2013 Seat Altea Freetrack oil

Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Instructions to follow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Ball coupling of towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 205
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Vehicle interior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Accessories and spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Mobile phones and two-way radios . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . 222
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades . . . . 231
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
If and when . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Vehicle tools, tyre repair kit and spare wheel . . . 248
Wheel change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tyre repair kit (Tyre Mobility System)* . . . . . . . . . 255
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Technical Specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . 277
Description of specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Information on fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Petrol engine 2.0 155 kW (211 PS) Front-
wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Petrol engine 2.0 155 kW (211 PS) All-
wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 77 kW (105 PS) DPF
with/without Start-Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS) DPF
All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 125 kW (170 PS) DPF
All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Dimensions and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
4Table of Contents

61
Cockpit
Recommended gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.
Fig. 39 Gear display
Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should
change up or down.
Note
The gear change indication should not be taken into account the accelera-
tion is required (for example when overtaking). 
Odometer or flexible service interval display
Odometer
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle. The right-hand counter registers the short journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding
down the reset button for a few seconds.
Service interval display
Vehicles with
Service intervals dependent on time/distance travelled al-
ready have certain service intervals set. The intervals are calculated individ-
ually in vehicles with LongLife service.
The service interval display only indicates the dates of services that include
engine oil change. The dates of all other services, such as Inspection Serv-
ice or brake fluid change, appear in the sticker on the door pillar or in the
Maintenance Programme.
A Service pre-warning will appear in the odometer if a service is due soon. A
“spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance that can
be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will change
after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the number
of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The following
message is shown in the instrument panel display*: Service in
[XXXX]
kmor
[XXXX]
days
The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds after the ig-
nition is switched on or the engine is running. The normal display can be
resumed by briefly pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by press-
ing the OK
button on the steering wheel controls.
With the ignition on, you can check the current service message at any mo-
ment in the Vehicle status menu or turning the reset button to access the
service display.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or
day information. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

65
Cockpit
more than 20 km/h (12 mph) (ice warning). This symbol will flash for about
10 seconds and remains lit until the outside temperature rises above +4 °C
(+39.2 °F) or +6 °C (+42.8 °F) if it was already lit.
WARNING
There could be black ice on the road surface even if the “snowflake sym-
bol” is not shown. For this reason you should not rely exclusively on this
display - Risk of accident!
Note
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the tempera-
ture displayed may be slightly higher than the actual outside temperature
as a result of the heat radiated from the engine. 
Warning or information message in the display
Faults are shown in the display with control lamps and
warning/information reports.
The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the ig-
nition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. Functional faults are
indicated by symbols with warning or information messages in the display.
An audible warning is given in certain cases.
Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1) and yellow warning symbols (pri-
ority 2).
Information text
In addition to warning messages given on a fault, you will receive informa-
tion in the display on procedures or will be asked to carry out certain tasks.
Note
In the case of screens without warning or information messages, faults are
indicated exclusively by the control lamps. 
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will
be accompanied by three audible warnings. This is a danger warning. Stop
the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain
professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will contin-
ue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the duration of a priority 1 warn-
ing message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages (red)
● Brake system symbol  with warning message STOP BRAKE FLUID IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL
● Coolant symbol  with the warning message STOP SEE COOLANT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the warning message STOP ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL . 
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompa-
nied by one audible warning. The function should be checked as soon as
possible. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

77
Cockpit
ItemSymbolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther infor-
mation
1Fuel level / reserve⇒ page 79
2Coolant level / coolant temperature⇒ page 80
3Rear fog light switched on⇒ page 80
4 Turn signals in operation⇒ page 80
5Engine fault (petrol engine)⇒ page 81
Glow plug system (diesel engines)⇒ page 81
6Main beam switched on⇒ page 81
7Soot accumulation in the diesel engine
particulate filter⇒ page 81
8ABS system fault⇒ page 82
9Windscreen washer fluid level⇒ page 82
10Alternator fault⇒ page 83
11Fasten seat belts!⇒ page 19
12Brake pad worn⇒ page 83
13Tyre pressure⇒ page 83
14Airbag or belt tensioner system fault or
airbag disabled⇒ page 29
⇒ page 32
ItemSymbolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther infor-
mation
15Bulb defective⇒ page 84
16Brake fluid required or
brake system fault⇒ page 84
17
Red:
Engine oil pressure
⇒ page 85Yellow:
If flashing: engine oil sensor faulty
If it remains lit: insufficient engine oil
18Handbrake on⇒ page 180
19Cruise speed activated (Cruise control)⇒ page 85
20Door open indicator⇒ page 86
21If it stays lit: ASR switched off⇒ page 87
⇒ page 87
⇒ page 167
22Electromechanical steering⇒ page 86
23Fault in the emission control system⇒ page 86
24If flashing: the Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC) is working or the ASR is work-
ing
If the following remain lit: ESC or ASR
faulty⇒ page 87
⇒ page 87
⇒ page 167

25Selector lever lock (automatic gearbox)⇒ page 88 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

78Cockpit
WARNING
● Failure to observe control lamps and warning messages can result in
serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle.
● The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Use a
warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users in order to pre-
vent danger to third parties.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before you open the
bonnet to work on the engine or in the engine compartment, you must
switch the engine off and allow it to cool to reduce the risk of scalding or
other injuries. Read and observe the relevant warnings ⇒ page 222.
Note
● The appropriate control lamp for a fault will light up in vehicles without
warning or information messages in the display.
● In vehicles with warning or information texts on the screen, the appro-
priate control lamp for a fault will light up and a warning or information
message will also appear on the screen. 
Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1) and yellow warning sym-
bols (priority 2).
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will
be accompanied by three audible warnings. This is a danger warning. Stop
the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain
professional assistance if necessary. If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will contin-
ue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the duration of a priority 1 warn-
ing message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages (red)
●
Brake system symbol  with the warning message STOP BRAKE FLUID
INSTRUCTION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
● Coolant symbol  with the warning message STOP SEE COOLANT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the warning message STOP ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompa-
nied by one audible warning. Check the corresponding function as soon as
possible although the vehicle may be used without risk.
If several priority 2 warning messages are detected at the same time, the
symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time. Af-
ter a set time, the information text will disappear and the symbol will be
shown as a reminder at the side of the display.
Priority 2 warning messages will not be shown until all Priority 1 warning
messages have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning messages (yellow): 1)
● Fuel warning light with the information text PLEASE REFUEL.
● Windscreen washer fluid symbol  with the information text REFILL
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . Top up the washer fluid level. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

85
Cockpit
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 222.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driv-
ing, the brake fluid level ⇒ page 234, Brake fluid in the reservoir is too
low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain techni-
cal assistance.
● If the brake warning lamp  lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp , the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause
the rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek tech-
nical assistance.

Handbrake 
This lamp lights up when the handbrake is applied. If you drive faster than 6 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake on, the following
message will appear on the instrument panel display 1)
: HANDBRAKE ON. You
will also hear an acoustic warning signal ⇒ page 180.Engine oil pressure

If this warning lamp is red it indicates that the engine oil
pressure is too low.
If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is accompanied by three audible
warnings, switch off the engine and check the oil level. If necessary, add
more oil ⇒ page 225.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: STOP ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
If the symbol flashes although the oil level is correct, do not drive on. Do
not even run the engine at idle speed! Obtain technical assistance.
Checking the oil level 
If the warning lamp is yellow  the engine oil level should be checked as
soon as possible. Top up the oil ⇒ page 227 at the next opportunity.
Oil level sensor faulty* 
If the  yellow warning lamp flashes, take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop to have the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is advisable to
check the oil level every time you refuel. 
Cruise speed (Cruise control)* 
The warning lamp comes on when the cruise control system
is switched on.
The warning lamp  lights up when the cruise control system is switched
on. For further information on the cruise control system, see ⇒ page 183.
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

147
Seats and storage
Cigarette lighter*
Fig. 115 The cigarette
lighter is located in the
power socket on the front
of the centre console
– Press on the cigarette lighter ⇒ Fig. 115 to activate it ⇒ 
.
– Wait for the lighter to spring out.
– Pull out the cigarette lighter and light the cigarette on the glow-
ing coil.
WARNING
● Improper use of the cigarette lighter can lead to serious injuries or
start a fire.
● Using the lighter carefully. Carelessness or negligence when using
the cigarette lighter can cause burns and serious injuries.
● The lighter only works when the ignition is turned on or the engine is
running. To avoid the risk of fire, never leave children alone inside the ve-
hicle.
 Electrical sockets
Electrical equipment can be connected to any of the 12 volt
sockets.
Fig. 116 Power socket in
front centre console
Fig. 117 Power socket in
luggage compartment

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

169
Driving
Starting 2
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Every time the vehicle is started again, the ignition key must be turned to
position 0
. The
repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter motor if the engine is already running.
WARNING
● The ignition key must NOT be removed from the lock until the vehicle
comes to a standstill. Otherwise, the steering could be immediately
blocked- Risk of accident!
● Always remove the key from the ignition when leaving the vehicle,
even for a short period. This is especially important if children or disa-
bled people are left alone in the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment such as the electric windows, conse-
quently resulting in an accident.
● Unsupervised use of the keys could start the engine or any electrical
system, such as the electric window. This could result in serious injury.
CAUTION
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key
position 2
). 
Electronic immobiliser
The electronic immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons
from driving the vehicle.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser au-
tomatically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The electronic immobiliser will be activated again automatically as soon as
you pull the key out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with its correct
code.
Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured if genuine SEAT keys are used. 
Starting and stopping the engine Starting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key
with its correct code. – Move the gearbox lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the start-
er to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting ⇒ page 168 position.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the start-
er motor must not run on with the engine.
After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the ac-
celerator.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few sec-
onds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications