Checking and refilling levels
222•
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 206 ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on
page 221.
– 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 268.
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 its 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 that 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 221.
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Checking and refilling levels
224Checking tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the
inside of the tank flap.1. Read the required tyre inflation pressure from the sticker. The
values refer to Summer tyres. For Winter tyres, you must add 0.2
bar to the values given on the sticker.
2. The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyres are cold. The slightly raised pressures of warm tyres must not be
reduced.
3. Adjust the tyre pressure to the load you are carrying.Tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure is especially important at high speeds. The pressure
should therefore be checked at least once a month and before starting a
journey.
WARNING
A tyre can easily burst if the pressure is too low, causing an accident!•
At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. In this way it becomes too hot, and this can cause tread separation
and tyre blow-out. Always observ e the recommended tyre pressures.
•
If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prema-
turely and the vehicle will not h andle well. Risk of accident!For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.
Tyre service life
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving
style and fitting.
Fig. 167 Tyre tread wear
indicatorsFig. 168 Changing
wheels
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Checking and refilling levels
226
Driving with puncture-proof tyres (driving in emergency conditions)
– Leave the ESP/TCS on (electronic stabilisation programme), or, if necessary, switch on ⇒page 179.
– Drive carefully and at moderate speed (80km/h maximum).
– Avoid sharp turns and rapid manoeuvres.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (for example, kerbs) or potholes.
– Pay special attention to whether the ESP/TCS comes on frequently, whether there is smoke coming from the tyres or there
is smell of rubber, or whether the vehicle vibrates or rattles. In
the event of any of the above, stop the vehicle.Puncture-proof tyres are marked on th e tyre sidewall: “DSST”, “Eufonia”,
“RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
This type of tyre sidewall is reinforced. When the tyres lose air, they are held
up by the sidewalls (driving in emergency conditions).
The loss in tyre pressure is displayed on the instrument panel. It is still
possible to drive for a minimum of 50 km or even more in favourable circum-
stances (for example, with low loads).
The damaged tyre should be replaced as soon as possible. The rim should be
checked for damage at a specialised workshop and replaced if necessary. We
recommend you contact your Service Centre. Where more than one tyre is
used in emergency conditions, the distance it is possible to travel decreases.
Starting to drive in emergency conditions
When the loss in tyre pressure is displayed on the instrument panel, this
implies that at least one tyre is being used in emergency conditions. ⇒
Stopping driving in emergency conditions
Do not drive on if:
•
smoke is coming from one of the tyres,
•
there is a smell of rubber,
•
the vehicle vibrates,
•
there is a rattling noise.
WARNING
When driving in emergency conditions, the driving quality of the vehicle is
considerably impaired.•
Drive carefully and at moderate speed (80km/h maximum).
•
Avoid sharp turns and rapid manoeuvres, and brake earlier than usual.
•
Avoid driving over obstacles (for example, kerbs) or potholes.
•
If one or more tyres are used in emergency conditions, the driving
quality of the vehicle is impaired and there is a risk of accident.Note
•
Puncture-proof tyres do not “deflate” on losing air pressure because they
are supported by the reinforced sidewalls. Therefore it is not possible to
detect damage to the tyre visually.
•
Snow chains should not be used on front wheels when driving in emer-
gency conditions.
New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run-in.The tyres and wheel rims are an essenti al part of the vehicle’s design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteristics
of the vehicle and make a major contribution to good road holding and safe
handling ⇒.
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If and when
232
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
–Pull off the hub cap. Also refer to ⇒page 233.
– 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 hub cap.
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If and when
242Fuses on left side of dash panelFuses
Number Electrical equipment Amperes
1V aca n t
2V aca n t
3V aca n t
4V aca n t
5V aca n t
6V aca n t
7V aca n t
8V aca n t
9 Airbag 5
10 Vacant
11 Vacant
11 Aftersales kit 5
12 Left xenon headlamp 10
13 Controls for heating / ESP switch, ASR/ Reverse gear/Telephone pre-installation 5
14 Control unit for ABS/ESP / Engine/ Headlamps/ Control unit for trailer/ light switch/ Instrument panel 10
15 Control unit for headlamp range co ntrol/ Heated windscreens / Instrument lighting/ Diagnosis control unit 10
16 Right xenon headlamp 10
17 D2L engine (2.0l 147 kW 4 speed TFSI) 10
18 Vacant
19 Vacant
20 Park Pilot (parking aid) / Gear lever/ ESP control unit 10
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If and when
248Xenon headlamps
22)/self-adjusting
Dipped and main - D1S23)
Flasher and additional main - H1
Position W5W
Turn signals PY21W
Fog lights
Fog lights - H3
Fixed rear light
Stop/Position - P21W
24)
Turn signals - P21W
Rear tailgate light unit
Fog lamp (driver’s side) - P21W
Reversing light (passenger side) - P21W
Position - W5W
Indicator
Indicator - W5W
Registration plate light
Registration plate light - C5W
Note
•
Due to the difficulty in accessing the lamps, any replacement work should
be done by a SEAT dealer. However, the following is a description of how to
change the bulbs except for the fog lights and interior bulbs.
Main headlight lamps
Turn signals
Dipped headlights
Main beam headlights
Side lights
22)On this type of headlight, the bulb changes must be made by the SEAT dealer, given
that complex elements must be removed from the vehicle and a reset must be made
on the automatic control system incorporated.23)The Xenon bulbs discharge 2.5 times the light flux and have an average lifespan of 5
times more than that of halo gen bulbs, this means that, except due to unusual circum-
stances, there is no need to change the bulbs for the whole life of the vehicle.24)Electronically controlled single filament bulb for Stop/side bulbs. If the bulb blows it
will not work in either position or Stop position
Fig. 178 Main headlight
lamps
AAABACAD
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If and when259
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Towing and tow-startingTo w - s t a r t i n g
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting
is preferable ⇒page 256.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
–Engage the 2
nd or the 3
rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Once both vehicles are mo ving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
Towing eyesPlease observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:
Fig. 198 The front right
section of the vehicle:
Fitting the front towing
eyeFig. 199 Fitting the
towing eye to the rear of
the vehicle
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If and when
260
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the to w-rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto- matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you
would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Fitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the onboard tools.
– Pull the lower front cover down and leave the cover hanging on the vehicle.
– Remove the cover of the screw hole, insert a screwdriver into the lower slot and lever gently.
– Screw the towing eye as shown by arrow anti-clockwise to the
limit position in the front ⇒page 259, fig. 198 or rear
⇒ page 259, fig. 199 threaded hole.Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material. Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, espec
ially when using a tow-rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the te chnique required for towing. Inexperi-
enced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow away another vehicle.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking the
tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of over-
loading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must apply
considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
•
Put the selector lever into position “N”.
•
Do not drive faster than 50 km/h when towing a vehicle.
•
Do not tow further than 50 km.
•
If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.Note
•
Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
•
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.
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