2012 Seat Alhambra rims

Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Wheel trims* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Changing a wheel* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
If and when . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
In case of emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Tools* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Towing and tow starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Description of specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Information on fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Petrol engine 1.4 110 kW (150 PS) . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Petrol engine 1.4 110 kW (150 PS) Automatic . . 354
Petrol engine 2.0 147 kW (200 PS) Automatic . . 355
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 85 kW (115 PS) . . . . . . 357
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 100 kW (136 PS) . . . . . 358
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 100 kW (136 PS)
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS) . . . . . 360
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS)
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS) All-
wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 125 kW (170 PS) . . . . . 364 Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 125 kW (170 PS)
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Dimensions and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
4Table of Contents

149
Seats and storage compartments
Other storage compartments
Fig. 114 In the luggage
compartment: Side stor-
age compartment.
Fig. 115 Other compart-
ments in the luggage
compartment floor
Side compartments in the luggage compartment
There are other compartments ⇒ fig. 114 1
and 2 in the side of the lug-
gage compartment. To open the compartment 1, turn the catch clockwise.
To open the compartment 2, lift the cover. The factory-fitted
CD changercan be located in the storage compartment
1
.. The cover of the compart-
ment 1 can be used to safely store the covers of the rear shelf supports.
Compartments in the luggage compartment floor
More storage compartments can be found in the luggage compartment
floor.
FunctionNecessary operationsOpen the front compartment
⇒ fig. 115 3:
Pull the front of the luggage compart-
ment floor back using the handle.
Open the rear compartment
⇒ fig. 115 4:
Lift the rear of the luggage compart-
ment floor using the handle.
Keeping the rear compartment
open: Move the hook at the rear right of the
luggage compartment and hook the lug-
gage compartment floor onto it
⇒ page 126.
Closing the compartment:
 Push back the hook and push the rear
of the luggage compartment floor 4
down.

Fold the front part of the luggage com-
partment floor forwards 3
.
Other storage compartments:
●
in the centre console, front and rear.
● in the door trims, front and rear.
● Coat hooks on the central door pillars and on the rear roof handles.
● Bag hook in the luggage compartment ⇒ page 126.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

191
Driving
Note
When checking the front brake pads, take the time to also check the rear
brake pads. The thickness of the brake pads should be checked visually and
regularly, by looking through the openings in the wheel rims or from under-
neath the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels to check them thorough-
ly. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
Brake assist systems
The brake assist systems ESC, ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL only operate when
the ignition is switched on. They contribute significantly to increasing active
safety.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC reduces the risk of skidding and increases the vehicle stability by brak-
ing individual wheels under specific driving conditions. ESC detects critical
handling situations, such as understeer, oversteer and wheelspin on the
driven wheels. The system stabilises the vehicle by braking individual
wheels or by reducing the engine torque.
The ESC has limits. It is important to realise that the ESC is also subject to
the laws of physics. ESC will not be able to deal with all situations with
which drivers may be faced. For example, if the road surface changes sud-
denly then ESC will not be useful in all cases. If the vehicle suddenly enters
a section covered by water, mud or snow then ESC will not provide assis-
tance in the same way as on dry ground. If the vehicle loses its grip on the
ground and moves on a film of water (aquaplaning), the ESC will not be able
to assist the driver to control the vehicle due to the loss of adherence with
the road surface preventing braking and steering. If the vehicle is driven
through series of bends at high speed, the ESC will not always be as effec-
tive: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driving is not the same as at reduced
speeds. When driving with a trailer, ESC does not provide the same amount
of vehicle control as without a trailer. Adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic and weather conditions.
ESC cannot push the limits of the laws of physics; improve the transmission
available or maintain the vehicle on the road if a lack of driver attention cre-
ates an inevitable situation. Otherwise, ESC assists in maintaining vehicle
control in extreme situations and uses the movements of the steering made
by the driver to maintain the vehicle moving in the desired direction. If the
vehicle is driven at such a speed that it will leave the road before ESC can
intervene then the system cannot provide assistance.
The ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL systems are incorporated into the ESC. The ESC
is always on. The ESC should only be turned off using the ASR button
⇒ 
fig. 137 when traction is insufficient. Always remember to turn on the ASR
once more when the vehicle has traction again.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS can prevent the wheels from locking during braking until just before
the vehicle stops thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle and maintain
control. This means that, even during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:
● Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not remove your foot from the
brake pedal or reduce braking force!
● Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce braking force!
● Maintain vehicle direction when braking fully.
● When the brake pedal is released or when the brake force is reduced,
ABS is turned off.
ABS control can be observed by vibration of the brake pedal and noise. You
should never expect the ABS to reduce the braking distance under any cir-
cumstances. Braking distances will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy and slippery ground.
When driving on loose ground, the all-terrain configuration of the ABS is au-
tomatically turned on. When ABS is activated, the front wheels may lock
briefly. This shortens the braking distance in off-road situations as the
wheels are prevented from digging into loose surfaces. All-terrain ABS only 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

204Driving
Park Assist system*
Introduction
The Park Assist system helps the driver to find a suitable place to park, to
insert the vehicle into parallel and perpendicular parking places and to
leave parallel parking places.
The Park Assist system is limited to the system abilities and requires that
the driver is especially attentive ⇒ 
.
The parking sensor system is a component of the Park Assist system that
helps to park the vehicle.
For vehicles with the optical parking system, the radio navigation systems
screen displays the detected zones in front of and behind the vehicle, indi-
cating - within the limits of the system - the position of obstacles compared
to the vehicle.
The park assist system cannot be switched on if the factory-fitted towing
bracket is electrically connected to a trailer.
Additional information and warnings:
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 185
● Parking sensor system ⇒ page 200
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 246
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 261
WARNING
Despite the assistance provided by the park assist system, do not run
any risks when parking. The system is not a replacement for driver
awareness.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle could cause serious injury.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
● The surface of certain objects and items of clothing and external
sound sources may have a negative affect on the park assist signals or on
the system sensors or may not reflect its signals.
● The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles and people are not
registered.
● Always observe the area around the vehicle, as the sensors do not al-
ways detect small children, animals or objects.
CAUTION
● The park assist system aims exclusively at other parked vehicles, with-
out taking curbs or other circumstances into account. Make sure you do not
damage the tyres and wheel rims when parking. Where necessary, stop ma-
noeuvring to avoid damaging the vehicle.
● The sensors may not always be able to detect objects such as trailer
draw bars, thin rails, fences, posts and trees, etc. This could result in dam-
age to your car.
● Although the parking sensor system detects and warns of the presence
of an obstacle, the obstacle could disappear from the angle of measure-
ment of the sensors if it is too high or low and the system would no longer
indicate it. Therefore, it will not warn you of these objects. Ignoring the
warnings of the parking sensor system could cause considerable damage to
the vehicle. This is also valid when using the park assist (e.g. to park be-
hind a truck or motorcycle). Therefore, always keep a close watch on the
area in front of and behind the vehicle while parking, and intervene prompt-
ly if necessary. 

229
Driving and the environment
Practical tips Driving and the environment
Running-in
Please observe the instructions for running-in new components.
Running-in the engine
The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1500 km (1000 miles). During
its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is greater
than later on when all the moving parts have bedded down.
How the vehicle is driven for the first 1500 km (1000 miles) influences the
future engine performance. Throughout the life of the vehicle, it should be
driven at a moderate speed – especially when the engine is cold – this will
reduce engine wear and increase its useful life. Never drive at extremely low
engine speeds. Always engage a lower gear when the engine works “irregu-
larly”. For the first 1000 km or 600 miles, please note:
● Do not use full throttle.
● Do not force the engine above two thirds of its maximum speed.
● Do not tow a trailer.
Between 1000 and 1500 kilometres (600 to 1000 miles), gradually in-
crease power until reaching the maximum speed and high engine speeds.
Running in new tyres and brake pads
● Replacement of new tyres and wheel rims ⇒ page 297
● Notes on the brakes ⇒ page 189
For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and the
engine oil consumption reduced. 
Ecological driving Introduction
Fuel consumption, environmental impact and engine, brake and tyre wear
depend largely on three factors:
● Personal driving style.
● Conditions of use (weather, road surface).
● Technical requirements.
Savings of up to 25% in fuel consumption are possible with an appropriate
driving style and the adoption of certain simple tips.
WARNING
Always adapt your speed and the distance to the vehicles ahead in line
with visibility, weather conditions, the condition of the road and the traf-
fic situation.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

252Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean anodized surfaces.
● If there 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 industrial 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 last 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 lubricating and anti-corrosive properties.
CAUTION
The use of products containing degreasing agents to de-ice the locks may
rust the lock cylinder. 
Protection of vehicle undercarriage
The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it from chemical and mechanical
damage. 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. 

257
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
CAUTION
● On no account use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or
similar materials on leather.
● If the stain remains on the leather for long, it will soak in and be impos-
sible to remove.
● In the event of spilt liquids, dry immediately with an absorbent cloth to
prevent the liquid penetrating through the leather or seams.
● If the car is left standing in the sun for long periods, the leather should
be protected against direct sunlight to prevent it from fading.
Note
The leather will usually change colour slightly with use. 
Cleaning synthetic leather upholstery
Before cleaning the synthetic leather upholstery, bear in mind the following
recommendations ⇒ page 255, Cleaning the fabric on heated seats and
electrically adjustable seats or seats with airbag components
Only use water and neutral cleaning products to clean synthetic leather up-
holstery.
CAUTION
Do not use solvents, floor wax, shoe cream, stain removers or similar prod-
ucts on synthetic leather. These will stiffen the material, causing it to crack
prematurely. Cleaning storage compartments, drinks holders and
ashtray
Cleaning storage compartments and drinks holders
Some storage compartments and drinks holders have a removable rubber
mat.
●
Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean parts.
● If this does not provide satisfactory results, we recommend using a spe-
cial solvent-free plastic cleaning product.
Cleaning the ashtray
● Extract the ashtray and empty it.
● Clean the ashtray with a dishcloth.
Use a toothpick or similar to remove ash from the area where cigarettes are
stubbed out. 
Care and cleaning of plastic parts, wooden trim and the
instrument panel
● Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean parts.
● Clean plastic parts (inside and outside the vehicle) and the instrument
panel with a special solvent-free product for the care and cleaning of plas-
tic, approved by SEAT ⇒ 
.
● Wash wooden trims with a mild soap and water solution. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

297
Wheels and tyres
Wheels and tyres
Wheels
Introduction
The SEAT Alhambra is equipped as standard with anti-puncture technology
tyres (Conti-Seal). In the event of a puncture or air leak of up to 5 mm, the
tyre seals the hole with a protective layer inside the tread.
SEAT recommend that all work on tyres and wheels is carried out by a Tech-
nical Service. They have the necessary special tools and replacement parts,
trained personnel and facilities for disposing of the old tyres. SEAT recom-
mends visiting a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
● Transporting ⇒ page 13
● Towing mode ⇒ page 237
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 185
● Park assist system ⇒ page 204
● Tyre control systems ⇒ page 225
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 246
● Wheel trims ⇒ page 308
● Change wheel ⇒ page 309
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 259
WARNING
The vehicle cannot be totally controlled or braked if the tyres (new or
used) are worn or damaged.
● Incorrect use of wheels and tyres could make driving more dangerous
and result in serious accidents and damage.
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.
● New tyres do not give maximum grip and will not have reached their
maximum braking capacity to start with, and therefore need running in.
To prevent accidents and major damage, extreme caution should be tak-
en for the first 600 km (370 miles).
● Check tyre pressures regularly and ensure they are maintained at the
pressures indicated. If the tyre pressure is too low, the tyres could over-
heat, resulting in tread detachment or even burst tyres.
● Never drive on damaged (punctured, cut, cracked or dented) or worn
tyres. Driving on damaged or worn tyres could result in burst tyres, seri-
ous accidents or damage. Worn or damaged tyres must be replaced im-
mediately.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of tyre fitted on your vehicle.
● The efficiency of driver and brake assist systems also depends on the
grip of the tyres.
● If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one side when
driving, stop the car immediately and check the tyres and wheels for
damage.
● To minimise the risk of losing control of the vehicle or causing a seri-
ous accident, never undo the bolted joints of beadlock wheels. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications