197
Wheels and tyres
Note
● We recommend having all work on tyres and wheels carried out by an
authorised SEAT dealer.
● We recommend using wheels, tyres, hub caps and snow chains from the
SEAT Original Accessories programme.
Tyre useful life
Fig. 131 Side view of
tyres with tread wear in-
dicators
Tread wear indicator
The base of the side of the original tyres on your vehicle show 1.6 mm high
tread wear indicators ⇒ Fig. 131. The position of these indicators is given
on the tyre sidewalls by the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other sym-
bols. The useful life of the tyres depends primarily on the following factors:
Tyre pressure values
Under-inflation or over-inflation will considerably reduce the useful life of
the tyres and impair the vehicle's handling. Therefore, check the tyre pres-
sure, including the spare wheel, at least once a month and before any long
journey.
Inflation pressures for
summer tyres are listed on a sticker inside the fuel
tank flap. The pressures for winter tyres are 0.2 bar (2.9 psi / 20 kPa) above
the summer values.
Always check the pressure when the tyre is cold. Do not reduce over-pres-
sure in warm tyres. The tyre pressures must be altered to suit notable
changes in the load being carried.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. Various factors encountered
when driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results in vibra-
tion of the steering wheel.
The wheel must be rebalanced if a new tyre is fitted or if a tyre is repaired.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect front or rear wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, frequent-
ly on one side, and also impairs vehicle safety. If tyre wear is very irregular,
contact an Official Service.
Tyre damage
To avoid damage to tyres and wheels, only drive over kerbs or similar obsta-
cles slowly and at a right angle if possible.
Check tyres and wheels regularly for damage (punctures, cracks, blisters,
deformities, etc.). Remove any foreign objects embedded in outside of the
treads.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
199
Wheels and tyres
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly only
on the inner side of the wheel). DOT … 27 12…
means, for example, that the tyre was produced in the 27th week of 2012.
Follow the instructions ⇒ page 199 if you only have a temporary spare
wheel.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
The direction of rotation is indicated by the arrows on the tyre sidewall. The
direction of rotation indicated must be respected. This guarantees optimum
grip and helps avoid excessive noise, wear and aquaplaning.
In the event of a flat tyre, a spare wheel with an undetermined tread pattern
or an opposite tread pattern must be used and you must drive carefully, as
in these cases the tyres no longer offer maximum performance. Spare wheel*Fig. 133 Luggage com-
partment: spare wheel
The spare wheel is housed in a well under the floor panel in the luggage
compartment and is secured by a special bolt ⇒ Fig. 133.
Take out the tool box before removing the spare wheel.
The tyre pressure of the spare wheel must be checked (preferably whenever
the tyre pressure is checked – see sticker on fuel tank flap ⇒ page 197) to
ensure the spare wheel remains ready for use.
If the spare wheel is not the same size or design as the tyres that are moun-
ted on the car (for example if the car has winter tyres or tyres with direction
tread), only use the spare tyre for a short period of time in the event of
breakdown and drive with the corresponding care ⇒
.
It must be replaced as soon as possible for a wheel with a normal size and
finish.
Temporary spare wheel
If the vehicle is equipped with a temporary spare wheel, there will be a
warning sign on the rim of the wheel.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
200Wheels and tyres
Follow the instructions below when driving with this wheel fitted.
● After fitting the wheel, the warning sign must not be covered.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph) with this spare wheel and
take great care during the trip. Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and
fast cornering.
● The tyre pressure is the same as that of the standard tyres.
● Only use this spare wheel to reach the nearest Official Service, as it is
not designed for permanent use.
WARNING
● Under no circumstances must damaged spare wheels be used.
● If the spare wheel is different in size or design to the tyres currently
fitted, never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). Avoid heavy accelera-
tion, hard braking and fast cornering.
CAUTION
Follow the instructions given on the temporary spare wheel label.
Note
The tyre pressure of the spare wheel must always correspond to the highest
pressure prescribed for the model of vehicle in question.
Wheel trim
Removing
– Place the hook from the vehicle tool kit on the reinforced edge
of the wheel trim. –
Insert the box spanner through the hook, supporting it on the
tyre and remove the wheel trim.
Fitting
– First press the wheel trim onto the wheel at the cut out de-
signed for the valve. Then press the wheel trim on both sides in
the direction of the valve so that it fits correctly in place around
all the perimeter.
CAUTION
● Press down by hand, do not hit the wheel trim! Knocking it sharply, par-
ticularly at points where the wheel trim has not yet been inserted, could re-
sult in damage to the wheel trim guiding and centring elements.
● Before fitting the trim on a steel alloy wheel attached with an anti-theft
wheel bolt, make sure the bolt is in the hole in the valve area ⇒ page 211,
Anti-theft wheel bolts*.
● Where trim is fitted at a later date, ensure enough air inflow is guaran-
teed in order to cool the brake system.
Wheel bolt caps
Fig. 134 Pull off the
wheel bolt cap
201
Wheels and tyres
Removing
– Insert the plastic clip into the cap until the inner retaining
notches on the clips touch the collar of the cap and then re-
move ⇒ Fig. 134.
Fitting
– Insert the caps as far as they will go over the wheel bolts.
The wheel bolt caps are stored in a box on the spare wheel or in the spare
wheel well.
Tyre pressure *
Fig. 135 Tyre pressure
setting switch
The tyre pressure monitoring system uses ABS sensors to compare the revo-
lutions and the circumference of each wheel. Should the circumference of
any wheel change, the warning lamp in the general instrument panel
⇒ page 76 will light up and an audible warning will be heard.
Tyre circumference may change if:
● Tyre pressure is too low
● Tyre structure is damaged ●
Vehicle load not evenly distributed
● Wheels on one axle are subjected to greater load, (e.g. driving with trail-
er, uphill, downhill)
● Snow chains are fitted
● The temporary spare wheel is fitted
● One wheel on the axle has been changed
Basic system settings
Should the tyre pressure change or if one or more wheels are changed or
the position of the wheel on the vehicle is changed, e.g. changing round the
front and rear wheels, or where a warning lamp lights up when driving, the
system must be adjusted as follows:
● Inflate all tyres to the prescribed pressures ⇒ page 197.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Hold the
⇒ Fig. 135 button down for at least 2 seconds. The warn-
ing lamp will light up when the button is pressed. The system memory is
also deleted and a new calibration system will begin, which is indicated by
an audible warning before the warning lamp switches off .
● If the warning lamp remains lit and does not switch off, not even once
the basic setting process is complete, this indicates a fault in the system.
Contact an Official Service.
The warning lamp lights up
If the pressure on at least one tyre is significantly lower than the pressure
set by the driver, the warning lamp ⇒
will light up.
The warning lamp flashes
If the warning lamp flashes, there is a fault in the system. Contact a special-
ised service to have it fixed.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
202Wheels and tyres
WARNING
● If the warning lamp lights up, slow down immediately and avoid
any severe braking or steering manoeuvres. Stop and check the tyres and
their pressure as soon as possible.
● Under certain conditions (e.g. sporty driving style, driving on loose
surfaces or in the winter) the warning lamp may take a while to light
up or may remain switched off.
● Despite the tyre pressure monitoring system, the driver remains re-
sponsible for maintaining the correct tyre pressure. You must therefore
check the tyre pressure often.
Note
● The tyre pressure monitoring system is not a replacement for regularly
checking the tyre pressure, as it is unable to recognise an even drop in pres-
sure.
● The tyre pressure monitoring system is unable to warn of a sudden drop
in tyre pressure, e.g. a puncture. In this case, try to stop the vehicle carefully
with no severe braking or steering manoeuvres.
● To ensure the tyre pressure monitoring system works correctly, the basic
setting must be performed every 10 000 km (6000 miles) or once a year.
Wheel bolts
The wheel bolts are matched to the rims. When installing different wheels,
e.g. to fit light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres, it is important to use
the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt
heads. The is essential for the secure fit of the wheels and for the proper
function of the brake system. Winter tyres
Winter tyres will significantly improve handling of the vehicle in winter road
conditions. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) gives less grip at temperatures below +7 °C (45 °F), on ice and
snow. This applies particularly to vehicles equipped with
wide section tyres
or high speed tyres (code letters H or V on the sidewall).
In order to preserve the performance of the vehicle as much as possible,
winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels, the minimum depth of the
tread must be 4 mm and the maximum age must be 4 years.
You can use winter tyres of a lower speed rating if the maximum speed limit
of these tyres will not be exceeded, even if the maximum speed limit for the
vehicle is higher.
For the sake of the environment
Summer tyres should be fitted again in time, as they give better handling on
roads free of snow and ice and at temperatures over +7 °C (45 °F). Summer
tyres have a shorter braking distance, produce less rolling noise and do not
wear down as quickly. They also reduce fuel consumption.
Snow chains
Snow chains must only be used on the front wheels.
In winter road conditions, snow chains not only help to improve grip but al-
so improve the braking capacity.
For technical reasons snow chains may only be used on tyres with the fol-
lowing wheel rim/tyre combinations.
209
Self-help
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the
box spanner and then the anti-theft wheel bolt ⇒ page 209.
– Replace the hub cap and/or the bolt covers.
Note
● All bolts must be clean and turn easily.
● Never grease or oil the wheel bolts!
● Note the direction of rotation when putting on a tyre with directional
tread pattern ⇒ page 196.
After changing a wheel
Tasks that must be carried out after changing a wheel.
– Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the spare wheel well
and secure it using a special bolt ⇒ page 199.
– Put the vehicle tools back in their storage location.
– Check the tyre pressure of the newly fitted spare wheel as soon
as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a torque wrench.
– Have the flat tyre replaced or ask an Official Service about the
possibility of repair.
Note
● If you notice that the wheel bolts are rusty and difficult to turn when
changing a wheel, they must be replaced before having the tightening tor-
que checked.
● Drive carefully and at moderate speeds until the tightening torque of the
wheel bolts has been checked.
Loosening and tightening wheel bolts
Fig. 138 Changing a
wheel: Loosening wheel
bolts
Loosening wheel bolts
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
– Grip the end of the box spanner and turn the wheel bolt about
one turn anti-clockwise ⇒ Fig. 138.
Tightening wheel bolts
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
1)
The corresponding adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft wheel bolts
⇒ page 211.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
211
Self-help
Anti-theft wheel bolts*
Fig. 141 Anti-theft
wheel bolt with adapter
Vehicles fitted with anti-theft wheel bolts (one bolt per wheel) can
only be loosened or tightened using a factory-supplied adapter.
– Pull off the hub cap or bolt cover.
– Insert the adapter B
⇒ Fig. 141 with its toothed side as far as
it will go on the interior toothing of the anti-theft wheel bolt A
so that only the outer hexagonal is protruding.
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over adapter B
.
– Loosen or firmly tighten the wheel bolt ⇒ page 209.
– After removing the adapter, replace the hub cap or the anti-theft
wheel bolt cover.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a torque wrench.
Note down the code number stamped on the front of the adapter or on the
front of the anti-theft wheel bolt. You will need this number to obtain a
spare adapter from the SEAT Original Accessories. We recommend you always carry the wheel bolt adapter in the vehicle. It
should be stored in the vehicle tool kit.
Tyre repair kit* Introduction
The tyre repair kit is stored in a box under the carpet in the luggage com-
partment.
The tyre repair kit will reliably seal tyres damaged by foreign bodies, provi-
ded that cuts or punctures are no larger than approx. 4 mm in diameter. Do
not remove the foreign bodies, e.g. bolts or nails, from the tyre!
The tyre must be repaired immediately.
The repair made using the tyre repair kit under no circumstances replaces
permanent tyre repair and should only be used to drive to the nearest Offi-
cial Service.
The tyre repair kit must not be used:
● If the wheel rim has been damaged
● when the outside temperature is below -20 °C (-4 °F)
● On cuts or punctures larger than 4 mm
● If the sidewall of the wheel has been damaged
● If you have been driving with very low tyre pressure or a completely flat
tyre
● If the best-before date on the air can has expired
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications
212Self-help
WARNING
● If you have a puncture in moving traffic, switch on the hazard warning
lights and place the warning triangle at the obligatory distance. Observe
the applicable local legal regulations. This is for your own safety and that
of other road users.
● If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle well away from moving traffic.
Choose a location that is as level and solid as possible.
● A tyre filled with sealant does not have the same performance proper-
ties as a conventional tyre.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering.
● Check the tyre pressure after 10 minutes of driving!
● The sealant is harmful to health and must be immediately rinsed from
affected skin.
For the sake of the environment
Used or out-of-date sealant must be disposed of in line with environmental
protection regulations.
Note
● Observe the instructions for use provided by the tyre repair kit manufac-
turer.
● A new can of sealant can be acquired from the selection of SEAT Original
Accessories.
● Change the tyre repaired using the tyre repair kit as soon as possible or
ask an Official Service about the possibility of repair. Tyre repair kit components
Fig. 142 Tyre repair kit
components
The tyre repair kit includes the following parts:
An adapter to fit and remove the valve
Sticker indicating the speed: “max. 80 km/h” or “max. 50 mph”
Flexible filling hose with cap
Compressor
Flexible tyre inflating hose
Tyre pressure gauge
Air release screw
ON/OFF button
12 Volt cable connector ⇒ page 122
Can of sealant
Spare valve
The valve extractor 1
⇒ Fig. 142 has a slot in its lower end that fits onto
the valve insert. This is used to remove the valve insert from the tyre and to
replace it. This is also valid for the spare valve insert 11
.
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