2005 Seat Alhambra fuel

170Your vehicle and the environment
Suggestion 3. Avoid driving at maximum speed
Try not to drive at maximum speed. The increase of fuel
consumption, exhaust pollution and noise is disproportionate at
high speeds.
The illustration shows the relation between consumption
(l/100 km) and speed (km/h)
⇒fig. 152.
If only about 3 quarters of top speed is utilized, the fuel
consumption will be reduced by about half.
Suggestion 4. Decrease idling
It is worth switching off1)the engine in traffic jams, at railroad
crossings and at traffic lights with a long red light. The savings in
fuel after 30-40 seconds with the engine switched off is higher
than the fuel used to switch the engine on again.
K
Suggestion 5. Periodic revisions
Your fuel savings are guaranteed even before going on a trip with
periodic revisions by your Technical Service Centre. Proper engine
maintenance is not only a safety and maintenance issue but also a
fuel consumption issue.
Poor fine tuning of the engine may increase fuel consumption by
up to 10%.
Check the oil level every time you fill up. The oil consumption
depends largely on the engine load. Depending on the driving
style, the oil consumption can be up to 1.0 l/1000 km.
Another suggestion: You can also lower oil consumption by using
synthetic oils.
K
km/h
max
l/100km
B45-355PFig. 152
1)Statutory regulations must be respected.
D Dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g aat
t hhi
ig
gh
h ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s dde
ec
cr
re
ea
as
se
es
s rro
oa
ad
d ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y.
.
K
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

171 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
Suggestion 6. Avoid short drives
The engine and the catalytic converter must
reach its optimum functioning temperature in order to effectively
reduce consumption and toxic gas emissions.
The fuel consumption of a cold engine of a normal vehicle right
after the start is about 30-40 liters per 100 km. After about one
kilometer the consumption decreases to 20 liters. After about
f fo
ou
ur
r
kilometers the engine has warmed up and the consumption is
normal. For this reason, it is important to avoid short drives and
heating the vehicle’s engine when the vehicle is not moving. Drive
on quickly!
The ambient temperature also counts. The illustration shows the
difference in consumption (l/100km) for the same distance (km) at
+20°C and –10°C. Your vehicle’s consumption is higher in the
summer than in the winter
⇒fig. 153.K
Suggestion 7. Check the tyre pressure
Make sure that the tyres have always adequate pressure. Even half
a bar less increases the level of fuel consumption by 5 percent. If
the pressure is not correct, the tyres wear out faster due to an
excessive deformation and overheating which, in turn, will
decrease the driving performance.
Always check the tyre pressure when the tyre is cold.
In addition, do not drive year round with winter tyres. They make
more noise and increase fuel consumption by 10 percent. Change
to summer tyres on time.
K
Suggestion 8. Avoid unnecessary weight
Apart from driving habits and periodic revisions of your vehicle,
there are other ways to reduce fuel consumption:
A Av
vo
oi
id
d uun
nn
ne
ec
ce
es
ss
sa
ar
ry
y wwe
ei
ig
gh
ht
t
Every kilogram increases fuel consumption. For this reason, it is
worth checking your boot to avoid unnecessary weight.
Frequently, the roof rack will stay on the roof even though it is no
longer needed. Due to greater air resistance, an unloaded roof
rack at a speed of 100-120 km/h increases the consumption by
approx. 12%.
K
5+20°C –10°C
15 25km
30
l/100km
B45-356PFig. 153

172Your vehicle and the environment
Suggestion 9. Save electricity
The alternator generates electricity while driving. The more
electricity is used, the higher the fuel consumption.
The heated rear window, extra lights, the heater fan and air
conditioning* use a large amount of energy. The heated rear
window creates a consumption of approx. one liter for every 10
hours.
For this reason, disconnect electrical consumers as soon as they
are no longer needed. The alternator generates electricity when the
engine is running.
K
Suggestion 10. Written check-up
If you wish to reduce fuel consumption keep a trip book. It is not
much work and is worth while since it allows you to detect possible
consumption variations (positive or negative) on time and
intervene, if necessary. If you detect an increase in consumption
you should examine the driving conditions since the last filling.
K

187 Checking and refilling
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
P
Pe
et
tr
ro
ol
l een
ng
gi
in
ne
e
D Di
ie
es
se
el
l een
ng
gi
in
ne
eM Mo
on
no
o-
-g
gr
ra
ad
de
e ooi
il
l
Mono-grade oils cannot be used throughout the whole year due to
their limited range of viscosity
2).
These oils are only useful in a climate that is constantly very cold or
very warm.
E En
ng
gi
in
ne
e ooi
il
l aad
dd
di
it
ti
iv
ve
es
s
No type of additive should be mixed with the engine oil. The
deterioration caused by these additives is not covered by the
guarantee.
N No
ot
te
e
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an engine oil that conforms to the
corresponding VW specifications and keeping it in the vehicle. In this way
the required oil will be available if needed.
K
D De
en
no
om
mi
in
na
at
ti
io
on
nS
Sp
pe
ec
ci
if
fi
ic
ca
at
ti
io
on
nC
Co
om
mm
me
en
nt
ts
s
A – synthetic oilVW 502 00 /Dated after
VW 500 00 1-97
B –
mineral oilVW 501 01Dated after
1-97
A/B –
multi-grade oilACEA A2 or A3 or Dated after
even API SH/SJ 1-97
D De
en
no
om
mi
in
na
at
ti
io
on
nS
Sp
pe
ec
ci
if
fi
ic
ca
at
ti
io
on
nC
Co
om
mm
me
en
nt
ts
s
A – synthetic oilVW 505 011)Dated after
1-97
B –
mineral oilVW 505 00Dated after
1-97
A/B –
multi-grade oilACEA A2 or A3 or Dated after
even API CD/CF 1-97
1)Diesel engines that have fuel injection based on a fuel injector pump should use only
oil specification VW 505 01. Avoid the use of any other oil type than VW 505 01 for this
engine. Warning! Possible engine damage!
2)Viscosity: Oil density

206If and when
• The tread depth of new tyres can vary due to construction and
design features, and depending on version and manufactures.
• Check tyres for damage from time to time (cuts, splits, cracks and
lumps) and remove any foreign bodies embedded in the treads.
• To avoid damage to tyres and wheels drive over curbs and similar
obstacles very slowly and as nearly at right angles as possible.
• Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
• Replace missing dust caps as soon as possible.
• Mark wheels before taking them off so that they rotate in the
same direction when put back on again.
• When taken off, the tyres should be stored in a cool, dry and
preferably dark place.
Tyres which are not on wheels should be stored in a vertical
position.N No
ot
te
e ffo
or
r tty
yr
re
es
s wwh
he
er
re
e tth
he
e ddi
ir
re
ec
ct
ti
io
on
n oof
f rro
ot
ta
at
ti
io
on
n iis
s sst
ti
ip
pu
ul
la
at
te
ed
d
It is imperative that the designated direction of rotation for tyre treads
(which can be determined from the arrow on the side of the tyre) be kept to.
The best tyre performance i.e. in aquaplaning, road adhesion, noise and
wear is then guaranteed.
K
Tyre life
Tyre life depends to a considerable extent on the following
factors:
I In
nf
fl
la
at
ti
io
on
n ppr
re
es
ss
su
ur
re
e
The inflation pressures are to be found inside the fuel lid.
D Da
am
ma
ag
ge
e tto
o wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s aan
nd
d tty
yr
re
es
s iis
s nno
ot
t aal
lw
wa
ay
ys
s eea
as
sy
y tto
o sse
ee
e.
. UUn
nu
us
su
ua
al
l vvi
ib
br
ra
at
ti
io
on
ns
s
o or
r aa ppu
ul
ll
li
in
ng
g tto
o oon
ne
e ssi
id
de
e cco
ou
ul
ld
d iin
nd
di
ic
ca
at
te
e tty
yr
re
e dda
am
ma
ag
ge
e.
. IIf
f yyo
ou
u ssu
us
sp
pe
ec
ct
t dda
am
ma
ag
ge
e
t to
o aa tty
yr
re
e,
, iim
mm
me
ed
di
ia
at
te
el
ly
y rre
ed
du
uc
ce
e yyo
ou
ur
r ssp
pe
ee
ed
d.
. VVi
is
su
ua
al
ll
ly
y cch
he
ec
ck
k aal
ll
l tty
yr
re
es
s ffo
or
r
d da
am
ma
ag
ge
e ((b
bu
ul
lg
ge
es
s,
, tte
ea
ar
rs
s eet
tc
c.
.)
).
. IIf
f nno
o eex
xt
te
er
rn
na
al
l dda
am
ma
ag
ge
e cca
an
n bbe
e sse
ee
en
n,
, ddr
ri
iv
ve
e
c ca
ar
re
ef
fu
ul
ll
ly
y tto
o tth
he
e nne
ea
ar
re
es
st
t TTe
ec
ch
hn
ni
ic
ca
al
l SSe
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
e CCe
en
nt
tr
re
e aan
nd
d hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e
c ch
he
ec
ck
ke
ed
d oov
ve
er
r.
.
W
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AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

B1H-085Fig. 174

207 If and when
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
The inflation pressure is very important particularly at high speeds.
Therefore, the pressures should be checked at least once a
month and before every long journey.
At this opportunity do not forget the spare wheel:
• The spare wheel with normal tyre should always be inflated to
the highest pressure required on the vehicle.
• Always check the pressures when the tyres are cold. When warm,
the pressure is higher but do not reduce. If the load changes a
great deal the pressure must be altered to suit.
On vehicles with wheel hub caps, valve extensions are fitted. It is
not necessary to remove the valve extension piece in order to test
and correct the inflation pressure.
P Pr
re
es
ss
su
ur
re
es
s wwh
hi
ic
ch
h aar
re
e tto
oo
o hhi
ig
gh
h oor
r tto
oo
o llo
ow
w ssh
ho
or
rt
te
en
n tty
yr
re
e lli
if
fe
e –– qqu
ui
it
te
e
a ap
pa
ar
rt
t ffr
ro
om
m tth
he
e dde
et
tr
ri
im
me
en
nt
ta
al
l iin
nf
fl
lu
ue
en
nc
ce
e oon
n vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e hha
an
nd
dl
li
in
ng
g.
.
F Fo
or
r tth
he
e ssa
ak
ke
e oof
f tth
he
e een
nv
vi
ir
ro
on
nm
me
en
nt
t
A pressure which is too low increases the fuel consumption and this
burdens the environment unnecessarily.
M Mo
od
de
e oof
f ddr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g
Fast cornering, hard acceleration and violent braking also increase
tyre wear.
B Ba
al
la
an
nc
ci
in
ng
g wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However when the
vehicle is running various influences can cause the wheels to
become unbalanced and this causes steering vibration.
As imbalance also increases steering, suspension and tyre wear
the wheels should be balanced again. Furthermore a wheel should
always be rebalanced when the tyre has been repaired or when a
new tyre has been fitted.
I In
nc
co
or
rr
re
ec
ct
t wwh
he
ee
el
l aal
li
ig
gn
nm
me
en
nt
t
Incorrect wheel alignment not only causes excessive, usually
uneven, tyre wear but can also impair the vehicle’s safe handling.
In case of abnormal tyre wear, contact a Technical Service Centre.
W We
ea
ar
r iin
nd
di
ic
ca
at
to
or
rs
s
At the bottom of the tread of the original tyres there are 1.6 mm
high “wear indicators” running across the tread
⇒fig. 174. There
are 6-8 of these indicators – according to make – evenly spaced
around the tyre circumference. Marks on the walls of the tyre (for
example the letters “TWI” or triangles) show the locations of the
wear indicators.

A At
t cco
on
nt
ti
in
nu
uo
ou
us
s hhi
ig
gh
h ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s aa tty
yr
re
e iin
n wwh
hi
ic
ch
h tth
he
e ppr
re
es
ss
su
ur
re
e iis
s tto
oo
o llo
ow
w ffl
le
ex
xe
es
s
m mo
or
re
e aan
nd
d hhe
ea
at
ts
s uup
p eex
xc
ce
es
ss
si
iv
ve
el
ly
y.
. TTh
hi
is
s cca
an
n cca
au
us
se
e ttr
re
ea
ad
d sse
ep
pa
ar
ra
at
ti
io
on
n aan
nd
d tty
yr
re
e
b bl
lo
ow
w oou
ut
t.
.
W
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AR
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IN
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G

211 If and when
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
F
Fo
or
r tth
hi
is
s rre
ea
as
so
on
n,
, iin
n sso
om
me
e cco
ou
un
nt
tr
ri
ie
es
s,
, vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
es
s wwh
hi
ic
ch
h cca
an
n eex
xc
ce
ee
ed
d tth
hi
is
s
s sp
pe
ee
ed
d mmu
us
st
t hha
av
ve
e aan
n aap
pp
pr
ro
op
pr
ri
ia
at
te
e sst
ti
ic
ck
ke
er
r iin
n tth
he
e ddr
ri
iv
ve
er
r’
’s
s ffi
ie
el
ld
d oof
f
v vi
ie
ew
w.
. TTh
he
es
se
e aar
re
e aav
va
ai
il
la
ab
bl
le
e ffr
ro
om
m TTe
ec
ch
hn
ni
ic
ca
al
l SSe
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
e CCe
en
nt
tr
re
es
s.
.
Please note regulations to this effect in your country.
• All-weather tyres can also be used instead of winter tyres.
• If you have a flat tyre the remarks on using the spare wheel on
page 208 should be noted.
• Do not leave winter tyres fitted for an unnecessary long period
because when the roads are free of snow and ice the handling with
summer tyres is better.
F Fo
or
r tth
he
e ssa
ak
ke
e oof
f tth
he
e een
nv
vi
ir
ro
on
nm
me
en
nt
t
For environmental reasons summer tyres should be fitted again as soon as
possible because normally they are quieter in running, tyre wear is reduced
and the fuel consumption is lower.
K
Snow chains
Snow chains may only be fitted on the front wheels. This also
applies to vehicles with four wheel drive*.
The use of snow chains on the tyres 195/65 R 15 is allowed.
O On
nl
ly
y uus
se
e tth
hi
in
n cch
ha
ai
in
ns
s wwh
hi
ic
ch
h ddo
o nno
ot
t sst
ta
an
nd
d ccl
le
ea
ar
r mmo
or
re
e tth
ha
an
n 115
5 mmm
m
( (i
in
nc
cl
lu
ud
di
in
ng
g tte
en
ns
si
io
on
ne
er
r)
).
.
When using snow chains wheel rim plates and rim rings must be
taken off. In this case, to protect the wheel, the bolts must then be
fitted with caps which are available from Technical Service Centres.When driving over roadswhich are free of snow you must remove
the chains. On such roadsthey are detrimental to vehicle handling,
damage the tyres and wear out quickly.
In some countries the maximum permissible speed with snow
chains is 50 km/h.
K
C Ch
ha
an
ng
gi
in
ng
g wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s
Preparation work
• • IIn
n cca
as
se
e oof
f aa ffl
la
at
t tty
yr
re
e oor
r ppu
un
nc
ct
tu
ur
re
e,
, ppa
ar
rk
k tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e aas
s ffa
ar
r aas
s ppo
os
ss
si
ib
bl
le
e aaw
wa
ay
y
f fr
ro
om
m tth
he
e ttr
ra
af
ff
fi
ic
c ffl
lo
ow
w.
. IIf
f nne
ec
ce
es
ss
sa
ar
ry
y,
, ssw
wi
it
tc
ch
h hha
az
za
ar
rd
d wwa
ar
rn
ni
in
ng
g lli
ig
gh
ht
ts
s oon
n aan
nd
d
p pl
la
ac
ce
e tth
he
e wwa
ar
rn
ni
in
ng
g ttr
ri
ia
an
ng
gl
le
e iin
n ppo
os
si
it
ti
io
on
n –– nno
ot
te
e aan
ny
y sst
ta
at
tu
ut
to
or
ry
y rre
eq
qu
ui
ir
re
em
me
en
nt
ts
s.
.
• • AAl
ll
l vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e ooc
cc
cu
up
pa
an
nt
ts
s ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d lle
ea
av
ve
e tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e aan
nd
d mmo
ov
ve
e tto
o aa ssa
af
fe
e aar
re
ea
a
( (e
e.
.g
g.
. bbe
eh
hi
in
nd
d ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y bba
ar
rr
ri
ie
er
r)
).
.
• • PPu
ul
ll
l hha
an
nd
db
br
ra
ak
ke
e ffi
ir
rm
ml
ly
y,
, een
ng
ga
ag
ge
e aa gge
ea
ar
r oor
r een
ng
ga
ag
ge
e sse
el
le
ec
ct
to
or
r lle
ev
ve
er
r iin
n tth
he
e ""P
P"
"
p po
os
si
it
ti
io
on
n aan
nd
d cch
ho
oc
ck
k oop
pp
po
os
si
it
te
e wwh
he
ee
el
l wwi
it
th
h aa sst
to
on
ne
e oor
r ssi
im
mi
il
la
ar
r.
.
• • IIn
n cca
as
se
e yyo
ou
u tto
ow
w aa ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r uun
nh
ho
oo
ok
k ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r ffr
ro
om
m ttr
ra
ac
ct
to
or
r vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e bbe
ef
fo
or
re
e
c ch
ha
an
ng
gi
in
ng
g tth
he
e wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s.
.
W
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AR
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IN
NG
G


217 If and when
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
K
S
Sy
ym
mb
bo
ol
lM
Me
ea
an
ni
in
ng
g
Fan
Air conditioning
Heating
Heated windshield
Heated rear window
Heated rearview mirrors
Adjustment of outside mirrors
Lowering of outside mirrors
Seat heating
Horn
Windscreen washer/wiper
Rear windscreen washer/wiper
Rear windscreen washer
Headlight washer
Sliding roof
Electric windows
Lighter
Electric side windows
Central locking/Remote control
Electric switchboard
Ignition
S Sy
ym
mb
bo
ol
lM
Me
ea
an
ni
in
ng
g
Diagnosis
ABS
ESP
Selector lever positions (in display)
Electronic immobilizer
License plate lighting
Heated ejectors
Instrument panel
Central locking
Radio
CD changer/player
Telephone/telematic function*
Mobile telephone
Cruise control
Radio navigation system
Interior lighting
Reading light
Fuel pump
Trailer light connection
Parking assistance