2013 Seat Exeo ST warning

236Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
● Protect face, hands and arms from any hot steam or hot coolant fluid
released by covering the cap with a large, thick rag when opening the ex-
pansion tank.
● If any tests have to be performed with the engine running, there is an
added safety risk from the rotating parts (e.g. drive belts, alternator, ra-
diator fan, etc.) and from the high-voltage ignition system.
● Observe the following additional warnings if work on the fuel system
or the electrical system is necessary:
–Always disconnect the battery from the on-board network.
– Do not smoke.
– Never work near open flames.
– Always keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately available.
CAUTION
When topping up fluids, make sure the correct fluid is put into the correct
filler opening. This can otherwise cause serious malfunctions or engine
damage.
For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground underneath your vehicle regularly so that any leaks are
detected at an early stage. If you find spots of oil or other fluids, have your
vehicle inspected at the workshop.
● When the external temperature and level of humidity are high or when
the engine stops, it is possible for water to drop from the air conditioning
system evaporator potentially forming a small puddle on the ground. This is
normal and does not indicate a leak.
Note
On right-hand drive vehicles some of the reservoirs mentioned below are lo-
cated on the other side of the engine compartment. Releasing the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.
Fig. 179 Detail of foot-
well area on driver side:
lever for unlocking the
bonnet
– To release the bonnet, pull the lever under the dash panel
⇒ Fig. 179 in the direction indicated (arrow).
The bonnet springs out of its lock. 

237
Checking and refilling levels
Opening the bonnet
Fig. 180 Release catch
under the bonnet
Before opening the bonnet make sure that the windscreen wiper
arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the paint may
be damaged.
– Lift the bonnet slightly ⇒ 
.
– Press the release catch under the bonnet upwards ⇒ Fig. 180.
This will release the arrester hook under the bonnet.
– Open the bonnet.
The bonnet is held in position by a gas-filled strut.
WARNING
Never open the bonnet if you see steam or drips of coolant being re-
leased from the engine compartment. Failure to comply could result in
burns. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen before opening the
bonnet.
 Closing the bonnet
–
To close the bonnet, push it down until it overcomes the spring
pressure.
– Let the bonnet engage in the locking part. Do not force it ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● For safety reasons the bonnet must always be completely closed
when the vehicle is moving. Therefore, after closing the bonnet, always
check that the locking element is properly engaged. This is the case if
the bonnet is flush with the adjacent body panels.
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not safely secured when the ve-
hicle is moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet. Fail-
ure to do so could result in an 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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

240Checking and refilling levels
Topping up the engine oil 
Fig. 182 In the engine
compartment: Engine oil
filler cap
– Unscrew cap  from oil filler opening ⇒ Fig. 249.
– Carefully put in the specified grade of oil ⇒ page 238, adding
0.5 litres at a time.
– After two minutes, check the oil level once again ⇒ page 239.
– Where necessary, add more engine oil.
– Replace the oil filler cap carefully and push the dipstick all the
way in.
WARNING
● When refilling with oil, make sure no oil falls onto hot engine parts.
Failure to comply could result in fire.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.
CAUTION
● The oil level must never be above area a. This could damage the cata-
lytic converter or the engine. Contact a specialised workshop to drain the
engine oil if necessary.
● No additives should be used with engine oil. Any damage caused by the
use of such additives would not be covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
● Oil must not be disposed of in the drain or on the ground.
● Always observe legal requirements when disposing of empty oil canis-
ters. 
Cooling system Engine coolant specifications
The engine cooling system is supplied from the factory with a specially trea-
ted mixture of water and, at least, 40 % of the additive G 13 (TLVW 774 J).
The engine coolant additive is recognisable by its purple colour. This mix-
ture of water and additive gives the necessary frost protection down to
-25 °C (-13 °F) and protects the light alloy parts of the cooling system
against corrosion. It also prevents scaling and considerably raises the boil-
ing point of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the percentage of additive must al-
ways be at least 40 %, even in warm climates where anti-freeze protection is
not required.
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
additive can be increased. However, the percentage of additive should not
exceed 60 %, as this would reduce the frost protection and, in turn, de-
crease the cooling capacity. 

241
Checking and refilling levels
When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture of distilled water and, at
least, 40 % of the G 13 or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive (both are
purple) to obtain an optimum anticorrosion protection ⇒ 
. The mixture of
G 13 with G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G 12 (red) or G 11 (green-blue) engine
coolants will significantly reduce the anticorrosion protection and should,
therefore be avoided ⇒ 
.
WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the coolant system, the engine may
fail leading to serious damage. ● Please make sure that the percentage
of additive is correct with respect to the lowest expected ambient tem-
perature in the zone in which the vehicle is to be used. ● When the out-
side temperature is very low, the coolant could freeze and the vehicle
would be immobilised. In this case, the heating would not work either
and inadequately dressed passengers could die of cold.
CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed with coolants which are not
approved by SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing severe damage to
the engine and the engine cooling system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not purple but is, for example,
brown, this indicates that the G 13 additive has been mixed with an inade-
quate coolant. The coolant must be changed as soon as possible if this is
the case! This could result in serious faults and engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the environment. If any fluids are
spilled, they should be collected and correctly disposed of, with respect to
the environment. Checking the coolant level
The coolant level can be checked visually.
Fig. 183 Engine com-
partment: Coolant fluid
deposit
– Switch the ignition off.
– Check the coolant level on coolant fluid expansion tank
⇒ Fig. 183. When the engine is cold, it should be between the
“min” and “max” marks. When the engine is hot, it may be
slightly above the “max” mark.
Its location is shown in the corresponding general overview of the engine
compartment.
The coolant level should be checked with the engine switched off.
The coolant level is monitored by a warning lamp on the instrument panel
display ⇒ page 81. However, we recommend that it should be checked oc-
casionally. 
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242Checking and refilling levels
Coolant fluid loss
Any loss of coolant fluid normally indicates a leak in the cooling system. In
this case the cooling system should be inspected by a specialised work-
shop without delay. It is not sufficient merely to top up the coolant fluid.
If there are no leaks in the system, a loss of coolant fluid can only occur if
the coolant boils and is forced out of the system as a result of overheating.
CAUTION
Radiator sealants must not be added to the coolant fluid. Such additives
could seriously impair the function of the cooling system. 
Topping up the coolant fluid
Be careful when topping up with coolant fluid. – Switch the ignition off.
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the cap on the expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 183 with a cloth,
and carefully unscrew the cap anticlockwise ⇒ 
.
– Add coolant fluid.
– Screw on the cap tightly.
Make sure that the coolant fluid meets the required specifications
⇒  page 240. Do not use a different type of antifreeze if G12++ antifreeze is
not available. In this case, use only water and bring the antifreeze concen-
tration back up to the correct level as soon as possible.
Always top up with new coolant fluid. Do not fill above the “max” mark. Excess coolant fluid is forced out of the
system through the valve in the filler cap when the engine gets hot.
If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait for the engine to
cool down before
putting in cold coolant. Failure to do so could result in serious engine dam-
age.
WARNING
● The cooling system is under pressure. Do not unscrew the cap on the
expansion tank when the engine is hot. Failure to comply could result in
burns.
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a health hazard. Therefore,
the antifreeze should be stored in the original container in a safe place
out of reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.
For the sake of the environment
Drained off coolant should not be used again. Drain off the used coolant in-
to a suitable container and dispose of it in the proper manner (observe envi-
ronmental regulations). 
Radiator fan
The radiator fan can start running spontaneously. The auxiliary fan can continue to run for as long as 10 minutes after stop-
ping the engine, even after the ignition is switched off. It may also start run-
ning suddenly ⇒ 
after some while if
● Stored heat raises the coolant temperature, or
● The hot engine compartment is additionally heated up by the sun. 

243
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment be aware that the radiator fan
may start running suddenly, leading to the risk of injury.

Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades Windscreen washer system
Plain water is not sufficient for the windscreen washer sys-
tem.
Fig. 184 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir
The container for the windscreen washer contains the cleaning fluid for the
windscreen and the headlight washer system*. The container is located in
the engine compartment (front left). The filler cap is marked with the symbol
 ⇒ Fig. 184. The capacity of the container is listed in ⇒ page 306. Plain water on its own is not enough to clean the glass properly. It is there-
fore advisable to add a suitable washer fluid additive (with wax solvent) to
the water. A washer fluid with freeze-resistant additive should be used in
winter.
CAUTION
● Never put radiator antifreeze or other additives into the windscreen
washer fluid.
● Never use washer fluid which contains paint thinners or solvents as it
can damage the paintwork. 
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245
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!
● The ignition must not be switched on while the front wiper arms are
in a raised position. The wipers would return to their park position and
damage the paintwork on the bonnet.
● To prevent smearing on the windscreen, the wiper blades should be
cleaned regularly using a window cleaner solution. If the wiper blades
are very dirty (e.g. insects etc.), they should be cleaned using a sponge
or cloth. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
● For safety reasons, the wiper blades should be changed once or twice
a year.
CAUTION
● Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could scratch the windscreen.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the windows. This could damage the windscreen wiper blades.
● Never move the windscreen wiper or windscreen wiper arm manually.
This could cause damage.
● Do not pull the windscreen wipers forward unless they are in the service
position. Otherwise the bonnet could be damaged. Changing the rear wiper blade
A good rear wiper blade is essential for clear rear vision.
Damaged wiper blades should be replaced immediately.
Fig. 187 Removing the
rear window wiper blade
Fig. 188 Fitting the rear
window wiper blade

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

246Checking and refilling levels
Removing the wiper blade
–Lift the wiper arm away from the glass ⇒ Fig. 187
– Slide the blade adapter in the direction of the arrow and remove
the blade ⇒ Fig. 187.
Fitting the wiper blade
– With one hand, hold the top end of the wiper arm.
– Place the blade as shown in the ⇒ Fig. 188 and slide the adapt-
er along until it engages.
Check the condition of the wiper blade regularly. Change as required.
If the windscreen wiper scrapes, it should be replaced if damaged, or
cleaned if soiled.
If this is not sufficient, refer to a specialised workshop.
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!
● Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all windows regularly.
● The wiper blades should be changed once or twice a year.
CAUTION
● A damaged or dirty window wiper could scratch the rear window.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the window.
● Never move the windscreen wiper by hand. This could cause damage. Brake fluid
Checking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked visually.
Fig. 189 Engine com-
partment: markings on
brake fluid reservoir
The brake fluid level must be between the “Min” and “Max” ⇒ Fig. 189
markings.
The fluid level may drop slightly after a period of time due to the automatic
compensation 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 fluid level in
the reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the brake warning lamp
⇒  page 73 and
⇒ page 80. If this should happen,
take the vehicle to a spe-
cialised workshop immediately and have the brake system inspected. 