2009 Seat Altea XL coolant temperature

Trailer towing
196•
Find out whether special regulations apply to towing a trailer in your
country.
Ball coupling of towing bracket*Depending on the model version, the spherical head on the trailer hook may
be stored in the tool box.
The ball coupling is provided with in structions on fitting and removing the
ball coupling of the towing bracket.
WARNING
The towing bracket ball coupling must be stored securely in the luggage
compartment to prevent them being flung through the vehicle and causing
injury.
Note
•
By law, the ball coupling must be removed if a trailer is not being towed
and it obscures the number plate.
Driving tipsDriving with a trailer always requires extra care.Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slowly to allow
for the unbalanced weight distribution. Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed. For
this reason, it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed in
an unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This applies especially
when driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately 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 pr event 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 moni tor the temperature indicator for the
coolant ⇒page 53.
Electronic Stabilisation Program*
The ESP* system makes it easier to stabilise the trailer in case it skids or
swings.
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Checking and refilling levels213
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
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.
Therefore, “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 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 215.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 208. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a
hazardous area ⇒ .
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Checking and refilling levels
214
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the engine 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 remove the key from the ignition.
•
Apply the handbrake and move the gea r 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.
•
Avoid causing short-circuits in the electrical system, particularly at the
points where the jump leads are attached ⇒page 263. 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 belt s, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and
from the high-voltage ignition system. You should also observe the
following points:
−Never touch the electrical wiring 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!
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
216•
Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant is emitted from the bonnet,
then carefully open the bonnet.
•
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 213.
Closing the bonnet– Raise the bonnet slightly.
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its support.
– At a height of about 30 cm let it fall so it is locked.If the bonnet does not close, do not press 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 high quality oil is essential for the correct operation of the
engine and its long useful life, when topping up or replacement is necessary
use only those oils that conform to the requirements of the VW standards.
If it is not possible to find oil conforming to the VW standards then oil
conforming to the ACEA or API standards with an appropriate viscosity at
atmospheric temperature should be used in stead. 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.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
220•
Never pour oil down drains or into the ground.
•
Use a suitable container when draining the used oil. It has to be large
enough to hold all the engine oil
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 addi tive 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 th e cooling effect. A mixture with 60%
coolant additive will give frost protection to approx. -40
° C.
WARNING
•
The coolant additive is toxic. There is a toxic risk. 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 breakdown. 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 syst em 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.WARNING (continued)
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Index
288CCatalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Automatic speed dependent locking and un-locking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Locking system for invo luntary unlocking . . 93
Selective unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Central locking button Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Centre arm rest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Changing gear See Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Changing the lamps Main headlight lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Changing the main headlight lamps
dipped beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
main beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
turn signal lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Changing the r ear light lamps
Position light, fog light and rear light on the tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Changing the rear lights
Indicator, side and brake lights on the bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . 223
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 228
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Child seats on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Cleaning and caring for your vehicle . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Climatronic General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Cloth seat covers cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Controls
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Light switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220, 221 Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Coolant level warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Coolant Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Coolant temperature Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Cruise control* Turning off the cruise control system . . . . 182
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
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Index
292Overview
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73PPaintworkPolishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Parking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Parking system plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Parts replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Petrol engines, starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Physical principles of a frontal collision . . . . . . 20
Plastic key tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Plastic parts cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Pollen filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 199
RRadio frequency remote control Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Radio navigation Steering wheel controls audio + telephone version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
audio version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Radio wave remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Rain sensor* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Rear drink holder* Armrest* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Rear fog light Indication lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Rear interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Rear reading lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Rear window heating Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Rear-view mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Registration light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Remote control key Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Repairs
airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Reverse gear Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Roll-back function Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Roof carrier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Roof stowage compartment* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Running in Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
SSafe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructionsCoolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Disabling front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . 44
frontal airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
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