Advice
Wheels
Wheels and tyres General notes –
When driving with new tyres, be especially
car
eful during the first 500 km (300 miles).
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar
obstacle, drive very slowly and as near as
possible at a right angle to the obstacle.
– Check from time to time if the tyres are
damaged (punctures, cuts, cracks or
dents). Remove any foreign objects embed-
ded in the treads.
– Damaged wheels and tyres must be re-
placed immediately.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Replace any missing valve caps as soon as
possible.
– Mark the wheels before taking them off so
that they rotate in the same direction when
put back.
– When removed, the wheels or tyres should
be stored in a cool, dry and preferably dark
place.
New tyres
New tyres do not give maximum grip straight
a w
ay and should therefore be “run in” by driving carefully and at moderate speeds for
about the first 500 km (300 miles). This will
also increase the useful life of the tyres.
The tread depth of new tyres may
v
ary, ac-
cording to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern.
Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily
visible. If you notice unusual vibration
or the
car pulling to one side, this may indicate that
one of the tyres is damaged. Reduce speed
immediately if there is any reason to suspect
that damage may have occurred. Inspect the
tyres for damage. If no external damage is
visible, drive slowly and carefully to the near-
est specialised workshop and have the car
inspected.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the di-
rection of rotation on single drive tyres. Al-
ways note the direction of rotation indicated
when mounting the wheel. This guarantees
optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplan-
ing, excessive noise and wear.
Retrofitting Accessories
If you wish to change or fit wheels, rims or
wheel trims, we recommend that you consult
with a SEAT Official Service centre for advice
regarding current techniques. Useful life of tyres Correct inflation pressures and sensible driv-
ing habits will increase the useful life of your
tyres.
– Check tyre pressure at least once a month,
and also prior to any long trip.
– The tyre pressure should only be checked
when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
pressure of warm tyres.
– Adjust tyre pressure to the load being car-
ried by the vehicle.
– In vehicles with a tyre pressure indicator,
save the pressure of modified tyres
››› page 212 , ››
›
page 208.
– Avoid fast cornering and hard acceleration.
– Inspect the tyres for irregular wear from
time to time.
The useful life of your tyres depends on the
following factors:
Tyre pressure
Tyre pressure values are indicated on the
sticker on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
Insufficient or excessive pressure greatly re-
duces the useful life of the tyres and adverse-
ly affects vehicle performance and ride. Cor-
rect inflation pressures are very important,
especially at high speeds.
208
Wheels
Depending on the vehicle, tyre pressure can
be adjusted (“comfort” tyre pressure) to in-
crease driving comfort. When driving with
comfort tyre pressure fuel consumption may
increase slightly.
The tyre pressure must be adjusted according
to the load the vehicle is carrying. If the vehi-
cle is going to carry the maximum load, the
tyre pressure should be increased to maxi-
mum value indicated on the sticker on the in-
side of the fuel tank flap.
Do not forget the spare wheel when checking
the tyre pressures: Keep this spare wheel in-
flated to the highest pressure required for the
road wheels.
In the case of a minimised temporary spare
wheel (125/70 R16 or 125/70 R18) inflate to
a pressure of 4.2 bar as indicated on the tyre
pressure label on the fuel tank flap.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard
braking (squealing tyres) all increase tyre
wear.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced.
However, certain circumstances may lead to
imbalance (run-out), which is detected as vi-
brations in the steering wheel. Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as
they otherwise cause excessive wear on
steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted
or if a tyre is repaired.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive
tyre wear, impairing the safety of the vehicle.
If you notice excessive tyre wear, you should
check wheel alignment at a SEAT Official
Service.
WARNING
● Always adapt the tyre pressure accordingly
when the vehicle load changes.
● A tyre with low air pressure has to flex a lot
more when the vehicle is heavily loaded or at
high speeds, therefore causing overheating
to occur. Under these conditions, the tyre
bead may be released or the tyre may burst.
Risk of accident! For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
sumption. Wear indicators
Fig. 177
Tyre tread: tread wear indicators Tread wear indicators indicate if a tyre is
worn.
The original tyres on your vehicle have
1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators” running
across the tread. Depending on the manufac-
turer, there will be 6 to 8 of them spaced at
equal distances around the tyre. Markings on
the tyre sidewall (for instance the letters
“TWI” or a triangle) indicate the positions of
the tread wear indicators.
The minimum tread depth required by law is
1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next
to the tread wear indicators). (Different fig-
ures may apply in other countries.)
»
209Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Advice
securely and that the brake system functions
correctly.
The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easi-
ly.
A special adapter is required to turn the anti-
theft wheel bolts* ››› page 218.
Tyre monitoring systems Introduction WARNING
Unsuitable handling of the wheels and tyres
may lead to sudden tyre pressure losses, to
tread separation or even to a blow-out.
● Check tyre pressures regularly and ensure
they are maintained at the pressures indica-
ted. Tyre pressure that is too low could cause
overheating, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● Tyre pressure should be that indicated on
the label when the tyres are cold at all times
››› page 243.
● Re
gularly check the cold inflation pressure
of the tyres. If necessary, change the tyre
pressure of the vehicle tyres while they are
cold.
● Regularly check your tyres for damage and
wear. ●
Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loads specified for the type of tyre
fitted on your vehicle. For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel
consumption and tyre wear. Note
● Driving for the first time with new tyres at a
high speed can cause them to slightly ex-
pand, which could then produce an air pres-
sure warning.
● Only replace used tyres with those author-
ised by SEAT for the corresponding type vehi-
cle.
● Do not only rely on the tyre monitoring sys-
tem. Regularly check your tyres to ensure
that the tyre pressure is correct and that the
tyres are not damaged due to puncture, cuts,
tears and impacts/dents. Remove objects
from the tyres only when they have not
pierced the tyres. Tyre monitor indicator warning lamp
If a light appears
The pressure in one or more tyres has
clearly reduced in comparison to the
tyre pressure set by the driver or the
tyre has structural damage.
Additionally, an audible warning can be heard and a text
message can be seen on the instrument panel display.
Stop the vehicle!
Reduce speed immediately! Stop
the vehicle safely as soon as possible. Avoid sudden
manoeuvres and braking! Check all tyres and pressures.
Replace any damaged tyres. If flashing
System malfunction
The control lamp flashes for approximately one minute
and then lights up permanently.
If tyre pressure is correct, switch the ignition off and on
again. If the control lamp remains lit up, the tyre moni-
toring indicator can be calibrated. Have the system
checked by a specialised workshop.
Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on while the function is verified. They will
switch off after a few seconds.
WARNING
When the tyres are inflated at different pres-
sures or at a pressure that is too low then a
tyre may be damaged resulting in a loss of 212
Wheels
Removing the temporary spare wheel
– Lift and hold up the floor panel to remove
the temporary spare wheel ››› Fig. 181 .
– Turn the thumb wheel anti-clockwise.
– Take out the temporary spare wheel.
Chains
For technical reasons, snow chains must not
be used on the temporary spare wheel.
If you have a puncture on one of the front
wheels when using snow chains, fit the tem-
porary spare wheel in place of one of the rear
wheels. Fit the snow chains on the rear wheel
that you have removed and replace the punc-
tured front wheel with this wheel. WARNING
● After fitting the temporary spare wheel,
check the tyre pressures as soon as possible.
Failure to do so may cause an accident. The
tyre pressures are listed on the inside of the
fuel tank flap.
● Do not drive at over 80 km/h (50 mph)
when the temporary spare wheel is fitted on
the vehicle: risk of accident!
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and
fast cornering: risk of accident!
● Never use more than one temporary spare
wheel at the same time, risk of accident. ●
No other type of tyre (normal summer or
winter tyre) may be fitted on the compact
temporary spare wheel rim.
● If you are driving using the spare wheel,
the ACC system could automatically switch
off during the journey. Switch off the system
when starting off. Extraction of the spare wheel in
vehicles with SEAT SOUND 10
speakers (with
subwoofer)* –
Disassemble the subwoofer's
floor panel
(c
arpet) as follows:
– LEON/LEON SC model: first, pull the carpet
in the direction of the backrest and then
pull it upwards to remove it. LEON ST mod-
el: lift and secure the floor storage com-
par
tment as explained in ››› page 121.
– Disconnect the subwoofer's speaker cable.
– Turn the sec
uring wheel anti-clockwise.
– Remove the subwoofer speaker and the
s
pare wheel.
– When replacing the spare wheel, place the
subwoofer speaker in the direction indica-
ted b
y the arrow and with the word
“FRONT” facing forward.
– Reconnect the speaker cable and firmly ro-
tate the securing wheel clockwise so that the subwoofer system and wheel are firmly
in place.
Winter service Winter tyres –
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four
wheels.
– Only use winter tyres that are approved for
your vehicle.
– Please note that the maximum permissible
speed for winter tyres may be lower than
for summer tyres.
– Also note that winter tyres are no longer ef-
fective when the tread is worn down.
– Af
ter fitting the wheels you must always
check the tyre pressures. The correct tyre
pressures are listed on the sticker on the
inside of the fuel tank flap ›››
page 208.
In winter road conditions winter tyres will
considerably improve vehicle handling. The
design of summer tyres (width, rubber com-
pound, tread pattern) gives less grip on ice
and snow. This applies particularly to vehi-
cles equipped with wide section tyres or with
high speed tyres (code letters H, V or Y on
the sidew
all). »
215
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Technical specifications
Note
In practice, and considering all the factors
mentioned here, consumption values can dif-
fer from those calculated in the current Euro-
pean regulations. Weights
Kerb weight refers to the basic model with a
fuel tank filled to 90% capacity and without
optional extras. The figure quoted includes
75 kg to allow for the weight of the driver.
Special versions, optional equipment fittings
or retro-fitting accessories will increase the
weight of the vehicle
››› .
WARNING
● Please note that the centre of gravity may
shift when transporting heavy objects; this
may affect vehicle handling and lead to an ac-
cident. Always adjust your speed and driving
style to suit road conditions and require-
ments.
● Never exceed the gross axle weight rating
or the gross vehicle weight rating. If the per-
missible axle load or the permissible total
weight is exceeded, the driving characteris-
tics of the vehicle may change, which could
lead to accidents, injuries and damage to the
vehicle. Towing a trailer
Trailer weights Trailer weight
The trailer weights and drawbar loads ap-
proved are selected in intensive trials accord-
ing to precisely defined criteria. The ap-
proved trailer weights apply to vehicles in the
EU and generally for maximum speeds of 80
km/h (100 km/h in c
er
tain circumstances).
The figures may be different in other coun-
tries. All data in the official vehicle documen-
tation takes precedence over these data at all
times ››› .
Drawbar loads
The maximum
permitted drawbar load on the
b
all joint of the towing bracket must not ex-
ceed
80 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend
that you always tow approaching the maxi-
mum drawbar load. The response of the trail-
er on the road will be poor, if the drawbar
load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load
cannot be met (e.g. with small, empty and
light-weight single axle trailers or tandem
axle trailers with a wheelbase of less than 1
metre), a minimum of 4% of the actual trailer
weight is legally required for the drawbar
load. WARNING
● For safety reasons, do not exceed the 80
km/h (50 mph) limit. This is also valid in
countries where higher speeds are permitted.
● Never exceed the maximum trailer weights
or the drawbar load. If the permissible axle
load or the permissible total weight is excee-
ded, the driving characteristics of the vehicle
may change, leading to accidents, injuries
and damage to the vehicle. Wheels
Tyre pressure, snow chains, wheel
bolts Tyre pressures
The sticker with the tyre pressure values can
be found on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
The tyre pressure values given there are for
cold
tyres. The slightly raised pressures of
w arm ty
res must not be reduced. ››› Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front
wheels, and only for the following tyres:
»
243
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Technical specifications
Filling capacities Tank level
Petrol and diesel engines50 l, of which, approx. 7 l reserve Vehicles with all-wheel-drive :
55 l, of which, approx. 8.5 l reserve
Natural gas engine a)approx. 15 kg
Windscreen washer fluid containerapprox. 3 litres in versions without headlight washers
approx. 5 litres in versions with headlight washers
Tyre pressure
Summer tyres:
Correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
Winter tyres:
The pressure of these tyres is 0.2 bar higher than that of summer tyres (2.9 psi / 20 kPa).
a) The capacity depends on the efficacy and characteristics of the natural gas pumps. The capacity indicated is based on a minimum loading pressure of 200 bar.
268