2011 Seat Alhambra service interval

199
Driving
Parking sensor system* Fig. 140 Detailed view of
the centr
e c
onsole: but-
ton for switching the
parking sensor system
on and off. Fig. 141 Parking sensor
sys
t

em sensors on the
front bumper.
The parking sensor system assists the driver when parking. If the vehicle is
appro
aching an obstacle, an intermittent sound signal is emitted. The short-
er the distance, the shorter the intervals between tones. If the vehicle is too
close to the obstacle, the sound signal becomes constant. Switching the parking sensor system on and off
●
Press the  button ⇒ 
fig. 140 when the ignition i
s switched on.
● Automatic on: select r
everse gear.
● Automatic off: drive fa
ster than 15 km/h.
The button lights up when the function is switched on.
Things to note regarding the parking sensor system
● The parking sensor system sometimes registers water on the sensors as
an obs
tacle.
● If the distance does not change, the warning signal will sound less loud-
ly aft
er a few seconds. If the continuous signal sounds, the volume will re-
main constant.
● When the vehicle moves away from the obstacle, the beeping sound au-
tomatic
ally switches off. On approaching the obstacle again, the beeping
sound will automatically switch back on.
● If the electronic parking brake is engaged or the gear lever is set to P, no
sound wi
ll be emitted.
● Your Authorised Service Centre can adjust the volume of the warning
signal
s. Note
If the parking sensor system is faulty, a constant acoustic signal will be
emitted the fir s

t time it is switched on and the button will flash. Switch the
parking sensor system off using the button and take the vehicle to a spe-
cialist workshop to have the system checked as soon as possible. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

227
Driving and the environment
Other factors which increase fuel consumption (examples):
● Fault in engine management.
● Driving on hills.
● Trailer towing. 
Saving fuel while driving Fig. 155 Fuel consump-
tion in litre
s
per 100 km
at different outside tem-
peratures.
By adopting an economical driving style and anticipating the traffic situa-
tion ahead,
you can easily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%.
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. By anticipating the traffic situa-
tion ahead, you will brake and therefore accelerate less. Wherever possible,
let the car roll slowly to a stop, for instance when you can see that the next
traffic lights are red.
Avoid short journeys
Fuel consumption is much higher when the engine is cold, immediately af-
ter it has been started. It takes a few kilometres of driving for the engine to
warm up and to normalise consumption. The engine and catalytic converter need to reach their proper
workin
g tem-
perature in order to minimise fuel consumption and emissions. The ambient
temperature has a decisive influence.
fig. 155 shows the difference in consumption for the same journey at +20°C
(+68°F) and at -10°C (+14°F).
Unnecessary short journeys should be avoided. Try to combine trips.
The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in summer, even when other con-
ditions are the same.
“Warming” the engine is not only forbidden in some countries, but in prac-
tice it is technically superfluous as it is a waste of fuel.
Adjusting type pressures.
Having the correct pressure in your tyres helps to reduce rolling resistance
and, as a result reduces fuel consumption. Increasing the tyre pressure
slightly (+ 0.2 bar / + 3 psi) can help to save fuel.
If you are prepared to accept a slight reduction in comfort, the tyres may be
filled to the pressures recommended for a fully-loaded vehicle. This is also
valid when driving alone without luggage.
When you buy new tyres, make sure they are optimised for minimum rolling
resistance.
Use low friction engine oil
The use of low viscosity totally synthetic oils, known as low friction engine
oil, help to reduce fuel consumption. Low friction engine oils reduce the re-
sistance caused by friction in the engine, they flow around the engine more
quickly and efficiently, particularly in cold starts. The effect is particularly
noticeable in vehicles frequently used for short journeys.
Always check the engine oil level and observe service intervals (engine oil
change intervals).
When purchasing engine oil, always observe legal requirements and ensure
that the oil is approved by SEAT. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

234
Trailer towing CAUTION
● If the rear lights of the trailer are not correctly connected, the vehicle
el ectr
onics may be damaged.
● If the trailer absorbs excessive electric current, the vehicle electronics
may
be damaged.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system to the electrical connections
of the re
ar lights or any other power sources. Only use suitable connections
for providing electric current to the trailer. Note
● Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. At SEAT, we
r ec

ommend additional services between the normal inspection intervals if
the vehicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
● In some countries, an additional fire extinguisher is required if the trailer
weight i
s more than 2500 kg 
Electric tow hitch ball* Fig. 156 Right-hand
side of
the lug

gage com-
partment: button to elec-
trically release the tow
hitch ball. The rotation radius of the tow hitch ball should be free of people, animals
and obj

ects ⇒  .
The to w hit
ch is located in the bumper. The electric tow ball is fixed and can-
not be removed.
Releasing and unfolding the tow ball
● Stop the vehicle and apply the electric parking brake.
● Switch the engine off.
● Open the tailgate.
● Press the knob briefly ⇒ fig. 156. The to
w ball is released electronically
and folds out automatically; the button indicator will blink.
● Move the ball joint until it inserts and the button indicator lights.
● Close the tailgate.
● Before hitching the trailer, remove the dust guard from the ball.
● The indicator only lights when the tailgate is open and when a trailer is
not hitc
hed.
Restoring the tow ball to its originally position
● Stop the vehicle and apply the electric parking brake.
● Switch the engine off.
● Remove the trailer and disconnect the cable between the vehicle and
trail
er. If necessary, remove the socket adapter.
● Place the dust guard over the ball.
● Open the tailgate.
● Press the knob briefly ⇒ fig. 156. The to
w ball is electronically released;
the indicator blinks.
● Push the tow ball into the bumper until it locks in position and the but-
ton indicat
or lights.
● Close the tailgate. 

254
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning WARNING
Check the condition of all the seat belts at regular intervals. If the web-
bin g or other p
arts of the belt are damaged, the vehicle should be taken
to a Technical Service immediately and the belts should be replaced. It is
extremely dangerous to drive using damaged seat belts and could result
in serious injury or loss of life.
● Seat belts and their components must never be cleaned with chemi-
cal

products, nor should they be allowed to come into contact with corro-
sive liquids, solvents or sharp objects. This could affect the strength of
the seat belt webbing.
● Seat belts should be completely dry before retracting. Damp could
damag
e the belt retractor so that it is does not operate correctly.
● Do not allow liquids or foreign bodies to enter the buckle fastenings.
This c
ould damage the buckles and seat belts.
● Never attempt to repair, modify or remove a seat belt yourself.
● Always have damaged seatbelts replaced immediately by seat belts
appro
ved for the vehicle in question by SEAT. Seat belts which have been
worn in an accident and stretched must be replaced by a Technical Serv-
ice. Renewal may be necessary even if there is no apparent damage. The
belt anchorage should also be checked. 

282
Checking and refilling levels
● Unscrew the cap from engine oil filler opening on the cylinder head
⇒  fig. 169
. If you are not sure where the cap is, request help from a special-
ist.
● Only refill using engine oil expressly approved by SEAT and in small
quantities (not
more than 0.5 l or 1/2 a quarter of a gallon at a time)
⇒  page 280.
● To avoid adding too much oil, each time you add a quantity, wait until
the oil h
as flowed into the crankcase so that it can be measured with the
dipstick.
● Check the oil level before adding any more oil. Do not top up with too
much engine oi
l ⇒  .
● When the oil level is in at least the ⇒ fig. 168 B zone, insert the dip-
stic k

into the tube fully to avoid engine oil escaping when the engine is run-
ning.
● After topping up the oil, ensure that the cap is screwed on to the filler
mouth correctly
. WARNING
Oil could catch fire if it comes into contact with hot engine components.
This c

ould lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries.
● Always ensure that after topping of oil, the engine oil filler cap is cor-
rectly tight
ened. This will avoid engine oil spilling onto hot engine parts
when the engine is running. CAUTION
● If the oil level is above the area A do not start the engine. You should
obt ain pr

ofessional assistance. Otherwise catalytic converter and engine
damage may occur.
● When refilling or changing service liquids, ensure that you put the liq-
uids int
o the right tank. Making a mistake when refilling could cause seri-
ous malfunctions and damage the engine! For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A . Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the c r

ankcase breather and escape into the atmosphere via the ex-
haust system. 
Engine oil consumption The consumption of engine oil can be different from one engine to another
and can
v

ary during the useful life of the engine.
Depending on driving style and the conditions of use, the consumption of
engine oil can reach 1 litre every 2000 km (one quarter of a gallon every
1200 miles); for new vehicles, this could be higher for the first 5000 km
(3000 miles). For this reason the engine oil level must be checked at regular
intervals, preferably when filling the tank and before a journey.
When the engine is working hard, for instance during sustained high-speed
motorway cruising in summer, when towing a trailer or climbing mountain
passes, the oil level should preferably be kept within area ⇒ fig. 168 A .

Changing the engine oil The engine oil must be changed regularly according to the specifications of
the Maint
en

ance Programme.
Due to the problems linked with disposing of used oil and the need for suit-
able tools and special knowledge, always visit a Technical Service to have
the engine oil and filter changed. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical
Service.
Detailed information on the service intervals are shown in the Maintenance
Programme. 

291
Checking and refilling levels WARNING (Continued)
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It can burn skin and cause
b lindne
ss. When handling the battery, protect yourself from splashes of
acids, above all your hands, arms and face.
● Never tilt the vehicle battery. Battery acid could spill out of the open-
ings
to release gases and cause corrosion damage.
● Never open the vehicle battery.
● If battery acid splashes on you, immediately rinse your eyes and skin
abund
antly with water for several minutes. Then seek medical care imme-
diately.
● If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immediately. 
Charging, replacing and connecting or disconnecting the
batt er

y Charging the battery
The v
ehic

le battery should be charged by a specialist workshop only, as bat-
teries using special technology have been installed and they must be charg-
ed in a controlled environment ⇒  . SEAT recommends visiting a Technical
Serv ic

e.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and
has special safety features. If the battery must be replaced, consult a quali-
fied SEAT workshop for information on electromagnetic compatibility, the
size and maintenance, performance and safety requirements of the new bat-
tery in your vehicle before you purchase one. SEAT recommends you have
the battery replaced by a qualified SEAT workshop.
Use only maintenance-free genuine batteries conforming to TL 825 06 and
VW 7 50 73 Standards. These standards must be dated April 2008 or later. Start-Stop systems (
⇒ page 196) ar
e equipped with a special battery. There-
fore, it must only be replaced with a battery of the same specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle's battery
If you must disconnect the battery from the electrical system, please note
the following:
● Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
● The vehicle must be unlocked before disconnecting the battery, other-
wise the al
arm will be triggered.
● First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive ⇒  .
Connectin g the

vehicle's battery
● Before reconnecting the battery, switch off the engine, the ignition and
electric dev
ices.
● First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative ⇒  .
Differ ent

control lamps may light up after connecting the battery and switch-
ing the ignition on. They will be turned off after a short trip at a speed of
between 15 - 20 km/h (10 - 12 mph). If the warning indicators remain lit,
please visit a specialised workshop to have the vehicle checked.
If the battery has been disconnected for a long time, it is possible that the
next service date is not displayed or calculated correctly ⇒ page 57. Respect
the maximum service intervals permitted ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
Automatic consumer disconnection
The intelligent vehicle electrical system automatically implements a range
of measures to prevent the battery from discharging when high demands
are made on it: Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

Run-flat tyres
Code s
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Running-in Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
First trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Running-in brake pads Please also see "Brakes" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Running in Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
S SAFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 174
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Check list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Sale of vehicle In other countries / continents . . . . . . . . . 255
Salt water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Scrapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Seat adjustment Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat belt position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat belt protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 21 Automatic belt retainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Belt height adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Belt tension device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Belt tension limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Seat belt
position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat belt status display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Twisted belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Unfastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Unfastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
With two buckles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seat belt with two buckles Fastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Twisting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Unfastening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Convenient entry function for the third rowof seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Folding the backrest of the front passeng- er's seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
SEAT information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Adjusting the head restraints . . . . . . . . . . 123
Adjusting the steering wheel position . . . 169
Convenient entry function for the third rowof seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Correct position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Electric front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Fitting the head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Folding the backrest of the front passeng- er's seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Heated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Mechanical front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Number of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Rear se
ats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Removing the head restraints . . . . . . . . . . 124
Seat with position memory . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Seat with position memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Selective Catalytic Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Selector lever locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Service notification: read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Side airbags See "Airbag system" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Side light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Sign Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218, 219 Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Disconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Indication on display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Operation mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Sitting position Incorrect position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sliding door Manually opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . 81
Sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Opening and closing electrically . . . . . . . . . 82
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301, 347 All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 12 Volts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Spanner symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Spare fuel canister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 376
Index