Seat Mii 2015 Owner's manual

Checking and refilling levels
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 184.
● 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.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact
with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be
stor
ed in a safe place out of the reach of chil-
dren. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
This 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
Before changing the engine oil, find a suita-
bl e loc

ation or service for proper disposal. For the sake of the environment
Always dispose of engine oil with the utmost
re s

pect for the environment. Never dispose of used engine oil in places such as a garden,
wood
s, dr

ains, roads, paths, rivers and drain-
age systems. Engine coolant
Introduction WARNING
Engine coolant is toxic!
● Only keep engine coolant in its original
c ont ainer

, tightly shut and in a safe place.
● Never store engine coolant in empty food
container
s or bottles as other people may ac-
cidentally drink it.
● Always keep engine coolant out of reach of
chil
dren.
● Ensure that the proportion of engine cool-
ant ad
ditive corresponds to the lowest out-
side temperature to which the vehicle will be
exposed.
● If the outside temperature is extremely low,
the engine coo
lant could freeze causing the
vehicle to stop. As this would also cause the
heating to stop working, vehicle occupants
without warm clothing could freeze. 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, w
ith r

espect to the environment. Coolant warning lamp
Several warning and indication lamps light
up for a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is
switched on, signalling that the function is
being verified. They will switch off after a few
seconds. 
It lights up
Excessive engine
coolant tempera-
ture.
 Stop the vehicle!
Stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible. Switch off the engine and
let it cool.
Insufficient en-
gine coolant lev-
el.  Stop the vehicle!
Check the engine coolant when the
engine has cooled and, if it is low,
refill with engine coolant
››› page 190.
Engine coolant
system faulty.  Do not drive any further.
Obtain professional assistance. 
Flashes
Engine coolant
system faulty.Seek specialist assistance.
WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in On the
ins trument
panel on page 27. » 189
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Note
On the display of the Portable Navigation
Sy s
tem (supplied by SEAT) ››› page 164 an en-
gine coolant temperature gauge can be seen. Checking the coolant level and top-
ping up
Fig. 169
In the engine compartment: Marking
on c oo
l

ant expansion tank Fig. 170
In the engine compartment: Coolant
exp an

sion tank cap Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 31
If the coolant level is low, the coolant warn-
ing indicator will light.
Preparations
● Park the vehicle on even, flat and firm
ground.
● A

llow the engine to cool ›››
.
● Open the bonnet  › ›
›
page 184.
● The coolant expansion tank is easily recog-
nisab
le because of the symbol  on the cap
››› Fig. 170.
Checking the engine coolant level ● When the engine is cold, check the coolant
level
using the side marking on the expan-
sion tank ››› Fig. 169. ●
If the lev
el is below the “MIN” mark, top up
with coolant. When the engine is hot it may
be slightly above the marked area.
Topping up the engine coolant level
● Always protect your face, hands and arms
from hot c
oolant and steam using a large,
thick cloth over the coolant expansion tank
cap.
● Remove the cap very carefully ›››
.
● Only refill using new engine c
oo
lant ac-
cording to SEAT specifications
( ›››
 page 31)
››› .
● The engine coolant level should be be-
tw een the m
ark

s on the coolant expansion
tank ››› Fig. 169. Do not exceed the top level
of the marked area ››› .
● Screw on the cap tightly.
● If, in the event of an emergency, you have
no c oo
l

ant that is compliant to the required
specifications ( ›››
 page 31), do not use
another type of additive. Instead, top up with
distilled water only ››› . Then re-establish
the c orr
ect

proportion of the mixture with the
correct additive as soon as possible
›››  page 31. WARNING
Hot vapours and coolant can cause serious
burn s.190

Checking and refilling levels
●
Never open the c oo
lant expansion tank if
steam or coolant is coming from the engine
compartment. Wait until you cannot see or
hear any steam or coolant escaping.
● Always wait until the engine has complete-
ly coo
led before very carefully opening the
expansion tank cap. Contact with hot ele-
ments of the engine can cause skin burns.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cool-
ing sys
tem is pressurised. Do not unscrew
the cap on the expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. Otherwise, coolant may spray out
under pressure causing burns and serious in-
jury.
– Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap an-
ti-clockwise, gently pressing down on it.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms
from hot coolant and steam using a large,
thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them
on part
s of the engine and the exhaust sys-
tem. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. Under
specific circumstances, the ethylene glycol
can catch fire. WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the cool-
ant sy s

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 outs ide t

emperature is very low,
the coolant 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
● If ther e i

s no appropriate coolant liquid
available, fill it using distilled water, and
nothing else. Any other type of water may
lead to considerable rusting in the engine
due to its chemical components. This could
consequently damage the engine. If you have
not used distilled water but another type of
water to top up the coolant, a specialised
workshop must immediately replace all of the
fluid in the engine cooling system.
● Only top up coolant to the top level of the
marked ar
ea ››› Fig. 169. Otherwise the ex-
cess coolant will be forced out of the cooling
system when the engine is hot, causing dam-
age.
● If a lot of liquid coolant has been lost, wait
for the engine t
o cool down completely before
adding coolant. Extensive coolant loss is an
indication of leaks in the engine cooling sys-
tem. Have the engine cooling system inspec-
ted immediately by a specialised workshop.
Otherwise engine damage may occur.
● When refilling service liquids, ensure that
you put
the liquids into the right tank. Mak-
ing a mistake when refilling could cause seri-
ous malfunctions and damage the engine! 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. Brake fluid
Chec k
in

g the brake fluid level Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 32
In the course of time, the brake fluid absorbs
water from the ambient air. If there is too
much water in the brake fluid, the brake sys-
tem could be damaged. In addition, the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid is significantly
lowered. When the brake fluid contains too
much water and the brakes are subject to
considerable forces, bubbles of water vapour
can form in the system. These bubbles can
significantly reduce braking power, notably
increasing braking distance, and could even
result in the total failure of the brake system. »
191
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Ensuring that the brake system is always
f u
nctionin
g correctly is essential for your own
safety and the safety of other road users
››› .
Br ak
e fluid s

pecifications
SEAT have developed a special brake fluid
optimised for the brake systems of their vehi-
cles. To ensure the optimum working of the
brake system, SEAT recommends the use of
brake fluid in accordance with the VW 501 14
standard. If this brake fluid is not available or
another brake fluid is used for different rea-
sons, use a brake fluid that complies with the
United States standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 or
the German standard DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
››› .
Br ak
e fluid

s conforming to the standard
VW 501 14, fulfil the American requirements
of the FMVSS 116 DOT 4 standard and the
German DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standard.
However, fluids that comply with the Ameri-
can FMVSS 116 DOT 4 standard or the Ger-
man DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standard do not
necessarily comply with the VW 501 14
standard. Always check the information on
the brake fluid container and ensure that you
are using suitable brake fluid.
A suitable brake fluid can be obtained from
SEAT dealerships. Brake fluid level
The level

of the brake fluid should always be
between the MIN and MAX marks, or above
the MIN mark ››› .
It i
s

not always possible to check the level of
the brake fluid, as in some models the en-
gine components make it difficult to see the
brake fluid reservoir. If you cannot read the
exact brake fluid level, consult a specialist.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the
vehicle is being used due to wear of the
brake pads and the automatic readjustment
of the brake.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid should be changed in accord-
ance with the instructions given in the Main-
tenance Programme. Have the brake fluid
changed by a specialised workshop. SEAT
recommends taking your car in for technical
service. This means that only brake fluid
complying with the required specifications
will be used. WARNING
If the brake fluid level is low or unsuita-
bl e/o

ld brake fluid is used, the brake system
may fail or braking power may be reduced.
● Check the brake system and the brake fluid
level
regularly! ●
The brak e fluid shou

ld be changed regular-
ly in accordance with the instructions given
in the Maintenance Programme.
● Always ensure that you use suitable brake
fluid. Only u
sed brake fluid that conforms to
the VW 501 14 standard, FMVSS 116 DOT 4
standard or even the DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
standard. Other types of brake fluid could af-
fect brake operation and reduce braking pow-
er. Do not use a brake fluid if the container
does not specify compliance with the
VW 501 14, FMVSS 116 DOT 4 or
DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards.
● The replacement brake fluid must be new.
● Brake fluid should be stored in the closed
original
container in a safe place out of reach
of children. Risk of poisoning!
● If the brake fluid is left in the system for
too long and the br
akes 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. This may cause an accident. CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the vehicle paintwork.
Wipe off an

y brake fluid from the paintwork
immediately. For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid is an environmental pollutant.
Co l

lect any spilt service fluids and allow a
professional to dispose of them. 192

Checking and refilling levels
Windscreen washer reservoir Chec k
in
g and topping up the wind-
screen washer reservoir with water Read the additional information carefully
›› ›

 page 32
Check the water level in the windscreen
washer reservoir regularly and top up as re-
quired.
● Open the bonnet  ›››
page 184.
● The washer reservoir is marked with the
symbol 

on the lid.
● Check there is enough water in the reser-
voir.
● T

o top up, mix water with a window cleaner
recommended b
y SEAT ››› . Please follow
the in s
truction
s for use found on the packag-
ing.
● In cold weather, a special antifreeze should
also be ad
ded to prevent the water from
freezing.
Reservoir capacity
The washer bottle capacity is approximately 3
litres. WARNING
If the water from the windscreen washer does
not c ont

ain enough anti-freeze, it may freeze on the windscreen and rear window, reducing
for
w

ard and rear visibility.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer
contain
s enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the
winds
creen washer system unless you have
warmed the windscreen with the ventilation
system. The antifreeze could freeze on the
windscreen and reduce visibility. WARNING
Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other
s imi l

ar additives with the windscreen washer
water. A greasy layer may be formed on the
windscreen which will impair visibility.
● Use clean water with a window cleaner rec-
ommended by
SEAT.
● If necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to
the water in the r
eservoir. CAUTION
● Do not mi x

cleaning products recommen-
ded by SEAT with other products. This could
lead to flocculation and may block the wind-
screen washer jets.
● When topping up service fluids, make abso-
lutely c
ertain that you fill the fluids into the
correct reservoirs. Using the wrong fluids
could cause serious malfunctions and engine
damage! Vehicle battery
Intr oduction Read the additional information carefully
›› ›

 page 32.
The battery is a component of the vehicle's
electrical system.
Never work on the electrical system without
fully understanding the operations required,
the applicable safety standards and without
the correct tools ››› ! If required, have any
w ork
c

arried out by a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service. Negligent work can cause seri-
ous injury.
Location of the vehicle battery
The battery is located in the engine compart-
ment.
Explanation of the warning indications on
the vehicle's battery
SymbolMeaning 
Wear eye protection!

Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic.
Always wear protective gloves and eye
protection!

Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking
are prohibited.»
193
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

AdviceSymbolMeaning

A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
leased when the battery is under charge.

Keep children away from acid and batter-
ies!
WARNING
Working on the vehicle battery and the elec-
trica l

system can cause corrosion, fire and
electric shocks. Always read and take into ac-
count the following warnings and safety
standards before carrying out any work:
● Before working on the battery, switch off
the engine, the ignition and al
l electrical de-
vices then disconnect the negative connec-
tion on the battery.
● Keep children away from acid and the bat-
tery
itself!
● Wear eye protection.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It
can burn sk
in and cause blindness. When
handling the battery, protect yourself from
splashes of acids, above all your hands, arms
and face.
● Do not smoke and never work close to pla-
ces
exposed to flames or sparks.
● Avoid sparks and electrostatic discharges
when workin
g with cables and electrical devi-
ces.
● Never short the battery terminals. ●
Never u se a d

amaged battery. It can ex-
plode. Replace a damaged battery immedi-
ately.
● Replaced damaged or frozen batteries as
soon as po
ssible. A flat battery can also
freeze at temperatures close to 0 °C (+32 °F). CAUTION
● Nev er di s

connect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
over a lon
g period of time, as the intense ul-
traviolet radiation can damage the battery
housing.
● If the car is left standing for long periods,
protect
the battery from extreme cold temper-
ature so that it does not “freeze up” and be-
come damaged. Warning lamp

It lights up
Faulty generator.
Contact a specialised workshop.
Have the electrical system checked.
Disconnect any unnecessary elec-
trical devices. The generator does
not charge the battery while the ve-
hicle is in motion. Several warning and indication lamps light
up f
or a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is
switched on, signalling that the function is
being verified. They will switch off after a few
seconds. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in On the
ins trument
panel on page 27. Checking the electrolyte level of the
vehic
l

e battery Fig. 171
In the engine compartment: Remove
the c o
v

er from the vehicle's battery. The battery's electrolyte level should be
c
hec
k

ed regularly in high-mileage vehicles,
in hot countries and in older batteries. Other
batteries do not require maintenance.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are
equipped with special batteries. For technical
194

Checking and refilling levels
reasons, the electrolyte level cannot be
c hec
k
ed in these batteries.
Preparations
● Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine
compar
tment ››› page 184
● Open the bonnet  ›››
page 184.
● Press on the tabs ›››
Fig. 171 (arrows) in the
direction of the arrows and lift the battery
cover up.
Checking the battery electrolyte level
● Make sure there is sufficient lighting to
cle
arly recognise the colours. Never use
flames or shiny objects as a light source.
● Depending on the level of acid, the Magic
eye on the top of
the battery will change col-
our.
Colour in-
dicatorNecessary operations
Light yellow
or colourlessThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's bat-
tery is too low. Have the battery checked
and, where applicable, replaced by a
specialised workshop.
BlackThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's bat-
tery is correct. WARNING
Working with the vehicle battery involves a
risk of

corrosion, explosions and electric
shock.
● Never tilt the vehicle battery. Battery acid
coul
d spill out of the openings for the release
of gases and cause corrosion damage.
● Never open the vehicle battery.
● If battery acid splashes on you, immediate-
ly rinse
your eyes and skin abundantly with
water for several minutes. Then seek medical
care immediately.
● If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a
doctor immediat
ely. Charging, replacing and connecting or
di
s
c

onnecting the battery Charging the battery
The
v
ehic

le battery should be charged by a
specialised workshop only, as batteries us-
ing special technology have been installed
and they must be charged in a controlled en-
vironment ››› . SEAT recommends taking
y our c
ar in f

or technical service.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the
conditions of its location and has special
safety features. If the battery must be re-
placed, consult a technical service for infor- mation on electromagnetic compatibility, the
size and m

aintenance, performance and
safety requirements of the new battery in
your vehicle before you purchase one. SEAT
recommends you have the battery replaced
by a technical service.
Use only maintenance-free genuine batteries
conforming to TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73
Standards. These standards must be dated
April 2008 or later.
Vehicles fitted with the Start-Stop system are
equipped with a special battery. Therefore,
this battery must only be replaced by another
with the same specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle's battery
If you must disconnect the battery from the
electrical system, please note the following:
● Switch off the ignition and all electrical
equipment.
● The v

ehicle must be unlocked before dis-
connecting the b
attery, otherwise the alarm
will be triggered.
● First disconnect the negative cable and
then the positiv
e ››› .
C onnectin
g the
vehicle's battery
● Before reconnecting the battery, switch off
the engine and all
electrical devices.
● First reconnect the positive cable and then
the negativ
e ››› .
»
195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Different control lamps may light up after
c onnectin
g the b
attery and switching the ig-
nition on. They will be turned off after a short
trip at a speed of between 15-20 km/h
(10-12 mph). If the warning indicators remain
lit, please visit a specialised workshop to
have the vehicle checked.
If the battery has been disconnected for a
long time, it is possible that the next service
date is not displayed or calculated correctly
››› page 86. Respect the maximum service in-
tervals permitted ››› Booklet Maintenance
Programme.
Automatic device disconnection
The intelligent vehicle electrical system auto-
matically implements a range of measures to
prevent the battery from discharging when
high demands are made on it:
● The idling speed is increased so that the al-
ternat
or provides more electricity.
● Where necessary, the power to the most
power
ful devices is reduced or even com-
pletely disconnected.
● On starting the engine, the power supply
from the 12-v
olt power sockets and the ciga-
rette lighter may be interrupted for a short
time.
The on-board management program cannot
always prevent the battery from running flat.
For example, if the ignition is left on for a long period with the engine off or if the side
lights or park

ing lights are left on while the
vehicle is stationary.
Why the battery runs flat:
● When stationary for a long time without
star
ting the engine, particularly if the ignition
is switched on.
● Use of electrical devices with the engine
switc
hed off. WARNING
Incorrectly securing the battery or using the
wron g b

attery can cause short-circuits, fire
and serious injuries.
● Always use only maintenance-free batter-
ies, prot
ected to prevent a leak, and whose
properties, specifications and size corre-
spond to the standard battery. WARNING
A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
le a

sed when the battery is under charge.
● The batteries should be charged in a well-
ventil
ated room only.
● Never charge a frozen or recently thawed
batter
y. A flat battery can also freeze at tem-
peratures close to 0 °C (+32 °F).
● Always replace a battery which has frozen.
● Battery cables not correctly connected may
cause a shor
t circuit. Reconnect first the posi-
tive cable and then the negative cable. CAUTION
● Never di s

connect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components.
● Never plug accessories that supply current,
such a
s solar panels or a battery charger, to
the 12-volt power socket or the cigarette
lighter. This could damage the vehicle's elec-
trical system. For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the battery in an environment-
friendly m anner

. Batteries contain toxic sub-
stances such as sulphuric acid and lead. For the sake of the environment
Battery acid can contaminate the environ-
ment. C o

llect any spilt service fluids and dis-
pose of them correctly. 196

Wheels and tyres
Wheels and tyres
T y
r
es
Introduction SEAT recommend that all work on tyres and
wheels
i

s carried out by a specialised work-
shop. These workshops have the necessary
special tools and replacement parts, trained
personnel and facilities for disposing of the
old tyres while respecting the environment.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service. WARNING
The vehicle cannot be totally controlled or
brak ed if

the tyres (new or used) are worn or
damaged.
● Incorrect use of wheels and tyres could
make driv
ing more dangerous and result in
serious accidents and damage.
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial
tyre
s of the same type, size (rolling circumfer-
ence) and the same tread pattern.
● New tyres do not give maximum grip and
wil
l not have reached their maximum braking
capacity to start with, and therefore need
running in. To prevent accidents and major
damage, extreme caution should be taken for
the first 600 km. ●
Check ty

re pressures regularly and ensure
they are maintained at the pressures indica-
ted. If the tyre pressure is too low, they could
overheat, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● Never drive on damaged (punctured, cut,
crac
ked or dented) or worn tyres. Driving on
damaged or worn tyres could result in burst
tyres, serious accidents or damage. Worn or
damaged tyres must be replaced immediate-
ly.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loa
ds specified for the type of tyre
fitted on your vehicle.
● The effectiveness of driver and brake assist
syst
ems also depends on the grip of the
tyres.
● If you notice unusual vibration or if the ve-
hicle p
ulls to one side when driving, stop the
car immediately and check the tyres and
wheels for damage.
● To minimise the risk of losing control of the
vehicl
e or causing a serious accident, never
undo the bolted joints of beadlock wheels.
● Never mount used tyres or wheels if you are
not sur
e of their previous history. They may
be damaged, although the damage is not im-
mediately visible.
● Old tyres, even if they have never been
used, ma
y lose air or burst unexpectedly
while driving, especially at high speeds, re-
sulting in serious accident and injury. If tyres
are over six years old, they should only be used in an emergency and with extreme cau-
tion.
Note
For technical reasons, it is not generally pos-
s ib l

e to use the wheels from other vehicles.
In some cases, this may also be true for the
same model of wheel. Please refer to the ve-
hicle documentation or ask at a technical
service. Handling tyres and wheels
Fig. 172
Diagram for changing wheels The tyres of a vehicle are the components
whic
h ar
e s

ubjected to most stress and are
the most underestimated. Tyres are very im-
portant, as the support offered by their nar-
row surface is the only point of contact be-
tween the vehicle and the road. »
197
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre
pr e
s
sure, driving style, the care they receive
and the correct fitting.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential
part of the vehicle's design. The tyres and
rims approved by SEAT are specially matched
to the characteristics of the vehicle and our
critical to good road holding and safe han-
dling.
Avoiding damage to tyres and wheels
● If you have to drive over a kerb or similar
obs
tacle, drive very slowly and as near as
possible at a right angle to the kerb.
● Inspect the tyres regularly for damage
(punct
ures, cuts, cracks, dents).
● Remove any foreign bodies found on the
outside of the ty
re tread and ensure that they
have not passed through the wall of the tyre
››› page 202.
● In addition, the instructions for tyre control
syst
ems should always be observed.
● Replace damaged or worn tyres as soon as
poss
ible ››› page 202.
● Regularly check tyres for non-visible dam-
age ››

› page 202.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loa
ds specified for the type of tyre
fitted on your vehicle ››› page 205.
● Do not allow tyres (including the spare
wheel) to come int
o contact with aggressive substances, grease, oil, fuel or brake fluid
›››
.
● Lost valve caps should be replaced imme-
di at
ely

.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have
been designed to operate best when rotating
in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre
sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on
tyres with directional tread ››› page 205. Al-
ways observe the direction of rotation indica-
ted when mounting the wheel. This guaran-
tees optimum grip and helps to avoid aqua-
planing, excessive noise and wear.
If the tyre is mounted in the opposite direc-
tion of rotation, drive with extreme caution,
as the tyre is no longer being used correctly.
This is of particular importance when the
road surface is wet. Change the tyre as soon
as possible or remount it with the correct di-
rection of rotation.
Interchanging tyres
To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres
the wheels should be changed round from
time to time according to the system
››› Fig. 172. The useful life of all the tyres will
then be about the same time.
SEAT recommends you take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop to have the tyres
changed. Tyres over 6 years old
Tyr

es are subject to an ageing process as a
result of physical and chemical processes.
This may affect their performance. Tyres
which are stored for long periods of time
without being used, harden and become
more fragile than tyres which are in constant
use.
SEAT recommends that tyres over six years
old are replaced with new tyres. This also ap-
plies to tyres (including the spare wheel)
which appear to be in perfect condition on
the outside and which have a tread depth
within the values stipulated by the Law ››› .
The d at
e of

manufacture, part of the tyre
identification number (TIN), indicates the age
of the tyre ( ) ››› page 205.
Storing tyres
Mark tyres when you remove them to indicate
the direction of rotation (left, right, forwards,
backwards). This ensures you will be able to
mount them correctly when you replace
them. When removed, the wheels and/or
tyres should be stored in a cool, dry and pref-
erably dark location. Do not place tyres
mounted on the wheel in a vertical position.
Protect tyres not mounted on wheels from
dirt by storing them in suitable bags and
standing them on the ground on their tread.
198