check engine Seat Altea 2005 User Guide

Driving159
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the starter
motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.After starting a very hot e ngine, you may need to pres s the accelerator briefly.
When starting from cold, the engine ma y be a little noisy for the first few
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If the engine does not start immediatel y, switch off the starter after about
10 seconds and try again after about half a minute. If the engine still does not
start, the fuel pump fuse should be checked ⇒page 233, “Fuses”.
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•
Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•
When the engine is cold, you should avo id high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading th e engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed for more than approximately
50 metres to start the engine. Fuel could enter the catalytic converter and
damage it.
•
Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle to start it, you should first
try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow the instruc-
tions ⇒ page 249, “Jump-starting”.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running th e engine with the vehicle stationary.
You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine
reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with
the correct code.– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the clutch pedal fully and hold it in this position, the starter will then
only have to turn the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 157, fig. 131 . The
indication lamp

will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the warning lamp goes out, turn the key to position to start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the starter motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting from cold, the engine ma y be a little noisy for the first few
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If there are problems to start the engine, see ⇒page 249.
A1A2
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Driving and the environment177
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Driving and the environmentRunning-inRunning in a new engine
The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1,500 km.Up to 1,000 kilometres
– Do not drive faster than three quarters of top speed.
– Do not accelerate hard.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1000 to 1500 km
–Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed
or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).During its first few hours of running, the internal fric tion in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving parts have bedded in.
For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil
consumption reduced.
Running in tyres and brake pads
New tyres should be run-in carefully in the first 500 km. New
brake pads should be run-in carefully in the first 200 km.During the first 200 km, you can compensate for the reduced braking effect
by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. If you need to make an emer-
gency stop, the braking distance will be longer with new brake pads than with
brake pads which have been run-in.
WARNING
•
New tyres do not give maximum grip to start with, and require running-
in. This may be an accident risk. Drive particularly carefully in the first 500
km.
•
New brake pads must be “run in” and do not have the correct friction
properties during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity
may be compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder.
Braking effect and braking distance
The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by
driving situations and road conditions.The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the brake pad wear. The rate
of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under
which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often
drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we
recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an
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Driving and the environment181
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
On the right headlight, if you are changing from driving on the left-hand side
to the right-hand side.
On the left headlight, if you are changing from driving on the left-hand side to
the right-hand side.
Trailer towingWhat do you need to bear in mind when towing a trailer?Your vehicle may be used to tow a trailer when fitted with the correct equip-
ment.
If the car is supplied with a
factory-fitted towing bracket it will already have
the necessary technical modifications and meet the statutory requirements
for towing a trailer. For the posterior fitting of a trailer towing bracket see
⇒ page 196.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 12-pin co nnector for the electrical connection
between the trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use an adapter cable. This is
available from any Technical Service.
Trailer weight / draw bar loading
Never exceed the authorised towing limit. If you do not load the trailer up to
the maximum permitted trailer weight , you can then climb correspondingly
steeper gradients.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to
1,000 m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine power and
therefore the vehicle's climbing ability are impaired because of the reduced
air density. The maximum trailer weight has to be reduced accordingly. The weight of the vehicle and trailer combination must be reduced by 10% for
every further 1,000m (or part thereof).
The gross combination weight is the
actual weight of the laden vehicle plus the actual weight of the laden trailer.
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted draw bar
weight on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified
limit.
The figures for trailer weights and draw bar weights that are given on the
data plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The
correct figures for your specific model, which may be lower than these figures
for the towing bracket, are given in the registration documents an d
⇒ Section “Technical data”.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the axle as
possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to prevent them
moving.
Tyre pressure
Set tyre pressure to the maximum permissible pressure shown on the sticker
on the inside of the fuel tank flap. Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the
standard mirrors. If this is not the case you should have additional mirrors
fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on hinged extension
brackets. Adjust the mirrors to give sufficient vision to the rear.
WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could result in fatal accidents.
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Driving and the environment183
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Driving economically and with respect for the
environmentGeneral notes
Fuel consumption depends largely on your personal driving
style.Fuel economy, environmental impact and wear on the engine, brakes and
tyres depend largely on three factors:•
Personal driving style
•
Conditions of use (weather, road surface)
•
Technical requirements
By adopting an economical driving styl e and anticipating the traffic situation
ahead, you can easily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. This section
suggests methods of lessening the impact on the environment and reducing
your operating costs at the same time.
Think ahead when drivingA vehicle uses most fuel when accelera ting. If you think ahead when driving,
you will need to brake less and thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, let
the vehicle roll slowly to a stop, for instance when you can see that the next
traffic lights are red.
Regular servicingBy taking your car to an Authorised Se rvice Centre for regular servicing you
can establish a basis for good fuel economy before you start driving. A well-
serviced engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as
maximum reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
Check the oil level every time you fill the tank ⇒page 206. Oil consumption
depends to a great extent on the engine load and engine speed. Depending
on your personal driving style, oil consumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000
km.Avoid short journeysThe engine and catalytic converter need to reach their proper working
temperature in order to minimise fuel consumption and emissions.
Fig. 148 Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km at
two different ambient
temperatures
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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
190
WARNING
•
Never wash tyres with a cylindrical jet. Even at large spraying distances
and short cleaning times, visible and invisible damage can occur to the
tyres. This may be an accident risk.
•
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk
of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing
the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully
several times ⇒page 177, “Braking effect and braking distance”.
Cleaning alloy wheelsEvery two weeks
– Wash salt and brake dust from alloy wheels.
– Use an acid free detergent to clean the wheels.
Every three months
– Apply a hard wax compound to the wheels.Alloy wheels require regular attention to preserve their appearance. It is
important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at
regular intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.
Always use an acid-free detergent for alloy wheels.
Car polish or other abrasive agents should not be used. If the protective
coating is damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the damaged area should be
repaired immediately.
WARNING
•
Never wash tyres with a cylindrical jet. Even at large spraying distances
and short cleaning times, visible and invisible damage can occur to the
tyres. This may be an accident risk.
•
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk
of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing
the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully
several times ⇒page 177, “Braking effect and braking distance”.
Underbody sealant
The underside of the vehicle is coated to protect it from corro-
sion and damage.The protective coating could be dama ged when driving. We recommend that
the protective coating under the body and on the running gear should be
checked, and reinstated if necessary, before and after the winter season.
We recommend that repair work and addi tional anti-corrosion work is carried
out by your Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corros ion coatings to the exhaust pipes,
catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust system. The heat of
the exhaust system or the engine could cause them to ignite! This is a fire
hazard.
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Checking and refilling levels199
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
−
Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as
possible.
− If the spare fuel canister is made of metal, the filling nozzle must be
in contact with the canister during filling. This helps prevent an electro-
static charge building up.
− Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the luggage compartment. Fuel
vapours are explosive. Danger of death.
Caution
•
Fuel spills should be removed from the paintwork immediately.
•
Never run the tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply could cause
misfiring. As a result, unburnt fuel co uld enter the catalytic converter and
cause damage.For the sake of the environment
Do not try to put in more fuel after the automatic filler nozzle has switched off;
this may cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm.PetrolPetrol types
The correct petrol types are listed on a sticker inside the fuel
tank flap.Only unleaded petrol, corresponding to the standard DIN EN 228 , may be
used for vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Norm”). Petrol types are categorised according to their
octane number, e. g. 91, 95,
98 RON (RON = “research octane number” ). You may use petrol with a higher
octane number than the one recommende d for your engine. However, this
has no advantage in terms of fuel consumption and engine power.
Caution
•
Even one tankfull of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency
of the catalytic converter.
•
High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using
petrol with an octane rating lower than the correct grade for the engine.For the sake of the environment
Just one tankfull of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the
catalytic converter.Petrol additives
Petrol additives improve the quality of the petrol.The quality of the petrol influences running behaviour, performance and
service life of the engine. For this reason you should use good quality petrol
containing additives. These additives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the
fuel system clean and prevent deposits from building up in the engine.
If good quality petrol with additives is not available or engine problems occur,
the required additives must be added during refuelling.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels201
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Winter driving
Diesel can thicken in winter.Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, difficulties may be experienced at
sub-zero temperatures because the fuel thickens due to paraffin separation.
For this reason, “winter-grade diesel fuel” is available in some countries
during the cold months. It can be used at temperatures as low as -22
° C.
In countries with different climatic cond itions the diesel fuel sold generally
has different temperature characteristics. Check with an Authorised Service
Centre or filling stations in the country concerned regarding the type of diesel
fuels available.
Filter pre-heater
Your vehicle is fitted with a filter fuel pre-heater, making it well equipped for
operation in winter. This ensures that the fuel system remains operational to
approx. -24
°C, provided you use winter-grade diesel which is safe to -15
°C .
However, if the fuel has waxed to such an extent that the engine will not start
at temperatures of under -24
° C, simply place the vehicle in a warm room for
a while.
Caution
Do not mix fuel additives (“thinners”, or similar additives) with diesel fuel.
Working in the engine compartmentSafety instructions on working in the engine compartment
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the
engine must be carried out cautiously.Before starting any work on the engine or in the engine compart-
ment:
1. Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Apply the handbrake.
3. Move the gear stick to neutral or the selector lever to position P.
4. Wait for the engine to cool down.
5. Keep children away from the vehicle.
6. Raise the bonnet ⇒page 203.You should not do any work in the engine compartment unless you know
exactly how to carry out the jobs and have the correct tools! Have the work
carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. coolant, engine oil, spark plugs and
batteries, are being constantly developed. SEAT provides a constant flow of
information to the Authorised Service Centres concerning modifications. For
this reason we recommend that you have service fluids and consumables
replaced by an Authorised Service Centre. Please observe the relevant
instructions ⇒page 194. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a
hazardous area. ⇒ .
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Checking and refilling levels
202
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the engine compartment, e.g. checking and
refilling fluids, involves the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk
of accident or fire.•
Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. Otherwise, there is a risk of sustaining
burns. Wait until no more steam or coolant is emitted, then allow the
engine to cool before carefully opening the bonnet.
•
Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
•
Apply the handbrake and move the gea r stick to neutral or selector
lever to position P.
•
Keep children away from the vehicle.
•
Never touch hot engine parts. This is a risk of burns.
•
Never spill liquids on a hot engine or on a hot exhaust gas system. This
is a fire hazard.
•
Avoid causing short-circuits in the electrical system, particularly at the
points where the jump leads are attached ⇒page 250. The battery could
explode.
•
Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and could
start automatically, even when the engine has been switched off and the
key removed from the ignition!
•
Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
If the coolant is hot, the cooling system will be pressurised!
•
Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large, thick
cloth to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
•
Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cleaning cloths
and tools, in the engine compartment.
•
If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable
stands additionally to support the vehicle, risk of accident!. A hydraulic
jack is insufficient for securing the vehicle and there is a risk of injury.
•
If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with the
engine running, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk from the
rotating parts, such as the drive belt s, alternator, radiator fan, etc., and
from the high-voltage ignition system. You should also observe the
following points:
−Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
− Ensure that jewellery, loose clothing and long hair do not get
trapped in rotating engine parts. Danger of death. Before starting any
work remove jewellery, tie back and cover hair, and wear tight-fitting
clothes.
− Always think carefully about pressing the accelerator if a gear is
engaged in either an automatic or manual gearbox. The vehicle could
move, even if the handbrake is applied. Danger of death.
•
If work has to be carried out on the fuel system or on electrical compo-
nents, you must observe the following safety notes in addition to the above
warnings:
−Always disconnect the battery. The vehicle must be unlocked when
this is done, otherwise the alarm will be triggered.
− Do not smoke.
− Never work near naked flames.
− Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.Caution
When changing or topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that you
fill the fluids into the correct reservoirs. Failure to observe this point will result
in serious malfunctions and engine damage!
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels203
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the environment. For this reason you
should make regular checks on the ground underneath your vehicle. If you
find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a qualified
workshop.Opening the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the windscreen wipers are in
rest position.
– To release the bonnet, pull the lever under the dashboard ⇒fig. 151 in the direction indicated (arrow). The bonnet will be
released by a spring action ⇒.
– Lift the bonnet using the rele ase lever (arrow) and open the
bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and secure it in fixture designed for this in the bonnet.
WARNING
Hot coolant can scald!•
Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment.
Fig. 151 Detail of the
footwell: The release lever
for the bonnet is located
in the driver side footwell
Fig. 152 Arrester hook
for bonnet.
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Checking and refilling levels
204•
Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant is emitted from the bonnet,
then carefully open the bonnet.
•
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 201
Closing the bonnet– Raise the bonnet slightly
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its support.
– At a height of about 30 cm let it fall so it is locked.If the bonnet does not close, do not press downwards. Open it onc e more and
let it fall as before.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving and
completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.•
After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.
•
If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly. Risk
of accident.
Engine oilEngine oil specifications
The engine used must conform to exact specifications.Specifications
A special high-quality multigrade oil is put in the engine at the factory. This
can be used all the year round, except in exceptionally cold climates.
As the use of good quality oil is nec essary for the correct operation and long
service life of the engine, when it becomes necessary to replenish or change
the oil, always use an oil that complies to the VW standards.
If it is not possible to find oil conforming to the VW standards then oil
conforming to the ACEA or API standards with an appropriate viscosity at
atmospheric temperature should be used in stead. The use of this type of oil
may have some repercussions on the performance of the engine for example,
long starting time, increased consumption and a higher emission level.
If a top up is required then different oils may be mixed as long as they all
conform to the VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should
appear on the container of the service oil; the container will display together
the different standards for petrol and diesel engines, the oil can be used for
both types of engines.
WARNING (continued)
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