2016 Seat Alhambra technical data

Checking and refilling levels
Brake fluid level
The l ev
el
of the brake fluid should always be
between the MIN and MAX marks, or above
the MIN mark ››› .
It i
s

not always possible to check the level of
the brake fluid, as in some models the en-
gine components make it difficult to see the
brake fluid reservoir. If you cannot read the
exact brake fluid level, consult a specialist.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the
vehicle is being used due to wear of the
brake pads and the automatic readjustment
of the brake.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid should be changed in accord-
ance with the instructions given in the Main-
tenance Programme. Have the brake fluid
changed by a specialised workshop. SEAT
recommends taking your car in for technical
service. This means that only brake fluid
complying with the required specifications
will be used. WARNING
If the brake fluid level is low or unsuita-
bl e/o

ld brake fluid is used, the brake system
may fail or braking power may be reduced.
● Check the brake system and the brake fluid
level
regularly! ●
The brak e fluid shou

ld be changed regular-
ly in accordance with the instructions given
in the Maintenance Programme.
● When the brake fluid is used and brakes
are sub
jected to extreme braking forces, bub-
bles of vapour form in the brake system.
These bubbles can significantly reduce brak-
ing power, notably increasing braking dis-
tance, and could result in the total failure of
the brake system.
● Only used brake fluid that conforms to the
VW 501 14 stand
ard, FMVSS 116 DOT 4
standard or even the DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4
standard. Other types of brake fluid could af-
fect brake operation and reduce braking pow-
er. Do not use a brake fluid if the container
does not specify compliance with the
VW 501 14, FMVSS 116 DOT 4 or
DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards.
● The replacement brake fluid must be new.
● Always ensure that you use suitable brake
fluid. Do not use a br
ake fluid if the container
does not specify compliance with the
VW 501 14, FMVSS 116 DOT 4 or
DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 4 standards. WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous.
● To reduce the risk of poisoning, do not keep
brak e fluid in drink

s bottles/containers or
similar. Other people could drink from these
recipients even if the contents are clearly
marked. ●
Alw a

ys keep brake fluid in the original con-
tainer; keep it correctly sealed and out of
reach of children. CAUTION
Brake fluid damages the vehicle paintwork.
W ipe off an

y brake fluid from the paintwork
immediately. For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid is an environmental pollutant.
Co l

lect any spilt service fluids and allow a
professional to dispose of them. 283
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Checking and refilling levelsSymbolMeaning

A highly explosive mixture of gases is re-
leased when the battery is under charge.

Keep children away from acid and batter-
ies!
WARNING
Working on the vehicle battery and the elec-
trica l

system can cause corrosion, fire and
electric shocks. Always read and take into ac-
count the following warnings and safety
standards before carrying out any work:
● Before working on the battery, switch off
the engine, the ignition and al
l electrical de-
vices then disconnect the negative connec-
tion on the battery.
● Keep children away from acid and the bat-
tery
itself!
● Wear eye protection.
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It
can burn sk
in and cause blindness. When
handling the battery, protect yourself from
splashes of acids, above all your hands, arms
and face.
● Do not smoke and never work close to pla-
ces
exposed to flames or sparks.
● Avoid sparks and electrostatic discharges
when workin
g with cables and electrical devi-
ces.
● Never short the battery terminals. ●
Never u se a d

amaged battery. It can ex-
plode. Replace a damaged battery immedi-
ately.
● Replaced damaged or frozen batteries as
soon as po
ssible. A flat battery can also
freeze at temperatures close to 0°C (+32°F).
● For vehicles with the battery in the luggage
compar
tment: Check that the battery gas
ventilation hose is securely attached. CAUTION
● Nev er di s

connect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components.
● Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight
over a lon
g period of time, as the intense ul-
traviolet radiation can damage the battery
housing.
● If the car is left standing for long periods,
protect
the battery from extreme cold temper-
ature so that it does not “freeze up” and be-
come damaged. Warning lamp

It lights up
Faulty generator.
Contact a specialised workshop.
Have the electrical system checked.
Disconnect any unnecessary electri-
cal devices. The generator does not
charge the battery while the vehicle
is in motion.
Several warning and indication lamps light
up for a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is
switched on, signalling that the function is
being verified. They will switch off after a few
seconds. WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignor-
ed, the v ehic

le may stall in traffic, or may
cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text
mess
ages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text
mes s

ages when they appear may result in
faults in the vehicle. 285
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Checking and refilling levels
and they must be charged in a controlled en-
v ir
onment
››› . SEAT recommends taking
y our c
ar in f
or technical service.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the
conditions of its location and has special
safety features. If the battery must be re-
placed, consult a technical service for infor-
mation on electromagnetic compatibility, the
size and maintenance, performance and
safety requirements of the new battery in
your vehicle before you purchase one. SEAT
recommends you have the battery replaced
by a technical service.
Use only maintenance-free genuine batteries
conforming to TL 825 06 and VW 7 50 73
Standards. These standards must be dated
April 2008 or later.
Start-Stop systems ( ››› page 209) are equip-
ped with a special battery. Therefore, it must
only be replaced with a battery of the same
specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle's battery
If you must disconnect the battery from the
electrical system, please note the following:
● Switch off the ignition and all electrical
equipment. ●
The vehic le must be unlocked before dis-
connecting the battery, otherwise the alarm
will be triggered.
● First disconnect the negative cable and
then the positiv
e ››› .
C onnectin
g the
vehicle's battery
● Before reconnecting the battery, switch off
the engine and all
electrical devices.
● First reconnect the positive cable and then
the negativ
e ››› .
Diff er
ent
control lamps may light up after
connecting the battery and switching the ig-
nition on. They will be turned off after a short
trip at a speed of between 15-20 km/h
(10-12 mph). If the warning indicators remain
lit, please visit a specialised workshop to
have the vehicle checked.
If the battery has been disconnected for a
long time, it is possible that the next service
date is not displayed or calculated correctly
››› page 100. Respect the maximum service
intervals permitted ››› Booklet Maintenance
Programme.
Vehicles with Keyless Access (››› page 117):
if, after connecting the battery, the ignition
cannot be switched on, lock and unlock the
vehicle from outside. Then try to switch on
the ignition again. If the ignition does not
work, seek professional assistance. Automatically disconnecting devices
The intellig

ent vehicle electrical system auto-
matically implements a range of measures to
prevent the battery from discharging when
high demands are made on it:
● the idling speed is increased so that the al-
ternat
or provides more electricity.
● where necessary, the power of the most
power
ful devices is reduced or even com-
pletely disconnected.
● On starting the engine, the power supply
from the 12-v
olt power sockets and the ciga-
rette lighter may be interrupted for a short
time.
The on-board management program cannot
always prevent the battery from running flat.
For example, if the ignition is left on for a
long period with the engine off or if the side
lights or parking lights are left on while the
vehicle is stationary.
Why does the battery run flat?
● When stationary for a long time without
star
ting the engine, particularly if the ignition
is switched on.
● Use of electrical devices with the engine
switc
hed off.
● If the auxiliary heater is running
›››
page 180. »
287
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Wheels and tyres
●
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
wil
l 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 taken for
the first 500 km (310 miles).
● Check tyre pressures regularly and ensure
they are m
aintained at the pressures indica-
ted. If the tyre pressure is too low, they could
overheat, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● Never drive on damaged (punctured, cut,
crac
ked or dented) or worn tyres. Driving on
damaged or worn tyres could result in burst
tyres, serious accidents or damage. Worn or
damaged tyres must be replaced immediate-
ly.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loa
ds specified for the type of tyre
fitted on your vehicle.
● The effectiveness of driver and brake assist
syst
ems also depends on the grip of the
tyres.
● If you notice unusual vibration or if the ve-
hicle p
ulls 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
vehicl
e or causing a serious accident, never
undo the bolted joints of beadlock wheels. ●
Never mou nt

used tyres or wheels if you are
not sure of their previous history. They may
be damaged, although the damage is not im-
mediately visible.
● Old tyres, even if they have never been
used, ma
y lose air or burst unexpectedly
while driving, resulting in serious accident or
damage. If tyres are over six years old, they
should only be used in an emergency and
with extreme caution. Note
● For t ec

hnical reasons, it is not generally
possible to use the wheels from other vehi-
cles. In some cases, this may also be true for
the same model of wheel. Please refer to the
vehicle documentation or ask at a technical
service. Handling tyres and wheels
Fig. 251
Diagram for changing wheels The tyres of a vehicle are the components
whic
h ar
e s

ubjected to most stress and are
the most underestimated. Tyres are very im-
portant, as the support offered by their nar-
row surface is the only point of contact be-
tween the vehicle and the road.
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre
pressure, driving style, the care they receive
and the correct fitting.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential
part of the vehicle's design. The tyres and
rims approved by SEAT are specially matched
to the characteristics of the vehicle and our
critical to good road holding and safe han-
dling.
Avoiding damage to tyres and wheels
● If you have to drive over a kerb or similar
obs
tacle, drive very slowly and as near as
possible at a right angle to the kerb.
● Inspect the tyres regularly for damage
(punct
ures, cuts, cracks, dents).
● Remove any foreign bodies found on the
outside of the ty
re tread and ensure that they
have not passed through the wall of the tyre
››› page 294.
● In addition, the instructions for tyre control
syst
ems should always be observed.
● Replace damaged or worn tyres as soon as
poss
ible ››› page 294. »
289
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Wheels and tyres
Note for Italy: A S
EA T Service Centre should
be consulted whether different sized wheels
or tyres to those originally fitted by SEAT may
be fitted, as well as the combinations al-
lowed between the front axle (axle 1) and
back axle (axle 2).
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct
torque ››› page 84.
Beadlock wheel rims
Beadlock wheel rims have various compo-
nents. 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 on-
ly be repaired in a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends visiting a technical service
››› .
Wheel rims
w

ith bolted trims
Wheel rims may be fitted with interchangea-
ble trim parts which are attached 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
mak e driv

ing more dangerous and result in
serious accidents and damage.
● Only wheel rims which have been approved
for use w
ith your vehicle should be used.
● Inspect wheel rims regularly for damage
and repl
ace as required. WARNING
If the bolted joints of wheel rims with bolted
ring trims ar

e not correctly tightened or loos-
ened, this could result in serious accident.
● Never loosen the bolted joints of wheel
rims with bo
lted ring trims.
● Any work relating to wheel rims with bolted
rims shoul
d be carried out at specialised
workshop. SEAT recommends taking your car
in for technical service. Replacement of wheel rims and new
ty
r
e

s New tyres
● When tyres are new, drive with extreme
c aution f
or the fir

st 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
››
›
.●
Al
l

four wheels must be fitted with radial
tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumfer-
ence) and the same tread pattern.
● The tread depth of new tyres may vary, ac-
cordin
g to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern.
Replacing tyres
● Where possible, always replace both
wheels on an ax
le (both wheels on the front
axle or both wheels on the rear axle) ››› .
● Old tyres should only be replaced by SEAT
ap pr
o

ved tyres for the vehicle in question,
and in accordance with the maximum permit-
ted size, diameter, load and speed capacity.
● If replacing tyres, make sure the new ones
have an emer
gency ride system (Conti-
Seal/Run flat). Otherwise, we recommend
carrying a tyre mobility system.
● Never use tyres which are larger than SEAT
appro
ved tyres. If the tyres are too big, they
may knock or rub against the chassis or other
components, resulting in damage. WARNING
New tyres do not give maximum grip and will
not h av

e reached their maximum braking ca-
pacity to start with, and therefore need run-
ning in.
● To prevent accidents and major damage,
extreme c
aution should be taken for the first
500 km (310 miles). » 291
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Wheels and tyres
WARNING
If tyre pressures are too high or too low, the
tyr e m
ay deflate or burst suddenly while driv-
ing. This could result in a serious accident.
● If the tyre pressure is too low, they could
overhe
at, resulting in tread detachment or
even burst tyres.
● When driving at high speeds and/or fully
loaded, the ty
re could suddenly overheat,
burst or be subject to tread detachment, with
the resultant loss of control of the vehicle.
● Tyre pressures which are too high or too
low reduc
e the service life of the tyre, affect-
ing the vehicle's performance.
● Tyre pressures should be checked regularly,
at le
ast once a month and before long jour-
neys.
● Adjust the pressures of all the tyres to the
vehicl
e load.
● Never deflate excess pressure from hot
tyre
s. CAUTION
● Tak e c

are not to tilt the manometer when
placing it on the valve. Otherwise, the valve
may be damaged.
● If tyre valves are not protected by caps, or if
the caps
are not screwed on correctly, they
may become damaged. Check that the caps
are identical to the standard caps and have
been correctly tightened. For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel con-
sumption. Note
When checking tyre pressures, please ob-
serv e the in

structions for the tyre control sys-
tem ››› page 234. Wear indicator depth profile
Fig. 253
Tyre tread: tread wear indicators Tread depth
C
er
t

ain driving conditions require a deeper
tread, as well as needing the tread to be ap-
proximately the same on the front and rear
tyres. This is particularly important when
driving in winter, in cold temperatures and on
wet roads ››› .The minimum tread depth required by law in
the m
aj
ority

of cases is 1.6 mm (1/16 of an
inch), measured in the tread grooves next to
the tread wear indicators. Observe legal re-
quirements in each country.
Winter tyres lose much of their performance
when their tread has worn to 4 mm
(5/32 inch).
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, ac-
cording to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern.
Wear indicators on the tyre
The original tyres on your vehicle have
1.6 mm (1/16 inch) high ››› Fig. 253 tread
wear indicators running across the tread. A
number of these indicators are equally
spaced around the tyre tread. Certain marks
on the tyre walls (e.g. the letters “TWI” or
other symbols) indicate the position of the
wear indicators.
Tread wear indicators indicate if a tyre is
worn. They must always be replaced before
the tyre tread has worn to the level of the in-
dicator. WARNING
Driving with worn tyres is dangerous, and
ma y

lead to loss of control of the vehicle with
serious consequences. » 293
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Wheels and tyres
Tyre code Fig. 254
Universal code on tyres Radial
Rim di
amet
er c
ode
Load index & speed rating
DOT tyre identification number
Severe snow conditions
Tyre ply composition and materials used
Max. load rating
Treadwear, traction and temperature
grades
Max. permissible inflation pressure
Passenger car tyre
Nominal width of tyre in millimetres
1 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
Tyre code (example): Meaning
Make, logotypeManufacturer
Product nameName of tyre assigned by manufac-
turer.
P215 /
55 R 16Size:
PPassenger vehicle code.
215Nominal width between
walls, in mm.
55Height/width ratio in %
RTyre type (R indicates "ra-
dial").
16Rim diameter in inches
91 VLoad index
››› page 296 and speed
rating ››› page 296.
XLReinforced tyres (“Reinforced”).
M+S or M/SWinter tyres (mud and snow tyres)
››› page 296.
SSR or DSST,
Eufonia, RFT,
ROF, RSC, ZP,
Conti-SealSpecific manufacturer codes for run-
flat tyres.
RADIAL
TUBELESSRadial tyre without inner tube. 12
Tyre code (example): Meaning
E4 ...E-mark certifying tyre complies with
international legislation followed by
a number denoting the country
granting the authorisation. The au-
thorisation number ( several digits)
is shown below.
DOT BT RA TY5
1709Tyre identification number (TIN
a)
,
may be only on interior wall of wheel)
and date of manufacture:
DOTThe tyre complies with the
legal requirements of the
US Department of Trans-
port, responsible for tyre
safety regulations.
BTPlace of manufacture
code.
RAInformation about manu-
facturer and tyre size.
TY5Manufacturer's tyre speci-
fications.
1709Date of manufacture:
Week 17 of 2009.
TWIThis identifies the position of the
Tread Wear Indicator ››› page 293.
MAX LOAD
615 KG
(1356 LBS)US load rating, indicating maximum
permitted load per tyre.
MAX INFLATION
350 KPA
(51 PSI)US limit, indicating maximum permit-
ted tyre pressure.» 295
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Wheels and tyres
● On ly
u
se winter tyres of the size authorised
for the vehicle.
● Only use radial winter tyres of the same
type, size (r
olling circumference) and tread
pattern.
● Adjust speeds to within the limits indicated
(code lett
er on tyre) ››› .
S peed limit
A c ode l
etter indicating the speed limit is
stamped on all winter tyres ››› page 296.
In some vehicles, it is possible to set a speed
warning in the MFA (multifunction
display) menu on the instrument panel
›››  page 26.
If you use V-rated tyres the speed limits and
tyre pressure will be determined by engine
size. Please ask your technical service centre
for further information on the maximum per-
mitted 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 recommend that winter tyres or all-
season tyres should be fitted on all four
wheels when winter road conditions are ex-
pected, mainly because this will give a better
braking response. Please observe all instructions and warnings
when usin

g snow chains ›››
 page 49. WARNING
Although winter tyres help to make driving
saf er in the w

inter, you should not take un-
necessary risks.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility
, road, traffic and weather conditions.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speed or loa
ds 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
tyr e

s when you have the time. In tempera-
tures 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 v

ehicle is fitted with a tyre control
system, this should be “reprogrammed”
whenever a tyre is changed ››› page 236.
● Please ask at a technical service centre for
information about
the permitted sizes for
winter tyres. 297
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety