brake Seat Alhambra 2006 Workshop Manual

Checking and refilling levels 222
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment diagram Ÿpage 262. The brake fluid reservoir has a black and
yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low Ÿpage 70.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings Ÿpage 209.
Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be renewed every two years.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings Ÿ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 209 in
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
For this reason the brake fluid must be renewed every two years.It is important that you use only use brake fluid compliant with the US
standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake
fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
•Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and
observe the warnings Ÿpage 209.
•Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. There is a toxic risk.
•Have the brake fluid changed every two years at the latest. Heavy use
of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left in the system
for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency of the brakes and the
safety of the vehicle. This may cause an accident.
Caution
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid must be drained and disposed of in the proper manner observing
environmental regulations.

Checking and refilling levels227
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
Ÿpage 226, fig. 150 running across the tread. Depending on the make,
there will be six to eight of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on
the tyre sidewall (for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the
positions of the tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by
law is 1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indica-
tors). Worn tyres must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export
countries Ÿ.
Tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-out.
For this reason, the tyre pressure should be checked at least once per month
Ÿpage 226.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisable
to change them around as shown Ÿpage 226, fig. 151. All the tyres will then
last for about the same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which results
in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause excessive
wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tyre is fitted.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety of
the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel align-
ment checked by an Authorised Service Centre.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre bursts during driving!
•The tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread is worn down to
the tread wear indicators. Failure to do so could result in an accident. Worn
tyres do not grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There is also a greater
risk of “aquaplaning”.
•At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. This causes it to overheat. This can cause tread separation and tyre
blow-out. Risk of accident. Always observe the recommended tyre pres-
sures.
•If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the running gear checked
by an Authorised Service Centre.
•Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake fluid away from tyres.
•Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately!
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.
New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run-in.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteristics
of the vehicle and make a major contribution to good road holding and safe
handling Ÿ.
Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (i.e. both front
tyres or both rear tyres together). A knowledge of tyre designations makes it

Checking and refilling levels 228
easier to choose the correct tyres. Radial tyres have the tyre designations
marked on the sidewall, for example:
195/65 R15 91T
This contains the following information:
195 Tyre width in mm
65 Height/width ratio in %
R Tyre construction: Radial
15 Rim diameter in inches
91 Load rating code
T Speed rating
The tyres could also have the following information:
•A direction of rotation symbol
•“Reinforced” denotes heavy-duty tyres.
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly only
on the inner side of the wheel).
“DOT ... 1105 ...” means, for example, that the tyre was produced in the 11th
week of 2005.
We recommend that work on tyres and wheels is carried out by an Authorised
Service Centre. They are familiar with the procedure and have the necessary
special tools and spare parts as well as the proper facilities for disposing of
the old tyres.
Any Authorised Service Centre has full information on the technical require-
ments when installing or changing tyres, wheels or wheel trims.
WARNING
•We recommend that you use only wheels and tyres which have been
approved by SEAT for your model. Failure to do so could impair vehicle
handling. Risk of accident.
•Avoid running the vehicle on tyres that are more than six years old. If
you have no alternative, you should drive slowly and with extra care at all
times.
•Never use old tyres or those with an unknown “history of use”.
•If wheel trims are retrofitted, you must ensure that the flow of air to the
brakes is not restricted. This could cause them to overheat.
•All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of according to the laws in the country concerned.
Note
•For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from
other vehicles. This can also apply to wheels of the same model. The use of
wheels or tyres which have not been approved by SEAT for use with your
model may invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public roads.
•If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the
vehicle - for example with winter tyres - you should only use the spare tyre for
a short period of time and drive with extra care. Refit the normal road wheel
as soon as possible.
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are
fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt
WARNING (continued)

Checking and refilling levels229
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the
brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you may not use wheel bolts from a different car -
even if it is the same model Ÿpage 202.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become
loose while driving. Risk of accident.
•The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or oil
to them.
•Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
•If the prescribed torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen
whilst the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is
too high, the wheel bolts and threads could be damaged.
Caution
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and
ice.
In winter conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the vehicles
handling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread
pattern) gives less grip on ice and snow.
Winter tyres must be inflated to a pressure 0.2 bar higher than the pressures
specified for summer tyres (see sticker on tank flap).
Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.Information on permitted winter tyre sizes can be found in the vehicle's regis-
tration documents. Use only radial winter tyres. All tyre sizes listed in the
vehicle documentation also apply to winter tyres.
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth
of 4 mm.
The speed rating code Ÿpage 227, “New tyres and wheels” determines the
following speed limits Ÿ:
Q max. 99.42 mi/h
S max. 111.85 mi/h
T max. 118.06 mi/h
H max. 210 km/h
In some countries, vehicles that can exceed the speed rating of the fitted tyre
must have an appropriate sticker in the driver's field of view. These stickers
are available from your Authorised Service Centre. The legal requirements of
each country must be followed.
Do not have winter tyres fitted for unnecessarily long periods. Vehicles with
summer tyres handle better when the roads are free of snow and ice.
If you have a flat tyre, please refer to the notes on the spare wheel
Ÿpage 227, “New tyres and wheels”.
WARNING
The maximum speed for the winter tyres must not be exceeded. Otherwise,
this could lead to tyre damage and thus, an accident risk.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres in good time. They are quieter, do not wear so quickly
and reduce fuel consumption.

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WARNING
•Do not allow the sealant to get onto your skin or into your eyes. Risk of
injury.
•Keep children away from the sealant.
Changing a wheel
Preparatory work
You must park the vehicle correctly before changing a tyre.
– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the car as far away from
the flow of traffic as possible on a flat surface.
– Switch off the engine. Switch on the hazard warning lights.
– Apply the handbrake firmly and engage a gear or put the selector
in the P position.
– Chock the wheel opposite the wheel being changed with a stone
or similar object.
– If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
– Remove the spare wheel and the vehicle tools from the luggage
compartment.
– All passengers should leave the car. They should wait in a safe
place (for instance behind the safety barrier).
WARNING
•If you have a puncture, stop the car well away from moving traffic.
Switch on the hazard warning lights and set the emergency triangle in
position. Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
•All passengers should leave the car.
•Apply the handbrake firmly and engage a gear or put the gear selector
in the P position. Chock the wheel opposite the wheel being changed with
a stone or similar object.
•If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
•Only use jacks which have been approved for your vehicle by SEAT.
•Never use other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other
SEAT models. The jack could slip. Risk of injury.
•Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. This may cause an
accident.
•Never place your body (e.g. arm or leg) underneath the vehicle if it is
only supported by the jack Risk of injury.
•If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable
stands additionally to support the vehicle - Risk of accident!.

If and when 242
Colour coding of fusesWARNING
Never “repair” damaged fuses and never replace them with higher rating
fuses. This could cause fires.
Note
•If a newly inserted fuse blows after a short time, you must have the elec-
trical system checked by a qualified dealership as soon as possible.
•If you replace a fuse with a stronger fuse, you could cause damage to
another location in the electrical system.
Fuse table
The table shows the fuse locations for the most important consumers. The
right-hand columns contain the insert location, the figures in brackets indi-
cate the Ampere rating for the fuse. One single consumer could have more
than one fuse.Several consumers could run over one single fuse.
The fuse box has space for replacement fuses.
There are other fuses in the vehicle. These should be changed by a qualified
dealership.
ColourAmp rating
violet3
light brown5
brown7,5
red10
blue15
yellow20
transparent25
green30
Electrical consumerSymbol
Dipped headlights

Electrical socket for trailer-
Turn signals

Brake lightsE

If and when 246
– Remove the failed glass bulb and replace with a new bulb.
– Insert the lamp holder in the turn signal guide rail.
– First fit the turn signal in the opening of the chassis, securing the
tabs Ÿpage 245, fig. 165 and then, fit the lamp as shown by
the arrow .
Rear lights
Before changing a bulb, the tailgate should always be opened.
The lights have the following layout:
On the body
Turn signals, pilot light and brake/rear light
On the tailgate / rear door
Reversing light and rear antifog light.
Lights on vehicle body
– Open the cover in the luggage compartment trim.
– Press the side tabs in the direction of arrow Ÿfig. 166.
– Press the defective bulb into the bulb carrier, then turn it to the
left and remove it.
– Fit the new bulb and turn to the right as far as possible.
– Fit the lamp holder, press in until the tabs “click” into place.
A1
A2
Fig. 166 Lights on
vehicle body

If and when251
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
•Please note the safety warnings referring to working in the engine
compartment Ÿpage 209, “Working in the engine compartment”.
•The battery providing assistance must have the same voltage as the flat
battery (12V) and approximately the same capacity (see imprint on
battery). Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
•Never use jump leads when one of the batteries is frozen. Danger of
explosion! Even after 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 away from batteries, danger
of explosion. Failure to comply could result in an explosion.
•Observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the jump
leads.
•Do not connect the negative cable from the other vehicle directly to the
negative terminal of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the battery could
be ignited by sparks. Danger of explosion.
•Do not attach the negative cable from the other vehicle to parts of the
fuel system or to the brake line.
•The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be allowed to
touch. The jump lead attached to the positive battery terminal must not
touch metal parts of the vehicle, this can cause a short circuit.
•Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact
with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
•Do not bend over the batteries. This could result in chemical burns.
Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow as
soon as the positive terminals are connected.
Towing and tow-starting
Tow-starting*
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting
is preferable Ÿpage 249.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2
nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear
lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.

If and when253
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Tow-starting
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting
is preferable Ÿpage 250.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch on the ignition and switch on the hazard warning lights.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear
lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
Note
•The legal requirements concerning towing should be observed.
•Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe
any regulations to the contrary.
•For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.
Notes for tow-starting or towing
If a cable is used for towing the vehicle, please observe the
following:
As the driver of the towing vehicle
– Switch on the hazard warning lights. However, observe any regu-
lations to the contrary.
– Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto-
matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not
working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you
would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.
As the driver of the vehicle being towed
– Switch on the hazard warning lights. However, observe any regu-
lations to the contrary.
– Place the gear stick in neutral or position N.
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times.

If and when 254
Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a
towing bracket.
Driving tips
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexperi-
enced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow away another vehicle.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking the
tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of over-
loading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
If the vehicle is towed, with the hazard warning lights on and the ignition
switched on, the turn signal may be used to indicate that you are going to
change direction. Move the turn signal lever accordingly. Meanwhile, the
hazard warning lights will go off. When the turn signal lever is returned to the
rest position, the hazard warning lights will automatically reconnect.
The brake servo works only when the engine is running. In this case the pedal
has to be pressed harder.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
•Move the selector lever to N.
•Do not drive faster than 50 km/h when towing a vehicle.
•Do not tow further than 50 km.
•If a breakdown truck is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.
WARNING
The braking behaviour and capacity of a vehicle changes when being towed
or when you are trying to start the vehicle by pulling. Please observe the
following notes in order to prevent injury and accident:
•Inexperienced drivers should refrain from trying in order to avoid acci-
dent.
•Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
−The brake must be depressed must harder as the brake servo does
not operate. Take care not to bump into the towing vehicle.
−More strength is required at the steering wheel as the power
steering does not operate when the engine is switched off.
•Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
−Accelerate smoothly and avoid any sudden movement.
−Brake more in advance than usual and brake gently.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it
Ÿpage 251
Note
•Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
•For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.