
204Vehicle care and maintenance
WARNING
Additional underseal or anti-corrosion products could catch fire due to
the high temperatures reached by the exhaust gas system and other en-
gine components.
● Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion products to the
exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, heat shields or other parts of the ve-
hicle which reach high temperatures.
Cleaning the engine compartment
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially hazardous
area ⇒ page 180. The engine compartment should only be cleaned by qualified personnel. If
it is not correctly cleaned, the anti-corrosion coating and consequently elec-
trical components may be damaged. Moreover, water may filter directly into
the vehicle interior through the water chamber ⇒
.
If the engine compartment is very dirty, always take the vehicle to a special-
ised workshop for professional cleaning. SEAT recommends visiting a Tech-
nical Service.
Water box
The water box is in the engine compartment, between the windscreen and
the engine, and beneath a perforated cover. Air is taken in through the wa-
ter box from outside to the vehicle interior via the heating and air condition-
er.
Leaves and other loose objects should be regularly cleaned away from the
water box either by hand or with a vacuum.
WARNING
When working on the engine or in the engine compartment, there is a
risk of injury, burns, accident or fire.
● Before starting work, please ensure you are familiar with the required
procedure and the safety precautions ⇒ page 180.
● SEAT recommends you have this work performed by a specialised
workshop.
CAUTION
If water is manually poured into the water box (for example, using a high
pressure cleaning appliance), this could cause significant damage to the ve-
hicle.
For the sake of the environment
Only wash the engine compartment in areas allocated for this purpose, to
prevent dirty water which may be contaminated by oil, grease or fuel, from
entering the drains. In some districts, the engine compartment may not be
washed outside the wash bays provided for this purpose.

211
Vehicle care and maintenance
About your tyres and wheels
Fig. 123 Diagram for
changing wheels
The tyres of a vehicle are the components which are subjected to most
stress and are the most underestimated. Tyres are very important, as the
support offered by their narrow surface is the only point of contact between
the vehicle and the road.
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving style, the care
they receive and the correct fitting.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteris-
tics of the vehicle and our critical to good road holding and safe handling.
Avoiding damage to tyres and wheels
● If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive very slowly and
as near as possible at a right angle to the kerb.
● Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (punctures, cuts, cracks, dents).
● Remove any foreign bodies found on the outside of the tread provided
they have not passed through the wall of the tyre
⇒ page 216.
● The instructions for tyre control systems should always be observed. ●
Replace damaged or worn tyres as soon as possible ⇒ page 216.
● Regularly check tyres for non-visible damage ⇒ page 216.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of tyre fitted on your vehicle ⇒ page 218.
● Do not allow tyres (including the spare wheel) to come into contact with
aggressive substances, grease, oil, fuel or brake fluid ⇒
.
● Lost valve caps should be replaced immediately.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have been designed to operate best
when rotating in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates
the direction of rotation on tyres with directional tread ⇒ page 218. Always
observe the direction of rotation indicated when mounting the wheel. This
guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise
and wear.
If the tyre is mounted in the opposite direction of rotation, drive with ex-
treme caution, as the tyre is no longer being used correctly. This is of partic-
ular importance when the road surface is wet. Change the tyre as soon as
possible or remount it with the correct direction of rotation.
Interchanging tyres
To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres the wheels should be changed
round from time to time according to the system ⇒ Fig. 123. The useful life
of all the tyres will then be about the same time.
SEAT recommends you take the vehicle to a specialised workshop to have
the tyres changed.
Tyres that are over 6 years old
Tyres are subject to an ageing process as a result of physical and chemical
processes. This may affect their performance. Tyres which are stored for
long periods of time without being used, harden and become more fragile
than tyres which are in constant use.
SEAT recommends that tyres over six years old are replaced with new tyres.
This also applies to tyres (including the spare wheel) which appear to be in
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical specifications

214Vehicle care and maintenance
Note
If you use tyres that are approved by SEAT, you can be sure that the true tyre
dimensions will be correct for your vehicle. For other tyre models, the tyre
vendor should provide the manufacturer's certificate with the tyre, indicat-
ing that this type of tyre is suitable for your vehicle. This certificate should
always be carried with the vehicle.
Tyre pressures
Fig. 124 Position of tyre pressure specification plate
The correct tyre pressures for tyres fitted at the factory is shown on a label
and is valid for summer and winter tyres. This label ⇒ Fig. 124 is either in
the driver door strut or inside the fuel cap.
Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce the life of the tyres considerably
and also impair the car's handling ⇒
. It is essential to maintain the cor-
rect tyre pressures, especially if driving at high speeds. Incorrect tyre pres-
sure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out. The pressure should therefore be checked at least once a month and before
starting a journey.
As a general rule, the pressures given are for
cold tyres. When the tyres are
hot, the pressures are greater.
Never deflate a hot tyre in order to obtain the required pressure. This could
result in very low tyre pressures which may lead to sudden blow-outs.

215
Vehicle care and maintenance
Checking tyre pressures
Check tyre pressures only when the vehicle has not been driven for more
than a few kilometres at low speeds in the past three hours.
● The tyre pressures should be checked regularly, and only when the tyres
are cold. Always check all tyres, including the spare wheel. Tyre pressures
should be checked more often in colder regions, and only when the vehicle
has not been driven recently. Always use a correctly-operating tyre gauge.
● Adjust tyre pressures to the loads carried in the vehicle.
● After adjusting the tyre pressure, check that the caps are properly
screwed.
The spare wheel or temporary spare wheel must be at the maximum pres-
sure specified.
WARNING
If tyre pressures are too high or too low, the tyre may deflate or burst
suddenly while driving. This could result in a serious accident.
● If the tyre pressure is too low, the tyres could overheat, resulting in
tread detachment or even burst tyres.
● When driving at high speeds and/or fully loaded, the tyre could sud-
denly overheat, burst or be subject to tread detachment, with the resul-
tant loss of control of the vehicle.
● Tyre pressures which are too high or too low reduce the service life of
the tyre, affecting the vehicle's performance.
● Tyre pressures should be checked regularly, at least once a month
and before long journeys.
● Adjust the pressures of all the tyres to the vehicle load.
● Never deflate excess pressure from hot tyres.
CAUTION
● Take care not to tilt the manometer when placing it on the valve. Other-
wise, the valve may be damaged.
● To avoid damage to the valves, always replace valve caps correctly.
Check that the caps are identical to the standard caps and have been cor-
rectly tightened.
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase the fuel consumption.
Tread depth and wear indicators
Fig. 125 Tyre tread:
tread wear indicators
Tread depth
Certain driving conditions require a deeper tread, as well as needing the
tread to be approximately the same on the front and rear tyres. This is par-
ticularly important when driving in winter, in cold temperatures and on wet
roads ⇒
.
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nanceIf and whenTechnical specifications

239
Practical information
If and when
Practical information
Frequently asked questions
If you suspect that the vehicle has a fault or is damaged when using it, be-
fore consulting a SEAT dealership or a specialised workshop, carefully read
the following instructions. Similarly, the terms in the alphabetical index
“Things to note” or “Checklist” may be of help.
ProblemPossible causes,
among othersPossible solution
The engine does
not start.
The vehicle battery is
flat.– Carry out the jump start
⇒ page 275.
– Charge the battery
⇒ page 193.
You are using an incor-
rect vehicle key.Use the correct key
⇒ page 28.
The fuel tank level is
insufficient.Refuel ⇒ page 171.
The vehicle cannot
be locked or un-
locked with the
key.
– Vehicle key battery is
flat.
– Too far away from
the vehicle.
– Buttons pressed out-
side the radius of
reach.– Change the battery
⇒ page 28.
– Move closer to the vehicle.
– Synchronize the vehicle
key ⇒ page 28.
– Manually lock or unlock
the vehicle ⇒ page 244.
Unusual noises.
Engine cold, City Safe-
ty Assist system, steer-
ing column electronic
lock.See entry “Noises” in the de-
tailed alphabetical index.
ProblemPossible causes,
among othersPossible solution
Handling is
strange.
Assistance systems ac-
tive.See entry “Assistance sys-
tems” in the detailed alpha-
betical index.
You are using an incor-
rect tyre pressure.Check the tyre pressure
⇒ page 210.
Damage to the wheel
trims or tyres.
Inspect wheel trims and
tyres regularly for damage
⇒ page 210 and replace
them if necessary
⇒ page 252.
Vehicle has no
jack, spare wheel
or tire mobility set
present.Equipment subject to
the vehicle.
No direct solution, depends
on the equipment. In this
case, you should contact a
SEAT Dealership
⇒ page 247.
Surface not correct-
ly illuminated.
– Headlights covered
for driving on the left-
hand side or right-
hand side.
– Headlight adjust-
ment too high.
– Faulty bulbs.
– Dipped headlights
switched off.– Cover the headlights for
driving on the left-hand side
or right-hand side
⇒ page 82.
– Adjust the headlight range
⇒ page 82.
– Change the bulbs
⇒ page 266.
– Switch on the dipped
headlights ⇒ page 82.
Vehicle diagramPrior to a journey...While drivingCare, cleaning and mainte-
nanceIf and whenTechnical specifications

240Practical information
ProblemPossible causes,
among othersPossible solution
The electrical
equipment is not
working.Vehicle battery flat.Charge the battery
⇒ page 193.
Fuel tank level insuffi-
cient.Refuel ⇒ page 171.
A fuse is blown.Check fuse and change if
necessary ⇒ page 263.
Fuel consumption
higher than nor-
mal.
– Short trips.
– “Irregularities in the
accelerator pedal”.– Avoid short trips.
– Foresight when driving.
– Press the accelerator even-
ly.
Electrical equipment
connected.Switch off any unnecessary
electrical equipment.
Fault in engine man-
agement.Have the fault rectified
⇒ page 237.
Tyre pressure too low.Adjust tyre pressure
⇒ page 210.
Driving on hills.No direct solution.Driving with a heavy
load.No direct solution.
Driving at an excessive
engine speed.Shift up a gear.

stopping on a slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Driving abroad Check list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Driving advice Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Temporary spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Driving in winter Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Windscreen washer reservoir . . . . . . . . . . 200
Driving through water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Driving tips Driving a loaded vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
E
Ecological driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Economic driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
EDL See "Brake assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Electrical components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117, 242
Electrical consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Electrical power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
electric windows Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Electric windows
see Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Electric Windows Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Electronic differential lock system (EDL) . . . . 140
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) . . . . . . . 139
Emergency brake indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . 244 Driver door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Passenger door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Emission control system Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engaging gears Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Engine Noises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Engine and ignition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 12 Volt sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Unauthorised vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Water box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Checking the level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Filler neck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
G 12 plus-plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
G 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Refilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Checking the oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Filler neck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Environment Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Event Data Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Exterior aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
293
Index

Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93Controlling function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Exterior views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
F
FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fault Parking distance warning system . . . . . . . 150
Fault finding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Fault memory Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 Refilling precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
First-aid kit Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
First aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 see First aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Frequently asked questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Front airbags See "Airbag system" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Front passenger front airbag Deactivating using the key switch . . . . . . . . 71
See "Airbag system" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Information on consumption . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Type of fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Fuel consumption Economic driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
¿Why does it increase? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Fuel tank flap close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Fuse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Identifying blown fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Identifying by colours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Preparation before replacing . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
G
General instrument panel Turn signal and headlight lever . . . . . . . . . . 83
Glove compartment see Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110, 111
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Headlamp range adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Headlight lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Headlights
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Headlight washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Heated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Heating and ventilation system Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
see also Air conditioning system . . . . . . . 164
High pressure cleaning apparatus . . . . . . . . . 199
Hill driving assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Hill hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
I
Identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Identification plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Ignition See "Engine and ignition" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Ignition key see vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 30
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Safety interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Unauthorised vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
294 Index