2013 Seat Mii ignition

192In the engine compartment
WARNING
Hot vapours and coolant can cause serious burns.
● Never open the coolant expansion tank if steam or coolant is coming
from the engine compartment. Wait until you cannot see or hear any
steam or coolant escaping.
● Always wait until the engine has completely cooled before very care-
fully opening the expansion tank cap. Contact with hot elements of the
engine can cause skin burns.
● Once the engine has cooled, follow the instructions below before
opening the bonnet:
–Engage the handbrake and place the gear selector lever in P or the
gear stick in neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave
them unsupervised.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised.
Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
Otherwise, coolant may spray out under pressure causing burns and seri-
ous injury.
–Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap anticlockwise, gently press-
ing down on it.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and
steam using a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them on parts of the engine and
the exhaust system. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. Under specific cir-
cumstances, the ethylene glycol can catch fire.CAUTION
● Top up with distilled water only. Any other type of water may lead to con-
siderable rusting in the engine due to its chemical components. This could
consequently damage the engine. If you have not used distilled water but
another type of water to top up the coolant, a specialised workshop must
immediately replace all of the fluid in the engine cooling system.
● Only top up coolant to the top level of the marked area ⇒ Fig. 116. Oth-
erwise the excess coolant will be forced out of the cooling system when the
engine is hot, causing damage.
● If a lot of liquid coolant has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down
completely before adding coolant. Extensive coolant loss is an indication of
leaks in the engine cooling system. Have the engine cooling system inspec-
ted immediately by a specialised workshop. Otherwise engine damage may
occur.
● When refilling or changing service liquids, ensure that you put the liq-
uids into the right tank. Making a mistake when refilling could cause seri-
ous malfunctions and damage the engine! 

193
In the engine compartment
Vehicle battery
Introduction
The battery is a component of the vehicle's electrical system.
Never work on the electrical system without fully understanding the opera-
tions required, the applicable safety standards and without the correct tools
⇒ 
! In such a case, have any work carried out by a Specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. Negligent work can cause
serious injury.
Location of the vehicle battery
The battery is located in the engine compartment.
Explanation of the warning indications on the vehicle's battery
SymbolMeaning
Wear eye protection!
Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Always wear
protective gloves and eye protection!
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are prohibited.
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when
the battery is under charge.
Keep children away from acid and batteries!
Additional information and warnings:
● ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 180
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 222
WARNING
Working on the vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause corro-
sion, fire and electric shocks. Always read and take into account the fol-
lowing warnings and safety standards before carrying out any work:
● Before working on the battery, switch off the engine, the ignition and
all electrical devices then disconnect the negative connection on the bat-
tery.
● Keep children away from acid and the battery itself!
● Wear eye protection.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It can burn skin and cause
blindness. When handling the battery, protect yourself from splashes of
acids, above all your hands, arms and face.
● Do not smoke and never work close to places exposed to flames or
sparks.
● Avoid sparks and electrostatic discharges when working with cables
and electrical devices.
● Never short the battery terminals.
● Never use a damaged battery. It can explode. Replace a damaged bat-
tery immediately.
● Replaced damaged or frozen batteries as soon as possible. A flat bat-
tery can also freeze at temperatures close to 0 °C (+32 °F).
CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the en-
gine is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic com-
ponents.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time,
as the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
● If the car is left standing for long periods, protect the battery from ex-
treme cold temperature so that it does not “freeze up” and become dam-
aged. 
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194In the engine compartment
Warning lamp
lights
upPossible causeSolution
Faulty generator.
Contact a specialised workshop.
Have the electrical system
checked.
Disconnect any unnecessary
electrical consumers. The gener-
ator does not charge the battery
while the vehicle is in motion.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
WARNING
If the warning lamps are ignored, the vehicle may stall in traffic, or may
cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they appear may result in faults in
the vehicle. Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery
Fig. 118 In the engine
compartment: Remove
the cover from the vehi-
cle's battery
The battery's electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-mileage
vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries. Other batteries do not re-
quire maintenance.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are equipped with special batter-
ies. For technical reasons, the electrolyte level cannot be checked in these
batteries.
Preparations
● Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine compartment
⇒ page 180
● Open the bonnet 
⇒  page 180.
● Press on the tabs
⇒ Fig. 118 (arrows) in the direction of the arrows and
lift the battery cover up.
Checking the battery electrolyte level
● Make sure there is sufficient lighting to clearly recognise the colours.
Never use open flames or sparklers as a light source.
● Depending on the level of acid, the Magic eye on the top of the battery
will change colour. 

195
In the engine compartment
Colour indicatorNecessary operations
light yellow or col-
ourlessThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's battery is too low.
Have the battery checked and, where applicable, re-
placed by a specialised workshop.
blackThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's battery is correct.
WARNING
Working with the vehicle battery involves a risk of corrosion, explosions
and electric shock.
● Always wear protective gloves and eye protection.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It can burn skin and cause
blindness. When handling the battery, protect yourself from splashes of
acids, above all your hands, arms and face.
● Never tilt the vehicle battery. Battery acid could spill out of the open-
ings to release gases and cause corrosion damage.
● Never open the vehicle battery.
● If battery acid splashes on you, immediately rinse your eyes and skin
abundantly with water for several minutes. Then seek medical care imme-
diately.
● If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immediately.

Charging, replacing and connecting or disconnecting the
battery
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a specialised workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment ⇒ 
. SEAT recommends visiting a
Technical Service. Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and
has special safety features. If the battery must be replaced, consult a Tech-
nical Service for information on electromagnetic compatibility, the size and
maintenance, performance and safety requirements of the new battery in
your vehicle before you purchase one. SEAT recommends you have the bat-
tery replaced by a Technical Service.
Use only maintenance-free genuine batteries conforming to TL 825 06 and
VW 7 50 73 Standards. These standards must be dated April 2008 or later.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are equipped with a special bat-
tery. Therefore, this battery must only be replaced by another of the same
specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle's battery
If you must disconnect the battery from the electrical system, please note
the following:
●
Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
● The vehicle must be unlocked before disconnecting the battery, other-
wise the alarm will be triggered.
● First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive ⇒ 
.
Connecting the vehicle's battery
● Before reconnecting the battery, switch off the engine, the ignition and
electric devices.
● First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative ⇒ 
.
Different control lamps may light up after connecting the battery and switch-
ing the ignition on. They will be turned off after a short trip at a speed of
between 15 - 20 km/h (10 - 12 mph). If the warning indicators remain lit,
please visit a specialised workshop to have the vehicle checked.
If the battery has been disconnected for a long time, it is possible that the
next service date is not displayed or calculated correctly ⇒ page 17. Respect
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196In the engine compartment
the maximum service intervals permitted ⇒ Booklet Maintenance
Programme.
Automatic consumer disconnection
The intelligent vehicle electrical system automatically implements a range
of measures to prevent the battery from discharging when high demands
are made on it:
● the idling speed is increased so that the alternator provides more elec-
tricity.
● where necessary, the power of the most powerful consumers is reduced
or even completely disconnected.
● On starting the engine, the power supply from the 12-volt socket and
the cigarette lighter may be interrupted for a short time.
The on-board management program cannot always prevent the battery from
running flat. For example, if the ignition is left on for a long period with the
engine off or if the side lights or parking lights are left on while the vehicle
is stationary.
Why the battery runs flat:
● When stationary for a long time without starting the engine, particularly
if the ignition is switched on.
● Use of electrical consumers with the engine switched off.
WARNING
Incorrectly securing the battery or using the wrong battery can cause
short-circuits, fire and serious injuries.
● Always use only maintenance free batteries, protected to prevent a
leak, and whose properties, specifications and size correspond to the
standard battery.
WARNING
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is under
charge.
● The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room only.
● Never charge a frozen or recently thawed battery. A flat battery can al-
so freeze at temperatures close to 0 °C (+32 °F).
● Always replace a battery which has frozen.
● Battery cables not correctly connected may cause a short circuit. Re-
connect first the positive cable and then the negative cable.
CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the en-
gine is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic com-
ponents.
● Never plug accessories supply current, such as solar panels or a battery
charger, to the 12-volt socket or the cigarette lighter. This could damage the
vehicle's electrical system.
For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the battery in an environment-friendly manner. Batteries contain
toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead.
For the sake of the environment
Battery acid can contaminate the environment. Collect any spilt service flu-
ids and allow a dispose of them correctly. 

237
Vehicle care and maintenance
Engine management and exhaust gas
purification system Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Changing gear ⇒  page 124
● Refuelling ⇒  page 171
● Fuel ⇒ page 177
● Engine oil ⇒ page 185
● Vehicle battery ⇒ page 193
● Information stored in the control units ⇒ page 222
● Tow starting and towing away ⇒ page 278
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach very high temperatures.
This could cause a fire.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as dried grass).
● Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust sys-
tem.
 Control lamps
lights
upPossible causeSolution
Fault in engine management
(Electronic Power Control).Take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop as soon as possible
and have the engine checked.
Fault in catalytic converter.
You should reduce speed accord-
ingly. Drive carefully until you
reach the next specialised work-
shop. Have the engine checked
there.
flashesPossible causeSolution

Combustion fault which could
damage the catalytic convert-
er.You should reduce speed accord-
ingly. Drive carefully until you
reach the next specialised work-
shop. Have the engine checked
there.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps and to the corresponding de-
scriptions and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle.
Note
While the control lamps  or  maintain lit up, the engine will present
faults, a higher consumption of fuel and a loss of engine power. 
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241
Practical information
In case of emergency
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 134
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 244
● Vehicle tools ⇒ page 247
● Change wheel ⇒ page 252
WARNING
A faulty vehicle in traffic represents a risk of accident for the driver and
for other road users.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. Park the vehicle a safe
distance from surrounding traffic to lock all the doors in case of an emer-
gency. Turn on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle if the
doors are to be locked. In case of an emergency, passengers will be trap-
ped inside the vehicle. Individuals locked in the vehicle can be exposed
to very high or very low temperatures.
 Protecting yourself and securing the vehicle
Fig. 133 Dash panel:
Button to switch on and
off the hazard warning
lights system
Always fulfil legal requirements for securing a broken down vehicle. In a
number of countries it is now obligatory, for example, to turn on the hazard
warning lights and use a reflective safety vest ⇒ page 243.
Checklist
For your own safety and that of other passengers, the following points
should be observed in the order given ⇒ 
:
1. Park the vehicle a safe distance from traffic and on suitable ground ⇒ 
.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights with the button  ⇒ 
Fig. 133.
3. Apply the handbrake firmly ⇒ page 134.
4. Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the selector lever in position P ⇒ page 124.
5. Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
6. Have all occupants leave the vehicle and move to safety, for example behind a guard rail.
7. When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with you. 
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242Practical information
Checklist (Continued) 8. Place an emergency warning triangle to indicate the position of your vehicle to other road users.
9. Allow the engine to cool and check if a specialist is required.
When being towed with the hazard warning lights on, a change in direction
or traffic lane can be indicated as usual using the turn signal lever. The haz-
ard lights will be interrupted temporarily.
Examples of when to use the hazard warning lights:
● If the vehicles ahead suddenly slow down or reach the end of a traffic
jam, to warn the vehicles behind.
● In case of an emergency.
● If the vehicle breaks down.
● When tow-starting or towing.
Always comply with the applicable laws regarding the use of hazard warn-
ing lights.
If the hazard warning lights are not working, you must use an alternative
method of drawing attention to your vehicle. This method must comply with
traffic legislation.
WARNING
Failure to follow the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to
accidents and severe injuries.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the general rules of safety.
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach very high temperatures.
This could cause a fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as dried grass or fuel).
Note
The vehicle battery will discharge and run down if the hazard warning lights
remain on for too much time (even with the ignition turned off).
Note
For some vehicles, the brake lights will blink when braking suddenly at
speeds of approximately 80 km/h (50 mph) to warn vehicles behind. If brak-
ing continues, then the hazard warning lights system will automatically be
turned on at the speed of less than approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). The
brake lights remain lit. Upon accelerating, the hazard warning lights will be
automatically turned off. 