
194Checking and refilling levels
–After charging the battery: Switch off the battery charger and
disconnect the cable.
– Remove the charger cables.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first
the “positive” cable, then the “negative” cable).
When charging with a low current (e.g. with a small battery charger), the
battery does not have to be disconnected. The instructions of the battery
charger manufacturer must be followed.
Use a current equivalent to or lower than 10% of the battery capacity to fully
charge the battery.
Before “fast-charging” the battery however, both battery cables must be
disconnected.
“Fast-charging” a battery is dangerous and requires a battery charger and
special knowledge. Fast charges should be performed by an official techni-
cal service.
The battery caps should not be opened while the battery is being charged.
CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with the “START-STOP” system, the charger cable cannot
be directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but
must be attached to the engine earthing point ⇒ page 216.
Disconnecting and connecting the battery
The following functions will either be inoperative or will not work properly
after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery:
effectInstallationSetting the clock⇒ page 60The multifunction display data is deleted⇒ page 61
Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by an authorised SEAT dealer to
guarantee the correct working order of all electrical systems.
Changing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same capacity, voltage, current rating
and size as the original. The appropriate types of battery can be acquired
from authorised SEAT dealers.
We recommend having the battery changed by an authorised SEAT dealer,
where the new battery will be correctly installed and the original disposed
of in line with regulations.
Automatic disconnection of electrical equipment
When heavily-charging a battery, the programme selected by the electrical
system control unit prevents the battery from automatically discharging.
This may result in the following:
● Increase in idling speed so that the alternator can supply more current
to the electrical system.
● The performance of certain electrical components could be limited or
some may switch off temporarily, e.g. the heated seats, the heated rear win-
dow, the 12V power socket.

203
Wheels and tyres
Rim sizeRim offsetTyre size5J x 14 a)35 mm175/706J x 15b)38 mm185/606J x 15b)38 mm195/55a)
Only use snow chains with fine-pitch links and lock no greater than 9 mm.
b) Only use snow chains with fine-pitch links and lock no greater than 13 mm.
Remove the wheel trims before fitting snow chains.
CAUTION
Chains must be removed when roads are free of snow. Otherwise they will
impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly.
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Self-help
Vehicle tool kit*
Fig. 137 Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the jack are stored in a box on the spare wheel or in
the spare wheel well. There is also enough space for the towing bracket ball
coupling. The box is strapped to the spare wheel with tape.
The vehicle tool kit includes the following parts (depending on equipment): Screwdriver
Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts
Towline anchorage
Wire hook for removing hub caps
Jack
Box spanner for wheel bolts
Clip for wheel bolt cover
Spare set of bulbs
Before stowing the jack again, screw down the arm as far as it will go. 1
2345678
WARNING
● The factory-supplied jack is only designed for changing wheels on
this model of vehicle. On no account attempt to use it for lighting heavier
vehicles or other loads. Risk of injury!
● Make sure that the vehicle tools are stored properly in the luggage
compartment.
Note
Make sure the box always remains strapped to the spare wheel with tape.
Changing a wheel Introduction
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.
● If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite
the wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to
prevent the vehicle from rolling away unexpectedly.
● If the vehicle has been fitted with tyres or alloys that are different to
those fitted in manufacture, the instructions ⇒ page 198, Replacing tyres
and wheels must be followed.
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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.
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210Self-help
–Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and tight-
en the bolt firmly by turning clockwise.
WARNING
The wheel bolts should only be loosened slightly (about one turn) before
raising the vehicle with the jack. Risk of accident!
Note
If the wheel bolt is very tight, it may be possible to loosen it by pushing
down the end of the box spanner carefully with your foot. Hold on to the ve-
hicle for support and take care not to slip.
Raising the vehicle
Fig. 139 Changing a
wheel: Jacking points
Fig. 140 Fitting the jack
To place the jack, locate the jacking point under the door sill clos-
est to the wheel to be changed ⇒ Fig. 139. The jacking point is di-
rectly underneath the stamp on the door sill.
– Turn the crank handle on the jack to wind it up under the jack-
ing point until its claw is directly below the jacking point of the
door sill.
– Adjust the jack so that its claw surrounds the jacking point on
the door sill ⇒ Fig. 140 - B underneath the stamp on the door
sill.
– Make sure that the base of the jack is entirely supported on a
flat surface and that it is vertical ⇒ Fig. 140 to the point where
the claw surrounds the jacking point on the door sill.
– Continue to wind up the jack using the crank handle until the
defective wheel is clear off the ground.

216Self-help
Connecting negative terminals with the engine block
–Connect one end 3
⇒ Fig. 143 to the negative terminal of the
boosting battery B.
– Attach the other end 4
to a solid metal part firmly attached to
the engine block or to the engine block itself.
Starting the engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle and let it run at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
– If the engine fails to start, do not operate the start for longer
than 10 seconds. Wait for about 30 seconds and try again.
– Remove the jump leads from the engine in exactly the opposite
sequence to that described above. Jump-starting vehicles with the START-STOP system
Fig. 144 Jump-starting
vehicles with the START-
STOP system
In vehicles fitted with the START-STOP system, the booster cable cannot be
directly connected to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery but must
be attached to the engine earthing point.
Towing the vehicle
Introduction
Vehicles with manual gearbox can be towed using a towbar or tow-
rope. They can also be towed with either the front or rear wheels
lifted off the road.
Vehicles with automatic gearbox can be towed using a towbar or
towrope. They can also be towed with the front wheels lifted off the

217
Self-help
road. If the vehicle is towed with the rear wheels lifted off the road
the automatic gearbox will be damaged!
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a towbar. A towrope
should only be used if you do not have a towbar.
Follow the instructions below when towing a vehicle:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move or on vehi-
cles with automatic gearbox press the accelerator carefully.
– On vehicles with manual gearbox, the towrope must be taut be-
fore driving off.
The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h (31 mph).
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the steering wheel
lock is not engaged and the turn signals, horn and windscreen
wipers and washers can be used.
– Put the gear lever in neutral or move the selector lever to posi-
tion N (automatic gearbox).
The brake servo and power steering only work when the engine is
running. Considerably more effort is required on the brake pedal
and steering wheel when the engine is switched off.
Ensure the towrope remains taut at all times when towing.
CAUTION
● Do not tow-start the engine. Risk of engine damage! In vehicles with a
catalytic converter, unburnt fuel could reach the catalytic converter and
catch fire in it. This could damage and destroy the catalytic converter. Use
the battery from another vehicle for help in starting the engine ⇒ page 215,
Starting the engine.
● If, due to a fault, there is no oil in the gearbox, the car may only be tow-
ed with the driven wheels lifted clear of the road and transported on a spe-
cial vehicle transporter or trailer.
● If normal towing is not possible or if the vehicle is to be towed for further
than 50 km (31 miles), the vehicle must be transported on a special vehicle
transporter or trailer.
● The towrope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both ve-
hicles during towing. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre
or similar material only.
● Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and always take care to
avoid jerking the towrope. When towing on a loose surface there is always a
risk of overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
● Attach the towrope or towbar only to the towline anchorages or to the
removable towing bracket ⇒ page 164, or ⇒ page 218.
Note
● We recommend you use the towrope or towbar available in the SEAT
Original Accessories programme from authorised SEAT dealers.
● Towing a vehicle requires some experience. Both drivers should be fa-
miliar with the technique required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should
not attempt to tow away another vehicle or to have their vehicle towed.
● Note the legal regulations concerning towing, particularly those regard-
ing the signalling of the towed and towing vehicle.
● The towrope must not be twisted, as under certain circumstances this
could unscrew the front towline anchorage.
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218Self-help
Front towline anchorage
Fig. 145 Front bumper: towline anchorage cover/fitting
Fitting and detaching the cover
–Press on the left of the cover as indicated by the arrow
⇒ Fig. 145 - .
– Pull on the cover to remove it from the front bumper.
– To refit the cover after unscrewing the towline anchorage, fit the
cover and press down on its right-hand side. The cover must be
securely engaged.
Fitting and detaching the towline anchorage
– Screw in the towline anchorage anti-clockwise by hand as far as
it will go ⇒ Fig. 145 - .
To tighten the towline anchorage, we recommend using the box
spanner, the towing eye from another vehicle or a similar object
that can be inserted through the anchorage.
– Unscrew the towline anchorage by turning it clockwise.
CAUTION
The towline anchorage must be screwed in as far as it will go. Otherwise
there is a risk of the screw connection shearing off during towing or tow-
starting!
Rear towline anchorage
Fig. 146 Rear towline
anchorage
The rear towline anchorage is under the rear bumper, on the right.