2008 Seat Alhambra display

Driving171
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
N - neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in neutral. Power is not transmitted
to the wheels and the engine does not have a braking function.
Never use the
N position to drive down a hill. The engine does not function as
a brake and the brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if you drive down hills with the
selector lever in position N and the engine switched off.
D - Drive (forwards)
In this position the gearbox automatically changes automatically to a longer
or shorter gear, according to the driving style and speed. The braking effect
of the engine when driving downhill is very limited when the selector is in this
position. The display also shows which gear has been selected in addition to
position D.
If position N has been selected and you wish to select D, you must press the
foot brake if the vehicle is stationary, or travelling at under 5 km/h (approx.
3mph) ⇒.
WARNING
•
Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving. Risk of accident!
•
Never drive the vehicle with the engine and the ignition switched off.
You could loose control of the vehicle. The brake servo only functions when
the engine is running as does the elector-mechanical steering system. You
need more strength to steer and brake the vehicle when the engine and the
ignition are switched off. As you cannot steer and brake in the normal
manner, there is a greater risk of accidents and serious injury.Caution
If you allow the car to roll with the selector lever in position N with the engine
switched off, the automatic gearbox will be damaged as it will not be lubri-
cated.
Note
If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, take your foot off the
accelerator and let the engine speed drop to idling before selecting D
again.
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Driving
172Changing gear with “Tiptronic”
The “Tiptronic” system allows the driver to change gears
manually.
Changing gear with “Tiptronic” (selector lever)
– Press the selector lever from position D to the right into the
“Tiptronic” selector gate ⇒fig. 130 .
– Lightly press the selector to the front + to change up.
– Lightly press the selector lever back - to change down.When accelerating, the automatic gearbox automatically shifts up to the next
gear shortly before the maximum permitted engine speed is reached.
If a lower gear is selected, the automatic gearbox does not change down until
the point is reached where the engine could no longer over rev.
Gear selection display for Tiptronic
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually or using “Tiptronic”, the indi-
vidual gears are shown on the display ⇒fig. 131 .Kick-down function
The kick-down feature is designed to give maximum acceler-
ation.If you press the accelerator right down, the gearbox automatically changes
down a gear, depending on speed and engine speed, to give the vehicle full
acceleration.
The gearbox does not shift up to the next gear until the engine reaches the
maximum determined engine speed for the gear.
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you accelerate quickly on slippery
surfaces. This may result in serious injury.
Fig. 130 Centre console:
gearbox selector lever
with locking buttonFig. 131 Instrument
panel: display showing
position of selector lever
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Intelligent technology179
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Tips and MaintenanceIntelligent technologyBrakesBrake servoThe 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

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
 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

If the warning lamp comes on, this may be caused by the
following reasons:•
With the handbrake on the warning light comes on
 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
 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 ⇒page 221
•
In the event of a fault in the brake system the warning lamp lights up

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
 can light up together with the anti-locking
brake system warning lamp
 ⇒ .
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Checking and refilling levels
212Closing the bonnetClosing the bonnet
1. To close the bonnet, pull it down to overcome the gas strut pres-
sure.
2. Make sure that the bonnet catches onto its clasp. Do not press
down ⇒ .If the bonnet does not close properly, open it again and close it properly.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving and
completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.•
After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.
•
If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly. Risk
of accident.
Engine oilEngine oil specifications
The engine oil used must conform with exact specifications.Specifications
The engine comes with a special, high quality, multi grade oil that can be
used in all seasons of the year except for those regions affected by extreme
cold.
As the use of good quality oil is necessary for the correct operation and long
service life of the engine, when it becomes necessary to replenish or change
the oil, always use an oil that complies to the VW standards.
If it is not possible to find oil conforming to the VW standards then oil
conforming to the ACEA or API standards with an appropriate viscosity at
atmospheric temperature should be used instead. The use of this type of oil
may have some repercussions on the performance of the engine for example,
long starting time, increased consumption and a higher emission level.
If a top up is required then different oils may be mixed as long as they all
conform to the VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should
appear on the container of the service oil; the container will display together
the different standards for petrol and diesel engines, the oil can be used for
both types of engines.
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Checking and refilling levels
222However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low ⇒page 70.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒ page 209.Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Program indicates the brake fluid change
intervals.We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 209 in
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
It is important that you use only brake fluid compliant with the US standard
FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
•
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and
observe the warnings ⇒page 209.
•
Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. There is a toxic risk.
•
Complete the brake fluid change according to the Maintenance
Program. Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid
is left in the system for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency
of the brakes and the safety of the vehicle. This may cause an accident.Caution
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid must be drained and disposed of in the proper manner observing
environmental regulations.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
224•
If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.
Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.– Open the bonnet and open the battery cover at the front ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 209 ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on
page 223.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until they disperse.The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒ page 262.
The round window (“magic eye”) on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge level and electrolyte level of the battery.
If the colour in the window is colourless or bright yellow, the electrolyte level
of the battery is too low. Have the battery checked by a qualified workshop.
The colours green and black are used by the workshops for diagnostic
purposes.
Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long
periods, the battery should be checked by a qualified workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle, the
battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have the
vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be re-
charged or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has
special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety spec-
ifications of your vehicle.
WARNING
•
We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof
batteries which comply with the standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This
standard applies as of 2001.
•
Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe
the warnings ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on page 223.
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Index285
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Second cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Coat hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Code number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Coming Home function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Controls Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Cool box cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216, 217
Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Coolant level warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Coolant Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Coolant temperature Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Cooling and heating box Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Notes on usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Correct adjustment of front head restraints . . . . 12
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cup holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
DDaylight driving lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Deadlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Diagram of gears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Diesel engineWinter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Diesel engine particulate filter* . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Diesel particulate filter warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Differential lock fault (EDL) warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Dipped headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Disabling airbag front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Disabling front and side passenger airbag Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Disabling frontal airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Display
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Door lock cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Door open display warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Door release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61, 92
Drink holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Driving Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Economically / With Respect for the Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190, 192
With four-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Duplicate keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . 109, 110
EEconomical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
EDS Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Electric consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114, 149
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Index
286Electric windows
controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
one-touch closing and opening . . . . . . . . . 102
roll-back function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Electrical accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Electrical windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Electronic stabilisation program . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Electronic stabilisation programme . . . . . . . . . . 74 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162, 183
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Emergency opening Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Engine compartment Working in the engine compartment . . . . . 209
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Engine fault indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Engine hood See Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Engine management Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Checking level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Engine oil pressure Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Engine oil temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Engine oil temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Environmentally friendly driving . . . . . . . . . . . 187
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74, 182 warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Exhaust gas indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 196
External aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
FFastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 144
Fastening seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Fault in the exhaust system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Fault messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Faults in operation of air conditioning . . . . . . 158
First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Foot brake
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Four-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Replacing tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Front passenger airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Front seats adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Fuel Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Fuel level Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 See also Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Fuel tank cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuel: save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Fuse box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
GG 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
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