light Seat Exeo ST 2012 Repair Manual

128Lights and visibility
Visibility
Heated rear window 
The rear window heating clears the rear window of conden-
sation.
Fig. 96 Switch for heat-
ed rear window
– Press button 
to switch the rear window heating on or off
⇒ Fig. 96.
The heated rear window only works when the ignition is switched on. An in-
dicator lamp on the button lights up when the rear window heater is switch-
ed on.
The heated rear window switches off automatically after about 10 minutes if
the outside temperature is above 0°C.
Depending on the outside temperature, the exterior mirrors are also heated
while the heated rear window is turned on. The exterior mirror heating is not activated at temperatures above approxi-
mately 20°C.
For the sake of the environment
Switch off the heated rear window as soon as the rear window has demis-
ted. By saving electrical power you can also save fuel. 
Sun visors
The sun visors can improve visibility and contribute to safe-
ty.
Fig. 97 Sun visor
The sun visors 1
for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled out of
their mountings in the centre of the vehicle and turned towards the doors
⇒ Fig. 97.
The vanity mirrors in the sun visor have covers. On opening the cover 2
,
the mirror light* located in the headliner is automatically switched on. The 

129
Lights and visibility
light switches itself off when the cover is closed and when the sun visor is
pushed back up. 
Sun blind*
The rear side windows are fitted with sun blinds.
Fig. 98 Sun blind exten-
ded to cover rear side
window
Sun blind (rear side windows)
– Pull out the blind and hook it into the hooks at the top of the
door frame ⇒ Fig. 98. Windscreen wipers
Windscreen wipers 
The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen wipers
and the automatic wash and wipe.
Fig. 99 Windscreen wip-
er lever
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒ Fig. 99 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. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

130Lights and visibility
–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.
If you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights, the wiper speed will automatically be
reduced. The rain sensor* will automatically be set to the intermittent wipe
function.
The windscreen washer jets are heated when the ignition is switched on.
The wiper intervals in the intermittent wipe setting are also varied automati-
cally according to the road speed (in addition to the manual delay setting).
When the lights are switched on you should only pull the lever briefly to
wash the windscreen, otherwise the headlight washers* will also be ena-
bled. This will use an unnecessary amount of fluid from the reservoir. Rain sensor
The rain sensor* will only function in the intermittent wipe position. The in-
termittent wipe function is enabled automatically when it starts to rain.
If the windscreen wiper lever was in the intermittent wipe position when the
ignition was off, the rain sensor will not activate until you reach a speed of
6 km/h.
Use switch
A
to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor*.
If you have selected a high sensitivity level for the rain sensor the wind-
screen wipers will react sooner to any moisture on the windscreen.
The wiper intervals in the intermittent wipe setting are also varied automati-
cally according to the road speed (in addition to the sensitivity setting).
WARNING
● For correct visibility and safe driving, the wiper must be in perfect
condition ⇒ page 220. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
● The rain sensor* is only intended to assist the driver. The driver is
still obliged to manually operate the windscreen wipers as required de-
pending on visibility.
● Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad visibili-
ty conditions such as light rain, low sun or when driving at night, these
coatings can cause increased dazzle, which is a serious safety hazard.
Such coatings can also cause the wiper blades to make noise.
CAUTION
● In the event of frost, check that the wiper blade has not frozen before
activating the windscreen wipers. Should the windscreen wiper system be
enabled when the blade is frozen, this could damage it or even the wind-
screen wiper system motor.
● Make sure you switch off the windscreen wiper system (lever in position
0) before you use an automatic car wash. This will avoid inadvertent trigger-
ing of the wipers and possible damage to the wiper system. 

131
Lights and visibility
Note
● Check that the washer fluid reservoir is full before starting a long jour-
ney. Fill the reservoir ⇒ page 241.
● Worn or dirty wiper blades can cause smearing on the glass which can
also impair the effectiveness of the rain sensor*. Check the condition of
windscreen wiper blades at regular intervals. 
Rear window wiper 
The windscreen wiper lever also operates the rear window
wiper and the automatic wash and wipe.
Fig. 100 Windscreen
wiper lever
The rear window wiper and the automatic wash/wipe system are
switched on as follows: Intermittent wipe
–
Push the windscreen wiper lever forwards until it clicks into the
first position ⇒ Fig. 100 1
. The rear window wiper will wipe the
window approximately every 4 seconds.
Automatic wash/wipe 
– Push the lever forwards to position 2
. The rear window wiper
will work for the time you hold the lever in this position.
– Release the lever. The rear window wiper will keep working for
approximately 4 seconds.
Deactivating the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever backwards until it returns to its original position.
The rear window wiper will start working automatically if reverse gear is en-
gaged while the windscreen wipers are switched on.
WARNING
For correct visibility and safe driving, the wiper must be in perfect condi-
tion ⇒ page 220. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the windscreen wipers/rear window wiper. The wind-
screen wiper blades and even the windscreen wiper motor could be dam-
aged if you start the windscreen wipers/rear window wiper with the blades
frozen to the glass. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

132Lights and visibility
Headlight washer system
Fig. 101 Headlight with
extended washer jet
With the lights switched on, operate the automatic wash and wipe
⇒ Fig. 99 5
, and keep the lever pulled towards you for at least 1
second.
The headlight washer jets come out of the bumper automatically (under wa-
ter pressure) ⇒ Fig. 101.
Clean off dirt (insects, etc.) from the lenses at regular intervals, for instance
when filling the tank.
To ensure that the system works properly in winter, keep the nozzle holders
free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer spray. Rear view mirrors
Interior mirror with manual anti-dazzle setting
Normal setting
– Point the lever at the bottom of the mirror forwards.
Anti-dazzle setting for the interior mirror
– Point the lever at the bottom of the mirror to the rear. 
Interior mirror with automatic anti-dazzle adjustment*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and
off as desired.
Fig. 102 Interior mirror
with anti-dazzle setting:
Indicator lamp and on/off
switch 

133
Lights and visibility
Switching off the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ Fig. 102. Indicator lamp B goes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ Fig. 102. Indicator lamp B turns on.
Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp lights up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the interior mirror will darken au-
tomatically according to the amount of light it receives. The anti-dazzle
function is disabled if:
● the interior lighting is switched on
● reverse gear is engaged
Sensors for automatic headlights*
When the light switch is set to the AUTO position, the dipped beam head-
lights are switched on and off automatically according to the ambient light
level with the aid of the sensors located in the interior mirror ⇒ page 118.
WARNING
Electrolyte fluid can leak from a broken mirror. This fluid can cause irrita-
tion to the skin, eyes and respiratory organs. Wash thoroughly with clean
water should you come into contact with this fluid. Seek medical assis-
tance if needed!
CAUTION
Electrolyte fluid leaking from a broken mirror can cause damage to plastic
surfaces. Use a sponge or similar to remove the fluid as soon as possible.
Note
● The interior mirror automatic anti-dazzle function* will only work proper-
ly if the sun blind* for the rear window is retracted and if there are no other
objects preventing light from reaching the mirror.
● If you have to stick any type of sticker on the windscreen, do not do so in
front of the sensors. Doing so could prevent the automatic headlight or anti-
dazzle function from working correctly or even from working at all. 
Exterior mirrors
The exterior mirrors are adjusted electrically.
Fig. 103 Detailed view of
the armrest: Adjuster
knob
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
– Turn the adjuster knob to position ⇒ 
Fig. 103 L
(left exterior
mirror) or position R (right exterior mirror).
– Move the knob as required to adjust the exterior mirror for a
good view behind you. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

134Lights and visibility
Retracting both exterior mirrors
–Turn the knob to position A
.
It is advisable to fold the exterior mirrors, for example when parking or when
driving through narrow spaces.
Heated mirrors
The mirrors are heated (depending on the outside temperature) when the
heated rear window ⇒ page 128 is switched on.
The exterior mirror heating is not activated at temperatures above approxi-
mately 20°C.
Memory for exterior mirrors*
In vehicles with memory function for the driver seat, the setting of the exte-
rior mirrors is automatically stored together with the seat position
⇒ page 139.
Tilting function for exterior mirror on the passenger side* (only if equipped
with memory for exterior mirrors)
When reverse gear is engaged, the mirror surface tilts slightly downwards,
provided the mirror control is switched to the exterior mirror on the passen-
ger side (knob in position R
⇒ Fig. 103). This provides a better view of the
kerb when parking.
The mirror returns to its original position as soon as reverse gear is disen-
gaged and the vehicle is driven forwards at a speed above 15 km/h, or
when the mirror control is turned to position L
or to the neutral position
0.
CAUTION
● Rear view convex or aspheric* mirrors increase the field of vision, al-
though objects appear smaller and further away in the mirrors. Therefore,
you should not rely on these mirrors for judging the distance of vehicles be-
hind.
● If one of the mirror housings is knocked out of position (e.g. when park-
ing), the mirrors must first be fully retracted with the electric control. Do not
readjust the mirror housing by hand, as this will interfere with the mirror ad-
juster function.
Note
If the electrical adjustment ever fails to operate, the mirrors can be adjusted
by hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mirror glass. 

139
Seats and storage compartments
– Press the rear part of the adjuster switch to decrease the con-
tour of the lumbar support.
Adjusting the height
– Press the top part of the adjuster switch to move the contour
upwards.
– Press the bottom part of the adjuster switch to move the con-
tour down.
The lumbar support provides effective support for the natural curvature of
the spine to give a more relaxed seating position, especially on long jour-
neys. Driver seat memory*
Description
The memory buttons in the driver door can be used to store
and recall up to four different positions for the driver seat
and exterior mirrors.
Fig. 109 Driver door:
Memory system
Memory buttons
Using memory buttons 1, 2, 3 and 4 ⇒ Fig. 109, you can store and recall the
seat and exterior mirror positions for up to four different drivers.
STOP
button
The seat memory will be disabled if the STOP button is in the up position
(press and release). The word  will light up next to the STOP button (only
visible when the lights are switched on).
The stored settings will all remain in the memory. However, the seat and the
exterior mirrors can now only be adjusted using the conventional electrical
adjustment. Use of the STOP
button is recommended to disable the memory

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

145
Seats and storage compartments
Fastening rings
There are four fastening rings in the luggage compartment,
which can be used to secure loads.
Fig. 115 Location of fas-
tening rings in luggage
compartment
– Use the fastening rings to secure the load ⇒ Fig. 115 -arrows-.
– Please refer to the safety notes ⇒ page 17. Luggage net*
The luggage net can be used to secure and retain light items
in the luggage compartment.
Fig. 116 Stretched lug-
gage net
Luggage net
– Secure the luggage net to the four fastening rings -arrows-
⇒ Fig. 116.
The luggage net can be attached to the fastening rings in the bottom of the
luggage compartment panel.
WARNING
The luggage net should only be used to hold objects weighing up to 5 kg.
Heavier objects cannot be safely secured (risk of injury).

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

154Seats and storage compartments
WARNING
● Do not put any hot drinks in the drink holder while the vehicle is mov-
ing. You can be scalded if the hot liquid is spilt.
● Do not use hard china cups or glasses. These could cause injury in the
event of an accident.

Drink holder in the rear armrest*
Fig. 130 Drink holder in
the rear armrest
Opening the drink holder
– Press the symbol 
A

⇒ 
Fig. 130.
Adjusting the retainer arm
– To adjust one of the retainer arms B
, release it by pressing in
the direction indicated (arrow) and move it as required.
The retainer arm should be positioned against the drink holder so that it is
held securely. One or two drink holders can be held in the centre console.
WARNING
● Do not put any hot drinks in the drink holder while the vehicle is mov-
ing. You can be scalded if the hot liquid is spilt.
● Do not use hard china cups or glasses. These could cause injury in the
event of an accident.

Ashtray*, cigarette lighter* and electric
sockets* Front ashtray*
Fig. 131 Centre console:
Open ashtray
Opening the ashtray
– Lightly press the front part of the ashtray A

⇒ 
Fig. 131. 