2012 Seat Alhambra four wheel drive

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

300Wheels and tyres
Wheel rims
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different rims are fitted,
the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt
heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that
the brake system functions correctly ⇒ page 309.
For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from
other vehicles. In some cases, this may also be true for the same model of
wheel.
The tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the character-
istics of the vehicle and are critical to good road holding and safe handling.
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque ⇒ page 309.
Beadlock wheel rims
Beadlock wheel rims have various components. These are joined together
by special bolts using a special procedure. This ensures good performance,
a better seal, improved safety and wheel run out. Therefore, worn rims
should always be replaced and must only be repaired in a Technical Service.
SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service ⇒ 
.
Wheel rims with bolted trims
Wheel rims may be fitted with interchangeable trim parts which are attach-
ed to the rim using self-locking bolts. Worn trims should only be replaced at
a Technical Service. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service ⇒ 
.
WARNING
The use of worn or damaged wheel rims could make driving more danger-
ous and result in serious accidents and damage.
● Only wheel rims which have been approved for use with your vehicle
should be used.
● Inspect wheel rims regularly for damage and replace as required.
WARNING
If the bolted joints of wheel rims with bolted ring trims are not correctly
tightened or loosened, this could result in serious accident.
● Never loosen the bolted joints of wheel rims with bolted ring trims.
● Any work relating to wheel rims with bolted rims should be carried
out at qualified workshop. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service.

Replacement of new tyres and wheel rims
New tyres
● When tyres are new, drive with extreme caution for the first 500 km
(310 miles), as all tyres need to be run-in. Tyres which have not been run-in
do not have such good grip ⇒ 
or braking capacity ⇒ .
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.
● The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and make
of tyre and the tread pattern.
Replacing tyres
● Where possible, always replace both wheels on an axle (both wheels on
the front axle or both wheels on the rear axle) ⇒ 
.
● Old tyres should only be replaced by SEAT approved tyres for the vehicle
in question, and in accordance with the maximum permitted size, diameter,
load and speed capacity.
● Never use tyres which are larger than SEAT approved tyres. If the tyres
are too big, they may knock or rub against the chassis or other components,
resulting in damage. 

304Wheels and tyres
Driving style : driving round bends fast or sudden acceleration or braking
speed up the wear of tyres. When the driving style is normal, if the tyres
wear too quickly, have the running gear settings checked at a Technical
Service.
Wheel run-out: The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, certain
circumstances may lead to imbalance (run-out), which is detected as vibra-
tions in the steering wheel. Run-out leads to wear of the steering and sus-
pension. In the event of run out, the wheels should be balanced again.
When a new wheel is fitted, it should be balanced again.
Running gear settings : an incorrectly positioned running gear increases the
wear of tyres and affects your safety while driving. If tyres wear too quickly,
have the wheel alignment checked at a specialised workshop.
WARNING
If you notice unusual vibration or the car pulls to one side while driving,
this may indicate that one of the tyres is damaged.
● Reduce speed immediately and stop, while observing the highway
code.
● Check the wheels and tyres for damage.
● Never carry on driving on worn tyres or wheels. Request qualified as-
sistance immediately.
● If there is no visible exterior damage, drive slowly and carefully to the
nearest qualified workshop and have the vehicle checked.

Winter tyres*
In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicle's han-
dling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread pattern)
gives less grip on ice and snow. Winter tyres also improve the vehicle brak-
ing performance, reducing the braking distance in winter weather. SEAT rec- ommend that winter tyres be fitted to the vehicle at temperatures below
+7 °C (+45 °F).
The performance of winter tyres is much reduced if the
tyre tread is worn be-
low 4 mm (1/16 inch). The age of the tyre is another factor affecting per-
formance, regardless of the depth of the tyre tread.
Please observe the following when using winter tyres:
● Observe legal requirements in each country.
● Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
● Only use winter tyres in wintery weather conditions.
● Only use winter tyres of the size authorised for the vehicle.
● Only use radial winter tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference)
and tread pattern.
● Adjust speeds to within the limits indicated (code letter on tyre) ⇒ 
.
Speed limit
A code letter indicating the speed limit is stamped on all winter tyres
⇒ page 307.
In some vehicles, it is possible to set a speed warning in the MFA (multifunc-
tion indicator) menu on the instrument panel ⇒ page 62.
If you use V-rated tyres the speed limits and tyre pressure will be deter-
mined by engine size. Please ask your Technical Service for further informa-
tion on the maximum permitted speed and the required pressures for the
tyres.
All-wheel drive*
Thanks to its all-wheel drive, your car will have plenty of traction in winter
conditions, even with the standard tyres. Nevertheless, SEAT still recom-
mend that winter tyres or all-season tyres should be fitted on all four wheels
when winter road conditions are expected, mainly because this will give a
better braking response. 

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

G 12 plus-plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Refilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Engine fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Checking the oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
ESC See "Assisted braking systems" . . . . . . . . 191
Event Data Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Exterior aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Automatically folding exterior mirrors . . . 112
Controlling function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Synchronised mirror adjustment . . . . . . . . 112
Vehicle care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Extinguisher Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
F
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Fault
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Park assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Parking sensor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Rear assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Fault memory Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Faults Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Panorama sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Filling capacity AdBlue tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Refilling precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Filter pre-heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Fire extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
First-aid kit Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
First aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Fitting Tow hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Folding down rear seats Load space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Folding in exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Folding table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Folding the backrest of the front passenger
seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Four-wheel-drive Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Front airbags See "Airbag system" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Front passenger airbag Deactivating using the key switch . . . . . . . . 35
See "Airbag system" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Depending on the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Information on consumption . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Type of fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Fuel consumption Economic driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Why does fuel consumption increase? . . . 233
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Fuel tank flap Closure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Function control Tow hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 Fuse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Identification using colours . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Identifying blown fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
375
Index

Rear assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Sign Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Start-Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Start assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Tiredness detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Traction control when accelerating (ASR) . 192
Tyre monitoring indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
T Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Driving with the tailgate open . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Electronic locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Electronic opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . 321
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
See "Tailgate" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Warning indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Technical data Axle loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Bottle capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Curb weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Engine oil specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Roof load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Total weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Technical details Type of fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Lifting platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Plates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Temperature display Outside temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Temperature gauge Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
The tailgate Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
See "The tailgate" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Things to note Auxiliary heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165, 168
Diesel particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Electric sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Fumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Increase in exhaust fumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Parking sensor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Rear assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Switching Auto Hold off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Water underneath the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 162
Tightening torque Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Tightening torque of wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . 351
TIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tips for driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Before starting out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Tiredness detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 Total weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Tow hitch
Function control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Installing a bicycle carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Driving advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Four-wheel-drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Front tow ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Rear tow ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Special notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tow bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Towing prohibited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Towing rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
With a tow hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Towing bracket Optical parking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Parking sensor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Tow starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Traction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Traction control system (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Traction control when accelerating (ASR) . . . . 192
Trailer Adjusting the headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Anti-theft alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Drawbar load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237, 241
Electrically releasing the hitch ball . . . . . . 238
Electric socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Fitting a trailer tow hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Function control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
382 Index