2007 Seat Alhambra traction control

Cockpit71
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a

If it lights up: pre-heating system activated.
If it flashes: there is a fault in the engine control (diesel
engines). Contact a specialist workshop. ⇒
page 73

Turn signals ⇒page 73

Engine fault (petrol engine) ⇒page 73

Main beam headlights ⇒page 73


Fault in the emission control system ⇒page 74

Traction control system TCS ⇒page 74

Electronic Stabilising Program* (ESP) ⇒page 74

Anti-lock brake system ABS*
⇒page 74


Diesel particle filter ⇒page 75

Brakes/Handbrake ⇒page 76

Alternator ⇒page 76

Seat belt warning lamp* ⇒page 17

Fuel reserve ⇒page 76

Fault in lights* ⇒page 76
Item
Symbol Meaning of warning and control lamps Further information
A6A7A8A9A10A11A11A12A13A14A15A16A17A18
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Cockpit
74Fault in the exhaust system*

Exhaust gas indicator

If the indicator
 flashes it signals possible damage to the catalytic
converter caused by defective combustion. Reduce speed immediately and
go to the nearest specialized workshop to check the engine. At the same
time, a text message or the necessary operations may appear on the instru-
ment panel.
If the indicator  lights up, a fault has developed during driving which has
affects the quality of the exhaust gas (e. g. lambda probe fault). Reduce
speed immediately and go to the nearest specialized workshop to check the
engine. At the same time , a text message or the necessary operations may
appear on the in strument panel.
Traction control system (TCS)*

The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is acceleratingThe warning lamp lights up when the ignition is switched on and should turn
out after about 2 seconds.
When the TCS is operating while drivi ng, the warning lamp flashes. If the
system is deactivated or if there is any fault in the same, the warning lamp will
remain lit.
It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the TCS oper-
ates in conjunction with the ABS. For further information see ⇒page 181.
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)*


This warning lamp monitors the electronic stabilisation
program.
This program includes the ABS, EDL and TCS.
The warning lamp
 has the following functions:
•
It will light for about 2 seconds when the ignition is switched on while a
test of the function is carried out.
•
It flashes when the ESP is activated when driving.
•
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 ESP warning lamp
 lights up and stays on af ter the engine is started,
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESP.
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
functional.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)


A warning lamp system monitors the ABS.
The warning lamp
 should 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 warning lamp
 does not light up when the ignition is switched on.
•
The warning lamp does not go out again after a few seconds.
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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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Intelligent technology183
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
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 ca r 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 prev ent 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.
•
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 the ESP is also determined by the tyres fitted
⇒ page 225.Caution
In order to ensure that ESP and TCS func tion 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.
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Intelligent technology
184Power steeringPower steering does not work if the en gine 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 runni ng. 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 wheelsThe 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 distri buted 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.
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Index
286Stowage
Other stowage areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Stowage compartment Front passenger side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Sun visor front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Sunroof blind Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Switches Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Switching off the engine With the ignition ke y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164TTailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Convenience opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Tailgate open display* warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Tank Fuel level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 TCS (Traction control system)
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
The danger of not using the seat belt . . . . . . . . 20
Thermos box cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Tightening torque of wheel bo lts . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 260
Towing bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing eye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Towline anchorage Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252, 253
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Trailer turn signals Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Trips, checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73, 112
Two-way radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Type plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Tyres and wheels Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Tyres service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . . 225
UUnderbody sealant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Unfastening seat belt
(with one buckle) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Unfastening seat belts (with two buckles) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Upper right stowage on instrument panel . . . 134VVehicle Lifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Vehicle paint Car care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Vehicle tool kit jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Vehicle tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Vehicle wallet storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 143
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
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