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Checking and refilling levels
Radiator fan The radiator is driven by an electric motor
and controlled according to the temperature
of the coolant.
After the engine has been stopped and the
ignition switched off, the radiator fan may
continue running for around 10 minutes.
Engine oil
General notes The engine comes with a special, multi-grade
oil that can be used all year round.
Because the use of high-quality oil is essen-
tial for the correct operation of the engine
and its long useful life, when topping up or
changing oil, use only those oils that comply
with VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in
the following page should appear on the con-
tainer of the service oil; when the container
displays the specific standards for petrol and
diesel engines together, it means that the oil
can be used for both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change indicated
in the Maintenance Programme, be per-
formed by a technical service or specialised
workshop. The correct oil specifications for your engine
are listed in the
››› page 136, Oil properties .
Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife
service) or fixed (dependent on time/dis-
tance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the
Maintenance Programme booklet is QG1, this
means that your vehicle has the LongLife
service programmed. If it has the codes QG0
or QG2, the service interval is dependent on
time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife service
intervals*)
Special oils and processes have been devel-
oped which, depending on the characteris-
tics and individual driving profiles, enable
the extension of the oil change service (Long-
Life service intervals).
Because this oil is essential for extending the
service intervals, it must only be used ob-
serving the following indications:
● Avoid mixing it with oil for fixed service in-
tervals.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil level is too low ›››
page 136 and
LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to
top up (once) with oil for fixed service inter-vals
››› page 136 (up to a maximum of 0.5 li-
tr e
s).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife
service interval” or it has been disabled (by
request), you may use oils for fixed service
intervals
, which also appear in ››› page 136,
Oil properties . In this case, your vehicle must
be serviced after a fixed interval of 1
year/15,000 km (10,000 miles)(whatever
comes first) ››› Booklet Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
● In ex
ceptional circumstances, if the engine
oil level is too low ››› page 136 and you can-
not o
btain the oil specified for your vehicle,
you can add a small quantity of oil conform-
ing to the specification ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
(petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (die-
sel engines) (up to 0.5 l).
Vehicles with diesel particulate filter*
The Maintenance Programme states whether
your vehicle is fitted with a diesel particulate
filter.
Only VW 507 00 engine oil, with reduced ash
formation, may be used in diesel engines
equipped with particulate filter. Using other
types of oil will cause a higher soot concen-
tration and reduce the life of the DPF. There-
fore: »
135
Technical specifications
Advice
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Advice
● Avoid mixing this oil with other engine oils.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil level is too low ››› page 136 and
you cannot obtain the oil specified for your
vehicle, you can use a small quantity of oil
(once) conforming to the VW 506 00,
VW 506 01, VW 505 00, VW 505 01 or
ACEA B3/ACEA B4 specification. (up to 0.5 l).
Oil propertiesEngine typeSpecification
Petrol without flexible
service intervalVW 502 00/VW 504 00
Petrol with flexible serv-
ice interval (LongLife)VW 504 00
Diesel. Engines without
Particulate filter (DPF)VW 505 01/VW 506 01/VW
507 00
Diesel. Particulate Filter
Engines (DPF).
With or without flexible
service interval (with
and without LongLife) a)VW 507 00
a)
Only use recommended oils, otherwise you may damage the
engine.
Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed with the
engine oil. The deterioration caused by these
additives is not covered by the warranty. Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an
engine oil that conforms to the correspond-
ing VW specifications and recommend keep-
ing it in the vehicle. This way, the correct en-
gine oil will always be available for a top-up if
needed. Checking the engine oil level
Fig. 111
Engine oil dipsticks. The dipstick shows the engine oil level.
››› Fig. 111 .
Chec k
ing oil level
– Park the vehicle on a level surface and en-
sure the engine is at operating tempera-
ture.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet. –
Wait a few minutes for the engine oil to
flow back to the sump and remove the dip-
stick.
– Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and in-
sert it again as far as it will go.
– Then pull the dipstick out again and check
the oil level.
Oil level in area A –
Do not
t
op up oil.
Oi
l level in area B –
Oil can be topped up. After topping up the
oi l
level could be in area A .
Oil level in area C –
Oil must be topped up. After topping up,
the oil level should be in area B .
It is normal for the engine to consume a cer-
tain amount of oil. Depending on how you
drive and the conditions in which the vehicle
is used, oil consumption can be up to 0.5 li-
tres per 1,000 km. Oil consumption can also
be higher for the first 5,000 km (3000 miles).
You should therefore check the oil level at
regular intervals, ideally every time you fill
the tank or before setting off on a long trip.
When the engine is working hard, for in-
stance during sustained motorway cruising in
summer, when towing a trailer or caravan or
136
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Checking and refilling levels
climbing on mountain passes, the oil level
should preferably be kept within area A ,
but
no higher .
A w
arning lamp will appear on the instrument
panel ››› page 34, Engine oil if the oil lev-
el is too low. In this case, check the oil level
as soon as possible. Top up with the required
amount of oil. CAUTION
● The oil level must never exceed area A›››
Fig. 111. Risk of damage to the exhaust
sy s
tem!
● If the engine oil cannot be topped up under
the given conditions, do not drive on! Stop the engine and seek
the professional assis-
tance of an Official Service, as this could
cause serious damage to the engine. Topping up engine oil
–
Check the engine oil level ›››
page 136,
Checking the engine oil level .
– Unscrew the cap from the filler opening.
– Put in the specified grade of oil 0.5 litres at
a time ›››
page 135 .
– Chec k
the oil level ›››
page 136.
– Replace the oil filler cap carefully and push
the dipstick all the way in. Changing engine oil Engine oil must be changed with the frequen-
cy indicated in the Maintenance Programme
or according to the service interval indicator
››› page 45. CAUTION
Do not mix engine oil with additives. Risk of
damage to the engine! Damage caused by
these products is not covered by the warran-
ty. Note
Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact with engine oil. Coolant
General notes The cooling system is factory-filled with an
anti-freeze product.
Coolant consists of a mixture of water and
40% anti-freeze additive. This mixture gives
the required anti-freeze protection at temper-
atures down to -25 °C (-13 °F) and protects
the cooling and heating system against cor-
rosion. It also prevents scaling and raises the
boiling point of the coolant considerably.The coolant concentration must not be re-
duced by adding water, even in warmer sea-
sons or in warm countries.
The concentration
of the anti-freeze additive in the coolant
must be at least 40 %.
If greater anti-freeze protection is required in
very cold climates, the proportion of the anti-
freeze additive can be increased, but only up
to 60% (anti-freeze protection down to ap-
proximately -40 °C (-40 °F)). Exceeding this
proportion reduces anti-freeze protection and
the cooling effect.
Coolant fluid with protection down to -35 °C
(-31 °F) is added at the factory in vehicles
destined for countries with a cold climate. In
these countries, the concentration of coolant
should always be kept above 50%.
The type of anti-freeze to be used for topping
up is indicated on the coolant tank cover
››› Fig. 112 . CAUTION
● Anti-freeze that does not correspond to the
correct specification may particularly affect
corrosion protection considerably.
● Faults caused by corrosion may lead to
coolant leaks. Risk of serious engine faults! 137
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Advice
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Advice
Checking coolant level Fig. 112
Engine compartment: coolant fluid
tank. The coolant expansion tank is located in the
engine compartment of the vehicle.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet ››› page 132.
– Read off the coolant level on coolant ex-
pansion tank ››› Fig. 112 . When the engine
i s
cold, the coolant should be between
marks B (min.) and
A (max.). When the
engine is hot, it may be slightly above mark A (max.).
If the coolant fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, this will be indicated by the red warn-
ing lamp illuminating on the general dash
panel ›››
page 35, Coolant level and tempera-
ture . However, we recommend checking
the coolant level directly in the tank. Coolant fluid loss
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a
leak.
It is not sufficient merely to top up the cool-
ant. The cooling system should be inspected
by an Official Service without delay. CAUTION
In the event of a fault that causes the engine
to overheat, contact an authorised SEAT deal-
er immediately, as this could damage the en-
gine. Topping up coolant
–
Switch the ignition off.
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the cap on the coolant expansion
tank ›››
Fig. 112 with a cloth and
carefully
u
nscrew the cap.
– Refill the level of coolant.
– Screw the cap on again until it clicks into
place.
Do not use a different type of additive if the
prescribed anti-freeze additive is not availa-
ble, in the event of an emergency. In this
case, use only water and bring the coolant
concentration back up to the correct level as
soon as possible at an Official Service.
Always top up with unused coolant. Never fill the coolant tank above mark
A (max.)
››› Fig. 112 Excess coolant is forced
out of
the cooling system through the over-
pressure valve in the filler cap of the expan-
sion tank when the engine heats up. WARNING
● The anti-freeze additive and, therefore, the
entire coolant, are a health hazard. Avoid
touching the coolant. Coolant fumes are also
a health hazard. For this reason, always store
the coolant additive in a safe place out of the
reach of children. Risk of poisoning!
● If splashed into eyes, rinse immediately
with clean water and seek immediate medical
attention.
● Seek immediate medical attention if the
coolant is accidentally ingested. CAUTION
If the coolant cannot be topped up under the
given conditions, do not drive on. We rec-
ommend c
ontacting an authorised SEAT deal-
er, as this can damage the engine. 138
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Checking and refilling levels
Brake fluid Checking brake fluid level Fig. 113
Engine compartment: brake fluid
reservoir. The brake fluid reservoir is located in the en-
gine compartment of the vehicle.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet ››› page 132.
– Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir
››› Fig. 113 . It should be between the “MIN”
and “MAX” m ark
s.
The fluid level drops slightly after a period of
time due to automatic compensation for
brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
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. If
the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the warning
lamp illuminating on the instrument panel
››› page 33, Brake system . WARNING
If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN
mark, do not continue driving. Risk of acci-
dent! Go t
o a technical service. Changing the brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Therefore, it
gradually absorbs moisture from the atmos-
phere. If the water content in the brake fluid
is too high, the brake system could corrode.
The water content also reduces the boiling
point of the brake fluid.
The brake fluid must comply with one of the
following standards or specifications:
● VW 50114
● FMVSS 116 DOT4 WARNING
Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour
lock if the brake fluid is left in the brake sys-
tem for too long. This would seriously affect
the efficiency of the brakes and the safety of
the vehicle. CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the vehicle paintwork. Windscreen washer
Fig. 114
Engine compartment: windscreen
washer reservoir. The container for the windscreen washer con-
tains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or
rear window and the headlight washer sys-
tem. The container is located in the engine
compartment.
»
139Technical specifications
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Advice
The capacity
of the reservoir is approximately
3.5 litr
es; in vehicles with a headlight washer
system, it is approximately 5.4 litres 1)
.
Plain water on its own is not enough to clean
the glass and the headlights properly. We
therefore recommend using clean water with
a glass cleaning product to eliminate any
stubborn dirt (with an anti-freeze additive in
winter).
Although
your vehicle has heated windscreen
washer jets, anti-freeze should always be
added to the water in winter.
Ethanol can be used where glass cleaner with
anti-freeze is unavailable. The concentration
of ethanol must be no greater than 15 %.
However, remember that anti-freeze in this
proportion only protects down to -5 °C
(+23 °F). CAUTION
● Never mix the windscreen washing water
with anti-freeze used for the cooling system
or other additives.
● If the vehicle is equipped with a headlight
washer system, only mix a detergent that
does not damage polycarbonates with the
water. Note
When topping up the fluid, do not move the
filter from the container opening, as this
could contaminate the fluid hoses and lead to
a windscreen washer malfunction. Battery
Introduction Warning symbols on the battery
Sym
bolMeaning
Always wear safety glasses!
Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Always wear
gloves and hearing protection!
Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights
and lit cigarettes away when working on the
battery!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released
when the battery is under charge!
Keep children away from the battery!
Incorrect handling of the vehicle battery
could lead to damage. We therefore recom-mend all work on the vehicle battery be per-
formed by an authorised SEAT dealer.
Always be aware of the danger of injury and
scalding as well as the risk of accident or fire
when working on the battery and the electri-
cal system. Therefore, always observe the
warnings and follow all general safety pre-
cautions.
WARNING
● Battery acid is very corrosive, therefore, the
battery must be handled with the utmost
care. Wear protective gloves and protect your
eyes and skin when handling batteries. The
corrosive fumes in the air irritate and inflame
the respiratory tract and cause conjunctivitis.
It corrodes tooth enamel. Causes deep and
difficult-to-heal wounds when it comes in
contact with the skin. Repeated contact with
diluted acids causes skin disease (inflamma-
tion, ulcers and fissures). When in contact
with water, acids dilute and develop a great
deal of heat.
● Do not tilt the battery, as acid could leak
out of the vapour vents. Protect your eyes
with glasses or a protective helmet! Risk of
blindness! If acid should splash into the
eyes, rinse the affected eye immediately for
several minutes using clean water. Then seek
medical care immediately. 1)
Valid only for certain countries. 5.4 litres for both
versions.
140
Page 143 of 200

Checking and refilling levels
●
Neutralize any acid splashes on the skin or
clothing with soap solution as quickly as pos-
sible and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid
is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor im-
mediately.
● Keep children away from the battery.
● Hydrogen is released and a highly explo-
sive mixture of gases is generated when the
battery is under charge. Sparks when discon-
necting or releasing cable terminals with the
ignition switched on could also cause an ex-
plosion.
● A short circuit is produced if the battery ter-
minals are bridged, e.g. using metal objects,
cables, etc. Possible consequences of a short
circuit: melting of lead plates, battery explo-
sion and fire, splashing acid.
● The following is forbidden while working on
the battery: fire and open flames, smoking
and activities that could produce sparks.
Avoid causing sparks when handling cables
or electrical apparatus. Risk of injury in the
event of large sparks.
● Before working on the electrical system,
you must switch off the engine, the ignition
and all electrical components and disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal (-) of the
battery. To change a bulb, simply switch off
the corresponding light.
● Never charge a frozen or thawed out bat-
tery. Risk of explosion and acid burns! Re-
place a frozen battery.
● Never use the jump leads on batteries in
which the electrolyte level is too low. Risk of
explosion and acid burns! ●
Never use a damaged battery. Risk of ex-
plosion! Replace a damaged battery immedi-
ately. CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery when the igni-
tion is switched on, as the electrical system
(electronic components) of the vehicle could
be damaged. When disconnecting the battery
from the vehicle electrical system, disconnect
its negative terminal (-) first. Only then may
the positive terminal (+) be disconnected.
● When connecting the battery, first connect
the positive terminal (+) and then the nega-
tive terminal (-). The battery cables must nev-
er be connected to the wrong battery termi-
nals. Risk of burning the electrical installa-
tion!
● Make sure the battery acid does not come
into contact with the bodywork. Risk of paint-
work damage.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
to protect it from ultraviolet radiation.
● If the vehicle is not used for 3 or 4 weeks,
the battery could run flat. This is because
some components use electricity even in
standby mode (e.g. control units). Prevent the
battery from running flat by disconnecting its
negative terminal or leave it charging at a low
current.
● If you frequently use the vehicle for short
trips, the battery may not fully charge and
could run flat. For the sake of the environment
A flat battery is particularly harmful waste for
the environment. It must therefore be dis-
posed of according to current local law. Note
Replace a battery once it is older than 5
years. Open the battery cover.
Fig. 115
Battery: Opening the cover. The battery is located beneath a plastic cover
in the engine compartment.
–
Open the battery cover in the direction indi-
cated by the arrow ›››
Fig. 115 .
– The po s
itive terminal (+) of the battery is
connected in reverse order.
141
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Advice
Checking battery acid level Fig. 116
Battery: Electrolyte level indicator. We recommend you have the acid level regu-
larly checked at an official technical service,
particularly in the following cases.
● At high outside temperatures.
● On long daily trips.
● Whenever the vehicle is loaded
››› page 142, Charging the battery .
In v
ehicles equipped with a battery with col-
our indicator, the so-called magic eye
››› Fig. 116
changes colour to indicate the
acid level.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of the in-
dicator. Therefore, carefully knock the indica-
tor before checking the acid level.
● Black – the acid level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow – acid level too
low, battery must be changed. Note
● The battery acid level is also regularly
checked during servicing at authorised SEAT
dealers.
● The electrolyte level on “AGM” batteries
cannot be checked for technical reasons.
● Vehicles equipped with the “Start-Stop”
system include a battery control unit to con-
trol the battery level for repeated engine
starting. Winter service
At low temperatures the battery provides only
a fraction of the starting power it has at nor-
mal temperatures.
A flat battery can also freeze at temperatures
slightly below to 0 °C (32 °F).
We therefore recommend you have the bat-
tery checked and, if necessary, charged at an
official SEAT technical service before the start
of winter.
Charging the battery A fully-charged battery is essential for relia-
ble starting.
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical
equipment. –
For “fast-charging” only: disconnect both
battery connection cables (first the “nega-
tive” terminal and then the “positive”).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery
terminals (red = “positive”, black = “nega-
tive”).
– Plug in the battery charger and switch on.
– After charging the battery: Switch off the
battery charger and disconnect the cable.
– Remove the charger cables.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables
to the battery (first the “positive” cable,
then the “negative” cable).
When charging with a low current (e.g. with a
small battery charger ), the battery does not
normally have to be disconnected. The in-
structions of the battery charger manufactur-
er must be followed.
Use a current equivalent to or lower than
10% of the battery capacity to fully charge
the battery.
Before “ fast-charging
” the battery however,
both b
attery cables must be disconnected.
“Fast-charging” a battery is dangerous and
requires a battery charger and special knowl-
edge. Fast charges should be performed by
an official technical service.
The battery caps should not be opened while
the battery is being charged.
142