steering Seat Exeo 2011 Owner's Guide

121
Lights and visibility
– Press the knob in again to prevent the setting from being
changed unintentionally.
This button activates or deactivates the daytime running lights function.
With the function activated, when the ignition is switched on the daytime
running lights are turned on automatically.
Note
Please observe any relevant legal requirements which may apply in your
country. 
Adaptive headlights* (for driving around bends)
When driving around bends, the headlights will light the
most important areas of the road.
Fig. 90 Adaptive head-
lights when driving
The dynamic cornering light gives better illumination of the curve area and
the side of the road when driving around a bend ⇒ fig. 90. The dynamic cor-nering light is controlled automatically depending on the speed and the
steering wheel angle.
The dipped beam headlights are regulated automatically when you drive
around a bend, depending on how far you turn the steering wheel. The two
main headlights move at different angles to avoid that the front of the vehi-
cle is left completely in the dark.
Note
The system operates from a speed of about 10 km/h. 
Hazard warning lights 
The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
Fig. 91 Centre console:
Switch for hazard warn-
ing lights
– Press the switch
 ⇒ fig. 91 to switch the hazard warning lights
on or off. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

123
Lights and visibility
Main beam headlights 
– Press the lever forward to switch on the main beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam head-
lights off again.
Headlight flasher 
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the flasher.
Parking light 
– Switch the ignition off.
– Move the lever up or down to turn on the right or left-hand park-
ing lights respectively.
Notes on these functions
● The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The turn
signal lamp  or  flashes in the instrument panel when the turns signals
⇒ page 65 are working.
● The turn signals are cancelled automatically when the steering wheel is
returned to the straight-ahead position.
● The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam
headlights are already on. The main beam headlight indicator lamp  then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● The headlight flasher comes on for as long as you pull the lever, even if
no other lights are switched on. The main beam headlight indicator lamp 
then comes on in the instrument panel.
● When the parking lights are switched on, the headlight and the tail light
on one side of the vehicle light up with reduced intensity. The parking lights
will only work with the ignition off.
CAUTION
Never use the main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if this would
dazzle oncoming traffic. 
Interior lights
Front interior lights and glove compartment light
The front interior light also incorporates the reading lights
for the driver and passenger.
Fig. 93 Detail of headlin-
er: front interior lights
The rocker switch A
⇒ fig. 93 for the front interior light has the fol-
lowing functions:
Door light position
– Move switch A
to the centre position. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

128Lights and visibility
Note
● An overload cut-out may be triggered if the sun blind for the rear window
is operated repeatedly. There will then be a short delay before the blind can
be operated again.
● As the material of the sun blind is less flexible at low temperatures, the
electric actuator is switched off when the outside temperature is below
-5 °C. The sun blind can only be operated when the temperature inside the
car rises above this level. 
Windscreen wipers
Windscreen wipers 
The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen wipers
and the automatic wash and wipe.
Fig. 101 Windscreen
wiper lever
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒ fig. 101 has the following settings: Short wipe
–
Move the lever down to position 1
to give the windscreen a
short wipe.
Intermittent wipe  / Rain sensor* (activate)
– Move the lever up to position 2
.
– Move the switch A
up or down to set the wiper intervals.
– In vehicles equipped with a rain sensor*, you can move the
switch A
up and down to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
Slow wipe
– Move the lever up to position 3
.
Continuous wipe
– Move the lever up to position 4
.
Automatic wash and wipe
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel, 5
, to activate the
windscreen washer.
– Release the lever. The washer will stop and the wipers will keep
running for approximately 4 seconds.
Deactivating the windscreen wiper
– Pull the lever to basic position 0
.
General notes
The washers and wipers will work only when the ignition is switched on. 

165
Driving
Driving SteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely ad-
justed to suit the driver
Fig. 134 Lever beneath
steering column
– Push the lever ⇒ fig. 134 down ⇒ 
.
– Move the steering wheel to the desired position.
– Then push the lever back up against the steering column until it
engages in position.
WARNING
● Never adjust the position of the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving, as this could cause an accident.
● For safety reasons, the lever must always be securely engaged when
the vehicle is moving, so that the position of the steering wheel cannot
shift unexpectedly. Otherwise this could cause an accident.

Safety Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.
Fig. 135 Detailed view of
the centre console: ESP
button 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

167
Driving
Position 1
The ignition key is inserted in this position. To
engage the steering wheel
lock, take out the key and turn the wheel until you hear the pin engage. You
should always engage the steering lock when you leave the vehicle. This
will help to deter thefts ⇒ 
.
Switching on the ignition/pre-heating glow plugs 2
If the key is difficult to turn in the lock, move the steering wheel (to take the
load off the steering lock mechanism) until the key turns freely. In the case
of vehicles with a diesel engine, the key is turned to this position to preheat
the glow plugs.
Starting the engine 3
The engine is started in this position. Electrical components with a high
power consumption are switched off temporarily.
After the engine has started, the ignition key returns to position 2
by itself.
The ignition key has to be turned back to position 1
before re-starting the
engine. The starter inhibitor in the ignition lock prevents the starter motor
from engaging when the engine is running, as this could cause damage.
Switching off the ignition 1
Turn the ignition key to this position.
WARNING
● Never remove the ignition key until the vehicle is stationary! Other-
wise the steering lock could engage suddenly, which could cause an acci-
dent.
● Always take the key with you when leaving the vehicle, even if you
only intend to be gone for a short time. This is particularly important if
there are children in the vehicle, as they might otherwise be able to start
the engine or use power-operated equipment (e.g. the electric windows),
which could cause injuries.
Note
● If the battery has been disconnected and then reconnected, it will be
necessary to leave the key in position 2
for about 5 seconds before start-
ing the engine.
● Vehicles with automatic gearbox: After switching off the ignition, you
can only remove the ignition key if the selector lever is in position “P” (park-
ing lock). The selector lever is locked after the ignition key has been re-
moved. 
Starting and stopping the engine Starting the engine
The engine can only be started with an original SEAT key.
Fig. 137 Ignition key po-
sitions 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

169
Driving
Stopping the engine
– Turn the ignition key to position 1 ⇒ fig. 137.
WARNING
● Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary.
● The brake servo and the power steering system work only when the
engine is running. You need more strength to steer and brake the vehicle
when the engine is switched off. Given that you will be unable to steer
and brake as usual, this could lead to a risk of accidents and injuries.
CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high load for a long time, there is a
risk of heat building up in the engine compartment after the engine has
been switched off; this could cause engine damage. Therefore, you should
let the engine idle for approximately 2 minutes before you switch it off.
Note
After the engine is switched off the radiator fan may run on for up to 10 mi-
nutes, even if the ignition is switched off. It may also start running again af-
ter some time if the coolant temperature rises due to a build-up of heat un-
der the bonnet, or if the engine is already warm and the engine compart-
ment is heated up further by direct sunlight. Handbrake
Handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the vehi-
cle from accidentally rolling away.
Fig. 138 Detailed view of
the centre console: Hand-
brake on
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and at the same time press in the re-
lease button ⇒ fig. 138 -arrow-.
– Keep the release button pressed and push the lever all the way
down ⇒ 
.
If you drive by mistake with the handbrake still applied, you will hear a
warning buzzer and the display will show the message: 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

170Driving
Handbrake on
The handbrake warning switches on after driving for 3 seconds at speeds
above 5 km/h.
The handbrake warning lamp  lights up when the handbrake is applied
with the ignition on.
WARNING
Please note that the handbrake should be released all the way. If it is on-
ly partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating, which can
impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an accident.
CAUTION
Once the vehicle has come to a standstill, always apply the handbrake firm-
ly and then, on a manual gearbox, engage a gear, or select P on an auto-
matic. 
Parking
The following points will ensure there is no risk of the vehi-
cle rolling away accidentally after it is parked:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Switch the engine off.
– On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear or on an automatic move
the selector lever to P ⇒ 
. When parking on slopes:
Turn the steering wheel so that the, if the vehicle moves, it will do so to-
wards the curb.
WARNING
● Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehicle when it is
locked. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially
putting lives at risk.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could release
e.g. the handbrake or gear lever, moving the vehicle and causing an acci-
dent.

Parking aid acoustic system General notes
Various systems are available to help you when parking or manoeuvring in
tight spaces, depending on the equipment fitted on your vehicle.
The SEAT Parking System gives an acoustic warning if there are any obsta-
cles behind your vehicle ⇒ page 171.
When you are parking, SEAT Parking System Plus warns you acoustically
and optically about obstacles in front of and behind the vehicle
⇒ page 171.
Note
To ensure the acoustic parking aid works properly, the sensors must be kept
clean and free of snow and ice. 

183
Driving
Back-up programme
A back-up system is in place if a fault should occur in the
control system.
The automatic gearbox switches to the back-up programme if a fault should
occur in the control system. This is indicated by a gear pinion symbol which
lights up on the instrument panel display.
It is still possible to move the selector lever to all positions. The manual
shift programme (tiptronic) is not available when the back-up programme is
active.
Vehicles with tiptronic gearbox: When the selector lever is in position D or S
or in the manual shift programme, the gearbox will remain in 3rd gear if 1st,
2nd or 3rd gears were engaged when the fault occurred. The gearbox will
remain in 5th gear if 4th, 5th or 6th gears were engaged. The gearbox will
then engage 3rd gear when you drive away from a standstill or after the en-
gine is restarted.
It will still be possible to use reverse gear in the normal way. However, the
electronic lock for reverse gear will be switched off.
CAUTION
Should the gearbox ever switch into the back-up programme, you should
take the vehicle to a technical service or qualified workshop as soon as pos-
sible. Steering wheel with paddle levers
The paddle levers on the steering wheel enable the driver to
manually select pre-programmed ratios or gears.
Fig. 148 Steering wheel:
tiptronic controls
– Briefly pull the left-hand paddle lever –
to change down to a
lower gear.
– Briefly pull the right-hand paddle lever +
to change up to a
higher gear.
The paddle levers are activated when the selector lever is in position D or S,
or the position for the manual shift programme (tiptronic).
The manual shift programme can, of course, still be operated using the gear
lever in the centre console. 
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184Intelligent technology
Practical Tips
Intelligent technology
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) General notes
The Electronic Stability Programme increases the vehicle's
stability on the road.
Fig. 149 Centre console
with ESP switch
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 Stabil-
ity Programme.
How it works
The ESP control unit processes data from the three integrated systems. It al-
so processes additional inputs provided by other high-precision sensors.
These register the vehicle's rotation about the vertical axis (yaw rate), later-
al acceleration, 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 185. 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. 

189
Intelligent technology
Note
If you wish to equip the vehicle with accessories such as a front spoiler or
wheel covers, it is important that the flow of air to the front wheels is not
obstructed, otherwise the brakes can overheat. 
Brake servo
The brake servo assists the driver when braking
The brake servo increases the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. The
brake servo works only when the engine is running.
WARNING
Ensure the vehicle does not move while in neutral, when the engine is
stopped. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Note
If the brake servo is not working, e.g. because the vehicle has to be towed
or because it is broken, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder to make up for the lack of servo assistance. 
Power steering
Power steering makes it easier to turn the steering wheel
when the engine is running. Power steering assists the driver by reducing the force needed to turn the
steering wheel. Power steering does not work if the engine is off. In this case the steering
wheel requires much more force to turn.
If the steering is held at its
turning limit when the vehicle is stationary, this
will place an excessive load on the power steering system. Turning the
steering wheel to its limit places a load on the system, which causes noise.
It will also reduce the idling speed of the engine.
CAUTION
When the engine is running, do not turn the steering wheel to its limit for
more than 15 seconds. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the power
steering.
Note
● If the power steering should fail at any time or the engine is switched off
(for instance when being towed), the vehicle can still be steered. However,
more effort will be required to turn the steering wheel.
● If the system is leaking or malfunctioning, please take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop as soon as possible.
● The power steering system requires a special hydraulic fluid. The fluid
reservoir is located at the front of the engine compartment on the left
⇒ page 290. The correct fluid level in the reservoir is important for the pow-
er steering to function properly. The hydraulic fluid level is checked at the
Inspection Service. 
Servotronic*
The servotronic system electronically adjusts the power as-
sisted steering.
In vehicles equipped with servotronic power steering the degree of power
assistance ⇒ page 189 is adjusted
electronically according to road speed. 
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