maintenance Seat Alhambra 2005 Manual Online

161 Intelligent technology
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
I
In
nt
te
el
ll
li
ig
ge
en
nt
t tte
ec
ch
hn
no
ol
lo
og
gy
y
B
Br
ra
ak
ke
es
s
General notes
• Brake lining wear depends to a large extent on the operating
conditions and style of driving. On vehicles which are used mainly
in town traffic and stop/ start conditions or are driven hard it may
be necessary to have the thickness of the brake linings checked by
a Technical Service Centre in between the intervals given in the
Inspection and Service Schedule.
• Change down in good time when driving downhill, in order to
make use of the engine braking effect. This relieves strain on the
brake system. When the brakes are applied do not keep them on
continuously, apply and release alternately.
K
What can have a negative effect on the brakes?
W We
et
t oor
r ggr
ri
it
tt
te
ed
d rro
oa
ad
d ssu
ur
rf
fa
ac
ce
eO Ov
ve
er
rh
he
ea
at
ti
in
ng
g oof
f tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s
•U
Un
nd
de
er
r cce
er
rt
ta
ai
in
n cco
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
ns
s ee.
.g
g.
. aaf
ft
te
er
r ddr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g tth
hr
ro
ou
ug
gh
h wwa
at
te
er
r,
, hhe
ea
av
vy
y rra
ai
in
n ffa
al
ll
ls
s
o or
r aaf
ft
te
er
r tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e hha
as
s bbe
ee
en
n wwa
as
sh
he
ed
d,
, tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s cco
ou
ul
ld
d sse
et
t iin
n lla
at
te
er
r tth
ha
an
n
n no
or
rm
ma
al
l ddu
ue
e tto
o dda
am
mp
p,
, oor
r iin
n wwi
in
nt
te
er
r –– ffr
ro
oz
ze
en
n,
, bbr
ra
ak
ke
e ddi
is
sc
cs
s aan
nd
d lli
in
ni
in
ng
gs
s –– tth
he
e
b br
ra
ak
ke
es
s mmu
us
st
t ffi
ir
rs
st
t bbe
e ddr
ri
ie
ed
d tth
hr
ro
ou
ug
gh
h cca
ar
re
ef
fu
ul
l bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G
•F Fu
ul
ll
l bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g ppo
ow
we
er
r mmi
ig
gh
ht
t aal
ls
so
o sse
et
t iin
n lla
at
te
er
r tth
ha
an
n nno
or
rm
ma
al
l eev
ve
en
n wwh
he
en
n ddr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g
o on
n ggr
ri
it
tt
te
ed
d rro
oa
ad
ds
s iif
f yyo
ou
u hha
av
ve
e nno
ot
t bbr
ra
ak
ke
ed
d ffo
or
r sso
om
me
e tti
im
me
e –– tth
he
e lla
ay
ye
er
r oof
f ssa
al
lt
t oon
n
t th
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
e ddi
is
sk
ks
s aan
nd
d bbr
ra
ak
ke
e lli
in
ni
in
ng
gs
s mmu
us
st
t ffi
ir
rs
st
t bbe
e wwo
or
rn
n ddo
ow
wn
n wwh
hi
il
ls
st
t bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G ((c
co
on
nt
ti
in
nu
ue
ed
d)
)
• • NNe
ev
ve
er
r lle
et
t tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s ““r
ru
ub
b”
” bby
y ppr
re
es
ss
si
in
ng
g tth
he
e ppe
ed
da
al
l tto
oo
o lli
ig
gh
ht
tl
ly
y wwh
he
en
n yyo
ou
u ddo
o
n no
ot
t rre
ea
al
ll
ly
y nne
ee
ed
d tto
o bbr
ra
ak
ke
e.
. TTh
hi
is
s cca
au
us
se
es
s tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s tto
o oov
ve
er
rh
he
ea
at
t,
, lle
ea
ad
ds
s tto
o
l lo
on
ng
ge
er
r bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g ddi
is
st
ta
an
nc
ce
es
s aan
nd
d tto
o aa hhi
ig
gh
he
er
r lle
ev
ve
el
l oof
f wwe
ea
ar
r.
.
• • BBe
ef
fo
or
re
e sst
ta
ar
rt
ti
in
ng
g oon
n aa llo
on
ng
g sst
tr
re
et
tc
ch
h oof
f rro
oa
ad
d iin
n aa vve
er
ry
y hhi
il
ll
ly
y aar
re
ea
a,
, ppl
le
ea
as
se
e rre
ed
du
uc
ce
e
y yo
ou
ur
r ssp
pe
ee
ed
d,
, cch
ha
an
ng
ge
e tto
o aa llo
ow
we
er
r gge
ea
ar
r ((m
ma
an
nu
ua
al
l gge
ea
ar
rb
bo
ox
x)
) oor
r cch
ho
oo
os
se
e aa llo
ow
we
er
r
p po
os
si
it
ti
io
on
n ((a
au
ut
to
om
ma
at
ti
ic
c gge
ea
ar
rb
bo
ox
x)
).
. IIn
n tth
hi
is
s wwa
ay
y yyo
ou
u wwi
il
ll
l uus
se
e tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g ppo
ow
we
er
r oof
f
t th
he
e een
ng
gi
in
ne
e aan
nd
d rre
el
li
ie
ev
ve
e ppr
re
es
ss
su
ur
re
e oon
n tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s.
.
• • IIf
f aa ffr
ro
on
nt
t ssp
po
oi
il
le
er
r,
, ffu
ul
ll
l ssi
iz
ze
e wwh
he
ee
el
l ttr
ri
im
ms
s eet
tc
c.
.,
, iis
s rre
et
tr
ro
of
fi
it
tt
te
ed
d,
, iit
t iis
s nne
ec
ce
es
ss
sa
ar
ry
y tto
o
e en
ns
su
ur
re
e tth
ha
at
t tth
he
e ffl
lo
ow
w oof
f aai
ir
r tto
o tth
he
e ffr
ro
on
nt
t bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s iis
s nno
ot
t rre
es
st
tr
ri
ic
ct
te
ed
d –– oot
th
he
er
rw
wi
is
se
e
t th
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s cca
an
n oov
ve
er
rh
he
ea
at
t.
.
K
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

163 Intelligent technology
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
F
Fo
ou
ur
r-
-w
wh
he
ee
el
l ddr
ri
iv
ve
e*
*
The concept of four-wheel drives
The four-wheel drive vehicles are fitted with a completely
automatic drive on all four wheels.
It automatically distributes the drive power and adapts perfectly to
the driving style and specific surface conditions.
Other important notes
W Wi
in
nt
te
er
r tty
yr
re
es
s
With the four wheel drive, the vehicle’s drive is good in the winter,
even with serial tyres. However, we recommend the use of winter
tyres or all-weather tyreso on
n aal
ll
l ffo
ou
ur
r wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s
to further improve
driving and braking.
S Sn
no
ow
w cch
ha
ai
in
ns
s
Snow chains should also be used on four-wheel drive vehicles
when it is mandatory. For more information on the use of snow
chains
⇒page 211.
R Ri
im
ms
s/
/t
ty
yr
re
e cch
ha
an
ng
ge
e
F Fo
or
r ffo
ou
ur
r-
-w
wh
he
ee
el
l ddr
ri
iv
ve
e vve
er
rs
si
io
on
ns
s,
, aal
ll
l ffo
ou
ur
r wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s mmu
us
st
t hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e ssa
am
me
e
t tr
re
ea
ad
d ssu
ur
rf
fa
ac
ce
e.
.
F Fo
or
r ffu
ur
rt
th
he
er
r iin
nf
fo
or
rm
ma
at
ti
io
on
n
⇒p
pa
ag
ge
e 220
08
8.
.K
T
Th
he
e ddr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g sst
ty
yl
le
e aal
lw
wa
ay
ys
s nne
ee
ed
ds
s tto
o bbe
e aad
dj
ju
us
st
te
ed
d tto
o ssu
ui
it
t tth
he
e rro
oa
ad
d ssu
ur
rf
fa
ac
ce
e aan
nd
d
t tr
ra
af
ff
fi
ic
c cco
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
ns
s.
. IIn
nc
cr
re
ea
as
se
ed
d ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nno
ot
t een
nc
co
ou
ur
ra
ag
ge
e oon
ne
e tto
o tta
ak
ke
e
u un
nn
ne
ec
ce
es
ss
sa
ar
ry
y rri
is
sk
ks
s.
.
T Th
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g cca
ap
pa
ac
ci
it
ty
y iis
s lli
im
mi
it
te
ed
d bby
y tth
he
e aad
dh
he
er
re
en
nc
ce
e oof
f tth
he
e wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s aan
nd
d ddo
oe
es
s
n no
ot
t ddi
if
ff
fe
er
r ffr
ro
om
m aa rre
eg
gu
ul
la
ar
r vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e wwi
it
th
h aa ttw
wo
o-
-w
wh
he
ee
el
l ddr
ri
iv
ve
e.
.
F Fo
or
r tth
hi
is
s rre
ea
as
so
on
n,
, eev
ve
en
n tth
ho
ou
ug
gh
h oon
n ssl
li
ip
pp
pe
er
ry
y ssu
ur
rf
fa
ac
ce
e tth
he
e aac
cc
ce
el
le
er
ra
at
ti
io
on
n iis
s ggo
oo
od
d,
, iit
t
s sh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nne
ev
ve
er
r iin
nd
du
uc
ce
e oon
ne
e tto
o ddr
ri
iv
ve
e aat
t eex
xc
ce
es
ss
si
iv
ve
e ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s.
.
O On
n hhu
um
mi
id
d ssu
ur
rf
fa
ac
ce
es
s kke
ee
ep
p iin
n mmi
in
nd
d tth
ha
at
t tth
he
e ffr
ro
on
nt
t wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s cca
an
n aal
ls
so
o ssu
uf
ff
fe
er
r ffr
ro
om
m
a aq
qu
ua
ap
pl
la
an
ni
in
ng
g iif
f tth
he
e ssp
pe
ee
ed
d iis
s eex
xc
ce
es
ss
si
iv
ve
e.
. AAs
s oop
pp
po
os
se
ed
d tto
o vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
es
s wwi
it
th
h ffr
ro
on
nt
t
w wh
he
ee
el
l ddr
ri
iv
ve
e,
, tth
he
e bbe
eg
gi
in
nn
ni
in
ng
g oof
f aaq
qu
ua
ap
pl
la
an
ni
in
ng
g iis
s nno
ot
t aan
nn
no
ou
un
nc
ce
ed
d bby
y aa ssu
ud
dd
de
en
n
i in
nc
cr
re
ea
as
se
e iin
n een
ng
gi
in
ne
e rre
ev
vo
ol
lu
ut
ti
io
on
ns
s.
. WWe
e rre
ec
co
om
mm
me
en
nd
d nno
ot
t tto
o ddr
ri
iv
ve
e aat
t eex
xc
ce
es
ss
si
iv
ve
e
s sp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s aan
nd
d aal
lw
wa
ay
ys
s aad
dj
ju
us
st
t tto
o tth
he
e rro
oa
ad
d cco
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
ns
s.
.
K
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

165 Intelligent technology
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
– To go up slopes where each traction wheel is on a surface with a
very different grip (I.e. ice on the left, dry asphalt on the right). The
EDS continues to function under these conditions.
Afterwards you should always reconnect this device.
N No
ot
te
e
For the TCS to work properly all four wheels should be the same. Otherwise
engine performance may be reduced.
⇒“Changing wheels”. K
E El
le
ec
ct
tr
ro
on
ni
ic
c SSt
ta
ab
bi
il
li
it
ty
y PPr
ro
og
gr
ra
am
m ((E
ES
SP
P)
)*
*
The ESP increases the control over the vehicle in situations such as
accelerating or in turns.
The ESP expands the functions of the ABS/TCS and decreases
under any circumstance the risk of skidding. This contributes to an
improved stability of the vehicle.The system works in the realm of speed in relation to the ABS. In
case of a failure of the ABS, the ESP will also fail.
The ESP connects automatically when the engine is switched on
and checks itself.
If needed, the system can be switched on or off by pressing the
button.
When the system is off, the ESP warning light will light up
⇒
"Warning lights" chapter.
The ESP should always be connected. Only in exceptional cases,
when the skidding effect is desired under extremely sporty
conditions, the system can be disconnected.
Afterwards the system should be reconnected.
The ABS and EDS
⇒"Switches" chapter remain connected even
when the ESP is off.
F Fu
un
nc
ct
ti
io
on
ni
in
ng
g
The electronic stability program encompasses the ABS, EDS and
TCS. In addition to all available data for these functions, the ESP
control unit needs additional measurements supplied by high
precision sensors. The measuring data consists of the speed at
which the vehicle turns around its vertical axis, acceleration,
pressure on brakes and the turn of the steering wheel.
With the help of the steering wheel sensor and the vehicle’s
speed, the desired direction is determined and constantly
compared to the vehicle’s real behavior. When differences occur,
such as incipient skidding, the ESP automatically brakes the
adequate wheel.
D Dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g sst
ty
yl
le
e ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d aal
lw
wa
ay
ys
s bbe
e mmo
od
di
if
fi
ie
ed
d tto
o ssu
ui
it
t tth
he
e ttr
ra
af
ff
fi
ic
c aan
nd
d rro
oa
ad
d
c co
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
ns
s.
. TTh
he
e ggr
re
ea
at
te
er
r ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y ppr
ro
ov
vi
id
de
ed
d bby
y tth
he
e TTC
CS
S ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nno
ot
t lle
ea
ad
d yyo
ou
u tto
o
t ta
ak
ke
e ggr
re
ea
at
te
er
r rri
is
sk
ks
s.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G


167 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
Y
Yo
ou
ur
r vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e aan
nd
d tth
he
e een
nv
vi
ir
ro
on
nm
me
en
nt
t
T
Th
he
e ffi
ir
rs
st
t 11,
,5
50
00
0 kkm
m –– aan
nd
d aaf
ft
te
er
rw
wa
ar
rd
ds
s
Running-in
During the first few operating hours the engine internal friction is
higher than later on when all the moving parts have bedded down.
How well this running-in process is done depends to a
considerable extent on the way the vehicle is driven during the first
1,500 km.
K
Up to 1,000 kilometres
the following general rules apply:
•D Do
o nno
ot
t uus
se
e ffu
ul
ll
l tth
hr
ro
ot
tt
tl
le
e
•D Do
o nno
ot
t ddr
ri
iv
ve
e ffa
as
st
te
er
r tth
ha
an
n 33/
/4
4 oof
f tto
op
p ssp
pe
ee
ed
d
•A Av
vo
oi
id
d hhi
ig
gh
h een
ng
gi
in
ne
e ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s
•Trailer towing should if possible be avoided.
From 1,000 – 1,500 km
The speed can be gradually increased to the road or engine
maximum.
K
During and after the running-in period the following
applies:
•Do not overrev the engine when cold – either in neutral or in the
gears.
All speeds and revs given are only valid when engine isp pr
ro
op
pe
er
rl
ly
y
w wa
ar
rm
m
.
F Fo
or
r tth
he
e ssa
ak
ke
e oof
f tth
he
e een
nv
vi
ir
ro
on
nm
me
en
nt
t
Do not drive with the engine speed unnecessarily high – changing up
early helps to save fuel, reduces noise and protects the environment⇒"Environment friendly and economical driving" chapter.
•Do not let engine labour – change down when engine no longer
runs smoothly.
K
• • NNe
ew
w tty
yr
re
es
s mmu
us
st
t aal
ls
so
o bbe
e ““r
ru
un
n iin
n”
” bbe
ec
ca
au
us
se
e tth
he
ey
y ddo
o nno
ot
t hha
av
ve
e mma
ax
xi
im
mu
um
m
a ad
dh
he
es
si
io
on
n aat
t tth
he
e sst
ta
ar
rt
t.
. TTh
hi
is
s mmu
us
st
t bbe
e tta
ak
ke
en
n iin
nt
to
o aac
cc
co
ou
un
nt
t bby
y ddr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g cca
ar
re
ef
fu
ul
ll
ly
y
d du
ur
ri
in
ng
g tth
he
e ffi
ir
rs
st
t 110
00
0 kkm
m.
.
• • NNe
ew
w bbr
ra
ak
ke
e lli
in
ni
in
ng
gs
s mmu
us
st
t aal
ls
so
o bbe
e rru
un
n iin
n aan
nd
d ddo
o nno
ot
t hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e oop
pt
ti
im
mu
um
m
f fr
ri
ic
ct
ti
io
on
n ppr
ro
op
pe
er
rt
ti
ie
es
s ddu
ur
ri
in
ng
g tth
he
e ffi
ir
rs
st
t 220
00
0 kkm
m.
. TTh
he
e ssl
li
ig
gh
ht
tl
ly
y rre
ed
du
uc
ce
ed
d bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G
e ef
ff
fe
ec
ct
t cca
an
n bbe
e cco
om
mp
pe
en
ns
sa
at
te
ed
d ffo
or
r bby
y mmo
or
re
e ppr
re
es
ss
su
ur
re
e oon
n tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
e ppe
ed
da
al
l.
. TTh
hi
is
s
a al
ls
so
o aap
pp
pl
li
ie
es
s wwh
he
en
n nne
ew
w lli
in
ni
in
ng
gs
s hha
av
ve
e bbe
ee
en
n ffi
it
tt
te
ed
d.
.
K
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G ((c
co
on
nt
ti
in
nu
ue
ed
d)
)

169 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
E
En
nv
vi
ir
ro
on
nm
me
en
nt
t-
-f
fr
ri
ie
en
nd
dl
ly
y aan
nd
d eec
co
on
no
om
mi
ic
ca
al
l
d dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g
General notes
Three factors determine the fuel consumption, the burden on the
environment and the wear on the engine, brakes and tyres:
•The personal driving style.
•The individual conditions of the use of the car.
•Technical prerequisites.
The fuel consumption can be reduced by 10 to 15 percent by
adopting a thoughtful and economic driving style. This chapter will
help you lower pollution and save money by following
10 suggestions.
K
Suggestion 1. Thoughtful driving style
The highest fuel consumption takes place during acceleration. If
you drive in a thoughtful manner you will have to brake less and,
therefore, accelerate less. You can also let the vehicle roll, i.e.
when you can foresee that the following traffic light will be red.
K
Suggestion 2. Changing gears saves energy
Another way to save fuel is to change up as quickly as possible. If
you drive with high engine revs the car will use up more energy.
The fig. 151shows the relation between the consumption (l/100
km) and speed (km/h) in first, second, third, fourth and fifth gear.
The following rules may be helpful. Never drive more than a few
meters in first gear. When you reach 2,000 revolutions, you should
change up.
If you drive a vehicle with an automatic gearbox, press the
accelerator pedal gently. Do not press it to the kick-down position.
This way, a consumption oriented program is automatically
selected. It changes up as soon as possible and takes longer to
change down.
K
30 50 70km/h
90
l/100km
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B45-354PFig. 151

170Your vehicle and the environment
Suggestion 3. Avoid driving at maximum speed
Try not to drive at maximum speed. The increase of fuel
consumption, exhaust pollution and noise is disproportionate at
high speeds.
The illustration shows the relation between consumption
(l/100 km) and speed (km/h)
⇒fig. 152.
If only about 3 quarters of top speed is utilized, the fuel
consumption will be reduced by about half.
Suggestion 4. Decrease idling
It is worth switching off1)the engine in traffic jams, at railroad
crossings and at traffic lights with a long red light. The savings in
fuel after 30-40 seconds with the engine switched off is higher
than the fuel used to switch the engine on again.
K
Suggestion 5. Periodic revisions
Your fuel savings are guaranteed even before going on a trip with
periodic revisions by your Technical Service Centre. Proper engine
maintenance is not only a safety and maintenance issue but also a
fuel consumption issue.
Poor fine tuning of the engine may increase fuel consumption by
up to 10%.
Check the oil level every time you fill up. The oil consumption
depends largely on the engine load. Depending on the driving
style, the oil consumption can be up to 1.0 l/1000 km.
Another suggestion: You can also lower oil consumption by using
synthetic oils.
K
km/h
max
l/100km
B45-355PFig. 152
1)Statutory regulations must be respected.
D Dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g aat
t hhi
ig
gh
h ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s dde
ec
cr
re
ea
as
se
es
s rro
oa
ad
d ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y.
.
K
W WA
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NI
IN
NG
G

171 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
Suggestion 6. Avoid short drives
The engine and the catalytic converter must
reach its optimum functioning temperature in order to effectively
reduce consumption and toxic gas emissions.
The fuel consumption of a cold engine of a normal vehicle right
after the start is about 30-40 liters per 100 km. After about one
kilometer the consumption decreases to 20 liters. After about
f fo
ou
ur
r
kilometers the engine has warmed up and the consumption is
normal. For this reason, it is important to avoid short drives and
heating the vehicle’s engine when the vehicle is not moving. Drive
on quickly!
The ambient temperature also counts. The illustration shows the
difference in consumption (l/100km) for the same distance (km) at
+20°C and –10°C. Your vehicle’s consumption is higher in the
summer than in the winter
⇒fig. 153.K
Suggestion 7. Check the tyre pressure
Make sure that the tyres have always adequate pressure. Even half
a bar less increases the level of fuel consumption by 5 percent. If
the pressure is not correct, the tyres wear out faster due to an
excessive deformation and overheating which, in turn, will
decrease the driving performance.
Always check the tyre pressure when the tyre is cold.
In addition, do not drive year round with winter tyres. They make
more noise and increase fuel consumption by 10 percent. Change
to summer tyres on time.
K
Suggestion 8. Avoid unnecessary weight
Apart from driving habits and periodic revisions of your vehicle,
there are other ways to reduce fuel consumption:
A Av
vo
oi
id
d uun
nn
ne
ec
ce
es
ss
sa
ar
ry
y wwe
ei
ig
gh
ht
t
Every kilogram increases fuel consumption. For this reason, it is
worth checking your boot to avoid unnecessary weight.
Frequently, the roof rack will stay on the roof even though it is no
longer needed. Due to greater air resistance, an unloaded roof
rack at a speed of 100-120 km/h increases the consumption by
approx. 12%.
K
5+20°C –10°C
15 25km
30
l/100km
B45-356PFig. 153

173 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
T
Tr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g
What do you need to bear in mind when towing a trailer?
The vehicle is intended mainly for the transportation of persons
and luggage but it can, with the appropriate technical equipment,
also be used to tow a trailer.
T Te
ec
ch
hn
ni
ic
ca
al
l rre
eq
qu
ui
ir
re
em
me
en
nt
ts
s
• If the vehicle is supplied with a factory-fitted towing bracket, all
that is technically and legally necessary for trailer towing will have
been taken into account.
• If the trailer to be towed has a 7-pin plug, you can use an adapter
cable obtained in any Technical Service Centre.
• If the vehicle is fitted with a towing bracket at a later date, this
must be done according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Fixing points for tow bar*
D Da
an
ng
ge
er
r oof
f aac
cc
ci
id
de
en
nt
t!
!
W We
e rre
ec
co
om
mm
me
en
nd
d tth
ha
at
t yyo
ou
u lle
ea
av
ve
e tth
he
e ffi
it
tt
ti
in
ng
g oof
f aa tto
ow
w hho
oo
ok
k tto
o aa TTe
ec
ch
hn
ni
ic
ca
al
l
S Se
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
e CCe
en
nt
tr
re
e.
.
K
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G
Fig. 154
A
A
B 980
A
AL0-125

175 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
• As driving stability of vehicle and trailer decreaseswhen the
speed increases do not drive at the maximum permissible top
speed in unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions –
particularly when going downhill.
In any case the speed must be reduced as soon as the trailer
shows the slightest sign of snaking. On no account try to stop the
snaking by accelerating.
• • FFo
or
r ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y rre
ea
as
so
on
ns
s oon
ne
e ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nno
ot
t ddr
ri
iv
ve
e ffa
as
st
te
er
r tth
ha
an
n 880
0 kkm
m/
/h
h
( (5
50
0 mmp
ph
h)
).
. TTh
hi
is
s aal
ls
so
o aap
pp
pl
li
ie
es
s iin
n cco
ou
un
nt
tr
ri
ie
es
s wwh
he
er
re
e hhi
ig
gh
he
er
r ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s aar
re
e
p pe
er
rm
mi
it
tt
te
ed
d.
.
• Always brake in good time. If the trailer has an overrun brake,
apply the brakes gently at first then firmly. This will avoid the
jerking caused by the trailer wheels locking.
Change down before going down a steep hill so thatthe engine
can act as a brake.
• When a long climb in a low gear with extremely high engine revs
must be negotiated at exceptionally high ambient temperatures
the coolant temperature gauge must be observed. When the gauge
needle moves to the right end of the scale, the road speed must be
reduced immediately.
• The cooling effect of the radiator fan cannot be increased by
changing down, because the speed of the fan is not dependent on
the engine speed. One should therefore not change down even
when towing a trailer as long as the engine can cope without the
vehicle speed dropping too much.
K
General notes
• • DDu
ur
ri
in
ng
g tth
he
e rru
un
nn
ni
in
ng
g iin
n ppe
er
ri
io
od
d yyo
ou
u ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d aav
vo
oi
id
d tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g aa ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r iif
f
p po
os
ss
si
ib
bl
le
e.
.
• • IIt
t iis
s aad
dv
vi
is
sa
ab
bl
le
e tto
o hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e sse
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
ed
d bbe
et
tw
we
ee
en
n tth
he
e
I In
ns
sp
pe
ec
ct
ti
io
on
n iin
nt
te
er
rv
va
al
ls
s iif
f iit
t iis
s uus
se
ed
d ffr
re
eq
qu
ue
en
nt
tl
ly
y ffo
or
r tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g aa ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r.
.
• The trailer and drawbar load figures on the data plate of the
towing bracket are for test certification only. The correct figuresfor
the vehicle, which may be lower than the above figures, are given
in the vehicle documents and in this manual.
• When using the towing device the car’s empty weight is reduced,
and as a result its effective load is decreased.
• Observe all statutory requirements regarding the use of a
trailer.
K

176Your vehicle and the environment
D
Dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g aab
br
ro
oa
ad
d
Observations
If the vehicle is to be taken abroad, the following must also be
borne in mind:
• If the vehicle has a petrol engine and catalytic converter, one
must ensure that unleaded petrol will be available during the
journey
⇒"Filling the tank" chapter. The automobile clubs offer
information about the unleaded filling station network.
•In some countries it is possible that a vehicle model is sold under
conditions where some spare parts are not available or that the
Technical Services may only carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information
about the technical preparation of your vehicle in addition to
necessary maintenance and repair possibilities.
K
Headlight covering
When traveling abroad in a country where driving is on the
opposite side to the home country, asymmetric headlights will
dazzle oncoming traffic.
To prevent this, headlights must be adjusted or some areas must
be covered with an opaque adhesive strip depending on the
model. For more information, contact your Technical Service
Centre.
K