2010 Seat Altea Freetrack service interval

Cockpit59
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Stop the car and switch off the engine.
Check the coolant level ⇒page 220
⇒ .
Even if the coolant level is correct do not continue driving. You should obtain
technical assistance.
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety warn-
ings ⇒page 213.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.Rev counter
The rev. counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per
minute.The start of the red zone ⇒page 57, fig. 33 indicates the maximum
engine speed operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to
change up a into a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot
off the accelerator before the needle reaches the red zone.
Caution
The rev counter needle must never enter the red zone on the scale. Risk of
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears early will help you to save fuel and minimise
engine noise.SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip counter, in
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on ⇒page 190 should
be followed.Setting the digital clock*
The digital clock is located in the dash panel display.– Turn the setting knob ⇒page 57, fig. 33 clockwise until the
first “click” to set the hour. The hour will flash. To change the
hour, press the button.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the second “click” to set the minutes. The minutes will flash. To change the minutes, press the
button.
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Cockpit
60Digital display in the dash panelDisplay (without warning or information texts)
The display in the dash panel shows, amongst other things,
the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector lever
position.
Digital clock display ⇒page 59. On the right of the display: Selector
lever position display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of
the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic)* is high-
lighted.
Ambient temperature.
Distance display or flexible service interval display*.
Displayed categories*
The display on the dash panel shows the mileage and trip
recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Clock: “Setting the time”. On the right of the display: Selector lever posi-
tion display for the automatic gearbox*. The actual position of the
selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic) are high-
lighted.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
– Optional indicators: e.g. those on the multi-function display (MFD)
– Automatic indicators: Information texts and warnings.
– Menus providing further information and which can be used to make diverse settings are also shown: “Dash panel menus”
Ambient temperature:
Distance display or flexible service interval display.
F ig. 36 Detail of th e dash
panel insert: screen with
different indicators
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Fig. 37 Digital display in
the dash panel
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Cockpit61
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Recommended gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should
change up or down.Mileage display or Service Interval DisplayDistance display
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter registers the short journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding down
the reset button ⇒page 57, fig. 33 for a few seconds. Service interval display
A
Service pre-warning will appear in the mileage displays if a service is due
soon. A “spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance
that can be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will
change after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the
number of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The
following message is shown in the dash panel display: SERV. IN ... KM OR ...
DAYS . The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds after
the ignition is switched on or the engine is running. The normal display can
be resumed by pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by pressing the
rocker switch of the MFI ⇒page 62, fig. 39 .
With the ignition switched on, you can call up the current service message by
pressing the trip counter reset knob for 2 seconds.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or day
information.
Fig. 38 Gear display
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Lights and visibility
124•When the “intermittent wipe function” is on, the intervals are directly
proportional to the speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed the shorter
the intervals.•The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the
obstacle and switch the wiper back on again.•Before removing any objects that may be trapped in the side areas of the
windscreen, always move the wiper arms to the service position (horizontal).•The heat output of the heated jets is controlled automatically when the
ignition is switched on, depending upon the outside temperature.Rain sensor*
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen
wiper intervals, depending on the amount of rain.
Switching on the rain sensor
– Move the windscreen wiper lever into position ⇒ fig. 87
– Move the control to the left or right to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor. Control to the right: highly sensitive. Control to the
left: less sensitive.The rain sensor is part of the interval wipe function. You will have to switch
the rain sensor back on if you switch off the ignition. This is done by switching
the wiper intermittent function off and back on.
Note
•Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause sensor disruption or faults.
Fig. 86 Rain sensor*
Fig. 87 Windscreen wiper
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
162When the button is off (LED off), the heating, ventilation and air condi-
tioning system is off.
When the button is off, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning
system is switched off to save fuel. The temperature continues to self-regu-
late. The set temperature can then only be reached if it is higher than the
ambient temperature.
Driver and passenger temperature control
The button controls the synchronisation of the 2 Climatronic climate
zones.
When the button is on (LED lit), the climate zone of the Climatronic is
personalised, for example: Driver side temperature 22°C and passenger side
temperature 23°C.
When the button is off (LED off), the climate zone of the Climatronic is
synchronised, for example: Driver side temperature 22°C and passenger side
temperature 22°C.
If the button is off and the passenger side temperature is changed, the
function is automatically activated.Air recirculation mode
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells
from coming from the outside.–Press the button ⇒page 161, fig. 134 to switch air recir-
culation mode on or off. It is switched on if the following symbol
appears in the display
.
Air recirculation mode prevents strong odours in the ambient air from
entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in
a traffic jam. With low temperatures outside, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by heating the air inside the passenger compart-
ment rather than the air from outside.
With high ambient temperatures, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the air conditioning system by cooling the air inside the passenger
compartment rather than the ambient air.
If the windscreen air output is on and the air recirculation mode is pressed,
this remains active. When the recirculation mode is on, if the air distribution
towards the windscreen mode is selected, the recirculation mode is deacti-
vated. For safety reasons, the air recirculation mode should not be
connected.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehicle
interior. If the air conditioning system is switched off, the windows can
quickly mist over. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode
switched on for a long time (risk of accident).General notesThe impurity filter
The impurity filter (a combined particle filter and active carbon filter) serves
as a barrier against impurities in the ambient air, including dust and pollen.
For the air conditioning system to work with maximum efficiency, the pollen
filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Service Schedule.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas reaching very high
pollution levels, the pollen filter must be changed more frequently than
stated in the Service Schedule.
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DUAL
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Intelligent technology189
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
and prolongs the service life of the brakes. If you still have to use the brakes,
it is better to brake firmly at intervals than to apply the brakes continuously.
Note
•If the brake servo is not functioning due to a malfunction, or if the vehicle
has to be towed, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably harder
to make up for the lack of servo assistance.•If you wish to equip the car with accessories such as a front spoiler or
wheel covers, it is important that the flow of air to the front wheels is not
obstructed, otherwise the brakes can overheat.Power steering (servotronic*)
The power steering assists the driver when turning the
steering wheel (with the engine running).The power steering assists the driver by reducing the force needed to turn the
steering wheel. In cars equipped with servotronic* power steering the degree
of power assistance is regulated electronically according to road speed.
The power steering will keep on working even if the servotronic* device fails.
The degree of power assistance will, however, no longer adapt to different
speeds. If the electronic regulating system is not working properly, this is
most noticeable when turning the steering wheel at low speeds (for instance
when parking) – more effort will be required than usual. The fault should be
corrected by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
The power steering does not work if the engine is off. In this case the steering
wheel is very hard to turn.
If the steering is held at its turning limit when the car is stationary, this will
place an excessive load on the power steering system. Turning the steering
wheel to its limit places a load on the system, which causes noise. It will also
reduce the idling speed of the engine.
Caution
When the engine is running, do not turn the steering wheel to its limit for
more than 15 seconds. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the power
steering.
Note
•If the power steering should fail at any time or the engine is switched off
(for instance when being towed), the car can still be steered. However, more
effort will be required to turn the steering wheel.•If the system is leaking or malfunctioning, please take the car to a quali-
fied workshop as soon as possible.•The power steering requires a special hydraulic fluid. The container is
located in the engine compartment (front left). The correct fluid level in the
reservoir is important for the power steering to function properly. The
hydraulic fluid level is checked at the Inspection Service.
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Trailer towing195
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Trailer towingInstructions to followYour 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 197.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 12-pin connector 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.
When possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted draw bar
weight on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified
limit. The figures for
trailer weights and draw bar weights that are given on the
data plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The
correct figures for your specific model, which may be lower than these figures
for the towing bracket, are given in the registration documents ⇒Section
“Technical data”.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the axle as
possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to prevent them
moving.
Tyre pressure
Set tyre pressure to the maximum permissible pressure shown on the sticker
on the inside of the fuel tank flap. Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the
standard mirrors. If this is not the case, you should have additional mirrors
fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on hinged extension
brackets. Adjust the mirrors to give sufficient vision to the rear.
WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could result in fatal accidents.
Note
•Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. We recom-
mend additional services between the normal inspection intervals if the
vehicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
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Checking and refilling levels
218
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 ⇒page 217,
fig. 158 . 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 indicated oil level should be after zone
Oil level in area
–Oil must be topped up. The indica ted oil level should be 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/1,000 km. Oil consumption is likely to be
higher for the first 5,000 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 compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒page 213.
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.Topping up engine oil


Top up gradually with small quantities of oil.
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 213.
– Unscrew cap from oil filler opening ⇒fig. 159.
– Top-up oil in small amounts, using the correct oil.
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Fig. 159 In the engine
compartment: Engine oil
filler cap
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