2016 Seat Alhambra length

The essentials
Important information about wheel bolts
The wheel rims
and bo
lts have been de-
signed to be fitted to factory options. If differ-
ent rims are fitted, the correct wheel bolts
with the right length and correctly shaped
bolt heads must be used. This ensures that
wheels are fitted securely and that the brake
system functions correctly.
In some circumstances, wheel bolts from the
same model vehicle should not be used.
Wheel bolt tightening torque
The prescribed tightening torque for wheel
bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 140 Nm.
Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts
checked as soon as possible with a reliable
torque wrench.
If wheel bolts are rusty and it is difficult to
tighten them, the threads should be replaced
and cleaned before checking the tightening
torque.
Never grease or lubricate wheel bolts or the
wheel hub threads. Although they have been
tightened to the prescribed torque, they
could come loose while driving. WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not fitted correctly they
cou l

d be released while driving leading to
loss of vehicle control and serious damage. ●
Only u

se wheel bolts which correspond to
the wheel rims in question.
● Never use different wheel bolts.
● The bolts and threads should be clean, free
of oil
and grease and easy to thread.
● To loosen and tighten the wheel bolts, al-
way
s use the wheel brace supplied with the
vehicle.
● Loosen the wheel bolts only about one turn
before r
aising the vehicle with the jack.
● Never grease or lubricate wheel bolts or the
wheel hub thre
ads. Although they have been
tightened to the prescribed torque, they
could come loose while driving.
● Never loosen the bolted joints of wheel
rims with bo
lted ring trims.
● If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the
correct
torque, they may come loose while
driving, and the bolts and rims may come
out. If the tightening torque is too high, the
wheel bolts and threads can be damaged. Raising the vehicle with the jack
Fig. 70
Jack position points Fig. 71
Jack mounted on the left rear part of
the v
ehic

le The jack may be applied only at the jacking
points
sho
wn (m

arks on chassis) ››› Fig. 70.
The mark indicates the jacking points below
the vehicle. The jacking points are on the ribs
behind the front edges ››› Fig. 71. Always the
relevant jacking point for the wheel to be
changed ››› .
» 47

The essentials
● Inser
t
a new blade of the same length and
type in the wiper arm in the opposite direc-
tion to the arrow ››› Fig. 80 B and hook into
p l
ac

e. This feature is operational when the
knob is in position (arrow A ).
● Replace the wiper arm on the rear window.

››› in Changing the windscreen and
rear window wiper blades on page 87
››› page 87 55

Lights and visibility
Move the lever to the required position
› ›
›
Fig. 145:
Rain sensor off.
Rain sensor on; automatic wipe if neces-
sary.
Setting sensitivity level of rain sensor
– Set control to the right: highly sensi-
tive.
– Set control to the left: less sensitive.
When the ignition is switched off and then
back on, the rain sensor stays on and starts
operating again when the windscreen wipers
are in position 1 and the vehicle is travel-
lin g at
mor

e than 4 km/h (2 mph).
Rain sensor modified behaviour
Possible causes of faults and mistaken read-
ings on the sensitive surface ››› Fig. 146 of
the rain sensor include:
● Damaged blades: a film of water on the
damag
ed blades may lengthen the activation
time, reduce the washing intervals or result
in a fast and continuous wipe.
● Insects: insects on the sensor may trigger
the winds
creen wiper.
● Salt on roads: in winter, salt spread in the
roa
ds may cause an extra long wipe when the
windscreen is almost dry.
● Dirt: dry dust, wax, coating on glass (Lotus
effect) or trac
es of detergent (car wash) may
0 1
A reduce the effectiveness of the rain sensor or
m
ak
e it

react more slowly, later or not at all.
● Cracked windscreen: the impact of a stone
wil
l trigger a single wipe cycle with the rain
sensor on. Next the rain sensor detects the
reduction in the sensitive surface area and
adapts accordingly. The behaviour of the sen-
sor will vary with the size of the damage
caused by the stone. WARNING
The rain sensor may not detect enough rain
to sw it

ch on the wipers.
● If necessary, switch on the wipers manually
when water on the w
indscreen obstructs visi-
bility. Note
● Cle

an the sensitive surface of the rain sen-
sor regularly and check the blades for dam-
age ››› Fig. 146 (arrow).
● To remove wax and coatings, we recom-
mend a window c
leaner containing alcohol. Rear vision mirror
Intr oduction WARNING
The automatic anti-dazzle rear vision mirror
cont ain

s an electrolytic fluid which may leak
if the mirror is broken. This could cause irrita-
tion to the skin, eyes and respiratory organs.
● The electrolytic fluid may cause irritation to
the skin, eye
s and respiratory organs, partic-
ularly in individuals suffering from asthma or
other illnesses. Make sure that adequate
quantities of fresh air enter and leave the ve-
hicle if it is not possible to open all the doors
and windows.
● If the electrolytic fluid comes into contact
with eye
s or skin, wash the area for at least
15 minutes with plenty of water, and seek
medical advice.
● If the electrolytic fluid comes into contact
with shoes
or clothing, wash the area for at
least 15 minutes with plenty of water. Wash
shoes and clothing before wearing them
again.
● If the electrolytic fluid is swallowed, wash
your mouth with p
lenty of water for at least
15 minutes. Do not try to provoke vomiting
unless recommended by a Doctor. Seek medi-
cal advice immediately. » 139
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Adjustment of the head restraints Fig. 151
A: Adjust the head restraints with no
po s
s
ibility of lengthways direction adjust-
ment; B: Adjust the head restraints with
lengthways direction adjustment Fig. 152
Adjust the head restraints in the sec-
ond or third r o

w of seats Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 14
All seats are equipped with a head restraint.
Adjusting height
● Raise the head restraint in the direction of
the arrow or lo
wer it ››› Fig. 151 or ››› Fig. 152
1 with the button pressed
››
›
in Removing
and in s
t
alling the head restraints on
page 146.
● The head restraint must engage securely in
position.
There are three possible positions
on the second row of seats and two possible
positions on the third row of seats.
Adjusting the front head restraints
● Push the head restraint forward in the di-
rection of the arr
ow or backward ››› Fig. 151
1 B w
ith the button pressed. ●
The hea d r

estraint must engage securely in
position.
Correct adjustment of head restraints
Adjust the head restraint so that its upper
edge is at the same level as the top of your
head, or as close as possible to the same lev-
el as the top of your head and under no cir-
cumstances below eye level. Keep the back
of your neck as close as possible to the head
restraint.
Adjusting the head restraint for short people
Lower the head restraint completely, even if
your head is below its upper edge. When the
head restraint is at its lowest, it is possible
that a small gap remains between it and the
seat backrest.
Adjusting the head restraint for tall people
Raise the head restraint completely.
144

Seats and head restraints
Removing and installing the head re-
s tr
aint
s Fig. 153
A: Fitting the head restraints with no
po ss

ibility of lengthways direction adjust-
ment; B: Fitting the head restraints with
lengthways direction adjustment Fig. 154
Fitting the head restraints in the sec-
ond or third r o

w of seats All seats are equipped with a head restraint.
R
emo
v

ing the front head restraints in vehi-
cles without the lengthways direction ad-
justment of the head restraints
● If necessary, adjust the seat backrest so
that the he
ad restraint can be fitted.
● Push the head restraint up as far as it will
go ››

› .
● Pull out the head restraint pressing the but-
t on c
omp

letely ››› Fig. 153 1 A.
Fittin g the fr
ont
head restraints in vehicles
without the lengthways direction adjustment
of the head restraints
● Correctly place the head restraint into the
guides on the se
at backrest and insert it.
● Completely press the button 1 A and p
ush
the he a

d restraint downwards. ●
Adjust
the head restraint according to the
correct seat position and secure it
››› page 144.
Removing the front head restraints in vehi-
cles with the lengthways direction adjust-
ment of the head restraints
● If necessary, adjust the seat backrest so
that the he
ad restraint can be fitted.
● Push the head restraint up and backward
as f
ar as it will go ››› .
● Place a flat object, e.g. a plastic card 2 B,
on both s ide
s

between the seat backrest cov-
er and the end protector of the seat backrest
retaining bar and unlock the retaining bars
with a little pressure.
● Completely pull out the head restraint.
Fitting the front
head restraints in vehicles
with the lengthways direction adjustment of
the head restraints
● Pull out the two retaining bars from the
head r
estraint as far as possible.
● Correctly place the head restraint into the
guides on the se
at backrest and insert it.
● Push the head restraint down as far as pos-
sibl
e until the two retaining bars are secured.
● Adjust the head restraint according to the
correct
seat position and secure it
››› page 144. »
145
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Transport and practical equipment
Transporting a load Secure all objects in the vehicle
● Distribute the load throughout the vehicle,
on the roof and in a tr
ailer as uniformly as
possible.
● Transport heavy objects as far forward as
poss
ible in the luggage compartment and
lock the seat backs in the vertical position.
● Secure luggage in the luggage compart-
ment with s
uitable straps on the fastening
rings ››› page 154.
● Check the headlight adjustment
›› ›

page 130.
● Use the suitable tyre pressure according to
the load bein
g transported. Read the tyre in-
flation information label ›››
page 288.
● For vehicles with a tyre pressure indicator,
chan
ge the vehicle load status ›››
page 234. CAUTION
Objects on the shelf could chafe against the
wir e

s of the heating element in the heated
rear window and cause damage. Note
Please note the information about loading a
trai l

er ››› page 237 and the roof carrier sys-
tem ››› page 164. Driving with the rear lid open
Driving with the rear lid open creates an addi-
tional
ri

sk. Secure all objects and secure the
rear lid correctly and take all measures possi-
ble to reduce toxic gases from entering the
vehicle. WARNING
Driving with the rear lid unlocked or open
cou l

d cause serious injuries.
● Always drive with the rear lid closed.
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Loose
items c
ould fall out of the vehicle and injure
other road users or damage other vehicles.
● Drive particularly carefully and think
ahead.
● A

void sudden manoeuvres and braking giv-
en that thi
s could cause an uncontrolled
movement of the open rear lid.
● When transporting objects that protrude
out of the lug
gage compartment, indicate
them suitably. Observe legal requirements.
● If objects must project out of the luggage
compar
tment, the rear lid must never be used
to “secure” or “attach” objects.
● If a baggage rack is fitted on the rear lid, it
should be r
emoved before travelling with the
rear lid open. WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior
when the re ar lid i

s open. This could cause
loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poi-
soning, serious injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle al-
way
s drive with the rear lid closed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must
drive with the r
ear lid open, observe the fol-
lowing to reduce the entry of toxic gases in-
side the vehicle:
– Close all windows and the sliding sun-
roof.
– Turn off the air recirculation for the heat-
ing and air conditioner.
– Open all of the air outlets in the dash
panel.
– Turn the heating fan and heater to the
highest level. CAUTION
An open boot hatch changes the length and
height of the

vehicle. Driving with the vehicle loaded
For the best handling when driving a loaded
v
ehic
l

e, note the following:
● Secure all objects ›››

page 153.
● Accelerate gently and carefully. »
153
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
ver y
high temperatures. This could cause a
fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhau
st system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as wood,
leaves,dried grass, or spilled fuel). CAUTION
● Spec i

al 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 entranc
es, 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 on the brakes
For the first 200 to 300 km (100 to 200
mi
l
e

s), new brake pads have not yet reached
their maximum braking capacity, and need to
be “run in” first ››› . The slightly reduced
br ak in

g effect can be compensated for by in-
creasing pressure on the brake pedal. While
running in, the full braking distance or emer- gency braking distance is larger
then when
the brake p
ads have been run in. While run-
ning 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 l a
y

er of salt on the discs and brake pads
will 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
v

ehicle 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 onthe brake pads. If the brakes are not used fre-
quently, or if ru

st has formed on the discs,
SEAT recommends cleaning the pads and
discs by braking firmly a few times at a mod-
erately high speed. Only do this without en-
dangering vehicles behind you or any other
road users ››› .
F au
lt

s in the brake system
During braking, if you notice that the vehicle
does not react as usual (that the braking dis-
tance has increased suddenly) it may be pos-
sible that there is a fault in the braking sys-
tem. The  warning lamp lights up and a
text message displayed. Take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop immediately and have
the fault repaired. Drive at a moderate speed
and be prepared to use more pressure on the
brake pedal, and allow for longer stopping
distances.
Brake servo
The brake servo only operates when the en-
gine is running and the pressure applied by
the driver on the brake pedal increases.
If the brake servo does not operate or the ve-
hicle must be towed, then the brake pedal
will have to be pressed with more force given
that the braking distance will be increased
when the brake servo does not operate ››› .
»
193Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Anti-lock system (ABS)
ABS c
an pr
event the wheels from locking dur-
ing braking until just before the vehicle stops
thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle
and maintain control. This means that, even
during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:
● Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not
remov
e your foot from the brake pedal or re-
duce braking force!
● Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce
brakin
g force!
● Maintain vehicle direction when braking
ful
ly.
● When the brake pedal is released or when
the brake f
orce is reduced, ABS is turned off.
ABS control can be observed by vibration of
the brake pedal and noise. You should never
expect the ABS to reduce the braking dis-
tance under any circumstances. This distance
will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy and slippery ground.
When driving on loose ground, the all-terrain
configuration of the ABS is automatically
turned on. When ABS is activated, the front
wheels may lock briefly. This shortens the
braking distance in off-road situations as the
wheels are prevented from digging into loose
surfaces. All-terrain ABS only intervenes
when driving in a straight line. When the front wheels are turned, the normal ABS is
activated.
Br

ake assist system (BAS)
The brake assist system may reduce the re-
quired braking distance. The brake assist
system boosts the braking force if you press
the brake pedal quickly in an emergency. As
a result, the braking pressure increases rap-
idly, the braking force is multiplied and the
braking distance is reduced. This enables the
ABS to be activated more quickly and effec-
tively.
Do not lift your foot off the brake pedal!
When the brake pedal is released or when
the brake force is reduced, braking assist au-
tomatically turns off the brake servo.
Traction control when accelerating (ASR)
In the event of wheelspin, the traction control
system reduces the engine torque to match
the amount of grip available. The ASR makes
some situations easier, for example, when
starting, accelerating or going uphill, even in
unfavourable road conditions.
The ASR can be switched on or off manually
››› page 207.
Electronic differential lock system (EDS)
EDL is available when driving in straight lines
under normal conditions. When the EDL de-
tects wheelspin, it brakes the spinning wheel and directs the power to the other drive
wheels. T
o prevent the disc brake of the
braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts
out automatically if subjected to excessive
loads. The EDL will switch on again automati-
cally when the brake has cooled down.
Electronic drive torque management (XDS)
When taking a curve, the driveshaft differen-
tial mechanism allows the outer wheel to turn
at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In
this way, the wheel that is turning faster (out-
er wheel) receives less drive torque than the
inner wheel. This may mean that in certain
situations the torque delivered to the inner
wheel is too high, causing the wheels to
spin. On the other hand, the outer wheel is
receiving a lower drive torque than it could
transmit. This causes an overall loss of lateral
grip on the front axle, resulting in understeer
or “lengthening” of the trajectory.
The XDS system can detect and correct this
effect via the sensors and signals of the ESC.
Via the ESC, the XDS will brake the inside
wheel and counter the excess driving torque
of that wheel. This means that the driver's
desired trajectory is much more precise.
The XDS system works in combination with
the ESC and is always active, even when ASR
traction control is disconnected.
206