2010 Seat Exeo ST check engine light

Unlocking and locking
108If the turn signals do not flash, check the doors, the bonnet and the tailgate
to make sure they are properly closed. The turn signals will also flash briefly
if one of the doors or the tailgate or engine bonnet is closed after the alarm
system has been enabled.
LED
When the vehicle is locked, the LED on the top of the driver door trim will flash
rapidly for about 30 seconds and then continue flashing slowly. This is to
indicate that the anti-theft alarm system (including the interior monitoring
and tow-away protection ) is operative. If the LED lights up continuously for
about 30 seconds when the vehicle is locked instead of flashing, this means
the alarm system is not working properly.
Note
•To make sure that the alarm is fully operative when leaving the vehicle,
briefly check that all the doors and windows and the sunroof* are closed.•The alarm is triggered immediately if one of the battery cables is discon-
nected while the alarm system is enabled.
Interior monitoring*

The interior monitoring triggers an alarm if it detects move-
ment inside the vehicle.You should disable the interior monitoring if there is a possibility
that the alarm could be triggered, e.g. by a pet or by an object
moving inside the vehicle ⇒. The tow-away protection feature,
which is integrated into the alarm system, should be disabled if the
vehicle is being towed or transported (e.g. by rail or ship).
Deactivating the interior monitoring
– Open the door and pull out the switch (with the symbol
) to
one side of the storage compartment, in the driver door
⇒ fig. 79 .
– Then lock the vehicle.
Fig. 79 Interior moni-
toring switch
AA
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Driving and the environment
200Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed permitted by the vehicle. Fuel
consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels all increase very rapidly at
higher speeds. Driving at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic jam, at level
crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The fuel saved after only
30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to restart the
engine.
The engine takes a very long time to warm up when it is running at idling
speed. Mechanical wear and pollutant emissions are also especially high
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 consume more than the required amount of 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 normalise until having
driven approximately four kilometres. This is why we recommend avoiding
short trips whenever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the
tyre pressure is just 1 bar too low, fuel consumption can increase 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 year round as they increase fuel consumption 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 rack 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 vehicle will use about
12% more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof rack
even when it is not in use.
Save electricity
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 components when you do not need them. Examples of
components that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear
window heating or the seat heaters*.
Note
•If you vehicle has Start-Stop, it is not recommended to disconnect this
function.•It is recommended to close the windows when driving at more than 60
km/h•Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, as the pressure can
make the plate spin, more fuel will be used and it can burn the clutch plate
lining, causing a serious fault.
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Trailer towing
204Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted drawbar
load on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified
limit.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your vehicle, and adjust for “full load” conditions
(refer to the sticker listing the tyre pressures on the door pillar). It may also be
necessary to adjust the tyre pressures on the trailer according to the recom-
mendations of the trailer manufacturer.
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. The two exterior mirrors should be fitted on folding arms. Adjust the
mirrors to give sufficient rear vision.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, check the headlight beam settings with the trailer
hitched up. If necessary, alter the height of the headlight beams by means of
the headlight range control. See ⇒page 120.
Power supply
When you remove the ignition key, the power supply to the trailer is inter-
rupted.
Removable ball joint coupling
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket are equipped with a removable
ball joint coupling. This is stored in the spare wheel well in the luggage
compartment together with the necessary fitting instructions.
Note
If you frequently tow, we recommend you also have the vehicle serviced
between services.
Notes on towing
Towing a trailer involves additional attention by the driver.Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slow to allow for
the unbalanced weight distribution.
Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed. There-
fore, it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed in unfa-
vourable road, weather or wind conditions. This especially applies when
driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest
sign of swaying . Never try to stabilise the trailer by accelerating.
Anticipate hazards and brake in good time. If towing a trailer with an inertia
brake , first brake gently and then harder. This will prevent brake tapping by
the trailer wheels when they lock. 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.
Swaying and pitching can be reduced by stabiliser aids. We recommend
having stabiliser aids installed when towing trailers with a high trailer weight.
They can be purchased and installed at a Technical Service.
Reheating
When climbing long hills in hot weather with the engine running fast in low
gear, you should keep an eye on the coolant temperature gauge ⇒page 60.
Reduce speed immediately if the needle moves to the right end of the scale.
If the temperature warning lamp
v in the instrument panel should start
flashing, stop the vehicle and let the engine cool down by running it at idling
speed for a few minutes.
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Checking and refilling levels229
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Opening the bonnetBefore opening the bonnet make sure that the windscreen wiper
arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the paint may be
damaged.
– Lift the bonnet slightly ⇒.
– Press the release catch under the bonnet upwards ⇒fig. 176 .
This will release the arrester hook under the bonnet.
– Open the bonnet.The bonnet is held in position by a gas-filled strut.
WARNING
Never open the bonnet if you see steam or drips of coolant being released
from the engine compartment. Failure to comply could result in burns. Wait
until no steam or coolant can be seen before opening the bonnet.Work in the engine compartment
Extra caution is necessary when working on components in
the engine compartment.Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk of
accident or even fire when working in the engine compartment (e.g. when
checking and refilling fluids). Always observe the warnings listed below and
follow all general safety precautions. The engine compartment of the vehicle
is a potentially hazardous area ⇒
WARNING
•Switch the engine off.•Remove the ignition key.•Apply the handbrake firmly.•If your vehicle is equipped with a manual gearbox, place the gear lever
in neutral. If you are driving an automatic vehicle, place the selector lever
in position P.•Wait for the engine to cool down.•Children should not be allowed to approach the engine compartment.•Never spill liquids used for vehicle operation on the engine compart-
ment, as these may catch fire (e.g. coolant).•Take care not to cause short circuits in the electrical system, especially
when working on the battery.
Fig. 176 Release catch
under the bonnet
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Checking and refilling levels
234The cooling system is filled at the factory with the correct amount of anti-
freeze for the country concerned.
In most cases, the mixture consists of 60% water and 40% antifreeze . This
mixture gives the required antifreeze protection at temperatures down to
-25 °C and particularly protects the metal parts of the cooling system against
corrosion. It also prevents scaling and significantly raises the boiling point of
the coolant fluid.
Countries with warm climate
The coolant fluid concentration must not be reduced by adding plain water,
even in the summer or in warm climates. The concentration of the antifreeze
must always be at least 40%.
Countries with cold climate
If greater freeze protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
G12++ antifreeze can be increased. A concentration of 60% offers antifreeze
protection of temperatures down to approx. -40 °C. However, the concentra-
tion of antifreeze must not exceed 60% , as the antifreeze protection would
then drop and the performance of the coolant system would suffer.
Vehicles for countries with cold climates (e.g. Sweden, Norway and Finland)
have factory-filled antifreeze protection for temperatures down to -35 °C. In
these countries, the concentration of antifreeze should always be at least
50%.
Caution
•It is advisable to have the cooling system checked before the winter
season to make sure that the antifreeze concentration is adequate for the
conditions to be expected. This applies particularly if you intend to take the
vehicle into a colder climate zone. If necessary, have the antifreeze concen-
tration increased to 50 - 60% as required.•Use only G12++ antifreeze, an additive meeting the “TL-VW 774G” spec-
ification. Other antifreezes may give considerably inferior corrosion protec- tion. The damage caused by the use of these antifreezes may lead to a loss of
coolant fluid, causing serious damage to the engine.
•G12++ antifreeze can be mixed only with antifreeze additives G11, G12
and G12+.Checking the coolant level
The coolant level can be checked visually.– Switch the ignition off.
– Check the coolant level on coolant fluid expansion tank ⇒fig. 179 . When the engine is cold, it should be between the
“min” and “max” marks. When the engine is hot, it may be
slightly above the “max” mark.Its location is shown in the corresponding general overview of the engine
compartment.
Fig. 179 Engine compart-
ment: Coolant fluid
deposit
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Checking and refilling levels
236Radiator fan
The radiator fan can start running spontaneously.The auxiliary fan can continue to run for as long as 10 minutes after stopping
the engine, even after the ignition is switched off. It may also start running
suddenly ⇒ after some while if•Stored heat raises the coolant temperature, or•The hot engine compartment is additionally heated up by the sun.WARNING
When working in the engine compartment be aware that the radiator fan
may start running suddenly, leading to the risk of injury.
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper bladesWindscreen washer system
Plain water is not sufficient for the windscreen washer
system.The container for the windscreen washer contains the cleaning fluid for the
windscreen and the headlight washer system*. The container is located in the
engine compartment (front left). The fi ller cap is marked with the symbol
W
⇒ fig. 180.
The capacity of the container is listed in ⇒page 301.
Plain water on its own is not enough to clean the glass properly. It is therefore
advisable to add a suitable washer fluid additive (with wax solvent) to the
water. A washer fluid with freeze-resistant additive should be used in winter.
Fig. 180 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir.
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Checking and refilling levels
240
Removing the wiper blade
– Lift the wiper arm away from the glass ⇒page 239, fig. 183
– Slide the blade adapter in the direction of the arrow and remove the blade ⇒page 239, fig. 183 .
Fitting the wiper blade
– With one hand, hold the top end of the wiper arm.
– Place the blade as shown in the ⇒page 239, fig. 184 and slide
the adapter along until it engages.Check the condition of the wiper blade regularly. Change as required.
If the windscreen wiper scrapes , it should be replaced if damaged, or
cleaned if soiled.
If this is not sufficient, refer to a qualified workshop.
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!•Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all windows regularly.•The wiper blades should be changed once or twice a year.Caution
•A damaged or dirty window wiper could scratch the rear window.•Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the window.•Never move the windscreen wiper by hand. This could cause damage.
Brake fluidChecking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked visually.The brake fluid level must be between the “Min” and “Max” ⇒ fig. 185 mark-
ings.
The fluid level may drop slightly after a period of time due to the automatic
compensation for brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“Min” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. If the fluid level in the
reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the brake warning lamp
⇒ page 70 and ⇒ page 77. If this should happen, take the vehicle to a qual-
ified workshop immediately and have the brake system inspected.
Fig. 185 Engine compart-
ment: markings on brake
fluid reservoir
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Checking and refilling levels243
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is
under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room
only.•Keep children away from acid and batteries.•Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the
engine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery
must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only switch
off the light.•Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.•When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system,
disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.•Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery.
Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never
reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.•Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0 °C.•Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.•Never use a defective battery. This could cause an explosion. Replace a
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine
is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents.•Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time, as
the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.•If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from frost. If it freezes it will be damaged.
Charging the battery
A fully-charged battery is important for reliable starting.–Note the warnings ⇒ in “Important safety warnings for
handling a vehicle battery” on page 242 and ⇒.
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
– Only if fast-charging: both battery cables must be disconnected (first the negative cable, then the positive cable).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery terminals, noting the colour code (red = positive; black or brown = negative).
– Now connect the battery charger to the power socket and switch on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger and disconnect the power point cable.
– Finally disconnect the charger cables from the battery.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first the positive cable, then the negative cable).When charging with a low current (for instance with a small battery charger)
the battery does not normally have to be disconnected. However, both
battery cables must be disconnected before fast-charging the battery with a
high current. However, always follow the instructions given by the manufac-
turer of the battery charger.
The fast-charging procedure for a battery is dangerous ⇒ in “Important
safety warnings for handling a vehicle battery” on page 242, as it requires a
special charger and the corresponding level of knowledge. We therefore
recommend that this work should only be performed by a qualified workshop.
WARNING (continued)
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