2011 Seat Alhambra wipers

244
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Switch off the rain sensor and the Auto Hold function before entering a
c ar w
ash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehicle with the available height
and width when enterin
g and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retractable exterior mirrors must NOT
be fol
ded in or out by hand. Always use the electrical power control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork, rest the wipers on the wind-
scr

een after drying them. Do not let them fall!
● Lock the tailgate to prevent it from opening unexpectedly while inside
the car wa
sh. 
Washing the vehicle with high pressure cleaning
equipment When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, always follow the
operatin
g in

structions for the equipment. Pay special attention to the re-
quired pressure of the jet and the distance between the jet and the vehicle
⇒  .
Keep a s uit

able distance from soft materials, such as rubber hoses or insu-
lating material, and from the parking distance warning system sensors. The
parking distance sensors are fitted in the rear bumpers and, where applica-
ble, in the front bumpers ⇒  .
Do not u se a no

zzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream or one that
has a rotating jet for forcing off dirt ⇒  . WARNING
The incorrect use of high pressure cleaning equipment could result in
permanent d

amage, visible or invisible, to the tyres or other materials.
This could result in serious accident.
● Ensure there is a suitable distance between the nozzle and the tyres.
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or so-called “dirt blasters”.
Even at
large spraying distances and short cleaning times, you may dam-
age the tyres. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the braking effect will be reduced
(and the brakin
g distance increased) due to moisture (and ice in winter)
on the brakes.
● Dry the brakes and remove ice by braking carefully. Ensure that you
are not end
angering other road-users or breaking traffic regulations in
the process. CAUTION
● The temperature of the water must not be above +60°C (+140°F).
● To av

oid damage to the paintwork, do not wash the vehicle in full sun.
● The sensors on the bumpers should be kept clean and free of ice at all
times t
o ensure the parking distance warning system and the parking aid
system operate correctly. When cleaning with pressure hoses and steam
cleaners, the sensors should be sprayed only briefly. A distance of 10 cm
between the sensors and the steam / hose nozzle must be observed.
● Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from windows
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: When washing the vehicle
with a hose, do not
direct water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around
the doors, tailgate, or sunroof. Locks and seals could freeze! 

246
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
Cleaning and changing windscreen wiper blades Fig. 158 Changing the
front
w
iper blades Fig. 159 Changing the
re
ar w

iper blade.
The windscreen wiper blades are supplied as standard with a layer of graph-
ite. Thi
s layer is responsible for ensuring that the wipe is silent. If the graph-
ite layer is damaged, the noise of the water as it is wiped across the wind-
screen will be louder. Check the condition of the wiper blades regularly.
If the wiper
s scrape
across the glass they should be changed if they are damaged, or cleaned if
they are dirty ⇒  .
Damag ed w

iper blades should be replaced immediately. Blades are availa-
ble from qualified workshops.
Lifting and unfolding the wiper arms
The wiper arm may only be lifted at the point where it is fastened to the
blade.
For windscreen wipers, please note: the wiper should be in service position
before unfolding it ⇒ page 105.
Cleaning windscreen wiper blades
● Lifting and unfolding the wiper arms.
● Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen wiper
bla

des.
● If the blades are very dirty, a sponge or damp cloth may be used ⇒  .
Chan gin

g the front wiper blades
● Lifting and unfolding the wiper arms.
● Hold down the release button ⇒ fig. 158 1 while gently pulling the
bl a

de in the direction of the arrow.
● Fit a new wiper blade of the same len
gth and design on to the wiper arm
and hook it into place.
● Rest the wiper arms back onto the windscreen.
Changin
g the rear wiper blade
● Lift and unfold the wiper arm.
● Pull the wiper blade out of its mounting on the wiper arm ⇒ fig. 159 (ar-
ro

w A ).
● Hold down the release button 1 while gently pulling the blade in the
direction of the arr

ow B . This may require some strength.


247
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Insert a new blade of the same l ength and type in the wiper arm in the
opposite direction to the arrow B and hook into place. This feature is op-
eration al
when the knob is in position (arrow A ).
● Replace the wiper arm on the rear window. WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and seriou s

injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the winds
creen correctly. CAUTION
● Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could scratch the glass.
● If pr

oducts containing solvents, rough sponges or sharp objects are
used to c
lean the blades, the graphite layer will be damaged.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
cle

an the windows. 
Caring for and polishing the vehicle paintwork Waxing
Re
gu

lar waxing protects the paintwork. It is time to apply a good coat of wax
when water no longer forms droplets and rolls off the clean paintwork.
Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the automatic car wash, SEAT rec-
ommends protecting the paint with a hard wax coating at least twice a year.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss can-
not be brought back by applying wax. If the polish does not contain wax, a wax product should be applied after
polishin

g. CAUTION
● To prevent damage, car polish or hard wax should not be used on com-
ponents p

ainted in matt paint, plastic components and the glass headlamp
and tail light covers.
● Do not polish the paintwork if it is dirty, apply polish in dusty or sandy
zones. 
C

leaning chrome parts Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth. SEAT recommends the use of a
chr
ome c

are product to clean stains and dirt from chrome surfaces. Use a
soft dry cloth to polish chrome parts. CAUTION
To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:
● Do not use abrasive products.
● Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a sandy or dusty environment.
● Do not polish dirty surfaces. 
Caring for and cleaning anodized surfaces It is not easy to detect the difference between aluminium and an anodized
sur
f

ace, for example, a radiator grille. However, anodized surfaces must not
be treated in the same way as aluminium surfaces. Never use rough spong-
es or cloths to wipe away insect remains. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

279
Checking and refilling levels CAUTION
● To avoid damage to the bonnet and to the windscreen wiper arms, only
open the bonnet when the w
indscreen wipers are in place against the wind-
screen.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. 
Engine oil Introduction Additional information and warnings:
●
⇒ Book l
et Maintenance Programme
● W

orking in the engine compartment ⇒ page 275
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
Incorrectly handling engine oil can cause injury and serious burns.
● Always protect your eyes when handling engine oil.
● Oil is toxic and must be kept out of the reach of children.
● Engine oil must only be kept closed in its original container. The same
app lie

s to use oil until it has been disposed of.
● Never store engine oil in empty food containers or bottles as other
people m
ay accidentally drink it.
● Regular contact with engine oil can be bad for the skin. If you come
into cont
act with engine oil, wash your skin with soap and water.
● With the engine running, the engine oil gets extremely hot and can
cause sev
ere skin burns. Always wait until the engine has fully cooled. For the sake of the environment
Similar to the other service liquids, spilled engine oil can be bad for the en-
vir onment

. Collect any spilt fluids in suitable containers and dispose of in
accordance with legislation and with the utmost respect for the environ-
ment. 
Warning and control lamps lights up Possible cause Solution
 Insufficient engine oil. Switch the engine off. Check the
engine oi
l

level ⇒ page 281. flashes Possible cause Solution
 Engine oil pressure too low. 
Stop the vehicle!
Sw it

ch off the engine. Check the
engine oil level.
- If the warning indicator flashes
although the oil level is correct,
do not continue driving or leave
the engine running. Otherwise,
the engine could be damaged.
You should obtain professional
assistance.  Engine oil sensor faulty. Contact a specialist workshop.
Have the en
gine oi

l sensor
checked. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

343
If and when
Fitting the tow ring to the rear for vehicles without factory fitted tow hitch
● Take the tow ring from the on-board tools ⇒ page 320.
● Pr
ess on the upper cover and carefully remove it back. This may require
some stren
gth. Allow the cover to hang.
● Screw in the tow ring into its position anticlock
wise as far as it will go
⇒  . Use a suitable tool to firmly tighten the tow ring in its location.
● After towing, remove the tow ring by turning it clock
wise and put the
cover back in place. CAUTION
● The tow ring must always be completely and firmly tightened. Other-
w i

se, it could be released while towing and tow-starting.
● Vehicles with a factory fitted towing device, can on
ly be used for towing
with a tow-bar, specially designed to fit on a tow hitch ball. Otherwise, the
tow hitch ball and the vehicle may be damaged. Otherwise, a tow rope
should be used. 
Towing advice Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both
driver
s

should be familiar with the technique required for towing. For this
reason, inexperienced drivers should abstain.
While driving, avoid excessive traction forces and jerking. When towing on
an unpaved road, there is always a risk of overloading and damaging the
anchorage points.
If the vehicle is towed, with the hazard warning lights on and the ignition
switched on, the turn signal may be used to indicate changes of direction.
Simply operate the turn indicator lever as usual. Meanwhile, the hazard
warning lights will go off. When the turn signal lever is returned to the rest
position, the hazard warning lights will be turned on automatically. Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
●
Leave the ignition on to avoid locking the steering wheel, to release the
electronic
parking brake and to activate the turn signal indicators, the horn
as well as the window wipers and window washers.
● As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not run-
ning, y
ou will need more strength to steer than normally.
● The brake must be depressed must harder as the brake servo does not
operate. A
void hitting the towing vehicle.
● Note the instructions and information contained in the instruction man-
ual for the
vehicle to be towed.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● Accelerate gently and carefully. Avoid sudden manoeuvres.
● Brake well in advance than usual and brake gently.
● Note the instructions and information contained in the instruction man-
ual for the
vehicle to be towed. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Spec
i
al features
Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Folding exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
High pressure cleaning equipment . . . . . . 244
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183, 187, 363
Pushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Radio reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Removing the vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Special notes High-pressure cleaning system . . . . . . . . . 235
Long parking times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340, 341
Tow starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Specifications Combined weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Drawbar load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Trailer weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Specific notes Electric sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Spectacle case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Speed rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Stabilising the vehicle and trailer combina- tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Start-Stop function Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Start-Stop Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Start assist See "Start assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Des cription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Positive pole on the starting assistance points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Starting using an external battery See Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Steering Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Counter steering assistance system . . . . . 168
Electromechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Steering column lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Tendency to pull to one side . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Steering wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Rocker switches (Tiptronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Glove compartment lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Sudden braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Sun blinds Rear side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Sunshade Anti-trap function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Sun visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Symbols See "Lamps" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
System Automatic dipped beam control . . . . . . . . . 99 Systems
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Ad
aptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 189
ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Auto Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Braking assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Braking assist system (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
EDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Electronic differential lock system (EDS) . 190
Electronic stability programme ESC (ESP) 189
ESC (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Lane Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Lane Assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Launch-Control Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Optical parking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Park assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Park Assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Parking sensor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Rear Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Rear assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Sign Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Start-Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Start assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Traction control when accelerating ASR (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Tyre monitoring indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 377
Index

Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Ty
r
e code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tyre identification number (TIN) . . . . . . . . 303
Tyre load rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Tyre pressure sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tyres with directional tread pattern . 295, 303
Valve caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Wear of tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Wheel balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Wheel trims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 Full hub caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Wheel bolts caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Windows See "Electric windows" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Windscreen heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Windscreen washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windscreen washer water Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Windscreen wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Windscreen wiper lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Windscreen wiper fluid Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windscreen wipers Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Headlight washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Heated windscreen washer jets . . . . . . . . 107
Lifting the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Servic
e position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Special features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Windscreen wipers service position . . . . . . . . 107
Wing mirrors Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Winter Additional heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Menu configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Winter-grade diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Winter driving Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Filter pre-heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Winter-grade diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Winter operation Headlight washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Heated windscreen washer jets . . . . . . . . 107
Salt on the roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Speed limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Other Characters "Safe" security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 381
Index