Checking and refilling levels233
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and could 
start automatically, even when the engine has been switched off and the 
key removed from the ignition!•Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot. 
If the coolant is hot, the cooling system will be pressurised!•Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large, thick 
cloth to protect against escaping coolant and steam.•A l w ays  ma ke  s u re  yo u  ha v e  n o t  l e f t  a n y  obj e c ts ,  s u ch  as  c l ea n in g  cl o t h s  
and tools, in the engine compartment.•If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable 
stands additionally to support the vehicle, there is a risk of accident!. A 
hydraulic jack is insufficient for securing the vehicle and there is a risk of 
injury.•If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with the 
engine running, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk from the 
rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and 
from the high-voltage ignition system. You should also observe the 
following points:
−Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
− Ensure that jewellery,  loose clothing and long hair do not get 
trapped in rotating engine parts. Danger of death. Before starting any 
work remove jewellery, tie back and cover hair, and wear tight-fitting 
clothes.
− Never accelerate with a gear engaged without taking the necessary 
precautions. The vehicle could move, even if the handbrake is applied. 
Danger of death.•If work has to be carried out on the fuel system or on electrical compo-
nents, you must observe the following safety notes in addition to the above 
warnings:
−Always disconnect the battery. The vehicle must be unlocked when 
this is done, otherwise the alarm will be triggered. −
Do not smoke.
− Never work near naked flames.
− Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.
Caution
When topping up service fluids, make sure not to mistake them. Using the 
wrong fluids could cause serious malfunctions and engine damage!
For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to th e environment. For this reason you 
should make regular checks on the ground underneath your vehicle. If you 
find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a specialised 
workshop.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Altea_EN.book  Seite 233  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 
If and when263
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Raising the vehicle
In order to remove the wheel, the vehicle must be raised with 
a jack.
– Locate the jacking point under the door sill closest to the wheel 
to be changed  ⇒fig. 177 .
– Place the jack under the jacking point and turn the crank until the  arm of the jack is directly below the vertical rib under the door 
sill.
– Align the jack so that the arm of the jack fits around the rib under  the door sill and the movable base plate of the jack is flat on the 
ground  ⇒fig. 178 .
– Raise the jack until the defective wheel is just clear of the ground.Recesses at the front and rear of the door sills mark the jacking points 
⇒ fig. 177 . There is only one jacking point for each wheel. Do not fit the jack 
anywhere else.
An  unstable surface  under the jack may cause the vehicle to slip off the jack. 
Therefore, the jack must be fitted on solid ground offering good support. Use 
a large and stable base, if necessary. On a hard, slippery surface (such as 
tiles) use a rubber mat or similar to prevent the jack from slipping.
WARNING
•Take all precautions so that the base of the jack does not slip. Failure to 
do so could result in an accident.•The vehicle can be damaged if the jack is not applied at the correct 
jacking points. There is also a risk of injury since the jack can slip off 
suddenly if it is not properly engaged.
Fig. 177  Jack position 
pointsFig. 178  Fitting the jack
Altea_EN.book  Seite 263  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  2:00 14