
Driving and the environment
156Foresight when drivingA vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. If you  think ahead when driving, 
you will need to brake less and thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, take 
advantage of your vehicle inertia, for instance when you see that the next 
traffic light is red.Regular servicesBy taking your car to an Authorised Service Centre for regular servicing you 
can establish a basis for good fuel economy  before you start driving. A well-
serviced engine give s you the benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as 
maximum reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
Check the  oil level every time you fill the tank  ⇒page 186. Oil consumption 
depends to a great extent on the engine load and engine speed. Depending 
on your personal driving style, oil co nsumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000 
km.
Avoid short journeysThe engine and catalytic converter need to reach their proper  working 
temperature  in order to minimise fuel consumption and emissions.
Directly after a cold start, the engine  uses about 50-70 litres of fuel per 100 
km. This figure then drops to 20-30 li tres per 100 km after about one kilo-
metre. The engine only reaches its working temperature after about  four kilo-
metres, when fuel consumption will return to a normal level. You should 
therefore avoid short journeys.
The ambient temperature  has a decisive influence.
The illustration shows the different rates of fuel consumption for the same 
distance at both +20°C and  -10°C. Your vehicle will use more fuel in winter 
than in summer.
Fig. 108  Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km at 
two different ambient 
temperatures
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Driving and the environment161
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Covering Xenon headlamps for driving on the right*On the right headlight, if you are changing from driving on the left-hand side 
to the right-hand side. On the left headlight, if you are changing from driving on the left-hand side to 
the right-hand side.
Trailer towingWhat do you need to bear in mind when towing a trailer?Your vehicle may be used to tow a trailer when fitted with the correct equip-
ment.
If the car is supplied with a 
factory-fitted towing bracket it will already have 
the necessary technical modifications and meet the statutory requirements 
for towing a trailer. For the  after-market fitting of a trailer towing bracket see 
⇒ page 176.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 12-pin co nnector for the electrical connection 
between the trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a  7-pin plug you will need to use an adapter cable. This is 
available in any SEAT dealer.
Trailer weight / draw bar loading
Never exceed the authorised towing limit. If you do not load the trailer up to 
the maximum permitted trailer weight , you can then climb correspondingly 
steeper slopes.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for  altitudes up to 
1,000 m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine power and 
therefore the vehicle's climbing ability are impaired because of the reduced 
air density. The maximum trailer weight has to be reduced accordingly. The 
weight of the vehicle and trailer combination must be reduced by 10% for 
every further 1,000 m (or part thereof).  The gross combination weight is the 
actual weight of the laden vehicle plus the actual weight of the laden trailer. 
Fig. 119  Right headlightFig. 120  Left headlight
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Driving and the environment163
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
an unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This applies especially 
when driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediat
ely if the trailer shows the slightest 
sign of  snaking . Never try to stop the “snaking” by increasing speed.
Always brake in due course. If the trailer has an  overrun brake, apply the 
brakes  gently at first  and then, firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can be 
caused by the trailer wheels locking. Se lect a low gear in due course before 
going down a steep downhill. This enables you to use the engine braking to 
slow down the vehicle.
Reheating
At very high temperatures and during prolonged ascents, driving in a low gear 
and high engine speed, always monitor the temperature indicator for the 
coolant  ⇒page 49.
Electronic Stabilisation Program*
The ESP* system helps to stabilise the trailer in case of skiding or rocking.
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Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning
164Your vehicle maintenance and cleaningGeneral notesRegular washing and care help maintain the value of your 
vehicle.Your vehicle maintenance
Regular care and washing help to  maintain the value of the vehicle. This may 
also be one of the requirements for  acknowledging warranty claims in the 
event of bodywork corrosion or paint defects.
The best way to protect the car against environmental contaminants is to 
wash and wax it frequently . The longer substances such as insects remains, 
bird droppings, resinous tree sap, road dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or 
road salt and other aggressive material s remain on the vehicle, the more 
damage they do to the paintwork. High  temperatures (for instance in strong 
sunlight) further intensify the corrosive effect.
After winter, a period when salt is put on the roads, it is important to have the 
underside  of the vehicle washed thoroughly.
Products for vehicle maintenance
Car care products are available in your  Authorised Service Centre. Keep the 
product instructions until you have used them up.
WARNING
•
Car care products can be toxic. For this, they must always be kept 
closed in their original container. Keep them out of the reach of children. 
Failure to comply could result in poisoning.
•
Always read and observe the instructions and warnings on the package 
before using car care products. Improper use could damage your health or  your vehicle. The use of certain products may produce noxious vapours; 
they should be used in well ventilated areas.
•
Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other 
volatile fluids. These are toxic and highly flammable. Risk of fire and explo-
sion.
•
Before washing your vehicle, or carrying out any maintenance, switch 
the engine off, apply your handbrake firmly and remove the key from the 
ignition.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 clea ning purposes. This could damage the 
paintwork or the windows of your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with plenty 
of water.
For the sake of the environment
•
When purchasing products for your ve hicle maintenance, select the ones 
which are not harmful  to the environment.
•
The leftovers of the car care products should not be disposed of with ordi-
nary household waste. Observe the disposal information on the package.WARNING (continued)
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Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning
170Underbody maintenance
The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it from chemical 
and mechanical damage.The protective coating can be damage d when driving. We recommend you to 
ckeck the protective coating under the body and on the running gear, and 
reinstated if necessary, before and after the winter season.
We recommend you to go to your Authorised Service Centre to carry out repair 
work and additional anti-corrosion work.
WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corros ion coatings to the exhaust pipes, 
catalytic converter or the heat shield s on the exhaust system. The heat of 
the exhaust system or the engine could cause them to ignite! 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 particularl y 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 winter.
Your Authorised Service Centre  has got the necessary equipment to provide 
the correct cleaning and preserving products. 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 removing solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned. 
On commissioning theis work, ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and 
components in the engine compartmen
t are given anti-corrosion treatment.
WARNING
•
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety 
warnings  ⇒page 181.
•
Before opening the bonnet, switch the engine off, apply the parking 
brake firmly and always remove the key from the ignition.
•
Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.
•
Do not clean the vehicle underbody, 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. Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking.
•
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 petrol 
station.
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Checking and refilling levels179
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
−
Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as 
possible.
− If the spare fuel canister is made of metal, the filling nozzle must be 
in contact with the canister during filling. This helps prevent an electro-
static charge building up.
− Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the luggage compartment. Fuel 
vapours are explosive. Danger of death.
Caution
•
Fuel spills should be removed from the paintwork immediately.
•
Never run the tank completely dry.  An irregular fuel supply could cause 
misfiring. As a result, unburnt fuel co uld enter the catalytic converter and 
cause damage.For the sake of the environment
Do not try to put in more fuel after the automatic filler nozzle has switched off; 
this may cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm.PetrolPetrol types
The correct petrol types are listed on a sticker inside the fuel 
tank flap.Only  unleaded petrol, corresponding to the standard DIN EN 228 , may be 
used for vehicles with catalytic conv erters (EN = “European Standard”). Fuel types are differentiated by the 
octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON (RON 
= “Regulation Octane Number, unit for  determining the knock resistance of 
petrol”). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one recom-
mended for your engine. However, this  has no advantage in terms of fuel 
consumption and engine power.
Caution
•
Even one tankful of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency 
of the catalytic converter.
•
High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using 
petrol with an octane rating lower than  the correct grade for the engine.For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the 
catalytic converter.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.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels181
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
In countries with different climatic conditions the diesel fuel generally sold 
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 183.
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 
this reason, we recommend you to have service fluids and consumables 
replaced by an Authorised Service Centre. Please observe the relevant 
instructions  ⇒page 173. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a 
hazardous area ⇒ .
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the en gine compartment, e.g. checking and 
refilling fluids, involves the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk 
of accident or fire.•
Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment. Otherwise, there is a risk of sustaining 
burns. Wait until no more steam or coolant is emitted, then allow the 
engine to cool before carefully opening the bonnet.
•
Switch off the engine and remo ve the key from the ignition.
•
Apply the handbrake and move the gear stick to neutral or selector 
lever to position P.
•
Keep children away from the vehicle.
•
Never touch hot engine parts. There is a risk of burns.
•
Never spill liquids on a hot engine or on a hot exhaust gas system. This 
is a fire hazard.
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Checking and refilling levels
182•
Avoid causing short-circuits in the electrical system, particularly at the 
points where the jump leads are attached  ⇒page 227. The battery could 
explode.
•
Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and could 
start automatically, even when the engine has been switched off and the 
key removed from the ignition!
•
Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot. 
If the coolant is hot, the cooling system will be pressurised!
•
Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large, thick 
cloth to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
•
Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cleaning cloths 
and tools, in the engine compartment.
•
If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable 
stands additionally to support the vehicle,  there is a risk of accident!. A 
hydraulic jack is insufficient for securing the vehicle and there is a risk of 
injury.
•
If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with the 
engine running, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk from the 
rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and 
from the high-voltage ignition syst em. You should also observe the 
following points:
−Never touch the electrical wiri ng of the ignition system.
− Ensure that jewellery, loose clothing and long hair do not get 
trapped in rotating engine parts. Danger of death. Before starting any 
work remove jewellery, tie back and cover hair, and wear tight-fitting 
clothes.
− Always think carefully about pressing the accelerator if a gear is 
engaged in either an automatic or manual gearbox. The vehicle could 
move, even if the handbrake is applied. Danger of death.
•
If work has to be carried out on the fuel system or on electrical compo-
nents, you must observe the following safety notes in addition to the above 
warnings:
−Always disconnect the battery. The vehicle must be unlocked when 
this is done, otherwise the alarm will be triggered.
− Do not smoke.
− Never work near naked flames.
− Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.Caution
When changing or topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that you 
fill the fluids into the correct reservoirs. Failure to observe this point will result 
in serious malfunctions and engine damage!
For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to th e environment. For this reason you 
should make regular checks on the ground underneath your vehicle. If you 
find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a qualified 
workshop.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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