engine coolant Seat Altea XL 2009 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: SEAT, Model Year: 2009, Model line: Altea XL, Model: Seat Altea XL 2009Pages: 297, PDF Size: 9.36 MB
Page 5 of 297

Contents
4Trailer towing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instructions to follow  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ball coupling of towing bracket*  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving tips  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Fitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
 . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle exterior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle interior maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Accessories, parts replacement and 
modifications
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Accessories and parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Technical modifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Roof aerial*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Mobile telephones and radiotelephones  . . . . . 
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes on the technical data
 . . . . . . . 
Outstanding information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Data on fuel consumption  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Towing a trailer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Techn ical  Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 1.4 63 kW (85 bhp)  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 1.4 92 kW (125 bhp)  . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 1.6 75 kW (102 bhp)  . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 1.8 litre 118 kW (160 hp). Manual
Petrol engine 1.8 litre 118 kW (160 hp). 
Automatic  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 1.9 TDI 77 kW (105 bhp).  . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 2.0l 103 kW (140 bhp). . . . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 2.0l 125 kW (170 bhp)  . . . . . . . . 
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
278
279
280
282
283
285
287
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Cockpit55
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
InstrumentsInstrument overview
The instruments display the vehicle operating status.Detailed view of instrument panel: instrument panel
Fuel gauge  ⇒page 56
Multi-function display
Engine coolant temperature gauge  ⇒page 56
Rev counter ⇒ page 57
Time adjustment button / tr ip recorder reset button ⇒page 57
Speedometer
Fig. 33  Detailed view of instrument panel: instrument 
panel
A1A2A3A4A5A6
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56Fuel gauge 
 and reserve indicator
Instrument panel: fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone  ⇒fig. 34 (arrow), the warning 
lamp will light and an acoustic signal will sound  reminding the driver to 
refuel. At this point there are still ab out 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
The following text appears on the instrument panel display
3)  PLEASE REFUEL 
[XXX] *
Engine coolant temperature display 
 
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Needle in cold zone 
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads  ⇒fig. 35 .
Needle in normal zone 
In normal driving conditions, the needle  should be in the middle section of 
the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard, 
especially at high outside temperatures . This is no cause for concern as long 
as the warning lamp does not light up  and no warning* text appears in the 
combi-instrument display.
Needle in warning zone 
The warning lamp*  ⇒page 73, fig. 48    will light up if the needle is in the 
warning zone. The following warning  appears on the instrument panel 
3)Depending on the model version
Fig. 34  Instrument panel: 
fuel gauge
Fig. 35  Instrument panel: 
engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge
AAABAC
A2
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Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
display
4). 
Stop the car and switch off the engine.  Check the coolant level 
⇒ page 220  ⇒.
Even if the coolant level is correct  do not continue driving. You should obtain 
technical assistance.WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety warn-
ings  ⇒page 213.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At 
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the 
engine overheating.Rev counter
The rev. counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per 
minute.The start of the red zone  ⇒page 55, fig. 33    indicates the maximum 
engine speed operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to 
change up a into a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot 
off the accelerator before the needle reaches the red zone.
Caution
The rev counter needle must never enter the red zone on the scale. Risk of 
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears early will  help you to save fuel and minimise 
engine noise.SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip counter, in 
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period,  the instructions shown on ⇒page 190 should 
be followed.Setting the digital clock* 
The digital clock is located in the instrument panel display.– Turn the setting knob  ⇒page 55, fig. 33    clockwise until the 
first “click” to set the hour. The hour will flash. To change the 
hour, press the button.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to  the second “click” to set the 
minutes. The minutes will flash. To change the minutes, press the 
button.
4)Depending on the model version
A4
A5
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Cockpit63
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Note
In the case of screens without warning or information texts, faults are indi-
cated exclusively by the warning lamps.Warning reports, Priority 1 (red)*If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will 
be accompanied by  three audible warnings . This is a danger warning. Stop 
the car and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain profes-
sional 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 
report.
Examples of priority 1 warning reports (red)•
Brake system symbol 
 with the warning text  STOP BRAKE FLUID 
SERVICE MANUAL  or STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL . 
•
Coolant symbol 
 with the warning text STOP SEE COOLANT SERVICE 
MANUAL . 
•
Engine oil pressure symbol 
 with the warning text STOP ENGINE OIL 
PRESSURE LOW! SERVICE MANUAL . 
Warning reports, Priority 2 (yellow)*If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompanied 
by one audible warning . The function should be checked as soon as possible. If several priority 2 warning reports are detected at the same time, the 
symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time. After 
a set time, the information text will disappear and the symbol will be shown 
as a reminder at the side of the display.
Priority 2
 warning reports will not be shown until all  Priority 1 warning 
reports have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning reports (yellow):
6)
•
Fuel warning light with  the information text PLEASE REFUEL. 
•
Windscreen washer fluid symbol 
 with the information text  REFILL 
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . Refill the windscreen washer tank 
⇒ page 222.
6)Depending on the version of the model.
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74
WARNING
•
Failure to observe warning lamps and warning messages can result in 
serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle.
•
The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Use a 
warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users in order to 
prevent danger to thirds.
Item
Symbol
Meaning of warning  and control lamps
Further 
information
Fuel level / reserve 
⇒ page 75 
Coolant level / coolant temperature 
⇒page 75
Rear fog light switched on
⇒page 76
 
Turn signals in operation
⇒page 76
Engine fault (petrol engine)
⇒page 76
Glow plug system for diesel engine
⇒page 76
Main beam switched on
⇒page 77
 
Pollen accumulation in the diesel 
engine particulate filter
⇒page 77
ABS system fault
⇒page 77
Windscreen washer fluid level
⇒page 78
Alternator fault
⇒page 78
Fasten seat belts!
⇒page 19
Tyre pressure 
⇒page 78
Airbag or belt tension device system 
fault or airbag disabled
⇒page 27 
⇒ page 30
A1A2A3A4A5A6A7A8A9A10A11A12A13
Bulb defective
⇒page 79
Parking brake applied
or low brake fluid level or
fault in brake system
⇒page 79
Engine oil pressure
⇒page 80
Cruise control system switched on
⇒page 80
Door open indicator
⇒page 80
Electromechanical steering
⇒page 80
Fault in the emission control system
⇒page 81
If flashing:  electronic stabilisation pro-
gramme (ESP) is working
If it remains lit:  ESP malfunction or off
⇒page 81
Automatic selector lever lock (auto-
matic gearbox)
⇒page 82
SAFE
Electronic immobiliser
⇒page 82
Item
Symbol
Meaning of warning 
and control lamps
Further 
information
A14A15A16A17A18A19A20A21A22
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Cockpit75
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before you open the 
bonnet to work on the engine or in the engine compartment, you must 
switch the engine off and allo w it to cool to reduce the risk of scalding or 
other kind of injuries. Read and  observe the relevant warnings 
⇒ page 213.Note
•
The appropriate warning lamp for a fault  will light up in vehicles without 
warning or information texts in the display.
•
In vehicles with warning or information texts on the screen, the appro-
priate warning lamp for a fault will ligh t up and a warning or information text 
will also appear on the screen.
Fuel level / reserve 
This symbol lights up to indicate that the fuel tank under the 
reserve level.It lights up when only 7 litres of fuel remain in the tank. Also, an  audible 
warning  is given. This serves as a reminder to fill up with fuel at the earliest 
opportunity  ⇒page 210.
The instrument panel displ ays the following message
8): PLEASE REFUEL! .
Coolant Level* / temperature 
The warning lamp lights up if the coolant temperature is too 
high or if the coolant level is too low.There is a fault if:•
The warning symbol does not go out again after a few seconds.
•
The warning lamp lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving, while 
three acoustic warning signals  ⇒  are emitted.
This means that either the coolant level is too low or the coolant temperature 
is too high.
Coolant temperature too high
The instrument panel disp lays the following message
9): CHECK COOLANT 
INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL  ⇒ page 220.
First look at the coolant temperature gauge. The coolant temperature is too 
high if the needle is over the warning area on the dial.  Stop the vehicle, 
switch the engine off and wait for it to cool down.  Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the over heating may be caused by a malfunction 
of the radiator fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have it replaced if neces-
sary  ⇒page 249.
If the warning lamp lights  up again after driving on for a short distance,  stop 
the vehicle and switch the engine off . Contact an Authorised Service Centre 
or a qualified workshop.
Coolant level too low
The instrument panel disp lays the following message10): STOP CHECK 
COOLANT INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL .
8)Depending on the version of the model.WARNING (continued)
9)Depending on the version of the model.10)Depending on the version of the model.
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Cockpit
76First look at the coolant temperature gauge. If the needle is in the normal 
range, top up with coolant at the earliest opportunity ⇒ .
WARNING
•
If your vehicle is immobilised for any technical reasons, move it to a 
safe distance from traffic. Turn the engine off, turn the hazard lights on and 
place the warning triangle.
•
Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no 
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.
•
The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before carrying out any 
work in the engine compartment, swit ch off the engine and allow it to cool 
down. Always note the corresponding warnings  ⇒page 213.
Rear fog light 
This warning lamp lights up when the rear fog light is switched on 
. Further 
information  ⇒page 109.
Tu r n  si g nal s  
 
The warning lamp flashes when  the indicators are in opera-
tion.Depending on which indicator is operating, either the left 
 or right 
 indi-
cator lamp flashes. Both  warning lamps will flash at the same time when the 
hazard warning lights are switched on.
If any of both indicators fails, the warning lamp will start flashing twice faster 
than normal. Further information on the indicators 
⇒page 116.
Engine management* 
 
This warning lamp monitors the engine management system 
for petrol engines.
The warning lamp 
 (Electronic Power Control) lights up when the ignition 
is switched on to show that the lamp is working properly. It should go out 
once the engine is started.
If there is a fault in the electronic engine management system while you are 
driving, this warning lamp will light  up. Stop the vehicle and seek technical 
assistance.
Glow plug system / Engine fault 
 
The warning lamp lights up to show that the glow plugs are 
preheating. It flashes if there is an engine fault.
Warning lamp 
 is lit
The warning lamp  lights up while the glow  plugs are preheating. When the 
warning lamp goes off, the engine should be started straight away.
Warning lamp 
 flashes
If a fault develops in the engine management system while you are driving, 
the glow plug lamp will flash 
. Take the vehicle to an Authorised Service 
Centre as soon as possible and have the engine checked.
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 155
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Use the air distribution control to guide the flow of air in the 
required direction:   (to the windscreen),   (to the upper 
body),   (to the foot well) and   (to the windscreen and to the 
foot well).Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Air conditioner
When the air conditioning system is switched on, not only the temperature, 
but also the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves  comfort for the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows when 
the ambient air humidity is high.
If the air conditioning system cannot be 
switched on this may be caused by 
the following reasons:
•
The engine may not be running.
•
The blower is switched off.
•
The outside temperature is below +3°C.
•
The air conditioning system compress or has been temporarily switched 
off because the engine coolant temperature is too high.
•
The air conditioning fuse is faulty.
•
Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a qual-
ified workshop.
Air recirculation mode   
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpl easant smells from coming from the outside.
Fig. 130  On the dash panel: Climatic controls
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Driving
168
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in un ventilated or closed rooms. The 
exhaust fumes contain carbon mono xide, 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 av oid high engine speeds, driving at 
full throttle and over-loading the  engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start 
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter th e catalytic converter and damage it.
•
Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you 
should first try to start it using the batte ry of another vehicle. Note and follow 
the instructions  ⇒page 262, “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.Switching the engine off– Stop the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position  ⇒page 165, fig. 138   .
After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10 
minutes. It is also possible that the fan turns itself on once more if the coolant 
temperature increases due to the heat accumulated in the engine compart-
ment or due to its prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
WARNING
•
Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is completely stationary.
•
The brake servo works only when the engine 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 ignition lock. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.Caution
If the engine has been driven hard for a long period, the engine could over-
heat when it is switched off. Risk of engine damage. For this reason, you 
should idle the engine for approx. 2 m inutes before you switch it off.
A0
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