Operation
In the case of tinted windows or windows
w ith tint
ed fi
lm, the indications of the exter-
nal mirrors may not be seen clearly or correct-
ly.
Keep the external mirrors clean and free of
snow and ice, and do not cover them with ad-
hesives or other similar materials.
Radar sensors
The radar sensor are located on the left and
right of the bumper, and are not visible from the outside
››› Fig. 221. The sensors have a
range of approx. 20 metres behind the vehi-
cle, including the blind spots to the left and
right of the vehicle. The range to the sides of
the vehicle is roughly larger than the width of
a lane.
The lane width is not detected individually,
but is rather pre-configured in the system.
Thus if you are driving in wide lanes or in be-
tween two lanes, the indications may be in-
correct. Furthermore, the system can detect vehicles driving in the lane next to you (if
there are an
y), and can also detect stationary
objects such as dividers, and thus give an in-
correct indication.
224
Driver assistance systems
Driving situations Fig. 222
Schematic diagram: Pas sing sit-
uation with traffic behind the vehicle. Indi-
cation from the blind spot detector in the left-
hand external mirror. Fig. 223
Schematic diagram: Situation of
p a
ssing and then moving into the right-hand
lane. Indication from the blind spot detec- tor in the right-hand external mirror. In the following situations, an indication will
be di
s
p
layed in the external mirror ››› Fig. 222
B (arrow) or ››› Fig. 223 B (arrow):
● When being passed by another vehicle
›››
Fig. 222 A.
● When passing another vehicle ›››
Fig. 223 A
with a speed differential of approx. 10 km/h
(6 mph). If the vehicle is passing at a consid- erably higher speed, no indication will be
disp
layed.
The faster the vehicle approaches, the sooner
an indication will be displayed in the external
mirror, because the blind spot detector takes
into account the speed differential with other
vehicles. Thus even though the distance from
the other vehicle is identical, the indication
will appear sooner in some cases and later in
others. Physical limitations inherent to the system
In some situation
s the blind spot detector
may not interpret the traffic situation correct-
ly. E.g. in the following situations:
● on tight bends
● in the case of lanes with different widths
● at the top of slopes
● in adverse weather conditions »
225
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Care and maintenance
Automatic car washes
A lw
a
ys observe the instructions provided at
the automatic car wash. The standard pre-
cautionary measures prior to entering the car
wash should be taken to avoid damage to
the vehicle (close all windows, fold in exterior
mirrors). If the vehicle is fitted with additional
components (spoiler, roof-rack, aerial, etc.),
check with the car wash supervisor whether
these can enter the car wash ››› .
The v
ehic
le paintwork is so durable that the
vehicle can normally be washed without
problems in an automatic car wash tunnel.
However, wear and damage to the paintwork
will depend on the type of car wash used.
SEAT recommends the use of car washes
without brushes.
To remove traces of wax on windows and to
prevent wiper blades from scratching, please
observe the following ››› page 252, Cleaning
windows and exterior mirrors .
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove or brush using only slight pressure.
Start at the roof and work downwards. Spe-
cial car shampoo should only be used for
very persistent dirt. Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, s
ills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
Sharp components on the vehicle may cause
injury .
● Pr
otect arms and hands from sharp edges
when cle
aning the vehicle undercarriage or
the interior of the wheel hubs. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing eff ect
will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
caref
ully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process. CAUTION
● The temper at
ure of the water must not ex-
ceed +60°C (+140°F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the
vehicle in full sun.
● Do not use rough sponges or similar which
coul
d damage the surface to clean away the
traces of insects. ●
Never w ipe the he
adlights with a dry cloth
or sponge, always moisten first. It is best to
use soapy water.
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
When washin
g the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! CAUTION
To avoid any risk of damage to the vehicle,
p le
ase check the following points before us-
ing an automatic car wash:
● Compare the distance between the vehicle
wheels and the di
stance between the guide-
rails of the car wash to prevent damage to the
wheels and tyres!
● Switch off the rain sensor and the Au-
to Hol
d function before entering a car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehi-
cle w
ith the available height and width when
entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retracta-
ble e
xterior mirrors must not be folded in or
out by hand. Always use the electrical power
control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork,
res
t the wipers on the windscreen after dry-
ing them. Do not let them fall!
● Lock the rear lid to prevent it from opening
unexpect
edly while inside the car wash. 251
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Wheels and tyres
Tyre code Fig. 253
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 292 and speed
rating ››› page 292.
XLReinforced tyres (“Reinforced”).
M+S or M/SWinter tyres (mud and snow tyres)
››› page 292.
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 289.
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.» 291
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
AdviceTyre code (example): Meaning
SIDEWALL 1 PLY
RAYONInformation about tyre wall compo-
nents:
1 layer of rayon (artificial silk).
TREAD 4 PLIES
1 RAYON +
2 STEEL +
1 NYLONInformation about tread compo-
nents:
In the example, there are 4 layers be-
low the tread: 1 layer of rayon (artifi-
cial silk), 2 layers of steel reinforce-
ment and 1 layer of nylon.
Information for the end consumer concerning the com-
parative values of the established base tyres (standar-
dised test procedures) :
TREADWEAR
280Relative service life of the tyre, with
respect to specific US standard test.
TRACTION AABraking capacity of tyre on wet sur-
face (AA, A, B or C).
TEMPERATURE ATyre temperature resistance at higher
test speeds (A, B or C).
If there are different letters, they are specific codes of
the tyre manufacturer or specific national codes.
a)
The letters TIN refer to the tyre serial number.
Tyres with directional tread patterns
Tyres with directional tread pattern have
been designed to operate best when rotating
in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre
sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on
tyres with directional tread. Always observe
the direction of rotation indicated when
mounting the wheel. This guarantees opti- mum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning,
grip, noise and w
ear.
Tyre load rating
The load rating code indicates the maximum
load in kilogrammes each wheel can carry
(load capacity). 615 kg (1,356 pounds)
650 kg (1,433 pounds)
690 kg (1,521 pounds)
730 kg (1,609 pounds)
775 kg (1,709 pounds)
Speed rating
The speed rating indicates the maximum
speed permitted for the tyres. max. 150 km/h (93 mph)
max. 160 km/h (99 mph)
max. 170 km/h (106 mph)
max. 180 km/h (112 mph)
max. 190 km/h (118 mph)
max. 200 km/h (124 mph)
max. 210 km/h (130 mph)
max. 240 km/h (149 mph)
max. 240 km/h (149 mph)
max. 270 km/h (168 mph)
max. 300 km/h (186 mph)
91
93
95
97
99
P
Q
R
S
T
U
H
V
Z
W
Y Some manufacturers use the letters “ZR” for
tyre
s with a maximum authorised speed
above 240 km/h (149 mph).
Winter service Winter ty
res* In winter conditions winter tyres will consid-
erab
ly
improve the vehicle's handling. The
design of summer tyres (width, rubber com-
pound, tread pattern) gives less grip on ice
and snow. Winter tyres also improve the vehi-
cle braking performance, reducing the brak-
ing distance in winter weather. SEAT recom-
mend that winter tyres be fitted to the vehicle
at temperatures below +7°C (+45°F).
The performance of winter tyres is much re-
duced if the tyre tread is worn below 4 mm
(1/16 inch). The age of the tyre is another
factor affecting performance, regardless of
the depth of the tyre tread.
Please observe the following when using
winter tyres:
● Observe legal requirements in each coun-
try .
● W
inter tyres must be fitted on all four
wheels.
● Only
use winter tyres in wintery weather
conditions.
292
Technical data
Dimensions Fig. 255
Dimensions ALHAMBRA
A/BFront and rear projection (mm)968/966
CWheelbase (mm)2,919
DLength (mm)4,854
E/FFront/rear a)
track width (mm)1,569/1,617
GWidth (mm)1,904
HHeight at kerb weight (mm)1,720
Turning radius (m)11.9
a) This data will change depending on the type of wheel rim.
302