2012 Seat Alhambra wipers

248Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Switch off the rain sensor and the Auto Hold function before entering a
car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehicle with the available height
and width when entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retractable exterior mirrors must NOT
be folded in or out by hand. Always use the electrical power control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork, rest the wipers on the wind-
screen after drying them. Do not let them fall!
● Lock the tailgate to prevent it from opening unexpectedly while inside
the car wash. 
Washing the vehicle with high pressure cleaning
equipment
When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, always follow the
operating instructions 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 suitable 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 use a nozzle 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 damage, 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 braking 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 endangering 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 avoid 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 to 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! 

250Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
Cleaning and changing windscreen wiper blades
Fig. 160 Changing the
front wiper blades
Fig. 161 Changing the
rear wiper blade.
The windscreen wiper blades are supplied as standard with a layer of graph-
ite. This layer is responsible for ensuring that the wipe is silent. If the graph-
ite layer is damaged, the noise of the water as it is wiped across the wind-
screen will be louder. Check the condition of the wiper blades regularly.
If the wipers scrape
across the glass they should be changed if they are damaged, or cleaned if
they are dirty ⇒ 
.
Damaged wiper blades should be replaced immediately. Blades are availa-
ble from qualified workshops.
Lifting and unfolding the wiper arms
The wiper arm may only be lifted at the point where it is fastened to the
blade.
For windscreen wipers, please note: the wiper should be in service position
before unfolding it ⇒ page 105.
Cleaning windscreen wiper blades
● Lifting and unfolding the wiper arms.
● Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen wiper
blades.
● If the blades are very dirty, a sponge or damp cloth may be used ⇒ 
.
Changing the front wiper blades
● Lifting and unfolding the wiper arms.
● Hold down the release button ⇒ fig. 160 1
while gently pulling the
blade in the direction of the arrow.
● Fit a new wiper blade of the same length and design on to the wiper arm
and hook it into place.
● Rest the wiper arms back onto the windscreen.
Changing the rear wiper blade
● Lift and unfold the wiper arm.
● Pull the wiper blade out of its mounting on the wiper arm ⇒ fig. 161 (ar-
row A
).
● Hold down the release button 1 while gently pulling the blade in the
direction of the arrow B. This may require some strength.


251
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Insert a new blade of the same length and type in the wiper arm in the
opposite direction to the arrow B
and hook into place. This feature is op-
erational when the knob is in position (arrow A).
● Replace the wiper arm on the rear window.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
CAUTION
● Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could scratch the glass.
● If products containing solvents, rough sponges or sharp objects are
used to clean the blades, the graphite layer will be damaged.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the windows. 
Caring for and polishing the vehicle paintwork
Waxing
Regular waxing protects the paintwork. It is time to apply a good coat of wax
when water no longer forms droplets and rolls off the clean paintwork.
Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the automatic car wash, SEAT rec-
ommends protecting the paint with a hard wax coating at least twice a year.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss can-
not be brought back by applying wax. If the polish does not contain wax, a wax product should be applied after
polishing.
CAUTION
● To prevent damage, car polish or hard wax should not be used on com-
ponents painted in matt paint, plastic components and the glass headlamp
and tail light covers.
● Do not polish the paintwork if it is dirty, apply polish in dusty or sandy
zones. 
Cleaning chrome parts
Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth. SEAT recommends the use of a
chrome care product to clean stains and dirt from chrome surfaces. Use a
soft dry cloth to polish chrome parts.
CAUTION
To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:
● Do not use abrasive products.
● Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a sandy or dusty environment.
● Do not polish dirty surfaces. 
Caring for and cleaning anodized surfaces
It is not easy to detect the difference between aluminium and an anodized
surface, for example, a radiator grille. However, anodized surfaces must not
be treated in the same way as aluminium surfaces. Never use rough spong-
es or cloths to wipe away insect remains. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

283
Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
● To avoid damage to the bonnet and to the windscreen wiper arms, only
open the bonnet when the windscreen wipers are in place against the wind-
screen.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. 
Engine oil Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 279
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 261
WARNING
Incorrectly handling engine oil can cause injury and serious burns.
● Always protect your eyes when handling engine oil.
● Oil is toxic and must be kept out of the reach of children.
● Engine oil must only be kept closed in its original container. The same
applies to use oil until it has been disposed of.
● Never store engine oil in empty food containers or bottles as other
people may accidentally drink it.
● Regular contact with engine oil can be bad for the skin. If you come
into contact with engine oil, wash your skin with soap and water.
● With the engine running, the engine oil gets extremely hot and can
cause severe skin burns. Always wait until the engine has fully cooled.
For the sake of the environment
Similar to the other service liquids, spilled engine oil can be bad for the en-
vironment. Collect any spilt fluids in suitable containers and dispose of in
accordance with legislation and with the utmost respect for the environ-
ment. 
Warning and control lamps
lights upPossible causeSolution
Insufficient engine oil.Switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level ⇒ page 285.
flashesPossible causeSolution
Engine oil pressure too low.
 Stop the vehicle!
Switch off the engine. Check the
engine oil level.
- If the warning indicator flashes
although the oil level is correct,
do not continue driving or leave
the engine running. Otherwise,
the engine could be damaged.
You should obtain professional
assistance.
Engine oil sensor faulty.Contact a specialised workshop.
Have the engine oil sensor
checked. 
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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305, 351All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Sockets 12 Volts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Spanner symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Spare fuel canister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Special features Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Folding exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
High pressure cleaning equipment . . . . . . 248
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185, 189, 367
Pushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Radio reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Removing the vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Special notes High-pressure cleaning system . . . . . . . . . 239
Long parking times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344, 345
Tow starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Specifications Combined weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Drawbar load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Trailer weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Specific notes Electric sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Spectacle case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Speed rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Stabilising the vehicle and trailer combina- tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Start-Stop function
Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Start-Stop Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Start assist See "Start assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Positive pole on the starting assistancepoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Starting using an external battery See Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Steering Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Counter steering assistance system . . . . . 170
Electromechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Steering column lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Tendency to pull to one side . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Rocker switches (Tiptronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Storage compartment on the roof console . . . 143
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Glove compartment lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Sudden braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Sun blinds Rear side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Sunshade
Anti-trap function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Sun visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Symbols See "Lamps" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
System Automatic dipped beam control . . . . . . . . . 99
Systems ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 191
ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192, 193
Auto Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Brake assist system (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Braking assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
EDL and XDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Electronic differential lock system (EDL andXDS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . 191
ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Lane Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Lane Assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Launch-Control Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Optical parking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Park assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Park Assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Parking sensor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Rear Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
381
Index

Errors in wheel alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Foreign bodies in the tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Interchanging tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
New tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Older tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Replacing tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Run-flat tyre codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Run-out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Speed rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306, 307
Storing tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tyre code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tyre identification number (TIN) . . . . . . . . 306
Tyre load rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tyre pressure sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tyres with directional tread pattern . 299, 307
Valve caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Wear of tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Wheel balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Wheel trims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 Full hub caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Wheel bolts caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Windows See "Electric windows" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Windscreen washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Windscreen washer water
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Windscreen wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Windscreen wiper lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Windscreen wiper fluid Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windscreen wipers Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Headlight washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Heated windscreen washer jets . . . . . . . . 107
Lifting the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Service position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Special features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Windscreen wipers service position . . . . . . . . 107
Wing mirrors Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Winter Additional heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Menu configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Winter-grade diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Winter driving Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Filter pre-heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Winter-grade diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Winter operation Headlight washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Heated windscreen washer jets . . . . . . . . 107
Salt on the roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Speed limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
X XDS See "Brake assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Other Characters "Safe" security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
385
Index