2011 Seat Alhambra brake

239
Trailer towing
● The trailer must have a fixed drawbar.
● Tr
ailers with brakes must be equipped with a mechanical inertia brake. WARNING
Do not let the extra safety afforded by the stabilisation system tempt you
into t ak

ing any risks when driving.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions.
● If the road surface is slippery, take care when accelerating.
● When a system is operating, lift your foot off the accelerator. WARNING
It is possible that the combination stabilisation system does not correct-
ly r ec

ognised all driving situations.
● It is possible that the stabilisation system does not detect snaking of
a light trai
ler and thus does not intervene.
● When driving on slippery ground, the trailer could jack-knife
despite
the stabilisation system.
● Trailers with a high centre of gravity may even tip over before they
star
t to rock sideways.
● If a trailer is not used at the trailer socket is connected (for example,
inst
allation of a bicycle carrier with lights), repeated automatic braking
may occur in extreme driving conditions. Retrofitting a tow hitch
Fig. 157 Measurements and attachments to retrofit a tow hitch.
SEA T r

ecommends visiting a specialist workshop to retrofit a tow hitch. For
example, it may be necessary to adjust the cooling system or to include
thermal plates. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service.
In any case, the separation distances must be observed when fitting a tow
hitch. The distance between the centre of the tow hitch ball and the road
surface ⇒ fig. 157 D must never be lower than that indicated. This also ap-
plie s

when the vehicle is fully laden, including maximum drawbar load.
Separation distances ⇒ fig. 157:
Attachment points.
1.040 mm (41 inches)
74 mm (3 inches)
364 mm (14 inches) 
A B
C
D
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

243
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
Washing the vehicle The longer substances such as insects, bird droppings, resinous tree sap,
ro
a
d dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt and other aggressive ma-
terials remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork.
High temperatures (for instance due to strong sunlight) further intensify the
corrosive effect. The vehicle undercarriage should also be thoroughly wash-
ed at regular intervals.
Automatic car washes
Always observe the instructions provided at the automatic car wash. The
standard precautionary measures prior to entering the car wash should be
taken to avoid damage to the vehicle (close all windows, fold in exterior mir-
rors). If the vehicle is fitted with additional components (spoiler, roof-rack,
aerial...), check with the car wash supervisor whether these can enter the
car wash ⇒  .
The v ehic

le paintwork is so durable that the car can normally be washed
without problems in an automatic car washing tunnel. However, wear and
damage to the paintwork will depend on the type of car wash used. SEAT
recommends the use of car washed without brushes.
To remove traces of wax on windows and to prevent wiper blades from
scratching, please observe the following ⇒ page 245, Cleaning windows
and exterior mirrors.
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of water to soften the dirt first,
and rinse off as well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, glove or brush using only slight
pressure. Start at the roof and work downwards. Special car shampoo
should only be used for very persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and often.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned last. Use a second sponge for
this. WARNING
Sharp components on the vehicle may cause injury.
● Protect arms and hands from sharp edges when cleaning the vehicle
under c

arriage or the interior of the wheel hubs. 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 exceed +60°C (+140°F).
● To av

oid damage to the paintwork, do not wash the vehicle in full sun.
● Do not use rough sponges or similar which could damage the surface to
cle

an away the traces of insects.
● Never wipe the headlights with a dry cloth or sponge, always moisten
first
. It is best to use soapy water.
● 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! CAUTION
To prevent damage to the vehicle, please observe the following before en-
terin g

an automatic car wash :
● Compare the distance between the vehicle wheels and the distance be-
tween the guide-rai
ls of the car wash to prevent damage to the wheels and
tyres! Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

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! 

248
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean anodized surfaces.
● If ther
e is a lot of dirt, use a special cleaning product which does not
contain
solvents. CAUTION
To prevent damage to the anodized surfaces:
● Do not use products containing solvents.
● Do not use polish or hard wax.
● Do not use abrasive products.
● Do not polish anodized surfaces in sandy or dusty environments.
● Do not polish dirty surfaces. 
Cleaning wheels Cleaning steel wheels
Use an indu
s

trial cleaner to remove brake dust. Therefore, clean wheels reg-
ularly with a separate sponge.
Any damage to the paint on steel wheels should be touched up before the
metal starts to rust.
Caring for and cleaning alloy wheels
Remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels approximately
once a fortnight. Use an acid free detergent to clean the wheel rims. SEAT
recommends treating the wheels thoroughly with a wax compound about
once every three months.
It is important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at
regular intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.
Always use an acid-free detergent for alloy wheel rims. Car polish or other
abrasive agents should not be used. If the protective coating on the paint has been damaged (for example, hit by
a stone), it

should be repaired immediately. 
Caring for rubber seals The rubber seals on doors, windows, etc., remain flexible, provide a better
seal
and l

ast longer if they are regularly treated with a product specifically
designed for use on rubber.
Before applying the product, use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from
the rubber seals. 
De-icing the door lock cylinder To de-ice the lock cylinders, SEAT recommend the use of genuine SEAT spray
with lubric
atin

g and anti-corrosive properties. CAUTION
The use of products containing degreasing agents to de-ice the locks may
rus t

the lock cylinder. 
Protection of vehicle undercarriage The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it from chemical and mechanical
dam
ag

e. The protective coat on the undercarriage may wear through use
while driving. Therefore, SEAT recommends that the protective coating on
the undercarriage and on the running gear should be regularly checked, and
repaired if necessary. 

267
Checking and refilling levels
Closing the tank cap
● Screw on the tank cap clockwise until it you hear it click into position.
● Press the tank flap until you hear it click into place. The tank flap must
be flush w ith the body
contour. WARNING
Do not continue refilling once the fuel nozzle has switched itself off. The
fuel t

ank may be filled too much. As a result, fuel may spurt out and spill.
This could lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries. CAUTION
● Always remove any fuel spilled on the vehicle paintwork immediately to
av oid d

amage to the wheel housing, the tyre and vehicle paintwork. For the sake of the environment
Spilt fuel can contaminate the environment. 
Refilling precautions Information on bulb replacement
⇒ pag
e 326.
Checklist
Never work on the engine or in the engine compartment if you are not famil-
iar with the operations to be carried out, the applicable safety standards
and especially if you do not have the instruments, liquids and tools neces-
sary ⇒ page 275, Working in the engine compartment! Have the work car-
ried out by a Technical Service if you are uncertain. Check the following reg-
ularly, preferably when you refuel:
● Windscreen washer fluid level ⇒ pag
e 105
● Engine oil level ⇒ pag
e 279 ●
Engine coolant level ⇒ p
age 283
● Brake fluid level ⇒ pag
e 183
● Tyre pressure ⇒  pag
e 293
● Vehicle lighting required to guarantee road safety:
Indicator
s
Side lights, dipped headlights and full beam headlights
Rear lights
Brake lights
Rear fog light ⇒ page 97 WARNING
Not following the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to ac-
cident s

and severe injuries.
● Always follow the check list and perform the necessary operations. 
Fuel Introduction You will find a factory-fitted sticker containing information on the type of
fuel
f

or your vehicle on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
Additional information and warnings:
● ⇒ Bookl et Maintenance Programme
● R

efuelling ⇒ pag e 264
● En

gine and exhaust system management ⇒ page 228
–
–
–
–
–
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

276
Checking and refilling levels WARNING (Continued)
● Onc e the engine has cooled, follow the instructions below before
openin g the bonnet:
– T
urn on the electronic parking brake and place the gear selector
lever in P or the g
ear stick in neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave
them uns
upervised.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised!
Do not un
screw the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
Otherwise, coolant may spray out under pressure causing burns and seri-
ous injury.
–Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap anticlockwise, gently press-
ing down on it
.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and
ste
am using a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them on parts of the engine and
the exhau
st system. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. WARNING
The high voltages of the electrical system can give electric shocks as well
as c

ausing burns and serious injury and possibly even death!
● Never cause short circuits in the electrical system. The battery could
explode.
● T

o minimise the risk of electric shock and serious consequences
while the en
gine is running or starting the engine, note the following:
– Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
– Never touch electric cables or the gas discharge lamps. WARNING
In the engine compartment, there are rotating parts that could cause se-
rious injur

y.
● Never place your hands on or near the radiator fan. Touching the rotor
bla

des could seriously harm you. The ventilator works according to the
engine temperature and could start suddenly even when the ignition is
turned off and the key is removed.
● If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with
the engine runnin
g, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk
from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan
etc as well as from the high-voltage ignition system. Always work with
the utmost caution.
–Always make sure that no parts of your body, jewellery, ties, loose
clothing and lon
g hair can be trapped by the rotating parts of the en-
gine. Before any work, remove ties and jewellery ( necklaces, etc), tie
longhair back and tie all items of loose clothing to your body to make
sure that they cannot be trapped by engine components.
– Take extreme caution when operating the accelerator and remain
attentive.
The vehicle could move, even with the electronic parking
brake activated.
● Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cloths or
tool
s, in the engine compartment. If any object is left in the engine com-
partment, this could cause malfunctions, engine faults and even a fire. WARNING
Refill liquids and certain materials can catch fire easily in the engine
comp ar

tment, causing a fire and serious injury!
● Never smoke.
● Never work close to places exposed to flames or sparks. 

277
Checking and refilling levels WARNING (Continued)
● Nev er pour service fluids over the engine. These fluid may ignite hot
en gine p
arts and cause injuries.
● If it is necessary to work on the fuel system or the electrical system,
ple

ase follow the instructions below:
– Always disconnect the vehicle battery. When disconnecting the
batter
y, ensure that the vehicle is unlocked otherwise the antitheft
alarm will be triggered.
– Never work close to heaters, heat sources or places exposed to
flames
or sparks.
● Always keep a recently serviced and perfectly working fire extin-
guisher clo
se by. CAUTION
When refilling or changing service liquids, ensure that you put the liquids
into the right t

ank. Making a mistake when refilling could cause serious
malfunctions and damage the engine! For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the environment. For this reason you
shoul d m

ake regular checks on the ground underneath your vehicle. Take
the vehicle to a specialist workshop to be checked if you see stains, oil or
other fluids on the ground. Collect any spilt service fluids and allow a pro-
fessional to dispose of them. 
Preparing the vehicle for work in the engine compartment Checklist
Carr
y

out the operations below in the order indicated before starting work in
the engine compartment ⇒  : ●
Park the vehicle on an even and solid surface.
● Pre

ss and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill.
● Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 183.
● Mo

ve the selector lever to its intermediate position or to P ⇒ page 174.
● St

op the engine and remove the key from the ignition ⇒ page 170.
● W

ait for the engine to cool down.
● Always keep children and other people far from the engine compart-
ment.
● Ens

ure that the vehicle can not move off unexpectedly. WARNING
Ignoring this checklist, drawn up for your own safety, could result in seri-
ous injur

y.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the genera
l rules of safety. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

287
Checking and refilling levels WARNING
Hot vapours and coolant can cause serious burns.
● Never open the coolant expansion tank if steam or coolant is coming
from the en gine c
ompartment. Wait until you cannot see or hear any
steam or coolant escaping.
● Always wait until the engine has completely cooled before very care-
ful

ly opening the expansion tank cap. Contact with hot elements of the
engine can cause skin burns.
● Once the engine has cooled, follow the instructions below before
opening the bonnet:
–Turn on the el

ectronic parking brake and place the gear selector
lever in P or the g
ear stick in neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave
them uns
upervised.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised!
Do not un
screw the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
Otherwise, coolant may spray out under pressure causing burns and seri-
ous injury.
–Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap anticlockwise, gently press-
ing down on it
.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and
ste
am using a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them on parts of the engine and
the exhau
st system. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. Under specific cir-
cumstances, the ethylene glycol can catch fire. CAUTION
● Top up with distilled water only. Any other type of water may lead to con-
s ider

able rusting in the engine due to its chemical components. This could
consequently damage the engine. If you have not used distilled water but
another type of water to top up the coolant, a specialist workshop must im-
mediately replace all of the fluid in the engine cooling system.
● Only top up coolant to the top level of the marked area ⇒ fig. 171. Other-
wi

se the excess coolant will be forced out of the cooling system when the
engine is hot, causing damage.
● If a lot of liquid coolant has been lost, wait for the engine to cool do
wn
completely before adding coolant. Extensive coolant loss is an indication of
leaks in the engine cooling system. Have the engine cooling system inspec-
ted immediately by a Technical Service. Otherwise you may damage the en-
gine.
● 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! Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data