2012 Seat Altea tow

280If and when
Towing and tow-starting
Tow-starting
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-start-
ing is preferable ⇒ page 277.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the
gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the
towing vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it. General notes
Please observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
–
Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto-
matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not
working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake sooner than nor-
mal and pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexper-
ienced drivers should not attempt to tow. 

281
If and when
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking
the tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of
overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must ap-
ply considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running,
you will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
● Put the selector lever into position “N”.
● Do not drive faster than 50 km/h.
● Do not tow further than 50 km.
● If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.
Note
● Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe
any regulations to the contrary.
● For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.
● If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gear-
box, you must raise the drive wheels while the vehicle is being towed.
● If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km, the front wheels should
be raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by a qualified
person. ●
The steering wheel is locked when the vehicle has no electrical power.
The vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should
be carried out by a qualified person.
● The towing eye should always be kept in the vehicle. Please refer to the
notes on ⇒ page 280, Tow-starting. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

282If and when
Towing eyes
Fig. 204 The front right
section of the vehicle:
Fitting the front towing
eye
Fig. 205 Fitting the tow-
ing eye to the rear of the
vehicle
Fitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the on-board tool set. –
Remove the front cover by pressing down on its left-hand side.
– Remove the cover of the screw hole, insert a screwdriver into
the lower slot and lever gently.
– Screw the towing eye as shown by the arrow anti-clockwise to
the limit position in the front ⇒ fig. 204 or rear ⇒ fig. 205 threa-
ded hole. 

285
Description of specifications
Information on fuel consumption
Fuel consumption
The consumption and emission details shown on the vehicle
data sticker differ from one vehicle to another. The vehicle's fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions can be consulted on the
vehicle data sticker in the spare wheel well, inside the luggage compart-
ment and on the rear cover of the Maintenance Programme.
The fuel consumption and CO 2 emission values refer to the weight category
assigned to your vehicle according to the engine and gearbox combination,
as well as the specific equipment fitted, and is only used to compare be-
tween the different models.
The fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions do not depend only on the per-
formance of the vehicle, they can also differ from the established values de-
pending on other factors such as driving style, road conditions, traffic con-
ditions, environmental conditions, load and number of passengers.
Calculation of fuel consumption
The consumption values have been calculated based on measurements per-
formed or supervised by certified CE laboratories according to the latest ver-
sion of directives 715/2007/EC and 80/1268/CEE (for more information
consult the European Union Publications Office at EUR-Lex: © European Un-
ion, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) and are valid for the kerb
weight indicated for the vehicle.
Note
In practice, and considering all the factors mentioned here, consumption
values can differ from those calculated in the current European regulations. Weights
Kerb weight refers to the basic model with a fuel tank filled to 90% capacity
and without optional extras. The figure quoted includes 75 kg to allow for
the weight of the driver.
For special versions and optional equipment fittings or for the addition of
accessories, the weight of the vehicle will increase
⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Always adjust your speed and driving style to suit road conditions
and requirements.
● Never exceed the gross axle weight rating or the gross vehicle weight
rating. If the allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded,
the driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to acci-
dents, injuries and damage to the vehicle.

Towing a trailer Trailer weights
Trailer weight
The trailer weights and drawbar loads approved are selected in intensive tri-
als according to precisely defined criteria. The approved trailer weights are
valid for vehicles in the EU for maximum speeds of 80 km/h (in certain cir-
cumstances up to 100 km/h). The figures may be different in other coun-
tries. All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these
data ⇒ 
. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

286Description of specifications
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted drawbar load on the ball joint of the towing bracket
must not exceed 75 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend that you always tow approach-
ing the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will
be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load cannot be met (e.g. with small,
empty and light-weight single axle trailers or tandem axle trailers with a
wheelbase of less than 1 metre), a minimum of 4% of the actual trailer
weight is legally required for the drawbar load.
WARNING
● For safety reasons, do not exceed the 80 km/h limit. This is also valid
in countries where higher speeds are permitted.
● Never exceed the maximum trailer weights or the drawbar load. If the
permissible axle load or the permissible total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.

Wheels
Tyre pressure, snow chains, wheel bolts
Tyre pressures
The sticker with the tyre pressure values can be found on the inside of the
tank flap. The tyre pressure values given there are for cold tyres. Do not re-
duce the slightly raised pressures of warm tyres ⇒ 
.
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels. Consult the chapter “wheels” of this manual.
Wheel bolts
After the wheels have been changed, the
tightening torque of the wheel
bolts should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒ 
.
The tightening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
● Check the tyre pressure at least once per month. Checking the tyre
pressure is very important. If the tyre pressure is too high or too low,
there is an increased danger of accidents, particularly at high speeds.
● If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen while the
vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too high,
the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
Note
We recommend that you ask your Authorised Service Centre for information
about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size. 

Tightening torque of wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Towing bracket, fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Towing eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Tow startingGeneral notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Traction control system (ASR) Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Trailer Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Trailer turn signals Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Tyre-Mobility-System (Tyre repair kit) . . . . . . . 262
Tyre Mobility-System (Tyre repair kit) . . . . . . . 256
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tyre pressure monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tyre pressure warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256, 262 Tyres and wheels
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tyres service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . 247
U Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Unlocking and locking Personalisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
V Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Vehicle modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Vehicle paintwork Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . 212
Vehicle tools Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Vehicle washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Volumetric sensor Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Deactivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 W
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Warning messages in the display . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Warning reports Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 80
Yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 80
Warning symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Washing by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . . 214
Water Warning message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Water in the windscreen washer tank . . . . . . . 239
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Wearing suitable shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259, 286 Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Wheel change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247, 286
Wheel trims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 30
Why should head restraints be correctly adjus- ted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 21, 30
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Windscreen washer fluid Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
308 Index