2011 Seat Alhambra service interval

8
Safe driving
● Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
● Chec k
the tyre pressures ( ⇒ pag
e 293) and level of fuel (⇒ page 264).
● Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
● Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in the
luggag
e compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are securely fas-
tened ⇒ page 13.
● Ensure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot pedals.
● Use child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight and
height ⇒ 

page 39.
● Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit your
height ⇒ 

page 10.
● Wear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the pedals
correctly
.
● The driver's floor mat should be fixed to the floor, leaving the pedal area
unob
structed.
● Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in this
position thr
oughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the vehi-
cle ⇒ page 10.
● Correctly fasten your seat belt before starting to drive and keep it se-
curely
fastened throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the
vehicle ⇒ page 21.
● Never carry more passengers than the number of available seats and
seat belts
in your vehicle.
● Never drive with impaired faculties (for example, due to medication, al-
cohol
or drugs).
● Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, for example, to re-
set or swit
ch on a menu, by other passengers or to answer a phone call.
● Always try to adapt the speed of the vehicle and your style of driving to
the condition of the gr
ound or the road and to weather and traffic condi-
tions.
● Observe the highway code and speed limits. ●
On long journeys, rest at regular intervals (at least every two hours).
● If c

arrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accord-
ance with their w
eight and size. WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic mo

vements. 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 b ut

also helps to ensure road safety. Therefore, please ensure the ve-
hicle 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 cou
ntrie

s, 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 con-
sult a SEAT dealer about the legal requirements and the following points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for ex-
ample, a
djustment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and spare
parts
required for inspections and repairs?
● Are there any SEAT dealers in the destination country? 

16
Seat belts
Seat belts
Brief introduction Introduction Check the condition of all the seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that
the belt
webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of the
belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced immediately by a specialist
workshop ⇒  . The specialist workshop must use the appropriate spare
par ts

corresponding to the vehicle, the equipment and the model year. SEAT
recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
● Adjust the seat position ⇒ page 10
● Airb

ag system ⇒ page 31
● Chi

ld seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
● Int

egrated child seats ⇒ page 46
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
Unbuckled or badly buckled seat belts increase the risk of severe or even
fat a

l injuries. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if it is not fas-
tened and used correctly.
● Seats belts are the most effective ways of reducing the risk of sus-
taining sev
ere or fatal injuries In the event of an accident. Seat belts
must be correctly fastened when the vehicle is in motion to protect the
driver and all vehicle occupants. WARNING (Continued)
● Before each trip, every occupant in the vehicle occupants must sit
pr operly

, correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and
keep it fastened throughout the trip. This also applies to other occupants
when driving in town.
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a child
res

traint system suitable for their weight and height and with the seat
belts correctly fastened ⇒ page 39.
● Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before
driving off
.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and en-
sure it
is engaged. Using the latch plate in the buckle of another seat will
not protect you properly and may cause severe injuries.
● Do not allow liquids or foreign bodies to enter the buckle fastenings.
This c
ould damage the buckles and seat belts.
● Never unbuckle your seat belt when the vehicle is moving.
● Never allow more than one passenger to share the same seat belt.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap sharing the same seat belt.
● Loose, bulky clothing (such as a jacket) impairs the proper fit and
function of
the seat belt. WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to drive using damaged seat belts and could re-
su lt

in serious injury or loss of life.
● Avoid damaging the seat belt by jamming it in the door or the seat
mechani
sm. 

56
Cockpit  flashes: Engine oil sensor faulty.
⇒ page 279
lights: Insufficient engine oil.
 Fault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners. ⇒ page 31

 Passenger front airbag is off (
PASSENGER AIR-
BAG  ). ⇒ page 31
 Top up "AdBlue", or there is a fault in the "AdBl-
ue" system.
⇒ page 271
 Fuel tank not closed correctly. ⇒ page 264
 Lane Assist is connected, but not active. ⇒ page 216
Green symbols
Symbol Meaning ⇒  See

 Left or right turn signal. ⇒ page 95
Hazard warning lights on. ⇒ page 312
 Use the foot brake! Change
⇒ page 174
Br ak
e
⇒ page 183  Cruise control operating. ⇒ page 212
 Lane Assist is connected and active. ⇒ page 216 Blue symbols
Symbol Meaning
⇒  See
 Headlight on or flasher on.
⇒ 
page 95  Headlight adjustment (Light Assist) on.
Colourless symbols
Symbol Meaning ⇒  See
 Electronic immobiliser active. ⇒ page 170
 Service interval display ⇒ page 61
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
● Park the vehicle away from the traffic, ensuring that there are no easi-
ly inflammable materials under the vehicle which could come into contact
with the exhaust system (e.g. dry grass, fuel).
● A faulty vehicle represents a risk of accident for the driver and for oth-
er road users. If necessary, switch on the hazard warning lamps and put
out the warning triangle to advise other drivers.
● Before opening the bonnet, switch off the engine and allow it to cool.
● In any vehicle, the engine compartment is a hazardous area and could
cause severe injury ⇒ page 275. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
may result in faults in the vehicle. 

61
Cockpit
Calibrating compass
To c alibr
ate the compass you must be in one of the valid magnetic zones
with sufficient space to be able to trace a circumference with the vehicle.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Select the Settings
menu followed by the option Compass and Calibrate.
● Confirm the message Des
cribe a complete circumference to calibrate the
compass with OK and then trace a complete circumference driving at ap-
pro x
imately 10 km/h (6 mph).
When the corresponding cardinal point is displayed, the calibration is com-
plete. 
Service interval display The inspection display appears on the instrument panel
⇒ fig. 35 4 .
SEA T m

akes a difference between services with engine oil change (Mainte-
nance Service) and services without engine oil change (Inspection Service).
The service interval display only gives information for service dates which
involve an engine oil change. The dates of the remaining services (for exam-
ple, the next Inspection Service or change of brake fluid) are listed on the
label attached to the door strut, or even in the Maintenance Programme.
In vehicles with Services established by time or mileage , the service inter-
vals are already pre-defined.
In vehicles with LongLife Service , the intervals are determined individually.
Technical progress has made it possible to considerably reduce servicing re-
quirements. The technology used by SEAT ensures that your vehicle only
has an maintenance service when it is necessary. To establish when the
Maintenance Service is due (max. 2 years), the vehicle's conditions of use
and individual driving styles are considered. The service pre-warning first
appears 20 days before the date established for the corresponding service.
The kilometres remaining until the next service are always rounded up to the nearest 100 km and the remaining time is given in complete days. The
current

service message cannot be viewed until 500 km after the last serv-
ice. Prior to this only lines are visible on the display.
Inspection reminder
When the Service date is approaching, when the ignition is switched on a
Service reminder is displayed.
In vehicles without text messages , a spanner is displayed on the instrument
panel  with a figure given in km. The number of kilometres shown is the
maximum number that may be driven until the next service. After a few sec-
onds,the display mode changes. A clock symbol appears and the number of
days until the next service appointment is due.
In vehicles with text messages , Service in --- km or --- days is displayed on
the instrument panel.
Service due
After the service date, an audible warning is given when the ignition is
switched on and the spanner displayed on the screen flashes for a few sec-
onds. In vehicles with text messages , Service in --- km or --- days is dis-
played on the instrument panel.
Reading a service notification
With the ignition switched on, the engine off and the vehicle at a standstill,
the current service notification can be read:
● Press the button  on the instrument panel several times until the
sp anner symbo

l is displayed .
● ALTERNATIVELY: select the Settin
gs menu.
● From the Servic
e submenu, select the option Info.
When the service date has past , a minus sign is displayed in front of the
number of kilometres or days. In vehicles with text messages the following
is displayed: Service --- km or --- days ago . Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

62
Cockpit
The service interval display is reset
If the ser v
ice was not carried out by a Technical Service, the display can be
reset as follows: In vehicles with text messages:
Select the
Settings
menu.In the submenu Serv
ic
e, select the option Reset.Confirm with
OK when requested to do so by the system.
In vehicles without text messages:
Switch the ignition off.
Press and hold the
0.0 / S
ET button.
Switch the ignition back on.
Release the
0.0 / S
ET button and, press
 for the next 20 seconds.
Do not reset the indicator to zero between two intervals, otherwise the dis-
p l

ay will be incorrect.
If, while the LongLife service is valid, the service interval display is reset to
zero, the “service will be activated by time or mileage”. The service interval
is no longer calculated individually ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme.Note
● The service message disappears after a few seconds, when the engine is
s t

arted or when OK is pressed.
● In vehicles with the LongLife system in which the battery has been dis-
connect ed f

or a long period of time, it is not possible to calculate the date
of the next service. Therefore the service interval display may not be correct.
In this case, please check the maximum permitted service intervals ⇒ Book-
let Maintenance Programme. SEAT information system
Introduction With the ignition switched on, it is possible to read the different functions of
the dis
p

lay by scrolling through the menus.
In vehicles with a multifunction steering wheel, there are no buttons on the
windscreen wiper lever. The multifunction display can only be controlled
from the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.
The number of menus displayed on the instrument panel will vary according
to the vehicle electronics and equipment.
A specialised dealer will be able to programme or modify additional func-
tions, according to the vehicle equipment. SEAT recommends visiting a
Technical Service.
Some menu options can only be read when the vehicle is at a standstill.
As long as a priority 1 warning is displayed, it will not be possible to read
the menus. To display the menus, confirm the warning by pressing OK .
Addition a

l information and warnings:
● Exterior mirrors ⇒ pag
e 110
● Auxiliary heating ⇒ pag
e 163 WARNING
Any distraction may lead to an accident, with the risk of injury.
● Do not read the instrument panel menus when driving. 

107
Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper functions Windscreen wiper performance in different situations:
If the vehicle is at a stand-
sti
l
l: The activated position provisionally changes
to the pr
ev
ious position. During the automatic wipe: The air conditioning comes on for approxi-
mat
ely

30 seconds in air recirculation mode
to prevent the smell of the windscreen wash-
er fluid entering the inside of the vehicle. For the intermittent wipe: The intervals between wipes vary according
to the s
peed of

the vehicle. The higher the
vehicle speed the shorter the intervals. Heated windscreen washer jets
The heatin
g on

ly thaws the frozen jets, it does not thaw the water in the
washer hoses. The heated windscreen washer jets automatically adjust the
heat depending on the ambient temperature, when the ignition is switched
on.
Headlight wash /wipe system
The headlight washers/wipers clean the headlight lenses.
After the ignition is switched on, the first and every fifth time the wind-
screen washer is switched on, the headlights are also washed. Therefore,
the windscreen wiper lever should be pulled towards the steering wheel
when the dipped beam or main beam are on. Any incrusted dirt (such as in-
sects) should be cleaned regularly (e.g. when refuelling).
To ensure the headlight washers work correctly in winter, any snow which
has got into the bumper jet supports should be cleaned away. If necessary,
remove snow with an anti-icing spray. Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper w i

ll stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the ob-
stacle and switch the wiper back on again. 
Windscreen wipers service position Fig. 68 Wipers in service
pos
ition.
The w

iper arms can be raised when the wipers are in service position.
⇒ fig. 68 To p l

ace the windscreen wipers in the service position, proceed as
follows:
● The bonnet must be closed ⇒ page 275.
● Sw

itching the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever downwards briefly ⇒ fig. 66 4 .
Bef or

e driving, always lower the wiper arms. Using the windscreen wiper
lever, the windscreen wiper arms return to their initial position. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

108
Lights and visibility
Lifting and returning windscreen wiper arms
● Place the wiper arms in the service position ⇒  .
● Only hold the wiper arms at the point where the blade is fixed. CAUTION
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the wiper arms, only leave them in
the ser v
ice position.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. 
Rain sensor* Fig. 69 Windscreen wip-
er lev
er: a

djusting the
rain sensor A . Fig. 70 Rain sensor sen-
sitiv
e s

urface.
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen wiper intervals,
depending on the amount
of rain ⇒  . The sensitivity of the rain sensor can
be adju s
ted manually. Manual wipe ⇒ page 106
Move the lever to the required position ⇒ fig. 69: Rain sensor off.
Rain sensor on; automatic wipe if necessary.
Setting sensitivity level of rain sensor
–Set control to the right: highly sensitive.
– Set control to the left: less sensitive.
When the ignition is switched off and then back on, the rain sensor stays on
and starts operating again when the windscreen wipers are in position 1 and the vehicle is travelling at more than 4 km/h (2 mph).
Rain sen
sor modified beh

aviour
Possible causes of faults and mistaken readings on the sensitive surface
⇒ fig. 70 of the rain sensor include: 
0 1
A

160
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Keep the air vents in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves to
ens ur
e heating and cooling are not impaired and to prevent the windows
from misting over.
Adjustment for safer driving
When the air conditioning is switched on, the temperature and the air hu-
midity in the vehicle interior drop. Hence, when the outside air humidity is
high, the windows do not mist over and comfort for the vehicle occupants is
improved:
With Climatic
● Disable air recirculation mode ⇒  pag
e 161.
● Set the fan to setting 1 or 2.
● Turn the temperature control to the centre position.
● Open the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ pag
e 161.
● Turn the air distribution control to the required position.
● Press the AC button to turn on cooling. The button will light up.
With C lim

atronic
● Press the AUTO button.
● Set the temperature to +22°C (+72°F).
● Open the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ pag
e 161.
Switching the Climatronic temperature measuring unit
Press and hold the AC and
AUT
O buttons to switch the temperature display
between C el

sius and Fahrenheit.
Heat
The maximum heat output required to defrost windows quickly is only avail-
able when the engine has reached its normal running temperature.
The air conditioning system does not switch on
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on, this may be caused by
the following: ●
The engine is not running.
● The fan i

s switched off.
● The climate control fuse has blown.
● The outside temperature is lower than approximately +3°C (+38°F).
● The climate control system compressor has been temporarily switched
off becau
se the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the climate control system checked by
a Tec
hnical Service.
Things to note
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation
can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak!
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter with its activated charcoal cartridge serves as a
barrier against impurities in the ambient air.
For the climate control system to work with maximum efficiency, the dust
and pollen filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Programme.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high
levels of air pollution, the filter must be changed more frequently than sta-
ted in the Service Schedule. Note
● The climate control system must left running for a few minutes to reach
the set t

emperature in the vehicle interior.
● After starting it, any residual humidity in the climate control system
coul
d mist over the windscreen.
● The air from the vents flows through the passenger compartment and
out through the outl
ets below the rear window. Do not cover these outlets
with items of clothing or other objects. 