
Driving and the environment179
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
The catalytic converter reaches very high temperatures! Risk of fire.•
Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with
dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.
•
Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust
system. These materials could catch fire when the vehicle is driven.Caution
Never fully drain the fuel tank, in this case, the irregularity of the fuel supply
may cause ignition problems. This allow s unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust
system, which could cause overheating and damage the catalytic converter.
For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is working perfectly, there may be a
smell of sulphur from the exhaust unde r some conditions. This depends on
the sulphur content of the fuel used. Quite often the problem can be reme-
died by changing to another brand of fuel.Driving abroadNotesFor driving abroad, the following must be taken into consideration:
•
For vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter ensure that unleaded petrol is
available for the journey. See the chap ter “Refuelling”. Automobile organisa-
tions will have information about service station networks selling unleaded
fuel.
•
In some countries it is possible that a vehicle model is sold under condi-
tions where some spare parts are not available or that the Authorised Service
Centre may only carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information about the
technical preparation of your vehicle in addition to necessary maintenance
and repair possibilities.
Adhesive strips for headlightsIf you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or
vice versa, the asymmetric dipped beam headlights will dazzle oncoming
traffic.
To prevent dazzling, you must apply stickers to certain parts of the headlight
lenses. Further information is available from your Authorised Service
Centre.
altea_ingles Seite 179 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15

Checking and refilling levels211
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper bladesTopping up washer fluid
The water for cleaning the windscreen should always be
mixed with washer fluid.The windscreen washer and the headlight washing system are supplied with
fluid from the windscreen washer flui d container in the engine compartment.
The reservoir is located on the right-hand side of the engine compartment.
Plain water is not enough to clean the windscreen and headlights. We recom-
mend that you always add a product to the windscreen washer fluid.
Approved windscreen cleaning products exist on the market with high deter-
gent and anti-freeze properties, these may be added all-year-round. Please
follow the dilution instructions on the packaging.
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the engine must be
carried out cautiously.•
When working in the engine compartm ent, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒page 201Caution
•
Never put radiator anti-freeze or other additives into the windscreen
washer fluid.
•
Always use approved windscreen cleansing products diluted as per
instructions. If you use other washer fl uids or soap solutions, the tiny aper-
tures in the fan-shaped nozzles could become blocked.
Fig. 157 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir.
altea_ingles Seite 211 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15

Checking and refilling levels
216BatteryWarnings on handling the battery
WARNING
Always be aware of the danger of injury and chemical burns as well as the
risk of accident or fire when working on the battery and the electrical
system:•
Wear eye protection. Protect your ey es, skin and clothing from acid and
particles containing lead.
•
Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear protective gloves and
eye protection. Do not tilt the batteries. This could spill acid through the
vents. Rinse battery acid from eyes immediately for several minutes with
clear water. Then seek medical care immediately. Neutralize any acid
splashes on the skin or clothing with a soapy solution, and rinse off with
plenty of water. If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immedi-
ately.
•
Fires, sparks, naked lights and smoki ng are prohibited. When handling
cables and electrical equipment, avoid causing sparks and electrostatic charge. Never short the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause
injury.
•
A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is
under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room
only.
•
Keep children away from acid and batteries.
•
Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the
engine, the ignition and all consumers. The minus cable on the battery
must be disconnected. When a light bu lb is changed, you need only switch
off the light.
•
Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you
disconnect the battery! The alar m will otherwise be triggered.
•
When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system,
disconnect first the negative ca ble and then the positive cable.
•
Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery.
Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never
reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.
•
Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0
°C.
•
Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.
•
Never use a defective battery. This may be fatally explosive. Replace a
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•
Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine
is running. This could damage the elec trical system or electronic compo-
nents.
•
Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time , as
the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
Wear eye protection
Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear protec-
tive gloves and eye protection!
Fires, sparks, naked lights and smoking are prohibited!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the
battery is under charge.
Keep children away from acid and batteries!
WARNING (continued)
altea_ingles Seite 216 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15

If and when
226
Note•
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is not
possible with the sealing compound.
Wheel changePreparation 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 ve hicle. They should wait in a
safe area (for instance behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Switch off the engine. Switch on the hazard warning lights.
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage the first gear, or put the selector lever to position P for
those vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
– If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
– Take the vehicle tools and the spare wheel out of the luggage
compartment.
WARNING
Put the hazard warning lights on and place the warning triangle in position.
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 wheelChange the wheel as described below
– Remove the wheel cover. Also refer to ⇒page 227, fig. 165
– Slacken the wheel bolts.
– Raise the car with the jack in the corresponding zone
– Ta k e o f f the wheel and then put on the spare wheel
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the box
spanner
–Replace the cover .
altea_ingles Seite 226 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15

If and when
232Notes for the proper use of the air comp ressor are included in an additional
instruction leaflet.
WARNING
•
Do not attempt to repair a puncture with the sealing compound if the
tyre has been damaged by driving the car after the tyre has lost its air.
•
Always observe warnings and follow instructions concerning
compressor and sealing compound carefully.
•
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h, avoid heavy acceleration, hard
braking and fast cornering.
•
Tyres which have been repaired with sealing compound are only suit-
able for temporary use over a short period. Therefore, please drive carefully
to the next available qualified workshop.For the sake of the environment
Used sealing compound cont ainers should be disposed of at a proper facility.
Note
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is not possible
with the sealing compound.Preparation work
Certain steps must be taken before repairing a tyre.– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away
from the flow of traffic as possible.
–Apply the handbrake firmly. – Engage the
first gear, of put the selector lever to position P.
– All passengers should leave the vehicle. They should wait in a
safe area (for instance behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Check whether a repair is possible using the Tyre Mobility System “General information and safety notes.”
– Unscrew inflation cap from the affected wheel.
–Take the tyre repair kit out of the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Put the hazard warning lights on and place the warning triangle in position.
This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
Take special care if you have to repair a tyre on a gradient.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.Tyre repair
The following sections describe the procedures for repairing
a tyre.Using the sealing compound
– The instructions on the container give detailed information on
how to use the sealing compound.
altea_ingles Seite 232 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15

If and when
254•
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 gearbox,
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 must 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.
altea_ingles Seite 254 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15

Index275
Index
AABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Adjusting headlights driving on the left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
driving on the right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Adjusting the seat belt height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Air conditioner* 2C-Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Air conditioning system General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Air recirculation mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Manual air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Airbags
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Alterations to the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Ambient temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Ashtray* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror* Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . 122
Deactivating anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . . 122
Automatic car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Automatic mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Automatic wiper/wash function for the rear window 121
BBall coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Battery
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Belt tension device Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
monitor indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Brake pad wear indicator* Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173, 177
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Bulb defect warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
altea_ingles Seite 275 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15

Index
276Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114, 157CCar care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Car care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Car phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Automatic speed dependent locking and un-locking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Locking system for invo luntary unlocking . . 93
Selective unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Central locking button Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Centre arm rest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Changing gear See Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Changing the lamps Main headlight lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Changing the main headlight lamps
dipped beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
main beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
turn signal lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Changing the rear lights indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . . 247
rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
reverse light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . 212
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 217
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Child seats on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Cleaning alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Cleaning and caring for your vehicle . . . . . . . . 185
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Cleaning cloth seat covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cleaning dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Cleaning fabric trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cleaning leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cleaning plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Cleaning seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Cleaning steel wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Cleaning wooden trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Climatronic
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Control Light switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Controls Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 monitor indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Coolant level warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
altea_ingles Seite 276 Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005 3:02 15