2012 Seat Altea XL engine coolant

232Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
– 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 the 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. 
Opening the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.
Fig. 165 Detail of foot-
well area on driver side:
lever for unlocking the
bonnet.
Fig. 166 Arrester hook
for bonnet.
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the windscreen wipers are
in rest position.
– To release the bonnet, pull the lever under the dash panel
⇒ fig. 165 in the direction indicated (arrow). The bonnet will be
released by a spring action ⇒ 
.
– Lift the bonnet using the release lever (arrow) and open the
bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and secure it in fixture designed for
this in the bonnet.
WARNING
Hot coolant can scald!
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. 

233
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
● Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant is emitted from the bon-
net, then carefully open the bonnet.
● When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 230.

Closing the bonnet
– Raise the bonnet slightly.
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its support.
– At a height of about 30 cm let it fall so it is locked.
If the bonnet does not close, do not press downwards. Open it once more
and let it fall as before.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving
and completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.
● If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly.
Risk of accident.
 Engine oil
General notes
The engine comes with a special, high quality, multi grade oil that can be
used in all seasons of the year except for those regions affected by extreme
cold.
As the use of good quality oil is necessary for the correct operation and long
service life of the engine, when it becomes necessary to replenish or
change the oil, always use an oil that complies to the VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should ap-
pear on the container of the service oil; when the container displays the
specific standards for petrol and diesel engines together, it means that the
oil can be used for both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change, indicated in the Maintenance Pro-
gramme, be performed by an Authorised Service Centre or a specialised
workshop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine are listed in ⇒ page 234, Oil
properties.
Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife service) or fixed (dependent on
time/distance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the Maintenance Programme
booklet is QG1, this means that your vehicle has the LongLife service pro-
grammed. If it has the codes QG0 or QG2 the interval service is dependent
on time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife*)
Special oils and processes have been developed which, depending on the
characteristics and individual driving profiles, allow to extend the oil
change service (LongLife service intervals). 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

237
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Only change the oil yourself if you have the specialist knowledge re-
quired!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings
⇒ page 230, Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment.
● Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil may cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arm
horizontal to help prevent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be stored in a safe place out of
the reach of children.
CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil. This could result in engine
damage. Any damage caused by the use of such additives would not be
covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
● Because of the disposal problems, the necessary special tools and spe-
cialist knowledge required, we recommend that you have the engine oil and
filter changed by an Authorised Service Centre.
● Never pour oil down drains or into the ground.
● Use a suitable container when draining the used oil. It must be large
enough to hold all the engine oil. Coolant
Coolant specifications
Coolant is a mixture of water and at least 40% coolant addi-
tive. The cooling system must be filled with a mixture of water and at least 40 %
of our coolant additive G12+ or an additive with the specification TT-VW 774
F (it is dyed purple). This mixture provides the necessary freeze protection
down to -25 °C and protects the alloy parts of the cooling system against
corrosion. It also prevents scaling and raises the boiling point of the cool-
ant.
The concentration of coolant must always be at least 40% - even if freeze
protection is not required.
If greater freeze protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion
of the antifreeze additive G12+ can be increased. However, the percentage
of coolant additives should not exceed 60%, as this would reduce the
freeze protection. It would also reduce the cooling effect. A mixture with
60% additive will give antifreeze protection to approx. -40 °C.
WARNING
● The coolant additive is toxic. There is a toxic risk. Always keep the
coolant additive in the original container which should be stored out of
the reach of children. The same applies to coolant which you have
drained off.
● The coolant additive G12+ must be added in sufficient quantities to
provide anti-freeze protection at the coldest ambient temperatures that
can be expected. At extremely cold outside temperatures, the coolant
could freeze, causing the vehicle to breakdown. As the heater would not
work either, there is a risk of freezing to death. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

238Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● Other additives may give considerably inferior corrosion protection. The
resulting corrosion in the cooling system can lead to a loss of coolant, caus-
ing serious damage to the engine.
● The coolant additive G12+ (purple) can be mixed with the additive G12
(red) or G11. Never mix G12 (red colour) with G11. 
Checking the coolant level and topping up 
The correct coolant level is important for fault-free function-
ing of the engine cooling system.
Fig. 169 In the engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion tank cap
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒ 
in
Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment on
page 230. Opening the coolant expansion tank
–
Switch off the engine and allow it to cool.
– To prevent scalding, cover the cap on the expansion tank with a
thick cloth and carefully unscrew the cap ⇒ 
.
Checking coolant level
– Look into the open coolant expansion tank and read off the
coolant level.
– If the level is below the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant.
Topping up coolant
– Only use new coolant liquid.
– Do not fill above the “MAX” mark.
Closing the coolant expansion tank
– Screw the cap on again tightly.
The position of the coolant expansion reservoir is shown in the correspond-
ing engine compartment illustration ⇒ page 289.
Make sure that the coolant meets the required specifications ⇒ page 237.
Do not use a different type of additive if additive G12+ is not available. In
this case use only water and bring the coolant concentration back up to the
correct level as soon as possible by putting in the specified additive
⇒  page 237.
Always top up with new coolant.
Do not fill above the “MAX” mark. Otherwise the excess coolant will be
forced out of the cooling system when the engine is hot.
The coolant additive G12+ (dyed purple) may be mixed with G12 (dyed red)
and also with G 11. 

239
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the engine must
be carried out cautiously.
● When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 230.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised!
Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
This is a burn injury risk.
CAUTION
● When mixed with other additives the colour of G12 will change to brown.
If this occurs you should have the coolant changed immediately. Failure to
do so will result in engine damage!
● If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down
before putting in cold coolant. This avoids damaging the engine. Large cool-
ant losses are an indication of leaks in the cooling system. See a special-
ised workshop immediately and have the cooling system checked. Other-
wise, there is a risk of engine damage. Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades
Topping up washer fluid 
The water for cleaning the windscreen should always be
mixed with washer fluid.
Fig. 170 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir.
The windscreen washer and the headlight washers are supplied with fluid
from the windscreen washer fluid container in the engine compartment.
The reservoir is located on the right-hand side of the engine compartment.
Plain water is not enough to clean the windscreen and headlights. We rec-
ommend that you always add a product to the windscreen washer fluid. Ap-
proved windscreen cleaning products exist on the market with high deter-
gent and anti-freeze properties, these may be added all-year-round. Please
follow the dilution instructions on the packaging. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

289
Technical specifications
Technical specifications
Checking fluid levels
From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the ve-
hicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, other-
wise serious damage to the engine may be caused.
Fig. 210 Diagram for the
location of the various el-
ements
Coolant expansion tank
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil dipstick
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath the cover)
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the compo-
nents mentioned above. These operations are described in the ⇒ page 230.
1
23456
Overview
You will find further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the tech-
nical specifications as of
⇒ page 285. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

C
Car care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
CCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Central lock button Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Automatic speed dependent locking andunlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Locking system for involuntary unlocking . 99
Selective unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Changing gear see Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Changing gear in tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . 183
Changing the bulbs Main headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Changing the main headlight bulbs Main beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Turn signal bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Changing the main headlight lamps dipped lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Changing the tail light bulbs
Position light, fog light and tail light on thetailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Changing the tail lights Luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . 277
Turn signal, side and brake lights on thebody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . 240
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 245
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Child seats ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Climatronic
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cloth seat covers cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Coming/leaving home function . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Compartment for on-board documentation . . 141
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Controls electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237, 238 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Coolant loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Coolant temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Correct adjustment of front seat head re- straints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . 14
304 Index

Correct sitting positionFront passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Cruise control warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Cruise control* Complete system deactivation . . . . . . . . . 192
Cruise speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
D Danger of fitting a child seat on the front pas- senger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Dash panel cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Daytime lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Activating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Deactivating front passenger airbag Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Deactivating the airbag Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Diesel engine Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Diesel engine particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Differential lock fault (EDL)
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Dipped beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Display (without warning or information texts) 61
Disposal Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Door lock cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Door release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Doors Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Drawer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Driver see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 10, 11, 12
Driveshaft differential XDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Drive wheels traction control system . . . . . . . 195
Driving Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Economically / Environmentally friendly . 204
With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Driving programmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Driving with an automatic gearbox / DSG auto- matic gearbox* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Duplicate keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Dynamic cornering lights
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . 119
E
Economical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Electric power steering Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 172
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Emergency braking warning . . . . . . . . . . 121, 194
Emergency manual locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Emergency opening Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Emission control system Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Engine compartment Working in the engine compartment . . . . 230
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine fault Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
305
Index