checking oil Seat Ibiza 2017 Owner's manual Edition 11.17

Table of Contents
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Starting and stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Braking and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Braking and stability systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gear-
bo x*
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Ge
ar-change indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Run-in and economical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Engine management and emission control sys-
tem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Driv

ing tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Driver assistance systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Start-Stop System* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Cruise control system (CCS)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Speed limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Emergency brake assist system (Front As-
sis
t)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
SEAT Drive Profile* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Fatigue detection (break recommendation)* . . 227
Parking aid (Park Pilot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Rear Assist “Rear View Camera”* . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Towing bracket device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Towing bracket device* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Care and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Accessories and modifications to the vehi-
cle
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Care and cleaningTaking care of your vehi-
cle
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Caring for the vehicle interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Checking and refilling levels
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
AdBlue ®
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . 263
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Windscreen washer reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Spare wheel (temporary spare wheel)* . . . . . . 279
Winter service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Fuel consumption data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Trailer mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Engine data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
6

The essentials
the wheel condition and hub mounting surfa-
c e
s.
These surfaces must be clean before fit-
ting the wheel.
Wheel bolt tightening torque
The prescribed tightening torque for wheel
bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
After changing a wheel, have the tightening
torque checked immediately with a torque
wrench that is working perfectly.
Before checking tightening torque, have any
rusty wheel bolts that are difficult to screw re-
placed and clean the wheel hub threads.
Never apply grease or oil to wheel bolts or to
the wheel hub threads. Even if the bolts have
been tightened to the prescribed torque, they
could come loose while driving. WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not properly tightened,
they c ou

ld come loose while driving and
cause an accident, serious injury and loss of
vehicle control.
● Use only wheel bolts which correspond to
the rim in question.
● Nev

er use different wheel bolts.
● Wheel bolts and threads should be clean,
free of oi
l and grease, and it should be possi-
ble to screw them easily.
● To loosen and tighten wheel bolts, only use
the wheel wrenc
h that came with the car from
the factory. ●
Loo sen the wheel

bolts only about one turn
before raising the vehicle with the jack.
● Never apply grease or oil to wheel bolts or
to the wheel hub thr
eads. Even if the bolts
have been tightened to the prescribed tor-
que, they could come loose while driving.
● Never loosen the screwed joints of wheel
rims with bo
lted ring trims.
● If wheel bolts are tightened below the pre-
scribed t
orque, the bolts and rims could come
loose while driving. If tightening torque is too
high, the wheel bolts or threads can be dam-
aged. CAUTION
When removing/fitting the wheel, the rim
ma y

hit and damage the brake disc. For this
reason, please take care and get a second
person to assist you. Tyres with compulsory direction of ro-
t
ation A directional tread pattern can be identified
b
y
the arr

ows on the sidewall that point in
the direction of rotation. Always observe the
direction of rotation indicated when fitting
the wheel to guarantee optimum properties
of this type of tyres with regard to grip,
noises, wear and aquaplaning.
If it is absolutely necessary to fit the spare
tyre* against the direction of rotation, drive with care as this means the tyre does not of-
fer optimum drivin

g properties. This is of par-
ticular importance when the road surface is
wet.
To return to directional tread tires, replace
the punctured tyre as soon as possible and
restore the obligatory direction of rotation of
all tyres.
Subsequent work ●
Alloy wheels: rep
l
ace the wheel bolt caps.
● Plate wheels: repl
ace the wheel hubcap.
● Return all tools to their proper storing loca-
tion.
● If the replaced wheel does not fit in the
spar
e wheel housing, store it safely in the
luggage compartment ›››
 page 160.
● Check the tyre pressure of the newly moun-
ted tyr
e as soon as possible.
● In vehicles fitted with a tyre pressure indi-
cator
, adjust the pressure and store it in
memory ›››
 page 278.
● Have the tightening torque of the wheel
bolts c
hecked as soon as possible with a tor-
que wrench (it should be 120 Nm). Mean-
while, drive carefully.
● Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as
pos s

ible. 69

Operation
● Remo
v
e the key in the direction of arrow
2 .
● Place cover B in the lock in the direction
of arr
o

w 3
› ››
Fig. 219
››› .
● Check that the detachable ball is securely
att ac
hed ›

›› page 240, Checking proper at-
tachment. CAUTION
● Aft er r

emoving the key, always place the
cover over the lever's lock. If the lock be-
comes soiled it will be impossible to insert
the key.
● Keep the towing bracket device's housing
cavity
clean at all times. Dirtiness can pre-
vent the detachable ball from being properly
secured!
● If the detachable ball is removed, always
plac
e the cap on the hook's housing. Checking proper attachment
Fig. 220
Detachable ball properly attached. Whenever you go to use the detachable ball,
m
ak
e s

ure that it is properly attached first.
Detachable ball properly attached. ● The detachable ball will not fall out of the
housin
g cavity after a major “knock or jerk”.
● Lever A
› ›
› Fig. 220
is fully raised.
● The release bolt B
› ›
› Fig. 220
is sticking
fully out (the red and green part is visible).
● The key has been removed.
● Cover C
› ›
› Fig. 220
is placed over the lock. WARNING
● When remo v

ing the detachable ball, keep
your hands well away from the reach of the
lever's rotation to avoid getting your fingers
caught. ●
The to w

ing bracket device should only be
used if the detachable ball has been properly
locked! Removing the detachable ball - Step 1
Fig. 221
Removing the lock cover. Fig. 222
Releasing the lock. ●
Remove cover A from the lock in the direc-
tion of arr
o

w 1
› ›
› Fig. 221 .
240

Checking and refilling levels
●
Do not tr y
to add any more additive after
the nozzle has stopped for the first time. The
AdBlue tank could overflow and AdBlue could
spill out.
● Only use AdBlue ®
that c
omplies with ISO
22241-1. Only use original containers.
● Never mix AdBlue ®
with wat
er, fuel or addi-
tives. Any type of damage caused by such a
mixture will not be covered by the warranty.
● Never pour AdBlue ®
into the fuel
tank. This
could result in engine damage.
● Do not carry the refill bottle inside the vehi-
cle. If
there is a leak (due to temperature
changes or damage to the bottle), the
AdBlue ®
may damage the vehicle. For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the refill bottle in an environment-
friendly m anner

.Note
You can buy refill bottles that are adequate
for AdBlue ®
u se at

SEAT dealerships. Working in the engine compart-
ment
Saf ety
not

es for work in the engine
compartment Read the additional information carefully
›› ›

 page 17
Before starting any work on the engine or in
the engine compartment:
1. Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Ap

ply the handbrake.
3. Move the gear lever to neutral or the selec- tor lev
er to position P.
4. Wait for the engine to cool down.
5. Keep children away from the vehicle.
6. Raise the bonnet ›››

page 264.
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 specialised
workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. cool-
ant, engine oil, spark plugs and batteries,
are under constant development. SEAT pro-
vides a constant flow of information to Tech-
nical Services concerning modifications. For
this reason, we recommend you have service fluids and consumables replaced by a Techni-
cal

Service. Please observe the relevant in-
structions ››› page 247. The engine compart-
ment of the vehicle is a hazardous area ››› .
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the engine com-
par tment, e.

g. checking and refilling fluids,
involves the danger of injury and burns, acci-
dents and even fire.
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam,
smoke or coo
lant 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.
● App

ly the handbrake and move the gear
lever t
o 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 exh
aust gas system. This is a fire hazard.
● Avoid causing short-circuits in the electri-
cal
system, particularly at the points where
the jump leads are attached ›››
 page 72.
The battery could explode.
● Never touch the radiator fan. It is tempera-
ture c
ontrolled and could start automatically,
even when the engine has been switched off
and the key removed from the ignition! » 263
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Checking levels Fig. 229
Diagram for the location of the various ele-
ments. From time to time, the levels of the different
fluid
s
in the
vehicle must be checked. Never
fill with incorrect fluids, otherwise serious
damage to the engine may be caused.
Coolant expansion tank
Engine oil level dipstick
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery
Windscreen washer reservoir
The checking and refilling of service fluids
are carried out on the components men- 1 2
3
4
5
6 tioned above. These operations are descri-
bed in
››
›
page 263.
Overview
You will find further explanations, instruc-
tions and restrictions on the technical speci-
fications as of ››› page 281. Note
The layout of parts may vary depending on
the engine. Engine oil
Gener a
l
notes The engine comes with a special, multi-grade
oil
th

at can be used all year round.
Because the use of high-quality oil is essen-
tial for the correct operation of the engine
and its long useful life, when topping up or
changing oil, use only those oils that comply
with VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in
the following page should appear on the con-
tainer of the service oil; when the container
displays the specific standards for petrol and
266

Checking and refilling levels
diesel engines together, it means that the oil
c an be u
sed f
or both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change indicated
in the Maintenance Programme, be per-
formed by a technical service or specialised
workshop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine
are listed in the ›››
 page 59.
Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife
service) or fixed (dependent on time/dis-
tance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the
Maintenance Programme booklet is PR QI6,
this means that your vehicle has the LongLife
service program. If it lists the codes QI1, QI2,
QI3, QI4 or QI7, the interval service is de-
pendent on the time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife service
intervals*)
Special oils and processes have been devel-
oped which, depending on the characteris-
tics and individual driving profiles, enable
the extension of the oil change service (Long-
Life service intervals).
Because this oil is essential for extending the
service intervals, it must only be used ob-
serving the following indications: ●
Avoid mi xing it with oil for fixed service in-
tervals.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil
level is too low ››› page 268 and
LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to
top up (once) with oil for fixed service inter-
vals ›››
 page 59 (up to a maximum of 0.5
litres).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife
service interval” or it has been disabled (by
request), you may use oils for fixed service
intervals, which also appear in
›››  page 59. In this case, your vehicle
must be serviced after a fixed interval of 1
year/15,000 km (10,000 miles)(whatever
comes first) ››› Booklet Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
● In exceptional circumstances, if the engine
oil l
evel is too low ››› page 268 and you can-
not obtain the oil specified for your vehicle,
you can add a small quantity of oil conform-
ing to the specification ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
(petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (die-
sel engines) (up to 0.5 l).
Vehicles with diesel particulate filter*
The Maintenance Programme states whether
your vehicle is fitted with a diesel particulate
filter. Only VW 507 00 engine oil, with reduced ash
formation, m

ay be used in diesel engines
equipped with particulate filter. Using other
types of oil will cause a higher soot concen-
tration and reduce the life of the DPF. There-
fore:
● Avoid mixing this oil with other engine oils.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the
engine oil
level is too low ››› page 268,
Checking engine oil level and you cannot ob-
tain the oil specified for your vehicle, you can
use a small quantity of oil (once) conforming
to the VW 506 00, VW 506 01, VW 505 00,
VW 505 01 or ACEA B3/ACEA B4 specification
(up to 0.5 l). Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an
engine oi l

that conforms to the correspond-
ing VW specifications and recommend keep-
ing it in the vehicle. This way, the correct en-
gine oil will always be available for a top-up if
needed. Warning lamp
If this warning lamp
 is
r
ed it indicates
that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is
accompanied by three audible warnings,
switch off the engine and check the oil level.
If necessary, add more oil ›››
page 268. »
267
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
If the warning lamp flashes although the oil
l ev
el
is correct, stop driving. Do not even run
the engine at idle speed! Obtain technical as-
sistance.
Checking oil level
If the warning lamp is yellow  the engine
oil level should be checked as soon as possi-
ble. Top up the oil at the next opportunity
››› page 268.
Oil level sensor faulty*
If the  yellow warning lamp flashes, take
the vehicle to a specialised workshop to have
the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is
advisable to check the oil level every time
you refuel.
Checking engine oil level Fig. 230
Engine oil dipstick. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
 page 58
Checking oil level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Briefly run the engine at idle speed until
the operating t

emperature is reached and
then stop.
– Wait for about two minutes.
– Pull out the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with
a cle

an cloth and insert it again, pushing it
in as far as it will go.
– Then pull it out again and check the oil lev-
el. T

op up with engine oil if necessary.
Depending on how you drive and the condi-
tions in which the vehicle is used, oil con-
sumption can be up to 0.5 l/1000 km. Oil
consumption is likely to be higher for the first
5,000 km. For this reason the engine oil level
must be checked at regular intervals, prefera-
bly when filling the tank and before a jour-
ney. WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compart-
ment or on the en gine mu

st be carried out
cautiously.
● When working in the engine compartment,
alwa
ys observe the safety warnings
››› page 263. CAUTION
If the oil level is above area ›››
Fig. 230 A , do
not s t
art the engine. This could result in dam-
age to the engine and catalytic converter.
Contact a Technical Service. Topping up engine oil
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›

 page 58
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe
the warnings ››› in Safety notes for work in
the en gine c
omp

artment on page 263.
The position of the filler neck is shown in the
corresponding engine compartment image
››› page 266.
Engine oil specification ›››
 page 59. WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil
come s

into contact with hot engine compo-
nents when topping up. CAUTION
If the oil level is above area ›››
Fig. 230 A , do
not s t
art the engine. This could result in dam-
age to the engine and catalytic converter.
Contact a specialised workshop. 268

Checking and refilling levels
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area
›› ›
Fig. 230 A . Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the c r
ankcase breather and escape
into the atmosphere via the exhaust system. Changing engine oil
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›

 page 58
The engine oil must be changed at the inter-
vals given in the service schedule.
We recommend that you have the engine oil
changed by a Technical Service.
The oil change intervals are shown in the
Maintenance Programme. WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you
hav e the s

pecialist knowledge required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the w
arnings ››› page 263, Safety notes
for work in the engine compartment .
● Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil
may
cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such
as ac
id burns, caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your
finger
s, keep your arm horizontal to help pre-
vent oil from running down your arm. ●
Wa sh

your skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used engine oil
must
be stored in a safe place out of the
reach of children. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
Thi s c

ould result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Bec au

se of disposal problems and the spe-
cial tools and specialist knowledge required,
we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by a Technical Service.
● Never pour oil down drains or into the
ground.
● U

se a suitable container when draining the
used oil
. It must be large enough to hold all
the engine oil. Cooling system
C ontr o

l lamp There is a fault if:
● The  l amp does not go out again after a
f ew sec

onds. ●
The  lamp lights up or fl
ashes while the
vehicle is running, and three acoustic warn-
ing signals are emitted ››› .
Thi s
me

ans that either the coolant level is too
low or the coolant temperature is too high.
Coolant temperature too high
If the  lamp lights up, stop the vehicle,
turn off the engine and wait for it to cool
down. Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating
may be caused by a malfunction of the radia-
tor fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have
it replaced if necessary ››› page 104.
If the control lamp lights up again after driv-
ing on for a short distance, stop the vehicle
and switch the engine off. Contact a Techni-
cal Service or a specialised workshop.
Coolant level too low
If the  lamp lights up, stop the vehicle,
turn off the engine and wait for it to cool
down. First check the coolant level. If the lev-
el of the coolant is below the “MIN” mark,
top up with coolant liquid ››› .
WARNING
● If y

our vehicle is immobilised for technical
reasons, move it to a safe distance from traf-
fic. Turn the engine off, turn the hazard lights
on and place the warning triangle. » 269
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
●
Never open the bonnet if
you can see or
hear steam or coolant escaping from the en-
gine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait un-
til you can no longer see or hear escaping
steam or coolant.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous
area. B
efore carrying out any work in the en-
gine compartment, switch off the engine and
allow it to cool down. Always note the corre-
sponding warnings ››› page 263. Topping up coolant
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 59
Top up coolant when the level is below the
MIN (minimum) mark.
Checking coolant level – Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Read off the coolant level on coolant ex-
pans

ion tank. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be between the marks.
When the engine is hot, it may be slightly
above the upper mark.
Topping up coolant – Wait for the engine to cool down. –
Cov
er the coolant expansion tank cap with
a cloth and carefully unscrew it to the left
››› .
– Top up the coolant only if there is still cool-
ant in the e
xp

ansion tank, otherwise you
could damage the engine. If there is no
coolant in the expansion tank, do not con-
tinue driving. You should obtain professio- nal assistance ››› .
– If there is still some coolant in the expan-
sion t
ank, t

op up to the upper mark.
– Top up with coolant until the level becomes
stab

le.
– Screw the cap back on correctly.
Any lo
ss of coolant fluid normally indicates a
leak in the cooling system. Take the vehicle
straight to a specialised workshop to have
the cooling system examined. If there are no
leaks in the engine cooling system, a loss of
coolant can only occur if the coolant boils
and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating. WARNING
● The coo lin

g system is under pressure. Do
not unscrew the cap on the coolant expan-
sion tank when the engine is hot: risk of
burns!
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a
health h
azard. Therefore, the antifreeze
should be stored in the original container in a safe place out of reach of children. Failure to
comp
ly

could result in poisoning.
● If working inside the engine compartment,
remember that, ev
en when the ignition is
switched off, the radiator fan may start up au-
tomatically, and therefore there is a risk of in-
jury. WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the cool-
ant sys

tem, the engine may fail leading to se-
rious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of
additiv
e is correct with respect to the lowest
expected ambient temperature in the zone in
which the vehicle is to be used.
● When the outside temperature is very low,
the cool
ant could freeze and the vehicle
would be immobilised. In this case, the heat-
ing would not work either and inadequately
dressed passengers could die of cold. CAUTION
Do not top up the expansion tank with cool-
ant fluid if it

is empty! Air could enter the
cooling system. In this case, stop driving.
Seek specialist assistance. Otherwise, there
is a risk of engine damage. 270

Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed
with c oo
lants which are not approved by
SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing
severe damage to the engine and the engine
cooling system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not pur-
ple b
ut is, for example, brown, this indicates
that the G13 additive has been mixed with an
inadequate coolant. The coolant must be
changed as soon as possible if this is the
case! This could result in serious faults and
engine damage. For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the
env ir

onment. If any fluids are spilled, they
should be collected and correctly disposed
of, with respect to the environment. Brake fluid
Chec k
in

g the brake fluid levelRead the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 60
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is
shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment image ›››
page 266. The brake fluid res-
ervoir has a black and yellow cap. The brake fluid level drops slightly when the
vehicl

e is being used as the brake pads are
automatically adjusted as they wear.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in
a short time, or drops below the “MIN” mark,
there may be a leak in the brake system. A
display on the instrument panel will warn you
if the brake fluid level is too low ››› page 122. WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake
fluid lev el, r

ead and observe the warnings
››› page 263. Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates brake
fluid c
h
an

ge intervals.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid
changed by a Technical Service.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and
follow the warnings ››› in Safety notes for
w ork
in the en

gine compartment on
page 263 in section “Safety notes for work-
ing in the engine compartment”.
In the course of time, brake fluid becomes
hygroscopic and absorbs water from the am-
bient air. If the water content in the brake flu-
id is too high, the brake system could cor-
rode. This also considerably reduces the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
coul

d impair the braking effect.
Be sure to always use the correct brake fluid.
Only use brake fluid that expressly meets the
VW 501 14 standard.
You can buy VW 501 14 standard brake fluid
in a SEAT dealership or a SEAT Official Serv-
ice. If none is available, use only high-quality
brake fluid that meets DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
standards, or USA Standards FMVSS 116 DOT
4.
Using any other kind of brake fluid or one
that is not of a high quality may affect opera-
tion of the brake system and reduce its effec-
tiveness. Never use a brake fluid if the con-
tainer does not state that it complies with VW
501 14, DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards, or
USA standards FMVSS 116 DOT 4. WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid im-
pair s

the braking effect.
● Before opening the bonnet to check the
brake fluid l
evel, read and observe the warn-
ings ››› page 263.
● Brake fluid should be stored in the closed
original
container in a safe place out of reach
of children. There is a toxic risk.
● Perform the brake fluid change according to
the Mainten
ance Programme. Heavy use of
the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the
brake fluid is left in the brake system for too » 271
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety