brake fluid Seat Altea 2015 Owner's Manual

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Safety first! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Advice about driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . 6
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The reason why we should wear seat belts . . . 11
How to properly adjust your seatbelt . . . . . . . . 14
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Airbag overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Deactivating airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Transporting children safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Safety for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Digital instrument panel display . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Instrument panel menus* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Steering wheel controls* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Radio navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Boot hatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Sliding/tilting sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Lights and visibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Windscreen wiper and rear window wiper
systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Rear vision mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Seats and head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Adjusting the seat and head restraints . . . . . . 88
Seat functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Transport and practical equipment . . . . . . . . . 93
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Multi-purpose mobile storage compartment* . 96
Ashtray*, cigarette lighter* and power sockets 98
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher 100
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Roof carrier/rack system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
2C-Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Power steering (servotronic*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
All-wheel drive* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Driving with LPG* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Journeys abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Braking and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gearbox* . 127
Run-in and economical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Driver assistance systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Braking and stability systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Start-Stop System* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Parking aid acoustic system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Cruise speed* (cruise control system - CCS) . . . 142
Towing bracket device
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Care and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Accessories and technical modifications . . . . . 147
Care and cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Caring for the vehicle interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
LPG system (Liquefied petroleum gas)* . . . . . . 160
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . 163
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Windscreen washer reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Winter service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Vehicle tools, spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Wheel change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Tyre repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . 193
Changing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Fuses and bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Changing the lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
3

OperationItemSymbolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther information
3
Rear fog light switched on›››
page 40
4 Turn signals in operation›››
page 41
5 Engine fault (petrol engine)›››
page 41 
Glow plug system (diesel engines)›››
page 41
6 Main beam switched on›››
page 41
7 Soot accumulation in the diesel engine particulate filter›››
page 41
8 ABS system fault›››
page 41
9 Windscreen washer fluid level›››
page 42
10 Alternator fault›››
page 42
11 Fasten seat belts!›››
page 11
12 Brake pad worn›››
page 42
13 Tyre pressure›››
page 43
14 Airbag or belt tensioner system fault or airbag disabled›››
page 16 ››› page 19
15 Bulb defective›››
page 44
16 Brake fluid required or
brake system fault›››
page 44
17 
Red:
Engine oil pressure
›››
page 44Yellow:
If flashing: engine oil sensor faulty
If it remains lit: insufficient engine oil
18 Handbrake on›››
page 123 36

Operation
Overview of control and warning
lamps (vehicles with LPG) 3 Applies to the model: ALTEA / ALTEA XL
Fig. 31
Instrument panel control and warning
lamps in vehicles with LPG1 Red: coolant level/coolant
temperature›››
page
40
2 Blue: cold engine warning›››
page
40
3 
(green
)
The green lamp lights up
when the vehicle is in LPG
mode.
The lamp goes off when
you switch, automatically
or manually, to petrol
mode.
››› page
118 
(yel-
low)
The yellow warning lamp
lights up when the petrol
has reached the reserve
level.
WARNING
● Failure to observe control lamps and warn-
ing messages can result in serious personal
injury or damage to your vehicle.
● The risk of an accident increases if your ve-
hicle breaks down. Use a warning triangle to
draw the attention of other road users in or-
der to prevent danger to third parties.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous
area. Before you open the bonnet to work on
the engine or in the engine compartment,
switch the engine off and allow it to cool to
reduce the risk of burns or other injuries.
Read and observe the relevant warnings
››› page 163. Note
● The appropriate control lamp for a fault will
light up in vehicles without warning or infor-
mation messages in the display. ●
In vehicles with warning or information
messages on the screen, the appropriate con-
trol lamp for a fault will light up and a warn-
ing or information message will also appear
on the screen. Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1)
and yellow warning symbols (priority 2).
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning
lamp will light up or flash and will be accom-
panied by
three audible warnings. This is a
danger warning. Stop the vehicle and switch
off the en

gine. Check the fault and correct it.
Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the
same time, the symbols will be displayed one
after the other for about 2 seconds at a time
and will continue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the
duration of a priority 1 warning message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages
(red)
● Brake system symbol  with the warning
message STOP BRAKE FLUID INSTRUCTION
MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
38

Dash panel
● Coolant symbol  with the warning mes-
s ag
e STOP SEE COOLANT INSTRUCTION MAN-
UAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the
warnin

g message STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE
LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the correspond-
ing warning lamp lights up and is accompa-
nied by an audible warning. Check the corre-
sponding function as soon as possible al-
though the vehicle may be used without risk.
If several priority 2 warning messages are de-
tected at the same time, the symbols are dis-
played one after the other for about 2 sec-
onds at a time. After a set time, the informa-
tion text will disappear and the symbol will
be shown as a reminder at the side of the
display.
Priority 2 warning messages will not be
shown until all Priority 1 warning messages
have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning messages
(yellow): 1)
● Fuel warning light with the information text
PLEASE REFUEL . ●
Windscreen washer fluid symbol  with the
inform

ation text REFILL WINDSCREEN WASHER
FLUID. Top up the washer fluid level.
Information messages displayed on
the screen*
Messages a)Description
SERVICEThe service interval has ended. Take
the vehicle to a Technical Service.
IMMOBILISERImmobiliser system active. The vehicle
will not start. Take the vehicle to a
Technical Service.
ERRORInstrument panel faulty. Take the vehi-
cle to a Technical Service.
CLEAN AIR FIL-
TERWarning: The air filter must be cleaned
NO KEYWarning: Correct key cannot be found
in the vehicle.
KEY BATTERYWarning: Key battery low. Change the
battery.
CLUTCHWarning: Press the clutch to start. In
vehicles with manual gearbox and
Start-Stop system.
--> P/NWarning: Place the selector level in po-
sition P/N to start. Only in vehicles
with automatic gearbox.
Messages a)Description
--> PWarning: Place the selector lever in po-
sition P to stop the engine.
STARTINGWarning: The engine starts automati-
cally. Start-Stop system activated.
START MAN-
UALLYWarning: The engine must be started
manually. Start-Stop system activated
ERROR START- STOPWarning: Start-Stop system error.
START-STOP
IMPOSSIBLEWarning: Although the Start-Stop sys-
tem is switched on, the engine cannot
be stopped automatically. Not all the
necessary conditions are met
START-STOP ACTIVEWarning: Start-Stop system activated.
Vehicle in Stop mode.
SWITCH OFFWarning: Start-Stop system activated.
Switch off the ignition when you leave
the vehicle.
STOP TRANS-
MISSION TOO HOTWarning: Stop the engine. Gearbox
overheated.
BRAKEWarning: To start the engine, press the
brake pedal. Only in vehicles with au-
tomatic gearbox.
COASTINGFUNCTIONWarning: Coasting mode active. Trans-
mission engaged. Only in vehicles with
automatic gearbox.
» 1)
Depending on the version of the model.
39
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
There is a fault in the ABS if:
● The warning lamp 
does not light up
when the ignition i
s switched on.
● The control lamp does not go out again af-
ter a few seconds.
● The control lamp lights up when the vehicle
is moving.
The vehicle can still be braked in the normal
way, without the ABS function. Take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop as soon as
possible. For further information on the ABS
see the ››› page 136
.
If a fault occurs in the ABS, the ESC* control
lamp will also light up.
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp  lights up together
with the brake warning lamp , there is a
fault in the ABS function and in the brake
system ››› .
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the warnings ››› page 163, Working in
the engine compartment.
● If the br

ake system warning lamp  should
light up together with the ABS warning lamp
, stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir
››› page 172, Brake fluid. If the brake fluid
l ev

el has dropped below the “MIN” mark you
must not drive on. Risk of accident. Obtain
technical assistance.
● If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in
the brake system may have been caused by a
failure of the ABS system. This could cause
the rear wheels to lock quickly when you
brake. This could cause the rear to break
away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and
seek technical assistance. Washer fluid* 
This warning lamp lights up to indicate that
the windscreen washer level is very low.
This serves as a reminder to fill up the reser-
voir at the earliest opportunity
››› page 171.
The following message is shown on the in-
strument panel display* 1)
: REFILL WIND-
SCREEN WASHER FLUID .
Alternator  This warning lamp signals a fault in the alter-
nator.The warning lamp

lights up when the igni-
tion i

s switched on. It should go out when the
engine has started running.
If the warning lamp 
lights up while driv-
ing, the alternator is no longer charging the
battery. You should immediately drive to the
nearest specialised workshop.
You should avoid using electrical equipment
that is not absolutely necessary because this
will drain the battery.
Worn brake pads  If the
 symbol lights up, have the front
brake pads (and, for safety reasons, the rear
pads as well) inspected by a specialised
workshop. 1)
Depending on the version of the model.
42

Operation
Brake system*  Situations in which the warning lamp lights
up 
● the br ak
e fluid level is too low
››› page 172.
The ins

trument panel displays the following
message 1)
: STOP BRAKE FLUID INSTRUCTION
MANUAL

.
● there is a fault in the brake system.
The instrument panel displays the following
message 1)
: BRAKE SYSTEM FAULT INSTRUC-
TION MANUAL .
This warning lamp can light up together with
the ABS system warning lamp. WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the warnings on ››› page 163.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out,
or if it lights up when driving, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir ››› page 172, Brake fluid
is too low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle
and do not drive on. Obtain technical assis-
tance.
● If the brake warning lamp lights up  to-
gether with the ABS lamp  this could be
due to an ABS fault. This could cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This
could cause the rear to break away. Risk of
skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance.
Handbrake 
This lamp lights up when the handbrake is
applied.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h (4 mph) with
the handbrake on, the following message will
appear on the instrument panel display
1)
:
HANDBRAKE ON. You will also hear an acous-
tic warning signal ››› page 123.
Bulb defect*  The  warning lamp lights up when there is
a fault in the turn signals, headlights, side
lights and fog lights, e.g. in the left head-
light.
The instrument panel displays the following
message
1)
: LEFT FULL BEAM FAULTY .Engine oil pressure
 If this warning lamp is red it indicates that
the engine oil pressure is too low.
If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is
accompanied by three
audible warnings,
switch off the engine and check the oil level.
If necessary, add more oil ››› page 166.
The instrument panel displays the following
message 1)
: STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE IN-
S TRUCTION MANU

AL.
If the warning lamp flashes although the oil
level is correct, stop driving. Do not even run
the en gine at

idle speed! Obtain technical as-
sistance.
Checking the oil level 
If the warning lamp is yellow  the engine
oil level should be checked as soon as possi-
ble. Top up the oil ›››
page 168 at the next
opportunity.
Oil level sensor faulty* 
If the  yellow warning lamp flashes, take
the vehicle to a specialised workshop to have
the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is
advisable to check the oil level every time
you refuel. 1)
Depending on the version of the model.
44

Operation
to the gear display indicating whether you
should change up or down. Note
The gear change indication should not be tak-
en into account when quick acceleration is re-
quired (for example when overtaking). Odometer
The left-hand counter in the display registers
the total amount of distance covered by the
vehicle.
The right-hand counter registers the short
journeys. The last digit indicates steps of 100
metres. The trip recorder counter may be re-
set by holding down the reset button for a
few seconds.
Flexible service interval display Vehicles with
Service intervals dependent on
time/distance travelled already have certain
service intervals set. The intervals are calcu-
lated individually in vehicles with LongLife
service .
The ser v
ice interval display only indicates the
dates of services that include engine oil
change. The dates of all other services, such
as the Inspection Service or brake fluid change, appear in the sticker on the door pil-
lar or in the Maintenance Programme.
A
Service pre-warning will appear in the od-
ometer if a service is due soon. A “spanner”
symbol appears and the display “km” with
the distance that can be driven until the next
service appointment is due. This signal
changes after around 10 seconds. A “clock
symbol” appears and the number of days un-
til the service appointment should be carried
out. The following message is shown in the
instrument panel display*:
Service in
[XXXX]
kmor
[XXXX]
days
The service message will disappear approxi-
mately 20 seconds after the ignition is
switched on or the engine is running. The
normal display can be resumed by briefly
pressing the reset button on the trip counter
or by pressing the OK button on the steering
wheel controls.
With the ignition on, you can check the cur-
rent service message at any moment in the
Vehicle status menu or turning the reset but-
ton to access the service display. An
overdue service
is indicated by a minus
s

ign in front of the mileage or day informa-
tion.
Indications for vehicles with LongLife service
Technical progress has made it possible to
considerably reduce servicing requirements.
With the LongLife System, SEAT ensures that
your vehicle only has an Interval Service
when it is necessary. The length of the Inter-
val Services (max. 2 years) is determined by
factors such as conditions under which the
vehicle is used and personal driving style.
The service pre-warning will first appear 20
days before the date on which the service is
due. The distance travelled is rounded off to
the nearest 100 km and the time to full days.
The current service message can only be con-
sulted 500 km after the last service. Until
that time, only dashes are displayed. Note
● If you reset the display manually, the next
service interval will be indicated after
15,000 km or one year and will not be calcu-
lated individually.
● Do not reset the display between service
intervals as the display will otherwise be in-
correct. 48

Dash panel
●
In LongLife Service vehicles, if the battery
is disconnected for a long period, the days re-
maining until the next service cannot be cal-
culated. Therefore, the service message dis-
plays on the instrument panel may be incor-
rect. Take into account the maximum author-
ised service intervals. Warning or information message in
the display
The system runs a check on certain compo-
nents and functions when the ignition is
switched on and while the vehicle is moving.
Functional faults are indicated by symbols
with warning or information messages in the
display. An audible warning is given in cer-
tain cases.
Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1)
and yellow warning symbols (priority 2).
Information text
In addition to warning messages given on a
fault, you will receive information in the dis-
play on procedures or will be asked to carry
out certain tasks. Note
In the case of screens without warning or in-
formation messages, faults are indicated ex-
clusively by the control lamps. Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning
lamp will light up or flash and will be accom-
panied by
three audible warnings. This is a
danger warning. Stop the vehicle and switch
off the en
gine. Check the fault and correct it.
Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the
same time, the symbols will be displayed one
after the other for about 2 seconds at a time
and will continue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the
duration of a priority 1 warning message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages
(red)
● Brake system symbol  with the warning
message STOP BRAKE FLUID INSTRUCTION
MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION
MANUAL . ●
Coolant symbol  with the warning mes-
s ag

e STOP SEE COOLANT INSTRUCTION MAN-
UAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the
warnin

g message STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE
LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow) If one of these faults occurs, the correspond-
ing warning lamp lights up and is accompa-
nied by
an audible warning. The function
should be checked as soon as possible.
If several priority 2 warning messages are de-
tected at the same time, the symbols are dis-
played one after the other for about 2 sec-
onds at a time. After a set time, the informa-
tion text will disappear and the symbol will
be shown as a reminder at the side of the
display.
Priority 2 warning messages will not be
shown until all Priority 1 warning messages
have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning messages
(yellow): 1)
● Fuel warning light with the information text
PLEASE REFUEL .
»1)
Depending on the version of the model.
49
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Driving
engine compartment or due to its prolonged
exposure to solar radiation. WARNING
● Never switch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is completely stationary.
● The brake servo works only when the en-
gine is running. With the engine switched off,
more strength is needed to brake. As normal
brake operation cannot be performed, risk of
accidents and serious injury may exist.
● The steering lock can be immediately
blocked once the key is removed from the ig-
nition. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of
accident. CAUTION
When the engine has been running under a
heavy load for a long period, heat can accu-
mulate in the engine compartment and cause
engine damage. For this reason, idle the en-
gine for approximately 2 minutes before
switching it off. Braking and parking
Braking capacity and distance The following factors impair braking capacity: New brake pads
New brake pads do not provide optimal per-
formance during the first 400 km; first they
must be “run in”. However, the reduced brak-
ing capacity may be compensated by press-
ing on the brake pedal a little harder. Avoid
overloading the brakes during run-in.
Wear
The rate of wear on the
brake pads depends
a great deal on how you drive and the condi-
tions in which the vehicle is operated. Nega-
tive factors are, for instance, city traffic, fre-
quent short trips or hard driving with abrupt
starts and stops.
Wet roads or road salt
In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain,
or after washing the vehicle or driving
through water, the full braking effect can be
delayed by moisture (or in winter by ice) on
the discs and brake pads. In this case the
brakes should be “dried” by pressing the
brake pedal several times.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be
temporarily reduced if the vehicle is driven
for some distance without using the brakes
when there is a lot of salt on the road in win-
ter. In this case, the layer of salt on the brake
discs and pads has to wear off before brak-
ing. Corrosion
There may be a tendency for corrosion to
form on the discs and dirt to build up on the
brake pads if the vehicle is used infrequently
or the brakes are not used very often.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if
rust has formed on the disks, it is advisable
to clean off the pads and disks by braking
firmly a few times at a moderately high speed
››› .
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase
suddenly , this may mean that one of the two
br ak
e circuits has failed. Drive immediately
to the nearest specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired. Drive there slowly
and remember that you will have to apply
more pressure on the brake pedal and allow
for longer stopping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is too low. The brake flu-
id level is monitored electronically.
Brake servo
The brake servo increases the pressure you
apply to the brake pedal. It works only when
the engine is running. »
123
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
WARNING
● Apply the brakes heavily to clean the brake
system only in a suitable traffic situation. Do
not put other road users in danger: there is
risk of causing an accident.
● Ensure the vehicle does not move while in
neutral, when the engine is stopped. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in an
accident.
● If the brake fluid loses its viscosity and is
subjected to heavy use, vapour bubbles can
form in the brake system. This reduces the ef-
ficiency of the brakes.
● If a brake system circuit fails, the braking
distance will be increased considerably. Con-
tact a specialised workshop immediately and
avoid unnecessary journeys. CAUTION
● Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your
foot on the pedal when it is not necessary to
brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in
longer stopping distances and greater wear.
● Before driving down a long, steep gradient,
it is advisable to reduce speed and select a
lower gear. This makes use of engine braking
and relieves the brakes. If you still have to
use the brakes, it is better to brake firmly at
intervals than to apply the brakes continu-
ously. Note
● If the brake servo is out of action, for exam-
ple when the car is being towed, you will
have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal to make up for the lack of
servo assistance.
● If you wish to equip the vehicle with acces-
sories such as a front spoiler or wheel covers,
it is important that the flow of air to the front
wheels is not obstructed, otherwise the
brakes can overheat. Before purchasing ac-
cessories please observe the relevant instruc-
tions ››› page 147, Technical modifications . Operating the handbrake
Fig. 123
Handbrake between the front seats. The handbrake should be applied firmly to
prevent the vehicle from accidentally rolling
away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave
your vehicle and when you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly
››› Fig. 123 .
R el
easing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the re-
lease knob in the direction of the arrow
››› Fig. 123 and guide the handbrake lever
down f

ully ››› .
Always pull the handbrake all the way up, so
there is less risk of driving off with it still en-
gaged ››› .
The handbrake warning lamp  lights up
when the handbrake is applied and the igni-
tion switched on. The warning lamp turns off
when the handbrake is released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h (4 mph) with
the handbrake on, the following message*
will appear on the instrument panel: HAND-
BRAKE ON. You will also hear an audible
warning. WARNING
● Never use the handbrake to stop the vehi-
cle when it is in motion. The braking distance
is considerably longer, because braking is
only applied to the rear wheels. Risk of acci-
dent! 124