Seat Alhambra 2013 Owner's Manual

309
Wheels and tyres
Changing a wheel* Introduction
The tyres mounted on the vehicle are anti-puncture. The wheels should only
be changed when switching from summer to winter tyres or vice-versa. See
⇒ page 302
You should only change the wheels yourself if the vehicle is parked in a safe
place, you are familiar with the procedure and you have all the necessary
tools! Otherwise, you should seek professional assistance.
Additional information and warnings:
● Vehicle key set ⇒ page 71
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 296
● Wheel trims ⇒ page 307
● Vehicle tools ⇒ page 323
WARNING
Changing a wheel can be dangerous, especially on the hard shoulder.
Please observe the following rules to minimise the risk of injury:
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. Park your vehicle as safe
distance from surrounding traffic to change a wheel.
● When changing a wheel, keep all passengers and particularly chil-
dren a safe distance away from the work area.
● Turn on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.
● Ensure the ground on which you park is flat and solid. If necessary,
support the jack on a wide solid base.
● If you are changing a wheel yourself, you should be familiar with the
required procedure. Otherwise, you should seek professional assistance.
WARNING (Continued)
● Only use suitable tools that are not damaged when changing a wheel.
● Always stop the engine, turn on the electronic parking brake and
place the gear selector lever in position P, for an automatic gearbox, or
engage a gear for a manual gearbox to reduce the risk of the vehicle mov-
ing accidentally.
● Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as
possible with a reliable torque wrench.

Preparations for changing a wheel
Check list
Before changing a wheel, complete the following operations in the order
given ⇒ 
:
Park the vehicle on an even and solid surface.
Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 184.
Automatic gearbox: move the selector lever to position P ⇒ page 175.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition ⇒ page 171.
Manual gearbox: Select a gear ⇒ page 175.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehicle and wait in a safe
place (for example, behind the safety barrier).
Block the opposite wheel with wedges or a similar object.
When towing a trailer: unhook the trailer from the towing vehicle and
park it correctly.
If the luggage compartment is full: take the baggage out of the vehicle. Take the vehicle tool kit out of the luggage compartment.
Remove the wheel trims ⇒ page 307. 
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
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310Wheels and tyres
WARNING
Failure to follow the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to
accidents and severe injuries.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the general rules of safety.

Wheel bolts
Fig. 183 Changing a
wheel: Slacken the wheel
bolts.
Fig. 184 Changing a
wheel: Tyre valve 1 and
position of anti-theft
wheel locking bolt 2
or
3
Only use the tool supplied with the vehicle to loosen the wheel bolts.
Loosen the wheel bolts only about one turn before raising the vehicle with
the jack.
If the wheel bolt is very tight, you may be able to loosen it by pushing down
on the end of the wheel brace carefully with your foot. Hold on to the car for
support and take care not to slip.
Loosening wheel bolts
● Fit the wheel brace as far as it will go over the wheel bolt
⇒ Fig. 183.
● Hold the wheel brace at the end and rotate the bolt approximately one
turn anticlockwise ⇒ 
.
Loosening anti-theft wheel bolts
For wheels with full hubcap, the anti-theft wheel lock must be threaded into
position ⇒ Fig. 184 2
or 3 before mounting the hubcap. Otherwise it will
not be possible to mount the full hubcap.
● Take the adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts out of the vehicle tool kit.
● Insert the adapter onto the anti-theft wheel bolt. 

311
Wheels and tyres
● Fit the wheel brace onto the adapter as far as possible.
● Hold the wheel brace at the end and rotate the bolt approximately one
turn anticlockwise ⇒ 
.
Important information about wheel bolts
The wheel rims and bolts have been designed to be fitted to factory op-
tions. If different rims are fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length
and correctly shaped bolt heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are
fitted securely and that the brake system functions correctly.
In some circumstances, wheel bolts from the same model vehicle should
not be used.
Wheel bolt tightening torque
The prescribed tightening torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels
is 140 Nm. Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon
as possible with a reliable torque wrench.
If wheel bolts are rusty and it is difficult to tighten them, the threads should
be replaced and cleaned before checking the tightening torque.
Never grease or lubricate wheel bolts or the wheel hub threads. Although
they have been tightened to the prescribed torque, they could come loose
while driving.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not fitted correctly they could be released while
driving leading to loss of vehicle control and serious damage.
● Only use wheel bolts which correspond to the wheel rims in question.
● Never use different wheel bolts.
● The bolts and threads should be clean, free of oil and grease and easy
to thread.
● To loosen and tighten the wheel bolts, always use the wheel brace
supplied with the vehicle.
● Loosen the wheel bolts only about one turn before raising the vehicle
with the jack.
● Never grease or lubricate wheel bolts or the wheel hub threads. Al-
though they have been tightened to the prescribed torque, they could
come loose while driving.
● Never loosen the bolted joints of wheel rims with bolted ring trims.
● If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the correct torque, they may
come loose while driving, and the bolts and rims may come out. If the
tightening torque is too high, the wheel bolts and threads can be dam-
aged.

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312Wheels and tyres
Raising the vehicle with the jack
Fig. 185 Jack position
points
Fig. 186 A: jack mounted on the left front part of the
vehicle B: jack mounted on the left rear part of the ve-
hicle
The jack may be applied only at the jacking points shown (marks on chas-
sis) ⇒ Fig. 185. The mark indicates the jacking points below the vehicle. The
jacking points are on the ribs behind the front edges ⇒ Fig. 186. Always the
relevant jacking point for the wheel to be changed ⇒ 
.Raise the vehicle using only the designated jacking points.


313
Wheels and tyres
Check list
For your own safety and that of other passengers, the following points
should be observed in the order given ⇒ 
:
Select a suitable flat and firm surface for raising the vehicle.
Switch off the engine, engage a gear (manual gearbox) or place the se-
lector lever in position P ⇒ page 175 and turn on the electronic parking
brake ⇒ page 184.
When towing a trailer: unhook the trailer from the towing vehicle and
park it correctly.
Loosen the wheel bolts on the wheel to be changed ⇒ page 310.
Look below the vehicle for the jacking point ⇒ Fig. 185 closest to the
tyre which has to be changed.
Raise the jack with the handle until it can be inserted below the jacking
point.
Ensure that the foot of the jack is firmly on the ground and that it is
placed immediately below the lifting point on the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 186.
Straighten the jack and continue raising it using the handle until the
claw holds the vertical reinforcement beneath the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 186.
Raise the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the ground.
WARNING
If the vehicle is not correctly raised, it could fall off the jack causing seri-
ous injury. Please observe the following rules to minimise the risk of in-
jury:
● You should only use a jack approved by SEAT for your vehicle. Other
jacks, even those approved for other SEAT models, might slip out of
place.
● The ground should be firm and flat. If the ground is sloped or soft
then the vehicle could slip and fall off the jack. If necessary, support the
jack on a wide solid base.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
WARNING (Continued)
● If the ground is slippery (for example, on tiles), place a non-slip sur-
face (for example a floor mat) beneath the jack to avoid slipping.
● Only fit the jack at the prescribed jacking points. The claw of the jack
should grip the reinforcement nerve on the underbody ⇒ Fig. 186.
● You should never have any limbs beneath a raised vehicle which is
only supported by a jack.
● If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable
stands additionally to support the vehicle, there is a risk of accident!.
● Never raise the vehicle if it is tilting to one side or the engine is run-
ning.
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised. The vehicle may
come loose from the jack due to the engine vibrations.
WARNING
Failure to follow the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to
accidents and severe injuries.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the general rules of safety.

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314Wheels and tyres
Changing a wheel
Fig. 187 Changing a
wheel: loosen wheel
bolts with the socket at
the end of the wheel
brace
Removing the wheel
● Please observe the check list
⇒ page 309.
● Loosen the wheel bolts
⇒ page 310.
● Jacking up the vehicle
⇒ page 312.
● Using the hexagonal socket in the wheel brace
⇒ Fig. 187, unscrew the
slackened wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface.
● Take off the wheel.
Putting on the spare wheel
Check the direction of rotation of the tyre ⇒ page 298.
● Fit the wheel.
● Screw on the anti-theft locking bolt with the adapter in position
⇒  Fig. 184 2
or 3 clockwise and tighten gently.
● Replace the other wheel bolts and tighten slightly using the hexagonal
socket on the end of the wheel brace.
● Lower the car with the jack. ●
Tighten all of the wheel bolts clockwise ⇒ 
. Tighten the bolts in diago-
nal pairs (not in a circle).
● Put the caps, trim or full hubcap back on ⇒ page 307.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not treated suitably or not tightened to the correct
torque then this could lead to loss of vehicle control and to a serious ac-
cident.
● All the wheel bolts and hub threads should be clean and free of oil
and grease. The wheel bolts should be easily tightened to the correct tor-
que.
● The hexagonal socket in the wheel brace should be used for turning
wheel bolts only. Do not use it to loosen or tighten the wheel bolts.

After changing the wheel
● Clean the wheel brace, if necessary and put it away in the luggage com-
partment ⇒ page 323.
● Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as possi-
ble with a torque wrench ⇒ page 311.
Note
If the vehicle is fitted with a tyre monitoring system, this should be “reprog-
rammed” if necessary whenever a tyre is changed ⇒ page 226.

315
If and when
If and when
In case of emergency
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 184
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 317
● Vehicle tools ⇒ page 323
WARNING
A faulty vehicle in traffic represents a risk of accident for the driver and
for other road users.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible. Park the vehicle a safe
distance from surrounding traffic to lock all the doors in case of an emer-
gency. Turn on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle if the
doors are to be locked. In case of an emergency, passengers will be trap-
ped inside the vehicle. Individuals locked in the vehicle can be exposed
to very high or very low temperatures.
 Protecting yourself and securing the vehicle
Fig. 188 In the centre of
the dash panel: Switch
for hazard warning lights
Always fulfil legal requirements for securing a broken down vehicle. In a
number of countries it is now obligatory, for example, to turn on the hazard
warning lights and use a reflective safety vest ⇒ page 317.
When being towed with the hazard warning lights on, a change in direction
or traffic lane can be indicated as usual using the turn signal lever. The haz-
ard lights will be interrupted temporarily.
Checklist
For your own safety and that of other passengers, the following points
should be observed in the order given ⇒ 
:
Park the vehicle a safe distance from traffic and on suitable ground
⇒ 
.
Turn on the hazard warning lights with the button 
⇒  Fig. 188.
Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 184.

1.
2.
3.
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316If and when
Move the selector lever to its intermediate position or to P ⇒ page 175.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition ⇒ page 171.
Have all occupants leave the vehicle and move to safety, for example
behind a guard rail.
When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with you.
Place an emergency warning triangle to indicate the position of your ve-
hicle to other road users.
Allow the engine to cool and check if a specialist is required.
Examples of when to use the hazard warning lights:
● If the vehicles ahead suddenly slow down or reach the end of a traffic
jam, to warn the vehicles behind.
● In case of an emergency.
● If the vehicle breaks down.
● When being towed.
Always comply with the applicable laws regarding the use of hazard warn-
ing lights.
If the hazard warning lights are not working, you must use an alternative
method of drawing attention to your vehicle. This method must comply with
traffic legislation.
WARNING
Failure to follow the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to
accidents and severe injuries.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the general rules of safety.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach very high temperatures.
This could cause a fire and considerable damage.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as dried grass or fuel).
Note
● The vehicle battery will discharge and run down if the hazard warning
lights remain on for too much time (even with the ignition turned off).
● For some vehicles, the brake lights will blink when braking suddenly at
speeds of approximately 80 km/h (50 mph) to warn vehicles behind. If brak-
ing continues, then the hazard warning lights will automatically be turned
on at the speed of less than approximately 10 km an hour (6 mph). The
brake lights remain lit. Upon accelerating, the hazard warning lights will be
automatically turned off. 

317
If and when
First aid kit, warning triangle, reflective vests and fire
extinguishers*
Fig. 189 On the rear lid:
Warning triangle bracket
Reflective vests
Some vehicles will have a driver door compartment to store a reflective vest
⇒  page 53.
Warning triangle
With the rear lid open, rotate the lock ⇒ Fig. 189 90°. Lower the bracket and
remove the warning triangle.
First-aid kit
There is a first aid kit
⇒  page 141 in the rear left-hand side storage com-
partment of the luggage compartment.
The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements. Check the expiry date
of the contents of the first aid kit.
Fire extinguisher
There is a Fire extinguisher underneath the front passenger seat. The fire extinguisher must conform to legal requirements, be ready for use
and be checked regularly. Check the certification seal on the extinguisher.
WARNING
Loose objects in the vehicle interior can be violently thrown in case of a
sudden manoeuvre or braking and especially in accidents causing seri-
ous injury.
● Secure fire extinguishers, first aid kit, reflective vests and warning
triangle securely to their respective supports.

Emergency locking and unlocking Introduction
The doors, rear lid and panoramic sliding sunroof can be locked manually
and partially opened, for example if the key or the central locking is dam-
aged.
Additional information and warnings:
● Vehicle key set ⇒ page 71
● Central locking and locking system ⇒ page 74
● Doors ⇒ page 80
● Rear lid ⇒  page 83
● Panoramic sliding sunroof ⇒ page 92
● In case of emergency ⇒ page 315 
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318If and when
WARNING
Opening and closing doors carelessly can cause serious injury.
● If the vehicle is locked from outside, the doors and windows cannot
be opened from the inside.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the car. They could
be trapped in the car in an emergency and will not be able to get them-
selves to safety.
● Depending on the time of the year, temperatures inside a locked and
closed vehicle can be extremely high or extremely low resulting in seri-
ous injuries and illness or even death, particularly for young children.
WARNING
Getting in the way of the doors and the panoramic sliding sunroof is dan-
gerous and can lead to serious injury.
● Open and close the doors and the panoramic sliding sunroof only
when nobody is in the way.
CAUTION
When opening and closing in an emergency, carefully disassemble compo-
nents and then reassemble them carefully to avoid damage to the vehicle. Manually locking and unlocking the driver door
Fig. 190 Driver door
handle: Hidden lock cyl-
inder
As a general rule, when the driver door is locked all other doors are locked.
Unlocking manually only opens the driver door. Please note the instructions
for the anti-theft alarm ⇒ page 74.
● Unfold the key shaft
⇒ page 71.
● Insert the key shaft into the opening in the cover on the driver door han-
dle from below ⇒ Fig. 190 (arrow) then remove the cover upwards.
● Insert the key shaft into the lock cylinder to unlock or lock the vehicle.
Unlocking notes:
● The anti-theft alarm will remain active when vehicles are unlocked. How-
ever, the alarm will not yet be triggered ⇒ page 74.
● If the driver door is opened, the alarm will be triggered.
● Switch the ignition on. When the ignition is switched on, the electronic
immobiliser recognises a valid vehicle key and deactivates the anti-theft
alarm system. 