lock Seat Alhambra 2011 Owners Manual

248
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean anodized surfaces.
● If ther
e is a lot of dirt, use a special cleaning product which does not
contain
solvents. CAUTION
To prevent damage to the anodized surfaces:
● Do not use products containing solvents.
● Do not use polish or hard wax.
● Do not use abrasive products.
● Do not polish anodized surfaces in sandy or dusty environments.
● Do not polish dirty surfaces. 
Cleaning wheels Cleaning steel wheels
Use an indu
s

trial cleaner to remove brake dust. Therefore, clean wheels reg-
ularly with a separate sponge.
Any damage to the paint on steel wheels should be touched up before the
metal starts to rust.
Caring for and cleaning alloy wheels
Remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels approximately
once a fortnight. Use an acid free detergent to clean the wheel rims. SEAT
recommends treating the wheels thoroughly with a wax compound about
once every three months.
It is important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at
regular intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.
Always use an acid-free detergent for alloy wheel rims. Car polish or other
abrasive agents should not be used. If the protective coating on the paint has been damaged (for example, hit by
a stone), it

should be repaired immediately. 
Caring for rubber seals The rubber seals on doors, windows, etc., remain flexible, provide a better
seal
and l

ast longer if they are regularly treated with a product specifically
designed for use on rubber.
Before applying the product, use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from
the rubber seals. 
De-icing the door lock cylinder To de-ice the lock cylinders, SEAT recommend the use of genuine SEAT spray
with lubric
atin

g and anti-corrosive properties. CAUTION
The use of products containing degreasing agents to de-ice the locks may
rus t

the lock cylinder. 
Protection of vehicle undercarriage The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it from chemical and mechanical
dam
ag

e. The protective coat on the undercarriage may wear through use
while driving. Therefore, SEAT recommends that the protective coating on
the undercarriage and on the running gear should be regularly checked, and
repaired if necessary. 

255
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
Notes for the user Labels and p
latesSome parts in the engine compartment come from the factory with certifi-
cat
e

s of safety, labels or plates containing important information regarding
the operation of the vehicle, for example, on the petrol cap, on the passeng-
er's sun visor, on the driver's door strut, or on the floor of the luggage com-
partment.
● Never remove these certificates of safety, labels or plates, and ensure
they are k
ept in good condition and are legible.
● If a vehicle part, bearing a certificate of safety, label or plate, is re-
plac
ed, the qualified 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 year 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 electrical installation. The vehicle ignition system complies with sev-
eral standards, including the Canadian standard, ICES-002. 
Using your vehicle in other countries and continents The vehicle is manufactured at the factory for use in a particular country in
acc
or

dance 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 ex-
tended period of time, the ap

plicable legislation of that country should be
observed.
It may be necessary to fit or remove certain pieces of equipment or to deac-
tivate certain functions. Service work may also be affected. This is particu-
larly 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 factory does not
work in another country. CAUTION
● SEAT does not accept liability for any damage to the vehicle due to the
u se 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
ful

l with the legal requirements of other countries or continents. 
Radio reception and the aerial The aerial of radio and navigation systems fitted at the factory may be
mount
ed in diff

erent parts of the vehicle:
● On the inside of the rear window, next to the rear window heating,
● on the inside of the rear side windows,
● on the inside of the windscreen,
● on the roof of the car.
Aerials
mounted on the inside of a window can be recognised by the fine
wires. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

266
Checking and refilling levels WARNING
Driving with insufficient fuel reserve could result in the vehicle breaking
down in tr affic
and a serious accident.
● If the fuel level is too low then the fuel supply to the engine can be-
come irre
gular especially on slopes.
● If the engine “is choked” or stalls due to lack of or irregularity of the
fuel s
upply, the power steering as well as all of the driver assistance sys-
tems including braking assistance will stop working.
● Always refuel when there is only one quarter of the fuel tank left to
avoid runnin
g out of fuel. CAUTION
● Always pay attention to any lit lamps and to the corresponding descrip-
tion s

and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle.
● Never run the tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply may lead to
ignition faults
and unburnt fuel could enter the exhaust system. This could
damage the catalytic converter filter or the diesel particulate filter! Note
The arrow next to the fuel pump symbol on the instrument panel ⇒ fig. 162
indic
ates the side of the vehicle on which the tank flap is located. Filling the tank with petrol or diesel Fig. 163 Open tank flap
with t
ank

cap attached to
the holder.
Before refuelling, always turn off the engine, the ignition, mobile tele- phones, aux
iliary heating and keep them off during refuelling.
Unscrewing the tank cap
● The tank flap is at the rear of the vehicle on the right.
● Press the rear of the tank flap to open it.
● Unscrew the tank cap anti-clockwise and insert it in the hole in the tank
flap hing
e ⇒ fig. 163.
Refilling
The correct petrol type for the vehicle is located on a sticker inside the fuel
tank flap ⇒ page 267.
● If the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly, it will switch itself off
as soon a
s the tank is full ⇒  .
● Do not continue to refuel if it is turned off! Otherwise, this will fill the ex-
pan s

ion chamber and fuel may leak out if the ambient conditions are warm. 

267
Checking and refilling levels
Closing the tank cap
● Screw on the tank cap clockwise until it you hear it click into position.
● Press the tank flap until you hear it click into place. The tank flap must
be flush w ith the body
contour. WARNING
Do not continue refilling once the fuel nozzle has switched itself off. The
fuel t

ank may be filled too much. As a result, fuel may spurt out and spill.
This could lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries. CAUTION
● Always remove any fuel spilled on the vehicle paintwork immediately to
av oid d

amage to the wheel housing, the tyre and vehicle paintwork. For the sake of the environment
Spilt fuel can contaminate the environment. 
Refilling precautions Information on bulb replacement
⇒ pag
e 326.
Checklist
Never work on the engine or in the engine compartment if you are not famil-
iar with the operations to be carried out, the applicable safety standards
and especially if you do not have the instruments, liquids and tools neces-
sary ⇒ page 275, Working in the engine compartment! Have the work car-
ried out by a Technical Service if you are uncertain. Check the following reg-
ularly, preferably when you refuel:
● Windscreen washer fluid level ⇒ pag
e 105
● Engine oil level ⇒ pag
e 279 ●
Engine coolant level ⇒ p
age 283
● Brake fluid level ⇒ pag
e 183
● Tyre pressure ⇒  pag
e 293
● Vehicle lighting required to guarantee road safety:
Indicator
s
Side lights, dipped headlights and full beam headlights
Rear lights
Brake lights
Rear fog light ⇒ page 97 WARNING
Not following the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to ac-
cident s

and severe injuries.
● Always follow the check list and perform the necessary operations. 
Fuel Introduction You will find a factory-fitted sticker containing information on the type of
fuel
f

or your vehicle on the inside of the fuel tank flap.
Additional information and warnings:
● ⇒ Bookl et Maintenance Programme
● R

efuelling ⇒ pag e 264
● En

gine and exhaust system management ⇒ page 228
–
–
–
–
–
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

274
Checking and refilling levels
Opening the tank filling neck
● Open the tailgate.
● Rotate the shut off on the cover clockwise ⇒ fig. 164 and open the cov er
forwards.
● Unscrew the tank filler neck cap ⇒ fig. 165 1 anticlockwise.
Refi l

ling AdBlue
Only use AdBlue that is approved by SEAT and that complies with the
ISO 22241-1 Standard. Only use genuine bottles.
● Observe the instructions and information provided by the refill bottle
manufact
urer.
● Observe the expiry date.
● Unscrew the cap on the refill bottle.
● Place the refill bottle 2 upside down inside the tank filler neck.
● Press the refill bottle against the filler neck and keep in this position.
● Add at least 10 litres of AdBlue (6 bottles). A lower quantity
would be
insufficient.
● Wait until the contents of the refill bottle have been poured into the
AdBlue tank. Do not c
rush or damage the bottle!
● Unscrew the liquid bottle anticlockwise and remove it carefully ⇒  .
● You can tell when the AdBlue tank is full because the bottle will be emp-
ty.
C lo

sing the tank filling neck
● Screw on the tank filler neck cap 1 clockwise until it is fully inserted.
● Place the cover and turn the shut off anticlockwise to close it.
Operation s

before driving
● Only switch the ignition on after refilling.
● Keep the ignition sw

itch on for at least 30 seconds so that the system
detects t
ank refilling.
● Wait 30 seconds before starting the engine! WARNING
Only keep AdBlue in its original container, tightly shut and in a safe
pl ac

e.
● Never keep AdBlue in empty food cans, bottles or other containers to
avoid other peopl
e mistaking it for something else.
● Keep the AdBlue out of the reach of small children. CAUTION
● Only refill using AdBlue expressly approved by SEAT. The use of any oth-
er type of AdBlue c

ould cause engine damage!
● AdBlue should never be mixed with water or any other additives. Any
type of dam
age caused by a mixture will not be covered by the warranty.
● Do not add AdBlue to the diesel fuel tank! Otherwise you may damage
the engine.
● Never l

eave the refill bottle in the vehicle. It could become permeable
due to temper
ature changes and bottle damage and the AdBlue could dam-
age the vehicle interior. For the sake of the environment
Dispose of the refill bottle in an environment-friendly manner. Note
Suitable AdBlue refill bottles can be purchased from a Technical Service. 

276
Checking and refilling levels WARNING (Continued)
● Onc e the engine has cooled, follow the instructions below before
openin g the bonnet:
– T
urn on the electronic parking brake and place the gear selector
lever in P or the g
ear stick in neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave
them uns
upervised.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised!
Do not un
screw the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
Otherwise, coolant may spray out under pressure causing burns and seri-
ous injury.
–Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap anticlockwise, gently press-
ing down on it
.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and
ste
am using a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them on parts of the engine and
the exhau
st system. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. WARNING
The high voltages of the electrical system can give electric shocks as well
as c

ausing burns and serious injury and possibly even death!
● Never cause short circuits in the electrical system. The battery could
explode.
● T

o minimise the risk of electric shock and serious consequences
while the en
gine is running or starting the engine, note the following:
– Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
– Never touch electric cables or the gas discharge lamps. WARNING
In the engine compartment, there are rotating parts that could cause se-
rious injur

y.
● Never place your hands on or near the radiator fan. Touching the rotor
bla

des could seriously harm you. The ventilator works according to the
engine temperature and could start suddenly even when the ignition is
turned off and the key is removed.
● If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with
the engine runnin
g, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk
from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan
etc as well as from the high-voltage ignition system. Always work with
the utmost caution.
–Always make sure that no parts of your body, jewellery, ties, loose
clothing and lon
g hair can be trapped by the rotating parts of the en-
gine. Before any work, remove ties and jewellery ( necklaces, etc), tie
longhair back and tie all items of loose clothing to your body to make
sure that they cannot be trapped by engine components.
– Take extreme caution when operating the accelerator and remain
attentive.
The vehicle could move, even with the electronic parking
brake activated.
● Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cloths or
tool
s, in the engine compartment. If any object is left in the engine com-
partment, this could cause malfunctions, engine faults and even a fire. WARNING
Refill liquids and certain materials can catch fire easily in the engine
comp ar

tment, causing a fire and serious injury!
● Never smoke.
● Never work close to places exposed to flames or sparks. 

277
Checking and refilling levels WARNING (Continued)
● Nev er pour service fluids over the engine. These fluid may ignite hot
en gine p
arts and cause injuries.
● If it is necessary to work on the fuel system or the electrical system,
ple

ase follow the instructions below:
– Always disconnect the vehicle battery. When disconnecting the
batter
y, ensure that the vehicle is unlocked otherwise the antitheft
alarm will be triggered.
– Never work close to heaters, heat sources or places exposed to
flames
or sparks.
● Always keep a recently serviced and perfectly working fire extin-
guisher clo
se by. CAUTION
When refilling or changing service liquids, ensure that you put the liquids
into the right t

ank. Making a mistake when refilling could cause serious
malfunctions and damage the engine! For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the environment. For this reason you
shoul d m

ake regular checks on the ground underneath your vehicle. Take
the vehicle to a specialist workshop to be checked if you see stains, oil or
other fluids on the ground. Collect any spilt service fluids and allow a pro-
fessional to dispose of them. 
Preparing the vehicle for work in the engine compartment Checklist
Carr
y

out the operations below in the order indicated before starting work in
the engine compartment ⇒  : ●
Park the vehicle on an even and solid surface.
● Pre

ss and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill.
● Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 183.
● Mo

ve the selector lever to its intermediate position or to P ⇒ page 174.
● St

op the engine and remove the key from the ignition ⇒ page 170.
● W

ait for the engine to cool down.
● Always keep children and other people far from the engine compart-
ment.
● Ens

ure that the vehicle can not move off unexpectedly. WARNING
Ignoring this checklist, drawn up for your own safety, could result in seri-
ous injur

y.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the genera
l rules of safety. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

278
Checking and refilling levels
Opening and closing the bonnet Fig. 166 In the footwell
on the driver s
ide: L
ever
for unlocking the bonnet. Fig. 167 Release lever to
open the bonnet in the
r a

diator grille.
Opening the bonnet
The lever t
o open the bonnet can only be used if the driver's door is open. ●
Before opening the bonnet, make sure that the windscreen wiper arms
are in p
lace against the windscreen ⇒  .
● Open the driver's door.
● Pull the release lever ⇒ fig. 166 in the direction of the arr
ow. The bonnet
is released from the lock carrier by a spring mechanism ⇒  .
● Lift the bonnet using the release lever ⇒ fig. 167 (arrow) and open the
bonnet
fully. The bonnet is held open thanks to the gas strut.
Closing the bonnet
● To close the bonnet, pull it down to overcome the gas strut pressure
⇒  .
● Allow the bonnet to fall into the lock carrier. Do not pre
ss down.
If the bonnet is not correctly closed, open it once again and close it correct-
ly.
The bonnet is correctly closed when it is flush with the corresponding parts
on the bodywork. WARNING
If the bonnet is not correctly closed, it could suddenly open while driving
le av

ing the driver without visibility. This could result in serious accident.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured by
the lockin
g mechanism in the lock carrier. The bonnet must be flush with
the surrounding body panels.
● While driving, if you notice that the bonnet is not correctly closed
then stop immedi
ately and close it correctly.
● Only open and close the bonnet when there is nobody within its
rang
e. 

287
Checking and refilling levels WARNING
Hot vapours and coolant can cause serious burns.
● Never open the coolant expansion tank if steam or coolant is coming
from the en gine c
ompartment. Wait until you cannot see or hear any
steam or coolant escaping.
● Always wait until the engine has completely cooled before very care-
ful

ly opening the expansion tank cap. Contact with hot elements of the
engine can cause skin burns.
● Once the engine has cooled, follow the instructions below before
opening the bonnet:
–Turn on the el

ectronic parking brake and place the gear selector
lever in P or the g
ear stick in neutral.
– Remove the key from the ignition.
– Keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave
them uns
upervised.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised!
Do not un
screw the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
Otherwise, coolant may spray out under pressure causing burns and seri-
ous injury.
–Carefully and slowly unscrew the cap anticlockwise, gently press-
ing down on it
.
– Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant and
ste
am using a large, thick cloth.
● When refilling liquids, avoid spilling them on parts of the engine and
the exhau
st system. Spilled liquids could cause a fire. Under specific cir-
cumstances, the ethylene glycol can catch fire. CAUTION
● Top up with distilled water only. Any other type of water may lead to con-
s ider

able rusting in the engine due to its chemical components. This could
consequently damage the engine. If you have not used distilled water but
another type of water to top up the coolant, a specialist workshop must im-
mediately replace all of the fluid in the engine cooling system.
● Only top up coolant to the top level of the marked area ⇒ fig. 171. Other-
wi

se the excess coolant will be forced out of the cooling system when the
engine is hot, causing damage.
● If a lot of liquid coolant has been lost, wait for the engine to cool do
wn
completely before adding coolant. Extensive coolant loss is an indication of
leaks in the engine cooling system. Have the engine cooling system inspec-
ted immediately by a Technical Service. Otherwise you may damage the en-
gine.
● When refilling or changing service liquids, ensure that you put the liq-
uids int
o the right tank. Making a mistake when refilling could cause seri-
ous malfunctions and damage the engine! Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

291
Checking and refilling levels WARNING (Continued)
● Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. It can burn skin and cause
b lindne
ss. When handling the battery, protect yourself from splashes of
acids, above all your hands, arms and face.
● Never tilt the vehicle battery. Battery acid could spill out of the open-
ings
to release gases and cause corrosion damage.
● Never open the vehicle battery.
● If battery acid splashes on you, immediately rinse your eyes and skin
abund
antly with water for several minutes. Then seek medical care imme-
diately.
● If acid is swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immediately. 
Charging, replacing and connecting or disconnecting the
batt er

y Charging the battery
The v
ehic

le battery should be charged by a specialist workshop only, as bat-
teries using special technology have been installed and they must be charg-
ed in a controlled environment ⇒  . SEAT recommends visiting a Technical
Serv ic

e.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and
has special safety features. If the battery must be replaced, consult a quali-
fied SEAT workshop for information on electromagnetic compatibility, the
size and maintenance, performance and safety requirements of the new bat-
tery in your vehicle before you purchase one. SEAT recommends you have
the battery replaced by a qualified SEAT workshop.
Use only maintenance-free genuine batteries conforming to TL 825 06 and
VW 7 50 73 Standards. These standards must be dated April 2008 or later. Start-Stop systems (
⇒ page 196) ar
e equipped with a special battery. There-
fore, it must only be replaced with a battery of the same specifications.
Disconnecting the vehicle's battery
If you must disconnect the battery from the electrical system, please note
the following:
● Switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment.
● The vehicle must be unlocked before disconnecting the battery, other-
wise the al
arm will be triggered.
● First disconnect the negative cable and then the positive ⇒  .
Connectin g the

vehicle's battery
● Before reconnecting the battery, switch off the engine, the ignition and
electric dev
ices.
● First reconnect the positive cable and then the negative ⇒  .
Differ ent

control lamps may light up after connecting the battery and switch-
ing the ignition on. They will be turned off after a short trip at a speed of
between 15 - 20 km/h (10 - 12 mph). If the warning indicators remain lit,
please visit a specialised workshop to have the vehicle checked.
If the battery has been disconnected for a long time, it is possible that the
next service date is not displayed or calculated correctly ⇒ page 57. Respect
the maximum service intervals permitted ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
Automatic consumer disconnection
The intelligent vehicle electrical system automatically implements a range
of measures to prevent the battery from discharging when high demands
are made on it: Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data