2016 Seat Ateca Owner's Manual

Checking and refilling levels
Topping up coolant
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the coolant expansion tank cap with
a c loth and c
arefully unscrew it to the left
››› .
– Top up the coolant only if there is still cool-
ant in the e

xpansion tank, otherwise you
could damage the engine. If there is no
coolant in the expansion tank, do not con-
tinue driving. You should obtain professio- nal assistance ››› .
– If there is still some coolant in the expan-
sion t

ank, top up to the upper mark.
– Top up with coolant until the level becomes
st

able.
– Screw the cap back on correctly.
Any
loss of coolant fluid normally indicates a
leak in the cooling system. Take the vehicle
straight to a specialised workshop to have
the cooling system examined. If there are no
leaks in the engine cooling system, a loss of
coolant can only occur if the coolant boils
and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating. WARNING
● The c oo

ling system is under pressure. Do
not unscrew the cap on the coolant expan-
sion tank when the engine is hot: risk of
burns! ●
The antifr eez

e and coolant fluid can be a
health hazard. Therefore, the antifreeze
should be stored in the original container in a
safe place out of reach of children. Failure to
comply could result in poisoning.
● If working inside the engine compartment,
remember th
at, even when the ignition is
switched off, the radiator fan may start up au-
tomatically, and therefore there is a risk of in-
jury. WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the cool-
ant sy

stem, the engine may fail leading to se-
rious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of
ad
ditive is correct with respect to the lowest
expected ambient temperature in the zone in
which the vehicle is to be used.
● When the outside temperature is very low,
the coo
lant could freeze and the vehicle
would be immobilised. In this case, the heat-
ing would not work either and inadequately
dressed passengers could die of cold. CAUTION
Do not top up the expansion tank with cool-
ant fluid if

it is empty! Air could enter the
cooling system. In this case, stop driving.
Seek specialist assistance. Otherwise, there
is a risk of engine damage. CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed
w ith c

oolants which are not approved by
SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing
severe damage to the engine and the engine
cooling system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not pur-
pl

e but is, for example, brown, this indicates
that the G13 additive has been mixed with an
inadequate coolant. The coolant must be
changed as soon as possible if this is the
case! This could result in serious faults and
engine damage. For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the
en v

ironment. If any fluids are spilled, they
should be collected and correctly disposed
of, with respect to the environment. Brake fluid
Top

ping up brake fluid Read the additional information carefully
› ›

›  page 50
Checking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid level must be between the
MIN and MAX markings. »
287
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
However, if the brake fluid level goes down
notic e
ably in a short time, or drops below the
MIN mark, there may be a leak in the brake
system. Seek specialist assistance. A warn-
ing light on the instrument panel display
monitors the brake fluid level ››› page 106.
In right-hand drive vehicles the brake fluid
reservoir is on the other side of the engine
compartment.
Changing brake fluid
The regular intervals at which the brake fluid
should be replaced are listed in the Mainte-
nance Programme. We recommend you have
it replaced at a SEAT Official Service, during
an Inspection Service. WARNING
● Br ak

e fluid should be stored in the closed
original container in a safe place out of reach
of children. Risk of poisoning!
● If the brake fluid is left in the system for
too lon
g and the brakes are subjected to
heavy use, vapour bubbles may form in the
brake system. This would seriously affect the
efficiency of the brakes and the safety of the
vehicle. This may cause an accident. CAUTION
Brake fluid should not come into contact with
the v

ehicle paintwork, as it is abrasive. Windscreen washer reservoir
Chec k

ing and topping up the wind-
screen washer reservoir Read the additional information carefully
› ›

›  page 50
Check the water level in the windscreen
washer reservoir regularly and top up as re-
quired.
The container for the windscreen washer con-
tains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen,
the rear window and the headlight washer
system*.
● Open the bonnet  ›
›
›
page 282.
● The windscreen washer reservoir is marked
with the symbo
l  on the cap.
● Check there is enough windscreen water in
the re
servoir.
Recommended windscreen wipers
● For the hottest seasons we recommend
summer G 052 184 A1 f
or clear glass. Propor-
tions of the mixture in the washer fluid tank:
1:100 (1 part concentrate per 100 parts wa-
ter).
● All year round, G 052 164 A2 for clear
gla
ss. Approximate proportion of the winter
mixture, up to -18°C (0°F): 1:2 (1 part con-
centrate per 2 parts water); otherwise, a 1:4 proportion of mixture in the washer fluid
tank.
C

apacity
The reservoir holds approximately 3 litres in
versions without headlight washer and 5 li-
tres in versions with headlight washer. WARNING
If the water from the windscreen washer does
not c

ontain enough anti-freeze, it may freeze
on the windscreen and rear window, reducing
forward and rear visibility.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer
cont
ains enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the
wind
screen wiper system unless you have
warmed the windscreen with the ventilation
system. The antifreeze could freeze on the
windscreen and reduce visibility. WARNING
Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other
s imi

lar additives with the windscreen washer
water. A greasy layer may be formed on the
windscreen which will impair visibility.
● Use clean water with a window cleaner rec-
ommended by
SEAT.
● If necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to
the wat
er in the reservoir.288

Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● Do not mi
x cleaning products recommen-
ded by SEAT with other products. This could
lead to flocculation and may block the wind-
screen washer jets.
● When topping up service fluids, make abso-
lutely
certain that you fill the fluids into the
correct reservoirs. Using the wrong fluids
could cause serious malfunctions and engine
damage!
● Not having windscreen wiper fluid reduces
vi

sibility through the windscreen, and leads
to loss of visibility in headlights in models
with headlight washer. Battery
Gener a

l information Read the additional information carefully
› ›

›  page 50.
The battery is located in the engine compart-
ment and is almost maintenance-free. It is
checked as part of the Inspection Service.
Nevertheless, check the terminals are clean
and have the correct tightening torque, espe-
cially in summer and winter.
Disconnecting the battery
The battery should only be disconnected in
exceptional cases. When the battery is dis- connected, some of the vehicle's functions
are “lo

st” (››› table on page 289). These
functions will require resetting after the bat-
tery is reconnected.
Deactivate the anti-theft alarm* before you
disconnect the battery Otherwise the alarm
will be triggered.
FunctionReprogramming
One-touch function of
the electric windows››› page 128, One-touch
opening and closing.
Remote control key
If the vehicle does not re-
spond to the key, they
should be synchronised
››› page 120.
Digital clock››› page 104.
ESC warning lampAfter driving for a few me-
tres, the warning lamp goes
out again. If the vehicle is not used for long periods
The
v

ehicle has a system for monitoring the
current consumption when the engine is left
unused for long periods of time ››› page 274.
Some functions, such as the interior lights, or
the remote door opening, may be temporarily
disabled to prevent the battery from running
flat. These functions will come back on as
soon as the ignition is switched on and the
engine started. Winter conditions
Durin

g the winter, the starting power may be
reduced, and if necessary, the battery should
be charged ››› in Important safety warn-
in g

s for handling a vehicle battery on
page 290
Important safety warnings for han-
dling a
vehicle battery All work on batteries requires specialist
kno
wl

edge. Please refer to a SEAT Official
Service or a workshop specialising in batter-
ies: risk of burns or exploding battery!
The battery must not be opened. Never try to
change the fluid level of the battery. Other-
wise explosive gas is released from the bat-
tery that could cause an explosion. 
Wear eye protection.

Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear
protective gloves and eye protection. In the event
of electrolyte splashes, rinse off with plenty of
water.

Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are pro-
hibited.

The battery should only be charged in a well-ven-
tilated zone. Risk of explosion!

Keep children away from acid and batteries!»
289
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
WARNING
● When r ep
airing or working on the electrical
system, proceed as follows:
–1. Remove the key from the ignition. The
negative cable on the battery must be
disconnected.
– 2. When the repair is finished, reconnect
the negative pole of the battery.
● Switch off all electrical devices before re-
connectin
g the battery. Reconnect first the
positive cable and then the negative cable.
Never reverse the polarity of the connections.
This could cause an electrical fire.
● Ensure that the vent hose is always connec-
ted t
o the battery.
● Never use damaged batteries. This could
cau
se an explosion! Replace a damaged bat-
tery immediately. CAUTION
● Nev er di

sconnect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components. Charging the battery
Terminals for charging the battery are fitted
in the en
gine c

ompartment. –
Note the w
arnings ››› in Important safety
w arnin
gs for handling a vehicle battery on
page 290 and ››› .
– Switch off all electrical devices. Remove the
ignition k ey

.
– Raise the bonnet ››
› page 283.
– Open the battery cover.
– Connect the charger clamps as described
to the

positive pole of the battery (+) and
exclusively to an earth on the bodywork
(–).
– Only use a charger which is compatible for
use w

ith 12 V nominal voltage batteries.
The charge must not exceed a voltage of 15
V.
– Now connect the battery charger to the
pow

er socket and switch on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the
batt

ery charger and disconnect the power
socket cable.
– Finally disconnect the charger cables from
the batt

ery.
– Replace the battery cover correctly.
– Close the bonnet ››
› page 283.
Important: Before you charge the battery
make sure you read the manufacturer's in-
structions for using the battery charger. WARNING
Never charge a battery that has frozen: re-
p l

ace battery! Failure to do so may lead to an
explosion. Note
Use only the terminals in the engine compart-
ment t

o charge the battery. Replacing the battery
The new battery should have the same speci-
fic
ation

s (amperage, load and voltage) as the
used battery.
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent
power management system to control the
distribution of electrical energy ›››
page 274.
The power management function ensures
that the battery is charged much more effi-
ciently than on vehicles without a power
management system. To maintain this func-
tion after replacing the battery, we recom-
mend that the replacement battery used is of
the same make and type as the original fitted
battery. To make proper use of the power
management function after the battery has
been changed, have the battery coded to the
power management mode at a specialised
workshop.
290

Wheels
CAUTION
● Some v
ehicles, for example those with the
Start-Stop system* are fitted with a special
battery (AGM-type or EFB-type battery). If any
other type of battery is fitted, the Start-Stop
function may be considerably reduced and
the vehicle may not stop on repeated occa-
sions.
● Make sure that the vent hose is always at-
tac
hed to the original opening on the side of
the battery. Gases or battery acid can other-
wise escape and possibly cause damage.
● The battery holder and clamps must always
be corr
ectly secured.
● Before starting any work on the battery, al-
wa
ys observe the warnings listed under
››› page 289, Important safety warnings for
handling a vehicle battery .
● Do not forget to replace the battery cover-
ing
s, where applicable. It is a protection for
high temperatures. This in turn extends the
vehicle service life. For the sake of the environment
 B atteries contain toxic substances includ-
in
g sulphuric acid and lead. They must be
disposed of appropriately and must not be
disposed of with ordinary household waste.
Make sure disconnected batteries cannot tip
over. Sulphuric acid could be spilt! Wheels
Wheel s

and tyres
General notes –
When driving with new ty r
es, be especially
careful during the first 500 km (300 miles).
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar
ob

stacle, drive very slowly and as near as
possible at a right angle to the obstacle.
– Check from time to time if the tyres are
dam

aged (punctures, cuts, cracks or
dents). Remove any foreign objects embed-
ded in the treads.
– Damaged wheels and tyres must be re-
pl

aced immediately.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Replace any missing valve caps as soon as
pos

sible.
– Mark the wheels before taking them off so
that

they rotate in the same direction when
put back.
– When removed, the wheels or tyres should
be st

ored in a cool, dry and preferably dark
place.
New tyres
New tyres do not give maximum grip straight
away and should therefore be “run in” by driving carefully and at moderate speeds for
about the fir

st 500 km (300 miles). This will
also increase the useful life of the tyres.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, ac-
cording to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern.
Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily
visible. If you notice unusual vibration or the
car pulling to one side, this may indicate that
one of the tyres is damaged. Reduce speed
immediately if there is any reason to suspect
that damage may have occurred. Inspect the
tyres for damage. If no external damage is
visible, drive slowly and carefully to the near-
est specialised workshop and have the car
inspected.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the di-
rection of rotation on single drive tyres. Al-
ways note the direction of rotation indicated
when mounting the wheel. This guarantees
optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplan-
ing, excessive noise and wear.
Retrofitting accessories
If you wish to change or fit wheels, rims or
wheel trims, we recommend that you consult
with a SEAT Official Service centre for advice
regarding current techniques.
291
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Tyre useful life Fig. 224
Location of the tyre pressure sticker. Correct inflation pressures and sensible driv-
in
g h
abits will increase the useful life of your
tyres.
– Check tyre pressure at least once a month,
and also prior t

o any long trip.
– The tyre pressure should only be checked
when the tyr

es are cold. Do not reduce the
pressure of warm tyres.
– Adjust tyre pressure to the load being car-
ried by

the vehicle. –
In v
ehicles with a tyre pressure indicator,
save the pressure of modified tyres
››› page 295, ››› page 292.
– Avoid fast cornering and hard acceleration.
– Inspect the tyres for irregular wear from
time to time.
The u

seful life of your tyres depends on the
following factors:
Tyre pressure
The tyre inflation pressures are listed on a
sticker inside the driver door pillar
››› Fig. 224.
Insufficient or excessive pressure greatly re-
duces the useful life of the tyres and adverse-
ly affects vehicle performance and ride. Cor-
rect inflation pressures are very important,
especially at high speeds.
Depending on the vehicle, tyre pressure can
be adjusted to medium load to improve driv-
ing comfort (“comfort” tyre pressure). When
driving with comfort tyre pressure fuel con-
sumption may increase slightly.
The tyre pressure must be adjusted according
to the load the vehicle is carrying. If the vehi-
cle is going to carry the maximum load, the
tyre pressure should be increased to the max-
imum value indicated on the sticker
››› Fig. 224. Do not forget the spare wheel when checking
the tyr

e pressures: Keep this spare wheel in-
flated to the highest pressure required for the
road wheels.
In the case of a minimised temporary spare
wheel (125/70 R18) inflate to a pressure of
4.2 bar as indicated on the tyre pressure la-
bel ››› Fig. 224.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard
braking (squealing tyres) all increase tyre
wear.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced.
However, certain circumstances may lead to
imbalance (run-out), which is detected as vi-
brations in the steering wheel.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as
they otherwise cause excessive wear on
steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted
or if a tyre is repaired.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect running gear alignment causes ex-
cessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of the
vehicle. If you notice excessive tyre wear, you
should check wheel alignment at a SEAT Offi-
cial Service.
292

Wheels
WARNING
● Alw
ays adapt the tyre pressure accordingly
when the vehicle load changes.
● A tyre with low air pressure has to flex a lot
more when the
vehicle is heavily loaded or at
high speeds, therefore causing overheating
to occur. Under these conditions, the tyre
bead may be released or the tyre may burst.
Risk of accident! For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
s umption. Wear indicators
Fig. 225
Tyre tread: tread wear indicators Tread wear indicators indicate if a tyre is
w
orn. The origin

al tyres on your vehicle have
1.6 mm high “tre
ad wear indicators” running
across the tread. Depending on the manufac-
turer, there will be 6 to 8 of them spaced at
equal distances around the tyre. Markings on
the tyre sidewall (for instance the letters
“TWI” or a triangle) indicate the positions of
the tread wear indicators.
The minimum tread depth required by law is
1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next
to the tread wear indicators). (Different fig-
ures may apply in other countries.) WARNING
The tyres must be replaced at the latest when
the tr e

ad is worn down to the tread wear indi-
cators. Failure to follow this instruction could
result in an accident.
● Especially in difficult driving conditions
suc
h as wet or icy roads. It is important that
the tyre tread be as deep as possible and be
approximately the same on the tyres of both
the front and the rear axles.
● The scant driving safety due to insufficient
tre
ad depth is particularly evident in vehicle
handling, when there is a risk of “aquaplan-
ing” in deep puddles of water and when driv-
ing through corners, and braking is also ad-
versely affected.
● The speed has to be adapted accordingly,
otherw
ise there is a risk of losing control over
the vehicle. Changing wheels
Fig. 226
Interchanging tyres. To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres
the wheel
s

should be changed round from
time to time according to the system
››› Fig. 226. The useful life of all the tyres will
then be about the same time.
New tyres or new wheels –
All four wheels must be fitted with tyres of
the s ame type, s

ize (rolling circumference)
and preferably the same tread pattern.
– Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs
and not indiv

idually (i.e. both front tyres or
both rear tyres together).
– Do not use tyres whose effective size ex-
ceed

s the dimensions of the factory-ap-
proved makes of tyre. »
293
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
– If
you wish to fit the vehicle with rims or
tyres different to those installed in manu-
facture, it is advisable to consult a SEAT Of- ficial Service before purchasing them.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential
part of the vehicle's design. The tyres and
rims approved by SEAT are specially matched
to the characteristics of the vehicle and make
a major contribution to good roadholding
and safe handling ››› .
The s iz

es of the rims and tyres approved for
your vehicle are listed in the vehicle docu-
mentation (e.g. EC Certificate of Conformity or
COC document 1)
). The vehicle documentation
varies depending on the country of resi-
dence.
A knowledge of tyre designations makes it
easier to choose the correct tyres. The follow-
ing wording can be read on the sides of the
tyre:
215/60 R16 95V
This contains the following information:
215Tyre width in mm
60Height/width ratio in %
RTyre construction: Radial
16Rim diameter in inches
95Load rating code
VSpeed index The m
anufacturing date is also indicated on
the ty
re sidewall (possibly only on the inner
part):
DOT ... 2212 ...
it means, for example, that the tyre was man-
ufactured in the 22nd week of 2012.
But note that with some types of tyre, the ac-
tual tyre size can differ from the nominal size
marked on the tyre (for instance 215/60 R16
95 V), and there may be significant differen-
ces in the contours of the tyres, even though
the tyres are marked with the same nominal
size. When replacing the tyres, it is therefore
important to make sure that the actual size
of the new tyres does not exceed the dimen-
sions of the factory-approved makes of tyre.
Failure to observe this requirement can af-
fect the clearance needed for the tyres. If the
tyres rub against the bodywork, in certain
circumstances the tyres, running gear or
bodywork and pipes may be damaged, and
vehicle safety could be severely impaired
››› .
If

you use tyres that are approved by SEAT
you can be sure that the actual tyre dimen-
sions will be correct for your vehicle. If you decide to fit a different type of tyre, you must
obt

ain the appropriate manufacturer's certif-
icate from the tyre retailer to confirm that
the tyres are suitable for your vehicle. Keep
this certificate in a safe place.
Your SEAT Official Service will be able to ad-
vise you on which tyres may be fitted to your
vehicle.
It is best to have all servicing of wheels and
tyres performed by a specialised workshop.
They are familiar with the procedure and
have the necessary special tools and spare
parts as well as the proper facilities for dis-
posing of the old tyres respecting the envi-
ronment. WARNING
● It i

s very important to ensure that the tyres
you have chosen have adequate clearance.
When selecting replacement tyres, do not re-
ly entirely on the nominal tyre size marked on
the tyre, since the effective tyre size can dif-
fer significantly depending on the manufac-
turer. Inadequate tyre clearance can result in
damage to the tyres or the vehicle, causing a
serious safety risk. Risk of accident! It may
also invalidate the vehicle's registration for
use on public roads. 1)
COC = certificate of conformity.
294