Driving
The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in
s ummer
, 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. WARNING
Always adapt your speed and the distance to
the v ehic
les ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation. Engine management and ex-
hau
s
t gas purification system
Introduction WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
ver y
high temperatures. This could cause a
fire.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhau
st system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as dried grass).
● Never apply additional underseal or anti-
corro
sion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter or the heat shields on the ex-
haust system. Control and warning lamps
It lights up
fault in the pet-
rol engine man-
agement.Take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop as soon as possible and
have the engine checked.
»
151
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
●
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,
and from the parking distance warning sys- tem sensors. The sensors of the parking dis-
tance w
arning 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
172
Wheels and tyres
●
Batt er
y cables not correctly connected may
cause a short circuit. Reconnect first the posi-
tive cable and then the negative cable. 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.
● 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. 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 » 199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Wheels and tyres
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. 174
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 ›››
Fig. 174 is 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. » 203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Wheels and tyres
Foreign bodies in the tyre
● Do not remove foreign bodies if they have
penetr at
ed 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 tyres wear too quickly, have the wheel align-
ment chec
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. 176
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. 176 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. »
205
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
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. Spare wheel or temporary spare
wheel*
Fig. 177
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 123.
● If necessary, remove the boot variable floor
›››
page 123.
● 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. 177 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.
206
Wheels and tyres
● Sno w c
h
ains on the temporary spare wheel
are not permitted ›››
page 41.
● After mounting the spare wheel or the tem-
porary
spare wheel, check the tyre pressure
as soon as possible ››› page 203.
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 203. 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. ●
Rep l
ace the temporary spare wheel for a
normal wheel as soon as possible. The com-
pact temporary spare wheel is only intended
for temporary use over short distances.
● The temporary spare wheel must always be
secured w
ith the factory supplied wheel
bolts.
● You should never use more than one tem-
porary
spare wheel.
● After mounting the temporary spare wheel,
check
the tyre pressure as soon as possible
››› page 203.
● Snow chains on the temporary spare wheel
are not permitt
ed. Note
Wherever possible, secure the spare wheel,
tempor ar
y spare wheel or the replaced wheel
safely in the luggage compartment. In vehi-
cles with anti-puncture kit, it is not possible
to secure the defective wheel. Tyre code
Fig. 178
Universal code on tyres Radial
Rim di
amet
er c
ode
Load index & speed rating
DOT tyre identification number
Severe snow conditions
Tyre ply composition and materials used
Max. load rating
Treadwear, traction and temperature
grades
Max. permissible inflation pressure
Passenger car tyre
Nominal width of tyre in millimetres »
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)Tyre code (example): Meaning
Make, logotypeManufacturer
Product nameName of tyre assigned by manufac-
turer.
P255 / 55 R 18Size:
PPassenger vehicle code.
255Nominal width between
walls, in mm.
55Height/width ratio in %
RTyre type (R indicates "radi-
al").
18Rim diameter in inches
109 HLoad index ››› page 209 and speed
rating ››› page 209.
XLReinforced tyres (“Reinforced”).
M+S or M/S orWinter tyres code (mud and snow
tyres).
RADIAL
TUBELESSRadial tyre without inner tube.
E4 ...E-mark certifying tyre complies with
international legislation followed by
a number denoting the country
granting the authorisation. The au-
thorisation number ( several digits)
is shown below. 12
Tyre code (example): Meaning
DOT BT RA TY5
1709Tyre identification number (TIN a)
,
may be only on interior wall of
wheel) and date of manufacture:
DOTThe tyre complies with the
legal requirements of the
US Department of Trans-
port, responsible for tyre
safety regulations.
BTPlace of manufacture code.
RAInformation about manu-
facturer and tyre size.
TY5Manufacturer's tyre specifi-
cations.
1709Date of manufacture: Week
17 of 2009.
TWIThis identifies the position of the
Tread Wear Indicator ››› page 204.
Made in
GermanyCountry of manufacture.
MAX LOAD
615 KGUS load rating, indicating maximum
permitted load per tyre.
MAX INFLATION
350 KPA
(51 PSI)US limit, indicating maximum per-
mitted tyre pressure.
SIDEWALL 1 PLY
RAYONInformation about tyre wall compo-
nents:
1 layer of rayon (artificial silk).
Tyre code (example): Meaning
TREAD 4 PLIES
1 RAYON +
2 STEEL +
1 NYLONInformation about tread compo-
nents:
In the example, there are 4 layers
below the tread: 1 layer of rayon (ar-
tificial silk), 2 layers of steel rein-
forcement and 1 layer of nylon.
Information for the end consumer concerning the com-
parative values of the established base tyres (standar-
dised test procedures) ››› page 179:
TREADWEAR 220Relative service life of the tyre, with
respect to specific US standard test.
TRACTION ABraking capacity of tyre on wet sur-
face (AA, A, B or C).
TEMPERATURE ATyre temperature resistance at high-
er test speeds (A, B or C).
If the tyre has other markings, these are specific tyre
manufacturer codes or specific national codes, e.g. for
Brazil or China.
a)
The letters TIN refer to the tyre serial number.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have
been designed to operate best when rotating
in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre
sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on
tyres with directional tread. Always observe
the direction of rotation indicated when
mounting the wheel. This guarantees opti-
mum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning,
grip, noise and wear.
208