
Checking and refilling levels
182Brake 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 224. 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. However, if the level goes down noticeab
ly 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 60.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 169.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 169 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 consider ably 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.
Fig. 126 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
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Checking and refilling levels185
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
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 st andards 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 183.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They
must be disposed of appropriately and must not be disposed of with ordinary
household waste.WheelsGeneral notesAvoiding damage
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive very
slowly and as near as possible at a right angle to the kerb.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or blisters, etc.). Remove any foreign objects embedded in the treads.
Storing tyres
– Mark tyres when you remove them to indicate the direction of rotation. This ensures you will be able to install them correctly
when you replace them.
– When removed, the wheels and/or tyres should be stored in a cool, dry and preferably dark location.
– Store tyres in a vertical position if they are not fitted on wheel rims.
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Checking and refilling levels
188
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre bursts during driving!•
The tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread is worn down to
the tread wear indicators. Failure to do so could result in an accident. Worn
tyres do not grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There is also a greater
risk of “aquaplaning”.
•
At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. This causes it to overheat. This can cause tread separation and tyre
blow-out. Risk of accident. Always observe the recommended tyre pres-
sures.
•
If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the running gear checked
by an Authorised Service Centre.
•
Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake fluid away from tyres.
•
Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately!For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run-in.The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicles 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 ⇒.
Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front
tyres or both rear tyres together). A kn owledge of tyre designations makes it easier to choose the correct tyres. Radial tyres have the tyre designations
marked on the sidewall, for example:
195/65 R15 91T
This contains the following information:
195 Tyre width in mm
65 Height/width ratio in %
R Tyre construction: Radial
15 Rim diameter in inches
91 Load rating code
T Speed rating
The tyres could also have the following information:
•
A direction of rotation symbol
•
“Reinforced” denotes heavy-duty tyres.
The manufacturing date is also indicate d on the tyre sidewall (possibly only
on the inner side of the wheel).
“DOT ... 1103 ...” means, for example, that the tyre was produced in the 11th
week of 2003.
We recommend that work on tyres and wheels is carried out by an Authorised
Service Centre. They are familiar with the procedure and have the necessary
special tools and spare parts as well as the proper facilities for disposing of
the old tyres.
Any Authorised Service Centre has full information on the technical require-
ments when installing or changing tyres, wheels or wheel trims.
WARNING
•
We recommend that you use only use wheels and tyres which have been
approved by SEAT for your model. Failure to do so could impair vehicle
handling. Risk of accident.
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Checking and refilling levels189
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Avoid running the vehicle on tyres th at are more than six years old. If
you have no alternative, you should drive slowly and with extra care at all
times.
•
Never use old tyres or those with an unknown “history of use”.
•
If wheel trims are retrofitted, you must ensure that the flow of air to the
brakes is not restricted. This could cause them to overheat.
•
All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of according to the laws in the country concerned.
Note
•
For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from
other vehicles. This can also apply to wheels of the same model. The use of
wheels or tyres which have not been approved by SEAT for use with your
model may invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public roads.
•
If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the
vehicle - for example with winter tyres - you should only use the spare tyre for
a short period of time and drive with extra care. Refit the normal road wheel
as soon as possible.
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are
fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the
brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you may not use wheel bolts from a different car -
even if it is the same model
⇒page 162.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become
loose while driving. Risk of accident.•
The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or oil
to them.
•
Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
•
If the prescribed torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen
whilst the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is
too high, the wheel bolts and threads could be damaged.Caution
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and
ice.In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicles
handling. The design of summer tyre s (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) gives less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pressures
specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
WARNING (continued)
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Technical Data
224Te c h n i c a l D a t aChecking fluid levelsFrom time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the
vehicle must be checked. Never fi ll with incorrect fluids, to do
so may cause serious damage to the engine.
Radiator expansion tank
Engine oil dipstick.
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir
Battery
Windscreen washer fluid container
The checking and replenishment of the service fluids are carried out on the
components mentioned above. These operations are described in the
⇒ page 169. Overview
Further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the technical data are
contained as of
⇒page 219
Note
The layout of parts may vary according to engine.
Fig. 158 Diagram for the
location of the various
elements
A1A2A3A4A5A6
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Index
246CCar care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Car care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Car phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Automatic speed dependent locking and un-locking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Locking system for invo luntary unlocking . . 72
Selective unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Central locking button Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Change lamps dipped headlight lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Changing gear See Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Changing lamps interior light and reading light . . . . . . . . . . 213
changing lamps rearlights on frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
rearlights on tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Changing the lamps glovebox light* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 main beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Main headlight lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
number plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
side beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Side indicator lights . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . 180
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 184
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Child seats on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Cleaning alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Cleaning and caring for your vehicle . . . . . . . . 153
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Cleaning cloth seat covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Cleaning dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Cleaning fabric trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Cleaning leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Cleaning plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Cleaning seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Cleaning steel wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Cleaning wooden trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Climatronic
automatic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
manual mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Control Light switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Controls Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Coolant level warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Coolant Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
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Index247
Coolant temperature
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Correct adjustment of front head restraints . . . . 12
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39DDanger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Diesel engine Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Differential lock fault (EDL) warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Dipped headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Disabling front passenger airbag Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Disabling the airbag Disabling front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . 41
Displays in the Multi-function display Memory displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Door lock cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Door release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Doors
Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Drive wheels traction control system . . . . . . . . 140
Driving Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Driving economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Driving with respect for the environment . . . . . 151
Duplicate keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
EEDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
EDS Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Electrohydraulic steering warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 125
Electronic stabilisation program . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Electronic stabilisation programme . . . . . . . . . . 66 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Emission control system warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Engine compartment Working in the engine compartment . . . . . 169
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Engine fault Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Engine management Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Checking level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Engine oil pressure Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Environmental tip Avoiding pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 141
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
External aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
FFastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 110
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