Advice
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry the vehicle surface gently with a cha-
mois leather.
– In cold temperature
, dry the rubber seals
and their s
urfaces to prevent them from
freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
seals.
After washing the vehicle – After washing, avoid sudden and sharp
braking. “Dry” the brakes by braking sever-
al times. WARNING
● Wash your vehicle with the ignition switch-
ed off.
● Protect your hands and arms from cuts on
sharp metal edges when cleaning the under-
body, the inside of the wheel housings etc.
Risk of injury.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce braking effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Never remove dirt, mud or dust if the vehi-
cle surface is dry. Never use a dry cloth or
sponge for cleaning purposes. This could
scratch the paintwork or glass on your vehi-
cle. ●
Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
when washing the vehicle with a hose, do not
direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors, rear lid, or sunroof.
Risk of freezing. For the sake of the environment
To protect the environment, the vehicle
should be washed only in specially provided
wash bays, to prevent toxic, oil-laden waste
water from entering the sewer system. In
some places, washing vehicles outside wash
bays is prohibited. Note
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight. Washing the vehicle with a high
pressure cleaner
Be particularly careful when using a high
pressure cleaner!
– Always observe the instructions for the
high-pressure cleaner, particularly those
concerning the pressure and the spraying
di s
tance.
– Increase the spraying distance for soft ma-
terials and painted bumpers. –
Do not use a high pressure cleaner to re-
move ice or snow from windows
››› page 159.
– Never u
se concentrated jet nozzles (“rotat-
ing jets”) ››› .
– After washing, avoid sudden and sharp
braking. “Dry” the brakes by braking sever-
al times ››› page 126 . WARNING
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet
(“rotating nozzle”). Even at large spraying
distances and short cleaning times, damage
can occur to the tyres. This may cause an ac-
cident.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can
reduce braking effectiveness. Risk of acci-
dent. CAUTION
● Do not use water hotter than +60 °C
(+140 °F). This could damage the vehicle.
● To avoid damage to the vehicle, keep a suf-
ficient distance from sensitive materials such
as flexible hoses, plastic, soundproofing ma-
terial, etc. This also applies to bumpers pain-
ted in the colour of the bodywork. The closer
the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the
wear on the material. 158
Advice
carried out only by a specialised workshop or
a petrol station.
Caring for the vehicle interior
Cleaning plastic parts and the
instrument panel –
Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic
parts and the dash panel.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results,
use a special solvent-free plastic cleaning
product. WARNING
Never clean the dash panel and the airbag
module surface with cleaners containing sol-
vents. Solvents cause the surface to become
porous. If the airbag triggered, plastic parts
could become detached and cause injuries. CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will
damage the material. Wooden trim cleaning*
–
Clean the wooden trim with a water-mois-
tened clean cloth. –
If this does not provide satisfactory results,
use a gentle
soap solution. CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will
damage the material. Cloth seat covers and fabric trim
cleaning
Cloth seat covers and fabric trim on the
doors, headlining etc. can be cleaned with a
special interior cleaner or with dry foam and
a soft brush.
Cleaning the radio and climate
controls To clean the radio and/or climate controls,
use a soft damp cloth. For more resistant dirt,
a neutral soap solution may be used.
Leather cleaning* Normal cleaning
–
Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with wa-
ter and wipe over the leather surfaces. Cleaning stubborn stains
– More stubborn dirt can be removed using a
mild soap solution (pure liquid soap; two
tablespoons diluted in one litre of water)
and a cloth.
– Do not let the water soak through the leath-
er or soak into the seams.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
Leather maintenance – The leather should be treated twice a year
with a special leather-care product, availa-
ble at Technical Services.
– Apply these products very sparingly.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
SEAT does everything possible to preserve
the genuine qualities of this natural product.
Due to the natural properties of the specially
selected hides employed, the finished leath-
er has a certain sensitivity to grease and dirt,
etc. so a degree of care is required in every-
day use and when looking after the leather.
Dust and grit in the pores and seams can
scratch and damage the surface. If the vehi-
cle is under solar radiation for long periods,
the leather should be protected to prevent it
from fading. However, slight colour variations
in high-quality natural leather are normal.
162
Checking and refilling levels
support the vehicle, there is a risk of acci-
dent!. A hydraulic jack is insufficient for se-
curing the vehicle and there is a risk of injury.
●
If any work has to be performed when the
engine is started or with the engine running,
there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety
risk from the rotating parts, such as the drive
belts, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and from
the high-voltage ignition system. You should
also observe the following:
– Never touch the electrical wiring of the
ignition system.
– Ensure that jewellery, loose clothing and
long hair do not get trapped in rotating
engine parts. Danger of death. Before
starting any work remove jewellery, tie
back and cover hair, and wear tight-fit-
ting clothes.
– Never accelerate with a gear engaged
without taking the necessary precau-
tions. The vehicle could move, even if the
handbrake is applied. Danger of death.
● If work has to be carried out on the fuel
system or on electrical components, you
must observe the following safety notes in
addition to the above warnings:
– Always disconnect the battery from the
on-board network. The vehicle must be
unlocked when this is done, otherwise
the alarm will be triggered.
– Do not smoke.
– Never work near naked flames.
– Always have a fire extinguisher on hand. CAUTION
When topping up service fluids, make sure
not to mistake them. Using the wrong fluids
could cause serious malfunctions and engine
damage! For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the envi-
ronment. For this reason you should make
regular checks on the ground underneath
your vehicle. If you find spots of oil or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a speci-
alised workshop. Opening the bonnet
Read the additional information carefully
››› page 10
The bonnet is released from inside the vehi-
cle.
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the
windscreen wipers are in rest position. WARNING
Hot coolant can scald!
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam,
smoke or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment. ●
Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant
is emitted from the bonnet, then carefully
open the bonnet.
● When working in the engine compartment,
always observe the safety warnings
››› page 166. Closing the bonnet
–
Slightly lift the bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its
support.
– At a height of approximately 30 cm let it fall
so it locks.
If the bonnet does not close, do not press
downwards. Open it again and let it fall as
mentioned above. WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could
open while you are driving and completely
obscure your view of the road. Risk of acci-
dent.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that
it is properly secured. The bonnet must be
flush with the surrounding body panels.
● If you notice that the bonnet latch is not se-
cured when the vehicle is moving, stop the
vehicle immediately and close the bonnet
properly. Risk of accident. 167Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Checking and refilling levels
Engine oil specification ››› page 169. WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil
comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents when topping up. CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not
start the engine. This could result in damage
to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact
a specialised workshop. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A .
Otherwise oil can be drawn in through the
crankcase breather and escape into the at-
mosphere via the exhaust system. Changing engine oil
Read the additional information carefully
››› page 24
The engine oil must be changed at the inter-
vals given in the service schedule.
We recommend that you have the engine oil
changed by a Technical Service.
The oil change intervals are shown in the
Maintenance Programme. WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you
have the specialist knowledge required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the warnings ››› page 166, Safety in-
structions on working in the engine compart-
ment.
● Wait
for the engine to cool down. Hot oil
may cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such
as acid burns, caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your
fingers, keep your arm horizontal to help pre-
vent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be
stored in a safe place out of the reach of chil-
dren. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
This could result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Because of disposal problems and the spe-
cial tools and specialist knowledge required,
we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by a Technical Service. ●
Never pour oil down drains or into the
ground.
● Use a suitable container when draining the
used oil. It must be large enough to hold all
the engine oil. Cooling system
Engine coolant specifications The engine cooling system is supplied from
the factory with a specially treated mixture of
water and, at least, 40 % of the additive
G 13
(TL-VW 774 J). The engine coolant additive is
recognisable by its purple colour. This mix-
ture of water and additive gives the necessa-
ry frost protection down to -25°C (-13 F) and
protects the light alloy parts of the cooling
system against corrosion. It also prevents
scaling and considerably raises the boiling
point of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the
percentage of additive must always be at
l e
ast 40 %, even in warm climates where an-
ti-freeze protection is not required.
If greater frost protection is required in very
cold climates, the proportion of additive can
be increased. However, the percentage of ad-
ditive should not exceed 60%, as this would
reduce the frost protection and, in turn, de-
crease the cooling capacity. »
171
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Checking and refilling levels
●
When working in the engine compartment,
always observe the safety warnings
››› page 166.
● When the en gine i
s warm or hot, the cool-
ing system is pressurised! Do not unscrew
the cap on the coolant expansion tank when
the engine is hot. This is a burn injury risk. CAUTION
● If you notice a change in the colour of the
liquid because it has been in use for a long
time, it is recommended to change it, as it
will have lost some of its properties and
could cause damage to the engine.
● If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait
for the engine to cool. This avoids damaging
the engine. Large coolant losses are an indi-
cation of leaks in the cooling system. See a
specialised workshop immediately and have
the cooling system checked. Otherwise, there
is a risk of engine damage. Brake fluid
Checking the brake fluid level Read the additional information carefully
››› page 25
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is
shown in the corresponding engine compart- ment illustration
››› page 168 . The brake fluid
r e
servoir has a black and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the
vehicle is being used as the brake pads are
automatically adjusted as they wear.
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. A
display on the instrument panel will warn you
if the brake fluid level is too low ››› page 57. WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake
fluid level, read and observe the warnings
››› page 166. Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates brake
fluid change intervals.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid
changed by a Technical Service.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and
follow the warnings
››› in Safety instruc-
tions on working in the engine compartment
on page 166 in section “Safety notes for
w ork
ing in the engine compartment”.
In the course of time, brake fluid becomes
hygroscopic and absorbs water from the am-
bient air. If the water content in the brake flu- id is too high, the brake system could cor-
rode. This also considerably reduces the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid. Heavy use of the
brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
Be sure to always use the correct brake fluid.
Only use brake fluid that expressly meets the
VW 501 14 standard.
You can buy VW 501 14 standard brake fluid
in a SEAT dealership or a SEAT Official Serv-
ice. If none is available, use only high-quality
brake fluid that meets DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
standards, or USA Standards FMVSS 116 DOT
4.
Using any other kind of brake fluid or one
that is not of a high quality may affect opera-
tion of the brake system and reduce its effec-
tiveness. Never use a brake fluid if the con-
tainer does not state that it complies with VW
501 14, DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards, or
USA standards FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid im-
pairs the braking effect.
● Before opening the bonnet to check the
brake fluid level, read and observe the warn-
ings ››› page 166.
● Br ak
e fluid should be stored in the closed
original container in a safe place out of reach
of children. There is a toxic risk. » 173
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Advice
●
Perform the brake fluid change according to
the Maintenance Programme. Heavy use of
the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the
brake fluid is left in the brake system for too
long. This would seriously affect the effec-
tiveness of the brakes and the safety of the
vehicle. This may cause an accident. CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the vehicle paintwork.
Wipe off any brake fluid from the paintwork
immediately. For the sake of the environment
The brake pads and brake fluid must be col-
lected and disposed of according the applica-
ble regulations. The SEAT Technical Service
network has the necessary equipment and
qualified personnel for collecting and dispos-
ing of this waste material. Windscreen washer reservoir
Topping up washer fluid Read the additional information carefully
››› page 25
The windscreen washer
and the headlight
washers are supplied with fluid from the
windscreen washer fluid container in the en-
gine compartment. The container holds ap- prox. 2 litres; in vehicles with headlight
washers* it holds approx. 4.5 litres.
The tank is in the engine compartment.
Plain water is not enough to clean the wind-
screen and headlights. We recommend that
you always add a product to the windscreen
washer fluid. Approved windscreen cleaning
products exist on the market with high deter-
gent and anti-freeze properties, these may be
added all-year-round. Please follow the dilu-
tion instructions on the packaging.
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compart-
ment or on the engine must be carried out
cautiously.
● When working in the engine compartment,
always observe the safety warnings
››› page 166. CAUTION
● Never put radiator anti-freeze or other addi-
tives into the windscreen washer fluid.
● Always use approved windscreen cleansing
products diluted as per instructions. If you
use other washer fluids or soap solutions,
the tiny holes in the fan-shaped nozzles
could become blocked. Vehicle battery
Warnings on handling the battery
Wear eye protection
Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protec-
tive gloves and eye protection!
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are pro-
hibited!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released
when the battery is under charge.
Keep children away from acid and batteries!
WARNING
Always be aware of the danger of injury and
chemical burns as well as the risk of accident
or fire when working on the battery and the
electrical system:
● Wear eye protection. Protect your eyes,
skin and clothing from acid and particles con-
taining lead.
● Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear
protective gloves and eye protection. Do not
tilt the batteries. This could spill acid through
the vents. Rinse battery acid from eyes imme-
diately for several minutes with clear water.
Then seek medical care immediately. Neutral-
ise any acid splashes on the skin or clothing
with a soapy solution, and rinse off with plen-
ty of water. If acid is swallowed by mistake,
consult a doctor immediately. 174
Checking and refilling levels
●
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are
prohibited. When handling cables and electri-
cal equipment, avoid causing sparks and
electrostatic charge. Never short the battery
terminals. High-energy sparks can cause in-
jury.
● A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
leased when the battery is under charge. The
batteries should be charged in a well-ventila-
ted room only.
● Keep children away from acid and batteries.
● Before working on the electrical system,
you must switch off the engine, the ignition
and all electrical devices. The negative cable
on the battery must be disconnected. When a
light bulb is changed, you need only switch
off the light.
● Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlock-
ing the vehicle before you disconnect the bat-
tery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.
● When disconnecting the battery from the
vehicle on-board network, disconnect first
the negative cable and then the positive ca-
ble.
● Switch off all electrical devices before re-
connecting the battery. Reconnect first the
positive cable and then the negative cable.
Never reverse the polarity of the connections.
This could cause an electrical fire.
● Never charge a frozen battery, or one which
has thawed. This could result in explosions
and chemical burns. Always replace a battery
which has frozen. A flat battery can also
freeze at temperatures close to 0 °C (+32 °F). ●
Ensure that the vent hose is always connec-
ted to the battery.
● Never use a defective battery. This could
cause an explosion. Replace a damaged bat-
tery immediately.
● For vehicles with the battery in the luggage
compartment: Check that the battery gas
ventilation hose is securely attached. CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
over a long period of time, as the intense ul-
traviolet radiation can damage the battery
housing.
● If the vehicle is left standing in cold condi-
tions for a long period, protect the battery
from “freezing”. If it freezes it will be dam-
aged. Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regu-
larly in high-mileage vehicles, in hot coun-
tries and in older batteries.
– Open the bonnet and open the battery cov-
er at the front ››› in Safety instructions
on working in the engine compartment on
page 166
›
›› in Warnings on handlingthe battery on page 174. For vehicles with
the battery under the spare wheel, open
the rear lid and lift the floor covering. The
battery is located next to the spare wheel.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye"
on the top of the battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap
the window gently until they disperse.
The position of the battery is shown in the
corresponding engine compartment diagram
››› page 168 . The location of the battery in
the lug g
age compartment can be seen in
››› Fig. 152.
The “magic
eye” indicator, located on the top
of the battery changes colour, depending on
the charge state and electrolyte level of the
battery.
There are two different colours:
● Black: correct charge status.
● Transparent/clear yellow: the battery must
be replaced. Contact a specialised workshop.
Charging and changing the vehicle
battery The battery is maintenance-free and is
checked during the inspection service. All
work on the vehicle battery requires special-
ist knowledge.
»
175
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Wheels
Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily
visible. If you notice unusual vibrations or the
vehicle pulling to one side, this may indicate
that one of the tyres is damaged. They
should be checked immediately by a Techni-
cal Service.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the di-
rection of rotation on tyres with directional
tread. Always observe the direction of rota-
tion indicated when fitting the wheel. This
guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid
aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear. WARNING
● New tyres do not have maximum grip dur-
ing the first 500 km. Drive particularly care-
fully to avoid possible accidents.
● Never drive with damaged tyres. This may
cause an accident.
● If you notice unusual vibrations or if the ve-
hicle pulls to one side when driving, stop the
vehicle immediately and check the tyres for
damage. Checking tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the
sticker on the inside of the fuel tank flap. 1. Read the required tyre inflation pressure
from the sticker. The values refer to Sum-
mer tyres.
2. The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyres are cold. The slightly raised
pressures of warm tyres must not be re-
duced.
3. Adjust the tyre pressure to the load you are carrying.
Tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure is especially impor-
tant at high speeds. The pressure should
therefore be checked at least once a month
and before starting a journey. WARNING
A tyre can easily burst if the pressure is too
low, causing an accident!
● At continuously high speeds, a tyre with in-
sufficient pressure flexes more. In this way it
becomes too hot, and this can cause tread
separation and tyre blow-out. Always observe
the recommended tyre pressures.
● If the tyre pressure is too low or too high,
the tyres will wear prematurely and the vehi-
cle will not handle well. Risk of accident! For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
sumption. Tyre useful life
Fig. 154
Tyre tread wear indicators. Fig. 155
Diagram for changing wheels The useful life of tyres is dependent on tyre
pressure, driving style and fitting.
Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have
1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
››› Fig. 154 , running across the tread.
»
177Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials