2016 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

Towing bracket device
CAUTION
● If the r e
ar lights of the trailer are not cor-
rectly connected, the vehicle electronics may
be damaged.
● If the trailer absorbs excessive electric cur-
rent, the v
ehicle electronics may be dam-
aged.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
to the electric
al connections of the rear lights
or any other power sources. Only use suitable
connections for providing electric current to
the trailer. Note
● To w

ing a trailer places additional demands
on the vehicle. At SEAT, we recommend addi-
tional services between the normal inspec-
tion intervals if the vehicle is used frequently
for towing a trailer.
● In some countries, an additional fire extin-
guisher is
required if the trailer weight is
more than 2500 kg Electric tow hitch ball*
Fig. 230
Right-hand side of the luggage com-
p ar
tment: b

utton to electrically release the
tow hitch ball The rotation radius of the tow hitch ball
shou
l
d be fr

ee of people, animals and ob-
jects ››› .
The t o
w

ing bracket is located in the bumper.
The electric tow ball is fixed and cannot be
removed.
Releasing and unfolding the tow ball
● Stop the vehicle and apply the electric
parkin
g brake.
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the rear lid.
● Press the knob briefly ›››
Fig. 230. The tow
ball is released electronically and folds out
automatically; the button indicator will blink. ●
Move the b
all joint until it inserts and the
button control lamp lights.
● Close the rear lid.
● Before hitching the trailer, remove the dust
guard from the b
all.
● The indicator only lights when the boot
hatc
h is open and when a trailer is not hitch-
ed.
Restoring the tow ball to its originally posi-
tion
● Stop the vehicle and apply the electric
parkin
g brake.
● Switch the ignition off.
● Remove the trailer and disconnect the ca-
ble betw
een the vehicle and trailer. If neces-
sary, remove the power socket adapter.
● Place the dust guard over the ball.
● Open the rear lid.
● Press the knob briefly ›››
Fig. 230. The tow
ball is electronically released; the indicator
blinks.
● Push the tow ball into the bumper until it
locks
in position and the button indicator
lights.
● Close the rear lid. »
239
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
The control lamp
● When the control lamp flashes
, the t ow ball
is not in its final position, has not engaged or
is damaged ››› .
● When the control lamp remain
s
lit and the
rear lid is open, the tow ball has inserted cor-
rectly into the folded or deployed position.
● When the rear lid is closed, the indicator is
turned off. WARNING
The incorrect use of the tow hitch can cause
acc ident

s and injury.
● Ensure that no person, animal or object
gets
in the way of the tow ball.
● Never push the button when there is a tow
hitched or when an
y kind of carrier or acces-
sory is fitted to the tow hitch ball.
● While the ball is moving, do not interfere
with any
tool.
● Do not drive with a trailer if the control
lamp does
not light.
● If there is a fault in the electric system or
the trail
er tow hitch, visit a specialised work-
shop to have it checked.
● If the diameter of the tow hitch is less than
49 mm, never use thi
s for a trailer. CAUTION
● If an ythin

g is attached to the tow hitch ball,
do not, under any circumstances press the
button.
● Never direct a high-pressure or steam
cle
aning system directly at the tow hitch ball
or trailer power socket. This could cause
damage to seals or remove lubricating
grease. Note
In extremely low temperatures, it is possible
that the t

ow hitch is not released. In this
case, place the vehicle in a warmer location
(e.g. a garage). Installing a bicycle carrier to the tow
hit
c
h The maximum load permitted for a bicycle
c
arrier on the t
o

w hitch ball is 75 kg, with a
maximum distance of 30 cm from the sup-
port. The distance between supports is the
distance between the bicycle carrier centre of
gravity (with the bicycles) and the centre of
point of the tow hitch ball. WARNING
The incorrect use of the tow hitch with a bicy-
cl e c

arrier installed can cause accidents and
injury. ●
Never e x

ceed the load and distances be-
tween supports indicated.
● Never fit the bicycle carrier to the tow hitch
bal
l neck, underneath the tow hitch given
that the bicycle carrier may be incorrectly fit-
ted due to the shape of the tow hitch and the
model of bicycle carrier.
● Always read and take the manufacturer as-
sembly in
structions into account. CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum load and distance
betw een s up

ports indicated can cause con-
siderable damage to the vehicle.
● Never exceed the specifications. Hitching and connecting the trailer
Fig. 231
Schematic diagram: assignment of
the pin s
of

the trailer's electrical socket. 240

Towing bracket deviceKey of the Schematic diagram
››› Fig. 231:
PinMeaning
1Left turn signal
2Rear fog light
3Earth, pins 1 to 8
4Right turn signal
5Rear light, right
6Brake lights
7Rear light, left
8Reverse lights
9Permanent live
10Live charge cable
11Unassigned
12Unassigned
13Earth, pins 9 to 13 Electrical socket for trailer
The
v
ehic

le is fitted with a 13-pole power
socket for the electrical connection between
the trailer and the vehicle. With the engine
running, electrical devices on the trailer re-
ceive power from the electrical connection
(pin 9 and pin 10 on the trailer power plug).
If the system detects that a trailer has been
connected electrically, the electrical equip- ment on the trailer will receive voltage
through this

connection (pins 9 and 10). Pin
9 has a permanent live. This powers, for ex-
ample, the trailer's interior lighting. Electrical
devices such as a fridge in a caravan only re-
ceive electrical power if the engine is running
(through pin 10).
The earth wires, pin 3 and pin 13, should not
be connected to each other to avoid over-
loading the electrical system.
If the trailer has a 7-contact connector , you
will need to use an adapter cable. In this case
the function corresponding to pin 10 will not
be available.
Trailer cable
Always secure the trailer cable to the towing
vehicle correctly. Leave a little bit of slack in
the cable for turning. However, ensure that
the cable does not rub off the ground while
driving.
Trailer rear lights
Check the trailer rear lights to ensure they
work correctly and remain legal. Ensure that
the trailer does not use more than the maxi-
mum power ››› page 238.
Trailer connected to the anti-theft alarm:
● When a vehicle comes from the factory fit-
ted w ith an anti-thef

t alarm and tow hitch. ●
When the trai l

er is connected to the vehicle
using the socket.
● When the vehicle and trailer electrical sys-
tems w
ork correctly and are not damaged.
● When the vehicle is locked using the vehi-
cle k
ey and the anti-theft alarm is turned on.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is trig-
gered when the electrical connection be-
tween the vehicle and the trailer is removed.
Always turn off the anti-theft alarm system
before connecting or disconnecting a trailer.
Otherwise, the tilt sensor may erroneously
activate the alarm.
Trailer with rear LED lights
For technical reasons, trailers fitted with rear
LED lights cannot be connected to the anti-
theft alarm system.
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm does
not trigger if the electrical connection with
the trailer is cut if it has rear light with light-
emitting diodes. WARNING
Erroneous or unsuitable connection of elec-
tric c ab

les may supply energy to the trailer
causing an anomaly in the vehicle electronics
that could result in an accident with serious
consequences.
● All work on the electrical system must be
carried out on
ly by a specialised workshop. » 241
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
●
Never c onnect
the trailer's electric system
to the electrical connections of the rear lights
or any other power sources. CAUTION
Do not leave the trailer connected to the vehi-
c le when p

arked; places on its support wheel
or its supports. For example, when changing
the load or a puncture, the vehicle will be
pushed up or down. The force acting on the
tow hitch and the trailer could damage the
vehicle or the trailer. Note
● In the event of

a fault in the vehicle or trail-
er electrical system or in the event of prob-
lems with the anti-theft alarm system, have
the system checked by a specialised work-
shop.
● If the trailer accessories use energy from
the power soc
ket when the engine is stop-
ped, the battery will be discharged.
● For technical reasons, trailers fitted with
rear LED light
s cannot be connected to the
anti-theft alarm system.
● If the vehicle battery is running low, the
electrica
l connection with the trailer is auto-
matically cut.
● With the engine running, the electrical
equipment on the trai
ler will be supplied with
power. Loading the trailer
Trailer weight / drawbar load
The trai
l

er weight is the load that the vehicle
can pull ››› . The drawbar load is the vertical
weight of

the tow hitch on the tow hitch ball
››› page 245.
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar
load weights given on the data plate of the
tow hitch are for values of this model only.
The correct figures for your specific vehicle,
which may be lower than these figures for the
tow hitch, are given in the vehicle documen-
tation. The instructions in the official vehicle
documents take precedence.
For the sake of road safety, SEAT recom-
mends using the maximum allowed drawbar
load. The handling of the combined vehicle
and trailer will be poor if the drawbar load is
too low.
The drawbar load increases the weight on the
rear axle, reducing the vehicle carrying ca-
pacity.
Gross combination weight
This figure refers to the combined weight of
the loaded vehicle and loaded trailer.
Loading the trailer
The combined vehicle and trailer must be
balanced. Use the maximum drawbar load authorised and do not overload the front or
the re
ar of

the trailer:
● Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
obj
ects are as near to the axle as possible or
above it.
● Correctly secure the trailer load.
Tyr
e pressure
Inflate the trailer tyres according to the man-
ufacturer's instructions.
Inflate the towing vehicles tyres to the maxi-
mum ››› page 288. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised axle
loa d, dr

awbar load or the gross combination
weight of the towing vehicle and trailer could
cause a serious accident with severe conse-
quences.
● Never exceed the specifications.
● With the actual load on the front and rear
axle
s, the maximum axle load should never
be exceeded. The weight on the front and rear
should never exceed the gross vehicle
weight. WARNING
If the load moves, the stability and safety of
the v ehic

le and trailer combination will be se-
riously affected and this could result in a seri-
ous accident. 242

Towing bracket device
●
Alw a
ys correctly load the trailer.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable
and undam
aged attachment rope or straps. Driving with a trailer
Adjusting the headlights
When to
w

ing a trailer, the front of the vehicle
may rise and so the dipped beam headlights
may blind other drivers. Use the headlight
range control to lower the cone of light. If you
do not have headlight range control, have
the headlights adjusted by a specialised
workshop. Vehicles with high-intensity dis-
charge lamps adapt automatically and do not
require adjustment.
Things to note when towing a trailer or cara-
van
● If the trailer has an overru
n brake, apply
the brakes gently at first and then, firmly.
This will prevent the jerking that can be
caused by the trailer wheels locking.
● As of the combined vehicle and trailer
mas
s, braking distances will be greater.
● Select a low gear before driving down a
steep hi
ll to use the engine braking effect to
slow down the vehicle. Otherwise, the brak-
ing system could overheat and fail.
● The vehicle centre of gravity and handling
chan
ge because of the trailer load and be- cause of the increased combined mass of the
vehicl

e and trailer.
● If the towing vehicle is empty and the trail-
er loaded then the lo
ad distribution is incor-
rect. If you must travel in these conditions,
drive carefully and reduce your speed accord-
ingly.
Hill starts with a trailer
Depending on the hill and the gross com-
bined weight, it is possible that the com-
bined vehicle and trailer move backwards
slightly when starting.
For a hill start with a trailer, proceed as fol-
lows:
● Press and hold the brake pedal.
● Press the button  once to turn off the
el ectric
p

arking brake ››› page 189.
● Press and hold the button  to hold the
v ehic
l

e and trailer combination using the
parking brake.
● With a manual gearbox: press the clutch
pedal t
o the floor.
● Engage first gear or the gear range D
›››
page 194, Gearbox.
● Release the brake pedal.
● Move off slowly. To do this, gently release
the clutc
h pedal (for manual gearbox). ●
Rele
ase the button  only when the en-
gine pr o
v
ides sufficient power to move the
vehicle and trailer combination. WARNING
Jerking the trailer in an unsuitable manner
cou l

d cause loss of vehicle control with the
subsequent serious consequences.
● Driving with a trailer and transporting
heavy or a l
arge objects will change the vehi-
cle handling and braking distances.
● Anticipate traffic and be extremely cau-
tious. Brak
e early.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility
, road, traffic and weather conditions.
Reduce your speed, especially on steep hills.
● Accelerate gently and carefully. Avoid brus-
que manoeuvr
es and sudden braking.
● Always take the following precautions seri-
ously
. Reduce your speed immediately if you
observe the trailer rocking from side to side.
● Never try to stop the “snaking” by increas-
ing speed.
● A

lways take the speed limits for vehicles
with and without
trailers into account. 243
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Stabilising the vehicle and trailer
c omb
in
ation Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combi-
nation i
s

an extension of the electronic sta-
bility control (ESC) and helps, with the assis-
tance of the trajectory control, to reduce trail-
er “snaking”.
Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combi-
nation is active when the ESC  indicator on
the dash panel remains lit for about two sec-
onds more than the ABS indicator.
Requirements for stabilising the vehi-
cle/trailer combination
● An original tow hitch is fitted by the manu-
fact ur

er or a compatible model is retrofitted.
● The ECS is switched on. The warning lamp
on the dash p
anel  is not lit.
● The trailer is connected to the vehicle using
the power soc
ket.
● It travels faster than 60 km/h (37 mph).
● The maximum drawbar load is used.
● The trailer must have a fixed drawbar.
● Trailers with brakes must be equipped with
a mechanic
al inertia brake. WARNING
Do not let the extra safety afforded by the
st ab

ilisation system tempt you into taking
any risks when driving. ●
Adjus t

your speed and driving style to visi-
bility, road, traffic and weather conditions.
● If the road surface is slippery, take care
when accel
erating.
● When a system is operating, lift your foot
off the acc
elerator. WARNING
It is possible that the combination stabilisa-
tion sy st

em does not correctly recognised all
driving situations.
● It is possible that the stabilisation system
does not
detect snaking of a light trailer and
thus does not intervene.
● When driving on slippery ground, the trail-
er coul
d jack-knife despite the stabilisation
system.
● Trailers with a high centre of gravity may
even tip ov
er before they start to rock side-
ways.
● If a trailer is not used and the trailer power
socket
is connected (e.g. installation of a bi-
cycle carrier with lights), repeated automatic
braking may occur in extreme driving condi-
tions. Retrofitting a tow hitch
Fig. 232
Measurements and attachments to
r etr
ofit

a tow hitch SEAT recommends visiting a specialised
w
ork
shop t

o retrofit a tow hitch. For example,
244

Towing bracket device
it may be necessary to adjust the cooling sys-
t em or t
o inc
lude thermal plates. SEAT recom-
mends taking your car in for technical serv-
ice.
In any case, the separation distances must
be observed when fitting a tow hitch. The dis-
tance between the centre of the tow hitch ball
and the road surface ››› Fig. 232 D must nev-
er be lo w
er th

an that indicated. This also ap-
plies when the vehicle is fully laden, includ-
ing maximum drawbar load.
Separation distances ››› Fig. 232:
Attachment points.
1,040 mm (41 inches)
74 mm (3 inches)
364 mm (14 inches)
247 mm (10 inches)
596 mm (23 inches)
1,097 mm (43 inches)
1,102 mm (43 inches) WARNING
Erroneous or unsuitable connection of elec-
tric c ab

les may cause anomalies in the vehi-
cle electronics that could result in an acci-
dent with serious consequences.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
to the electric
al connections of the rear lights
or any other unsuitable power sources. Only
use suitable connectors to connect a trailer. A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H ●
Vis

it a specialised workshop if you wish to
retrofit a tow hitch to the vehicle. WARNING
If the tow hitch is badly fitted or unsuitable,
the tr ail

er may separate from the vehicle
while driving. This could result in a serious
accident. Note
Use only tow hitches approved by SEAT for
the v ehic

le. Maximum gross trailer weight
The instructions in the official vehicle docu-
ments
t
ak

e 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 c ou

ld cause a serious accident.
● Never exceed the indicated trailer weight. CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum trailer weight indica-
ted c ou

ld cause damage to the vehicle.
● Never exceed the indicated trailer weight. Gross combined vehicle weight rating
The instructions in the official vehicle docu-
ments t
ak

e 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
cou l

d cause a serious accident.
● Never exceed the gross combined weight
rating. » 245
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum gross combined
weight r
ating indicated could cause damage
to the vehicle.
● Never exceed the gross combined weight
rating. 246