246Wheels and tyres
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which re-
sults in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause exces-
sive wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be reba-
lanced when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety
of the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel
alignment checked by a Technical Service.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre bursts during driving!
● The tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread wear indica-
tors are worn ⇒ page 245. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Worn tyres do not grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There is also a
greater risk of aquaplaning.
● At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. This causes it to overheat. This can cause tread separation and tyre
blow-out. Risk of accident. Always observe the recommended tyre pres-
sures.
● If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the running gear
checked by a Technical Service.
● Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake fluid away from tyres.
● Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately!
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption. Run-flat tyres*
Run-flat tyres allow you to continue driving even with a
punctured tyre, in the majority of cases.
In vehicles that are factory-fitted with run-flat tyres 1)
the loss of tyre
pressure is indicated on the instrument panel.
Driving with run-flat tyres (emergency running)
– Leave the ESC/ASR on (Electronic Stability Control), or switch it
on ⇒ page 69.
– Continue driving carefully and slowly (80 km/h maximum).
– Avoid sudden manoeuvres and sharp turns.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (for example kerbs) or potholes.
– Pay attention if the ESC/ASR activates often, if smoke comes
from the tyres or there is a smell of rubber, if the vehicle vi-
brates or there are clattering noises. If any of these occur, stop
the vehicle.
The run-flat tyres have a tag on the side of the tyre, with the description:
“DSST”, “Eufonia”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
The sides of this type of tyre are reinforced. When the tyres lose air they are
supported on the sides (emergency driving).
The loss of pressure in the tyre is shown on the instrument panel. You can
then drive a maximum of 80 km and if the circumstances are favourable (for
example, low load), even more.
1)
Depending upon version and country.
247
Wheels and tyres
The damaged tyre should be changed as soon as possible. The rim should
be checked in a specialised workshop to detect possible damage and re-
place it if necessary. We recommend you contact Technical Service. If more
than one tyre is being used under emergency conditions, this reduces the
distance which can be travelled.
Starting driving in emergency conditions
When loss in tyre pressure is displayed on the instrument panel, this means
that at least one tyre is being driven in emergency conditions ⇒
.
End of emergency operation
Do not drive on if:
● smoke is coming from one of the tyres,
● there is a smell of rubber,
● the vehicle vibrates,
● there is a rattling noise.
When is it no longer possible to continue driving even using run-flat tyres?
● If the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) does not function.
● If the tyre pressure monitoring system* does not work.
● If one of the tyres has been severely damaged in an accident, etc. If a
tyre has been badly damaged there is a risk that parts of the tread can be
thrown off and cause damage to the fuel lines, brake pipes or fuel filler.
● It is also advisable to stop driving if severe vibrations occur, or if the
wheel starts overheating and gives off smoke.
WARNING
When driving in emergency conditions, the driving quality of the vehicle
is considerably impaired.
● The maximum permitted speed of 80 km/h is subject to road and
weather conditions. Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
WARNING (Continued)
● Avoid sharp turns and rapid manoeuvres, and brake earlier than usu-
al.
● Avoid driving over obstacles (for example kerbs) or potholes.
● If one or more tyres are being driven in emergency conditions, the
driving quality of the vehicle is impaired and there is a risk of accident.
Note
● The run-flat tyres do not “deflate” on losing pressure because they are
supported on the reinforced sides. Therefore defects in the tyre cannot be
detected with a visual inspection.
● Snow chains must not be used on front tyres used in emergency condi-
tions.
New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run in.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteris-
tics of the vehicle and make a major contribution to good road holding and
safe handling ⇒
.
Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front
tyres or both rear tyres together). A knowledge of tyre designations makes it
easier to choose the correct tyres. Radial tyres have the tyre designations
marked on the sidewall, for example: 195/65 R15 91T
This contains the following information:
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
287
If and when
– Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive +
termi-
nal of the vehicle with the flat battery A ⇒ Fig. 230.
– Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive ter-
minal +
in the vehicle providing assistance B.
– Connect one end of the black jump lead X
to a suitable ground
terminal, a solid piece of metal in the engine block, or to the en-
gine block ⇒ Fig. 230.
– Connect the other end of the black jump lead X
to a solid met-
al component bolted to the engine block or to the engine block
itself of the vehicle with the flat battery. However, connect it to
a point as far as possible from the battery A
.
4. Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Starting
5. Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery and let it run at idling speed.
6. Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat battery and wait one or two minutes until the engine is running.
Removing the jump leads
7. Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the headlights (if they are switched on).
8. Turn on the heater blower and heated rear window in the vehi- cle with the flat battery. This helps minimise voltage peaks
which are generated when the leads are disconnected.
9. When the engine is running, disconnect the leads in reverse or- der to the details given above. Connect the battery clamps so they have good metal-to-metal contact with
the battery terminals.
If the engine fails to start, switch off the starter after about 10 seconds and
try again after about half a minute.
WARNING
● Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment ⇒ page 227.
● The battery providing assistance must have the same voltage as the
flat battery (12V) and approximately the same capacity (see imprint on
battery). Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
● Never use jump leads when one of the batteries is frozen. Danger of
explosion! Even after the battery has thawed, battery acid could leak and
cause chemical burns. If a battery freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes away from batteries, dan-
ger of explosion. Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the jump
leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to
the negative terminal of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the battery
could be ignited by sparks. Danger of explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the other vehicle to parts of the
fuel system or to the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. The jump lead attached to the positive battery terminal must not
touch metal parts of the vehicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact
with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not bend over the batteries. This could result in chemical burns.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
N
Number of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
O Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Octane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Oil consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Onboard computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Overview Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
P Paddle levers tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Paintwork Polishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 multitronic® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Parking aid SEAT Parking System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
SEAT Parking System plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Parking aid acoustic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Passenger see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 10, 11, 12
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Photosensor faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Physical principles of a frontal collision . . . . . . 19
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Plastic parts cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148, 149
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 209
Q
Quartz clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
RRadiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Rain sensor faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Reading lights Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Rear drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Rear lid Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
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 heating Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Rear window sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Registration light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Remote control key Indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Locking and unlocking the vehicle . . . . . . 106
Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Remote control keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Re-synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Replacement of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Reverse gear Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Attachment points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Roof load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Run-flat tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Running in Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
310 Index