Brake Fluid - Seat Leon 2012 Owner's Manual

232 Checking and refilling levels

Brake fluid

Checking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the serv-
ice schedule.
– Read off the fluid level at the transparent brake fluid reservoir. It
should always be between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks.
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding en-
gine compartment illustration ⇒ p age 276. The brake fluid reservoir has a
black and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below
the "MIN" mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the
instrument panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low ⇒ p age 77.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and ob-
serve the warnings ⇒ p age 220.
Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates the brake fluid
change intervals.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒
Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment on page 220 in
section "Safety notes for working in the engine compartment".
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
Fig. 151 In the engine
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
compartment: Brake fluid
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of
reservoir cover
the brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock
which could impair the braking effect.
Always use the correct brake fluid. Only use brake fluid that expressly meets
the VW 501 14 standard.
You can buy brake fluid that complies with the VW 501 14 standard at a
SEAT dealership or a SEAT Authorised Service Centre. If none is available,
use only high-quality brake fluid that meets DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 5 stand-
ards, or USA Standards FMVSS DOT 4.
Using any other kind of lower quality brake fluid may affect operation of the
brake system and reduce its effectiveness. Never use a brake fluid if the
container does not state that it complies with VW 501 14, DIN ISO 4925
CLASS 4 standards, or USA standards FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
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