Seat Alhambra. Instruction - part 16

Care and maintenance

consumables should be changed at a speci-
alised workshop. Technical services are per-
manently informed of any modifications.

WARNING

The incorrect use or handling of fluids or con-
sumables may result in accident, serious in-
jury, burns or intoxication.

●

Therefore, fluids must always be stored

closed in their original 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

reach of children.

●

Read and observe the information and

warnings given on the fluid containers.

●

Only work in the open air or in well-ventila-

ted zones, 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 use 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 great strain in high outside tempera-
tures, it could overheat.

For the sake of the environment

Leaking fluids could pollute the environment.
Collect 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-
ifications, SEAT's directives must be ob-
served! 

››› 

Unauthorised modifications to the electronic
components or software 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registration documents are no longer valid.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
cases.

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 correctly 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.

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●

All repairs and modifications to the vehicle

should only be performed by a specialised
workshop.

Repairs and malfunctions in the air-
bag system

When performing repairs and technical mod-
ifications, SEAT's directives must be ob-
served! 

››› 

Modifications and repairs to the front bump-
er, doors, front 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 correctly 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 only be performed by a specialised
workshop.

●

Airbag modules must never be repaired: if

damaged, they must be replaced.

●

Never fit recycled or reused airbag compo-

nents in your vehicle.

WARNING

Modifications to the vehicle suspension, in-
cluding the use 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 identical to the original parts in the vehi-
cle.

●

Never use wheel and tyre combinations not

approved by SEAT.

Retrofitting of mobile phones

An exterior aerial is required for the use of
two-way 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-

fessionally.

●

The maximum transmitting power is 10

watts.

246

Care and maintenance

The optimal reach of the equipment is only
achieved with 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 position, 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 exterior 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 vehicle if it has first been correctly con-
nected to an exterior aerial.

Information stored by the control
units

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 vehicle 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 vehicle 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

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equipment at the workshop. If this is the
case, the information and descriptions given
in the Instruction Instruction 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 connection to an exterior aer-
ial

Mobile telephones transmit and receive radio
waves, 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
directives 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
incorporated 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 position, 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 exterior aerial, the maximum
permitted levels of electromagnetic radiation

248

Care and maintenance

may be exceeded. This is also the case if the
aerial has not been correctly installed.

●

A minimum of 20 centimetres should be

kept between mobile phone aerials and artifi-
cial pacemakers, as mobile telephones may
affect the working of pacemakers.

●

Do not keep mobile phones in breast pock-

ets directly above pacemakers.

●

Switch off the mobile phone immediately if

you suspect there may be interference.

Support points for raising the vehicle

Fig. 232 

Front jacking points for raising vehi-

cle with lifting platform or jack

Fig. 233 

Rear jacking points for raising vehi-

cle with lifting platform or jack

Always use the jacking points indicated in
the figures 

››› 

Fig. 232

 and 

››› 

Fig. 233

 when

raising the vehicle. If the vehicle is not lifted
at these points, it could be seriously dam-
aged 

››› 

 or lead to serious injury 

››› 

.

The vehicle should not be lifted using lifting
platforms with lift pads containing fluid.

When raising a vehicle using a platform or
jack, a series of precautionary measures are
required. Do not raise the vehicle with a lift-
ing platform or jack unless you have received
training in how to do so and know how to do
so safely.

Notes on raising the vehicle with a jack

››› 



page 47

.

WARNING

The improper use of the lifting platform or
the jack when raising the vehicle may result
in accidents or serious injury.

●

Before raising the vehicle, please observe

the manufacturer's instructions for the plat-
form or jack, and the legal requirements,
where applicable.

●

There should not be anyone inside the ve-

hicle when it is being raised or once it is in
the air.

●

Only use the jacking points indicated in the

figures 

››› 

Fig. 232

 and 

››› 

Fig. 233

 when rais-

ing the vehicle. If the vehicle is not lifted at
the indicated points, it may fall from the plat-
form while the engine or gearbox is being
dismounted, for example.

●

The jacking points should be centrally

aligned and firmly positioned on the platform
support plates.

●

Never start the engine when the vehicle is

raised! The vehicle may fall from the platform
due to the engine vibrations.

●

If it is necessary to work underneath the ve-

hicle while it is raised, you should check that
the supporting stands have an adequate load
capacity.

●

Never climb onto the lifting platform.

●

Always make sure that the weight of the ve-

hicle does not exceed the lifting platform
load capacity.

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CAUTION

●

Never raise the vehicle at the engine oil

sump, the gearbox or the rear or front axles.

●

Always use an intermediate rubber support

to prevent damage to the vehicle underbody.
Check that the arms of the lifting platform are
able to move with obstruction.

●

The arms should not come into contact with

the side running boards or other parts of the
vehicle.

Caring for and cleaning the ve-
hicle exterior

Introduction

Regular maintenance and washing help to
maintain the value of the vehicle. This may
also be one of the requirements for acknowl-
edging warranty claims in the event of body-
work corrosion or paint defects.

Products suitable for the care of your vehicle
are available at any technical service.

WARNING

Car-care products may be toxic and hazard-
ous. If car care products are not suitable or
are used inappropriately, this could result in
accident, serious injury, burns or intoxica-
tion.

●

Car care products must always be stored in

the original container which should be kept
closed.

●

Observe information provided by the manu-

facturer.

●

To prevent confusion, never store car care

products in empty food cans, bottles or other
containers.

●

Keep all care products out of reach of chil-

dren.

●

Harmful vapours may be produced when us-

ing car care products. Therefore, care prod-
ucts should only be used in well-ventilated
spaces or in the open air.

●

Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, ace-

tone or any other volatile liquid to wash,
clean or care for the vehicle. These are toxic
and highly flammable.

WARNING

Inappropriate care and cleaning of vehicle
components may effect the vehicle safety
equipment, increasing the risk of severe in-
jury.

●

Vehicle components should only be

cleaned and maintained in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.

●

Only use approved or recommended care

products.

CAUTION

Cleaning products which contain solvents will
damage the material.

For the sake of the environment

●

Only wash the vehicle in areas allocated for

this purpose, to prevent dirty water which
may be contaminated by oil, grease or fuel,
from entering the drains. In some places,
washing it outside the planned areas is even
banned.

●

Where possible, always use products which

respect the environment.

●

The remains of car care products should not

be disposed of with ordinary household
waste. Observe information provided by the
manufacturer.

Washing the vehicle

The longer substances such as insects, bird
droppings, resinous tree sap, road dirt, in-
dustrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt and
other aggressive materials remain on the ve-
hicle, the more damage they do to the paint-
work. High temperatures (for instance due to
strong sunlight) further intensify the corro-
sive effect. The vehicle 

undercarriage should

also be thoroughly washed at regular inter-
vals.

250

Care and maintenance

Automatic car washes
Always observe the instructions provided at
the automatic car wash. The standard pre-
cautionary measures prior to entering the car
wash should be taken to avoid damage to
the vehicle (close all windows, fold in exterior
mirrors). If the vehicle is fitted with additional
components (spoiler, roof-rack, aerial, etc.),
check with the car wash supervisor whether
these can enter the car wash 

››› 

.

The vehicle paintwork is so durable that the
vehicle can normally be washed without
problems in an automatic car wash tunnel.
However, wear and damage to the paintwork
will depend on the type of car wash used.
SEAT recommends the use of car washes
without brushes.

To remove traces of wax on windows and to
prevent wiper blades from scratching, please
observe the following 

››› 

page 252, Cleaning

windows and exterior mirrors

.

Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.

Then clean the vehicle with a soft 

sponge,

glove or brush using only slight pressure.
Start at the roof and work downwards. Spe-
cial 

car shampoo should only be used for

very persistent dirt.

Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.

Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this.

WARNING

Sharp components on the vehicle may cause
injury.

●

Protect arms and hands from sharp edges

when cleaning the vehicle undercarriage or
the interior of the wheel hubs.

WARNING

After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing effect will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.

●

“Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking

carefully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process.

CAUTION

●

The temperature of the water must not ex-

ceed +60°C (+140°F).

●

To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not

wash the vehicle in full sun.

●

Do not use rough sponges or similar which

could damage the surface to clean away the
traces of insects.

●

Never wipe the headlights with a dry cloth

or sponge, always moisten first. It is best to
use soapy water.

●

Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:

When washing the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze!

CAUTION

To avoid any risk of damage to the vehicle,
please check the following points before us-
ing an automatic car wash:

●

Compare the distance between the vehicle

wheels and the distance between the guide-
rails of the car wash to prevent damage to the
wheels and tyres!

●

Switch off the rain sensor and the Au-

to Hold function before entering a car wash.

●

Compare the height and width of your vehi-

cle with the available height and width when
entering and driving through the car wash.

●

Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retracta-

ble exterior mirrors must not be folded in or
out by hand. Always use the electrical power
control.

●

To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork,

rest the wipers on the windscreen after dry-
ing them. Do not let them fall!

●

Lock the rear lid to prevent it from opening

unexpectedly while inside the car wash.

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Washing the vehicle with a high pres-
sure cleaner

When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pres-
sure cleaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. Pay special at-
tention to the required 

pressure of the jet

and the 

distance between the jet and the ve-

hicle 

››› 

.

Keep a suitable distance from soft materials,
such as rubber hoses or insulating material,
and from the parking distance warning sys-
tem sensors. The parking distance sensors
are fitted in the rear bumpers and, where ap-
plicable, in the front bumpers 

››› 

.

Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out
in a 

direct stream or one that has a rotating

jet for forcing off dirt 

››› 

.

WARNING

The incorrect use of high pressure cleaning
equipment could result in permanent dam-
age, visible or invisible, to the tyres or other
materials. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.

●

Ensure there is a suitable distance between

the nozzle and the tyres.

●

Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or

so-called “dirt blasters”. Even at large spray-
ing distances and short cleaning times, you
may damage the tyres.

WARNING

After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing effect will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.

●

“Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking

carefully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process.

CAUTION

●

The water temperature should not exceed

+60°C (+140°F).

●

To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not

wash the vehicle in full sun.

●

The sensors on the bumpers should be kept

clean and free of ice at all times to ensure the
parking distance warning system and the
park assist system operate correctly. When
cleaning with pressure hoses and steam
cleaners, the sensors should be sprayed only
briefly. A distance of 10 cm between the sen-
sors and the steam / hose nozzle must be ob-
served.

●

Do not use a high pressure cleaner to re-

move ice or snow from windows

●

Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:

When washing the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze!

Stickers attached by the factory

Follow these directions to avoid damaging
the stickers:

●

Do not use high pressure cleaners.

●

To remove ice or snow from the stickers do

not use window scrapers or ice scrapers.

●

Do not polish the stickers.

●

Do not use dirty cloths or sponges.

●

Preferably wash using a soft sponge and

soft neutral soap.

Cleaning windows and exterior mir-
rors

Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
Spray windows and exterior windows with a
standard window cleaner containing alcohol.

Dry the windows with a clean chamois leath-
er or a lint-free cloth. The chamois leathers
used on painted surfaces are not suitable for
cleaning windows because they are soiled
with wax deposits which could smear the
windows.

Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to
clean rubber, oil, grease and silicone depos-
its off 

››› 

.

252

Care and maintenance

Removing wax residue
Automatic car washes and certain car care
products may leave 

wax deposits on the win-

dows. These deposits can only be removed
with a special product or cleaning cloths.
Wax deposits on the windscreen could cause
the wiper blades to judder. SEAT recom-
mends you wipe the wax deposits off the
windscreen with a soft cloth each time after
you have washed the vehicle.

A window cleaning detergent which helps to
dissolve the wax may be added to the wind-
screen washer fluid to prevent the wiper
blades from scratching the windscreen.
Please ensure you add the cleaning product
in the correct proportions. Products for re-
moving grease do not eliminate the wax de-
posits 

››› 

.

Special cleaning products or window cloths
are available at any technical service. To re-
move wax deposits, SEAT recommends the
following products:

●

For the hottest time of the year: the

G 052 184 A1 window cleaner for summer
use. Proportion 1:100 (1 part detergent,
100 parts water) in the windscreen washer
reservoir.

●

All year round: the window cleaner

G 052 164 A2; proportion 1:2 in windscreen
washer bottle (1 part concentrate, 2 parts wa-
ter) in winter, down to -18°C (-0.4°F), or 1:4,
during the rest of the year.

●

Window cloths G 052 522 A1 for all win-

dows and exterior mirrors.

Removing snow
Use a small brush to remove snow from the
windows and exterior mirrors.

Removing ice
If possible, use a de-icing spray to remove
ice. If you use an ice scraper, push it in one
direction only 

without swinging it. If you pull

the scraper backwards, the dirt may scratch
the window.

WARNING

Dirty or misted windows reduce visibility in
all directions and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.

●

Do not drive unless you have good visibility

through all windows!

●

Remove ice and snow from the windows

and demist inside and out.

CAUTION

●

Never mix our cleaning products with other

products not recommended by SEAT in the
windscreen washer reservoir. This could lead
to flocculation and may block the windscreen
washer jets.

●

Do not use hot or warm water to remove ice

or snow from the windows and exterior mir-
rors. The glass could crack!

●

The heating element for the rear window is

located on the inner side of the window. Do
not stick adhesive labels over the heating el-
ements and never clean the inside of the rear
window with corrosive or acid products or
other similar chemical cleaning products.

●

Aerials on the inside of windows may be

damaged if knocked or if cleaned with corro-
sive or acid cleaning products. Do not stick
adhesive labels over the heating elements
and never clean the inside of the rear window
with corrosive or acid products or other simi-
lar chemical cleaning products.

Caring for and polishing the vehicle
paintwork

Waxing
Regular waxing protects the paintwork. It is
time to apply a good coat of wax when water
no longer 

forms droplets and rolls off the

clean paintwork.

Even if a 

wax solution is used regularly in the

automatic car wash, SEAT recommends pro-
tecting the paint with a hard wax coating at
least twice a year.

Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paint has
lost its shine, and the gloss cannot be
brought back by applying wax.

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If the polish does not contain wax, a wax
product should be applied after polishing.

CAUTION

●

To prevent damage, car polish or hard wax

should not be used on components painted in
matt paint, plastic components and the glass
headlamp and tail light covers.

●

Do not polish the paintwork if it is dirty, ap-

ply polish in dusty or sandy zones.

Cleaning chrome parts

Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth. SEAT
recommends the use of a chrome care prod-
uct to clean stains and dirt from chrome sur-
faces. Use a soft dry cloth to polish chrome
parts.

CAUTION

To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:

●

Do not use abrasive products.

●

Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a

sandy or dusty environment.

●

Do not polish dirty surfaces.

Caring for and cleaning anodized sur-
faces

It is not easy to detect the difference between
aluminium and an anodized surface, for ex-
ample, a radiator grille. However, anodized
surfaces must not be treated in the same way
as aluminium surfaces. Never use rough
sponges or cloths to wipe away insect re-
mains.

●

Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean

anodized surfaces.

●

If there is a lot of dirt, use a special clean-

ing product which does not contain 

solvents.

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the anodized surfaces:

●

Do not use products containing solvents.

●

Do not use polish or hard wax.

●

Do not use abrasive products.

●

Do not polish anodized surfaces in sandy or

dusty environments.

●

Do not polish dirty surfaces.

Cleaning wheels

Cleaning steel wheels
Use an industrial cleaner to remove brake
dust. Therefore, clean wheels regularly with a
separate sponge.

Any damage to the paint on steel wheels
should be touched up before the metal starts
to rust.

Caring for and cleaning alloy wheels
Remove road salt and brake dust by washing
the wheels approximately 

once a fortnight.

Use an acid free detergent to clean the wheel
rims. SEAT recommends treating the wheels
thoroughly with 

a wax compound about once

every three months.

It is important to remove road salt and brake
dust by washing the wheels at regular inter-
vals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.

Always use an acid-free detergent for alloy
wheel rims. Car polish or other abrasive
agents should not be used for maintaining
the rims.

If the protective coating on the paint has
been damaged (e.g. hit by a stone), it should
be repaired immediately.

Caring for rubber seals

The rubber seals on doors, windows, etc., re-
main flexible, provide a better seal and last
longer if they are regularly treated with a
product specifically designed for use on rub-
ber.

254

Care and maintenance

Before applying the product, use a soft cloth
to remove dust and dirt from the rubber
seals.

De-icing the door lock cylinder

To de-ice the lock cylinders, SEAT recommend
the use of genuine SEAT spray with lubricat-
ing and anti-corrosive properties.

CAUTION

The use of products containing degreasing
agents to de-ice the locks may rust the lock
cylinder.

Protection of vehicle undercarriage

The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it
from chemical and mechanical damage. The
protective coat on the undercarriage may
wear from use while driving. Therefore, SEAT
recommends that the protective coating on
the undercarriage and on the running gear
should be regularly checked, and repaired if
necessary.

WARNING

Additional underseal or anti-corrosion prod-
ucts could catch fire due to the high tempera-
tures reached by the exhaust gas system and
other engine components.

●

Do not apply additional underseal or anti-

corrosion products to the exhaust pipes, cat-
alytic converters, heat shields or other parts
of the vehicle which reach high temperatures.

Cleaning the engine compartment

The engine compartment of any motor vehi-
cle is a potentially hazardous area

››› 

page 268

.

The engine compartment should only be
cleaned by qualified personnel. If it is not
correctly cleaned, the anti-corrosion coating
and consequently electrical components may
be damaged. Moreover, water may filter di-
rectly into the vehicle interior through the wa-
ter chamber 

››› 

.

If the engine compartment is very dirty, al-
ways take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop for professional cleaning. SEAT recom-
mends taking your car in for technical serv-
ice.

Water box
The water box is in the engine compartment,
between the windscreen and the engine, and
beneath a perforated cover. Air is taken in
through the water box from outside to the ve-
hicle interior via the heating and air condi-
tioner.

Leaves and other loose objects should be
regularly cleaned away from the water box ei-
ther by hand or with a vacuum.

WARNING

When working on the engine or in the engine
compartment, there is a risk of injury, burns,
accident or fire.

●

Before starting work, please ensure you are

familiar with the required procedure and the
safety precautions 

››› 

page 268

.

●

SEAT recommends getting a specialised

workshop to do these jobs.

CAUTION

If water is manually poured into the water box
(e.g. using a high pressure cleaning appli-
ance), this could cause significant damage to
the vehicle.

For the sake of the environment

Only wash the engine compartment in areas
allocated for this purpose, to prevent dirty
water which may be contaminated by oil,
grease or fuel, from entering the drains. In
some places, washing this compartment out-
side the planned areas is even banned.

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Caring for and cleaning the ve-
hicle interior

Introduction

The dye used in many modern garments, for
example dark jeans, is not always sufficiently
colour-fast. Seat upholstery (material and
leather), especially when light-coloured, may
visibly discolour if the dye comes out of
clothing (even when used correctly). This is
not an upholstery defect but indicates that
the dye in the item of clothing is not suffi-
ciently colour-fast.

The longer stains or dirt remain on the vehi-
cle surfaces, especially the fabrics covering
the padded upholstery, the more difficult it
becomes to clean and maintain them. If
stains and dirt are left for a long time, it may
be that they are impossible to remove.

WARNING

Car-care products may be toxic and hazard-
ous. Using unsuitable car-care products or,
using them in the wrong way, may cause acci-
dents, serious injury, burns or intoxication.

●

Keep your car-care products in their origi-

nal containers.

●

Read the instructions.

●

Never keep car-care products in empty food

containers, bottles or other similar contain-
ers. Other people may confuse them.

●

Keep all car-care products out of the reach

of children.

●

Some products may give off harmful va-

pours during use. Therefore, they should be
used outdoors in well-ventilated places.

●

Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail-

varnish remover or any other volatile product
for washing, maintenance or cleaning. These
are toxic and highly flammable.

WARNING

Unsuitable maintenance and cleaning of vehi-
cle components may impair proper operation
of safety equipment and cause serious injury.

●

Maintain and clean vehicle components ac-

cording to the manufacturer's instructions.

●

Only use approved or recommended clean-

ing products.

CAUTION

●

Cleaning products which contain solvents

have a corrosive effect and may damage the
material irreparably.

●

Stains and dirt containing aggressive sub-

stances or solvents attack the material and
may damage it irreparably, even when they
are cleaned quickly.

●

Dirt and stains should not be allowed to dry

and should be cleaned as quickly as possible.

●

In the case of stubborn stains, take the ve-

hicle to a specialised workshop to avoid dam-
age.

How to care for the upholstery

To treat and maintain your seat upholstery,
keep the following in mind 

››› 

:

●

Before entering the vehicle, close any Vel-

cro fasteners that might snag on the uphols-
tery or trim fabric. Any open Velcro fasteners
may damage the trim or upholstery fabrics.

●

To prevent damage, avoid direct contact

between sharp decorative objects and the
upholstery and trim fabrics. Decorative ob-
jects include zips, rivets and rhinestones on
clothing and belts.

●

From time to time, clean the dust that gath-

ers in the perforations, folds and seams so
that the surfaces of the seats are not dam-
aged by its abrasive effect.

●

Make sure clothes are colour-fast to avoid

them running and staining the upholstery.
This is especially important if the upholstery
is light in colour.

CAUTION

If you ignore this advice, which is important
for maintaining your seat upholstery, the fab-
ric may be damaged or stained.

Note

SEAT recommends you take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop to treat any stains on
the upholstery caused by the discolouration
of clothing.

256

Care and maintenance

Cleaning the trim and seat fabrics, the
Alcantara

®

Cleaning the upholstery on heated seats and
electrically operated seats or seats with air-
bag components
It is possible that there are important airbag
components and electrical connections in-
side the driver seat, passenger seat and pos-
sibly the outer rear seats. If these seats and
seat backrests are damaged, or are cleaned
and are treated incorrectly, or if they get wet,
the vehicle electric system may be destroyed
and the airbag system damaged 

››› 

.

Electric and heated seats contain compo-
nents and electrical connections that may be
damaged if the seats are cleaned or incor-
rectly treated 

››› 

. Similarly, damage might

be caused at other points in the vehicle's
electric system.

For this reason, bear the following indica-
tions in mind for cleaning:

●

Do not use high-pressure or steam cleaning

equipment or cold aerosols.

●

Do not use cream detergents or detergent-

based solutions for delicate garments.

●

Prevent the fabric from getting wet at all

times.

●

Only use cleaning products approved by

SEAT.

●

If in doubt, take the vehicle to a professio-

nal cleaning company.

Cleaning the upholstery on non-heated seats
and non-electrically operated seats or seats
without airbag components

●

Before using any cleaning products, con-

sult and keep in mind the instructions of use,
indications and warnings on the container.

●

Use a vacuum cleaner (with the brush at-

tachment) on the trim and seat fabrics, the
Alcantara

®

 upholstery of the seats and the

carpet.

●

Do not use high-pressure or steam cleaning

equipment or cold aerosols.

●

For general cleaning, use a soft sponge or

an ordinary lint-free microfibre cloth 

››› 

.

●

Clean Alcantara

®

 surfaces with a slightly

damp cotton or woollen cloth, or a standard
lint-free microfibre cloth 

››› 

.

If the dirt on the trim and upholstery fabrics
is only superficial, you can use a standard
foam cleaner.

If the upholstery and trim are very dirty, be-
fore cleaning them we recommend you find
out about the most suitable cleaning options
from a professional cleaning company. If nec-
essary, the cleaning should be carried out by
a specialised company.

Stain removal
When removing stains, it may be necessary
to clean the whole surface and not just the
stain itself. Especially if the surface has been
dirtied through normal use. If you only clean
the stained area, that part may then look
lighter than the rest. If in doubt, take the ve-
hicle to a professional cleaning company.

WARNING

If there is a fault in the airbag system, it is
likely that the airbag will not deploy correct-
ly, not deploy at all, or do so unexpectedly,
which could cause serious or fatal injuries.

●

Have the system checked immediately by a

specialised workshop.

CAUTION

If the upholstery on electrically operated
seats or seats with airbag components gets
soaked, the vehicle's electric system and cer-
tain other components may be damaged.

●

If the seat gets soaked, take the vehicle im-

mediately to a specialised workshop to be
dried and for the system components to be
inspected.

●

Do not use steam cleaning equipment as

the dirt becomes more encrusted and fixed in
the material.

●

High-pressure cleaning equipment and cold

aerosols may damage the upholstery.

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CAUTION

●

Brushes should only be used to clean the

carpet and floor mats! Other fabrics may be
damaged if cleaned with a brush.

●

If cream detergents or detergents for deli-

cate garments are applied with a damp cloth
or sponge, they may, for example, leave rings
when dry because of the surfactant compo-
nents they contain. Generally, such rings are
very difficult or almost impossible to remove.

CAUTION

●

Do not let water soak into Alcantara

®

 under

any circumstances.

●

Do not use leather cleaning products, sol-

vents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain remov-
ers or similar products on Alcantara

®

.

●

Never use brushes for cleaning damp mate-

rial as they could damage the surface.

Cleaning and maintenance of natural
leather upholstery

Consult a professional cleaning workshop if
you have any doubts on cleaning and main-
taining the leather equipment in your vehicle.

Maintenance and treatment
Nappa natural leather is delicate because it
has no additional protective layer.

●

After cleaning, regularly apply a condition-

er with sun-screen and impregnating action.
These products nourish the leather, soften it
and make it more breathable, as well as re-
hydrating it. They also provide it with a pro-
tective film.

●

Clean the leather every 2 or 3 months and

remove stains as they appear.

●

Treat the leather every 6 months with a

suitable maintenance product.

●

Apply as few cleaning and maintenance

products as possible, always using a dry, lint-
free cotton or woollen cloth. Do not apply
cleaning and maintenance products directly
to the leather.

●

Remove recent ball-point pen and ink

stains, lipstick, shoe cream and similar
stains as soon as possible.

●

Maintain the colour of the leather. To do

this, use a special cream especially coloured
for leather to achieve the same overall colour,
if necessary.

●

Afterwards, go over it with a soft cloth.

Cleaning the vehicle
SEAT recommends using a slightly damp cot-
ton or woollen cloth for general cleaning pur-
poses.

Generally, the leather should never be
soaked at any point, nor should water pene-
trate the seams.

Before cleaning the leather upholstery, bear
in mind the following recommendations

››› 

page 257, Cleaning the upholstery on

heated seats and electrically operated seats
or seats with airbag components

.

CAUTION

●

On no account use solvents, wax polish,

shoe cream, stain removers or similar materi-
als on leather.

●

If the stain remains on the leather for long,

it will soak in and be impossible to remove.

●

In the event of spilt liquids, dry immediate-

ly with an absorbent cloth to prevent the liq-
uid penetrating through the leather or seams.

●

If the vehicle is left standing in the sun for

long periods, the leather should be protected
against direct sunlight to prevent it from fad-
ing.

Note

The leather will usually change colour slight-
ly with use.

Cleaning synthetic leather upholstery

Before cleaning synthetic leather upholstery,
bear in mind the following recommendations

››› 

page 257, Cleaning the upholstery on

heated seats and electrically operated seats
or seats with airbag components

258

Care and maintenance

Only use water and neutral cleaning products
to clean synthetic leather upholstery.

CAUTION

Do not use solvents, floor wax, shoe cream,
stain removers or similar products on syn-
thetic leather. These will stiffen the material,
causing it to crack prematurely.

Cleaning storage compartments,
drinks holders and ashtrays

Cleaning storage compartments and drinks
holders
Some storage compartments and drinks
holders have a removable rubber mat.

●

Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean

parts.

●

If this does not provide satisfactory results,

we recommend using a special 

solvent-free

plastic cleaning product.

Cleaning the ashtray

●

Extract the ashtray and empty it.

●

Clean the ashtray with a dishcloth.

Use a toothpick or similar to remove ash from
the area where cigarettes are stubbed out.

Care and cleaning of plastic parts,
wooden trim and the instrument pan-
el

●

Use a clean, damp, lint-free cloth to clean

parts.

●

Clean plastic parts (inside and outside the

vehicle) and the dash panel with a special
solvent-free product for the care and clean-
ing of plastic, approved by SEAT 

››› 

.

●

Wash wooden trims with a mild soap and

water solution.

WARNING

Solvents cause the surfaces of the airbag
modules to become porous. If an airbag is ac-
cidentally triggered, the detachment of plas-
tic parts could cause serious injury.

●

Never clean the dash panel and the surfa-

ces of the airbag modules with cleaners con-
taining solvents.

Cleaning seatbelts

If the seat belt is very dirty, the belt retractor
may not work correctly thus preventing the
seat belt from operating correctly.

The seat belts should never be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.

●

Use a soft brush to remove the worst dirt

››› 

.

●

Pull the seat belt right out and leave it out.

●

Clean dirty seat belts with a gentle soap

and water solution.

●

Wait until they are completely dry.

●

Only allow the seat belt to retract when it is

completely dry.

WARNING

Check the condition of all the seat belts at
regular intervals. If the webbing or other
parts of the belt are damaged, the vehicle
should be taken to a specialised workshop
immediately and the belts should be re-
placed. It is extremely dangerous to drive us-
ing damaged seat belts and could result in
serious injury or loss of life.

●

Seat belts and their components must nev-

er be cleaned with chemical products, nor
should they be allowed to come into contact
with corrosive liquids, solvents or sharp ob-
jects. This could affect the strength of the
seat belt webbing.

●

Seat belts should be completely dry before

retracting. Damp could damage the belt re-
tractor so that it is does not operate correct-
ly.

●

Do not allow liquids or foreign bodies to en-

ter the buckle fastenings. This could damage
the buckles and seat belts.

●

Never attempt to repair, modify or remove a

seat belt yourself.

●

Always have damaged seatbelts replaced

immediately by seat belts approved for the

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vehicle in question by SEAT. Seat belts which
have been worn in an accident and stretched
must be replaced by a specialised workshop.
Renewal may be necessary even if there is no
apparent damage. The belt anchorage should
also be checked.

Notes for the user

Labels and plates

Some parts in the engine compartment come
from the factory with certificates of safety, la-
bels or plates containing important informa-
tion regarding the operation of the vehicle,
for example, on the fuel tank flap, on the pas-
senger's sun visor, on the driver door strut, or
on the floor of the boot.

●

Never remove these certificates of safety,

labels or plates, and ensure they are kept in
good condition and are legible.

●

If a vehicle part, bearing a certificate of

safety, label or plate, is replaced, the special-
ised workshop should attach the information
back in the same place.

Certificate of safety
A certificate of safety on the door strut states
that all the safety standards and regulations
established by the national traffic authorities
responsible for road safety were met at the

time of manufacture. It may also give the
month and year of manufacture, together
with the chassis number.

Warning of high voltage label*
There is a label close to the bonnet lock
which warns of high voltage in the vehicle's
electrical system. The vehicle ignition system
complies with several standards, including
the Canadian standard, ICES-002.

Using your vehicle in other countries
and continents

The vehicle is manufactured at the factory for
use in a particular country in accordance with
the national legislation in force at the time of
manufacture.

If the vehicle is sold in another country or
used in another country for an extended peri-
od of time, the applicable legislation of that
country should be observed.

It may be necessary to fit or remove certain
pieces of equipment or to deactivate certain
functions. Service work may also be affected.
This is particularly true if the vehicle is used
in a different climate for an extended period
of time.

As there are different types of frequency
bands around the world, you may find that

the radio or navigation system supplied at
the factory does not work in another country.

CAUTION

●

SEAT does not accept liability for any dam-

age to the vehicle due to the use of a lower
quality fuel, an inadequate service or the
non-availability of genuine spare parts.

●

SEAT does not accept liability if the vehicle

does not comply in part or in full with the le-
gal requirements of other countries or conti-
nents.

Radio and antenna reception

The aerial of radio and navigation systems
fitted at the factory may be mounted in differ-
ent parts of the vehicle:

●

On the inside of the rear window, next to

the rear window heating,

●

on the inside of the rear side windows,

●

on the inside of the windscreen,

●

on the roof of the vehicle.

Aerials mounted on the inside of a window
can be recognised by the fine wires.

CAUTION

Aerials on the inside of windows may be dam-
aged if knocked or if cleaned with corrosive or
acid cleaning products. Do not stick adhesive

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