Seat Altea XL 2010 Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: SEAT, Model Year: 2010, Model line: Altea XL, Model: Seat Altea XL 2010Pages: 312, PDF Size: 8.41 MB
Page 221 of 312

Accessories, replacement of parts and modifications219
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
WARNING
Incorrectly performed modifications or other kind of work on your vehicle 
can lead to malfunctions and cause accidents.Roof aerial*The vehicle may be fitted with a foldable* and anti-theft* aerial that may be 
positioned parallel to the roof.
To  f o l d  d o w n
Unscrew the rod, position parallel to the roof and tighten once again.
To return to working position
Continue in the reverse order to the previous instruction.
Caution
If an automatic car wash tunnel is used, before entering the tunnel, put the 
aerial down parallel to the roof and do not tighten to avoid damage.Mobile telephones and radiotelephonesFirst consult your Authorised Service Centre if you wish to use a mobile tele-
phone or a two-way radio with a transmitting power output in excess of 
10 watts. Here you will receive information concerning the technical possibil-
ities for retrofitting this equipment.
Mobile telephones and two-way radios should be only fitted by a qualified 
workshop, for example an Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
•Always concentrate primarily on driving. If you are distracted while 
driving you could have an accident.•Never attach the telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the 
airbag units or within the range of the airbags. There is a high risk of injury 
if the airbag is triggered.Note
Please observe the operating instructions of your mobile telephone / two-way 
radio.
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Checking and refilling levels
220Checking and refilling levelsRefuellingThe tank flap is released manually. The tank holds approxi-
mately 55 litres. For four-wheel drive vehicles, the tank 
capacity is approximately 60 litres.Unscrewing the tank cap
– Lift the lid.
– Grip the cap and then insert the key into the lock and rotate 180° 
to the left.
– Unscrew the cap, turning it anti-clockwise. Closing the tank cap
– Screw the tank cap to the right, until the point of feeling a “click”.
– Turn the key in the lock, without unscrewing the cap, clockwise 
through 180°.
– Remove the key and close the flap until it clicks into place. The  tank cap is secured with an anti-loss attachment
The tank flap is at the rear of the vehicle on the right.
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly, it will switch itself off as 
soon as the tank is “full”. Never attempt to fill beyond this point, as this will 
fill the expansion chamber. Fuel may leak out if ambient conditions are warm.
T he  co rr ec t fu el g rad e  fo r you r v eh icle  is  giv en  on a  sti cker  o n th e i nsid e  of  the  
fuel tank flap. Further notes on fuel can be found.
WARNING
•Fuel is highly inflammable and can cause serious burns and other inju-
ries.
−Never smoke or use any naked flame when filling the fuel tank of the 
vehicle, or a spare fuel canister, with fuel. This is an explosion hazard.
− Follow legal requirements for the use of spare fuel canisters.
− For safety reasons we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel 
canister in the vehicle. The canister could be damaged in an accident 
and leak.•If, in exceptional circumstances, you have to carry a spare fuel canister, 
please observe the following points:
Fig. 159  Tank flap open
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Checking and refilling levels221
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
−
Never fill the spare fuel canister inside the vehicle or on it. An elec-
trostatic charge could build up during filling, causing the fuel fumes to 
ignite. This may be fatally explosive.  Always place the canister on the 
ground to fill it.
− 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 could 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.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
222LPG system*LPG refuelling
The LPG filler neck is behind the fuel cap, next to the petrol filler neck.
Refuelling with LPG
– Before  refuelling, stop the engine and switch off the ignition.
–Open the tank flap.
– Before  refuelling, please  read the instructions on the pump.
– Unscrew the cap of the gas filler neck  .
– Screw the required adapter   on the gas filler neck  .
– Refuel as indicated in the instructions on the pump.
–Unscrew the adapter  .
F ig.  160  Fuel tank ope n with  LPG fille r neck and adap ter.
Fig. 161  LPG tank in 
spare wheel well
A1
A2
A1
A2
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Checking and refilling levels223
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Screw on the cap of the gas filler neck  .
– Close the tank flap.When the hose is removed from the tank, a small amount of LPG may spill out 
⇒.
The LPG tank  ⇒fig. 161  in the spare wheel well has a capacity of 39 litres. If 
the outside temperatures are very low, it may not be possible to completely 
fill the LPG tank.
Pump attachments
There are a variety of types of LPG pump, and the methods of use may vary. 
Therefore, let the pump operator fill the tank when refuelling for the first time 
or fill from another pump.
Noises when refuelling with LPG
When refuelling with LPG, noises may be heard. These noises are insignifi-
cant.
WARNING
Failure to refuel or handle LPG in the correct way could result in a fire, cause 
an explosion or lead to injury.•LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause 
severe burns and other injury.•Switch off the engine before refuelling.•Always disconnect mobile phones and any other radiophony appli-
ances, as electromagnetic waves may produce sparks and cause a fire.•Do not remain in the vehicle while refuelling. If it is absolutely neces-
sary to enter the vehicle, close the door and touch a metal surface before 
touching the attachment again. This will prevent the generation of static 
electricity and any possible fires while refuelling.
•Small quantities of LPG may leak out after refuelling. If LPG comes into 
contact with skin, there is a risk of freezing.•Do not smoke and always keep bare flames away from the tank during 
refuelling. Failure to do so may lead to an explosion.
A1
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
224Adapter for the liquid petroleum gas (LPG) filler neck
An adapter is required due to the existence of a range of 
pumps with different nozzles.Fig. 162  General table of LPG filler neck adapters.
ACME adapter (adapter for Europe)
Dish Coupling Adapter (adapter for Italy)
Bayonet adapter
EURO adapter (adapter for Spain)
The supply includes the adapter for the country in question, the ACME  , the 
Dish Coupling  , the bayonet   or the EURO adapter  .
The filler systems and corresponding adapters vary according to country. As 
petrol stations abroad do not always have the necessary adapters for your 
LPG system, we recommend you purchase the appropriate adapter before 
travelling abroad. Check that the adapters are suited to your filling system.
Note
The four most common types of adapter in Europe are the ACME adapter  , 
the Dish Coupling adapter  , the bayonet adapter   and the EURO adapter  . On the whole, we recommend you carry all four adapters in your vehicle, 
as some countries use more than one type of filling system. The introduction 
of a single system (Euronozzle) throughout Europe is being studied.LPG fuelLPG is an alternative vehicle fuel and is a blend of propane and butane.
The success of LPG is due to the strict regulations concerning exhaust gas 
e m is s i o n s .  Co m p a r e d  t o  o t h e r  f o s si l  f u e l s ,  L P G  is  ch a r a c t e r is e d  b y  i t s  r e d u ce d  
emissions.
LPG quality and consumption
Quality requirements for LPG are regulated for all Europe in DIN EN 589 and 
permit the use of LPG throughout Europe.
A difference is drawn between winter gas and summer gas. Winter gas has a 
higher proportion of propane gas. As a result, the driving range of winter gas 
may be lower (due to increased consumption) than that of summer gas.
LPG supplier network
The number of LPG pumps is constantly increasing.
Lists of existing LPG pumps may be found on Internet.LPG safetyA series of collision tests performed on this vehicle while running with LPG 
have confirmed its high level of safety.
A1A2A3A4
A1
A2
A3
A4
A1
A2
A3
A4
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Checking and refilling levels225
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
The safety of the LPG system guarantees operation without risk. The following 
safety measures have been adopted:
•The LPG tank has a solenoid valve which closes automatically when the 
engine is switched off (ignition off) or when running on petrol.•A solenoid type main valve disconnects the supply of gas to the engine 
compartment when the engine is switched off or running on petrol.•A safety valve in the LPG tank with pipes to the outside prevents the gas 
from entering the vehicle compartment.•All anchorage points and materials have been designed to ensure the 
maximum possible levels of safety.
The condition of the LPG system should be checked regularly to guarantee 
safe driving conditions ⇒ . These checks are included in the Maintenance 
Programme.WARNING
•If there is a smell of gas or a suspected leak, stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off the ignition. Open the doors to ventilate the vehicle. Do 
not carry on driving! Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the 
fault repaired.•Immediately extinguish any cigarettes and remove from the vehicle any 
objects which might produce a spark or cause a fire, and switch off imme-
diately if gas is smelt or a leak is detected.•LGP tanks are subject to pressure and must be checked regularly. The 
owner of the vehicle must check that these services are performed 
correctly.•When parking the vehicle in a closed area (for example in a garage), 
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechanical, 
to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
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 Standard”).
Fuel types are differentiated by the  octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON (RON 
= “Regulation Octane Number, unit for determining the knock resistance of 
petrol”). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one recom-
mended for your engine. However, this has no advantage in terms of fuel 
consumption and engine power.
The appropriate type of fuel for your vehicle is specified in your engine tech-
nical table. Section “Technical Data”.
Caution
•Petrol that follows EN 228 may be mixed with small quantities of ethanol. 
However, the so-called “bioethanol fuels” available at commercial establish-
ments with reference E50 or E85, which contain a high percentage of ethanol, 
may  not be used, as they will damage the fuel system.•Even one tankful 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 full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the 
catalytic converter.
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Checking and refilling levels
226Petrol 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.DieselDiesel*Diesel fuel  must correspond to DIN EN 590 (EN = “European standard”). It 
must have a cetane number (CN) of at least 51. The cetane number indicates 
the ignition quality of the diesel fuel.
Notes on filling with fuel  ⇒page 220.Biodiesel*The biodiesel fuel must comply with the DIN EN 14.214 (FAME) Standard.•Biodiesel is a methyl ester obtained from rapeseed oil.•DIN is the German abbreviation for “ Deutsches  Institut für N ormung e.V.”, 
the German standards institute.•EN means  European Norm.•FAME is the English abbreviation for “ Fatty  Acid  Methyl  Ester”. Your Authorised Service Centre can also be consulted to know if the vehicle 
has been prepared for biodiesel use.
Things to note about RME fuel (biodiesel)
•The performance of a vehicle using biodiesel maybe somewhat reduced.•Fuel consumption of a vehicle using biodiesel may be slightly higher.•RME fuel is resistant to the cold down to approx. -10°C.•At temperatures below -10°C, we recommend using winter diesel fuel.•Your vehicle is designed to be refuelled with up to a maximum of 7% 
blended biodiesel in accordance with standard DIN 51628.Caution
•RME fuel can damage the fuel system in vehicles which are not suitably 
adjusted.•If you decide to use biodiesel in your vehicle, please use only RME fuel 
which is DIN E 14,214 compliant.•If you use biodiesel that does not meet the required standard, the fuel 
filter could become clogged.Note
•In case of low exterior temperatures and a fuel biodiesel percentage of 
higher than 50%, an increase in gas emission may occur during operation of 
the independent heating.•The fuel filter may become clogged when fu el is changed to biodiesel. For 
this reason, we recommend you that, when having run 300 or 400 km after a 
fuel change, the fuel filter change must also be done. Also note the instruc-
tions in the Inspection and Maintenance plan.•If the vehicle is to remain parked for more than about two weeks, we 
recommend filling the fuel tank with biodiesel and driving about 50 km in 
order to avoid damage to the injection system.
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Checking and refilling levels227
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
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 wax separation. 
Therefore, “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 conditions the diesel fuel generally sold 
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 fuel filter 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 place 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 229.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 you to have service fluids and consumables 
replaced by an Authorised Service Centre. Please observe the relevant 
instructions  ⇒page 218. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a 
hazardous area  ⇒.
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Checking and refilling levels
228
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 gear stick to neutral or selector 
lever to position P.•Keep children away from the vehicle.•Never touch hot engine parts. There 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 277. 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.•Al wa ys  m ake  s u re  yo u  ha ve  n o t  l e f t  a ny  o bj e c t s , s u ch  as  cl e an i n g  cl o t h s  
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 
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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