2005 Seat Altea brake pads

Cockpit81
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Power steering system*

For vehicles with power steering, the level of steering assistance depends on
the vehicle's speed and on the steering angle.
The warning lamp should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It should go out when the engine has started running.
If the battery is disconnected, the indicator remains lit, even with the engine
running. The warning light only goes of f after a distance of approx. 50 m.
There is a fault in the electromechanica l steering system if the lamp does not
go out or lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. The indicator may appear
in two different colours to indicate faults. If it lights yellow, this indicates a
minor fault. If it lights red, seek wo rkshop assistance immediately, if no
assistance is available stop driving. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance. The power steering does not work if the battery is flat or if the
engine is off (for example, for towing). You should take into account that you
will need considerably more power than normal to steer the vehicle if the
steering assistance is reduced or has failed completely.
For those vehicles fitted with ESP* the function “Recommended steering
manoeuvre” is included. See⇒ page 175Brake pad wear indicator*

As the brake pad wear indicator only monitors the front brake pads, it is advis-
able to have the rear brake pads inspected at the same time.
The following information text displayed in the instrument panel display
14) :
CHECK BRAKE PADS .
WARNING
Have the brake pads inspected immediately by a qualified dealership if the
warning display
 lights up.
Indicator for open doors or tailgate

This indicator lights if one of th e doors or the tailgate is open.The warning light
 should go off when all the doors are closed correctly.
The system also works when the ignition is switched off. It should go off
about 15 seconds after the vehicle is locked.
Electronic immobiliser* “Safe”
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser auto-
matically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The immobiliser will be
activated again automatically as soon as you pull the key out of the ignition
lock.
The following information text displayed in the instrument panel display
15) :
SAFE . The vehicle cannot be used in that case ⇒page 158.
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine
key is used.
14)Depending on the model version
15)Depending on the model version
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Driving
166
– Press the gear lever forwards (+) to select a higher gear.
– Press the gear lever back (-) to select a lower gear.HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒fig. 139. Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the locking knob in the direc-
tion of the arrow ⇒fig. 139 and guide the handbrake lever down
fully. ⇒ .
Always apply the handbrake firmly. This prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp
 lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The warning lamp goes out when the hand-
brake is released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following
message* will appear on the instrument panel display: HANDBRAKE ON Also,
an audible warning is given.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to slow down the vehicle when it is in motion.
The braking distance is considerably longer, as braking is only applied to
the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
•
If it is only partially released this will cause overheating of the rear
brakes, which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead
to an accident. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake
pads/linings.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected.
Fig. 139 Handbrake
between the front seats
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Driving and the environment177
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Driving and the environmentRunning-inRunning in a new engine
The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1,500 km.Up to 1,000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than three quarters of top speed.
– Do not accelerate hard.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1000 to 1500 km
–Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed
or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).During its first few hours of running, the internal fric tion in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving parts have bedded in.
For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil
consumption reduced.
Running in tyres and brake pads
New tyres should be run-in carefully in the first 500 km. New
brake pads should be run-in carefully in the first 200 km.During the first 200 km, you can compensate for the reduced braking effect
by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. If you need to make an emer-
gency stop, the braking distance will be longer with new brake pads than with
brake pads which have been run-in.
WARNING
•
New tyres do not give maximum grip to start with, and require running-
in. This may be an accident risk. Drive particularly carefully in the first 500
km.
•
New brake pads must be “run in” and do not have the correct friction
properties during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity
may be compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder.
Braking effect and braking distance
The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by
driving situations and road conditions.The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the brake pad wear. The rate
of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under
which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often
drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we
recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an
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Driving and the environment
178Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommended in the Service
Schedule.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example after driving through water, after
heavy rainfall or after washing the car, the braking effect will be reduced as
the brake discs will be wet, or possibly frozen (in winter): the brakes must be
“dried” through careful braking.
The brake fluid must be 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 prevents the brakes developing their full braking effect.
WARNING
Longer braking distances and faults in the brake system increase the risk
of accidents.•
New brake pads must be run in and do not have the correct friction
during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. This also
applies when new brake pads are fitted.
•
If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have
been gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal.
•
On steep descents if the brakes are excessively used they will over heat
Before driving down a long steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce speed
and change to a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear if
your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine
braking and relieves the brakes.
•
Never let the brakes “rub” by applying light pressure. Continuous
braking will cause the brakes to overheat and will increase the braking
distance. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.
•
Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off. The braking
distance is increased considerably as the brake servo does not function.
•
Very heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid
is left in the system for too long. This impairs the braking effect.
•
Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the
brakes and cause them to overheat. Observe the relevant instructions
before purchasing accessories ⇒page 194, “Modifications”.
•
If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary
journeys.
Catalytic converter*To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Always use unleaded petrol.
– Do not run the fuel tank dry.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine oil ⇒page 207, “Topping up engine oil ”.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary ⇒page 249.If you notice misfiring, uneven running or loss of power when the vehicle is
moving, reduce speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected at the
nearest qualified workshop. In general, the exhaust warning lamp will light
up when any of the described symptoms occur ⇒page 71. If this happens,
unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the environment.
The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating.
WARNING (continued)
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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
186Care of the vehicle exteriorAutomatic car washesThe paint is so durable that the car can normally be washed without problems
in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint depends to a large
extent on the design of the car wash, the brushes used, the filtering of the
wash water and the type of detergents and wax solutions used, etc.
After the car has been washed, the brakes could respond later than normal
as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or even frozen in winter. You
must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times
⇒ page 177, “Braking effect and braking distance”.
WARNING
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of
accident.Washing by handWashing the vehicle
– First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off.
– Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush. Start on
the roof and work your way down. Use only light pressure.
– Rinse the sponge or glove as much as possible.
– Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt. – Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last using a different sponge or
glove.
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry the surface of the vehicle gently using a chamois leather.
–If it is cold , dry the rubber seals and the surfaces they touch with
a cloth to prevent them freezing. Apply silicone spray to the
rubber seals.
After cleaning the vehicle
– If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes care-
fully several times ⇒page 177, “Braking effect and braking
distance”.
WARNING
•
The ignition must always be switched off before the vehicle is washed.
•
Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when
cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of
injury.
•
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk
of accident.Caution
•
Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is
dry. Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could scratch
the paintwork or glass on your vehicle.
•
Washing the vehicle in cold weather: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose,
do not direct the water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around the doors,
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Checking and refilling levels
214If this is not sufficient, refer to a qualified workshop.
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!•
Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all windows regularly.
•
The wiper blades should be changed once or twice a year.Caution
•
A damaged or dirty window wiper could scratch the rear window.
•
Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the window.
•
Never move the windscreen wiper by hand. This could cause damage.
Brake fluidChecking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the service
schedule.– Read off the fluid level at the transparent brake fluid reservoir. It should always be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.The position of the coolant expansion tank is shown in the corresponding
engine compartment diagram ⇒page 260. The brake fluid reservoir has a
black and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear.
Fig. 161 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
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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
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Index
280Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Trips to foreign countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Petrol engines, starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Physical principles of a frontal collision . . . . . . 21
Plastic key tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Pollen filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Pollution filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154RRadio frequency remote control Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Radio navigation St eering wheel controls
audio + telephone version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
audio version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Radio wave remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Rain sensor* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Rear drink holder* Armrest* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Rear fog light Indication lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Rear interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Rear reading lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Rear shelf
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Rear window heating Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Registration light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Remote control key Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Reverse gear Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
RME fuel (biodiesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Roll-back function Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Roof carrier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Running in Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Running in tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
SSafe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructions Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Safety notes Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Disabling front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . 45
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Safety system- safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125, 128, 129
Seat belt position Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Incorrectly fastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat belts protect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
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