2017 Seat Alhambra ESP

Towing bracket device
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 ESC 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. 231
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, »
241
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Care and maintenance
consumables should be changed at a speci-
ali sed w
ork
shop. Technical services are per-
manently informed of any modifications. WARNING
The incorrect use or handling of fluids or con-
sum ab

les may result in accident, serious in-
jury, burns or intoxication.
● Therefore, fluids must always be stored
closed in their origin
al container.
● Never store fluids in empty food containers
or bottles
as other people may accidentally
drink the fluid.
● Keep all fluids and consumables out of
reac
h of children.
● Read and observe the information and
warning
s given on the fluid containers.
● Only work in the open air or in well-ventila-
ted z
ones, when using products which give
off harmful vapours.
● Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, ace-
tone or any
other volatile liquid in the main-
tenance of the vehicle. These are toxic and
highly flammable. They could lead to fire or
explosions! CAUTION
● Only u

se appropriate fluids. Do not confuse
fluids as this can cause serious malfunctions
or engine damage.
● Accessories and other components moun-
ted in front
of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. If the engine is running
under gr
e

at strain in high outside tempera-
tures, it could overheat. For the sake of the environment
Leaking fluids could pollute the environment.
C o l

lect any spilt fluids in suitable containers
and dispose of them in accordance with legis-
lation and with respect for the environment. Technical repairs and replacements
When performing repairs and technical mod-
ific
ation
s,

SEAT's directives must be ob-
served! ››› Unauthorised modifications to the electronic
c
omponents
or sof

tware in the vehicle may
cause malfunctions. Due to the way the elec-
tronic components are linked together in net-
works, other indirect systems may be affec-
ted by the faults. This may significantly affect
the vehicle's performance, increase compo-
nent wear and could mean that the vehicle
registration documents are no longer valid.
Your technical service centre cannot be held
liable for any damage caused by technical
modifications or repairs performed incorrect-
ly.
The technical service centre does not accept
liability for damage resulting from technical
modifications or repairs performed incorrect- ly; neither is the SEAT warranty valid in these
case

s.
SEAT recommends you have any technical
modifications or repairs performed at a tech-
nical service centre and that you use genuine
SEAT spare parts ®
.
Vehicles with special accessories and equip-
ment
The manufacturers of additional equipment
guarantee that the equipment complies with
applicable laws and regulations with respect
to the environment, in particular Directives
2000/53/CE and 2003/11/CE. The first direc-
tive governs the disposal of end-of-life vehi-
cles while the second refers to the restric-
tions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations.
The vehicle owner should keep the documen-
tation for the additional equipment safely
and hand it over to the scrap yard at the end
of the vehicle's service life. This ensures that
any additional equipment mounted in end-of-
life vehicles is correctly disposed of with re-
spect for the environment. WARNING
Repairs or modifications which are not per-
formed c orr

ectly may result in damage or er-
rors in the vehicle operation, affecting the ef-
fectiveness of the driver assist systems. This
could result in serious accident. » 245
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Care and maintenance
The optimal reach of the equipment is only
ac hiev
ed w
ith an external aerial.
Check first with a specialised workshop that
understands the technical possibilities of in-
stallation if you wish to use a two-way radio
with a transmitting power of over 10 watts.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service.
All legal requirements, together with the in-
structions for the use of two-way radios must
be observed. WARNING
If the two-way radio is not securely fastened
in pos ition, it

could be sent flying around the
vehicle in the event of sharp braking, sudden
manoeuvres or accident, causing injury.
● While driving, two-way radios must be se-
curely
fastened in position, outside the radi-
us of action of the airbags, or safely stowed
away. WARNING
When using a two-way radio without a con-
nection to an e xt

erior aerial, the maximum
permitted levels of electromagnetic radiation
may be exceeded. This is also the case if the
aerial has not been correctly installed.
● You should only use a two-way radio inside
the vehic
le if it has first been correctly con-
nected to an exterior aerial. Information stored by the control
u
nit
s Your vehicle is fitted at the factory with a ser-
ies
of

electronic control units responsible for
the engine and gearbox management. In ad-
dition, the control units supervise the per-
formance of the exhaust gas system and the
airbag systems.
Therefore, while the vehicle is being driven,
these electronic control units are continuous-
ly analysing the vehicle data. In the event of
faults or deviations from the theoretical val-
ues, only this data is stored. Normally, the
warning lamps on the instrument panel light
up in the event of faults.
This data can only be read and analysed us-
ing special equipment.
The storing of the data allows specialised
workshops to detect and repair faults. Stored
data may include:
● Data relating to the engine or the gearbox
● Speed
● Direction of travel
● Braking force
● Detection of seat belt
The v ehic

le control units never record conver-
sations held by passengers in the vehicle.
In vehicles equipped with an emergency call
function via the mobile phone or other appli- ances connected in the vehicle, it is possible
to send the v

ehicle position. If the control
unit records an accident with airbag activa-
tion, the system may automatically send a
signal. This will depend on the network oper-
ator. Normally, transmission is only possible
in areas with good coverage.
Event Data Recorder
The vehicle is not fitted with an event data re-
corder.
An event data recorder temporarily stores the
vehicle information. Therefore, in the event of
an accident, it is possible to obtain detailed
information about how the accident occur-
red. For example, in vehicles with airbag sys-
tems, data relating to speed of impact, seat
belt status, seat positions and airbag activa-
tion times may be stored. The volume of data
depends on the manufacturer.
Event data recorders can only be mounted
with authorisation from the vehicle owner
and, in some countries, they are governed by
local legislation.
Reprogramming control units
On the whole, all the data required for the
component management is stored in the con-
trol units. The programming of certain con-
venience functions, such as the turn signals,
individual door opening and instructions on
the display can be modified using special »
247
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Caring for and cleaning the ve-
hic l
e int
erior
Introduction The dye used in many modern garments, for
ex
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
becomes to clean and maintain them. If
stains and dirt are left for a long time, it may
be that they are impossible to remove. WARNING
Car-care products may be toxic and hazard-
ous. U s

ing unsuitable car-care products or,
using them in the wrong way, may cause acci-
dents, serious injury, burns or intoxication.
● Keep your car-care products in their origi-
nal
containers.
● Read the instructions.
● Never keep car-care products in empty food
container
s, bottles or other similar contain-
ers. Other people may confuse them. ●
Keep a l

l car-care products out of the reach
of children.
● Some products may give off harmful va-
pours durin
g use. Therefore, they should be
used outdoors in well-ventilated places.
● Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail-
varnish r
emover or any other volatile product
for washing, maintenance or cleaning. These
are toxic and highly flammable. WARNING
Unsuitable maintenance and cleaning of vehi-
c le c

omponents may impair proper operation
of safety equipment and cause serious injury.
● Maintain and clean vehicle components ac-
cordin
g to the manufacturer's instructions.
● Only use approved or recommended clean-
ing product
s. CAUTION
● Cle

aning products which contain solvents
have a corrosive effect and may damage the
material irreparably.
● Stains and dirt containing aggressive sub-
stanc
es or solvents attack the material and
may damage it irreparably, even when they
are cleaned quickly.
● Dirt and stains should not be allowed to dry
and should be c
leaned as quickly as possible.
● In the case of stubborn stains, take the ve-
hicle t
o a specialised workshop to avoid dam-
age. How to care for the upholstery
To treat and maintain your seat upholstery,
keep the f
o

llowing in mind ››› :
● Before entering the vehicle, close any Vel-
cr o f

asteners that might snag on the uphols-
tery or trim fabric. Any open Velcro fasteners
may damage the trim or upholstery fabrics.
● To prevent damage, avoid direct contact
between sharp dec
orative objects and the
upholstery and trim fabrics. Decorative ob-
jects include zips, rivets and rhinestones on
clothing and belts.
● From time to time, clean the dust that gath-
ers in the per

forations, folds and seams so
that the surfaces of the seats are not dam-
aged by its abrasive effect.
● Make sure clothes are colour-fast to avoid
them running and s
taining the upholstery.
This is especially important if the upholstery
is light in colour. CAUTION
If you ignore this advice, which is important
for m aint

aining your seat upholstery, the fab-
ric may be damaged or stained. Note
SEAT recommends you take the vehicle to a
spec i

alised workshop to treat any stains on
the upholstery caused by the discolouration
of clothing. 256

Care and maintenance
Cleaning the trim and seat fabrics, the
A lc
ant
ara® Cleaning the upholstery on heated seats and
electric
a

lly operated seats or seats with air-
bag components
It is possible that there are important airbag
components and electrical connections in-
side the driver seat, passenger seat and pos-
sibly the outer rear seats. If these seats and
seat backrests are damaged, or are cleaned
and are treated incorrectly, or if they get wet,
the vehicle electric system may be destroyed
and the airbag system damaged ››› .
El ectric
and he

ated seats contain compo-
nents and electrical connections that may be
damaged if the seats are cleaned or incor-
rectly treated ››› . Similarly, damage might
be c au
sed at

other points in the vehicle's
electric system.
For this reason, bear the following indica-
tions in mind for cleaning:
● Do not use high-pressure or steam cleaning
equipment or co
ld aerosols.
● Do not use cream detergents or detergent-
based so
lutions for delicate garments.
● Prevent the fabric from getting wet at all
times.
● Only

use cleaning products approved by
SEA T

. ●
If in doubt, t ak

e the vehicle to a professio-
nal cleaning company.
Cleaning the upholstery on non-heated seats
and non-electrically operated seats or seats
without airbag components
● Before using any cleaning products, con-
sult
and keep in mind the instructions of use,
indications and warnings on the container.
● Use a vacuum cleaner (with the brush at-
tachment) on the trim and se
at fabrics, the
Alcantara ®
upholstery of the seats and the
carpet.
● Do not use high-pressure or steam cleaning
equipment or co
ld aerosols.
● For general cleaning, use a soft sponge or
an ordinar
y lint-free microfibre cloth ››› .
● Clean Alcantara ®
s ur
f
aces with a slightly
damp cotton or woollen cloth, or a standard
lint-free microfibre cloth ››› .
If the dir
t

on the trim and upholstery fabrics
is only superficial, you can use a standard
foam cleaner.
If the upholstery and trim are very dirty, be-
fore cleaning them we recommend you find
out about the most suitable cleaning options
from a professional cleaning company. If nec-
essary, the cleaning should be carried out by
a specialised company. Stain removal
When remov

ing stains, it may be necessary
to clean the whole surface and not just the
stain itself. Especially if the surface has been
dirtied through normal use. If you only clean
the stained area, that part may then look
lighter than the rest. If in doubt, take the ve-
hicle to a professional cleaning company. WARNING
If there is a fault in the airbag system, it is
likely th

at the airbag will not deploy correct-
ly, not deploy at all, or do so unexpectedly,
which could cause serious or fatal injuries.
● Have the system checked immediately by a
speci
alised workshop. CAUTION
If the upholstery on electrically operated
seat s

or seats with airbag components gets
soaked, the vehicle's electric system and cer-
tain other components may be damaged.
● If the seat gets soaked, take the vehicle im-
mediately
to a specialised workshop to be
dried and for the system components to be
inspected.
● Do not use steam cleaning equipment as
the dirt bec
omes more encrusted and fixed in
the material.
● High-pressure cleaning equipment and cold
aeroso
ls may damage the upholstery. » 257
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
CAUTION
● Brushe s
should only be used to clean the
carpet and floor mats! Other fabrics may be
damaged if cleaned with a brush.
● If cream detergents or detergents for deli-
cate g
arments are applied with a damp cloth
or sponge, they may, for example, leave rings
when dry because of the surfactant compo-
nents they contain. Generally, such rings are
very difficult or almost impossible to remove. CAUTION
● Do not l et

water soak into Alcantara ®
under
any circumstances.
● Do not use leather cleaning products, sol-
vents, w
ax polish, shoe cream, stain remov-
ers or similar products on Alcantara ®
.
● Never use brushes for cleaning damp mate-
rial
as they could damage the surface. Cleaning and maintenance of natural
l
e
ather upho

lsteryConsult a professional cleaning workshop if
y
ou h
av

e any doubts on cleaning and main-
taining the leather equipment in your vehicle.
Maintenance and treatment
Nappa natural leather is delicate because it
has no additional protective layer. ●
After c
leaning, regularly apply a condition-
er with sun-screen and impregnating action.
These products nourish the leather, soften it
and make it more breathable, as well as re-
hydrating it. They also provide it with a pro-
tective film.
● Clean the leather every 2 or 3 months and
remov
e stains as they appear.
● Treat the leather every 6 months with a
suitab
le maintenance product.
● Apply as few cleaning and maintenance
products a
s possible, always using a dry, lint-
free cotton or woollen cloth. Do not apply
cleaning and maintenance products directly
to the leather.
● Remove recent ball-point pen and ink
stain
s, lipstick, shoe cream and similar
stains as soon as possible.
● Maintain the colour of the leather. To do
this, use a s
pecial cream especially coloured
for leather to achieve the same overall colour,
if necessary.
● Afterwards, go over it with a soft cloth.
Cle
aning the vehicle
SEAT recommends using a slightly damp cot-
ton or woollen cloth for general cleaning pur-
poses.
Generally, the leather should never be
soaked at any point, nor should water pene-
trate the seams. Before cleaning the leather upho

lstery, bear
in mind the following recommendations
››› page 257, Cleaning the upholstery on
heated seats and electrically operated seats
or seats with airbag components . CAUTION
● On no acc ou

nt use solvents, wax polish,
shoe cream, stain removers or similar materi-
als on leather.
● If the stain remains on the leather for long,
it wi
ll soak in and be impossible to remove.
● In the event of spilt liquids, dry immediate-
ly with an ab
sorbent cloth to prevent the liq-
uid penetrating through the leather or seams.
● If the vehicle is left standing in the sun for
long periods, the l
eather should be protected
against direct sunlight to prevent it from fad-
ing. Note
The leather will usually change colour slight-
ly w ith u

se. Cleaning synthetic leather upholstery
Before cleaning synthetic leather upholstery,
be
ar in mind the f
o

llowing recommendations
››› page 257, Cleaning the upholstery on
heated seats and electrically operated seats
or seats with airbag components
258

Advice
vehicle in question by SEAT. Seat belts which
hav
e been w
orn in an accident and stretched
must be replaced by a specialised workshop.
Renewal may be necessary even if there is no
apparent damage. The belt anchorage should
also be checked. Notes for the user
Labels and p

latesSome parts in the engine compartment come
fr
om the f
act

ory with certificates of safety, la-
bels or plates containing important informa-
tion regarding the operation of the vehicle,
for example, on the fuel tank flap, on the pas-
senger's sun visor, on the driver door strut, or
on the floor of the boot.
● Never remove these certificates of safety,
labels
or plates, and ensure they are kept in
good condition and are legible.
● If a vehicle part, bearing a certificate of
safety
, label or plate, is replaced, the special-
ised workshop should attach the information
back in the same place.
Certificate of safety
A certificate of safety on the door strut states
that all the safety standards and regulations
established by the national traffic authorities
responsible for road safety were met at the time of manufacture. It may also give the
month and ye

ar of manufacture, together
with the chassis number.
Warning of high voltage label*
There is a label close to the bonnet lock
which warns of high voltage in the vehicle's
electrical system. The vehicle ignition system
complies with several standards, including
the Canadian standard, ICES-002.
Using your vehicle in other countries
and continents The vehicle is manufactured at the factory for
u
se in a p
ar

ticular country in accordance with
the national legislation in force at the time of
manufacture.
If the vehicle is sold in another country or
used in another country for an extended peri-
od of time, the applicable legislation of that
country should be observed.
It may be necessary to fit or remove certain
pieces of equipment or to deactivate certain
functions. Service work may also be affected.
This is particularly true if the vehicle is used
in a different climate for an extended period
of time.
As there are different types of frequency
bands around the world, you may find that the radio or navigation system supplied at
the factor

y does not work in another country. CAUTION
● SEA T doe

s not accept liability for any dam-
age to the vehicle due to the use of a lower
quality fuel, an inadequate service or the
non-availability of genuine spare parts.
● SEAT does not accept liability if the vehicle
does not
comply in part or in full with the le-
gal requirements of other countries or conti-
nents. Radio and antenna reception
The aerial of radio and navigation systems
fitt
ed at
the f

actory may be mounted in differ-
ent parts of the vehicle:
● On the inside of the rear window, next to
the rear w
indow heating,
● on the inside of the rear side windows,
● on the inside of the windscreen,
● on the roof of the vehicle.
Aerials
mounted on the inside of a window
can be recognised by the fine wires. CAUTION
Aerials on the inside of windows may be dam-
aged if knoc

ked or if cleaned with corrosive or
acid cleaning products. Do not stick adhesive 260

Checking and refilling levels
Control lamps and fuel gauge Fig. 234
On the instrument panel: Fuel gauge
f or petr
o
l and diesel 
It lights up
Gauge posi-
tion
››› Fig. 234Possible cause
››› Solution
Red mark (ar- row)
The fuel tank is al-
most empty.
The reserve tank is
being used
››› page 39.
Refuel as soon as
possible ››› . 
It lights up
Fuel tank not
closed cor-
rectly.Stop the vehicle and close the tank
flap properly.
Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds.
When the contr

ol lamp lights up  or  the
auxiliary heating and heater running off pet-
rol automatically switch off. WARNING
Driving with insufficient fuel reserve could re-
su lt

in the vehicle breaking down in traffic
and a serious accident.
● If the fuel level is too low then the fuel sup-
ply t
o the engine can become irregular espe-
cially on slopes.
● If the engine “is choked” or stalls due to
lack
of or irregularity of the fuel supply, the
power steering as well as all of the driver as-
sistance systems including braking assis-
tance will stop working.
● Always refuel when there is only one quar-
ter of the f
uel tank left to avoid running out of
fuel. CAUTION
● Alw a

ys pay attention to any lit control
lamps and to the corresponding descriptions
and instructions to avoid damage to the vehi-
cle.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An
irregu
lar fuel supply may lead to ignition
faults and unburnt fuel could enter the ex-
haust system. This could damage the catalyt-
ic converter filter or the diesel particulate fil-
ter! Note
The arrow next to the fuel pump symbol on
the ins trument

panel ››› Fig. 234 indicates the
side of the vehicle on which the fuel tank flap
is located. Refuelling
Fig. 235
Open fuel tank flap with tank cap in
the ho l
der Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 39
Refuelling
The correct petrol type for the vehicle is loca-
ted on a sticker inside the fuel tank flap
››› page 264.
● If the automatic filler nozzle is operated
correctly
, it will switch itself off as soon as
the tank is full ››› .
»
263
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety