
204Vehicle care and maintenance
WARNING
Additional underseal or anti-corrosion products could catch fire due to
the high temperatures reached by the exhaust gas system and other en-
gine components.
● Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion products to the
exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, heat shields or other parts of the ve-
hicle which reach high temperatures.
Cleaning the engine compartment
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially hazardous
area ⇒ page 180. The engine compartment should only be cleaned by qualified personnel. If
it is not correctly cleaned, the anti-corrosion coating and consequently elec-
trical components may be damaged. Moreover, water may filter directly into
the vehicle interior through the water chamber ⇒
.
If the engine compartment is very dirty, always take the vehicle to a Special-
ised workshop for professional cleaning. SEAT recommends visiting a Tech-
nical Service.
Water box
The water box is in the engine compartment, between the windscreen and
the engine, and beneath a perforated cover. Air is taken in through the wa-
ter box from outside to the vehicle interior via the heating and air condition-
ing system.
Leaves and other loose objects should be regularly cleaned away from the
water box either by hand or with a vacuum.
WARNING
When working on the engine or in the engine compartment, there is a
risk of injury, burns, accident or fire.
● Before starting work, please ensure you are familiar with the required
procedure and the safety precautions ⇒ page 180.
● SEAT recommends you have this work performed by a specialised
workshop.
CAUTION
If water is manually poured into the water box (for example, using a high
pressure cleaning appliance), this could cause significant damage to the ve-
hicle.
For the sake of the environment
Only wash the engine compartment in areas allocated for this purpose, to
prevent dirty water which may be contaminated by oil, grease or fuel, from
entering the drains. In some districts, the engine compartment may not be
washed outside the wash bays provided for this purpose.

211
Vehicle care and maintenance
About your tyres and wheels
Fig. 120 Diagram for
changing wheels
The tyres of a vehicle are the components which are subjected to most
stress and are the most underestimated. Tyres are very important, as the
support offered by their narrow surface is the only point of contact between
the vehicle and the road.
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving style, the care
they receive and the correct fitting.
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 our critical to good road holding and safe handling.
Avoiding damage to tyres and wheels
● If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive very slowly and
as near as possible at a right angle to the kerb.
● Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (punctures, cuts, cracks, dents).
● Remove any foreign bodies found on the outside of the tread provided
they have not passed through the wall of the tyre
⇒ page 216.
● The instructions for tyre control systems should always be observed. ●
Replace damaged or worn tyres as soon as possible ⇒ page 216.
● Regularly check tyres for non-visible damage ⇒ page 216.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of tyre fitted on your vehicle ⇒ page 218.
● Do not allow tyres (including the spare wheel) to come into contact with
aggressive substances, grease, oil, fuel or brake fluid ⇒
.
● Lost valve caps should be replaced immediately.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have been designed to operate best
when rotating in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates
the direction of rotation on tyres with directional tread ⇒ page 218. Always
observe the direction of rotation indicated when mounting the wheel. This
guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise
and wear.
If the tyre is mounted in the opposite direction of rotation, drive with ex-
treme caution, as the tyre is no longer being used correctly. This is of partic-
ular importance when the road surface is wet. Change the tyre as soon as
possible or remount it with the correct direction of rotation.
Interchanging tyres
To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres the wheels should be changed
round from time to time according to the system ⇒ Fig. 120. All the tyres will
then last for about the same time.
SEAT recommends you take the vehicle to a Specialised workshop to have
the tyres changed.
Tyres that are over 6 years old
Tyres are subject to an ageing process as a result of physical and chemical
processes. This may affect their performance. Tyres which are stored for
long periods of time without being used, harden and become more fragile
than tyres which are in constant use.
SEAT recommends that tyres over six years old are replaced with new tyres.
This also applies to tyres (including the spare wheel) which appear to be in
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

214Vehicle care and maintenance
Note
If you use tyres that are approved by SEAT, you can be sure that the true tyre
dimensions will be correct for your vehicle. For other tyre models, the tyre
vendor should provide the manufacturer's certificate with the tyre, indicat-
ing that this type of tyre is suitable for your vehicle. This certificate should
always be carried with the vehicle.
Tyre pressures
Fig. 121 Position of tyre pressure specification plate
The correct tyre pressures for tyres fitted at the factory is shown on a label
and is valid for summer and winter tyres. This label ⇒ Fig. 121 is either in
the driver door strut or inside the fuel cap.
Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce the life of the tyres considerably
and also impair the vehicle's handling ⇒
. It is essential to maintain the
correct tyre pressures, especially if driving at high speeds. Incorrect tyre
pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out. The pressure should therefore be checked at least once a month and before
starting a journey.
As a general rule, the pressures given are for
cold tyres. When the tyres are
hot, the pressures are greater.
Never deflate a hot tyre in order to obtain the required pressure. This could
result in very low tyre pressures which may lead to sudden blow-outs.

215
Vehicle care and maintenance
Checking tyre pressures
Check tyre pressures only when the vehicle has not been driven for more
than a few kilometres at low speeds in the past three hours.
● Check tyre pressures regularly, and only when the tyres are cold. Always
check all tyres, including the spare wheel. Check tyre pressures more often
in colder regions, and only when the vehicle has not been driven recently.
Always use a correctly-operating tyre gauge.
● Adjust tyre pressures to the loads carried in the vehicle.
● After adjusting the tyre pressure, check that the caps are properly
screwed.
The spare wheel or temporary spare wheel must be at the maximum pres-
sure specified.
WARNING
If tyre pressures are too high or too low, the tyre may deflate or burst
suddenly while driving. This could result in serious accident.
● If the tyre pressure is too low, the tyres could overheat, resulting in
tread detachment or even burst tyres.
● When driving at high speeds and/or fully loaded, the tyre could sud-
denly overheat, burst or be subject to tread detachment, with the resul-
tant loss of control of the vehicle.
● Tyre pressures which are too high or too low reduce the service life of
the tyre, affecting the vehicle's performance.
● Tyre pressures should be checked regularly, at least once a month
and before long journeys.
● Adjust the pressures of all the tyres to the vehicle load.
● Never deflate excess pressure from hot tyres.
CAUTION
● Take care not to tilt the manometer when placing it on the valve. Other-
wise, the valve may be damaged.
● To avoid damage to the valves, always replace valve caps correctly.
Check that the caps are identical to the standard caps and have been cor-
rectly tightened.
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase the fuel consumption.
Tread depth and wear indicators
Fig. 122 Tyre tread:
tread wear indicators
Tread depth
Certain driving conditions require a deeper tread, as well as needing the
tread to be approximately the same on the front and rear tyres. This is par-
ticularly important when driving in winter, in cold temperatures and on wet
roads ⇒
.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

238Practical information
If and when
Practical information
Frequently asked questions
If you suspect that the vehicle has a fault or is damaged when using it, be-
fore consulting a SEAT dealership or a specialised workshop, carefully read
the following instructions. Similarly, the terms in the alphabetical index
“Things to note” or “Checklist” may be of help.
ProblemPossible causes,
among othersPossible solution
The engine does
not start.
The vehicle battery is
flat.– Carry out the jump start
⇒ page 273.
– Charge the battery
⇒ page 193.
You are using an incor-
rect vehicle key.Use the correct key
⇒ page 28.
The fuel tank level is
insufficient.Refuel ⇒ page 171.
The vehicle cannot
be locked or un-
locked with the
key.
– Vehicle key battery is
flat.
– Too far away from
the vehicle.
– Buttons pressed out-
side the radius of
reach.– Change the battery
⇒ page 28.
– Move closer to the vehicle.
– Synchronize the vehicle
key ⇒ page 28.
– Manually lock or unlock
the vehicle ⇒ page 243.
Unusual noises.
Engine cold, City Safe-
ty Assist system, steer-
ing column electronic
lock.See entry “Noises” in the de-
tailed alphabetical index.
ProblemPossible causes,
among othersPossible solution
Handling is
strange.
Assistance systems ac-
tive.See entry “Assistance sys-
tems” in the detailed alpha-
betical index.
You are using an incor-
rect tyre pressure.Check the tyre pressure
⇒ page 210.
Damage to the wheel
trims or tyres.
Inspect wheel trims and
tyres regularly for damage
⇒ page 210 and replace
them if necessary
⇒ page 250.
Vehicle has no
jack, spare wheel
or tire mobility set
present.Equipment subject to
the vehicle.
No direct solution, depends
on the equipment. In this
case, you should contact a
SEAT Dealership
⇒ page 246.
Surface not correct-
ly illuminated.
– Headlights covered
for driving on the left-
hand side or right-
hand side.
– Headlight adjust-
ment too high.
– Faulty bulbs.
– Dipped headlights
switched off.– Cover the headlights for
driving on the left-hand side
or right-hand side
⇒ page 84.
– Adjust the headlight range
⇒ page 84.
– Change the bulbs
⇒ page 264.
– Switch on the dipped
headlights ⇒ page 84.

239
Practical information
ProblemPossible causes,
among othersPossible solution
The electrical
equipment is not
working.Vehicle battery flat.Charge the battery
⇒ page 193.
Fuel tank level insuffi-
cient.Refuel ⇒ page 171.
A fuse is blown.Check fuse and change if
necessary ⇒ page 261.
Fuel consumption
higher than nor-
mal.
– Short trips.
– “Irregularities in the
accelerator pedal”.– Avoid short trips.
– Foresight when driving.
– Press the accelerator even-
ly.
Electrical equipment
connected.Switch off any unnecessary
electrical equipment.
Fault in engine man-
agement.Have the fault rectified
⇒ page 236.
Tyre pressure too low.Adjust tyre pressure
⇒ page 210.
Driving on hills.No direct solution.Driving with a heavy
load.No direct solution.
Driving at an excessive
engine speed.Shift up a gear.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical Data

Changing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Engaging gears (automatic gearbox) . . . . 129
Engaging gears (manual gearbox) . . . . . . 128
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Warning and control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
with Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Changing gears Gear recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Changing the bulbs Side turn signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Changing the wheel After changing the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Checking Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Checking the oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Checklist Before working in the engine compart-ment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
In case of an emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Check list Journey preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Preparations for changing a wheel . . . . . . 251
Raising the vehicle with the jack . . . . . . . . 254
Checklist Refuelling precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Check list Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Checklist
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Tire Mobility Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Transporting children in the vehicle . . . . . . 77
Check list Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Child safety seat Securing with seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Child seat ISOFIX child seat on rear seats . . . . . . . . . . 80
Mounting child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Mounting systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
On rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
On the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Securing using a Top Tether retaining strap 83
Securing using ISOFIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Securing using LATCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Transporting children in the vehicle . . . . . . 77
Weight categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Disabling the front passenger airbag . . . . . 73
Chromework care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
City Safety Assist function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Special driving situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Cleaning dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
See "Care of your vehicle" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Close Sliding/tilting electric panoramic sunroof . 44
Closing Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
from the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
from the inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Coat hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Code number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Collection of end-of-life vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Compartments Centre console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110, 111
Other storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 112
Passenger side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110, 111
Sunglasses storage compartment . . . . . . 110
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Conformity certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Consumer disconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Consumption How it is determined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
control lamp on the driver door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
293
Index

Driving abroadCheck list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Driving advice Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Temporary spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Driving in winter Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Windscreen washer bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Driving through water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Driving tips Driving a loaded vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
E
Ecological driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Economic driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
EDL See "Brake assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Electrical components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117, 241
Electrical consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Electrical power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Electric windows Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
see Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Electronic differential lock system (EDL) . . . . 140 Electronic immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . 139
Emergency brake indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . 243
Driver door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Passenger door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Emission control system Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Engaging gears Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Engine Noises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine and ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 12 Volt sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Unauthorised vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Water box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Checking the level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Filler mouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
G 12 plus-plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
G 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Refilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Checking the oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Filler mouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 see Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . 139
Event Data Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Exterior aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Controlling function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Exterior views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
F
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Fault Parking distance warning system . . . . . . . 150
295
Index