2016 Seat Mii check engine light

Operation
It lights up
Fault in the
emission control
system.Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest specialised workshop to
have the engine checked.

Flashes
Combustion
fault which could
damage the cat-
alytic converter.Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest specialised workshop to
have the engine checked.
Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and to the c orr

esponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle. Note
Whereas the control lamps may remain lit 
or  , ther

e may be engine problems, fuel
consumption may increase and the engine
may lose power Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter permits the subse-
quent tr
e

atment of the exhaust gases thus
reducing contaminating gas emissions. To
ensure a longer working life for the exhaust
system and catalytic converter in a petrol en-
gine:
● Always use unleaded petrol.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry.
● Do not top up with too much engine oil
›››
page 188.
● Do not tow-start the vehicle; use the starter
cab l

es ›››
 page 43.
If you should notice misfiring, uneven run-
ning or loss of power when the car is moving,
reduce speed immediately. Have the car in-
spected by a specialised workshop. If this
happens, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust
system and escape into the atmosphere. The
catalytic converter can also be damaged by
overheating. For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is
work in

g perfectly, there may be a smell of
sulphur under certain conditions. This de-
pends on the sulphur content of the fuel
used. Driving tips
Driv in
g abr

oad In some countries, certain safety regulations
and requir
ements

are in force relating to ex-
haust gas emissions, which differ from the
technical characteristics of the vehicle. Be-
fore travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you
consult a technical service about the legal re-
quirements and the following points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifica-
tions f

or driving abroad, for example, adjust-
ment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diag-
nostic
s equipment and spare parts required
for inspections and repairs?
● Are there any SEAT dealers in the destina-
tion countr
y?
● For petrol vehicles: Is unleaded petrol avail-
able at
the right octane rating?
● For diesel engines: is diesel fuel available
with a low s
ulphur content?
● Are a suitable engine oil ( ›››

page 188) and
other engine fluids complying with SEAT
specifications available in the destination
country?
● Are special tyres required in the destination
countr
y?
152

Driver assistance systems
WARNING
● If y
ou do not start the vehicle immediately
after taking your foot off the brake pedal, the
vehicle may start to roll back under certain
conditions. Depress the brake pedal or use
the hand brake immediately.
● If the engine stalls, depress the brake ped-
al or u
se the hand brake immediately.
● When following a line of traffic uphill, if you
want t
o prevent the vehicle from rolling back
accidentally when starting off, hold the brake
pedal down for a few seconds before starting
off. Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop
can t el

l you if your vehicle is equipped with
this system. Start-Stop System
C ontr
o

l lamps 
It lights up
The Start-Stop system is enabled. 
It lights up
The Start-Stop sys-
tem is enabled but
the engine cannot
be automatically
stopped.
Contact a specialised workshop.

It lights up
The Start-Stop sys-
tem cannot start the
engine.Start the engine by hand using
the vehicle's key
››› page 135.
There is a fault in the
alternator.››› page 196 
Flashes
The Start-Stop sys-
tem is not available.Contact a specialised workshop.
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 On the
ins trument
panel on page 26. Start-Stop system
Fig. 158
At the top of the centre console:
St ar
t

-Stop system button With the Start-Stop system enabled, the en-
gine i
s
aut

omatically stopped when the vehi-
cle is at a standstill. It will start again auto-
matically as required.
This function remains enabled while the igni-
tion is switched on. The instrument panel dis-
play shows information on the current status
››› page 161.
Disconnect the Start-Stop system by hand
whenever crossing water.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
● When the vehicle is stopped, put it into
neutral and r
elease the clutch pedal. The en-
gine will stop.
● To restart, simply engage the clutch. »
161
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Care and maintenance
The optimal reach of the equipment is only
ac hiev
ed w
ith an external aerial.
Check first with a specialised workshop that
understands the technical possibilities of in-
stallation if you wish to use a two-way radio
with a transmitting power of over 10 watts.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service.
All legal requirements, together with the in-
structions for the use of two-way radios must
be observed. WARNING
If the two-way radio is not securely fastened
in pos ition, it

could be sent flying around the
vehicle in the event of sharp braking, sudden
manoeuvres or accident, causing injury.
● While driving, two-way radios must be se-
curely
fastened in position, outside the air-
bags deployment zones, or safely stowed
away. WARNING
When using a two-way radio without a con-
nection to an e xt

erior aerial, the maximum
permitted levels of electromagnetic radiation
may be exceeded. This is also the case if the
aerial has not been correctly installed.
● You should only use a two-way radio inside
the vehic
le if it has first been correctly con-
nected to an exterior aerial. Information stored by the control
u
nit
s Your vehicle is fitted at the factory with a ser-
ies
of

electronic control units responsible for
the engine and gearbox management. In ad-
dition, the control units supervise the per-
formance of the exhaust gas system and the
airbag systems.
Therefore, while the vehicle is being driven,
these electronic control units are continuous-
ly analysing the vehicle data. In the event of
faults or deviations from the theoretical val-
ues, only this data is stored. Normally, the
warning lamps on the instrument panel light
up in the event of faults.
This data can only be read and analysed us-
ing special equipment.
The storing of the data allows specialised
workshops to detect and repair faults. Stored
data may include:
● Data relating to the engine or the gearbox
● Speed
● Direction of travel
● Braking force
● Detection of seat belt
The v ehic

le control units never record conver-
sations held by passengers in the vehicle.
In vehicles equipped with an emergency call
function via the mobile phone or other appli- ances connected in the vehicle, it is possible
to send the v

ehicle position. If the control
unit records an accident with airbag activa-
tion, the system may automatically send a
signal. This will depend on the network oper-
ator. Normally, transmission is only possible
in areas with good coverage.
Event Data Recorder
The vehicle is not fitted with an event data re-
corder.
An event data recorder temporarily stores the
vehicle information. Therefore, in the event of
an accident, it is possible to obtain detailed
information about how the accident occur-
red. Vehicles with airbag systems can store
data relating to impact speed, seat belt sta-
tus, seat positions and airbag activation
times may be stored, etc. The volume of data
depends on the manufacturer.
Event data recorders can only be mounted
with authorisation from the vehicle owner
and, in some countries, they are governed by
local legislation.
Reprogramming control units
On the whole, all the data required for the
component management is stored in the con-
trol units. The programming of certain con-
venience functions, such as the turn signals,
individual door opening and instructions on
the display can be modified using special »
167
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Checking and refilling levels
Checking and refilling levels
F uel
T y
pes of petrol The correct grade of petrol is listed inside the
fuel
t

ank flap, located on the right side of the
rear section of the vehicle.
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 unleaded 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 y
ou
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.
In all cases, you may use 98 octane petrol.
Petrol additives
The quality of the fuel influences the behav-
iour, power and service life of the engine.
This is why the petrol you use should carry
suitable additives already included by the
petrol industry, free of metals. These addi-
tives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the
fuel system clean and prevent deposits from
building up in the engine.
If good-quality petrol with metal-free addi-
tives is not available or engine problems
arise, the necessary additives must be added
when refuelling ››› .
Not al
l

petrol additives have been shown to
be effective. The use of unsuitable petrol ad-
ditives may cause significant damage to the
engine and the catalytic converter. Metal ad-
ditives should never be used. Metal additives
may also be contained in petrol additives for
improving anti-detonation ratings or octane
ratings ››› .
S EA
T r

ecommends “genuine Volkswagen
Group Fuel Additives for petrol engines”.
These additives can be bought at SEAT deal- ers, where information on how to use them
can also be o

btained. CAUTION
● Do not r ef

uel if the filler indicates that the
fuel contains metal. LRP ( lead replacement
petrol) fuels contain high concentrations of
metal additives. Using them may damage the
engine!
● Never refuel with fuels containing a large
proportion of
ethanol (for example, E50, E85).
This could damage the fuel system.
● Just filling one full tank of leaded fuel or
fuel c
ontaining other metal additives would
seriously impair the efficiency of the catalytic
converter.
● Only use fuel additives that have been ap-
prov
ed by SEAT. Octane boosting or anti-
knock additives may contain metal additives
that could seriously damage the engine or
the catalytic converter. These additives must
not be used.
● High engine speed and full throttle can
damag
e the engine when using petrol with an
octane rating lower than the correct grade for
the engine. Note
● You m a

y use petrol with a high octane num-
ber than the one recommended for your en-
gine. » 181
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
should be collected and correctly disposed
of, w
ith r
espect to the environment. Coolant warning lamp
Several warning and control lamps light up
for a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. 
It lights up red
Excessive engine
coolant temperature.
 Stop the vehicle!
Stop the vehicle safely as soon
as possible. Switch off the en-
gine and let it cool.
Insufficient engine
coolant level. 
¡Stop the vehicle!
Check the engine coolant
when the engine has cooled
and, if it is low, refill with en-
gine coolant ››› page 192.
Engine coolant sys-
tem faulty.  Do not drive any further.
Obtain professional assis-
tance. 
Flashes red
Engine coolant sys-
tem faulty.Seek specialist assistance. 
It lights up blue
The temperature of
the natural gas en-
gine coolant is too
low. The engine has
not reached the oper-
ating temperature.Avoid high engine speeds and
pushing the engine too hard
while the warning lamp re-
mains lit.
WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in On the
ins trument
panel on page 26. Checking the coolant level and top-
pin
g up Fig. 170
In the engine compartment: Marking
on c oo
l

ant expansion tank Fig. 171
In the engine compartment: Coolant
exp an

sion tank cap Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 32
If the coolant level is low, the coolant warn-
ing indicator will light.
Preparations
● Park the vehicle on even, flat and firm
ground.
● A

llow the engine to cool ›››
.
● Open the bonnet  › ›
›
page 186.
● The coolant expansion tank is easily recog-
nisab
le because of the symbol  on the cap
››› Fig. 171.
Checking the engine coolant level ● When the engine is cold, check the coolant
level
using the side marking on the expan-
sion tank ››› Fig. 170.
192

Checking and refilling levels
● If the l
ev
el is below the “MIN” mark, top up
with coolant. When the engine is hot it may
be slightly above the marked area.
Topping up the engine coolant level
● Always protect your face, hands and arms
from hot c
oolant and steam using a large,
thick cloth over the coolant expansion tank
cap.
● Remove the cap very carefully ›››
.
● Only refill using new engine c
oo
lant ac-
cording to SEAT specifications
( ›››
 page 32)
››› .
● The engine coolant level should be be-
tw een the m
ark

s on the coolant expansion
tank ››› Fig. 170. Do not exceed the top level
of the marked area ››› .
● Screw on the cap tightly.
● If, in the event of an emergency, you have
no c oo
l

ant that is compliant to the required
specifications ( ›››
 page 32), do not use
another type of additive. Instead, top up with
distilled water only ››› . Then re-establish
the c orr
ect

proportion of the mixture with the
correct additive as soon as possible
›››  page 32. WARNING
Hot vapours and coolant can cause serious
burn s. ●
Never open the c oo

lant expansion tank if
steam or coolant is coming from the engine
compartment. Wait until you cannot see or
hear any steam or coolant escaping.
● Always wait until the engine has complete-
ly coo
led before very carefully opening the
expansion tank cap. Contact with hot ele-
ments of the engine can cause skin burns.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cool-
ing sys
tem is pressurised. Do not unscrew
the cap on the expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. Otherwise, coolant may spray out
under pressure causing burns and serious in-
jury.
– Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap an-
ti-clockwise, gently pressing down on it.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms
from hot coolant and steam using a large,
thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them
on part
s of the engine and the exhaust sys-
tem. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. Under
specific circumstances, the ethylene glycol
can catch fire. WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the cool-
ant sy s

tem, the engine may fail leading to se-
rious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of
additiv
e is correct with respect to the lowest
expected ambient temperature in the zone in
which the vehicle is to be used. ●
When the outs ide t

emperature is very low,
the coolant 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
● If ther e i

s no appropriate coolant liquid
available, fill it using distilled water, and
nothing else. Any other type of water may
lead to considerable rusting in the engine
due to its chemical components. This could
consequently damage the engine. If you have
not used distilled water but another type of
water to top up the coolant, a specialised
workshop must immediately replace all of the
fluid in the engine cooling system.
● Only top up coolant to the top level of the
marked ar
ea ››› Fig. 170. Otherwise the ex-
cess coolant will be forced out of the cooling
system when the engine is hot, causing dam-
age.
● If a lot of liquid coolant has been lost, wait
for the engine t
o cool down completely before
adding coolant. Extensive coolant loss is an
indication of leaks in the engine cooling sys-
tem. Have the engine cooling system inspec-
ted immediately by a specialised workshop.
Otherwise engine damage may occur.
● When refilling service liquids, ensure that
you put
the liquids into the right tank. Mak-
ing a mistake when refilling could cause seri-
ous malfunctions and damage the engine! » 193
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed
with c oo
lants 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-
ple b
ut 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. Brake fluid
Chec k
in

g the brake fluid levelRead the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 33
In the course of time, the brake fluid absorbs
water from the ambient air. If there is too
much water in the brake fluid, the brake sys-
tem could be damaged. In addition, the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid is significantly
lowered. When the brake fluid contains too
much water and the brakes are subject to
considerable forces, bubbles of water vapour
can form in the system. These bubbles can
significantly reduce braking power, notably
increasing braking distance, and could even
result in the total failure of the brake system. Ensuring that the brake system is always
functionin

g correctly is essential for your own
safety and the safety of other road users
››› .
Br ak
e fluid s

pecifications
SEAT have developed a special brake fluid
optimised for the brake systems of their vehi-
cles. To ensure the optimum working of the
brake system, SEAT recommends the use of
brake fluid in accordance with the VW 501 14
standard. If this brake fluid is not available or
another brake fluid is used for different rea-
sons, use a brake fluid that complies with the
United States standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 or
the German standard DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
››› .
Br ak
e fluid

s conforming to the standard
VW 501 14, fulfil the American requirements
of the FMVSS 116 DOT 4 standard and the
German DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standard.
However, fluids that comply with the Ameri-
can FMVSS 116 DOT 4 standard or the Ger-
man DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standard do not
necessarily comply with the VW 501 14
standard. Always check the information on
the brake fluid container and ensure that you
are using suitable brake fluid.
A suitable brake fluid can be obtained from
SEAT dealerships. Brake fluid level
The level

of the brake fluid should always be
between the MIN and MAX marks, or above
the MIN mark ››› .
It i
s

not always possible to check the level of
the brake fluid, as in some models the en-
gine components make it difficult to see the
brake fluid reservoir. If you cannot read the
exact brake fluid level, consult a specialist.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the
vehicle is being used due to wear of the
brake pads and the automatic readjustment
of the brake.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid should be changed in accord-
ance with the instructions given in the Main-
tenance Programme. Have the brake fluid
changed by a specialised workshop. SEAT
recommends taking your car in for technical
service. This means that only brake fluid
complying with the required specifications
will be used. WARNING
If the brake fluid level is low or unsuita-
bl e/o

ld brake fluid is used, the brake system
may fail or braking power may be reduced.
● Check the brake system and the brake fluid
level
regularly!194

Advice
Vehicle battery Intr oduction Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
 page 33.
The battery is a component of the vehicle's
electrical system.
Never work on the electrical system without
fully understanding the operations required,
the applicable safety standards and without
the correct tools ››› ! If required, have any
w ork
c

arried out by a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service. Negligent work can cause seri-
ous injury.
Location of the vehicle battery
The battery is located in the engine compart-
ment.
Explanation of the warning indications on
the vehicle's battery
SymbolMeaning 
Wear eye protection!

Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic.
Always wear protective gloves and eye
protection!

Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking
are prohibited.
SymbolMeaning 
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.
196