2005 Seat Altea engine

Checking and refilling levels215
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low
⇒page 71.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 201.Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be renewed every two years.We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 201 in
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the cour se of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
For this reason the brake fluid must be renewed every two years.
It important that you use only use brake fluid compliant with the US standard
FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
•
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and
observe the warnings ⇒page 201.
•
Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. This represents a toxic danger.
•
Have the brake fluid changed every two years at the latest. Heavy use
of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left in the system
for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency of the brakes and the
safety of the vehicle. This may be an accident risk.Caution
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid must be drained and disposed of in the proper manner observing
environmental regulations.
WARNING (continued)
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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)
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Checking and refilling levels217
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.
Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.– Open the bonnet and open the battery cover at the front ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 201 ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on
page 216.
– Check the colour display in the magic eye on the top of the battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until they disperse.The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒page 260.
The round window (“magic eye”) on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge level and electrolyte level of the battery.
If the colour in the window is colourless or bright yellow, the electrolyte level
of the battery is too low. Have the battery checked by a qualified workshop.
The colours green and black are used by the workshops for diagnostic
purposes.
Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long
periods, the battery should be checked by a qualified workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle, the
battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have the
vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be re-
charged or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of their location and
has special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety spec-
ifications of your vehicle.
WARNING
•
We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof
batteries which comply with the standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This
standard applies as of 2001.
•
Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe
the warnings ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on page 216.
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If and when
224If and whenTools, tyre repair kit and spare wheelVehicle To ols
The tools and jack are stored under the floor panel in the
luggage compartment.– Lift the cover of the luggage compartment, by pulling it up with a
finger in the fitting.
– Remove the tools or jack.The tool kit includes:•
Hook for removing wheel covers* or hub caps*
•
Box spanner for wheel bolts
•
Reversible screwdriver with handle (including hexagonal interior) for the
wheel bolts. The screwdriver is a combination tool.
•
Towing ring*
•
Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*
Before replacing the jack in the storage area, wind the arm of the jack down
as far as it will go.
Some of the items listed are only provided on certain models, or are optional
extras.
WARNING
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to tighten
the wheel bolts. It is impossible to ti ghten the bolts with the torque neces-
sary, risk of accident.
•
The jack supplied by the factory is only designed for changing wheels
on this model. On no account attempt to use it for lifting heavier vehicles
or other loads, risk of injury.
•
Use the jack only on firm, level ground.
•
Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack, risk of accident.
•
I f wo r k is t o b e ca r r i e d o u t un d e r n ea th the vehicle, this must be secured
by suitable stands. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury in an accident.
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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 .
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If and when233
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Inflating the tyre.
– Remove the air compressor and hose from the container.
– Screw the retaining nut onto the valve.
– Plug the compressor cable into a 12 volt socket.
– Turn on compressor and monitor the pressure shown on the pres-
sure gauge.
Completing the repair
– Remove the compressor hose from the valve.
– Fit the valve cap.
– Unplug the compressor from the socket.
– Return all tools to their proper storing location.
NoteThe compressor should never be allowed to run for longer than 6 minutes.
FusesChanging a fuse
If a fuse has blown it must be replaced
Fig. 171 Left side of dash
panel: Fuse box coverFig. 172 Fuse box cover
in engine compartment
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If and when
234
Fuse cover underneath the steering wheel
– Switch off the ignition and the component concerned.
– Identify the fuse for the failed component ⇒page 235.
– Take the plastic clip from inside the fuse cover, fit it onto the
blown fuse and pull the fuse out.
– Replace the blown fuse (which will have a melted metal strip) with a new fuse of the same ampere rating.
Fuse cover in engine compartment
– Switch off the ignition and the component concerned.
– Prise off the fuse cover in the engine compartment by pressing the tabs towards the centre of the cover ⇒page 233, fig. 172 .
– Identify the fuse for the failed component ⇒page 235.
– Take the plastic clip from inside the fuse cover (at left-hand end of the dash panel), fit it onto the blown fuse and pull the fuse out.
– Replace the blown fuse (which will have a melted metal strip) with a new fuse of the same ampere rating.
– Carefully fit the fuse cover back on to ensure no water can enter
the fuse box.The individual electrical circuits are pr otected by fuses. The fuses are located
behind a cover at the left-hand end of the dash panel and on the left-hand
side of the engine compartment.
The electric windows are protected by circuit breakers. These reset automat-
ically after a few seconds when the overload (caused for example by frozen
windows) has been corrected. Colour coding of fuses
WARNING
Never “repair” damaged fuses and neve
r replace them with fuses with a
higher rating. Failure to comply could result in fire. This could also cause
damage to other parts of the electrical system.
Note
•
If a newly replaced fuse blows again after a short time, the electrical
system must be checked by a qualifi ed workshop as soon as possible.
•
If you replace a fuse with a stronger fuse, you could cause damage to
another location in th e electrical system.
•
Always keep some spare fuses in the vehicle. These are available from
official Service. Colour
Amperes
light brown 5
red 10
blue 15
yellow 20
natural (white) 25
green 30
orange 40
red 50
white 80
blue 100
grey 150
violet 200
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If and when235
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
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Fuses on left side of dash panelFuses
Number Electrical equipment Amperes
1 Electro-chromatic mirror / relay 50 5
2 Engine control unit 5
3 Lights switch / Headlight control unit / Right hand side headlight / Telephone 5
4 Telephone pre-installation 5
5 Flow meter, frequency tube 10
6A ir b ag 5
7 Vacant
8 Vacant
9 Power steering 5
10 Diagnosis, reverse gear switch 5
11 Heated windscreen 5
12 FSI measure 10
13 Trailer control unit 5
14 ESP/TCP, ABS/ESP control unit 5
15 Automatic gearbox 5
16 Heating controls / Climatronic / Pressure sensor / Heated seats 10
17 Engine 7,5
18 Vacant
19 Vacant
20 Engine fuse box supply 5
21 Gear lever 5
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