Seat Toledo 2012 Owner's manual

140Driving
● Vehicle modifications (e.g. to the engine, brakes, frame or a combina-
tion of wheels and tyres) could impair the brake assist systems
⇒  page 195, Accessories, modifications and spare parts.
● In the event of a fault in the ABS system, the ESC, ASR and EDL are
switched off automatically. A fault in the ABS is indicated by the 
⇒  page 70 warning lamp. 
Brakes
Wear
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends on the driving style and on the
way in which the vehicle is used. The brake pads will wear more quickly if
you use your vehicle frequently in urban traffic and short trips or drive in a
sporty style. Under these demanding conditions, visit your specialised serv-
ice, even before the scheduled service date, so that the thickness of the
brake pads can be measured.
Wet roads or road salt
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have been
gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal. Dry the brakes
as soon as possible by braking repeatedly.
Corrosion
Long periods of inactivity and little use can lead to rust on the brake discs
and dirt on the brake pads. Where the brake system is subjected to light
stress or in the case of corrosion, clean the brake discs by braking fully sev-
eral times at a high speed.
Brake system fault
If you notice that the braking distance suddenly increases and the brake
pedal can be pressed down more fully, there may be a fault in the brake sys-
tem. Visit a specialised service immediately and adjust your driving style to
the extent of the damage and to limit the effect of the brakes. Low brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid could cause faults in the brake system. The brake flu-
id level is controlled electronically
⇒ page 66, Brake system  .
Brake servo
The brake servo supplements the pressure you exert on the brake pedal.
The brake servo only works when the engine is running. 
Handbrake
Fig. 103 Centre console:
handbrake
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up slightly and press the unlock button
at the same time ⇒ Fig. 103.
– Keep the button pressed down and push the lever all the way
down. 

141
Driving
The warning lamp lights up when the handbrake is applied with the ignition
on  . 
Stability system (ESC)
Fig. 104 ESC system:
ASR switch
The ESC system increases control of the vehicle in emergency situations,
e.g. during a sudden change in direction. Depending on the driving condi-
tions, it reduces the risk of skidding and increases driving stability.
The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the
changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them
with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. When irregularities occur, for exam-
ple, if the vehicle begins to skid, the ESC brakes the appropriate wheel au-
tomatically.
The  warning lamp in the general instrument panel starts flashing when
the system is working.
The stability (ESC) system includes the following systems:
● Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
● Traction control system (ASR)
● Electronic differential lock (EDL) ●
Brake assist system (HBA)
● Hill hold control (HHC)
The ESC system cannot be switched on. The 
⇒ Fig. 104 button can only
be used to switch off the ASR system. The  warning lamp lights up on the
general instrument panel if the ASR system is switched off.
The ASR should be switched on at all times. Only under certain circumstan-
ces should the system be switched off, e.g.
● Driving with chains
● Driving in deep snow or on very soft surfaces
● During the “swinging movement” required to remove a stuck vehicle
Switch the ASR back on as soon as possible.
Brake assist system (HBA)*
The HBA system is activated when you press down on the brake pedal sud-
denly. It increases braking power, helping to reduce braking distances. To
reduce the braking distance as much as possible, keep the brake pedal
pressed down firmly until the vehicle comes to a standstill.
With the help of this system, the ABS is activated more quickly and more
efficiently.
The brake assist function is deactivated automatically when the brake pedal
is released.
Hill hold control (HHC)*
The HHC system makes it easier to start the vehicle on hills. The system
maintains the brake pressure created by pressing down on the brake pedal
for 2 seconds after it has been released. Your foot can be removed from the
brake pedal and you can use the accelerator pedal and move away on a hill
without having to use the handbrake. The brake pressure drops as the ac-
celerator pedal is pressed. If the vehicle is not started then it will start to
move backwards after two seconds. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

142Driving
The HHC is activated on gradients of over 5 %, as the driver door is closed.
It only works to start on hills, moving both forwards and in reverse. It is not
activated during start-up down hill. 
Anti-lock system (ABS)
The ABS system prevents the wheels locking during braking. This helps the
driver keep control of the vehicle.
The driver is made aware of ABS assistance by the pulsating of the brake
pedal and a characteristic noise.
Keep the brake pedal pressed down while the ABS is working. The ABS will
switch off when the brake pedal is released. Never brake intermittently
while the ABS is working! 
Traction control system (ASR)
If the wheels start to slide, the ASR adapts the engine speed to the driving
conditions. Particularly in unfavourable conditions, ASR helps starting, ac-
celerating and hill starts.
The  1)
warning lamp in the general instrument panel flashes when the
system is working. Electronic differential lock
If one of the wheels starts to skid, the EDL brakes that wheel, transmitting
the driving force to the other wheels. This increases vehicle stability and im-
proves driving stability.
To prevent the disc brake of the braking wheel from overheating, the EDL
cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will con-
tinue to function normally without EDL. The EDL will switch on again auto-
matically when the brake has cooled down.

Manual gearbox
Fig. 105 Gear shift pat-
tern of a 5 or 6-speed
manual gearbox
When changing gear, always depress the clutch pedal fully and keep it
pressed down to avoid excessive clutch wear.
In order to drive at an optimum RPM, respect the gear change indications
⇒ page 58. 
1)
Valid for vehicles not fitted with the stability control system (ESC).

143
Driving
Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle is stopped. On engaging reverse
gear while the engine is running, first wait a moment with the clutch pedal
pressed down fully to limit gear shift noise.
The reverse lights switch on when the reverse gear is selected and the igni-
tion is on.
WARNING
Never engage reverse gear when moving forwards. Risk of accident!
Note
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever while driving. The pressure of your
hand could lead to premature wear of the gear system. 
Automatic gearbox Introduction
WARNING
● Never press the accelerator when selecting the operating mode of the
automatic gearbox when the vehicle is stationary. Risk of accident!
● Never move the selector lever to positions R or P when driving. Risk of
accident!
● If the vehicle is to be stopped with a gear selected and the engine
idling (e.g. waiting or moving slowly at traffic lights), press down on the
brake pedal because the transmission is not entirely interrupted when
the engine is idling and the vehicle will tend to start moving.
WARNING (Continued)
● Apply the handbrake firmly and put the selector lever in position P
before opening the bonnet and working on the vehicle with the engine
running. Risk of accident! Strictly follow the safety instructions
⇒ page 173, Engine compartment.
● When stopping on a slope (hill), try not to stop the vehicle from mov-
ing by pressing the “accelerator” with a gear selected. This could over-
heat the clutch. If the clutch risks being burnt due to this force, it would
switch off and the vehicle could move backwards. Risk of accident!
● If you have to stop on a hill, press down on the brake pedal to stop
the vehicle from moving.
● The drive wheels could lose traction on a slippery road surface when
the kick-down function is activated. Risk of sliding!
CAUTION
● In DSG automatic gearboxes, the double clutch is protected from over-
loads. If the hill hold control is used, the clutches are subjected to greater
force if the vehicle is at a standstill on a slope or suddenly accelerating on a
slope.
● Should the clutches overheat, the  symbol is shown on the informative
display with a warning message Gear overheated. Stop! Instruction Manual!
An audible warning is also heard. Stop the vehicle in this case, stop the en-
gine and wait until the symbol  has switched off. Danger of damage to the
gearbox! You can continue driving once the symbol is switched off. 
Basic information
The gearbox changes up and down automatically. The gearbox can be set to
Tiptronic mode. The gears can be changed manually in this mode
⇒ page 145. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

144Driving
The engine can only be started in positions P or N. If, on engaging the steer-
ing lock, switching the ignition on/off or starting the engine, the selector
lever is not in position P or N, the informative display will show Move the
selector lever to position P/N! or  P/N is shown on the general instrument
panel display.
The engine can only be started in position P at temperatures below -10 °C
(14 °F).
Move the selector lever to position P when parking the vehicle on a flat sur-
face. On a slope, the handbrake should be firmly applied before moving the
selector lever to the park position. This reduces the load on the lock mecha-
nism while making it easier to move the selector lever from position P.
If, while the vehicle is moving, the selector lever is accidentally moved to
position N, release the accelerator and wait for the engine to idle before
moving it back into position. 
Starting and driving
Starting
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button on the selector lever knob
and move the selector lever to position ⇒ page 144 before re-
leasing the interlock button.
– Release the brake and press the accelerator.
Stopping
– The selector lever does not have to be moved to position N if
the vehicle is stopped for a short period, e.g. at junctions. Ap-
plying the brake is enough. However, the engine must remain
idling. Parking
–
Press the brake pedal.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Press the interlock button, move the selector lever to position P
and release the button. 
Selector lever positions
Fig. 106 Selector lever/Informative display: selector lever positions The current position of the selector lever is shown on the general instru-
ment panel display 1
⇒ Fig. 106.
P
– Parking position
In this position, the driven wheels are mechanically locked.
The parking position can only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.
If you want to move the selector lever from this position, press the interlock
button on the selector lever knob while pressing down on the brake pedal.
If the battery is drained, the selector lever cannot be moved from position P.

145
Driving
R
– Reverse
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position R from positions P or N, press the in-
terlock button on the selector lever knob and press down on the brake ped-
al.
The reverse lights come on when the selector lever is in position R and the
ignition is on.
N
– Neutral (idling)
Neutral (idling) is engaged in this position.
To move the selector lever from position N (if the lever has remained in this
position for more than 2 seconds) to position D or R at speeds of less than
5 km/h (3 mph) and when the vehicle is stationary, press down on the
brake pedal.
D
– Drive (forwards)
In this position, the gearbox automatically changes to a lower or higher
gear, depending on engine requirements, the driving speed and the gear
shift programme.
To move the selector lever to position D from position N at speeds of less
than 5 km/h (3 mph) and when the vehicle is stationary, press down on the
brake pedal.
In some situations (e.g. on mountain roads or when towing a trailer or cara-
van), it can be advantageous to switch temporarily to the manual shift pro-
gramme ⇒ page 145 so that the gear ratios can be selected manually to
suit driving conditions.
S
– Sports driving position
Shifting up later than usual makes full use of the engine power. This shifts
down earlier in relation to position D. To move the selector lever to position S from position D, press the interlock
button on the selector lever knob.

Tiptronic gearbox
Fig. 107 Selector lever:
Tiptronic
The Tiptronic gearbox allows the driver to change gears manually
using the selector lever.
Activating the manual gearbox
– From position D, push the selector lever to the right. The selec-
ted position of the selector lever is shown on the general instru-
ment panel display together with the gear engaged 1
⇒ Fig. 106.
Shifting up
– Push the selector lever gently forwards +
⇒ Fig. 107.
Shifting down
– Push the selector lever gently backwards -
⇒ Fig. 107.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

146Driving
The manual gearbox can be activated when the vehicle is either moving or
stationary.
When accelerating, the gearbox automatically shifts up shortly before the
maximum engine speed is reached.
On shifting up, the gear is only engaged when there is no risk of engine
damage.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed down to the kick-down zone, the
gearbox will shift down in line with the road speed and engine speed.
Note
The kick-down function is also available in manual shift mode. 
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock 
The selector lever is locked in the positions P and N when the ignition is on.
Press down on the brake to unlock it. Remember, if the selector lever is in
positions P and N then the  ⇒ page 73 warning lamp will light up on the
general instrument panel.
When the selector lever merely moves through position N (e.g. when moved
from R to D), the lever lock is not applied. This makes it possible, for exam-
ple, to rock a stuck vehicle backwards and forwards. The lock is only applied
if the brake is not pressed and the selector lever is moved to position N for
more than 2 seconds.
The selector lever lock is only activated in vehicles that are stationary or at
speeds of less than 5 km/h (3 mph). It is automatically switched off in posi-
tion N at higher speeds. Interlock button
The interlock button on the selector lever knob prevents the driver from in-
advertently engaging a gear. Press the button to unlock the selector lever.
Safety interlock for ignition key
1)
After switching off the ignition, you can only remove the ignition key if the
selector lever is in position P. When the ignition key is removed, the selec-
tor lever is locked in position P. 
Kick-down feature
The kick-down feature allows maximum acceleration to be reached.
In any gear programme, press down fully on the accelerator for the automat-
ic gearbox to activate the kick-down feature. This function takes priority over
the gear programmes without taking into account the position of the selec-
tor lever (D, S or Tiptronic) and is used to reach maximum acceleration, us-
ing full engine power. Depending on the road speed and engine speed, the
automatic gearbox shifts down and the vehicle accelerates. It only shifts up
after the maximum engine speed has been reached. 
Driving programmes
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronically-controlled automatic gear-
box. Shifting up or down depends on the programme selected.
For a calm driving style, the gearbox uses the most economic programme.
The gearbox shifts up as quickly as possible and shifts down as late as pos-
sible, thus increasing driving economy. 
1)
Valid only for certain countries.

147
Driving
With a sporty driving style , characterised by sudden acceleration, heavy ac-
celeration, speeds that often increase and decrease and maximum speed,
the gearbox adapts to this driving style when the accelerator is pressed fully
down (kick-down) by shifting down as quickly as possible and can even
shift down by several gears at once.
Selecting the best driving programmes is an endless job. Regardless of this,
the driver can also make the gearbox switch to a more dynamic gear shift
programme by pressing the accelerator quickly. This makes the automatic
gearbox shift down into a lower gear that would normally apply to the cur-
rent speed for more rapid acceleration (e.g. to overtake another vehicle)
without having to press the accelerator fully down into the kick-down posi-
tion. On shifting up in a corresponding driving style, the gearbox returns to
the original programme.
When driving along mountain roads, the gearbox adapts to the gradients.
This avoids having to frequently change gears when driving uphill. In Tip-
tronic mode, it is possible to shift down manually when driving downhill to
use the braking effect of the engine. 
Back-up programme
A back-up programme exists in case of faults.
In the event of a fault in the gearbox electronics, this will continue to work
in one of the corresponding back-up programmes. All segments of the
screen are lit up or switched off.
The fault can be seen as follows:
● The gearbox only engages certain gears
● Reverse gear R cannot be engaged
● The manual gearbox switches off in the back-up programme
Note
If the gearbox switches to the back-up programme, visit an Authorised Serv-
ice as soon as possible to solve the problem. 
Manual release of the selector lever
Fig. 108 Manual release
of the selector lever
If there is a fault in the power system to the electronic selector lev-
er lock system (flat battery, blown fuse) or the system itself is faul-
ty, the selector lever cannot be moved from position P in the nor-
mal manner, which prevents the vehicle from being moved. The se-
lector lever must be unlocked using the manual release.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Pull gently on both sides at the front of the selector lever cover.
– Also loosen the cover at the rear.
– Press the yellow plastic part with your finger in the direction in-
dicated by the arrow ⇒ 
Fig. 108. 
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148Driving
–Press the interlock button on the selector lever knob at the
same time and move the selector lever to position N (if the se-
lector lever were to be moved back to position P then it would
lock again). 
Foot pedals
Under no circumstances must correct use of the pedals be impaired!
Only a floor mat secured to the two corresponding fastening points may be
used in the driver footwell.
Only use floor mats from the catalogue of SEAT Original Accessories that
fasten at two points.
WARNING
No object must be left in the driver footwell. Risk of preventing or limit-
ing use of the foot pedals!
 Parking aid*
Fig. 109 Parking aid:
sensor range
Ultrasound sensors are used so that the parking aid system can calculate
the distance between the rear bumper and an obstacle. The sensors are lo-
cated in the rear bumper.
Sensor range
The warning begins at a distance of 160 cm from the obstacle (zone A
⇒ Fig. 109). As the obstacle is approached, the audible warning sounds
with increasing frequency.
At a distance of approx. 30 cm (zone B
), a warning tone will sound contin-
uously. Danger zone. Stop reversing immediately!
In vehicles factory-fitted with certain audio or radio-navigation system mod-
els, the distance from the obstacle is displayed graphically on the screen.
See the audio or navigation system Instruction Manual.
In vehicles factory-fitted with a towing system, the rear area at which the
system starts to indicate the obstacle is extended by around 5 centimetres.
The length of the vehicle can be extended by a detachable towing bracket.
In vehicles factory-fitted with towing equipment, the sensors are deactiva-
ted when towing a trailer or caravan. 

149
Driving
Switching the parking aid system on and off
Parking aid is switched on when the ignition is on and reverse gear engag-
ed. This is confirmed by a short audible warning.
Parking aid is switched off when reverse gear is released.
WARNING
● Parking aid does not free the driver from responsibility when parking
or performing similar manoeuvres. Pay special attention to small children
or animals, as the parking aid sensors may not always be able to detect
them.
● Before reversing or parking, make sure there are no small obstacles,
e.g. stones, narrow pillars, towing brackets, etc. in front and behind the
vehicle. These obstacles may not always be detected by the parking aid
device.
● The surface of certain objects may not reflect the signals of the park-
ing aid sensors. Therefore, people wearing clothing of this kind may not
be detected by the parking aid system.
● Outside noise may interfere with the parking aid system. Under cer-
tain unfavourable circumstances, certain objects or people may not be
detected.
Note
● If a constant sound at a higher frequency is emitted for 3 seconds when
the system is switched on then there is a fault in the system. Please take the
vehicle to a specialised technical service to solve this fault.
● To ensure that the parking aid system works properly, the sensors must
be kept clean (e.g. free of ice).
● If the parking aid system is switched on when the automatic gearbox se-
lector lever is in position P, the acoustic signal will be interrupted (the car
cannot be moved). Cruise control
Introduction
The cruise control system allows you to drive at a constant speed of 30 km/
h (19 mph) or higher without having to press the accelerator. However, the
speed is only maintained within the margin permitted by the engine power
and the braking effect of the engine.
The  warning lamp lights up on the general instrument panel if cruise con-
trol is switched on.
WARNING
● For safety reasons the cruise control system must not be used in
dense traffic or where roads conditions are poor (e.g. due to ice, aqua-
planing, loose grit, snow). Risk of accident!
● The programmed speed can only be re-established if it is not too high
for current traffic conditions.
● Always switch the cruise control system off after using it in order to
avoid involuntary use.
CAUTION
● The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when the vehicle is
moving downhill. The vehicle tends to accelerate under its own weight.
Therefore, shift down or use the brake pedal in good time to slow the vehi-
cle.
Note
● In vehicles with an automatic gearbox, the cruise control system cannot
be switched on if the selector lever is in position P, N or R.
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox, the cruise control cannot be switched
on if first gear or reverse gear is engaged. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications