battery Seat Exeo ST 2011 Owner's Guide

237
Checking and refilling levels
Topping up and changing the brake fluid
It is best to have the brake fluid changed by a professional. Brake fluid absorbs moisture. Therefore, in the course of time it will absorb
water from the air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the
brake system could corrode. In addition, the boiling point of the brake fluid
will be considerably reduced. This could adversely affect the braking ability
in certain circumstances.
For this reason the brake fluid must be changed periodically.
Your vehicle's Service Plan will tell you when the brake fluid has to be re-
newed.
We recommend you have the brake fluid changed as part of a regular In-
spection Service at a workshop. They are familiar with the procedure and
have the necessary special tools and spare parts as well as the proper facili-
ties for disposing of the old fluid.
Use only approved brake fluid. Specialised workshops are informed about
the factory-approved brake fluid -DOT 4-. The brake fluid must be new.
WARNING
● Brake fluid must always be kept closed in its original container. Keep
out of the reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.
● If the brake fluid is left in the system for too long and the brakes are
subjected to heavy use, vapour bubbles may form in the brake system.
This would seriously affect the efficiency of the brakes and the safety of
the vehicle, leading to the risk of accident.
CAUTION
Please note that brake fluid will attack the paintwork on contact.
For the sake of the environment
The brake pads and fluid must be collected and disposed of according the
applicable regulations. The SEAT Technical Service network has the neces-
sary equipment and qualified personnel for collecting and disposing of this
waste material. 
Vehicle battery General notes
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.
The battery is virtually maintenance-free and is checked in the Inspection
Services.
We recommend replacing the battery after 5 years.
Disconnecting the battery
If the battery is disconnected, some of the vehicle's functions will become
inoperative (e.g. electric windows). These functions will require resetting af-
ter the battery is reconnected. For this reason, the battery should only be
disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system when absolutely necessa-
ry.
Long periods of non-use
The battery will gradually lose its charge because certain electrical equip-
ment continues to draw current even when the ignition is off. If you park the
vehicle for long periods of time in winter you should take the battery out of
the vehicle and store it in a place protected from frost. This way it will not
freeze and become damaged. At warm outside temperatures it is sufficient
to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Even when the battery is
not connected you should charge it from time to time. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

238Checking and refilling levels
Winter operation
The battery is drained more in cold weather, which means that the starting
power is reduced. For this reason, have the battery checked and charged if
necessary before the start of winter.
Replacing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same capacity, voltage and current rat-
ing. It must also have the same dimensions as the original, factory-fitted
battery and have sealed caps. The SEAT batteries which have been specially
developed fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety specifications for
your vehicle.
We recommend you use maintenance-free batteries.
WARNING
● All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge. If work is re-
quired on the battery, this should be performed by a Technical Service or
qualified workshop. Danger of caustic burns and explosion!
● The battery must not be opened. Never try to change the battery's liq-
uid level. Explosive gas is released from the battery that could cause an
explosion.
CAUTION
● The battery holder and clamps must always be correctly secured.
● Before starting any work on the battery, always observe the warnings
listed under ⇒ 
.
For the sake of the environment
 Batteries contain toxic substances including sulphuric acid and lead.
Therefore, they must be disposed of in line with environmental regulations
and must not be disposed of with ordinary household waste. Make sure dis-
connected batteries cannot tip over. Sulphuric acid could be spilt! Important safety warnings for handling a vehicle battery
The battery is located at the back of the engine compartment
⇒ page 296.
Wear eye protection
Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear protective
gloves and eye protection!
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are prohibited!
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the bat-
tery is under charge.
Keep children away from acid and batteries!
WARNING
Always be aware of the danger of injury and chemical burns as well as
the risk of accident or fire when working on the battery and the electrical
system:
● Wear eye protection. Protect your eyes, skin and clothing from acid
and particles containing lead.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear protective gloves and
eye protection. Do not tilt the batteries. This could spill acid through the
vents. Rinse battery acid from eyes immediately for several minutes with
clear water. Then seek medical care immediately. Neutralise any acid
splashes on the skin or clothing with a soapy solution, and rinse off with
plenty of water. If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immedi-
ately.
● Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are prohibited. When han-
dling cables and electrical equipment, avoid causing sparks and electro-
static charge. Never short the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can
cause injury. 

239
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING (Continued)
● 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 en-
gine, 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 re-
verse 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 °C.
● Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.
● Never use a defective battery. This could cause an explosion. Replace
a damaged battery immediately.
CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the en-
gine is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic com-
ponents.
● 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 freezing. If it freezes it will be damaged. Charging the battery
A fully-charged battery is important for reliable starting.
– Note the warnings ⇒ 
in Important safety warnings for han-
dling a vehicle battery on page 238 and ⇒ .
– Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
– Only if fast-charging: both battery cables must be disconnected
(first the negative cable, then the positive cable).
– Connect the charger cables to the battery terminals, noting the
colour code (red = positive; black or brown = negative).
– Now connect the battery charger to the power socket and switch
on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger and
disconnect the power point cable.
– Finally disconnect the charger cables from the battery.
– If necessary, reconnect both battery cables to the battery (first
the positive cable, then the negative cable).
When charging with a low current (for instance with a small battery charger)
the battery does not normally have to be disconnected. However, both bat-
tery cables must be disconnected before fast-charging the battery with a
high current. However, always follow the instructions given by the manufac-
turer of the battery charger.
The fast-charging procedure for a battery is dangerous ⇒ 
in Important
safety warnings for handling a vehicle battery on page 238, as it requires a
special charger and the corresponding level of knowledge. We therefore rec-
ommend that this work should only be performed by a qualified workshop. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

240Checking and refilling levels
A flat battery can freeze at temperatures of around 0 °C. The battery must be
defrosted before charging ⇒ 
. It is advisable to replace the battery if it has
frozen, because the ice can crack the battery casing and allow the battery
acid to escape.
The battery caps should not be opened while the battery is being charged.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen battery. Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.


286If and when
Sun visor light
Fig. 239 Removing sun
visor light
Fig. 240 Removing sun
visor light
– Remove the bulb carefully, using the flat part of a screwdriver
⇒ fig. 239. –
Use a screwdriver to remove the protective cover.
– Remove the bulb, moving it in the direction of the arrow and
outwards ⇒ fig. 240. 
Jump-starting
Jump leads
The jump lead must have a sufficient wire cross section. If the engine fails to start because of a discharged battery, the battery can
be connected to the battery of another vehicle to start the engine.
Jump leads
Jump leads must comply with standard DIN 72553 (see manufacturer's doc-
umentation). The wire cross section must be at least 25 mm 2
for petrol en-
gines and at least 35 mm 2
for diesel engines.
Note
● The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow
as soon as the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly connected to the vehicle elec-
trical system. 

287
If and when
How to jump start: description
Fig. 241 How to connect
the jump leads
On ⇒ fig. 241 A
shows the flat battery and B the charged bat-
tery.
Jump lead terminal connections
– Switch off the ignition of both vehicles ⇒ 
.
1. Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive ⇒ fig. 241
+
terminal of the vehicle with the flat battery ⇒ .
2. Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive ter- minal +
in the vehicle providing assistance.
3. Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative termi- nal -
on the battery of the vehicle providing assistance.
4. Connect the other end of the black jump lead X
to a solid met-
al 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 vehicle 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 heated rear window in the vehi- cle 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. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

288If and when
WARNING
● Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment ⇒ page 226.
● The battery providing assistance must have the same voltage as the
flat battery (12V) and approximately the same capacity (see imprint on
battery). Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
● Never use jump leads when one of the batteries is frozen. Danger of
explosion! Even after the battery has thawed, battery acid could leak and
cause chemical burns. If a battery freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes away from batteries, dan-
ger of explosion. Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the jump
leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to
the negative terminal of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the battery
could be ignited by sparks. Danger of explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the other vehicle to parts of the
fuel system or to the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. The jump lead attached to the positive battery terminal must not
touch metal parts of the vehicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact
with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not bend over the batteries. This could result in chemical burns.
Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow as
soon as the positive terminals are connected. 

296Technical specifications
Technical specifications
Engine specifications Checking fluid levels
From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the ve-
hicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, other-
wise serious damage to the engine may be caused.
Fig. 244 Diagram for the location of the various elements Vehicle battery
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir
Engine oil dipstick
1
234
Coolant expansion tank
Windscreen washer fluid container
Hydraulic fluid reservoir for power steering
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the compo-
nents mentioned above. These operations are described in the ⇒ page 226.
Overview
You will find further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the tech-
nical specifications as of ⇒ page 292.
Note
The layout of parts may vary depending on the engine. 
567

Index
Numbers and Symbols
230 V socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
A
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Airbag Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Air conditioner 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Air distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Air purity sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Air recirculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Air recirculation (automatic) . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Automatic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
ECON Mode (economy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Economical use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Key settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Solar-powered blower/sunroof . . . . . . . . . 169
Temperature selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Air duct Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266, 273
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266, 272
Air purity sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Ambient lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Anti-lock brake system How it works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Interior monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Antifreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Armrest Storage compartment in front armrest . . . 142
Armrests Adjusting the front armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Ashtray Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Athermic windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Auto-check system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Automatic car wash tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Automatic gearbox
Dynamic gear control programme . . . . . . . 187
Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
multitronic® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Paddle levers (tiptronic mode) . . . . . . . . . 189
Safety interlock for ignition key . . . . . . . . . 172
Selector lever lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Steering wheel with paddle levers . . . . . . 189
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Automatic headlight control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Auxiliary heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Battery voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Disconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Long periods of non-use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237, 238
Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Winter operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237, 238
Bicycle rack Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
307
Index

Electronic Stability ProgrammeControl lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Emergencies Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Disconnecting the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251, 256
Sunroof emergency activation . . . . . . . . . . 113
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Tyre mobility system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Engine compartment Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Checking oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Checking the level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine oil pressure too low . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Oil sensor defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine speed governing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Roof racks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Environmentally friendly driving . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Environmental tip Avoiding pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
ESP see Electronic Stability Programme . . . . . 171 Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
F
Fabric trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Front drink holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Front passenger airbag deactivation . . . . . . . . 45
Fuel Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Fuel level low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instantaneous fuel consumption . . . . . . . . 85
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Fuel tank opening the fuel tank flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Fuel: save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Fuse Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
G
Gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Gear shift pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
General overview of the engine compartment 296
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
H
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Faulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Headlights Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Automatic headlight control . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Automatic headlight control photosensors . .116
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Front fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Headlight washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Head restraint Rear seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Head restraints Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Removing and fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Heated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
High pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
310 Index