227
Checking and refilling levels
Changing the front windscreen wiper blades
If the windscreen wiper blades are in perfect condition, you
will benefit from an improved visibility. Damaged wiper
blades should be replaced immediately.
Fig. 148 Changing the
front wiper blades
Changing wiper blades can be done in both the rest and horizontal
positions. Ensure that the wiper blades are not frozen.
Changing the windscreen wiper blades
– Lift the wiper arm away from the windscreen.
– Press on the side tabs A
and release the blade moving it in the
direction of the arrow 1 ⇒ fig. 148.
Fitting the wiper blade
– Insert the tab 2
into the slot 3 of the blade
⇒ fig. 148. –
Move the blade towards the arm in the opposite direction of the
arrow 1
,until it clicks into position
⇒ fig. 148.
– Push the wiper arms back against the windscreen.
If the windscreen wipers smear , they should be replaced if they are dam-
aged, or cleaned if they are soiled.
If this does not produce the desired results, the setting angle of the wind-
screen wiper arms might be incorrect. They should be checked by a special-
ised workshop and corrected if necessary.
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
● Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could scratch the windscreen.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the windows. This could damage the windscreen wiper blades.
● Never move the windscreen wiper or windscreen wiper arm manually.
This could cause damage.
● Do not pull the windscreen wipers forward unless they are in the service
position. Otherwise the bonnet could be damaged.
Note
● The wiper arms can be moved to the service position only when the bon-
net is properly closed.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
229
Checking and refilling levels
Brake fluid Checking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the serv-
ice schedule.
Fig. 151 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
– Read off the fluid level at the transparent brake fluid reservoir. It
should always be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding en-
gine compartment illustration ⇒ page 273. The brake fluid reservoir has a
black and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear.
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. A display on the
instrument panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low ⇒ page 77.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and ob-
serve the warnings ⇒ page 217.
Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates the brake fluid
change intervals. We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒
in
Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment on page 217 in
section “Safety notes for working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of
the brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock
which could impair the braking effect.
It is important that you use only brake fluid compliant with US standard
FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
● Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and ob-
serve the warnings ⇒ page 217.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
231
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
● 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 re-
verse 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 en-
gine is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic com-
ponents.
● 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 freezing. If it freezes it will be damaged. Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.
– Open the engine bonnet and the battery cover ⇒
in Safety in-
structions on working in the engine compartment on page 217
⇒
in Warnings on handling the battery on page 230.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the
battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently
until they disperse.
The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒ page 273.
The “magic eye” indicator, located on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge state and electrolyte level of the battery.
There are two different colours:
● Black: correct charge status.
● Transparent/clear yellow: the battery must be replaced. Contact a spe-
cialist workshop.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
256If and when
Turn signal bulbs
Fig. 163 Turn signal
– Raise the bonnet.
– Rotate the bulb holder ⇒ fig. 163 A
to the left and pull.
– Remove the bulb by pressing on the bulb holder and rotating at
the same time to the left.
– Installation is done in the reverse order. Dipped lights
Fig. 164 Dipped beam
headlights
Fig. 165 Dipped beam
headlights
– Raise the bonnet
– Remove the loops ⇒ fig. 164 1
in the direction of the arrow
and remove the cover.
257
If and when
– Remove the connector ⇒ fig. 165 2
from the bulb.
– Unclip the retainer spring ⇒ fig. 165 3
pressing inwards to the
right.
– Extract the bulb and fit the replacement so that the rim of the
attachment plate is on the reflector cut-out.
Main beam lights
Fig. 166 Main beam
headlights
Fig. 167 Main beam
headlights
– Raise the bonnet
– Remove the cover ⇒ fig. 166 C
by pulling on this.
– Remove the connector ⇒ fig. 167 1
from the bulb.
– Press the spring ⇒ fig. 167 2
inwards and to the right.
– Extract the bulb and fit the replacement so that it sits correctly
into the cut-out on the reflector.
– Installation is done in the reverse order.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
258If and when
Side lights
Fig. 168 Side lights
Fig. 169 Side lights
– Raise the bonnet.
– Remove the cover ⇒ fig. 168 D
by pulling on this. –
Extract the bulb holder ⇒ fig. 169 1
outwards.
– Replace the bulb by pulling it out and inserting the replace-
ment.
– Installation is done in the reverse order.
Tail lights
On the body
– Turn signal, side and brake light
On the tailgate
– Left side: side and fog lights.
– Right side: side and reverse.
Index
A
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Adjusting the seat belt height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
AFS (cornering lights) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Air conditioner General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Air conditioner automatic mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Air conditioner* 2C-Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Air recirculation mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Manual air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Alternator
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Ashtray* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Aspects to take into account before starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror* Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . 129
Deactivating anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . 129
Automatic car wash tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Automatic gearbox Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox 168
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Automatic windscreeen wiper/washer . . . . . . 125
Auxiliary audio connection: AUX-IN . . . . . . . . 141
B
Ball coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Battery
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Before starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brake pedal warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Worn brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182, 189
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Bulb changes General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Bulb defect warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122, 159
291
Index