2011 Seat Alhambra coolant reservoir

285
Checking and refilling levels WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or m a
y cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Always observe any lit warning lamps and text messages.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
ma y

result in faults in the vehicle. 
Engine coolant specifications The engine cooling system comes with a special mixture of water and at
le
a

st 40% G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) or G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F) engine
coolant additive. Both are easily recognisable because they are purple in
colour.
This mixture gives the necessary frost protection down to -25°C (-13°F) and
protects the alloy parts of the cooling system against corrosion. It also pre-
vents scaling and raises the boiling point of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the proportion of additive must al-
ways be at least 40%, even if frost protection is not required in countries
with a warm climate.
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
additive can be increased. However, the percentage of additive should not
exceed 60 %, as this would reduce the frost protection and, in turn, de-
crease the cooling capacity. When adding coolant, a mixture of
disti
lled water and at least 40 % of the
additive G 12 plus-plus must be use to ensure optimum rust protection
⇒  .
WARNING
In the event of insufficient antifreeze protection in the engine cooling
sys t

em, the engine could be damaged and severe injuries caused.
● Ensure that the proportion of engine coolant additive corresponds to
the lowe
st outside temperature to which the vehicle will be exposed.
● If the outside temperature is extremely low, the engine coolant could
freeze c
ausing the vehicle to stop. As this would also cause the heating
to stop working, passengers without sufficient clothing could freeze. CAUTION
Never mix genuine additives with other additives that are not approved by
SEA T

. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing severe damage to the engine
and the engine cooling system.
● The engine coolant G 12 plus-plus can be mixed with G 12 plus and
G 11.
● If the fluid in the expansion reservoir is not purple but, for example,
brown, thi
s means that you have mixed G 12 plus-plus or G 12 plus with an-
other coolant. The coolant must be changed as soon as possible if this is
the case! Failure to observe this point will result in serious malfunctions and
engine damage! For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the environment. Collect any spilt
fluids in s

uitable containers and dispose of in accordance with legislation
and with the utmost respect for the environment. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

286
Checking and refilling levels
Checking the engine coolant level and refilling Fig. 171 In the engine
comp
ar
tment: Marking
on coolant expansion
reservoir. Fig. 172 In the engine
comp
ar

tment: Coolant
expansion tank cap.
If the coolant level is low, the coolant warning indicator will light. Preparations
●
Park the vehicle on even, flat and firm ground.
● Allow the engine to cool ⇒  .
● Open the bonnet  ⇒  p
age 275.
● The coolant expansion reservoir is easily recognisable because of the
symbol 

on the cap ⇒  fig. 172.
Checking the engine coolant level
● When the engine is cold, check the coolant level using the side marking
on the expan
sion reservoir ⇒ fig. 171.
● If the level is below the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant. When the en-
gine is hot
it may be slightly above the marked area.
Topping up the engine coolant level
● Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and steam
usin
g a large, thick cloth over the coolant expansion tank cap.
● Remove the cap very carefully ⇒  .
● Only refill using new engine coo
lant according to SEAT specifications
(⇒ page 285) ⇒  .
● The engine coolant level should be between the marks on the coolant
exp an

sion tank ⇒ fig. 171. Do not exceed the top level of the marked area
⇒  .
● Screw on the cap tightly.
● If, the event of an emergency, you have no coolant that is compliant to
the requir ed s

pecifications ( ⇒ page 285), never use another type of addi-
tive. Instead, first top up with distilled water ⇒  only. Then re-establish
the corr ect

proportion of the mixture with the correct additive as soon as
possible ⇒ page 285. 

348
Technical Data
Technical Data
Checking fluid levels From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the ve-
hicle must
be c
hecked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, other-
wise serious damage to the engine may be caused. Fig. 221 Diagram for the location of the various elements Liquid coolant deposit
Engine oi
l

dipstick
Oil filler neck
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath a cover)
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the compo-
nents mentioned above. These operations are described in ⇒ page 275.
Overview
Further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the technical data are
contained as of ⇒ page 344 
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