wheel Seat Exeo 2012 Repair Manual

248Wheels and tyres
Tyre width in mm
Height/width ratio in %
Tyre construction: Radial
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating code
Speed rating
The tyres could also have the following information:
● A direction of rotation symbol
● “Reinforced” denotes heavy-duty tyres.
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly only
on the inner side of the wheel).
“DOT ... 1103...” means, for example, that the tyre was produced in the 11th
week of 2003.
We recommend that work on tyres and wheels be carried out by a Technical
Service. They are familiar with the procedure and have the necessary spe-
cial tools and spare parts as well as the proper facilities for disposing of the
old tyres.
Any Technical Service has full information on the technical requirements
when installing or changing tyres, wheels or wheel trims.
WARNING
● We recommend that you use only wheels and tyres which have been
approved by SEAT for your model. Failure to do so could impair vehicle
handling. Risk of accident.
● Avoid running the vehicle on tyres that are more than 6 years old. If
you have no alternative, you should drive slowly and with extra care at all
times.
195
65
R
15
91
TWARNING (Continued)
● Never use old tyres or those with an unknown history of use.
● If wheel trims are retrofitted, you must ensure that the flow of air to
the brakes is not restricted. This could cause them to overheat.
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of according to the laws in the country con-
cerned.
Note
● For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from
other vehicles. This can also apply to wheels of the same model. The use of
wheels or tyres which have not been approved by SEAT for use with your
model may invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public roads.
● If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the
vehicle (e.g. winter tyres) you should only use the spare tyre for a short peri-
od of time and drive with extra care. Refit the normal road wheel as soon as
possible. 
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are
fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped
bolt heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and
that the brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you should not use wheel bolts from a different
vehicle, even if it is the same model ⇒ page 221.


249
Wheels and tyres
After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel
bolts should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench. ⇒ 
The tightening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become
loose while driving. Risk of accident.
● The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or
oil to them.
● Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
● If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen whilst
the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too
high, the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
CAUTION
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm. 
Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and
ice.
In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicle's han-
dling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread pattern)
gives less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pres-
sures specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels. Information on permitted winter tyre sizes can be found in the vehicle's reg-
istration documents. Use only radial winter tyres. All tyre sizes listed in the
vehicle documentation also apply to winter tyres.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth
of 4 mm.
The speed rating code ⇒ 
page 247, New tyres and wheels determines the
following speed limits for winter tyres: ⇒ 
max. 160 km/h
max. 180 km/h
max. 190 km/h
max. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles which can exceed the speed rating of the fitted
tyre must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These
stickers are available from your Technical Service. The legal requirements of
each country must be followed.
Do not have winter tyres fitted for unnecessarily long periods. Vehicles with
summer tyres handle better when the roads are free of snow and ice.
If you have a flat tyre, please refer to the notes on the spare wheel
⇒ page 247, New tyres and wheels.
WARNING
The maximum speed for the winter tyres must not be exceeded. Other-
wise, this could lead to tyre damage and risk of accident.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres again as soon as possible. They are quieter, do not
wear so quickly and reduce fuel consumption. 
Q
S
T
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Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

250Wheels and tyres
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels, and only to certain tyre
sizes ⇒ page 295.
205/55 R1615 mm chains225/45 R179 mm chains225/40 R187 mm chains
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains. For
safety reasons cover caps, available in any Technical Service, must then be
fitted over the wheel bolts.
WARNING
Observe the fitting instructions provided by the snow chain manufactur-
er.
CAUTION
Remove the snow chains to drive on roads without snow. Otherwise they
will impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly.
Note
● In some countries, the speed limit for using snow chains is 50 km/h.
The legal requirements of the country should be followed.
● We recommend that you ask your Technical Service for information
about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size. 

251
If and when
If and when
Tools, tyre repair kit and spare wheel Tools
The tools and jack are stored under the floor panel in the
luggage compartment.
Fig. 179 Toolbox and
jack
The tools A
and jack B ⇒ Fig. 179 are stored under the floor pan-
el in the luggage compartment.
– Lift the floor panel using the plastic handle.
– Hook the handle C
onto the luggage compartment weather
strip.
– Release the toolbox by pulling up the handle on the box. –
Take out the tools or jack.
– Replace the floor panel before closing the rear lid.
The tool kit includes:
● A hook for removing wheel covers* or hub caps
● Box spanner for wheel bolts
● Towing eye
● An adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*
Before replacing the jack in the storage bin, wind down the arm of the jack
as far as it will go.
Some of the tools listed are only provided in certain models or are optional
extras.
WARNING
● The factory-supplied jack is only designed for changing wheels on
this model. On no account attempt to use it for lifting heavier vehicles or
other loads. Risk of injury.
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. Failure to do so
could result in an accident.
● If work is to be carried out underneath the vehicle, this must be se-
cured by suitable stands. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

252If and when
Tyre mobility system
The tyre mobility system is stored under the floor panel in
the luggage compartment.
Fig. 180 Tyre Mobility
System under floor panel
in luggage compartment
– Take hold of the handle and fold back the floor panel in the lug-
gage compartment.
– Take out the tyre mobility system.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tyre Mobility System in case of a puncture.
The tyre mobility system consists of a container with sealing compound and
a compressor to generate the required tyre pressure.
Instructions for using the sealant compound and the compressor are inclu-
ded with the sealant can. Spare steel rim wheel
The spare steel rim wheel is carried in the wheel well under
the floor panel in the luggage compartment. It is only inten-
ded for temporary use over short distances.
Fig. 181 Spare steel rim
wheel
Taking out the spare wheel
– Turn the plastic knob ⇒ Fig. 181 anticlockwise.
– Take out the spare wheel.
Securing the defective wheel in the spare wheel well
– Place wheel in spare wheel well in the luggage compartment.
– Secure the wheel by turning plastic knob clockwise.
– Replace the floor panel before closing the rear lid.
Your vehicle can be factory-equipped with a spare steel wheel. The spare
wheel does not usually meet the same performance standards as the 

253
If and when
wheels fitted on the vehicle because of the wheel/tyre dimensions, rubber
composition, tread pattern, etc. Therefore, note the following restrictions:
● The spare steel wheel is designed only for your vehicle model. Do not
attempt to mount the wheel on any vehicle but your own.
● Your vehicle will have different driving characteristics when the spare
steel rim wheel is mounted ⇒ 
.
● The spare wheel is only intended for temporary use after having a flat
tyre. Replace the spare wheel with a normal wheel that has the proper tyre
dimensions as soon as possible.
● If the size of the spare steel rim wheel is different to that of the other
wheels, it is unlikely that snow chains suitable for the other wheels will fit it.
WARNING
● After mounting the spare steel rim wheel, the tyre pressure must be
checked and corrected as soon as possible. The tyre pressure must corre-
spond to the vehicle load (consult the table containing the inflation pres-
sures). Otherwise there is danger of causing an accident. Use the highest
tyre pressure as indicated in the table.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h, as higher speeds can cause an acci-
dent.
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering, as this
could cause an accident.
 Changing a wheel
Preparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel. – If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away
from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as
level as possible.
– All passengers should leave the vehicle. They should wait in a
safe place (e.g. behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage first gear .
– When towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from your vehicle.
– Take the tools and the spare wheel ⇒ page 251 out of the lug-
gage compartment.
WARNING
If you have a puncture in heavy traffic, switch on the hazard warning
lights and place the warning triangle in a visible location. This is for your
own safety and also warns other road users.
CAUTION
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite the
wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to prevent
the vehicle from rolling away. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

254If and when
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so. 
Changing a wheel
Change the wheel as described below.
– Remove the wheel cover .
– Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ page 255.
– Raise the vehicle with the jack ⇒ page 256.
– Take off the wheel with the flat tyre and then put on the spare
wheel ⇒ page 257.
– Lower the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the
box spanner ⇒ page 255.
– Replace the cover. 
After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel, there are still tasks to complete. – Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the spare wheel well
and secure it.
– Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment. –
The inflation pressure of the newly fitted spare tyre must be
checked as soon as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a torque wrench. It must be 120 Nm (always
when cold)
– Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as possible.
Note
● If you notice that the wheel bolts are rusty and difficult to turn when
changing a wheel, they must be replaced before having the tightening tor-
que checked.
● For safety reasons, drive at moderate speeds until the wheel bolt tight-
ening torque has been checked. 

255
If and when
Loosening and tightening the wheel bolts
The wheel bolts must be loosened before raising the vehicle.
Fig. 182 Changing the
wheel: Loosen the wheel
bolts
Loosening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and turn
the wheel bolts about one turn anticlockwise ⇒  Fig. 182 (ar-
row).
Tightening
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt 1)
.
– Grip the box spanner as close to the end as possible and tight-
en the bolt firmly by turning clockwise.
WARNING
Loosen the wheel bolts only about one turn before raising the vehicle
with the jack. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Note
● If the wheel bolt does not come loose, it may be possible to release it by
pushing down the end of the spanner carefully with your foot. Hold on to the
vehicle for support and take care not to slip. 
1)
An adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft wheel bolts* ⇒ page 257.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

256If and when
Raising the vehicle
In order to remove the wheel, the vehicle must be raised
with a jack.
Fig. 183 Changing the
wheel: Jack position
points
Fig. 184 Changing the
wheel: Jack –
Position the vehicle jack under the door sill at the jacking point
closest to the wheel being changed ⇒ Fig. 183 -arrows-.
– Wind up the jack under the jacking point until the claw of the
jack is directly below the vertical rib under the door sill.
– Align the jack so that the arm of the jack fits on the rib under
the door sill ⇒ Fig. 184 A
and the movable base plate of the
jack B is flat on the ground.
– Raise the vehicle until the defective wheel is just clear of the
ground.
Recesses at the front and rear of the door sills mark the jacking points
⇒ Fig. 183 -arrows-. There is only one jacking point for each wheel. Do not
fit the jack anywhere else.
The distance from the jacking points to the wheel arches is approximately
15 cm at the front and 25 cm at the rear.
An unstable surface under the jack may cause the vehicle to slip off the
jack. Therefore, the jack must be fitted on solid ground offering good sup-
port. Use a large, stable base if necessary. On a hard, slippery surface (such
as tiles) use a rubber mat or similar to prevent the jack from slipping.
WARNING
● Take all precautions so that the base of the jack does not slip. Failure
to do so could result in an accident.
● The vehicle can be damaged if the jack is not applied at the correct
jacking points. There is also a risk of injury since the jack can slip off
suddenly if it is not properly engaged.


257
If and when
Removing and fitting the wheel
For removal and fitting the wheel, the following tasks must
be completed.
After loosening the wheel bolts and raising the vehicle with the
jack, change the wheel as described below:
Removing a wheel
– Unscrew the wheel bolts using the box spanner and place them
on a clean surface.
Fitting a wheel
– Screw on the wheel bolts in position and tighten them loosely
with a box spanner.
The wheel bolts should be clean and easily screwed. Before fitting the spare
wheel, inspect the wheel condition and hub mounting surfaces. These sur-
faces must be clean before fitting the wheel.
If tyres with a specific direction of rotation are fitted, note the direction of
rotation. Anti-theft wheel bolts*A special adapter is required to turn the anti-theft wheel
bolts.
Fig. 185 Anti-theft
wheel bolt
– Insert the adapter onto the wheel bolt and push it on as far as it
will go ⇒ Fig. 185.
– Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the adapter.
– Loosen or tighten the wheel bolt as appropriate.
Code
The code number of the anti-theft wheel bolt is stamped onto the front part
of the adaptor.
The code number should be noted and kept in a safe place, as it is only by
using the code number that a duplicate adaptor can be obtained from the
SEAT Official Services. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications