warning Seat Altea 2009 Owner's Manual

Wheels and tyres
236
Driving with anti-puncture tyres (emergency gear)
– Leave the ESP/TCS (electronic stabilisation programme) switched on, or switch on ⇒page 186.
– Continue driving carefully and slowly (80 km/h maximum).
– Avoid sudden manoeuvres and sharp turns.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (for example kerbs) or potholes.
– Look out for the ESP/TCS intervening often, smoke coming from the tyres or the smell of rubber, the vehicle vibrating or a clat-
tering noise. If any of these occur, stop the vehicle.The anti-puncture tyres have a tag on the side of the tyre, with the description:
“DSST”, “Eufonia”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
The sides of this type of tyre are reinforced. When the tyres lose air they are
supported on the sides (emergency driving).
The loss of pressure in the tyre is shown on the instrument panel. You can
then drive a maximum of 80 km and if the circumstances are favourable (for
example, low load), even more.
The damaged tyre should be changed as soon as possible. The rim should be
checked in a specialist workshop to detect possible damage and replace it if
necessary. We recommend you contact Technical Service. If more than one
tyre is being used under emergency co nditions, this reduces the distance
which can be travelled.
Starting driving in emergency conditions
When the loss in tyre pressure is displayed on the instrument panel, this
implies that at least one tyre is being driven in emergency conditions ⇒.
End of emergency operation
Do not drive on if:
•
smoke is coming from one of the tyres,
•
there is a smell of rubber,
•
the vehicle vibrates,
•
there is a rattling noise.
When is it no longer possible to co ntinue driving even using anti-puncture
tyres?
•
If one of the tyres has been severely damaged in an accident, etc. If a tyre
has been badly damaged there is a risk that parts of the tread can be thrown
off and cause damage to the fuel lines, brake pipes or fuel filler.
•
It is also advisable to stop driving if severe vibrations occur, or if the wheel
starts overheating and gives off smoke.
WARNING
When driving in emergency conditions, the driving quality of the vehicle is
considerably impaired.•
The maximum permitted speed of 80 km/h is subject to road and
weather conditions. Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
•
Avoid sharp turns and rapid manoeuvres, and brake earlier than usual.
•
Avoid driving over obstacles (for example kerbs) or potholes.
•
If one or more tyres is being driven in emergency conditions, the driving
quality of the vehicle is impaired and there is a risk of accident.Note
•
The anti-puncture tyres do not “deflate” on losing pressure because they
are supported on the reinforced sides. Th erefore defects in the tyre can not be
detected with a visual inspection.
•
Snow chains must not be used on front tyres used in emergency
conditions.
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Wheels and tyres237
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run-in.The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteristics
of the vehicle and make a major contribution to good road holding and safe
handling ⇒.
Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front
tyres or both rear tyres together). A knowledge of tyre designations makes it
easier to choose the correct tyres. Radial tyres have the tyre designations
marked on the sidewall, for example: 195/65 R15 91T
This contains the following information:
195 Tyre width in mm
65 Height/width ratio in %
R Tyre construction: Radial
15 Rim diameter in inches
91 Load rating code
T Speed rating
The tyres could also have the following information:•
A direction of rotation symbol
•
“Reinforced” denotes heavy-duty tyres.
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly only
on the inner side of the wheel).
“DOT ... 1103 ...” means, for example, th at the tyre was produced in the 11th
week of 2003.
We recommend that work on tyres and wheels is carried out by an Authorised
Service Centre. They are familiar with the procedure and have the necessary special tools and spare parts as well as the proper facilities for disposing of
the old tyres.
Any Authorised Service Centre has full information on the technical require-
ments when installing or changing tyres, wheels or wheel trims.
WARNING
•
We recommend that you use only wh
eels and tyres which have been
approved by SEAT for your model. Failure to do so could impair vehicle
handling. Risk of accident.
•
Avoid running the vehicle on tyres th at are more than six years old. If
you have no alternative, you should drive slowly and with extra care at all
times.
•
Never use old tyres or those with an unknown “history of use”.
•
If wheel trims are retrofitted, you must ensure that the flow of air to the
brakes is not restricted. This could cause them to overheat.
•
All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of accordi ng to the laws in the country concerned.
Note
•
For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from
other vehicles. This can also apply to wheels of the same model. The use of
wheels or tyres which have not been approved by SEAT for use with your
model may invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public roads.
•
If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the
vehicle - for example with winter tyres - you should only use the spare tyre for
a short period of time and drive with extra care. Refit the normal road wheel
as soon as possible.
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Wheels and tyres
238Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are
fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt
heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the
brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you may not use wheel bolts from a different car -
even if it is the same model ⇒page 210.
After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel bolts
should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒. The tight-
ening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become
loose while driving. Risk of accident.•
The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or oil
to them.
•
Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
•
If the torque of the wheel bolts is to o low, they could loosen whilst the
vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too high,
the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.Caution
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and
ice.In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicles
handling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) gives less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pressures
specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
Information on permitted winter tyre sizes can be found in the vehicle's regis-
tration documents. Use only radial winter tyres. All tyre sizes listed in the
vehicle documentation also apply to winter tyres.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth
of 4 mm.
The speed rating code ⇒page 237, “New tyres and wheels” determines the
following speed limits for winter tyres: ⇒
Q max. 160 km/h
S max. 180 km/h
T max. 190 km/h
H max. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles which can exceed the speed rating of the fitted
tyre must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These
stickers are available from your Authorised Service Centre. The legal require-
ments of each country must be followed.
Do not have winter tyres fitted for unnecessarily long periods. Vehicles with
summer tyres handle better when the roads are free of snow and ice.
If you have a flat tyre, please refer to the notes on the spare wheel
⇒ page 237, “New tyres and wheels”.
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Wheels and tyres239
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
The maximum speed for the winter tyre s must not be exceeded. Otherwise,
this could lead to tyre damage and thus, an accident risk.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres in good time. They are quieter, do not wear so quickly
and reduce fuel consumption.Snow chainsSnow chains are only permitted on the front wheels and only for
tyres195/65R15 and 205/55R16. These tyres may only be fitted with fine-
pitch link chains which do not protrude more than 15 mm ⇒page 272.
Snow chains must have fine-pitch link s which do not protrude more than 9
mm, including tension device.
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains. For safety
reasons cover caps, available in any Authorised Service Centre, must then be
fitted over the wheel bolts.
WARNING
Snow chains should be correctly tightened in accordance with the manu-
facturer's instructions. This will prevent the chains coming into contact
with the wheel housing.
Caution
You must remove the snow chains to drive on roads which are free of snow.
Otherwise they will impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very
quickly.
Note
•
In some countries, the speed limit for using snow chains is 50 km/h. The
legal requirements of the country should be followed.
•
We recommend that you ask your Appr oved Service Centre for information
about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.
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If and when
240If and whenTools, tyre repair kit and spare wheelVehicle To ols
The vehicle onboard tools are located under the floor panel in
the luggage compartment.– Lift the cover of the luggage compartment, by pulling it up with a
finger in the fitting.
– Take the onboard tools out of the vehicle.The tool kit includes:•
Jack*
•
Hook for removing wheel covers* or hub caps*
•
Box spanner for wheel bolts*
•
Reversible screwdriver with handle (including hexagonal interior) for the
wheel bolts. The screwdriver is a combination tool.
•
To wi ng e ye
•
Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*
Some of the items listed are only prov ided in certain models / model years,
or are optional extras.
WARNING
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to tighten
the wheel bolts as with this it is not possible to tighten the bolts to the
required torque. Risk of accident.
•
The jack supplied by the factory is only designed for changing wheels
on this model. On no account attempt to use it for lifting heavier vehicles
or other loads. Risk of injury.
•
Use the jack only on a firm, level ground.
•
Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack. Risk of accident.
•
I f wo r k is t o b e ca r r i e d o u t un d e r n ea th the vehicle, this must be secured
by suitable stands. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury.WARNING (continued)
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If and when241
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Compact temporary spare wheel* (emergency wheel)
The compact spare wheel (emergency wheel for vehicles
without the anti-puncture kit) should only be used when
strictly necessary.The temporary spare wheel is stored under the floor panel in the luggage
compartment and is attached by a thumbnut.
How to use the compact temporary spare wheel
Should you ever have a punctured tyre, the compact temporary spare wheel
is only intended for temporary use until you can reach a workshop. The
standard-size road wheel should be replaced as soon as possible.
Please note the following restrictions when using the compact temporary
spare wheel. This spare wheel has been specially designed for your vehicle,
thus, it cannot be changed with th e spare wheel from another vehicle.
No other type of tyre (normal summer or winter tyre) may be fitted on the
compact temporary spare wheel rim. Snow chains
For technical reasons, snow chains must not
be used on the compact tempo-
rary spare wheel.
If you should have a puncture on one of the front wheels when using snow
chains, fit the compact temporary spare in place of one of the rear wheels.
You can then attach the snow chains to the wheel taken from the rear and use
this wheel to replace the punctured front wheel.
WARNING
•
The tyre pressures must be checked and corrected as soon as possible.
The emergency tyre pressure for dimensions 125/70R16 125/70R18
135/90R16 is 4.2 bar; for all other tyre di mensions please refer to the label
on the fuel cap. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
•
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h. Hi gher speeds can cause an accident.
•
Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering. Risk of acci-
dent.
•
Never use two or more compact spare tyres at the same time, risk of
accident.
•
No other type of tyre (normal summer or winter tyre) may be fitted on
the compact temporary spare wheel rim.
Tyre repair kit*
The tyre repair kit (for vehicles not including a spare wheel) is
stored under the floor panel in the luggage compartment.Your vehicle is equipped with the Tyre Mobility System “Tyre repair kit”.
The tyre repair kit consists of a contai ner with sealing compound to repair the
puncture and a compressor to generate the required tyre pressure. The kit will
Fig. 168 Luggage
compartment. Access to
the spare wheel
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If and when
242reliably seal punctures up to a size of about 4 mm caused by the penetration
of a foreign body into the tyre.
Note
•
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is not
possible with the sealing compound.
Wheel changePreparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel.– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as
level as possible.
– All passengers should leave the ve hicle. They should wait in a
safe area (for instance behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Switch off the engine. Switch on the hazard warning lights.
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage the first gear, or put the selector lever to position P for
those vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
– If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
– Take the vehicle tools and the spare wheel out of the luggage
compartment.
WARNING
Put the hazard warning lights on and place the warning triangle in position.
This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite the
wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to prevent
the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.Changing a wheelChange the wheel as described below
– Remove the wheel cover. Also refer to ⇒page 243, fig. 169
– Slacken the wheel bolts .
– Raise the car with the jack in the corresponding zone.
– Remove the wheel and then put on the spare wheel
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly with the box spanner.
–Replace the hub cap.
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If and when245
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
Loosen the wheel bolts only about one tu rn before raising the vehicle with
the jack, loosening the wheel bolts more than one turn can result in an acci-
dent.
Note
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in th e screwdriver handle to loosen or
tighten the wheel bolts.
•
If the wheel bolt is very tight, you may be able to loosen it by pushing
down the end of the spanner carefully with your foot. Hold on to the vehicle
for support and take care not to slip.
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If and when
246Raising the vehicle
In order to remove the wheel, the vehicle must be raised with
a jack.
– Locate the jacking point under the door sill closest to the wheel
to be changed ⇒fig. 171.
– Place the jack under the jacking point and turn the crank until the arm of the jack is directly belo w the vertical rib under the door
sill.
– Align the jack so that the arm of the jack fits around the rib under the door sill and the movable base plate of the jack is flat on the
ground ⇒fig. 172.
– Raise the jack until the defective wheel is just clear of the ground.Recesses at the front and rear of the door sills mark the jacking points
⇒fig. 171. There is only one jacking point for each wheel. Do not fit the jack
anywhere else.
An unstable surface under the jack may cause the vehicle to slip off the jack.
Therefore, the jack must be fitted on solid ground offering good support. Use
a large and stable base, if necessary. On a hard, slippery surface (such as
tiles) use a rubber mat or similar to prevent the jack from slipping.
WARNING
•
Take all precautions so that the base of the jack does not slip. Failure to
do so could result in an accident.
•
The vehicle can be damaged if the ja ck is not applied at the correct
jacking points. There is also a risk of injury since the jack can slip off
suddenly if it is not properly engaged.
Fig. 171 The jacking
pointsFig. 172 Fitting the jack
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If and when
248
– Insert the adapter onto the wheel bolt and push it on as far as it will go ⇒page 247, fig. 174 .
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the adapter.
– Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt as appropriate.Error code
The code number of the anti-theft wheel bolt is stamped onto the front part of
the adaptor.
The code number should be noted and kept in a safe place, as it is only by
using the code number that a duplicate adaptor can be obtained from an
Authorised Service Centre.Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern must be fitted so that they
rotate in the correct direction.A directional tread pattern can be identified by arrows on the sidewall that
point in the direction of rotation. Always note the direction of rotation indi-
cated when fitting the wheel. This is important so that these tyres can give
maximum grip and avoid excessive noise, tread wear and aquaplaning.
If, in an emergency, you have to fit the spare wheel so it rotates in the wrong
direction, you must drive extremely ca refully. The tyre will not give optimum
performance. This is particularly important when driving on wet roads.
To benefit from the advantages of tyres with this type of tread pattern, the
defective tyre should be replaced as soon as possible so that all tyres again
rotate in the correct direction.
Tyre repair kit* (Tyre Mobility System)General information and safety notesYour vehicle is equipped with a tyre repair kit: the Tyre Mobility System.
In the event of a tyre puncture, a sealing compound and an air compressor are
located in the luggage compartment under the floor panel.
The Tyre Mobility System will reliably seal punctures caused by the penetra-
tion of a foreign body of up to about 4 mm in diameter.
It is not necessary to remove the foreign body from the tyre.
Instructions for the sealing compound are located on the sealing compound
container.
Notes for the proper use of the air compressor are included in an additional
instruction leaflet.
WARNING
•
Do not attempt to repair a puncture with the sealing compound if the
tyre has been damaged by driving the car after the tyre has lost its air.
•
Always observe warnings and follow instructions concerning
compressor and sealing compound carefully.
•
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h, avoid heavy acceleration, hard
braking and fast cornering.
•
Tyres which have been repaired with sealing compound are only suit-
able for temporary use over a short period. Therefore, please drive carefully
to the next available qualified workshop.For the sake of the environment
Used sealing compound containers should be disposed of at a proper facility.
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