
Advice
away from the glass. Otherwise the paint-
work may be damaged.
– Pull the release catch in the direction of the
arrow 2
››› Fig. 108 and the bonnet will be
r el
eased.
– Hold and lift the bonnet.
– Remove the support strut 3
››› Fig. 109
from its fastening in the direction of the ar- row and secure the raised bonnet so that
the end of the strut hooks onto the opening
in the bonnet
4 .
Closing the bonnet – Lift the bonnet slightly and unhook the
support strut keeping the bonnet open and
insert it into its fastening 3 .
–
Let the bonnet drop from a height of
around 20 cm into the catch Do not press
down afterwards!
– Check that the bonnet is correctly closed.
Checking fluid levels Fig. 110
Diagram for the location of the various elements. From time to time, the levels of the different
fluids in the vehicle must be checked. Never
fill with incorrect fluids, otherwise serious
damage to the engine may be caused.
Coolant expansion tank . . . . . . . . . . .138
Window washer water tank . . . . . . . .139
Engine oil filler cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
1 2
3 Engine oil level dipstick
. . . . . . . . . . .136
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
The checking and replenishment of the serv-
ice fluids are carried out on the components
mentioned above. These operations are de-
scribed in the ››› page 132 .
4 5
6 Overview
You will find further explanations, instruc-
tions and restrictions on the technical speci-
fications as of
››› page 174 . Note
The layout of the engine compartment is very
similar to all petrol and diesel engines. 134

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

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
Advice
Operation
Safety

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

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
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

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

Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with the “Start-Stop” sys-
tem, the charger cable cannot be directly con-
nected to the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery but must be attached to the engine
ground point ››› page 158. Disconnecting and connecting the
battery
The following functions will either be inoper-
ative or will not work properly after discon-
necting and reconnecting the battery:FunctionInstallation
Setting the clock›››
page 32
The multifunction display data
is deleted››› page 39 Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by
an authorised SEAT dealer to guarantee the
correct working order of all electrical sys-
tems. Changing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same
capacity, voltage, current rating and size as
the original. The appropriate types of battery can be acquired from authorised SEAT deal-
ers.
We recommend having the battery changed
by an authorised SEAT dealer, where the new
battery will be correctly installed and the
original disposed of in line with regulations.
Automatic disconnection of electrical
equipment When heavily-charging a battery, the pro-
gramme selected by the electrical system
control unit prevents the battery from auto-
matically discharging. This may result in the
following:
● Increase in idling speed so that the alterna-
tor can supply more current to the electrical
system.
● The performance of certain electrical com-
ponents could be limited or some may switch
off temporarily, e.g. the heated seats, the
heated rear window, the 12 V power socket. Note
Despite any measures taken by the control
unit, the battery could drain. e.g. with the en-
gine is switched off, the key is turned in the
ignition for a long period or the side lights or
parking lights are switched on. The switching
off of certain electrical components does not
impair driving comfort and often the driver
will not even notice. 143
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Wheels and tyres
The tyre pressure of the spare wheel must be
checked (preferably whenever the tyre pres-
sure is checked – see sticker on fuel tank flap
››› page 144 ) to ensure the spare wheel re-
m ain
s ready for use.
If the spare wheel is not the same size or de-
sign as the tyres that are mounted on the car
(for example if the car has winter tyres or
tyres with direction tread), only use the spare
tyre for a short period of time in the event of
breakdown and drive with the corresponding
care ››› .
It must be replaced as soon as possible for a
wheel with a normal size and finish.
Temporary spare wheel
If the vehicle is equipped with a temporary
spare wheel, there will be a warning sign on
the rim of the wheel.
Follow the instructions below when driving
with this wheel fitted.
● After fitting the wheel, the warning sign
must not be covered.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph)
with the spare wheel and take great care
while driving. Avoid heavy acceleration, hard
braking and fast cornering.
● The tyre pressure is the same as that of the
standard tyres. ●
Only use this spare wheel to reach the
nearest Official Service, as it is not designed
for permanent use. WARNING
● Under no circumstances must damaged
spare wheels be used.
● If the spare wheel is different in size or de-
sign to the tyres currently fitted, never drive
faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). Avoid heavy
acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering. CAUTION
Follow the instructions given on the tempora-
ry spare wheel label. Note
The tyre pressure of the spare wheel must al-
ways correspond to the highest pressure pre-
scribed for the model of vehicle in question. Tyre control systems
Tyre pressure* Fig. 120
Tyre pressure adjustment switch. The tyre pressure monitoring system uses
ABS sensors to compare the revolutions and
the circumference of each wheel. Should the
circumference of any wheel change, the
warning lamp on the general dash panel
››› page 38 will light up and an audible warn-
in g w
ill be heard.
Tyre circumference may change if:
● Tyre pressure is too low
● Tyre structure is damaged
● Vehicle load not evenly distributed
● wheels on one axle are subjected to greater
load, (e.g. driving with trailer, uphill, down-
hill);
● Snow chains are fitted »
147
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety