towing Seat Exeo ST 2012 Owner's Guide

262If and when
Changing a wheel
Preparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel.
– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away
from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as
level as possible.
– All passengers should leave the vehicle. They should wait in a
safe place (e.g. behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage first gear .
– When towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from your vehicle.
– Take the tools and the spare wheel ⇒  page 259 out of the lug-
gage compartment.
WARNING
If you have a puncture in heavy traffic, switch on the hazard warning
lights and place the warning triangle in a visible location. This is for your
own safety and also warns other road users.
CAUTION
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite the
wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to prevent
the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so. 
Changing a wheel
Change the wheel as described below.
– Remove the wheel cover .
– Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ page 263.
– Raise the vehicle with the jack ⇒ page 264.
– Take off the wheel with the flat tyre and then put on the spare
wheel ⇒ page 265.
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the
box spanner ⇒ page 263.
– Replace the cover. 
After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel, there are still tasks to complete. – Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the spare wheel well
and secure it.
– Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment. 

271
If and when
Fuse assignment
This list shows the fuses which can be replaced relatively
easily by the owner.
No.ConsumerAmps1Air conditioner102Footwell lamps53Heated washer jets54Radiator fan55Parking aid, automatic gearbox106Air conditioner (air purity sensor), pressure sensor5
7Electronic Stability Control (ESC), brake light switch,
clutch pedal switch, steering angle sensor10
8Telephone59Lambda probe heater1010Adaptive headlights right5
11Airbag and disconnection of the front passenger air-
bag5
12Diagnostic socket1013Steering column unit1014Brake lights1015Instrument panel1016Vacant 17Tyre pressure control, rain/light sensor1018Adaptive headlights left519Start-Stop control unit1020Engine management1521Start/Stop battery power management522Vacant 23Vacant
No.ConsumerAmps24Central electrics unit for convenience equipment2025Heater blower3026Rear window heater3027Power socket for trailer (control unit)3028Fuel pump, auxiliary pump for diesel2029Radio, amplifier (with Start-Stop)2030Sliding/tilting sunroof20
31Diagnosis connection, automatic anti-dazzle interior
mirror, reverse light, automatic gearbox15
32Towing socket1533Lighter2034Rear electric windows3035Luggage compartment power socket*2036Wiper system30
37Pump for windscreen washer and headlight washer
system30
38Luggage compartment illumination, alarm1539Radio, amplifier (without Start-Stop)2040Horn2541230 volt socket3042Electronic Stability Control (ESC)2543Front electric windows3044Seat heating35
Some of the electrical items listed in the table are only fitted on certain
models or are optional extras. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

297
If and when
Towing and tow-starting
Tow-starting
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-start-
ing is preferable ⇒ page 293.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the
gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the
towing vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it. General notes
Please observe the following points if you use a tow rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
–
Drive slowly at first until the tow rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto-
matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not
working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake sooner than nor-
mal and pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. You should only use a
tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towing eyes provided or a tow-
ing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexper-
ienced drivers should not attempt to tow. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

298If and when
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking
the tow rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of
overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must ap-
ply considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running,
you will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
● Put the selector lever into position “N”.
● Do not drive faster than 50 km/h.
● Do not tow further than 50 km.
● If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.
Note
● Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe
any regulations to the contrary.
● For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.
● If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gear-
box, you must raise the drive wheels while the vehicle is being towed.
● If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km, the front wheels should
be raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by a qualified
person. ●
The steering wheel is locked when the vehicle has no electrical power.
The vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should
be carried out by a qualified person.
● The towing eye should always be kept in the vehicle. Please refer to the
notes ⇒ page 297, Tow-starting. 
Front towing eyeFig. 246 Fitting the tow-
ing eye to front rear of
the vehicle
Fitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the on-board tool set.
– Remove the front cover by pressing down on the right hand
side.
– Bolt the eye to its limit to the left, in the direction of the arrow
⇒ Fig. 246 

299
If and when
Rear towing eye
There is a towing eye at the rear on the right below the rear bumper. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

302Description of specifications
Information on fuel consumption
Fuel consumption
The consumption and emission details shown on the vehicle
data sticker differ from one vehicle to another.
The vehicle's fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions can be consulted on the
vehicle data sticker in the spare wheel well, inside the luggage compart-
ment and on the rear cover of the Maintenance Programme.
The fuel consumption and CO 2 emission values refer to the weight category
assigned to your vehicle according to the engine and gearbox combination,
as well as the specific equipment fitted, and is only used to compare be-
tween the different models.
The fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions do not depend only on the per-
formance of the vehicle, they can also differ from the established values de-
pending on other factors such as driving style, road conditions, traffic con-
ditions, environmental conditions, load and number of passengers.
Calculation of fuel consumption
The consumption values have been calculated based on measurements per-
formed or supervised by certified CE laboratories according to the latest ver-
sion of directives 715/2007/EC and 80/1268/CEE (for more information
consult the European Union Publications Office at EUR-Lex: © European Un-
ion, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) and are valid for the kerb
weight indicated for the vehicle.
Note
In practice, and considering all the factors mentioned here, consumption
values can differ from those calculated in the current European regulations. Weights
Kerb weight refers to the basic model with a fuel tank filled to 90% capacity
and without optional extras. The figure quoted includes 75 kg to allow for
the weight of the driver.
For special versions and optional equipment fittings or for the addition of
accessories, the weight of the vehicle will increase
⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Always adjust your speed and driving style to suit road conditions
and requirements.
● Never exceed the gross axle weight rating or the gross vehicle weight
rating. If the allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded,
the driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to acci-
dents, injuries and damage to the vehicle.

Towing a trailer Trailer weights
Trailer weight
The trailer weights and drawbar loads approved are selected in intensive tri-
als according to precisely defined criteria. The approved trailer weights are
valid for vehicles in the EU for maximum speeds of 80 km/h (in certain cir-
cumstances up to 100 km/h). The figures may be different in other coun-
tries. All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these
data ⇒ 
. 

303
Description of specifications
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted drawbar load on the ball joint of the towing bracket
must not exceed 75 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend that you always tow approach-
ing the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will
be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load cannot be met (e.g. with small,
empty and light-weight single axle trailers or tandem axle trailers with a
wheelbase of less than 1 metre), a minimum of 4% of the actual trailer
weight is legally required for the drawbar load.
WARNING
● For safety reasons, do not exceed the 80 km/h limit. This is also valid
in countries where higher speeds are permitted.
● Never exceed the maximum trailer weights or the drawbar load. If the
permissible axle load or the permissible total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.

Wheels
Tyre pressure, snow chains, wheel bolts
Tyre pressures
The sticker with the tyre pressure values can be found on the inside of the
tank flap. The tyre pressure values given there are for cold tyres. The slightly
raised pressures of warm tyres must not be reduced. ⇒ 
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels. Consult the chapter “wheels” of this manual.
Wheel bolts
After the wheels have been changed, the
tightening torque of the wheel
bolts should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒ 
.
The tightening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
● Check the tyre pressure at least once per month. Checking the tyre
pressure is very important. If the tyre pressure is too high or too low,
there is an increased danger of accidents, particularly at high speeds.
● If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen while the
vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too high,
the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
Note
We recommend that you ask your Technical Service for information about
appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

312Technical specifications
Dimensions and capacities
Dimensions
Length, width 4661-4741a)
mm/ 1772 mm
Height at kerb weight 1454 mm with roof bars
Front and rear projection 976 mm/ 1048-1123a)
mm
Wheelbase 2642 mm
Turning circle 11.2 m
Track width b) Front
Rear
1522 mm 1523 mm
Capacities
Fuel tank 70 l. Reserve 10 l.
Windscreen washer fluid container with headlight washer 4.8 l.
Tyre pressure
Summer-grade tyres:
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the inside of the tank flap.
Winter tyres:
The pressure of these tyres is the same as the summer tyre pressure plus 0.2 bar.
a) With towing eye.
b) This data will change depending on the type of wheel rim. 

Index
Numbers and Symbols
230 V socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
A
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228 Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Airbag Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Air conditioner 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Air distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Air purity sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Air recirculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Air recirculation (automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Automatic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
ECON Mode (economy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Economical use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Key settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Solar-powered blower/sunroof . . . . . . . . . 170
Temperature selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Air duct Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274, 281
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274, 280
Air purity sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Ambient lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Anti-lock brake system How it works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Interior monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Antifreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Armrest Storage compartment in front armrest . . . 143
Armrests Adjusting the front armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Ashtray Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
ASR How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Athermic windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Auto-check system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Automatic car wash tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Automatic gearbox
Dynamic gear control programme . . . . . . . 191
Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
multitronic® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Paddle levers (tiptronic mode) . . . . . . . . . 193
Safety interlock for ignition key . . . . . . . . . 173
Selector lever lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Steering wheel with paddle levers . . . . . . 193
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Automatic headlight control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Auxiliary heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Battery voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Disconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Long periods of non-use . . . . . . . . . . 245, 246
Replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245, 246
Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Winter operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245, 246
Bicycle rack Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
313
Index

Emergency activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258, 303
Solar-powered blower/sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Solar sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Spare keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Spare wheel Steel rim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Speed warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 85
Speed warning function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Start-Stop Activating and deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Steam jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Steering Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Manual steering wheel adjustment . . . . . 172
Steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Switches on the driver door Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Symbols Red symbols in central display . . . . . . . . . . 80
Yellow symbols on central display . . . . . . . 82
T Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
The danger of not using the seat belt . . . . . . . . 21 The environment
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Warming up the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Tightening torque of wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . 303
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206, 297 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Notes on towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206, 207
Removable towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Technical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Towing bracket, fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Towing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tow starting General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Traction control system How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Traction control system (ASR) warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Turn signal lamps Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Trailer turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Tyre mobility system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 93, 249
Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tyre repair kit Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Tyres and wheels Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Tyres service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . 249
U Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Upholstery Treating your upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
V
Vehicle care synthetic leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Treating your upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Vehicle keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Vehicle maintenance electrically adjustable seats . . . . . . . . . . . 224
heated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
320 Index