2012 Seat Alhambra light

340If and when
Fixed number plate lightBolted number plate light9.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
place.Tighten the attachment screws for the number plate light using the
screwdriver.

343
If and when
The vehicles should not touch. Otherwise, current may be allowed to flow
when the positive 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 172.
● Likewise, open the battery cover in the engine compartment
⇒  page 292, or remove the positive pole cap from one side 1)
, in the direc-
tion of the arrow ⇒ fig. 217.
● Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive terminal
⇒  fig. 218 +
or ⇒ 
fig. 217 + of the vehicle with the flat battery A ⇒ .
● Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive terminal + in
the vehicle 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. 218.
● For vehicles with Start-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 block, or to the engine block
⇒ fig. 219.
● Connect the other end of the black jump lead X
to a solid metal compo-
nent connected 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 compartment. Switching on
●
Start the engine of the vehicle supplying current and let it run at idling
speed.
● Start 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
switched on).
● Turn on the heating and rear window heater in the vehicle with the flat
battery. 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 injury. Please observe the following rules to minimise the risk of
a battery explosion:
● All work involving the vehicle battery and electrical system can cause
corrosion, fire and serious electric shocks. Always read and take into ac-
count the safety warnings and standards before beginning work on the
battery ⇒ page 292, Vehicle battery.
● Always protect your eyes with suitable working goggles and never
lean over the vehicle battery.
● The jump leads must be connected in the correct order: first the posi-
tive cable, then the negative cable. 
1)
Vehicles whose battery is not located in the engine compartment ⇒ page 342.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

345
If and when
Instructions for tow starting
In general, the vehicle should not be started by towing. Jump-starting is
much more preferable ⇒  page 341.
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 will not be disengaged.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it is possible that the engine control units do
not operate 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 towing, 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
advisable 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 237.
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 raised. 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 345.
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 covered is greater than 50 km (30 miles). 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

347
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 324.
● Press on the upper cover and carefully remove it back. This may require
some strength. Allow the cover to hang.
● Screw in the tow ring into its position anticlockwise 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 clockwise and put the
cover back in place.
CAUTION
● The tow ring must always be completely and firmly tightened. Other-
wise, it could be released while towing and tow-starting.
● 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. 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
drivers 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, you will need more strength to steer than normally.
● The brake must be depressed must harder as the brake servo does not
operate. Avoid 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. 
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351
Description of specifications
Towing a trailer Trailer weights
Trailer weight
The trailer weights and drawbar loads approved are selected in intensive tri-
als according to precisely defined criteria. The approved trailer weights are
valid for vehicles in the EU for maximum speeds of 80 km/h (in certain cir-
cumstances up to 100 km/h). The figures may be different in other coun-
tries. All data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these
data ⇒ 
.
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball
joint of the towing bracket must not exceed 100 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend that you always tow approach-
ing the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will
be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load cannot be met (e.g. with small,
empty and light-weight single axle trailers or tandem axle trailers with a
wheelbase of less than 1 metre), a minimum of 4% of the actual trailer
weight is legally required for the drawbar load.
WARNING
● For safety reasons, do not exceed the 80 km/h limit. This is also valid
in countries where higher speeds are permitted.
● Never exceed the maximum trailer weights or the drawbar load. If the
permissible axle load or the permissible total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.
 Wheels
Tyre pressure, snow chains, wheel bolts
Tyre pressures
The sticker with the tyre pressure values can be found on the inside of the
tank flap. The tyre pressure values given there are for cold tyres. The slightly
raised pressures of warm tyres must not be reduced. ⇒ 
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels.
Consult the chapter “wheels” of this manual.
Wheel bolts
After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel
bolts should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒ 
.
The tightening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 140 Nm.
WARNING
● Check the tyre pressure at least once per month. Checking the tyre
pressure is very important. If the tyre pressure is too high or too low,
there is an increased danger of accidents, particularly at high speeds.
● If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen while the
vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too high,
the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
Note
We recommend that you ask your Technical Service for information about
appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size. 
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367
Technical specifications
Dimensions and capacities
DimensionsLength, width 4854 mm1904 mmHeight at kerb weight 1720 mmFront and rear projection Wheelbase 2919 mmTurning circle
Track width a)FrontRear1557 – 1569 mm1605 – 1617 mmCapacitiesFuel tank 70 litres. Reserve 8 litres.Windscreen washer fluid container with headlight washer 3.5 l/ 6 lTyre pressureSummer-grade tyres:The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the inside of the tank flap.Winter tyres:The pressure of these tyres is the same as the summer tyre pressure plus 0.2 bar.a)
This data will change depending on the type of wheel rim.
CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking in areas with high kerbs or
fixed barriers. Objects protruding from the ground may damage the bumper
or other parts of the vehicle during manoeuvres.
● Special attention is required when driving through entrances, over
ramps, kerbs or other objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers, mudguards
and running gear, and the engine and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

Index
A
AbroadExtended stay abroad with your vehicle . . 259
Sale of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
ABS See "Brake assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Acoustic warnings Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Adaptive headlights Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
AdBlue Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Minimum quantity for a refill . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Refilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Tank filling capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Additional equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Additional heater See "Auxiliary heater" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Adjusting passenger exterior mirror . . . . . . . . 112
Adjustment Correct sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Electric front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Mechanical front seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Seat with position memory . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Adjustments Folding the backrest of the front passengerseat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Headlight range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Aerial built into the window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
AFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 31 Cleaning instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Deactivating the front passenger airbag . . 35
Deactivating using the key switch . . . . . . . . 35
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Differences between front passenger airbagsystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Knee airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Locking the vehicle after airbag deploy- ment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Use of child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Air conditioner Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Air conditioning
see "Climate control" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Air recirculation mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Air vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
All-wheel drive Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Alternator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Ambient lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Anodized surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Anti-theft alarm Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Anti-theft alarm system False alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Anti-theft bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Anti-theft locking bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Anti-theft wheel locking bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Anti-tow system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Anti-trap function Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Panorama sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Sunshade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Antifreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Antitheft alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
369
Index

Brake assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Brake assist system (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Brakes Brake assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Brake fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Changing the brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Emergency brake indicator in case of sud-den braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Running-in brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189, 191
Brake system Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brake systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Braking assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Brake assist system (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Breakdown Securing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Bulb fault See changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
C
Card compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Care See "Care of your vehicle" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Vehicle interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Care of your vehicle
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Caring for paintwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Carrier system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142, 149
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74, 77 Antitheft alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Locking/unlocking the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 76
Central locking system After airbag deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Opening doors individually . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Changing Windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Raising the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Front bumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Halogen headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Initial operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Number plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Sea changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336, 337
Xenon headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Changing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Engaging gears (manual gearbox) . . . . . . 179
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Manually unlocking the gear selection lev-er . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Selecting gears (automatic gearbox) . . . . 180
Warning and control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Changing gears Gear recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Changing the battery of the vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Changing the wheel After changing the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Checking Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Checking the oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Check list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Checklist Before working in the engine compart-ment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
In case of an emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Check list Preparations for changing a wheel . . . . . . 310
Raising the vehicle with the jack . . . . . . . . 314
Checklist Refilling precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
371
Index