2006 Seat Alhambra check engine

Checking and refilling levels 224
•If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.
Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.
– Open the bonnet and open the battery cover at the front Ÿ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 209 Ÿ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on
page 223.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the
battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until
they disperse.
The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram Ÿpage 262.
The round window (“magic eye”) on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge level and electrolyte level of the battery.
If the colour in the window is colourless or bright yellow, the electrolyte level
of the battery is too low. Have the battery checked by a qualified workshop.
The colours green and black are used by the workshops for diagnostic
purposes.
Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.
If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long
periods, the battery should be checked by a qualified workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle, the
battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have the
vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be re-
charged or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has
special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety spec-
ifications of your vehicle.
WARNING
•We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof
batteries which comply with the standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This
standard applies as of 2001.
•Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe
the warnings Ÿ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on page 223.

If and when235
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
– Use the enclosed extractorŸpage 234, fig. 155 to unscrew
the valve insert. Place the valve insert on a clean surface.
– Vigorously shake the sealant bottle Ÿpage 234, fig. 155 for
several seconds.
Sealing and inflating tyres
Inflating the tyre
– Thread the inflating tubeŸfig. 156 on the valve.
– Check that the air bleed screw is screwed tight.
– Start the engine and leave it running in neutral.
– Attach the connector to a 12 volt socket of the vehicle.– Connect the compressor using the ON/OFF switch for at least
six minutes.
– Run the compressor until a tyre pressure of between 2,0 and 2,5
bar has been reached. This should take a maximum of 6 minutes
.
– Detach the compressor when the pressure reaches 2,0 and 2,5
bars.
– If the desired pressure is not reached, unscrew the valve inflator
tube and store the compressor back in the vehicle.
– Move the vehicle some 10 metres forwards or backwards so that
the sealant is evenly distributed in the tyre interior.
– Take the compressor out again, screw the inflator tube well into
the valve and inflate the tyre again.
– If the required pressure can still not be reached, the tyre is too
badly damaged. The tyre cannot be sealed with the anti-puncture
kit. Do not attempt to travel in the vehicle and contact the nearest
qualified dealership.
– Disconnect the compressor and unscrew the compressor tyre
filler hose from the tyre valve.
– Drive the vehicle at a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) once
a tyre pressure of 2.0 - 2.5 bar has been reached.
– Check the tyre pressure after driving for 10 minutes.
A1
A10
Fig. 156 Contents of anti-
puncture kit
A5
A7
A9
A8

If and when255
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•If, due to a breakdown, the gearbox does not have lubricant, the vehicle
should be towed with the drive wheels suspended.
•If it is necessary to tow a vehicle with an automatic gearbox for more than
50 km, it should be towed by qualified personnel and with the drive wheels
suspended.
Lifting the vehicle
Vehicle lifting points
Your vehicle may only be lifted by a lifting platform at the points shown in the
illustrations Ÿfig. 176 and Ÿfig. 177Ÿ.
Use the jack to lift the vehicle Ÿpage 239.
To prevent damage to the underside of the vehicle when lifting the vehicle,
rubber pads must be used.
Before driving onto a lifting platform, you must check there is sufficient clear-
ance between low parts of the vehicle and the lifting platform.
WARNING
If the lifting platform is inappropriate or the vehicle is lifted incorrectly,
accidents or injuries may be caused. The vehicle could even fall from the
lifting platform.
•All occupants should leave the vehicle before it is lifted.
•The vehicle must only be lifted at the points indicated in the diagrams
Ÿfig. 176 and Ÿfig. 177. If the vehicle is not lifted at the indicated
points, it may fall from the platform while the engine or gearbox is being
dismounted, for example.
Fig. 176 Lifting with the
lifting platform: lifting
point at front left
Fig. 177 Lifting with the
lifting platform: lifting
point at rear left

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

Index 288
Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Brake pad wear
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brake pad wear indicator*
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 185
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 185
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Bulb defect
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
C
Car care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Car care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Car phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
CCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
CD changer
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
individual opening of doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Central locking button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Central stowage on instrument panel . . . . . . . 133
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236, 240
Changing brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Changing bulbs
lights on tailgate/rear door . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Lights on vehicle body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Reading light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Registration plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Changing gear
SeeManual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Changing the bulbs
interior light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Changing the lamps
Side indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 224
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
in front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Cleaning alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Cleaning and caring for your vehicle . . . . . . . . 193
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cleaning cloth seat covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Cleaning dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning fabric trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Cleaning leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Cleaning plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Cleaning steel wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Cleaning wooden trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Air outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Second cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Index 290
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75, 162
Electronic stabilisation program . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Electronic stabilisation programme . . . . . . . . . . 74
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161, 183
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Emergency opening
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Engine
Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Engine compartment
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . 209
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Engine fault
monitor indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Engine hood
SeeBonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Engine management
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Checking level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214Engine oil pressure
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Engine oil temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Engine oil temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74, 182
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Exhaust gas indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Exhaust gas purification system
diesel particle filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Exhaust system fault* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 196
External aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
F
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 143
Fastening seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Fault messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Faults in operation of air conditioning . . . . . . 157
First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Foot brake
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Four-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Replacing tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Front passenger airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Front seats
adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Fuel
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Fuel level
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
See alsoFuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Fuel tank cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
G
G 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Gear selector lever
SeeAutomatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
SeeAutomatic gearbox with Tiptronic . . . . 171
General overview of the engine compartment 262
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Glove compartment light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Index 294
Steering wheel audio controls
audio + telephone version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
audio version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Steering wheel height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . 159
Stowage
Other stowage areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Stowage compartment
Front passenger side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Sun visor
front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Sunroof blind
Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Switches
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Switching off the engine
With the ignition key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
T
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Convenience opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Tailgate open display*
warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Tank
Fuel level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
TCS (Traction control system)
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
The danger of not using the seat belt . . . . . . . . 20
Thermos box
cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Tightening torque of wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 260
Towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Towline anchorage
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251, 253
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Trailer turn signals
Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Trips, checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73, 112Two-way radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Type plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Tyres and wheels
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Tyres service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . . 225
U
Underbody sealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Unfastening seat belt
(with one buckle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Unfastening seat belts
(with two buckles) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Upper right stowage on instrument panel . . . 134
V
Vehicle
Lifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle onboard tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Vehicle paint
Car care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Vehicle tool kit jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239