2012 Seat Mii engine

25
Before starting the engine
Prior to a journey... Before starting the engine
Tips for driving
Introduction
Depending upon how you expect to use your vehicle, it may a good idea to
protect the engine from below. A guard underneath the engine may help to
reduce the risk of damage to the lower part of the vehicle and the oil sump
when driving over kerbs, or along dirt tracks or rough roads... Before instal-
lation, SEAT recommends going to a SEAT dealership.
Additional information and warnings:
● Ensure you are correctly seated ⇒ page 48
● Transporting ⇒ page 97
● Starting, changing gears, parking ⇒ page 119
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 144
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 233
WARNING
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics
may result in severe accidents and even loss of life.
● Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics may significantly alter per-
ception, affect reaction times and safety while driving, which could result
in the loss of control of the vehicle.
 Journey preparations and safe driving
Check list
For your own safety, for the safety of vehicle occupants in the vehicle, and
for that of other road users, the following should be checked before and
during each journey
⇒ 
:
¥ Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
¥ Check the tyre pressures (
⇒ page 210) and level of fuel
(⇒ page 171).
¥ Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
¥ Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in
the luggage compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are se-
curely fastened
⇒ page 97.
¥ Ensure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot ped-
als.
¥ Use child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight
and height
⇒ page 76.
¥ Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit
your height
⇒ page 48, ⇒ page 95.
¥ Wear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the
pedals correctly.
¥ The driver's floor mat in the footwell should be fixed to the floor,
leaving the pedal area unobstructed.
¥ Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in
this position throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers
in the vehicle
⇒ page 48. 
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26Before starting the engine
Check list (Continued)
¥ Correctly fasten your seat belt before starting to drive and keep it se-
curely fastened throughout the journey. This applies to all
passengers in the vehicle
⇒ page 57.
¥ Never carry more passengers than the number of available seats and
seat belts in your vehicle.
¥ Never drive with impaired faculties (for example, due to medication,
alcohol or drugs).
¥ Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, for example, to
reset or switch on a menu, by other passengers or to answer a phone
call.
¥ Always try to adapt the speed of the vehicle and your style of driving
to the condition of the ground or the road and to weather and traffic
conditions.
¥ Observe the highway code and speed limits.
¥ On long journeys, rest at regular intervals (at least every 2 hours).
¥ If carrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accord-
ance with their weight and size.
WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic movements. Correctly anticipating traffic situations may mean the
difference between arriving safe and sound at your destination or having
a serious accident.
Note
Regular servicing of your vehicle not only helps to keep it in good working
order but also helps to ensure road safety. Therefore, please ensure the ve-
hicle is taken for service as indicated in the Maintenance Programme. If the
vehicle is subjected to hard use, it may require certain maintenance work
before the next service date. Hard use may involve frequent driving in traffic
jams or driving in dusty areas. For further information, please refer to a SEAT
dealership or a specialised workshop. 
Driving abroad
Check list
In some countries, certain safety regulations and requirements are in force
relating to exhaust gas emissions, which differ from the technical character-
istics of the vehicle. Before travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you con-
sult a SEAT dealership about the legal requirements and the following
points:
¥ Does the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for
example, adjustment of the headlamps?
¥ Does the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and
spare parts required for inspections and repairs?
¥ Are there any SEAT dealers in the destination country?
¥ For petrol vehicles: Is unleaded petrol available at the right octane
rating?
¥ Are a suitable engine oil (
⇒ page 185) and other engine fluids com-
plying with SEAT specifications available in the destination country?
¥ Does the Portable Navigation System (supplied by SEAT) function
⇒ 
page 222 in the destination country with the available navigation
information?
¥ Are special tyres required in the destination country?


27
Before starting the engine
CAUTION
SEAT does not accept liability for any damage to the vehicle due to the use
of a lower quality fuel, an inadequate service or the non-availability of genu-
ine spare parts. 
Driving along flooded roadways
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driving through water, for example,
along a flooded road, please observe the following:
● Check the depth of the water before entering the flooded zone. The wa-
ter should never come above the lower edge of the bodywork ⇒ 
.
● Do not drive faster than a pedestrian.
● Do not stop in the water, use reverse gear or switch off the engine.
● Oncoming traffic will cause waves which raise the level of the water,
making it difficult to cross the water.
● Disconnect the Start-Stop system whenever crossing water.
WARNING
When driving through water, mud, melted snow, etc., please remember
that due to damp or frozen brake discs and pads in winter, the braking
effect may be delayed, therefore the required braking distance is greater.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking carefully. Ensure that you
are not endangering other road-users or breaking traffic regulations in
the process.
● After driving through water, avoid sudden sharp manoeuvres.
CAUTION
● Driving through flooded areas may severely damage vehicle compo-
nents such as the engine, transmission, running gear or electrical system.
● Never drive through salt water as salt causes corrosion. Always rinse any
parts of the vehicle which have been in contact with salt water. 
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28Unlocking and locking
Unlocking and locking
Vehicle key set
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Adjustments to the SEAT information system ⇒ page 22
● Central locking and locking system ⇒ page 33
● Start and stop the engine ⇒ page 119
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 233
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 243
WARNING
Swallowing batteries with a diameter of 20 mm or other types of lithium
battery may quickly result in serious injuries of even death.
● Always keep the vehicle keys and the key tab with the batteries,
spare batteries, flat batteries and other types of batteries larger than
20 mm out of the reach of children.
● Immediately seek medical assistance if you suspect the swallowing of
a battery.
WARNING
Careless or incorrect use of vehicle keys may result in severe injury and
accident.
● Always take all the keys with you whenever you leave the vehicle.
Children and unauthorised individuals could lock the doors or the rear
lid, start the engine or turn the ignition on activating electrical systems,
for example: the electric windows.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle. They
could be trapped in the vehicle in an emergency and will not be able to
get themselves to safety. For example, depending on the time of the
year, temperatures inside a locked and closed vehicle can be extremely
high or extremely low resulting in serious injuries and illness or even
death, particularly for young children.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering may lock and it will not be possible to turn the steering wheel.


91
Lights and visibility
Window wash/wipe system
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Exterior detail ⇒ page 6
● Air recirculation mode ⇒ page 164
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 180
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 197
WARNING
Water from the windscreen washer water bottle may freeze on the wind-
screen if it does not contain enough anti-freeze, reducing forward visibili-
ty.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer contains enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the ventilation system. The anti-
freeze could freeze on the windscreen and reduce visibility.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the windscreen wipers for the first time. In cold weather,
it may help to leave the vehicle parked with the windscreen wipers in serv-
ice position ⇒  page 93. Windscreen wiper lever
Fig. 60 Using the wind-
screen wipers
Fig. 61 Using the rear
window wipers

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93
Lights and visibility
Windscreen wipers service position
Fig. 62 Windscreen wip-
ers in service position
The wiper arms can be raised when the wipers are in service position
⇒  Fig. 62. To place the windscreen wipers in the service position, proceed
as follows:
● The bonnet must be closed
⇒ page 180.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever downwards briefly
⇒ Fig. 60 4
.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. When the ignition is switched
on, the windscreen wiper arms return to their initial position upon activating
the windscreen wiper lever.
Lifting and returning windscreen wiper arms
● Place the windscreen wiper arms in the service position
⇒ 
.
● Only hold the windscreen wiper arms at the point where the blade is
fixed.
CAUTION
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the windscreen wiper arms, only
leave them in the service position.
● Before driving, always lower the windscreen wiper arms. 
Checking and topping up the windscreen washer bottle
with water
Fig. 63 In the engine
compartment: wind-
screen washer bottle top
Check the water level in the windscreen washer bottle regularly and top up
as required.
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 180.
● The washer bottle is marked with the symbol  on the lid ⇒ Fig. 63.
● Check there is enough water in the bottle. 
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94Lights and visibility
● To top up, mix water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT ⇒ 
.
Please follow the instructions for use found on the packaging.
● In cold weather, a special antifreeze should also be added to prevent
the water from freezing ⇒ 
.
Bottle capacity
The washer bottle capacity is approximately. 3 litres.
WARNING
Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other similar products with the
windscreen washer water. A greasy layer may be formed on the wind-
screen which will impair visibility.
● Use clean water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT.
● If necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to the water bottle.
CAUTION
● Do not mix cleaning products recommended by SEAT with other prod-
ucts. This could lead to flocculation and may block the windscreen washer
jets.
● When topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that you fill the
fluids into the correct reservoirs. Using the wrong fluids could cause serious
malfunctions and engine damage! 

117
Practical equipment
Electrical power socket* Introduction
Electrical equipment can be connected to the socket in the vehicle.
Connected equipment must be in perfect condition and show no signs of
faults.
Additional information and warnings:
● Cigarette lighter ⇒ page 115
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 222
WARNING
Improper use of the socket or electrical devices could lead to a fire and
cause serious injuries.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. The socket and
equipment connected to it can be used when the ignition is switched on.
● Should a connected electrical device overheat, switch it off and un-
plug it immediately.
CAUTION
● To avoid damage to the vehicle's electrical system, never connect equip-
ment that generates electrical current, such as solar panels or battery charg-
ers, to the 12 Volt sockets in order to charge the vehicle's battery.
● Only use accessories with approved electromagnetic compatibility ac-
cording to current regulations. ●
To avoid damage due to voltage variations, switch off all appliances con-
nected to the 12 V socket before switching the ignition on or off and before
starting the engine.
● Never connect an appliance to the 12 Volt socket that consumes more
than the power indicated in watts. Exceeding the maximum power absorp-
tion could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
For the sake of the environment
Do not leave the engine running when the vehicle is at a standstill.
Note
Using electrical appliances with the engine stopped and the ignition switch-
ed on will drain the battery.
Note
Unshielded equipment can cause interference on the radio system equip-
ment and the vehicle's electrical system.
Note
If electrical equipment is used near an aerial, you may observe interference
in the reception of AM stations. 
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