2011 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

335
If and when
Changing the number plate light Fig. 213 On the rear
bumper: number p
l
ate
lights. Fig. 214 Number plate
light: T
o r
emove the lamp
holder.
Complete operations only in the sequence given: Fixed number plate light Bolted number plate light
1. Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary actions
⇒ page 327. 2. Press the flat part of the screwdriver included in the vehicle on-board
too
l

s (⇒ fig. 198) in the direction of the arrow, in the groove of the
number plate light ⇒ fig. 213. Unscrew the number plate light screws using the screwdriver from the
on-boar
d t
ools (⇒ fig. 198). 3. Detach the number plate light.
4. Press on the connector lock in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 214 A and pull out the connector. Separate the attachment tabs from the rear panel of the number plate
light b
y

pressing. 5. Rotate the lamp holder in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 214 B and
extr act

it with the lamp. Take the lamp holder out of the number plate light.
6. Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7. Insert the lamp holder into the number plate light and rotate all the
wa
y

in the opposite direction to the arrow ⇒ fig. 214 B . Insert the lamp holder into the number plate light.
8. Plug the connector into the lamp holder. Press on the attachment tabs. The lamp holder must be firmly attached
to the number p
l

ate light. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

336
If and when Fixed number plate light Bolted number plate light
9. Insert the number plate light carefully into the opening on the bumper. Ensure that the number plate light is in the correct position.
10. Insert the number plate light into the bumper until it audibly clicks into
pl
ac
e. Tighten the attachment screws for the number plate light using the
sc
r
ewdriver. 

337
If and when
Starting assistance
Introduction If the engine fails to start because of a discharged battery, the battery of an-
other v
ehic
le can be used to start the engine. Before starting, check the
magic eye on the battery ⇒ page 288.
For starting assistance, jump lead cables conforming to the standard
DIN 72553 are required (see the cable manufacturer instructions). The jump
lead cable must be at least 25 mm 2
in section (0.038 inches 2
) for petrol en-
gines, and 35 mm 2
(0.054 inches 2
) for diesel engines.
For vehicles whose battery is not in the engine compartment, the jump
leads should only be connected to the starting assistance connection
points in the engine compartment.
Additional information and warnings:
● Starter assist systems (Start-Stop function) ⇒ pag
e 194
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ pag
e 275
● Selective Catalytic Reduction (AdBlue) ⇒ pag
e 271
● Vehicle battery ⇒ pag
e 288 WARNING
Incorrect use of jump leads and incorrectly jump starting could cause the
batt er

y to explode resulting in serious injury. Please observe the follow-
ing rules to minimise the risk of a battery explosion:
● All work involving the vehicle battery and electrical system can cause
corro
sion, fire and serious electric shocks. Always read and take into ac-
count the safety warnings and standards before beginning work on the
battery ⇒ page 288, Vehicle battery. WARNING (Continued)
● The b attery providing current must have the same voltage (12V) and
ap pr

oximately the same capacity (see markings on battery) as the flat
battery.
● Never charge a frozen or recently thawed battery. A flat battery can
freeze at
temperatures around 0°C (+32°F).
● If a battery is frozen and/or has been frozen then it must be replaced.
● A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is
being ch
arged. Always keep lit cigarettes, open flames, sparks and fire
far from the battery. Never use a mobile telephone when connecting and
removing the jump leads.
● Charge the battery only in well ventilated areas given that when the
batter
y is charged by outside assistance, it creates a mix of highly explo-
sive gases.
● Jump leads should never enter into contact with moving parts in the
engine comp
artment.
● Never switch the positive and negative poles or connect the jump
lea

ds incorrectly.
● Note the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the jump leads. CAUTION
To avoid considerable damage to the vehicle electrical system, note the fol-
low in

g carefully:
● If the jump leads are incorrectly connected, this could result in a short
circ

uit.
● The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow
as soon a
s the positive terminals are connected. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

338
If and when
Positive pole on the starting assistance points Fig. 215 In the engine
comp
ar
tment: positive
pole for starting assis-
tance + .
On some vehicles, there is a starting assistance terminal in the engine com-
par tment, u

nder a labelled cover. How to jump start: description Fig. 216 Jump lead con-
nection diagr
am when
the a

ssistance vehicle
does not have a Start-
Stop system: flat battery A and battery supplying
curr ent

B .
Fig. 217 Jump lead con-
nection diagr
am when
the a

ssistance vehicle
has a Start-Stop system:
flat battery A and bat-
ter y

supplying cur-
rent B .
The discharged battery must be properly connected to the vehicle electrical
sys t

em. 

339
If and when
The vehicles should not touch. Otherwise, current may be allowed to flow
when the pos itiv
e poles are connected.
Connect the clamps so they have good metal-to-metal contact with the ter-
minals.
If the engine fails to start straight-away, switch off the starter after about 10
seconds and try again after about a minute.
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
Jump lead terminal connections
● Switch off the ignition of both vehicles ⇒ page 170.
● Lik

ewise, open the battery cover in the engine compartment
⇒  pag

e 288, or remove the positive pole cap from one side 1)
, in the direc-
tion of the arrow ⇒ fig. 215.
● Connect one end of the red
jump lead to the positive terminal
⇒  fig. 216 + or ⇒ 
fig. 215 + of the vehicle with the flat battery
A ⇒  .
● Connect the other end of the red
jump lead to the positive terminal + in
the v ehic
le providing assistance B .
● For vehicles without
Start-Stop system: Connect one end of the black
jump lead to the negative terminal - in the vehicle providing assistance
B ⇒ fig. 216.
● For vehicles with St
art-Stop system: Connect one end of the black X jump lead to a suitable ground connection, a solid piece of metal in the en-
gine bloc
k, or t
o the engine block ⇒ fig. 217.
● Connect the other end of the black
jump lead X to a solid metal compo-
nent c onnect
ed to the engine block, or onto the engine block itself of the
vehicle with the flat battery however, connect it as far away as possible from
the battery A ⇒  .
● Place the leads so that they cannot be caught by any moving parts in the
engine c omp

artment. Switching on
●
Start the engine of the vehicle supplying current and let it run at idling
speed.
● Star

t the engine of the car with the flat battery and wait two or three mi-
nutes
until the engine is “running smoothly”.
Removing the jump leads
● Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the headlights (if they are
switc
hed on).
● Turn on the heating and rear window heater in the vehicle with the flat
batter
y. This helps minimise voltage peaks which are generated when the
leads are disconnected.
● With the engines running, disconnect the leads in reverse order to con-
nection.
● Close the battery cover, or replace the positive pole cap 1)
. WARNING
Incorrectly jump starting could cause the battery to explode resulting in
serious injur

y. Please observe the following rules to minimise the risk of
a battery explosion:
● All work involving the vehicle battery and electrical system can cause
corro
sion, fire and serious electric shocks. Always read and take into ac-
count the safety warnings and standards before beginning work on the
battery ⇒ page 288, Vehicle battery.
● Always protect your eyes with suitable working goggles and never
lean o
ver the vehicle battery.
● The jump leads must be connected in the correct order: first the posi-
tive cab
le, then the negative cable. 1)
Vehicles whose battery is not located in the engine compartment ⇒ page 338. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

340
If and when WARNING (Continued)
● Do not attach the negative cable to parts of the fuel system or to the
br ak
e hose/pipe.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. A
lso, the cable connected to the positive pole of the battery
should never enter into contact with electrically conductive parts of the
vehicle.
● Check the magic eye on the battery; use a lamp if necessary. If it is
cle

ar yellow or clear, do not start the vehicle: obtain specialist technical
assistance.
● Avoid static electricity discharges in the area around the battery. In
the event of
sparks, explosive gases coming from the battery could ig-
nite.
● Never use starting assistance if the vehicle battery is damaged, fro-
zen or ha
s been frozen. 
Towing and tow starting Introduction When towing, always respect legal requirements.
For t
ec

hnical reasons, it is not possible to tow a vehicle if the battery is flat.
Additional information and warnings:
● Electronic power control and exhaust gases purification system
⇒  pag

e 228 WARNING
A vehicle with a flat battery should never be towed.
● Never remove the key from the ignition lock. The electronic steering
lock c

ould engage. Then the vehicle will be uncontrollable. You may lose
control of the vehicle and there is a risk of serious accident. WARNING
When towing the vehicle, the handling and braking efficiency change
cons
iderably. Please observe the following instructions to minimise the
risk of serious accidents and injury:
● As the driver of the vehicle being towed:
– The brake must be depressed must harder as the brake servo does
not operat
e. Always remain aware to avoid collision with the towing
vehicle.
– More strength is required at the steering wheel as the power steer-
ing does
not operate when the engine is switched off.
● As the driver of the towing vehicle:
– Accelerate gently and carefully.
– Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
– Brake well in advance than usual and brake gently. CAUTION
● Carefully fit and remove the towing ring and its cover to avoid damage to
the v

ehicle (for example, paintwork).
● When towing, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and cause dam-
age! 

341
If and when
Instructions for tow starting In general, the vehicle should not be started by towing. Jump-starting is
much mor
e pr
eferable ⇒ page 337.
For technical reasons, the following vehicles can not be tow started:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
● Vehicles with an electronic parking brake, given that it is possible that
the brake w
ill not be disengaged.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it is possible that the engine control units do
not operat
e correctly.
However, if your vehicle must absolutely be tow-started (manual gearbox):
● Engage the 2nd or 3rd gear.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch on the ignition and the hazard warning lights.
● Release the clutch when both vehicles are moving.
● As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear lever
into neutral
. This helps to prevent a collision with the towing vehicle. CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it. 
Towing instructions Tow-rope or tow-bar
When to
w

ing, the tow bar is the safest and vehicle friendly way. You should
only use a tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar. A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to avoid damage to both vehicles. It is
advi

sable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic mate-
rial.
Only secure the tow rope or tow bar to the tow ring or specially designed
fitting.
Vehicles with a factory fitted towing device , can only be used for towing
with a tow-bar, specially designed to fit on a tow hitch ball ⇒ page 233.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
Note the following for a towed vehicle:
● Make sure the gear selector lever is in the N position.
● Do not

drive faster than 50 km/h (30 mph) when towing a vehicle.
● Do not tow further than 50 km (30 miles).
● If a breakdown truck is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels r
aised. Note the following instructions for towing four wheel drive
vehicles.
Instructions for towing four-wheel-drive vehicles
Four wheel drive vehicles can be towed using a toolbar or tow rope. If the
vehicle is towed with the front or rear axle raised, the engine must be turned
off to avoid transmission damage.
For vehicles with a double clutched DSG ®
(direct shift gearbox) the instruc-
tions for towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox apply ⇒ page 341.
Situations in which the vehicle should not be towed
In the following cases, the vehicle should not be towed but transported on a
trailer or special vehicle:
● If the vehicle gearbox does not contain lubricant due to a fault.
● If the vehicle battery is flat and, as a result, the electronic steering lock
and electronic
parking brake cannot be disengaged if applied.
● If the vehicle to be towed has an automatic gearbox and the distance to
be cov
ered is greater than 50 km (30 miles). Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

342
If and when Note
The vehicle can only be towed if the electronic parking brake and steering
lock ar
e deactivated. If the vehicle has no power supply or there is an elec-
tric system fault, the engine must be started using jump leads to deactivate
the electronic parking brake and electronic steering lock. 
Fitting the front tow ring Fig. 218 On the right-
hand s
ide of

the front
bumper: Screw in the
towing ring.
The location for the removable tow ring is on the right-hand side of the front
bumper ⇒ fig. 218. The t

owing eye should always be kept in the vehicle.
Note the instructions for towing ⇒ page 341.
To fit the tow ring
● Take the tow ring from the vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 320.
● Pr

ess on the upper cover and carefully remove it forwards. Allow the cov-
er to han
g. ●
Screw in the tow ring into its position anticloc
kwise as far as it will go
⇒ fig. 218 ⇒  . Use a suitable tool to firmly tighten the tow ring in its loca-
tion.
● 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. Otherwise, it
cou l

d be released while towing and tow-starting. 
Fitting the rear tow ring Fig. 219 On the rear
bumper
, t

o the right hand
side: Tow ring in position.
The location for the removable tow ring is on the right-hand side of the rear
bumper ⇒ fig. 219. F
or vehicles with a factory fitted trailer system , there is
no fitting behind the cover to insert the tow ring. For towing, fit and use the
trailer hitch ⇒ page 233, ⇒  .
Note the in s

tructions for towing ⇒ page 341. 