2009 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

Driving167
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
– The vehicle should be stationary 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
168•
The reversing lights come on.
•
The heating or air conditioning 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 programmes
The automatic gearbox has two gearbox programmes.The gearbox management system is equipped with two driving programmes.
Depending on the driver or the driving 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 which shifts up gear later will be
selected if you use the accelerator more quickly.
Fig. 128 Centre console:
selector lever of the auto-
matic gearbox with
locking button
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Driving169
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Note
A programme will, depending on the driving resistance, be selected automat-
ically that guarantees more pulling power, thus avoiding having to shift gear
constantly.Selector lever lock
The selector lever lock in position P or N prevents gears from
being engaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle
to move.The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch on the ignition.
– Press and hold the brake pedal and press the selector lever lock
on the left of the selector lever at the same time ⇒page 168,
fig. 128 .The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or driving at
speeds up to 5 km/h (approx. 3 mph). At higher speeds the selector lever
lock is disengaged automatically in the N position.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly
through position N (e.g. when shifting from R to D) . Th is ma kes i t p ossibl e , fo r
instance, to “rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow
or mud. The selector lever lock engages automatically if the brake pedal is not
depressed and the lever is in position N for more than about 1 second.
Driving a car with an automatic gearbox
The gearbox changes the forward gears up and down auto-
matically.Switching on
– Start the engine with the selector lever in position P or N . Further
information ⇒page 165.
Driving
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the lock button (button on the knob of the selector lever) ⇒ page 168, fig. 128 , select gear position ( R, D or
S ).
– Release the lock button and wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight movement can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– Use the foot brake to prevent the car “creeping” forwards, e.g. at traffic lights. The selector lever does not need to be put into the
positions P or N for this.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill ⇒.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
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Driving
170
– Press and hold the lock button, move the selector lever to P and
release the lock button.
Driving up and down hills
– Press the selector lever from position D to the right into the
“Tiptronic” selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever back to change down.
Holding the car on a hill
– You should always hold the vehicle in position with the footbrake
to stop it from “rolling backwards” ⇒. Do not try to prevent
the vehicle from “rolling backwards” by increasing the engine
speed while a range of gears is selected
Moving away on an incline
– With a gear engaged, take your foot from the brake and depress the accelerator.The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear you will need. This increases the
braking effect of the engine. For example, you should drive down a very steep
slope in 3rd gear. If the engine brake effect is not sufficient, the vehicle will
gain speed. The automatic gearbox / direct shift gearbox automatically
changes up to prevent the engine over revving. Use the foot brake to reduce
speed and change into 3rd gear using “Tiptronic” ⇒.
Your vehicle has an automatic interlock which prevents the selector lever
being put into a position for driving forwards or in reverse from positions P or
N if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The ignition key cannot be removed unless the selector lever is in position P.
WARNING
•
As a driver you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is
running, you must apply the parking brake and engage parking lock P.
•
If the engine is running and if D, S or R is engaged, you will need to hold
the car on the foot brake. The car will creep forward as the power transmis-
sion is not fully interrupted even when the engine is idling.
•
Never press the accelerator when you move the selector lever. Risk of
accident.
•
Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving. Risk of accident!
•
Before you drive down a steep gradient, reduce your speed and use
“Tiptronic” to select a low gear.
•
If you have to stop the vehicle on a gradient, always hold the vehicle in
position using the foot brake to stop it from rolling back.
•
Never allow the brake to rub and do not use the brake pedal too often
or for long periods. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat and
will considerably reduce the brake effect. This increases the braking
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.
•
Never allow the car to roll down a gradient with the gear in neutral N, or
in selector lever position D, even if the engine is not running.Caution
•
If you stop the vehicle on a gradient, do not attempt to stop it from rolling
by depressing the accelerator when a gear has been selected. Otherwise, the
automatic gearbox /direct shift gearbox* may overheat causing damage. Pull
the handbrake on fully or depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away.
•
If you allow the car to roll with the selector lever in position N with the
engine switched off, the automatic gearbox / direct shift gearbox* will be
damaged as it will not be lubricated.
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Driving171
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Note
The two clutch system of the direct shift gearbox* has a system to protect
against excess strain, which may occur, for example, when the vehicle is held
on a hill with the clutch and the gearbox oil overheats. When the clutch is
overloaded, the vehicle begins to jerk and the position indicator of the
selector lever begins to flash. To avoid breakdowns, the clutch breaks the
power transmission between the engine and the gearbox, as a result of which
the vehicle loses impetus. If the clutch opens automatically due to over-
loading, depress the brake pedal and wait a few seconds before
continuing.Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the
display in the combi-instrument.
Selector lever positions
The gear selected is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the
display ⇒fig. 129 in the combi-instrument.
P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the drive wheels are locked
mechanically.
The parking lock must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary ⇒ .
To move the selector lever from position P, the locking button in the selector
lever handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same
time when the ignition is switched on.
Only the locking button has to be pressed to select the selector lever position
P .
If the battery has discharged, the selector lever cannot be removed from the
P position.
R - reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is idling ⇒.
To move the selector lever to position R, press in the lock button and at the
same time press the brake pedal, with the ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the ignition switched on the
following occurs:•
The reversing lights come on.
•
The heating or air conditioning automatically change to air recirculation
mode.
•
The rear window heater switches on when the windscreen wiper is acti-
vated.
Fig. 129 Instrument
panel: display showing
position of selector lever
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Driving
172N - 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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Driving173
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Changing 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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Driving
174•
Be particularly careful, therefore, when using the kick-down function on
slippery road surfaces.
•
You should use the kick-down function only when traffic and weather
conditions allow it to be used safely.
HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Using the handbrake
– Firmly pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
Releasing the handbrake
– Firmly pull the handbrake lever up all the way.
– Push in the lock button on the handbrake lever.
– Keep the locking knob pressed and push the lever all the way down ⇒ .The handbrake is located at the side of the driver seat. Always apply the
handbrake firmly. This prevents you driving with the handbrake applied
⇒ . The handbrake warning lamp
 lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The warning lamp goes out when the hand-
brake is released.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to slow down the vehicle when it is in motion.
The braking distance is considerably longer, as braking is only applied to
the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
•
Never drive with the handbrake slightly applied. This could cause the
rear brakes to overheat and lose their braking efficiency. Risk of accident.
This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads/linings.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. On cars with a
manual gearbox engage 1st gear, or on an automatic move the selector lever
to P .Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the
vehicle is parked.Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear. On an automatic move
the selector lever to P.
WARNING (continued)
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