Checking and refilling levels
Checking levels Fig. 206
Diagram for the location of the various elements. From time to time, the levels of the different
fluid
s
in the
vehicle must be checked. Never
fill with incorrect fluids, otherwise serious
damage to the engine may be caused.
Coolant expansion tank . . . . . . . . . . .208
Window washer water tank . . . . . . . .210
Engine oil filler cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Engine oil level dipstick . . . . . . . . . . .207
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
The checking and replenishment of the serv-
ice fluids
are carried out on the components
mentioned above. These operations are de-
scribed in the ››› page 202.
1 2
3
4
5
6 Overview
Y
ou w
i
ll find further explanations, instruc-
tions and restrictions on the technical speci-
fications as of ››› page 221. Note
The layout of the engine compartment is very
simi l
ar to all petrol and diesel engines. Radiator fan
The radiator is driven by an electric motor
and c
ontr
o
lled according to the temperature
of the coolant.
After the engine has been stopped and the
ignition switched off, the radiator fan may
continue running for around 10 minutes. Engine oil
General
notes The engine comes with a special, multi-grade
oil
th
at can be used all year round.
Because the use of high-quality oil is essen-
tial for the correct operation of the engine
and its long useful life, when topping up or
changing oil, use only those oils that comply
with VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in
the following page should appear on the con-
tainer of the service oil; when the container
displays the specific standards for petrol and
diesel engines together, it means that the oil
can be used for both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change indicated
in the Maintenance Programme, be »
205
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
performed by a technical service or special-
i sed w
ork
shop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine
are listed in the ›››
page 40.
Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife
service) or fixed (dependent on time/dis-
tance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the
Maintenance Programme booklet is PR QI6,
this means that your vehicle has the LongLife
service programmed. If it lists the codes QI1,
QI2, QI3, QI4 or QI7, the interval service is
dependent on time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife service
intervals*)
Special oils and processes have been devel-
oped which, depending on the characteris-
tics and individual driving profiles, enable
the extension of the oil change service (Long-
Life service intervals).
Because this oil is essential for extending the
service intervals, it must only be used ob-
serving the following indications:
● Avoid mixing it with oil for fixed service in-
terv
als.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oi l
level is too low ››› page 207 and
LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to top up (once) with oil for
fixed ser
vice inter-
vals ›››
page 40 (up to a maximum of 0.5
litres).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife
service interval” or it has been disabled (by
request), you may use oils for fixed service
intervals, which also appear in
››› page 40. In this case, your vehicle
must be serviced after a fixed interval of 1
year/15,000 km (10,000 miles)(whatever
comes first) ››› Booklet Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
● In exceptional circumstances, if the engine
oil l
evel is too low ››› page 207 and you can-
not obtain the oil specified for your vehicle,
you can add a small quantity of oil conform-
ing to the specification ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
(petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (die-
sel engines) (up to 0.5 l).
Vehicles with diesel particulate filter*
The Maintenance Programme states whether
your vehicle is fitted with a diesel particulate
filter.
Only VW 507 00 engine oil, with reduced ash
formation, may be used in diesel engines
equipped with particulate filter. Using other
types of oil will cause a higher soot concen-
tration and reduce the life of the DPF. There-
fore: ●
Avoid mi
xing this oil with other engine oils.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil
level is too low ››› page 207 and
you cannot obtain the oil specified for your
vehicle, you can use a small quantity of oil
(once) conforming to the VW 506 00,
VW 506 01, VW 505 00, VW 505 01 or
ACEA B3/ACEA B4 specification. (up to 0.5 l). Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an
engine oi l
that conforms to the correspond-
ing VW specifications and recommend keep-
ing it in the vehicle. This way, the correct en-
gine oil will always be available for a top-up if
needed. Control lamp
The control lamp
fla
she
s red (oil pressure
low)
The informative display indicates:
Oil pressure. Switch off the en-
gine! Instruction Manual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
check the engine oil level ›››
page 207
If the symbol flashes although the oil level is
correct, do not drive on . Do not even run
the engine at idle speed!
Go to a technical service.
206
Checking and refilling levels
The control lamp lights
up yellow (insuf-
ficient oil level)
The informative display indicates:
Check the oil level!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
check the engine oil level ››› page 207
If the bonnet remains open for more than 30
seconds, the warning lamp switches off. If
the engine oil is not refilled, the warning
lamp illuminates again after 100 km (62
miles).
The control lamp flashes yellow (oil level
sensor faulty)
The informative display indicates:
Oil sensor. Workshop!
If the engine oil level sensor is faulty, The
warning lamp flashes various times after
the ignition is switched on and an audible
warning is given.
Go to a technical service. Checking engine oil level Fig. 207
Engine oil dipsticks. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 40
The dipstick shows the engine oil level.
››› Fig. 207.
Checking oil level – Park the vehicle on a level surface and en-
sure the en
gine is at operating tempera-
ture.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet.
– Wait a few minutes for the engine oil to
flow bac
k to the sump and remove the dip-
stick.
– Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and in-
sert it
again as far as it will go. –
Then pul
l the dipstick out again and check
the oil level.
It is normal for the engine to consume a cer-
tain amount of oil. Depending on how you
drive and the conditions in which the vehicle
is used, oil consumption can be up to 0.5 li-
tres per 1,000 km. Oil consumption can also
be higher for the first 5,000 km (3000 miles).
You should therefore check the oil level at
regular intervals, ideally every time you fill
the tank or before setting off on a long trip. CAUTION
● The oil l
evel must never exceed area A ›››
Fig. 207. Risk of damage to the exhaust
system!
● If the engine oil cannot be topped up under
the given condition
s, do not drive on! Stop
the engine and seek the professional assis-
tance of an Official Service, as this could
cause serious damage to the engine. Topping up engine oil
–
Check the engine oil level ››
›
page 207,
Checking engine oil level .
– Unscrew the cap from the filler opening.
– Put in the specified grade of oil 0.5 litres at
a time ›››
page 205.
– Check the oil level ›››
page 207. »
207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
– Rep
l
ace the oil filler cap carefully and push
the dipstick all the way in.
Changing engine oil Engine oil must be changed with the frequen-
cy indic
at
ed in the Maintenance Programme
or according to the service interval indicator
››› page 30. CAUTION
Do not mix engine oil with additives. Risk of
dam ag
e to the engine! Damage caused by
these products is not covered by the warran-
ty. Note
Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
cont act
with engine oil. Coolant
C ontr
o
l lamp If the warning lamp
(b lue) i
s
lit up, the en-
gine has not yet reached its operating tem-
perature 1)
. Avoid high engine speeds, hard acceleration and subjecting the engine to
high load
s.
If the warning lamp (red) is lit up or flash-
ing, the coolant temperature is too high or its
level is too low.
The informative display indicates:
Check coolant! Instruction Man-
ual!
Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine, check
the coolant level ››› page 208 and refill if
necessary ››› page 209.
If the coolant is situated in the prescribed
area, the high temperature may be due to a
fault in the cooling system fan. Check the ra-
diator fan fuse and replace it if necessary
››› page 43.
If the warning lamp (red) remains lit up,
despite both the coolant level and the radia-
tor fan fuse being in correct condition,
stop the vehicle!
Go to a technical service. WARNING
● Tak e c
are when opening the coolant reser-
voir. When the engine is warm or hot, the
system is pressurised – Danger of burns! Wait for the engine to cool before opening
the co
v
er.
● Do not touch the fan. The fan can switch on
automatic
ally regardless of whether the igni-
tion is switched on. Checking coolant level
Fig. 208
Engine compartment: coolant fluid
t ank. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 40
The coolant expansion tank is located in the
engine compartment of the vehicle. – Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet ›››
page 202. 1)
This does not apply to vehicles equipped with an
inform ativ
e display.
208
Checking and refilling levels
– Re
a
d off the coolant level on coolant ex-
pansion tank ››› Fig. 208. When the engine
is cold, the coolant should be between marks B (min.) and
A (max.). When the
en gine i
s
hot, it may be slightly above mark
A (max.).
If the c
oo
lant fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, this will be indicated by the red warn-
ing lamp illuminating on the general dash
panel ››› page 208, Control lamp . However,
we recommend checking the coolant level di-
rectly in the tank.
Coolant fluid loss
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a leak.
It is not sufficient merely to top up the cool-
ant. The cooling system should be inspected
by an Official Service without delay. CAUTION
● In the event of
a fault that causes the en-
gine to overheat, contact an authorised SEAT
dealer immediately, as this could damage the
engine.
● Anti-freeze that does not correspond to the
correct
specification may particularly affect
corrosion protection considerably.
● Faults caused by corrosion may lead to
cool
ant leaks. Risk of serious engine faults! Topping up the coolant level
–
Switch the ignition off.
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the cap on the coolant expansion
tank ›
›› Fig. 208 with a cloth and carefully
unscrew the cap.
– Refill the level of coolant.
– Screw the cap on again until it clicks into
plac
e.
Do not use a different type of additive if the
prescribed anti-freeze additive is not availa-
ble, in the event of an emergency. In this
case, use only water and bring the coolant
concentration back up to the correct level as
soon as possible at an Official Service.
Always top up with unused coolant.
Never fill the coolant tank above mark A (max.)
››
›
Fig. 208 Excess coolant is forced
out of the cooling system through the over-
pressure valve in the filler cap of the expan-
sion tank when the engine heats up. WARNING
● The anti-freez e a
dditive and, therefore, the
entire coolant, are a health hazard. Avoid
touching the coolant. Coolant fumes are also
a health hazard. For this reason, always store
the coolant additive in a safe place out of the
reach of children. Risk of poisoning! ●
If s p
lashed into eyes, rinse immediately
with clean water and seek immediate medical
attention.
● Seek immediate medical attention if the
cool
ant is accidentally ingested. CAUTION
If the coolant cannot be topped up under the
giv en c ondition
s, do not drive on. We rec-
ommend contacting an authorised SEAT deal-
er, as this can damage the engine. Brake fluid
Chec kin
g brake fluid level Fig. 209
Engine compartment: brake fluid
r e
ser
voir. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 41 »
209
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the en-
gine c omp
ar
tment of the vehicle.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Open the bonnet ›››
page 202.
– Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir
›››
Fig. 209. It should be between the “MIN”
and “MAX” marks.
The fluid level drops slightly after a period of
time due to automatic compensation for
brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in
a short time, or drops below the “MIN” mark,
there may be a leak in the brake system. If
the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, this will be indicated by the warning
lamp illuminating on the instrument panel
››› page 153, Control lamp .WARNING
● If the fluid l ev
el has dropped below the MIN
mark, do not continue driving. Risk of acci-
dent! Go to a technical service.
● Heavy use of the brakes may cause a va-
pour lock if
the brake fluid is left in the brake
system for too long. This would seriously af-
fect the efficiency of the brakes and the safe-
ty of the vehicle. Changing the brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Therefore, it
gra
dual
ly absorbs moisture from the atmos-
phere. If the water content in the brake fluid
is too high, the brake system could corrode.
The water content also reduces the boiling
point of the brake fluid.
The brake fluid must comply with one of the
following standards or specifications:
● VW 50114
● FMVSS 116 DOT4 CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the vehicle paintwork. Windscreen washer
Top
pin
g up windscreen washer fluid Fig. 210
Engine compartment: windscreen
w a
sher r
eservoir. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 41
The container for the windscreen washer con-
tains the cleaning fluid for the windscreen or
rear window and the headlight washer sys-
tem. The container is located in the engine
compartment.
The capacity of the reservoir is approximately
3.5 litres; in vehicles with a headlight washer
system, it is approximately 5.4 litres 1)
.
Plain water on its own is not enough to clean
the glass and the headlights properly. We 1)
Valid only for certain countries. 5.4 litres for both
ver s
ions.
210
Checking and refilling levels
– Open the b att
er
y cover in the direction indi-
cated by the arrow ››› Fig. 211.
– The positive terminal (+) of the battery is
connected in r
everse order.
Checking the battery electrolyte level Fig. 212
Battery: Electrolyte level indicator. We recommend you have the acid level regu-
l
arly
c
hecked at an official technical service,
particularly in the following cases.
● At high outside temperatures.
● On long daily trips.
● Whenever the vehicle is loaded
›››
page 213, Charging the battery.
In vehicles equipped with a battery with col-
our indicator, the so-called magic eye
››› Fig. 212 changes colour to indicate the
acid level. Air bubbles can influence the colour of the in-
dicator
. Therefore, carefully knock the indica-
tor before checking the acid level.
● Black – the acid level is correct.
● Colourless or light yellow – acid level too
low, b
attery must be changed. Note
● The batt er
y acid level is also regularly
checked during servicing at authorised SEAT
dealers.
● The electrolyte level on “AGM” batteries
cannot be c
hecked for technical reasons.
● Vehicles equipped with the “Start-Stop”
syst
em include a battery control unit to con-
trol the battery level for repeated engine
starting. Winter service
At low temperatures the battery provides only
a fr
action of
the s
tarting power it has at nor-
mal temperatures.
A flat battery can also freeze at temperatures
slightly below to 0°C (32°F).
We therefore recommend you have the bat-
tery checked and, if necessary, charged at an
official SEAT technical service before the start
of winter. Charging the battery A fully-charged battery is essential for relia-
bl
e s
tarting.
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical
equipment.
– For “f
ast-charging” only: disconnect both
batter
y connection cables (first the “nega-
tive” terminal and then the “positive”).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery
terminal
s (red = “positive”, black = “nega-
tive”).
– Plug in the battery charger and switch on.
– After charging the battery: Switch off the
batt er
y charger and disconnect the cable.
– Remove the charger cables.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables
to the batt
ery (first the “positive” cable,
then the “negative” cable).
When charging with a low current (e.g. with a
small battery charger ), the battery does not
normally have to be disconnected. The in-
structions of the battery charger manufactur-
er must be followed.
Use a current equivalent to or lower than
10% of the battery capacity to fully charge
the battery.
Before “fast-charging” the battery however,
both battery cables must be disconnected. »
213
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
“Fast-charging” a battery is dan
g erous and
requires a battery charger and special knowl-
edge. Fast charges should be performed by
an official technical service.
The battery caps should not be opened while
the battery is being charged. CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with the “Start-Stop” sys-
tem, the c h
arger cable cannot be directly con-
nected to the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery but must be attached to the engine
ground point ›››
page 52. Disconnecting and connecting the
b
att
er
y The following functions will either be inoper-
ativ
e or w
i
ll not work properly after discon-
necting and reconnecting the battery:
FunctionInstallation
Setting the clock››› page 95
The multifunction display data
is deleted››› page 97 Note
We recommend having the vehicle checked by
an authorised S EA
T dealer to guarantee the
correct working order of all electrical sys-
tems. Replacing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same
cap
ac
ity, voltage, current rating and size as
the original. The appropriate types of battery
can be acquired from authorised SEAT deal-
ers.
We recommend having the battery changed
by an authorised SEAT dealer, where the new
battery will be correctly installed and the
original disposed of in line with regulations.
Automatic disconnection of electrical
equipment When heavily-charging a battery, the pro-
gr
amme sel
ect
ed by the electrical system
control unit prevents the battery from auto-
matically discharging. This may result in the
following:
● Increase in idling speed so that the alterna-
tor can s
upply more current to the electrical
system.
● The performance of certain electrical com-
ponents cou
ld be limited or some may switch
off temporarily, e.g. the heated seats, the
heated rear window, the 12 V power socket. Note
Despite any measures taken by the control
unit, the b att
ery could drain. e.g. with the en- gine is switched off, the key is turned in the
ignition for a lon
g period or the s
ide lights or
parking lights are switched on. The switching
off of certain electrical components does not
impair driving comfort and often the driver
will not even notice. 214