Seat Alhambra 2006 Owner's Manual

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle199
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Cleaning the engine compartment
Take special care when cleaning the engine compartment.
Anti-corrosion treatment
The engine compartment and the surface of the power unit are given anti-
corrosion treatment at the factory.
Good corrosion protection is particularly important in winter when the car is
frequently driven on salted roads. To prevent the salt corroding the vehicle,
the entire engine compartment should be thoroughly cleaned before and
after the salting period.
Your Authorised Service Centre is able to provide the correct cleaning and
preserving products and has the necessary equipment. For this reason, we
recommend having this work performed by them.
The anti-corrosion protection is usually removed if the engine compartment
is cleaned with grease removing solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned.
If this job is carried out, you should ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and
components in the engine compartment are given anti-corrosion treatment
afterwards.
WARNING
•When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings Ÿpage 209
•Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake firmly and always
remove the key from the ignition before you open the bonnet.
•Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.
•Do not clean the underside of vehicle, wheel arches without protecting
your hands and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts.
Failure to comply could result in injury.
•Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk
of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing
the vehicle.
•Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature-controlled and could
start automatically, even when the key is removed from the ignition!
For the sake of the environment
Fuel, grease and oil deposits could be removed when the engine is washed.
The polluted water must be cleaned in an oil separator. For this reason,
engine washing should be carried out only by a qualified workshop or a suit-
able filling station.
Care of the vehicle interior
Cleaning plastic parts and the dash panel
– Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic parts and the dash
panel.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special
solvent-free plastic cleaning product.
WARNING
Never clean the dash panel and surface of the airbag module with cleansers
containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to become porous. If the
airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic parts can cause substantial injuries.
WARNING (continued)

Cleaning and caring for your vehicle 200
Caution
Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.
Cleaning wooden trim*
– Clean the wooden trim with a clean cloth moistened with water.
– If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a gentle soap
solution.
Caution
Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.
Cleaning cloth seat covers and fabric trim
Cloth seat covers and fabric trim on the doors, headlining etc. can be cleaned
with a special interior cleanser or with dry foam and a soft brush.
Cleaning leather*
Normal cleaning
– Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with water and wipe over the
leather surfaces.Cleaning stubborn stains
– More stubborn dirt can be removed using a mild soap solution
(pure liquid soap; two tablespoons diluted in one litre of water)
and a cloth.
– Do not let the water soak through the leather or soak into the
seams.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
Leather care
– The leather should be treated regularly (about twice a year) with
a special leather-care product, which is available from your
Authorised Service Centre.
– Apply these products very sparingly.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
SEAT does everything possible to preserve the special qualities of leather, as
a natural product. Because of the natural properties of the specially selected
hides employed, the finished leather has a certain sensitivity to grease and
dirt, etc. so a degree of care is required in everyday use and when looking
after the leather.
Dust and grit in the pores and seams can scratch and damage the surface. If
the vehicle is left standing in the sun for long periods, the leather should be
protected against direct sunlight to prevent it from fading. However, slight
colour variations in high-quality natural leather are normal.
Caution
•Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar
products on leather.

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Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a qualified
workshop.
Cleaning seat belts
A dirty belt may stop the seat belt working properly.
Keep the seat belts clean and check all seat belts regularly.
Cleaning seat belts
– Carefully pull the dirty seat belt right out and leave it out.
– Clean the dirty seat belts with a gentle soap solution.
– Allow the seat belt fabric to dry.
– Do not roll up the seat belt until it is dry.
If large stains form on the belts the belt will not retract correctly into the auto-
matic belt retractor.
WARNING
•Do not use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts, as this can
impair the strength of the webbing. Ensure that the belts do not come into
contact with corrosive fluids.
•Check the condition of all seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that the belt webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of the
belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced by a specialist workshop.
•Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts
must not be removed or modified in any way.
Caution
After cleaning, allow seat belts to dry completely before rolling them up.
Otherwise the belt retractors could become damaged.
Cleaning the cool/thermos box
–Before using the insulated box for the first time, you should clean
it, using a household detergent.
– Always clean the inside of the insulated box when it is soiled.
If you do not plan to use the insulated box for a long period, disconnect the
power supply and clean the inside and outside of the box. Place a folded
towel between the box and its lid. This prevents mould and damp stains
forming in the cooling and heating box.

Accessories, parts replacement and modifications 202
Accessories, parts replacement and modifications
Accessories and parts
Always consult an Authorised Service Centre before
purchasing accessories and parts.
Your vehicle is designed to offer a high standard of active and passive safety.
Before purchasing accessories and parts, and before making technical
changes to your car, we recommend that you consult your Authorised Service
Centre.
SEAT dealerships will be happy to provide you with the latest information
about the use, legal requirements and recommendations from the manufac-
turer regarding accessories and parts.
We recommend you use only SEAT Approved Accessories
® and SEAT
Approved Spare Parts® . This way, SEAT can guarantee that the product in
question is suitable, reliable and safe. Authorised Service Centres have the
necessary experience and facilities to ensure that parts are installed correctly
and professionally.
Despite continuous observation of the market, SEAT is not able to assess the
reliability, safety and suitability of parts not approved by SEAT. For this reason
SEAT cannot assume responsibility for any non-genuine parts used, even if
these parts have been approved by an official testing agency or are covered
by an official approval certificate.
Any equipment subsequently installed which has a direct effect on the
vehicle and/or the way it is driven (e.g. cruise control system or electronically-
controlled suspension) must be approved by SEAT for use in your vehicle and
bear the e mark (the European Union's authorisation symbol).
If any additional electrical components are fitted which do not serve to
control the vehicle itself (for instance a refrigerator box, laptop or ventilator fan, etc.), these must bear the CE mark (European Union manufacturer
conformity declaration).
WARNING
Accessories, for example telephone holders or drink holders, should never
be fitted on the covers of, or within the working range of, the airbags. If
they are, there is a danger of resulting injury if the airbag is triggered in an
accident.
Modifications
Modifications must always be carried out according to our
specifications.
Unauthorised modifications to the electronic components or software in the
vehicle may cause malfunctions. Due to the way the electronic components
are linked together in networks, other systems may be affected by the faults.
This can seriously impair safety, lead to excessive wear of components, and
also invalidate your vehicle registration documents.
SEAT Authorised Service Centres cannot be held liable for any damage
caused by modifications and/or work performed incorrectly.
For this reason, we recommend that all work should be performed by an
Authorised Service Centre using genuine and SEAT
® approved parts and
accessories.

Accessories, parts replacement and modifications203
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
Incorrectly performed modifications or other work on your vehicle can lead
to malfunctions and cause accidents.
Roof aerial*
The vehicle may be fitted with a collapsible roof aerial* with antitheft
system*, which can be folded backwards, when, for example, going through
an automatic carwash.
To f o l d
Unscrew the aerial rod, tilting it backwards into a horizontal position and then
screw in again.
To return to working position
Continue in the reverse order to that given in the previous instruction.
Mobile telephones and two-way radios
You will require an external aerial for mobile phones and two-
way radios.
SEAT has approved your vehicle for use with mobile telephones and two-way
radios providing the following conditions are observed:
•The correct installation of an external aerial,
•transmitting power of maximum 10 watts.
An external aerial is needed to give the equipment its optimal range.First consult your Authorised Service Centre if you wish to use a mobile tele-
phone or a two-way radio with a transmitting power in excess of 10 watts.
Here you will receive information concerning the technical possibilities for
retrofitting this equipment.
Mobile telephones and two-way radios should be fitted only by a qualified
workshop, for example an Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
•Always concentrate primarily on driving. If you are distracted while
driving you could have an accident.
•Never attach the telephone mountings to the surfaces covering the
airbag units or within the range of the airbags, danger of injury if the airbag
is triggered.
•If you use mobile telephones or two-way radios in the vehicle without
an external aerial, electromagnetic radiation in the vehicle could exceed
authorised limits. This also applies to external aerials that have not been
correctly installed.
Caution
Failure to observe the above conditions could cause the electronics to
malfunction. The most common causes of faults are:
•no external aerial,
•external aerial incorrectly installed,
•transmitting power in excess of 10 watts.
Note
Please observe the operating instructions of your mobile telephone / two-way
radio.

Accessories, parts replacement and modifications 204
Retrofitting a towing bracket
The vehicle can be retrofitted with a towing bracket.
Fig. 137 Attachment
points for towing bracket

Accessories, parts replacement and modifications205
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a If a towing bracket is to be retro-fitted to the car, it must be done according to
the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer.
The attachment points for the towing bracket Ÿpage 204, fig. 137 are
underneath the vehicle.
Always observe the minimum distance from the middle of the ball coupling to
the ground (350 to 420 mm). This also applies when the vehicle is fully laden,
including maximum drawbar load.
Fitting a towing bracket
•Driving with a trailer implies additional work for the vehicle. Therefore,
before fitting a towing bracket, please contact an Authorised Service Centre
to check whether your cooling system needs modification.
•Observe the legal requirements in your country (e. g. the fitting of a sepa-
rate pilot lamp).
•Certain vehicle components, e.g. the rear bumper must be removed and
reinstalled. The towing bracket securing bolts have to be tightened using a
torque wrench, and a socket connected to the vehicle's electrical system .
This requires specialist knowledge and tools.
•The figures in the illustration show the dimensions and attachment points
which must be observed if you are retrofitting a towing bracket.
WARNING
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, it should be done by a qualified dealer.
•If the towing bracket is incorrectly fitted, this could cause a safety risk.
•For your own safety, please observe the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the towing bracket.
Caution
If the connector socket is not fitted correctly, this could cause damage to the
vehicle's electrical system.
AA

Checking and refilling levels 206
Checking and refilling levels
Refilling
The tank filler neck is located at the rear right-hand side of the vehicle.
The tank flap is locked and unlocked automatically by the central locking
system.
The fuel tank holds about 70 litres.
The tank cap can, once unscrewed, be hung on the tank flap Ÿfig. 138.
After filling up, screw the tank cap back in firmly and close the tank flap until
it engages.
WARNING
All legal stipulations must be observed when transporting a reserve
supply. For safety reasons, we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel
canister in the vehicle. The canister could be damaged in an accident and
leak.
Caution
•Never run the fuel tank empty on vehicles equipped with a catalytic
converter. An irregular fuel supply could cause misfiring. In this way the fuel
can arrive without burning the exhaust system, which could cause the cata-
lyser to overheat resulting in damage.
•Spilt fuel should be removed from the vehicle paint finish as quickly as
possible as the paint could otherwise be damaged. Especially if biodiesel
fuel is being used Ÿpage 207.
For the sake of the environment
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly, it will switch itself off as
soon as the tank is “full”. Never attempt to fill beyond this point, as this will
fill the expansion chamber. Fuel may leak out if ambient conditions are
warm.
Fig. 138 Tank filler neck
and tank flap

Checking and refilling levels207
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Petrol
Petrol types
The correct petrol types are listed on a sticker inside the fuel
tank flap.
Only unleaded petrol, corresponding to the standard DIN EN 228, may be
used for vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Norm”).
Petrol types are categorised according to their octane number, e. g. 91, 95,
98 or 99. You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one
recommended for your engine. However this has no advantage in terms of
fuel consumption and engine power.
Caution
If you must drive with fuel of a lower octane rating than recommended then
avoid driving at high engine speeds or putting demand on your engine.
Otherwise engine damage may occur. Fill up with petrol with the correct
octane number as soon as possible.
For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the
catalytic converter.
Petrol additives
The quality of the petrol influences running behaviour, performance and
service life of the engine. For this reason you should use good quality petrol
containing additives. These additives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the
fuel system clean and prevent deposits from building up in the engine.If good quality petrol with additives is not available, this may cause engine
problems (e.g. engine does not run smoothly or problems occur when
starting).
Not all petrol additives are effective. We recommend you use only “genuine
SEAT fuel additives for petrol engines”. They are available from SEAT Service
Centres
®. Your dealer will also be able to provide information on how to use
them.
Do not mix other fuel additives with the fuel.
Diesel
Diesel*
Diesel fuel must correspond to DIN EN 590 (EN = “European standard”). It
must have a cetane number (CN) of at least 51. The cetane number indicates
the ignition quality of the diesel fuel.
Notes on filling with fuel Ÿpage 206.
RME fuel*
Only vehicles fitted with special equipment may drive with
biodiesel fuel in accordance with standard DIN EN 14214.
The biodiesel fuel must comply with the DIN EN 14.214 (FAME) Standard.
•Biodiesel is a methylester obtained from rapeseed oil.
•DIN is a German abbreviation for “ Deutsches Institut für Normug e.V.”, the
German standards institute.
•EN means European Norm.

Checking and refilling levels 208
•FAME is the English abbreviation “ Fatty Acid Methyl Ester”
If the date sticker of the vehicle includes the number PR 2G0 optional equip-
ment) this means that that vehicle has been prepared for biodiesel use.
Your Authorised Service Centre or automobile association will be able to
advise on where you can obtain RME biodiesel fuel.
Your Authorised Service Centre can also be consulted to know if the vehicle
has been prepared for biodiesel use.
Things to note about RME fuel (biodiesel)
•The performance of a vehicle using biodiesel maybe somewhat reduced.
•Fuel consumption of a vehicle using biodiesel may be slightly higher.
•RME fuel can be used in winter at temperatures down to approx. -10°C.
•At outside temperatures below -10°C, we recommend using winter diesel
fuel.
For technical reasons, vehicle fitted with diesel particulate filters cannot use
biodiesel under any circumstances.
Your authorized SEAT dealer will confirm whether your vehicle is prepared to
use biodiesel.
Caution
•RME fuel can damage the fuel system in vehicles that are not suitably
adjusted.
•If you decide to use biodiesel in your vehicle, please use only RME fuel
which is DIN E 14,214 compliant.
•If you use biodiesel that does not meet the required standard, the fuel
filter could become clogged.
•Your authorized SEAT dealer will be able to tell you if your vehicle is suit-
able for use with biodiesel, or whether it requires modifications in order to
use it.
•Vehicles fitted with a diesel particle filter should not use biodiesel under
any circumstance, or even start the engine, at the risk of damaging the fuel
system.
Note
•In case of low exterior temperatures and a fuel biodiesel percentage of
higher than 50%, an increase in gas emission may occur during operation of
the independent heating.
•The fuel filter may become clogged when fuel is changed to biodiesel. For
this reason, we recommend that, about every 300 or 400 km, following a fuel
change, also change the fuel filter. Also. note the instructions in the inspec-
tion and maintenance plan.
•If the vehicle is to remain parked for more than about two weeks, we
recommend filling the fuel tank with biodiesel and driving about 50 km in
order to avoid damage to the injection system.
Winter driving
Diesel can thicken in winter.
Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, difficulties may be experienced at
sub-zero temperatures because the fuel thickens due to paraffin separation.
For this reason, “winter-grade diesel fuel” is available in some countries
during the cold months. It can be used at temperatures as low as -22°C.
In countries with different climatic conditions the diesel fuel sold generally
has different temperature characteristics. Check with an Authorised Service
Centre or filling stations in the country concerned regarding the type of diesel
fuels available.