run flat Seat Altea XL 2010 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: SEAT, Model Year: 2010, Model line: Altea XL, Model: Seat Altea XL 2010Pages: 312, PDF Size: 8.41 MB
Page 176 of 312

Driving
174•If there is a fault in the LPG system.•At very low temperatures below minus 10°C.
Manual switch from petrol to LPG
Press the  GAS button   to switch modes. When the necessary conditions are 
met, the system switches to LPG mode and the  ON lamp   is lit. If the  ON 
lamp   flashes, the following conditions have not been met:•There is enough LPG in the tank.•The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30°C.•Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
When these conditions are met, the system switches to LPG mode and the ON  
lamp is lit  .
Manual switch from LPG to petrol
Press the   button   to switch modes. When the  OFF lamp   is lit, the 
vehicle is running on petrol.
Running on petrol
Run the engine with petrol for short journeys at regular intervals to avoid 
problems in the petrol system.WARNING
LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause severe 
burns and other injury.•Due care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire or explosion.•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.
Note
•If frequent short journeys are made, especially when the outside temper-
ature is low, the vehicle will tend to run on petrol more often than on LPG. 
Therefore, the petrol tank may empty before the LPG tank.Start-Stop function*Description and operationThe Start-Stop function stops the engine when the vehicle is 
stopped and starts it automatically when required.
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it in neutral and release the  clutch pedal. The engine will stop.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed, the engine starts again.
– The instrument panel screen displays information about the  status of the Start-Stop function  ⇒page 176, fig. 142 .Start-Stop function conditions•The driver's seat belt must be buckled.•The engine hood must be closed.•The engine must be at operating temperature•The steering wheel must be straight.•The vehicle must be on flat ground.•The vehicle must not be in reverse.•A trailer must not be connected.
A1
A3
A3A3GAS
A1
A2
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Driving and the environment203
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
during this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore best to drive off immediately 
after starting the engine. Avoid running the engine at high speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey, you 
will not waste fuel. 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.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and 
the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum  service tempera-
ture .
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine 
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not regularise until having 
driven some  four kilometres. This is the reason why we recommend avoiding 
short trips wherever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the 
tyre pressures are just 1 bar too low, this can put the fuel consumption up by 
as much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also 
increases  tyre wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are  cold.
Do not use  winter tyres  all through the year: they will increase fuel consump-
tion by up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Every kilo of extra weight  will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth 
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-
essary loads are being transported.
A roof carrier is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even when it is 
no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your car will use about 12%  more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof carrier 
even when it is empty.
Save electrical energy
The engine activates the alternator, which produces electricity. With the need 
for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always 
turn off electrical equipment when you do not need them. Examples of equip-
ment that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear window 
heating or the seat heaters*.
 Environmental friendlinessEnvironmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of materials 
and production of your new Seat.
Design measures for economical recycling•Joints and connections designed for ease of dismantling•Modular construction to facilitate dismantling•Increased use of single-grade materials•Plastic parts and elastomers are labelled in accordance with ISO 1043, 
ISO 11469 and ISO 1629
Choice of materials•Nearly all materials used can be recycled•Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling•Recycled materials used in manufacture•Reduction of the plastic volatile components•CFC-free refrigerant in air conditioning
Compliance with prohibited materials laws : cadmium, asbestos, lead, 
mercury, chrome VI.
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Page 244 of 312

Checking and refilling levels
242charge. 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 
engine, 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 electrical system, 
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 
reverse 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°.•Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.•Never use a defective battery. This may be fatally explosive. Replace a 
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine 
is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents.•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 frost. 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 bonnet and open the battery cover at the front ⇒  in 
“Safety instructions on working  in the engine compartment” on 
page 227 ⇒  in “Warnings on handling the battery” on 
page 241.
– 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 287.
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 
specialist workshop.
WARNING (continued)
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Page 246 of 312

Wheels and tyres
244Wheels and tyresWheelsGeneral notesAvoiding damage
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive very 
slowly and as near as possible at a right angle to the kerb.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or blisters,  etc.). Remove any foreign objects embedded in the treads.
Storing tyres
– Mark tyres when you remove them to indicate the direction of  rotation. This ensures you will be able to install them correctly 
when you replace them.
– When removed, the wheels and/or tyres should be stored in a  cool, dry and preferably dark location.
– Store tyres in a vertical position if they are not fitted on wheel  rims.New tyres
New tyres have to be run in  ⇒page 200.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and make of tyre 
and the tread pattern. Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice unusual 
vibrations or the car pulling to one side, this may indicate that one of the tyres 
is damaged. The tyres should be checked immediately by an Authorised 
Service Centre.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on tyres with 
directional tread. Always observe the direction of rotation indicated when 
fitting the wheel. This guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid aqua-
planing, excessive noise and wear.
WARNING
•New tyres do not have maximum grip in the first 500 km. Drive particu-
larly carefully to avoid risk of accident.•Never drive with damaged tyres. This may cause an accident.•If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one side when 
driving, stop the vehicle immediately and check the tyres for damage.
Checking tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the 
inside of the tank flap.1. Read the required tyre inflation pressure from the sticker. The  values refer to Summer tyres. For  Winter tyres, you must add 0.2 
bar to the values given on the sticker.
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Wheels and tyres247
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators” 
⇒
page 246, fig. 175 , running across the tread. Depending on the make, 
there will be six to eight of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on 
the tyre sidewall (for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the 
positions of the tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by 
law is 1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indica-
tors). Worn tyres must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export 
countries  ⇒.
Tyre  pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out. 
For this reason, the tyre pressure should be checked at least once per month 
⇒ page 244.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable 
to  cha nge  t he m  ar oun d as  sh own ⇒ page 246, fig. 176. All the tyres will then 
last for about the same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results 
in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause excessive 
wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced 
when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of 
the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel align-
ment checked by an Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre bursts during driving!•The tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread is worn down to 
the tread wear indicators. Failure to do so could result in an accident. Worn 
tyres do not grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There is also a greater 
risk of “aquaplaning” •At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes 
more. This causes it to overheat. This can cause tread separation and tyre 
blow-out. Risk of accident. Always observe the recommended tyre pres-
sures.•If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the running gear checked 
by an Authorised Service Centre.•Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake fluid away from tyres.•Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately!For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.Anti-puncture tyres
Anti-puncture tyres allow you to continue driving even with a 
punctured tyre, in the majority of cases.Vehicles equipped with anti-puncture
23) tyres from the factory indi-
cate the loss of tyre pressure on the instrument panel.
23)Depending upon version and country.
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If and when
262
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
Take special care if you have to repair a tyre on a slope.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.Tyre repair
The following sections describe the procedures for repairing 
a tyre.Using the sealing compound
– The instructions on the can give detailed information on how to 
use the sealing compound.
Inflating the tyre.
– Remove the air compressor and hose from the container.
– Screw the retaining nut onto the valve.
– Plug the compressor cable into a 12 volt power point.
– Turn on compressor and monitor the pressure shown on the pres- sure gauge. Completing the repair
– Remove the compressor hose from the valve.
– Fit the valve cap.
– Unplug the compressor from the socket.
– Return all tools to their proper storing location.
Note
•If the vehicle is equipped with tyre pressure control, enter the new tyre 
pressures using the SET button on the central console.•The compressor should never be allowed to run for longer than 6 
minutes.
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If and when277
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
How to jump start: description⇒fig. 206    shows the flat battery and   the charged battery.
Jump lead terminal connections
– Switch off the ignition on both vehicles  ⇒.
1.  Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive  ⇒fig. 206  
 terminal of the vehicle with the flat battery  ⇒.
2.  Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive  terminal   in the vehicle providing assistance.
3.  Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative terminal   on the battery of the vehicle providing assistance. 4.  Connect the other end of the black jump lead   to a solid metal 
component which is bolted on to the engine block, or onto the 
engine block itself of the vehicle with the flat battery. Do not 
connect it to a point near the battery  ⇒.
5.  Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into  contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Starting
6.  Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery and let  it run at idling speed.
7.  Start the engine of the car with the flat battery and wait one or  two minutes until the engine is “running”.
Removing the jump leads
8.  Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the headlights (if  they are switched on).
9.  Turn on the heater blower and rear window heater in the vehicle  with the flat battery. This helps minimise voltage peaks which are 
generated when the leads are disconnected.
10. When the engine is running, disconnect the leads in reverse  order 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.
Fig. 206  How to connect 
the jump leads
AA
AB
A+
A+
A-
AX
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