Checking and refilling levels
216Ty re s e r vi ce l i fe
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving
style and fitting.
Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
⇒ fig. 151 running across the tread. Depending on the make, there will be six
to eight of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on the tyre sidewall
(for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the positions of the
tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by law is 1.6 mm
(measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indicators). Worn tyres
must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export countries ⇒.
Tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out.
For this reason, the tyre pressure should be checked at least once per month
⇒ page 215.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable
to change them around as shown ⇒fig. 152 . All the tyres will then last for
about the same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results
in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause excessive
wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of
the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel align-
ment checked by an Authorised Service Centre.
Fig. 151 Tyre tread wear
indicatorsFig. 152 Changing
wheels
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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
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.Puncture-proof tyres*
Puncture-proof tyres will usually allow the vehicle to continue
even when one of the tyres has a puncture.Vehicles that are factory-fitted with puncture-proof tyres
20)
indicate
on the instrument panel when there is a loss of tyre pressure. Driving on puncture-proof tyres (emergency use)
– Leave the ESP/TCS (electronic stabilisation programme)
switched on, or switch on.
– Drive carefully and at moderate speed (80 km/h maximum).
– Avoid sharp turns and rapid manouevres.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (for example, kerbs) or potholes.
– If the ESP/TCS is frequently activated, check whether there is smoke coming from the tyres or a smell of rubber, or if the vehicle
vibrates or rattles. If this is the case, stop the vehicle.
Puncture-proof tyres are marked on the tyre wall as follows: “DSST”,
“Eufonia”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
The tyre walls of this type of tyre are reinforced. When the tyres lose air, the
tyre walls keep the tyre up (emergency use).
Loss of air pressure in the tyre is shown on the instrument panel. The vehicle
may still be driven for at least 80 km and, under ideal conditions (for example,
no load) further.
The faulty tyre should be replaced as soon as possible. The tyre rim should be
checked for damage at a specialised workshop and replaced as necessary.
We recommend you contact your Authorised Service Centre. If more than one
tyre is being used under emergency co nditions, this reduces the distance
which can be travelled.
Starting driving in emergency conditions
When the loss in tyre pressure is displayed on the instrument panel, this
implies that at least one tyre is being driven in emergency conditions ⇒.
End of emergency operation
Do not drive on if:
20)Depending upon version and country.
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Checking and refilling levels
218•
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 (80 km/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 is being driven 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 pressure as they are
supported by the tyre walls. Therefore defects in the tyre can not be deteced
with a visual inspection.
•
Snow chains must not be used on front tyres used in emergency
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 ⇒. Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front
tyres or both rear tyres together). A knowledge 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.
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Checking and refilling levels
220Winter 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 tyres (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.
Information on permitted winter tyre sizes can be found in the vehicle's regis-
tration documents. Use only radial winter tyres. All tyre sizes listed in the
vehicle documentation also apply to winter tyres.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth
of 4 mm.
The speed rating code ⇒page 218, “New tyres and wheels” determines the
following speed limits ⇒ :
Q max. 160 km/h
S max. 180 km/h
T max. 190 km/h
H max. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles which can exceed the speed rating of the fitted
tyre must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These
stickers are available from your Authorised Service Centre. The legal require-
ments of each country must be followed.
Do not have winter tyres fitted for unnecessarily long periods. Vehicles with
summer tyres handle better when the roads are free of snow and ice.
If you have a flat tyre, please refer to the notes on the spare wheel
⇒ page 218, “New tyres and wheels”.
WARNING
The maximum speed for the winter tyres must not be exceeded. Otherwise,
this could lead to tyre damage and thus, an accident risk.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres in good time. They are quieter, do not wear so quickly
and reduce fuel consumption.Snow chainsSnow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels, and only to certain tyre
sizes ⇒page 258.
Snow chains must have fine-pitch link s which do not protrude more that 9
mm, including tension device.
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains. For safety
reasons cover caps, available in any Authorised Service Centre, must then be
fitted over the wheel bolts.
WARNING
Observe the fitting instructions provided by the snow chain manufacturer.
Caution
You must remove the snow chains to drive on roads which are free of snow.
Otherwise they will impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very
quickly.
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If and when
230
– Insert the adapter onto the wheel bolt and push it on as far as it will go ⇒page 229, fig. 159 .
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the adapter.
– Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt as appropriate.Code number
The code number of the anti-theft wheel bolt is stamped on the front of the
adapter.
The code number should be noted and kept in a safe place, as it is only by
using the code number that a duplicate adapter can be obtained from an
Authorised Service Centre.Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern must be fitted so that they
rotate in the correct direction.A directional tread pattern can be identified by arrows on the sidewall that
point in the direction of rotation. Always note the direction of rotation indi-
cated when fitting the wheel. This is important so that these tyres can give
maximum grip and avoid excessive noise, tread wear and aquaplaning.
If, in an emergency, you have to moun t the spare wheel so it rotates in the
wrong direction, you must drive extremel y carefully. The tyre will not give
optimum performance. This is particul arly important when driving on wet
roads.
To benefit from the advantages of tyres with this type of tread pattern, the
defective tyre should be replaced as soon as possible so that all tyres again
rotate in the correct direction.
Tyre repair kit (Tyre-Mobility-System)*General Observations and safety adviceYour vehicle is equipped with the tyre repair kit called the Tyre mobility
system.
Beneath the floor of the stowage compartment there is a sealant and a
compressor which should be used in case of puncture.
The Tyre Mobility System will allow you to safely repair damage to a tyre by
penetration of a foreign object to 4mm diameter.
The foreign object can be left inside the tyre.
The sealant comes with instructions for use.
There is also a guide to using the compressor.
WARNING
•
The sealant should not be used if th e tyre has been damaged as a result
of going flat.
•
Follow the instructions for your safety and use on the compressor and
the sealant packaging.
•
Do not drive at more than 80 km/h, avo id accelerating or braking hard
or taking curves at high speed.
•
A tyre that has been repaired with sealant should only be used provi-
sionally, and for a short time. Therefore, your car should be taken care fully
to the nearest spec ialised workshop.For the sake of the environment
If you want to dispose of the sealant bottle, go to a company that treats waste
products.
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General notes on the technical data
256Vehicle identification data
The most important data are given on the type plate and the
vehicle data sticker.Vehicles for certain export countries do not have a model plate.
Type plate
The type plate is located on the left rib inside the engine compartment.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number (chass is number) can be read from outside
the vehicle through a viewer in the windscreen. This is located on the left-
hand side of the vehicle in the lower area of the windscreen. It is also located
on the right-hand side of the engine compartment. Vehicle data
The data sticker is placed on the inside of the spare wheel recess in the
luggage compartment.
The following information can be found in the vehicle information
⇒fig. 183 :
This vehicle data is also contained in the Service Schedule. Production control number
Vehicle identification number (chassis number)
Model code number
Model designation / engine power output
Engine and gearbox code letters
Paint number / interior trim code
Optional equipment codes
Consumption
CO
2 emissions
The information given in numbers 2 to 9 are also shown in the Service
Schedule.
CO emissions and consumption
2
Consumption (l/100 km) / CO
2 Emissions (g/km) urban
Consumption (l/100 km) / CO2 Emissions (g/km) motorway
Consumption (l/100 km) / CO2 Emissions (g/km) mixed
Fig. 183 Vehicle data
sticker – luggage
compartment
A1A2A3A4A5A6A7A8A9AAABAC
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General notes on the technical data 259
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the
front wheels.
Consult the chapter “wheels” of this manual.
Wheel bolts
After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel bolts
should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒. The tight-
ening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
•
Check the tyre pressure at least once per month. Correct tyre pressure
is very important. If the tyre pressure is too high or too low, there is an
increased danger of accidents, particularly at high speeds.
•
If the 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.Note
We recommend that you ask your Authorised Service Centre for information
about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.
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Technical Data
260Te 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
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil dipstick
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath the cover)
The checking and replenishment of the service fluids are carried out on the
components mentioned above. These operations are described in the
⇒ page 198. Overview
Further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the technical data are
contained as of
⇒page 255
Fig. 184 Diagram for the
location of the various
elements
A1A2A3A4A5A6
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