Get Driving -> Towing bracket device Guide for Seat Ateca SUV 2020

Driving

Parking manoeuvre

Start-Stop system operates as normal. No

special characteristics need to be taken into

account.

Towing bracket device*

●

Stop the vehicle in front of a space and se-

lect reverse gear.

Trailer mode

If the system does not recognise the trailer or

the trailer bracket has not been retrofitted by

SEAT, the Start-Stop system must be discon-

nected by pressing the corresponding button

in the lower part of the centre console before

driving with the trailer, and it should remain

●

Reverse slowly, and turn the steering wheel

so that the side lines lead towards the park-

ing space.

Introduction

●

Guide the vehicle into the parking space so

Take into account country-specific regula-

tions about driving with a trailer and the use

of a towing bracket.

that the side lines run parallel to it.

off for the rest of the journey

.

›››

The vehicle has been developed primarily for

carrying people, although it can also be used

to tow a trailer if fitted with the corresponding

technical equipment. This additional load has

an effect on the useful life, fuel consumption

and vehicle performance and in some cases

can reduce the service intervals.

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.

Driving with a trailer requires more force from

the vehicle, and thus more concentration

from the driver.

Trailer weight/drawbar load

Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If

you do not load the trailer up to the maximum

permitted trailer weight, you can then climb

correspondingly steeper slopes.

In winter, winter tyres should be fitted on both

the vehicle and the trailer.

Maximum vertical load technically permit-

ted on the coupling device

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

the trailer with the maximum authorised

The maximum technically permitted vertical

load of the trailer’s drawbar on the hitch of

the towing device is 88 kg.

Vehicles with the Start-Stop system

If the vehicle has a factory-fitted towing

bracket or one that is retrofitted by SEAT, the

324

Towing bracket device*

WARNING

Driving with a trailer and transporting

heavy or large objects can affect driving

properties and even cause an accident.

drawbar load on the ball joint of the towing

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.

bracket, but do not exceed the specified lim-

it.

WARNING

●

Always secure the load properly using

belts or straps that are suitable and in

good condition.

●

Always disconnect the Start-Stop system

Never use the trailer to transport people,

since it would put their life in danger and is

also prohibited.

manually when using a towing bracket that

has not been fitted by a SEAT workshop.

●

Adapt your speed and driving style at all

times to suit visibility, weather, road and

traffic conditions.

Note

WARNING

●

Before hitching or unhitching a trailer, al-

Undue use of the towing bracket may

cause injury and accidents.

●

Trailers with a high centre of gravity are

ways deactivate the anti-theft alarm

more likely to overturn than those with a

low one.

●

page 97. Otherwise, the tilt sensor could

›››

●

Only use the towing bracket if it is in a

cause the alarm to go off.

perfect state of repair and is properly se-

cured.

Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.

Take great care when overtaking.

●

Do not drive with a trailer for the engine's

first 1000 km page 263.

›››

●

Never modify or repair the towing bracket

Reduce speed immediately if you notice

SEAT recommends that, if possible, the

in any way.

that the trailer is swaying, however slightly.

●

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.

●

In order to reduce the danger of injury in

Never drive at more than 80 km/h

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.

(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.

●

Some retrofitted towing brackets cover

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.

●

Never fit a towing bracket “with weight

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-SEAT workshop, the Start-Stop

325

Driving

Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Central

America

Trailer brakes

Technical requirements

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-fitted with a towing

bracket meet all the technical and legal re-

quirements for driving with a trailer.

Brake lights (total)

84 Watts

42 watts

50 Watts

42 Watts

Turn signal (on each side)

Side lights (on each side)

Reverse lights (in total)

Rear fog light

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 SEAT for

this vehicle. Always check and take into ac-

count the towing bracket manufacturer's in-

structions. Never fit a towing bracket “with

weight distribution” or “load compensation”.

Tow cable

Always use a cable between the vehicle and

the trailer page 327.

›››

Australia

Trailer tail lights

Brake lights (total)

Turn signal (on each side)

Side lights (on each side)

Reverse lights (in total)

Rear fog light

108 Watts

54 Watts

100 Watts

54 Watts

The trailer's rear lights should comply with

the statutory safety regulations page 327.

›››

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. SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT

dealership for this.

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 bum-

per's function. Do not make modifications or

repairs to the exhaust system or the brake

system. Make regular checks to ensure that

the towing bracket is secure.

WARNING

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.

Exterior mirrors

If you cannot see the area behind the trailer

with the exterior mirrors of the towing vehicle,

additional mirrors will have to be installed in

accordance with the regulations of the coun-

try in question. The exterior mirrors should be

adjusted before you start driving and must

provide a sufficient field of vision at the rear.

CAUTION

●

Engine cooling system

If the rear lights of the trailer are not cor-

rectly connected, the vehicle's electronic

system may be damaged.

Driving with a trailer increases the load on the

engine and cooling system. The cooling sys-

tem should have sufficient coolant and be

prepared for the additional effort involved in

driving with a trailer.

●

Trailer maximum electricity consumption

If the trailer absorbs excessive electric

current, the vehicle's electronic system

may be damaged.

Never exceed the values indicated!

326

Towing bracket device*

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.

●

Never connect the trailer's electric sys-

7

Meaning

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.

Rear light, left

Reverse lights

Permanent live

Live charge cable

Earth for pin 10

Unassigned

8

9

Tow cable

The tow rope must always be securely fixed

to the towing vehicle and loose enough so

that the vehicle can handle turns smoothly.

However, make sure that the cable does not

rub on the ground while driving.

10

11

Hitching and connecting a trailer

12

13

Earth for pin 9

Trailer tail lights

Power socket for trailer

Always check the trailer's rear lights to ensure

they are working correctly and that they

comply with the relevant safety regulations.

Make sure that the maximum permissible

power that can be absorbed by the trailer is

The vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power

socket for the connection between the trailer

and the vehicle. With the engine running,

electrical devices on the trailer receive power

from the electrical connection (pin 9 and pin

10 of the trailer power socket).

not exceeded page 326.

›››

Fig. 300 Schematic representation: assign-

ment of the pins of the trailer's electrical sock-

et.

Include in the anti-theft alarm

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).

The trailer is included in the anti-theft system

if the following conditions are met:

1

Meaning

Left turn signal

●

If the vehicle is factory-equipped with an

anti-theft alarm and towing bracket.

2

Rear fog light

●

If the trailer is electrically connected to the

3

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

Right turn signal

Rear light, right

Brake lights

towing vehicle through the trailer power sock-

et.

4

To avoid overloading the electrical system,

you cannot connect the ground wires of pin

3 , pin 11 or pin 13 to each other.

●

If the electrical systems of the vehicle and

5

trailer are in perfect condition and have no

faults or damage.

6

»

327

Driving

●

If the vehicle is locked with the key and the

WARNING

be placed on the towing bracket and the

trailer, and both the vehicle and the trailer

can be damaged.

anti-theft alarm is activated.

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.

When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is trig-

gered if the electrical connection with the

trailer is cut off.

Note

●

In case of anomalies in the electrical sys-

Before hitching or unhitching a trailer, always

turn off the anti-theft alarm. Otherwise, the tilt

sensor could cause the alarm to go off.

tems of the vehicle or trailer, as well as in

the anti-theft alarm system, have them in-

spected by a specialised workshop.

●

Ensure that any repairs that need to be

carried out on the electrical system are

carried out by a specialised workshop.

●

If the trailer accessories consume energy

Trailers with LED tail lights

●

Never connect the trailer's electric sys-

through the power socket to the trailer and

the engine is turned off, the battery will dis-

charge.

For technical reasons, trailers fitted with LED

rear lights cannot be connected to the anti-

theft alarm system.

tem directly to the electrical connections

of the tail lights or any other power sour-

ces.

●

If the vehicle battery is running low, the

electrical connection with the trailer will be

automatically cut.

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.

WARNING

Contact between the pins of the trailer

power socket can cause short circuits,

overloading of the electrical system or fail-

ure of the lighting system, and consequent-

ly can cause accidents and serious injuries.

Trailer loading

If the Eco driving profile was selected when

hitching the trailer, this will automatically

switch to the Normal profile. If the system

cannot detect the attached trailer or if the

towing bracket has been retrofitted by an au-

to repair shop other than SEAT, you must

manually select the Normal profile before

you start driving with a trailer attached. To re-

connect the Eco profile once the trailer has

been unhitched, switch the ignition off and

back on once.

Technically permissible maximum trailer

weight and vertical load on the coupling

device

●

Never connect the pins of the trailer pow-

er socket to each other.

●

Make sure any work on bent pins is car-

ried out by a specialised workshop.

The technically permissible maximum trailer

weight is the weight that the vehicle can tow

. The vertical load on the coupling is ex-

›››

erted vertically from above on the hook of the

towing bracket.

CAUTION

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

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

328

Towing bracket device*

correct figures for your specific model, which

may be lower than these figures, are given in

the vehicle documentation. The information in

the vehicle documentation takes precedence

at all times.

Trailer loading

are exceeded, accidents and serious inju-

ries may occur.

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:

●

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

maximum permissible weight.

To promote safety while driving, SEAT recom-

mends making the most of the maximum ver-

tical load technically permissible on the

coupling device page 324. An insufficient

›››

●

Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy

vertical load has a negative influence on the

behaviour of both the vehicle and trailer.

WARNING

objects are as near to the axle as possible or

above it.

A shift in weight could jeopardize the stabil-

ity and security of the towing vehicle and

trailer, which could lead to accidents and

serious injuries.

The vertical load increases the weight on the

rear axle, reducing the vehicle's carrying ca-

pacity.

●

Secure the trailer load properly.

Tyre pressure

●

Always load the trailer correctly.

Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in ac-

cordance with the trailer manufacturer's rec-

ommendations.

Gross combination weight of the towing

vehicle and trailer

●

Always secure the load properly using

belts or straps that are suitable and in

good condition.

The gross combination weight is the actual

weight of the loaded vehicle plus the actual

weight of the loaded trailer.

When towing a trailer, inflate the tyres of the

towing vehicle with the maximum allowable

pressure page 359.

›››

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.

Driving with a trailer

WARNING

Adjusting the headlights

If the maximum permissible axle weight, the

maximum load technically permissible on

the coupling point, the maximum author-

ised vehicle weight or the gross combina-

tion weight of the towing vehicle and trailer

The front part of the vehicle may be raised

when the trailer is connected and the light

may dazzle the rest of the traffic.

Adapt the height of the headlights using the

headlight range adjuster page 124¹⁾.

»

›››

1)

This does not apply for vehicles with Full LED

xenon headlights.

329

Driving

●

Specific features of driving with a trailer

Press the  button once to disconnect the

●

Accelerate with particular care and cau-

electronic parking brake page 297.

●

›››

tion. Avoid sudden braking and manoeu-

vres.

●

If your trailer has an overrun brake, brake

If the vehicle is equipped with a manual

gently at first and then rapidly. This will pre-

vent the jerking that can be caused by the

locking of trailer wheels.

gearbox, push the clutch pedal all the way

down.

●

Take great care when overtaking. Reduce

speed immediately if you notice that the

trailer is swaying, however slightly.

●

Put the vehicle into first gear or turn the se-

Due to the gross combination weight of the

●

Never attempt to “straighten” the towing

lector lever to position D/S page 251.

●

towing vehicle and trailer, the braking dis-

tance increases.

›››

vehicle and trailer while accelerating.

●

Pull out the  button and hold it in that po-

Take into account the speed limit for vehi-

●

sition to immobilise the towing vehicle and

trailer with the electronic parking brake.

When going down a slope, go into a lower

cles with a trailer, as it could be lower than

for vehicles without a trailer.

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.

●

Release the brake pedal.

Start driving slowly. To do this, in the case of

●

a manual gearbox, slowly release the clutch

pedal.

Stabilisation of the towing vehicle

and trailer combination

●

The trailer weight, as well as the gross com-

●

Do not release the  button until the en-

bination 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 a trailer is pulled incorrectly, this may

lead to loss of control of the vehicle and

serious injury.

●

If the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer

is loaded, then the load distribution is incor-

rect. Under these conditions, drive slowly and

with extra caution.

If the vehicle and trailer stabilisation system

detects that the trailer is weaving, it takes ac-

tion on the steering control to reduce the

weaving of the trailer.

●

Driving with a trailer and transporting

heavy or large objects will change the ve-

hicle 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 back-

wards slightly when you first start up.

●

Always drive cautiously and carefully.

Brake earlier than usual.

●

The vehicle is factory-equipped with a tow-

ing 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 following:

●

The ESC and ASR are active. The control

●

Press and hold the brake pedal.

lamp  or  is not lit up on the instrument

cluster.

330

Towing bracket device*

●

The trailer is connected to the towing vehi-

The towing bracket’s hook is located in the

bumper. Tow hooks for electrical unlocking

cannot be removed.

●

The stability system does not always de-

cle through the trailer power socket.

●

tect light trailers, so it may not stabilise

these correctly.

The vehicle is travelling at over 60 km/h

(approx. 37 mph).

●

When driving on surfaces with poor grip,

There should be no person, animal or object

the trailer can even interfere with the sta-

bility system.

in the path of the tow hook

.

›››

The maximum vertical load technically per-

missible is not being exceeded on the cou-

pling device.

●

Trailers with a high centre of gravity can

Unlocking the tow hook and removing it

tip over without having previously weaved.

●

The trailer has a rigid draw bar.

If the trailer has brakes, it must be equipped

Stop the vehicle and connect the electronic

If a trailer is not attached, but a connec-

parking brake page 297.

●

›››

●

tor is plugged into the power socket (e.g.

installation of a bicycle rack with lights),

repeated automatic braking may occur in

extreme driving conditions.

with a mechanical overrun brake.

Switch off the engine.

●

Open the rear lid.

WARNING

●

Pull the Fig. 301 button briefly. The tow

›››

The enhanced safety provided by the elec-

tric stability control of the vehicle and trail-

er should not lead you to take any risks that

could compromise your safety.

hook unlocks electrically and automatically

turns outwards. The button's control lamp

flashes.

Electrically unlocking trailer

hook*

●

Finish remove the tow hook by hand until

●

Adapt your speed and driving style at all

you feel and hear that it has engaged and

the control lamp on the button stays on.

times to suit visibility, weather, road and

traffic conditions.

Description

●

Close the rear lid.

●

Accelerate with caution when the road is

●

slippery.

Hitching and connecting a trailer

page 327.

›››

●

When adjusting any settings, stop accel-

erating.

Retracting the tow hook

●

Stop the vehicle and apply the electronic

WARNING

parking brake.

●

The electric stability control for the vehicle

and trailer may not correctly detect all

driving conditions.

Switch off the engine.

Unhook the trailer and interrupt the electri-

●

cal connection between it and the vehicle. If

you are using an adapter, remove it from the

trailer's power socket.

When the ESC is switched off, the stabili-

sation of the towing vehicle and trailer is al-

so switched off.

Fig. 301 On the right side of the luggage com-

»

partment: button for unlocking the tow hook.

331

Driving

●

Open the rear lid.

Fitting a bicycle carrier on the re-

tractable towbar

●

Never press the Fig. 301 button when

›››

there is a trailer hooked to the vehicle or

when a carrier system or other accessories

are mounted on the tow hook.

Pull the Fig. 301 button briefly. The tow

›››

hook unlocks electrically.

●

The maximum allowed weight of the carrier

system, including the load, is 75 kg. The carri-

er system should not protrude more than 700

mm backwards from the spherical head. On-

ly carrier systems on which up to 3 bikes can

be mounted are allowed. Heavier bicycles

must be mounted as close to the vehicle as

possible (tow hook).

Turn the tow hook under the bumper with

●

If the tow hook is not attached properly,

your hand until you feel and hear that it en-

gages and the control lamp on the button re-

mains on continuously.

do not use it. Instead, go to a specialised

workshop and have the towing bracket

checked.

●

Close the rear lid.

●

If you detect any fault in the electrical

system or in the towing bracket, contact a

specialised workshop and ask them to

check it.

The control lamp 

●

If the warning light on the button Fig. 301

›››

WARNING

 flashes, this means that the tow hook has

not been attached properly or is damaged

›››

●

If the ball has a diameter of less than 49

mm at any one point, do not use the towing

bracket under any circumstances.

The incorrect use of the tow hitch with a bi-

cycle rack mounted on the tow hook can

cause accidents and injury.

.

If the warning lamp Fig. 301  remains

›››

on with the rear lid open, the tow hook is cor-

rectly in place both when extracted and

when covered.

●

CAUTION

Never exceed the maximum weight or the

limits indicated above.

If you clean the vehicle with high-pressure

or steam devices, do not point the jet di-

rectly towards the retractable tow hook or

the trailer power socket, as this may dam-

age the joints or remove the grease neces-

sary for lubrication.

●

The bicycle rack may not be mounted to

the neck of the hook below the ball be-

cause, due to the shape of the neck and

depending on the rack model, the rack

could be incorrectly mounted on the vehi-

cle.

The control light of the lamp switches off ap-

proximately 1 minute after closing the read lid.

WARNING

Undue use of the towing bracket may

cause injury and accidents.

●

Always read and take the manufacturer

Note

assembly instructions into account.

At extremely low temperatures, the tow

hook may be impossible to operate. In this

case, place the vehicle in a warmer loca-

tion (for example, a garage).

●

Only use the tow hook if it is properly en-

gaged.

CAUTION

●

Always ensure that no person, animal or

If the maximum weight and limits indicated

above are exceeded, the vehicle may suf-

fer considerable damage.

object is to be found in the path of the tow

hook.

●

Never use a tool or instrument while the

●

Never exceed the values indicated!

tow hook is moving.

332

Towing bracket device*

ample, it may very well be necessary to ad-

just the cooling system or mount thermal pro-

tection plates. SEAT recommends visiting a

SEAT dealership for this.

Note

Retrofitting a towing bracket

SEAT recommends removing, as far as pos-

sible, all removable parts of the bicycles

before setting off. These parts include, for

example, baskets and saddlebags, child

seats or batteries. This improves aerody-

namics and the centre of gravity of the rack

system.

Description

If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the distance

specifications should always be kept in mind.

The distance between the centre of the ball

D

head and the road Fig. 302

must never

›››

be less than indicated. This also applies when

the vehicle is fully loaded, including the tech-

nically permissible maximum vertical load on

the coupling device.

Distance specifications Fig. 302:

›››

A

Attachment points (lower part of the vehi-

cle)

B

C

D

E

932.5 mm

65 mm min.

350-420 mm

220 mm

F

615.5 mm

1,043 mm

G

WARNING

If the cables are improperly or incorrectly

connected, this may lead to malfunctions

in the entire vehicle electronic system, as

well as to accidents and serious injuries.

Fig. 302 Limits and attachment points for ret-

rofitting a towing bracket.

●

Never connect the trailer's electric sys-

SEAT recommends that towing brackets be

retrofitted at a specialised workshop. For ex-

tem to the electrical connections of the tail

lights or any other unsuitable power

»

333

Driving

sources. Only use suitable connectors to

connect the trailer.

●

The towing bracket should be retrofitted

only at a specialised workshop.

WARNING

If the towing bracket is badly fitted or un-

suitable, the trailer may separate from the

vehicle while driving. This could cause seri-

ous accidents and fatal injuries.

Note

●

Only use towing brackets that have been

approved by SEAT for the model in ques-

tion.

●

In some versions, the fitting of a conven-

tional towing hook solution is not recom-

mended. Please consult your Technical

Service.

334

Driving -> Towing bracket device for Your Seat Ateca SUV 2020

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