175
Care of the vehicle and cleaning
Plastic parts
Exterior plastic parts will come clean using a damp cloth. If this is not suffi-
cient, plastic parts can also be treated with special solvent-free plastic
cleaning detergents.
Do not use paint cleaners, polishes or wax on plastic parts.
Windows and exterior mirrors
Remove snow and ice from windows and rear vision mirrors with a plastic
scraper only. To avoid damaging the surface of the glass, the scraper should
only be pushed in one direction and not moved to and fro.
The windows should also be cleaned on the inside at regular intervals.
Use a separate cloth or chamois to dry the windows and rear vision mirrors.
Do not use the chamois used to polish the bodywork to dry the windows.
Waxing and polishing residues could cause smears on the glass and hinder
visibility.
CAUTION
● Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from the windows
and mirrors. Risk of cracking glass!
● Make sure you do not damage the paintwork on the vehicle on removing
snow and ice from the windows and rear vision mirrors.
● Do not remove the snow or ice from windows and mirrors that are dirty
with thick particles, e.g. gravel, sand or road salt. Risk of damage to surface
of glass and windows. Radio reception and aerial
In vehicles factory-fitted with an audio and navigation system, the aerial
may be installed in different places:
●
Inside the rear window next to the heating elements
● on the roof of the vehicle.
Headlights
Use soap and clean, hot water to clean the front headlights.
CAUTION
● Never rub the headlights dry and do not use sharp objects to clean the
plastic glass material. These could damage the protective paint and cause
the headlights to crack.
● Do not use aggressive cleaning products or chemical solvents to clean
the glass. This could damage the headlights.
Care of rubber seals
The weatherstrips on doors and windows will remain pliable and last longer
if they are occasionally treated with a suitable rubber care product. This will
prevent premature ageing and leaks. If they are correctly cared for, the seals
will be less likely to freeze up in the winter.
Door lock cylinder
Special products must be used to defrost lock cylinders.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
176Care of the vehicle and cleaning
Note
● Make sure, when washing the vehicle, that the least amount of water
possible enters the lock cylinders.
● We recommend the use of products from the selection of SEAT Original
Accessories to care for the door lock cylinder.
Wheels
Wheel trims
If you wash the vehicle regularly, you must also thoroughly wash the wheel
trims. Regularly remove any brake abrasion residue and road salt from the
wheels, otherwise the wheel material could be damaged. Repair any dam-
age to the wheel paintwork immediately.
Alloy wheels
After thorough washing, treat the wheels with a protective product for alloy
wheels. Do not use abrasive products to care for the wheels.
WARNING
Moisture, ice and road salt may affect braking efficiency. Risk of acci-
dent!
CAUTION
Heavy dirt on the wheels could lead to their misalignment. This could result
in vibrations being transmitted to the steering wheel that under certain con-
ditions may cause premature steering wear. This dirt must be removed.
Note
We recommend you leave paint damage repairs to a SEAT Authorised Serv-
ice. Underbody sealant
The underside of the vehicle is coated to permanently protect it from chemi-
cal and mechanical agents.
Given that damage to the
protective coating during driving cannot be com-
pletely ruled out, we recommend you check the condition of the protective
coating on the underbody and suspension at regular intervals, preferably
before the start and end of the coldest season of the year.
Authorised SEAT dealers have suitable special products and the necessary
facilities and are aware of the techniques required for their application. We
therefore recommend all touch-up work or additional anti-corrosion meas-
ures be performed by an authorised SEAT dealer.
WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes,
catalytic converter, particulate filter or heat shields on the exhaust sys-
tem. Once the engine has reached operating temperature, these substan-
ces could catch fire. Risk of fire!
Cavity waxing
All cavities on the vehicle exposed to corrosion are permanently factory-pro-
tected by a wax solution .
This wax solution does not need to be checked or touched up. Should wax
run out of the cavities at high ambient temperatures, remove it using a plas-
tic scraper and clean away any stains using lighter fluid.
177
Care of the vehicle and cleaning
WARNING
Note the regulations concerning safety and environmental protection if
you use lighter fluid to remove the wax. Risk of fire!
Leatherette and upholstery
Leatherette can be cleaned with a damp cloth. If this is not sufficient, these
parts should only be cleaned with solvent-free plastic care and cleaning
products.
Textile covers and trim parts on doors, rear lid, etc. can be cleaned with spe-
cial detergents, e.g. dry foam. A soft sponge or brush or a micro-fibre cloth
for normal cleaning can be used. Use special products to clean the headlin-
er.
Some upholstery, such as dark jeans fabric, is sometimes not durable
enough. This can cause damage or visible colouring of the seat upholstery
(leather or fabric), even under normal conditions of use. This is particularly
applicable to light-coloured seat upholstery (fabric or leather). This is not an
upholstery defect but indicates that the dye in the item of clothing is not
solid enough.
Heated seat upholstery
Do not clean the seat upholstery with damp products, as this could damage
the seat heating system.
Clean the upholstery with special products, e.g. dry foam, etc. Natural leather
Leather should be looked after from time to time, depending on its use.
Normal cleaning
Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with water and wipe over the leather sur-
faces.
More stubborn dirt
Do not let the water soak through the leather or penetrate into the seams.
Dry the leather with a soft, dry cloth.
Removing stains
Remove fresh water-based stains such as coffee, tea, juices, blood, etc.
with an absorbent cloth or kitchen roll. Use the special detergent to clean
dried-on stains.
Remove fresh fat-based stains such as butter, mayonnaise, chocolate, etc.
with an absorbent cloth or kitchen roll or with the special detergent if the
stain has not yet soaked through the surface.
Use a grease-dissolving product to treat
dried-in, fat-based stains.
Treat less common stains such as ball-pen and other inks, felt-tip pens, nail
polish, dispersion paint, shoe cream etc. with a special leather stain remov-
er.
Leather care
The leather should be treated twice a year with a special leather-care prod-
uct.
Apply the protective product very sparingly.
Dry the leather with a soft, dry cloth.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
178Care of the vehicle and cleaning
CAUTION
● Avoid exposing leather to direct sunlight for long periods so that it does
not lose its colour. If the car is left for a prolonged period outdoors, cover
the leather so that it does not lose its colour.
● Sharp-edged objects on clothing, such as zips, rivets or belts can leave
permanent scratches and rough marks on the surface of the leather.
● Use of the mechanical steering wheel lock can damage the leather sur-
face of the steering wheel.
Note
● Use a suitable impregnating cream with ultra-violet protection at regular
intervals and after cleaning. The cream will nourish and moisturise the
leather, keep it supple and able to breathe. In addition, it will also help to
protect the surface of the leather.
● Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months and remove fresh dirt as necessa-
ry.
● Preserve the colour of the leather. A special coloured cream for leather
will renew the colour of more heavily worn areas as required.
● Leather is a natural material with specific properties. During vehicle use,
parts of the leather covers may change in appearance, such as folds or wrin-
kles, as a result of their use.
Seat belts
Keep the seat belts clean!
Wash soiled seat belts with mild, soapy water, removing any heavier dirt
with a soft brush.
Check the condition of all seat belts at regular intervals.
Very soiled belts may not retract properly.
WARNING
● The seat belts should never be removed from the vehicle for cleaning.
● Never clean using chemical products, as chemical detergents destroy
the fabric. Ensure that the seat belts do not come into contact with corro-
sive fluids such as acids, etc.
● If you find any damage to the belt webbing, belt fittings, the belt re-
tractor or the buckle, the belt in question must be replaced by an Official
Service.
● Make sure that the inertia reel seat belts are completely dry before
allowing them to retract.
180Checking and refilling levels
–Press the tank flap with your hand to close it.
– Check that the fuel flap is correctly closed.
CAUTION
● Switch off the auxiliary heater (heater and independent heater) before
filling the tank.
● The fuel tank is full as soon as the automatic filler nozzle cuts out. Do
not continue filling, as this will fill the expansion chamber.
Note
The fuel tank capacity is around 55 litres, of which 7 litres are the reserve.
Unleaded petrol
Your vehicle must only be run on unleaded petrol that complies with the
Standard EN 228 (in Germany, also DIN 51626 – 1, or E10 for unleaded pet-
rol with 95 and 91 octane rating (RON) or DIN 51626 – 2, or E5 for unleaded
petrol with 95 and 98 RON).
Prescribed fuel – unleaded petrol (95/91 RON)
Use unleaded petrol with 95 RON. Unleaded petrol with 91 RON can also be
used, although this will result in a slight loss of power.
If, as an emergency measure, you have to fill the tank with petrol with a low-
er RON to that prescribed, use only moderate engine speeds and light throt-
tle. High engine speed and full throttle can seriously damage the engine!
Fill up with petrol with the correct RON as soon as possible.
Prescribed fuel – unleaded petrol (min. 95 RON)
Use unleaded petrol with 95 RON. If unleaded petrol with
95 RON is not available, you can fill up with petrol
with 91 RON as an emergency measure. In this case, use only moderate en-
gine speeds and a light throttle. High engine speed and full throttle can se-
riously damage the engine! Fill up with petrol with the correct RON as soon
as possible.
Petrol with a RON below 91 cannot be used, even as an emergency meas-
ure. Risk of seriously damaging the engine!
Unleaded petrol with higher RON
Unleaded petrol with a higher RON to that prescribed can be used without
limits.
In vehicles running on prescribed unleaded petrol with 95/91 RON, there is
no notable increase in power or lower fuel consumption when petrol with a
RON higher than 95 is used.
In vehicles running on prescribed unleaded petrol with min. 95 RON, there
is an increase in power and a lower fuel consumption when petrol with a
RON higher than 95 is used.
Prescribed fuel – unleaded petrol (98/(95) RON)
Use unleaded petrol with 98 RON. Unleaded petrol with 95 RON can also be
used, although this will result in a slight loss of power.
If unleaded petrol with 98 or 95 RON is not available, you can fill up with
petrol with 91 RON as an emergency measure. In this case, use only moder-
ate engine speeds and a light throttle. High engine speed and full throttle
can seriously damage the engine! Fill up with petrol with the correct RON as
soon as possible.
Petrol with a RON below 91 cannot be used, even as an emergency meas-
ure. Risk of seriously damaging the engine!
Petrol additives
The quality of the fuel influences the behaviour, performance and service
life of the engine. This is why the petrol you use should carry suitable addi-
tives already included by the petrol industry, free of metals. These additives
184Checking and refilling levels
Before opening the bonnet, make sure that the windscreen wiper
arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the paintwork
may be damaged.
–Pull the release catch in the direction of the arrow 2
⇒ Fig. 123
and the bonnet will be released.
– Hold and lift the bonnet.
– Remove the support strut 3
⇒ Fig. 124 from its fastening in the
direction of the arrow and secure the raised bonnet so that the
end of the strut hooks onto the opening in the bonnet 4
.
Closing the bonnet
– Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the support strut keeping
the bonnet open and insert it into its fastening 3
.
– Let the bonnet drop from a height of around 20 cm into the
catch Do not press down afterwards!
– Check that the bonnet is correctly closed.
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 185,
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 QG1, this means that your vehicle has the LongLife service pro-
grammed. If it has the codes QG0 or QG2 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 186 and LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to top up
(once) with oil for fixed service intervals ⇒ page 185 (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 185, Oil properties. In this case, your vehicle must be
188Checking and refilling levels
Diesel enginesTop-up quantity (in litres)1.6 l/77 kW TDI CR6.5
CAUTION
● Anti-freeze that does not correspond to the correct specification may
particularly affect corrosion protection considerably.
● Faults caused by corrosion may lead to coolant leaks. Risk of serious en-
gine faults!
Checking coolant level
Fig. 126 Engine com-
partment: Coolant tank
The coolant expansion tank is located in the engine compartment
of the vehicle.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 182.
– Read off the coolant level on coolant expansion tank ⇒
Fig. 126.
When the engine is cold, the coolant should be between marks B
(min.) and
A (max.). When the engine is hot, it may be
slightly above mark A (max.).
If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the
warning lamp (red) in the general instrument panel ⇒ page 72, Coolant
level and temperature . However, we recommend checking the coolant
level directly in the tank.
Coolant fluid loss
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a leak. It is not sufficient merely to
top up the coolant. The cooling system should be inspected by an Official
Service without delay.
CAUTION
In the event of a fault that causes the engine to overheat, contact an author-
ised SEAT dealer immediately, as this could damage the engine.
Topping up coolant
– Switch the ignition off.
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the cap on the coolant expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 126 with a
cloth and carefully unscrew the cap.
– Refill the level of coolant.
– Screw the cap on again until it clicks into place.
Do not use a different type of additive if the prescribed anti-freeze additive
is not available, in the event of an emergency. In this case, use only water
and bring the coolant concentration back up to the correct level as soon as
possible at an Official Service.
189
Checking and refilling levels
Always top up with unused coolant.
Never fill the coolant tank above mark A
(max.) ⇒ Fig. 126 Excess coolant
is forced out of the cooling system through the overpressure valve in the fill-
er cap of the expansion tank when the engine heats up.
WARNING
● The anti-freeze additive and, therefore, the entire coolant, are a
health hazard. Avoid touching the coolant. Coolant fumes are also a
health hazard. Store the coolant additive in a safe place out of the reach
of children. Risk of poisoning!
● If splashed into eyes, rinse immediately with clean water and seek
immediate medical advice.
● Seek immediate medical advice if the coolant is accidentally inges-
ted.
CAUTION
If the engine oil cannot be topped up under the given conditions, do not
drive on. We recommend contacting an authorised SEAT dealer, as this can
damage the engine.
Radiator fan
The radiator is driven by an electric motor and controlled according to the
temperature of the coolant.
After the engine has been stopped and the ignition switched off, the radia-
tor fan may continue running for around 10 minutes. Brake fluid
Checking brake fluid level
Fig. 127 Engine com-
partment: Brake fluid res-
ervoir
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the engine compartment of
the vehicle.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ page 182.
– Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒ Fig. 127. It should
be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.
The fluid level drops slightly after a period of time due to automatic com-
pensation 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 brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the warning lamp in
the instrument panel
⇒ page 70, Brake system .
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications