2011 Seat Alhambra brake

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

81
Unlocking and locking
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.
If a door is open or incorrectly closed, the indicator  or  on the instru-
ment panel will light.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, a symbol may be displayed on the in-
strument panel screen instead of the warning lamp. The indication is also
visible when the ignition is switched off. The indication disappears around
15 seconds after the vehicle has been locked. 
Sliding doors Introduction Additional information:
●
Vehicle key set ⇒ page 71
● C

entral locking and locking system ⇒ page 74
● Emer

gency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 314WARNING
If a sliding door is not correctly closed, it could open unexpectedly when
drivin g and c

ause serious injuries.
● Always stop immediately and close the sliding door.
● When closing, ensure that the sliding door has closed correctly. A
closed s
liding door should be flush with the corresponding parts of the
bodywork.
● Only open and close sliding doors when no body is in the way of the
door. WARNING
If a sliding door is not fully open, it could close unexpectedly and cause
serious injurie

s.
● Always open the sliding door fully. WARNING
Opening sliding doors while driving is dangerous. The sliding door could
be pushed open or c
losed when the vehicle accelerates and brakes caus-
ing serious injuries.
● Never open the sliding doors when the vehicle is in movement. 
Manually opening and closing the sliding door Fig. 50 On the sliding
door. door h
andl

e 1 .
 Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

112
Lights and visibility
Exterior mirrors Fig. 74 In the driver
door: ext
erior mirr
or con-
trols Turn the knob to the required position:
 Electric folding exterior mirrors
⇒  .
 Switch on the exterior mirror heating This only heats up if the
ambient
t

emperature is less than +20°C (+68°F).  Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror by turning the knob for-
war
d

s, backwards, to the left or to the right.  Adjust the right-hand exterior mirror by turning the knob for-
war
d

s, backwards, to the left or to the right.  Zero position. Exterior mirror unfolded, exterior mirror heating
off, a
dju

stment of exterior mirror not possible. Synchronised mirror adjustment
●
In the menu Setting s
- Convenience select whether or not the mirrors
should move in synchronisation ⇒ page 62.
● Turn the knob to position L. ●
Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror. The right exterior mirror will be ad-
jus
ted at the same time (synchronised).
● If necessary the right exterior mirror adjustment may need correcting.
Turn the knob t
o position R.
Automatic anti-dazzle exterior mirror, driver's side
The automatic anti-dazzle exterior mirror is controlled in the same way as
the automatic anti-dazzle rear vision mirror ⇒ page 111.
Store the reverse settings for the passenger exterior mirror
● Select the vehicle key in which the setting is to be stored.
● Use this key to unlock the vehicle.
● Connect the automatic parking brake.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Move the gear lever to neutral.
● In the menu Settings
- Convenience activate the function Mirror adjust-
ment.
● Select reverse gear.
● Adjust the front passenger exterior mirror so that you can see, for exam-
ple, the k
erb area.
● The new position of the mirror will be stored automatically and allocated
to the v
ehicle key that was used to unlock the vehicle. For vehicles with seat
memory, please see ⇒  page 117.
Activating the passenger exterior mirror settings
● Turn the exterior mirror knob to position R.
● With the ignition switched on, select reverse gear.
● The stored position of the passenger exterior mirror for reverse gear is
deleted when driv
ing forwards at 15 km/h, or if the knob is turned from po-
sition R to another position. 

118
Seats and storage compartments WARNING
People whose pain and temperature threshold has been affected by some
kind of medic
ine, paraplegia or chronic illness (e.g. diabetes) may sus-
tain 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.
● People with a limit pain and temperature threshold must never use
seat he
ating. CAUTION
● To 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.
● Liquids, sharp objects and insulating materials on the seat could dam-
age the seat
heating.
● In the event of smells, switch off the seat heating immediately and have
the unit in
spected by a Technical Service. For the sake of the environment
The seat heating should remain on only when needed. Otherwise, it is an
unnec e

ssary fuel waste. Seat with position memory* Fig. 80 Memory buttons
on the outs
ide of

the
driver seat
Memory buttons
Individual settin
gs for the driver seat and the exterior mirror can be as-
signed to each memory button.
Storing exterior mirror settings for driving forwards
● Connect the automatic parking brake.
● Move the gear lever to neutral.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Adjust the front seat and the exterior mirrors.
● Keep the SET button held down for more than one second ⇒ fig. 80.
● Press the required memory button for the following 10 seconds. A sound
confirms the settin

gs have been stored.
Storing front passenger exterior mirror settings for driving in reverse gear
● Connect the automatic parking brake.
● Move the gear lever to neutral.
● Switch the ignition on. 

172
Driving
Key not authorised for the vehicle
If a k ey
which is not authorised for this vehicle is inserted in the ignition
lock, it can be removed as follows:
● Automatic gearbox: the key cannot be removed from the ignition lock.
Pres
s and release the selector lever locking button. Key can be removed
from the vehicle.
● Manual gearbox: Remove the key from the ignition. WARNING
Unsuitable or careless use of the vehicle key could result in serious in-
jury .
● A

lways take all the keys with you whenever you leave the vehicle. The
engine cou
ld accidentally be started and electrical equipment such as
the windows could accidentally be operated resulting in serious injury.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the car. They could
be trapped in the c
ar in an emergency and will not be able to get them-
selves to safety. For example, depending on the time of the year, temper-
atures inside a locked and closed vehicle can be extremely high or ex-
tremely low resulting in serious injuries and illness or even death, partic-
ularly for young children.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steerin
g may lock and it will not be possible to turn the steering wheel. Note
● If the key is left in the ignition lock with the engine off for long periods,
the v

ehicle battery will run flat.
● For automatic gearbox vehicles the key
can only be removed from the ig-
nition lock if the gear selector lever is in position P. In this case, press and
release the selector lever locking button. Starting the engine Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Step
1. Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until step 5 has been
comp
l

eted. 1 a. In vehicles with a manual gearbox:
Pres
s the clutch pedal all
the way and keep pressed until the engine starts. 2. Put the gearstick in neutral or the selector lever in position
P
or N. 3. Only in vehicles with diesel engine:
To prehe
at, turn the key
in the ignition lock to position ⇒ fig. 127 1 . A warning lamp
lights up in the c ontr
ol panel . 4. Turn the key in the ignition lock to position
⇒ fig. 127 2 ; do
not pr e

ss the accelerator. 5. When the engine has started, release the key in the ignition
lock.
6. If the engine does not start, stop the process and try again af-
ter one minut
e. 7. Disconnect the electronic parking brake when you wish to
st
ar

t driving ⇒ page 183. WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running. The vehicle
cou l

d move off suddenly, especially if it is in gear, resulting in an acci-
dent and serious injury. 

173
Driving WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a sudden increase in the engine
speed.
● Nev er u
se start boosters. CAUTION
● An attempt to start the engine while driving or starting the engine imme-
di at

ely after turning it off can cause damage to the engine or starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, avoid high revs and heavy acceleration and do
not mak
e the engine work hard.
● Do not push or tow start the engine. Sunburnt fuel could damage the
catalytic
converter. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm the engine at idle speed; start driving immediately if the visi-
bi lity

is OK. This helps the engine reach operating temperature faster and
reduces emissions. Note
● For example, if the key battery is very worn or flat, the engine cannot be
s t

arted with the starter button. In this case, remove the ignition button from
the lock and insert the key.
● Electrical components with a high power consumption are switched off
temporari
ly when the engine starts.
● When the engine is started cold, there may be strong vibrations for a few
moments for t
echnical reasons. This is quite normal, and no cause for con-
cern.
● At temperatures below +5°C (+41°F), smoke may be given off below the
vehicl
e when the additional heater is connected. Stopping the engine Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Step
1. Stopping the vehicle completely
⇒  .
2. Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until step 4 has been
comp
l

eted. 3. In automatic gearboxes, put the selector lever in position
P. 4. Connect the electronic parking brake
⇒ page 183. 5. Turn the key in the ignition lock to position
⇒ fig. 127 0 .
6. With a manual gearbox, put the vehicle in first or reverse gear.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle is moving. You may lose
contr o

l of the vehicle and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is
switc
hed off.
● The brake servo does not work when the engine is not running. To
stop
, the brake pedal must be pressed with more force.
● As the power steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
wil

l need more strength to steer than normally.
● If the key is removed from the ignition, the steering may lock and it
wil

l not be possible to steer the vehicle. CAUTION
If the engine has been driven at high speed for a prolonged period of time,
it m a

y overheat when turned off. To avoid engine damage, allow the engine
to run for approximately two minutes in neutral before switching it off. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

175
Driving WARNING
Do not allow the brakes to “rub” for a prolonged period of time, or brake
frequently or f
or long periods of time. Continuous braking heats up the
brakes. This could significantly reduce braking power, increase braking
distance or even result in the total failure of the brake system. CAUTION
● Never make the brakes slip by pressing the pedal gently, if it is not really
nec e

ssary to brake. This will increase wear.
● Reduce speed, move down a gear or select a shorter range of gears be-
fore lon
g steep slopes. This allows you to use the engine braking effect and
to reduce the strain on the brake system. Otherwise, the brakes may over-
heat and fail. Only use the brakes to reduce speed or to stop. 
Warning and control lamps lights up Possible cause Solution
 (red) Brake pedal not pressed! Press brake pedal to the floor.

(green) Brake pedal not pressed. To select a range of gears, press
the brak
e ped

al.
Please also see "Electronic park-
ing brake" ⇒ page 183. flashes Possible cause Solution

(green) The selector lever locking but-
ton h
a

s not engaged. The ve-
hicle does not start to move. Engage the selector lever lock
⇒ pag
e 178. 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. WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or m a

y cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
● If the vehicle stops and must be stopped for repairs, always park a
safe di
stance from surrounding traffic, turn on the hazard warning lights,
stop the engine and take all of the safety measures necessary to warn
other road users. 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

176
Driving
Pedals Fig. 128 Pedals in vehi-
cl
e
s with a manual gear-
box: 1 accelerator;
2 brake;
3 clutch.
Fig. 129 Pedals in vehi-
cl
e

s with an automatic
gearbox: 1 accelerator;
2 brake.
Do not allow floor mats or other objects to obstruct the free passage of the
pedal s. Floor m

ats should leave the pedal area free and unobstructed and be cor-
rectly sec
ured in the footwell zone.
In the event of failure of a brake circuit, the brake pedal must be pressed
harder than normal to brake the vehicle. WARNING
Objects falling into the driver's footwell could prevent use of the pedals.
This c

ould lead the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the
risk of a serious accident.
● Make sure the pedals can be used at all times, with no objects rolling
underneath them.
● A

lways secure the mat in the foot well.
● Never place other mats or rugs on top of the original mat supplied by
the factor
y.
● Ensure that no objects can fall into the driver's footwell while the ve-
hicle i
s in motion. CAUTION
The pedals must always have free and unobstructed passage to the floor.
For e x

ample, in case of a fault in the brake circuit, the brake pedal will need
to be pressed further to stop the vehicle. To press the brake pedal down fur-
ther will require more force than usual. 