Checking and refilling levels
Never work on the electrical system without
fully understanding the operations required,
the applicable safety standards and without
the correct tools ››› ! If required, have any
work carried out by a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service. Negligent work can cause seri-
ous injury.
Location of the vehicle battery
The battery is located in the engine compart-
ment.
Explanation of the warning indications on
the vehicle's batterySymbolMeaning
Wear eye protection!
Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic.
Always wear protective gloves and eye
protection!
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking
are prohibited.
A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
leased when the battery is under charge.
Keep children away from acid and batter-
ies!
WARNING
Working on the vehicle battery and the elec-
trical system can cause corrosion, fire and electric shocks. Always read and take into ac-
count the following warnings and safety
standards before carrying out any work:
●
Before working on the battery, switch off
the engine, the ignition and all electrical de-
vices then disconnect the negative connec-
tion on the battery.
● Keep children away from acid and the bat-
tery itself!
● Wear eye protection.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It
can burn skin and cause blindness. When
handling the battery, protect yourself from
splashes of acids, above all your hands, arms
and face.
● Do not smoke and never work close to pla-
ces exposed to flames or sparks.
● Avoid sparks and electrostatic discharges
when working with cables and electrical devi-
ces.
● Never short the battery terminals.
● Never use a damaged battery. It can ex-
plode. Replace a damaged battery immedi-
ately.
● Replaced damaged or frozen batteries as
soon as possible. A flat battery can also
freeze at temperatures close to 0 °C (+32 °F). 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 car is left standing for long periods,
protect the battery from extreme cold temper-
ature so that it does not “freeze up” and be-
come damaged. Warning lamp
It
lights upPossible
causeSolution
Faulty generator.
Contact a specialised
workshop. Have the elec-
trical system checked.
Disconnect any unneces-
sary electrical devices.
The generator does not
charge the battery while
the vehicle is in motion.
Several warning and control lamps light up
for a few seconds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.
»
155
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Advice
WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ››› in Control
and warning lamps on page 40. Checking the electrolyte level of the
vehicle battery
Fig. 113
In the engine compartment: Remove
the cover from the vehicle's battery. The battery's electrolyte level should be
checked regularly in high-mileage vehicles,
in hot countries and in older batteries. Other
batteries do not require maintenance.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are
equipped with special batteries. For technical
reasons, the electrolyte level cannot be
checked in these batteries. Preparations
● Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine
compartment ››› page 143
● Open the bonnet ››› page 143.
● Press on the tabs ››› Fig. 113 (arrows) in the
dir ection of
the arrows and lift the battery
cover up.
Checking the battery electrolyte level
● Make sure there is sufficient lighting to
clearly recognise the colours. Never use
flames or shiny objects as a light source.
● Depending on the level of acid, the Magic
eye on the top of the battery will change col-
our.
Colour in-
dicatorNecessary operations
Light yellow
or colourlessThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's bat-
tery is too low. Have the battery checked
and, where applicable, replaced by a
specialised workshop.
BlackThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's bat-
tery is correct. WARNING
Working with the vehicle battery involves a
risk of corrosion, explosions and electric
shock. ●
Never tilt the vehicle battery. Battery acid
could spill out of the openings for the release
of gases and cause corrosion damage.
● Never open the vehicle battery.
● If battery acid splashes on you, immediate-
ly rinse your eyes and skin abundantly with
water for several minutes. Then seek medical
care immediately.
● If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a
doctor immediately. Charging, replacing and connecting or
disconnecting the battery
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a
specialised workshop only, as batteries us-
ing special technology have been installed
and they must be charged in a controlled en-
vironment
››› . SEAT recommends taking
your car in for technical service.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the
conditions of its location and has special
safety features. If the battery must be re-
placed, consult a technical service for infor-
mation on electromagnetic compatibility, the
size and maintenance, performance and
safety requirements of the new battery in
your vehicle before you purchase one. SEAT
156
Checking and refilling levels
recommends you have the battery replaced
by a technical service.
Use only maintenance-free genuine batteries
conforming to TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73
Standards. These standards must be dated
April 2008 or later.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are
equipped with a special battery. Therefore,
this battery must only be replaced by another
with the same specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle's battery
If you must disconnect the battery from the
electrical system, please note the following:
● Switch off the ignition and all electrical
equipment.
● The vehicle must be unlocked before dis-
connecting the battery, otherwise the alarm
will be triggered.
● First disconnect the negative cable and
then the positive ››› .
Connecting the vehicle's battery
● Before reconnecting the battery, switch off
the engine and all electrical devices.
● First reconnect the positive cable and then
the negative ››› .
Different control lamps may light up after
connecting the battery and switching the ig-
nition on. They will be turned off after a short trip at a speed of between 15-20 km/h
(10-12 mph). If the warning indicators remain
lit, please visit a specialised workshop to
have the vehicle checked.
If the battery has been disconnected for a
long time, it is possible that the next service
date is not displayed or calculated correctly
››› page 36 . Respect the maximum service in-
t er
vals permitted ››› Booklet Maintenance
Programme.
Autom
atic device disconnection
The intelligent vehicle electrical system auto-
matically implements a range of measures to
prevent the battery from discharging when
high demands are made on it:
● The idling speed is increased so that the al-
ternator provides more electricity.
● Where necessary, the power to the most
powerful devices is reduced or even com-
pletely disconnected.
● On starting the engine, the power supply
from the 12-volt power sockets and the ciga-
rette lighter may be interrupted for a short
time.
The on-board management program cannot
always prevent the battery from running flat.
For example, if the ignition is left on for a
long period with the engine off or if the side
lights or parking lights are left on while the
vehicle is stationary. Why the battery runs flat:
●
When stationary for a long time without
starting the engine, particularly if the ignition
is switched on.
● Use of electrical devices with the engine
switched off. WARNING
Incorrectly securing the battery or using the
wrong battery can cause short-circuits, fire
and serious injuries.
● Always use only maintenance-free batter-
ies, protected to prevent a leak, and whose
properties, specifications and size corre-
spond to the standard battery. WARNING
A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
leased when the battery is under charge.
● The batteries should be charged in a well-
ventilated room only.
● Never charge a frozen or recently thawed
battery. A flat battery can also freeze at tem-
peratures close to 0 °C (+32 °F).
● Always replace a battery which has frozen.
● Battery cables not correctly connected may
cause a short circuit. Reconnect first the posi-
tive cable and then the negative cable. » 157
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Advice
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.
● Never plug accessories that supply current,
such as solar panels or a battery charger, to
the 12-volt power socket or the cigarette
lighter. This could damage the vehicle's elec-
trical system. For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the battery in an environment-
friendly manner. Batteries contain toxic sub-
stances such as sulphuric acid and lead. For the sake of the environment
Battery acid can contaminate the environ-
ment. Collect any spilt service fluids and dis-
pose of them correctly. Wheels and tyres
Wheels Introduction SEAT recommend that all work on tyres and
wheels is carried out by a specialised work-
shop. These workshops have the necessary
special tools and replacement parts, trained
personnel and facilities for disposing of the
old tyres while respecting the environment.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service.
WARNING
The vehicle cannot be totally controlled or
braked if the tyres (new or used) are worn or
damaged.
● Incorrect use of wheels and tyres could
make driving more dangerous and result in
serious accidents and damage.
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial
tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumfer-
ence) and the same tread pattern.
● New tyres do not give maximum grip and
will not have reached their maximum braking
capacity to start with, and therefore need
running in. To prevent accidents and major
damage, extreme caution should be taken for
the first 600 km. ●
Check tyre pressures regularly and ensure
they are maintained at the pressures indica-
ted. If the tyre pressure is too low, they could
overheat, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● Never drive on damaged (punctured, cut,
cracked or dented) or worn tyres. Driving on
damaged or worn tyres could result in burst
tyres, serious accidents or damage. Worn or
damaged tyres must be replaced immediate-
ly.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loads specified for the type of tyre
fitted on your vehicle.
● The effectiveness of driver and brake assist
systems also depends on the grip of the
tyres.
● If you notice unusual vibration or if the ve-
hicle pulls to one side when driving, stop the
car immediately and check the tyres and
wheels for damage.
● To minimise the risk of losing control of the
vehicle or causing a serious accident, never
undo the bolted joints of beadlock wheels.
● Never mount used tyres or wheels if you are
not sure of their previous history. They may
be damaged, although the damage is not im-
mediately visible.
● Old tyres, even if they have never been
used, may lose air or burst unexpectedly
while driving, especially at high speeds, re-
sulting in serious accident and injury. If tyres
are over six years old, they should only be
used in an emergency and with extreme cau-
tion. 158
Emergencies
Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher can be stored in a holder
in the passenger seat footwell.
The fire extinguisher must conform to legal
requirements, be ready for use and be
checked regularly. Check the certification
seal on the extinguisher. WARNING
Loose objects in the vehicle interior can be vi-
olently thrown in case of a sudden manoeu-
vre or braking and especially in accidents
causing serious injury.
● Secure or store fire extinguishers, first aid
kit, reflective vests and warning triangle se-
curely in the vehicle. Protecting yourself and securing the
vehicle
Fig. 121
Dash panel: Button for switching the
hazard lights warning system on and off. Always fulfil legal requirements for securing a
broken down vehicle. In a number of coun-
tries it is now obligatory, for example, to turn
on the hazard warning lights and use a re-
flective safety vest
››› page 170.
For your own safety and that of other passen-
gers, the following points should be ob-
served in the order given:
Park the vehicle a safe distance from
traffic and on suitable ground ››› .
Turn on the hazard warning lights with
the button
››› Fig. 121.
Apply the handbrake firmly ››› page 89.
Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the
selector lever in position N ››› page 93.
1.
2.
3.
4. Switch off the engine and remove the
key from the ignition.
Have all occupants leave the vehicle and
move to safety, for example behind a
guard rail.
When leaving the vehicle, take all keys
with you.
Place an emergency warning triangle to
indicate the position of your vehicle to
other road users.
Allow the engine to cool and check if a
specialist is required.
When being towed with the hazard warning
lights on, a change in direction or traffic lane
can be indicated as usual using the turn sig-
nal lever. The hazard lights will be interrup-
ted temporarily.
Examples of when to use the hazard warning
lights:
● If the vehicles ahead suddenly slow down
or reach the end of a traffic jam, to warn the
vehicles behind.
● In case of an emergency.
● If the vehicle breaks down.
● When tow-starting or towing.
Always comply with the applicable laws re-
garding the use of hazard warning lights.
If the hazard warning lights are not working,
you must use an alternative method of »
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
171Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Advice
Changing a wheel Introduction Some vehicle versions and models do not
have a factory-fitted jack or box spanner. In
this case, we recommend consulting a Speci-
alised workshop to change the wheel.
You should only change the wheels yourself if
the vehicle is parked in a safe place, you are
familiar with the procedure and safety stand-
ards and you have all the necessary tools!
Otherwise, you should seek professional as-
sistance.
WARNING
Changing a wheel can be dangerous, espe-
cially on the hard shoulder. Please observe
the following rules to minimise the risk of in-
jury:
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
Park at a safe distance from surrounding traf-
fic to change a wheel.
● When changing a wheel, keep all passen-
gers, and particularly children, a safe dis-
tance away from the work area.
● Turn on the hazard warning lights to warn
other road users.
● Ensure the ground on which you park is flat
and solid. If necessary, support the jack on a
wide solid base. ●
If you are changing a wheel yourself, you
should be familiar with the required proce-
dure. Otherwise, you should seek professio-
nal assistance.
● Only use suitable tools that are not dam-
aged when changing a wheel.
● Always stop the engine, apply the hand-
brake lever firmly and place the selector lever
in position P, or engage a gear for a manual
gearbox to reduce the risk of the vehicle mov-
ing accidentally.
● Have the tightening torque of the wheel
bolts checked as soon as possible with a reli-
able torque wrench. WARNING
If the wheel trims are not appropriate or not
fitted correctly, they could cause major acci-
dents or damage.
● Incorrectly mounted wheel trims may come
off while driving and endanger other road
users.
● Damaged trims must never be mounted on
the wheels.
● Always ensure that the brake ventilation
and cooling is not cut off or blocked. This is
also valid if hubcaps are fitted later. If there
is not enough air, you may require signifi-
cantly longer braking distances. CAUTION
Remove and remount wheel trims taking care
to avoid damage to the vehicle. Hubcaps
Fig. 124
Remove the hubcap of the steel
wheel trim In order to access the wheel bolts, first re-
move the hubcap.
Removing and fitting the hubcap
● To remove , take the vehicle tool kit wire
hook and att
ach it to the edge of the wheel
trim ››› Fig. 124
.
● Remove the trim by pulling it in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
● To replace the hubcap , press the hubcap
against the trim until it clicks into place.
174
Emergencies
Raising the vehicle with the jack Fig. 129
Jack position points Fig. 130
Jack mounted on the left rear part of
the vehicle The jack may be applied only at the jacking
points shown (marks on chassis)
››› Fig. 129 .
A lw
ays the relevant jacking point for the
wheel to be changed ››› .
Raise the vehicle using only the designated
jacking points. WARNING
If the vehicle is not correctly raised, it could
fall off the jack causing serious injury. Please
observe the following rules to minimise the
risk of injury:
● You should only use a jack approved by
SEAT for your vehicle. Other jacks, even those
approved for other SEAT models, might slip
out of place.
● The ground should be firm and flat. If the
ground is sloped or soft then the vehicle
could slip and fall off the jack. If necessary,
support the jack on a wide solid base.
● If the ground is slippery, such as tiles,
place a non-slip surface (a floor mat, for in-
stance) beneath the jack to avoid slipping.
● Only fit the jack at the prescribed jacking
points. The claw of the jack should grip the
reinforcement nerve on the underbody
››› Fig. 130.
● You shou
ld never place a body limb such as
an arm or leg under a raised vehicle that is
solely supported by the jack.
● If you have to work underneath the vehicle,
you must use suitable stands additionally to
support the vehicle, there is a risk of acci-
dent!.
● Never raise the vehicle if it is tilting to one
side or the engine is running.
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised. The vehicle may come loose from the
jack due to the engine vibrations. 177
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Advice
Changing a wheel Fig. 131
Changing a wheel: loosen wheel
bolts with the socket at the end of the wheel
brace Removing the wheel
● Loosen the wheel bolts ››› page 175 .
● Jacking up the vehicle ››› page 177.
● Using the hexagonal socket in the wheel
brace ››› Fig. 131 , unscrew the slackened
wheel bo
lts and place them on a clean sur-
face.
● Take off the wheel.
How to use the spare wheel or temporary
spare wheel
Check the direction of rotation of the tyre
››› page 167, Tyre code.
● Plac
e the spare wheel or temporary spare
wheel into position. ●
Replace the wheel bolts and tighten slight-
ly using the hexagonal socket on the end of the wheel br
ace.
● To tighten the anti-theft locking wheel bolts
use the corresponding adaptor.
● Lower the car with the jack.
● Tighten all of the wheel bolts clockwise
››› . Tighten the bolts in diagonal pairs (not
in a circle).
● Put the caps, trim or full hubcap back on
››› page 174 . WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not treated suitably or
not tightened to the correct torque then this
could lead to loss of vehicle control and to a
serious accident.
● All the wheel bolts and hub threads should
be clean and free of oil and grease. The wheel
bolts should be easily tightened to the cor-
rect torque.
● The hexagonal socket in the wheel brace
should be used for turning wheel bolts only.
Do not use it to loosen or tighten the wheel
bolts. After changing the wheel
●
Clean the vehicle tools, if necessary and
put them away in the luggage compartment
foam holder ›››
page 172 . ●
St or
e the spare wheel, the temporary spare
wheel or the changed wheel securely in the
luggage compartment.
● Have the tightening torque of the wheel
bolts checked as soon as possible with a tor-
que wrench ››› page 176
.
● Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as
possible.
Tyre repair
TMS (Tyre Mobility System)* The Anti-puncture kit* (Tyre Mobility System)
will reliably seal punctures caused by the
penetration of a foreign body of up to about
4 mm
in diameter.
Do not remove foreign ob-
j
ects, e.g. screws or nails, from the tyre.
After inserting the sealant residue in the tyre,
you must again check the tyre pressure about
10 minutes after starting the engine.
You should only use the tire mobility set if
the vehicle is parked in a safe place, you are
familiar with the procedure and you have the
necessary tire mobility set! Otherwise, you
should seek professional assistance.
The tyre sealant must not be used in the
following cases: ● If the wheel rim has been damaged.
178