2016 Seat Alhambra engine

Checking and refilling levels
● Bef
or
e opening the bonnet, make sure that
the windscreen wiper arms are in place
against the windscreen ››› .
● Open the driver door.
● Pull the release lever ››
›
Fig. 239 in the di-
rection of the arrow. The bonnet is released
from the lock carrier by a spring mechanism
››› .
● Lift the bonnet using the release lever
› ›
›

Fig. 240 (arrow) and open the bonnet fully.
The bonnet is held open thanks to the gas
strut.
Closing the bonnet
● To close the bonnet, pull it down to over-
come the ga
s strut pressure ››› .
● Allow the bonnet to fall into the lock carrier.
Do not pr
e

ss down.
If the bonnet is not correctly closed, open it
once again and close it correctly.
The bonnet is correctly closed when it is flush
with the corresponding parts on the body-
work. WARNING
If the bonnet is not correctly closed, it could
sud den

ly open while driving leaving the driv-
er without visibility. This could result in a se-
rious accident.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that
it is
properly secured by the locking mecha- nism in the lock carrier. The bonnet must be
flush w
ith the s

urrounding body panels.
● While driving, if you notice that the bonnet
is not
correctly closed then stop immediately
and close it correctly.
● Only open and close the bonnet when there
is no
body within its range. CAUTION
● To av oid d

amage to the bonnet and to the
windscreen wiper arms, only open it when
the windscreen wipers are in place against
the windscreen.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper
arms. Checking fluid levels
Fig. 241
Diagram for the location of the vari-
ou s
el

ements. From time to time, the levels of the different
fluid
s
in the

vehicle must be checked. Never
fill with incorrect fluids, otherwise serious
damage to the engine may be caused.
Coolant fluid deposit
Engine oil dipstick
Oil filler neck
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath a cover)
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir »
1 2
3
4
5
6
275
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
The checking and refilling of service fluids
ar e c
arried out
on the components men-
tioned above. These operations are descri-
bed in ››› page 272.
Overview
Further explanations, instructions and restric-
tions on the technical data are contained as
of ››› page 298
Engine oil Introduction WARNING
Incorrectly handling engine oil can cause in-
jury and seriou

s burns.
● Always protect your eyes when handling
engine oil
.
● Oil is toxic and must be kept out of the
reac
h of children.
● Engine oil should only be kept in its origi-
nal
packaging; the same goes for used oil un-
til it is disposed of.
● Never store engine oil in empty food con-
tainers
or bottles as other people may acci-
dentally drink it.
● Regular contact with engine oil can be bad
for the skin. If
you come into contact with en-
gine oil, wash your skin with soap and water. ●
With the en gine ru

nning, 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
en gine oi l

can be bad for the environment.
Collect these liquids in suitable containers
and dispose of them while respecting the en-
vironment. Warning and indication lamps

It lights up
Insufficient en-
gine oil.Switch the ignition off. Check the en-
gine oil level
››› page 277. 
Flashes
Engine oil sen-
sor faulty.Contact a specialised workshop.
Have the engine oil sensor checked.
Meanwhile, check the oil level man-
ually. 
Flashes
Engine oil pres-
sure too low.

Stop the vehicle!
Switch off the engine. Check the en-
gine 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. Seek specialist
assistance. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Warning
and indication l amp
s on page 105. Engine oil specifications
Replacement engine oil must strictly comply
w
ith the s
pec

ifications.
The correct oil must be used to ensure the
correct operation and long service 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
w i
sh t

o maintain the long-life service dura-
tion, only engine oils approved for this serv-
ice according to the corresponding VW stand-
ard ( ›››
 table on page 40) may be used.
All oils indicated are synthetic multigrade
oils.
276

Checking and refilling levels
Engine oils are being continuously further
dev eloped.
T
echnical services are constantly
updated with any modifications. SEAT there-
fore recommends that you have the engine
oil changed by a technical service. CAUTION
● Only u

se engine oils whose specifications
are expressly approved by SEAT. The use of
any other type of oil could cause engine dam-
age! Checking engine oil level
Fig. 242
Marked engine oil dipstick Fig. 243
In the engine compartment: Engine
oil fi

ller cap. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 39
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 t
o 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 272.
● The engine oil filler neck can be recognised
by the symbo
l  on the cap ››› Fig. 243 and
the dipstick by its coloured handle.
Checking the engine oil level
● Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean
cloth. ●
Repl
ace 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 oil dipstick again and check
the engine oil
level.
● After reading the oil level, replace the dip-
stick
in the tube completely.
Adding oil after checking the level
Only add engine oil in small quantities and in
steps:
● Unscrew the cap from engine oil filler neck
on the cylinder head ›

›› Fig. 243. If you are
not sure where the cap is, request help from
a specialist.
● Only refill using approved SEAT engine oil
in small
quantities (no more than 0.5 l)
››› page 276.
● To avoid adding too much oil, each time
you ad
d a quantity, wait until the oil has flow-
ed into the crankcase so that it can be meas-
ured 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 at least in the
› ›
›

Fig. 242 B zone, insert the dipstick into
the t ube f
u
lly to avoid engine oil escaping
when the engine is running. »
277
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
● Af t
er t
opping 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 en

gine components. This could lead
to a fire, explosion and severe injuries.
● Always ensure that after topping of oil, the
engine oil
filler cap is correctly tightened.
This will avoid engine oil spilling onto hot en-
gine parts when the engine is running. CAUTION
● If the en gine oi

l level is above the area
››› Fig. 242 A do not start the engine. Seek
spec i
alist assistance. Otherwise catalytic
converter and engine damage may occur.
● When refilling or changing service liquids,
ensur
e that you put the liquids into the right
tank. Making a mistake when refilling could
cause serious malfunctions and damage the
engine! For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area
›› ›

Fig. 242 A . Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the c r
ankcase breather and escape
into the atmosphere via the exhaust system. Engine oil consumption
The consumption of engine oil can be differ-
ent fr
om one en

gine to another and can vary
during the useful life of the engine.
Depending on driving style and the condi-
tions of use, the consumption of engine oil
can reach 1 litre every 2,000 km (one quarter
of a gallon every 1,200 miles); for new vehi-
cles, this could be higher for the first
5,000 km (3,000 miles). For this reason the
engine oil level must be checked at regular
intervals, preferably when filling the tank and
before a journey.
Topping up engine oil Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 39
The engine oil must be changed regularly ac-
cording to the specifications of the Mainte-
nance Programme.
Due to the problems linked with disposing of
used oil and the need for suitable tools and
special knowledge, always visit a specialised
workshop to have the engine oil and filter
changed. SEAT recommends taking your car
in for technical service.
Detailed information on the service intervals
is shown in the Maintenance Programme. WARNING
If, in exceptional circumstances, you must
ch an

ge the engine oil yourself, please note
the following:
● Wear eye protection.
● Always wait until the engine has complete-
ly coo
led to avoid being burned.
● Always keep your arms horizontal when un-
scr
ewing the oil drainage bolt so that it does
not run down your arms.
● Use a suitable container large enough to
col
lect all of the used oil in the engine.
● Never collect engine oil in empty food con-
tainers, c
ans, bottles or other containers as
not all people are able to identify engine oil.
● Oil is toxic and must be kept out of the
reac
h of children. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
This c

ould result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Bef or

e changing the engine oil, find a suita-
ble location or service for proper disposal.
● Always dispose of engine oil with the ut-
most
respect for the environment. Never dis-
pose of used engine oil in places such as a
garden, woods, drains, roads, paths, rivers
and drainage systems. 278

Checking and refilling levels
Engine coolant Intr oduction WARNING
Engine coolant is toxic!
● Only keep engine coolant in its original
cont ainer
, tightly shut and in a safe place. ●
Never s t

ore engine coolant in empty food
containers or bottles as other people may ac-
cidentally drink it.
● Always keep engine coolant out of reach of
chil
dren.
● Ensure that the proportion of engine cool-
ant ad
ditive corresponds to the lowest out-
side temperature to which the vehicle will be
exposed.
● If the outside temperature is extremely low,
the engine coo
lant could freeze causing the vehicle to stop. As this would also cause the
heatin
g t

o stop working, passengers without
warm clothing could freeze. For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the
en vir

onment. Collect any spilt fluids in suita-
ble containers and dispose of them in accord-
ance with legislation and with the utmost re-
spect for the environment. Warning lamp and coolant temperature indicator
Fig. 244
Engine coolant temperature gauge
on the ins trument

panel: A cold area;
B normal area;
C warning area When driving normally, the needle will re-
m
ain in the mid
dl

e area. The temperature
may also rise when the engine is working
hard, especially at high outside temperatures
and so the indicator will move quite far to the
right-hand side.
Several warning and indication lamps light
up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on, signalling that the function is
being verified. They will switch off after a few
seconds. »
279
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

AdviceIt lights upGauge position
››› Fig. 244Possible causeSolution 
Warning area
CExcessive engine coolant temperature. 
Stop the vehicle!
Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. Switch off the engine and wait
for it to cool down and for the needle to return to the normal area. Check
the engine coolant level ››› page 281.
Normal area BInsufficient engine coolant level.Check the engine coolant when the engine has cooled and, if it is low, refill
with engine coolant
››› page 281.
Although the coolant level is correct, there is a fault.
--Engine coolant system faulty.  Do not drive any further.
Obtain professional assistance.
--Cold area A--Avoid revving the engine too much or making it work hard while it has not
reached normal service temperature. 
Flashes
Engine coolant
system faulty.Seek specialist assistance.
WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Warning
and indication l amp
s on page 105. Coolant specifications
Read the additional information carefully
› ››

 page 40 WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the cool-
ant sy s

tem, the engine may fail leading to se-
rious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of
additiv
e is correct with respect 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 cool
ant could freeze and the vehicle
would be immobilised. In this case, the heat-
ing would not work either and inadequately
dressed passengers could die of cold. CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed
with c oo

lants which are not approved by SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing
sever
e d

amage to the engine and the engine
cooling system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not pur-
ple b
ut is, for example, brown, this indicates
that the G 13 additive has been mixed with
an inadequate 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
en vir

onment. If any fluids are spilled, they
should be collected and correctly disposed
of, with respect to the environment. 280

Checking and refilling levels
Checking the coolant level and top-
pin g up Fig. 245
In the engine compartment: Marking
on c oo
l
ant expansion tank Fig. 246
In the engine compartment: Coolant
e xp
an

sion tank cap If the coolant level is low, the coolant warn-
in
g indic
at

or will light. Preparations
● Park the vehicle on even, flat and firm
ground.
● A

llow the engine to cool ›››
.
● Open the bonnet  › ›
›
page 272.
● The coolant expansion tank is easily recog-
nisab
le because of the symbol  on the cap
››› Fig. 246.
Checking the engine coolant level ● When the engine is cold, check the coolant
level
using the side marking on the expan-
sion tank ››› Fig. 245.
● If the level is below the “MIN” mark, top up
with coo
lant. When the engine is hot it may
be slightly above the marked area.
Topping up the engine coolant level
● Always protect your face, hands and arms
from hot c
oolant and steam using a large,
thick cloth over the coolant expansion tank
cap.
● Remove the cap very carefully ›››
.
● Only refill using new engine c
oo
lant ac-
cording to SEAT specifications ( ››› page 280)
››› .
● The engine coolant level should be be-
tw een the m
ark

s on the coolant expansion
tank ››› Fig. 245. Do not exceed the top level
of the marked area ››› .
● Screw on the cap tightly. ●
If, in the ev
ent

of an emergency, you have
no coolant that is compliant to the required
specifications ( ››› page 280), do not use an-
other type of additive. Instead, top up with
distilled water only ››› . Then re-establish
the c orr
ect

proportion of the mixture with the
correct additive as soon as possible
››› page 280. WARNING
Hot vapours and coolant can cause serious
burn s.
● Nev

er open the coolant expansion tank if
ste
am or coolant is coming from the engine
compartment. Wait until you cannot see or
hear any steam or coolant escaping.
● Always wait until the engine has complete-
ly coo
led before very carefully opening the
expansion tank cap. Contact with hot ele-
ments of the engine can cause skin burns.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cool-
ing sys
tem is pressurised. Do not unscrew
the cap on the expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. Otherwise, coolant may spray out
under pressure causing burns and serious in-
jury.
– Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap an-
ti-clockwise, gently pressing down on it.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms
from hot coolant and steam using a large,
thick cloth. » 281
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
●
When refi l
ling liquids, avoid spilling them
on parts of the engine and the exhaust sys-
tem. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. Under
specific circumstances, the ethylene glycol
can catch fire. CAUTION
● On ly fi

ll with distilled water. Any other type
of water may lead to considerable rusting in
the engine due to its chemical components.
This could consequently damage the engine.
If you have not used distilled water but an-
other type of water to top up the coolant, a
specialised workshop must immediately re-
place all of the fluid in the engine cooling
system.
● Only top up coolant to the top level of the
marked ar
ea ››› Fig. 245. Otherwise the ex-
cess coolant will be forced out of the cooling
system when the engine is hot, causing dam-
age.
● If a lot of liquid coolant has been lost, wait
for the engine t
o cool down completely before
adding coolant. Extensive coolant loss is an
indication of leaks in the engine cooling sys-
tem. Have the engine cooling system inspec-
ted immediately by a specialised workshop.
Otherwise engine damage may occur.
● When refilling service liquids, ensure that
you put
the liquids into the right tank. Mak-
ing a mistake when refilling could cause seri-
ous malfunctions and damage the engine! Brake fluid
Chec k
in

g the brake fluid level Fig. 247
In the engine compartment: brake
fluid r e
ser

voir cap Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 41
In the course of time, the brake fluid absorbs
water from the ambient air. If there is too
much water in the brake fluid, the brake sys-
tem could be damaged. In addition, the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid is significantly
lowered. When the brake fluid contains too
much water and the brakes are subject to
considerable forces, bubbles of water vapour
can form in the system. These bubbles can
significantly reduce braking power, notably
increasing braking distance, and could even
result in the total failure of the brake system.
Ensuring that the brake system is always
functioning correctly is essential for your own safety and the safety of other road users
›››
.
Br ak
e fluid s
pecifications
SEAT have developed a special brake fluid
optimised for the brake systems of their vehi-
cles. To ensure the optimum working of the
brake system, SEAT recommends the use of
brake fluid in accordance with the VW 501 14
standard. If this brake fluid is not available or
another brake fluid is used for different rea-
sons, use a brake fluid that complies with the
United States standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 or
the German standard DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
››› .
Br ak
e fluid

s conforming to the standard
VW 501 14, fulfil the American requirements
of the FMVSS 116 DOT 4 standard and the
German DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standard.
However, fluids that comply with the US
FMVSS 116 DOT 4 standard or the German
DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standard do not nec-
essarily comply with the VW 501 14 stand-
ard. Always check the information on the
brake fluid container and ensure that you are
using suitable brake fluid.
A suitable brake fluid can be obtained from
technical service centres.
282