2012 Seat Alhambra bonnet

285
Checking and refilling levels
Checking the engine oil level and topping up
Fig. 170 Marked engine
oil dipstick.
Fig. 171 In the engine
compartment: Engine oil
filler cap. Preparations
●
Park the vehicle on flat ground so that the engine oil reading is correct.
● Stop the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain back into the
sump. When the engine has cooled down, immediately check the oil level
and top up if necessary.
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279.
● The engine oil filler opening can be recognised by the symbol  on the
cap ⇒ fig. 171 and the dipstick by its coloured handle.
Checking the engine oil level
● Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth.
● Replace the dipstick, pushing it in as far as it will go. If the dipstick has a
mark, when you reintroduce it this mark should slot into the corresponding
groove located on the upper end of the tube.
● Remove the dipstick again and check the engine oil level ⇒ table on
page 285.
● After reading the oil level, replace the dipstick in the tube completely.
Engine oil topping up ranges
fig. 170Operations required depending on the engine oil topping
up level:
Area ADo not top up oil
⇒ .
Area BAdd approximately 0.5 L of oil (1/2 quarter of a gallon).
The oil level can be in the zone A, but never above A.
Area C:It is
essential to add oil (approximately 1 litre or quarter of
a gallon). Ensure that the level is around the centre of the
zone B
after adding oil.
Adding oil after checking the level
Only add engine oil in small quantities and in steps.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

290Checking and refilling levels
Checking the engine coolant level and refilling
Fig. 173 In the engine
compartment: Marking
on coolant expansion
reservoir.
Fig. 174 In the engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion tank cap.
If the coolant level is low, the coolant warning indicator will light. Preparations
●
Park the vehicle on even, flat and firm ground.
● Allow the engine to cool ⇒ 
.
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279.
● The coolant expansion reservoir is easily recognisable because of the
symbol  on the cap ⇒  fig. 174.
Checking the engine coolant level
● When the engine is cold, check the coolant level using the side marking
on the expansion reservoir ⇒ fig. 173.
● If the level is below the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant. When the en-
gine is hot it may be slightly above the marked area.
Topping up the engine coolant level
● Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and steam
using a large, thick cloth over the coolant expansion tank cap.
● Remove the cap very carefully ⇒ 
.
● Only refill using new engine coolant according to SEAT specifications
(⇒ page 289) ⇒ 
.
● The engine coolant level should be between the marks on the coolant
expansion tank ⇒ fig. 173. Do not exceed the top level of the marked area
⇒ 
.
● Screw on the cap tightly.
● If, the event of an emergency, you have no coolant that is compliant to
the required specifications ( ⇒ page 289), never use another type of addi-
tive. Instead, first top up with distilled water ⇒ 
only. Then re-establish
the correct proportion of the mixture with the correct additive as soon as
possible ⇒ page 289. 

291
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 engine compartment. Wait until you cannot see or hear any
steam or coolant escaping.
● Always wait until the engine has completely cooled before very care-
fully 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 electronic parking brake and place the gear selector
lever in P or the gear stick in neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave
them unsupervised.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised.
Do not unscrew 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
steam using a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them on parts of the engine and
the exhaust 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-
siderable 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 specialised workshop must
immediately replace all of the fluid in the engine cooling system.
● Only top up coolant to the top level of the marked area ⇒ fig. 173. Other-
wise 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 down
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 into the right tank. Making a mistake when refilling could cause seri-
ous malfunctions and damage the engine! 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

294Checking and refilling levels
Checking the electrolyte level of the vehicle battery
Fig. 175 In the engine
compartment: Remove
the cover from the vehi-
cle's battery.
Fig. 176 In the engine
compartment: Unfold the
vehicle's battery hose.
The battery's electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-mileage
vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries. Other batteries do not re-
quire maintenance. Start-Stop systems (
⇒ page 198) are equipped with a special battery label-
led “AGM”. For technical reasons, it is not possible to check the electrolyte
level of these batteries
Preparations
● Prepare the vehicle for work in the engine compartment ⇒ page 279
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279.
Opening the battery cover
The battery covers are different depending on the engine size of the vehicle:
● In the case of a cover: press the tab ⇒ fig. 175 A
in the direction of the
arrow and pull the cover upwards.
● In the case of a hose: fold the cover to one side to remove ⇒ fig. 176.
Checking the battery electrolyte level
● Make sure there is sufficient lighting to clearly recognise the colours.
Never use open flames or sparklers as a light source.
● Depending on the level of acid, the Magic eye on the top of the battery
will change colour.
Colour indicatorNecessary operations
light yellow or col-
ourlessThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's battery is too low.
Have the battery checked and, where applicable, re-
placed by a specialised workshop.
Black indicationThe electrolyte level of the vehicle's battery is correct.
WARNING
Working with the vehicle battery involves a risk of corrosion, explosions
and electric shock.
● Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. 

327
If and when
Vehicle fuses
Fig. 201 On the driver-
side dashboard: fuse box
cover.
Fig. 202 In the engine
compartment: fuse box
cover.
Only replace fuses with a fuse of the same amperage (same colour and
markings) and size. Identifying fuses by colours
ColourAmp ratingpurple3light brown5Brown7,5Red10Blue15Yellow20White or transparent25Green30orange40
To open the dashboard fuse box
●
To remove the cover, move the activation lever in the lower part to the
right ⇒ fig. 201.
● For right-hand drive vehicles, move the lever to the left.
To open the engine compartment fuse box
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279.
● Move the attachment tabs forwards, in the direction indicated by the ar-
row to release the fuse box cover ⇒ fig. 202.
● Then lift the cover out.
● To fit the cover, place it on the fuse box. Push the attachment tabs back,
in the opposite direction indicated by the arrow until they click audibly into
place.
In is possible that there are more fuses behind a cover in the lower left-hand
side of the luggage compartment. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

332If and when
WARNING
Failure to follow the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to
accidents and severe injuries.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the general rules of safety.CAUTION
Always remove and fit headlights carefully to avoid damage to the paint-
work and other vehicle parts. 
To replace halogen headlight bulbs
Fig. 205 In the engine
compartment: Left-hand
side headlight lining. A
dipped beam headlights,
B daytime driving lights
and C main beam head-
lights and side lights.Fig. 206 Left headlight
There is no need to remove the headlight to replace bulbs.
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
fig. 205, fig. 206 ABCIndicators (small lamp holder)Dipped beam head-lightsDaytime driving lightMain beam headlightsSide lights
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary actions ⇒ page 331.2.Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279. 

334If and when
To replace the xenon headlights bulb
Fig. 207 In the engine
compartment: Turn signal
cover.
Fig. 208 Turn signal in-
dicator lamp holder 1
and turning light 2.
There is no need to remove the headlight to replace bulbs.
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Turn signal indicators 1Turning lights 2
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary ac-
tions ⇒ page 331.
2.Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279.
3.Rotate the cover ⇒  fig. 207 in the direction of the arrow and remove
it.
4.
Rotate the lamp holder 1⇒ fig. 208 to the left all the way
and pull it out backwards with
the bulb.Press the wire clip downwards
and pull the lamp holder 2
⇒ fig. 208 out with the bulb.
5.Depending on the model, the bulb is removed directly from the
lamp holder or it may need to be rotated and then removed.
6.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7.Place the bulb holder in the
headlight and rotate to the right
all the way.Place the lamp holder in the
headlight and pull the wire clip
upwards until it clicks into place.
8.Rotate the cover ⇒  fig. 207 in the opposite direction to the arrow as
far as it will go.
Always seek the help of a specialist when changing the Xenon dipped beam
and full beam headlamps ⇒  in Introduction on page 330.
Note
The illustrations show the left hand headlight. The structure of the right
hand side headlight is symmetric. 

349
Description of specifications
Vehicle code
Fig. 222 Vehicle identifi-
cation number.
Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number (chassis number) can be read from out-
side the vehicle through a viewer in the windscreen ⇒ fig. 222. This viewer
is located in the lower part of the windscreen. The vehicle identification
number (chassis number) is also stamped on the right water drain channel.
The water drain channel is located between the suspension tower and the
wing. Open the bonnet to read the vehicle identification number 
⇒ page 279.
Vehicle data plate
The vehicle data plate is attached to the luggage compartment, and con-
tains the following information:
Vehicle identification number (chassis number)
Vehicle type, engine power, gearbox type
Engine and gearbox code, paint number, interior equipment.
Optional extras, PR numbers
These data are also provided in the Maintenance Programme. 1
234
Type plate
The type plate is visible when the driver door is opened, on the lower part of
the strut. Vehicles for certain export countries do not have a type plate.
The manufacturer's type plate contains the following data:
Gross vehicle weight
Maximum authorised weight of vehicle and trailer
Maximum gross front axle weight
Maximum rear axle weight 
5678
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications