2010 Seat Altea engine coolant

Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning159
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Use the air distribution control to guide the flow of air in the
required direction: (to the windscreen), (to the upper
body), (to the foot well) and (to the windscreen and to the
foot well).Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Air conditioner
When the air conditioning system is switched on, not only the temperature,
but also the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves comfort for the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows when
the ambient air humidity is high.
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on this may be caused by
the following reasons:
•The engine may not be running.•The blower is switched off.•The outside temperature is below +3°C.•The air conditioning system compressor has been temporarily switched
off because the engine coolant temperature is too high.•The air conditioning fuse is faulty.•Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a qual-
ified workshop.
Air recirculation mode
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells from coming from the outside.





Fig. 129 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
166Air conditioner
When the air conditioning system is switched on, not only the temperature,
but also the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves
comfort for the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows when
the ambient air humidity is high.
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on this may be caused by
the following reasons:•The engine is not running.•The button is disconnected.•The outside temperature is below +3°C.•The air conditioning system compressor has been temporarily switched
off because the engine coolant temperature is too high.•The air conditioning fuse is faulty.•Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a qual-
ified workshop.Caution
•If you suspect that the air conditioning is damaged, switch it off with the button to prevent further damage and have it checked by a qualified
workshop.•Repairs to the air conditioning system require specialist knowledge and
special tools. Therefore, we recommend you to take the vehicle to a qualified
workshop.Note
•If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensa-
tion can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and so forming a puddle
underneath the vehicle. This is completely normal and there is no need to
suspect a leak.
•Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and
leaves to ensure heating and cooling are not impaired, and to prevent the
windows from misting over.•The air from the vents flows through the passenger compartment and is
extracted by slots designed for this purpose. Therefore, do not cover these
slots with items of clothing or other objects.•The air conditioning system operates most effectively with the windows
and the sliding/tilting roof* closed. However, if the vehicle has been over-
heated by sun, the air inside can be cooled quicklier by opening the windows
for a short time.•Do not smoke while air recirculation mode is on, as smoke drawn into the
air conditioning system leaves a residue on the evaporator, producing a
permanent unpleasant odour.•It is advisable to connect the air conditioning at least once a month, to
lubricate the system gaskets and prevent leaks. If a decrease in the cooling
capacity is detected, an Authorised Service Centre should be consulted to
check the system.
AC
AC
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Driving
172
WARNING
•Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, 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 avoid high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.•The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.•Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow
the instructions ⇒ page 275, “Jump-starting”.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the 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.Switching the engine off– Stop the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 169, fig. 137 .
After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10
minutes. It is also possible that the fan turns itself on once more if the coolant
temperature increases due to the heat accumulated in the engine compart-
ment or due to its prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
WARNING
•Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is completely stationary.•The brake servo works only when the engine is running. With the
engine switched off, more strength is needed to brake. As normal brake
operation cannot be performed, risk of accidents and serious injury may
exist.•The steering lock can be immediately blocked once the key is removed
from the ignition lock. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.Caution
If the engine has been driven hard for a long period, the engine could over-
heat when it is switched off. Risk of engine damage. For this reason, you
should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you switch it off.
A0
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Driving173
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Driving with LPG*
switch.
Wa rning light OFF – Running on petrol
Wa rning light ON – Running on LPG
Your SEAT vehicle has a bivalent engine able to run on either LPG or petrol.
The LPG tank ⇒page 221, “Refuelling with LPG” is in the spare wheel well
⇒ .
It is possible to change from LPG to petrol while the engine is running, even
if the vehicle is moving, by pressing the button ⇒fig. 138 . The
selected operating mode is shown by the lights OFF (running on petrol)
and ON (running on LPG).
Starting the engine
The engine is always started with petrol, even when LPG was being used
when it was switched off. Automatic switch from petrol to LPG
After checking, the system automatically switches from petrol to LPG
provided the following conditions are met:
•There is enough LPG in the tank.•The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30°C.•Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.•The button is pressed and the warning light ON
is flashing or
the engine was using LPG when it was switched off.
When these conditions are met, the system switches to LPG mode and the ON
lamp is lit .
Automatic switch from LPG to petrol
The system automatically switches from LPG to petrol in the following cases:•When the engine is started.•If the LPG tank is empty.
Fig. 138 Centre console: gas system control warning
lights and switch.
A1
GAS
A2A3
GAS
A1
A2
A3
GAS
A1
A3
A3
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Driving
174•If there is a fault in the LPG system.•At very low temperatures below minus 10°C.
Manual switch from petrol to LPG
Press the GAS button to switch modes. When the necessary conditions are
met, the system switches to LPG mode and the ON lamp is lit. If the ON
lamp flashes, the following conditions have not been met:•There is enough LPG in the tank.•The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30°C.•Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
When these conditions are met, the system switches to LPG mode and the ON
lamp is lit .
Manual switch from LPG to petrol
Press the button to switch modes. When the OFF lamp is lit, the
vehicle is running on petrol.
Running on petrol
Run the engine with petrol for short journeys at regular intervals to avoid
problems in the petrol system.WARNING
LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause severe
burns and other injury.•Due care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire or explosion.•When parking the vehicle in a closed area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechanical,
to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Note
•If frequent short journeys are made, especially when the outside temper-
ature is low, the vehicle will tend to run on petrol more often than on LPG.
Therefore, the petrol tank may empty before the LPG tank.Start-Stop function*Description and operationThe Start-Stop function stops the engine when the vehicle is
stopped and starts it automatically when required.
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it in neutral and release the clutch pedal. The engine will stop.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed, the engine starts again.
– The instrument panel screen displays information about the status of the Start-Stop function ⇒page 176, fig. 140 .Start-Stop function conditions•The driver's seat belt must be buckled.•The engine hood must be closed.•The engine must be at operating temperature•The steering wheel must be straight.•The vehicle must be on flat ground.•The vehicle must not be in reverse.•A trailer must not be connected.
A1
A3
A3A3GAS
A1
A2
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Driving175
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
•The temperature of the passenger compartment must be within the
convenience limits (button ⇒page 164, fig. 133 should be selected).•The windscreen de-mist function must be off.•If not , it requires an increase in airflow ⇒page 164, fig. 133 for more
than three presses.•Either of the temperature settings, HI or LO must not be set.•The driver's door must be closed.•The diesel particulate filter must not be in regeneration mode, for diesel
engines.•The battery charge must not be low for the next start.•The battery temperature must be between -1°C and 55°C.•The parking assistant, Park Assist* must not be activated.
Interrupting the Start-Stop function
In the following situations, the Start-Stop function will be interrupted and the
engine will automatically start:•The vehicle is moving.•The brake pedal is pressed several times in a row.•The battery has been discharged excessively.•The Start-Stop System has been manually deactivated.•The windscreen de-mist function is turned on.•The temperature of the passenger compartment exceeds the convenience
limits (button ⇒page 164, fig. 133 should be selected).•If in an increase in airflow ⇒page 164, fig. 133 is required for more
than three presses.•Either of the temperature settings, HI or LO, is selected.•The engine coolant temperature is insufficient.•The alternator is faulty, for example the V-belt has ruptured.•If any of the conditions described in the previous section are not fulfilled.
WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the engine off for any reason. You
could lose control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and serious
injury.•The brake servo does not work when the engine is not running. You
need more force to stop the vehicle.•Power assisted steering does not work when the engine is not running.
That is why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.Note
•For vehicles with the Start-Stop function and a manual gearbox, when the
engine is started, the clutch must be pressed.•When the conditions for the Start-Stop function are not fulfilled, the dash
panel displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.•The vehicle can be restarted by rotating the steering wheel three times,
that is, more than 270°.
ACA11
A10
ACA11
A10
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Trailer towing
206•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 instructions 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 prevent the jerking that can be
caused by the trailer wheels locking. Select 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 55.
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 levels
226Winter 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 228.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 218. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a
hazardous area ⇒.
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