequence of shifting down a gear in-
correctly, you may lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident with serious conse-
quences.

CAUTION

If, at high speeds or high engine speeds, the
gear lever is shifted down to a gear that is too
low, serious damage can be caused to the
clutch and gearbox. This may also happen if
you press the clutch pedal and it does not en-
gage.

CAUTION

To prevent damage and avoid premature
wear, please observe the following:

●

While driving, do not leave your hand rest-

ing on the gear stick. The pressure applied by
your hand is transmitted to the gearbox se-
lector forks.

●

Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-

ly stopped before engaging the reverse gear.

●

When changing gear, always make sure the

clutch pedal is pushed right to the floor.

●

Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on

hills with the engine on.

Automatic gear change

Fig. 148 

Automatic gearbox diagram of gears

Read the additional information carefully

››› 



page 26

Put the selector lever into position 

N for:

●

Starting up the engine

●

Remove the key from the ignition switch

●

Engage the steering wheel lock

Move the selector lever to the 

D or R position

to:

●

Park the vehicle

●

Repair a puncture

●

Changing a wheel

To move the gear selector lever from the posi-
tion 

N to D or to R, first press and hold the

brake pedal.

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In the instrument panel display, with the igni-
tion switched on, the selected gear range or
the gear engaged in the gearbox is shown.



 - Reverse gear

Reverse gear is selected. Engage only when
the vehicle is stopped.



 - Neutral

The gearbox is in neutral. No movement is
transmitted to the wheels and the engine
does not act as a brake.



 - Standard driving position

The gears are changed (up and down) auto-
matically. The gear shifts are determined by
the engine load, your individual driving style
and the speed of the vehicle.



 - Tiptronic driving position (manual shift

programme)
All gears can be changed (up and down)
manually 

››› 

page 146

. This is possible as

long as the system is not changing gear auto-
matically due to a traffic situation.

WARNING

Placing the selector lever in an incorrect posi-
tion may cause loss of control of the vehicle
and a serious accident.

●

Do not press the accelerator when engag-

ing a range of gears.

●

With the engine running and a gear range

selected, the vehicle will move when the ac-
celerator is pressed.

●

Never engage reverse gear while driving.

●

Unintentional movements of the vehicle

could cause serious injury.

●

As a driver, you should never leave your ve-

hicle if the engine is running and a gear range
is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle
while the engine is running, you must always
apply the handbrake and put the selector lev-
er in position N.

●

Never engage the R gear range when the

vehicle is moving.

●

Never leave the vehicle without applying

the handbrake. With the engine running the
vehicle moves downhill regardless of the gear
range selected.

Note

If, while driving, the selector lever is acciden-
tally placed in position N, lift your foot off the
accelerator. Wait until the engine is running
at idle speed before selecting a new gear
range.

Engaging gear with Tiptronic

Fig. 149 

Lever in the Tiptronic position

With Tiptronic, the gears can be changed up
or down manually with the automatic gear-
box. When you change to the Tiptronic pro-
gramme, the vehicle remains in the currently
selected gear. This is possible as long as the
system is not changing gear automatically
due to a traffic situation.

Using Tiptronic

●

Place the lever in the position 

D to the left

on the Tiptronic shift gate 

M 

››› 

 in Auto-

matic gear change on page 146

.

●

Press the lever forwards 

+

 or backwards

–

 to move up or down a gear 

››› 

Fig. 149

.

●

Place the lever back to the position 

M to

the left on the Tiptronic shift gate, to leave
Tiptronic mode 

››› 

 in Automatic gear

change on page 146

.

146

Driving

With the lever in the position 

D, and pressing

forwards 

+

 or backwards 

–

 the Tiptronic

programme can be selected 

M.

CAUTION

●

When accelerating, the gearbox automati-

cally shifts up into the next gear shortly be-
fore the maximum engine speed is reached.

●

When reducing speed manually, the gear-

box only shifts gear when the engine can no
longer exceed the maximum engine speed.

Driving with automatic gearbox

The gearbox changes gear ratios automatical-
ly as the vehicle moves.

Driving down hills
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear
you will need to select. The lowest gears in-
crease the engine braking work. Never go
down hills with the selector lever in neutral
N.

●

You should reduce speed accordingly.

●

Place the lever in the position 

D to the left

on the Tiptronic shift gate 

M 

››› 

page 146

.

●

Gently pull the selector lever back 

–

 to

change down a gear.

Starting when going up a slope
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear
you will need.

When stopping on a slope with a gear range
engaged, the vehicle must be prevented from
rolling backwards by always pressing the
brake pedal or pulling the handbrake lever
up. When starting, release the brake pedal or
the handbrake 

››› 

.

Kick-down
The kickdown system provides maximum ac-
celeration when the gear selector lever is in
the position 

D, or in the Tiptronic position M.

When the accelerator pedal is pressed right
down, the automatic gearbox will shift down
to a lower gear, depending on road speed
and engine speed. This takes advantage of
the maximum acceleration of the vehicle

››› 

.

When the accelerator is pressed to the floor,
the automatic gearbox shifts to the next gear
only after the engine reaches the specified
maximum engine speed.

WARNING

Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction
and skidding, especially on slippery ground.
This could cause loss of control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident and serious injury.

●

Always adapt your driving style to suit the

flow of traffic.

●

Only use the kick-down function or rapid

acceleration if visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions so permit.

●

Never put other road users in danger by ac-

celerating or with your driving style.

CAUTION

If you stop on a hill with a gear range engag-
ed, do not try to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing back by pressing on the accelerator. Oth-
erwise, the automatic gearbox may overheat
causing damage.

Automatic gearbox malfunction

Back-up programme
When automatic gearbox warning and indica-
tion lamps light up on the instrument panel,
there may be a system malfunction

››› 

page 143

. In the event of some faults the

automatic gearbox functions using a backup
programme. When the programme is activa-
ted, it is possible to drive the vehicle, howev-
er, at low speeds and within a selected range
of gears.

With the manual gearbox, in some cases 

it is

not possible to drive with all the gears.

In all cases the automatic gearbox must be
checked at a specialised workshop.

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Automatic gearbox overheating
The automatic gearbox can overheat with a
prolonged start up, or when stopping and
starting continuously. This overheating is dis-
played with a warning lamp  in the instru-
ment panel. Additionally, an audible warning
can be heard. Stop and let the gearbox cool

››› 

.

The vehicle moves forward or back despite
having selected a gear range
When the vehicle does not move in the re-
quired direction, the system may not have
the gear range correctly engaged. Press the
brake pedal and engage the gear range
again. If the vehicle still does not move in the
required direction, there is a system malfunc-
tion. Seek specialist assistance and have the
system checked.

CAUTION

●

When the gearbox is displayed as overheat-

ing for the first time, the vehicle must be
parked safely or must be driven at a speed of
more than 20 km/h (12 mph).

●

When the warning lamp lights up and the

audible warning is heard, the vehicle must be
parked safely and the engine switched off.
Let the gearbox cool down.

●

To prevent damage to the gearbox, driving

must only be continued when the warning
lamps are no longer lit up. While the gearbox

is overheated, starting up and driving, even
at a slow speed should be avoided.

Recommended gear display

In some vehicles, the recommended gear for
reducing fuel consumption is displayed on
the instrument panel:

Display

Meaning



Optimum gear.



Recommendation to change up a gear.



Recommendation to change down a
gear.

WARNING

The recommended gear display is intended as
a guideline only; it should never replace the
driver's attention to driving carefully.

●

Responsibility for selecting the correct gear

for each situation continues to lie with the
driver, for example when overtaking or climb-
ing a hill.

For the sake of the environment

Selecting the most appropriate gear for the
situation will help you to save fuel.

Note

The recommended gear display is switched
off when the clutch pedal is pressed.

Run-in and economical driving

Running in

Please observe the instructions for running-in
new components.

Running-in the engine
The engine needs to be run in over the first
1,500 km. During its first few hours of run-
ning, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving
parts have bedded down.

How the vehicle is driven for the first 1,500
km influences the future engine perform-
ance. Throughout the life of the vehicle, it
should be driven at a moderate speed, espe-
cially when the engine is cold, as this will re-
duce engine wear and increase its useful life.
Never drive at extremely low engine speeds.
Change down to a lower gear when the en-
gine no longer runs “smoothly”. 

Up to 1,000

kilometres the following instructions apply:

●

Do not use full throttle.

●

Do not force the engine above two thirds of

its maximum speed.

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