2009 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

Driving175
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition lock.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle ⇒ .Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle would roll against the kerb if it did
start to roll.•
If the vehicle is facing downhill , turn the front wheels so that they point
towards the kerb .
•
If the vehicle is facing uphill , turn the front wheels so that they point away
from the kerb .
WARNING
Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle
unattended.•
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
•
Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.
•
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could set the
vehicle in motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear
lever / selector lever.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
Parking distance warning system*Description
The parking distance warning system is a parking aid which
draws your attention to obstacles in front or behind the
vehicle.The parking distance warning system assists the driver when parking. If the
rear of the vehicle is approaching an obstacle, an intermittent sound signal is
emitted. The shorter the distance, the shorter the intervals between tones. If
the vehicle is too close to the obstacle, the sound signal becomes constant.
The distance to an obstacle at the front is indicated via a high tone and via a
low tone at the rear. The shorter the distance, the shorter the intervals
between tones. If the vehicle is too close to the obstacle, the sound signal
becomes constant.
The obstacle may no longer be detected if the vehicle gets even closer to it!
The warning signal will stop when•
the vehicle moves away from the obstacle
•
the outer sensors measure a constant distance for approximately 3
seconds.
The signal will not be switched off once the vehicle has reached the perma-
nent tone area.
Registering the obstacle
•
Exterior front and rear sensors: from approx 80 cm
•
Front central sensors: from approx 120 cm
•
Rear central sensors: from approx 160 cm
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Driving
176Switching the parking distance warning system on and offSwitching on the parking distance warning system
The parking distance warning system is activated by either pressing the
button ⇒fig. 132 or by selecting the reverse gear. A warning lamp in the
button will indicate that the system is active.
Switching off the parking distance warning system
The parking distance warning system is switched off by pressing the button
(the warning lamp in the button goes out) or exceeding speeds of approx.
25 km/h.
WARNING
•
The parking distance warning system cannot replace the driver's
assessment of the situation. The driver is personally responsible for safe
parking and other manoeuvres.
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles and people are not
registered.
•
Be particularly aware of small children or animals when reversing. The
sensors may not always be able to detect them.Caution
•
The system may not always be able to detect objects such as trailer draw
bars, thin rails, fences, posts etc. This could result in damage to your car.
•
The parking distance warning system works only at speeds of under
approx. 15 km/h.
•
The parking distance warning sensors in the bumpers must be kept clean
and free of ice. When cleaning with pressure hoses and steam cleaners, the
sensors should be sprayed only briefly. A distance of 10 cm between the
sensors and the steam / hose nozzle must be observed.Note
•
A system fault will be indicated via a tone when activated for the first time
and by the warning lamp flashing in the button. Switch the system off at the
button and have it checked by a qualified dealership as soon as possible.
•
If your vehicle has a factory-fitted towing attachment
41), the parking
distance warning system is not active when the reverse gear is engaged if you
are towing a trailer.
•
The parking distance warning system registers water as an obstacle.
Fig. 132 Detailed view of
dash panel Control button
for the parking distance
warning system


41)Optional equipmentWARNING (continued)
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Driving177
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Cruise control system (CCS)Cruise control operation
The cruise control system(CCS) is able to maintain the set
speed in the range from approx. 30 km/h to 180 km/h.Once the desired speed has been reached and the setting stored, you may
take your foot off the accelerator.
In vehicles fitted with a manual gearbox and in vehicles with an automatic
gearbox with the lever in positions P, N or R the cruise control does not
operate in first gear.
WARNING
It could be dangerous to use the cruise control system (CCS) if it is not
possible to drive at constant speed.•
Do not use the cruise control in heavy traffic or on steep roads, with
several bends or in slippery circumstances (snow, ice, rain or loose gravel),
as there is a risk of accident.
•
Always adapt your speed and the distance to the vehicles ahead to take
the traffic situation into consideration. This is the duty of the driver. The
cruise control system is merely an aid to the driver.
•
Never use the cruise control system when driving off-road or on
unpaved roads. This feature is designed for use on paved roads only. Risk
of accident.
•
Always switch off the CCS when you have finished using it. This will
prevent you using it by mistake.
•
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the prevailing
road, traffic or weather conditions. This may cause an accident.
Caution
Vehicles with a manual gearbox: if the cruise control is activated the gearbox
should not be set in neutral without first releasing the clutch, as the the
engine speed will increase and this may cause damage.
Note
When travelling down hills, the CCS cannot maintain a constant speed. The
vehicle will accelerate under its own weight. Reduce gears (with an automatic
gearbox, reduce gears using the “Tiptronic”) or brake using the footbrake.
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Driving
178Lever for cruise control
The CCS can be operated using the controls on the turn signal
lever or on the multi-function steering wheel.
Switching on the system
– Move the control ⇒fig. 133 to the left to ON. The
 symbol
lights up in the combi-instrument when the cruise control system
is switched on.
Switching off system
– Move the control ⇒fig. 133 to the right to OFF or press the
key ⇒fig. 134 once.
Setting speed
– Press the lower part SET of the rocker switch ⇒fig. 133 once
briefly when you have reached the speed you wish to set
⇒ fig. 134 . This speed is then stored and maintained.
Increasing the stored speed
– To reach the desired speed hold down the upper part of the rocker button ⇒ fig. 133 or button ⇒ fig. 134 .
Reducing the set speed
– To reach the desired speed hold down the lower part of the rocker button ⇒fig. 133
or button
⇒fig. 134
. The
speed falls as the vehicle is no longer accelerating, not due to
sharp braking.
If you increase speed by using the accelerator, the previously programmed
speed will be resumed when the accelerator pedal is released. This will not be
the case, however, if the vehicle speed is more than 10 km/h higher than the
stored speed for longer than 5 minutes. The speed will have to be stored
again.
Fig. 133 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever control and
rocker switch for
cruise control
AAAB
Fig. 134 Multifunction
steering wheel: CCS
controls
ABAA

AB
 - +
AB
 +
 -
AB
 -
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Driving179
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Control of the set speed is switched off if you reduce speed by depressing the
brake pedal. You can reactivate the control by pressing once on the upper part
of the rocker switch or button .
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the prevailing road,
traffic or weather conditions. This may cause an accident.Switching off system temporarilySwitching off the control temporarily in vehicles with a manual
gearbox
– Depress the brake or clutch pedal or
–Push the switch
⇒page 178, fig. 133 to “OFF”, or
– Press the lower part of the button .
Switching off the control temporarily in vehicles with an automatic
gearbox
– Press the brake pedal or
– Select positions N or 1 or
–Push the switch ⇒page 178, fig. 133 to “OFF”, or
– Press the lower part of the rocker button .The speed stored will remain in the memory if the control is switched off
temporarily, unless you select positions N or 1. In this case, the speed stored
in the memory will be deleted. To resume the control function, release the brake or clutch pedal, move the
switch to ON or press the button ⇒
page 178, fig. 133 or button
⇒ page 178, fig. 134 once.
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.
+
AA
CANCEL
AACANCEL
AA
 +
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Intelligent technology181
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 223.
•
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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Intelligent technology
182
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 ⇒page 211.
•
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
 lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp
, 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.
In these cases the brake assist servo comes into action: on activating the
brake pedal quickly, the assistant interprets this as an emergency. 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.
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