Seat Alhambra 2017 Owner's Manual

Towing bracket device
●
Never c onnect
the trailer's electric system
to the electrical connections of the rear lights
or any other power sources. CAUTION
Do not leave the trailer connected to the vehi-
c le when p

arked; places on its support wheel
or its supports. For example, when changing
the load or a puncture, the vehicle will be
pushed up or down. The force acting on the
tow hitch and the trailer could damage the
vehicle or the trailer. Note
● In the event of

a fault in the vehicle or trail-
er electrical system or in the event of prob-
lems with the anti-theft alarm system, have
the system checked by a specialised work-
shop.
● If the trailer accessories use energy from
the power soc
ket when the engine is stop-
ped, the battery will be discharged.
● For technical reasons, trailers fitted with
rear LED light
s cannot be connected to the
anti-theft alarm system.
● If the vehicle battery is running low, the
electrica
l connection with the trailer is auto-
matically cut.
● With the engine running, the electrical
equipment on the trai
ler will be supplied with
power. Loading the trailer
Trailer weight / drawbar load
The trai
l

er weight is the load that the vehicle
can pull ››› . The drawbar load is the vertical
weight of

the tow hitch on the tow hitch ball
››› page 242.
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar
load weights given on the data plate of the
tow hitch are for values of this model only.
The correct figures for your specific vehicle,
which may be lower than these figures for the
tow hitch, are given in the vehicle documen-
tation. The instructions in the official vehicle
documents take precedence.
For the sake of road safety, SEAT recom-
mends using the maximum allowed drawbar
load. The handling of the combined vehicle
and trailer will be poor if the drawbar load is
too low.
The drawbar load increases the weight on the
rear axle, reducing the vehicle carrying ca-
pacity.
Gross combination weight
This figure refers to the combined weight of
the loaded vehicle and loaded trailer.
Loading the trailer
The combined vehicle and trailer must be
balanced. Use the maximum drawbar load authorised and do not overload the front or
the re
ar of

the trailer:
● Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
obj
ects are as near to the axle as possible or
above it.
● Correctly secure the trailer load.
Tyr
e pressure
Inflate the trailer tyres according to the man-
ufacturer's instructions.
Inflate the towing vehicles tyres to the maxi-
mum ››› page 284. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised axle
loa d, dr

awbar load or the gross combination
weight of the towing vehicle and trailer could
cause a serious accident with severe conse-
quences.
● Never exceed the specifications.
● With the actual load on the front and rear
axle
s, the maximum axle load should never
be exceeded. The weight on the front and rear
should never exceed the gross vehicle
weight. WARNING
If the load moves, the stability and safety of
the v ehic

le and trailer combination will be se-
riously affected and this could result in a seri-
ous accident. » 239
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
●
Alw a
ys correctly load the trailer.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable
and undam
aged attachment rope or straps. Driving with a trailer
Adjusting the headlights
When to
w

ing a trailer, the front of the vehicle
may rise and so the dipped beam headlights
may blind other drivers. Use the headlight
range control to lower the cone of light. If you
do not have headlight range control, have
the headlights adjusted by a specialised
workshop. Vehicles with high-intensity dis-
charge lamps adapt automatically and do not
require adjustment.
Things to note when towing a trailer or cara-
van
● If the trailer has an overru
n brake, apply
the brakes gently at first and then, firmly.
This will prevent the jerking that can be
caused by the trailer wheels locking.
● As of the combined vehicle and trailer
mas
s, braking distances will be greater.
● Select a low gear before driving down a
steep hi
ll to use the engine braking effect to
slow down the vehicle. Otherwise, the brak-
ing system could overheat and fail.
● The vehicle centre of gravity and handling
chan
ge because of the trailer load and be- cause of the increased combined mass of the
vehicl

e and trailer.
● If the towing vehicle is empty and the trail-
er loaded then the lo
ad distribution is incor-
rect. If you must travel in these conditions,
drive carefully and reduce your speed accord-
ingly.
Hill starts with a trailer
Depending on the hill and the gross com-
bined weight, it is possible that the com-
bined vehicle and trailer move backwards
slightly when starting.
For a hill start with a trailer, proceed as fol-
lows:
● Press and hold the brake pedal.
● Press the button  once to turn off the
el ectric
p

arking brake ››› page 187.
● Press and hold the button  to hold the
v ehic
l

e and trailer combination using the
parking brake.
● With a manual gearbox: press the clutch
pedal t
o the floor.
● Engage first gear or the gear range D
›››
page 192, Gearbox.
● Release the brake pedal.
● Move off slowly. To do this, gently release
the clutc
h pedal (for manual gearbox). ●
Rele
ase the button  only when the en-
gine pr o
v
ides sufficient power to move the
vehicle and trailer combination. WARNING
Jerking the trailer in an unsuitable manner
cou l

d cause loss of vehicle control with the
subsequent serious consequences.
● Driving with a trailer and transporting
heavy or a l
arge objects will change the vehi-
cle handling and braking distances.
● Anticipate traffic and be extremely cau-
tious. Brak
e early.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility
, road, traffic and weather conditions.
Reduce your speed, especially on steep hills.
● Accelerate gently and carefully. Avoid brus-
que manoeuvr
es and sudden braking.
● Always take the following precautions seri-
ously
. Reduce your speed immediately if you
observe the trailer rocking from side to side.
● Never try to stop the “snaking” by increas-
ing speed.
● A

lways take the speed limits for vehicles
with and without
trailers into account.240

Towing bracket device
Stabilising the vehicle and trailer
c omb
in
ation Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combi-
nation i
s

an extension of the electronic sta-
bility control (ESC) and helps, with the assis-
tance of the trajectory control, to reduce trail-
er “snaking”.
Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combi-
nation is active when the ESC  indicator on
the dash panel remains lit for about two sec-
onds more than the ABS indicator.
Requirements for stabilising the vehi-
cle/trailer combination
● An original tow hitch is fitted by the manu-
fact ur

er or a compatible model is retrofitted.
● The ESC is switched on. The warning lamp
on the dash p
anel  is not lit.
● The trailer is connected to the vehicle using
the power soc
ket.
● It travels faster than 60 km/h (37 mph).
● The maximum drawbar load is used.
● The trailer must have a fixed drawbar.
● Trailers with brakes must be equipped with
a mechanic
al inertia brake. WARNING
Do not let the extra safety afforded by the
st ab

ilisation system tempt you into taking
any risks when driving. ●
Adjus t

your speed and driving style to visi-
bility, road, traffic and weather conditions.
● If the road surface is slippery, take care
when accel
erating.
● When a system is operating, lift your foot
off the acc
elerator. WARNING
It is possible that the combination stabilisa-
tion sy st

em does not correctly recognised all
driving situations.
● It is possible that the stabilisation system
does not
detect snaking of a light trailer and
thus does not intervene.
● When driving on slippery ground, the trail-
er coul
d jack-knife despite the stabilisation
system.
● Trailers with a high centre of gravity may
even tip ov
er before they start to rock side-
ways.
● If a trailer is not used and the trailer power
socket
is connected (e.g. installation of a bi-
cycle carrier with lights), repeated automatic
braking may occur in extreme driving condi-
tions. Retrofitting a tow hitch
Fig. 231
Measurements and attachments to
r etr
ofit

a tow hitch SEAT recommends visiting a specialised
w
ork
shop t

o retrofit a tow hitch. For example, »
241
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
it may be necessary to adjust the cooling sys-
t em or t
o inc
lude thermal plates. SEAT recom-
mends taking your car in for technical serv-
ice.
In any case, the separation distances must
be observed when fitting a tow hitch. The dis-
tance between the centre of the tow hitch ball
and the road surface ››› Fig. 231 D must nev-
er be lo w
er th

an that indicated. This also ap-
plies when the vehicle is fully laden, includ-
ing maximum drawbar load.
Separation distances ››› Fig. 231:
Attachment points.
1,040 mm (41 inches)
74 mm (3 inches)
364 mm (14 inches)
247 mm (10 inches)
596 mm (23 inches)
1,097 mm (43 inches)
1,102 mm (43 inches) WARNING
Erroneous or unsuitable connection of elec-
tric c ab

les may cause anomalies in the vehi-
cle electronics that could result in an acci-
dent with serious consequences.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
to the electric
al connections of the rear lights
or any other unsuitable power sources. Only
use suitable connectors to connect a trailer. A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H ●
Vis

it a specialised workshop if you wish to
retrofit a tow hitch to the vehicle. WARNING
If the tow hitch is badly fitted or unsuitable,
the tr ail

er may separate from the vehicle
while driving. This could result in a serious
accident. Note
Use only tow hitches approved by SEAT for
the v ehic

le. Maximum permitted trailer weights
The instructions in the official vehicle docu-
ments
t
ak

e precedence. All the technical data
provided in this documentation is applicable
to the basic model. The vehicle data label in
the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documentation shows which engine is instal-
led in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending
whether additional equipment is fitted, for
different models and for special vehicles. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum trailer weight indica-
ted c ou

ld cause a serious accident.
● Never exceed the indicated trailer weight. CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum trailer weight indica-
ted c ou

ld cause damage to the vehicle.
● Never exceed the indicated trailer weight. Gross combined vehicle weight rating
The instructions in the official vehicle docu-
ments t
ak

e precedence. All the technical data
provided in this documentation is applicable
to the basic model. The vehicle data label in
the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documentation shows which engine is instal-
led in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending
whether additional equipment is fitted, for
different models and for special vehicles.
The maximum combined weights listed are
only applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m
above sea level. The weight of the car and
trailer must be reduced by about 10% for ev-
ery further 1000 m (or part thereof). WARNING
Exceeding the maximum weight indicated
cou l

d cause a serious accident.
● Never exceed the gross combined weight
rating. 242

Towing bracket device
CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum gross combined
weight r
ating indicated could cause damage
to the vehicle.
● Never exceed the gross combined weight
rating. 243
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Advice
C ar
e and m
aintenance
Accessories, replacement of
parts and modifications Introduction WARNING
The use of spare parts and accessories, or in-
corr ectly

performed modifications or repairs
may result in damage to the vehicle, acci-
dents and serious injury.
● SEAT strongly recommends you to only use
SEAT ap
proved accessories and SEAT ®
origi-
nal spare parts. These parts and accessories
have been specially tested by SEAT for suita-
bility, reliability and safety.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried
out at a s
pecialised workshop. These work-
shops have the necessary tools, diagnostics
equipment, repair information and qualified
personnel.
● Only mount parts with the same specifica-
tions a
s the parts fitted at factory.
● Never mount, fasten or fit objects such as
drink hol
ders or telephone cradles over the
covers of the airbag modules or within their
radius of action. ●
Only u

se wheels and tyre combinations
which have been approved by SEAT for your
vehicle type. Accessories and spare parts
SEAT recommends you consult an Official
Serv
ic

e before purchasing accessories and
spare parts or consumables. For example,
when fitting accessories at a later date, or
when replacing a component. A technical
service centre will advise you as to the legal
requirements and manufacturer's recommen-
dations regarding accessories, spare parts
and other components.
SEAT recommend you use only approved
SEAT accessories and genuine SEAT spare
parts ®
. These parts and accessories have
been specially tested by SEAT for suitability,
reliability and safety. In addition the techni-
cal service centre will guarantee that the as-
sembly is carried out professionally.
Although we continually monitor the market,
SEAT cannot guarantee that products not ap-
proved by SEAT are reliable, safe and suita-
ble for the vehicle. Therefore, SEAT cannot ac-
cept liability, even in those cases authorised
by an officially recognised technical inspec-
tion office or other official body.
Any retro-fitted equipment which has a direct
effect on the vehicle and/or the way it is driv- en must be approved by SEAT for use in your
vehic
l

e and bear the e mark (the European
Union's authorisation symbol). This includes
cruise control systems or electronically con-
trolled suspension.
If any additional electrical devices are fitted
which do not serve to control the vehicle it-
self, these must bear the  mark (European
Union manufacturer conformity declaration).
This includes refrigerator boxes, laptops or
ventilator fans. WARNING
Unprofessional repairs or modifications to
the v ehic

le may affect the performance of the
airbags, and may cause operating faults or fa-
tal accidents.
● Never mount, fasten or fit objects such as
drink hol
ders or telephone cradles over the
covers of the airbag modules or within their
radius of action.
● Objects placed over the airbag covers, or
within their ra
dius of action, could lead to se-
rious injury or loss of life if the airbags are
triggered. Service fluids and components
All vehicle fluids and consumables
, s
uc h a

s
notched belts, tyres, coolant fluids, engine
oils, spark plugs and batteries are continual-
ly being developed. Therefore all fluids and
244

Care and maintenance
consumables should be changed at a speci-
ali sed w
ork
shop. Technical services are per-
manently informed of any modifications. WARNING
The incorrect use or handling of fluids or con-
sum ab

les may result in accident, serious in-
jury, burns or intoxication.
● Therefore, fluids must always be stored
closed in their origin
al container.
● Never store fluids in empty food containers
or bottles
as other people may accidentally
drink the fluid.
● Keep all fluids and consumables out of
reac
h of children.
● Read and observe the information and
warning
s given on the fluid containers.
● Only work in the open air or in well-ventila-
ted z
ones, when using products which give
off harmful vapours.
● Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, ace-
tone or any
other volatile liquid in the main-
tenance of the vehicle. These are toxic and
highly flammable. They could lead to fire or
explosions! CAUTION
● Only u

se appropriate fluids. Do not confuse
fluids as this can cause serious malfunctions
or engine damage.
● Accessories and other components moun-
ted in front
of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. If the engine is running
under gr
e

at strain in high outside tempera-
tures, it could overheat. For the sake of the environment
Leaking fluids could pollute the environment.
C o l

lect any spilt fluids in suitable containers
and dispose of them in accordance with legis-
lation and with respect for the environment. Technical repairs and replacements
When performing repairs and technical mod-
ific
ation
s,

SEAT's directives must be ob-
served! ››› Unauthorised modifications to the electronic
c
omponents
or sof

tware in the vehicle may
cause malfunctions. Due to the way the elec-
tronic components are linked together in net-
works, other indirect systems may be affec-
ted by the faults. This may significantly affect
the vehicle's performance, increase compo-
nent wear and could mean that the vehicle
registration documents are no longer valid.
Your technical service centre cannot be held
liable for any damage caused by technical
modifications or repairs performed incorrect-
ly.
The technical service centre does not accept
liability for damage resulting from technical
modifications or repairs performed incorrect- ly; neither is the SEAT warranty valid in these
case

s.
SEAT recommends you have any technical
modifications or repairs performed at a tech-
nical service centre and that you use genuine
SEAT spare parts ®
.
Vehicles with special accessories and equip-
ment
The manufacturers of additional equipment
guarantee that the equipment complies with
applicable laws and regulations with respect
to the environment, in particular Directives
2000/53/CE and 2003/11/CE. The first direc-
tive governs the disposal of end-of-life vehi-
cles while the second refers to the restric-
tions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations.
The vehicle owner should keep the documen-
tation for the additional equipment safely
and hand it over to the scrap yard at the end
of the vehicle's service life. This ensures that
any additional equipment mounted in end-of-
life vehicles is correctly disposed of with re-
spect for the environment. WARNING
Repairs or modifications which are not per-
formed c orr

ectly may result in damage or er-
rors in the vehicle operation, affecting the ef-
fectiveness of the driver assist systems. This
could result in serious accident. » 245
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
●
All
repairs and modifications to the vehicle
should only be performed by a specialised
workshop. Repairs and malfunctions in the air-
bag sy
s

tem When performing repairs and technical mod-
ification
s,

SEAT's directives must be ob-
served! ››› Modifications and repairs to the front bump-
er
, door
s, fr

ont seats, and repairs to the roof
or chassis should only be carried out in a
specialised workshop. These components
may contain parts or sensors belonging to
the airbag system.
If work is carried out on the airbag system or
parts have to be removed and fitted on the
system when performing other repair work,
parts of the airbag system may be damaged.
The consequence may be that, in the event of
an accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or
does not inflate at all.
So that the effectiveness of the airbag is not
reduced and that removed parts do not cause
any injuries or environmental pollution, regu-
lations must be observed. These require-
ments are known to specialised workshops.
Modifications to the vehicle suspension may
affect the operation of the airbag system in
the event of collision. For example, if wheel and tyre combinations not approved by SEAT
are used, or if

the vehicle height is lowered,
the suspension is stiffened or the suspension
springs, telescopic arms, dampers, etc., are
modified, the results received by the airbag
sensors and sent to the control unit may not
be accurate. For example, some modifica-
tions to the suspension could increase the
force measured by the sensors and result in
the triggering of the airbag systems in colli-
sions. Under normal conditions, the meas-
ured values would be lower and the airbag
would not have been triggered. Other modifi-
cations may reduce the forces measured by
the sensors and prevent the airbags from be-
ing triggered when they should. WARNING
Repairs or modifications which are not per-
formed c orr

ectly may result in damage or er-
rors in the vehicle operation, affecting the ef-
fectiveness of the airbag systems. This could
result in serious or fatal accidents.
● All repairs and modifications to the vehicle
should on
ly be performed by a specialised
workshop.
● Airbag modules must never be repaired: if
damag
ed, they must be replaced.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag compo-
nents in
your vehicle. WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle suspension, in-
cludin g the u

se of unauthorised wheel and
tyre combinations, may affect the perform-
ance of the airbags and increase the risk of
serious or fatal injury in the event of acci-
dent.
● Never fit suspension components which are
not identica
l to the original parts in the vehi-
cle.
● Never use wheel and tyre combinations not
appro
ved by SEAT. Retrofitting of mobile phones
An exterior aerial is required for the use of
tw
o-w
a

y radios in the vehicle.
The retro-fitting of electrical or electronic ap-
pliances in the vehicle is subject to their ap-
proval for use in your vehicle. Under certain
circumstances, this could mean that your ve-
hicle registration documents are no longer
valid.
SEAT has approved your vehicle for use with
two-way radios providing the following condi-
tions are observed:
● The exterior aerial must be mounted pro-
fes
sionally.
● The maximum transmitting power is 10
watts.
246

Care and maintenance
The optimal reach of the equipment is only
ac hiev
ed w
ith an external aerial.
Check first with a specialised workshop that
understands the technical possibilities of in-
stallation if you wish to use a two-way radio
with a transmitting power of over 10 watts.
SEAT recommends taking your car in for tech-
nical service.
All legal requirements, together with the in-
structions for the use of two-way radios must
be observed. WARNING
If the two-way radio is not securely fastened
in pos ition, it

could be sent flying around the
vehicle in the event of sharp braking, sudden
manoeuvres or accident, causing injury.
● While driving, two-way radios must be se-
curely
fastened in position, outside the radi-
us of action of the airbags, or safely stowed
away. WARNING
When using a two-way radio without a con-
nection to an e xt

erior aerial, the maximum
permitted levels of electromagnetic radiation
may be exceeded. This is also the case if the
aerial has not been correctly installed.
● You should only use a two-way radio inside
the vehic
le if it has first been correctly con-
nected to an exterior aerial. Information stored by the control
u
nit
s Your vehicle is fitted at the factory with a ser-
ies
of

electronic control units responsible for
the engine and gearbox management. In ad-
dition, the control units supervise the per-
formance of the exhaust gas system and the
airbag systems.
Therefore, while the vehicle is being driven,
these electronic control units are continuous-
ly analysing the vehicle data. In the event of
faults or deviations from the theoretical val-
ues, only this data is stored. Normally, the
warning lamps on the instrument panel light
up in the event of faults.
This data can only be read and analysed us-
ing special equipment.
The storing of the data allows specialised
workshops to detect and repair faults. Stored
data may include:
● Data relating to the engine or the gearbox
● Speed
● Direction of travel
● Braking force
● Detection of seat belt
The v ehic

le control units never record conver-
sations held by passengers in the vehicle.
In vehicles equipped with an emergency call
function via the mobile phone or other appli- ances connected in the vehicle, it is possible
to send the v

ehicle position. If the control
unit records an accident with airbag activa-
tion, the system may automatically send a
signal. This will depend on the network oper-
ator. Normally, transmission is only possible
in areas with good coverage.
Event Data Recorder
The vehicle is not fitted with an event data re-
corder.
An event data recorder temporarily stores the
vehicle information. Therefore, in the event of
an accident, it is possible to obtain detailed
information about how the accident occur-
red. For example, in vehicles with airbag sys-
tems, data relating to speed of impact, seat
belt status, seat positions and airbag activa-
tion times may be stored. The volume of data
depends on the manufacturer.
Event data recorders can only be mounted
with authorisation from the vehicle owner
and, in some countries, they are governed by
local legislation.
Reprogramming control units
On the whole, all the data required for the
component management is stored in the con-
trol units. The programming of certain con-
venience functions, such as the turn signals,
individual door opening and instructions on
the display can be modified using special »
247
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
equipment at the workshop. If this is the
c a
se, the inf
ormation and descriptions given
in the Instruction Manual will not match the
original functions. Therefore, SEAT recom-
mends that any modifications be recorded in
the section “Other workshop notes” in the
Maintenance Programme.
The technical service centre must have a re-
cord of any modification to the programming.
Reading the vehicle fault memory
There is a diagnostics connector in the vehi-
cle interior for reading the vehicle fault mem-
ory. The fault memory documents errors and
deviations from the theoretical values of the
electronic control units.
The diagnostics connector is in the driver
side footwell area, next to the lever for open-
ing the bonnet, below a cover.
The fault memory should only be read and re-
set by a specialised workshop.
Using a mobile telephone in a vehicle
without c
onnection to an exterior aer-
ial Mobile telephones transmit and receive radio
w
av
e

s, both when in use and when on stand-
by. Scientific studies state that radio waves
exceeding certain values may be harmful to
the human body. International committees and authorities have established limits and
directive

s in order to ensure electromagnetic
radiation from mobile phones remains within
certain limits that do not endanger health.
Nevertheless, there is no conclusive scientif-
ic evidence that wireless telephones are to-
tally safe.
Therefore, some experts recommend that use
of mobile phone be kept to a minimum until
the results of current research are published.
When a mobile phone not connected to an
exterior aerial is used inside the vehicle, the
electromagnetic radiation may be greater
than if the mobile phone were connected to a
built-in aerial or to another exterior aerial.
If the vehicle is fitted with a suitable hands-
free device, it will comply with the legislation
in many countries which only permits the use
of mobile phones inside vehicles using a
hands-free device.
The hands-free system mounted at the facto-
ry has been designed for use with conven-
tional mobile phones and phones with Blue-
tooth technology. Mobile phones should be
placed on a suitable phone cradle. In addi-
tion, the cradle should always be correctly fit-
ted into the base plate. This ensures that the
mobile phone is securely attached to the
dash panel, it is always within reach of the
driver and is connected to the vehicle exterior
aerial. If the mobile phone is connected to an aerial
incorporat
ed into the vehicle or an exterior
aerial connected to the vehicle, it will help re-
duce the electromagnetic radiation transmit-
ted and the risk to human health. It will also
improve the quality of the connection.
If the phone is used inside the vehicle with-
out the hands-free system, it will not be se-
curely fastened and will not be connected to
the exterior aerial of the vehicle telephone.
Nor will the telephone charge if it is not on
the support. In addition, some calls may
break off and the quality of the connection
will be affected.
Mobile phones should only be used inside
the vehicle if they are connected to a hands-
free system with an exterior aerial. WARNING
If the mobile phone is not securely fastened
in pos ition, it

could be sent flying around the
vehicle in the event of sharp braking, sudden
manoeuvres or accident, causing injury.
● While driving, mobile phones must be se-
curely
fastened in position, outside the radi-
us of action of the airbags, or safely stowed
away. WARNING
When using a mobile phone without a con-
nection to an e xt

erior aerial, the maximum
permitted levels of electromagnetic radiation 248