open bonnet Seat Exeo 2009 Owner's manual

Cockpit
60
− Driver information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHECK button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Call-up button for service indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reset button for trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant temperature gaugeThe coolant temperature gauge ⇒ fig. 38 only works when the ignition is
switched on. In order to avoid engine damage, please read the following
notes for the different temperature ranges.
Cold temperature
If the needle is still on the left of the dial, this indicates that the engine has
not yet reached operating temperature. Avoid high revs and heavy accelera-
tion and do not make the engine work hard. Normal temperature
In normal operations, the needle will settle somewhere in the centre of the
dial once the engine has reached running temperature. The temperature may
also rise when the engine is working hard, especially at high outside temper-
atures. This is no cause for concern, provided the warning lamp
 does not
light up in the instrument panel.
Warning temperature
If the symbol
 flashes in the display, this means that either the coolant
temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low ⇒page 78.
WARNING
•Before opening the bonnet and checking the coolant level, observe the
warning information ⇒page 221.•Never open the bonnet when steam or coolant is being released from it.
This could lead to burns. Wait until you can no longer see or hear escaping
steam or coolant.Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At
high outside temperatures and high e ngine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.
71
A8
64
A9
74
A10
63
Fig. 38 Engine coolant
temperature gauge
AA
ABAC
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Cockpit
68Entire brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp
 lights up together with the brake warning lamp
 ⇒ page 70 (with the handbrake released), this indicates not only a fault
in the ABS function, but probably also a malfunction in the main brake system
as well ⇒.
The symbol
 will light up in the instrument panel if a fault occurs in the
brake system . Please refer to ⇒page 77.
Electronic differential lock (EDL) fault
The EDL works in conjunction with the ABS. The ABS indicator lamp will light
up
 to indicate an EDL fault. Please take the vehicle to a specialist garage
as soon as possible. For further information on the EDL ⇒page 185.WARNING
•Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, observe
the warning information in ⇒page 221, “Work in the engine compart-
ment”.•If the brake warning lamp
 should light up together with the ABS
warning lamp
, stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir. If the fluid level has dropped below the "MIN" mark
you must not drive on otherwise there may be an increased accident risk.
Obtain technical assistance.
•If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may have
been caused by a fault in the ABS control function. As a result, the rear
wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. Under certain circum-
stances, the rear of the vehicle could suddenly sway from side to side, with
the subsequent danger of skidding. Drive carefully to the nearest specialist
garage and have the fault rectified.
Seat belt warning lamp*

The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten
the seat belt.After switching on the ignition, the warning lamp
 will remain lit until the
driver and front passenger (if applicable) have fastened their seat belts.
When the vehicle has reached a certain speed, you will also hear a warning
signal and the warning light will flash.
For further information on the seat belts, see ⇒page 22.
Indicators and hazard warning lights
 
Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left
 or right
 indi-
cator lamp flashes. Both indicator lamps will flash when the hazard warning
lights are switched on.
If one turn signal fails, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice as fast as
normal.
This does not apply when towing a trailer. Where a turn signal lamp does not
work, either on the trailer or on the towing vehicle, the indicator lamp will not
flash. For further information on the indicators, see ⇒page 122.
Electronic stabilisation programme

This warning lamp monitors the electronic stabilisation
program (ESP).The warning lamp
 has the following functions:
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Cockpit
70Glow plug system

The indicator lamp lights up while the glow plugs are
preheating.The indicator lamp
 lights up while the glow plugs are preheating. When
the indicator lamp goes out the engine should be started straight away. When
the engine is warm, or at outside temperatures above +8°C, the indicator
lamp will only light up very briefly.
Note
•If the glow plug indicator lamp should start flashing while the vehicle is
moving, this indicates a fault in the engine management system. The engine
should be serviced without delay.•If the indicator lamp fails to light up when the ignition is switched on, this
can mean that the glow plug system is defective. The engine should be
serviced.Brake system

The warning lamp flashes when the handbrake is applied, or
if the brake fluid level is too low or if there is a fault in the ABS
system.If the warning lamp
 flashes (and the handbrake is not applied), stop the
vehicle and check the brake fluid level ⇒ ⇒ page 230.
If a failure should occur in the ABS, the ABS warning lamp
 will light up
together with the brake warning lamp
 ⇒ . Handbrake applied
The warning lamp
 also lights up when the handbrake is applied. In addi-
tion to this, the handbrake warning ⇒ page 76 switches on after driving for 3
seconds at a speed above 5 km/h.
WARNING
•Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, observe
the warning information in ⇒page 221, “Work in the engine compart-
ment”.•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 and this may cause
an increased accident risk. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain
technical assistance.•If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp, this can mean that the control function of the ABS is out of action. As
a result, the rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. Under
certain circumstances, the rear of the vehicle could suddenly sway from
side to side, with the subsequent dang er of skidding. Drive carefully to the
nearest specialist garage and have the fault rectified.
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Cockpit
74Door catch/ tailgate warningThe door catch/tailgate warning symbol lights up if one or more of the doors,
or the bonnet or tailgate are not properly closed when the ignition is on. The
symbol also indicates which of these is not properly closed. The display in the
illustration ⇒fig. 51 shows that the front left door is open.
The corresponding part of the pictogram will flash if either the bonnet or tail-
gate are open. The warning symbol goes out when the bonnet, tailgate and
all the doors are closed.
On vehicles with a driver information system and an on-board computer* the
door catches/tailgate warning symbol can be switched off by briefly pressing
one of the control switches for the on-board computer ⇒page 86. However,
the warning symbol will appear again if any of the doors or the bonnet or tail-
gate is opened or closed.
Service indicator
This display reminds the driver when the next routine service
is due.Displaying distance to next service
When you press the service button briefly with the ignition switched on,
the display will show how far the vehicle can be driven before the next service
is due. This check can be carried out with the engine stopped or running up
to speeds of 5 km/h. Before the first 500 km and after the ignition cycle, the
kilometres and days before the service inspection are not displayed.
If the service button is pressed before the first 500 kms the following indi-
cation appears on screen:
Service in ----- km --- days
This is also valid for vehicles with “Extended Service Intervals”*.
Fig. 51 Display: door
catch/tailgate warning
F ig. 52 Detail of th e dash
panel insert: Service indi-
cator display
A1
A1
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Cockpit77
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Red symbols
A red symbol warns of a danger.–Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
– Check the fault. Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
The red symbols are used to indicate a Priority 1 fault (serious malfunction).
A red symbol is accompanied by three warning chimes. The symbols will keep
flashing until the faults are corrected. If several Priority 1 faults are detected
at the same time, the symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2
seconds.Fault in the brake system

A fault in the brake system should be rectified as soon as
possible.If the symbol
 flashes in the display, there is a fault in the brake
system. One of the following messages will appear in the display
together with the symbol:
Stop vehicle, check brake fluid and hydraulic fluid levels
Warning! Fault in brake system (ABS) Please visit garage
–Stop the vehicle.
– Check the brake fluid level ⇒page 230.
If the ABS fails, the ABS warning lamp
 will light up together with the brake
system fault symbol
 ⇒ .
WARNING
•Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, observe
the warning information in ⇒ page 221, “Work in the engine compart-
ment”.•If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this could result in an
accident. Do not drive on. Obtain technical assistance.

BRAKE
Fault in brake system
⇒ page 77

COOLANT
Coolant level too low / coolant tem-
perature too high
⇒ page 78

OIL
PRESSURE
Engine oil pressure too low
⇒ page 78Fig. 54 Display: Coolant
level warning
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Unlocking and locking
106
Note•The remote control should only be used when the doors and the tailgate
are closed.•The remote control should not be used when the vehicle is out of sight.•The anti-theft alarm* can be accidentally triggered and the vehicle locked
if you press the locking button on the remote control inside the vehicle
before inserting the key in the ignition. If this should happen by mistake,
press the unlock button .Re-synchronising
Should the remote control fail to lock or unlock the vehicle,
the system must be re-synchronised.– If the vehicle is locked, use the key to unlock the driver's door.
– Press the unlock button on the remote control.
– Insert the key into the ignition and switch on the ignition.
– Switch off the ignition and remove the key.
– Press the unlock or the lock button .
Anti-theft alarm system*Description
The system triggers an alarm if anyone attempts to break into
the vehicle.The anti-theft alarm helps to prevent the vehicle being broken into or stolen.
If the system senses interference with the vehicle, it triggers an audible and
visible alarm.
How is the system enabled?
The anti-theft alarm system is enabled automatically when the vehicle is
locked with the remote control or by turning the key in the driver's door (if the
door is closed). The system is enabled about 30 seconds after the vehicle is
locked.
How is the system disabled?
The anti-theft alarm is only disabled when the vehicle is unlocked using the
remote control. The vehicle will lock again automatically if none of the doors
is opened within 60 seconds after pressing the remote control button.
If the vehicle is unlocked by turning the key in the driver's door, all the other
doors, the tailgate and the tank flap will remain locked.
If the vehicle has been unlocked with the key in the driver's door, the key must
be inserted in the ignition lock and the ignition switched on within 15
seconds of opening the door in order to disable the alarm. The alarm will be
triggered if the ignition is not switched on within 15 seconds.
When does the system trigger the alarm?
The following parts of the car are monitored when the vehicle is locked:•Engine compartment (bonnet)•Luggage compartment





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Driving
178To move the selector lever to position R, press in the interlock button and at
the same time press the brake pedal. Depending on the model, one or two
reversing lights will come on in selector lever position R (when ignition is
switched on).
N - Neutral (idling)
In this position the gearbox is in neutral ⇒.
D - Drive (forwards)
In this position, the gearbox selects the optimal transmission ratio
depending on the engine load, speed and the dynamic gear regulation
program (DRP).
Press the brake pedal when moving the selector lever from N to D if the
vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h ⇒.
Under certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountains or towing a
trailer or caravan) it can be advantageous to switch temporarily to Tiptronic
mode ⇒page 181, so that the gear ratios can be selected manually to suit
the driving conditions.
S - Sport position
To drive in sports mode, select the position S. The engine power reserve is
used to its maximum. When accelerating the gear shifts will be noticeable.
Press the brake pedal when moving the selector lever from N to S if the
vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h ⇒.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving. Failure to do so
could result in an accident.•In selector position D or S the vehicle must always be held with the foot
brake when the engine is running. This is because an automatic gearbox
still transmits power even at idling speed, and the vehicle tends to “creep”.
The throttle must on no account be opened inadvertently (for instance by hand from the engine compartment) when a gear is engaged with the
vehicle stationary. The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately
(in some cases even if the parking brake is engaged) and possibly cause an
accident.
•To avoid accidents, apply the parking brake and put the selector lever
in position P before opening the bonnet and working on the vehicle with
the engine running. Please observe the important safety warnings
⇒ page 221, “Work in the engine compartment”.Note
•Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox:•If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, release the acceler-
ator and let the engine speed drop to idling before selecting D or S again.•For the sake of fuel economy (and the environment), the gearbox ratios on
some models are designed so that maximum speed is only obtained when
the selector lever is at position S.WARNING (continued)
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Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning209
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
to the windscreen washer fluid prevents wiper blades from juddering. Wax
deposits are not removed.
Caution
•Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and
mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!•The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner side of the
window. To prevent damage, do not put stickers on the heating elements
inside the window.Cleaning windscreen wiper bladesClean wiper blades are essent ial to provide clear vision.
1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen wiper blades.
2. Use window cleanser to clean the windscreen wiper blades. Use
a sponge or a cloth to remove stubborn stains.Rubber seals maintenance
If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not freeze so
quickly.1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the rubber seals.
2. Apply a specialist care product to the rubber seals.
The strips on the doors, windows, bonnet and rear lid will remain pliable and
last longer if they are treated with a suitable care product (for example sili-
cone spray).
Caring for rubber seals will also prevent premature ageing and leaks. The
doors will be easier to open. If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not
freeze so quickly in winter.Door lock cylinders
The door lock cylinders can freeze up in winter.To de-ice the lock cylinders you should only use spray with lubricating and
anti-corrosive properties.Cleaning chrome parts1. Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth.
2. Polish chrome parts with a soft, dry cloth.If this does not provide satisfying results, use a specialist chrome cleaning
product . Chrome cleaning products will remove stains and coatings from the
surface.
Caution
To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:•Never use an abrasive care product on chrome.•Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a sandy or dusty environment.
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Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning211
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Cleaning the engine compartment
Take special care when cleaning the engine compartment.Anti-corrosion treatment
The engine compartment and the surface of the power unit are given anti-
corrosion treatment at the factory.
Good corrosion protection is particularly important in winter when the car is
frequently driven on salted roads. To prevent the salt corroding the vehicle,
the entire engine compartment should be thoroughly cleaned before and
after winter.
Yo u r A u t h o r i s e d S e r v i ce Ce n t re has got the necessary equipment to provide
the correct cleaning and preserving products. For this reason, we recommend
having this work performed by them.
The anti-corrosion protection is usually removed if the engine compartment
is cleaned with grease removing solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned.
On commissioning this work, ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and
components in the engine compartment are given anti-corrosion treatment.
WARNING
•When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒page 221•Before opening the bonnet, switch the engine off, apply the parking
brake firmly and always remove the key from the ignition.•Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.•Do not clean the vehicle underbody, wheel arches without protecting
your hands and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts.
Failure to comply could result in injury.•Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk
of accident. Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking.
•Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature-controlled and could
start automatically, even when the key is removed from the ignition!For the sake of the environment
Fuel, grease and oil deposits could be removed when the engine is washed.
The polluted water must be cleaned in an oil separator. For this reason,
engine washing should be carried out only by a qualified workshop or a petrol
station.Vehicle interior maintenancePlastic parts and dash panel cleaning– Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic parts and the dash panel.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special solvent-free plastic cleaning product.
WARNING
Never clean the dash panel and the airbag module surface with cleansers
containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to become porous. If the
airbag triggered, disintegrating plastic parts could cause substantial inju-
ries.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
220The bonnetReleasing the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.– To release the bonnet, pull the lever under the instrument panel
⇒fig. 167 in the direction indicated (arrow).The bonnet springs out of its lock.
Opening the bonnetBefore opening the bonnet make sure that the windscreen wiper
arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the paint may be
damaged.
– Lift the bonnet slightly ⇒.
– Press the release catch under the bonnet upwards ⇒fig. 168 .
This will release the arrester hook under the bonnet.
– Open the bonnet.The bonnet is held in position by a gas-filled strut.
Fig. 167 Detail of foot-
well area on driver's side:
lever for unlocking the
bonnet.
Fig. 168 Release catch
under the bonnet
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