2012 Seat Altea bonnet

241
Checking and refilling levels
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. Changing the rear wiper blade
A good rear wiper blade is essential for clear rear vision.
Damaged wiper blades should be replaced immediately.
Fig. 169 Removing rear
window wiper blade
Fig. 170 Fitting the rear
window wiper blade

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

243
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and ob-
serve the warnings ⇒ page 230.

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 230 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 230.
WARNING (Continued)
● Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. There is a toxic risk.
● Complete the brake fluid change according to the Maintenance Pro-
gramme. Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake
fluid is left in the system for too long. This would seriously affect the effi-
ciency of the brakes and the safety of the vehicle. This may cause an ac-
cident.
CAUTION
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
The brake pads and fluid must be collected and disposed of according the
applicable regulations. The SEAT Technical Service network has the neces-
sary equipment and qualified personnel for collecting and disposing of this
waste material. 
Vehicle battery Warnings on handling the battery
Wear eye protection
Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear protec-
tive gloves and eye protection!
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are prohibited! 
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245
Checking and refilling levels
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 230
⇒ 
in Warnings on handling the battery on page 244.
– 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 287.
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. Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.
If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long peri-
ods, the battery should be checked by a specialised workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle,
the battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have
the vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be
re-charged or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a specialised workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and
has special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety
specifications of your vehicle.
WARNING
● We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof
batteries which comply with standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This
standard applies as of 2001.
● Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe
the warnings ⇒ 
in Warnings on handling the battery on page 244. 
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269
If and when
Number plate light - C5W
Note
● Depending on weather conditions (cold or wet), the headlights, the fog
lights, the tail lights and the turn signals may be temporarily misted. This
has no influence on the useful life of the lighting system. By switching on
the lights, the area through which the beam of light is projected will quickly
be demisted. However, the edges may continue to be misted.
● Please check at regular intervals that all lighting (especially the exterior
lighting) on your vehicle is functioning properly. This is not only in the inter-
est of your own safety, but also that of all other road users.
● Due to the difficulty in accessing some of the bulbs, any replacement
work should be done by a SEAT dealer. However, the following is a descrip-
tion of how to change the lamps except for the fog lights* and interior
lamps. 
Main headlight bulbs
Fig. 182 Main headlight
bulbs
Number plate light
Turn signal
Dipped beam headlights
Main beam headlights
Side lights

Turn signal bulbs
Fig. 183 Turn signal
– Raise the bonnet.
– Rotate the bulb holder ⇒ fig. 183 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. 
A
BCD
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

270If and when
Dipped lights
Fig. 184 Dipped beam
headlights
Fig. 185 Dipped beam
headlights
– Raise the bonnet.
– Remove the loops ⇒ fig. 184 1
in the direction of the arrow
and remove the cover. –
Remove the connector ⇒ fig. 185 2
from the bulb.
– Unclip the retainer spring ⇒ fig. 185 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. 

271
If and when
Main beam lights
Fig. 186 Main beam
headlights
Fig. 187 Main beam
headlights
– Raise the bonnet.
– Remove the cover ⇒ fig. 186 C
by pulling on this. –
Remove the connector ⇒ fig. 187 1
from the bulb.
– Press the spring ⇒ fig. 187 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

272If and when
Side lights
Fig. 188 Side lights
Fig. 189 Side lights
– Raise the bonnet.
– Remove the cover ⇒ fig. 188 D
by pulling on this. –
Extract the bulb holder ⇒ fig. 189 1
outwards.
– Replace the bulb by pulling it out and inserting the replace-
ment.
– Installation is done in the reverse order. 
Tail lights
● Side lights
● Brake lights
● Turn signal
● Reverse lights
● Rear fog light 

Index
A
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Adjusting the seat belt height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
AFS (cornering lights) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Air conditioner 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Air conditioner automatic mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Air recirculation mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Manual air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Alternator
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Aspects to note before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . 132
Deactivating the anti-dazzle function . . . . 132
Automatic car wash tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Automatic gearbox Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gearbox . 180
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Automatic windscreeen wiper/washer . . . . . . 128
Auxiliary audio input: AUX-IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
B
Ball coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Battery
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Brake pedal warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Worn brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194, 202
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Bulb changes General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Bulb defect Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 171
301
Index