2005 Seat Alhambra engine

169 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
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General notes
Three factors determine the fuel consumption, the burden on the
environment and the wear on the engine, brakes and tyres:
•The personal driving style.
•The individual conditions of the use of the car.
•Technical prerequisites.
The fuel consumption can be reduced by 10 to 15 percent by
adopting a thoughtful and economic driving style. This chapter will
help you lower pollution and save money by following
10 suggestions.
K
Suggestion 1. Thoughtful driving style
The highest fuel consumption takes place during acceleration. If
you drive in a thoughtful manner you will have to brake less and,
therefore, accelerate less. You can also let the vehicle roll, i.e.
when you can foresee that the following traffic light will be red.
K
Suggestion 2. Changing gears saves energy
Another way to save fuel is to change up as quickly as possible. If
you drive with high engine revs the car will use up more energy.
The fig. 151shows the relation between the consumption (l/100
km) and speed (km/h) in first, second, third, fourth and fifth gear.
The following rules may be helpful. Never drive more than a few
meters in first gear. When you reach 2,000 revolutions, you should
change up.
If you drive a vehicle with an automatic gearbox, press the
accelerator pedal gently. Do not press it to the kick-down position.
This way, a consumption oriented program is automatically
selected. It changes up as soon as possible and takes longer to
change down.
K
30 50 70km/h
90
l/100km
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B45-354PFig. 151

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
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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

174Your vehicle and the environment
A6 mounting points
Bat least 65 mm
All dimensions in mm.
• Technical Service Centres are fully equipped with the necessary
information and expertise for the retrofitting of towing devicesand
the concurrent requirements for reinforcing the cooling system. For
these reasons, it is best to have the fitting done by a Technical
Service Centre.
K
Driving tips
• • TTh
he
e tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g dde
ev
vi
ic
ce
e iis
s aa ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y eel
le
em
me
en
nt
t aan
nd
d yyo
ou
u ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d tth
he
er
re
ef
fo
or
re
e
o on
nl
ly
y uus
se
e aa dde
ev
vi
ic
ce
e ssp
pe
ec
ci
if
fi
ic
ca
al
ll
ly
y dde
es
si
ig
gn
ne
ed
d ffo
or
r yyo
ou
ur
r vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e aan
nd
d wwh
hi
ic
ch
h
i is
s ddu
ul
ly
y aap
pp
pr
ro
ov
ve
ed
d.
.
O Op
pe
er
ra
at
ti
io
on
ns
s iin
ns
st
tr
ru
uc
ct
ti
io
on
ns
s
• The removable ball coupling of the towing bracket* may be
stored in the right-hand rear of the boot.
•Additional mirrors are required if the traffic behind the trailer is
not visible with the exterior mirrors fitted as standard. Both exterior
mirrors must be attached to brackets in such a way that a sufficient
field of vision to the rear is guaranteed at all times.
•The permitted trailer weight must not be exceeded under any
circumstances
⇒chapter “Technical Data”.
•When using a trailer on mountain routes you must bear in mind
that the tow loads given in the “Technical data” chapter are onlyapplicable for slopes of 10% to 12%. If you do not use the full tow
load you may drive up steeper slopes.
•The given trailer weights are only applicable for altitudes up
to 1000 m above sea level. As the engine output drops due to
the decreasing air density, the climbing ability must also be
reduced by 10% for each further 1000 m.
•Where possible make full use of the maximum permissible
drawbar weight on the ball of the towing bracket but do not exceed
it
⇒chapter “Technical Data”.
•While observing the permissible trailer and drawbar weight,
distribute the load in the trailer so that heavyobjects are as near
as possible to the axle. The objects must also be secured so that
they cannot slip about.
•The tyre pressures on the towing vehicle must be adjusted for full
load conditions, and also check the pressures on the trailer.
•Headlight settings should be checked, with the trailer attached,
before beginning the journey and adjusted as necessary.
On vehicles with headlight beam control it is only necessary to turn
the knurled disc on the dash board in the appropriate direction.
D Dr
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iv
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in
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g iin
ns
st
tr
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uc
ct
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s
To obtain the best possible handling of vehicle and trailer, the
following should be noted:
• Try to avoid driving with an unladen vehicle and a loaded trailer.
If this cannot be avoided, only drive slowly to allow for the
unfavourable weight distribution.


175 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
• As driving stability of vehicle and trailer decreaseswhen the
speed increases do not drive at the maximum permissible top
speed in unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions –
particularly when going downhill.
In any case the speed must be reduced as soon as the trailer
shows the slightest sign of snaking. On no account try to stop the
snaking by accelerating.
• • FFo
or
r ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y rre
ea
as
so
on
ns
s oon
ne
e ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nno
ot
t ddr
ri
iv
ve
e ffa
as
st
te
er
r tth
ha
an
n 880
0 kkm
m/
/h
h
( (5
50
0 mmp
ph
h)
).
. TTh
hi
is
s aal
ls
so
o aap
pp
pl
li
ie
es
s iin
n cco
ou
un
nt
tr
ri
ie
es
s wwh
he
er
re
e hhi
ig
gh
he
er
r ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s aar
re
e
p pe
er
rm
mi
it
tt
te
ed
d.
.
• Always brake in good time. If the trailer has an overrun brake,
apply the brakes gently at first then firmly. This will avoid the
jerking caused by the trailer wheels locking.
Change down before going down a steep hill so thatthe engine
can act as a brake.
• When a long climb in a low gear with extremely high engine revs
must be negotiated at exceptionally high ambient temperatures
the coolant temperature gauge must be observed. When the gauge
needle moves to the right end of the scale, the road speed must be
reduced immediately.
• The cooling effect of the radiator fan cannot be increased by
changing down, because the speed of the fan is not dependent on
the engine speed. One should therefore not change down even
when towing a trailer as long as the engine can cope without the
vehicle speed dropping too much.
K
General notes
• • DDu
ur
ri
in
ng
g tth
he
e rru
un
nn
ni
in
ng
g iin
n ppe
er
ri
io
od
d yyo
ou
u ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d aav
vo
oi
id
d tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g aa ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r iif
f
p po
os
ss
si
ib
bl
le
e.
.
• • IIt
t iis
s aad
dv
vi
is
sa
ab
bl
le
e tto
o hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e sse
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
ed
d bbe
et
tw
we
ee
en
n tth
he
e
I In
ns
sp
pe
ec
ct
ti
io
on
n iin
nt
te
er
rv
va
al
ls
s iif
f iit
t iis
s uus
se
ed
d ffr
re
eq
qu
ue
en
nt
tl
ly
y ffo
or
r tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g aa ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r.
.
• The trailer and drawbar load figures on the data plate of the
towing bracket are for test certification only. The correct figuresfor
the vehicle, which may be lower than the above figures, are given
in the vehicle documents and in this manual.
• When using the towing device the car’s empty weight is reduced,
and as a result its effective load is decreased.
• Observe all statutory requirements regarding the use of a
trailer.
K

176Your vehicle and the environment
D
Dr
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g aab
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d
Observations
If the vehicle is to be taken abroad, the following must also be
borne in mind:
• If the vehicle has a petrol engine and catalytic converter, one
must ensure that unleaded petrol will be available during the
journey
⇒"Filling the tank" chapter. The automobile clubs offer
information about the unleaded filling station network.
•In some countries it is possible that a vehicle model is sold under
conditions where some spare parts are not available or that the
Technical Services may only carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information
about the technical preparation of your vehicle in addition to
necessary maintenance and repair possibilities.
K
Headlight covering
When traveling abroad in a country where driving is on the
opposite side to the home country, asymmetric headlights will
dazzle oncoming traffic.
To prevent this, headlights must be adjusted or some areas must
be covered with an opaque adhesive strip depending on the
model. For more information, contact your Technical Service
Centre.
K

181 Care and maintenance
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
Steel wheels
The wheels and the wheel trims should be cleaned thoroughly at
regular intervals when the vehicle is being washed. This will
prevent brake dust, dirt and road salt from accumulating on the
wheel. Persistent ingrained brake dust can be removed with an
industrial grime remover. Paint damage should be repaired before
rust can form.
K
Alloy wheels*
In order to maintain the smart appearance of alloy wheels for a
long period, regular care is necessary. In particular, salt and brake
pad dust must be washed off thoroughly at least every two weeks
otherwise the surface of the alloy will be damaged. After being
washed, the wheels should be treated with an acid-free cleaner for
alloy wheels. About every three months it is necessary to give
wheels a good rubbing with hard wax. Paint polish or other
abrasive solutions must not be used. If the protective paint coat
has been damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the damaged spots
should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Cleaning and anti-corrosion treatment of engine
compartment
The leaves, blossoms etc. which drop into the water box
(underneath the engine bonnet in front of the windscreen) should
be cleaned out occasionally. This will prevent the water drain holes
from becoming blocked and – on vehicles without a dust and
pollen filter – foreign bodies entering the vehicle interior via the
heating and ventilation system.
The engine compartment and the outside surface of the power unit
are given anti-corrosion treatment at the factory.
In the winter when the vehicle is being driven frequently on salted
roads, good anti-corrosion treatment is very important. For this
reason the entire engine compartment and the plenum chamber
should be thoroughly cleaned before and after the salting period
and then preserved so that the salt cannot have a damaging effect.
T Th
he
e iig
gn
ni
it
ti
io
on
n mmu
us
st
t bbe
e ssw
wi
it
tc
ch
he
ed
d oof
ff
f bbe
ef
fo
or
re
e wwa
as
sh
hi
in
ng
g tth
he
e een
ng
gi
in
ne
e.
.
D Do
o nno
ot
t ppo
oi
in
nt
t tth
he
e wwa
at
te
er
r jje
et
t ddi
ir
re
ec
ct
tl
ly
y aat
t tth
he
e hhe
ea
ad
dl
li
ig
gh
ht
ts
s tto
o aav
vo
oi
id
d
d da
am
ma
ag
ge
e.
.
P
Pl
le
ea
as
se
e nno
ot
te
e wwh
he
en
n ccl
le
ea
an
ni
in
ng
g tth
he
e wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s tth
ha
at
t dda
am
mp
pn
ne
es
ss
s,
, iic
ce
e aan
nd
d ggr
ri
it
t cca
an
n
h ha
av
ve
e aa nne
eg
ga
at
ti
iv
ve
e eef
ff
fe
ec
ct
t oon
n tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ki
in
ng
g ppo
ow
we
er
r.
.
K
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•B Be
ef
fo
or
re
e wwo
or
rk
ki
in
ng
g iin
n tth
he
e een
ng
gi
in
ne
e cco
om
mp
pa
ar
rt
tm
me
en
nt
t,
, rre
ea
ad
d tth
he
e nno
ot
te
es
s iin
n tth
he
e
" "E
En
ng
gi
in
ne
e cco
om
mp
pa
ar
rt
tm
me
en
nt
t"
" cch
ha
ap
pt
te
er
r.
.
•F
Fo
or
r ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y rre
ea
as
so
on
ns
s ppu
ul
ll
l oou
ut
t iig
gn
ni
it
ti
io
on
n kke
ey
y bbe
ef
fo
or
re
e rre
ea
ac
ch
hi
in
ng
g iin
nt
to
o tth
he
e wwa
at
te
er
r
b bo
ox
x.
. OOt
th
he
er
rw
wi
is
se
e iif
f tth
he
e wwi
in
nd
ds
sc
cr
re
ee
en
n wwi
ip
pe
er
rs
s aar
re
e ssw
wi
it
tc
ch
he
ed
d oon
n uun
ni
in
nt
te
en
nt
ti
io
on
na
al
ll
ly
y
t th
he
e mmo
ov
ve
em
me
en
nt
t oof
f tth
he
e wwi
ip
pe
er
r lli
in
nk
k cco
ou
ul
ld
d cca
au
us
se
e iin
nj
ju
ur
ry
y.
.
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WA
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