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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
206Self-help
Both batteries must be rated at 12 Volts. The capacity (Ah) of the booster
battery should not be significantly lower than that of the discharged battery.
Jump leads
The jump leads must be heavy enough to carry the starter current and must
be fitted with insulated battery clamps. Refer to the instructions given by
the manufacturer.
Positive cable – usually red
Negative cable – usually black
WARNING
● When it is discharged, a battery can freeze at temperatures around
0 °C (32 °F). A frozen battery must first be thawed out before connecting
the jump leads. Risk of explosion!
● Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment ⇒ page 173.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. Additionally, the jump lead attached to the positive battery termi-
nal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle. Risk of short circuit!
● Do not connect the negative lead to the negative terminal of the dis-
charged battery. In the event of sparks when starting the engine, the ex-
plosive gas given off by the battery could catch fire.
● Position the jump leads in such a way that they cannot come into con-
tact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not bend over the battery. Risk of acid burns!
● The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
● Keep sources of fire (flames, lit cigarettes, etc.) away from the bat-
tery. Risk of explosion!
● Never use the jump leads on batteries in which the electrolyte level is
too low. Risk of explosion and acid burns.
Note
● The vehicles must not touch each other, as electricity could flow as soon
as the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly connected to the vehicle elec-
trical system.
● The jump leads should be checked in a specialist vehicle battery shop.
Starting the engine
Fig. 136 Jump-starting
with the battery of anoth-
er vehicle: A – Dis-
charged battery, B –
Boosting battery
The two jump leads must be connected in the correct sequence:
Connecting the positive terminals with the positive lead
– Connect one end 1
⇒ Fig. 136 to the positive terminal of the
flat battery A.
– Connect the other end 2
to the positive terminal of the boost-
ing battery B.
207
Self-help
Connecting negative terminals with the engine block
– Connect one end 3
⇒ Fig. 136 to the negative terminal of the
boosting battery B.
– Attach the other end 4
to a solid metal part firmly attached to
the engine block or to the engine block itself.
Starting the engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle and let it run at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– If the engine fails to start, do not operate the start for longer
than 10 seconds. Wait for about 30 seconds and try again.
– Remove the jump leads from the engine in exactly the opposite
sequence to that described above. Jump-starting vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 137 Jump-starting
vehicles with the START-
STOP system
In vehicles fitted with the START-STOP system, the booster cable cannot be
directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but must
be attached to the engine earthing point.
Towing the vehicle
Introduction
Vehicles with manual gearbox can be towed using a towbar or tow-
rope. They can also be towed with either the front or rear wheels
lifted off the road.
Vehicles with automatic gearbox can be towed using a towbar or
towrope. They can also be towed with the front wheels lifted off the
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications