2006 Seat Cordoba check engine

Checking and refilling levels177
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
CoolantCoolant specifications
Coolant is a mixture of water and at least 40% coolant addi-
tive.The cooling system must be filled with a mixture of water and at least 40 % of
our coolant additive G 12+ or an additive with the specification TT-VW 774 F
(it is dyed purple). This mixture gives the necessary frost protection down to
-25
°C and protects the alloy parts of the cooling system against corrosion. It
also prevents scaling and raises the boiling point of the coolant.
The concentration of coolant must always be at least 40% - even if frost
protection is not required.
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
the antifreeze additive G 12+ can be increased. However, the percentage of
coolant additives should not exceed 60%, as this would reduce the frost
protection. It would also reduce the cooling effect. A mixture with 60%
coolant additive will give frost protection to approx. -40
°C.
WARNING
•
The coolant additive is toxic. This represents a toxic danger. Always
keep the coolant additive in the original container which should be stored
out of the reach of children. The same applies to coolant which you have
drained off.
•
The coolant additive G 12+ must be added in sufficient quantities to
provide anti-freeze protection at the coldest ambient temperatures that
can be expected. At extremely cold ambient temperatures, the coolant
could freeze, causing the vehicle to br eakdown. As the heater would also
not work in this situation, there is a risk of suffering exposure!
Caution
•
Other additives may give considerably inferior corrosion protection. The
resulting corrosion in the cooling system can lead to a loss of coolant,
causing serious damage to the engine.
•
The coolant additive G 12+ (purple) can be mixed with the additive G 12
(red) or G 11. Never mix G12 (red colour) with G 11.
Checking the coolant level and topping up

The correct coolant level is important for fault-free func-
tioning of the engine cooling system.Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 169 .
Fig. 122 In the engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion tank cap
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Checking and refilling levels
178
Opening the coolant expansion tank
– Switch off the engine and allow it to cool.
– To prevent scalding, cover the cap on the expansion tank with a thick cloth and carefully unscrew the cap ⇒ .
Checking coolant level
– Look into the open coolant ex pansion tank and read off the
coolant level.
– If the level is underneath the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant.
Topping up coolant
–Only use new coolant.
– Do not fill above the “MAX” mark.
Closing the coolant expansion tank
– Screw the cap on again tightly.The position of the coolant expansion tank is shown in the corresponding
engine compartment diagram ⇒page 224.
Make sure that the coolant meets the required specifications ⇒page 177.
Do not use a different type of additive if coolant additive G 12+ is not avail-
able. In this case use only water and bring the coolant concentration back up
to the correct level as soon as possible by putting in the specified additive
⇒ page 177.
Always top up with new coolant.
Do not fill above the “MAX” mark. Otherwise the excess coolant will be forced
out of the cooling system when the engine is hot. The coolant additive G 12+ (dyed purple
) may be mixed with G 12 (dyed red)
and also with G 11.
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the engine must be
carried out cautiously.•
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒page 169
•
When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised! Do
not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot. This is
a burn injury risk.Caution
•
When mixed with other additives the colour of G 12 will change to brown.
If this occurs you should have the coolant changed immediately. Failure to do
so will result in engine damage!
•
If a lot of coolant has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down before
putting in cold coolant. This avoi ds damaging the engine. Large coolant
losses are an indication of leaks in the cooling system. See a specialised
workshop immediately and have the cooling system checked. Otherwise,
there is a risk of engine damage.
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Checking and refilling levels179
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 fluid container in the engine compartment.
The container holds approx. 2 litres; in vehicles with headlamp washers* it
holds approx. 4.5 litres.
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 169Caution
•
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. 123 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir.
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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 levels
184charge. 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 bulb is changed, you need only switch
off the light.
•
Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.
•
When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system,
disconnect first the negative cable 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 electrical 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.
•
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 169 ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on
page 183.
– 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 show n in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒page 224.
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.
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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