2011 Seat Alhambra fuel

270
Checking and refilling levels CAUTION
● The vehicle is not pr epared for the use of biodiesel. Under no circum-
stances should this fuel be used. It could damage the fuel system and sub-
sequently lead to engine faults!
● The addition of biodiesel to diesel by the diesel producer according to
Standar
d EN 590 or other equivalent (DIN 51628 in Germany, for example)
is authorised and causes no type of damage to the engine or the fuel
system.
● The diesel engine has been designed for to use diesel fuel exclusively.
Therefor
e, never use petrol, fuel oil or other unsuitable fuels. The composi-
tion of these fuels may significantly damage the fuel system and the en-
gine.
● The use of diesel fuels with a high sulphur percentage could considera-
bly r
educe the service life of the diesel particulate filter. Your qualified work-
shop will be able to tell you which countries have diesel with a high sulphur
content. 
Information on fuel consumption The consumption and emission values indicated do not refer to one specific
vehic
l

e. They are only to be used to compare the values of the different ve-
hicle versions. The fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions of a vehicle not on-
ly depend on the effective use of fuel. They also depend on your driving
style and other non-technical factors.
Calculating fuel consumption
Fuel consumption and emission values are determined according to the cur-
rent version of the 715/2007/EC or 80/1268/EEC regulation and are valid
for the vehicle kerb weight. The specifications do not refer to an individual
vehicle. Two measuring cycles are carried out on a rolling road test bed. The
test criteria are as follows: Urban cycle Measurement of the urban cycle starts with an engine cold
st
ar

t. City driving is then simulated at between 0 and 50 km/
h. Road cycle In the road cycle simulation, the car undergoes frequent ac-
cel
er

ation and braking in all gears, as in normal everyday
driving. The road speed ranges from 0 to 120 km/h. Combined The average combined consumption is calculated with a
weightin
g of

around 37 % for the urban cycle and 63 % for
the road cycle. CO
2 emis-
s ion

s of the
combination The exhaust gases are collected during both driving cycles
to c
alc
ulate carbon dioxide emissions (urban and road). The
gas composition is then analysed to evaluate the CO 2 con-
tent and other emissions. Note
● The kerb weight may vary according to the vehicle equipment. This
c ou

ld raise consumption and the CO 2 emissions slightly.
● In practice, consumption values could be different to the values calcula-
ted ba
sed on the 715/2007/EC or 80/1268/EEC regulations. 

271
Checking and refilling levels
Selective Catalytic Reduction* (AdBlue)
Introduction The AdBlue fill level must be checked when the vehicle is being serviced
⇒ Bookl
et
Maintenance Programme.
Additional information and warnings:
● Luggage compartment ⇒ p
age 125
● Fuel ⇒ page 267
● Wheels

and tyres ⇒ pag
e 293
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
If the AdBlue fill level is too low, the vehicle may not restart after switch-
ing the ignition off .

The emergency start or jump start will not be possi-
ble either!
● Top up with AdBlue at the latest 1000 km or 600 miles before it runs
out.
● Do not a

llow the AdBlue to run too low. WARNING
AdBlue is an irritant, corrosive liquid that can cause injuries if it touches
the skin, ey e

s or respiratory organs.
● If AdBlue get in contact with eyes and skin, rinse for at least 15 mi-
nutes
with plenty of water and seek medical help.
● If the AdBlue is swallowed, wash the mouth with plenty of water for at
lea

st 15 minutes. Do not try to provoke vomiting unless recommended by
a Doctor. Seek medical advice immediately. CAUTION
AdBlue damages surfaces such as painted vehicle parts, plastic, items of
clothin g and c

arpets. Spilt AdBlue should be removed as quickly as possi-
ble using a damp cloth and plenty of cold water.
● If the AdBlue has crystallised, remove with warm water and a sponge. 
Control and warning lamps lights up Possible cause ⇒  Solution
 (red) The engine cannot be restar-
ted!
The l

evel of AdBlue is too
low. Stop the vehicle in a suitable,
saf
e and fl
at area then top up
with the minimum quantity of
AdBlue required ⇒ page 273.  (red)
with
 The engine cannot be restar-
ted!
AdBlue sy

stem malfunc-
tion. Contact a specialist workshop.
Have the sy
s
tem checked there. 
(yel-
lo w) The AdBlue reserve is low. Refill AdBlue over the next kilo-
metre
s

or miles as indicated
⇒ page 273. SEAT recommends
contacting a specialist work-
shop.  (red)
with
 There is a fault in the AdBlue
sys
t

em or unsuitable AdBlue
fluid has been used. Contact a specialist workshop.
Have the sy
s
tem checked there. Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is
sw

itched. This signals that the lamp is working properly. They
will switch off after a few seconds. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

274
Checking and refilling levels
Opening the tank filling neck
● Open the tailgate.
● Rotate the shut off on the cover clockwise ⇒ fig. 164 and open the cov er
forwards.
● Unscrew the tank filler neck cap ⇒ fig. 165 1 anticlockwise.
Refi l

ling AdBlue
Only use AdBlue that is approved by SEAT and that complies with the
ISO 22241-1 Standard. Only use genuine bottles.
● Observe the instructions and information provided by the refill bottle
manufact
urer.
● Observe the expiry date.
● Unscrew the cap on the refill bottle.
● Place the refill bottle 2 upside down inside the tank filler neck.
● Press the refill bottle against the filler neck and keep in this position.
● Add at least 10 litres of AdBlue (6 bottles). A lower quantity
would be
insufficient.
● Wait until the contents of the refill bottle have been poured into the
AdBlue tank. Do not c
rush or damage the bottle!
● Unscrew the liquid bottle anticlockwise and remove it carefully ⇒  .
● You can tell when the AdBlue tank is full because the bottle will be emp-
ty.
C lo

sing the tank filling neck
● Screw on the tank filler neck cap 1 clockwise until it is fully inserted.
● Place the cover and turn the shut off anticlockwise to close it.
Operation s

before driving
● Only switch the ignition on after refilling.
● Keep the ignition sw

itch on for at least 30 seconds so that the system
detects t
ank refilling.
● Wait 30 seconds before starting the engine! WARNING
Only keep AdBlue in its original container, tightly shut and in a safe
pl ac

e.
● Never keep AdBlue in empty food cans, bottles or other containers to
avoid other peopl
e mistaking it for something else.
● Keep the AdBlue out of the reach of small children. CAUTION
● Only refill using AdBlue expressly approved by SEAT. The use of any oth-
er type of AdBlue c

ould cause engine damage!
● AdBlue should never be mixed with water or any other additives. Any
type of dam
age caused by a mixture will not be covered by the warranty.
● Do not add AdBlue to the diesel fuel tank! Otherwise you may damage
the engine.
● Never l

eave the refill bottle in the vehicle. It could become permeable
due to temper
ature changes and bottle damage and the AdBlue could dam-
age the vehicle interior. For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the refill bottle in an environment-friendly manner. Note
Suitable AdBlue refill bottles can be purchased from a Technical Service. 

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

295
Wheels and tyres
● Replace damaged or worn tyres as soon as possible ⇒ p age 299.
● Regularly check tyres for non-visible damage ⇒ page 299.
● Nev

er exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of tyr
e fitted on your vehicle ⇒ page 302.
● Do not allow tyres to come into contact with aggressive substances,
grea
se, oil, fuel or brake fluid ⇒  .
● Lost valve caps should be replaced immediately.
Ty r

es with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have been designed to operate best
when rotating in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates
the direction of rotation on tyres with directional tread ⇒ page 302. Always
observe the direction of rotation indicated when mounting the wheel. This
guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise
and wear.
If the tyre is mounted in the opposite direction of rotation, drive with ex-
treme caution, as the tyre is no longer being used correctly. This is of partic-
ular importance when the road surface is wet. Change the tyre as soon as
possible or remount it with the correct direction of rotation.
Interchanging tyres
To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres the wheels should be changed
round from time to time according to the system ⇒ fig. 175. All the tyres will
then last for about the same time.
SEAT recommends you take the vehicle to a Technical Service to have the
tyres changed.
Tyres that are over 6 years old
Tyres are subject to an ageing process as a result of physical and chemical
processes. This may affect their performance. Tyres which are stored for
long periods of time without being used, harden and become more fragile
than tyres which are in constant use.
SEAT recommends that tyres over six years old are replaced with new tyres.
This also applies to tyres which appear to be in perfect condition on the out- side and which have a tread depth within the values stipulated by the Law
⇒  .
The dat e of

manufacture, part of the tyre identification number (TIN), indi-
cates the age of the tyre ⇒ page 302.
Storing tyres
Mark tyres when you remove them to indicate the direction of rotation (left,
right, forwards, backwards). This ensures you will be able to mount them
correctly when you replace them. When removed, the wheels and/or tyres
should be stored in a cool, dry and preferably dark location. Do not place
tyres mounted on the wheel in a vertical position.
Protect tyres not mounted on wheels from dirt by storing them in suitable
bags and standing them on the ground on their tread. WARNING
Aggressive fluids or substances could result in visible or invisible dam-
age w ith the c

onsequent risks.
● Always ensure that tyres do not come into contact with chemical
products, oi
l, grease, fuel, brake fluid or other aggressive substances. WARNING
Old tyres, even if they have never been used, may lose air or burst unex-
pectedly whi

le driving, resulting in serious accident or damage.
● If tyres are over six years old, they should only be used in an emer-
gency and w
ith extreme caution. For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of by qualified personnel according to the laws
in the cou ntr

y concerned. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

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

298
Wheels and tyres
Never deflate a hot tyre in order to obtain the required pressure. This could
re s
ult in very low tyre pressures which may lead to sudden blow-outs.
Checking tyre pressures
Tyre pressures should only be checked when the vehicle has not been driv-
en for more than a few kilometres (miles) at low speeds in the past three
hours.
● The tyre pressures should be checked regularly, and only when the tyres
are co
ld. Always check all the tyres. Tyre pressures should be checked more
often in colder regions, and only when the vehicle has not been driven re-
cently. Always use a correctly-operating tyre gauge.
● Adjust tyre pressures to the loads carried in the vehicle.
● After checking the pressure, always replace the valve caps, and where
applic
able, observe the instructions given for adjusting the tyre control sys-
tem ⇒ page 221. WARNING
If tyre pressures are too high or too low, the tyre may deflate or burst
sud den

ly while driving. This could result in serious accident.
● If the tyre pressure is too low, the tyres could overheat, resulting in
trea
d detachment or even burst tyres.
● When driving at high speeds and/or fully loaded, the tyre could sud-
denly o
verheat, burst or be subject to tread detachment, with the resul-
tant loss of control of the vehicle.
● Tyre pressures which are too high or too low reduce the service life of
the tyre, aff
ecting the vehicle's performance.
● Tyre pressures should be checked regularly, at least once a month
and before lon
g journeys.
● Adjust the pressures of all the tyres to the vehicle load.
● Never deflate excess pressure from hot tyres. CAUTION
● Take care not to tilt the manometer when placing it on the valve. Other-
w i

se, the valve may be damaged.
● To avoid damage to the valves, always replace valve caps correctly.
Check th
at the caps are identical to the standard caps and have been cor-
rectly tightened. For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase the fuel consumption. Note
When checking tyre pressures, please observe the instructions for the tyre
contr o

l system ⇒ page 221. 
Tread depth and wear indicators Fig. 177 Tyre tread:
tre
a

d wear indicators. 

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