The essentials
● Zone B : You can add oil but keep the level
in th at
zone.
● Zone C : Add oil up to zone
B .
T op
pin
g up engine oil
● Unscrew cap from oil filler opening.
● Add oil slowly.
● At the same time, check the level to ensure
you do not a
dd too much.
● When the oil level reaches at least zone B ,
u n
s
crew the engine oil filler cap carefully.
Motor oil specifications
Petrol engines
With LongLife serviceVW 504 00
Without LongLife serviceVW 504 00, VW 502 00
Diesel engines
With LongLife serviceVW 507 00
Without LongLife serviceVW 507 00 Engine oil additives
No type of
a
d
ditive should be mixed with the
engine oil. The deterioration caused by these
additives is not covered by the warranty.
››› in Topping up engine oil on
page 277
››› page 274 Coolant
Fig. 55
Engine compartment: coolant expan-
s ion t
ank
cap. The coolant tank is located in the engine
c
omp
ar
tment ›››
page 274.
When the engine is cold, replace the coolant
when the level is below .
Coolant specifications
The engine cooling system is supplied from
the factory with a specially treated mixture of
water and at least 40 % of the additive G13
(TL-VW 774 J), purple. This mixture gives the
necessary frost protection down to -25°C (-13°F) and protects the light alloy parts of
the engine coo
ling system against corrosion.
It also prevents scaling and considerably rai-
ses the boiling point of the coolant.
To protect the cooling system, the percentage
of additive must always be at least 40 %,
even in warm climates where anti-freeze pro-
tection is not required.
If for weather reasons further protection is
necessary, the proportion of additive may be
increased, but only up to 60 %; otherwise an-
tifreeze protection will diminish and this will
worsen cooling.
When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture
of distilled water and at least 40 % of the
G13 or G12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive
(both are purple) to obtain an optimum anti-
corrosion protection ››› in Coolant specifi-
c ation
s on p
age 279. The mixture of G13
with G12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G12 (red) or
G11 (green-blue) engine coolants will signifi-
cantly reduce anti-corrosion protection and
should therefore be avoided ››› in Coolant
s pec
ific
ations on page 279.
››› in Coolant specifications on
page 279
››› page 277 41
The essentials
Emergencies F u
se
s
Fuse location Fig. 58
On the driver-side dash panel: fuse
bo x
c
over. Fig. 59
In the engine compartment: fuse box
c o v
er. Only replace fuses with a fuse of the same
amper
ag
e (s
ame colour and markings) and
size.
Identifying fuses by colours
ColourAmp rating
Purple3
Light brown5
Brown7.5
Red10
Blue15
Yellow20
White or transparent25
Green30
Orange40 To open the dash panel fuse box
●
To remove the cover, move the activation
l ev
er in the lo
wer part to the right ››› Fig. 58.
● For right-hand drive vehicles, move the lev-
er to the lef
t.
To open the engine compartment fuse box
● Open the bonnet ›››
page 271.
● Move the attachment tabs forwards, in the
direction indicat
ed by the arrow to release
the fuse box cover ››› Fig. 59. ●
Then lift the c
over out.
● To fit the cover, place it on the fuse box.
Pu
sh the attachment tabs back, in the oppo-
site direction indicated by the arrow until
they click audibly into place.
In is possible that there are more fuses be-
hind a cover in the lower left-hand side of the
luggage compartment.
››› page 91 43
The essentials
Replacing a blown fuse Fig. 60
Image of a blown fuse. Fig. 61
Removing or fitting a fuse Preparation
● Switch off the ignition, lights and all elec-
tric al
equipment
.
● Open the corresponding fuse box
›››
page 43 Identifying a blown fuse
A fuse i
s blown if its metal strip is ruptured
››› Fig. 60.
● Point a lamp at the fuse to see if it has
blown.
T
o replace a fuse
● If necessary, remove the plastic pincers
from the fu
se box cover.
● Small fuses: lock the pinc
er in from above
››› Fig. 61 A.
● Larger fuses : move the pinc
er sideways
over the fuse ››› Fig. 61 B.
● Remove the relevant fuse.
● Replace the blown fuse by one with an
identica
l amperage rating (same colour and
markings) and identical size.
● Replace the cover.
Bulbs Bul
bs (12 V) Full-LED headlights are designed to last the
lif
etime of
the c
ar and light bulbs cannot be
replaced. In case of headlight failure, go to
an authorised workshop to have it replaced.
Light source used for each function
Halogen headlights.Type
Dipped beam headlightsH7 LL
Main beam headlights/day-
time running lights (DRL)H15 (double element)
Side lightsW5W
Turn signalPY21W NA LL
AFS bi-xenon main head-
lightType
Daytime running lights (DRL)P21W SLL
Side lightsW5W
Turn signalPY21W NA LL
Dipped beam / Main beamXenon bulb. Visit an
authorised workshop
for replacement.
Front fog lightType
Fog lightsHB4
LED rear lightsType
Side/brake lightLED
Turn signalWY21W
Reverse lightsW16W 44
The essentials
Action in the event of a punc-
t ur
e
Wh
at to do first The SEAT Alhambra is equipped as standard
with anti-p
u
ncture technology tyres (Conti-
Seal). In the event of a puncture or air leak of
up to 5 mm, the tyre seals the hole with a
protective layer inside the tread.
The inclusion of this technology means that
there is no type of spare wheel included in
the vehicle's equipment.
● Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface
and in a saf e p
lace as far away from traffic as
possible.
● Apply the handbrake.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights.
● Manual gearbox: select the 1s
t gear.
● Automatic gearbox: Move the sel
ector lever
to position P.
● If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from
your v
ehicle.
● Keep the vehicle tool kit ready*
›››
page 83.
● Observe the applicable legislation for each
countr
y (reflective vest, warning triangles,
etc.). ●
All
occupants should leave the vehicle and
wait in a safe place (for instance behind the
roadside crash barrier). WARNING
● Alw a
ys observe the above steps and pro-
tect yourself and other road users.
● If you change the wheel on a slope, block
the wheel on the oppo
site side of the car with
a stone or similar to prevent the vehicle from
moving. Repairing a tyre with the anti-punc-
t
ur
e k
it* Fig. 62
Standard representation: contents of
the anti-p u
nct
ure kit. The anti-puncture kit is located under the
floor p
anel
in the lug
gage compartment. Sealing the tyre
● Unscrew the tyre valve cap and insert. Use
the ›››
Fig. 62 1 tool to remove the insert.
Pl ac
e it
on a clean surface.
● Shake the tyre sealant bottle vigorously
›››
Fig. 62 10 .
● Screw the inflator tube ››
›
Fig. 62 3 into
the se al
ant
bottle. The bottle's seal will break
automatically.
● Remove the lid from the filling tube
›››
Fig. 62 3 and screw the open end of the
t ube int
o the ty
re valve.
● With the tyre sealant bottle upside down,
fill
the tyre with the contents of the sealant
bottle.
● Remove the bottle from the valve.
● Place the insert back into the tyre valve us-
ing the too
l ››› Fig. 62 1 .
Infl atin
g the ty
re
● Screw the compressor tyre inflator tube
›››
Fig. 62 5 into the tyre valve.
● Check that the air bleed screw is closed
› ›
›
Fig. 62 7 .
● Start the engine and leave it running.
● Insert the connector ››
›
Fig. 62 9 into the
v ehic
l
e's 12-volt socket ›››
page 174.
● Turn the air compressor on with the ON/OFF
swit c
h ››› Fig. 62 8 .
» 45
The essentials
SEAT recommends you ask a technical serv-
ic e f
or f
urther information on wheel, tyre and
chain sizes.
Wherever possible use fine-link chains meas-
uring less than 15 mm (37/64 inch) includ-
ing the lock.
Remove wheel hub covers and trim rings be-
fore fitting snow chains ››› . The wheel bolts
shou l
d be c
overed with caps for safety rea-
sons. These are available from technical serv-
ices. WARNING
The use of unsuitable or incorrectly fitted
ch ain
s could lead to serious accidents and
damage.
● Always the appropriate snow chains.
● Observe the fitting instructions provided by
the snow c
hain manufacturer.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted
speeds
when driving with snow chains. CAUTION
● Remo v
e the snow chains to drive on roads
without snow. Otherwise they will impair
handling, damage the tyres and wear out very
quickly.
● Wheel rims may be damaged or scratched if
the chain
s come into direct contact with
them. SEAT recommends the use of covered
snow chains. Note
Snow chains are available in different sizes
acc or
ding to the vehicle type. Emergency towing of the vehi-
cl
e
T
owing Fig. 71
On the right-hand side of the front
b umper:
Sc
rew in the towline anchorage. Fig. 72
On the rear bumper, to the right hand
side: T
owline anchorage in position Towline anchorages
Att
ac
h the b
ar or rope to the towline ancho-
rages.
They are located with the vehicle's tools
››› page 83.
Screw the towline anchorage into the screw
connection ››› Fig. 71 o ››› Fig. 72 and tighten
it with the wheel brace.
Tow rope or tow bar
When towing, the tow bar is the safest and
vehicle friendly way. You should only use a
tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to avoid
damage to both vehicles. It is advisable to
use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or sim-
ilarly elastic material. » 51
The essentials
Only secure the tow rope or tow bar to the
t o
wline anc
horage or specially designed fit-
ting.
Vehicles with a factory fitted towing device ,
can only be used for towing with a tow bar,
specially designed to fit on a tow hitch ball
››› page 237.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
Note the following for a towed vehicle: ● Make sure the gear selector lever is in the N
position.
● Do not
drive faster than 50 km/h (30 mph).
● Do not tow further than 50 km (30 miles).
● If a breakdown truck is used, the vehicle
must
be towed with the front wheels raised.
Note the following instructions for towing
four all-wheel drive vehicles.
Instructions for towing all-wheel drive vehi-
cles
All-wheel drive vehicles can be towed using a
toolbar or tow rope. If the vehicle is towed
with the front or rear axle raised, the engine
must be turned off to avoid transmission
damage.
For vehicles with a double clutched DSG ®
(di-
rect shift gearbox) the instructions for towing
vehicles with an automatic gearbox apply
››› page 52. Situations in which a vehicle should not be
tow
ed
In the following cases, the vehicle should not
be towed but transported on a trailer or spe-
cial vehicle:
● If the vehicle gearbox does not contain lu-
bricant due t
o a fault.
● If the vehicle battery is flat and, as a result,
the electronic
steering lock and electronic
parking brake cannot be disengaged if ap-
plied.
● If the vehicle to be towed has an automatic
gearbo
x and the distance to be covered is
greater than 50 km (30 miles).
››› in Introduction on page 88
››› page 88 Tow-starting
In general, the vehicle should not be started
b
y
t
owing. Jump-starting is much more pref-
erable ›››
page 52.
For technical reasons, the following vehicles
can not be tow started:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox. ●
Vehicl
es with the Keyless Access locking
and ignition system, since the electronic
steering lock may not unlock.
● Vehicles with an electronic parking brake,
given that
it is possible that the brake will
not be disengaged.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it is possible
that the en
gine control units do not operate
correctly.
However, if your vehicle must absolutely be
tow-started (manual gearbox):
● Put it into second or third gear.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch on the ignition and the hazard warn-
ing lights.
● Rel
ease the clutch when both vehicles are
movin
g.
● As soon as the engine starts, press the
clutc
h and move the gear lever into neutral.
This helps to prevent a collision with the tow-
ing vehicle.
How to jump start
Jump lea
ds If the engine fails to start because of a dis-
c
h
ar
ged battery, the battery of another vehi-
cle can be used to start the engine. Before 52
The essentials
How to jump start: description Fig. 74
Diagram of connections for vehicles
w ithout
Start-Stop system. Fig. 75
Diagram of connections for vehicles
w ith
St
art-Stop system. Jump lead terminal connections
Swit
c
h off the ignition of both vehicles
››› .
1. Connect one end of the
re
d
jump lead to
the positive + terminal of the vehicle
w ith the fl
at
battery A
› ››
Fig. 74
.
C
onnect the other end of the red jump
lead to the positive terminal + in the
v ehic
l
e providing assistance B .
F or
vehicles without Start-Stop system:
connect one end of the black jump lead
to the negative terminal – of the vehi-
c l
e pr
oviding the current B
› ››
Fig. 74
.
F
or vehicles with Start-Stop system: con-
nect one end of the black jump lead X to a suitable ground terminal, to a solid
piec
e of
met
al in the engine block, or to
the engine block itself ››› Fig. 75.
Connect the other end of the black jump
lead X to a solid metal component bol-
t ed t
o the en
gine block or to the engine
block itself of the vehicle with the flat
battery. Do not connect it to a point near
the battery A .
P o
s
ition the leads in such a way that
they cannot come into contact with any
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment.
Starting Start the engine of the vehicle with the
boosting battery and let it run at idling
speed.
2.
3.
4a.
4b.
5.
6.
7.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
flat b
attery and wait for 2 or 3 minutes
until the engine is running.
Removing the jump leads Before you remove the jump leads,
switch off the dipped beam headlights if
they are switched on.
Turn on the heater blower and heated
rear window in the vehicle with the flat
battery. This helps minimise voltage
peaks which are generated when the
leads are disconnected.
When the engine is running, disconnect
the leads in reverse order to the details
given above.
Make sure the battery clamps have sufficient
metal-to-metal contact with the battery termi-
nals.
If the engine fails to start after about 10 sec-
onds, switch off the starter and try again after
about 1 minute. WARNING
● Ple a
se note the safety warnings referring to
working in the engine compartment
››› page 271.
● The battery providing assistance must have
the same v
oltage as the flat battery (12V) and
approximately the same capacity (see imprint
on battery). Failure to comply could result in
an explosion. 8.
9.
10.
11.
54
The essentials
●
Never u se jump l
eads when one of the bat-
teries is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even af-
ter the battery has thawed, battery acid could
leak and cause chemical burns. If a battery
freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes
awa
y from batteries, danger of explosion.
Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the
manufact
urer of the jump leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the
other vehic
le directly to the negative terminal
of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the
battery could be ignited by sparks. Danger of
explosion.
● Never attach the negative cable to fuel sys-
tem component
s or the brake lines in the oth-
er vehicle.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery
clamp
s must not be allowed to touch. The
jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the ve-
hicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they
cannot c
ome into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could re-
sult
in chemical burns. Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
erw i
se electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Changing windscreen wipers
Wind s
creen wipers service position Fig. 76
Wipers in service position. The wiper arms can be raised when the wip-
er
s
ar
e in service position ››› Fig. 76.
● Close the bonnet ›››
page 271.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever down-
ward
s briefly ››› page 27 4 .
B ef
or
e driving, always lower the wiper arms.
Using the windscreen wiper lever, the wind- screen wiper arms return to their initial posi-
tion.
››› page 88 Changing the front wiper blades
Fig. 77
Changing the front wiper blades Fig. 78
Changing the rear wiper blade » 55