2012 Seat Toledo light

168Care of the vehicle and cleaning
Note
● Make sure, when washing the vehicle, that the least amount of water
possible enters the lock cylinders.
● We recommend the use of products from the selection of SEAT Original
Accessories to care for the door lock cylinder. 
Wheels
Wheel trims
If you wash the vehicle regularly, you must also thoroughly wash the wheel
trims. Regularly remove any brake abrasion residue and road salt from the
wheels, otherwise the wheel material could be damaged. Repair any dam-
age to the wheel paintwork immediately.
Alloy wheels
After thorough washing, treat the wheels with a protective product for alloy
wheels. Do not use abrasive products to care for the wheels.
WARNING
Moisture, ice and road salt may affect braking efficiency. Risk of acci-
dent!
CAUTION
Heavy dirt on the wheels could lead to their misalignment. This could result
in vibrations being transmitted to the steering wheel that under certain con-
ditions may cause premature steering wear. This dirt must be removed.
Note
We recommend you leave paint damage repairs to a SEAT Authorised Serv-
ice. Underbody sealant
The underside of the vehicle is coated to permanently protect it from chemi-
cal and mechanical agents.
Given that damage to the
protective coating during driving cannot be com-
pletely ruled out, we recommend you check the condition of the protective
coating on the underbody and suspension at regular intervals, preferably
before the start and end of the coldest season of the year.
Authorised SEAT dealers have suitable special products and the necessary
facilities and are aware of the techniques required for their application. We
therefore recommend all touch-up work or additional anti-corrosion meas-
ures be performed by an authorised SEAT dealer.
WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes,
catalytic converter, particulate filter or heat shields on the exhaust sys-
tem. Once the engine has reached operating temperature, these substan-
ces could catch fire. Risk of fire!

Cavity waxing
All cavities on the vehicle exposed to corrosion are permanently factory-pro-
tected by a wax solution .
This wax solution does not need to be checked or touched up. Should wax
run out of the cavities at high ambient temperatures, remove it using a plas-
tic scraper and clean away any stains using lighter fluid. 

169
Care of the vehicle and cleaning
WARNING
Note the regulations concerning safety and environmental protection if
you use lighter fluid to remove the wax. Risk of fire!

Leatherette and upholstery
Leatherette can be cleaned with a damp cloth. If this is not sufficient, these
parts should only be cleaned with solvent-free plastic care and cleaning
products.
Textile covers and trim parts on doors, rear lid, etc. can be cleaned with spe-
cial detergents, e.g. dry foam. A soft sponge or brush or a micro-fibre cloth
for normal cleaning can be used. Use special products to clean the headlin-
er.
Some upholstery, such as dark jeans fabric, is sometimes not durable
enough. This can cause damage or visible colouring of the seat upholstery
(leather or fabric), even under normal conditions of use. This is particularly
applicable to light-coloured seat upholstery (fabric or leather). This is not an
upholstery defect but indicates that the dye in the item of clothing is not
solid enough. 
Heated seat upholstery
Do not clean the seat upholstery with damp products, as this could damage
the seat heating system.
Clean the upholstery with special products, e.g. dry foam, etc. Natural leather
Leather should be looked after from time to time, depending on its use.
Normal cleaning
Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with water and wipe over the leather sur-
faces.
More stubborn dirt
Do not let the water soak through the leather or penetrate into the seams.
Dry the leather with a soft, dry cloth.
Removing stains
Remove fresh water-based stains such as coffee, tea, juices, blood, etc.
with an absorbent cloth or kitchen roll. Use the special detergent to clean
dried-on stains.
Remove fresh fat-based stains such as butter, mayonnaise, chocolate, etc.
with an absorbent cloth or kitchen roll or with the special detergent if the
stain has not yet soaked through the surface.
Use a grease-dissolving product to treat
dried-in, fat-based stains.
Treat less common stains such as ball-pen and other inks, felt-tip pens, nail
polish, dispersion paint, shoe cream etc. with a special leather stain remov-
er.
Leather care
The leather should be treated twice a year with a special leather-care prod-
uct.
Apply the protective product very sparingly.
Dry the leather with a soft, dry cloth. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

170Care of the vehicle and cleaning
CAUTION
● Avoid exposing leather to direct sunlight for long periods so that it does
not lose its colour. If the car is left for a prolonged period outdoors, cover
the leather so that it does not lose its colour.
● Sharp-edged objects on clothing, such as zips, rivets or belts can leave
permanent scratches and rough marks on the surface of the leather.
● Use of the mechanical steering wheel lock can damage the leather sur-
face of the steering wheel.
Note
● Use a suitable impregnating cream with ultra-violet protection at regular
intervals and after cleaning. The cream will nourish and moisturise the
leather, keep it supple and able to breathe. In addition, it will also help to
protect the surface of the leather.
● Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months and remove fresh dirt as necessa-
ry.
● Preserve the colour of the leather. A special coloured cream for leather
will renew the colour of more heavily worn areas as required.
● Leather is a natural material with specific properties. During vehicle use,
parts of the leather covers may change in appearance, such as folds or wrin-
kles, as a result of their use. 
Seat belts
Keep the seat belts clean!
Wash soiled seat belts with mild, soapy water, removing any heavier dirt
with a soft brush.
Check the condition of all seat belts at regular intervals.
Very soiled belts may not retract properly.
WARNING
● The seat belts should never be removed from the vehicle for cleaning.
● Never clean using chemical products, as chemical detergents destroy
the fabric. Ensure that the seat belts do not come into contact with corro-
sive fluids such as acids, etc.
● If you find any damage to the belt webbing, belt fittings, the belt re-
tractor or the buckle, the belt in question must be replaced by an Official
Service.
● Make sure that the inertia reel seat belts are completely dry before
allowing them to retract.


172Checking and refilling levels
–Press the tank flap with your hand to close it.
– Check that the fuel flap is correctly closed.
CAUTION
● Switch off the auxiliary heater (heater and independent heater) before
filling the tank.
● The fuel tank is full as soon as the automatic filler nozzle cuts out. Do
not continue filling, as this will fill the expansion chamber.
Note
The fuel tank capacity is around 55 litres, of which 7 litres are the reserve. 
Unleaded petrol
Your vehicle must only be run on unleaded petrol that complies with the
Standard EN 228 (in Germany, also DIN 51626 – 1, or E10 for unleaded pet-
rol with 95 and 91 octane rating (RON) or DIN 51626 – 2, or E5 for unleaded
petrol with 95 and 98 RON).
Prescribed fuel – unleaded petrol (95/91 RON)
Use unleaded petrol with 95 RON. Unleaded petrol with 91 RON can also be
used, although this will result in a slight loss of power.
If, as an emergency measure, you have to fill the tank with petrol with a low-
er RON to that prescribed, use only moderate engine speeds and light throt-
tle. High engine speed and full throttle can seriously damage the engine!
Fill up with petrol with the correct RON as soon as possible.
Prescribed fuel – unleaded petrol (min. 95 RON)
Use unleaded petrol with 95 RON. If unleaded petrol with
95 RON is not available, you can fill up with petrol
with 91 RON as an emergency measure. In this case, use only moderate en-
gine speeds and a light throttle. High engine speed and full throttle can se-
riously damage the engine! Fill up with petrol with the correct RON as soon
as possible.
Petrol with a RON below 91 cannot be used, even as an emergency meas-
ure. Risk of seriously damaging the engine!
Unleaded petrol with higher RON
Unleaded petrol with a higher RON to that prescribed can be used without
limits.
In vehicles running on prescribed unleaded petrol with 95/91 RON, there is
no notable increase in power or lower fuel consumption when petrol with a
RON higher than 95 is used.
In vehicles running on prescribed unleaded petrol with min. 95 RON, there
is an increase in power and a lower fuel consumption when petrol with a
RON higher than 95 is used.
Prescribed fuel – unleaded petrol (98/(95) RON)
Use unleaded petrol with 98 RON. Unleaded petrol with 95 RON can also be
used, although this will result in a slight loss of power.
If unleaded petrol with 98 or 95 RON is not available, you can fill up with
petrol with 91 RON as an emergency measure. In this case, use only moder-
ate engine speeds and a light throttle. High engine speed and full throttle
can seriously damage the engine! Fill up with petrol with the correct RON as
soon as possible.
Petrol with a RON below 91 cannot be used, even as an emergency meas-
ure. Risk of seriously damaging the engine!
Fuel additives
Unleaded petrol complying with the EN 228 Standard (in Germany, also DIN
51626-1, or E10 for unleaded petrol with 95 RON and 91 RON or DIN 51626
– 2, or E5 for unleaded petrol with 95 and 98 RON) meets all of the 

175
Checking and refilling levels
Note
● Please contact an authorised SEAT dealer with any doubts regarding flu-
ids.
● Fluids of the correct specifications can be acquired from the selection of
SEAT Original Accessories. 
Opening and closing the bonnet
Fig. 116 Releasing bonnet
Fig. 117 Securing the bonnet Opening the bonnet
–
Open the front left door.
– Pull the lever 1
⇒ Fig. 116 under the dash panel in the direc-
tion indicated by the arrow.
Before opening the bonnet, make sure that the windscreen wiper
arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the paintwork
may be damaged.
– Pull the release catch in the direction of the arrow 2
⇒ Fig. 116
and the bonnet will be released.
– Hold and lift the bonnet.
– Remove the support strut 3
⇒ Fig. 117 from its fastening in the
direction of the arrow and secure the raised bonnet so that the
end of the strut hooks onto the opening in the bonnet 4
.
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the support strut keeping
the bonnet open and insert it into its fastening 3
.
– Let the bonnet drop from a height of around 20 cm into the
catch Do not press down afterwards!
– Check that the bonnet is correctly closed. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

180Checking and refilling levels
B
(min.) and A (max.). When the engine is hot, it may be
slightly above mark A (max.).
The warning lamp  (red) in the general instrument panel ⇒ page 68, Cool-
ant level and temperature  will appear when the coolant level is too low.
However, we recommend checking the coolant level directly in the tank.
Coolant loss
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a leak. It is not sufficient merely to
top up the coolant. The cooling system should be inspected by an Official
Service without delay.
CAUTION
In the event of a fault that causes the engine to overheat, contact an author-
ised SEAT dealer immediately, as this could damage the engine. 
Topping up coolant
– Switch the ignition off.
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the cap on the coolant expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 119 with a
cloth and carefully unscrew the cap.
– Refill the level of coolant.
– Screw the cap on again until it clicks into place.
Do not use a different type of additive if the prescribed anti-freeze additive
is not available, in the event of an emergency. In this case, use only water
and bring the coolant concentration back up to the correct level as soon as
possible at an Official Service. Always top up with unused coolant.
Never fill the coolant tank above mark
A
(max.) ⇒ Fig. 119 Excess coolant
is forced out of the cooling system through the overpressure valve in the fill-
er cap of the expansion tank when the engine heats up.
WARNING
● The anti-freeze additive and, therefore, the entire coolant, are a
health hazard. Avoid touching the coolant. Coolant fumes are also a
health hazard. Store the coolant additive in a safe place out of the reach
of children. Risk of poisoning!
● If splashed into eyes, rinse immediately with clean water and seek
immediate medical advice.
● Seek immediate medical advice if the coolant is accidentally inges-
ted.
CAUTION
If the engine oil cannot be topped up under the given conditions,  do not
drive on. We recommend contacting an authorised SEAT dealer, as this can
damage the engine. 
Radiator fan
The radiator is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to the
temperature of the coolant.
After the engine has been stopped and the ignition switched off, the radia-
tor fan may continue running for around 10 minutes. 

181
Checking and refilling levels
Brake fluid Checking brake fluid level
Fig. 120 Engine com-
partment: Brake fluid res-
ervoir
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment of
the vehicle.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 173.
– Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒ Fig. 120. It should
be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.
The fluid level drops slightly after a period of time due to automatic com-
pensation for brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below
the “MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. If the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the warning lamp in
the instrument panel 
⇒  page 66, Brake system .
WARNING
If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN mark,  do not drive on.
Risk of accident! Seek professional help.

Changing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Therefore, it gradually absorbs moisture from
the atmosphere. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. The water content also reduces the boiling point of
the brake fluid.
The brake fluid must comply with one of the following standards or specifi-
cations:
● VW 50114
● FMVSS 116 DOT4
WARNING
Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left
in the brake system for too long. This would seriously affect the efficien-
cy of the brakes and the safety of the vehicle.
CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the vehicle paintwork. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

182Checking and refilling levels
Windscreen washer
Fig. 121 Engine com-
partment: Windscreen
washer container
The container for the windscreen washer contains the cleaning fluid for the
windscreen or rear window and the headlight washer system. The container
is located in the engine compartment.
The container capacity is approx. 3.5 litres and, in vehicles with windscreen
washer system, approx. 5.4 litres 1)
.
Plain water on its own is not enough to clean the glass and the headlights
properly. We therefore recommend using clean water with a glass cleaning
product to eliminate any stubborn dirt (with an anti-freeze additive in win-
ter).
Although your vehicle has heated windscreen washer jets, anti-freeze
should always be added to the water in winter.
Ethanol can be used where glass cleaner with anti-freeze is unavailable. The
concentration of ethanol must be no greater than 15 %. However, remember
that anti-freeze in this proportion only protects down to -5 °C (23 °F).
CAUTION
● Never mix the windscreen washing water with anti-freeze used for the
cooling system or other additives.
● If the vehicle is equipped with a headlight washer system, only mix a de-
tergent that does not damage polycarbonates with the water.
Note
On topping up the fluid, do not move the filter on the container opening, as
this could contaminate the fluid pipes and, therefore, lead to a windscreen
washer malfunction. 
Battery Introduction
Warning symbols on the battery
SymbolMeaning
Always wear safety glasses!
Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Always wear gloves and
hearing protection!
Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights and lit cigarettes
away when working on the battery!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the bat-
tery is under charge!
Keep children away from the battery! 
1)
Valid only for certain countries. 5.4 litres for both versions.