2014 Seat Altea XL brake fluid

Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Instructions to follow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Ball coupling of towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Fitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 214
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Vehicle interior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Accessories and spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Mobile phones and two-way radios . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
LPG system (Liquefied petroleum gas)* . . . . . . . 230
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades . . . . 244
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
If and when . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Vehicle tools, tyre repair kit and spare wheel . . . 262
Wheel change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tyre repair kit (Tyre-Mobility-System)* . . . . . . . . . 269
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Technical Specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . 293
Description of specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Information on fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Petrol engine 1.6 75 kW (102 PS) . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
1.2 TSI 77 kW (105 HP) Start-Stop petrol engine 299
Petrol engine 1.4 92 kW (125 PS) . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Petrol engine 2.0 155 kW (211 PS) . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 66 kW (90 PS) with/
without DPF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 77 kW (105 PS) with/
without DPF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 77 kW (105 PS) DPF
Start-Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS) . . . . . 305
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 125 kW (170 PS) . . . . . 306
Dimensions and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
4Table of Contents

62Cockpit
Recommended gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.
Fig. 40 Gear display
Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should
change up or down.
Note
The gear change indication should not be taken into account the accelera-
tion is required (for example when overtaking). 
Odometer or flexible service interval display
Odometer
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle. The right-hand counter registers the short journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding
down the reset button for a few seconds.
Service interval display
Vehicles with
Service intervals dependent on time/distance travelled al-
ready have certain service intervals set. The intervals are calculated individ-
ually in vehicles with LongLife service.
The service interval display only indicates the dates of services that include
engine oil change. The dates of all other services, such as Inspection Serv-
ice or brake fluid change, appear in the sticker on the door pillar or in the
Maintenance Programme.
A Service pre-warning will appear in the odometer if a service is due soon. A
“spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance that can
be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will change
after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the number
of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The following
message is shown in the instrument panel display*: Service in
[XXXX]
kmor
[XXXX]
days
The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds after the ig-
nition is switched on or the engine is running. The normal display can be
resumed by briefly pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by press-
ing the OK
button on the steering wheel controls.
With the ignition on, you can check the current service message at any mo-
ment in the Vehicle status menu or turning the reset button to access the
service display.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or
day information. 

66Cockpit
20 km/h (12 mph) (ice warning). This symbol will flash for about 10 sec-
onds and remains lit as long as the outside temperature does not rise
above +4 °C (+39.2 °F) or +6 °C (+42.8 °F) if it was already lit.
WARNING
There could be black ice on the road surface even if the “snowflake sym-
bol” is not shown. For this reason you should not rely exclusively on this
display - Risk of accident!
Note
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the tempera-
ture displayed may be slightly higher than the actual outside temperature
as a result of the heat radiated from the engine. 
Warning or information message in the display
Faults are shown in the display with control lamps and
warning/information reports.
The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the ig-
nition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. Functional faults are
indicated by symbols with warning or information messages in the display.
An audible warning is given in certain cases.
Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1) and yellow warning symbols (pri-
ority 2).
Information text
In addition to warning messages given on a fault, you will receive informa-
tion in the display on procedures or will be asked to carry out certain tasks.
Note
In the case of screens without warning or information messages, faults are
indicated exclusively by the control lamps. 
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will
be accompanied by three audible warnings. This is a danger warning. Stop
the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain
professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will contin-
ue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the duration of a priority 1 warn-
ing message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages (red)
● Brake system symbol  with the warning message STOP BRAKE FLUID
INSTRUCTION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
● Coolant symbol  with the warning message STOP SEE COOLANT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the warning message STOP ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL . 
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompa-
nied by one audible warning. The function should be checked as soon as
possible. 

77
Cockpit
ItemSymbolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther infor-
mation
1Fuel level / reserve⇒ page 80
2Coolant level / coolant temperature⇒ page 81
3Rear fog light switched on⇒ page 82
4
Turn signals in operation⇒ page 82
5Engine fault (petrol engine)⇒ page 82
Glow plug system (diesel engines)⇒ page 82
6Main beam switched on⇒ page 82
7Soot accumulation in the diesel engine
particulate filter⇒ page 82
8ABS system fault⇒ page 83
9Windscreen washer fluid level⇒ page 83
10Alternator fault⇒ page 84
11Fasten seat belts!⇒ page 19
12Brake pad worn⇒ page 84
13Tyre pressure⇒ page 84
ItemSymbolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther infor- mation
14Airbag or belt tensioner system fault or
airbag disabled⇒ page 29
⇒ page 32
15Bulb defective⇒ page 86
16Brake fluid required or
brake system fault⇒ page 85
17
Red:
Engine oil pressure
⇒ page 86Yellow:
If flashing: engine oil sensor faulty
If it remains lit: insufficient engine oil
18Handbrake on⇒ page 188
19Cruise speed activated (Cruise control)⇒ page 87
20Door open indicator⇒ page 87
21If it stays lit: ASR switched off⇒ page 88
⇒ page 88
⇒ page 172
22Electromechanical steering⇒ page 87
23Fault in the emission control system⇒ page 87
24If flashing: the Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC) is working or the ASR is work-
ing
If the following remain lit: ESC or ASR
faulty⇒ page 88
⇒ page 88
⇒ page 172

25Selector lever lock (automatic gearbox)⇒ page 89 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

79
Cockpit
ItemSymbolMeaning of control and warning
lampsFurther infor-mation
3

(green)
The green lamp comes on when the
vehicle is in LPG mode.
The lamp goes off when you switch,
automatically or manually, to petrol
mode.
⇒ page 177

(yellow)The yellow warning lamp lights up
when the petrol has reached the re-
serve level.
WARNING
● Failure to observe control lamps and warning messages can result in
serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle.
● The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Use a
warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users in order to pre-
vent danger to third parties.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous area. Before you open the
bonnet to work on the engine or in the engine compartment, you must
switch the engine off and allow it to cool to reduce the risk of scalding or
other injuries. Read and observe the relevant warnings ⇒ page 235.
Note
● The appropriate control lamp for a fault will light up in vehicles without
warning or information messages in the display.
● In vehicles with warning or information messages on the screen, the ap-
propriate control lamp for a fault will light up and a warning or information
message will also appear on the screen. Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1) and yellow warning sym-
bols (priority 2).
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will
be accompanied by three audible warnings. This is a danger warning. Stop
the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain
professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will contin-
ue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the duration of a priority 1 warn-
ing message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages (red)
● Brake system symbol  with the warning message STOP BRAKE FLUID
INSTRUCTION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
● Coolant symbol  with the warning message STOP SEE COOLANT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the warning message STOP ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompa-
nied by one audible warning. Check the corresponding function as soon as
possible although the vehicle may be used without risk.
If several priority 2 warning messages are detected at the same time, the
symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time. Af-
ter a set time, the information text will disappear and the symbol will be
shown as a reminder at the side of the display. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

80Cockpit
Priority 2 warning messages will not be shown until all Priority 1 warning
messages have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning messages (yellow): 1)
● Fuel warning light with the information text PLEASE REFUEL.
● Windscreen washer fluid symbol  with the information text REFILL
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . Top up the washer fluid level. 
Information messages displayed on the screen*
Message a)Description
SERVICEThe service interval has ended. Take the vehicle to a
Technical Service.
IMMOBILISERImmobiliser system active. The vehicle will not start. Take
the vehicle to a Technical Service.
ERRORInstrument panel faulty. Take the vehicle to a Technical
Service.
CLEAN AIR FIL-
TERWarning: The air filter must be cleaned
NO KEYWarning: Correct key cannot be found in the vehicle.KEY BATTERYWarning: Key battery low. Change the battery.
CLUTCHWarning: Press the clutch to start. In vehicles with man-
ual gearbox and Start-Stop system.
--> P/NWarning: Place the selector level in position P/N to start.
Only in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
--> PWarning: Place the selector lever in position P to stop the
engine.
STARTINGWarning: The engine starts automatically. Start-Stop sys-
tem activated.
START MANUAL- LYWarning: The engine must be started manually. Start-
Stop system activated.
ERROR START-STOPWarning: Start-Stop system error.
START-STOP IM-POSSIBLEWarning: Although the Start-Stop system is switched on,
the engine cannot be stopped automatically. Not all the
necessary conditions are met
START-STOP AC- TIVEWarning: Start-Stop system activated. Vehicle in Stop
mode.
SWITCH OFFWarning: Start-Stop system activated. Switch off the igni-
tion when you leave the vehicle.
STOP TRANS-
MISSION TOO HOTWarning: Stop the engine. Gearbox overheated.
BRAKEWarning: To start the engine, press the brake pedal. Only
in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
COASTINGFUNCTIONWarning: Coasting mode active. Transmission engaged.
Only in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
CHECK SAFE- LOCKNotification of central locking function activated.
a)These messages may vary according the version of the vehicle model. 
Fuel level/reserve 
This symbol lights up to indicate that the fuel tank is under
the reserve level.
It lights up when only 7 litres of fuel remain in the tank. You will also hear
an audible warning. It reminds you to fuel up the fuel tank as soon as possi-
ble ⇒ page 228. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

83
Cockpit
To do this, drive about 15 minutes in fourth or fifth gear (automatic gear-
box: S gear range) at a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), with the engine running
at approximately 2000 rpm. In this way, the pollen build up in the filter is
burned. When cleaning is successful, the lamp turns off.
If the lamp  does not turn off, or the three lamps turn on (particulate filter
, emission control system fault  and glow plugs ), take the vehicle to
a specialised workshop to repair the fault.
WARNING
● Always drive according to the road weather conditions, the terrain
and traffic. Driving recommendations should never lead to illegal ma-
noeuvres in surrounding traffic.
● The diesel engine particulate filter may reach extremely high temper-
atures; it should not enter into contact with flammable materials under-
neath the vehicle. Otherwise there is a risk of fire.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)* 
A control lamp monitors the ABS.
The control lamp  should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out again after the system has run through an automat-
ic test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
● The control lamp  does not light up when the ignition is switched on.
● The control lamp does not go out again after a few seconds.
● The control lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving.
The vehicle can still be braked in the normal way, without the ABS function.
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. For further
information on the ABS go to ⇒ page 196. If a fault occurs in the ABS, the ESC* control lamp will also light up.
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp
 lights up together with the brake warning lamp
 , this indicates not only a fault in the ABS function, but also a possible
fault in the brake system ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 235, Working in the engine compartment.
● If the brake system warning lamp  should light up together with the
ABS warning lamp , stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake
fluid level in the reservoir ⇒ page 249, Brake fluid. If the brake fluid lev-
el has dropped below the “MIN” mark you must not drive on. Risk of acci-
dent. Obtain technical assistance.
● If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may
have been caused by a failure of the ABS system. This could cause the
rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the rear to
break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical assis-
tance.

Washer fluid* 
This warning lamp lights up to indicate that the windscreen
washer level is too low. This serves as a reminder to fill up the reservoir at the earliest opportunity
⇒ page 244. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

84Cockpit
The following message is shown on the instrument panel display* 1)
: REFILL
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . 
Alternator 
This warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator.
The warning lamp  lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should
go out when the engine has started running.
If the warning lamp  lights up while driving, the alternator is no longer
charging the battery. You should immediately drive to the nearest special-
ised workshop.
You should avoid using electrical equipment that is not absolutely necessa-
ry because this will drain the battery. 
Worn brake pads 
If the  symbol lights up, have the front brake pads (and, for safety rea-
sons, the rear pads as well) inspected by a specialised workshop. Tyre pressure 
The tyre pressure control system controls the tyre speed and
the frequency spectrum of each tyre.
Fig. 50 Centre console:
tyre monitor system but-
ton
The tyre control lamp 2)
compares wheel revolutions and with it, the wheel
diameter of each wheel using the ESC. If the diameter of a wheel changes,
the tyre control lamp  lights up. The wheel diameter changes when:
● Tyre pressure is insufficient.
● The tyre structure is damaged.
● The vehicle is unbalanced because of a load.
● The wheels of one axle are under more pressure (for example, driving
with a trailer or on extreme slopes).
● The vehicle is fitted with snow chains. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
2) Depending on the model version