2013 Seat Alhambra ABS

256Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
CAUTION
● On no account use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or
similar materials on leather.
● If the stain remains on the leather for long, it will soak in and be impos-
sible to remove.
● In the event of spilt liquids, dry immediately with an absorbent cloth to
prevent the liquid penetrating through the leather or seams.
● If the vehicle is left standing in the sun for long periods, the leather
should be protected against direct sunlight to prevent it from fading.
Note
The leather will usually change colour slightly with use. 
Cleaning synthetic leather upholstery
Before cleaning the synthetic leather upholstery, bear in mind the following
recommendations ⇒ page 254, Cleaning the fabric on heated seats and
electrically adjustable seats or seats with airbag components
Only use water and neutral cleaning products to clean synthetic leather up-
holstery.
CAUTION
Do not use solvents, floor wax, shoe cream, stain removers or similar prod-
ucts on synthetic leather. These will stiffen the material, causing it to crack
prematurely. Cleaning storage compartments, drinks holders and
ashtray
Cleaning storage compartments and drinks holders
Some storage compartments and drinks holders have a removable rubber
mat.
●
Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean parts.
● If this does not provide satisfactory results, we recommend using a spe-
cial solvent-free plastic cleaning product.
Cleaning the ashtray
● Extract the ashtray and empty it.
● Clean the ashtray with a dishcloth.
Use a toothpick or similar to remove ash from the area where cigarettes are
stubbed out. 
Care and cleaning of plastic parts, wooden trim and the
instrument panel
● Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean parts.
● Clean plastic parts (inside and outside the vehicle) and the dash panel
with a special solvent-free product for the care and cleaning of plastic, ap-
proved by SEAT ⇒ 
.
● Wash wooden trims with a mild soap and water solution. 

267
Checking and refilling levels
Checking and refilling levels Filling the tank
Introduction
The fuel tank flap is on the rear right of the vehicle.
Additional information and warnings:
● Fuel ⇒ page 270
● Selective Catalytic Reduction (AdBlue) ⇒ page 274
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 278
WARNING
Refuelling or handling fuel carelessly can cause an explosion or fire re-
sulting in serious burns and injuries.
● Always make sure that you correctly close the fuel cap to avoid evap-
oration and fuel spillage.
● Fuels are highly explosive and inflammable substances that can
cause serious burns and injuries.
● Fuel could leak out or be spilt if the engine is not switched off or if the
filler fuel nozzle is not fully inserted into the tank filler neck when refuel-
ling. This could lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries.
● When refuelling, turn off the engine, the auxiliary heating
(⇒ page 164) and turn off the ignition for safety reasons.
● Always turn off mobile telephones, radio apparatus and other radio
wave emitting equipment before refuelling. Electromagnetic waves could
cause sparks and lead to a fire.
WARNING (Continued)
● Never enter the vehicle while refuelling. If it is absolutely necessary
to enter the vehicle, close the door and touch a metal surface before
touching the filler nozzle again. This will prevent the generation of static
electricity. Sparks could cause a fire when refuelling.
● Never handle fuel close to open flames, sparks or objects with slow
combustion (e.g. cigarettes).
● Avoid static electricity and electro-magnetic radiation when refuel-
ling.
● Observe the safety regulations of the service station.
● Never spill fuel on the vehicle or in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
For safety reasons, SEAT does not recommend carrying a spare fuel canis-
ter in the vehicle. Fuel could be spilled and catch fire, above all in case of
an accident and this applies to a full container as well as empty contain-
ers. This could lead to explosions, fires and injuries.
● Observe the following if you exceptionally have to carry fuel in a can-
ister:
–Never place a fuel container to fill it inside the vehicle or on the ve-
hicle, for example, in the luggage compartment or on the rear lid. Fill-
ing in these circumstances could create an electrostatic charge and
spark that could ignite fuel fumes.
– Always place the canister on the ground to fill it.
– Insert the fuel nozzle into the neck of the canister as far as possi-
ble. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

326If and when
Vehicle fuses
Fig. 201 On the driver-
side dash panel: 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 dash panel 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 278.
● 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. 

335
If and when
To replace the rear lid light bulbs
Fig. 211 On the rear lid:
Remove the cover
Fig. 212 On the rear lid:
Remove the lamp holder Complete operations only in the sequence given:
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary ac-
tions
⇒ page 330.
2.Open the rear lid ⇒ page 83.
3.Extract the cover carefully using the flat part of the screwdriver from
the vehicle tool kit as a lever ( ⇒ Fig. 200) on the indent
⇒ Fig. 211 1
.
4.Release the lamp holder connector by pulling on the red connector
block.
5.Press on the attachment tabs in the direction of the arrow
⇒ Fig. 212 and pull out the lamp holder.
6.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7.Install the lamp holder. The attachment tabs should audibly click
into place.
8.Insert the cover. The cover should lock into place.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

337
If and when
To change the bulb
9.To release the lamp holder, press on the attachment tabs
⇒ Fig. 214 1 to 4 in the direction of the arrow.10.Remove the lamp holder from the tail light unit.11.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
12.Place the lamp holder in the tail light unit. The attachment tabs
should audibly click into place.
13.Insert the connector and press the red attachment strip in so that
the connector is locked into place.
Assembling the tail light units
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Tail light, leftTail light, right
14.Carefully insert the tail light unit into the opening in the bodywork.
To do this, insert the upper tail light unit guide into the attachment ring.
15.Tighten the white attachment screw using the screwdriver from thevehicle tool kit.
Tail light, leftTail light, right
16.Ensure that the tail light unit has been correctly fitted and is firmly secured.
17.Replace the cap 1 and rotate it
90° in the opposite direction of
the arrow.Move the 12 V power socket sup-
port upwards gently until it is
correctly closed.
18.Close the storage compartment. 19.Close the rear lid ⇒ page 83.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

338If and when
Changing the number plate light
Fig. 215 On the rear
bumper: number plate
lightsFig. 216 Number plate
light: Remove the lamp
holder
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Fixed number plate lightBolted number plate light1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary actions ⇒ page 330.
2.Press the flat part of the screwdriver included in the vehicle on-board
tools (⇒ Fig. 200) in the direction of the arrow, in the groove of the
number plate light ⇒ Fig. 215.Unscrew the number plate light screws using the screwdriver from the
vehicle tool kit (⇒ Fig. 200).
3.Detach the number plate light.
4.Press on the connector lock in the direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 216 Aand pull out the connector.Separate the attachment tabs from the rear panel of the number plate
light by pressing.
5.Rotate the lamp holder in the direction of the arrow B and extract it
with the lamp.Take the lamp holder out of the number plate light.
6.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7.Insert the lamp holder into the number plate light and rotate all the
way in the opposite direction to the arrow B.Insert the lamp holder into the number plate light.
8.Plug the connector into the lamp holder.Press on the attachment tabs. The lamp holder must be firmly attached
to the number plate light.


344If and when
Instructions for tow starting
In general, the vehicle should not be started by towing. Jump-starting is
much more preferable ⇒  page 340.
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 towline anchorage 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 236.
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 all-wheel drive
vehicles.
Instructions for towing all-wheel drive vehicles
All-wheel drive vehicles can be towed using a toolbar or tow rope. If the ve-
hicle 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 344.
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). 

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. 