AdviceSymbolMeaning
A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
leased when the battery is under charge.
Keep children away from acid and batter-
ies!
WARNING
Working on the vehicle battery and the elec-
trica l
system can cause corrosion, fire and
electric shocks. Always read and take into ac-
count the following warnings and safety
standards before carrying out any work:
● Before working on the battery, switch off
the engine, the ignition and al
l electrical de-
vices then disconnect the negative connec-
tion on the battery.
● Keep children away from acid and the bat-
tery
itself!
● Wear eye protection.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It
can burn sk
in and cause blindness. When
handling the battery, protect yourself from
splashes of acids, above all your hands, arms
and face.
● Do not smoke and never work close to pla-
ces
exposed to flames or sparks.
● Avoid sparks and electrostatic discharges
when workin
g with cables and electrical devi-
ces.
● Never short the battery terminals. ●
Never u se a d
amaged battery. It can ex-
plode. Replace a damaged battery immedi-
ately.
● Replaced damaged or frozen batteries as
soon as po
ssible. A flat battery can also
freeze at temperatures close to 0 °C (+32 °F). CAUTION
● Nev er di s
connect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
over a lon
g period of time, as the intense ul-
traviolet radiation can damage the battery
housing.
● If the car is left standing for long periods,
protect
the battery from extreme cold temper-
ature so that it does not “freeze up” and be-
come damaged. Warning lamp
It lights up
Faulty generator.
Contact a specialised workshop.
Have the electrical system checked.
Disconnect any unnecessary elec-
trical devices. The generator does
not charge the battery while the ve-
hicle is in motion. Several warning and indication lamps light
up f
or a f
ew sec
onds when the ignition is
switched on, signalling that the function is
being verified. They will switch off after a few
seconds. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in On the
ins trument
panel on page 27. Checking the electrolyte level of the
vehic
l
e battery Fig. 171
In the engine compartment: Remove
the c o
v
er from the vehicle's battery. The battery's electrolyte level should be
c
hec
k
ed regularly in high-mileage vehicles,
in hot countries and in older batteries. Other
batteries do not require maintenance.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are
equipped with special batteries. For technical
194
Checking and refilling levels
reasons, the electrolyte level cannot be
c hec
k
ed in these batteries.
Preparations
● Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine
compar
tment ››› page 184
● Open the bonnet ›››
page 184.
● Press on the tabs ›››
Fig. 171 (arrows) in the
direction of the arrows and lift the battery
cover up.
Checking the battery electrolyte level
● Make sure there is sufficient lighting to
cle
arly recognise the colours. Never use
flames or shiny objects as a light source.
● Depending on the level of acid, the Magic
eye on the top of
the battery will change col-
our.
Colour in-
dicatorNecessary operations
Light yellow
or colourlessThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's bat-
tery is too low. Have the battery checked
and, where applicable, replaced by a
specialised workshop.
BlackThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's bat-
tery is correct. WARNING
Working with the vehicle battery involves a
risk of
corrosion, explosions and electric
shock.
● Never tilt the vehicle battery. Battery acid
coul
d spill out of the openings for the release
of gases and cause corrosion damage.
● Never open the vehicle battery.
● If battery acid splashes on you, immediate-
ly rinse
your eyes and skin abundantly with
water for several minutes. Then seek medical
care immediately.
● If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a
doctor immediat
ely. Charging, replacing and connecting or
di
s
c
onnecting the battery Charging the battery
The
v
ehic
le battery should be charged by a
specialised workshop only, as batteries us-
ing special technology have been installed
and they must be charged in a controlled en-
vironment ››› . SEAT recommends taking
y our c
ar in f
or technical service.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the
conditions of its location and has special
safety features. If the battery must be re-
placed, consult a technical service for infor- mation on electromagnetic compatibility, the
size and m
aintenance, performance and
safety requirements of the new battery in
your vehicle before you purchase one. SEAT
recommends you have the battery replaced
by a technical service.
Use only maintenance-free genuine batteries
conforming to TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73
Standards. These standards must be dated
April 2008 or later.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are
equipped with a special battery. Therefore,
this battery must only be replaced by another
with the same specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle's battery
If you must disconnect the battery from the
electrical system, please note the following:
● Switch off the ignition and all electrical
equipment.
● The v
ehicle must be unlocked before dis-
connecting the b
attery, otherwise the alarm
will be triggered.
● First disconnect the negative cable and
then the positiv
e ››› .
C onnectin
g the
vehicle's battery
● Before reconnecting the battery, switch off
the engine and all
electrical devices.
● First reconnect the positive cable and then
the negativ
e ››› .
»
195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
Different control lamps may light up after
c onnectin
g the b
attery and switching the ig-
nition on. They will be turned off after a short
trip at a speed of between 15-20 km/h
(10-12 mph). If the warning indicators remain
lit, please visit a specialised workshop to
have the vehicle checked.
If the battery has been disconnected for a
long time, it is possible that the next service
date is not displayed or calculated correctly
››› page 86. Respect the maximum service in-
tervals permitted ››› Booklet Maintenance
Programme.
Automatic device disconnection
The intelligent vehicle electrical system auto-
matically implements a range of measures to
prevent the battery from discharging when
high demands are made on it:
● The idling speed is increased so that the al-
ternat
or provides more electricity.
● Where necessary, the power to the most
power
ful devices is reduced or even com-
pletely disconnected.
● On starting the engine, the power supply
from the 12-v
olt power sockets and the ciga-
rette lighter may be interrupted for a short
time.
The on-board management program cannot
always prevent the battery from running flat.
For example, if the ignition is left on for a long period with the engine off or if the side
lights or park
ing lights are left on while the
vehicle is stationary.
Why the battery runs flat:
● When stationary for a long time without
star
ting the engine, particularly if the ignition
is switched on.
● Use of electrical devices with the engine
switc
hed off. WARNING
Incorrectly securing the battery or using the
wron g b
attery can cause short-circuits, fire
and serious injuries.
● Always use only maintenance-free batter-
ies, prot
ected to prevent a leak, and whose
properties, specifications and size corre-
spond to the standard battery. WARNING
A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
le a
sed when the battery is under charge.
● The batteries should be charged in a well-
ventil
ated room only.
● Never charge a frozen or recently thawed
batter
y. A flat battery can also freeze at tem-
peratures close to 0 °C (+32 °F).
● Always replace a battery which has frozen.
● Battery cables not correctly connected may
cause a shor
t circuit. Reconnect first the posi-
tive cable and then the negative cable. CAUTION
● Never di s
connect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components.
● Never plug accessories that supply current,
such a
s solar panels or a battery charger, to
the 12-volt power socket or the cigarette
lighter. This could damage the vehicle's elec-
trical system. For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the battery in an environment-
friendly m anner
. Batteries contain toxic sub-
stances such as sulphuric acid and lead. For the sake of the environment
Battery acid can contaminate the environ-
ment. C o
llect any spilt service fluids and dis-
pose of them correctly. 196
Wheels and tyres
Wheels and tyres
T y
r
es
Introduction SEAT recommend that all work on tyres and
wheels
i
s carried out by a specialised work-
shop. These workshops have the necessary
special tools and replacement parts, trained
personnel and facilities for disposing of the
old tyres while respecting the environment.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service. WARNING
The vehicle cannot be totally controlled or
brak ed if
the tyres (new or used) are worn or
damaged.
● Incorrect use of wheels and tyres could
make driv
ing more dangerous and result in
serious accidents and damage.
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial
tyre
s of the same type, size (rolling circumfer-
ence) and the same tread pattern.
● New tyres do not give maximum grip and
wil
l not have reached their maximum braking
capacity to start with, and therefore need
running in. To prevent accidents and major
damage, extreme caution should be taken for
the first 600 km. ●
Check ty
re pressures regularly and ensure
they are maintained at the pressures indica-
ted. If the tyre pressure is too low, they could
overheat, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● Never drive on damaged (punctured, cut,
crac
ked or dented) or worn tyres. Driving on
damaged or worn tyres could result in burst
tyres, serious accidents or damage. Worn or
damaged tyres must be replaced immediate-
ly.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loa
ds specified for the type of tyre
fitted on your vehicle.
● The effectiveness of driver and brake assist
syst
ems also depends on the grip of the
tyres.
● If you notice unusual vibration or if the ve-
hicle p
ulls to one side when driving, stop the
car immediately and check the tyres and
wheels for damage.
● To minimise the risk of losing control of the
vehicl
e or causing a serious accident, never
undo the bolted joints of beadlock wheels.
● Never mount used tyres or wheels if you are
not sur
e of their previous history. They may
be damaged, although the damage is not im-
mediately visible.
● Old tyres, even if they have never been
used, ma
y lose air or burst unexpectedly
while driving, especially at high speeds, re-
sulting in serious accident and injury. If tyres
are over six years old, they should only be used in an emergency and with extreme cau-
tion.
Note
For technical reasons, it is not generally pos-
s ib l
e to use the wheels from other vehicles.
In some cases, this may also be true for the
same model of wheel. Please refer to the ve-
hicle documentation or ask at a technical
service. Handling tyres and wheels
Fig. 172
Diagram for changing wheels The tyres of a vehicle are the components
whic
h ar
e s
ubjected to most stress and are
the most underestimated. Tyres are very im-
portant, as the support offered by their nar-
row surface is the only point of contact be-
tween the vehicle and the road. »
197
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Wheels and tyres
WARNING
Aggressive fluids or substances could result
in v i
sible or invisible damage with the conse-
quent risks.
● Always ensure that tyres do not come into
contact
with chemical products, oil, grease,
fuel, brake fluid or other aggressive substan-
ces. WARNING
Old tyres, even if they have never been used,
ma y
lose air or burst unexpectedly while driv-
ing, resulting in serious accident or damage.
● If tyres are over six years old, they should
only be u
sed in an emergency and with ex-
treme caution. For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of by qualified
personnel ac
cording to the laws in the coun-
try concerned. Wheels
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the
rims. If
diff
er
ent rims are fitted, the correct
wheel bolts with the right length and correct-
ly shaped bolt heads must be used. This en-
sures that wheels are fitted securely and that
the brake system functions correctly
››› page 71. For technical reasons, it is not generally pos-
sibl
e to use the wheels from other vehicles.
In some cases, this may also be true for the
same model of wheel.
The tyres and rims approved by SEAT are spe-
cially matched to the characteristics of the
vehicle and are critical to good road holding
and safe handling.
Note for Italy: A SEAT Service Centre should
be consulted 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).
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct
torque ››› page 71.
Beadlock wheel rims
Beadlock wheel rims have various compo-
nents. These are joined together by special
bolts using a special procedure. This ensures
good performance, a better seal, improved
safety and wheel run out. Therefore, worn
rims should always be replaced and must on-
ly be repaired in a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends visiting a technical service
››› .Wheel rims with bolted trims
Wheel
rims
m
ay be fitted with interchangea-
ble trim parts which are attached to the rim
using self-locking bolts. Worn trims should
only be replaced at a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends visiting a technical service
››› .
WARNING
The use of worn or damaged wheel rims could
mak e driv
ing more dangerous and result in
serious accidents and damage.
● Only wheel rims which have been approved
for use w
ith your vehicle should be used.
● Inspect wheel rims regularly for damage
and repl
ace as required. WARNING
If the bolted joints of wheel rims with bolted
ring trims ar
e not correctly tightened or loos-
ened, this could result in serious accident.
● Never loosen the bolted joints of wheel
rims with bo
lted ring trims.
● Any work relating to wheel rims with bolted
rims shoul
d be carried out at specialised
workshop. SEAT recommends taking your car
in for technical service. 199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
Replacement of wheel rims and new
ty r
e
s New tyres
● When tyres are new, drive with extreme
caution f or the fir
st 600 km, as all tyres need
to be run-in. Tyres which have not been run
in do not have such good grip or ››› brak-
ing c ap
acity ››› .
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial
tyr e
s of the same type, size (rolling circumfer-
ence) and the same tread pattern.
● The tread depth of new tyres may vary, ac-
cor din
g to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern.
Replacing tyres
● Where possible, always replace both
wheels on an ax
le (both wheels on the front
axle or both wheels on the rear axle) ››› .
● Only replace used tyres with those author-
i sed b
y
SEAT for the corresponding type vehi-
cle. Pay special attention to size, diameter,
and maximum load and speed capacity.
● Never use tyres which are larger than SEAT
appro
ved tyres. If the tyres are too big, they
may knock or rub against the chassis or other
components, resulting in damage. WARNING
New tyres do not give maximum grip and will
not h av
e reached their maximum braking ca-
pacity to start with, and therefore need run-
ning in.
● To prevent accidents and major damage,
extreme c
aution should be taken for the first
600 km. WARNING
There should be adequate space between the
tyr e
s and the vehicle in accordance with the
vehicle design. If this is not the case, the
tyres may rub against parts of the running
gear, chassis or brake lines, leading to faults
in the brake system or to tread detachment,
and the risk of burst tyres.
● The true tyre dimension should not be
great
er than the dimensions of tyres manu-
factured and approved by SEAT and should
not rub against parts of the vehicle. Note
Although tyres may be shown as being the
same s iz
e, the true dimensions of different
types of tyre may vary with respect to the
nominal size, or tread patterns may be differ-
ent. Note
If you use tyres that are approved by SEAT,
you c an be s
ure that the true tyre dimensions will be correct for your vehicle. For other tyre
models, the ty
r
e 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. 173
Position of tyre pressure specifica-
tion p l
at
e The correct tyre pressures for tyres fitted at
the f
act
or
y is shown on a label and is valid
for summer and winter tyres. The label
200
Wheels and tyres
››› Fig. 173 i s
loc ated on the driver's door pil-
lar.
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
m aint
ain the c
orrect 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-
sures 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.
Tyre pressure monitoring system
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 on
ly 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 always be kept at the maximum pres-
sure stipulated. WARNING
If tyre pressures are too high or too low, the
tyr e m
ay deflate or burst suddenly while driv-
ing. This could result in a serious accident.
● If the tyre pressure is too low, they could
overhe
at, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● When driving at high speeds and/or fully
loaded, the ty
re 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 reduc
e the service life of the tyre, affect-
ing the vehicle's performance.
● Tyre pressures should be checked regularly,
at le
ast once a month and before long jour-
neys.
● Adjust the pressures of all the tyres to the
vehicl
e load.
● Never deflate excess pressure from hot
tyre
s. CAUTION
● Tak e c
are 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. Wear indicator depth profile
Fig. 174
Tyre tread: tread wear indicators » 201Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
Tread depth
C er
t
ain 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 tr e
a
d 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. 174 tread wear indicators
running 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
ma y
lead to loss of control of the vehicle with
serious consequences.
● Tyres must be replaced before the wear in-
dicator
s are at the same level as the tread
pattern.
● Worn tyres have significantly reduced grip,
espec
ially on wet surfaces, increasing the
risk of “aquaplaning”.
● Worn tyres make control of the vehicle
more difficu
lt in normal or difficult driving
conditions, increasing the braking distance
and the risk of skidding. Tyre damage
Damage to wheels and tyres is often invisible
t
o the n
ak
ed eye. 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
h av
e a d
amaged wheel.
● Check the wheels and tyres for damage.
● If tyres are worn, stop driving and seek
qualified ass
istance.
● If there is no visible exterior damage, drive
slowly
and carefully to the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the vehicle checked. Foreign bodies in the tyre
●
Do not remove foreign bodies if they have
penetrated thr
ough the tyre wall!
● You should obtain professional assistance
immediately
.
Tyre wear
The wear of tyres depends on a number of
factors, for example:
● Driving style.
● Unbalanced wheels.
● Running gear settings.
Driving
style: Driving round bends quickly or
sudden acceleration or braking speed accel-
erates tyre wear. When the driving style is
normal, if the tyres wear too quickly, have the
running gear settings checked at a special-
ised workshop.
Wheel run-out: The wheels on new vehicles
are balanced. However, certain circumstan-
ces may lead to imbalance (run-out), which is
detected as vibrations in the steering wheel.
Run-out leads to wear of the steering and
suspension. In the event of run out, the
wheels should be balanced again. When a
new wheel is fitted, it should be balanced
again.
Running gear settings : an incorrectly posi-
tioned running gear increases the wear of
tyres and affects your safety while driving. If
202