2006 Seat Alhambra ESP

Intelligent technology179
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Tips and Maintenance
Intelligent technology
Brakes
Brake servo
The brake servo supplements the pressure you exert on the brake pedal. It
works only when the engine is running.
If the brake servo does not operate, for example, when the vehicle is being
towed or due to a fault in the system, the brake pedal must be depressed
harder.
WARNING
The braking distance can also be affected by external factors.
•Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off. Failure to do so
could result in an accident. The braking distance is increased considerably
as the brake servo does not function.
•If the brake servo is out of action, for example if the car is being towed,
you will have to press the brake pedal considerably harder than normal.
Brake pads wear display I
If this light comes on, check the brake pads immediately.
At the same time, a text message or the necessary operations may appear on
the instrument panel .
WARNING
If the warning lamp lights up I or the corresponding message appears on
the instrument panel, immediately have the brake pads checked and
replaced, if necessary, at a specialised workshop.
Brake warning lamp H
If the warning lamp comes on, this may be caused by the
following reasons:
•With the handbrake on the warning light comes on H on the instrument
panel. If you are travelling at over 6 km/h with the hand brake on, a text
message or the required operations may appear on the instrument panel. In
addition a warning signal is heard.
•In the event of insufficient brake fluid the warning lamp lights up H on
the instrument panel. At the same time, a text message or the necessary oper-
ations may appear on the instrument panel . Stop the vehicle immediately
and check the level of the brake fluid Ÿpage 221
•In the event of a fault in the brake system the warning lamp lights up H
on the instrument panel and three buzzes are emitted. At the same time, a
text message or the necessary operations may appear on the instrument
panel . Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. You should obtain professional
assistance. This warning lamp
H can light up together with the anti-locking
brake system warning lamp JŸ.

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WARNING
Special care must be taken when working on the engine or on components
in the engine compartment.
•It is important that you read and observe the corresponding warnings
before working in the engine compartment Ÿpage 209.
•If the brake warning symbol does not go out, or if it lights up when
driving, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there is a fault in
the brake system. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on.
You should obtain professional assistance.
•If the brake warning lamp H lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp J, the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the
rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Drive carefully to the nearest qualified
workshop and have the fault corrected.
Brake assist system (BAS)
The brake servo (BAS) works only when the engine is running.
In an emergency, most drivers brake in time, but not with maximum force.
This results in unnecessarily long braking distances.
The brake assist system intervenes here: if you press the brake pedal very
quickly, the brake assist system registers an emergency situation. It then very
quickly builds up the full brake pressure so that the ABS can be activated
more quickly and efficiently, thus reducing the braking distance.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal. The brake assist system
switches off automatically as soon as you release the brake.
WARNING
Try to always adapt the speed of the vehicle to weather, road and traffic
conditions. Do not let the extra safety afforded by the system tempt you
into taking any risks when driving. Risk of accident.
•The risk of accident is higher if you drive too fast, if you do not keep
your distance from the car in front, and when the road surface is slippery or
wet. The increased accident risk cannot be reduced by the brake assist
system.
•The brake assist system cannot defy the laws of motion. Slippery and
wet roads are dangerous even with the brake assist system!
•Modifications to the vehicle or work carried out incorrectly (e. g. to the
engine, the brake system, running gear or any components affecting the
wheels and tyres) could affect the efficiency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS
and lessen their efficiency.
Anti-locking brake system (ABS)
The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking
during braking.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is an important part of the car's active safety
system.
How the ABS works
If one of the wheels is turning too slowly in relation to the road speed, and is
close to locking, the system will reduce the pressure for this wheel. The driver
is made aware of this control process by a pulsating of the brake pedal and
audible noise. This is a deliberate warning to the driver that one or more of
the wheels is tending to lock and the ABS control function has intervened. In
this situation it is important to keep the brake pedal fully depressed so the
ABS can regulate the brake application. Do not “pump” the brake pedal.

Intelligent technology181
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a On braking sharply on slippery ground, this system helps to keep the vehicle
under control, as the wheels do not lock.
However, ABS will not necessarily guarantee shorter braking distances in all
conditions. The braking distance could even be longer if you brake on gravel
or on fresh snow covering a slippery surface.
WARNING
Try to always adapt the speed of the vehicle to weather, road and traffic
conditions. Do not let the extra safety afforded by the system tempt you
into taking any risks when driving. Risk of accident.
•The anti-lock brake system cannot defy the laws of motion. Slippery
and wet roads are dangerous even with ABS! If you notice that the ABS has
been activated, you should reduce speed immediately to suit the road and
traffic conditions.
•The ABS cannot reduce the risk of accident if, for example, you are
driving with an unsuitable load or too close to the preceding vehicle.
WARNING
•Modifications to the vehicle or work carried out incorrectly (e. g. to the
engine, the brake system, running gear or any components affecting the
wheels and tyres) could affect the efficiency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS
and lessen their efficiency.
•The effectiveness of ABS is also determined by the tyres fitted
Ÿpage 225.
ABS warning lamp J
The warning lamp monitors the ABS.
The warning lamp Jshould light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out again after the system has run through an automatic
test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
•The ABS warning lamp J does not light up when the ignition is switched
on.
•The warning lamp does not go out again after a few seconds.
•The warning lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving.
The vehicle can still be braked in the normal way (except that the ABS control
function is out of action). Please take the vehicle to a qualified workshop as
soon as possible.
If a fault occurs in the ABS, the ESP warning lamp will also light up
42).
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp
J lights up together with the brake warning lamp H, this indicates not only a fault in the ABS function, but also a possible fault
in the brake system Ÿ.
At the same time, a text message or the necessary operations may appear on
the instrument panel .
WARNING
Special care must be taken when working on the engine or on components
in the engine compartment.
•It is important that you read and observe the corresponding warnings
before working in the engine compartment Ÿpage 209.
42)Optional equipment

Intelligent technology 182
•If the brake warning lamp H should light up together with the ABS
warning lamp J, stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir Ÿpage 221. If the fluid level has dropped below the
“MIN” mark you must not drive on. Risk of accident. You should obtain
professional assistance.
•If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may have
been caused by a failure of the ABS control function. This could cause the
rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the tail of the
vehicle to skid sideways. Drive carefully to the nearest qualified workshop
and have the fault corrected.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock helps prevent the loss of trac-
tion caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning.
The electronic differential lock (EDL) only works when the engine is running.
EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-
pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.
It uses the ABS sensors to monitor the speed of the driven wheels.
At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out differ-
ences in the speed of the driven wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by
a slippery road surface on one side of the vehicle. It does this by braking the
wheel which has lost traction and distributing more driving force to the other
driven wheel via the differential.
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts
out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The car remains operational
and will behave in the same way as a car without EDL. For this reason, the
driver is not informed that the EDL has been switched off.The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
Try to always adapt the speed of the vehicle to weather, road and traffic
conditions. Do not let the extra safety afforded by the system tempt you
into taking any risks when driving. Risk of accident.
•When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow,
press the accelerator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven wheels may other-
wise start to spin. This could impair the car's stability.
•Always adapt your driving style to suit road conditions and the traffic
situation.
WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle or work carried out incorrectly (e. g. to the
engine, the brake system, running gear or any components affecting the
wheels and tyres) could affect the efficiency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS
and lessen their efficiency.
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)
The electronic stabilisation programme helps to reduce the
danger of skidding.
The electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) consists of ABS, EDL and TCS
and only works when the engine is running.
The ESP should generally be left switched on at all times. Only when the
necessary drive can not be obtained should the ESP be disconnected.
For example:
•when driving with snow chains,
WARNING (continued)

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Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a
•when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,
•when rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it from mud, for
example.
You should press the button to switch the ESP back on when you no longer
need wheel spin.
When the ESP is deactivated, the TCS is switched off at the same time. This
means that this technology is not available for as long as the ESP remains
switched off.
How ESP works
ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels individually. The
system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the
changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them
with the actual behaviour of the car. If the desired course is not being main-
tained accurately (for instance if the car is beginning to skid) the ESP compen-
sates automatically by applying the brake at the appropriate wheel.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the car back to a stable condi-
tion. If the car is tending to oversteer (break away at the rear) the brake appli-
cation is concentrated on the outside front wheel; if the car is understeering
(tending to follow a wider radius in a bend), the brake is mainly applied to the
inside rear wheel.
How the Traction Control System (TCS) works
TCS reduces engine power to help prevent the driven wheels of front-wheel
drive vehicles losing traction during acceleration. The system works in the
entire speed range in conjunction with ABS. If a malfunction should occur in
the ABS, the TCS will also be out of action. TCS helps the car to start moving,
accelerate and climb a gradient in slippery conditions where this may other-
wise be difficult or even impossible.
When does the warning lamp light up or flash
?
•The warning lamp  lights up when the ignition is switched on and
should go out again after a few seconds.
•The warning lamp  will start flashing to indicate that the ESP and TCS
are counteracting an unstable driving condition.
•It  will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
•It will light up continuously if the ESP is switched off.
•It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the ESP
operates in conjunction with the ABS.
If the warning lamp
 lights up and stays on after the engine is started, this
may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the function.
In this case the ESP can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and then
on again. If the warning lamp goes out, this means the system is fully func-
tional
If the battery is disconnected, the warning lamp
~ lights after turning the
ignition on. This should turn off after a brief trip.
WARNING
Try to always adapt the speed of the vehicle to weather, road and traffic
conditions. Do not let the extra safety afforded by the system tempt you
into taking any risks when driving. Risk of accident.
•The ESP and TCS cannot defy the laws of motion. This should be kept in
mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads and when towing a trailer.
•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation.
•The ESP cannot reduce the risk of accident if, for example, you are
driving with an unsuitable load or too close to the preceding vehicle.
WARNING
•Modifications to the vehicle or work carried out incorrectly (e. g. to the
engine, the brake system, running gear or any components affecting the
wheels and tyres) could affect the efficiency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS
and lessen their efficiency.

Intelligent technology 184
•The effectiveness of the ESP is also determined by the tyres fitted
Ÿpage 225.
Caution
In order to ensure that ESP and TCS function correctly, all four wheels must be
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.
Power steering
Power steering does not work if the engine is not running or if the power
steering system has developed a fault. In this case the steering wheel is very
hard to turn.
Caution
Do not keep the steering wheel in the full-lock position for longer than
15 seconds when the engine is running. This could cause damage to the
power steering system.
Four-wheel drive*
In vehicles with four-wheel drive, the engine power is distrib-
uted to all four wheels
The four-wheel drive system is fully automatic and does not require interven-
tion by the driver. The engine power is permanently distributed to all four wheels. The engine power is distributed automatically to both axles
according to the road conditions and how you drive.
Winter tyres
Thanks to its four-wheel drive, your car will have plenty of traction in winter
conditions, even with the standard tyres. Nevertheless, we still recommend
that, in keeping with cars with front or rear wheel drive, winter tyres or all-
season tyres should be fitted on all four wheels when winter road conditions
are expected, mainly because this will give a better braking response.
Snow chains
On roads where snow chains are mandatory, they must be fitted to the front
wheels of cars with four-wheel drive.
Replacing tyres
In vehicles with four-wheel drive, all four tyres should have the same amount
of wear. All four wheels must have the same rolling circumference.
WARNING
Never drive too fast on icy, slippery or wet surfaces. You could lose control
of your vehicle if you drive too fast. This may result in serious injury.
•Therefore, it is essential that you adjust your speed to suit the road and
traffic conditions. Do not let the extra safety afforded by four-wheel drive
tempt you into taking any risks when driving.
•The four-wheel drive gives the vehicle good acceleration even in winter.
When braking, a four-wheel drive vehicle handles in the same way as a
front drive vehicle.
•On wet roads the front wheels may start to “aquaplane” and lose
contact with the road if the car is driven too fast. If this should happen,
there will be no sudden increase in engine speed to warn the driver, as with
a front-wheel drive car.
WARNING (continued)

Driving and the environment 190
Remove the towing bracket from the luggage compartment
– Open the lock by turning the key Ÿpage 189, fig. 135 clock-
wise.
– Take out the wheel completely in the direction of the arrow
and turn clockwise to the maximum.
– Release the wheel. The towing bracket is pretensed.
– Remove the towing bracket.
Storing towing bracket in the luggage compartment
– First tension the towing bracket.
– Place the towing bracket in its casing on the right-hand side of
the luggage compartment. The bracket engages and the tension
is released Ÿ.
– Check that it is correctly fitted.
The ball coupling is provided with instructions on fitting and removing the
ball coupling of the towing bracket.
If the ball coupling is fitted it s possible to store the cover of the tow-bar in a
plastic bag next to the tools.
WARNING
The towing bracket ball coupling must be stored securely to prevent it
being flung through the vehicle and causing injury.
•When the pretensed towing bracket is being fitted, there is a risk of
injury in the event that the wheel goes back on itself.
Note
By law, the ball coupling must be removed if a trailer is not being towed and
it obscures the number plate.
•When placing the towing bracket in the casing check that it is no longer
tensed and securely fastened .
Driving tips
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care.
Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slowly to allow
for the unbalanced weight distribution.
Speed
The stability of the car and trailer is reduced with increasing speed. For this
reason it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible top speed in
unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This applies especially when
driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slightest
sign of snaking. Never try to stop the “snaking” by increasing speed.
Always brake in good time. If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can be
caused by the trailer wheels locking. Select a low gear (in both manual and
automatic gearboxes) in good time before going down a steep hill. This
enables you to use the engine braking effect to slow down the vehicle.
A1
A2

Driving and the environment191
Safety FirstOperating instructionsTips and MaintenanceTe c h n i c a l D a t a Overheating
At very high temperatures and during prolonged ascents, driving in a low gear
and high engine speed always monitor the temperature indicator for the
coolant.
Electronic Stabilisation Program
Do not switch off the ESP when towing a trailer. The ESP makes it easier to
stabilise if the trailer starts to snake.
Driving economically and with respect for the
environment
General notes
Fuel consumption depends largely on your personal driving
style.
Fuel economy, environmental impact and wear on the engine, brakes and
tyres depend largely on three factors:
•Personal driving style
•Conditions of use (weather, road surface)
•Technical requirements
By adopting an economical driving style and anticipating the traffic situation
ahead, you can easily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. This section
suggests methods of lessening the impact on the environment and reducing
your operating costs at the same time.
Think ahead when driving
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. If you think ahead when driving,
you will need to brake less and thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, let
the vehicle roll slowly to a stop, for instance when you can see that the next
traffic lights are red.
Regular servicing
By taking your car to an Authorised Service Centre for regular servicing you
can establish a basis for good fuel economy before you start driving. A well-
serviced engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as
maximum reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
Check the oil level every time you fill the tank. Oil consumption depends to a
great extent on the engine load and engine speed. Depending on your
personal driving style, oil consumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000 km.