Seat Altea Freetrack. Service Manual

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198

Trailer towing

• Find out whether special regulations apply to towing a trailer in your

Speed

country.

The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed. For

this reason it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed in

unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This applies especially when

driving downhill.

Ball coupling of towing bracket*

You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest

sign of snaking. Never try to stop the “snaking” by increasing speed.

Depending on the model version, the spherical head on the trailer hook may

Always brake in good time. If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the

be stored in the tool box.

brakes gently at first and then firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can be

The ball coupling is provided with instructions on fitting and removing the

caused by the trailer wheels locking. Select a low gear in good time before

ball coupling of the towing bracket.

going down a steep descent. This enables you to use the engine braking to

slow down the vehicle.

WARNING

Heating

At very high temperatures and during prolonged ascents, driving in a low gear

The towing bracket ball coupling must be stored securely in the luggage

compartment to prevent them being flung through the vehicle and causing

and high engine speed, always monitor the temperature indicator for the

coolant ⇒ page 55.

injury.

Electronic Stabilisation Program*

Note

Do not switch off the ESP* when towing a trailer. The ESP* makes it easier to

• By law, the ball coupling must be removed if a trailer is not being towed

stabilise if the trailer starts to snake.

and it obscures the number plate.

Driving tips

Driving with a trailer always requires extra care.

Weight distribution

The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very

unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slowly to allow

for the unbalanced weight distribution.

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200

Trailer towing

If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the vehicle is purchased, this must be

WARNING (continued)

completed according to the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer.

The attachment points for the towing bracket

are underneath the vehicle.

• If the towing bracket is incorrectly installed, there is serious danger of

an accident.

The distance between the centre of the ball coupling and the ground should

• For your own safety, please observe the instructions provided by the

never be lower than the measurement indicated when the vehicle is fully

manufacturer of the towing bracket.

loaded including the maximum resting weight.

Measurement for securing the towing bracket:

Caution

65 mm (minimum)

• If the electrical socket is incorrectly installed, this could cause damage to

350 mm to 420 mm (fully laden vehicle)

the vehicle's electrical system.

344 mm

531 mm

1,044 mm

1,040 mm

Fitting a towing bracket

• Driving with a trailer implies additional work for the vehicle. Therefore,

before fitting a towing bracket, please contact an Authorised Service Centre

to check whether your cooling system needs modification.

• Observe the legal requirements in your country (e.g. the fitting of a sepa-

rate warning lamp).

• Certain vehicle components, e.g. the rear bumper must be removed and

reinstalled. The towing bracket securing bolts must be tightened using a

torque wrench, and an electrical socket must be used to connect to the

vehicle's electrical system. This requires specialist knowledge and tools.

• The figures in the illustration show the dimensions and attachment points

which must be observed if you are retrofitting a towing bracket.

WARNING

Towing brackets should be fitted by specialists.

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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

201

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

General notes

WARNING (continued)

your vehicle. The use of certain products may produce noxious vapours;

Regular washing and care help maintain the value of your

these should be used in well ventilated areas.

vehicle.

•

Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other

volatile fluids. These are toxic and highly flammable. There is a fire / explo-

Regular care

sion risk.

Regular and expert care helps to maintain the value of the vehicle. This may

also be one of the requirements for acknowledging warranty claims in the

• Before you wash your vehicle, or carry out any maintenance, switch off

the engine, apply the handbrake firmly and remove the key from the igni-

event of corrosion or paint defects.

tion.

The best way to protect the car against environmental contaminants is to

wash and wax it frequently. The longer substances such as insects, bird drop-

pings, resinous tree sap, road dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt

Caution

and other aggressive materials remain on the vehicle, the more damage they

Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry.

do to the paintwork. High temperatures (for instance in strong sunlight)

Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could damage the

further intensify the corrosive effect.

paintwork or glass on your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with plenty of

water.

After the period when salt is put on the roads it is important to have the

underside of the vehicle washed thoroughly.

For the sake of the environment

Car care products

• When purchasing car care products, try to select ones which are not

Car care products are available from your Authorised Service Centre. Keep the

harmful to the environment.

product instructions until you have used up the product.

•

Left over car care products should not be disposed of with ordinary house-

hold waste. Observe the disposal information on the package.

WARNING

• Car care products can be toxic. For this, they must always be kept

closed in their original container. Keep out of children's reach. Failure to

comply could result in poisoning.

• Always read and observe the instructions and warnings on the package

before using car care products. Improper use could damage your health or

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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202

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

Care of the vehicle exterior

Washing by hand

Washing the vehicle

Automatic car wash tunnel

First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off.

The car can normally be washed without problem in an auto-

Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush. Start on

matic car wash.

the roof and work your way down. Use only light pressure.

The paint is so durable that the car can normally be washed without problems

Rinse the sponge or glove as much as possible.

in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint depends to a large

extent on the design of the car wash, the brushes used, the filtering of the

–

Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt.

wash water and the type of detergents and wax solutions used, etc.

–

Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last using a different sponge or

Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions such

glove.

as closing the windows and sunroof. There is nothing to note apart from that.

If the vehicle has special accessories such as spoilers or a roof carrier or two-

Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.

way radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car wash operator.

Dry the surface of the vehicle gently using a chamois leather.

After the car has been washed, the brakes could hesitate to respond as the

brake discs and pads will be wet, or even frozen in winter. “Dry” the brakes by

–

If it is cold, dry the rubber seals and the surfaces they touch with

braking several times.

a cloth to prevent them freezing. Apply silicone spray to the

rubber seals.

WARNING

After cleaning the vehicle

Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of

- If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the

accident.

vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes care-

fully several times ⇒ page 187, “Braking effect and braking

Caution

distance”.

If an automatic car wash tunnel is used, before entering the tunnel, put the

aerial down parallel to the roof and do not tighten to avoid damage.

WARNING

• The ignition must always be switched off before the vehicle is washed.

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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

203

Washing the car with a high pressure cleaner

WARNING (continued)

• Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when

Be particularly careful when using a high pressure cleaner!

cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of

injury.

Always observe the instructions for the high-pressure cleaner,

particularly those concerning the pressure and the spraying

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk

of accident.

distance.

Increase the spraying distance for soft materials and painted

Caution

bumpers.

• Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is

Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from

dry. Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could scratch

windows ⇒ page 204.

the paintwork or glass on your vehicle.

• Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: if the vehicle is rinsed with a

Never use concentrated jet nozzles or so-called “dirt blasters”

hose, do not direct the water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around the

⇒

doors, luggage compartment, or bonnet. Otherwise there is a risk of malfunc-

tion.

–

If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the

vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes care-

fully several times ⇒ page 187.

For the sake of the environment

In the interests of environmental protection, the car should be washed only

in specially provided wash bays. This prevents toxic, oil-laden waste water

entering the sewerage system. In some districts, washing vehicles anywhere

WARNING

else may be prohibited.

•

Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or cylindrical jet (“rotating

nozzle”). Even at large spraying distances and short cleaning times, visible

and invisible damage can occur to the tyres. This may cause an accident.

Note

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk

Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.

of accident.

Caution

• Do not use water hotter than 60°C. This could damage the car.

• To avoid damage to the vehicle, maintain a sufficient distance from sensi-

tive materials for example: flexible hoses, plastic, sound proofing, etc. This is

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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204

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

especially important for bumpers painted in the same colour as the vehicle.

• Do not use polishes and hard wax on painted parts with a matte finish or

The closer the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the wear on the material.

on plastic parts.

• Do not polish your vehicle in a sandy or dusty environment.

Waxing the car

Caring for plastic parts

Regular waxing protects the paintwork.

Solvents will damage plastic parts.

You need to apply wax to your car if water does not form small drops and run

off the paintwork when it is clean.

If normal washing fails to clean plastic parts, clean them with special solvent-

free plastic cleaning and care products.

Good quality hard wax is available from your Authorised Service Centre.

A good coat of wax helps to protects the paintwork from environmental

contaminants ⇒ page 201. It is also effective in protecting against minor

Caution

scratches.

• The use of liquid air freshener directly over the air vents of the vehicle may

damage the plastic parts if the liquid is accidentally spilled.

Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the car wash, it is advisable to

protect the paint with a coat of hard wax at least twice a year.

• Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.

Polishing the paintwork

Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors

Polishing brings back gloss to the paintwork.

Cleaning the windows

Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss cannot

- Moisten the windows with commercially available, alcohol based

be brought back by applying wax. Polish can be obtained from your Author-

glass cleaner.

ised Service Centre.

- Dry the windows with a clean chamois leather or a lint-free cloth.

The car must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not contain wax

compounds to seal the paint ⇒ page 204, “Waxing the car”.

Removing snow

- Use a small brush to remove snow from the windows and mirrors.

Caution

To prevent damage to the paintwork:

Removing ice

- Use a de-icer spray.

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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

205

Use a clean cloth or chamois leather to dry the windows. Chamois leathers

Care of rubber seals

which have been used on painted surfaces are not suitable for use on

windows. They will be soiled with wax deposits which would smear the

If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not freeze so

windows.

quickly.

If possible use a de-icing spray to remove ice. If you use an ice scraper, push

1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the rubber seals.

it in one direction only. Do not move it to and fro.

Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to clean off rubber, oil, grease and

2. Apply a specialist care product to the rubber seals.

silicone deposits.

The weather strips on the doors, windows, bonnet and rear lid will remain

Wax deposits have to be removed with a special cleaner which is available

from your Authorised Service Centre. Wax deposits on the windscreen could

pliable and last longer if they are treated with a suitable care product (for

example silicone spray).

cause the wiper blades to judder. A window cleanser specifically for removing

wax will stop the blades juddering if added to the windscreen washer fluid.

Caring for rubber seals will also prevent premature ageing and leaks. The

Grease removing cleansers will not remove wax deposits.

doors will be easier to open. If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not

freeze so quickly in winter.

Caution

• Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and

mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!

Door lock cylinders

• The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner side of the

window. To prevent damage, do not put stickers over the heating elements on

The door lock cylinders can freeze up in winter.

the inside of the window.

To de-ice the lock cylinders you should only use spray with lubricating and

anti-corrosive properties.

Cleaning windscreen wiper blades

Cleaning chrome parts

Clean wiper blades are essential for clear vision.

1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen

1. Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth.

wiper blades.

2. Polish chrome parts with a soft, dry cloth.

2. Use window cleanser to clean the windscreen wiper blades. Use

a sponge or a cloth to remove stubborn stains.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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206

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

If this does not provide satisfying results, use a specialist chrome cleaning

Cleaning alloy wheels

product. Chrome cleaning products will remove stains and coatings from the

surface.

Every two weeks

- Wash salt and brake dust from alloy wheels.

Caution

To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:

- Use an acid free detergent to clean the wheels.

• Never use an abrasive care product on chrome.

Every three months

• Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a sandy or dusty environment.

- Apply a hard wax compound to the wheels.

Alloy wheels require regular attention to preserve their appearance. It is

Steel wheels

important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at

regular intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.

- Clean steel wheels regularly using a separate sponge.

Always use an acid-free detergent for alloy wheels.

Car polish or other abrasive agents should not be used. If the protective

Use an industrial cleanser to remove brake dust. Any damage to the paint on

coating is damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the damaged area should be

steel wheels should be repaired before the metal starts to rust.

repaired immediately.

WARNING

• Never wash tyres with a cylindrical jet. Even at large spraying distances

and short cleaning times, visible and invisible damage can occur to the

tyres. This may cause an accident.

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk

of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing

the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully

several times ⇒ page 187, “Braking effect and braking distance”.

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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

207

Underbody sealant

The anti-corrosion protection is usually removed if the engine compartment

is cleaned with grease removing solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned.

The underside of the vehicle is coated to protect it from corro-

If this job is carried out, you should ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and

sion and damage.

components in the engine compartment are given anti-corrosion treatment

afterwards.

The protective coating could be damaged when driving. We recommend that

the protective coating under the body and on the running gear should be

WARNING

checked, and reinstated if necessary, before and after the winter season.

• When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety

We recommend that repair work and additional anti-corrosion work is carried

warnings ⇒ page 215.

out by your Authorised Service Centre.

•

Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake firmly and always

remove the key from the ignition before you open the bonnet.

WARNING

• Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.

Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes,

• Do not clean the underside of vehicle, wheel arches without protecting

catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust system. The heat of

your hands and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts.

the exhaust system or the engine could cause them to ignite! This is a fire

Failure to comply could result in injury.

hazard.

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk

of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing

the vehicle.

Cleaning the engine compartment

• Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature-controlled and could

start automatically, even when the key is removed from the ignition!

Take special care when cleaning the engine compartment.

For the sake of the environment

Anti-corrosion treatment

Fuel, grease and oil deposits could be removed when the engine is washed.

The engine compartment and the surface of the power unit are given anti-

The polluted water must be cleaned in an oil separator. For this reason,

corrosion treatment at the factory.

engine washing should be carried out only by a qualified workshop or a suit-

Good corrosion protection is particularly important in winter when the car is

able filling station.

frequently driven on salted roads. To prevent the salt corroding the vehicle,

the entire engine compartment should be thoroughly cleaned before and

after the salting period.

Your Authorised Service Centre is able to provide the correct cleaning and

preserving products and has the necessary equipment. For this reason, we

recommend having this work performed by them.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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208

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

Care of the vehicle interior

Cleaning cloth seat covers and fabric trim

Cloth seat covers and fabric trim on the doors, headlining etc. can be cleaned

Cleaning plastic parts and the dash panel

with a special interior cleanser or with dry foam and a soft brush.

- Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic parts and the dash

panel.

Cleaning leather*

- If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special

solvent-free plastic cleaning product.

Normal cleaning

- Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with water and wipe over the

leather surfaces.

WARNING

Never clean the dash panel and surface of the airbag module with cleansers

Cleaning stubborn stains

containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to become porous. If the

- More stubborn dirt can be removed using a mild soap solution

airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic parts can cause substantial injuries.

(pure liquid soap; two tablespoons diluted in one litre of water)

and a cloth.

Caution

- Do not let the water soak through the leather or soak into the

Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.

seams.

- Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.

Cleaning wooden trim*

Leather care

- Clean the wooden trim with a clean cloth moistened with water.

- The leather should be treated regularly (about twice a year) with

a special leather-care product, which is available from your

- If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a gentle soap

Authorised Service Centre.

solution.

- Apply these products very sparingly.

- Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.

Caution

Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.

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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle

209

SEAT does everything possible to preserve the special qualities of leather, as

If large stains form on the belts the belt will not retract correctly into the auto-

a natural product. Because of the natural properties of the specially selected

matic belt retractor.

hides employed, the finished leather has a certain sensitivity to grease and

dirt, etc. so a degree of care is required in everyday use and when looking

WARNING

after the leather.

• Do not use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts, as this can

Dust and grit in the pores and seams can scratch and damage the surface. If

impair the strength of the webbing. Ensure that the belts do not come into

the vehicle is left standing in the sun for long periods, the leather should be

contact with corrosive fluids.

protected against direct sunlight to prevent it from fading. However, slight

colour variations in high-quality natural leather are normal.

• Check the condition of all seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice

that the belt webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of the

belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced by a specialist workshop.

Caution

• Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts

• Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar

must not be removed or modified in any way.

products on leather.

• To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a qualified

workshop.

Caution

After cleaning, allow seat belts to dry completely before rolling them up.

Otherwise the belt retractors could become damaged.

Cleaning seat belts

A dirty belt may stop the seat belt working properly.

Keep the seat belts clean and check all seat belts regularly.

Cleaning seat belts

- Carefully pull the dirty seat belt right out and leave it out.

- Clean the dirty seat belts with a gentle soap solution.

- Allow the seat belt fabric to dry.

- Do not roll up the seat belt until it is dry.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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210

Accessories, parts replacement and modifications

fan, etc.), these must bear the CE mark (European Union manufacturer

Accessories and parts

conformity declaration).

Always consult an Authorised Service Centre before

purchasing accessories and parts.

WARNING

Accessories, for example telephone holders or drink holders, should never

Your vehicle is designed to offer a high standard of active and passive safety.

be fitted on the covers of, or within the working range of, the airbags. If

Before purchasing accessories and parts, and before making technical

they are, there is a danger of resulting injury if the airbag is triggered in an

changes to your car, we recommend that you consult your Authorised Service

accident.

Centre.

SEAT dealerships will be happy to provide you with the latest information

about the use, legal requirements and recommendations from the manufac-

turer regarding accessories and parts.

Modifications

We recommend you use only SEAT Approved Accessories^® and SEAT

Modifications must always be carried out according to our

Approved Spare Parts^®. This way, SEAT can guarantee that the product in

specifications.

question is suitable, reliable and safe. Authorised Service Centres have the

necessary experience and facilities to ensure that parts are installed correctly

Unauthorised modifications to the electronic components or software in the

and professionally.

vehicle may cause malfunctions. Due to the way the electronic components

Despite continuous observation of the market, SEAT is not able to assess the

are linked together in networks, other systems may be affected by the faults.

reliability, safety and suitability of parts not approved by SEAT. For this reason

This can seriously impair safety, lead to excessive wear of components, and

SEAT cannot assume responsibility for any non-genuine parts used, even if

also invalidate your vehicle registration documents.

these parts have been approved by an official testing agency or are covered

SEAT Authorised Service Centres cannot be held liable for any damage

by an official approval certificate.

caused by modifications and/or work performed incorrectly.

Any equipment subsequently installed which has a direct effect on the

For this reason, we recommend that all work should be performed by an

vehicle and/or the way it is driven (e.g. cruise control system or electronically-

Authorised Service Centre using genuine and SEAT ^® approved parts and

controlled suspension) must be approved by SEAT for use in your vehicle and

accessories.

bear the e mark (the European Union's authorisation symbol).

If any additional electrical components are fitted which do not serve to

control the vehicle itself (for instance a refrigerator box, laptop or ventilator

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Accessories, parts replacement and modifications

211

WARNING

Incorrectly performed modifications or other work on your vehicle can lead

• Always concentrate primarily on driving. If you are distracted while

to malfunctions and cause accidents.

driving you could have an accident.

• Never attach the telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the

airbag units or within the range of the airbags, danger of injury if the airbag

is triggered.

Roof aerial*

Note

The vehicle may be fitted with a foldable* and anti-theft* aerial that may be

Please observe the operating instructions of your mobile telephone / two-way

positioned parallel to the roof.

radio.

To fold down

Unscrew the rod, position parallel to the roof and tighten once again.

To return to working position

Continue in the reverse order to that given in the previous instruction.

Caution

If an automatic car wash tunnel is used, before entering the tunnel, put the

aerial down parallel to the roof and do not tighten to avoid damage.

Mobile telephones and radiotelephones

First consult your Authorised Service Centre if you wish to use a mobile tele-

phone or a two-way radio with a transmitting power in excess of 10 watts.

Here you will receive information concerning the technical possibilities for

retrofitting this equipment.

Mobile telephones and two-way radios should be fitted only by a qualified

workshop, for example an Authorised Service Centre.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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212

Checking and refilling levels

Closing the tank cap

Refuelling

- Screw the tank cap to the right, until the point of feeling a “click”.

The tank flap is released manually. The tank holds approxi-

- Turn the key in the lock, without releasing the cap in the clock-

mately 55 litres. On vehicles with four-wheel drive, the fuel

wise direction 180°.

tank has a capacity of approx. 60 litres.

- Remove the key and close the flap until it clicks into place. The

tank cap is secured with an anti-loss attachment

The tank flap is at the rear of the vehicle on the right.

If the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly, it will switch itself off as

soon as the tank is “full”. Never attempt to fill beyond this point, as this will

fill the expansion chamber. Fuel may leak out if ambient conditions are warm.

The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is given on a sticker on the inside of the

fuel tank flap. Further notes on fuel can be found.

WARNING

Fig. 161 Tank flap open

• Fuel is highly inflammable and can cause serious burns and other inju-

ries.

Unscrewing the tank cap

− Never smoke or use any naked flame when filling the fuel tank of the

- Lift the lid.

vehicle, or a spare fuel canister, with fuel. This is an explosion hazard.

− Follow legal requirements for the use of spare fuel canisters.

- Grip the cap and then insert the key into the lock and rotate 180°

− For safety reasons we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel

to the left.

canister in the vehicle. The canister could be damaged in an accident

- Unscrew the cap, turning it anti-clockwise.

and leak.

• If, in exceptional circumstances, you have to carry a spare fuel canister,

please observe the following points:

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Checking and refilling levels

213

WARNING (continued)

Petrol

− Never fill the spare fuel canister inside the vehicle or on it. An elec-

trostatic charge could build up during filling, causing the fuel fumes to

Petrol types

ignite. This may be fatally explosive. Always place the canister on the

ground to fill it.

The correct petrol types are listed on a sticker inside the fuel

− Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as

tank flap.

possible.

Only unleaded petrol, corresponding to the standard DIN EN 228, may be

− If the spare fuel canister is made of metal, the filling nozzle must be

used for vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Standard”).

in contact with the canister during filling. This helps prevent an electro-

static charge building up.

Fuel types are differentiated by the octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON (RON

= “Regulation Octane Number, unit for determining the knock resistance of

− Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the luggage compartment. Fuel

petrol”). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one recom-

vapours are explosive. Danger of death.

mended for your engine. However, this has no advantage in terms of fuel

consumption and engine power. If, in exceptional circumstances, the correct

Caution

octane rating is not available:

•

Fuel spills should be removed from the paintwork immediately.

• For engines which require Premium unleaded petrol (95 RON) the

•

Never run the tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply could cause

following is valid: Regular unleaded fuel with 91 RON can also be used. This

misfiring. As a result, unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and

can, however, result in a slight loss of power under certain driving conditions.

cause damage.

• For engines which require Premium unleaded petrol (98 RON) the

following is valid: Premium unleaded fuel with 95 RON can also be used. This

can, however, result in a slight loss of power under certain driving conditions.

For the sake of the environment

- If premium unleaded petrol is not available, the engine can be run on

Do not try to put in more fuel after the automatic filler nozzle has switched off;

regular unleaded petrol with 91 RON as an “emergency measure”. In this

this may cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm.

case only use moderate engine speeds and a light throttle. Avoid using full

throttle. Fill up with premium petrol as soon as possible.

Caution

• Petrol that follows EN 228 may be mixed with small quantities of ethanol.

However, the so-called “bioethanol fuels” available at commercial establish-

ments with reference E50 or E85, which contain a high percentage of ethanol,

may not be used, as they will damage the fuel system.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

Seat Altea Freetrack. Service Manual - part 13