2013 Seat Altea maintenance

220Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
CAUTION
If you ignore this checklist, which is important for maintaining your seat up-
holstery, the fabric may be damaged or stained.
● Consult the checklist and carry out the operations it describes.
Note
SEAT recommends you take the vehicle to a specialised workshop to treat
any stains on the upholstery caused by the discolouration of clothing. 
How to clean the upholstery, trim fabrics and Alcantara ®
Cleaning the fabric on heated seats and electrically adjustable seats or
seats with airbag components
It is possible that there are important airbag components and electrical con-
nections inside the driver seat, passenger seat and possibly the outer rear
seats. If these seats and backrests are damaged, or are cleaned and are
treated incorrectly, or if they get wet, the vehicle electric system may be de-
stroyed and the airbag system damaged
⇒ 
.
Electric and heated seats contain components and electrical connections
that may be damaged if the seats are cleaned or incorrectly treated ⇒ 
.
Similarly, damage might be caused at other points in the vehicle's electric
system.
For this reason, bear the following indications in mind for cleaning:
● Do not use high-pressure or steam cleaning equipment or cold aerosols.
● Do not use cream detergents or detergent-based solutions for delicate
garments.
● Prevent the fabric from getting wet at all times.
● Only use cleaning products approved by SEAT.
● If in doubt, take the vehicle to a professional cleaning company. Cleaning the fabric on unheated seats, non-electrically adjustable seats
and seats without airbag components
●
Before using any cleaning products, consult and keep in mind the in-
structions of use, indications and warnings on the container.
● Use a vacuum cleaner (with the brush attachment) on the trim and seat
fabrics, the Alcantara ®
upholstery of the seats and the carpet.
● Do not use high-pressure or steam cleaning equipment or cold aerosols.
● For general cleaning, use a soft sponge or an ordinary lint-free microfi-
bre cloth ⇒ 
.
● Clean Alcantara ®
surfaces with a slightly damp cotton or woollen cloth,
or a standard lint-free microfibre cloth ⇒ 
.
If the dirt on the trim and upholstery fabrics is only superficial, you can use
a standard foam cleaner.
If the upholstery and trim are very dirty, before cleaning them we recom-
mend you find out about the most suitable cleaning options from a profes-
sional cleaning company. If necessary, the cleaning should be carried out
by a specialised company.
Stain removal
When removing stains, it may be necessary to clean the whole surface and
not just the stain itself. Especially if the surface has been dirtied through
normal use. If you only clean the stained area, that part may then look light-
er than the rest. If in doubt, take the vehicle to a professional cleaning com-
pany.
WARNING
If there is a fault in the airbag system, it is likely that the airbag will not
deploy correctly, not deploy at all, or do so unexpectedly, which could
cause serious or fatal injuries.
● Have the system checked immediately by a specialised workshop. 

221
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
CAUTION
If the upholstery on electrically operated seats or seats with airbag compo-
nents gets soaked, the vehicle's electric system and certain other compo-
nents may be damaged.
● If the seat gets soaked, take the vehicle immediately to a specialised
workshop to be dried and for the system components to be inspected.
● Do not use steam cleaning equipment as the dirt becomes more encrus-
ted and fixed in the material.
● High-pressure cleaning equipment and cold aerosols may damage the
upholstery.
CAUTION
● Brushes should only be used to clean the carpet and floor mats! Other
fabrics may be damaged if cleaned with a brush.
● If cream detergents or detergents for delicate garments are applied with
a damp cloth or sponge, they may, for example, leave rings when dry be-
cause of the tensioactive components they contain. Generally, such rings
are very difficult or almost impossible to remove.
CAUTION
● Do not let water soak into Alcantara ®
under any circumstances.
● Do not use leather cleaning products, solvents, wax polish, shoe cream,
stain removers or similar products on Alcantara ®
.
● Never use brushes for cleaning damp material as they could damage the
surface. 
Cleaning and maintenance of natural leather upholstery
Consult a professional cleaning workshop if you have any doubts on clean-
ing and maintaining the leather equipment in your vehicle. Maintenance and treatment
Nappa natural leather is delicate because it has no additional protective
layer.
●
After cleaning, regularly apply a conditioner with sun-screen and im-
pregnating action. These products nourish the leather, soften it and make it
more breathable, as well as re-hydrating it. They also provide it with a pro-
tective film.
● Clean the leather every two or three months and remove stains as they
appear.
● Treat the leather regularly (about twice a year) with a suitable mainte-
nance product.
● Apply as few cleaning and maintenance products as possible, always
using a dry, lint-free cotton or woollen cloth. Do not apply cleaning and
maintenance products directly to the leather.
● Remove recent ball-point pen and ink stains, lipstick, shoe cream and
similar stains as soon as possible.
● Maintain the colour of the leather. To do this, use a special cream espe-
cially coloured for leather to achieve the same overall colour, if necessary.
● Afterwards, go over it with a soft cloth.
Cleaning the vehicle
SEAT recommends using a slightly damp cotton or woollen cloth for general
cleaning purposes.
Generally, the leather should never be soaked at any point, nor should wa-
ter penetrate the seams.
Before cleaning the leather upholstery, bear in mind the following recom-
mendations ⇒ page 220, Cleaning the fabric on heated seats and electrical-
ly adjustable seats or seats with airbag components. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

222Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
CAUTION
● On no account use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or
similar materials on leather.
● If the stain remains on the leather for long, it will soak in and be impos-
sible to remove.
● In the event of spilt liquids, dry immediately with an absorbent cloth to
prevent the liquid penetrating through the leather or seams.
● If the vehicle is left standing in the sun for long periods, the leather
should be protected against direct sunlight to prevent it from fading.
Note
The leather will usually change colour slightly with use. 
Cleaning synthetic leather upholstery
Before cleaning the synthetic leather upholstery, bear in mind the following
recommendations ⇒ page 220, Cleaning the fabric on heated seats and
electrically adjustable seats or seats with airbag components
Only use water and neutral cleaning products to clean synthetic leather up-
holstery.
CAUTION
Do not use solvents, floor wax, shoe cream, stain removers or similar prod-
ucts on synthetic leather. These will stiffen the material, causing it to crack
prematurely. Plastic parts and dash panel cleaning
–
Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic parts and the dash
panel.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special sol-
vent-free plastic cleaning product.
WARNING
Never clean the dash panel and the airbag module surface with cleaners
containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to become porous. If the
airbag triggered, plastic parts could become detached and cause inju-
ries.
CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material. 
Wooden trim cleaning*
– Clean the wooden trim with a water-moistened clean cloth.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a gentle soap
solution.
CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material. 

223
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
Cleaning the radio and climate controls
To clean the radio and/or climate controls, use a soft damp cloth. For more
resistant dirt, a neutral soap solution may be used. 
Seat belt cleaning
A dirty belt may not work properly.
Check all seat belts regularly and keep them clean.
Seat belt cleaning
– Pull the dirty seat belt right out and unroll it.
– Clean dirty seat belts with a gentle soap solution.
– Allow it to dry.
– Do not roll the seat belt up until it is dry.
If large stains form on the belts, it will not retract correctly into the automat-
ic belt retractor.
WARNING
● Do not use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts, as this can im-
pair the strength of the webbing. Ensure that seat belts do not come into
contact with corrosive fluids.
● Check the condition of the seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that the belt webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of
the belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced by a specialised work-
shop.
● Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts
must not be removed or modified in any way.
CAUTION
After cleaning, allow seat belts to dry completely before rolling them up.
Otherwise, the belt retractors could become damaged. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

231
Checking and refilling levels
The safety of the LPG system guarantees operation without risk. The follow-
ing safety measures have been adopted:
● The LPG tank has a solenoid valve which closes automatically when the
engine is switched off (ignition off) or when running on petrol.
● A solenoid type main valve disconnects the supply of gas to the engine
compartment when the engine is switched off or running on petrol.
● A safety valve in the LPG tank with pipes to the outside prevents the gas
from entering the vehicle interior.
● All anchorage points and materials have been designed to ensure the
maximum possible levels of safety.
The condition of the LPG system should be checked regularly to guarantee
safe driving conditions ⇒ 
. These checks are included in the Maintenance
Programme.
WARNING
● If there is a smell of gas or a suspected leak, stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off the ignition. Open the doors to ventilate the vehicle.
Do not carry on driving! Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired.
● Immediately extinguish any cigarettes and remove from the vehicle
any objects which might produce a spark or cause a fire, and switch off
immediately if gas is smelt or a leak is detected.
● LPG tanks are subject to pressure and must be checked regularly. The
owner of the vehicle must check that these services are performed cor-
rectly.
● When parking the vehicle in a closed area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechani-
cal, to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Note
For any fault in the LPG system, please refer to the SEAT web page, which
lists the workshops authorised to repair these faults. Petrol
Petrol types
The recommended fuel types are listed on a sticker inside
the fuel tank flap.
Only unleaded petrol conforming to standard DIN EN 228 may be used for
vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Standard”).
Fuel types are differentiated by the octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON (RON
= “Research Octane Number”, unit for determining the knock resistance of
petrol). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one rec-
ommended for your engine. However, this has no advantage in terms of fuel
consumption and engine power.
The correct fuel type for your vehicle is given in the technical table for the
engine, in the Technical Data section.
CAUTION
● Petrol with standard EN 228 may be mixed with small quantities of etha-
nol. However, bioethanol fuels available at commercial establishments with
reference E50 or E85, which contain a high percentage of ethanol, may not
be used, as they will damage the fuel system.
● Even one tankful of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency
of the catalytic converter.
● High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using
petrol with an octane rating lower than the correct grade for the engine.
For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the
catalytic converter. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

236Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving
and completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.
● If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly.
Risk of accident.

Engine oil General notes
The engine comes with a special, multi-grade oil that can be used all year
round.
Because the use of high-quality oil is essential for the correct operation of
the engine and its long useful life, when topping up or changing oil, use on-
ly those oils that comply with VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should ap-
pear on the container of the service oil; when the container displays the
specific standards for petrol and diesel engines together, it means that the
oil can be used for both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change, indicated in the Maintenance Pro-
gramme, be performed by a Technical Service or a specialised workshop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine are listed in the ⇒ page 237,
Oil properties. Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife service) or fixed (dependent on
time/distance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the “Maintenance Programme”
booklet is PR QI6, this means that your vehicle has the LongLife service pro-
grammed. If it lists the codes QI1, QI2, QI3, QI4 or QI7, the interval service
is dependent on time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife service intervals*)
Special oils and processes have been developed which, depending on the
characteristics and individual driving profiles, enable the extension of the
oil change service (LongLife service intervals).
Because this oil is essential for extending the service intervals, it
must only
be used observing the following indications:
● Avoid mixing it with oil for fixed service intervals.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 237 and LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to top up
(once) with oil for fixed service intervals ⇒  page 237 (up to a maximum of
0.5 litres).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife service interval” or it has been
disabled (by request), you may use oils for fixed service intervals, which al-
so appear in ⇒ page 237, Oil properties. In this case, your vehicle must be
serviced after a fixed interval of 1 year/15 000 km (10 000 miles)(whatever
comes first) ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme.
● In exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 237 and you cannot obtain the oil specified for your vehicle, you
can put in a small quantity of oil conforming to the specification ACEA A2 or
ACEA A3 (petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (diesel engines) (up to 0.5
l). 

237
Checking and refilling levels
Vehicles with diesel particulate filter*
The “Maintenance Programme” states whether your vehicle is fitted with a
diesel particulate filter.
Only VW 507 00 engine oil, with reduced ash formation, may be used in die-
sel engines equipped with particulate filter. Using other types of oil will
cause a higher soot concentration and reduce the life of the DPF. Therefore:
● Avoid mixing this oil with other engine oils.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 237 and you cannot obtain the oil specified for your vehicle, you
can use a small quantity of oil (once) conforming to the VW 506 00,
VW 506 01, VW 505 00, VW 505 01 or ACEA B3/ACEA B4 specification. (up
to 0.5 l). 
Oil properties
Engine typeSpecificationPetrol without flexible service in-
tervalVW 502 00/VW 504 00
Petrol with flexible service inter-
val (LongLife)VW 504 00
Diesel. Engines without Particu-
late filter (DPF)VW 505 01/VW 506 01/VW 507 00
Diesel. Particulate Filter Engines
(DPF).
With or without flexible service in-
terval (with and without Long-
life) a)VW 507 00
a)
Only use recommended oils, otherwise you may damage the engine. Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed with the engine oil. The deterioration
caused by these additives is not covered by the warranty.
Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an engine oil that conforms to the
corresponding VW specifications and recommend keeping it in the vehicle.
This way, the correct engine oil will always be available for a top-up if nee-
ded. 
Checking the engine oil level
The engine oil dipstick indicates the level of the oil.
Fig. 162 Engine oil dip-
stick
Checking oil level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position. 
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239
Checking and refilling levels
– To avoid over-filling with engine oil, you should top-up using
small quantities, wait a while and check the oil level before
adding any more oil.
– As soon as the oil level is in area B
, carefully close the cap.
The position of the oil filler opening is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment illustration ⇒ page 291.
Engine oil specification ⇒ page 236.
WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil comes into contact with hot
engine components when topping up.
CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not start the engine. This could result
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact a specialised work-
shop.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A. Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the crankcase breather and escape into the atmosphere via the ex-
haust system. 
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals given in the
service schedule. We recommend that you have the engine oil changed by a Technical Serv-
ice. The oil change intervals are shown in the Maintenance Programme.
WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you have the specialist knowledge
required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings
⇒ page 233, Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment.
● Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil may cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such as acid burns, caused by
splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arm
horizontal to help prevent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be stored in a safe place out of
the reach of children.
CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil. This could result in engine
damage. Any damage caused by the use of such additives would not be
covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
● Because of the disposal problems, the necessary special tools and spe-
cialist knowledge required, we recommend that you have the engine oil and
filter changed by a Technical Service.
● Never pour oil down drains or into the ground.
● Use a suitable container when draining the used oil. It must be large
enough to hold all the engine oil. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications