2011 Seat Exeo ST oil additives

224Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● Petrol with standard EN 228 may be mixed with small quantities of etha-
nol. However, bioethanol fuels available at commercial establishments with
reference E50 or E85, which contain a high percentage of ethanol, may not
be used, as they will damage the fuel system.
● Even one tankful of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency
of the catalytic converter.
● High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using
petrol with an octane rating lower than the correct grade for the engine.
For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the
catalytic converter. 
Petrol additives
Petrol additives improve the quality of the petrol.
The quality of the petrol influences the performance, power and life of the
engine. For this reason, you should use good quality petrol containing addi-
tives. These additives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the fuel system
clean and prevent deposits from building up in the engine.
If good quality petrol with additives is not available or engine problems oc-
cur, the required additives must be added during refuelling. Diesel
Diesel*
Diesel fuel must conform to DIN EN 590 (EN = “European Standard”). It
must have a cetane number (CN) of at least 51. The cetane number indi-
cates the ignition quality of the diesel fuel.
Notes on refuelling ⇒ page 222. 
Biodiesel*
CAUTION
● Your vehicle is not designed to use biodiesel fuel. Never, under any cir-
cumstances refuel with biodiesel. The use of biodiesel fuel could damage
the engine and the fuel system. The addition of biodiesel to diesel fuel by
the diesel manufacturer in accordance with standard EN 590 or DIN 51628
is authorised and will not cause damage to the engine or the fuel system.
● The diesel engine has been designed to be used exclusively with diesel
fuel conforming to standard EN 590. Never refuel or use petrol, kerosene,
fuel oil or any other type of fuel. If you accidentally fill up the vehicle with
the wrong type of fuel, do not start the engine. Seek assistance from speci-
alised personnel. The composition of these fuels may severely damage the
fuel system and the engine. 

229
Checking and refilling levels
Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed with the engine oil. The deterioration
caused by these additives is not covered by the warranty.
Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an engine oil that conforms to the
corresponding VW specifications and keeping it in the vehicle. This way, the
correct engine oil will always be available for a top-up if needed. 
Checking the oil level
Fig. 177 Markings on oil
dipstick
Checking oil level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Briefly run the engine at idle speed until the service tempera-
ture is reached and stop.
– Wait two minutes. –
Pull out the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and
insert it again, pushing it in as far as it will go.
– Then pull it out once more and check the oil level ⇒ fig. 177. If
the oil level is too low, add more engine oil ⇒ page 230.
Oil level in area a
–
Do not top up oil.
Oil level in area b
–
Oil can be topped up. After topping up the oil level should be in
area a.
Oil level in area c
–
Oil must be topped up. After topping up the oil level should be
in area a.
Depending on how you drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is
used, oil consumption can be up to 0.5 l/1000 km. Oil consumption is likely
to be higher for the first 5000 km. Therefore, the engine oil level must be
checked at regular intervals, preferably when filling the tank and before a
journey. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

230Checking and refilling levels
Topping up the engine oil 
Fig. 178 In the engine
compartment: Engine oil
filler cap
– Unscrew cap  from oil filler opening ⇒ fig. 244.
– Carefully put in the specified grade of oil ⇒ page 228, adding
0.5 litres at a time.
– After two minutes, check the oil level once again ⇒ page 229.
– Where necessary, add more engine oil.
– Replace the oil filler cap carefully and push the dipstick all the
way in.
WARNING
● When refilling with oil, make sure no oil falls onto hot engine parts.
Failure to comply could result in fire.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.
CAUTION
● The oil level must never be above area a. This could damage the cata-
lytic converter or the engine. Contact a qualified workshop to drain the en-
gine oil if necessary.
● No additives should be used with engine oil. Any damage caused by the
use of such additives would not be covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
● Oil must not be disposed of in the drain or on the ground.
● Always observe legal requirements when disposing of empty oil canis-
ters. 
Cooling system Coolant fluid
The purpose of the coolant fluid is to carry heat away from
the engine. The correct amount of antifreeze is decisive in
preventing the cooling system from freezing in winter. The vehicle's engine cooling system is filled for life at the factory, so no
coolant needs to be changed. The coolant fluid consists of a mixture of wa-
ter and antifreeze G12++. This is a glycol-based antifreeze with anti-corro-
sion additives.
Coolant fluid additive
The amount of antifreeze required depends on the temperatures to be ex-
pected in the winter season. If the antifreeze concentration is too low the
coolant can freeze, resulting in failure of the cooling system and heater. 

231
Checking and refilling levels
The 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 boil-
ing 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 antifreeze G12++ can be increased. A concentration of 60% offers anti-
freeze protection of temperatures down to approx. -40 °C. However, the con-
centration 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 sea-
son to make sure that the antifreeze concentration is adequate for the con-
ditions to be expected. This applies particularly if you intend to take the ve-
hicle into a colder climate zone. If necessary, have the antifreeze concentra-
tion increased to 50 - 60% as required.
● Use only G12++ antifreeze, an additive meeting the “TL-VW 774G” speci-
fication. 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 only be mixed with antifreeze additives G11, G12
and G12+. 
Checking the coolant level
The coolant level can be checked visually.
Fig. 179 Engine com-
partment: Coolant fluid
deposit
– Switch the ignition off. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

232Checking and refilling levels
–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.
The coolant level should be checked with the engine switched off.
The coolant level is monitored by a warning lamp on the instrument panel
display ⇒ page 78. However, we recommend that it should be checked oc-
casionally.
Coolant fluid loss
Any loss of coolant fluid normally indicates a leak in the cooling system. In
this case the cooling system should be inspected by a qualified workshop
without delay. It is not sufficient merely to top up the coolant fluid.
If there are no leaks in the system, a loss of coolant fluid can only occur if
the coolant boils and is forced out of the system as a result of overheating.
CAUTION
Radiator sealants must not be added to the coolant fluid. Such additives
could seriously impair the function of the cooling system. 
Topping up the coolant fluid
Be careful when topping up with coolant fluid. – Switch the engine off.
– Wait for the engine to cool down. –
Cover the cap on the expansion tank ⇒ fig. 179 with a cloth,
and carefully unscrew the cap anti-clockwise ⇒ 
.
– Add coolant fluid.
– Screw on the cap tightly.
Make sure that the coolant fluid meets the required specifications
⇒  page 230, Coolant fluid. Do not use a different type of antifreeze if G12+
+ antifreeze is not available. In this case, use only water and bring the anti-
freeze concentration back up to the correct level as soon as possible.
Always top up with new coolant fluid.
Do not fill above the “max” mark. Excess coolant fluid is forced out of the
system through the valve in the filler cap when the engine gets hot.
If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down before
putting in cold coolant. Failure to do so could result in serious engine dam-
age.
WARNING
● The cooling system is under pressure. Do not unscrew the cap on the
expansion tank when the engine is hot. Failure to comply could result in
burns.
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a health hazard. Therefore,
the antifreeze should be stored in the original container in a safe place
out of reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.
For the sake of the environment
Drained off coolant should not be used again. Drain off the used coolant in-
to a suitable container and dispose of it in the proper manner (observe envi-
ronmental regulations). 

MirrorsActivating stored settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Automatic exterior mirror adjustment . . . . 137
Heated exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Storing settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Vanity mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Mobile phones and two-way radios . . . . . . . . 221
multitronic® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
N
Net partition Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Number of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
O
Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Octane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Oil consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Overview Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 P
Paddle levers tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Paintwork Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 multitronic® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Parking aid SEAT Parking System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
SEAT Parking System plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Parking aid acoustic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Passenger see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 10, 11, 12
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Photosensor faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Physical principles of a frontal collision . . . . . . 20
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Plastic parts cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 211
Q
Quartz clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 R
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Rain sensor faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Reading lights Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Rear drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Rear side window sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Rear view mirrors Anti-dazzle interior mirror with automaticadjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Anti-dazzle setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Interior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Rear window sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Rear window wiper Intermittent wipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Rear window automatic wash and wipe . . 129
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Registration light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Remote control key Indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Locking and unlocking the vehicle . . . . . . 105
Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Remote control keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Re-synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . 257
312 Index