2015 Seat Mii winter tyres

The essentials
Tyres with compulsory direction of ro-
t ation A directional tread pattern can be identified
by
the arr
ows on the sidewall that point in
the direction of rotation. Always observe the
direction of rotation indicated when fitting
the wheel to guarantee optimum properties
of this type of tyres with regard to grip,
noises, wear and aquaplaning.
If it is absolutely necessary to fit the spare
tyre* against the direction of rotation, drive
with care as this means the tyre does not of-
fer optimum driving properties. This is of par-
ticular importance when the road surface is
wet.
To return to directional tread tires, replace
the punctured tyre as soon as possible and
restore the obligatory direction of rotation of
all tyres.
After the wheel change ●
Clean the vehicle tools, if necessary and
p ut
them a

way in the luggage compartment
foam holder ›››
 page 69.
● Store the spare wheel, the temporary spare
wheel or the ch
anged wheel securely in the
luggage compartment. ●
Have the tightenin
g torque of the wheel
bolts checked as soon as possible with a tor-
que wrench ››› page 37.
● Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as
poss
ible.
Snow chains Action When using snow chains, applicable local
l
e
gi

slation and maximum permitted speed
limits must be observed.
In winter weather, snow chains not only help
to improve grip but also improve the braking
capacity.
The fitting of chains is permitted only on
front wheels and with the following combi-
nations of wheel trims and tyres :
Tyre sizeWheel rim
165/70 R145 J x 14 offset of 35175/65 R14 SEAT recommends you ask a technical serv-
ic
e f
or f

urther information on wheel, tyre and
chain sizes.
Wherever possible use fine-link chains meas-
uring less than 15 mm including the lock. Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings be-
fore fittin

g snow chains ››› . The wheel bolts
shou l
d be c
overed with caps for safety rea-
sons. These are available from technical serv-
ices.
Temporary spare wheel
For technical reasons, snow chains must not
be used on the compact temporary spare
wheel ›››
 page 204.
If it is necessary to fit chains with the tempo-
rary spare wheel in use, install the wheel on
the rear axle in the event of a fault in a front
wheel. Then, fit the rear wheel that is free, in-
stead of the damaged front wheel. In this sit-
uation, observe the rotating direction of the
wheels. SEAT recommends attaching the
snow chains before fitting the wheel. WARNING
The use of unsuitable or incorrectly fitted
ch ain

s could lead to serious accidents and
damage.
● Always the appropriate snow chains.
● Observe the fitting instructions provided by
the snow c
hain manufacturer.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speeds
when driving with snow chains.40

Operation
for the vehicle is not too different to the out-
s ide t
emper
ature. It is a good idea to air the
vehicle before starting your journey and to
drive a short distance with the windows
open. Then you can close the windows and
switch on the air conditioning. Keep windows
closed when travelling at high speeds. Driv-
ing with the windows open increases fuel
consumption.
● Switch off the seat heating when the seats
have w
armed up.
● Switch off the heated rear window when it
is not
moist or covered in ice.
Avoid short journeys
Fuel consumption is much higher when the
engine is cold, immediately after it has been
started. It takes a few kilometres of driving
for the engine to warm up and to normalise
consumption.
The engine and catalytic converter need to
reach their proper working temperature in or-
der to minimise fuel consumption and emis-
sions. The ambient temperature has a deci-
sive influence.
Fig. 147 shows the difference in consump-
tion for the same journey at +20 °C (+68 °F)
and at -10 °C (+14 °F).
Therefore, unnecessary short journeys
should be avoided. Try to combine trips. The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in
summer, ev

en when other conditions are the
same.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. In addition, mechanical
wear and pollutant emissions are also espe-
cially high during this initial warm-up phase.
It is therefore best to drive off immediately af-
ter starting the engine. Doing this avoids run-
ning the engine at a high speed.
Adjusting type pressures.
Having the correct pressure in your tyres
helps to reduce rolling resistance and, as a
result reduces fuel consumption. Increasing
the tyre pressure slightly (+0.2
bar/+3 psi/+200 kPa) can help to save fuel.
When you buy new tyres, make sure they are
optimised for minimum rolling resistance.
Use low friction engine oil
The use of low viscosity totally synthetic oils,
known as low friction engine oil, helps to re-
duce fuel consumption. These oils reduce the
resistance caused by friction in the engine,
they flow around the engine more quickly
and efficiently, particularly in cold starts. The
effect is particularly noticeable in vehicles
frequently used for short journeys.
Always check the engine oil level and ob-
serve service intervals (engine oil change in-
tervals). When purchasing engine oil, always observe
leg
al requirements and ensure that the oil is
approved by SEAT.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical
and ecological the driving style. For example,
an additional weight of 100 kg will increase
fuel consumption up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove any unnecessary objects or loads
from the vehicle.
Remove optional equipment and unnecessa-
ry accessories
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the lower
the fuel consumption. Optional equipment
and accessories (such as roof racks or bike
carriers) reduce the aerodynamic benefits of
the vehicle.
Therefore, we recommend you remove all op-
tional and unnecessary equipment and racks,
especially if you intend to drive at high
speeds.
Other factors which increase fuel consump-
tion (examples):
● Fault in engine management.
● Driving on hills.
144

Advice
SEAT recommends the use of car washes
w ithout
bru
shes.
To remove traces of wax on windows and to
prevent wiper blades from scratching, please
observe the following ››› page 169, Cleaning
windows and exterior mirrors .
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove or brush using only slight pressure.
Start at the roof and work downwards. Spe-
cial car shampoo should only be used for
very persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
Sharp components on the vehicle may cause
injury .
● Pr

otect arms and hands from sharp edges
when cle
aning the vehicle undercarriage or
the interior of the wheel hubs. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing eff ect

will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
caref
ully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process. CAUTION
● The wat er t

emperature should not exceed
+60 °C (+140 °F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the
vehicle in full sun.
● Do not use rough sponges or similar which
coul
d damage the surface to clean away the
traces of insects.
● Never wipe the headlights with a dry cloth
or spong
e, always moisten first. It is best to
use soapy water.
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
When washin
g the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! CAUTION
To avoid any risk of damage to the vehicle,
pl e

ase check the following points before us-
ing an automatic car wash: ●
Comp ar

e the distance between the vehicle
wheels and the distance between the guide-
rails of the car wash to prevent damage to the
wheels and tyres!
● Switch off the rain sensor before taking the
vehicl
e to an automatic car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehi-
cle w
ith the available height and width when
entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retracta-
ble e
xterior mirrors must not be folded in or
out by hand. Always use the electrical power
control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork,
res
t the windscreen wipers on the windscreen
after drying the wiper blades. Do not let them
fall!
● Lock the rear lid to prevent it from opening
unexpect
edly while inside the car wash. Washing the vehicle with a high pres-
s
ur
e c

leaner When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pres-
s
ur
e c

leaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. Pay special at-
tention to the required pressure of the jet
and the distance between the jet and the ve-
hicle ››› .
K eep a s uit

able distance from soft materials,
such as rubber hoses or insulating material,
168

Care and maintenance
and from the parking distance warning sys-
t em sen
sor
s. The sensors of the parking dis-
tance warning system are situated on the rear
bumper ››› .
Do not u
se a no

zzle that sprays the water out
in a direct stream or one that has a rotating
jet for forcing off dirt ››› .
WARNING
The incorrect use of high pressure cleaning
equipment c ou

ld result in permanent dam-
age, visible or invisible, to the tyres or other
materials. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.
● Ensure there is a suitable distance between
the nozzl
e and the tyres.
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or
so-cal
led “dirt blasters”. Even at large spray-
ing distances and short cleaning times, you
may damage the tyres. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing eff ect

will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
caref
ully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process. CAUTION
● The wat er t

emperature should not exceed
+60 °C (+140 °F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the
vehicle in full sun.
● To ensure that the system functions well,
the sensors
located on the bumper must be
kept clean and free from ice. When cleaning
with pressure hoses and steam cleaners, the
sensors should be sprayed only briefly. A dis-
tance of 10 cm between the sensors and the
steam / hose nozzle must be observed.
● Do not use a high pressure cleaner to re-
move ic
e or snow from windows
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
When washin
g the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! Cleaning windows and exterior mir-
r
or
s Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
S
pr
a

y windows and exterior windows with a
standard window cleaner containing alcohol.
Dry the windows with a clean chamois leath-
er or a lint-free cloth. The chamois leathers
used on painted surfaces are not suitable for
cleaning windows because they are soiled with wax deposits which could smear the
window

s.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to
clean rubber, oil, grease and silicone depos-
its off ››› .
R emo
v

ing wax residue
Automatic car washes and certain car care
products may leave wax deposits on the win-
dows. These deposits can only be removed
with a special product or cleaning cloths. If
wax deposits are left on the windscreen and
the rear window, the blades can scratch the
glass. SEAT recommends you wipe the wax
deposits off the windscreen and the rear win-
dow with a soft cloth each time after you
have washed the vehicle.
A window cleaning detergent which helps to
dissolve the wax may be added to the wind-
screen washer fluid to prevent the wiper
blades from scratching the windscreen.
Please ensure you add the cleaning product
in the correct proportions. Products for re-
moving grease do not eliminate the wax de-
posits ››› .
S pec
i

al cleaning products or window cloths
are available at any technical service. To re-
move wax deposits, SEAT recommends the
following products: »
169
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

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

Wheels and tyres
tyres wear too quickly, have the wheel align-
ment c
hec
ked at a specialised workshop. WARNING
If you notice unusual vibration or the car pulls
to one s ide whi

le driving, this may indicate
that one of the tyres is damaged.
● Reduce speed immediately and stop, while
obser
ving the highway code.
● Check the wheels and tyres for damage.
● Never carry on driving on worn tyres or
wheels. Reque
st qualified assistance immedi-
ately.
● If there is no visible exterior damage, drive
slowly
and carefully to the nearest special-
ised workshop and have the vehicle checked. Tyre monitor system* 
Fig. 175
Centre console: tyre monitor system
b utt
on The tyre control lamp compares wheel revolu-
tion
s
and w

ith it, the wheel diameter of each
wheel using the ESC. If the diameter of a
wheel changes, the tyre control lamp 
lights up. The wheel diameter changes when:
● Tyre pressure is insufficient.
● The tyre structure is damaged.
● The vehicle is unbalanced because of a
load.
● The wheel

s of one axle are under more
pres
sure (for example, driving with a trailer or
on steep slopes).
● The vehicle is fitted with snow chains.
● The temporary spare wheel is fitted.
● The wheel on one axle is changed.
Tyr
e pressure adjustment
On adjusting tyre pressure or changing one
or more wheels, the ››› Fig. 175 button must
be kept pressed down, with the ignition on,
until an acoustic signal is heard.
If the wheels are under excessive load (for ex-
ample, driving with a trailer or heavy load),
the tyre pressure must be increased to the
recommended value for a full load (see the
sticker on the inside of the fuel flap). If the
tyre monitor system button is pressed down,
the new tyre pressures are confirmed. The tyre pressure control lamp
 lights up
If
the tyre pressure of a wheel is much lower
than the value set by the driver, then the tyre
pressure control lamp ››› will light up.
WARNING
● When the tyr e pr

essure control lamp lights
up, reduce speed immediately and avoid any
sudden turning or braking manoeuvre. Stop
when possible, and check the tyre pressure
and status.
● The driver is responsible for maintaining
correct
tyre pressures. For this reason, tyre
pressure must be regularly checked.
● Under certain circumstances (e.g. when
driving in a s
porty manner, in winter condi-
tions or on a dirt track) the tyre control lamp
may light up belatedly or may function incor-
rectly. Note
If the battery is disconnected, the yellow
warnin g l

amp  lights up after turning the
ignition on. This should turn off after a brief
journey. 203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Spare wheel or temporary spare
wheel* Fig. 176
In the luggage compartment: hand
c ontr
o
lled wheel for securing the spare wheel Removing the spare wheel
● Open the rear lid and lift the luggage com-
p ar
tment

shelf ››› page 118.
● If necessary, remove the boot variable floor
›››
page 118.
● Lift up the carpet from the recess and re-
move it
from the luggage compartment.
● If necessary, take out the vehicle tool kit
with the cont
ainer.
● Completely remove the hand controlled
wheel from the c
entre of the spare wheel
››› Fig. 176 by turning it in an anticlockwise
direction, and take out the spare wheel. Storing the replaced wheel
● Pull back the carpet.
● With the wheel rim facing downwards, sit-
uate the rep
laced wheel in the spare wheel
well so that the wheel rim central hole coin-
cides with the opening.
● Turn the hand controlled wheel with the
shank s
crewed clockwise until the replaced
wheel is secured.
● If necessary, store the vehicle tool in the
container
, inside the boot.
● Replace the carpet on the boot floor.
● Lower the rear shelf.
● Close the rear lid.
If the sp
are wheel is different to the rest of
the vehicle tyres
If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres
that are mounted on the vehicle - for example
with winter tyres or the temporary spare
wheel - you should only use the spare tyre for
a short period of time and drive with extra
care ››› .
R efit
the norm

al road wheel as soon as possi-
ble.
Please observe driving advice:
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and
fas
t cornering. ●
Snow ch
ains on the temporary spare wheel
are not permitted ›››
 page 40.
● After mounting the spare wheel or the tem-
porary
spare wheel, check the tyre pressure
as soon as possible ››› page 200.
It is advisable to check the spare wheel or
temporary spare wheel tyre pressure when
checking the rest of the vehicle wheels at
least once a month. The spare wheel should
have the highest pressure allowed for the ve-
hicle ››› page 200. The sticker situated on the
temporary spare wheel shows the tyre pres-
sure. WARNING
Incorrect handling of the spare wheel or the
tempor ar

y spare wheel can cause loss of ve-
hicle control, producing collisions or other
serious accidents and injury.
● Never use the spare wheel or the temporary
spar
e wheel if it is damaged or worn to the
wear indicator.
● In some vehicles the spare wheel is smaller
than the origina
l tyres. This can be seen on a
sticker showing the text “80 km/h” and
“50 mph”. This text indicates the maximum
velocity permitted for this type of tyre.
● Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
Avoid po
werful acceleration, hard braking
and taking corners at high speed.
● Never drive more than 200 km with a tem-
porary
spare wheel fitted to the drive axle.204