2015 Seat Altea XL engine oil

Checking and refilling levels
For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the envi-
ronment. For this reason you should make
regular checks on the ground underneath
your vehicle. If you find spots of oil or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a speci-
alised workshop. Opening the bonnet
Fig. 144
Detail of footwell area on driver side:
lever for unlocking the bonnet Fig. 145
Handle for releasing the bonnet. The bonnet is released from inside the vehi-
cle.
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the
windscreen wipers are in rest position.
– To release the bonnet, pull the lever under
the dash panel ››› Fig. 144 in the direction
indic at
ed (arrow). The bonnet will be re-
leased by a spring action ››› .
– Lift the bonnet using the release lever (ar-
row) and open the bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and secure it in
the fixture designed for this in the bonnet. WARNING
Hot coolant can scald!
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam,
smoke or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment. ●
Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant
is emitted from the bonnet, then carefully
open the bonnet.
● When working in the engine compartment,
always observe the safety warnings
››› page 163. Closing the bonnet
–
Slightly lift the bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its
support.
– At a height of approximately 30 cm let it fall
so it locks.
If the bonnet does not close, do not press
downwards. Open it once more and let it fall
as before. WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could
open while you are driving and completely
obscure your view of the road. Risk of acci-
dent.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that
it is properly secured. The bonnet must be
flush with the surrounding body panels.
● If you notice that the bonnet latch is not se-
cured when the vehicle is moving, stop the
vehicle immediately and close the bonnet
properly. Risk of accident. 165
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Advice
Checking fluid levels Fig. 146
Diagram for the location of the vari-
ous 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
Windscreen washer reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil dipstick
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath the cover)
The checking and refilling of service fluids
are carried out on the components men-
tioned above. These operations are descri-
bed in the ››› page 163 .
1 2
3
4
5
6 Overview
You will find further explanations, instruc-
tions and restrictions on the technical speci-
fications as of
››› page 207 .
En gine oi
l
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 on
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 performed
by a technical service or a specialised work-
shop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine
are listed in the
›››
page 167, 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 PR QI6,
this means that your vehicle is programmed
with the LongLife service. If it lists the codes
QI1, QI2, QI3, QI4 or QI7, the interval service
is dependent on time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife service
intervals*)
Special oils and processes have been devel-
oped which, depending on characteristics
and individual driving profiles, allow for
greater intervals between oil change services
(LongLife 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 167 and
LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to
top up (once) with oil for fixed service inter-
vals › ›
›
page 167 (up to a maximum of 0.5 li-
tres).
166

Checking and refilling levels
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 167,
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 167 and you can-
not o

btain the oil specified for your vehicle,
you can put in a small quantity of oil con-
forming to the specification ACEA A2 or
ACEA A3 (petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or
ACEA B4 (diesel engines) (up to 0.5 l).
Vehicles with a 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:
● Avoid mixing this oil with other engine oils.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil level is too low ››› page 167 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 properties
Engine 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. 147
Engine oil dipstick. The engine oil dipstick indicates the level of
the oil.
Checking oil level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Briefly run the engine at idle speed until
the operating temperature is reached and
then stop.
– Wait for about two minutes.
»
167
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Advice
– Pull out the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with
a clean cloth and insert it again, pushing it
in as far as it will go.
– Then pull it out once more and check the oil
level ››› Fig. 147 . Top up with engine oil if
nec e
ssary.
Oil level in area ADo
not
add oil ›
›› .
Oil level in area BYou
can
add oil, but keep the level in
thi

s zone.
Oil level in area COil
must be added.
Afterwards
, the oil
level should be in the lined area B .
Depending on how you drive and the condi-
tions in which the vehicle is used, oil con-
sumption can be up to 0.5 l/1000 km. Oil
consumption is likely to be higher for the first
5,000 km. For this reason the engine oil level
must be checked at regular intervals, prefera-
bly when filling the tank and before a jour-
ney. WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compart-
ment or on the engine must be carried out
cautiously. –
–
– ●
When working in the engine compartment,
always observe the safety warnings
››› page 163. CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not
start the engine. This could result in damage
to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact
a Technical Service. Topping up engine oil
 Fig. 148
In the engine compartment: Engine
oil filler cap Before opening the bonnet, read and observe
the warnings
››› in Safety instructions on
working in the engine compartment on
page 163 .
– Un s

crew cap from engine oil filler opening
››› Fig. 148. –
Top-up oi
l in small amounts, using the cor-
rect oil.
– To avoid over-filling with engine oil, you
should top-up using small quantities, wait
a while and check the oil level before add-
ing any more oil.
– As soon as the oil level is in area B , care-
fully close the cap.
The position of the oil filler opening is shown
in the corresponding engine compartment il-
lustration ››› page 166 .
En gine oi

l specification ››› page 166. WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil
comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents when topping up. CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not
start the engine. This could result in damage
to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact
a specialised workshop. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A .
Otherwise oil can be drawn in through the
crankcase breather and escape into the at-
mosphere via the exhaust system. 168

Checking and refilling levels
Changing engine oil The engine oil must be changed at the inter-
vals given in the service schedule.
We recommend that you have the engine oil
changed by a Technical Service.
The oil change intervals are shown in the
Maintenance Programme.
WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you
have the specialist knowledge required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the warnings ››› page 163, Safety in-
structions on working in the engine compart-
ment.
● Wait
for the engine to cool down. Hot oil
may cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such
as acid burns, caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your
fingers, keep your arm horizontal to help pre-
vent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be
stored in a safe place out of the reach of chil-
dren. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
This could result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Because of disposal problems and the spe-
cial tools and specialist knowledge required,
we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by a Technical Service.
● Never pour oil down drains or into the
ground.
● Use a suitable container when draining the
used oil. It must be large enough to hold all
the engine oil. Cooling system
Engine coolant specifications The engine cooling system is supplied from
the factory with a specially treated mixture of
water and, at least, 40 % of the additive
G 13
(TLVW 774 J). The engine coolant additive is
recognisable by its purple colour. This mix-
ture of water and additive gives the necessa-
ry frost protection down to -25°C (-13 F) and
protects the light alloy parts of the cooling
system against corrosion. It also prevents scaling and considerably raises the boiling
point of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the
percentage of additive must
always be at
l e

ast 40 %, even in warm climates where an-
ti-freeze protection is not required.
If greater frost protection is required in very
cold climates, the proportion of additive can
be increased. However, the percentage of ad-
ditive should not exceed 60%, as this would
reduce frost protection and, in turn, decrease
cooling capacity.
When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture
of distilled water and, at least, 40 % of the G
13 or G 12 plu

s-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive
(both are purple) to obtain an optimum anti-
corrosion protection ››› . The mixture of G
13 with G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G 12 (red) or
G 11 (green-blue) engine coolants will signifi-
cantly reduce the anticorrosion protection
and should, therefore be avoided ››› .
WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the cool-
ant system, the engine may fail leading to se-
rious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of
additive is correct with respect to the lowest
expected ambient temperature in the zone
where the vehicle is to be used.
● When the outside temperature is very low,
the coolant could freeze and the vehicle » 169
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Advice
Brake fluid Checking the brake fluid level Fig. 151
Engine compartment: brake fluid
reservoir cap –
Read off the fluid level at the transparent
brake fluid reservoir. It should always be
between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is
shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment illustration ››› page 166. The brake fluid
reservoir has a black and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the
vehicle is being used as the brake pads are
automatically adjusted as they wear.
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. A
display on the instrument panel will warn you
if the brake fluid level is too low ››› page 35. WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake
fluid level, read and observe the warnings
››› page 163. Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates brake
fluid change intervals.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid
changed by a Technical Service.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and
follow the warnings
››› in Safety instruc-
tions on working in the engine compartment
on page 163 in section “Safety notes for
w ork
ing in the engine compartment”.
In the course of time, brake fluid becomes
hygroscopic and absorbs water from the am-
bient air. If the water content in the brake flu-
id is too high, the brake system could cor-
rode. This also considerably reduces the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid. Heavy use of the
brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
Be sure to always use the correct brake fluid.
Only use brake fluid that expressly meets the
VW 501 14 standard.
You can buy VW 501 14 standard brake fluid
at a SEAT dealership or a SEAT Official Serv-
ice. If none is available, use only high-quality brake fluid that meets DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
standards, or USA Standards FMVSS 116 DOT
4.
Using any other kind of brake fluid or one
that is not of a high quality may affect opera-
tion of the brake system and reduce its effec-
tiveness. Never use a brake fluid if the con-
tainer does not state that it complies with VW
501 14, DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards, or
USA standards FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid im-
pairs the braking effect.
● Before opening the bonnet to check the
brake fluid level, read and observe the warn-
ings ››› page 163.
● Br ak
e fluid should be stored in the closed
original container in a safe place out of reach
of children. There is a toxic risk.
● Perform the brake fluid change according to
the Maintenance Programme. Heavy use of
the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the
brake fluid is left in the brake system for too
long. This would seriously affect the effec-
tiveness of the brakes and the safety of the
vehicle. This may cause an accident. CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the vehicle paintwork.
Wipe off any brake fluid from the paintwork
immediately. 172

Advice
Changing the rear wiper blade 3 Applies to the model: ALTEA XL/ALTEA FREETRACK
Fig. 172
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 rear wiper arm.
– Release the blade 1 by pulling it in the di-
rection of the arrow 2 .
Fitting the wiper blade – Insert the wiper blade onto the windscreen
wiper arm until it clicks into place.
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. Fuses and bulbs
Fuses Introduction Due to the constant updating of vehicles,
fuse assignments based on equipment and
the use of the same fuse for various electrical
components, it is not possible to provide an
up-to-date summary of the fuse positions for
the electrical components at the time this
manual was printed. For detailed information
about the fuse positions, please consult a
technical service.
In general, a fuse can be assigned to various
electrical components. Likewise, an electrical
component can be protected by several
fuses.
Only replace fuses when the cause of the
problem has been solved. If a newly inserted
fuse blows after a short time, you must have
the electrical system checked by a special-
ised workshop as soon as possible.
Additional information and warnings:
● Working in the engine compartment
››› page 163 .
196

Index
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Selective unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Changing gear see Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Ch an
ging gear in Tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Changing the bulbs Main headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Changing the lights general remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Changing the main headlight bulbs Main beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Turn signal bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Changing the main headlight lamps dipped lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Changing the tail light bulbs Position light, fog light and tail light on therear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Changing the tail lights Luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Reverse light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Turn signal light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Turn signal, side and brake lights on the body . . .203
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . 194
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Child seat Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Cleaning exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Cleaning plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cleaning the instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Climatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Climatronic General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Coming/Leaving Home function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Compartment for on-board documentation . . . . . 93
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Controls electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Convenience closing sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Coolant fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Coolant loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Coolant temperature
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cornering lights Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Correct adjustment of front seat head restraints . . 9
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Correct sitting position front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cruise control Complete system deactivation . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cruise speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
D Dangers in not using the seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Daytime driving lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Daytime running lights Nordic countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Deactivating front passenger airbags safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Deactivating the airbag Front passenger front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Diesel engine Winter operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Diesel engine particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Differential lock fault (EDL) control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
224