light Seat Alhambra 2005 Repair Manual

172Your vehicle and the environment
Suggestion 9. Save electricity
The alternator generates electricity while driving. The more
electricity is used, the higher the fuel consumption.
The heated rear window, extra lights, the heater fan and air
conditioning* use a large amount of energy. The heated rear
window creates a consumption of approx. one liter for every 10
hours.
For this reason, disconnect electrical consumers as soon as they
are no longer needed. The alternator generates electricity when the
engine is running.
K
Suggestion 10. Written check-up
If you wish to reduce fuel consumption keep a trip book. It is not
much work and is worth while since it allows you to detect possible
consumption variations (positive or negative) on time and
intervene, if necessary. If you detect an increase in consumption
you should examine the driving conditions since the last filling.
K

174Your vehicle and the environment
A6 mounting points
Bat least 65 mm
All dimensions in mm.
• Technical Service Centres are fully equipped with the necessary
information and expertise for the retrofitting of towing devicesand
the concurrent requirements for reinforcing the cooling system. For
these reasons, it is best to have the fitting done by a Technical
Service Centre.
K
Driving tips
• • TTh
he
e tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g dde
ev
vi
ic
ce
e iis
s aa ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y eel
le
em
me
en
nt
t aan
nd
d yyo
ou
u ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d tth
he
er
re
ef
fo
or
re
e
o on
nl
ly
y uus
se
e aa dde
ev
vi
ic
ce
e ssp
pe
ec
ci
if
fi
ic
ca
al
ll
ly
y dde
es
si
ig
gn
ne
ed
d ffo
or
r yyo
ou
ur
r vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e aan
nd
d wwh
hi
ic
ch
h
i is
s ddu
ul
ly
y aap
pp
pr
ro
ov
ve
ed
d.
.
O Op
pe
er
ra
at
ti
io
on
ns
s iin
ns
st
tr
ru
uc
ct
ti
io
on
ns
s
• The removable ball coupling of the towing bracket* may be
stored in the right-hand rear of the boot.
•Additional mirrors are required if the traffic behind the trailer is
not visible with the exterior mirrors fitted as standard. Both exterior
mirrors must be attached to brackets in such a way that a sufficient
field of vision to the rear is guaranteed at all times.
•The permitted trailer weight must not be exceeded under any
circumstances
⇒chapter “Technical Data”.
•When using a trailer on mountain routes you must bear in mind
that the tow loads given in the “Technical data” chapter are onlyapplicable for slopes of 10% to 12%. If you do not use the full tow
load you may drive up steeper slopes.
•The given trailer weights are only applicable for altitudes up
to 1000 m above sea level. As the engine output drops due to
the decreasing air density, the climbing ability must also be
reduced by 10% for each further 1000 m.
•Where possible make full use of the maximum permissible
drawbar weight on the ball of the towing bracket but do not exceed
it
⇒chapter “Technical Data”.
•While observing the permissible trailer and drawbar weight,
distribute the load in the trailer so that heavyobjects are as near
as possible to the axle. The objects must also be secured so that
they cannot slip about.
•The tyre pressures on the towing vehicle must be adjusted for full
load conditions, and also check the pressures on the trailer.
•Headlight settings should be checked, with the trailer attached,
before beginning the journey and adjusted as necessary.
On vehicles with headlight beam control it is only necessary to turn
the knurled disc on the dash board in the appropriate direction.
D Dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g iin
ns
st
tr
ru
uc
ct
ti
io
on
ns
s
To obtain the best possible handling of vehicle and trailer, the
following should be noted:
• Try to avoid driving with an unladen vehicle and a loaded trailer.
If this cannot be avoided, only drive slowly to allow for the
unfavourable weight distribution.


175 Your vehicle and the environment
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
• As driving stability of vehicle and trailer decreaseswhen the
speed increases do not drive at the maximum permissible top
speed in unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions –
particularly when going downhill.
In any case the speed must be reduced as soon as the trailer
shows the slightest sign of snaking. On no account try to stop the
snaking by accelerating.
• • FFo
or
r ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y rre
ea
as
so
on
ns
s oon
ne
e ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d nno
ot
t ddr
ri
iv
ve
e ffa
as
st
te
er
r tth
ha
an
n 880
0 kkm
m/
/h
h
( (5
50
0 mmp
ph
h)
).
. TTh
hi
is
s aal
ls
so
o aap
pp
pl
li
ie
es
s iin
n cco
ou
un
nt
tr
ri
ie
es
s wwh
he
er
re
e hhi
ig
gh
he
er
r ssp
pe
ee
ed
ds
s aar
re
e
p pe
er
rm
mi
it
tt
te
ed
d.
.
• Always brake in good time. If the trailer has an overrun brake,
apply the brakes gently at first then firmly. This will avoid the
jerking caused by the trailer wheels locking.
Change down before going down a steep hill so thatthe engine
can act as a brake.
• When a long climb in a low gear with extremely high engine revs
must be negotiated at exceptionally high ambient temperatures
the coolant temperature gauge must be observed. When the gauge
needle moves to the right end of the scale, the road speed must be
reduced immediately.
• The cooling effect of the radiator fan cannot be increased by
changing down, because the speed of the fan is not dependent on
the engine speed. One should therefore not change down even
when towing a trailer as long as the engine can cope without the
vehicle speed dropping too much.
K
General notes
• • DDu
ur
ri
in
ng
g tth
he
e rru
un
nn
ni
in
ng
g iin
n ppe
er
ri
io
od
d yyo
ou
u ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d aav
vo
oi
id
d tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g aa ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r iif
f
p po
os
ss
si
ib
bl
le
e.
.
• • IIt
t iis
s aad
dv
vi
is
sa
ab
bl
le
e tto
o hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e sse
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
ed
d bbe
et
tw
we
ee
en
n tth
he
e
I In
ns
sp
pe
ec
ct
ti
io
on
n iin
nt
te
er
rv
va
al
ls
s iif
f iit
t iis
s uus
se
ed
d ffr
re
eq
qu
ue
en
nt
tl
ly
y ffo
or
r tto
ow
wi
in
ng
g aa ttr
ra
ai
il
le
er
r.
.
• The trailer and drawbar load figures on the data plate of the
towing bracket are for test certification only. The correct figuresfor
the vehicle, which may be lower than the above figures, are given
in the vehicle documents and in this manual.
• When using the towing device the car’s empty weight is reduced,
and as a result its effective load is decreased.
• Observe all statutory requirements regarding the use of a
trailer.
K

176Your vehicle and the environment
D
Dr
ri
iv
vi
in
ng
g aab
br
ro
oa
ad
d
Observations
If the vehicle is to be taken abroad, the following must also be
borne in mind:
• If the vehicle has a petrol engine and catalytic converter, one
must ensure that unleaded petrol will be available during the
journey
⇒"Filling the tank" chapter. The automobile clubs offer
information about the unleaded filling station network.
•In some countries it is possible that a vehicle model is sold under
conditions where some spare parts are not available or that the
Technical Services may only carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information
about the technical preparation of your vehicle in addition to
necessary maintenance and repair possibilities.
K
Headlight covering
When traveling abroad in a country where driving is on the
opposite side to the home country, asymmetric headlights will
dazzle oncoming traffic.
To prevent this, headlights must be adjusted or some areas must
be covered with an opaque adhesive strip depending on the
model. For more information, contact your Technical Service
Centre.
K

178Care and maintenance
N
No
ot
te
e
• Before going through the car wash, apart from the usual precautions
(closing windows and sliding roof).
You do not need to remove the Original roof aerial.
• If there are special fittings on the vehicle – e.g. spoilers, roof rack, two-
way radio aerial – it is best to speak to the car wash operator.
K
Washing the vehicle by hand
F Fo
or
r tth
he
e ssa
ak
ke
e oof
f tth
he
e een
nv
vi
ir
ro
on
nm
me
en
nt
t
In the interests of environmental protection the vehicle should only be
washed in specially provided wash bays. In some districts, washing cars
elsewhere may even be forbidden.
First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off as well as
possible. Then clean the car w wi
it
th
h aa sso
of
ft
t ssp
po
on
ng
ge
e,
, ggl
lo
ov
ve
e oor
r bbr
ru
us
sh
h
starting on the roof and going from top to bottom u us
si
in
ng
g oon
nl
ly
y ssl
li
ig
gh
ht
t
p pr
re
es
ss
su
ur
re
e ees
sp
pe
ec
ci
ia
al
ll
ly
y wwh
he
en
n ccl
le
ea
an
ni
in
ng
g tth
he
e hhe
ea
ad
dl
li
ig
gh
ht
t aar
re
ea
a.
.
Paint
shampoo, preferably with a neutral pH, should only be used for
very persistent dirt. Rinse the sponge or glove out thoroughly at
short intervals.
Wheels and sill panels should be cleaned last, using a different
sponge if possible.
After cleaning the vehicle, rinse thoroughly with water and leather
it off.N No
ot
te
e
•The vehicle should not be washed in strong sunshine.
•If the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the jet of water
at the lock cylinders and the door/boot lid/tailgate shut lines –
they can freeze up in the winter.
K
Washing vehicle with high pressure cleaner
• The operating instructions for the high pressure cleaner must be
followed closely – particularly with regard to pressure and working
distance.
• Do not use a concentrated jet.
• The water temperature must not be above 60°C.
Conservation
Regular application of protection products protects the vehicle
paintwork to a large extent against the environmental influences
listed under “Washing” on the previous page and even against
light mechanical damage.
At the latest when water on the clean paint does not form small
drops and roll off, the vehicle should be protected by applying a
coat of good hard wax. Even when a wax solution is used regularly
T Ty
yr
re
es
s mmu
us
st
t nne
ev
ve
er
r bbe
e ccl
le
ea
an
ne
ed
d wwi
it
th
h aa cco
on
nc
ce
en
nt
tr
ra
at
te
ed
d jje
et
t!
! EEv
ve
en
n aat
t aa rre
el
la
at
ti
iv
ve
el
ly
y
l la
ar
rg
ge
e wwo
or
rk
ki
in
ng
g ddi
is
st
ta
an
nc
ce
e aan
nd
d aa vve
er
ry
y ssh
ho
or
rt
t ssp
pr
ra
ay
yi
in
ng
g tti
im
me
e,
, dda
am
ma
ag
ge
e cca
an
n
o oc
cc
cu
ur
r.
.
K
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G


179 Care and maintenance
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
in the washing water it is advisable to protect the paint with a coat
of hard wax at least twice a year.
K
Polishing
Should only be done if paint has lost its shine and gloss cannot be
brought back with wax. If the polish used does not contain
preservative compounds, the paint must be waxed afterwards.
N No
ot
te
e
Matt painted and plastic parts should not be treated with polish or hard
wax.K
Paint damage
Small marks in the paint such as scratchesor stone damage
should be touched up immediately with paint before the metal
starts to rust.
However, should rust be found at any time it must be removed
thoroughly and then the area treated first with an anti-corrosion
primer and then the correct paint applied.
The number of the original vehicle paint is given on the data
sticker which is inside the boot in the spare wheel housing.
K
Windows
Remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors with a plastic
scraper only. To avoid scratches due to dirt on the glass, the
scraper should only be pushed in one direction and not moved to
and fro.
Traces of rubber, oil, wax
1), grease or silicone can be removed with
a window cleaning solution or a silicone remover.
The windows should also be cleaned on the inside at regular
intervals.
Do not dry the windows with the leather used for the paintwork
because traces of paint cleaner will cause streaks to appear on the
glass, which will hinder vision.
To avoid damaging the heating element wires in the rear window
do not put stickers over the wires on the inside.
K
Door, boot and window seals
The weatherstrips will remain flexible and last longer if they are
rubbed lightly with a rubber protective compound from time to
time. This will also stop the weatherstrips from freezing on in
winter.
K
Door lock cylinder
You should only use an appropriate spray, which has lubricating
and anti-corrosive qualities, to de-ice the lock cylinder.
K
1)This wax residue can only be removed with a special cleaner. Your Technical Service
Centre will provide you with more detailed information.

180Care and maintenance
Plastic parts and leatherette
Exterior plastic parts are cleaned with normal washing and interior
parts with a damp cloth. If this is not sufficient, t th
he
es
se
e ppa
ar
rt
ts
s aan
nd
d
l le
ea
at
th
he
er
re
et
tt
te
e mma
ay
y oon
nl
ly
y bbe
e ccl
le
ea
an
ne
ed
d wwi
it
th
h ssp
pe
ec
ci
ia
al
l ppl
la
as
st
ti
ic
c ccl
le
ea
an
ne
er
rs
s tth
ha
at
t
a ar
re
e ffr
re
ee
e ffr
ro
om
m aal
lc
co
oh
ho
ol
l aan
nd
d oot
th
he
er
r sso
ol
lv
ve
en
nt
ts
s.
.
N No
ot
te
e
The use of liquid air conditioners directly over the air vents of the vehicle
may damage the plastic parts if the liquid is accidentally spilled over
them.
K
Upholstery cloth and textile trim
Upholstery cloth and textile trim on door panels, parcel shelves,
luggage compartment covers, headlining etc. must be cleaned with
special cleaners or dry foam and a soft brush.
K
Natural leather*
Leather should, depending on usage, be treated from time to time
in accordance with the following instructions. It must be noted that
on no account mays so
ol
lv
ve
en
nt
ts
s,
, ffl
lo
oo
or
r wwa
ax
x,
, ssh
ho
oe
e ppo
ol
li
is
sh
h,
, ssp
po
ot
t
r re
em
mo
ov
ve
er
rs
s aan
nd
d ssi
im
mi
il
la
ar
r ppr
ro
od
du
uc
ct
ts
s bbe
e uus
se
ed
d ffo
or
r tth
hi
is
s ppu
ur
rp
po
os
se
e.
.
To clean leather a cotton or woollen cloth lightly moistened with
water should be used for the dirty surfaces.
Dirtier areas may be cleaned with a mild soap solution (2 dessert
spoonfuls of neutral soap to 1 litre of water). Make sure that the
l le
ea
at
th
he
er
r iis
s nno
ot
t mma
ad
de
e tto
oo
o wwe
et
t
and that no water seeps through the
seams. After cleaning, wipe dry with a soft cloth.Furthermore we recommend that, with normal usage, the leather is
treated at half yearly intervals with a special leather care agent.
Apply one coat and clean off with a soft cloth once it has taken
effect.
K
Cleaning seat belts
K Ke
ee
ep
p bbe
el
lt
ts
s ccl
le
ea
an
n.
. TTh
he
ey
y mma
ay
y nno
ot
t rre
et
tr
ra
ac
ct
tp
pr
ro
op
pe
er
rl
ly
y iif
f vve
er
ry
y ddi
ir
rt
ty
y.
.
Dirty belts can be cleaned by washing with a mild soap solution
without taking the belts out of the vehicle.
C Ca
au
ut
ti
io
on
n
Inertia reel belts should be completely dry before they are allowed to roll up.
• • TTh
he
e sse
ea
at
t bbe
el
lt
ts
s mmu
us
st
t nno
ot
t bbe
e rre
em
mo
ov
ve
ed
d ffo
or
r ccl
le
ea
an
ni
in
ng
g.
.
• • DDo
o nno
ot
t hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e bbe
el
lt
ts
s ccl
le
ea
an
ne
ed
d cch
he
em
mi
ic
ca
al
ll
ly
y bbe
ec
ca
au
us
se
e tth
he
e ccl
le
ea
an
ni
in
ng
g
c co
om
mp
po
ou
un
nd
ds
s dda
am
ma
ag
ge
e tth
he
e wwe
eb
bb
bi
in
ng
g mma
at
te
er
ri
ia
al
l.
. EEn
ns
su
ur
re
e tth
ha
at
t tth
he
e bbe
el
lt
ts
s ddo
o nno
ot
t
c co
om
me
e iin
nt
to
o cco
on
nt
ta
ac
ct
t wwi
it
th
h cco
or
rr
ro
os
si
iv
ve
e ffl
lu
ui
id
ds
s.
.
• • YYo
ou
u ssh
ho
ou
ul
ld
d cch
he
ec
ck
k tth
he
e cco
on
nd
di
it
ti
io
on
n oof
f yyo
ou
ur
r sse
ea
at
t bbe
el
lt
ts
s rre
eg
gu
ul
la
ar
rl
ly
y.
. IIf
f yyo
ou
u ffi
in
nd
d
a an
ny
y dda
am
ma
ag
ge
e tto
o tth
he
e bbe
el
lt
t wwe
eb
bb
bi
in
ng
g,
, bbe
el
lt
t cco
on
nn
ne
ec
ct
ti
io
on
ns
s,
, tth
he
e bbe
el
lt
t rre
et
tr
ra
ac
ct
to
or
r oor
r tth
he
e
l lo
oc
ck
ki
in
ng
g ppa
ar
rt
ts
s,
, tth
he
e bbe
el
lt
t iin
n qqu
ue
es
st
ti
io
on
n mmu
us
st
t bbe
e rre
ep
pl
la
ac
ce
ed
d bby
y aa TTe
ec
ch
hn
ni
ic
ca
al
l SSe
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
e
C Ce
en
nt
tr
re
e.
.
K
W WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

183 Checking and refilling
Safety FirstControls and equipment Tips and Maintenance Technical Data
C
Ch
he
ec
ck
ki
in
ng
g aan
nd
d rre
ef
fi
il
ll
li
in
ng
g
E
En
ng
gi
in
ne
e bbo
on
nn
ne
et
t
Opening the bonnet
T
To
o rre
el
le
ea
as
se
e llo
oc
ck
k
, pull lever on left under instrument panel – the
bonnet springs up out of its lock.
N No
ot
te
e
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the wiper arms are not lifted off the
windscreen. Otherwise damage can occur to the paintwork.
T To
o oop
pe
en
n tth
he
e bbo
on
nn
ne
et
t
, lift slightly and press the safety catch in the
direction of the arrow
⇒fig. 156.
Fig. 155
Fig. 156

ALO-126
AL0-127

190Checking and refilling
C
Ca
au
ut
ti
io
on
n
• Only our G12+ (purple colour) should be used as an antifreeze additive.
Observe the notice on the container. The cooling liquid may be purchased in
Technical Services.
• The antifreeze additive G12+ can be mixed with other additives (G11 and
G12).
• The additive G12 (red colour) should never be mixed with G11.
K
Checking coolant level
The level can only be checked properly when the engine is not
running.
The coolant level must be between the
m ma
ax
xand m
mi
in
nmarks on the
expansion tank when engine is cold and can be slightly above the
m ma
ax
xmark when it is warm.K
Coolant losses
Coolant loss normally indicates leaks in the system. In this case
the cooling system should be checked by a Technical Service
Center without delay. It is not sufficient merely to add coolant.
In a sealed system losses can only occur if the boiling point of the
coolant is exceeded as a result of overheating, and coolant is
forced out of the system.
K
Topping up coolant
Switch engine off and let it cool down. Then cover expansion tank
cap with a cloth and turn cap carefully anti-clockwise and remove.
No other coolant may be used if
G G1
12
2+
+is not available. In this
case only water can be used and the correct mixture concentration
must be restored with the specified coolant additive (see previous
page) as soon as possible.
Fig. 160
N Ne
ev
ve
er
r oop
pe
en
n tth
he
e bbo
on
nn
ne
et
t iif
f yyo
ou
u cca
an
n sse
ee
e sst
te
ea
am
m oor
r cco
oo
ol
la
an
nt
t lle
ea
av
vi
in
ng
g tth
he
e een
ng
gi
in
ne
e
c co
om
mp
pa
ar
rt
tm
me
en
nt
t –– RRi
is
sk
k oof
f ssc
ca
al
ld
di
in
ng
g!
! WWa
ai
it
t uun
nt
ti
il
l nno
o mmo
or
re
e sst
te
ea
am
m oor
r cco
oo
ol
la
an
nt
t cca
an
n
b be
e sse
ee
en
n.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G
D Do
o nno
ot
t rre
em
mo
ov
ve
e eex
xp
pa
an
ns
si
io
on
n tta
an
nk
k cca
ap
p wwh
he
en
n een
ng
gi
in
ne
e iis
s hho
ot
t –– dda
an
ng
ge
er
r oof
f
s sc
ca
al
ld
di
in
ng
g:
:
S Sy
ys
st
te
em
m iis
s uun
nd
de
er
r ppr
re
es
ss
su
ur
re
e.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

AL0-046

192Checking and refilling
Checking fluid level
The fluid level must always be between the “M
MA
AX
X” and “M
MI
IN
N”
marks to ensure perfect operation.
The level of fluid tends to sink slightly when the vehicle is used
due to the automatic adjustment of brake linings. This is quite
normal.
If the level sinks noticeably in a short time or drops below the
“
M MI
IN
N” mark, however, the system may be leaking. A low fluid level
in the reservoir is indicated by the brake warning lamp lighting up
⇒“Warning lamps” chapter. G Go
o tto
o aa TTe
ec
ch
hn
ni
ic
ca
al
l SSe
er
rv
vi
ic
ce
e CCe
en
nt
tr
re
e
i im
mm
me
ed
di
ia
at
te
el
ly
y aan
nd
d hha
av
ve
e tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
e ssy
ys
st
te
em
m cch
he
ec
ck
ke
ed
d.
.
K
Renewing the brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time it takes in water
from the atmosphere. Too high a content of water in the brake fluid
system can cause corrosion damage. Furthermore the boiling point
of the brake fluid is reduced considerably. F Fo
or
r tth
hi
is
s rre
ea
as
so
on
n tth
he
e
b br
ra
ak
ke
e ffl
lu
ui
id
d mmu
us
st
t bbe
e rre
en
ne
ew
we
ed
d eev
ve
er
ry
y ttw
wo
o yye
ea
ar
rs
s.
.
Only our genuine brake fluid should be used (specification
according to US FM VSS 116 DOT 4 Standard). The fluid must be
new.
C Ca
au
ut
ti
io
on
n
Remember also that brake fluid will attack the paintwork.
Fig. 161
W Wh
he
en
n tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
e ffl
lu
ui
id
d bbe
ec
co
om
me
es
s tto
oo
o ool
ld
d,
, vva
ap
po
ou
ur
r bbu
ub
bb
bl
le
es
s cca
an
n ffo
or
rm
m iin
n tth
he
e
b br
ra
ak
ke
e ssy
ys
st
te
em
m wwh
he
en
n tth
he
e bbr
ra
ak
ke
es
s aar
re
e uus
se
ed
d vvi
ig
go
or
ro
ou
us
sl
ly
y.
. TTh
he
e eef
ff
fi
ic
ci
ie
en
nc
cy
y oof
f tth
he
e
b br
ra
ak
ke
es
s aan
nd
d tth
hu
us
s tth
he
e vve
eh
hi
ic
cl
le
e ssa
af
fe
et
ty
y aar
re
e sse
er
ri
io
ou
us
sl
ly
y rre
ed
du
uc
ce
ed
d.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G
B Br
ra
ak
ke
e ffl
lu
ui
id
d iis
s ppo
oi
is
so
on
no
ou
us
s!
! IIt
t mmu
us
st
t tth
he
er
re
ef
fo
or
re
e oon
nl
ly
y bbe
e sst
to
or
re
ed
d iin
n tth
he
e ccl
lo
os
se
ed
d
o or
ri
ig
gi
in
na
al
l cco
on
nt
ta
ai
in
ne
er
r oou
ut
t oof
f rre
ea
ac
ch
h oof
f cch
hi
il
ld
dr
re
en
n.
.
W
WA
AR
RN
NI
IN
NG
G

AL0-047