Seat Ateca Owner's Manual page 282

To promote safety while driving, SEAT recom-
mends making the most of the maximum ver-
tical load technically permissible on the cou-
›››
page 273. An insufficient ver-
pling device
tical load has a negative influence on the be-
haviour of both the vehicle and trailer.
The vertical load increases the weight on the
rear axle, reducing the vehicle's carrying ca-
pacity.
Gross combination weight of the towing ve-
hicle and trailer
The gross combination weight is the actual
weight of the loaded vehicle plus the actual
weight of the loaded trailer.
In some countries trailers are classified into
distinct categories. SEAT recommends ob-
taining information from a specialised work-
shop regarding which type of trailer is most
suitable for your vehicle.
Trailer loading
The weight of the towing vehicle and trailer
must be balanced. In order to do this, the
load must be as close as possible to the max-
imum vertical load technically permissible on
the coupling point, and it must be evenly dis-
tributed between the back and front of the
trailer:
● Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
objects are as near to the axle as possible or
above it.
280
Operation
● Secure the trailer load properly.
Tyre pressure
Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in ac-
cordance with the trailer manufacturer's rec-
ommendations.
When towing a trailer, inflate the tyres of the
towing vehicle with the maximum allowable
›››
pressure page 308.
WARNING
If the maximum permissible axle weight, the
maximum load technically permissible on the
coupling point, the maximum authorised ve-
hicle weight or the gross combination weight
of the towing vehicle and trailer are excee-
ded, accidents and serious injuries may oc-
cur.
Never exceed the values indicated!
●
The actual weight on the front and rear
●
axles must never exceed the maximum per-
missible axle weight. The weight on the front
and rear axles must never exceed the maxi-
mum permissible weight.
WARNING
A shift in weight could jeopardize the stabili-
ty and security of the towing vehicle and
trailer, which could lead to accidents and se-
rious injuries.
Always load the trailer correctly.
●
Always secure the load properly using belts
●
or straps that are suitable and in good condi-
tion.
Driving with a trailer
Adjusting the headlights
When towing a trailer, the front part of the ve-
hicle could lift up, and if the dipped beams
are on, this could dazzle other drivers. Use
the headlight range control to lower the cone
of light. If you do not have headlight range
control, have the headlights adjusted by a
specialised workshop.
Special characteristics of driving with a trail-
er
If your trailer has an overrun brake, brake
●
gently at first and then rapidly. This will pre-
vent the jerking that can be caused by the
locking of trailer wheels.
● Due to the gross combination weight of the
towing vehicle and trailer, the braking dis-
tance increases.
When going down a slope, go into a lower
●
gear (if using a manual gearbox or the tip-
tronic automatic gearbox mode) to take ad-
vantage of the braking power provided by the
engine. Otherwise, the braking system could
overheat and even fail.