stop start Seat Exeo 2010 User Guide
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Page 174 of 319

Driving
172SEAT Parking System*
SEAT Parking System is an acoustic parking aid.Sensors are located in the rear bumper. When the sensors detect an obstacle, 
you are alerted by acoustic signals. The measuring range of the sensors starts 
at approximately:
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the 
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than 0.30 m away from the obstacle, the 
warning tone will sound continuously. Do not drive on!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4 
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected 
obstacle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).
The parking aid is switched on automatically when reverse gear is engaged. 
You will hear a brief confirmation tone.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is 
personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.•The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered. 
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not 
always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.•Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full 
use of the rear view mirrors.
Caution
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be 
registered by the sensors as the vehicle moves closer, so the system will not 
give any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences, 
chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be 
detected by the system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
•Please refer to the notes on towing  ⇒page 173.SEAT Parking System Plus*
SEAT Parking System Plus is an acoustic parking aid.Sensors are located in the front and rear bumpers. When the sensors detect 
an obstacle, you are alerted by acoustic signals. The measuring range of the 
sensors starts at approximately:
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the 
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than 0.30 m from the obstacle the warning 
tone will sound continuously. Stop moving immediately!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4 
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected 
obstacle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).
Rear
Side
0.60 m
Centre
1.60 m
Front
Side
0.90 m
Centre
1.20 m
Rear
Side
0.60 m
Centre
1.60 m
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Page 180 of 319

Driving
178If desired, you can also select the gears  manually (tiptronic mode) 
⇒ page 183.
Please note that in vehicles with a multitronic® gearbox, torque is trans-
mitted via a multi-plate clutch, and not via a torque converter as on conven-
tional automatics. This means that the vehicle will not “creep” as much as 
conventional automatics when the engine is idling if you stop temporarily 
with the selector lever in position D, S or R.
Vehicles with tiptronic gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic 
gearbox. The gearbox changes up and down automatically .
If desired, you can also select the gears  manually (tiptronic mode) 
⇒ page 183.Driving instructions
The gears are changed automatically.
Starting the vehicle
–Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the button on the selector 
lever handle), move the selector lever to the desired position, for 
instance D, and release the interlock button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight movement can  be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator  ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle when stationary (for  instance at traffic lights).
– To prevent the vehicle from rolling away, apply the parking brake  before moving off on steep gradients  ⇒.
– As soon as you accelerate as normal, the parking brake will auto- matically be released and the vehicle will start moving.
Parking the vehicle
–Press and hold the brake pedal  ⇒.
– Apply the parking brake.
– Press and hold the interlock button, move the selector lever to P  and release the interlock button.The engine can only be  started when the selector lever is at P or N.
On level ground it is sufficient to move the selector lever to P. On slopes, first 
engage the parking brake and then put the selection lever into the P position. 
Fig. 143  Detailed view of 
the centre console: 
Selector lever with lock 
button
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Driving179
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
This avoids overloading the locking mechanism and it will be easier to move 
the selector lever from position P.
Vehicles with multitronic® gearbox: Your vehicle is equipped with the 
hill 
hold assist function  which makes it easier to start off on a slope. The system 
is activated when you press and hold the brake pedal for  a few seconds. 
When you release the brake pedal the braking force will be maintained for a 
short moment  in order to prevent the vehicle rolling back when you drive 
away.
WARNING
•While you are selecting a gear and the vehicle is stopped with the 
engine running, do not accelerate. Failure to do so could result in an acci-
dent.•Please note that some power will still be transmitted when you stop 
temporarily with the selector lever in position D, S or R. Therefore, when 
stopping you will need to press the brake with the force required to hold 
the vehicle still. Failure to do so could result in an accident.•N e v e r  m ov e  t h e  s e l e c t o r  l e v e r  t o  R  o r  P  w h e n  d r i v i n g ,  a s  t h i s  co u l d  ca u s e  
an accident.•Vehicles with multitronic® gearbox: Please note that some power will 
still be transmitted when you stop temporarily with the selector lever in 
position D, S or R. Therefore, when stopping you will need to press the 
brake with the force required to hold the vehicle still. Failure to do so could 
result in an accident.
Selector lever positions
This section covers all th e selector lever positions.The current selector lever position is shown on the instrument panel display.
P - parking lock
This locks the driving wheels mechanically. The parking brake should only be 
used when the vehicle is already  stopped ⇒ .
The interlock button (the button on the selector lever handle) must be 
pressed in  and the brake pedal must be depressed before moving the 
selector lever either in or out of position P. This is only possible when the igni-
tion is on.
R - Reverse gear
When reverse gear is engaged the gearbox automatically selects the  lowest 
gear ratio.
The reverse gear may be engaged only when the vehicle is  stationary and the 
engine is idling  ⇒.
Fig. 144  Display: 
Selector lever positions
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Intelligent technology185
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Practical TipsIntelligent technologyElectronic Stability Programme (ESP)General notes
The Electronic Stability Programme increases the vehicle’s 
stability on the road.The ESP is designed to increase the degree of control in situations where the 
vehicle approaches the limits of adhesion, especially when accelerating and 
cornering. It reduces the risk of skidding and improves stability in all road 
conditions. The system is active across the entire speed range. The anti-lock brake system (ABS), the electronic differential lock (EDL) and 
the traction control system (TCS) are all integrated into the Electronic Stability 
Programme.
How it works
The ESP control unit processes data from the three integrated systems. It also 
processes additional inputs provided by other high-precision sensors. These 
register the vehicle’s rotation about the vertical axis (yaw rate), lateral accel-
eration, brake pressure and steering wheel angle.
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. If the desired course is not being 
maintained (for instance, if the vehicle is starting to skid), then the ESP 
compensates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable 
condition. If the vehicle over
 swerves (tendency of the rear to leave the road), 
the brakes will act on the front wheel facing the outside of the bend. If the 
vehicle  under swerves (tendency to leave the bend), the braking force is 
applied to the rear wheel facing the inside of the bend.
The ESP works in conjunction with the ABS  ⇒page 186. If a malfunction 
should occur in the ABS, the ESP will also stop working.
Deactivating
The ESP is activated automatically when the engine is started and performs a 
self-test routine.
Fig. 149  Centre console 
with ESP switch
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Intelligent technology187
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Brake assist system
The brake assist system helps the driver to achieve optimum 
braking effect.The brake assist system helps to increase braking power and thus to achieve 
a shorter stopping distance. If the driver presses the brake pedal very quickly, 
the brake assist system automatically boosts the braking force to the 
maximum level, up to the point where the anti-lock brake function (ABS) inter-
venes to stop the wheels from locking. You should then keep the brake pedal 
pressed until the vehicle has braked to the required speed. The brake assist 
system switches itself off as soon as you release the brake pedal.
The brake assist system will not be operative if there is a malfunction in the 
ABS or the ESP.
WARNING
Please remember that the accident risk always increases if you drive too 
fast, especially in corners or on a slippery road, or if you follow too close 
behind the vehicle in front of you. An increased accident risk cannot be 
compensated even by the brake assist system. Risk of accident.Electronic differential lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock prevents the loss of traction 
caused if one wheel starts spinning.General notes
The electronic differential lock (EDL) helps the vehicle to start moving, accel-
erate and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may otherwise be 
difficult or even impossible. How it works
The EDL works automatically, without the driver’s involvement. With the aid 
of the ABS sensors, the system monitors the rotational speed of the drive 
wheels 
⇒page 186. If a considerable difference in revs  is detected (approx. 
100 rpm) in the speed of the drive wheels, e.g. when only  one part of the 
surface supporting the wheels is slippery, the system applies the brake to 
slow down the skidding wheel so that more of the power is directed to the 
other wheels. The systems works up to a speed of approx. 80 km/h. The 
system will make noise while it is working.
Starting the vehicle
If one wheel has less grip and starts spinning (for instance, if one of the drive 
wheels is on ice), keep pressing the accelerator gradually until the vehicle 
starts moving.
Overheating of the brakes
To prevent the brake disk of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts 
out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. In this case, the vehicle will 
continue to run and will have the same running properties as those of another 
without EDL.
The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
•When accelerating on a uniformly slippery surface (for instance all four 
wheels on ice or snow), press the accelerator gradually and carefully. 
Despite EDL, the drive wheels may otherwise start to spin. This could 
impair the vehicle’s stability. Risk of accident.•Even with EDL, you should always adjust your speed to suit the road and 
traffic conditions. Do not let the extra safety features tempt you into taking 
any risks when driving. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
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Intelligent technology189
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
BrakesGeneral notesNew brake pads
New brake pads do not provide optimal performance during the first 200 km; 
first they must be “run in”. However, the reduced braking capacity may be 
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. Avoid over-
loading the brakes during run-in.
Wear
The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you drive and 
the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative factors are, for 
instance, city traffic, frequent short trips or hard driving with abrupt starts 
and stops.
Wet roads or road salt
In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain, or after washing the vehicle or 
driving through water, the full braking effect can be delayed by moisture (or 
in winter by ice) on the discs and brake pads. In this case the brakes should 
be dried by pressing the brake pedal several times.
When the speed is  over 80 km/h and the windscreen wipers are  on, the brake 
system moves the pads towards the brake discs for a few seconds. This 
occurs - without the driver knowing - at regular intervals and allows a faster 
response from the brakes when driving on wet roads.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if the vehicle 
is driven for some distance without using the brakes when there is a lot of salt 
on the road in winter. In this case, the layer of salt on the brake discs and pads 
has to wear off before braking. Corrosion
There may be a tendency for corrosion to form on the discs and dirt to build 
up on the brake pads if the vehicle is used infrequently or the brakes are not 
used very often.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if rust has formed on the disks, it is 
advisable to clean off the pads and disks by braking firmly a few times at a 
moderately high speed 
⇒.
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase  suddenly, this may mean that 
one of the two brake circuits has failed. Drive immediately to the nearest 
specialised workshop and have the fault repaired. Drive there slowly and 
remember that you will have to apply more pressure on the brake pedal and 
allow for longer stopping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is too low. 
The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
WARNING
When applying the brakes to clean off deposits on the pads and discs, 
select a clear, dry road. Be sure not to inconvenience or endanger other 
road users. Risk of accident.
Caution
•Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your foot on the pedal when it is 
not necessary to brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in longer stop-
ping distances and greater wear.•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce speed 
and change to a lower gear (or move the gear lever to a lower gear position if 
your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine braking 
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Driving and the environment195
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed permitted by the vehicle. Fuel 
consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels all increase very rapidly at 
higher speeds. Driving at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic jam, at level 
crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The fuel saved after only 
30 - 40seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to restart the 
engine.
The engine takes a very long time to warm up when it is running at idling 
speed. Mechanical wear and pollutant emissions are also especially high 
during this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore best to drive off immediately 
after starting the engine. Avoid running the engine at high speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey, you 
will not consume more than the required amount of fuel. A well-serviced 
engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as maximum 
reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and 
the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum 
service tempera-
ture .
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine 
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not normalise until having 
driven approximately four  kilometres. This is why we recommend avoiding 
short trips whenever possible. Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the 
tyre pressure is just 1 bar too low, fuel consumption can increase by as much 
as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also increases 
tyre wear
 and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are  cold.
Do not use  winter tyres  all year round as they increase fuel consumption by 
up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Every kilo of extra weight  will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth 
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-
essary loads are being transported.
A roof rack is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even when it is 
no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120km/h your vehicle will use about 
12% m ore fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof rack 
even when it is not in use.
Save electricity
The engine activates the alternator, which produces electricity. With the need 
for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always 
turn off electrical components when you do not need them. Examples of 
components that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear 
window heating or the seat heaters*.
Note
•If you vehicle has  Start-Stop, it is not recommended to disconnect this 
function.•It is recommended to  close the windows when driving at more than 60 
km/h 
Page 201 of 319

Trailer towing199
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted 
drawbar 
load  on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified 
limit.
Tyre  pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your vehicle, and adjust for “full load” conditions 
(refer to the sticker listing the tyre pressures on the door pillar). It may also be 
necessary to adjust the tyre pressures on the trailer according to the recom-
mendations of the trailer manufacturer.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the 
standard mirrors. If this is not the case you should have additional mirrors 
fitted. The two exterior mirrors should be fitted on folding arms. Adjust the 
mirrors to give sufficient rear vision.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, check the headlight beam settings with the trailer 
hitched up. If necessary, alter the height of the headlight beams by means of 
the headlight range control. See  ⇒page 119.
Power supply
When you remove the ignition key, the power supply to the trailer is inter-
rupted.
Removable ball joint coupling
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket are equipped with a  removable 
ball joint coupling. This is stored in the spare wheel well in the luggage 
compartment together with the necessary fitting instructions.
Note
If you frequently tow, we recommend you also have the vehicle serviced 
between services.
Notes on towing
Towing a trailer involves additional attention by the driver.Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very 
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slow to allow for 
the unbalanced weight distribution.
Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed. There-
fore, it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed in unfa-
vourable road, weather or wind condit ions. This especially applies when 
driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest 
sign of swaying . Never try to stabilise the trailer by accelerating.
Anticipate hazards and brake in good time. If towing a trailer with an  inertia 
brake , first brake gently  and then harder. This will prevent brake tapping by 
the trailer wheels when they lock. Select a low gear in due course before 
going down a steep downhill. This enables you to use the engine braking to 
slow down the vehicle.
Swaying and pitching  can be reduced by stabiliser aids. We recommend 
having stabiliser aids installed when towing trailers with a high trailer weight. 
They can be purchased and installed at a Technical Service.
Reheating
When climbing long hills in hot weather with the engine running fast in low 
gear, you should keep an eye on the coolant temperature gauge  ⇒page 60. 
Reduce speed immediately if the needle moves to the right end of the scale. 
If the temperature warning lamp 
 v in the instrument panel should start 
flashing, stop the vehicle and let the engine cool down by running it  at idling 
speed  for a few minutes.
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Checking and refilling levels
230Make sure that the coolant fluid meets the required specifications 
⇒ page 228, “Coolant fluid”. Do not use a different type of antifreeze if 
G12++ antifreeze is not available. In this case, use only water and bring the 
antifreeze concentration back up to the correct level as soon as possible.
Always top up with  new coolant fluid.
Do not fill above the “max” mark. Excess coolant fluid is forced out of the 
system through the valve in the filler cap when the engine gets hot.
If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait for the engine to  cool down before 
putting in cold coolant. Failure to do so could result in serious engine 
damage.
WARNING
•The cooling system is under pressure. Do not unscrew the cap on the 
expansion tank when the engine is hot. Failure to comply could result in 
burns.•The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a health hazard. Therefore, the 
antifreeze should be stored in the orig inal container in a safe place out of 
reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.For the sake of the environment
Drained off coolant should not be used again. Drain off the used coolant into 
a suitable container and dispose of it in the proper manner (observe environ-
mental regulations).
Radiator fan
The radiator fan can start running spontaneously.The auxiliary fan can continue to run for as long as 10 minutes after stopping 
the engine, even after the ignition is switched off. It may also start running 
suddenly  ⇒ after some while if•Stored heat raises the coolant temperature, or•The hot engine compartment is additionally heated up by the sun.WARNING
When working in the engine compartment be aware that the radiator fan 
may start running suddenly, leading to the risk of injury.
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Wheels and tyres243
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Run-flat tyres*
Run-flat tyres allow you to cont inue driving even with a punc-
tured tyre, in the majority of cases.In vehicles that are factory-fitted with run-flat tyres
3) the loss of tyre 
pressure is indicated on the instrument panel.
Driving with run-flat tyres (emergency running)
– Leave the ESP/TCS (Electronic Stability Programme) switched on,  or switch on  ⇒page 68.
– Continue driving carefully and slowly (80 km/h maximum).
– Avoid sudden manoeuvres and sharp turns.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (for example kerbs) or potholes.
– Look out for the ESP/TCS intervening often, smoke coming from  the tyres or the smell of rubber, the vehicle vibrating or a clat-
tering noise. If any of these occur, stop the vehicle.
The run-flat tyres have a tag on the side of the tyre, with the description: 
“DSST”, “Eufonia”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
The sides of this type of tyre are reinforced. When the tyres lose air they are 
supported on the sides (emergency driving).
The loss of pressure in the tyre is shown on the instrument panel. You can 
then drive a maximum of 80 km and if the circumstances are favourable (for 
example, low load), even more.
The damaged tyre should be changed as soon as possible. The rim should be 
checked in a specialist workshop to detect possible damage and replace it if  necessary. We recommend you contact Technical Service. If more than one 
tyre is being used under emergency conditions, this reduces the distance 
which can be travelled.
Starting driving in emergency conditions
When loss in tyre pressure is displayed on the instrument panel, this means 
that at least one tyre is being driven in emergency conditions 
⇒.
End of emergency operation
Do not drive on if:
•smoke is coming from one of the tyres,•there is a smell of rubber,•the vehicle vibrates,•there is a rattling noise.
When is it no longer possible to continue driving even using run-flat tyres?•If the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is out of operation.•If the tyre pressure monitoring system* does not work.•If one of the tyres has been severely damaged in an accident, etc. If a tyre 
has been badly damaged there is a risk that parts of the tread can be thrown 
off and cause damage to the fuel lines, brake pipes or fuel filler.•It is also advisable to stop driving if severe vibrations occur, or if the wheel 
starts overheating and gives off smoke.WARNING
When driving in emergency conditions, the driving quality of the vehicle is 
considerably impaired.•The maximum permitted speed of 80 km/h is subject to road and 
weather conditions. Please observe legal requirements when doing so.•Avoid sharp turns and rapid manoeuvres, and brake earlier than usual.•Avoid driving over obstacles (for example kerbs) or potholes.
3)Depending upon version and country.
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