wheel Seat Alhambra 2014 Manual Online

307
Wheels and tyres
Tyre code (example)MeaningMake, logotypeManufacturerProduct nameName of tyre assigned by manufacturer.P215 / 55 R 16Size:PPassenger vehicle code.215Nominal width between walls, in mm.55Height/width ratio in %RTyre type (R indicates "radial").16Rim diameter in inches91 VLoad index ⇒ page 308 and speed rating
⇒ page 308.
XLReinforced tyres.M+S or M/SWinter tyres (mud and snow tyres) ⇒ page 304.SSR or DSST, Eufonia,
RFT, ROF, RSC, ZP,
Conti-SealSpecific manufacturer codes for run-flat tyres.
RADIAL TUBELESSRadial tyre without inner tube.E4 ...E-mark certifying tyre complies with internation-
al legislation followed by a number denoting the
country granting the authorisation. The authori-
sation number ( several digits) is shown below.
DOT BT RA TY5 1709Tyre identification number (TINa)
, may be only on
interior wall of wheel) and date of manufacture:
DOTThe tyre complies with the legal require-
ments of the US Department of Trans-
port, responsible for tyre safety regula-
tions.
BTPlace of manufacture code.RAInformation about manufacturer and tyre
size.
TY5Manufacturer's tyre specifications.1709Date of manufacture: Week 17 of 2009.
Tyre code (example)MeaningTWIThis identifies the position of the Tread Wear In-
dicator ⇒ page 303.
MAX LOAD 615 KG
(1356 LBS)US load rating, indicating maximum permitted
load per tyre.
MAX INFLATION 350 KPA
(51 PSI)US limit, indicating maximum permitted tyre
pressure.
SIDEWALL 1 PLY RAYONInformation about tyre wall components:
1 layer of rayon (artificial silk).
TREAD 4 PLIES
1 RAYON + 2 STEEL +
1 NYLONInformation about tread components:
In the example, there are 4 layers below the
tread: 1 layer of rayon (artificial silk), 2 layers of
steel reinforcement and 1 layer of nylon.
Information for the end consumer concerning the comparative values of
the established base tyres (standardised test procedures) :
TREADWEAR 280Relative service life of the tyre, with respect to
specific US standard test.
TRACTION AABraking capacity of tyre on wet surface (AA, A, B
or C).
TEMPERATURE ATyre temperature resistance at higher test
speeds (A, B or C).
If there are different letters, they are specific codes of the tyre manufac-
turer or specific national codes.
a)
The letters TIN refer to the tyre serial number.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have been designed to operate best
when rotating in only one direction. An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates
the direction of rotation on tyres with directional tread. Always observe the
direction of rotation indicated when mounting the wheel. This guarantees
optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

308Wheels and tyres
Tyre load rating
The load rating code indicates the maximum load in kilogrammes each
wheel can carry (load capacity). 615 kg (1356 pounds)
650 kg (1,433 pounds)
690 kg (1,521 pounds)
730 kg (1,609 pounds)
775 kg (1,709 pounds)
Speed rating
The speed rating indicates the maximum speed permitted for the tyres.
max. 150 km/h (93 mph)
max. 160 km/h (99 mph)
max. 170 km/h (106 mph)
max. 180 km/h (112 mph)
max. 190 km/h (118 mph)
max. 200 km/h (124 mph)
max. 210 km/h (130 mph)
max. 240 km/h (149 mph)
max. 240 km/h (149 mph)
max. 270 km/h (168 mph)
max. 300 km/h (186 mph)
Some manufacturers use the letters “ZR” for tyres with a maximum author-
ised speed above 240 km/h (149 miles). 
91
93
95
97
99
P
Q
R
S
T
U
H
V
Z
W
Y Wheel trims*
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 246
● Change wheel ⇒ page 310
● Vehicle tools ⇒ page 324
WARNING
If the wheel trims are not appropriate or not fitted correctly, they could
cause major accidents or damage.
● Incorrectly mounted wheel trims may come off while driving and en-
danger other road users.
● Damaged trims must never be mounted on the wheels.
● Always ensure that the brake ventilation and cooling is not cut off or
blocked. This is also valid if hubcaps are fitted later. If there is not
enough air, you may require significantly longer braking distances.
CAUTION
Remove and remount wheel trims taking care to avoid damage to the vehi-
cle. 

309
Wheels and tyres
Full hubcaps*
Fig. 182 Removing the
full hubcap
Removing the full hubcap
● Take the wheel brace and the wire hook from the vehicle tool kit
⇒  page 324.
● Hook the wire through one of the grooves on the hubcap.
● Insert the wheel brace onto the wire hook
⇒ Fig. 182 and pull the hub
cap in the direction shown by the arrow.
Fitting hubcaps
Before mounting the full hubcap, the anti-theft wheel lock must be threaded
into position ⇒ Fig. 185 2
or 3. Otherwise it will not be possible to mount
the full hubcap.
Press the hubcap against the wheel so that the space for the valve fits over
the tyre valve ⇒ Fig. 185 1
. Make sure that the hubcap is correctly fitted all
the way around the wheel. Wheel bolt caps
Fig. 183 Removing the
wheel bolt caps
● Take the wire hook from the vehicle tool kit
⇒ page 324.
● Insert the wire hook in the cap through the opening
⇒ Fig. 183 and pull
outwards in the direction of the arrow.
The caps protect the wheel bolts and should be remounted after changing
the tyre.
The anti-theft wheel locking bolt has a special cap. This cap only fits on an-
ti-theft locking bolts and is not for use with standard wheel bolts. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

310Wheels 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 303
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 72
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 297
● Wheel trims ⇒ page 308
● Vehicle tools ⇒ page 324
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 185.
Automatic gearbox: move the selector lever to position P ⇒ page 176.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition ⇒ page 172.
Manual gearbox: Select a gear ⇒ page 176.
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 308. 
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

311
Wheels 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. 184 Changing a
wheel: Slacken the wheel
bolts.
Fig. 185 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 vehicle
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. 184.
● 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. 185 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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

312Wheels 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.


313
Wheels and tyres
Raising the vehicle with the jack
Fig. 186 Jack position
points
Fig. 187 : jack mounted on the left front part of the
vehicle. : 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. 186. The mark indicates the jacking points below the vehicle. The
jacking points are on the ribs behind the front edges ⇒ Fig. 187. Always the
relevant jacking point for the wheel to be changed ⇒ 
.Raise the vehicle using only the designated jacking points.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

314Wheels 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 176 and turn on the electronic parking
brake ⇒ page 185.
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 311.
Look below the vehicle for the jacking point ⇒ Fig. 186 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. 187.
Straighten the jack and continue raising it using the handle until the
claw holds the vertical reinforcement beneath the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 187.
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. 187.
● 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.


315
Wheels and tyres
Changing a wheel
Fig. 188 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 310.
● Loosen the wheel bolts
⇒ page 311.
● Jacking up the vehicle
⇒ page 313.
● Using the hexagonal socket in the wheel brace
⇒ Fig. 188, 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 299.
● Fit the wheel.
● Screw on the anti-theft locking bolt with the adapter in position
⇒  Fig. 185 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 308.
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 324.
● Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as possi-
ble with a torque wrench ⇒ page 312.
Note
If the vehicle is fitted with a tyre monitoring system, this should be “reprog-
rammed” if necessary whenever a tyre is changed ⇒ page 227.
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323
If and when
Manually unlocking the gear selector lever
Fig. 198 Remove the lin-
ing from the area of the
gear indication
Fig. 199 Manual release
of gear selector lever
If the vehicle power supply should ever fail (discharged battery, etc.) and
the vehicle has to be pushed or towed, the selector lever must first be
moved to position N using the manual release mechanism. The emergency release mechanism is located underneath the gearbox cover
panel to the right-hand side. To release the gear selector lever mechanism,
a suitable tool is required, for example a screwdriver.
Preparations
●
Apply the parking brake. If the parking brake cannot be activated in the
vehicle must be secured otherwise so that it cannot move.
● Switch the ignition off.
To remove the gearbox cover panel
● Pull the cover up around the dust guard on the gear selector lever
⇒ Fig. 198.
● Take the cover off by passing it over the gear selector lever ⇒ 
.
Manual release of the selector lever
● Press the release lever ⇒ Fig. 199 in the direction of the arrow and hold
it in this position.
● Press the lock button ⇒ Fig. 198 1
on the gear selector lever knob and
place the gear selector lever in the N position.
WARNING
Never move the gear selector lever from the position P while the electron-
ic parking brake is deactivated. Otherwise, the vehicle may accidentally
move off on hills or steep slopes causing serious accidents.
CAUTION
If the vehicle is moved on its wheels with the engine stopped and the selec-
tor lever in position N for a prolonged period of time and at high speed, for
example for towing, then the automatic gearbox will be damaged. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications