2015 Seat Alhambra maintenance

Foreword
This Instruction Manual and its correspond-
ing supplements should be read carefully to
familiarise yourself with your vehicle.
Besides the regular care and maintenance of
the vehicle, its correct handling will help pre-
serve its value.
For safety reasons, always note the informa-
tion concerning accessories, modifications
and part replacements. If selling the vehicle, give all of the on-board
documentation to the new owner, as it
should be kept with the vehicle.
You can access the information in this man-
ual using:
● Thematic table of contents that follows the
manual’s general chapter structure.
● Alphabetical index with many terms and
synonyms to help you find information. WARNING
Read and always observe safety informa-
tion concerning the passenger's front air-
bag ››› page 27, Important information
regarding the front passenger's airbag .

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Safety first! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Tips for driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The whys and wherefores of seat belts . . . . . . . 10
How to properly adjust your seatbelt . . . . . . . . 14
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
General overview of the airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Deactivating airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Transporting children safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Integrated child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SEAT information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Three button unit in headliner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Vehicle key set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Central locking and locking system . . . . . . . . . 57
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Panoramic sliding sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Lights and visibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Windscreen wiper and window wiper systems . 81
Rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Seats and head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Adjusting the seats and head restraints . . . . . . 88
Seat functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Transport and practical equipment . . . . . . . . . 98
Transporting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Loading luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Roof carrier system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Drink holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Ashtray and cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Auxiliary heater* (additional heater) . . . . . . . . 128
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Stopping and starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Braking and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Changing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Run-in and economical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Engine management and exhaust gas
purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driving along flooded roadways . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driver assistance systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Braking and stability systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Start assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Parking sensor system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Park Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Rear Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Cruise control* (Cruise control system - CCS) . . 169
Lane Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Sign Assist* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Tiredness detection (recommendation to take
a break) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Towing bracket device
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Care and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Care and cleaning the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . 195
Caring for and cleaning the vehicle interior . . . 200
Notes for the user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Selective catalytic reduction* (AdBlue) . . . . . . 212
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . 214
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Checking and topping up the windscreen
washer reservoir with water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Winter service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
In case of emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Vehicle tool kit* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Changing a wheel* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Tyre repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Towing and tow starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
3

Operation
Service interval display The service indication is shown on the dash
panel display
››› Fig. 34 4 .
SEAT distinguishes between services with en-
gine oi l
change (Interval Service) and serv-
ices without
engine oil change (Inspection
Service). The service interval display only
gives information for service dates which in-
volve an engine oil change. The dates for the
other services (e.g. the next Inspection Serv-
ice or change of brake fluid) are listed on the
label attached to the door strut, or in the
Maintenance Programme.
In vehicles with Services established by time
or mileage, the service intervals are already
pr e-defined.
In

vehicles with LongLife Service , the inter-
vals are determined individually. Technical
progress has made it possible to considera-
bly reduce servicing requirements. The tech-
nology used by SEAT ensures that your vehi-
cle only has an Interval Service when it is
necessary. To establish when the Interval
Service is due (max. 2 years), the vehicle's
conditions of use and individual driving
styles are considered. The service pre-warn-
ing first appears 20 days before the date es-
tablished for the corresponding service. The
kilometres (miles) remaining until the next
service are always rounded up to the nearest
100 km (miles) and the time is given in com-
plete days. The current service message can- not be viewed until 500 km after the last
service. Prior to this only lines are visible on
the display.
Inspection reminder
When the Service date is approaching, when
the ignition is switched on a
Service remind-
er
is displayed.
In
vehicles without text messages , a spanner
is displayed on the instrument panel  with
a figure given in km. The number of kilome- tre
s shown is the maximum number that may
be driven until the next service. After a few
seconds, the display mode changes. A clock
symbol appears and the number of days until
the next service appointment is due.
In vehicles with text messages , Serv
ice in ---
km (miles) or --- days is displayed on the in- strument panel.
Service due
After the service date, an audible warning is
giv

en when the ignition is switched on and
the spanner displayed on the screen flashes
for a few seconds . In
vehicles with text
messages, Service in --- km or --- days is dis-
played on the instrument panel.
Reading a service notification
With the ignition switched on, the engine off
and the vehicle at a standstill, the current
service notification
can be read: ●
Press the button  on the instrument pan-
el several times until the spanner symbol is
displayed 
.
● OR:

select the Setting
s menu.
● From the
Service submenu, select the op-
tion Info.
When the service date has past , a minus
sign
is displayed in front of the number of kilome-
tres or days. In vehicles with text messages
the following is displayed: Service --- km
(miles) or --- days ago .
Resetting service interval display
If the service was not carried out by a techni-
cal service centre, the display can be reset as
follows:
In vehicles with text messages:
Select the Settings menu.
In the submenu Service, select the option Reset.
Confirm with OK when requested to do so by the sys-
tem.
In vehicles without text messages:
Switch the ignition off.
Press and hold the 0.0 / SET button.
Switch the ignition back on.44

CockpitIn vehicles without text messages:
Release the
0.0 / SET button and, press  for the next
20 seconds. Do not
reset the indicator to zero between
tw

o intervals, otherwise the display will be
incorrect.
If, while the LongLife service is valid, the
service interval display is reset to zero, the
“service will be activated by time or mile-
age”. The service interval is no longer calcu-
lated individually ›››
Booklet Maintenance
Programme. Note
● The service message disappears after a few
seconds, when the engine is started or when OK is pressed.
● In vehicles with the LongLife system in
which the battery has been disconnected for
a long period of time, it is not possible to cal-
culate the date of the next service. Therefore
the service interval display may not be cor-
rect. In this case, bear in mind the maximum
service intervals permitted in the ››› Book-
let Maintenance Programme. Control lamps
Control and warning lamps The control and warning lamps are indicators
of warnings,
››› , faults
››› or certain func-
tions. Some control and warning lamps come
on when the ignition is switched on, and
switch off when the engine starts running, or
while driving.
Depending on the model, additional text
messages may be viewed on the instrument
panel display. These may be purely informa-
tive or they may be advising of the need for
action ›››
page 40, Instruments .
D ependin

g upon the equipment fitted in the
vehicle, instead of a warning lamp, some-
times a symbol may be displayed on the in-
strument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are
lit, an audible warning is also heard.
Red symbols
Sym- bolMeaning ››› See  
Do not continue driving!
The electronic parking brake is on,
the brake fluid level is too low or
the brake system is faulty.››› page
137
Sym-
bolMeaning ››› See  
Do not continue driving!
Fault in the engine cooling sys-
tem.››› page
221  
Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.››› page
218  
Do not continue driving!
At least one of the vehicles doors
is open, or is not correctly closed.››› page
63  
Do not continue driving!
The rear lid is open or is incorrect-
ly closed.››› page
66  
Do not continue driving!
Fault in the steering.››› page
131 
Engine cannot be started again!
"AdBlue" level too low.›››
page
212 
Driver or passenger has not fas-
tened seat belt.›››
page
14 
Use the foot brake!
Change
››› page
143
Brake
››› page
137 
Faulty generator.›››
page
227» 45
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Driving
● Press and hold the brake pedal until the ve-
hicle comes to a standstill.
● Connect the electronic parking brake
››› page 140 .
● For an aut
omatic gearbox, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
● Sw

itch off the engine and release the brake
pedal.
● Remove the key from the ignition.
● If necessary, turn the steering wheel slight-
ly to lock the steering.
● With a manual gearbox, engage 1st gear on
flat ground and slopes, or even reverse gear
on hills, and release the clutch pedal.
● Ensure that all passengers leave the vehi-
cle, especially children.
● When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with
you.
● Lock the vehicle.
Additional information for steep slopes and
hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the
steering wheel so that if the vehicle should
move, it will be held by the kerb.
● On slopes, turn the front wheels so that
they are against the edge of the kerb.
● Uphill, turn the wheels towards the centre
of the road. WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
very high temperatures. This could cause a
fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhaust system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood,
leaves,dried grass, or spilled fuel). CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking
in areas with high kerbs or fixed barriers. Ob-
jects protruding from the ground may dam-
age the bumper or other parts of the vehicle
during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop
before the wheels touch the barrier or kerb.
● Special attention is required when driving
through entrances, over ramps, kerbs or oth-
er objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers,
mudguards and running gear, and the engine
and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. Information about the brakes
For the first 200 to 300 km, new brake pads
have not yet reached their maximum braking
capacity, and need to be “run in” first
››› .
The slightly reduced braking effect can be
compensated for by increasing pressure on
the brake pedal. While running in, the full
br ak

ing distance or emergency braking dis- tance is larger
then when the brake pads
have been run in. While running in, avoid full
power braking or situations requiring braking
performance. For example, in heavy traffic.
The
rate of wear of the brake pads depends
to a great extent on the conditions in which
the vehicle is used and the way the vehicle is
driven. If the vehicle is used frequently in city
traffic or for short trips or driven sport style,
visit a specialised workshop regularly, more
frequently than advised in the Maintenance
Programme, to have the brake pads checked.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, af-
ter crossing areas of water, in heavy rainfall
or even after washing the car, the effect of
the brakes is lessened as the brake discs are
wet or even frozen (in winter). At higher
speed, “dry” the brakes as quickly as possi-
ble by braking gently several times. Only do
this without endangering vehicles behind
you or any other road users ››› .
A layer of salt on the discs and brake pads
w i

ll reduce the effectiveness of the brakes
and increase braking distance. If you drive for
a prolonged period on salted roads without
braking then brake carefully several times to
eliminate the layer of salt on the brakes ››› .
If the vehicle remains parked for considera-
ble lengths of time, is used little, or if the
brakes are not used, there may be corrosion
on the brake discs and a build up of dirt on
the brake pads. If the brakes are not used »
141
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
WARNING
If the tow hitch is badly fitted or unsuitable,
the trailer may separate from the vehicle
while driving. This could result in a serious
accident. Note
Use only tow hitches approved by SEAT for
the vehicle. Maximum gross trailer weight
The instructions in the official vehicle docu-
ments take precedence. All the technical data
provided in this documentation is applicable
to the basic model. The vehicle data label in
the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documentation shows which engine is instal-
led in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending
whether additional equipment is fitted, for
different models and for special vehicles.
WARNING
Exceeding the maximum trailer weight indica-
ted could cause a serious accident.
● Never exceed the indicated trailer weight. CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum trailer weight indica-
ted could cause damage to the vehicle. ● Never exceed the indicated trailer weight. Gross combined vehicle weight rating
The instructions in the official vehicle docu-
ments take precedence. All the technical data
provided in this documentation is applicable
to the basic model. The vehicle data label in
the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documentation shows which engine is instal-
led in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending
whether additional equipment is fitted, for
different models and for special vehicles.
The maximum combined weights listed are
only applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m
above sea level. The weight of the car and
trailer must be reduced by about 10% for ev-
ery further 1000 m (or part thereof).
WARNING
Exceeding the maximum weight indicated
could cause a serious accident.
● Never exceed the gross combined weight
rating. CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum gross combined
weight rating indicated could cause damage
to the vehicle. ● Never exceed the gross combined weight
rating. 188

Care and maintenance
Advice
Care and maintenance
Accessories, replacement of
parts and modifications Introduction WARNING
The use of spare parts and accessories, or in-
correctly performed modifications or repairs
may result in damage to the vehicle, acci-
dents and serious injury.
● SEAT strongly recommends you to only use
SEAT approved accessories and SEAT ®
origi-
nal spare parts. These parts and accessories
have been specially tested by SEAT for suita-
bility, reliability and safety.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried
out at a specialised workshop. These work-
shops have the necessary tools, diagnostics
equipment, repair information and qualified
personnel.
● Only mount parts with the same specifica-
tions as the parts fitted at factory.
● Never mount, fasten or fit objects such as
drink holders or telephone cradles over the
covers of the airbag modules or within their
radius of action. ●
Only use wheels and tyre combinations
which have been approved by SEAT for your
vehicle type. Accessories and spare parts
SEAT recommends you consult an Official
Service before purchasing accessories and
spare parts or consumables. For example,
when fitting accessories at a later date, or
when replacing a component. A technical
service centre will advise you as to the legal
requirements and manufacturer's recommen-
dations regarding accessories, spare parts
and other components.
SEAT recommend you use only approved
SEAT accessories
and
genuine SEAT spare
p
arts ®
. These parts and accessories have
been specially tested by SEAT for suitability,
reliability and safety. In addition the techni-
cal service centre will guarantee that the as-
sembly is carried out professionally.
Although we continually monitor the market,
SEAT cannot guarantee that products not ap-
proved by SEAT are reliable, safe and suita-
ble for the vehicle. Therefore, SEAT cannot ac-
cept liability, even in those cases authorised
by an officially recognised technical inspec-
tion office or other official body.
Any retro-fitted equipment which has a direct
effect

on the vehicle and/or the way it is driv- en must be approved by SEAT for use in your
vehicle and bear the e mark (the European
Union's authorisation symbol). This includes
cruise control systems or electronically con-
trolled suspension.
If any
additional electrical devices are fitted
which do not serve to control the vehicle it-
self, these must bear the  mark (European
Union manuf

acturer conformity declaration).
This includes refrigerator boxes, laptops or
ventilator fans. WARNING
Unprofessional repairs or modifications to
the vehicle may affect the performance of the
airbags, and may cause operating faults or fa-
tal accidents.
● Never mount, fasten or fit objects such as
drink holders or telephone cradles over the
covers of the airbag modules or within their
radius of action.
● Objects placed over the airbag covers, or
within their radius of action, could lead to se-
rious injury or loss of life if the airbags are
triggered. Fluids and consumables
All vehicle fluids and consumables
, such as
notched belts, tyres, coolant fluids, engine
oils, spark plugs and batteries are continual-
ly being developed. Therefore all fluids and »
189Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Care and maintenance
●
All repairs and modifications to the vehicle
should only be performed by a specialised
workshop. Repair and faults in the airbag system
When performing repairs and technical mod-
ifications, SEAT's directives must be ob-
served!
››› Modifications and repairs to the front bump-
er, doors, front seats, and repairs to the roof
or chassis should only be carried out in a
specialised workshop. These components
may contain parts or sensors belonging to
the airbag system.
If work is carried out on the airbag system or
parts have to be removed and fitted on the
system when performing other repair work,
parts of the airbag system may be damaged.
The consequence may be that, in the event of
an accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or
does not inflate at all.
So that the effectiveness of the airbag is not
reduced and that removed parts do not cause
any injuries or environmental pollution, regu-
lations must be observed. These require-
ments are known to specialised workshops.
Modifications to the vehicle suspension may
affect the operation of the airbag system in
the event of collision. For example, if wheel
and tyre combinations not approved by SEAT are used, or if the vehicle height is lowered,
the suspension is stiffened or the suspension
springs, telescopic arms, dampers, etc., are
modified, the results received by the airbag
sensors and sent to the control unit may not
be accurate. For example, some modifica-
tions to the suspension could increase the
force measured by the sensors and result in
the triggering of the airbag systems in colli-
sions. Under normal conditions, the meas-
ured values would be lower and the airbag
would not have been triggered. Other modifi-
cations may reduce the forces measured by
the sensors and prevent the airbags from be-
ing triggered when they should.
WARNING
Repairs or modifications which are not per-
formed correctly may result in damage or er-
rors in the vehicle operation, affecting the ef-
fectiveness of the airbag systems. This could
result in serious or fatal accidents.
● All repairs and modifications to the vehicle
should only be performed by a specialised
workshop.
● Airbag modules must never be repaired: if
damaged, they must be replaced.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag compo-
nents in your vehicle. WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle suspension, in-
cluding the use of unauthorised wheel and tyre combinations, may affect the perform-
ance of the airbags and increase the risk of
serious or fatal injury in the event of acci-
dent.
●
Never fit suspension components which are
not identical to the original parts in the vehi-
cle.
● Never use wheel and tyre combinations not
approved by SEAT. Retro-fitting of two-way radios
An exterior aerial is required for the use of
two-way radios in the vehicle.
The retro-fitting of electrical or electronic ap-
pliances in the vehicle is subject to their ap-
proval for use in your vehicle. Under certain
circumstances, this could mean that your ve-
hicle registration documents are no longer
valid.
SEAT has approved your vehicle for use with
two-way radios providing the following condi-
tions are observed:
● The exterior aerial must be mounted pro-
fessionally.
● The maximum transmitting power is 10
watts.
The optimal reach of the equipment is only
achieved with an external aerial. »
191Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety