Get Driving -> Trailer mode Guide for Cupra Formentor SUV First Generation (2020-2024)

Help with parking and manoeuvring

Introduction

Disconnect the reverse assist

●

Do not be distracted from the traffic by

looking at the screen.

Drive forward at least 15 km/h (9 mph).

A camera installed in the rear lid handle as-

sists the driver with reverse parking or ma-

●

The images are only two-dimensional.

Protruding objects or holes in the road, for

example, are more difficult to detect or

may not be seen at all.

noeuvring page 236 .

›››

Shown on the display

The camera image is viewed together with

orientation lines projected on the Infotain-

ment system screen. Part of the bumper can

be seen at the bottom, which can be used by

the driver as a reference point.

●

Vehicle load modifies the representation

The system’s functions and representations

may vary depending on the equipment.

of the guide lines. The width represented

by the lines decreases with vehicle load.

Pay special attention to the surroundings

when the inside of the vehicle of the lug-

gage compartment are loaded.

The assistant's image view changes when the

factory-fitted tow hitch is electronically con-

nected to a trailer page 298 .

›››

Reverse assist modes

●

In the following situations, objects or

Depending on the equipment, the following

modes are available:

Reverse assist functions and symbols

other vehicles appear to be further away or

closer than they actually are. Pay special

attention:

When the reverse assist is connected, you

can make adjustments using the function

buttons. Some adjustments are equipment-

dependent.

●

Angle parking: reverse parking perpendic-

ular to the road.

–

If moving from a flat surface to a slope

and vice-versa.

●

Assistance function for hitching a trailer:

helps to hitch a trailer.

–

If the vehicle is heavily loaded.

Exit the current display



When the vehicle approaches objects

that are not on the ground surface or

that protrude from it. These objects

may be outside the camera angle when

reversing.

●

Cross traffic: traffic is monitored in a trans-

 ^{Switch to angle parking}

page 290

›››

verse direction.

Switch to the trailer hitching assistance

function



Connecting and disconnecting

 ^{Switch to cross traffic}

Note

Connect the reverse assist

Adjust the display: brightness, contrast

and colour.



●

It is important to take great care and pay

●

Select reverse gear.

special attention if the driver is not familiar

with the system.

page 281

 ^{Switch to park assist}

›››

OR: in the infotainment system select  >

Assistants > Parking > Park distance con-

»

●

Display/hide the parking aid view

The reverse assist reference lines disap-

|

trol.

pear when the rear lid is open.

289

Driving

●

Guide lines

Parking space width: vehicle width +

Key to the Fig. 186:

0.15 m (without counting the mirrors).







Finding a parking space

Green horizontal lines: extension of the vehi-

cle.

Go to the selected parking space

To display a real image, the following require-

ments must be met:

Centre the vehicle inside the parking

space

Yellow lines: vehicle path depending on the

steering angle.

●

The luggage compartment rear door is

closed.

1

2

3

4

Road

Assistance function for hitching a trailer

Parking space

●

The surroundings are on a flat surface.

The vehicle should not be loaded very

On vehicles with a factory-fitted towing de-

vice, this function can be used to move the

vehicle close to a tow bar.

Lateral boundary of the parking space

Rear boundary of the parking space

heavily at the rear.

Auxiliary lines are shown in the infotainment

system.

Parking

Parallel parking

●

In the infotainment system select  > As-

Green lines: distance to the tow hitch. The

distance between the lines is approx. 0.30 m.

sistants > Parking > Park distance control

before passing in front of the selected park-

ing space.

Yellow line: pre-calculated direction of the

trailer hitch, depending on how the steering

wheel is turned.

●

With reverse assist connected and in work-

ing order, press the function button .

●

Place the vehicle in front of the parking

Cross traffic

2

space Fig. 186

.

›››

This visualization helps to monitor traffic be-

hind the vehicle and can be used, for exam-

ple, when exiting garages or narrow exits.

●

Reverse while turning the steering wheel so

that the yellow lines enter the parking space.

The green and yellow lines must match the

3

side boundary lines

.

●

Stop the vehicle when the red line has

Requirements

4

reached the rear boundary

.

To park with reverse assist, the following re-

quirements must be met:

Fig. 186 Display on the Infotainment sys-

tem screen.: parking with reverse assist.

●

Do not exceed a speed of approx. 15 km/h

(9 mph).

290

Towing bracket device

Possible solution

Problems and solutions

Towing bracket device

●

Temporarily disconnect the system.

The system behaves differently than ex-

pected

Check if one of the causes indicated above

Trailer mode

has occurred.

There can be several causes:

●

Once the source of the problem has been

Introduction

●

The camera is dirty page 355 . In addi-

›››

eliminated, the system may be reconnected.

tion to dirt and snow, camera visibility can be

reduced by detergent residue or any type of

coating.

●

Take into account country-specific regula-

tions about driving with a trailer and the use

of a towing bracket.

If the system still behaves unpredictably,

have it checked by a specialised workshop.

●

The system requirements must be met

The vehicle has been developed primarily for

carrying people, although it can also be used

to tow a trailer if fitted with the correspond-

ing technical equipment. This additional load

has an effect on the useful life, fuel con-

sumption and vehicle performance and in

some cases can reduce the service intervals.

page 290.

›››

●

The camera is covered with water.

●

The factory-fitted towing bracket must not

be electrically connected to a trailer

page 298.

›››

●

The vehicle has some type of damage in

the camera area, e.g. due to a parking im-

pact.

Driving with a trailer requires more force

from the vehicle, and thus more concentra-

tion from the driver.

●

The field of view of the camera is blocked

by an accessory, e.g. a bicycle carrier system.

In winter, winter tyres should be fitted on

●

Changes have been made to the paint in

both the vehicle and the trailer.

the camera area, or structural modifications

have been made to a component such as

the running gear.

Maximum vertical load technically permit-

ted on the coupling device

The maximum vertical load technically per-

mitted from the trailer draw bar on the tow-

ing bracket's tow ball is 80 kg.

Camera with no visibility, fault message,

the system disconnects

●

Clean the camera or remove possible ad-

hesives or accessories from it page 355 .

›››

Vehicles with the Start-Stop system

●

Check for visible damage.

If the vehicle has a factory-fitted towing

bracket or one that is retrofitted by CUPRA,

»

291

Driving

the Start-Stop system operates as normal.

No special characteristics need to be taken

into account.

the trailer with the maximum authorised

drawbar load on the ball joint of the towing

bracket, but do not exceed the specified

limit.

WARNING

Driving with a trailer and transporting

heavy or large objects can affect driving

properties and even cause an accident.

If the system does not recognise the trailer

or the trailer bracket has not been retrofitted

by CUPRA, the Start-Stop system must be

disconnected by pressing the corresponding

button in the lower part of the centre con-

sole before driving with the trailer, and it

should remain off for the rest of the jour-

●

Always secure the load properly using

WARNING

belts or straps that are suitable and in good

condition.

Never use the trailer to transport people,

since it would put their life in danger and is

also prohibited.

●

Adapt your speed and driving style at all

times to suit visibility, weather, road and

traffic conditions.

ney

.

›››

WARNING

●

Trailers with a high centre of gravity are

Undue use of the towing bracket may cause

injury and accidents.

more likely to overturn than those with a

low one.

Vehicles with driving profile selection

If you are going to be towing a trailer, the use

of the Eco driving profile is not recommen-

ded. You are advised to select another of the

available driving profiles before beginning to

drive with a trailer.

●

Only use the towing bracket if it is in a

Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.

Take great care when overtaking.

perfect state of repair and is properly se-

cured.

Reduce speed immediately if you notice

●

Never modify or repair the towing bracket

that the trailer is swaying, however slightly.

in any way.

●

Never drive at more than 80 km/h

●

In order to reduce the danger of injury in

(50 mph) when towing a trailer (or at more

than 100 km/h (60 mph) in exceptional cir-

cumstances). This also applies in countries

where driving at higher speeds is permit-

ted. Take into account the speed limit for

vehicles with trailers in the corresponding

country, as it could be less than the speed

limit for vehicles without a trailer.

Trailer weight/drawbar load

the event of rear-end collisions and to

avoid injury to pedestrians and cyclists

when parking the vehicle, cover or remove

the tow hook when you are not using a trail-

er.

Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If

you do not load the trailer up to the maxi-

mum permitted trailer weight, you can then

climb correspondingly steeper slopes.

●

Never fit a towing bracket “with weight

The maximum trailer weights listed are only

applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above

sea level. Since higher altitude decreases en-

gine performance and the ability to climb

slopes, the tow load decreases proportional-

ly. The weight of the vehicle and trailer com-

bination must be reduced by 10% for every

1000 m of altitude. When possible, operate

distribution” or “load compensation”. The

vehicle has not been designed for this type

of towing bracket. The towing bracket

could fail and the trailer could be released

from the vehicle.

●

Never attempt to “straighten” the towing

vehicle and trailer while accelerating.

WARNING

If the towing bracket has been retrofitted

by a non-CUPRA workshop, the Start-Stop

292

Towing bracket device

Trailer brakes

Technical requirements

system must be disconnected manually

whenever driving with a trailer. Otherwise

the brake system could be damaged and

could consequently cause a serious acci-

dent or injury.

If the trailer has its own brake system, please

take the relevant legal requirements into ac-

count. Never connect the trailer's brake sys-

tem to the vehicle's brake system.

Vehicles that are factory-mounted with a

towing device meet all the technical and le-

gal requirements for driving with a trailer

page 298.

›››

●

Always disconnect the Start-Stop system

manually when using a towing bracket that

has not been fitted by a CUPRA workshop.

Tow cable

If the vehicle is retrofitted with a towing

bracket, only a bracket that is authorised for

the maximum authorised load of the trailer

that is to be towed may be fitted. The towing

bracket must be suitable for the vehicle and

the trailer and must be properly secured to

the vehicle's chassis. Only use a towing

bracket that has been authorised by CUPRA

for this vehicle. Always check and take into

account the towing bracket manufacturer's

instructions.

Always use a cable between the vehicle and

the trailer page 294 .

›››

Note

●

Trailer tail lights

Before hitching or unhitching a trailer, al-

ways deactivate the anti-theft alarm

The trailer's rear lights should comply with

the statutory safety regulations page 294 .

page 95. Otherwise, the tilt sensor could

›››

cause the alarm to go off.

Never connect the trailer's rear lights directly

to the vehicle's electric system. If you are not

sure that the trailer's electrical connection is

correct, have it checked by a specialised

workshop. To do so, CUPRA recommends

going to a specialised CUPRA dealer or any

SEAT dealership.

●

Do not drive with a trailer for the engine's

first 1000 km page 229 .

›››

CUPRA recommends that, if possible, the

●

tow hook be removed or covered when it is

not going to be used. In the event of a rear-

end collision, the damage to the vehicle

could be greater if the tow hook is fitted.

Towing bracket fitted on the bumper

Never fit a towing bracket to the bumper or

to the area where the bumper is mounted.

The towing bracket should not impair the

bumper's function. Do not make modifica-

tions or repairs to the exhaust system or the

brake system. Make regular checks to ensure

that the towing bracket is secure.

●

Some retrofitted towing brackets cover

Exterior mirrors

the rear towing eye. In these cases, the

towing eye should not be used for tow-

starting or for towing other vehicles. For

this reason, if the vehicle has been retrofit-

ted with a towing bracket, always keep the

tow hook in the vehicle when you remove it.

If you cannot see the area behind the trailer

with the exterior mirrors of the towing vehi-

cle, additional mirrors will have to be instal-

led in accordance with the regulations of the

country in question. The exterior mirrors

should be adjusted before you start driving

and must provide a sufficient field of vision at

the rear.

Engine cooling system

Driving with a trailer increases the load on

the engine and cooling system. The cooling

system should have sufficient coolant and be

prepared for the additional effort involved in

driving with a trailer.

»

293

Driving

Hitching and connecting a trailer

WARNING

12

Meaning

If the towing bracket is wrongly fitted or is

not the right one, the trailer could become

detached from the vehicle and cause seri-

ous injury.

Unassigned

Earth for pin 9

13

Power socket for trailer

CAUTION

The vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power

socket for the connection between the trail-

er and the vehicle. With the engine running,

electrical devices on the trailer receive pow-

er from the electrical connection (pin 9 and

pin 10 of the trailer power socket).

●

If the rear lights of the trailer are not cor-

rectly connected, the vehicle's electronic

system may be damaged.

●

If the trailer absorbs excessive electric

Fig. 187 Schematic representation: assign-

ment of the pins of the trailer's electrical

socket.

current, the vehicle's electronic system

may be damaged.

If the system detects that a trailer has been

connected, the consumers on the trailer will

receive electricity through this connection

(pins 9 and 10). Pin 9 has a permanent live.

This powers, for example, the trailer's interior

lighting. Electrical devices such as a fridge in

a caravan only receive electrical power if the

engine is running (through pin 10).

●

Never connect the trailer's electric sys-

tem directly to the electrical connections

of the tail lights or any other power sour-

ces. Only use the connections intended for

providing electric current to the trailer.

1

Meaning

Left turn signal

Rear fog light

2

3

Earth for pins 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Right turn signal

Rear light, right

Brake lights

4

To avoid overloading the electrical system,

you cannot connect the ground wires of pin

3, pin 11 or pin 13.

5

6

If the trailer has a 7-contact connector, you

will need to use an adapter cable. In this case

the function corresponding to pin 10 will not

be available.

7

Rear light, left

8

Reverse lights

9

Permanent live

Live charge cable

Earth for pin 10

Tow cable

10

11

The tow rope must always be securely fixed

to the towing vehicle and loose enough so

294

Towing bracket device

that the vehicle can handle turns smoothly.

However, make sure that the cable does not

rub on the ground while driving.

Before hitching or unhitching a trailer, always

turn off the anti-theft alarm. Otherwise, the

tilt sensor could cause the alarm to go off.

ure of the lighting system, and consequent-

ly can cause accidents and serious injuries.

●

Never connect the pins of the trailer

power socket to each other.

Trailer tail lights

Trailers with LED tail lights

●

Make sure any work on bent pins is car-

Always check the trailer's rear lights to en-

sure they are working correctly and that they

comply with the relevant safety regulations. If

you connect the trailer to the factory-moun-

ted system, when you turn on the rear fog

lamp, the fog lamp of the towing vehicle will

turn off to turn on the trailer fog lamp.

For technical reasons, trailers fitted with LED

rear lights cannot be connected to the anti-

theft alarm system.

ried out by a specialised workshop.

CAUTION

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm does

not go off when the electrical connection

with the trailer is cut if it has rear lights with

light-emitting diodes.

Do not leave the trailer connected to the

vehicle when parked; place it on its support

wheel or its supports. If the vehicle rises or

falls due, for example, to a variation of the

load or a burst tyre, increased pressure will

be placed on the towing bracket and the

trailer, and both the vehicle and the trailer

can be damaged.

Include in the anti-theft alarm

WARNING

The trailer is included in the anti-theft sys-

tem if the following conditions are met:

If the cables are improperly or incorrectly

connected, it may lead to an excessive

amount of current supplied to the trailer,

which can cause abnormalities in the entire

vehicle electronic system, as well as acci-

dents and serious injuries.

●

If the vehicle is factory-equipped with an

anti-theft alarm and towing bracket.

Note

●

In case of anomalies in the electrical sys-

●

If the trailer is electrically connected to the

tems of the vehicle or trailer, as well as in

the anti-theft alarm system, have them in-

spected by a specialised workshop.

towing vehicle through the trailer power

socket.

●

Ensure that any repairs that need to be

carried out on the electrical system are

carried out by a specialised workshop.

●

If the electrical systems of the vehicle and

●

If the trailer accessories consume energy

trailer are in perfect condition and have no

faults or damage.

●

Never connect the trailer's electric sys-

through the power socket to the trailer and

the engine is turned off, the battery will

discharge.

tem directly to the electrical connections

of the tail lights or any other power sour-

ces.

●

If the vehicle is locked with the key and the

anti-theft alarm is activated.

●

If the vehicle battery is running low, the

electrical connection with the trailer will be

automatically cut.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is trig-

gered if the electrical connection with the

trailer is cut off.

WARNING

Contact between the pins of the trailer

power socket can cause short circuits,

overloading of the electrical system or fail-

295

Driving

Gross combination weight of the towing

vehicle and trailer

Trailer loading

WARNING

If the maximum permissible axle weight,

the maximum load technically permissible

on the coupling point, the maximum au-

thorised vehicle weight or the gross combi-

nation weight of the towing vehicle and

trailer are exceeded, accidents and serious

injuries may occur.

Technically permissible maximum trailer

weight and vertical load on the coupling

device

The gross combination weight is the actual

weight of the loaded vehicle plus the actual

weight of the loaded trailer.

The technically permissible maximum trailer

weight is the weight that the vehicle can tow

In some countries trailers are classified into

distinct categories. CUPRA recommends ob-

taining information from a specialised work-

shop regarding which type of trailer is most

suitable for your vehicle.

. The vertical load on the coupling is ex-

erted vertically from above on the hook of

the towing bracket.

›››

●

Never exceed the values indicated!

The actual weight on the front and rear

axles must never exceed the maximum

permissible axle weight. The weight on the

front and rear axles must never exceed the

maximum permissible weight.

The information on the maximum trailer

weight and vertical load on the coupling de-

vice contained in the type plate of the towing

bracket are experimental values only. The

correct figures for your specific model,

which may be lower than these figures, are

given in the vehicle documentation. The in-

formation in the vehicle documentation

takes precedence at all times.

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:

WARNING

A shift in weight could jeopardize the sta-

bility and security of the towing vehicle and

trailer, which could lead to accidents and

serious injuries.

To promote safety while driving, CUPRA rec-

ommends making the most of the maximum

vertical load technically permissible on the

●

Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy

●

Always load the trailer correctly.

objects are as near to the axle as possible or

above it.

●

Always secure the load properly using

coupling device page 291 . An insufficient

›››

belts or straps that are suitable and in good

condition.

●

Secure the trailer load properly.

vertical load has a negative influence on the

behaviour of both the vehicle and trailer.

Tyre pressure

The vertical load increases the weight on the

rear axle, reducing the vehicle's carrying ca-

pacity.

Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in ac-

cordance with the trailer manufacturer's rec-

ommendations.

Driving with a trailer

Adjusting the headlights

When towing a trailer, inflate the tyres of the

towing vehicle with the maximum allowable

The front part of the vehicle may be raised

when the trailer is connected and the light

may dazzle the rest of the traffic.

pressure page 342 .

›››

296

Towing bracket device

●

Specific features of driving with a trailer

Press the  button once to disconnect the

●

Accelerate with particular care and cau-

electronic parking brake page 266 .

›››

tion. Avoid sudden braking and manoeu-

vres.

●

If your trailer has an overrun brake, brake

●

If the vehicle is fitted with a manual trans-

mission, depress the clutch pedal fully.

gently at first and then rapidly. This will pre-

vent the jerking that can be caused by the

locking of trailer wheels.

●

Take great care when overtaking. Reduce

speed immediately if you notice that the

trailer is swaying, however slightly.

●

Engage first gear or set the gear selector

switch to the D/S position.

●

Due to the gross combination weight of

●

Never attempt to “straighten” the towing

the towing vehicle and trailer, the braking

distance increases.

●

Pull out the  button and hold it in that

vehicle and trailer while accelerating.

position to immobilise the towing vehicle and

trailer with the electronic parking brake.

●

Take into account the speed limit for ve-

●

When going down a slope, engage a lower

hicles with a trailer, as it could be lower

than for vehicles without a trailer.

gear (with a manual gearbox, or use the au-

tomatic gearbox's tiptronic mode) to use en-

gine braking. Otherwise, the braking system

could overheat and even fail.

●

Release the brake pedal.

Move off slowly. To do this, release the

clutch pedal slowly if your vehicle has a man-

ual gearbox.

Stabilisation of the towing vehicle

and trailer combination

●

The trailer weight, as well as the gross

●

Do not release the  button until the en-

combination weight of the towing vehicle

and trailer, change the centre of gravity and

the properties of the vehicle.

gine has sufficient power to start driving.

The stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer

combination is an additional function of the

electronic stability control (ESC).

WARNING

●

If the towing vehicle is empty and the trail-

If a trailer is pulled incorrectly, this may

lead to loss of control of the vehicle and se-

rious injury.

er is loaded, then the load distribution is in-

correct. Under these conditions, drive slowly

and with extra caution.

If the system detects that the trailer is weav-

ing, it intervenes to reduce the swaying of

the trailer.

●

Driving with a trailer and transporting

heavy or large objects will change the vehi-

cle handling and braking distances.

Hill starts with a trailer

Vehicle and trailer combination stabilisa-

tion requirements

Depending on the slope of the hill and the

combination weight of the towing vehicle

and trailer, the vehicle might start rolling

backwards slightly when you first start up.

●

Always drive cautiously and carefully.

Brake earlier than usual.

●

The vehicle is factory-equipped with a

towing bracket or has been retro-fitted with

a compatible towing bracket.

●

Adapt your speed and driving style at all

times to suit visibility, weather, road and

traffic conditions. Slow down, especially

when driving down hills or slopes.

For hill-starting with a trailer, do the follow-

ing:

●

The ESC and the TCS are switched on. The

control lamp  or  is not lit up on the in-

strument cluster.

●

Press and hold the brake pedal.

»

297

Driving -> Trailer mode for Your Cupra Formentor SUV First Generation (2020-2024)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals