
Driving
134
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the starter motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.After starting a very hot engine, you may need to press the accelerator briefly.
When starting from cold, the engine ma y be a little noisy for the first few 
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators. 
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch off the starter after about 
10 seconds and try again after about half a minute. If the engine still does not 
start, the fuel pump fuse should be checked  ⇒page 213, “Fuses”.
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in un ventilated or closed rooms. The 
exhaust fumes contain carbon mono xide, an odourless and colourless 
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of 
consciousness. It can also cause death.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•
Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine 
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•
When the engine is cold, you should av oid high engine speeds, driving at 
full throttle and over-loading the  engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed for more than approximately 
50 metres to start the engine. Fuel could enter the catalytic converter and 
damage it.
•
Before attempting to push-start or tow  a vehicle to start it, you should first 
try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow the instruc-
tions  ⇒page 230, “Jump-starting”.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running th e engine with the vehicle stationary. 
You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine 
reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with 
the correct code.– Move the gear lever to the ne utral position and depress the 
clutch pedal fully and hold it in this position, the starter will then 
only have to turn the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.
– Turn the ignition key to position  ⇒page 132, fig. 100   . The 
indication lamp 
 will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the warning lamp goes out, turn the key to position   to  start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the starter  motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few 
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators. 
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If there are problems starting the engine, see  ⇒page 230.
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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle165
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Caution
•
Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is 
dry. Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could scratch 
the paintwork or glass on your vehicle.
•
Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: if the vehicle is rinsed with a 
hose, do not direct the water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around the 
doors, luggage compartment, or bonnet. Otherwise there is a risk of malfunc-
tion.For the sake of the environment
In the interests of environmental protection, the car should be washed only 
in specially provided wash bays. This prevents toxic, oil-laden waste water 
entering the sewerage system. In some districts, washing vehicles anywhere 
else may be prohibited.
Note
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.Washing the car with a high pressure cleaner
Be particularly careful when using a high pressure cleaner!– Always observe the instructions for the high-pressure cleaner,  particularly those concerning the  pressure and the spraying 
distance .
– Increase the spraying distance for soft materials and painted  bumpers. – Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from 
windows  ⇒page 166.
– Never use concentrated jet nozzles or so-called “dirt blasters”  ⇒ .
– If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the  vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes care-
fully several times  ⇒page 152.
WARNING
•
Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or cylindrical jet (“rotating 
nozzle”). Even at large spraying distances and short cleaning times, visible 
and invisible damage can occur to the tyres. This may cause an accident.
•
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes  may affect braking efficiency. Risk 
of accident.Caution
•
Do not use water hotter than 60
°C. This could damage the car.
•
To avoid damage to the vehicle, maintain a sufficient distance from sensi-
tive materials for example: flexible hoses,  plastic, sound proofing, etc. This is 
especially important for bumpers painte d in the same colour as the vehicle. 
The closer the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the wear on the material.
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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle169
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Underbody sealant
The underside of the vehicle is coated to protect it from corro-
sion and damage.The protective coating could be damaged when driving. We recommend that 
the protective coating under the body and on the running gear should be 
checked, and reinstated if necessary, before and after the winter season.
We recommend that repair work and additional anti-corrosion work is carried 
out by your Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, 
catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust system. The heat of 
the exhaust system or the engine could cause them to ignite! This is a fire 
hazard.Cleaning the engine compartment
Take special care when cleaning the engine compartment.Anti-corrosion treatment
The engine compartment and the surface of the power unit are given anti-
corrosion treatment at the factory.
Good corrosion protection is particularly important in winter when the car is 
frequently driven on salted roads. To  prevent the salt corroding the vehicle, 
the entire engine compartment should  be thoroughly cleaned before and 
after the salting period.
Your Authorised Service Centre  is able to provide the correct cleaning and 
preserving products and has the necessary equipment. For this reason, we 
recommend having this work performed by them. The anti-corrosion protection is usually removed if the engine compartment 
is cleaned with grease remo
ving solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned. 
If this job is carried out, you should ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and 
components in the engine compartmen t are given anti-corrosion treatment 
afterwards.
WARNING
•
When working in the engine compartm ent, always observe the safety 
warnings  ⇒page 180.
•
Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake firmly and always 
remove the key from the ignition before you open the bonnet.
•
Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.
•
Do not clean the underside of vehicle, wheel arches without protecting 
your hands and arms. You may cut your self on sharp-edged metal parts. 
Failure to comply could result in injury.
•
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes  may affect braking efficiency. Risk 
of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing 
the vehicle.
•
Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature-controlled and could 
start automatically, even when the key is removed from the ignition!For the sake of the environment
Fuel, grease and oil deposits could be removed when the engine is washed. 
The polluted water must be cleaned in an oil separator. For this reason, 
engine washing should be carried out only by a qualified workshop or a suit-
able filling station.
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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
Petrol additives
Petrol additives improve the quality of the petrol.The quality of the petrol influences running behaviour, performance and 
service life of the engine. For this reason you should use good quality petrol 
containing additives. These additives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the 
fuel system clean and prevent deposits from building up in the engine.
If good quality petrol with additives is  not available or engine problems occur, 
the required additives must  be added during refuelling.DieselDiesel*Diesel fuel must correspond to DIN EN 590 (EN = “European standard”). It 
must have a cetane number (CN) of at  least 51. The cetane number indicates 
the ignition quality of the diesel fuel.
Notes on filling with fuel  ⇒page 177.RME fuel*
Only those vehicles fitted with special equipment (number PR 
2G0 for biodiesel use) may use biodiesel corresponding to 
the standard DIN EN 14214.The biodiesel fuel must comply wit h the DIN EN 14.214 (FAME) Standard.•
Biodiesel is a methylester obtained from rapeseed oil.
•
DIN is a German abbreviation for “Deutsches  Institut für  Normung e.V.”, 
the German standards institute.
•
EN means  European  Norm.
•
FAME is the English abbreviation for “ Fatty  Acid  Methyl  Ester”
If the date sticker of the vehicle in cludes the number PR 2G0 optional equip-
ment) this means that that vehicle has been prepared for biodiesel use.
Your Authorised Service Centre or automobile association will be able to 
advise on where you can obtain RME biodiesel fuel.
Your Authorised Service Centre can also be consulted to know if the vehicle 
has been prepared for biodiesel use.
Things to note about RME fuel (biodiesel)
•
The performance of a vehicle using biodiesel maybe somewhat reduced.
•
Fuel consumption of a vehicle using biodiesel may be slightly higher.
•
RME fuel can be used in winter at  temperatures down to approx. -10°C.
•
At outside temperatures below -10° C, we recommend using winter diesel 
fuel.Caution
•
RME fuel can damage the fuel system in vehicles which are not suitably 
adjusted.
•
If you decide to use biodiesel in your vehicle, please use only RME fuel 
which is DIN E 14,214 compliant.
•
If you use biodiesel that does not me et the required standard, the fuel 
filter could become clogged.Note
•
In case of low exterior temperatures and a fuel biodiesel percentage of 
higher than 50%, an increase in gas emission may occur during operation of 
the independent heating.
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Checking and refilling levels
180•
The fuel filter may become clogged when fuel is changed to biodiesel. For 
this reason, we recommend that, about every 300 or 400 km, following a fuel 
change, also change the fuel filter. Also  note the instructions in the Inspec-
tion and Maintenance plan.
•
If the vehicle is to remain parked for more than about two weeks, we 
recommend filling the fuel tank with  biodiesel and driving about 50 km in 
order to avoid damage to the injection system.
Winter driving
Diesel can thicken in winter.Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, difficulties may be experienced at 
sub-zero temperatures because the fuel  thickens due to wax separation. For 
this reason, “winter-grade diesel fuel” is available in some countries during 
the cold months. It can be used  at temperatures as low as -22
°C.
In countries with different climatic conditions the diesel fuel sold generally 
has different temperature characteristics. Check with an Authorised Service 
Centre or filling stations in the country concerned regarding the type of diesel 
fuels available.
Filter pre-heater
Your vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter pre-heater, making it well equipped for 
operation in winter. This ensures that the fuel system remains operational to 
approx. -24
°C, provided you use winter-grade diesel which is safe to -15
°C.
However, if the fuel has waxed to such an extent that the engine will not start 
at temperatures of under -24
°C, simply place the vehicle in a warm place for 
a while.
Caution
Do not mix fuel additives (“thinners”, or similar additives) with diesel fuel.Working in the engine compartmentSafety instructions on working in the engine compartment
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the 
engine must be carried out cautiously.Before starting any work on the engine or in the engine compart-
ment:
1.  Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Apply the handbrake.
3.  Move the gear stick to neutral or the selector lever to position  P.
4.  Wait for the engine to cool down.
5.  Keep children away from the vehicle.
6. Raise the bonnet  ⇒page 182.You should not do any work in the engine compartment unless you know 
exactly how to carry out the jobs and have the correct tools! Have the work 
carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g.  coolant, engine oil, spark plugs and 
batteries, are being constantly developed . SEAT provides a constant flow of 
information to the Authorised Service  Centres concerning modifications. For 
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Checking and refilling levels183
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
If the bonnet does not close, do not pr
ess downwards. Open it once more and 
let it fall as before.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving and 
completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.•
After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The 
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.
•
If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is 
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly. Risk 
of accident.
Engine oilEngine oil specifications
The engine oil used must conform with exact specifications.Specifications
The engine comes with a special, high quality, multi grade oil that can be 
used in all seasons of the year except for those regions affected by extreme 
cold.
As the use of good quality oil is necessary for the correct operation and long 
service life of the engine, when it becomes necessary to replenish or change 
the oil, always use an oil that complies to the VW standards.
If it is not possible to find oil conforming to the VW standards then oil 
conforming to the ACEA or API standard s with an appropriate viscosity at 
atmospheric temperature should be used  instead. The use of this type of oil may have some repercussions on the performance of the engine for example, 
long starting time, increased consumption and a higher emission level.
If a top up is required then different oils may be mixed as long as they all 
conform to the VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should 
appear on the container of the service oil; the container will display together 
the different standards for petrol and diesel engines, the oil can be used for 
both types of engines.
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Checking and refilling levels
184Oil properties
Viscosity
The viscosity class of the oil is selected according to the diagram.
When the ambient temperature falls outside the limits of the scale for a short 
period, an oil change is not required.
Mono-grade oil
Single grade oils are generally not suitable for all year round use, due to 
ranges of viscosity
6). These oils are only useful in a climate 
that is constantly very cold or very 
warm.
Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed  with the engine oil. The deterioration 
caused by these additives is not covered by the warranty.
Fig. 126  Types of oil 
according to temperature
Engine type Specification
Petrol VW 501 01/ VW 502 00/ VW 504 00
Diesel VW 505 00/ VW 505 01/ VW 507 00/ VW 506 01
Diesel Injector Pump 
a)
a)Only use recommended oils, otherwise you may damage the engine.
VW 505 01/ VW 507 00/ VW 506 01
Diesel Injector Pump Motor 118 kW
a)
VW 506 01/ VW 507 00
Diesel Engines with Particulate filter (DPF)
a)
VW 507 00
6)Viscosity: oil density
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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
Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an engine oil that conforms to the 
corresponding VW specifications and keeping it in the vehicle. This way, the 
correct engine oil will always be available for a top-up if needed.Checking the engine oil level
The engine oil dipstick indicates the level of the oil.Checking oil level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Briefly run the engine at idle speed until the service temperature 
is reached then stop.
– Wait two minutes. – Pull out the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and 
insert it again, pushing it in as far as it will go.
– Then pull it out once more and check the oil level  ⇒fig. 127. Top 
up with engine oil if necessary.
Oil level in area 
- Do not add oil.
Oil level in area 
- Oil  can be topped up. The indi cated oil level should be  after the zone 
Oil level in area 
- Oil  must  be topped up. The indicated  oil level should be found, after, in zone 
Depending on how you drive and the conditions in which the car is used, oil 
consumption can be up to 0.5 L/1000 km. Oil consumption is likely to be 
higher for the first 5000 km. For this reason the engine  oil level must be 
checked at regular intervals, preferably when filling the tank and before a 
journey.
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 180.Caution
If the oil level is above the area   do not start the engine. This could result 
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact an Authorised 
Service Centre.
Fig. 127  Engine oil 
dipstick.
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