2006 Seat Alhambra oil

Checking and refilling levels 222
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment diagram Ÿpage 262. 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 instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low Ÿpage 70.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings Ÿpage 209.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be renewed every two years.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings Ÿ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 209 in
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
For this reason the brake fluid must be renewed every two years.It is important that you use only use brake fluid compliant with the US
standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake
fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
•Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and
observe the warnings Ÿpage 209.
•Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. There is a toxic risk.
•Have the brake fluid changed every two years at the latest. Heavy use
of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left in the system
for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency of the brakes and the
safety of the vehicle. This may cause an accident.
Caution
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid must be drained and disposed of in the proper manner observing
environmental regulations.

Checking and refilling levels225
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain toxic substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They
must be disposed of appropriately and must not be disposed of with ordinary
household waste.
Wheels
General notes
Avoiding damage
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive very
slowly and as near as possible at a right angle to the kerb.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or blisters,
etc.). Remove any foreign objects embedded in the treads.
Storing tyres
– Mark tyres when you remove them to indicate the direction of
rotation. This ensures you will be able to install them correctly
when you replace them.
– When removed, the wheels and/or tyres should be stored in a
cool, dry and preferably dark location.
– Store tyres in a vertical position if they are not fitted on wheel
rims.
New tyres
New tyres have to be run in Ÿpage 185.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and make of tyre
and the tread pattern.
Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice unusual
vibrations or the car pulling to one side, this may indicate that one of the tyres
is damaged. The tyres should be checked immediately by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on tyres with
directional tread. Always observe the direction of rotation indicated when
fitting the wheel. This guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid aqua-
planing, excessive noise and wear.
WARNING
•New tyres do not have maximum grip in the first 500 km. Drive particu-
larly carefully to avoid risk of accident.
•Never drive with damaged tyres. This may cause an accident.
•If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one side when
driving, stop the vehicle immediately and check the tyres for damage.

Checking and refilling levels227
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
Ÿpage 226, fig. 150 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 sidewall (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 indica-
tors). Worn tyres must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export
countries Ÿ.
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
Ÿpage 226.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable
to change them around as shown Ÿpage 226, fig. 151. All the tyres will then
last for about the same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results
in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause excessive
wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of
the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel align-
ment checked by an Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre bursts during driving!
•The tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread is worn down to
the tread wear indicators. Failure to do so could result in an accident. Worn
tyres do not grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There is also a greater
risk of “aquaplaning”.
•At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. This causes it to overheat. This can cause tread separation and tyre
blow-out. Risk of accident. Always observe the recommended tyre pres-
sures.
•If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the running gear checked
by an Authorised Service Centre.
•Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake fluid away from tyres.
•Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately!
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.
New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run-in.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteristics
of the vehicle and make a major contribution to good road holding and safe
handling Ÿ.
Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front
tyres or both rear tyres together). A knowledge of tyre designations makes it

Checking and refilling levels229
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the
brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you may not use wheel bolts from a different car -
even if it is the same model Ÿpage 202.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become
loose while driving. Risk of accident.
•The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or oil
to them.
•Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
•If the prescribed torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen
whilst the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is
too high, the wheel bolts and threads could be damaged.
Caution
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and
ice.
In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicles
handling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) gives less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pressures
specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.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.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth
of 4 mm.
The speed rating code Ÿpage 227, “New tyres and wheels” determines the
following speed limits Ÿ:
Q max. 99.42 mi/h
S max. 111.85 mi/h
T max. 118.06 mi/h
H max. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles that can exceed the speed rating of the fitted tyre
must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These stickers
are available from your Authorised Service Centre. The legal requirements 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
Ÿpage 227, “New tyres and wheels”.
WARNING
The maximum speed for the winter tyres must not be exceeded. Otherwise,
this could lead to tyre damage and thus, an accident risk.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres in good time. They are quieter, do not wear so quickly
and reduce fuel consumption.

If and when 240
Note
The hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle should be used for turning
wheel bolts only. Do not use it to loosen or tighten the wheel bolts.
Changing a wheel
Removing the wheel
– Using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle, unscrew
the slackened wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface.
– Take off the wheel.
– Store the defective wheel as described on Ÿpage 233.
Fitting the spare wheel
– Put the spare wheel in place.
– Screw in the wheel bolts and tighten them lightly using the
hexagonal socket.
– Lower the vehicle on the jack.
– Tighten the wheel bolts firmly using the box spanner. Do not
tighten the bolts in clockwise or anti-clockwise sequence.
Tighten them in diagonal sequence.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern must be mounted so that they rotate in the
correct direction.
A directional tread pattern can be identified by arrows on the sidewall that
point in the direction of rotation. Always observe the direction of rotation indicated when mounting the wheel. This is important so that these tyres can
give maximum grip and avoid excessive noise, tread wear and aquaplaning.
If, in an emergency, you have to mount a wheel so it rotates in the wrong
direction, you must drive extremely carefully. The tyre will not give optimum
performance. This is particularly important when driving on wet roads. To
benefit from the advantages of tyres with directional tread pattern, the tyre
should be replaced as soon as possible so that it rotates in the correct direc-
tion.
Caution
•The wheel bolts should be clean and turn easily. Do not grease or oil them.
•The hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle should be used for
turning wheel bolts only. Do not use it to loosen or tighten the wheel bolts.
After changing a wheel
– Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the spare wheel
bracket Ÿ page 233.
– Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as
possible with a torque wrench Ÿpage 240.
– Check tyre pressure at the next opportunity.
– Avoid fast driving manoeuvres.

If and when241
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
•If the prescribed torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen
whilst the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is
too high, the wheel bolts and threads could be damaged.
Caution
The stipulated torque for the wheel bolts on steel wheels and alloy wheels is
170 Nm with a tolerance of ±10 Nm. You should visit a specialised workshop
as soon as possible to check the torque with a torque wrench.
Note
•The wheel bolts should be clean and turn easily. Do not grease or oil them.
•The hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle should be used only for
turning wheel bolts which have been slackened off. Do not use it to loosen or
tighten the wheel bolts.
•If you notice that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn when
changing a wheel, they must be replaced before you have the tightening
torque checked.
•If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the car -
for example with winter tyres - you should only use the spare tyre for a short
period of time and drive with extra care. Refit the normal road wheel as soon
as possible.
•Have the flat tyre replaced as quickly as possible.
Fuses
Changing a fuse
– Use the fuse tables, to find out where, and in which fuse box, the
damaged fuse is located Ÿpage 242.
– Switch off the ignition and the component concerned.
– Remove the fuse box cover Ÿfig. 163
– Use the plastic pliers in the fuse box to remove the fuse.
– If the fuse has blown (the metal strip will have melted), replace it
with a new fuse of the same amp rating (same colour and same
imprint) and size.
The individual electrical circuits are protected by fuses. It is advisable to carry
several spare fuses at all times.
Fig. 163 Left side of dash
panel: fuse box

If and when 256
•Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. Risk of accident. The
vehicle may fall from the platform due to the engine vibrations.
•When work is being carried out underneath the vehicle, it must be
secured using suitable frames. If not, an accident may occur.
•To lift the vehicle, only two-pillar or two-post lifting platforms with
sufficiently long arms and load-bearing capacity should be used.
•Lifting platforms with fluid filled cushions may not be used for lifting
the vehicle.
Caution
•The vehicle should never be lifted at the engine oil sump, the gearbox, or
the front or rear axle. This could cause serious damage to the vehicle.
•Before driving onto a lifting platform, you must check there is sufficient
clearance between low parts of the vehicle and the lifting platform.
WARNING (continued)

Technical Data 262
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Checking fluid levels
From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the
vehicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, to do
so may cause serious damage to the engine.
Engine oil dipstick
Oil filler neck
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath a cover)
Coolant temperature deposit
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
The checking and replenishment of the service fluids are carried out on the
components mentioned above. These operations are described in the
Ÿpage 209.Overview
Further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the technical data are
contained as of Ÿpage 257
Fig. 178 Diagram for the
location of the various
elements
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6