Driving
The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in
summer, even when other conditions are the
same.
“Warming” the engine is not only forbidden
in some countries, but in practice it is techni-
cally superfluous as it is a waste of fuel.
Adjusting type pressures.
Having the correct pressure in your tyres
helps to reduce rolling resistance and, as a
result reduces fuel consumption. Increasing
the tyre pressure slightly (+0.2
bar/+3 psi/+200 kPa) can help to save fuel.
When you buy new tyres, make sure they are
optimised for minimum rolling resistance.
Use low friction engine oil
The use of low viscosity totally synthetic oils,
known as low friction engine oil, helps to re-
duce fuel consumption. These oils reduce the
resistance caused by friction in the engine,
they flow around the engine more quickly
and efficiently, particularly in cold starts. The
effect is particularly noticeable in vehicles
frequently used for short journeys.
Always check the engine oil level and ob-
serve service intervals (engine oil change in-
tervals).
When purchasing engine oil, always observe
legal requirements and ensure that the oil is
approved by SEAT. Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical
and ecological the driving style. For example,
an additional weight of 100 kg will increase
fuel consumption up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove any unnecessary objects or loads
from the vehicle.
Remove optional equipment and
unnecessary accessories
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the lower
the fuel consumption. Optional equipment
and accessories (such as roof racks or bike
carriers) reduce the aerodynamic benefits of
the vehicle.
Therefore, we recommend you remove all op-
tional and unnecessary equipment and racks,
especially if you intend to drive at high
speeds.
Other factors which increase fuel
consumption (examples):
●
Fault in engine management.
● Driving on hills. WARNING
Always adapt your speed and the distance to
the vehicles ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation. Engine management and
exhaust gas purification
system
Introduction WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
very high temperatures. This could cause a
fire.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as dried grass).
● Never apply additional underseal or anti-
corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter or the heat shields on the ex-
haust system. Control lampsIt lights
upPossible causeSolution
Fault in engine
management
(Electronic Power
Control).Take the vehicle to a
specialised work-
shop as soon as
possible and have
the engine checked.
»
101
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Care and maintenance
SEAT recommends the use of car washes
without brushes.
To remove traces of wax on windows and to
prevent wiper blades from scratching, please
observe the following ››› page 128, Cleaning
windows and exterior mirrors .
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove or
brush using only slight pressure.
Start at the roof and work downwards. Spe-
cial car shampoo should only be used for
ver
y persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
Sharp components on the vehicle may cause
injury.
● Protect arms and hands from sharp edges
when cleaning the vehicle undercarriage or
the interior of the wheel hubs. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing effect will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
carefully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process. CAUTION
● The temperature of the water must not ex-
ceed +60 °C (+140 °F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the vehicle in full sun.
● Do not use rough sponges or similar which
could damage the surface to clean away the
traces of insects.
● Never wipe the headlights with a dry cloth
or sponge, always moisten first. It is best to
use soapy water.
● 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 or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! CAUTION
To prevent damage to the vehicle, please ob-
serve the following before entering an auto-
matic car wash: ●
Compare the distance between the vehicle
wheels and the distance between the guide-
rails of the car wash to prevent damage to the
wheels and tyres!
● Switch off the rain sensor before taking the
vehicle to an automatic car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehi-
cle with the available height and width when
entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retracta-
ble exterior mirrors must not be folded in or
out by hand. Always use the electrical power
control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork,
rest the windscreen wipers on the windscreen
after drying the wiper blades. Do not let them
fall!
● Lock the rear lid to prevent it from opening
unexpectedly while inside the car wash. Washing the vehicle with high
pressure cleaning apparatus
When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. Pay special at-
tention to the required pressure of the jet
and the
distance
between the jet and the ve-
hic
le ››› .
Keep a suitable distance from soft materials,
such as rubber hoses or insulating material, »
127
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Advice
and from the parking distance warning sys-
tem sensors. The sensors of the parking dis-
tance warning system are situated on the rear
bumper ››› .
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out
in a direct stream
or one th
at has a rotating
jet for forcing off dirt ››› .
WARNING
The incorrect use of high pressure cleaning
equipment could result in permanent dam-
age, visible or invisible, to the tyres or other
materials. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.
● Ensure there is a suitable distance between
the nozzle and the tyres.
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or
so-called “dirt blasters”. Even at large spray-
ing distances and short cleaning times, you
may damage the tyres. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing effect will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
carefully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process. CAUTION
● The temperature of the water must not be
above +60 °C (+140 °F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the vehicle in full sun.
● To ensure that the system functions well,
the sensors located on the bumper must be
kept clean and free from ice. When cleaning
with pressure hoses and steam cleaners, the
sensors should be sprayed only briefly. A dis-
tance of 10 cm between the sensors and the
steam / hose nozzle must be observed.
● Do not use a high pressure cleaner to re-
move ice or snow from windows
● 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 or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! Cleaning windows and exterior
mirrors
Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
Spray windows and exterior windows with a
standard window cleaner containing alcohol.
Dry the windows with a clean chamois leath-
er or a lint-free cloth. The chamois leathers
used on painted surfaces are not suitable for
cleaning windows because they are soiledwith wax deposits which could smear the
windows.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to
clean rubber, oil, grease and silicone depos-
its off
››› .
Removing wax deposits
Automatic car washes and certain car care
products may leave wax deposits on the win-
dows. These deposits can only be removed
with a special product or cleaning cloths. If
wax deposits are left on the windscreen and
the rear window, the blades can scratch the
glass. SEAT recommends you wipe the wax
deposits off the windscreen and the rear win-
dow with a soft cloth each time after you
have washed the vehicle.
A window cleaning detergent which helps to
dissolve the wax may be added to the wind-
screen washer fluid to prevent the wiper
blades from scratching the windscreen.
Please ensure you add the cleaning product
in the correct proportions. Products for re-
moving grease do not eliminate the wax de-
posits ››› .
Special cleaning products or window cloths
are available at any technical service. To re-
move wax deposits, SEAT recommends the
following products:
128
Advice
will be correct for your vehicle. For other tyre
models, the tyre vendor should provide the
manufacturer's certificate with the tyre, indi-
cating that this type of tyre is suitable for
your vehicle. This certificate should always
be carried with the vehicle.
Tyre pressures
Fig. 115
Position of tyre pressure specifica-
tion plate The correct tyre pressures for tyres fitted at
the factory is shown on a label and is valid
for summer and winter tyres. The label ›››
Fig. 115 is located on the driver's door pil-
l ar
.
Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce
the life of the tyres considerably and also im-
pair the car's handling ››› . It is essential to
maintain the correct tyre pressures, especial-
ly if driving at high speeds. Incorrect tyre
pressure causes premature wear and could
cause tyre blow-out.
The pressure should therefore be checked at
least once a month and before starting a
journey.
As a general rule, the pressures given are for
cold tyres . When the tyres are hot, the pres-
s ur
es are greater.
Never deflate a hot tyre in order to obtain the
required pressure. This could result in very
low tyre pressures which may lead to sudden
blow-outs.
Checking tyre pressures
Check tyre pressures only when the vehicle
has not been driven for more than a few kilo-
metres at low speeds in the past three hours.
● The tyre pressures should be checked regu-
larly, and only when the tyres are cold. Al-
ways check all tyres, including the spare
wheel. Tyre pressures should be checked
more often in colder regions, and only when
the vehicle has not been driven recently. Al-
ways use a correctly-operating tyre gauge. ●
Adjust tyre pressures to the loads carried in
the vehicle.
● After adjusting the tyre pressure, check that
the caps are properly screwed on.
The
spare wheel or temporary spare wheel
must be at the maximum pressure specified. WARNING
If tyre pressures are too high or too low, the
tyre may deflate or burst suddenly while driv-
ing. This could result in a serious accident.
● If the tyre pressure is too low, they could
overheat, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● When driving at high speeds and/or fully
loaded, the tyre could suddenly overheat,
burst or be subject to tread detachment, with
the resultant loss of control of the vehicle.
● Tyre pressures which are too high or too
low reduce the service life of the tyre, affect-
ing the vehicle's performance.
● Tyre pressures should be checked regularly,
at least once a month and before long jour-
neys.
● Adjust the pressures of all the tyres to the
vehicle load.
● Never deflate excess pressure from hot
tyres. 162
Wheels and tyres
CAUTION
● Take care not to tilt the manometer when
placing it on the valve. Otherwise, the valve
may be damaged.
● If tyre valves are not protected by caps, or if
the caps are not screwed on correctly, they
may become damaged. Check that the caps
are identical to the standard caps and have
been correctly tightened. For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
sumption. Tread depth and wear indicators
Fig. 116
Tyre tread: tread wear indicators Tread depth
Certain driving conditions require a deeper
tread, as well as needing the tread to be ap- proximately the same on the front and rear
tyres. This is particularly important when
driving in winter, in cold temperatures and on
wet roads
››› .
The minimum tread depth required by law in
the majority of cases is 1.6 mm, measured in
the tread grooves next to the tread wear indi-
cators. Observe legal requirements in each
country.
The performance of winter tyres is much re-
duced when the tread has worn to 4 mm.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, ac-
cording to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern.
Wear indicators on the tyre
The original tyres on your vehicle have
1.6 mm high ››› Fig. 116 tread wear indicators
ru nnin
g across the tread. A number of these
indicators are equally spaced around the tyre
tread. Certain marks on the tyre walls (e.g.
the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate
the position of the wear indicators.
Tread wear indicators indicate if a tyre is
worn. They must always be replaced before
the tyre tread has worn to the level of the in-
dicator. WARNING
Driving with worn tyres is dangerous, and
may lead to loss of control of the vehicle with
serious consequences.
● Tyres must be replaced before the wear in-
dicators are at the same level as the tread
pattern.
● Worn tyres have significantly reduced grip,
especially on wet surfaces, increasing the
risk of “aquaplaning”.
● Worn tyres make control of the vehicle
more difficult in normal or difficult driving
conditions, increasing the braking distance
and the risk of skidding. Damaged tyres
Damage to wheels and tyres is often not im-
mediately visible. If you notice unusual
vibra-
tion or the car
pulling to one side
, this may
indicate that one of the tyres is damaged
››› .
● Slow down immediately if you think you
have a damaged wheel.
● Check the wheels and tyres for damage.
● If tyres are worn, stop driving and seek
qualified assistance.
● If there is no visible exterior damage, drive
slowly and carefully to the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the vehicle checked. »
163
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Wheels and tyres
The tyre pressure control lamp lights up
If the ty
re pressure of a wheel is much lower
than the value set by the driver, then the tyre
pressure control lamp ››› will light up.
WARNING
● When the tyre pressure control lamp lights
up, reduce speed immediately and avoid any
sudden turning or braking manoeuvre. Stop
when possible, and check the tyre pressure
and status.
● The driver is responsible for maintaining
correct tyre pressures. For this reason, tyre
pressure must be regularly checked.
● Under certain circumstances (e.g. when
driving in a sporty manner, in winter condi-
tions or on a dirt track) the tyre control lamp
may light up belatedly or may function incor-
rectly. Note
If the battery is disconnected, the yellow
warning lamp lights up after turning the
ignition on.
This should turn off after a brief
journey. Spare wheel or temporary spare
wheel*
Fig. 118
In the luggage compartment: hand
controlled wheel for securing the spare wheel Removing the spare wheel
● Open the rear lid and lift the luggage com-
partment shelf ››› page 73 .
● If nec
essary, remove the boot variable floor
››› page 73.
● Lift
up the carpet from the recess and re-
move it from the luggage compartment.
● If necessary, take out the vehicle tool kit
with the container.
● Completely remove the hand controlled
wheel from the centre of the spare wheel
››› Fig. 118 by turning it in an anticlockwise
direction, and t
ake out the spare wheel. Storing the replaced wheel
● Pull back the carpet.
● With the wheel rim facing downwards, sit-
uate the replaced wheel in the spare wheel
well so that the wheel rim central hole coin-
cides with the opening.
● Turn the hand controlled wheel with the
shank screwed clockwise until the replaced
wheel is secured.
● If necessary, store the vehicle tool in the
container, inside the boot.
● Replace the carpet on the boot floor.
● Lower the rear shelf.
● Close the rear lid.
If the spare wheel is different to the rest of
the vehicle tyres
If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres
that are mounted on the vehicle - for example
with winter tyres or the temporary spare
wheel - you should only use the spare tyre for
a short period of time and drive with extra
care ››› .
Refit the normal road wheel as soon as possi-
ble.
Please observe driving advice:
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and
fast cornering. »
165
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
AdviceTyre code (example)Meaning
109 HLoad index
››› page 169 and speed rating ››› page 169.
XLReinforced tyres (“Reinforced”).
M+S or M/S or Winter tyres code (mud and snow tyres).
RADIAL TUBELESSRadial tyre without inner tube.
E4 ...E-mark certifying tyre complies with international legislation followed by a number denoting the country granting the au-
thorisation. The authorisation number ( several digits) is shown below.
DOT BT RA TY5 1709Tyre identification number (TIN a)
, may be only on interior wall of wheel) and date of manufacture:
DOTThe tyre complies with the legal requirements of the US Department of Transport, responsible for tyre
safety regulations.
BTPlace of manufacture code.
RAInformation about manufacturer and tyre size.
TY5Manufacturer's tyre specifications.
1709Date of manufacture: Week 17 of 2009.
TWIThis identifies the position of the Tread Wear Indicator ››› page 163.
Made in GermanyCountry of manufacture.
MAX LOAD 615 KGUS load rating, indicating maximum permitted load per tyre.
MAX INFLATION 350 KPA (51 PSI)US limit, indicating maximum permitted tyre pressure.
SIDEWALL 1 PLY RAYONInformation about tyre wall components:
1 layer of rayon (artificial silk).
TREAD 4 PLIES
1 RAYON + 2 STEEL + 1 NYLONInformation about tread components:
In the example, there are 4 layers below the tread: 1 layer of rayon (artificial silk), 2 layers of steel reinforcement and 1
layer of nylon.
Information for the end consumer concerning the comparative values of the established base tyres (standardised test procedures) ››› page 134: 168
Wheels and tyresTyre code (example)Meaning
TREADWEAR 220Relative service life of the tyre, with respect to specific US standard test.
TRACTION ABraking capacity of tyre on wet surface (AA, A, B or C).
TEMPERATURE ATyre temperature resistance at higher test speeds (A, B or C).
If the tyre has other markings, these are specific tyre manufacturer codes or specific national codes, e.g. for Brazil or China.
a)
The letters TIN refer to the tyre serial number.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have
been designed to operate best when rotating
in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre
sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on
tyres with directional tread. Always observe
the direction of rotation indicated when
mounting the wheel. This guarantees opti-
mum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning,
grip, noise and wear.
If the tyre is mounted in the opposite direc-
tion of rotation, drive with extreme caution,
as the tyre is no longer being used correctly.
This is of particular importance when the
road surface is wet. Change the tyre as soon
as possible or remount it with the correct di-
rection of rotation.
Tyre load rating
The load rating code indicates the maximum
load in kilogrammes each wheel can carry
(load capacity). 425 kg
462 kg
487 kg
515 kg
545 kg
615 kg
Speed rating
The speed rating indicates the maximum
speed permitted for the tyres. max. 150 km/h (93 mph)
max. 160 km/h (99 mph)
max. 170 km/h (106 mph)
max. 180 km/h (112 mph)
max. 190 km/h (118 mph)
max. 200 km/h (124 mph)
max. 210 km/h (130 mph)
max. 240 km/h (149 mph)
max. 240 km/h (149 mph)
78
81
83
85
87
91
P
Q
R
S
T
U
H
V
Z max. 270 km/h (168 mph)
max. 300 km/h (186 mph)
Some manufacturers use the letters “ZR” for
tyres with a maximum authorised speed
above 240 km/h.
Snow chains When using snow chains, applicable local
legislation and maximum permitted speed
limits must be observed.
In winter weather, snow chains not only help
to improve grip but also improve the braking
capacity.
The fitting of chains is permitted
only on
front wheels and with the following combi-
nation
s of wheel trims and tyres :
»
W
Y
169
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety