battery Seat Altea 2013 Owner's Guide

234Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
● 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 coolant expansion tank when the en-
gine 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, there is a 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 belts, 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 trap-
ped in rotating engine parts. Danger of death. Before starting any
work remove jewellery, tie back and cover hair, and wear tight-fitting
clothes.
– Never accelerate with a gear engaged without taking the necessary
precautions. The vehicle could move, even if the handbrake is ap-
plied. Danger of death.
● If work has to be carried out on the fuel system or on electrical com-
ponents, you must observe the following safety notes in addition to the
above warnings:
–Always disconnect the battery from the on-board network. The ve-
hicle must be unlocked when this is done, otherwise the alarm will be
triggered.
– Do not smoke.WARNING (Continued)
– Never work near naked flames.
– Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.
CAUTION
When topping up service fluids, make sure not to mistake them. Using the
wrong fluids could cause serious malfunctions and engine damage!
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 specialised
workshop. 

247
Checking and refilling levels
Vehicle battery
Warnings on handling the battery
Wear eye protection
Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protective
gloves and eye protection!
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are prohibited!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when
the battery is under charge.
Keep children away from acid and batteries!
WARNING
Always be aware of the danger of injury and chemical burns as well as
the risk of accident or fire when working on the battery and the electrical
system:
● Wear eye protection. Protect your eyes, skin and clothing from acid
and particles containing lead.
● Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protective gloves and eye
protection. Do not tilt the batteries. This could spill acid through the
vents. Rinse battery acid from eyes immediately for several minutes with
clear water. Then seek medical care immediately. Neutralise any acid
splashes on the skin or clothing with a soapy solution, and rinse off with
plenty of water. If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immedi-
ately.
WARNING (Continued)
● Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are prohibited. When han-
dling cables and electrical equipment, avoid causing sparks and electro-
static charge. Never short the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can
cause injury.
● A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is
under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room
only.
● Keep children away from acid and batteries.
● Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the en-
gine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery
must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only
switch off the light.
● Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.
● When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle on-board network,
disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.
● Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery.
Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never re-
verse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.
● Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0 °C.
● Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.
● Never use a defective battery. This could cause an explosion. Replace
a damaged battery immediately. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

248Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the en-
gine is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic com-
ponents.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time,
as the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
● If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from freezing. If it freezes it will be damaged. 
Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries. – Open the engine bonnet and the battery cover ⇒ 
in Safety in-
structions on working in the engine compartment on page 233
⇒ 
in Warnings on handling the battery on page 247.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the
battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently
until they disperse.
The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒ page 291.
The “magic eye” indicator, located on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge state and electrolyte level of the battery.
There are two different colours: ●
Black: correct charge status.
● Transparent/clear yellow: the battery must be replaced. Contact a speci-
alised workshop. 
Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.
If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long peri-
ods, the battery should be checked by a specialised workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle,
the battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have
the vehicle battery checked by a Technical Service where it will be re-charg-
ed or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a specialised workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and
has special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety
specifications of your vehicle. 

249
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
● We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof
batteries which comply with standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This
standard applies as of 2001.
● Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe
the warnings ⇒ 
in Warnings on handling the battery on page 247.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They
must be disposed of appropriately and must not be disposed of with ordi-
nary household waste. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

281
If and when
Sun visor light
Fig. 199 Removing sun
visor light
Fig. 200 Removing sun
visor light
– Carefully remove the lamp, using the flat side of a screwdriver,
as shown in the figure ⇒ Fig. 200. –
Remove the bulb, moving it in the direction of the arrow and
outwards ⇒ Fig. 200. 
Jump-starting
Jump leads
The jump lead must have a sufficient wire cross section. If the engine fails to start because of a discharged battery, the battery can
be connected to the battery of another vehicle to start the engine.
Jump leads
Jump leads must comply with standard DIN 72553 (see cable manufactur-
er's instructions). The wire cross section must be at least 25 mm 2
for petrol
engines and at least 35 mm 2
for diesel engines.
Note
● The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow
as soon as the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly connected to the on-board net-
work. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

282If and when
How to jump start: description
Fig. 201 Diagram of con-
nections for vehicles
without Start-Stop sys-
tem
Fig. 202 Diagram of con-
nections for vehicles
with Start-Stop system
Jump lead terminal connections
1. Switch off the ignition of both vehicles ⇒ 
.
2. For vehicles without Start-Stop system :–
Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive +
termi-
nal of the vehicle with the flat battery A ⇒ Fig. 201.
– Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive ter-
minal +
in the vehicle providing assistance B.
– Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative terminal
–
of the vehicle providing assistance B ⇒ Fig. 201.
– Connect the other end of the black jump lead X
to a solid met-
al component bolted to the engine block or to the engine block
itself of the vehicle with the flat battery. However, connect it to
a point as far as possible from the battery A
.
3. For vehicles with Start-Stop system :
– Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive +
termi-
nal of the vehicle with the flat battery A ⇒ Fig. 202.
– Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive ter-
minal +
in the vehicle providing assistance B.
– Connect one end of the black jump lead X
to a suitable ground
terminal, a solid piece of metal in the engine block, or to the en-
gine block ⇒ Fig. 202.
– Connect the other end of the black jump lead X
to a solid met-
al component bolted to the engine block or to the engine block
itself of the vehicle with the flat battery. However, connect it to
a point as far as possible from the battery A
.
4. Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment. 

283
If and when
Starting
5. Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery and let it run at idling speed.
6. Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat battery and wait two or three minutes until the engine is “running”.
Removing the jump leads
7. Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the dipped beam headlights (if they are switched on).
8. Turn on the heater blower and heated rear window in the vehi- cle with the flat battery. This helps minimise voltage peaks
which are generated when the leads are disconnected.
9. When the engine is running, disconnect the leads in reverse or- der to the details given above.
Connect the battery clamps so they have good metal-to-metal contact with
the battery terminals.
If the engine fails to start, switch off the starter after about 10 seconds and
try again after about half a minute.
WARNING
● Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment ⇒ page 233, Working in the engine compartment.
● The battery providing assistance must have the same voltage as the
flat battery (12V) and approximately the same capacity (see imprint on
battery). Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
WARNING (Continued)
● Never use jump leads when one of the batteries is frozen. Danger of
explosion! Even after the battery has thawed, battery acid could leak and
cause chemical burns. If a battery freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes away from batteries, dan-
ger of explosion. Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the jump
leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to
the negative terminal of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the battery
could be ignited by sparks. Danger of explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the other vehicle to parts of the
fuel system or to the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. The jump lead attached to the positive battery terminal must not
touch metal parts of the vehicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact
with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could result in chemical burns.
Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow as
soon as the positive terminals are connected. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

291
Technical specifications
Technical specifications
Checking fluid levels
From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the ve-
hicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, other-
wise serious damage to the engine may be caused.
Fig. 206 Diagram for the
location of the various el-
ements
Coolant expansion tank
Windscreen washer reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil dipstick
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath the cover)
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the compo-
nents mentioned above. These operations are described in the ⇒ page 233.
1
23456
Overview
You will find further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the tech-
nical specifications as of
⇒ page 287. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

Index
A
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Adjusting the seat belt height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
AFS (cornering lights) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Air conditioner 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Air conditioner automatic mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Air recirculation mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Manual air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Alternator
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Antifreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Aspects to note before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Audible warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Automatic anti-dazzle interior rear vision mirror Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . 132
Deactivating the anti-dazzle function . . . . 132
Automatic car wash tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Automatic gearbox Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gearbox . 180
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Automatic windscreen wiper/washer . . . . . . . 128
Auxiliary audio input: AUX-IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
B
Ball coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Battery
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Brake pedal control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Worn brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194, 202
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Bulb changes General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Bulb defect Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123, 171
303
Index

C
Car care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
CCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Central lock button Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Automatic locking system for involuntaryunlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Automatic speed-dependent locking and unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Selective unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Changing gear see Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Changing gear in tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . 183
Changing the bulbs Main headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Changing the main headlight bulbs Main beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Turn signal bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Changing the main headlight lamps dipped lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Changing the tail lights
Luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . 279
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Reverse light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Turn signal light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . 243
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 248
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Checklist Seat upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Child seat Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Climatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Climatronic
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Compartment for on-board documentation . . 142
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Controls electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240, 241 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Coolant loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Coolant temperature control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Cornering lights Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
304 Index