Advice
Advice
C ar
e and m
aintenance
Accessories and modifications to the vehicle
Accessories, replacement parts and
repair work If you wish to retrofit accessories in the vehi-
c
l
e, or if
a part of the vehicle has been re-
placed by a new part or technical modifica-
tions are required, the following instructions
must be taken into account:
● Before purchasing accessories or spare
par
ts and before making technical modifica-
tions, always request advice from an Author-
ised SEAT dealer ››› .
● In the event that technical modifications
ar e c
arried out
on the vehicle, the instruc-
tions and regulations specified by the com-
pany, SEAT, must be observed.
No damage will be caused to the vehicle if
the established procedures are respected,
which guarantees safe driving and operation.
After the modifications are carried out, the
vehicle will comply with the restrictions and
regulations of the highway code. More infor-
mation can be obtained at an Authorised SEAT dealer, where all jobs required can be
carried out ap
propriately.
Vehicle improvements and modifications
The owner must keep the technical documen-
tation regarding the modifications carried out
on the vehicle so it can be handed over to
those responsible for processing end-of-life
vehicles. This ensures end-of-life processing
of the vehicle, while protecting the environ-
ment.
Work done on the electrical components and
software can cause disruption in operations.
Due to the interconnection of electronic com-
ponents, their malfunction can also impair
systems that are not directly affected. This
can adversely affect reliability of the vehicle,
and can produce excessive wear of the parts.
Damage caused by technical modifications
that are not made with the consent of SEAT
will be excluded from the warranty – see war-
ranty certificate. WARNING
● Job s
or modifications unduly carried out on
your vehicle can cause disruption to opera-
tions - Risk of accident!
● We recommend that you use only expressly
authorised SEA
T Accessories and SEAT Origi-
nal Spare Parts for your vehicle. The reliabili-
ty, safety and compatibility with your vehicle of SEAT original spare parts and accessories
ha
s
been verified.
● Despite the continuous observation of the
market, w
e cannot judge nor guarantee the
suitability of other products for your vehicle,
be they authorised products or products ap-
proved by a state testing facility. Note
SEAT original spare parts and accessories can
be p urc
hased at authorised SEAT dealers
where the purchased parts can also be fitted. Modifications and effects of the air-
b
ag sy
s
tem In the adjustment and modification, respect
the S
EA
T dir
ective.
Modifications and corrections of the front
bumper, doors, front seats, roof or bodywork
must be carried out at authorised SEAT work-
shops. Components of the airbag system can
be found in these parts of the vehicle. WARNING
● Airbag modu l
es must never be repaired.
They must be replaced.
● Never fit components of the airbag system
remov
ed from old vehicles or those originat-
ing from a recycling process in the vehicle. 192
Advice
Water in the fuel filter 1)
If
y
our vehicle has a diesel engine and is
equipped with a fuel filter with a water sepa-
rator, the instrument panel may display the
following warning: Water in the
fuel filter. If this is the case, take the
vehicle to a specialised workshop so that
they can drain the fuel filter. CAUTION
● The v ehic
le 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”, petro
l or similar additives with
diesel fuel.
● If poor-quality diesel fuel is used, it may be
neces
sary 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. Engine compartment
Intr oduction Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 11
Always be aware of the danger of injury and
scalding as well as the risk of accident or fire
when working in the engine compartment,
e.g. when checking and refilling fluids.
Therefore, always observe the warnings and
follow all general safety precautions. The en-
gine compartment is a dangerous area . WARNING
● Never open the bonnet if
you see steam,
smoke or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment. Risk of scalding! Wait until no
steam or coolant can be seen before opening
the bonnet.
● Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition.
● Eng
age neutral in vehicles with manual
gearbo
x and move the selector lever to posi-
tion P in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
● Apply the handbrake firmly.
● Wait for the engine to cool down.
● For safety reasons, the bonnet must always
be closed when the
vehicle is moving. There- fore, after closing the bonnet always check
that
it
is properly secured.
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not
safely
secured when the vehicle is moving,
stop the vehicle immediately and close the
bonnet properly. Risk of accident!
● Keep children away from the engine com-
partment
.
● Do not touch hot engine parts. Risk of
burns!
● Nev
er spill fluids on hot engine compart-
ments. The
se fluids can cause a fire (e.g. anti-
freeze in coolant)!
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the
electrica
l system, especially when working
on the battery.
● Never touch the radiator fan when the en-
gine is hot
. The fan may start running sud-
denly!
● Never cover the engine with additional in-
sul
ating materials such as a blanket. Risk of
fire!
● Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant ex-
pans
ion tank when the engine is hot. The
cooling system is under pressure!
● Protect face, hands and arms from any hot
ste
am or hot coolant released by covering the
cap with a large, thick rag when opening the
expansion tank.
● Do not leave any objects, such as cloths or
tool
s, in the engine compartment. 1)
Valid for the market: Algeria.
202
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
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
Checking and refilling levels
therefore recommend using clean water with
a gl a
s
s cleaning product to eliminate any
stubborn dirt (with an anti-freeze additive in
winter).
Although your vehicle has heated windscreen
washer jets, anti-freeze should always be
added to the water in winter.
Ethanol can be used where glass cleaner with
anti-freeze is unavailable. The concentration
of ethanol must be no greater than 15 %.
However, remember that anti-freeze in this
proportion only protects down to -5°C
(+23°F). CAUTION
● Never mi x
the windscreen washing water
with anti-freeze used for the cooling system
or other additives.
● If the vehicle is equipped with a headlight
washer sy
stem, only mix in with the water a
detergent that does not damage polycarbon-
ates. Note
When topping up the fluid, do not move the
filt er fr
om the container opening, as this
could contaminate the fluid hoses and lead to
a windscreen washer malfunction. Battery
Intr oduction Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 41.
Warning symbols on the battery
Sym bolMeaning
Always wear safety glasses!
Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Always wear
gloves and hearing protection!
Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights
and lit cigarettes away when working on the
battery!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released
when the battery is under charge!
Keep children away from the battery!
Incorrect handling of the vehicle battery
c
ou
l
d lead to damage. We therefore recom-
mend all work on the vehicle battery be per-
formed by an authorised SEAT dealer.
Always be aware of the danger of injury and
scalding as well as the risk of accident or fire
when working on the battery and the electri-
cal system. Therefore, always observe the
warnings and follow all general safety pre-
cautions. WARNING
● Batt er
y acid is very corrosive, therefore, the
battery must be handled with the utmost
care. Wear protective gloves and protect your
eyes and skin when handling batteries. The
corrosive fumes in the air irritate and inflame
the respiratory tract and cause conjunctivitis.
It corrodes tooth enamel. Causes deep and
difficult-to-heal wounds when it comes in
contact with the skin. Repeated contact with
diluted acids causes skin disease (inflamma-
tion, ulcers and fissures). When in contact
with water, acids dilute and develop a great
deal of heat.
● Do not tilt the battery, as acid could leak
out of the
vapour vents. Protect your eyes
with glasses or a protective helmet! Risk of
blindness! If acid should splash into the
eyes, rinse the affected eye immediately for
several minutes using clean water. Then seek
medical care immediately.
● Neutralize any acid splashes on the skin or
clothing w
ith soap solution as quickly as pos-
sible and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid
is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor im-
mediately.
● Keep children away from the battery.
● Hydrogen is released and a highly explo-
sive mi
xture of gases is generated when the
battery is under charge. Sparks when discon-
necting or releasing cable terminals with the
ignition switched on could also cause an ex-
plosion. » 211
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
●
A short c
ircuit is produced if the battery ter-
minals are bridged, e.g. using metal objects,
cables, etc. Possible consequences of a short
circuit: melting of lead plates, battery explo-
sion and fire, splashing acid.
● The following is forbidden while working on
the batter
y: fire and open flames, smoking
and activities that could produce sparks.
Avoid causing sparks when handling cables
or electrical apparatus. Risk of injury in the
event of large sparks.
● Before working on the electrical system,
you mus
t switch off the engine, the ignition
and all electrical components and disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal (-) of the
battery. To change a bulb, simply switch off
the corresponding light.
● Never charge a frozen or thawed out bat-
tery
. Risk of explosion and acid burns! Re-
place a frozen battery.
● Never use the jump leads on batteries in
which the electr
olyte level is too low. Risk of
explosion and acid burns!
● Never use a damaged battery. Risk of ex-
plos
ion! Replace a damaged battery immedi-
ately. CAUTION
● Never di s
connect the battery when the igni-
tion is switched on, as the electrical system
(electronic components) of the vehicle could
be damaged. When disconnecting the battery
from the vehicle electrical system, disconnect its negative terminal (-) first. Only then may
the pos
itiv
e terminal (+) be disconnected.
● When connecting the battery, first connect
the positiv
e terminal (+) and then the nega-
tive terminal (-). The battery cables must nev-
er be connected to the wrong battery termi-
nals. Risk of burning the electrical installa-
tion!
● Make sure the battery acid does not come
into cont
act with the bodywork. Risk of paint-
work damage.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
to prot
ect it from ultraviolet radiation.
● If the vehicle is not used for 3 or 4 weeks,
the batter
y could run flat. This is because
some components use electricity even in
standby mode (e.g. control units). Prevent the
battery from running flat by disconnecting its
negative terminal or leave it charging at a low
current.
● If you frequently use the vehicle for short
trips, the batt
ery may not fully charge and
could run flat. For the sake of the environment
A flat battery is particularly harmful waste for
the env ir
onment. It must therefore be dis-
posed of according to current local law. Note
Replace a battery once it is older than 5
ye ar
s. Control lamp
If the
control lamp is illuminated while the
en gine i
s running, the battery is not charg-
ing.
Go to a technical service. Have the car's elec-
trical equipment inspected. CAUTION
Additionally, if the warning lamp lights up
whi
le driving, the warning lamp also lights
up (cooling system fault). Stop the vehicle
and switch off the engine – Risk of engine
damage! Lifting the battery cover
Fig. 211
Battery: Opening the cover. The battery is located beneath a plastic cover
in the en
gine c
omp
artment.
212
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