Content      ..     13      14      15      16     ..

Seat Altea Freetrack. Service Manual - part 15

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230

Checking and refilling levels

Battery

WARNING (continued)

charge. Never short the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause

Warnings on handling the battery

injury.

• A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is

under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room

Wear eye protection



only.

• Keep children away from acid and batteries.

Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear protec-



• Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the

tive gloves and eye protection!

engine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery

Fires, sparks, naked lights and smoking are prohibited!

must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only switch



off the light.

A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the

• Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you



battery is under charge.

disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.

Keep children away from acid and batteries!

• When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system,



disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.

• Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery.

Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never

WARNING

reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.

Always be aware of the danger of injury and chemical burns as well as the

• Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could

risk of accident or fire when working on the battery and the electrical

result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which

system:

has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0°C.

• Wear eye protection. Protect your eyes, skin and clothing from acid and

• Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.

particles containing lead.

• Never use a defective battery. This may be fatally explosive. Replace a

• Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear protective gloves and

damaged battery immediately.

eye protection. Do not tilt the batteries. This could spill acid through the

vents. Rinse battery acid from eyes immediately for several minutes with

clear water. Then seek medical care immediately. Neutralize any acid

Caution

splashes on the skin or clothing with a soapy solution, and rinse off with

• Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine

plenty of water. If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immedi-

is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic compo-

ately.

nents.

• Fires, sparks, naked lights and smoking are prohibited. When handling

• Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time, as

cables and electrical equipment, avoid causing sparks and electrostatic

the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.

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Checking and refilling levels

231

• If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect

Charging and changing the vehicle battery

the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.

The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the

inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires

specialist knowledge.

Checking the electrolyte level

If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long

The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-

periods, the battery should be checked by a qualified workshop between the

mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.

scheduled services.

- Open the bonnet and open the battery cover at the front ⇒

in

If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle, the

“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on

battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have the

vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be re-

page 215 ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on

charged or replaced.

page 230.

Charging the battery

- Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the

The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop only, as

battery.

batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be

- If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until

charged in a controlled environment.

they disperse.

Replacing a vehicle battery

The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has

The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-

special safety features.

ment diagram ⇒ page 279.

Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety spec-

The round window (“magic eye”) on the top of the battery changes colour,

ifications of your vehicle.

depending on the charge level and electrolyte level of the battery.

If the colour in the window is colourless or bright yellow, the electrolyte level

WARNING

of the battery is too low. Have the battery checked by a qualified workshop.

• We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof

The colours green and black are used by the workshops for diagnostic

batteries which comply with the standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This

purposes.

standard applies as of 2001.

• Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe

the warnings ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on page 230.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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234

Wheels and tyres

2. The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyres are

Tyre pressure monitoring

cold. The slightly raised pressures of warm tyres must not be

reduced.

The tyre pressure monitoring system constantly checks the

pressure of the tyres.

3. Adjust the tyre pressure to the load you are carrying.

The system warns the driver in the event of a loss of pressure by means of

symbols and messages in the instrument cluster display. The system uses

Tyre pressure

ESP ⇒ page 183.

The correct tyre pressure is especially important at high speeds. The pressure

should therefore be checked at least once a month and before starting a

Note that tyre pressure also depends on tyre temperature. Tyre pressure

journey.

increases about 0.1 bar for each 10°C in tyre temperature increase. The tyre

heats up while the vehicle is being driven and the tyre pressure will rise

The sticker with the tyre pressure values can be found on the inside of the

accordingly. For this reason, you should only adjust the tyre pressures when

tank flap. The tyre pressure values given are for cold tyres. The slightly raised

they are cold (i.e. approximately at ambient temperature).

pressures of warm tyres must not be reduced ⇒

To ensure that the tyre pressure monitoring system works reliably, you should

check and, if necessary, adjust the tyre pressures at regular intervals and

WARNING

store the correct pressures (reference values) in the system.

• Check the tyre pressure at least once per month. Correct tyre pressure

A tyre pressure information label is attached to the inside of the fuel tank flap.

is very important. If the tyre pressure is too high or too low, there is an

increased danger of accidents - particularly at high speeds.

• A tyre can easily burst if the pressure is too low, causing an accident!

WARNING

• At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes

• Never adjust tyre pressure when the tyres are hot. This may damage or

more. In this way it becomes too hot, and this can cause tread separation

even burst the tyres. Risk of accident!

and tyre blow-out. Always observe the recommended tyre pressures.

• An insufficiently inflated tyre flexes a lot more at high speeds and

• If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prema-

causes significant heating of the tyre. Under these conditions, the tyre

turely and the vehicle will not handle well. Risk of accident!

bead may be released or the tyre may burst. Risk of accident!

For the sake of the environment

For the sake of the environment

Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.

Under-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel consumption and tyre wear.

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Wheels and tyres

235

Significant tyre pressure loss

The tyre symbol  is displayed and indicates that the tyre pressure for a least

one tyre is insufficient.

- Stop the vehicle.

- Switch the engine off.

- Check the tyre(s).

- Change the wheel if necessary ⇒ page 243.

Fig. 174 Changing

wheels

Tyre service life

The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving

Wear indicators

style and fitting.

The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”

⇒ fig. 173, running across the tread. Depending on the make, there will be

six to eight of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on the tyre side-

wall (for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the positions of

the tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by law is

1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indicators).

Worn tyres must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export countries

⇒

Tyre pressure

Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out.

For this reason, the tyre pressure should be checked at least once per month

⇒ page 233.

Fig. 173 Tyre tread wear

Driving style

indicators

Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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Wheels and tyres

239

Wheel bolts

Winter tyres

Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.

Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and

ice.

The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are

fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt

In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicles

heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the

handling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread

brake system functions correctly.

pattern) gives less grip on ice and snow.

In certain circumstances, you may not use wheel bolts from a different car -

Winter tyres must be inflated to a pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pressures

even if it is the same model ⇒ page 210.

specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).

After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel bolts

Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.

should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒

. The tight-

ening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.

Information on permitted winter tyre sizes can be found in the vehicle's regis-

tration documents. Use only radial winter tyres. All tyre sizes listed in the

vehicle documentation also apply to winter tyres.

WARNING

Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth

If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become

of 4 mm.

loose while driving. Risk of accident.

The speed rating code ⇒ page 237, “New tyres and wheels” determines the

• The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or oil

following speed limits: ⇒

⇒

to them.

Q max. 160 km/h

• Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.

S max. 180 km/h

• If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen whilst the

T max. 190 km/h

vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too high,

H max. 210 km/h

the wheel bolts and threads could be damaged.

In some countries, vehicles which can exceed the speed rating of the fitted

tyre must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These

Caution

stickers are available from your Authorised Service Centre. The legal require-

The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.

ments of each country must be followed.

Do not have winter tyres fitted for unnecessarily long periods. Vehicles with

summer tyres handle better when the roads are free of snow and ice.

If you have a flat tyre, please refer to the notes on the spare wheel

⇒ page 237, “New tyres and wheels”.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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240

Wheels and tyres

WARNING

Caution

You must remove the snow chains to drive on roads which are free of snow.

The maximum speed for the winter tyres must not be exceeded. Otherwise,

Otherwise they will impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very

this could lead to tyre damage and thus, an accident risk.

quickly.

For the sake of the environment

Note

Fit your summer tyres in good time. They are quieter, do not wear so quickly

• In some countries, the speed limit for using snow chains is 50 km/h. The

and reduce fuel consumption.

legal requirements of the country should be followed.

• We recommend that you ask your Approved Service Centre for information

about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.

Snow chains

Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels, and only to certain tyre

sizes ⇒ page 237.

Snow chains must have fine-pitch links which do not protrude more than 9

mm, including tension device.

Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains. For safety

reasons cover caps, available in any Authorised Service Centre, must then be

fitted over the wheel bolts.

Four-wheel drive: where snow chains are compulsory on certain roads, this

normally also applies to cars with four-wheel drive. Snow chains may only be

fitted to the front wheels (also on vehicles with four-wheel drive).

WARNING

Observe the fitting instructions provided by the snow chain manufacturer.

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If and when

241

If and when

Tools, tyre repair kit and spare wheel

WARNING (continued)

• The jack* supplied by the factory is only designed for changing wheels

Vehicle Tools

on this model. On no account attempt to use it for lifting heavier vehicles

or other loads, risk of injury.

The vehicle onboard tools are located under the floor panel in

• Use the jack* only on firm, level ground.

the luggage compartment.

• Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack, risk of accident.

- Lift the cover of the luggage compartment, by pulling it up with a

• If work is to be carried out underneath the vehicle, this must be secured

by suitable stands. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury.

finger in the fitting.

- Take the onboard tools out of the vehicle.

The tool kit includes:

• Jack*

• Hook for removing wheel covers* or hub caps*

• Box spanner for wheel bolts*

• Reversible screwdriver with handle (including hexagonal interior) for the

wheel bolts. The screwdriver is a combination tool.

• Towing eye

• Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*

Some of the items listed are only provided in certain models / model years,

or are optional extras.

WARNING

• Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to tighten

the wheel bolts as with this it is not possible to tighten the bolts to the

required torque, risk of accident.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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242

If and when

Compact temporary spare wheel*

Snow chains

For technical reasons, snow chains must not be used on the compact tempo-

The compact spare wheel (emergency wheel for vehicles

rary spare wheel.

without the anti-puncture kit) should only be used when

If you should have a puncture on one of the front wheels when using snow

strictly necessary.

chains, fit the compact temporary spare in place of one of the rear wheels.

You can then attach the snow chains to the wheel taken from the rear and use

this wheel to replace the punctured front wheel.

WARNING

• The tyre pressures must be checked and corrected as soon as possible.

The tyre pressure for the spare wheel is 4.2 bar. Failure to do so could result

in an accident.

• Do not drive faster than 80 km/h. Higher speeds can cause an accident.

• Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering, risk of acci-

dent.

Fig. 175 Luggage

• Never use two or more compact spare tyres at the same time, risk of

compartment. Access to

accident.

the spare wheel

• No other type of tyre (normal summer or winter tyre) may be fitted on

the compact temporary spare wheel rim.

The temporary spare wheel is stored under the floor panel in the luggage

compartment and is attached by a thumbnut.

How to use the compact temporary spare wheel

Tyre repair kit

Should you ever have a punctured tyre, the compact temporary spare wheel

is only intended for temporary use until you can reach a workshop. The

The tyre repair kit (for vehicles not including a spare wheel) is

standard-size road wheel should be replaced as soon as possible.

stored under the floor panel in the luggage compartment.

Please note the following restrictions when using the compact temporary

spare wheel. This spare wheel has been specially designed for your vehicle,

Your vehicle is equipped with the Tyre Mobility System “Tyre repair kit”.

thus, it cannot be changed with the spare wheel from another vehicle.

The tyre repair kit consists of a container with sealing compound to repair the

No other type of tyre (normal summer or winter tyre) may be fitted on the

puncture and a compressor to generate the required tyre pressure. The kit will

compact temporary spare wheel rim.

reliably seal punctures up to a size of about 4 mm caused by the penetration

of a foreign body into the tyre.

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If and when

243

Note

WARNING

• Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is not

Put the hazard warning lights on and place the warning triangle in position.

possible with the sealing compound.

This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.

Caution

Wheel change

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.

Preparation work

What you must do before changing a wheel.

Note

Please observe legal requirements when doing so.

-

If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away

from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as

level as possible.

Changing a wheel

-

All passengers should leave the vehicle. They should wait in a

safe area (for instance behind the roadside crash barrier).

Change the wheel as described below

-

Switch off the engine. Switch on the hazard warning lights.

- Pull off the hub cap. Also refer to ⇒ page 244.

–

Apply the handbrake firmly.

- Slacken the wheel bolts.

–

Engage the first gear, or put the selector lever to position P for

- Raise the car with the jack in the corresponding zone.

those vehicles with an automatic gearbox.

- Take off the wheel and then put on the spare wheel.

-

If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.

- Lower the vehicle.

-

Take the vehicle tools and the spare wheel out of the luggage

compartment.

- Tighten the wheel bolts firmly in diagonal sequence with the box

spanner.

- Replace the hub cap.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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244

If and when

After changing a wheel

Wheel trims

After changing the wheel there are still tasks to complete.

The wheel trims must be removed to gain access to the wheel

bolts.

- Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment.

- Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the luggage compart-

ment and secure it.

- Check the tyre pressure of the newly fitted tyre as soon as

possible.

- Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as

possible with a torque wrench. The prescribed torque is 120 Nm.

Note

Fig. 176 Changing the

• If you notice that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn when

wheel: Removing a hub

cap

changing a wheel, they must be replaced before having the wheel bolt torque

checked.

• In the interest of safety, drive at moderate speeds until the wheel bolt

Removing

torque has been checked.

- Insert the extraction hook from the tools into the designated

ring, located in one of the bolt hole covers of the wheel cover

⇒ fig. 176.

- Pull off the hub cap.

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If and when

245

Wheel covers*

Loosening the wheel bolts

The wheel covers must be removed for access to the wheel

The wheel bolts must be loosened before raising the vehicle.

bolts

Removing

- Remove the wheel cover using the wire hook.

- Hook this into one of the cut-outs of the wheel cover.

Fitting

- Fit the wheel cover onto the wheel rim by pressing it firmly. Put

pressure initially on the point of the cut-out for the valve. Then

press the wheel cover onto the steel rim so that it engages all

round.

Fig. 177 Changing the

wheel: loosen the wheel

bolts

Loosening

- Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt.

- Grasp the box spanner by the end turn it about one full turn to the

left ⇒ fig. 177.

Tighten

- Fit the box spanner as far as it will go over the wheel bolt.

- Grasp the box spanner close to the end and turn the bolt to the

right until it is secured.

- An adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft wheel

bolts.

Safety First

Operating instructions

Tips and Maintenance

Technical Data

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