technical data Seat Altea Freetrack 2010 Owner's Manual
Page 6 of 294
Contents
4Trailer towing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instructions to follow  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ball coupling of towing bracket*  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving tips  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Fitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning
. . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle exterior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle interior maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Accessories, parts replacement and 
modifications
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Accessories and parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Technical modifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Roof aerial*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Mobile telephones and radios  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Checking and refilling levels
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . 
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades . . . . 
Brake fluid  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Battery  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Wheels and tyres
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
If and when
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tools, tyre repair kit and spare wheel  . . . . . . . . 
Wheel change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tyre repair kit (Tyre-Mobility-System)* . . . . . . . . 
Fuses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Technical Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes on the technical data
 . . . . . . . 
Outstanding information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Data on fuel consumption  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Towing a trailer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Te chni cal Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 2.0 l 155 kW (211 HP)  . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 2.0 litre 155 kW (211 bhp). Four-
wheel drive  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 2.0l 103 kW (140 bhp). Front-wheel 
drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 2.0 l 103 kW (140 bhp). Four-wheel 
drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 2.0l 125 kW (170 bhp). four-wheel 
drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Dimensions and capacities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Index
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
195
195
196
196
197
199
199
200
206
208
208
208
209
209
210
210
211
212
213
216
220
222
226
227
230
230
238
238
240
247
249
253
262
265 269
269
269
271
272
273
273
274
275
276
277
279
281
283
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Content
6ContentThis manual is structured to provide the information you need in an organised 
way. The content of this Manual is divided into  sections which belong to 
chapters  (e.g. “Air conditioning”). The entire manual is divided into five large 
parts which are:1. Safety FirstInformation on the vehicle equipment relating to passive safety such as seat 
belts, airbags, seats, etc.2. Controls and equipmentInformation about the distribution of controls in the driver position of your 
vehicle, about the seat adjustment possibilities, about how to create a suit-
able climate in the passenger compartment, etc.3. Practical tipsAdvice relating to the driving, caring  and maintenance of your vehicle and 
certain problems you can solve yourself.4. Technical DataFigures, values and the dimensions of your vehicle.5. Alphabetic indexAt the end of this manual there is a detailed alphabetical index, this will help 
you to rapidly find the information you require.
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Page 9 of 294
Safe driving7
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Safety FirstSafe drivingBrief introductionDear SEAT Driver
Safety first!This chapter contains important in formation, tips, suggestions and 
warnings that you should read and consider for both your own safety 
and for your passengers safety.
WARNING
•This manual contains important information concerning the driver's 
and passengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the on 
board manual also contain further information that you should be aware of 
for your own safety and for the safety of your passengers.•Ensure that the onboard documentation is kept in the vehicle at all 
times. This is especially important when lending or selling the vehicle to 
another person.
Safety equipment
The safety equipment is a part of the occupant protection 
system and can reduce the risk of injury in the event of acci-
dent.Never “put” your safety and the safety of your passengers in danger. In the 
event of an accident, the safety equipment may reduce the risk of injury. The 
following list includes most of the safety equipment in your SEAT:•three-point seat belts,•belt tension limiters for the front and rear side seats,•belt tension devices for the front seats,•belt height adjustment for the front seats,•front airbags,•side airbags in the front seat backrests.•curtain airbags,•crash-active front head restraints*,•“ISOFIX” anchorage points for child seats in the rear side seats with the 
“ISOFIX” system,•height-adjustable head restraints,•head restraints with in-use position and non-use position•adjustable steering column.
The safety equipment mentioned above works together to provide you and 
your passengers with the best possible protection in the event of accidents. 
But this safety equipment cannot neither help you nor your passengers if you 
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Safe driving9
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Always reduce your speed as appropriate for road, traffic and 
weather conditions.
– When travelling long distances, take breaks regularly - at least  every two hours.
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or are in tension.
WARNING
When driving safety is impaired during a trip, the risk of injury and acci-
dents increases.
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Safe driving11
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Fasten your safety belt securely  ⇒page 19.
– Keep both feet in the foot well so that you have the vehicle under  control at all times.Adjustment of the driver's seat  ⇒page 129.
WARNING
•An incorrect sitting position of the driver can lead to severe injuries.•Adjust the driver's seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between 
the centre of the chest and the centre of the steering wheel  ⇒page 10, 
fig. 1 . If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm, the airbag system cannot protect 
you properly.•If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the 
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop 
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.•When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the 
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This reduces the 
risk of injury when the driver airbag is triggered.•Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other 
manner (e.g. in the centre of the steering wheel). In such cases, if the 
airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.•To reduce the risk of injury to the driver during sudden braking manoeu-
vres or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted far back! The airbag 
system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the driver is wearing his or her seat belt 
properly. The further the backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk 
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web or to the incorrect 
sitting position!•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve optimal protection.
Proper sitting position for front passenger
The front passenger must sit at least 25 cm away from the 
dash panel so that the airbag can provide the greatest 
possible protection in the event that it is triggered.For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an 
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the front 
passenger:
– Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible  ⇒.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests  completely against it.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same  level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same 
level as the top of your head ⇒ page 13.
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the front passenger seat.
– Fasten your safety belt securely  ⇒page 19.It is possible to deactivate the passenger airbag in  exceptional circum-
stances  ⇒ page 25.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's seat, see 
⇒ page 132.
WARNING
•An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe 
injuries.
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Safe driving13
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Correct adjustment of front seat head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of 
passengers protection and can reduce the risk of injuries in 
most accident situations.
Adjust the head restraint properly in order to achieve maximum 
protection.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same 
level as the top of your head or as close as possible to the same 
level as the top of your head and, at the very least, at eye level 
⇒fig. 3  and ⇒fig. 4 .Adjusting the head restraints  ⇒page 129.
WARNING
•Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted 
increases the risk of severe injuries.•Incorrectly adjusted head restraints could result in death in the event of 
a collision or accident.•Incorrectly adjusted head restraints also increase the risk of injury 
during sudden or unexpected driving or braking manoeuvres.•The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the 
passenger's height.
Headrests in use*Vehicle occupants are pressed into their seats during a rear end collision. The 
resulting body pressure on the backrest activates the crash-active head 
restraint* on the front seat, which moves rapidly forwards and upwards at the 
same time. This movement reduces th e distance between the occupant's 
head and the head rest, thus reducing the risk of head injuries such as brain 
trauma.
Fig. 3  Properly adjusted 
head restraint viewed 
from the frontFig. 4  Properly adjusted 
head restraint viewed 
from the side
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Safe driving15
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Rear outer seat head restraints
– The rear outer seat head restraints have 3 positions.
–Two positions for use  ⇒ page 14, fig. 5 . In these positions, the 
head restraints are used normally, protecting passengers along 
with the rear seat belts.
–And one position for  non-use.
– To fit the head restraints in position for use, pull on the edges  with both hands in the direction of the arrow.
Centre rear head restraint
– The centre head restraint only has two positions,  in-use (head 
restraint up) and  non-use (head restraint down).
WARNING
•Under no circumstances should the rear passengers travel while the 
head restraints are in the non-use position. See the warning label located 
on the rear side fixed window  ⇒page 14, fig. 6 .•Do not swap the centre rear head restraint with either of the outer seat 
rear head restraints.•Injury risk in case of an accident!Caution
Note the instructions on the adjustment of the head restraints ⇒ page 130.
Examples of incorrect sitting positions
An incorrect sitting position can lead to severe injuries to 
occupants.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only when the belt webs 
are properly positioned. Incorrect sitting positions substantially 
reduce the protective function of seat belts and increase the risk of 
injury due to incorrect belt web position. As the driver, you are 
responsible for all vehicle occupants, especially children.
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in  the vehicle while travelling  ⇒.The following list contains examples of sitting positions that could be 
dangerous for all occupants. The list is not complete, but we would like to 
make you aware of this issue.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is in motion:•Never stand in the vehicle,•never stand on the seats,•never kneel on the seats,•never tilt your backrest far to the rear,•never lean against the dash panel,•never lie on the rear bench,•never sit on the front edge of a seat,•never sit sideways,•never lean out of a window,•never put your feet out of a window,•never put your feet on the dash panel,•never put your feet on the surface of a seat,
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Safe driving17
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
•Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original floor 
mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the pedals. Risk 
of accident.
Stowing luggageLoading the boot
All luggage and other loose objects must be safely secured in 
the luggage compartment.Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could impair the 
driving safety or driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the 
centre of gravity.
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment.
– Lay and stow heavy luggage as far forward as possible in the  luggage compartment.
– Stow heavy luggage as low as possible in the luggage compart- ment.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening rings  ⇒page 18.
WARNING
•Loose luggage and other objects in the boot could cause serious inju-
ries.
•Always stow objects in the luggag e compartment and secure them on 
the fastening rings.•Use suitable specialist straps to secure heavy objects.•During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown 
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This increased risk of 
injury will be further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating 
airbag. If this happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of 
fatal injury.•Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting 
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style 
accordingly, to avoid accidents.•Never exceed the allowed axle loads or allowed maximum weight. If the 
allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving char-
acteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries and 
damage to the vehicle.•Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is 
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment closing the door 
behind them; they will remain trapped without help and there is a mortal 
risk.•Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Close and lock 
both the tailgate and all the doors when you leave the vehicle. Before you 
lock the vehicle, make sure that ther e are no adults or children in the 
vehicle.•Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every 
passenger must be properly belted in ⇒ page 19.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Seat belts19
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Seat beltsBrief introductionBefore driving: remember your seat belt!
Wearing a seat belt proper ly can save your life!In this chapter you will learn the importance of wearing seat belts, 
how they work and how to properly fasten, adjust and wear them.
– Read and consider all the information as well as the warnings in 
this chapter.
WARNING
•If seat belts are worn incorrectly or no t at all, the risk of severe injuries 
increases.•Properly worn seat belts can reduce severe injuries in case of sudden 
braking manoeuvres or accidents. For safety reasons, you and your passen-
gers must always wear the seat belts properly while the vehicle is moving.•P r e g n a n t  w o m e n  o r  p e o p l e  w i t h  p h y s i c al  d i s a b i l i t i e s  m u s t  a l s o  u s e  s e a t  
belts. Like all other passengers, these people can also sustain severe inju-
ries if they are not wearing their seat belts properly.
Number of seatsYou r ve h icl e  has  five seats, two on the front part and three on the rear part. 
Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
WARNING
•More people than available seats must never be transported in your 
vehicle.•Every passenger in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat 
belt belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an appro-
priate child restraint system.
Seat belt warning lamp* 
The warning lamp acts as a reminder to the driver to fasten 
the seat belt.Before starting the vehicle:
– Fasten your safety belt securely.
– Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before  driving off.
– Protect children by using a child seat according to the child's  height and weight.
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Seat belts21
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Why wear seat belts?Physical principles of frontal collisions
In the event of a frontal collision, a large amount of kinetic 
energy must be absorbed.
It is easy to explain how the laws of physics work in the case of a head-on 
collision: When a vehicle starts moving  ⇒fig. 7  there is a certain amount of 
energy known as “kinetic energy”, both in the vehicle and in the occupants.
The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the 
weight of the vehicle and its passengers. The higher the speed and the 
greater the weight, the more energy there is to be “released” in an accident.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed 
doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic energy is multi-
plied by four.
Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, the 
entire amount of kinetic energy has to be absorbed at the point of impact 
⇒ fig. 8 .
Even at speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on bodies in a colli-
sion can easily exceed one tonne (1000 kg). At greater speed these forces are 
even higher.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “attached” to the vehicle. In a 
frontal collision, they will move forward at the same speed their vehicle was 
Fig. 7  Vehicle about to hit 
a wall: the occupants are 
not wearing seat belts
Fig. 8  The vehicle hits 
the wall: the occupants 
are not wearing seat belts
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