Checking and refilling levels297
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Fuel
Introduction
You will find a factory-fitted sticker containing information on the type of fuel
for your vehicle on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
Additional information and warnings:
x ŸBooklet “Maintenance Programme”
xRefuelling Ÿpage 293
xEngine and exhaust system management Ÿpage 255
WARNING
Refuelling or handling fuel carelessly can cause an explosion or fire
resulting in serious burns and injuries.
xFuel is a highly explosive, easily flammable substance.
xObserve current safety instructions and local regulations concerning
the handling of fuel.
Types of fuel
The type of fuel to use when refilling will depend on the vehicle's engine. You
will find a factory-fitted sticker containing information on the type of fuel for
your vehicle on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
SEAT recommends the use of sulphur-free or low sulphur fuel to reduce
consumption and prevent engine damage.
Petrol
Petrol types
Vehicles with petrol engines must refuel using unleaded petrol according to
European norm EN 228 Ÿ.
Petrol types are categorised according to their octane number (e.g. 91, 95, 98
or 99 RON (RON = “Research Octane Number”). You may use petrol with a
high octane number than the one recommended for your engine. However,
this has no advantage in terms of fuel consumption and engine power.
SEAT recommends refuelling with a low sulphur content or sulphur-free petrol
to reduce petrol consumption for petrol engines.
Petrol additives
The quality of the fuel influences running behaviour, performance and service
life of the engine. For this reason, you should use good quality petrol
containing a mixture of additives. These additives will help to prevent corro-
sion, keep the fuel system clean and prevent deposits from building up in the
engine.
Possible types of
fuelAlternative namesFurther information
91a) RON
a)RON = Regulation Octane Number
Normal petrol, normal
unleaded petrol
Ÿpage 29795a) RONPremium unleaded petrol (95
RON)
98a) RONPremium unleaded petrol (98
RON)
Diesel Ÿpage 298
Checking and refilling levels 298
If good quality petrol with additives is not available or engine problems arise,
the necessary additives must be added when refuelling.
Not all petrol additives have been shown to be effective. The use of unsuit-
able petrol additives could damage the engine. These additives are available
from qualified workshops, who will inform you of their application.
Caution
xOnly use fuel with an octane rating that is in line with the norm EN 228,
otherwise significant damage could be caused to the engine and fuel system.
Furthermore, it could lead to a loss of performance with the consequent
engine fault.
xThe use of unsuitable petrol additives could damage the engine.
xIf, in exceptional circumstances, petrol with a lower octane rating to that
recommended is used, only use moderate engine speeds and a light throttle.
Avoid using full throttle and overloading the engine. Otherwise you may
damage the engine. Fill up with fuel of a suitable octane rating as soon as
possible.
xDo not refuel if the filler indicates that the fuel contains metal. LRP (lead
replacement petrol) fuels also contain high concentrations of metal addi-
tives. This could damage the engine!
xJust one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of
the catalytic converter and could damage it.
Diesel
Diesel fuel
Diesel fuel must correspond to European standard EN 590 (In Germany, EN
590 or DIN 51628).
The use of diesel fuel with a high sulphur percentage requires shorter service
intervals ŸBooklet “Maintenance Programme” Ÿ. Your qualified work-shop will be able to tell you which countries have diesel with a high sulphur
content.
Do not mix fuel additives (thinners, or similar additives) with diesel fuel.
Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, difficulties may be experienced at
temperatures below 0 °C (+32 °F) because the fuel thickens due to wax sepa-
ration. For this reason, “winter-grade diesel fuel” is available in Germany, for
example, during the cold months. It can be used at temperatures as low as
-20 °C (-4 °F).
In countries with different climatic conditions, other types of diesel fuel are
available that are suitable to local temperatures. SEAT qualified workshops
and filling stations in the country concerned will inform you on the type of
diesel fuels available.
A cold diesel engine makes more noise during winter temperatures than
summer temperatures. Furthermore, the exhaust fumes may turn slightly
bluish while the engine is heating. The quantity of exhaust gases will depend
on the outside temperature.
Filter pre-heater
Vehicles with a diesel engine are fitted with a fuel filter pre-heater. This
ensures that the fuel system remains operational to approx. -24 °C (-11.2 °F),
provided you use winter-grade diesel which is safe to -15 °C (+5.00 °F).
However, if the fuel has waxed to such an extent that the engine will not start
at temperatures of under -24 °C (-11.2 °F), simply place the vehicle in a warm
garage or workshop for a while to heat up.
Auxiliary heater
Vehicles with a diesel engine may be fitted with an auxiliary heater. The
heater runs off the fuel from the fuel tank. On doing so, smells and steam may
be noticed outside the vehicle for a short period. This is normal and it is not
an indication of a fault in the vehicle.