Seat Altea XL 2012 Owner's Manual

219
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
WARNING
Never clean the dash panel and the airbag module surface with cleaners
containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to become porous. If the
airbag triggered, plastic parts could become detached and cause inju-
ries.
CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material. 
Wooden trim cleaning*
– Clean the wooden trim with a water-moistened clean cloth.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a gentle soap
solution.
CAUTION
Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material. 
Cloth seat covers and fabric trim cleaning
Cloth seat covers and fabric trim on the doors, headlining etc. can be
cleaned with a special interior cleaner or with dry foam and a soft brush. Cleaning the radio and climate controls
To clean the radio and/or climate controls, use a soft damp cloth. For more
resistant dirt, a neutral soap solution may be used.

Leather cleaning*
Normal cleaning
– Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with water and wipe over the
leather surfaces.
Cleaning stubborn stains
– More stubborn dirt can be removed using a mild soap solution
(pure liquid soap; two tablespoons diluted in one litre of water)
and a cloth.
– Do not let the water soak through the leather or soak into the
seams.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
Leather maintenance
– The leather should be treated twice a year with a special leath-
er-care product, available in your Authorised Service Centre.
– Apply these products very sparingly.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
SEAT does everything possible to preserve the genuine qualities of this nat-
ural product. Due to the natural properties of the specially selected hides
employed, the finished leather has a certain sensitivity to grease and dirt, 
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220Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
etc. so a degree of care is required in everyday use and when looking after
the leather.
Dust and grit in the pores and seams can scratch and damage the surface. If
the vehicle is under solar radiation for long periods, the leather should be
protected to prevent it from fading. However, slight colour variations in
high-quality natural leather are normal.
CAUTION
● Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar
products on leather.
● To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a specialised
workshop. 
Seat belt cleaning
A dirty belt may not work properly.
Check all seat belts regularly and keep them clean.
Seat belt cleaning
– Pull the dirty seat belt right out and unroll it.
– Clean dirty seat belts with a gentle soap solution.
– Allow it to dry.
– Do not roll the seat belt up until it is dry.
If large stains form on the belts, it will not retract correctly into the automat-
ic belt retractor.
WARNING
● Do not use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts, as this can im-
pair the strength of the webbing. Ensure that belts do not come into con-
tact with corrosive fluids.
● Check the condition of the seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that the belt webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of
the belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced by a specialist work-
shop.
● Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts
must not be removed or modified in any way.
CAUTION
After cleaning, allow seat belts to dry completely before rolling them up.
Otherwise, the belt retractors could become damaged. 

221
Accessories, parts replacement and modifications
Accessories, parts replacement and modifications Accessories and spare parts
Always consult an Authorised Service Centre before purchas-
ing accessories and parts.Your vehicle is designed to offer a high standard of active and passive safe-
ty.
Before purchasing accessories and parts, and before making technical
changes to your vehicle, we recommend you to consult your Authorised
Service Centre.
SEAT dealerships will be happy to provide you with the latest information
about the use, legal requirements and recommendations from the manufac-
turer regarding accessories and parts.
We recommend you use only SEAT Approved Accessories®
and SEAT Ap-
proved Spare Parts ®
. This way, SEAT can guarantee that the product in
question is suitable, reliable and safe. SEAT Authorised Service Centres
have the necessary experience and facilities to ensure that parts are correct-
ly and professionally installed.
Despite a continuous observation of the market, SEAT is not able to assess
the reliability, safety and suitability of those parts SEAT has not approved.
For this reason, SEAT cannot assume responsibility for any non-genuine
parts used, even if these parts have been approved by an official testing
agency or are covered by an official approval certificate.
Any equipment subsequently installed which has a direct effect on the driv-
er's control of the vehicle (e.g. cruise control system or electronically-con-
trolled suspension) must be approved by SEAT and bear the e mark (the Eu-
ropean Union's authorisation symbol). If any
additional electrical components are fitted which do not serve to con-
trol the vehicle itself (e.g. refrigerator box, laptop or ventilator fan), these
must bear the CE mark (European Union manufacturer conformity declara-
tion).
WARNING
Accessories, for example telephone holders or cup holders, should never
be fitted on the covers, or within the working range, of the airbags. Oth-
erwise, there is a danger of injury if the airbag is triggered in an accident.

Technical modifications
Modifications must always be carried out according to our
specifications.
Unauthorised modifications to the electronic components or software in the
vehicle may cause malfunctions. Due to the way the electronic components
are linked together in networks, other indirect systems may be affected by
the faults. This can seriously impair safety, lead to excessive wear of compo-
nents, and also invalidate your vehicle registration documents.
SEAT Authorised Service Centres cannot be held liable for any damage
caused by modifications and/or work incorrectly performed.
For this reason, we recommend having all work performed by a SEAT Author-
ised Technical Service using Genuine SEAT®
Spare Parts. 
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222Accessories, parts replacement and modifications
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 fold down
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 phones and two-way radios
First 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 possi-
bilities for retrofitting this equipment.
Mobile telephones and two-way radios should be only fitted by a special-
ised 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 danger of
injury if the airbag is triggered.
Note
Please observe the operating instructions of your mobile telephone / two-
way radio. 

223
Checking and refilling levels
Checking and refilling levels Refuelling
The tank flap is released manually. The tank holds approxi-
mately 55 litres. For all-wheel drive vehicles, the tank ca-
pacity is approximately 60 litres.
Fig. 160 Tank flap open
Unscrewing the tank cap
– Lift the lid.
– Hold the cap firmly with one hand, 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 releasing 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.
The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is given on a sticker on the inside of
the fuel tank flap. Further notes on fuel can be found there. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

224Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
● Fuel is highly flammable and can cause serious burns and other inju-
ries.
–Never smoke or use an open flame when filling the fuel tank of the
vehicle, or a spare fuel canister, with fuel. This is an explosion haz-
ard.
– Follow legal requirements for the use of spare fuel canisters.
– For safety reasons we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel can-
ister in the vehicle. The canister could be damaged in an accident and
leak.
● If, in exceptional circumstances, you have to carry a spare fuel canis-
ter, please observe the following points:
–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 could cause an explosion. Always place the canister on
the ground to fill it.
– Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as possi-
ble.
– 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
electrostatic 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. 

225
Checking and refilling levels
LPG system*
Refuelling with LPG
The LPG filler neck is behind the fuel cap, next to the petrol filler neck.
Fig. 161 Fuel tank open with LPG filler neck and adapt-
er.
Fig. 162 LPG tank in
spare wheel well 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 1
.
– Screw the required adapter 2
on the gas filler neck 1.
– Refuel as indicated in the instructions on the pump.
– Unscrew the adapter 2
. 
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226Checking and refilling levels
–Screw on the cap of the gas filler neck 1
.
– Close the tank flap.
When the hose is removed from the tank, a small amount of LPG may spill
out ⇒ 
.
The LPG tank ⇒ fig. 162 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 injuries.
● 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 applian-
ces, 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.
WARNING (Continued)
● Small quantities of LPG may leak out after refuelling. If LPG comes in-
to 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.


227
Checking and refilling levels
Adapter 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. 163 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 1
,
the Dish Coupling 2, the bayonet 3 or the EURO adapter 4.
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. 1
234
Note
The four most common types of adapter in Europe are the ACME adapter 1,
the Dish Coupling adapter 2, the bayonet adapter 3 and the EURO adapt-
er 4. On the whole, we recommend you carry all four adapters in your vehi-
cle, as some countries use more than one type of filling system. The intro-
duction of a single system (Euronozzle) throughout Europe is being studied. 
Applies to the market: Spanish Fixed adapter
Fig. 164 Fuel tank flap
open with EURO-type
connector.
The end of the filling tube has a EURO-type connector so that you can refill
LPG without having to use an additional adapter ⇒ fig. 164.
LPG fuel
LPG is an alternative vehicle fuel and is a blend of propane and butane. 
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228Checking and refilling levels
The success of LPG is due to the strict regulations concerning exhaust gas
emissions. Compared to other fossil fuels, LPG is characterised by its re-
duced 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 safety
A series of collision tests performed on this vehicle while running with LPG
have confirmed its high level of safety.
The safety of the LPG system guarantees operation without risk. The follow-
ing 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 interior.
● 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 specialised 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
immediately if gas is smelt or a leak is detected.
● LPG tanks are subject to pressure and must be checked regularly. The
owner of the vehicle must check that these services are performed cor-
rectly.
● When parking the vehicle in a closed area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechani-
cal, to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Note
For any fault in the LPG system, please refer to the SEAT web page, which
lists the workshops authorised to repair these faults. 