2011 Seat Alhambra winter tyres

297
Wheels and tyres WARNING
New tyres do not give maximum grip and will not have reached their max-
imum brak in
g capacity to start with, and therefore need running in.
● To prevent accidents and major damage, extreme caution should be
taken f
or the first 600 km (370 miles). WARNING
There should be adequate space between the tyres and the vehicle in ac-
cord
ance with the vehicle design. If this is not the case, the tyres may
rub against parts of the running gear, chassis or brake lines, leading to
faults in the brake system or to tread detachment, and the risk of burst
tyres.
● The true tyre dimension should not be greater than the dimensions of
tyre
s manufactured and approved by SEAT and should not rub against
parts of the vehicle. Note
● Although tyres may be shown as being the same size, the true dimen-
s ion

s of different types of tyre may vary with respect to the nominal size, or
tread patterns may be different.
● If you use tyres that are approved by SEAT, you can be sure that the true
tyre dimen
sions will be correct for your vehicle. For other tyre models, the
tyre vendor should provide the manufacturer's certificate with the tyre, indi-
cating that this type of tyre is suitable for your vehicle. This certificate
should always be carried with the vehicle. Tyre pressures
Fig. 176 Position of tyre pressure specification plate.
The corr ect

tyre pressures for tyres fitted at the factory is shown on a label
and is valid for summer and winter tyres. This label ⇒ fig. 176 is either in
the driver's door strut or inside the fuel cap.
Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce the life of the tyres considerably
and also impair the car's handling ⇒  . It is essential to maintain the cor-
rect ty

re pressures, especially if driving at high speeds. Incorrect tyre pres-
sure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out.
The pressure should therefore be checked at least once a month and before
starting a journey.
As a general rule, the pressures given are for cold tyres. When the tyres are
hot, the pressures are greater. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

299
Wheels and tyres
Tread depth
Cer t
ain driving conditions require a deeper tread, as well as needing the
tread to be approximately the same on the front and rear tyres. This is par-
ticularly important when driving in winter, in cold temperatures and on wet
roads ⇒  .
The minimum tre a

d depth required by law in the majority of cases is 1.6 mm
(1/16 of an inch), measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indi-
cators. Observe legal requirements in each country.
The performance of winter tyres is much reduced when the tread has worn
to 4 mm (5/32 inch).
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and make of
tyre and the tread pattern.
Wear indicators on the tyre
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm (1/16 inch) high ⇒ fig. 177
tread wear indicators running across the tread. A number of these indicators
are equally spaced around the tyre tread. Certain marks on the tyre walls
(for example, the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the position of the
wear indicators.
Tread wear indicators indicate if a tyre is worn. Tyres must always be re-
placed before the tyre tread has worn to the level of the indicator. WARNING
Driving with worn tyres is dangerous, and may lead to loss of control of
the v ehic

le with serious consequences.
● Tyres must be replaced before the wear indicators are at the same lev-
el as
the tread pattern. WARNING (Continued)
● Worn tyres have significantly reduced grip, especially on wet surfa-
c e

s, increasing the risk of “aquaplaning”.
● Worn tyres make control of the vehicle more difficult in normal or dif-
ficult
driving conditions, increasing the braking distance and the risk of
skidding. 
Damaged tyres Damage to wheels and tyres is often not immediately visible. If you notice
unu
s

ual vibration or the car pulling to one side, this may indicate that one
of the tyres is damaged ⇒  .
● Slow down immediately if you think you have a damaged wheel.
● Check the wheels and tyres for damage.
● If tyres are worn, stop driving and seek qualified assistance.
● If there is no visible exterior damage, drive slowly and carefully to the
near e

st qualified workshop and have the vehicle checked.
Foreign bodies in the tyre
● Do not remove foreign bodies if they have penetrated through the tyre
wall!
● Y

ou should obtain professional assistance immediately.
The sealant
at the lower part of the tyre tread wraps around the foreign body
and provisionally seals the tyre.
Wear of tyres
The wear of tyres depends on a number of factors, for example:
● Driving style.
● Unbalanced wheels.
● Running gear settings. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

300
Wheels and tyres
Driving style : driving r ound bends fast or sudden acceleration or braking
speed up the wear of tyres. When the driving style is normal, if the tyres
wear too quickly, have the running gear settings checked at a Technical
Service.
Wheel run-out: The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, certain
circumstances may lead to imbalance (run-out), which is detected as vibra-
tions in the steering wheel. Run-out leads to wear of the steering and sus-
pension. In the event of run out, the wheels should be balanced again.
When a new wheel is fitted, it should be balanced again.
Running gear settings : an incorrectly positioned running gear increases the
wear of tyres and affects your safety while driving. If tyres wear too quickly,
have the wheel alignment checked at a specialist workshop. WARNING
If you notice unusual vibration or the car pulls to one side while driving,
this m

ay indicate that one of the tyres is damaged.
● Reduce speed immediately and stop, while observing the highway
code.
● Check

the wheels and tyres for damage.
● Never carry on driving on worn tyres or wheels. Request qualified as-
sis

tance immediately.
● If there is no visible exterior damage, drive slowly and carefully to the
neare
st qualified workshop and have the vehicle checked. 
Winter tyres* In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicles han-
dling.
The de

sign of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread pattern)
gives less grip on ice and snow. Winter tyres also improve the vehicle brak-
ing performance, reducing the braking distance in winter weather. SEAT rec- ommend that winter tyres be fitted to the vehicle at temperatures below
+7°C (+45°F).
The perf

ormance of winter tyres is much reduced if the tyre tread is worn be-
low 4 mm (1/16 inch). The age of the tyre is another factor affecting per-
formance, regardless of the depth of the tyre tread.
Please observe the following when using winter tyres:
● Observe legal requirements in each country.
● Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
● Only use winter tyres in wintery weather conditions.
● Only use winter tyres of the size authorised for the vehicle.
● Only use radial winter tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference)
and trea
d pattern.
● Adjust speeds to within the limits indicated (code letter on tyre) ⇒  .
Speed limit
A c ode l

etter indicating the speed limit is stamped on all winter tyres
⇒ page 303.
In some vehicles, it is possible to set a speed warning in the MFA (multifunc-
tion indicator) menu on the instrument panel ⇒ page 62.
If you use V-rated tyres the speed limits and tyre pressure will be deter-
mined by engine size. Please ask your SEAT qualified workshop for further
information on the maximum permitted speed and the required pressures
for the tyres.
All-wheel drive*
Thanks to its all-wheel drive, your car will have plenty of traction in winter
conditions, even with the standard tyres. Nevertheless, SEAT still recom-
mend that winter tyres or all-season tyres should be fitted on all four wheels
when winter road conditions are expected, mainly because this will give a
better braking response. 

301
Wheels and tyres
Please observe all instructions and warnings when using snow c hains
⇒  page 301. WARNING
Although winter tyres help to make driving safer in the winter, you
shoul d not

take unnecessary risks.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of w
inter tyre fitted on your vehicle. For the sake of the environment
When winter is over, change back to summer tyres. In temperatures above
+7°C (+45°F), per f

ormance will be improved if summer tyres are used. Fuel
consumption, wear and noises while driving will all be reduced. Note
● If the vehicle is fitted with a tyre control system, this should be “reprog-
r ammed” whenev

er a tyre is changed ⇒ page 223.
● Please ask at SEAT qualified workshops for information about the per-
mitted siz
es for winter tyres. 
Snow chains When using snow chains, applicable local legislation and maximum permit-
ted s
peed limits

must be observed.
In winter weather, snow chains not only help to improve grip but also im-
prove the braking capacity. Snow chains must only be mounted
on the front wheel
s, even on all-wheel
drive vehicles, and only with the tyre and rim combinations listed below: Tyre size Wheel rim
205/60 R16 6 1/2 J x 16 ET 33
SEAT recommends you ask a SEAT qualified workshop for further informa-
tion on wheel, tyr
e and c

hain sizes.
Wherever possible use fine-link chains measuring less than 15 mm (37/64
inch) including the lock.
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains ⇒  .
The wheel bo lts

should be covered with caps for safety reasons. These are
available from qualified workshops. WARNING
The use of unsuitable or incorrectly fitted chains could lead to serious ac-
cident s

and damage.
● Always the appropriate snow chains.
● Observe the fitting instructions provided by the snow chain manufac-
turer
.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted speeds when driving with snow
chain
s. CAUTION
● You must remove the snow chains to drive on roads which are free of
s no

w. Otherwise they will impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out
very quickly.
● Wheel rims may be damaged or scratched if the chains come into direct
contact
with them. SEAT recommends the use of covered snow chains. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

302
Wheels and tyres Note
Snow chains are available in different sizes according to the vehicle type. 
Tyre code Fig. 178 Universal code on tyres.
Radial
Rim diameter code
Load index & speed rating
DOT tyre identification number
Severe snow conditions
Tyre ply composition and materials used
Max. load rating
1 2
3
4
5
6
7 Treadwear, traction and temperature grades
Max. permissible inflation pressure
Passenger car tyre
Nominal width of tyre in millimetres
Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
Tyre code (example) Meaning
Make,
logotype Manufacturer
Product name Name of tyre assigned by manufacturer.
P215 / 55 R 16 Size:
P Passenger vehicle code.
215 Nominal width between walls, in mm.
55 Height/width ratio in %
R Tyre type (R indicates "radial").
16 Rim diameter in inches
91 V Load index
⇒ page 303 and speed rating
⇒  page 303. XL Reinforced tyres.
M+S
or M/S Winter tyres (mud and snow tyres)
⇒ page 300. SSR or
DSST, Eufonia,
RF
T, ROF, RSC, ZP Specific manufacturer codes for run-flat tyres.
RADIAL TUBELESS Radial tyre without inner tube.
E4 ... E-mark certifying tyre complies with internation-
al legislation followed by a number denoting the
country granting the authorisation. The authori-
sation number ( several digits) is shown below.
 8
9
10
11
12
ContiSeal

305
Wheels and tyres
Press the hubcap against the wheel so that the space for the valve fits over
the tyr e
valve ⇒ fig. 182 1 . Make sure that the hubcap is correctly fitted all
the wa y
around the wheel. 
Wheel bolt caps Fig. 180 Removing the
wheel bo
lt

caps
● Take the wire hook from the vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 320.
● In

sert the wire hook in the cap through the opening ⇒ fig. 180 and pul
l
outwards in the direction of the arrow.
The caps protect the wheel bolts and should be remounted after changing
the tyre.
The anti-theft wheel locking bolt has a special cap. This cap only fits on an-
ti-theft locking bolts and is not for use with standard wheel bolts. Changing a wheel*
Introduction The tyres mounted on the vehicle are anti-puncture. The wheels should only
be ch
an

ged when switching from summer to winter tyres or vice-versa. See
⇒  page 299
You should only change the wheels yourself if the vehicle is parked in a safe
place, you are familiar with the procedure and you have all the necessary
tools! Otherwise, you should seek professional assistance.
Additional information and warnings:
● Vehicle key set ⇒ pag
e 71
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ pag
e 293
● Wheel trims ⇒ pag
e 304
● Vehicle tools ⇒ pag
e 320 WARNING
Changing a wheel can be dangerous, especially on the hard shoulder.
Ple a

se observe the following rules to minimise the risk of injury:
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. Park your vehicle as safe
dist
ance from surrounding traffic to change a wheel.
● When changing a wheel, keep all passengers and particularly chil-
dren a saf
e distance away from the work area.
● Turn on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.
● Ensure the ground on which you park is flat and solid. If necessary,
suppor
t the jack on a wide solid base.
● If you are changing a wheel yourself, you should be familiar with the
required pr
ocedure. Otherwise, you should seek professional assistance. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

320
If and when
Tools*
Introduction When securing the vehicle in case of a breakdown, please note the legal re-
quirements
f
or each country.
Additional information and warnings:
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 275
● Ch

ange wheel ⇒ pag
e 305
● In case of emergency ⇒ pag
e 312WARNING
Loose objects in the passenger compartment can be violently fired
through the c omp

artment in case of a sudden manoeuvre or braking and
especially in accidents causing serious injury.
● Make sure that the vehicle tools are stored safely in the luggage com-
partment
. WARNING
Unsuitable or damaged on-board tools can cause injury or accidents.
● Never work with inappropriate or damaged tools. Location Fig. 197 In the luggage
comp
ar

tment, viewed
from inside the vehicle:
On-board tools are loca-
ted in a cavity close to
the lock carrier.
Depending on the model, the vehicle tools may be kept in the luggage com-
partment, in a c
avity close to the lock carrier ⇒ fig. 197. Loosen the safety
straps and remove the on-board tools. For vehicles factory-fitted with winter
tyres, you will find additional tools in a toolbox located in the luggage com-
partment. Note
After use, return the jack to its initial position using the handle in order to
secur ely

store it in the vehicle. 

363
Technical Data
Dimensions and capacities Dimensions
Length, width 4854 mm 1904 mm
Height at kerb weight 1720 mm
Front and rear projection
Wheelbase 2919 mm
Turning circle
Track width
a) Front Rear
1557 – 1569 mm 1605 – 1617 mm
Capacities
Fuel tank 70 litres. Reserve 8 litres.
Windscreen washer fluid container with headlight washer 3.5 l/ 6 l
Tyre pressure
Summer-grade tyres:
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the inside of the tank flap.
Winter tyres:
The pressure of these tyres is the same as the summer tyre pressure plus 0.2 bar.
a)
This data will change depending on the type of wheel rim. CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking in areas with high kerbs or
fi x
ed barriers. Objects protruding from the ground may damage the bumper
or other parts of the vehicle during manoeuvres.
● Special attention is required when driving through entrances, over
ramps, k
erbs or other objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers, mudguards
and running gear, and the engine and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data