296Wheels 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.
The inclusion of such technology means that there is no type of spare
wheel, nor puncture repair kit included in the vehicle's inventory.
SEAT recommend that all work on tyres and wheels is carried out by a speci-
alised workshop. They have the necessary special tools and replacement
parts, trained personnel and facilities for disposing of the old tyres. SEAT
recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
● Transporting ⇒ page 13
● Towing mode ⇒ page 236
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 184
● Park assist system ⇒ page 203
● Tyre control systems ⇒ page 224
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 245
● Wheel trims ⇒ page 307
● Change wheel ⇒ page 309
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 258
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 effectiveness 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.
299
Wheels 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 specialised work-
shop. 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 specialised workshop. 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 specialised workshop. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Serv-
ice.
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.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications
304Wheels and tyres
● 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 display) 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.
Please observe all instructions and warnings when using snow chains
⇒ page 304.
WARNING
Although winter tyres help to make driving safer in the winter, you
should not take unnecessary risks.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of winter tyre fitted on your vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
When winter is over, change back to summer tyres. In temperatures above
+7 °C (+45 °F), performance will be improved if summer tyres are used. Fuel
consumption, wear and noises while driving will all be reduced.
Note
● If the vehicle is fitted with a tyre control system, this should be “reprog-
rammed” whenever a tyre is changed ⇒ page 226.
● Please ask at a Technical Service for information about the permitted
sizes for winter tyres.
Snow chains
When using snow chains, applicable local legislation and maximum permit-
ted speed limits must be observed.
In winter weather, snow chains not only help to improve grip but also im-
prove the braking capacity.
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels, even on all-wheel
drive vehicles, and only with the tyre and rim combinations listed below:
Tyre sizeWheel rim205/60 R166 1/2 J x 16 ET 33
SEAT recommends you ask a Technical Service for further information on
wheel, tyre and chain sizes.
Wherever possible use fine-link chains measuring less than 15 mm
(37/64 inch) including the lock.
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains ⇒
.
The wheel bolts should be covered with caps for safety reasons. These are
available from Technical Services.
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