2016 Seat Alhambra ECO mode

Operation
●
If the w arnin
g lamp  lights up, stop im-
mediately and check the tyres.
● If the tyres are inflated at different pres-
sure
s or if a tyre pressure is too low, this will
increase tyre wear, negatively affecting vehi-
cle stability and increasing braking distan-
ces.
● If tyres are inflated at different pressures or
a tyre pr
essure is too low, a tyre may be dam-
aged and burst resulting in a loss of control
of the vehicle.
● The driver is responsible for ensuring that
all
of the vehicle tyres are correctly inflated
to the right pressure. The recommended tyre
pressure is indicated on the label ››› Fig. 252.
● The tyre monitoring system can only oper-
ate corr
ectly if all of the tyres are inflated to
the correct pressure when cold.
● Driving with tyres at the wrong pressure
can dam
age them and result in an accident.
Ensure that the tyre pressures of all the tyres
correspond to the vehicle load.
● Before starting a journey, always inflate
tyre
s to the correct pressure.
● If tyre pressure is too low then the tyre is
subj
ect to greater forces and it may be heated
to such an extent that the tread can rupture
and the tyre will burst.
● With an overloaded vehicle at high speed,
the tyre
s can overheat and burst resulting in
a loss of vehicle control.
● Tyre pressures which are too high or too
low reduc
e the useful life of the tyre, affect-
ing vehicle performance. ●
If a ty r

e has not been “punctured” and does
not have to be changed immediately, drive to
the nearest specialised workshop at a moder-
ate speed and have the tyre checked and in-
flated to the correct pressure. Tyre monitoring indicatortyre monitor-
ing indic
at

or Fig. 229
Detailed view of the centre console:
b utt
on f

or the tyre pressure monitoring indi-
cator The tyre monitor indicator compares wheel
r
ev
o

lutions and, with this information, the
tread of each wheel using the ABS sensors. If
the tread of a wheel is changed, the tyre
monitoring indicator will indicate as such on
the instrument panel. The wheel tread
changes when:
● Tyre pressure is insufficient
● Tyre structure is damaged ●
The vehic
le is unbalanced because of a
load
● If the wheels on an axle are subject to a
heavier lo
ad (e.g. when towing a trailer).
● The vehicle is fitted with snow chains
● The wheel on one axle is changed
There ma
y be a delay in the reaction of the
tyre monitoring indicator  or it may not in-
dicate anything under certain circumstances
(e.g. sports driving, snow-covered or un-
paved roads).
Adaptation of the tyre monitoring indicator
On adjusting tyre pressure or changing one
or more wheels, the ››› Fig. 229 button on the
tyre monitoring indicator must be kept press-
ed down, with the ignition on, until an audi-
ble warning is heard. Do the same, for exam-
ple, when the front and rear wheels are swap-
ped ››› Fig. 251.
If the wheels are subjected to an excessive
load (towing a trailer, heavy load), the tyre
pressure must be increased to the maximum
recommended pressure ››› page 288. Press
the tyre monitoring indicator button to con-
firm the new pressure value. Note
An incorrect warning may be given when
sno w c

hains are in use because the chains in-
crease the tread of the wheel. 236

Operation
Note
● Alw a
ys turn off the anti-theft alarm system
before connecting or disconnecting a trailer
››› page 119. Otherwise, the tilt sensor may
erroneously activate the alarm.
● Never use a trailer with a new engine (for
the first
1,000 km or 600 miles) ››› page 247.
● At SEAT, we recommend folding in the tow
hitch b
all when a trailer is not being used. In
case of a rear collision, the damage caused to
the vehicle with the extended tow hitch ball
could be more extensive.
● In some models, a tow hitch is necessary
for to
wing vehicles. For this reason, you
should store the tow hitch in the vehicle at all
times. Technical requirements
If the car is supplied with a
fact
or
y-fitted tow-
ing bracket it will already have the necessary
technical modifications and meet the statuto-
ry requirements for towing a trailer.
Only use an approved tow hitch for the gross
trailer weight rating. The tow hitch must be
suitable for both the vehicle and trailer and
must be securely fitted to the vehicle chassis.
Only use a tow hitch with a removable ball
joint. Always check and take into account the
tow hitch manufacturer's instructions. Never
fit a trailer tow hitch “that distributes the
load” or “balances the load”. Bumper mounted tow hitch
Never fit a t

ow hitch or its attachments to the
bumper. A tow hitch should never interfere
with the bumper performance. Do not modify
the exhaust system and brake system. Regu-
larly check the tow hitch to ensure it is firmly
fitted.
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer increases the load on
the engine and cooling system. The cooling
system should always have sufficient coolant
and to be able to cope with the vehicle and
trailer.
Electric trailer brake
If the trailer has its own braking system,
please note the relevant legal requirements.
The trailer braking system should never be
connected to the vehicle braking system.
Trailer cable
Always use a cable between the vehicle and
the trailer ››› page 240.
Trailer rear lights
The rear lights of a trailer must fulfil the cor-
responding standards ››› page 240.
Never connect the trailer's rear lights directly
to the vehicle electric system. In case of any
doubt about the electrical connection of the trailer, ask a specialised workshop. SEAT rec-
ommends
visiting a technical service.
Wing mirrors
When the field of vision behind the trailer
cannot be seen using the standard wing mir-
rors of the towing vehicle, additional wing
mirrors are required according to the legal re-
quirements of each country. The wing mirrors
must be fitted before driving and must pro-
vide a sufficient field of vision behind.
Trailer electricity consumption
Never exceed the specifications:
DevicesMaximum power
Side lights and rear lights50 Watts
Turn signal (each side)54 Watts
Brake lights (total)84 Watts
Reversing lights (total)42 Watts
Rear fog light42 Watts WARNING
If the tow hitch is badly fitted or unsuitable,
the trai l

er may separate from the vehicle
causing an accident with serious consequen-
ces. 238

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

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

Advice
Protection of vehicle undercarriage The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it
from c
hemic
al and mechanical damage. The
protective coat on the undercarriage may
wear from use while driving. Therefore, SEAT
recommends that the protective coating on
the undercarriage and on the running gear
should be regularly checked, and repaired if
necessary. WARNING
Additional underseal or anti-corrosion prod-
ucts c

ould catch fire due to the high tempera-
tures reached by the exhaust gas system and
other engine components.
● Do not apply additional underseal or anti-
corro
sion products to the exhaust pipes, cat-
alytic converters, heat shields or other parts
of the vehicle which reach high temperatures. Cleaning the engine compartment
The engine compartment of any motor vehi-
c
l
e i

s a potentially hazardous area
››› page 272.
The engine compartment should only be
cleaned by qualified personnel. If it is not
correctly cleaned, the anti-corrosion coating
and consequently electrical components may
be damaged. Moreover, water may filter di- rectly into the vehicle interior through the wa-
ter ch

amber ››› .
If the en
gine c
ompartment is very dirty, al-
ways take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop for professional cleaning. SEAT recom-
mends taking your car in for technical serv-
ice.
Water box
The water box is in the engine compartment,
between the windscreen and the engine, and
beneath a perforated cover. Air is taken in
through the water box from outside to the ve-
hicle interior via the heating and air condi-
tioner.
Leaves and other loose objects should be
regularly cleaned away from the water box ei-
ther by hand or with a vacuum. WARNING
When working on the engine or in the engine
comp ar

tment, there is a risk of injury, burns,
accident or fire.
● Before starting work, please ensure you are
famili
ar with the required procedure and the
safety precautions ››› page 272.
● SEAT recommends getting a specialised
workshop t
o do these jobs. CAUTION
If water is manually poured into the water box
(e.g. u s

ing a high pressure cleaning appli-
ance), this could cause significant damage to
the vehicle. For the sake of the environment
Only wash the engine compartment in areas
al loc

ated for this purpose, to prevent dirty
water which may be contaminated by oil,
grease or fuel, from entering the drains. In
some places, washing this compartment out-
side the planned areas is even banned. Caring for and cleaning the ve-
hic
l
e int

erior
Introduction The dye used in many modern garments, for
e
x
amp

le dark jeans, is not always sufficiently
colour-fast. Seat upholstery (material and
leather), especially when light-coloured, may
visibly discolour if the dye comes out of
clothing (even when used correctly). This is
not an upholstery defect but indicates that
the dye in the item of clothing is not suffi-
ciently colour-fast.
The longer stains or dirt remain on the vehi-
cle surfaces, especially the fabrics covering
the padded upholstery, the more difficult it
258

Advice
If good-quality petrol with metal-free addi-
tiv e
s
is not available or engine problems
arise, the necessary additives must be added
when refuelling ››› .
Not al
l

petrol additives have been shown to
be effective. The use of unsuitable petrol ad-
ditives may cause significant damage to the
engine and the catalytic converter. Metal ad-
ditives should never be used. Metal additives
may also be contained in petrol additives for
improving anti-detonation ratings or octane
ratings ››› .
S EA
T r

ecommends “genuine Volkswagen
Group Fuel Additives for petrol engines”.
These additives can be bought at SEAT deal-
ers, where information on how to use them
can also be obtained. CAUTION
● Do not r ef

uel if the filler indicates that the
fuel contains metal. LRP (lead replacement
petrol) fuels contain high concentrations of
metal additives. Using them may damage the
engine!
● Only use fuel with an octane rating that is
in line with the norm EN 228, otherw
ise sig-
nificant damage could be caused to the en-
gine and fuel system. Furthermore, it could
lead to a loss of performance with the conse-
quent engine fault.
● The use of unsuitable petrol additives could
damag
e the engine. ●
If, in e x

ceptional circumstances, petrol with
a lower octane rating to that recommended is
used, only use moderate engine speeds and a
light throttle. Avoid using full throttle and
overloading the engine. Otherwise you may
damage the engine. Fill up with fuel of a suit-
able octane rating as soon as possible.
● Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seri-
ously
impair the efficiency of the catalytic
converter and could damage it. Diesel
Diesel fuel
Die
sel
f

uel must correspond to European
standard EN 590 (In Germany, EN 590 or
DIN 51628).
The use of diesel fuel with a high sulphur
percentage requires shorter service intervals
››› Booklet Maintenance Programme ››› .
Y our t
ec

hnical service centre will be able to
tell you which countries have diesel with a
high sulphur content.
Do not mix fuel additives (thinners, or similar
additives) with diesel fuel.
Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, dif-
ficulties may be experienced at temperatures
below 0°C (+32°F) because the fuel thickens
due to wax separation. For this reason, “win- ter-grade diesel fuel” is available in Germany,
for ex

ample, during the cold months. It can
be used at temperatures as low as -20°C
(-4°F).
In countries with different climatic condi-
tions, other types of diesel fuel are available
that are suitable to local temperatures. Tech-
nical service centres and filling stations in
the country concerned will inform you on the
types of diesel fuels available.
A cold diesel engine makes more noise dur-
ing winter temperatures than summer tem-
peratures. Furthermore, the exhaust gases
may turn slightly bluish while the engine is
heating. The quantity of exhaust gases will
depend on the outside temperature.
Filter pre-heater
Vehicles with a diesel engine are fitted with a
fuel filter pre-heating system. This ensures
that the fuel system remains operational to
approx. -24°C (-11.2 ºF), provided you use
winter-grade diesel which is safe to -15°C
(+5.0°F).
However, if the fuel has waxed to such an ex-
tent that the engine will not start at tempera-
tures of under -24°C (-11.2°F), simply place
the vehicle in a warm garage or workshop for
a while to heat up.
268

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