2016 Seat Ateca check engine light

Driving
(automatic gearbox: gear S). Maintain the en-
gine s peed at
approximately 2,000 rpm. The
rise in temperature causes the soot on the fil-
ter to burn. On completion of the cleaning
the warning lamp will switch off. If the warn-
ing lamp does not switch off, go immediately
to a specialised workshop to rectify the prob-
lem.
Engine management*  This warning lamp monitors the engine man-
ag
ement

system for petrol engines.
The warning lamp  (Electronic Power Con-
trol) lights up when the ignition is switched
on while system operation is being verified. It
should go out once the engine is started.
If there is a fault in the electronic engine
management system while you are driving,
this warning lamp will light up. Take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop as soon as
possible and have the engine checked.
Emission control system*  Control lamp
 fla

shes:
When there is misfiring that can damage the
catalytic converter. Reduce speed and drive
carefully to the nearest specialised workshop
to have the engine checked. The control lamp
 lights
up:
If a fault has developed during driving which
has reduced the quality of the exhaust gas
(e.g. lambda probe fault). Reduce speed and
drive carefully to the nearest specialised
workshop to have the engine checked.
Engine pre-heating/fault system*  The warning lamp lights up to show that the
glo
w p

lugs are preheating the diesel engine.
The control lamp  lights up
If the control lamp  lights up when the en-
gine is started it means that the glow plugs
are preheating. The engine can be started
straight away when the lamp switches off.
Control lamp  flashes
If a fault develops in the engine management
system while you are driving, the glow plug
system lamp will flash . Take the vehicle to
a specialised workshop as soon as possible
and have the engine checked. Driving tips
Driv in

g on flooded roads To prevent damage to the vehicle when driv-
in
g thr

ough water, for example, along a floo-
ded road, please observe the following:
● The water should never come above the
low
er edge of the bodywork.
● Drive at pedestrian speed. WARNING
After driving through water, mud, sludge,
et c

., the braking effect can be delayed slight-
ly due to moisture build-up on the discs and
brake pads. Applying the brakes carefully
several times will remove the moisture and
restore the full braking effect. CAUTION
● Driv in

g through flooded areas may severely
damage vehicle components such as the en-
gine, transmission, running gear or electrical
system.
● Whenever driving through water, the Start-
Stop sy
stem* must be switched off
››› page 188. Note
● Chec k

the depth of the water before enter-
ing the flooded zone. » 187
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
● The s lope of
the descent is at least 10%
when driving forward and 9% when driving in
reverse.
● The brake and the accelerator are not
pre
ssed.
Hill Descent Control is deactivated on press-
ing the brake and the accelerator or if the
slope is below 5%. The function may be dis-
connected manually in the Easy Connect sys-
tem by pressing the  button and the
HDCfunction button
››

›
 Fig. 41.
Control lamps
››› in Warning and control lamps on
p ag

e 107. 
It lights up white
Hill Descent Control is active.

It lights up grey
Hill Descent Control is not active. The system is switched
on, but is not adjusting.
Some warning and control lamps will light up
briefly
when the ignition i

s switched on to
check certain functions. They will switch off
after a few seconds. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ››
› in Warning
and c ontr
ol lamps on page 107. WARNING
Always be ready to brake. Otherwise, an acci-
dent c

ould occur and cause injury.
● Hill Descent Control is only an auxiliary
sys
tem that in some situations may not suffi-
ciently brake the vehicle when going down a
slope.
● The speed of the vehicle may increase de-
spit
e the intervention of Hill Descent Control. Auto Hold Function
D e

scription and operation Fig. 170
In the lower part of the centre con-
so l

e: Auto Hold function button. The control light of the 
› ›
›
Fig. 170 button
remains on when the Auto Hold function is
connected. Once connected, the Auto Hold function as-
si

sts the driver in keeping the vehicle station-
ary at repeated intervals or for a certain peri-
od of time with the engine running, for exam-
ple, when going up a slope, when stopped at
traffic lights or in heavy traffic with intermit-
tent stops.
When connected, the Auto Hold function au-
tomatically prevents the vehicle from rolling
when stationary without pressing the brake
pedal.
After detecting that the vehicle is stationary
and the brake pedal has been released, the
Auto Hold function holds the vehicle. The
driver can lift their foot off the brake pedal.
When the driver touches the accelerator ped-
al or accelerates slightly to continue driving,
the Auto Hold function releases the brake.
The vehicle moves according to the slope of
the road.
If the vehicle is stationary and one of the con-
ditions required by the Auto Hold function is
impaired, it disconnects itself and the but-
ton's control light goes out ››› Fig. 170. The
electronic parking brake connects automati-
cally, if necessary, to park the vehicle safe-
ly ››› .
C ondition

s for keeping the vehicle stationary
with the Auto Hold function
● The driver door must be closed.
● The driver's seat belt must be fastened. »
191
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
Indications on the display, warning
and c ontr
ol lamps Fig. 176
On the instrument panel display: (A)
A C

C temporarily inactive, vehicle detected in
front, temporary distance adjusted. (B) ACC
active, vehicle detected in front, temporary
distance adjusted. Status display
Indic
ation

s on the display ››› Fig. 176:
Vehicle in front, the ACC is inactive.
1 Distance margin selected, the ACC is in-
activ
e.
V

ehicle detected in front. The ACC is ac-
tive.
Adjustment of the temporary distance
from the vehicle in front with a program-
med speed.
Temporary distance adjustment from the
vehicle in front with a programmed
speed.
Warning and control lamps
››› in Warning and control lamps on
p ag

e 107. 
The speed reduction by the ACC to
maintain the distance from the vehi-
cle in front is not sufficient.
Brake! apply the foot brake! Driver intervention prompt.

The ACC is not currently available.
a)
With the vehicle stationary, switch off the engine and
start it up again. Check the SEAT badge area on the front
››› Fig. 177 (in case it is dirty or icy or it has been hit). If
it is still unavailable, refer to a specialised workshop to
have the system inspected.
a) The symbol on the instrument panels with colour display is in
colour.
2 3
4
5 The ACC is active.
No vehicle is detected in front. The programmed speed
remains constant.

If the symbol is white: the ACC is ac-
tive.
A vehicle in front has been detected. The ACC adjusts
speed and distance from the vehicle in front.

If the symbol is grey: the ACC is not
active.
The system is switched on, but is not adjusting.


The ACC and the speed limiter are active.


The ACC and the cruise control system (CCS) are active.

It lights up green
The ACC is active.
Some warning and control lamps will light up
briefly
when the ignition i

s switched on to
check certain functions. They will switch off
after a few seconds. »
199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
into account the speed limit for vehicles with
tr
ai
lers in the corresponding country, as it
could be less than the speed limit for vehi-
cles without a trailer.
● Never attempt to “straighten” the towing
vehic
le and trailer while accelerating. WARNING
If the towing bracket has been retrofitted by a
non- S

EAT workshop, the Start-Stop system
must be disconnected manually whenever
driving with a trailer. Otherwise the brake
system could be damaged and could conse-
quently cause a serious accident or injury.
● Always disconnect the Start-Stop system
manua
lly when using a towing bracket that
has not been fitted by a SEAT workshop. Note
● Bef

ore hitching or unhitching a trailer, al-
ways deactivate the anti-theft alarm
››› page 112. Otherwise, the tilt sensor could
cause the alarm to go off.
● Do not drive with a trailer for the engine's
firs
t 1000 km ››› page 184.
● SEAT recommends that, if possible, the tow
hitc
h be disassembled or covered when it is
not going to be used. In the event of a rear-
end collision, the damage to the vehicle
could be greater if the bracket is fitted.
● Some retrofitted towing brackets cover the
re

ar towing eye. In these cases, the towing eye should not be used for tow-starting or for
t
o

wing other vehicles. For this reason, if the
vehicle has been retrofitted with a towing
bracket, always keep the tow hitch in the ve-
hicle when you disassemble it. Control lamp

The tow hitch is not securely locked in
position.
Check that the towing bracket is locked
››› page 257. Some warning and control lamps will light up
briefly
when the ignition i

s switched on to
check certain functions. They will switch off
after a few seconds. WARNING
If the warning lamps and the corresponding
me s

sages are ignored when they light up, the
vehicle may stall in traffic and cause acci-
dents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or messag-
es.
● St

op the vehicle at the next opportunity
and in a saf
e place. CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and corre-
s pondin

g text messages when they light up
may result in damage to the vehicle. Technical requirements
Vehicles that are
fact
ory-equipped with a
towing bracket fulfil all the technical and le-
gal requirements for driving with a trailer.
If the vehicle is retrofitted with a towing
bracket, only a bracket that is authorised for
the maximum authorised load of the trailer
that is to be towed may be fitted. The towing
bracket must be suitable for the vehicle and
the trailer and must be properly secured to
the vehicle's chassis. Only use a towing
bracket that has been authorised by SEAT for
this vehicle. Always check and take into ac-
count the towing bracket manufacturer's in-
structions. Never fit a towing bracket “with
weight distribution” or “load compensation”.
Towing bracket fitted on the bumper
Never fit a towing bracket to the bumper or to
the area where the bumper is mounted. The
towing bracket should not impair the bum-
per's function. Do not make modifications or
repairs to the exhaust system or the brake
system. Make regular checks to ensure that
the towing bracket is secure.
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer increases the load on
the engine and cooling system. The cooling
system should have sufficient coolant and be
prepared for the additional effort involved in
driving with a trailer.
256

Operation
Unlock the tow hitch and remove it
● Stop the vehicle and connect the electronic
p ark
ing brake ››› page 170.
● Switch off the engine.
● Open the rear lid.
● Pull the ››› Fig. 217
button briefly. The tow
hitch unlocks electrically and automatically
turns outwards. The control lamp in the but-
ton will flash ››› Fig. 217.
● Remove the tow hitch with your hand until
you f
eel and see that it has engaged and the
control lamp on the button stays on.
● Close the tailgate.
Co
ver the tow hitch
● Stop the vehicle and apply the electronic
park
ing brake.
● Switch off the engine.
● Unhook the trailer and interrupt the electri-
cal
connection between it and the vehicle. If
you are using an adapter, remove it from the
trailer's power socket.
● Open the rear lid.
● Pull the ››
› Fig. 217 button briefly. The tow
hitch unlocks electrically.
● Turn the tow hitch under the bumper with
your h
and until you feel and see that it en-
gages and the control lamp on the ››› Fig. 217
button stays on.
● Close the tailgate. Meaning of control lamp
●
If the warning light of the button ››
› Fig. 217
is flashing , this means that the tow hitch has
not been attached properly or is damaged
››› .
● If the warning lamp st

ays on with the rear
lid open, the tow hitch is correctly in place
both when engaged and when covered.
● The control lamp of the button will go off
appr
ox. 1 minute after closing the rear lid. WARNING
Undue use of the towing bracket may cause
injur y

and accidents.
● Only use the tow hitch if it is properly en-
gag
ed.
● Always ensure that no person, animal or
ob
ject is to be found in the path of the tow
hitch.
● Never use a tool or instrument while the
to

w hitch is moving.
● Never press the ››
› Fig. 217 button when
there is a trailer hooked to the vehicle or
when a carrier system or other accessories
are mounted on the tow hitch.
● If the tow hitch is not attached properly, do
not u
se it. Instead, go to a specialised work-
shop and have the towing bracket checked.
● If you detect any fault in the electrical sys-
tem or in the t
owing bracket, contact a speci-
alised workshop and ask them to check it. ●
If the b

all has a diameter of less than 49
mm at any one point, do not use the towing
bracket under any circumstances. CAUTION
If you clean the vehicle with high-pressure or
s t

eam devices, do not point the jet directly
towards the retractable tow hitch or the trail-
er power socket, as this may damage the
joints or remove the grease necessary for lu-
brication. Note
At extremely low temperatures, the tow hitch
m a

y be impossible to use. In this case, place
the vehicle in a warmer location (for example,
a garage). Fitting a bicycle carrier on the retract-
ab
l

e tow hitch The maximum allowed weight of the carrier
sy
s

tem, including the load, is 75 kg. The car-
rier system should not protrude more than
700 mm backwards from the spherical head.
Only carrier systems on which up to 3 bikes
can be mounted are allowed. Heavier bicy-
cles must be mounted as close to the vehicle
as possible (tow hitch).
258

Advice
You may also notice that the engine runs at a
s lightly
faster idling speed when necessary.
This is quite normal, and no cause for con-
cern. The increased idling speed allows the
alternator to meet the greater power require-
ment and charge the battery at the same
time. Checking and refilling levels
Fi l
ling the tank
Filling up Read the additional information carefully
› ›

›  page 48
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated cor-
rectly, it will switch itself off as soon as the
fuel tank is “full”. Do not try to put in more
fuel after the nozzle cuts out, as this will fill
the expansion chamber in the fuel tank.
The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is giv-
en on a sticker on the inside of the fuel tank
flap. Further notes on fuel can be found at
››› page 277.
The capacity of your vehicle's fuel tank is giv-
en in ›››
 page 48. WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable and can cause seri-
ou s

burns and other injuries.
● When refuelling, turn off the engine, the
auxi
liary heater ››› page 161 and turn off the
ignition for safety reasons.
● Do not smoke when filling the fuel tank or a
cani
ster. Naked flames are forbidden in the
vicinity due to the risk of explosion. ●
Ob

serve legislation governing the use,
storage and carrying of a spare fuel canister
in the vehicle.
● For safety reasons we do not recommend
carr
ying a spare fuel canister in the vehicle.
In an accident the canister could be damaged
and could leak.
● If, in exceptional circumstances, you have
to c
arry a spare fuel canister, please observe
the following points:
– Never fill fuel into the spare fuel canister
if it is inside or on top of the vehicle. An
electrostatic charge could build up during
filling, causing the fuel vapour to ignite.
Danger of explosion. Always place the
canister on the ground to fill it.
– Insert the filling nozzle as far as possible
into the spare fuel canister.
– If the spare fuel canister is made of met-
al, the filling nozzle must be in contact
with the canister during filling. This
helps prevent an electrostatic charge
building up.
– Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the
luggage compartment. Fuel vapour is ex-
plosive. Risk of fatal accident! CAUTION
● If an

y fuel is spilt onto the vehicle, it
should be removed immediately. It could oth-
erwise damage the paintwork.
● Never run the tank completely dry. An irreg-
ul

ar fuel supply could cause misfiring. As a 276

Checking and refilling levels
result, unburnt fuel could enter the exhaust
sy
s
tem and damage the catalytic converter.
● When filling the fuel tank after having run it
comp
letely dry on a vehicle with a diesel en-
gine, the ignition must be switched on for at
least 30 seconds before starting the engine.
When you then start the engine it may take
longer than normal (up to one minute) to
start firing. This is because air needs to be
bled from the fuel system while starting. For the sake of the environment
Do not overfill the fuel tank, it may cause the
f uel

to overflow if it becomes warm. Note
There is no emergency mechanism for the
m anua

l release of the fuel tank flap. If neces-
sary, request assistance from specialised per-
sonnel. Note
Diesel vehicles are fitted with a protective de-
v ic

e that prevents the insertion of the wrong
fuel hose 1)
. It is only possible to refuel with
Diesel nozzles.
● If the pump nozzle is worn, damaged, or if
it i
s very small, it is possible that it will not
be able to open the protective device. Before
trying to insert the pump nozzle by turning it, try a different pump or request specialist
help
.
● If

you fill the tank from a reserve fuel canis-
ter
, the protective device will not open. One
way to resolve this is to pour the fuel in very
slowly. Fuel
Ty

pes of petrol The correct grade of petrol is listed inside the
f
uel

tank flap.
The vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con-
verter and must only be run on unleaded pet-
rol. The petrol must comply with European
Standard EN 228 or German standard DIN
51626-1 and must be unleaded. You can re-
fuel with a maximum ethanol proportion of
10 % (E10). The types of petrol are differenti-
ated by their octane rating (RON).
The following titles appear on the corre-
sponding adhesive on the fuel tank flap: Super unleaded 95 octane or normal 91 oc-
tane u

nleaded petrol
We recommend you use super 95 octane pet-
rol. If this is not available: normal 91 octane
petrol, with a slight decrease in power.
Super unleaded petrol with a minimum of 95
octanes
You should use super petrol with a minimum
of 95 octanes.
If super is not available, in an emergency you
may refuel with normal 91 octane petrol. In
this case only use moderate engine speeds
and a light throttle. Refuel with super as soon
as possible.
Super unleaded 98 octane or super 95 oc-
tane unleaded petrol
We recommend you use super plus 98 octane
petrol. If this is not available: super 95 oc-
tane petrol, with a slight decrease in power.
If super is not available, in an emergency you
may refuel with normal 91 octane petrol. In
this case only use moderate engine speeds
and a light throttle. Refuel with super as soon
as possible. »1)
Depending on country
277
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● The v
ehicle is not designed for the use of
FAME fuel (biodiesel). The fuel system would
be damaged if you used biodiesel.
● Do not mix fuel additives, the so-called
“thinners”, petr
ol or similar additives with
diesel fuel.
● If poor-quality diesel fuel is used, it may be
nece
ssary to drain the fuel filter more fre-
quently than is specified in the Maintenance
Programme. We recommend having this done
by a specialised workshop. If water is allowed
to collect in the filter, this can cause engine
performance problems. Exhaust purification system for
v
ehic

les with diesel engines
(AdBlue ®
)
Introduction To reduce emissions, SCR (Selective Catalytic
R
eduction) c

an be used in vehicles with die-
sel engines. Through the special urea solu-
tion AdBlue ®
, SCR transforms nitrogen ox-
ides into nitrogen and water.
AdBlue ®
is stored in a separate tank in the
vehicle ›››
page 280. WARNING
If the level of AdBlue ®
is
too low and the igni-
tion is switched off, it will no longer be possi-
ble to re-start the engine. Not even by jump-
starting the car!
● Insert enough AdBlue ®
when the dis
tance
to empty is approx. 1000 km, at the latest.
● Never run the AdBlue ®
tank
completely dry. WARNING
AdBlue ®
is an irritant, corrosive liquid that
c
an cause injuries if it comes into contact
with the skin, eyes or respiratory organs.
● Before opening an AdBlue ®
rec
ipient, al-
ways take the manufacturer's instructions for
use into account. If the instructions are fol-
lowed correctly, it is not likely that the user
will come into contact with AdBlue ®
.
● If AdBlue ®
come
s into contact with your
eyes, rinse it immediately with plenty of wa-
ter for at least 15 minutes before seeking
medical attention.
● If AdBlue ®
come
s into contact with your
skin, rinse with water for at least 15 minutes
and, in case of skin irritation, seek medical
attention immediately.
● If you accidentally swallow AdBlue ®
, rinse
y

our mouth with plenty of water for at least
15 minutes. Do not induce vomiting unless
advised to by a doctor. Seek immediate medi-
cal attention. CAUTION
AdBlue ®
m ay damage the vehicle's painted
s
urfaces, plastic, upholstery and carpet,
among other things. In case of a spill, clean it
as soon as possible with a damp cloth and
plenty of cold water.
● Remove the AdBlue ®
that
has crystallised
with hot water and a sponge. Warning and control lamps

It lights up red
Unable to start
the engine! The
level of AdBlue is
too low.Park the vehicle on level ground,
taking the appropriate and neces-
sary safety precautions and fill the
tank with the necessary minimum
amount of AdBlue ®
››› page 280. 
It lights up yellow
AdBlue
®
level is
low.
Fill tank with AdBlue ®
before the
indicated number of kilometres
››› page 280. SEAT recommends
contacting a specialised work-
shop.
» 279
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety