
Driving and the environment203
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
during this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore best to drive off immediately
after starting the engine. Avoid running the engine at high speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey, you
will not waste fuel. A well-serviced engine gives 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.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and
the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum service tempera-
ture .
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not regularise until having
driven some four kilometres. This is the reason why we recommend avoiding
short trips wherever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the
tyre pressures are just 1 bar too low, this can put the fuel consumption up by
as much as 5 %. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also
increases tyre wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold.
Do not use winter tyres all through the year: they will increase fuel consump-
tion by up to 10 %.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Every kilo of extra weight will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-
essary loads are being transported.
A roof carrier is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even when it is
no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your car will use about 12% more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof carrier
even when it is empty.
Save electrical energy
The engine activates the alternator, which produces electricity. With the need
for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always
turn off electrical equipment when you do not need them. Examples of equip-
ment that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear window
heating or the seat heaters*.
Environmental friendlinessEnvironmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of materials
and production of your new Seat.
Design measures for economical recycling•Joints and connections designed for ease of dismantling•Modular construction to facilitate dismantling•Increased use of single-grade materials•Plastic parts and elastomers are labelled in accordance with ISO 1043,
ISO 11469 and ISO 1629
Choice of materials•Nearly all materials used can be recycled•Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling•Recycled materials used in manufacture•Reduction of the plastic volatile components•CFC-free refrigerant in air conditioning
Compliance with prohibited materials laws : cadmium, asbestos, lead,
mercury, chrome VI.
altea_EN Seite 203 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
210Vehicle exterior maintenanceAutomatic car wash tunnel
The car can normally be washed without problem in an auto-
matic car wash.The vehicle paintwork is so durable that the car can normally be washed
without problems in an automatic car washing tunnel. However, the paint-
work wear depends to a large extent, on the kind of the car washing tunnel,
the brushes used, its water filtering and the type of cleaning and preservative
products.
Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions such
as closing the windows and sunroof. There is nothing to note apart from that.
If the vehicle has special accessories such as spoilers or a roof carrier or two-
way radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car washing tunnel oper-
ator.
After washing, the brakes could hesitate to respond as the brake discs and
pads could be wet, or even frozen in winter. “Dry” the brakes by braking
several times.
WARNING
Water, ice and salt on the brakes can reduce braking efficiency. Risk of acci-
dent.
Caution
If an automatic car wash tunnel is used, before entering the tunnel, put the
aerial down parallel to the roof and do not tighten to avoid damage.
Washing by handVehicle washing
– First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off.
– Clean your vehicle from top to bottom with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush. Use very light pressure.
– Rinse the sponge or glove often with clean water.
– Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt.
– Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. until last with a different sponge or glove.
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry your vehicle surface gently with a chamois leather.
–When temperature is cold , dry the rubber seals and its surfaces
to prevent them from freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
seals.
After washing
– Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking. “Dry” ⇒page 200, “Braking effect and br aking distance”the brakes by
braking several times.
WARNING
•Wash your car with the ignition switched off.•Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when
cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of
injury.
altea_EN Seite 210 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle211
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
•Water, ice and salt on the brakes can reduce braking efficiency. Risk of
accident.Caution
•Never remove dirt, mud or dust if the vehicle surface is dry. Never use a
dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could scratch the paintwork
or glass on your vehicle.•Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: when washing the vehicle with
a hose, do not direct water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around the
doors, tailgate, or sunroof. Risk of freezing.For the sake of the environment
To protect environment, the car should be washed only in specially provided
wash bays. This prevents toxic, oil-laden waste water entering the sewerage
system. In some districts, washing vehicles outside wash bays is prohibited.
Note
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.Washing the car with a high pressure cleaner
Be particularly careful when using a high pressure cleaner!– Always observe the instructions for the high-pressure cleaner, particularly those concerning the pressure and the spraying
distance . – Increase the spraying distance for soft materials and painted
bumpers.
– Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from windows ⇒page 212.
– Never use concentrated jet nozzles (“rotating jets”) ⇒.
– Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking. “Dry” ⇒page 200 the brakes by braking several times.
WARNING
•Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet (“rotating nozzle”). Even at
large spraying distances and short cleaning times, visible and invisible
damage can occur to the tyres. This may cause an accident.•Water, ice and salt on the brakes can reduce braking efficiency. Risk of
accident.Caution
•Do not use water hotter than 60°C. This could damage the vehicle.•To avoid damage to the vehicle, keep a sufficient distance from sensitive
materials such as flexible hoses, plastic, soundproofing material, etc. This is
also important for bumpers painted as the paintwork. The closer the nozzle is
to the surface, the greater the wear on the material.Vehicle paint maintenance requirements
Regular waxing protects the paintwork.You need to apply wax to your car if water does not form small drops and run
off the paintwork when it is clean.
WARNING (continued)
altea_EN Seite 211 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18

Accessories, replacement of parts and modifications219
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
WARNING
Incorrectly performed modifications or other kind of work on your vehicle
can lead to malfunctions and cause accidents.Roof aerial*The vehicle may be fitted with a foldable* and anti-theft* aerial that may be
positioned parallel to the roof.
To f o l d d o w n
Unscrew the rod, position parallel to the roof and tighten once again.
To return to working position
Continue in the reverse order to the previous instruction.
Caution
If an automatic car wash tunnel is used, before entering the tunnel, put the
aerial down parallel to the roof and do not tighten to avoid damage.Mobile telephones and radiotelephonesFirst consult your Authorised Service Centre if you wish to use a mobile tele-
phone or a two-way radio with a transmitting power output in excess of
10 watts. Here you will receive information concerning the technical possibil-
ities for retrofitting this equipment.
Mobile telephones and two-way radios should be only fitted by a qualified
workshop, for example an Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
•Always concentrate primarily on driving. If you are distracted while
driving you could have an accident.•Never attach the telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the
airbag units or within the range of the airbags. There is a high risk of injury
if the airbag is triggered.Note
Please observe the operating instructions of your mobile telephone / two-way
radio.
altea_EN Seite 219 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18

Checking and refilling levels
242Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long
periods, the battery should be checked by a qualified workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle, the
battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have the
vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be re-
charged or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has
special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety spec-
ifications of your vehicle.
WARNING
•We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof
batteries which comply with the standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This
standard applies as of 2001.•Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe
the warnings ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on page 240.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They
must be disposed of appropriately and must not be disposed of with ordinary
household waste.
altea_EN Seite 242 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18

If and when
264Fuses on left side of dash panelFusesNumber
Consumer
Amps
1
Va can t
2
Va can t
3
Va can t
4
Va can t
5
Va can t
6
Va can t
7
Va can t
8
Va can t
9
Airbag
5
10
RSE input (roof screen)
10
11
Va can t
12
Left xenon headlight
10
13
Instrument panel (oil level)/Switchboard wiring
(BCM)/Heater / ABS, ESP/ Park Pilot/ Gate-
way/Flow meter
5
14
Gearbox/Servosteering/Brake light sensor/
Trailer/ ABS, ESP/ Haldex/ Light switch
10
15
Heated windscreen / Instrument lighting / Diag-
nosis switchboard/Engine management/Addi-
tional heating/AFS headlamps/Park Pilot
10
16
Right xenon headlight
10
17
Engine management / RSE system with START
STOP
10
18
Kombi / levers with START STOP
5
19
Navigation/ radio with START STOP
15
20
Park Pilot (Parking assistant) / Gear lever/ ESP
switchboard
10
21
Vacant
22
Volumetric alarm sensor/ Alarm horn
5
23
Diagnosis / Rain sensor / Light switch
10
24
Trailer hook pre-installation assistant
15
25
Switchboard coupling automatic gearbox
20
26
Vacuum pump
20
27
RSE supply (Ceiling display) without START STOP
10
28
Rear window wiper motor
20
29
Vacant
30
Cigarette lighter / socket
20
31
Vacant
32
Vacant
33
Heater
40
34
Vacant
35
Vacant
36
Vacant
37
Vacant
38
Vacant
39
Trailer control unit (coupling)
15
Number
Co nsum er
Amps
altea_EN Seite 264 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18

If and when265
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Some of the electrical items listed in the table are only fitted on certain
models or are optional extras. Please note that the above list, while correct at the time of printing, is subject
to alterations. If discrepancies should occur, please refer to the sticker on the
inside of the fuse cover for the correct information for your model.
Fuses layout, engine compartment, left partFuses
40
Trailer control unit (indicators, brakes and left
side)
20
41
Trailer control unit (fog light, reversing light and
right side)
20
42
BCM wiring switchboard
20
43
Trailer pre-installation
40
44
Rear window heater
25
45
Electric windows (front)
30
46
Rear electric windows
30
47
Engine (Fuel control unit, petrol relay)
15
48
Convenience controls
20
49
Heating controls
40
50
Heated seats
30
51
Sunroof
20
52
Headlight washer system
20
53
Trailer hook pre-installation assistant
20
54
Taxi (taximeter power supply)
5
55
Trailer hook pre-installation assistant
20
56
Taxi (taximeter power supply)
15
57
Telephone power supply with START STOP
10
58
Central locking control unit
30
Number
Consumer
Amps
Number
Consumer
Amps
1
Windscreen wipers
20
2
DQ200 gearbox
30
3
Cable control unit
5
4
ABS
20
5
AQ gearbox
15
6
Instrument panel/Steering column
5
7
Ignition key
40
8
Radio
15
9
Telephone/TomTom Navigator
5
10
Engine management
5
Engine management
10
11
Vaca nt
12
Electronic control unit
5
13
Petrol injection module supply
15
Diesel injection module supply
30
14
Coil
20
altea_EN Seite 265 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18

If and when275
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Sunroof light– Carefully remove the lamp, using the flat side of the screwdriver,
as shown in the figure ⇒fig. 203 . – Remove the bulb, moving it in the direction of the arrow and
outwards ⇒fig. 203 .
Jump-startingJump leads
The jump lead must have a sufficient wire cross section.If the engine fails to start because of a discharged battery, the battery can be
connected to the battery of another vehicle to start the engine.
Jump leads
Jump leads must comply with the standard DIN 72553 (see manufacturer's
documentation). The wire cross section must be at least 25 mm
2 for petrol
engines and at least 35 mm
2 for diesel engines.
Note
•The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow as
soon as the positive terminals are connected.•The discharged battery must be properly connected to the vehicle elec-
trical system.
Fig. 202 Removing
sunroof lightFig. 203 Removing
sunroof light
altea_EN Seite 275 Mittwoch, 26. August 2009 6:00 18