wheel Seat Toledo 2012 Service Manual

187
Wheels and tyres
Wheels and tyres
Wheels
Introduction
WARNING
● During the first 500 km (300 miles), new tyres do not give maximum
grip, therefore you should drive carefully. Risk of accident!
● Never drive with damaged tyres. Risk of accident!
● Only use wheels and tyres that been authorised by SEAT or your vehi-
cle model. Failure to do so could impair road safety. Risk of accident!
● Never exceed the maximum speed permitted for your tyres. Risk of ac-
cident due to tyre damage and loss of vehicle control.
● Under-inflated tyres are submitted to greater rolling resistance. This
means that they can overheat at high speeds. This can cause tread sepa-
ration and even tyre blow-out.
● For driving safety, tyres should be replaced at least in pairs according
to the axle and not individually. The tyres with the deepest tread should
always be used on the front wheels.
● Never fit used tyres of an unknown age or prior use.
● Tyres must be immediately changed at the very latest when they have
worn down to the tread wear indicators.
● Worn tyres reduce the necessary grip at high speeds on damp surfa-
ces. This could lead to “aquaplaning” (uncontrolled vehicle movement –
“skidding” on damp surfaces).
● Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately.
WARNING (Continued)
● Do not use summer or winter tyres that are more than 6 or 4 years old
respectively.
● Wheel bolts should be clean and screw easily. However, they must
never be treated with grease or oil.
● If the tightening torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loos-
en while the vehicle is moving. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque
of the wheel bolts is too high, the bolts and threads could be damaged,
leading to the permanent deforming of the rim support surfaces.
● Incorrectly handled wheel bolts could lead to a wheel coming loose
while the vehicle is moving. Risk of accident!
● The local regulations in force must be taken into account when using
child seats.
CAUTION
● Where a spare wheel that is not compatible with the wheels fitted is
used, follow the instructions ⇒ page 190.
● The prescribed tightening torque for wheel bolts on steel and alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.
● Protect your tyres from coming into contact with oil, grease and fuel.
● Replace any lost valve caps immediately.
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres increases fuel consumption. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

188Wheels and tyres
Note
● We recommend having all work on tyres and wheels carried out by an
authorised SEAT dealer.
● We recommend using wheels, tyres, hub caps and snow chains from the
SEAT Original Accessories programme. 
Tyre useful life
Fig. 124 Side view of
tyres with tread wear in-
dicators
Tread wear indicator
The base of the side of the original tyres on your vehicle show 1.6 mm high
tread wear indicators ⇒ Fig. 124. The position of these indicators is given
on the tyre sidewalls by the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other sym-
bols. The useful life of the tyres depends primarily on the following factors:
Tyre pressure values
Under-inflation or over-inflation will considerably reduce the useful life of
the tyres and impair the vehicle's handling. Therefore, check the tyre pres-
sure, including the spare wheel, at least once a month and before any long
journey.
Inflation pressures for
summer tyres are listed on a sticker inside the fuel
tank flap. The pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa (0.2 bar) above the sum-
mer values.
Always check the pressure when the tyre is cold. Do not reduce over-pres-
sure in warm tyres. The tyre pressures must be altered to suit notable
changes in the load being carried.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. Various factors encountered
when driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results in vibra-
tion of the steering wheel.
The wheel must be rebalanced if a new tyre is fitted or if a tyre is repaired.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect front or rear wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, frequent-
ly on one side, and also impairs vehicle safety. If tyre wear is very irregular,
contact an Official Service.
Tyre damage
To avoid damage to tyres and wheels, only drive over kerbs or similar obsta-
cles slowly and at a right angle if possible.
Check tyres and wheels regularly for damage (punctures, cracks, blisters,
deformities, etc.). Remove any foreign objects embedded in outside of the
treads. 

189
Wheels and tyres
Unusual vibration or the car pulling to one side may indicate that one of the
tyres is damaged. Reduce speed immediately and stop if you suspect that
damage may have occurred! Check the tyres for damage (blisters, cracks,
etc.). If no external damage is visible, drive slowly and carefully to the near-
est Official Service and have the vehicle inspected. 
Handling wheels and tyres
Fig. 125 Changing
wheels around
Changing wheels around
If the wear is visibly greater on the front tyres, they should be exchanged for
the rear tyres as shown in the diagram ⇒ Fig. 125. All the tyres will then last
for about the same time.
To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres and maintain their optimum
useful life, they should be changed around every 10 000 km (6000 miles).
Storing tyres
Mark tyres when you remove them to indicate the direction of rotation. This
ensures you will be able to install them correctly when you replace them.
When removed, the wheels and/or tyres should be stored in a cool, dry and
preferably dark location. Store tyres in a vertical position if they are not fit-
ted on wheel rims. Replacing tyres and wheels
All four wheels must be fitted only with tyres of the same type, size and the
same tread pattern.
The correct tyre/wheel combinations specified for your vehicle are listed in
its registration documentation.
Understanding the tyre designations makes it easier to choose the correct
tyres. The tyre designation is marked on the sidewall. For example.
195/55 R 15 85 H
This contains the following information:
195Tyre width in mm55Height/width ratio in %RTyre construction – Radial15Rim diameter in inches85Load rating codeHSpeed rating code letter
The tyres are subject to the following maximum speed limits:
Speed rating code letterMaximum speed limitQ160 km/h (168 mph)R170 km/h (168 mph)S180 km/h (168 mph)T190 km/h (168 mph)U200 km/h (168 mph)H210 km/h (168 mph)V240 km/h (168 mph)W270 km/h (168 mph)
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

190Wheels and tyres
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly only
on the inner side of the wheel). DOT … 27 12…
means, for example, that the tyre was produced in the 27th week of 2012.
Follow the instructions ⇒ page 190 if you only have a temporary spare
wheel. 
Tyres with directional tread pattern
The direction of rotation is indicated by the arrows on the tyre sidewall. The
direction of rotation indicated must be respected. This guarantees optimum
grip and helps avoid excessive noise, wear and aquaplaning.
In the event of a flat tyre, a spare wheel with an undetermined tread pattern
or an opposite tread pattern must be used and you must drive carefully, as
in these cases the tyres no longer offer maximum performance. Spare wheelFig. 126 Luggage com-
partment: spare wheel
The spare wheel is housed in a well under the floor panel in the luggage
compartment and is secured by a special bolt ⇒ Fig. 126.
Take out the tool box before removing the spare wheel.
The tyre pressure of the spare wheel must be checked (preferably whenever
the tyre pressure is checked – see sticker on fuel tank flap ⇒ page 188) to
ensure the spare wheel remains ready for use.
If the spare wheel is not the same size or design as the tyres that are moun-
ted on the car (for example if the car has winter tyres or tyres with direction
tread), only use the spare tyre for a short period of time in the event of
breakdown and drive with the corresponding care ⇒ 
.
It must be replaced as soon as possible for a wheel with a normal size and
finish.
Temporary spare wheel
If the vehicle is equipped with a temporary spare wheel, there will be a
warning sign on the rim of the wheel. 

191
Wheels and tyres
Follow the instructions below when driving with this wheel fitted.
● After fitting the wheel, the warning sign must not be covered.
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph) with a spare wheel and take
great care during the trip. Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast
cornering.
● The tyre pressure is the same as that of the standard tyres.
● Only use this spare wheel to reach the nearest Official Service, as it is
not designed for permanent use.
WARNING
● Under no circumstances must damaged spare wheels be used.
● If the spare wheel is different in size or design to the tyres currently
fitted, never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). Avoid heavy accelera-
tion, hard braking and fast cornering.
CAUTION
Follow the instructions given on the temporary spare wheel label.
Note
The tyre pressure of the spare wheel must always correspond to the highest
pressure prescribed for the model of vehicle in question. 
Wheel trim
Removing
– Place the hook from the vehicle tool kit on the reinforced edge
of the wheel trim. –
Insert the box spanner through the hook, supporting it on the
tyre and remove the wheel trim.
Fitting
– First press the wheel trim onto the wheel at the cut out de-
signed for the valve. Then press the wheel trim on both sides in
the direction of the valve so that it fits correctly in place around
all the perimeter.
CAUTION
● Press down by hand, do not hit the wheel trim! Knocking it sharply, par-
ticularly at points where the wheel trim has not yet been inserted, could re-
sult in damage to the wheel trim guiding and centring elements.
● Before fitting the trim on a steel alloy wheel attached with an anti-theft
wheel bolt, make sure the bolt is in the hole in the valve area ⇒ page 202,
Anti-theft wheel bolts.
● Where trim is fitted at a later date, ensure enough air inflow is guaran-
teed in order to cool the brake system. 
Wheel bolt caps
Fig. 127 Pull off the
wheel bolt cap 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

192Wheels and tyres
Removing
–Insert the plastic clip into the cap until the inner retaining
notches on the clips touch the collar of the cap and then re-
move ⇒ Fig. 127.
Fitting
– Insert the caps as far as they will go over the wheel bolts.
The wheel bolt caps are stored in a box on the spare wheel or in the spare
wheel well. 
Tyre pressure
Fig. 128 Tyre pressure
setting switch
The tyre pressure monitoring system uses ABS sensors to compare the revo-
lutions and the circumference of each wheel. Should the circumference of
any wheel change, the warning lamp  in the general instrument panel
⇒ page 72 will light up and an audible warning will be heard.
Tyre circumference may change if:
● Tyre pressure is too low
● Tyre structure is damaged ●
Vehicle load not evenly distributed
● Wheels on one axle are subjected to greater load, (e.g. driving with trail-
er, uphill, downhill)
● Snow chains are fitted
● The temporary spare wheel is fitted
● One wheel on the axle has been changed
Basic system settings
Should the tyre pressure change or if one or more wheels are changed or
the position of the wheel on the vehicle is changed, e.g. changing round the
front and rear wheels, or where a warning lamp lights up when driving, the
system must be adjusted as follows:
● Inflate all tyres to the prescribed pressures ⇒ page 188.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Hold the  
⇒ Fig. 128 button down for at least 2 seconds. The warn-
ing lamp  will light up when the button is pressed. The system memory is
also deleted and a new calibration system will begin, which is indicated by
an audible warning before the warning lamp switches off .
● If the warning lamp  remains lit and does not switch off, not even once
the basic setting process is complete, this indicates a fault in the system.
Contact an Official Service.
The warning lamp  lights up
If the pressure on at least one tyre is significantly lower than the pressure
set by the driver, the warning lamp  ⇒ 
will light up.
The warning lamp  flashes
If the warning lamp flashes, there is a fault in the system. Contact a special-
ised service to have it fixed. 

193
Wheels and tyres
WARNING
● If the warning lamp  lights up, slow down immediately and avoid
any severe braking or steering manoeuvres. Stop and check the tyres and
their pressure as soon as possible.
● Under certain conditions (e.g. sporty driving style, driving on loose
surfaces or in the winter) the warning lamp  may take a while to light
up or may remain switched off.
● Despite the tyre pressure monitoring system, the driver remains re-
sponsible for maintaining the correct tyre pressure. You must therefore
check the tyre pressure often.
Note
● The tyre pressure monitoring system is not a replacement for regularly
checking the tyre pressure, as it is unable to recognise an even drop in pres-
sure.
● The tyre pressure monitoring system is unable to warn of a sudden drop
in tyre pressure, e.g. a puncture. In this case, try to stop the vehicle carefully
with no severe braking or steering manoeuvres.
● To ensure the tyre pressure monitoring system works correctly, the basic
setting must be performed every 10 000 km (6000 miles) or once a year. 
Wheel bolts
The wheel bolts are matched to the rims. When installing different wheels,
e.g. to fit light alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres, it is important to use
the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt
heads. The is essential for the secure fit of the wheels and for the proper
function of the brake system. Winter tyres
Winter tyres will significantly improve handling of the vehicle in winter road
conditions. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) gives less grip at temperatures below 7 °C (45 °F), on ice and snow.
This applies particularly to vehicles equipped with
wide section tyres or
high speed tyres (code letters H or V on the sidewall).
In order to preserve the performance of the vehicle as much as possible,
winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels, the minimum depth of the
tread must be 4 mm and the maximum age must be 4 years.
You can use winter tyres of a lower speed rating if the maximum speed limit
of these tyres will not be exceeded, even if the maximum speed limit for the
vehicle is higher.
For the sake of the environment
Summer tyres should be fitted again in time, as they give better handling on
roads free of snow and ice and at temperatures over 7 °C (45 °F). Summer
tyres have a shorter braking distance, produce less rolling noise and do not
wear down as quickly. They also reduce fuel consumption. 
Snow chains
Snow chains must only be used on the front wheels.
In winter road conditions, snow chains not only help to improve grip but al-
so improve the braking capacity.
For technical reasons snow chains may only be used on tyres with the fol-
lowing wheel rim/tyre combinations. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

194Wheels and tyres
Rim sizeRim offsetTyre size5J x 14a)35 mm175/706J x 15b)38 mm185/606J x 15b)38 mm195/55a)
Only use snow chains with fine-pitch links and lock no greater than 9 mm.
b) Only use snow chains with fine-pitch links and lock no greater than 13 mm.
Remove the wheel trims before fitting snow chains.
CAUTION
Chains must be removed when roads are free of snow. Otherwise they will
impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly. 

196Accessories, modifications and spare parts
Modifications and effects of the airbag
system
In the adjustment and modification, respect the SEAT directive.
Modifications and corrections of the front bumper, doors, front seats, roof
or bodywork must be carried out at authorised SEAT workshops. Compo-
nents of the airbag system can be found in these parts of the vehicle.
WARNING
● Airbag modules must never be repaired. They must be replaced.
● Never fit components of the airbag system removed from old vehicles
or those originating from a recycling process in the vehicle.
● The modification of the suspension of the vehicle wheels, including
the use of non-permitted combinations of tyres and rims can alter the op-
eration of the airbag system and increase the risk of serious or fatal inju-
ries in an accident.
● During all jobs on the airbag system, in addition to the removal and
fitting of parts of the system in the course of other repair jobs, parts of
the airbag system can be damaged. Therefore in the event of an accident,
this may cause the airbags to activate incorrectly or not activate al all.


198Self-help
Vehicle tool kit*
Fig. 130 Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the jack are stored in a box on the spare wheel or in
the spare wheel well. There is also enough space for the towing bracket ball
coupling. The box is strapped to the spare wheel with tape.
The vehicle tool kit includes the following parts (depending on equipment):
Screwdriver
Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts
Towline anchorage
Wire hook for removing hub caps
Jack
Box spanner for wheel bolts
Clip for wheel bolt cover
Spare set of bulbs
Before stowing the jack again, screw down the arm as far as it will go. 1
2345678
WARNING
● The factory-supplied jack is only designed for changing wheels on
this model of vehicle. On no account attempt to use it for lighting heavier
vehicles or other loads. Risk of injury!
● Make sure that the vehicle tools are stored properly in the luggage
compartment.
Note
Make sure the box always remains strapped to the spare wheel with tape. 
Changing a wheel Introduction
WARNING
● If you have a puncture in moving traffic, switch on the hazard warning
lights and place the warning triangle at the obligatory distance. Observe
the applicable local legal regulations. This is for your own safety and that
of other road users.
● If you have a flat tyre, stop the vehicle well away from moving traffic.
Choose a location that is as level and solid as possible.
● 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 unexpectedly.
● If the vehicle has been fitted with tyres or alloys that are different to
those fitted in manufacture, the instructions ⇒ page 189, Replacing tyres
and wheels must be followed. 