2013 Seat Alhambra checking oil

283
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle. 
Engine oil specifications
Replacement engine oil must strictly comply with the specifications.
The correct oil must be used to ensure the correct operation and long serv-
ice life of the engine. The engine comes with a high-quality multigrade oil
that can generally be used all year round.
Only use an engine oil that complies to SEAT standards whenever possible
⇒ 
. If you wish to maintain the long-life service duration, only engine oils
approved for this service according to the corresponding VW standard
( ⇒  table on page 283) may be used. All oils indicated are
synthetic multi-
grade oils.
Engine oils are being continuously further developed. Technical Services
are permanently informed of any modifications. SEAT therefore recommends
that you have the engine oil changed by a Technical Service.
EnginesEngine oil specificationswith LongLife servicewithout LongLife servicePetrol enginesVW 504 00, VW 503 00VW 504 00, VW 502 00Diesel enginesVW 507 00VW 507 00
CAUTION
● Only use engine oils whose specifications are expressly approved by
SEAT. The use of any other type of engine oil could cause engine damage!
● No additives should be used with engine oil. Any damage caused by the
use of such additives would not be covered by the factory warranty. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

284Checking 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 278.
● The engine oil filler neck 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 284.
● 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 CIt 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.


285
Checking and refilling levels
● Unscrew the cap from engine oil filler neck on the cylinder head
⇒ Fig. 171. If you are not sure where the cap is, request help from a special-
ist.
● Only refill using engine oil expressly approved by SEAT and in small
quantities (not more than 0.5 l or 1/2 a quarter of a gallon at a time)
⇒ page 283.
● To avoid adding too much oil, each time you add a quantity, wait until
the oil has flowed into the crankcase so that it can be measured with the
dipstick.
● Check the oil level before adding any more oil. Do not top up with too
much engine oil ⇒ 
.
● When the oil level is in at least the ⇒ Fig. 170 B zone, insert the dip-
stick into the tube fully to avoid engine oil escaping when the engine is run-
ning.
● After topping up the oil, ensure that the cap is screwed on to the filler
neck correctly.
WARNING
Oil could catch fire if it comes into contact with hot engine components.
This could lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries.
● Always ensure that after topping of oil, the engine oil filler cap is cor-
rectly tightened. This will avoid engine oil spilling onto hot engine parts
when the engine is running.
CAUTION
● If the engine oil level is above the area A do not start the engine. You
should obtain professional assistance. Otherwise catalytic converter and
engine damage may occur.
● 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!
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A. Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the crankcase breather and escape into the atmosphere via the ex-
haust system. 
Engine oil consumption
The consumption of engine oil can be different from one engine to another
and can vary during the useful life of the engine.
Depending on driving style and the conditions of use, the consumption of
engine oil can reach 1 litre every 2000 km (one quarter of a gallon every
1200 miles); for new vehicles, this could be higher for the first 5000 km
(3000 miles). For this reason the engine oil level must be checked at regular
intervals, preferably when filling the tank and before a journey.
When the engine is working hard, for instance during sustained high-speed
motorway cruising in summer, when towing a trailer or climbing mountain
passes, the oil level should preferably be kept within area ⇒ Fig. 170 A
.
Changing the engine oil
The engine oil must be changed regularly according to the specifications of
the Maintenance Programme.
Due to the problems linked with disposing of used oil and the need for suit-
able tools and special knowledge, always visit a specialised workshop to
have the engine oil and filter changed. SEAT recommends visiting a Techni-
cal Service.
Detailed information on the service intervals are shown in the Maintenance
Programme. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

286Checking and refilling levels
Engine oil additives make new oil darker after the engine has been running
for a short period. This is normal and does not mean more frequent oil
changes are required.
WARNING
If, in exceptional circumstances, you must change the engine oil yourself,
please note the following:
● Wear eye protection.
● Always wait until the engine has completely cooled to avoid being
burned.
● Always keep your arms horizontal when unscrewing the oil drainage
bolt so that the oil does not run down your arms when it begins to drain.
● Use a suitable and large enough container to collect all of the used oil
in the engine.
● Never collect engine oil in empty food containers, cans, bottles and
other containers as not all people are able to identify engine oil.
● Oil is toxic and must be kept out of the reach of children.
For the sake of the environment
Before changing the engine oil, find a suitable location or service for proper
disposal.
For the sake of the environment
Always dispose of engine oil with the utmost respect for the environment.
Never dispose of used engine oil in places such as a garden, woods, drains,
roads, paths, rivers and drainage systems. Engine coolant
Introduction
Never work on the engine cooling system or if you are not familiar with the
operations to be carried out, the applicable safety standards and especially
if you do not have the instruments, liquids and tools necessary ⇒ 
! Have
the work carried out by a specialised workshop if you are uncertain. SEAT
recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Negligent work can cause serious injury.
Additional information and warnings:
● Towing mode ⇒ page 236
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 278
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 260
WARNING
Engine coolant is toxic!
● Only keep engine coolant in its original container, tightly shut and in
a safe place.
● Never store engine coolant in empty food containers or bottles as
other people may accidentally drink it.
● Always keep engine coolant out of reach of children.
● Ensure that the proportion of engine coolant additive corresponds to
the lowest outside temperature to which the vehicle will be exposed.
● If the outside temperature is extremely low, the engine coolant could
freeze causing the vehicle to stop. As this would also cause the heating
to stop working, passengers without sufficient clothing could freeze. 

288Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Always observe any lit warning lamps and text messages.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle. 
Engine coolant specifications
The engine cooling system is supplied from the factory with a specially trea-
ted mixture of water and, at least, 40 % of the additive G 13 (TLVW 774 J).
The engine coolant additive is recognisable by its purple colour. This mix-
ture of water and additive gives the necessary frost protection down to
-25 °C (-13 °F) and protects the light alloy parts of the cooling system
against corrosion. It also prevents scaling and considerably raises the boil-
ing point of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the percentage of additive must al-
ways be at least 40 %, even in warm climates where anti-freeze protection is
not required.
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
additive can be increased. However, the percentage of additive should not
exceed 60 %, as this would reduce the frost protection and, in turn, de-
crease the cooling capacity.
When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture of distilled water and, at
least, 40 % of the G 13 or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive (both are purple) to obtain an optimum anticorrosion protection ⇒ 
. The mixture of
G 13 with G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G 12 (red) or G 11 (green-blue) engine
coolants will significantly reduce the anticorrosion protection and should,
therefore be avoided ⇒ 
.
WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the coolant system, the engine may
fail leading to serious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of additive is correct with re-
spect to the lowest expected ambient temperature in the zone in which
the vehicle is to be used.
● When the outside temperature is very low, the coolant could freeze
and the vehicle would be immobilised. In this case, the heating would
not work either and inadequately dressed passengers could die of cold.
CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed with coolants which are not
approved by SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing severe damage to
the engine and the engine cooling system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not purple but is, for example,
brown, this indicates that the G 13 additive has been mixed with an inade-
quate coolant. The coolant must be changed as soon as possible if this is
the case! This could result in serious faults and engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the environment. If any fluids are
spilled, they should be collected and correctly disposed of, with respect to
the environment. 

311
Wheels and tyres
● Fit the wheel brace onto the adapter as far as possible.
● Hold the wheel brace at the end and rotate the bolt approximately one
turn anticlockwise ⇒ 
.
Important information about wheel bolts
The wheel rims and bolts have been designed to be fitted to factory op-
tions. 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.
In some circumstances, wheel bolts from the same model vehicle should
not be used.
Wheel bolt tightening torque
The prescribed tightening torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels
is 140 Nm. Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a reliable torque wrench.
If wheel bolts are rusty and it is difficult to tighten them, the threads should
be replaced and cleaned before checking the tightening torque.
Never grease or lubricate wheel bolts or the wheel hub threads. Although
they have been tightened to the prescribed torque, they could come loose
while driving.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not fitted correctly they could be released while
driving leading to loss of vehicle control and serious damage.
● Only use wheel bolts which correspond to the wheel rims in question.
● Never use different wheel bolts.
● The bolts and threads should be clean, free of oil and grease and easy
to thread.
● To loosen and tighten the wheel bolts, always use the wheel brace
supplied with the vehicle.
● Loosen the wheel bolts only about one turn before raising the vehicle
with the jack.
● Never grease or lubricate wheel bolts or the wheel hub threads. Al-
though they have been tightened to the prescribed torque, they could
come loose while driving.
● Never loosen the bolted joints of wheel rims with bolted ring trims.
● If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the correct torque, they may
come loose while driving, and the bolts and rims may come out. If the
tightening torque is too high, the wheel bolts and threads can be dam-
aged.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

351
Technical specifications
Technical specifications
Checking fluid levels
From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the ve-
hicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, other-
wise serious damage to the engine may be caused.
Fig. 223 Diagram for the location of the various elements Coolant fluid deposit
Engine oil dipstick
Oil filler neck
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath a cover)
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the compo-
nents mentioned above. These operations are described in ⇒ page 278.
Overview
Further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the technical data are
contained as of ⇒ page 347 
1
23456
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Electronic parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Emergency braking function . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Brake assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brake assist system (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Brakes Brake assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Brake fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Changing the brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Emergency brake indicator in case of sud-den braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Running-in brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 190
Brake system Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Brake systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Braking assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Brake assist system (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Breakdown Securing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Bulb fault See changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 C
Card compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Care See "Care of your vehicle" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Vehicle interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Care of your vehicle Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Caring for paintwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Carrier system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141, 149
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74, 77 Anti-theft 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Raising the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Front bumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Halogen headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Initial operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Number plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Sea changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335, 336
Xenon headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Changing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Engaging gears (manual gearbox) . . . . . . 178
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Manually unlocking the gear selector lever . .322
Selecting gears (automatic gearbox) . . . . 179
Warning and control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Changing gears Gear recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Changing the battery of the vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Changing the wheel After changing the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Checking Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Checking the oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Check list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Checklist Before working in the engine compart-ment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
In case of an emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
369
Index