2007 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

Driving159
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
DrivingSteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely
adjusted to suit the driver.
– Adjust the driver seat to the correct position.
– Push the lever under the steering column ⇒fig. 123 down
⇒ .
– Adjust the steering wheel in this way until the correct position is set ⇒fig. 124 .
– Then push the lever up again firmly ⇒.
WARNING
•
Incorrect use of the steering column adjustment function and an incor-
rect seating position can result in serious injury.
•
To avoid accidents, the steering column should be adjusted only when
the vehicle is stationary. Risk of accident.
Fig. 123 Adjusting the
steering wheel position
Fig. 124 Proper sitting
position for driver
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Driving
160•
Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel so that there is a distance of at
least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your breast bone ⇒page 159,
fig. 124. If you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not
protect you. Risk of fatal injury.
•
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact an Authorised Service Centre. The
Authorised Service Centre will help you decide if special specific modifica-
tions are necessary.
•
If you adjust the steering wheel so tha t it points towards your face, the
driver airbag will not protect you properly in the event of an accident. Make
sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.
•
When driving, always hold the steer ing wheel with both hands on the
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Never hold the
steering wheel at the 12 o'clock positi on, or in any other manner (e.g. in
the centre of the steering wheel, or on the inside of the rim). In such cases,
you could receive severe injuries to the arms, hands and head.
SafetyElectronic stabilisation programme (ESP)
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP) contains the electronic differ-
ential lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP works
together with the anti-locking brake system (ABS). Both warning lamps will
light up if the ESP or ABS systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
In specific circumstances where you require less traction, you can switch off
the ESP by pressing button ⇒fig. 125 .
For example:•
when driving with snow chains,
•
when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 125 Section of the
dash panel: switch for ESP

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Driving161
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
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.
The TCS and EDL are also switched off if the ESP is switched off. This means
that this technology is not available for as long as the ESP remains switched
off.
When does the inscriptio nOFF light up on the button?
•
It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
•
It will light up continuously if the ESP is switched off.
WARNING
•
The electronic stabilisation program (ESP) cannot defy the laws of
physics. 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. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.
•
Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP.
Ignition lockPosition of the ignition keyIgnition switched off, steering lock
In position ⇒fig. 126 the ignition is switched off, and the steering wheel
lock can be engaged.
To engage the steering wheel lock, take out the key and turn the wheel
slightly until you hear the pin engage. You should always lock the steering
wheel when you leave your vehicle. This makes vehicle theft more difficult
⇒ .
Switching on the ignition or glow plug system
Tu rn the ignition key to this position and let go of the key. If the key canno t b e
turned or is difficult to turn from position to position , move the
steering wheel (to take the load off the steering lock mechanism) until the key
turns freely.
ESP
Fig. 126 Ignition key
positions
A1
A1
A2
A1
A2
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Driving
162Starting
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Each time that the vehicle must be star ted, the ignition key must be turned to
the position . The repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter moto r if the engine is already running.
WARNING
•
Wait for the vehicle to come to a standstill before removing the ignition
key from the lock. The steering lock could be activated immediately - Risk
of accident!
•
Always remove the key from the ignition lock when leaving the vehicle,
even if you only intend to be gone for a short period. This is especially
important if you must leave children or disabled people in the vehicle, they
could accidentally start the engine or work electrical equipment such as
the windows possibly resulting in an accident.
•
Unsupervised use of the keys could result in the engine being started
or electrical systems, such as the el ectric windows, being used. This can
result in serious injury.Caution
The starter must not be used unless the vehicle is at a standstill (key position ). If the starter is used as soon as the engine is switched off, the starter or
the engine could be damaged.
Safety interlock for ignition key
The ignition key can only be taken out of the ignition lock if the
selector lever is in position P.After switching off the ignition, you can remove the ignition key only if the
automatic gearbox gear selector lever ⇒ page 167 is in position P. The
selector lever is blocked after the ignition key has been removed.Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driving
the vehicle.Inside the key there is a chip that deac tivates the electronic immobiliser auto-
matically when the key is inserted into the ignition.
The electronic immobiliser is automati cally activated when you take the key
out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with the correct
code.
Note
The vehicle cannot be operated properly if you do not have a genuine SEAT
key.
A3A1
A3
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Driving163
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Starting and stopping the engineStarting a petrol engine
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with
the correct code.– Place the gear in neutral (if it is an automatic gearbox, place the
gear lever in P or in N ).
– In vehicles with a manual gearbox, depress the clutch pedal fully and hold it in this position, the starter will then only have to turn
the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 161, fig. 126 to start
the engine.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the starter motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.You may need to press the accelerator briefly after starting a very hot engine.
When starting from cold, the engine ma y be a little noisy for the first few
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve lifters. This is
quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If the engine does not start immediatel y, switch off the starter after about
10 seconds and try again after about half a minute. If the engine still does not
start, the fuel pump fuse should be checked.
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause people
to lose consciousness. It can also cause death.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•
Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•
When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed for more than approximately
50 metres to start the engine. Fuel could enter the catalytic converter and
damage it.
•
Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle to start it, you should first
try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Observe the warnings in the
chapter Help with Ignition.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by running it with the car stationary. You should
drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emissions.Starting a diesel engine
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with
the correct code.– Place the gear in neutral (if it is an automatic gearbox, place the gear lever in P or in N).
A3
WARNING (continued)
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Driving
164
– In vehicles with a ma nu al gea rb ox, de press the clu tch pe dal fully and hold it in this position, the starter will then only have to turn
the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 161, fig. 126 . The
warning lamp

lights up to show that the glow plugs are
preheating the engine.
– When the warning lamp goes out, turn the key to position to start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the starter motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve lifters. This is
quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If you have problems starting the engine, please refer to Help with Ignition.
Glow plug system
To avoid unnecessary loads on the battery, do not use any other major elec-
trical equipment while the glow plugs are preheating.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp goes out.
Starting a diesel engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal
(up to one minute) to start a diesel engine after refuelling. This is because air
needs to be bled from the fuel system while starting.
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in un ventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon mono xide, an odourless and colourless poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause people
to lose consciousness. It can also cause death.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•
Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•
When the engine is cold, you should av oid high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed for more than approximately
50 metres to start the engine. Fuel c ould enter the catalytic converter and
damage it.
•
Before attempting to push -start or tow a vehicle to start it, you should first
try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Observe the warnings in the
chapter Help with Ignition.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by running it with the car stationary. You should
drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emissions.Switching off the engine– Stopping the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 161, fig. 126 .
A2A3
WARNING (continued)
A1
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Driving165
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
After the engine is switched off the radiator fan may run on for up to 10
minutes, even if the ignition is switched off. The radiator fan can start auto-
matically if the hot engine causes the coolant temperature to rise, or if the sun
heats the engine compartment.
WARNING
•
Never switch off the engine until the vehicle is stationary.
•
The brake servo and the power assisted steering work only when the
engine is running. You need more strength to steer and brake the vehicle
when the engine is switched off. As you cannot steer and brake in the
normal manner, there is a greater risk of accidents and serious injury.
•
The steering lock can engage immediately when the key is removed
from the ignition lock. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.Caution
If the engine has been driven hard for a long period, the engine could over-
heat when it is switched off. Risk of engine damage. For this reason, you
should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you switch it off.
Manual gearboxManual gearboxSelecting the reverse gear
– T h e v e h i c l e s h o u l d b e s t a t i o n a r y with the engine idling. Press the
clutch right down.
–Put the gearlever ⇒fig. 127 in the middle (neutral).
– Press the gearstick down and then to the left and forwards into the reverse position shown on the gearstick.The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When
the engine is running, before engaging this gear wait about 6 seconds with
the clutch pressed in fully in order to protect the gearbox.
When reverse gear is engaged and the ignition is switched on the following
takes place:
Fig. 127 Manual gearbox
with shift diagram
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Driving
166•
The reversing lights come on
•
The heating or air condit ioning automatically change to air recirculation
mode.
•
The rear window heater switches on when the windscreen wiper is acti-
vated.
WARNING
•
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
gear is engaged and the clutch released.
•
Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of acci-
dent.Caution
•
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure of your
hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.
•
When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch fully to avoid
unnecessary wear and damage.
•
Do not hold the car “on the clutch” on hills. This causes premature wear
and damages the clutch. It can also prevent power being transferred from the
engine to the gearbox.
Automatic gearboxGearbox programs
The automatic gearbox has two gearbox programmes.The gearbox management system is equipped with two driving programmes.
Depending on the driver or the driv ing situation, either a consumption
oriented programme or a more “sporty” programme will be selected.
The programme selection will be carried out automatically depending on how
the accelerator is used.•
The consumption-oriented programme will be selected if you use the
accelerator slowly or normally. This means that the gearbox will shift up
earlier and down later.
•
A more “sporty” driving programme wh ich shifts up gear later will be
selected if you use the accelerator more quickly.
Fig. 128 Section of
centre console: selector
lever with lock button
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