2017 Seat Ateca maintenance

Care and maintenance
Automatic car washes
B ef
ore going through a car wash, be sure to
take the usual precautions such as closing
the windows and roof. If the vehicle has spe-
cial accessories such as spoilers or a roof
rack or two-way radio aerial, etc., it is advisa-
ble to consult the car wash tunnel operator.
It is best to use a car wash without revolving
bristles if possible.
Washing the vehicle with a high pressure
cleaner
When washing the vehicle with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. This applies
particularly to the operating pressure and the
spraying distance. Do not hold the nozzle too
close to soft materials such as rubber hoses
or seals. The same applies to the parking aid
sensors*, which are located in the rear bump-
er.
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out
in a direct stream or one that has a rotating
jet for forcing off dirt.
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove or brush using only slight pressure.
You should start on the roof and work down. Special car
soap should only be used for very
persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
● The v

ehicle should only be washed with the
ignition switched off. Failure to follow this in-
struction could result in an accident.
● Do not clean the underside of chassis, the
ins
ide of wheel arches or wheel trims without
protecting your hands and arms. You may cut
yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. Other-
wise, there is a risk of sustaining cuts.
● When washing the car during the winter
sea
son: water and ice in the brake system
can reduce braking effectiveness: risk of acci-
dent! CAUTION
● Do not w

ash the vehicle in direct sunlight –
otherwise the paint can be damaged.
● Do not use sponges, abrasive household
spon
ges or similar to clean insect remains.
This could damage the surface.
● Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from
the hea
dlights at regular intervals, for in-
stance when filling the fuel tank. The head-
lights should only be washed with water, do not wipe them with a dry cloth or sponge. It
i
s

best to use soapy water.
● Never wash tyres with a jet that sprays the
wat
er out in a direct stream. This could dam-
age the tyres even if the spray is kept at a
distance and only used for a very short time.
● Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car w
ash, please make sure to retract the ex-
terior mirrors to prevent them from being
damaged. Electrically retractable exterior
mirrors must not be folded in or out by hand,
always use the electrical power control. CAUTION
● Bef

ore washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash, please proceed as follows to lock
the wiper arms so that they are not moved to-
wards the top of the windscreen:
–the bonnet must be closed.
– switch the ignition on and off.
– press the windscreen wiper lever forward
briefly (windscreen washer function).
This will lock the wiper arms. For the sake of the environment
The car should only be washed in special
w a

sh bays. These areas are prepared to pre-
vent oily water from getting into the public
drains. In some places, washing vehicles out-
side the areas intended for this purpose is
prohibited. 267
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Care and maintenance
Carbon parts The carbon parts on your vehicle have a pain-
t
ed s
urface. They do not need any special
care and are cleaned just like any other pain-
ted part ››› page 266.
Paint damage Minor damage to the paint, such as scratches
or s
t

one chips, should be touched up without
delay before the metal starts to corrode. Suit-
able touch-up brushes or sprays for your car
can be obtained from a SEAT Official Service.
The number of the original paint finish on the
vehicle is given on the data sticker
››› page 301.
If corrosion is already visible it must be thor-
oughly removed by a specialised workshop.
Windows Clear vision is an essential safety factor.
The w
ind

screen must not be cleaned with in-
sect remover or wax, otherwise the wind-
screen wipers will not function properly (jud-
dering).
Traces of rubber, oil, grease or silicone can
be removed with a window cleaning solution
or a silicone remover. Wax residue can only be removed with a special cleaner. Your SEAT
Offic

ial Service will be able to provide you
with more detailed information.
The windows should also be cleaned on the
inside at regular intervals.
Use a separate cloth or chamois to dry the
windows. Cloths used for waxing and polish-
ing contain residues that will cause smears
on the glass. WARNING
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the
w ind

screen. In bad visibility conditions (e.g.
in the rain, dark or with a low sun), these
coatings may cause dazzle: risk of accident!
Such coatings can also cause the windscreen
wiper blades to make noise. CAUTION
● Remo

ve snow and ice from windows and ex-
terior mirrors with a plastic scraper only. To
avoid scratches caused by dirt on the glass,
the scraper should only be pushed in one di-
rection and not moved to and fro.
● The heating element for the rear window is
locat
ed on the inner side of the window. To
avoid damaging them, do not apply stickers
to these heating elements.
● Never use warm or hot water to remove
sno
w and ice from windows and mirrors. This
could cause the glass to crack! Wheels
The wheels require regular attention to pre-
ser
v

e their appearance. It is important to re-
move road salt and brake dust by washing
the wheels at regular intervals, otherwise the
finish will be impaired.
After washing, the wheels should only be
cleaned with an "acid-free" cleaning agent
for alloy wheels. This is available from SEAT
Official Services and specialist retailers. Nev-
er leave the cleaning agent on the rims for
any longer than specified in the instructions
before rinsing it off. If the wheel cleaner fluid
contains acid it can attack the surfaces of the
wheel bolts.
Car polish or other abrasive agents should
not be used for maintaining the rims. If the
protective coating is damaged, e.g. by flying
stones, the damaged area should be re-
paired immediately. WARNING
Please note when cleaning the wheels that
w at

er, ice and road salt can impair the effec-
tiveness of the brakes; this can cause an acci-
dent. Exhaust tail pipe
It is important to remove road salt and brake
du
s

t by washing the wheels at regular »
269
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Care and maintenance
Note
Open Velcro fasteners on clothes can damage
the se at
upholstery. Make sure they are
closed. Natural leather
General information
Our r
an

ge of leathers is large. The main type
used is particularly nappa in various forms,
that is, leather with a smooth surface in dif-
ferent colours.
The amount of dye used determines the ap-
pearance and properties of leather. If the
leather is left in a more natural state, it re-
tains its typical natural napped appearance
and confers excellent all-weather properties
to the seats. Fine veins, healed scars, insect
bites, wrinkles and a subtle variation in shad-
ing remain visible; these are the characteris-
tic features of genuine natural leather.
Natural napped leather does not have a pro-
tective surface coating of dye. It is therefore
somewhat more prone to damage. This
should be borne in mind if children or pets
often travel in the car, or if there are other
factors that could lead to damage.
Types of leather with a coloured surface coat-
ing are likely to be more resistant to damage.
This has a great advantage for day-to-day
use. However, this means that the typical natural characteristics of the surface are less
ap
p

arent, though this does not affect quality.
Cleaning and care
Due to the natural properties of the specially
selected hides employed, the finished leath-
er has a certain sensitivity to grease and dirt,
etc. so a degree of care is required in every-
day use and when looking after the leather.
Dark clothing (especially if damp or incorrect-
ly dyed) may stain leather upholstery on the
seats. Dust and grit in the pores and seams
can scratch and damage the surface. There-
fore leather should be cleaned at regular in-
tervals, depending on the actual amount of
use. When they have been in use for a certain
time, your car seats will acquire a typical and
unmistakable patina. This is characteristic for
leather as a natural product and is a sign of
genuine quality.
To maintain the value of natural leather you
should note the following points: CAUTION
● Av

oid exposing leather to direct sunlight
for long periods, otherwise it may tend to
lose some of its colour. If the car is left for a
prolonged period in the bright sun, it is best
to cover the leather.
● Sharp-edged objects on clothing, such as
belts,
zip fasteners, rivets or similar, can also
leave permanent scratches and rough marks
on the surface of the leather. Note
● Use a s

uitable impregnating cream with ul-
tra-violet protection at regular intervals and
after cleaning. The cream nourishes and
moisturises the leather, keeps it supple and
able to breathe. A protective film will also
form.
● Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months and
remo
ve fresh dirt as soon as possible.
● Remove stains from fresh ball-pen and oth-
er inks, lip
stick, shoe cream and similar
stains as soon as possible.
● Preserve the colour of the leather. A special
co
loured cream will renew the colour of the
leather when required and will eliminate dif-
ferences in colour. Cleaning and care of leather uphols-
t
er

y Natural leather requires an extra degree of at-
t
ention and c

are.
Normal cleaning
– Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with wa-
ter and w

ipe over the leather surfaces.
More stubborn dirt
– More stubborn dirt can be removed using a
mil

d soap solution (pure liquid soap: two »
271
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
tablespoons dissolved in one litre of
w at
er).
– Do not let the water soak through the leath-
er or penetrat

e into the seams.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
Remo
val of stains
– Remove fresh wat
er-based stains such as
coffee, tea, juices, blood etc. with an ab-
sorbent cloth or kitchen roll, or use the
cleaning agent from the care set for dried-
on stains.
– Remove fresh gre
ase-based stains that
have not penetrated the surface such as
butter, mayonnaise, chocolate, etc. with an
absorbent cloth or kitchen roll or with the
cleaning agent from the care set.
– Treat fat-based, dried-in stains with grease-
di
ssolving spray.
– Treat less common stains on l
eather, such
as ball-pen and other inks, felt-tip pens,
nail polish, dispersion paint, shoe cream
etc. with a special leather stain remover.
Leather maintenance
– The leather should be treated regularly
(about tw

ice a year) with a special leather-
care product.
– Apply these products very sparingly.
– Then wipe off with a soft cloth. Should you have questions regarding the
car

e and cleaning of the leather upholstery in
your vehicle, we recommend that you contact
your SEAT Official Service. Our representa-
tives will be happy to advise you and tell you
about the product range for leather conserva-
tion, for example:
● Cleaning and care set.
● Coloured leather-care cream.
● Stain remover for ball-pen inks, shoe cream
etc
.
● Grease dissolving spray.
● New products and further developments CAUTION
On no account use solvents (such as petrol,
t urpentine), w

ax polish, shoe cream or simi-
lar materials. Cleaning Alcantara upholstery
Removing dust and dirt
– Moisten a cloth jus t

a little and wipe down
the seat covers.
Removing stains – Moisten a cloth with lukewarm water or di-
luted
white spirits.
– Dab at the stain. Start at the outside and
work

inwards. –
Dry
the clean area with a soft cloth.
Do not use leather cleaning products on Al-
cantara seat covers.
You may use a suitable soap on dust and dirt.
Dust and grit in the pores and seams can
scratch and damage the surface. If the car is
left standing in the sun for long periods, Al-
cantara leather should be protected against
direct sunlight to prevent it from fading. How-
ever, slight colour variations will arise in nor-
mal use. CAUTION
● Do not u

se solvents, wax polish, shoe
cream, stain removers, leather cleaning prod-
ucts or any similar products on Alcantara.
● To avoid damage, stubborn stains should
be remo
ved by a specialised workshop.
● On no account use brushes, hard sponges
or simi
lar utensils. Seat belts
–
Keep the seat belts clean.
– For cleaning, use a mild solution of soap
and w at

er.
– Check the condition of the seat belts at reg-
ul

ar intervals.
272

Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● The v
ehicle 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”, petr
ol or similar additives with
diesel fuel.
● If poor-quality diesel fuel is used, it may be
nece
ssary 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. Exhaust purification system for
v
ehic

les with diesel engines
(AdBlue ®
)
Introduction To reduce emissions, SCR (Selective Catalytic
R
eduction) c

an be used in vehicles with die-
sel engines. Through the special urea solu-
tion AdBlue ®
, SCR transforms nitrogen ox-
ides into nitrogen and water.
AdBlue ®
is stored in a separate tank in the
vehicle ›››
page 280. WARNING
If the level of AdBlue ®
is
too low and the igni-
tion is switched off, it will no longer be possi-
ble to re-start the engine. Not even by jump-
starting the car!
● Insert enough AdBlue ®
when the dis
tance
to empty is approx. 1000 km, at the latest.
● Never run the AdBlue ®
tank
completely dry. WARNING
AdBlue ®
is an irritant, corrosive liquid that
c
an cause injuries if it comes into contact
with the skin, eyes or respiratory organs.
● Before opening an AdBlue ®
rec
ipient, al-
ways take the manufacturer's instructions for
use into account. If the instructions are fol-
lowed correctly, it is not likely that the user
will come into contact with AdBlue ®
.
● If AdBlue ®
come
s into contact with your
eyes, rinse it immediately with plenty of wa-
ter for at least 15 minutes before seeking
medical attention.
● If AdBlue ®
come
s into contact with your
skin, rinse with water for at least 15 minutes
and, in case of skin irritation, seek medical
attention immediately.
● If you accidentally swallow AdBlue ®
, rinse
y

our mouth with plenty of water for at least
15 minutes. Do not induce vomiting unless
advised to by a doctor. Seek immediate medi-
cal attention. CAUTION
AdBlue ®
m ay damage the vehicle's painted
s
urfaces, plastic, upholstery and carpet,
among other things. In case of a spill, clean it
as soon as possible with a damp cloth and
plenty of cold water.
● Remove the AdBlue ®
that
has crystallised
with hot water and a sponge. Warning and control lamps

It lights up red
Unable to start
the engine! The
level of AdBlue is
too low.Park the vehicle on level ground,
taking the appropriate and neces-
sary safety precautions and fill the
tank with the necessary minimum
amount of AdBlue ®
››› page 280. 
It lights up yellow
AdBlue
®
level is
low.
Fill tank with AdBlue ®
before the
indicated number of kilometres
››› page 280. SEAT recommends
contacting a specialised work-
shop.
» 279
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
WARNING
● For s
afety reasons the bonnet must always
be completely closed when the vehicle is
moving. Therefore, after closing the bonnet,
always check that the locking element is
properly engaged. This is the case if the bon-
net is flush with the adjacent body panels.
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not
saf
ely secured when the vehicle is moving,
stop the vehicle immediately and close the
bonnet. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. Engine oil
Gener a

l notes The engine comes with a special, multi-grade
oi
l

that 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 Maint

enance Programme, be per-
formed by a technical service or specialised
workshop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine
are listed in the ›››
 page 49, Oil proper-
ties.
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-
ter
vals. ●
Only
in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil level is too low ››› page 285 and
LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to
top up (once) with oil for fixed service inter-
vals ›››
 page 49 (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 49, Oil properties
. In this case,
your vehicle must be serviced after a fixed in-
terval of 1 year/15,000 km (10,000 miles)
(whatever comes first) ››› Booklet Mainte-
nance Programme.
● In exceptional circumstances, if the engine
oil
level is too low ››› page 285 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
284

Advice
WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil
c ome
s into contact with hot engine compo-
nents when topping up. CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not
s t

art the engine. This could result in damage
to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact
a specialised workshop. For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A .
Other w

ise oil can be drawn in through the
crankcase breather and escape into the at-
mosphere via the exhaust system. Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an
en gine 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. Changing engine oil
Read the additional information carefully
› ›

›  page 48.
The engine oil must be changed at the inter-
vals given in the service schedule. We recommend that you have the engine oil
ch

anged by a Technical Service.
The oil change intervals are shown in the
Maintenance Programme. WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you
h av

e the specialist knowledge required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serv
e the warnings ››› page 282.
● Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil
ma
y cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such
as
acid burns, caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your
fing
ers, keep your arm horizontal to help pre-
vent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
cont
act with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be
st

ored in a safe place out of the reach of chil-
dren. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
Thi s

could result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Bec

ause of disposal problems and the spe-
cial tools and specialist knowledge required,
we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by a Technical Service.
● Never pour oil down drains or into the
grou
nd.
● Use a suitable container when draining the
used oi
l. It must be large enough to hold all
the engine oil. Cooling system
Top

ping up coolant Read the additional information carefully
› ›

›  page 49
Top up coolant when the level is below the
MIN (minimum) mark.
Checking coolant level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Read off the coolant level on coolant ex-
pan

sion tank. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be between the marks.
When the engine is hot, it may be slightly
above the upper mark.
286

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