2013 Seat Alhambra wipers

247
Vehicle 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 rear lid 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 a 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, rear lid, or sunroof. Locks and seals could freeze! 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

249
Vehicle 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. Wiper blades are
available from specialised 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 windscreen 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.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

250Vehicle 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. 

282Checking 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 278
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 260
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 284.
flashesPossible causeSolution
Engine oil pressure too low.
 Stop the vehicle!
Switch off the engine. Check the
engine oil level.
- If the warning lamp flashes al-
though 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. 

346If and when
Fitting the towline anchorage to the rear for vehicles without factory fitted
tow hitch
● Take the towline anchorage from the vehicle tool kit in the luggage com-
partment ⇒ page 323.
● Press on the upper cover and carefully remove it back. This may require
some strength. Allow the cover to hang.
● Screw in the towline anchorage into its position anticlockwise as far as
it will go ⇒ 
. Use a suitable tool to firmly tighten the towline anchorage in
its location.
● After towing, remove the towline anchorage by turning it clockwise and
put the cover back in place.
CAUTION
● The towline anchorage must always be completely and firmly tightened.
Otherwise, it could be released while towing and tow-starting.
● Vehicles with a factory fitted towing bracket, 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 signal lever as usual. Meanwhile, the hazard warn- ing lights will go off. When the turn signal lever is returned to the rest posi-
tion, 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 signals, 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. 

Sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80Childproof lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Opening and closing electrically . . . . . . . . . 81
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304, 350 All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Spanner symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Spare fuel canister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Special features Automatic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Folding exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
High pressure cleaning equipment . . . . . . 247
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184, 188, 366
Pushing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Radio reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Removing the vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Special notes High-pressure cleaning system . . . . . . . . . 238
Long parking times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343, 344
Tow starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Specifications Combined weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Drawbar load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Trailer weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Specific notes Electric sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Spectacle case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Speed rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Stabilising the vehicle and trailer combina- tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Start-Stop function
Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Start-Stop Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Start assist See "Start assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Positive pole on the starting assistancepoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Starting using an external battery See Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Steering Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Counter steering assistance system . . . . . 169
Electromechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering column lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Tendency to pull to one side . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Steering wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Rocker switches (Tiptronic) . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Storage compartment on the roof console . . . 143
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Glove compartment lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Sudden braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Anti-trap function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Sun blinds Rear side windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Sun visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Symbols
See "Lamps" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
System Automatic dipped beam control . . . . . . . . . 98
Systems ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 190
ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191, 192
Auto Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Brake assist system (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Braking assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
EDL and XDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Electronic differential lock system (EDL andXDS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . 190
ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Lane Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Lane Assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Launch-Control Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Optical parking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Park Assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Parking sensor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Rear Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Rear assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Sign Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Start-Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Start assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
379
Index

Tyre pressure sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Tyres with directional tread pattern . 298, 306
Valve caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Wear of tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Wheel balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Wheel trims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Full hub caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Wheel bolts caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Windows See "Electric windows" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Windscreen washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windscreen washer water Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Windscreen wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Window 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Winter
Additional heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Menu configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Winter-grade diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Winter driving Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Filter pre-heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Winter-grade diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Winter operation Headlight washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Heated windscreen washer jets . . . . . . . . 107
Salt on the roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Speed limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
X XDS See "Brake assist systems" . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
383
Index