2010 Seat Altea XL Owner's Manual

If and when279
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Towing and tow-startingTo w - s t a r t i n g
The use of jump leads is pr eferable to tow-starting.We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting
is preferable ⇒page 276.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2
nd or the 3
rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
General notesPlease observe the following po ints if you use a tow-rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto- matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you
would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexperi-
enced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow away another vehicle.
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If and when
280Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking the
tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of over-
loading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must apply
considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
will need more strength to steer than you normally would.•The vehicle must not be towed faster than 50 km/h.•The vehicle must not be towed faster than 50 km/h.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox•Put the selector lever into position “N”.•Do not drive faster than 50 km/h when towing a vehicle.•Do not tow further than 50 km.•If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.Note
•Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.•Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe
any regulations to the contrary.•For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.•If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gearbox,
you must raise the drive wheels while the vehicle is being towed.•If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km, the front wheels must be
raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by a qualified person.
•The steering wheel is locked when the vehicle has no electrical power. The
vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should be
carried out by a qualified person.•The towing eye should always be kept in the vehicle.
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If and when281
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Towing ringsFitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the onboard tool set. – Remove the front cover by pressing down on its left-hand side.
– Remove the rear cover by pressing down on the right hand side.
– Screw the towing eye as shown by the arrow
anti-clockwise to the
limit position in the front ⇒ fig. 207 or rear ⇒fig. 208 threaded
hole.
Fig. 207 The front right
section of the vehicle:
Fitting the front towing
eyeFig. 208 Fitting the
towing eye to the rear of
the vehicle
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General notes on the technical data283
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Te ch n i c a l D a t aGeneral notes on the technical dataOutstanding informationImportant considerations
All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence
over this data.All data provided in this manual are valid for the standard model in Spain. The
vehicle data card included in the inspection and maintenance schedule in the
vehicles registration documents show which engine is installed in the
vehicle.
The figures may be different depending on if additional equipment is fitted,
for different models, for special vehicles and for other countries. Abbreviations used in this paragraph of the Technical Data
Abbrevia-
tion
Meaning
kW
Kilowatt, engine power measurement.
bhp
Brake horse power, formerly used to denote engine power
at rpm
Revolutions per minute - engine speed.
Nm
Newton metres, unit of engine torque.
l/100 km
Fuel consumption in litres per 100 km.
g/km
Carbon dioxide emissions in grams per km travelled.
CO2
Carbon dioxide
CN
Cetane number, indication of the diesel combustion power.
RON
Research octane number, indication of the knock resistance
of petrol.
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General notes on the technical data
284Vehicle identification data
The most important data are given on the type plate and the
vehicle data sticker.Vehicles for certain export countries do not have a type plate.
Type plate
The type plate is located on the left rib inside the engine compartment.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number (chassis number) can be read from outside
the vehicle through a viewer in the windscreen. This is located on the left-
hand side of the vehicle in the lower area of the windscreen. It is also located
on the right hand side of the engine compartment. Vehicle data
The data sticker is placed on the inside of the spare wheel recess in the
luggage compartment.
The following information is provided on the vehicle data sticker:
⇒fig. 209
These data are also provided in the Maintenance Program. Production control number
Vehicle identification number (chassis number)
Model code number
Model designation / engine power output
Engine and gearbox code letters
Paintwork number / interior trim code
Optional equipment codes
Consumption values
CO
2 emissions values.
Data from 2 to 9 are also provided in the Maintenance Program.
Consumption figures and CO
2
Consumption (litres/100 km) / CO
2 emissions (g/km) urban.
Consumption (litres/100 km) / CO2 emissions (g/km), road.
Consumption (litres/100 km) / CO2 emissions (g/km) combination.
Fig. 209 Vehicle data
sticker – boot
A1A2A3A4A5A6A7A8A9AAABAC
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General notes on the technical data285
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Data on fuel consumptionFuel consumption
The consumption and emission details shown on the vehicle
data sticker differ from one vehicle to another.The fuel consumption and CO
2 emissions of the vehicle can be found on the
vehicle data sticker.
The fuel consumption and emissions figures given are based on the vehicle
weight category, which is determined according to the engine/gearbox
combination and the equipment fitted.
The consumption and emission figures are calculated in accordance with the
EC test requirements 1999/100/EC. These test requirements specify a real-
istic test method based on normal everyday driving.
The following test conditions are applied:
Note
•Actual consumption may vary from quoted test values, depending on
personal driving style, road and traffic conditions, the weather and the
vehicle condition.WeightsKerb weight refers to the basic model with a fuel tank filled to 90% capacity
and without optional extras. The figure quoted includes 75 kg to allow for the
weight of the driver.
For special versions and optional equipment fittings or for the addition of
accessories, the weight of the vehicle will increase ⇒.
WARNING
•Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Always adjust your speed and driving style to suit road conditions
and requirements.•Never exceed the gross axle weight rating or the gross vehicle weight
rating. If the allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.
Urban cycle
The urban cycle starts with an engine cold start. City driving
is then simulated.
Extra urban
cycle
In the extra urban cycle simulation the vehicle frequently
accelerates and brakes in all gears, as in normal everyday
driving. The road speed ranges from 0 to 120 km/h.
To ta l co n-
sumption
The average total consumption is calculated with a weighting
of around 37% for the urban cycle and 63% for the extra
urban cycle.
CO2 emis-
sions
The exhaust gases are collected during both driving cycles to
calculate carbon dioxide emissions. The gas composition is
then analysed to evaluate the CO
2 content and other emis-
sions.
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General notes on the technical data
286Towing a trailerTrailer weightsTrailer weights
The trailer weights and drawbar loads approved are selected in intensive
trials according to precisely defined criteria. The approved trailer weights are
valid for vehicles in the EU for maximum speeds of 80 km/h (in certain
circumstances up to 100 km/h). The figures may be different in other coun-
tries. All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these
data ⇒ .
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball joint
of the towing bracket must not exceed 75 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend that you always tow
approaching the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the
road will be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load cannot be met (e.g. with small,
empty and light-weight single axle trailers o r ta n d e m a x l e t r a i l e r s wi t h a n a x le
base of less than 1 metre), at least 4% of the actual trailer weight is a legal
stipulation for a drawbar load.
WARNING
•For safet y reas ons , d o not excee d the 8 0 k m/h limit . Th is is als o valid in
countries where higher speeds are permitted.•Never exceed the maximum trailer weights or the draw bar loading. If
the permissible axle load or the permissible total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.
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