Care and maintenance
●
The modification of the s
uspension of the
vehicle wheels, including the use of non-per-
mitted combinations of tyres and rims can al-
ter the operation of the airbag system and in-
crease the risk of serious or fatal injuries in
an accident.
● During all jobs on the airbag system, in ad-
dition to the remo
val and fitting of parts of
the system in the course of other repair jobs,
parts of the airbag system can be damaged.
Therefore in the event of an accident, this
may cause the airbags to activate incorrectly
or not activate at all. Radio and aerial reception
In vehicles factory-fitted with an audio or
n
av
ig
ation system, the aerial may be instal-
led in different places:
● inside the rear window next to the heating
elements,
● on the roof
of the vehicle.
Care and cleaning Introduction Regular and suitable care helps to
m
aint ain
the u
seful life of your vehicle. This may also
be one of the requirements for upholding any warranty claims in the event of corrosion or
paint def
ects.
We recommend you use cleaning products
from the SEAT Original Accessories pro-
gramme available in SEAT dealers. Please fol-
low the instructions for use on the packag-
ing. WARNING
● Cle
aning products and other materials used
for car care can damage the health if mis-
used.
● Always keep car care materials in a safe
plac
e out of the reach of children. Risk of poi-
soning!
● When washing the car during the winter
season: Moi
sture and ice on the brakes may
affect braking efficiency. Risk of accident!
● The ignition must always be switched off
when the car is
washed. Risk of accident!
● Do not clean the underside of the car or in-
side the wheel ar
ches without protecting your
hands and arms. You may cut yourself on
sharp metal parts!
● Perfumes and air fresheners inside the ve-
hicle m
ay be harmful to health at high tem-
peratures in the interior. CAUTION
● Check the c
olour-fastness of your clothing
to avoid damaging or visibly staining the fab-
ric (leather), upholstery and fabric trim. ●
Cle
aning products containing solvents may
damage the material being cleaned.
● Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
Risk of
damage to paintwork.
● If washing the vehicle with a hose in win-
ter, do not
direct the jet of water directly at
the locks or at the door seals or bonnet. Risk
of freezing.
● Do not use sponges for removing insects or
abras
ive household sponges, etc. on painted
surfaces. Risk of damage to the painted sur-
face!
● Do not put stickers on the inner side of the
rear w
indow in areas where heating elements
or the aerial are located. This could cause
damage and, in the case of the aerial, radio
and navigation system reception faults.
● Do not clean the inside of the window with
sharp ob
jects or corrosive or acidic cleaning
products. Risk of damaging the heating ele-
ments or the aerial.
● Do not attach any fragrance or air freshener
to the da
sh panel. Risk of damage to the
dash panel!
● To avoid damaging the parking aid system
sensors, s
pray them only briefly at a mini-
mum distance of 10 cm when cleaning the ve-
hicle with a high-pressure or steam cleaner.
● Do not clean the roof panel with a brush.
Risk of
damage to the panel surface! » 195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Care and maintenance
Wheels Wheel trims
If
y
ou wash the vehicle regularly, you should
also thoroughly wash the wheel trim. Regu-
larly remove any brake dust and road salt
from the wheels, otherwise the wheel materi-
al could be damaged. Repair any damage to
the wheel paintwork immediately.
Alloy wheels
After thorough washing, treat the wheels
with a protective product for alloy wheels. Do
not use abrasive products to care for the
wheels. WARNING
Moisture, ice and road salt may affect braking
efficiency . Ri
sk of accident! CAUTION
Heavy dirt on the wheels could lead to their
mis a
lignment. This could result in vibrations
being transmitted to the steering wheel that
under certain conditions may cause prema-
ture steering wear. This dirt must be re-
moved. Note
We recommend you leave paint damage re-
pair s
to a SEAT Authorised Service. Vehicle underbody protection
The underside of the vehicle is coated to per-
manently
pr
otect it from chemical and me-
chanical agents.
Given that damage to the protective coating
during driving cannot be completely ruled
out, we recommend you check the condition
of the protective coating on the underbody
and suspension at regular intervals, prefera-
bly before the start and end of the coldest
season of the year.
Authorised SEAT dealers have suitable spe-
cial products and the necessary facilities and
are aware of the techniques required for their
application. We therefore recommend all
touch-up work or additional anti-corrosion
measures be performed by an authorised
SEAT dealer. WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion
co atin
gs to the exhaust pipes, catalytic con-
verter, particulate filter or heat shields on the
exhaust system. Once the engine has
reached operating temperature, these sub-
stances could catch fire. Risk of fire! Cavity waxing
All cavities on the vehicle exposed to corro-
sion ar
e perm
anently factory-protected by a
wax solution .
This wax solution does not need to be
checked or touched up. Should wax run out
of the cavities at high ambient temperatures,
remove it using a plastic scraper and clean
away any stains using lighter fluid. WARNING
Note the regulations concerning safety and
env ir
onmental protection if you use lighter
fluid to remove the wax. Risk of fire! Leatherette and upholstery
Leatherette can be cleaned with a damp
c
loth. If
thi
s is not sufficient, these parts
should only be cleaned with solvent-free
plastic care and cleaning products .
Textile covers and trim parts on doors, boot
lid, etc. can be cleaned with special deter-
gents, e.g. dry foam. A soft sponge or brush
or a micro-fibre cloth for normal cleaning can
be used. Use special products to clean the
headliner. »
199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Advice
– Chec k
th
at the fuel flap is correctly closed.
Vehicles with a keyless fuel cap (the side
flap will unlock using the central locking sys-
tem)
– Once the vehicle has been unlocked using
the central
locking button, press the fuel
flap in the direction of the arrow 1›››
Fig. 202.
– Open the cover in the direction indicated
by
the arr
ow 2 .
– Unscrew the tank cap anti-clockwise and
pl
ac
e it on top of the tank flap ››› Fig. 202
.
– Insert the pump nozzle into the fuel feed
tube as
far as it will go.
The fuel tank is full as soon as the automatic
filler nozzle cuts out ››› .
– Remove the pump nozzle from the fuel feed
tube and p
l
ace it back on the pump.
– Screw the tank cap clockwise until it clicks
into pl
ace.
– Close the tank flap. Make sure you hear it
click
into place.
– Check that the fuel flap is properly closed. WARNING
Observe all relevant statutory regulations on
tran s
porting spare fuel canisters. For safety reasons, we do not recommend carrying a
sp
ar
e canister in the vehicle. The canister
could be damaged in an accident and fuel
may leak. Risk of fire! CAUTION
● Sw itc
h off the auxiliary heater (heater and
independent heater) before filling the tank.
● The fuel tank is full as soon as the automat-
ic fil
ler nozzle cuts out. Do not continue fill-
ing, as this will fill the expansion chamber.
● Never completely empty the tank! An irreg-
ular f
uel supply can cause ignition faults,
which can result in damage to a substantial
amount of engine parts and the exhaust sys-
tem.
● If any fuel is spilt onto the paintwork of the
vehicl
e, it should be removed immediately.
Risk of damage to paintwork! Note
There is no emergency mechanism for the
manua l
release of the fuel tank flap. If neces-
sary, request assistance from specialised per-
sonnel. Note
The fuel tank capacity is around 55 litres, of
which 7 litr e
s are the reserve. Types of petrol
The correct grade of petrol is listed inside the
fuel
t
ank flap.
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 you
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.
202
Checking and refilling levels
Go to a technical service.
The c ontr
o
l 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 209
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. 206
Engine oil dipsticks. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 41
The dipstick shows the engine oil level.
››› Fig. 206.
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 .
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 209,
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 207.
– Check the oil level ›››
page 209. »
209
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Checking and refilling levels
– Re
a
d off the coolant level on coolant ex-
pansion tank ››› Fig. 207. 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 210, 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. 207 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. 207 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. 208
Engine compartment: brake fluid
r e
ser
voir. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 43 »
211
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 204.
– Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir
›››
Fig. 208. 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 157, 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. Window washer system
Top
pin
g up windscreen washer fluid Fig. 209
Engine compartment: windscreen
w a
sher r
eservoir. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 43
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.
212
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 43.
Warning symbols on the battery
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. » 213
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. 210
Battery: Opening the cover. The battery is located beneath a plastic cover
in the en
gine c
omp
artment.
214