2010 Seat Alhambra fuel pressure

Safe driving 8
xCheck that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
xCheck the tyre pressures (Ÿpage 323) and level of fuel (Ÿpage 293).
xEnsure there is good visibility through all the windows.
xMake sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in the
luggage compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are securely
fastened Ÿpage 13.
xEnsure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot pedals.
xUse child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight and
height Ÿpage 42.
xCorrectly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit your
height Ÿpage 10.
xWear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the pedals
correctly.
xThe driver's floor mat should be fixed to the floor, leaving the pedal area
unobstructed.
xBefore starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in this
position throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the vehicle
Ÿpage 10.
xCorrectly fasten your seat belt before starting to drive and keep it securely
fastened throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the vehicle
Ÿpage 22.
xNever carry more passengers than the number of available seats and seat
belts in your vehicle.
xNever drive with impaired faculties (for example, due to medication,
alcohol or drugs).
xDo not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, for example, to reset
or switch on a menu, by other passengers or to answer a phone call.
xAlways try to adapt the speed of the vehicle and your style of driving to the
condition of the ground or the road and to weather and traffic conditions.
xObserve the highway code and speed limits.
xOn long journeys, rest at regular intervals (at least every two hours).
xIf carrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accordance
with their weight and size.
WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic movements. Correctly anticipating traffic situations may mean the
difference between arriving safe and sound at your destination or having a
serious accident.
Note
Regular servicing of your vehicle not only helps to keep it in good working
order but also helps to ensure road safety. Therefore, please ensure the
vehicle is taken for service as indicated in the Maintenance Programme. If the
vehicle is subjected to hard use, it may require certain maintenance work
before the next service date. Hard use may involve frequent driving in traffic
jams, driving in dusty areas or frequent use of the tow-bar. For further infor-
mation, please refer to a SEAT dealer or specialised workshop.
Driving abroad
Check list
In some countries, certain safety regulations and requirements are in force
relating to exhaust gas emissions, which differ from the technical character-
istics of the vehicle. Before travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you consult
a SEAT dealer about the legal requirements and the following points:
xDoes the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for
example, adjustment of the headlamps?
xDoes the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and spare
parts required for inspections and repairs?
xAre there any SEAT dealers in the destination country?

Cockpit 62
Green symbols
Blue symbols
Colourless symbols
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
lights: Driving light totally or partially faulty.Ÿpage 360
flashes: Fault in the adaptive light system.Ÿpage 113
BFault in catalytic converter.
Ÿpage 255Dlights: pre-ignition of diesel engine.
flashes: Fault in engine management.
%0#Fault in engine management.
¬Diesel particulate filter blocked
DFault in the steering system.Ÿpage 192
~Tyre pressure too low.Ÿpage 323
Fault in the tyre pressure gauge.Ÿpage 245
YLevel of windscreen washer fluid too low.Ÿpage 124
Fuel tank almost empty.Ÿpage 293
Eflashes: Engine oil sensor faulty.Ÿpage 309lights: Insufficient engine oil.
TFault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners.Ÿpage 33
/&&

Passenger front airbag is off (PASSENGER
AIRBAG
/&& ).Ÿpage 33
bTop up "AdBlue", or there is a fault in the "AdB-
lue" system.Ÿpage 300
§Fuel tank not closed correctly.Ÿpage 293
SymbolMeaning ŸSee

Left or right turn signal.Ÿpage 113
Hazard warning lights on.Ÿpage 345
KUse the foot brake!
Change
Ÿpage 201
Brake
Ÿpage 210
%Cruise control operating.Ÿpage 239
SymbolMeaning ŸSee
Headlight on or flasher on.
Ÿpage 113
+Headlight adjustment (Light Assist) on.
SymbolMeaning ŸSee
3!&%Electronic immobiliser active.Ÿpage 195
>Service interval displayŸpage 68

Seats and storage compartments 138
burns to the back, buttocks and legs from use of the seat heating that may
lead to a long healing process or that may never completely heal. Seek
medical advice if you have doubts regarding your health.
xPeople with a limit pain and temperature threshold must never use seat
heating.
Caution
xTo avoid damaging the heating elements of the seat heating, please do
not kneel on the seat or apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat
cushion and backrest.
xLiquids, sharp objects and insulating materials on the seat could damage
the seat heating.
xIn the event of smells, switch off the seat heating immediately and have
the unit inspected by a qualified workshop.
For the sake of the environment
The seat heating should remain on only when needed. Otherwise, it is an
unnecessary fuel waste.
Seat with position memory
Memory buttons
Individual settings for the driver seat and the exterior mirror can be assigned
to each memory button.
Storing exterior mirror settings for driving forwards
xConnect the automatic parking brake.
xMove the gear lever to neutral.
xSwitch the ignition on.
xAdjust the front seat and the exterior mirrors.
xKeep the button held down for more than one second Ÿfig. 86.
xPress the required memory button for the following 10 seconds. A sound
confirms the settings have been stored.
Storing front passenger exterior mirror settings for driving in reverse gear
xConnect the automatic parking brake.
xMove the gear lever to neutral.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 86 Memory buttons
on the outside of the
driver seat
SET

Driving 192
Driving
Steering
Introduction
The power steering is not hydraulic but electromechanical. The advantage of
this steering system is that it disposes of hydraulic tubes, hydraulic oil, the
pump, filter and other components. The electromechanical system saves
fuel. While a hydraulic system requires oil pressure to be maintained, electro-
mechanical steering only requires energy when the steering wheel is turned.
With the power steering system, the assisted steering function automatically
adjusts according to the vehicle speed, the steering torque and the wheel
turning angle. The power steering only works when the engine is running.
Additional information and warnings:
xStart and stop the engine Ÿpage 195
xVehicle battery Ÿpage 318
xTow-starting and towing away Ÿpage 375
WARNING
If the power steering is not working then the steering wheel is much more
difficult to turn and the vehicle more difficult to control.
xThe power steering only works when the engine is running.
xNever allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off.
xNever remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering may lock and it will not be possible to turn the steering wheel.
Control and warning lamps
lights upPossible causeSolution
D (red)Power steering faulty.The steering system should be
checked by a qualified workshop
as soon as possible.
D (yel-
low)
Power steering operation
reduced.
The steering system should be
checked by a qualified workshop
as soon as possible.
If, after restarting the engine and
driving for a short distance, the
yellow warning light no longer
comes on, it will not be neces-
sary to take the vehicle to a spe-
cialised workshop.
The vehicle battery was dis-
connected and has been
reconnected.Drive for a short distance at 15 –
20 km/h.

Driving 214
xSwitch off the engine and release the brake pedal.
xRemove the key from the ignition.
xIf necessary, turn the steering wheel slightly to lock the steering.
xWith a manual gearbox, engage the 1st gear on flat ground and slopes, or
even the reverse gear on hills, and release the clutch pedal.
xEnsure that all passengers leave the vehicle, especially children.
xWhen leaving the vehicle, take all keys with you.
xLock the vehicle.
Additional information for steep slopes and hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the steering wheel so that if the
vehicle should move then it will be held by the kerb.
xOn slopes, turn the front wheels so that they are against the edge of the
kerb.
xUphill, turn the wheels towards the centre of the road.
WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach very high temperatures. This
could cause a fire and considerable damage.
xAlways park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
come in contact with flammable materials (such as wood, leaves, spilled
fuel, dried grass, etc).
Caution
xSpecial care should be taken when parking in areas with high kerbs or
fixed barriers. Objects protruding from the ground may damage the bumper
or other parts of the vehicle during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop
before the wheels touched the barrier or kerb.
xSpecial attention is required when driving through entrances, over ramps,
kerbs or other objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers, mudguards and running gear, and the engine and exhaust system could be damaged as you
drive over these objects.
Information about the brakes
For the first 200 to 300 km (100 to 200 miles), new brake pads have not yet
reached their maximum braking capacity, and need to be run in first Ÿ.
The slightly reduced braking effect can be compensated for by increasing
pressure on the brake pedal. While running in, the full braking distance or
emergency braking distance is larger then when the brake pads have been
run in. While running in, avoid full power braking or situations requiring
braking performance. For example, in heavy traffic.
The rate of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the condi-
tions in which the vehicle is used and the way the vehicle is driven. If the
vehicle is used frequently in city traffic or for short trips or driven sport style,
visit a specialist workshop regularly more frequently than advised in the
Maintenance Programme to have the bake pads checked.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in
heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-
ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter). At higher speed,
dry the brakes as quickly as possible by braking gently several times. Only do
this without endangering vehicles behind you or any other road users Ÿ.
A layer of salt on the discs and brake pads will reduce brake efficiency and
increase braking distance. If you drive for a prolonged period on salted roads
without braking then brake carefully several times to eliminate the layer of
salt on the brakes Ÿ.
If the vehicle remains parked for considerable lengths of time, is used little,
or if the brakes are not used, there may be corrosion on the brake discs and
a buildup of dirt on the brake pads. If the brakes are not used frequently, or
if rust has formed on the discs, SEAT recommends cleaning the pads and

Driving245
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Tyre monitoring systems
Introduction
The tyre monitor indicator monitors the tyre pressure of each wheel using the
ABS sensors. The ABS sensors monitor the tyre tread perimeter and vibra-
tions of each tire. The tyre monitor indicator warns the driver if it detects a
considerable drop in tyre pressure of one or several tyres while driving. Loss
of tyre pressure will be indicated by the indicator
~ as well as a sound and
sometimes a text message on the screen of the instrument panel. When you
open the driver's door, you will find a label indicating the tyre pressure recom-
mended by the manufacturer for the maximum vehicle load for each tyre
approved for the vehicle in question. By pressing the adjustment button on
the tyre monitoring indicator, you may change the reference pressure for the
tyres so that the tyre pressure to be monitored coincides with actual tyre pres-
sure Ÿpage 248.
Suitable use of the adjustment button Ÿpage 248.
Additional information and warnings:
xTransporting Ÿpage 13
xBraking, stopping and parking Ÿpage 210
xCaring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior Ÿpage 269
xWheels and tyres Ÿpage 323
xAccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications Ÿpage 285
WARNING
Unsuitable handling of the wheels and tyres may lead to sudden tyre pres-
sure losses, to tread separation or even to a blow-out.
xCheck tyre pressures regularly and ensure they are maintained at the
pressures indicated. If the tyre pressure is too low, the tyres could over-
heat, resulting in tread detachment or even burst tyres.
xTyre pressure should be that indicated on the label when the tyres are
cold at all times Ÿpage 328.
xRegularly check the cold inflation pressure of the tyres. If necessary,
change the tyre pressure of the vehicle tyres while they are cold.
xRegularly check your tyres for damage and wear.
xNever exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of tyre fitted on your vehicle.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the tyre monitoring indicator button could result in the
indicator giving erroneous messages or prevented from indicating the
danger caused by a defective tyre Ÿpage 248.
Caution
xThe tyre valves may be damaged if the cap is not in place. Check that the
caps are identical to the standard caps and have been correctly tightened. Do
not use metal caps Ÿpage 248.
xDo not damage the valves when changing the tyres Ÿpage 248.
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel consumption and tyre wear.
Note
Do not only rely on the tyre monitoring system. Regularly check your tyres to
ensure that the tyre pressure is correct and that the tyres are not damaged
due to puncture, cuts, tears and impacts/dents. Remove objects from the
tyres only when the tyres have not been pierced by these.
WARNING (continued)

Driving and the environment 254
Unnecessary short journeys should be avoided. Try to combine trips.
The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in summer, even when other condi-
tions are the same.
“Warming” the engine is not only forbidden in some countries, but in practice
it is technically superfluous as it is a waste of fuel.
Adjusting type pressures.
Having the correct pressure in your tyres helps to reduce rolling resistance
and, as a result reduces fuel consumption. Increasing the tyre pressure
slightly (+ 0.2 bar / + 3 psi) can help to save fuel.
If you are prepared to accept a slight reduction in comfort, the tyres may be
filled to the pressures recommended for a fully-loaded vehicle. This is also
valid when driving alone without luggage.
When you buy new tyres, make sure they are optimised for minimum rolling
resistance.
Use low friction engine oil
The use of low viscosity totally synthetic oils, known as low friction engine oil,
help to reduce fuel consumption. Low friction engine oils reduce the resist-
ance caused by friction in the engine, they flow around the engine more
quickly and efficiently, particularly in cold starts. The effect is particularly
noticeable in vehicles frequently used for short journeys.
Always check the engine oil level and observe service intervals (engine oil
change intervals).
When purchasing engine oil, always observe legal requirements and ensure
that the oil is approved by SEAT.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical and ecological the driving style.
For example, an additional weight of 100 kg will increase fuel consumption
up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove any unnecessary objects or loads from the vehicle.Remove optional equipment and unnecessary accessories
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the lower the fuel consumption. Optional
equipment and accessories (such as roof racks or bike carriers) reduce the
aerodynamic benefits of the vehicle.
Therefore, we recommend you remove all optional and unnecessary equip-
ment and racks, especially if you intend to drive at high speeds.

Checking and refilling levels 296
Closing the tank cap
xScrew on the tank cap clockwise until it you hear it click into position.
xPress the tank flap until you hear it click into place. The tank flap must be
flush with the body contour.
WARNING
Do not continue refilling once the fuel nozzle has switched itself off. The
fuel tank may be filled too much. As a result, fuel may spurt out and spill.
This could lead to a fire, explosion and severe injuries.
Caution
xAlways remove any fuel spilled on the vehicle paintwork immediately to
avoid damage to the wheel housing, the tyre and vehicle paintwork.
For the sake of the environment
Spilt fuel can contaminate the environment.
Refilling precautions
Information on bulb replacement Ÿpage 360.
Checklist
Never work on the engine or in the engine compartment if you are not familiar
with the operations to be carried out, the applicable safety standards and
especially if you do not have the instruments, liquids and tools necessary
Ÿpage 304, “Working in the engine compartment”! Have the work carried
out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain. Check the following regu-
larly, preferably when you refuel:
xWindscreen washer fluid level Ÿpage 124
xEngine oil level Ÿpage 309
xEngine coolant level Ÿpage 313
xBrake fluid level Ÿpage 210
xTyre pressure Ÿpage 323
xVehicle lighting required to guarantee road safety:
–Indicators
– Side lights, dipped headlights and full beam headlights
– Rear lights
–Brake lights
– Rear fog light Ÿpage 116
WARNING
Not following the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to acci-
dents and severe injuries.
xAlways follow the check list and perform the necessary operations.