2011 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

103
Lights and visibility Button /
Swit c
h Function
 Switches door contact control on (central position).
The interior lights
c

ome on automatically when the vehicle is
unlocked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the ig-
nition.
The lights go off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.  Turning the reading light on and off
Storage and luggage compartment lighting
When the glov
e bo

x and the tailgate are opened and closed, a light auto-
matically switches on or off.
Background lighting
The background lighting in the front covering of the ceiling lights up the
controls on the central console from above when the side or dipped lights
are on.
In addition, the lever on the door moulding can also be illuminated. Note
The reading lights go out when the vehicle is locked, or a few minutes after
the key i

s removed from the ignition. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging. Sun blind
Introduction WARNING
Sun visors and sun blinds may reduce visibility when open.
● Always roll or fold sun blinds and visors away when not in use. 
Sun visors Fig. 64 Sun visor.
Options for adjusting driver and front passenger sun visors:
● Lower by unfolding towards the windscreen.
● The sun visor can be pulled out of its mounting and turned towards the
door ⇒ fig. 64 1 .
● Swing the sun visor towards the door, longitudinally backwards. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

104
Lights and visibility
Make-up mirror light
There m a
y be a make-up mirror, with a cover, on the rear of the sun visor.
When the cover is opened 2 a light comes on.
The lamp g oe

s out when the make-up mirror cover is closed or the sun visor
is pushed back up. Note
The light above the sun visor automatically switches off after a few minutes
in cer t

ain conditions. This prevents the battery from discharging. 
Rear side window sun blinds Fig. 65 On the rear
right-h
and w

indow: sun
blind.
The sun blinds for the passenger compartment are fitted in the side panels
of the windo
ws. ●
Pull the sun blind by the handle ⇒ fig. 65 A up to the top.
● Hook both rings of the fastening rod in the spaces provided B . Check
that the s

un blind is securely hooked into the spaces provided when it has
been lowered B .
● To put the sun blind away, unhook it at the top and lower by hand ⇒  .
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the blind or the interior trim, do not lower the sun
blind “quic k

ly”. 

105
Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper and washer
Introduction Additional information and warnings:
●
Recirculation of air conditioning air ⇒ p age 155
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 275
● C

aring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 242WARNING
Water from the windscreen washer water bottle may freeze on the wind-
sc r

een if it does not contain enough anti-freeze, reducing forward visibili-
ty.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer contains enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you hav
e warmed the windscreen with the ventilation system. The anti-
freeze could freeze on the windscreen and reduce visibility. WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and seriou s

injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the winds
creen correctly. CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
gla s

s before using the wipers for the first time. In cold weather, it may help
to leave the vehicle parked with the wipers in service position ⇒ page 107. Control lamp lights up Possible cause Solution
 Windscreen wiper fluid level
too lo
w Top up the windscreen wiper
bottle a
s

soon as possible
⇒ page 109. Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is
sw

itched. This signals that the lamp is working properly. They
will switch off after a few seconds. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
ma y

result in faults in the vehicle. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

106
Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper lever Fig. 66 Using the
wind
s
creen wipers. Fig. 67 Using the rear
windo
w w

ipers. Move the lever to the required position ⇒  :
0
OFF Windscreen wiper off.
1
 Intermittent windscreen wipers wipe.
Us
in

g the control ⇒ fig. 66 A adjust the interval (vehicles
without the r
ain sensor), or the sensitivity of the rain sensor. 2
LOW Slow wipe.
3
HIGH Continuous wipe.
4

x Brief wipe - short wipe. Hold the lever down for more time to
incr
e

ase the wipe frequency. 5
 Automatic wipe for cleaning windscreens with the lever up.
6
 Intermittent wipe for rear window. The rear wiper will wipe the
windo
w ap

proximately every 6 seconds. 7
 Automatic wipe for cleaning rear windows with the lever
pre
s

sed. CAUTION
If the ignition is switched off while the windscreen wipers are on, the wind-
sc r

een wipers carry on wiping at the same level when the ignition is switch-
ed back on. Ice, snow and other obstacles may damage the windscreen wip-
er and the wiper motor. Note
● The windscreen wipers will only function when the ignition is switched
on and the bonnet or t

ailgate are closed.
● The intermittent wiper speed varies according to the vehicle speed. The
fas

ter the vehicle is moving, the more often the windscreen is cleaned.
● The rear wiper is automatically switched on when the windscreen wiper
is c

onnected and the car is in reverse gear. 

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

109
Lights and visibility
● Damaged blades: A film of water on the damaged blades may lengthen
the activ ation time, r
educe the washing intervals or result in a fast and con-
tinuous wipe.
● Insects: insects on the sensor may trigger the windscreen wipers.
● Salt on roads: in winter, salt spread in the roads may cause an extra
long wipe when the w
indscreen is almost dry.
● Dirt: dry dust, wax, coating on glass (Lotus effect) or traces of detergent
(car wa
sh) may reduce the effectiveness of the rain sensor or make it react
more slowly, later or not at all.
● Cracked windscreen: the impact of a stone will trigger a single wipe cy-
cle w
ith the rain sensor on. Next the rain sensor detects the reduction in the
sensitive surface area and adapts accordingly. The behaviour of the sensor
will vary with the size of the damage caused by the stone. WARNING
The rain sensor may not detect enough rain to switch on the wipers.
● If necessary, switch on the wipers manually when water on the wind-
sc r

een obstructs visibility. Note
● Clean the sensitive surface of the rain sensor regularly and check the
b l

ades for damage ⇒ fig. 70 (arrow).
● To remove wax and coatings, we recommend a window cleaner contain-
ing alcoho
l. Checking and topping up the windscreen washer bottle
with wat

er Fig. 71 In the engine
comp
ar

tment: wind-
screen washer bottle top.
Check the water level in the windscreen washer bottle regularly and top up
as r
equired.
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ pag
e 275.
● The washer bottle is marked with the symbol  on the lid ⇒ fig. 71.
● Check there is enough water in the bottle.
● To top up, mix water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT ⇒  .
Ple a

se follow the instructions for use found on the packaging.
● In cold weather, a special antifreeze should also be added to prevent
the water fr
om freezing ⇒  .
Bottle c ap
acity
The bottle holds approximately 3.0 litres; in vehicles with headlight washer,
it is approximately 7.0 litres. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

110
Lights and visibility WARNING
Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other similar products with the
wind s
creen washer water. A greasy layer may be formed on the wind-
screen which will impair visibility.
● Use clean water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT.
● If necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to the water bottle. CAUTION
● Do not mix cleaning products recommended by SEAT with other prod-
ucts. Thi

s could lead to flocculation and may block the windscreen washer
jets.
● When topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that you fill the
fluids int
o the correct reservoirs. Failure to observe this point will result in
serious malfunctions and engine damage! 
Rear vision mirror
Intr oduction Additional information and warnings:
●
Personal convenience settings in the SEAT information system
⇒  pag
e 62
● Se

at memory ⇒ page 117
● Ch

anging gear ⇒ page 174
● Br

aking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 183 WARNING
The automatic anti-dazzle rear vision mirror contains an electrolytic fluid
which m a

y leak if the mirror is broken. This fluid can cause irritation to
the skin, eyes and respiratory organs.
● The electrolytic fluid may cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respi-
rator
y organs, particularly in individuals suffering from asthma or other
illnesses. Make sure that adequate quantities of fresh air enter and leave
the vehicle if it is not possible to open all the doors and windows.
● If the electrolytic fluid comes into contact with eyes or skin, wash the
area f
or at least 15 minutes with plenty of water, and seek medical ad-
vice.
● If the electrolytic fluid comes into contact with shoes or clothing,
wash the ar
ea for at least 15 minutes with plenty of water. Wash shoes
and clothing before wearing them again.
● If the electrolytic fluid is swallowed, wash the mouth with plenty of
water f
or at least 15 minutes. Do not try to provoke vomiting unless rec-
ommended by a Doctor. Seek medical advice immediately. CAUTION
If an automatic anti-dazzle rear vision mirror is broken, the electrolytic fluid
ma y

leak out. This fluid attacks plastic surfaces. Therefore, it should be
cleaned as fast as possible with a damp sponge or similar. 