2005 Seat Alhambra light

164Intelligent technology
W
Wh
he
ee
el
ls
sp
pi
in
n cco
on
nt
tr
ro
ol
l ((T
TC
CS
S)
)
In vehicles with front wheel traction, the TCS lowers the engine
power to stop the wheel spinning when you accelerate. This feature
works at any speed in combination with the ABS. If there is an ABS
breakdown, the TCS stops working.
Vehicles fitted with TCS are also fitted with an electronic differential
lock (EDL).
The EDL makes it much easier, or even possible, to pull away,
accelerate and climb steep gradiants in unfavourable conditions.
The EDL works fully automatically – the driver does not need to do
anything at all.
It uses the ABS sensors to monitor the speed of the driving wheels.
Up to a speed of about 80 km/h (50 mph), a difference in speed of
the drive wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by a slippery
road surface on o on
ne
e ssi
id
de
e
is balanced out by slowing down the
wheel which is slipping and thereby applying more driving force to
the other drive wheel through the differential.
T Th
hi
is
s cco
on
nt
tr
ro
ol
l ppr
ro
oc
ce
ed
du
ur
re
e cca
an
n bbe
e dde
et
te
ec
ct
te
ed
d bby
y tth
he
e sso
ou
un
nd
d iit
t mma
ak
ke
es
s.
.
I In
n oor
rd
de
er
r tto
o oob
bt
ta
ai
in
n tth
he
e bbe
es
st
t ppo
os
ss
si
ib
bl
le
e eef
ff
fe
ec
ct
t ffr
ro
om
m tth
he
e EED
DL
L,
, aal
lw
wa
ay
ys
s uus
se
e
t th
he
e ccl
lu
ut
tc
ch
h aan
nd
d aac
cc
ce
el
le
er
ra
at
to
or
r ppe
ed
da
al
ls
s aac
cc
co
or
rd
di
in
ng
g tto
o tth
he
e rro
oa
ad
d
c co
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
ns
s.
.To ensure that the brake disc of the braked wheel does not
overheat, the EDL will automatically switch itself off if excessive
demands are placed on it. The vehicle remains operational and has
the same characteristics as a vehicle without EDL. For this reason,
the switching off of the EDL is not noticed.
As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the EDL will switch itself
back on again.
If the ABS warning lamp lights up there may be a fault present in
the EDL. Take the vehicle to a Technical Service Centre as soon as
possible!
The TCS connects automatically once the engine is started. If
necessary, it can be connected or disconnected by pressing shortly
the button located on the central console.
When the TCS is switched off a pilot light comes on.
You should normally always have the TCS on. Only in exceptional
circumstances when you want the wheels to spin should you
switch it off. For instance:
– When you are using snow chains.
– When driving in deep snow or on a soft surface.
– When the car is stuck, to “rock” it out, and

W Wh
he
en
n aac
cc
ce
el
le
er
ra
at
ti
in
ng
g oon
n aa ssl
li
ip
pp
pe
er
ry
y rro
oa
ad
d ssu
ur
rf
fa
ac
ce
e,
, ee.
.g
g.
. oon
n iic
ce
e oor
r ssn
no
ow
w,
, uus
se
e tth
he
e
a ac
cc
ce
el
le
er
ra
at
to
or
r ppe
ed
da
al
l cca
ar
re
ef
fu
ul
ll
ly
y.
. TTh
he
e wwh
he
ee
el
ls
s cca
an
n ssp
pi
in
n,
, eev
ve
en
n wwi
it
th
h EED
DL
L,
, aan
nd
d tth
hu
us
s
i im
mp
pa
ai
ir
r ddr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g sst
ta
ab
bi
il
li
it
ty
y.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G
T Th
he
e sst
ty
yl
le
e oof
f ddr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g mmu
us
st
t aal
lw
wa
ay
ys
s bbe
e aad
da
ap
pt
te
ed
d tto
o ssu
ui
it
t tth
he
e rro
oa
ad
d ssu
ur
rf
fa
ac
ce
e aan
nd
d
t tr
ra
af
ff
fi
ic
c cco
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
ns
s.
. TTh
he
e iin
nc
cr
re
ea
as
se
ed
d ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y oof
ff
fe
er
re
ed
d bby
y tth
he
e EED
DL
L ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nno
ot
t
e en
nc
co
ou
ur
ra
ag
ge
e oon
ne
e tto
o tta
ak
ke
e uun
nn
ne
ec
ce
es
ss
sa
ar
ry
y rri
is
sk
ks
s.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

165 Intelligent technology
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
– To go up slopes where each traction wheel is on a surface with a
very different grip (I.e. ice on the left, dry asphalt on the right). The
EDS continues to function under these conditions.
Afterwards you should always reconnect this device.
N No
ot
te
e
For the TCS to work properly all four wheels should be the same. Otherwise
engine performance may be reduced.
⇒“Changing wheels”. K
E El
le
ec
ct
tr
ro
on
ni
ic
c SSt
ta
ab
bi
il
li
it
ty
y PPr
ro
og
gr
ra
am
m ((E
ES
SP
P)
)*
*
The ESP increases the control over the vehicle in situations such as
accelerating or in turns.
The ESP expands the functions of the ABS/TCS and decreases
under any circumstance the risk of skidding. This contributes to an
improved stability of the vehicle.The system works in the realm of speed in relation to the ABS. In
case of a failure of the ABS, the ESP will also fail.
The ESP connects automatically when the engine is switched on
and checks itself.
If needed, the system can be switched on or off by pressing the
button.
When the system is off, the ESP warning light will light up
⇒
"Warning lights" chapter.
The ESP should always be connected. Only in exceptional cases,
when the skidding effect is desired under extremely sporty
conditions, the system can be disconnected.
Afterwards the system should be reconnected.
The ABS and EDS
⇒"Switches" chapter remain connected even
when the ESP is off.
F Fu
un
nc
ct
ti
io
on
ni
in
ng
g
The electronic stability program encompasses the ABS, EDS and
TCS. In addition to all available data for these functions, the ESP
control unit needs additional measurements supplied by high
precision sensors. The measuring data consists of the speed at
which the vehicle turns around its vertical axis, acceleration,
pressure on brakes and the turn of the steering wheel.
With the help of the steering wheel sensor and the vehicle’s
speed, the desired direction is determined and constantly
compared to the vehicle’s real behavior. When differences occur,
such as incipient skidding, the ESP automatically brakes the
adequate wheel.
D Dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g sst
ty
yl
le
e ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d aal
lw
wa
ay
ys
s bbe
e mmo
od
di
if
fi
ie
ed
d tto
o ssu
ui
it
t tth
he
e ttr
ra
af
ff
fi
ic
c aan
nd
d rro
oa
ad
d
c co
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
ns
s.
. TTh
he
e ggr
re
ea
at
te
er
r ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y ppr
ro
ov
vi
id
de
ed
d bby
y tth
he
e TTC
CS
S ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nno
ot
t lle
ea
ad
d yyo
ou
u tto
o
t ta
ak
ke
e ggr
re
ea
at
te
er
r rri
is
sk
ks
s.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G


169 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
E
En
nv
vi
ir
ro
on
nm
me
en
nt
t-
-f
fr
ri
ie
en
nd
dl
ly
y aan
nd
d eec
co
on
no
om
mi
ic
ca
al
l
d dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g
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
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

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
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g iin
ns
st
tr
ru
uc
ct
ti
io
on
ns
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
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g aab
br
ro
oa
ad
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