2011 Seat Alhambra ESP

35
Airbag system
Deactivating and activating the front passenger airbag
us in
g the key switch Fig. 19 In the glove com-
par
tment

on the front
passenger side: key
switch for disabling and
enabling the front pas-
senger airbag.
The front passenger airbag must be disabled when a rear-facing child seat
is mou
nted.
Disabling the front passenger airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Unfold the key shaft ⇒ page 71.
● T

urn the key switch to OFF ⇒ fig. 19 usin
g the vehicle key.
● Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● The PASSENGER AIR BAG  
control lamp on the instrument panel will
remain lit while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30.
Enabling the front passenger airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Turn the key switch to ON ⇒ fig. 19 u
sing the vehicle key. ●
Close the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
● Check

that the PASS
ENGER AIR BAG OFF  control lamp on the instru-
ment panel does not light up while the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30.
How to know whether the front passenger airbag is disabled
Disabling of the front passenger airbag is only indicated by the PASSENGER
AIR BAG   control lamp that remains lit on the instrument panel (  
remains yellow) ⇒ page 30, Warning lamp.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG   control lamp on the centre console does not
remain lit or is lit in combination with the control lamp  on the instrument
panel, a child restraint system cannot be mounted on the front passenger's
seat for safety reasons. The front passenger airbag may deploy during an
accident. WARNING
The front passenger airbag must only be disconnected in special cases.
● Disconnect and connect the front passenger airbag when the ignition
is sw

itched off to avoid damage to the airbag system.
● It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key operated switch
is set
to the correct position.
● Only disconnect the front passenger airbag when a child seat is to be
mounted u
nder exceptional circumstances.
● As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passeng-
er's seat, r
econnect the front passenger airbag. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

40
Child safety WARNING (Continued)
secured when using a child seat with a base or foot then the compart-
ment c
o
ver could rupture in an accident and the child will be ejected and
suffer serious injury.
● Please read and observe the child seat manufacturer's handling in-
structions. WARNING
An empty or loose child seat could fly uncontrollably around the vehicle
interior and c au

se injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● When not in use while the vehicle is in motion, always safely secure it
or stor
e it in the luggage compartment. Note
Replace the child seat after an accident, as it may have invisible damage. 
General information on transporting children in the vehicle Legal regulations and provisions will always take priority over the descrip-
tions
of

this instruction manual. There are different regulations and provi-
sions for the use of child seats and their mountings ( ⇒ table on page 41).
In some countries, for example, the use of child seats on certain seats in the
vehicle may be forbidden.
The physical principles and the forces acting on the vehicle in the event of a
collision or other type of accidents also apply to children ⇒ page 21. Howev-
er, unlike adults and youngsters, children do not have fully developed mus-
cle and bone structures. In the event of an accident, children are subject to
a greater risk than adults of sustaining severe injuries.
Given that children's bodies are not yet fully developed, child restraint sys-
tems must be used that are especially adapted to their height, weight and constitution. There are laws in force in many countries that determine the
use of ap

proved seat systems for transporting babies and children.
Only used authorised, approved child seats that are suitable for the vehicle.
Always consult with a SEAT qualified workshop or a specialist workshop
should you have any doubts.
Checklist
To transport children in the vehicle ⇒  :
● Observe the legal requirements specific to each country.
● For safety reasons, SEAT recommends that children under 12 years of
age ar e tr

ansported on the rear seats.
● Only if you have no alternative should a child travel on the front passen-
ger seat
⇒ page 42. The safest place in the vehicle is on the rear seat be-
hind the front passenger seat.
● Child must always use a child restraint system when travelling in the ve-
hicle.
The child restraint system must be suitable for the height, weight and
constitution of the child.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● Follow the user instructions from the child seat manufacturer and always
keep them in the v
ehicle.
● If the child seat is secured using the seat belt, guide the seat belt
through or arou
nd the child seat according to the instructions of the child
seat manufacturer.
● Make sure the belt webbing is correctly positioned and that the child is
sitting pr
operly.
● The child seat should be installed on the rear seat behind the front pas-
senger se
at so that the child can exit the car on the kerb side.
● Do not leave toys or other loose objects on the child seat or on the seat
while the
vehicle is in motion. 

43
Child safety
Suitable child seats
The chi l
d seat must be authorised by the manufacturer especially for use on
a front passenger seat with a frontal or side airbag.
If the front passenger seat is equipped with retaining rings, the child seat
can be secured using the approved retaining system provided it is approved
for this type of vehicle in accordance with current regulations in the country
in question.
Universal seats for children in groups 0, 0+, 1, 2 or 3 according to the ECE-
R 44 regulation. WARNING
If a child seat is mounted on the front passenger seat, the risk of the
chi l

d sustaining severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increa-
ses. Rear-facing child seats must never be mounted on the front passen-
ger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled. This is life-threaten-
ing to the child should the frontal airbag deploy, as the child seat would
be struck by the inflated airbag and thrown against the backrest. WARNING
If, in exceptional circumstances, a child must be transported in a rear-fac-
ing c hi

ld seat on the front passenger seat, strictly observe the following:
● Always disable the front passenger airbag and leave it disabled.
● The child seat must be approved by the manufacturer for use on a
front p
assenger seat with frontal and side airbag.
● Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer and
obser
ve the warnings.
● Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible and adjust it to
its highe
st position to keep as far away as possible from the frontal air-
bag. WARNING (Continued)
● Move the backrest to the upright position.
● The se
at

belt height adjustment must be as high as possible.
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
syst
em suited to their height and weight. 
Use of the child seat on the rear seat If a child seat is mounted on the rear seat, adapt the position of the front
pa
s

senger seat so that the child has enough space. Therefore, adapt the
front passenger seat to the size of the child seat and the height of the child.
Ensure the passenger is in the correct position  ⇒ page 10.
Move the second and third row of seats fully back and lock them. Place the
seat backs in a vertical position and fold the armrests down.
ISOFIX child seats approved for rear seats
The rear seats are suitable for child seats with the ISOFIX system specially
designed for this type of vehicle in accordance with regulation ECE-R 44.
ISOFIX child seats are divided into “specific categories for the vehicle”,
“limited” or “semi-universal”.
Child seat manufacturers supply a list of vehicles with each ISOFIX seat,
which includes the models for which the ISOFIX child seat in question is ap-
proved. If the vehicle is included in the manufacturer's list and the ISOFIX
child seat belongs to a seat category included in the list, then it can be
used in your vehicle. If necessary, contact the child seat manufacturer for an
updated list of vehicles. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

45
Child safety
Securing the child seat using the lower anchor points
(ISOFIX, LAT CH*) Fig. 27 Version 2: identi-
fication of
the anc
hor
points for the child seat
on the vehicle seat.
There are two r
etaining rings, the so-called lower anchor points, on each
rear seat or, where applicable, on the front passenger seat. The retaining
rings are attached to the seat frames.
Child seats with rigid mounting
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the chil
d seat ⇒  .
● Press the child seat onto the retaining rings ⇒ fig. 27 in the direction of
the arr o

w. The child seat must be safely engaged and click audibly into
place.
● Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.
Child se
at with adjustable retaining straps
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the chil
d seat ⇒  .
● Place the child seat on the seat cushion and attach the retaining strap
hooks t

o the retaining rings ⇒ fig. 27. ●
Tighten the straps evenly using the corresponding adjustment device.
The chi
ld seat must sit flush against the vehicle seat.
● Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure. WARNING
The lower anchor points for child seats do not include rings. Only secure
boos t

er seats to lower anchor points. 
Securing a child seat using a Top Tether retaining strap Fig. 28 Upper retaining
str
ap hook

ed in the lug-
gage compartment
● Observe the manufacturer's instructions when installing and removing
the chil
d seat ⇒  .
● Raise the head restraint behind the child seat until it engages.
● Secure the child seat to the lower anchor points ⇒ page 45.
● P

ull the upper child seat retaining strap back to the backrest of the rear
seat, belo
w or on both sides of the head restraint (depending on the child
seat model). Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

46
Child safety
● Hook the upper retaining strap to the corresponding retaining ring (for
T OP
TETHER) on the back of the backrest on the rear seat ⇒ fig. 28.
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go. Ensure that it does not
interf
ere with the seatbelt from the upper attachment.
● Tighten the strap so that the top of the child seat rests on the backrest. WARNING
Child seats with lower anchor points and with an upper retaining strap
mus t

be installed in line with the manufacturer's instructions. Failure to
comply could result in severe injuries.
● Always secure just one r
etaining strap from a child seat to a retaining
ring (for TOP TETHER) on backrest on the rear seat in the luggage com-
partment.
● Never secure a child seat to the retaining rings.
● Never secure a child seat to the movable attachment elements for ve-
hicle
s with an attachment element and rail system . 
Integrated child seat Introduction The integrated child seat is only suitable for children in Group 2 (15-25 kg)
and Group 3 (22-36 k
g), ac

cording to the ECE-R 44 regulation.
Additional information and warnings:
● Seat belts ⇒ pag
e 21 WARNING
Child travelling without their seat belt fastened or not secured using a
suit ab

le restraint system may sustain fatal injuries if the airbag is de-
ployed.
● You should always transport all children up to 12 years of age on the
rear se
at.
● Always disable the front passenger airbag if, in exceptional cases,
you hav
e no alternative but to transport a child in a rear-facing child safe-
ty seat on the front passenger seat.
● Children must always be protected with a child restraint system suit-
ed to their height and w
eight.
● Always fasten children's seat belts correctly. WARNING
Children must travel in a child seat appropriate to their weight and
height whi l

e the vehicle is in motion.
● Children must always be protected with a child restraint system suit-
ed to their height and w
eight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in whil
e travelling.
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie approximately on the cen-
tre of the shou
lder, never across the neck or the arm.
● The seat belt must lie close to the upper part of the body.
● The lap belt part must lie across the pelvis, not across the stomach,
and alwa
ys fit closely.
● Allow the belt to retract until it fits tightly over the child's seat.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap. 

54
Cockpit
Radio or navigation system (fitted at factory) ⇒ Booklet Ra-
dio or ⇒ Booklet Navigation system
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Hazard warning lights switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Switches for:
– Climatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
– C

limatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Right se
at heating controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Button for:
– Anti-slip r

egulation (ASR)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
– Start/stop operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
– Parking distance warning system (Park Pilot)  . . . . . . . . . . 198
– Park Assist system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
– Tyre pressure monitor  
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
– Opening the tailgate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
– Opening and closing of electric sliding doors  . . . . . . . . . 81
Loc
king lever to open glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Position of passenger front airbag on the instrument panel . .31
Key-operated switch in glove box for deactivating front pas-
senger's
airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Passenger front airbag off warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Lever for:
– Manual g

earbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
– Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
12 V
olt socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Auto Hold Switch - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Electr
onic parking brake switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Steering column adjustment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
13 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29 Fuse box cover
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Lever for:
– Crui se c

ontrol system (GRA)  –  –  –  / -
- / -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Open bonnet lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Controls for:
– Electric w

indows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
– Childproof locks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Note
● Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain
model s/model

years or are optional extras.
● In versions with the steering wheel on the right, the layout of the control
elements i
s somewhat different. But the symbols assigned to the controls
correspond to the symbols used in the versions with the steering wheel on
the left 
Instrument panel Contro
l and warning lamps The control and warning lamps are indicators of warnings,
⇒  , faults
⇒  or certain functions. Some control and warning lamps come on when the ig-
nition is
sw

itched on, and go out when the engine starts running, or while
driving.
Depending on the model, additional text messages may be viewed on the
instrument panel display. These may be purely informative or they may be
advising of the need for action ⇒ page 57, Instruments. 
30 31
32
33

55
Cockpit
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp , sometime
s a symbol may be displayed on the instrument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are lit, an audible warning is also
heard.
Red symbols Symbol Meaning ⇒  See
 
Do not continue driving!
The el ectr

onic parking brake is on, the brake
fluid level is too low or the brake system is faul-
ty. ⇒ page 183
 
Do not continue driving!
F au

lt in the engine cooling system. ⇒ page 283
 
Do not continue driving!
En gine oi

l pressure too low. ⇒ page 279
 
Do not continue driving!
At l

east one of the vehicles doors is open, or is
not correctly closed. ⇒ page 80
 
Do not continue driving!
The t ai

lgate is open or is incorrectly closed. ⇒ page 84
 
Do not continue driving!
F au

lt in the steering. ⇒ page 167
 Engine cannot be started again!
"AdBlue" lev
el

too low. ⇒ page 271
 Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt. ⇒ page 21
 Use the foot brake! Change
⇒ pag
e 174
Br

ake
⇒ page 183  Faulty generator. ⇒ page 288 Yellow symbols
 Front brake pads worn.
⇒ page 183 lights: ESC (ESP) faulty or off
flashes: ESC (ESP) operating
 ASR (TCS) manually deactivated.
 ABS faulty or does not work.
 Electronic parking brake faulty. ⇒ page 183
 Rear fog light switched on. ⇒ page 95
 lights: Driving light totally or partially faulty. ⇒ page 326
flashes: Fault in the adaptive light system. ⇒ page 95
 Fault in catalytic converter.
⇒ page 228 lights: pre-ignition of diesel engine.
flashes: Fault in engine management.
 Fault in engine management.
 Diesel particulate filter blocked
 Fault in the steering system. ⇒ page 167
 Tyre pressure too low. ⇒ page 293
Fault in the tyre pressure gauge. ⇒ page 221
 Level of windscreen washer fluid too low. ⇒ page 105
 Fuel tank almost empty. ⇒ page 264
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

59
Cockpit Type of mes-
sag
e Symbol
co lour Meanings
Priority 1
warnin
g. Red Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audibl
e w
arnings.
 Stop the vehicle! It is dangerous ⇒  !
Check the f

unction which is faulty and repair.
If necessary, request assistance from special-
ised personnel. Priority 2
warnin
g. Yellow Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audibl
e w

arnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below
the correct levels may cause damage to the
vehicle! ⇒  Check the faulty function as soon as possible.
If nec
e

ssary, request assistance from special-
ised personnel. Informative
te
xt

. – Information relating to different vehicle pro-
ce
s
ses. Mileage
The odometer
r

egisters the total distance travelled by the car.
The trip recorder (trip) shows the distance travelled since the last trip re- corder reset. The last digit of the trip recorder indicates distances of 100
metres or tenths of a mile.
Outside temperature display
When the outside temperature is below +4°C (+39°F), the symbol “ice crys-
tal” (warning of risk of freezing) is also displayed next to the temperature.
At first this symbol flashes and then it remains lit until the outside tempera-
ture rises above +6°C (+43°F) ⇒  .
When the v ehic

le is at a standstill, with the auxiliary heating on
(⇒ page 163), or when travelling at very low speeds, the temperature dis-
played may be higher than the true outside temperature, as a result of the
heat produced by the engine. The temperatures measured range from -40°C to +50°C (-40°F to +122°F).
Compa

ss
With the ignition on and the navigation system on, the cardinal point corre-
sponding to the vehicle's direction of travel is displayed on the instrument
panel ⇒ page 60.
Selector lever positions
The range of engaged gears of the selector lever is shown on the side of the
lever, and on the instrument panel display. In positions D and S, and with
the Tiptronic, the corresponding gear is also displayed.
Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
The recommended gear to save fuel is displayed on the instrument panel
while you are driving ⇒ page 174.
Second speed display (mph or km/h)
In addition to the speedometer, the speed can also be displayed in a differ-
ent unit of measurement (in miles or in km per hour). To change the units, in
the Settings menu, select the option Second speed ⇒ page 62.
Vehicles without menu display on the instrument panel
● Switch on the engine.
● Press button  three times. The odometer display flashes on the instru-
ment p anel

display.
● Press button 0.0 / SET once. “mph” or “km/h” is displayed briefly in-
st e

ad of the odometer.
● This activates the second speed display. To switch it off, repeat the pro-
cedure.
Thi

s option cannot be disconnected in models destined for countries in
which the second speed must always be visible.
Start/Stop operating display
Updated information relating to the status is displayed on the instrument
panel ⇒ page 194. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data