2015 Seat Altea service

Wheels
Tyre useful life Fig. 152
Tyre tread wear indicators. Fig. 153
Diagram for changing wheels The useful life of tyres is dependent on tyre
pressure, driving style and fitting.
Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have
1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
››› Fig. 152 , running across the tread. De- pendin
g on the m ake, there will be 6 to 8 of
them evenly spaced around the tyre. Mark-
ings on the tyre sidewall (for instance the let-
ters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the po-
sitions of the tread wear indicators. The mini-
mum tread depth required by law is 1.6 mm
(measured in the tread grooves next to the
tread wear indicators). Worn tyres must be re-
placed. Different figures may apply in export
countries ››› .
Tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature
wear and could cause tyre blow-out. For this
reason, the tyre pressure should be checked
at least once per month ››› page 175.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard
braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more
than the rear ones it is advisable to change
them around as shown ››› Fig. 153 . The use-
f u

l life of all the tyres will then be about the
same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced.
However, various factors encountered in nor-
mal driving can cause them to become unbal-
anced, which results in steering vibration. 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.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive
tyre wear, impairing the safety of the vehicle.
If tyres show excessive wear, you should
have the wheel alignment checked by a Tech-
nical Service.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre
bursts during driving!
● The tyres must be replaced at the latest
when the tread wear indicators are worn
››› page 177. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. Worn tyres do not
grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There
is also a greater risk of “aquaplaning”.
● At continuously high speeds, a tyre with in-
sufficient pressure flexes more. This causes it
to overheat. This can cause tread separation
and tyre blow-out. Risk of accident. Always
observe the recommended tyre pressures.
● If tyres show excessive wear, you should
have the running gear checked by a Technical
Service.
● Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake
fluid away from tyres.
● Damaged wheels and tyres must be re-
placed immediately! » 177
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Advice
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
sumption. Run-flat tyres
Run-flat tyres allow you to continue driving
even with a punctured tyre, in the majority of
cases.
In vehicles that are factory-fitted with run-flat
tyres
1)
the loss of tyre pressure is indicated
on the instrument panel.
Driving with run-flat tyres (emergency
running)
– Leave the ESC/ASR on (Electronic Stability
Control), or switch it on ›››
page 137.
– Continue driving carefully and slowly
(80 km/h [50 mph] maximum).
– Avoid sudden manoeuvres and sharp turns.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (e.g. kerbs) or
potholes.
– Pay attention if the ESC/ASR activates of-
ten, if smoke comes from the tyres or there
is a smell of rubber, the vehicle vibrates or
there are clattering noises. If any of these
occur, stop the vehicle. The run-flat tyres have a tag on the side of
the tyre, with the description: “DSST”, “Eufo-
nia”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
The sides of this type of tyre are reinforced.
When the tyres lose air they are supported on
the sides (emergency driving).
The loss of pressure in the tyre is shown on
the instrument panel. You can then drive a
maximum of 80 km (50 miles) and if the cir-
cumstances are favourable (e.g. low load),
even more.
The damaged tyre should be changed as
soon as possible. The rim should be checked
in a specialised workshop to detect possible
damage and replace it if necessary. We rec-
ommend you contact your technical service.
If more than one tyre is being used under
emergency conditions, this reduces the dis-
tance that can be travelled.
Starting driving in emergency conditions
When loss in tyre pressure is displayed on
the instrument panel, this means that at least
one tyre is being driven in emergency condi-
tions
››› .
End of emergency operation
Do not drive on if:
● smoke is coming from one of the tyres, ●
there is a smell of rubber,
● the vehicle vibrates,
● there is a rattling noise.
When is it no longer possible to continue
driving even using run-flat tyres?
● If one of the tyres has been severely dam-
aged in an accident, etc. If a tyre has been
badly damaged there is a risk that parts of
the tread can be thrown off and cause dam-
age to the fuel lines, brake pipes or fuel filler.
● It is also advisable to stop driving if severe
vibrations occur, or if the wheel starts over-
heating and gives off smoke. WARNING
When driving in emergency conditions, the
driving quality of the vehicle is considerably
impaired.
● The maximum permitted speed of 80 km/h
(50 mph) is subject to road and weather con-
ditions. Please observe related legal require-
ments.
● Avoid sharp turns and rapid manoeuvres,
and brake earlier than usual.
● Avoid driving over obstacles (e.g. kerbs) or
potholes.
● If one or more tyres are being driven in
emergency conditions, the driving quality of 1)
Depending upon version and country.
178

Wheels
the vehicle is impaired and there is a risk of
accident.
Note
● The run-flat tyres do not “deflate” on losing
pressure because they are supported on the
reinforced sides. Therefore defects in the tyre
cannot be detected with a visual inspection.
● Snow chains must not be used on front
tyres used in emergency conditions. New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run in.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential
part of the vehicle's design. Those approved
by SEAT are specially matched to the charac-
teristics of the vehicle and make a major con-
tribution to good road-holding and safe han-
dling
››› .
Note for Italy: A SEAT Service Centre should
be c on
sulted whether different sized wheels
or tyres to those originally fitted by SEAT may
be fitted, as well as the combinations al-
lowed between the front axle (axle 1) and
back axle (axle 2).
Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and
not individually (i.e. both front tyres or both
rear tyres together). A knowledge of tyre des-
ignations makes it easier to choose the cor- rect tyres. Radial tyres have the tyre designa-
tions marked on the sidewall, for example:
195/65 R15 91T
This contains the following information:
Tyre width in mm
Height/width ratio in %
Tyre construction: Radial
Rim di

ameter in inches
Load rating code
Speed rating
The tyres could also have the following infor-
mation:
● A direction of rotation symbol
● “Reinforced” denotes heavy-duty tyres.
The manufacturing date is also indicated on
the tyre sidewall (possibly only on the inner
side of the wheel).
“DOT... 1103...” means, for example, that the
tyre was produced in the 11th week of 2003.
We recommend that work on tyres and
wheels be carried out by a Technical Service.
They are familiar with the procedure and
have the necessary special tools and spare
parts as well as the proper facilities for dis-
posing of the old tyres. 195
65
R
15
91
T Any technical service has full information on
the technical requirements when installing or
changing tyres, wheels or wheel trims.
On vehicles with
all-wheel drive, all four tyres
must always be fitted with tyres of the same
type, make and tread pattern, as otherwise
the driveline can be damaged by continuous
differences in the wheel speeds. For this rea-
son, the spare wheel should have the same
wheel dimensions as the normal wheels so
that it will fit if there is a puncture. You may
also use the factory-supplied compact tem-
porary spare wheel. WARNING
● We recommend that you use only wheels
and tyres which have been approved by SEAT
for your model. Failure to do so could impair
vehicle handling. Risk of accident.
● Avoid running the vehicle on tyres that are
more than 6 years old. If you have no alterna-
tive, you should drive slowly and with extra
care at all times.
● Never use old tyres or those with an un-
known “history of use”.
● If wheel trims are retrofitted, you must en-
sure that the flow of air to the brakes is not
restricted. This could cause the brake system
to overheat.
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial
tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumfer-
ence) and the same tread pattern. » 179
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Advice
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of according to
the laws in the country concerned. Note
● For technical reasons, it is not generally
possible to use the wheels from other vehi-
cles. This can also apply to wheels of the
same model. The use of wheels or tyres
which have not been approved by SEAT for
use with your model may invalidate the vehi-
cle's type approval for use on public roads.
● If the spare tyre is not the same as the
tyres that are mounted on the vehicle (e.g.
winter tyres) 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 possible. Wheel bolts
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the
rims. If different wheel rims are fitted, the
correct wheel bolts with the right length and
correctly shaped bolt heads must be used.
This ensures that wheels are fitted securely
and that the brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you should not use
wheel bolts from a different vehicle, even if it
is the same model
›››
page 147. After the wheels have been changed, the
tightening torque of the wheel bolts should
be checked as soon as possible with a torque
wrench
››› . The tightening torque for steel
and alloy wheels is 120 Nm. WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly,
the wheel could become loose while driving.
Risk of accident.
● The wheel bolts must be clean and turn
easily. Never apply grease or oil to them.
● Use only wheel bolts which belong to the
wheel.
● If the tightening torque of the wheel bolts
is too low, they could loosen whilst the vehi-
cle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tight-
ening torque is too high, the wheel bolts and
threads can be damaged. CAUTION
The prescribed tightening torque for wheel
bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm. Winter service
Winter tyres In winter conditions winter tyres will consid-
erably improve the vehicle's handling. Sum-mer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) provide less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a
pressure of
0.2 bar (2.9 psi/20 kPa) higher than the pres-
sures specified for summer tyres (see sticker
on fuel tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
Information on permitted winter tyre sizes
can be found in the vehicle's registration
documentation. Use only radial winter tyres.
All tyre sizes listed in the vehicle documenta-
tion also apply to winter tyres.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the
tread is worn down to a depth of 4 mm.
The speed rating code ››› page 179, New
tyres and wheels determines the following
speed limits for winter tyres:
›
› › max. 160 km/h
max. 180 km/h
max. 190 km/h
max. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles which can exceed
the speed rating of the fitted tyre must have
an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of
view. These stickers are available from your
technical service. The legal requirements of
each country must be followed.
Do not have winter tyres fitted for unnecessa-
rily long periods. Vehicles with summer tyres Q
S
T
H
180

Emergencies
handle better when the roads are free of
snow and ice.
If you have a flat tyre, please refer to the
notes on the spare wheel ››› page 179, New
tyres and wheels .WARNING
The maximum speed for the winter tyres must
not be exceeded. Otherwise, this could lead
to damage and risk of accident. For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres again as soon as possi-
ble. They are quieter, do not wear so quickly
and reduce fuel consumption. Snow chains
Snow chains are only permitted on front
wheels and only for tyres 195/65R15 and
205/55R16. These tyres may only be fitted
with fine-pitch link chains which do not pro-
trude more than 15 mm
›››
page 210.
Other tyres may use fine-pitch links which do
not protrude more than 9 mm, including ten-
sion device.
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings be-
fore fitting snow chains. For safety reasons,
cover caps, available at any technical service,
must then be fitted over the wheel bolts. All-wheel drive
: where snow chains are com-
pulsory, this normally also applies to all-
wheel drive vehicles. Snow chains may only
be fitted to the front
wheels (also on vehicles
w
ith all-wheel drive). WARNING
Snow chains should be correctly tightened in
accordance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. This will prevent the chains coming in-
to contact with the wheel housing. CAUTION
Remove the snow chains to drive on roads
without snow. Otherwise they will impair
handling, damage the tyres and wear out very
quickly. Note
● In some countries, the maximum permitted
speed with snow chains is 50 km/h (31 mph).
The legal requirements of each country must
be followed.
● We recommend that you ask your technical
service for information about appropriate
wheel, tyre and snow chain size. Emergencies
Vehicle tools, spare wheel Vehicle Tools The vehicle tools are located under the floor
panel in the luggage compartment.
– Lift the cover of the luggage compartment,
by pulling it up with a finger in the fitting.
– Take the vehicle tools out of the vehicle.
The vehicle tool kit includes:
● Jack.*
● Hook for removing wheel covers* or wheel
trims*
● Box spanner for wheel bolts.*
● Towing ring.
● Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*
Some of the items listed are only provided in
certain model versions, or are optional ex-
tras. WARNING
● The factory-supplied jack is only designed
for changing wheels on this model. On no ac-
count attempt to use it for lifting heavier ve-
hicles or other loads. Risk of injury.
● Use the jack only on a firm, level ground.
» 181
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Advice
Removing and fitting the wheel Change the wheel as described below after
loosening the wheel bolts and raising the ve-
hicle with the jack.
Removing a wheel
– Unscrew the wheel bolts using the box
spanner and place them on a clean surface.
Fitting a wheel
– Screw on the wheel bolts in position and
tighten them loosely with a box spanner.
The wheel bolts should be clean and easily
screwed. Before fitting the spare wheel, in-
spect the wheel condition and hub mounting
surfaces. These surfaces must be clean be-
fore fitting the wheel.
If tyres with a specific direction of rotation
are fitted, note the direction of rotation. Anti-theft wheel bolts* Fig. 161
Anti-theft wheel bolt. A special adapter is required to turn the anti-
theft wheel bolts.
– Insert the adapter onto the wheel bolt and
push it on as far as it will go ››› Fig. 161 .
– Fit the bo
x spanner as far as it will go over
the adapter.
– Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt as appro-
priate.
Code
The code number of the anti-theft wheel bolt
is stamped onto the front part of the adaptor.
The code number should be noted and kept
in a safe place, as it is only by using the code
number that a duplicate adaptor can be ob-
tained from the SEAT Official Services. Tyres with directional tread pattern A directional tread pattern can be identified
by arrows on the sidewall that point in the di-
rection of rotation. Always note the direction
of rotation indicated when fitting the wheel.
This is important so that these tyres can pro-
vide maximum grip and avoid excessive
noise, tread wear and aquaplaning.
If, in an emergency, you have to mount the
spare wheel so it rotates in the wrong direc-
tion, you must drive extremely carefully. The
tyre will not give optimum performance. This
is particularly important when driving on wet
roads.
To benefit from the advantages of tyres with
this type of tread pattern, the defective tyre
should be replaced as soon as possible so
that all tyres again rotate in the correct direc-
tion.
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.
186

Advice
Emergency boot hatch opening Fig. 168
Rear lid: emergency opening. This allows the vehicle to be opened if the
central locking does not work (for example, if
the battery is flat)
There is a groove in the luggage compart-
ment allowing access to the emergency
opening mechanism.
Opening the rear lid from inside the luggage
compartment
– Insert the key in the groove and unlock the
locking system, turning the key from right
to left, as shown by the arrow ››› Fig. 168 .Ch
an ging the wiper blades
Changing windscreen wiper blades Fig. 169
Windscreen wipers in the service po-
sition. Fig. 170
Changing the windscreen wiper
blades Perfect wiper blade condition is essential for
clear vision. Damaged wiper blades should
be replaced immediately.To change the blades it is necessary to move
the wipers from the rest position into the
service position.
Service position (for changing wiper blades)
–
Ensure that the wiper blades are not frozen.
– Turn the ignition on and off and then (with-
in approximately 8 seconds), push the
windscreen wiper lever out of the short
wipe position. The windscreen wipers will
move to the service position.
Changing the windscreen wiper blades – Lift the wiper arm away from the wind-
screen.
– Push the side buttons, free the blade and
pull in the direction of the arrow ››› Fig. 170
Fitting the wiper blade
– Insert a blade of identical length and de-
sign into the wiper arm.
– Slide the blade until it clicks into position.
– Push the wiper arms back against the wind-
screen.
The windscreen wiper arms return to their
original position when the ignition is turned
on and the windscreen wiper lever is operat-
ed, or when driving faster than 6 km/h.
194

Emergencies
If the windscreen wipers scratch , they should
be replaced if they are damaged, or cleaned
if they are soiled.
If this does not produce the desired results,
the setting angle of the windscreen wiper
arms might be incorrect. They should be
checked by a specialised workshop and cor-
rected if necessary. WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility
through all windows!
● Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all
windows regularly.
● The wiper blades should be changed once
or twice a year. CAUTION
● Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could
scratch the windscreen.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or similar products to clean the win-
dows. This could damage the windscreen
wiper blades.
● Never move the windscreen wiper or wind-
screen wiper arm manually. This could cause
damage.
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the
windscreen wiper arms, the latter should only
be lifted off the windscreen when in service
position. Note
● The windscreen wiper arms can be moved
to the service position only when the bonnet
is properly closed. Changing the rear wiper blade
3 Applies to the model: ALTEA
Fig. 171
Changing the rear window wiper
blade. Perfect rear wiper blade condition is essential
for clear rear vision. Damaged wiper blades
should be replaced immediately.
Removing the wiper blade
– Lift the wiper arm away from the glass
– Slide the blade adapter in the direction of
the arrow and remove the blade ››› Fig. 171
A . Fittin
g the w iper blade
– With one hand, hold the top end of the wip-
er arm.
– Place the blade as shown in ››› Fig. 171
B
and slide the adapter along until it engag-
es.
Check the condition of the wiper blade regu-
larly. Change as required.
If the windscreen wiper scrapes, it should be
replaced if damaged, or cleaned if soiled.
If this is not sufficient, refer to a specialised
workshop. WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility
through all windows!
● Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all
windows regularly.
● The wiper blades should be changed once
or twice a year. CAUTION
● A damaged or dirty window wiper could
scratch the rear window.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or similar products to clean the win-
dow as they may damage the blades.
● Never move the windscreen wiper by hand.
This could cause damage. 195
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety