183
Checking and refilling levels
Incorrect handling of the vehicle battery could lead to damage. We therefore
recommend all work on the vehicle battery be performed by an authorised
SEAT dealer.
Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk of
accident or fire when working on the battery and the electrical system.
Therefore, always observe the warnings and follow all general safety pre-
cautions.
WARNING
● Battery acid is very corrosive, therefore, the battery must be handled
with the utmost care. Wear protective gloves and protect your eyes and
skin when handling batteries. The corrosive fumes in the air irritate and
inflame the respiratory tract and cause conjunctivitis. It corrodes tooth
enamel and causes deep, difficult-to-heal wounds when in contact with
the skin. Repeated contact with diluted acids causes skin disease (in-
flammation, ulcers and fissures). When in contact with water, acids dilute
and develop a great deal of heat.
● Do not tilt the battery, as acid could leak out of the vapour vents. Pro-
tect your eyes with glasses or a protective helmet! Risk of blindness! If
acid should splash into the eyes, rinse the affected eye immediately for
several minutes using clean water. Then seek medical care immediately.
● Neutralize any acid splashes on the skin or clothing with soap solu-
tion as quickly as possible and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid is
swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immediately.
● Keep children away from the battery.
● Hydrogen is released and a highly explosive mixture of gases is gen-
erated when the battery is under charge. Sparks when disconnecting or
releasing cable terminals with the ignition switched on could also cause
an explosion.
● A short circuit is produced if the battery terminals are bridged, e.g.
using metal objects, cables, etc. Possible consequences of a short cir-
cuit: melting of lead plates, battery explosion and fire, splashing acid.
WARNING (Continued)
● The following is forbidden while working on the battery: fire and open
flames, smoking and activities that could produce sparks. Avoid causing
sparks when handling cables or electrical apparatus. Risk of injury in the
event of large sparks.
● Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the en-
gine, the ignition and all electrical components and disconnect the cable
from the negative terminal (-) of the battery. To change a bulb, simply
switch off the corresponding light.
● Never charge a frozen or thawed out battery. Risk of explosion and
acid burns! Replace a frozen battery.
● Never use the jump leads on batteries in which the electrolyte level is
too low. Risk of explosion and acid burns.
● Never use a damaged battery. Risk of explosion! Replace a damaged
battery immediately.
CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery when the ignition is switched on, as the
electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle could be damaged.
When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system, discon-
nect its negative terminal (-) first. Only then may the positive terminal (+) be
disconnected.
● When connecting the battery, connect the positive terminal (+) first. On-
ly then may the negative terminal (-) be connected. The battery cables must
never be connected to the wrong battery terminals. Risk of burning the elec-
trical installation.
● Make sure the battery acid does not come into contact with the body-
work. Risk of paintwork damage.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight to protect it from ultraviolet
radiation.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
184Checking and refilling levels
● If the vehicle is not used for 3 or 4 weeks, the battery could run flat. This
is because some components use electricity even in standby mode (e.g.
control units). Prevent the battery from running flat by disconnecting its
negative terminal or leave it charging at a low current.
● If you frequently use the vehicle for short trips, the battery may not fully
charge and could run flat.
For the sake of the environment
A flat battery is particularly harmful waste for the environment. It must
therefore be disposed of according to current local law.
Note
Replace a battery once it is older than 5 years.
Battery cover
Fig. 122 Battery: Open-
ing the cover
The battery is located beneath a plastic cover in the engine com-
partment.
– Open the battery cover in the direction indicated by the arrow
⇒ Fig. 122. –
The positive terminal (+) of the battery is connected in reverse
order.
Checking battery acid level
Fig. 123 Battery: Acid
level indicator
We recommend you have the acid level regularly checked at an official tech-
nical service, particularly in the following cases.
● At high outside temperatures.
● On long daily trips.
● Whenever the vehicle is loaded ⇒ page 185, Charging the battery.
In vehicles equipped with a battery with colour indicator, the so-called mag-
ic eye ⇒ Fig. 123 changes colour to indicate the acid level.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the indicator. Therefore, carefully
knock the indicator before checking the acid level.
● Black – the acid level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow – acid level too low, battery must be changed.
185
Checking and refilling levels
Note
● The battery acid level is also regularly checked during servicing at au-
thorised SEAT dealers.
● The acid level on “AGM” vehicle batteries cannot be checked for techni-
cal reasons.
● Vehicles equipped with the “START-STOP” system include a battery con-
trol unit to control the battery level for repeat engine starting.
Winter service
At low temperatures the battery provides only a fraction of the starting pow-
er it has at normal temperatures.
A flat battery can also freeze at temperatures slightly below to 0 °C (32 °F).
We therefore recommend you have the battery checked and, if necessary,
charged at an official SEAT technical service before the start of winter.
Charging the battery
A fully-charged battery is essential for reliable starting.
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
– For “fast-charging” only: disconnect both battery connection ca-
bles (first the “negative” terminal and then the “positive”).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery terminals (red = “pos-
itive”, black = “negative”).
– Plug in the battery charger and switch on. –
After charging the battery: Switch off the battery charger and
disconnect the cable.
– Remove the charger cables.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first
the “positive” cable, then the “negative” cable).
When charging with a low current (e.g. with a small battery charger), the
battery does not have to be disconnected. The instructions of the battery
charger manufacturer must be followed.
Use a current equivalent to or lower than 0.1 of the battery capacity to fully
charge the battery.
Before “fast-charging” the battery however, both battery cables must be
disconnected.
“Fast-charging” a battery is dangerous and requires a battery charger and
special knowledge. Fast charges should be performed by an official techni-
cal service.
The battery caps should not be opened while the battery is being charged.
CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with the “START-STOP” system, the charger cable cannot
be directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but
must be attached to the engine earthing point ⇒ page 207.
Disconnecting and connecting the battery
The following functions will either be inoperative or will not work properly
after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery:
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
186Checking and refilling levels
FunctionInstallationSetting the clock⇒ page 58The multifunction display data is deleted⇒ page 59
Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised SEAT dealer to
guarantee the correct working order of all electrical systems.
Changing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current rating
and size as the original. The appropriate types of battery can be acquired
from authorised SEAT dealers.
We recommend having the battery changed by an authorised SEAT dealer,
where the new battery will be correctly installed and the original disposed
of in line with regulations.
Automatic disconnection of electrical equipment
When heavily-charging a battery, the programme selected by the electrical
system control unit prevents the battery from automatically discharging.
This may result in the following:
● Increase in idling speed so that the alternator can supply more current
to the electrical system.
● The performance of certain electrical components could be limited or
some may switch off temporarily, e.g. the heated seats, the heated rear win-
dow, the 12V power socket.
Note
Despite any measures taken by the control unit, the battery could drain. e.g.
with the engine is switched off, the key is turned in the ignition for a long
period or the side lights or parking lights are switched on. The switching off
of certain electrical components does not impair driving comfort and the
driver will often not even realise.
192Wheels and tyres
Removing
–Insert the plastic clip into the cap until the inner retaining
notches on the clips touch the collar of the cap and then re-
move ⇒ Fig. 127.
Fitting
– Insert the caps as far as they will go over the wheel bolts.
The wheel bolt caps are stored in a box on the spare wheel or in the spare
wheel well.
Tyre pressure
Fig. 128 Tyre pressure
setting switch
The tyre pressure monitoring system uses ABS sensors to compare the revo-
lutions and the circumference of each wheel. Should the circumference of
any wheel change, the warning lamp in the general instrument panel
⇒ page 72 will light up and an audible warning will be heard.
Tyre circumference may change if:
● Tyre pressure is too low
● Tyre structure is damaged ●
Vehicle load not evenly distributed
● Wheels on one axle are subjected to greater load, (e.g. driving with trail-
er, uphill, downhill)
● Snow chains are fitted
● The temporary spare wheel is fitted
● One wheel on the axle has been changed
Basic system settings
Should the tyre pressure change or if one or more wheels are changed or
the position of the wheel on the vehicle is changed, e.g. changing round the
front and rear wheels, or where a warning lamp lights up when driving, the
system must be adjusted as follows:
● Inflate all tyres to the prescribed pressures ⇒ page 188.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Hold the
⇒ Fig. 128 button down for at least 2 seconds. The warn-
ing lamp will light up when the button is pressed. The system memory is
also deleted and a new calibration system will begin, which is indicated by
an audible warning before the warning lamp switches off .
● If the warning lamp remains lit and does not switch off, not even once
the basic setting process is complete, this indicates a fault in the system.
Contact an Official Service.
The warning lamp lights up
If the pressure on at least one tyre is significantly lower than the pressure
set by the driver, the warning lamp ⇒
will light up.
The warning lamp flashes
If the warning lamp flashes, there is a fault in the system. Contact a special-
ised service to have it fixed.
193
Wheels and tyres
WARNING
● If the warning lamp lights up, slow down immediately and avoid
any severe braking or steering manoeuvres. Stop and check the tyres and
their pressure as soon as possible.
● Under certain conditions (e.g. sporty driving style, driving on loose
surfaces or in the winter) the warning lamp may take a while to light
up or may remain switched off.
● Despite the tyre pressure monitoring system, the driver remains re-
sponsible for maintaining the correct tyre pressure. You must therefore
check the tyre pressure often.
Note
● The tyre pressure monitoring system is not a replacement for regularly
checking the tyre pressure, as it is unable to recognise an even drop in pres-
sure.
● The tyre pressure monitoring system is unable to warn of a sudden drop
in tyre pressure, e.g. a puncture. In this case, try to stop the vehicle carefully
with no severe braking or steering manoeuvres.
● To ensure the tyre pressure monitoring system works correctly, the basic
setting must be performed every 10 000 km (6000 miles) or once a year.
Wheel bolts
The wheel bolts are matched to the rims. When installing different wheels,
e.g. to fit light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres, it is important to use
the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt
heads. The is essential for the secure fit of the wheels and for the proper
function of the brake system. Winter tyres
Winter tyres will significantly improve handling of the vehicle in winter road
conditions. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) gives less grip at temperatures below 7 °C (45 °F), on ice and snow.
This applies particularly to vehicles equipped with
wide section tyres or
high speed tyres (code letters H or V on the sidewall).
In order to preserve the performance of the vehicle as much as possible,
winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels, the minimum depth of the
tread must be 4 mm and the maximum age must be 4 years.
You can use winter tyres of a lower speed rating if the maximum speed limit
of these tyres will not be exceeded, even if the maximum speed limit for the
vehicle is higher.
For the sake of the environment
Summer tyres should be fitted again in time, as they give better handling on
roads free of snow and ice and at temperatures over 7 °C (45 °F). Summer
tyres have a shorter braking distance, produce less rolling noise and do not
wear down as quickly. They also reduce fuel consumption.
Snow chains
Snow chains must only be used on the front wheels.
In winter road conditions, snow chains not only help to improve grip but al-
so improve the braking capacity.
For technical reasons snow chains may only be used on tyres with the fol-
lowing wheel rim/tyre combinations.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
198Self-help
Vehicle tool kit*
Fig. 130 Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the jack are stored in a box on the spare wheel or in
the spare wheel well. There is also enough space for the towing bracket ball
coupling. The box is strapped to the spare wheel with tape.
The vehicle tool kit includes the following parts (depending on equipment):
Screwdriver
Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts
Towline anchorage
Wire hook for removing hub caps
Jack
Box spanner for wheel bolts
Clip for wheel bolt cover
Spare set of bulbs
Before stowing the jack again, screw down the arm as far as it will go. 1
2345678
WARNING
● The factory-supplied jack is only designed for changing wheels on
this model of vehicle. On no account attempt to use it for lighting heavier
vehicles or other loads. Risk of injury!
● Make sure that the vehicle tools are stored properly in the luggage
compartment.
Note
Make sure the box always remains strapped to the spare wheel with tape.
Changing a wheel Introduction
WARNING
● If you have a puncture in moving traffic, switch on the hazard warning
lights and place the warning triangle at the obligatory distance. Observe
the applicable local legal regulations. This is for your own safety and that
of other road users.
● If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle well away from moving traffic.
Choose a location that is as level and solid as possible.
● If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite
the wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to
prevent the vehicle from rolling away unexpectedly.
● If the vehicle has been fitted with tyres or alloys that are different to
those fitted in manufacture, the instructions ⇒ page 189, Replacing tyres
and wheels must be followed.
199
Self-help
WARNING (Continued)
● Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed.
● Never place parts of your body, e.g. arms and legs, underneath the
vehicle when supported only by the jack.
● Secure the base of the jack with suitable supports so that it cannot
slip. The jack could slide if the ground below it is soft and slippery and
the vehicle could slip off it. Therefore, place the jack on a firm surface or
use a large, stable base. On a slippery surface, e.g. tiles, use a non-slip
base such as a rubber mat.
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. Risk of injury.
● The jack should only be used in the correct jacking points.
CAUTION
● The prescribed tightening torque for wheel bolts on steel and alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.
● If the anti-theft wheel bolt is overly tightened, this could damage the
bolt and the adapter
Note
● The set of anti-theft wheel bolts or the adapter are available from au-
thorised SEAT dealers.
● Please observe the relevant local legal regulations when changing the
wheel.
Preparation work
Some preparation is required before changing a wheel:
– If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle as far away as possible
from moving traffic. The surface must be horizontal.–
All vehicle occupants should leave the vehicle . Vehicle occu-
pants should waiting in a safe place, e.g. behind the roadside
crash barrier) while the wheel is being changed.
– Switch off the ignition and engage neutral or move the selector
lever on the automatic gearbox to position P.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– If towing a trailer, unhitch it.
– Take the vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 198 and the spare wheel
⇒ page 198 out of the luggage compartment.
Changing a wheel
If possible, change the wheel on a level surface.
– Pull off the hub cap ⇒ page 191 or the wheel bolt covers
⇒ page 191.
– First loosen the anti-theft wheel bolts and then the other wheel
bolts ⇒ page 200.
– Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is no longer
touching the ground ⇒ page 201.
– Remove the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface
(cloth, paper, etc.).
– Take off the wheel.
– Lift the spare wheel into position and tighten the wheel bolts
lightly.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications