Page 226 of 312

Checking and refilling levels
224Brake 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 brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment diagram ⇒ page 275. 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 72.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 211.Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Program indicates the brake fluid change
intervals.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 211 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.
It is important that you use only 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. 173 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 224 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Page 233 of 312

Wheels and tyres231
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable
to change them around as shown
⇒page 230, fig. 175 . 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.
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.Anti-puncture tyres
Anti-puncture tyres allow you to continue driving even with a
punctured tyre, in the majority of cases.Vehicles equipped with anti-puncture
22)
tyres from the factory indi-
cate the loss of tyre pressure on the instrument panel.
Driving with anti-puncture tyres (emergency gear)
– Leave the ESP/TCS (electronic stability program) on, or switch it on ⇒page 183.
– Continue driving carefully and slowly (80 km/h maximum).
– Avoid sudden manoeuvres and sharp turns.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (for example kerbs) or potholes.
– Look out for the ESP/TCS intervening often, smoke coming from the tyres or the smell of rubber, the vehicle vibrating or a clat-
tering noise. If any of these occur, stop the vehicle.
The anti-puncture tyres have a tag on the side of the tyre, with the description:
“DSST”, “Eufonia”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
The sides of this type of tyre are reinforced. When the tyres lose air they are
supported on the sides (emergency driving).22)According to version and country.
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 231 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Page 236 of 312

Wheels and tyres
234Wheel 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 204.
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
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 torque of the wheel bolts is to o 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 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 232, “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 232, “New tyres and wheels”.
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 234 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Page 279 of 312
Technical Data277
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Engine oil capacity
Petrol engine 1.6 75 kW (102 bhp)General engine data
Performance figures
Weights
Approximate engine oil capacity with oil filter change
2.8 litres
Power output in kW (bhp) rpm 75 (102)/ 5600
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 148/ 3800
No. of cylinders, capacity in cm
3
4/ 1595
Compression 10,5 ± 0,5
Fuel Premium unleaded 95 RON or regular unleaded 91 RON
a)
a)With a slight power lossMaximum speedin km/h 181
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 8,7
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 13,0
Gross vehicle weight in kg 1979
Weight in working order (with driver) in kg 1434
Gross axle weight, front in kg 971
Gross axle weight, rear in kg 1025
Permitted roof load in kg 75
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 277 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Page 280 of 312
Technical Data
278Trailer weights
Engine oil capacityPetrol engine 1.8 118 kW (160 bhp)General engine data
Performance figures With no brakes, gradients up to 12%
710
With brakes, gradients up to 12% 1200
Engine oil capacity with oil filter change. 4.1 litres
Power output in kW (bhp) rpm 118 (160)/ 5000-6200
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 250/ 1500-4200
No. of cylinders, capacity in cm
3
4/ 1798
Compression 9,8-0,5
Fuel Premium unleaded, 95 RON
Maximum speed in km/h 210
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 6,0
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 8,6
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 278 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Page 281 of 312
Technical Data279
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Weights
Trailer weights
Engine oil capacity
Petrol engine 2.0 110 kW (150 bhp)General engine data
Gross vehicle weight
in kg 2094
Weight in working order (with driver) in kg 1549
Gross axle weight, front in kg 1068
Gross axle weight, rear in kg 1043
Permitted roof load in kg 75
With no brakes, gradients up to 12% 750
With brakes, gradients up to 12% 1400
Engine oil capacity with oil filter change. 4.6 litres
Power output in kW (bhp) rpm 110 (150)/ 6000
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 200/ 3500
No. of cylinders, capacity in cm
3
4/ 1984
Compression 11,5-0,5
Fuel Super Plus unleaded 98 RON or Premium unleaded 95 RON
a)
a)With a slight power loss
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 279 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Page 282 of 312
Technical Data
280Performance figures
Weights
Trailer weights
Engine oil capacity Maximum speed
in km/h 206
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 6,6
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 9,8
Gross vehicle weight in kg 2034
Weight in working order (with driver) in kg 1489
Gross axle weight, front in kg 1022
Gross axle weight, rear in kg 1029
Permitted roof load in kg 75
With no brakes, gradients up to 12% 740
With brakes, gradients up to 12% 1400
Approximate engine oil capacity with oil filter change 4.6 litres
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 280 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Page 284 of 312
Technical Data
282Engine oil capacityPetrol engine 2.0 litre 147 kW (200 hp).General engine data
Performance figures
Weights Approximate engine oil capacity with oil filter change
4.6 litres
Power output in kW (bhp) rpm 147 (200)/ 5100 - 6000
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 280/ 1800-5000
No. of cylinders, capacity in cm
3
4/ 1984
Compression 10,3-0,5
Fuel Super Plus unleaded 98 RON or Premium unleaded 95 RON
a)
a)With a slight power lossMaximum speed in km/h 220
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 5,4
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 7,7
Gross vehicle weight in kg 1960
Weight in working order (with driver) in kg 1507
Gross axle weight, front in kg 1082
Gross axle weight, rear in kg 1014
Permitted roof load in kg 75
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 282 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12