2011 Seat Alhambra gearbox

177
Driving
Manual gearbox: Engaging gears Fig. 130 Gear shift pat-
tern of
a 6-
speed manual
gearbox.
The position of each of the gears is shown on the gear stick ⇒ fig. 130.
● Keep the clutch pedal pushed all the way down.
● Move the gear stick to the required position.
In some countrie
s, it is necessary to press the clutch pedal to the floor to
start the engine.
Selecting reverse gear
● With the vehicle at a standstill, press the clutch pedal to the floor and
keep pre
ssed.
● Push the gear lever down.
● Move the gear stick to the left and then forwards to reverse gear R . WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
ge ar i

s engaged and the clutch released. This is also the case with the
electronic parking brake on.
● Never engage the reverse gear when a vehicle is moving forward. CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature wear, please observe the follow-
ing:
● Whi l

e driving, do not leave your hand resting on the gear stick. The pres-
sure ap
plied by your hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is completely stopped before engaging
the rever
se gear.
● When changing gear, always make sure the clutch pedal is pushed right
to the floor.
● Nev

er hold the vehicle on the clutch on hills. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

178
Driving
Automatic gearbox*: Selecting gears Fig. 131 Left-hand drive
vehic
l
es: Automatic gear-
box selector lever with
locking button (arrow). Fig. 132 Right-hand
drive
v

ehicles: Automatic
gearbox selector lever
with locking button (ar-
row).
The gear selection lever has a lock. When changing the selector lever from
position
P to a range of gears, press the brake pedal and press the lock on
the selector lever, located on the front part of the knob, in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 131 or ⇒ 
fig. 132.
To move the gear selector lever from the
position N to D or to R, first press and hold the brake pedal.
When the ignition is on, the current position of the selector lever is shown
on the instrument panel. Selector
lev er po-
s

itions Denomination Meaning ⇒ 
 Parking lock The drive wheels are locked mechanically.
They on
ly

engage when the vehicle is at a
standstill. To change the position of the selec-
tor lever, press the brake pedal and switch on
the ignition.  Reverse gear Reverse gear is engaged.
Only
sel

ect reverse gear when the vehicle is at
a standstill .  Neutral The gear box is in neutral. No movement is
tran
smitt

ed to the wheels and the engine
does not act as a brake.  Standard for-
war d

s driving
position (nor- mal pro-
gramme) The gears are changed (up and down) auto-
matic
al
ly. The gear shifts are determined by
the engine load, your individual driving style
and the speed of the vehicle.  Standard for-
war d

s driving
position
(sports pro- gramme) The shift up to a higher gear is automatically
dela
y
ed and the shift down is faster with re-
spect to the D range of gears, to take full ad-
vantage of the engine power. The gear shifts
are determined by the engine load, your indi-
vidual driving style and the speed of the vehi-
cle. Selector lever locking
The ge
ar sel

ector lever lock prevents, in P or N, a gear selection from being
inadvertently engaged and the vehicle moving off accidentally. 

179
Driving
To release the gear selector lever lock, press and hold the brake pedal with
the ignition on. Pre s
s simultaneously on the selector lever lock.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly
through position N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This makes it possible,
for instance, to rock the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in
snow or mud. The selector lever lock engages automatically if the brake
pedal is not pressed and the lever is in position N for more than about one
second at a speed of less than 5 km/h (3 mph).
In vehicles with a DSG ®
automatic gearbox, on rare occasions the selector
lever lock may not engage. In this case, the transmission is locked to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving accidentally. The green control light  flashes
and an information text is displayed. Proceed as follows to engage the se-
lector lever lock:
● Press the brake pedal and then release. WARNING
Placing the selector lever in an incorrect position may cause loss of con-
tro l

of the vehicle and a serious accident.
● Do not press the accelerator when engaging a range of gears.
● With the engine running and a range of gears selected, the vehicle
wil

l move off when the brake pedal is released.
● Never select reverse gear or the parking lock while driving. WARNING
Unintentional movements of the vehicle could cause serious injury.
● As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is run-
ning and a g e

ar is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the
engine is running, you must apply the electronic parking brake and en-
gage parking lock P. WARNING (Continued)
● Whi le the engine is running and with the D, S or R range of gears se-
l ect

ed, keep the brake pressed to keep the vehicle at a standstill. Trans-
mission is not totally interrupted either when the vehicle is idling or
when the vehicle continues moving forwards.
● Never engage the R or P gear ranges when the vehicle is moving.
● Never leave the vehicle with the gear selector in N. The vehicle may
move do
wnhill regardless of whether the engine is switched on or not. CAUTION
If, when the vehicle is at a standstill, the electronic parking brake is not ap-
plied and the br ak

e pedal is released while in position P, the vehicle may
move a few centimetres forwards or backwards. Note
If, while driving, the selector lever is accidentally placed in position N, lift
y our f

oot off the accelerator. Wait until the engine is running at idle speed
before selecting a new gear ratio. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

180
Driving
Changing gears with Tiptronic* Fig. 133 Selector lever
in Tiptr
onic
position (left-
hand drive vehicles). The
lay-out in right-hand
drive vehicles is symmet-
rically opposed. Fig. 134 Steering wheel
with tw
o p

addle shifts for
Tiptronic.
The Tiptronic system allows you to manually change gears in vehicles with
an automatic
gearbox. When you change to the Tiptronic programme, the
vehicle remains in the currently selected gear. This is possible as long as
the system is not changing gear automatically due to a traffic situation. Using Tiptronic with the selector lever
●
Press the selector lever from position D to the right int
o the Tiptronic se-
lector gate ⇒  in Automatic gearbox*: Selecting gears on page 179.
● Press the lever forwards + or backwards
– to move up or down a gear
⇒ fig. 133.
Us in

g the Tiptronic with the steering wheel paddle shifts
● In D or S, move the s
teering wheel paddle shifts ⇒ fig. 134.
● Pull the right-hand side paddle + OFF ⇒ 
fig. 134 t
owards the steering
wheel to step up a gear.
● Pull the left-hand side paddle – ⇒ fig. 134 to
w
ards the steering wheel
step down a gear.
If the paddles are not used for a period of time, the vehicle leaves Tiptronic
mode. CAUTION
● When acc el
erating, the gearbox automatically shifts up into the next
gear shortly before the maximum engine speed is reached.
● When reducing speed manually, the gear box only shifts gear when the
engine can no lon
ger exceed the maximum engine speed. 
Driving with an automatic gearbox The gearbox changes gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves.
Drivin
g do

wn hills
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear you will need. The lowest gears
increase the engine braking work. Never go down hills with the selector lev-
er in neutral N. 

181
Driving
● You should reduce speed accordingly.
● Pre
ss the selector lever from position D to the right int
o the Tiptronic se-
lector gate ⇒ page 180.
● Gently pull the selector lever back to change down a gear.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Reduce u
sing the steering wheel paddles ⇒ page 180.
Emergency program
If all the selector lever positions on the instrument panel display are shown
with a light-coloured background, this means there is a fault in the system.
The automatic gearbox will operate in emergency programme mode. When
the emergency program is activated, it is possible to drive the vehicle how-
ever, at low speeds and within a selected range of gears.
For the DSG ®
dual clutch gearbox, in some cases, this may mean that re-
verse gear does not engage . The gearbox should be checked by a Technical
Service as soon as possible.
Overload protection for the 6-speed DSG gearbox ®
When the clutch is overloaded, the vehicle begins to jerk and the selector
lever position indicator begins to flash. To prevent damage to the clutch,
this interrupts the power transmission between the engine and the gearbox.
There is no more traction and it is not possible to accelerate. If the clutch is
opened automatically due to overloading, press the brake pedal. Wait a few
seconds before starting to move again.
Kick-down
The kick-down system provides maximum acceleration when the gear selec-
tor lever is in the positions D, S or in the Tiptronic position.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down, the automatic gearbox
will shift down to a lower gear, depending on road speed and engine speed.
This takes advantage of the maximum acceleration of the vehicle ⇒  .
When the acc el

erator is pressed to the floor, the automatic gearbox shifts to
the next gear only after the engine reaches the specified maximum engine
speed. Launch-Control Programme
The Launch-C

ontrol programme enables maximum acceleration while at a
standstill.
● Deactivate the ASR (TCS) ⇒ page 183.
● Pr

ess and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
● Place the selector lever in position S or Tiptronic
.
● Press the accelerator with the right foot until the vehicle reaches an en-
gine speed of ap
proximately 3200 rpm.
● Lift the left foot off the brake ⇒  . The vehicle starts with maximum ac-
cel er

ation.
● Turn on the ASR (TCS) after accelerating! WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, especially on
slip per

y ground. This could cause loss of control of the vehicle resulting
in an accident and considerable damage.
● Only use kick-down and rapid acceleration when weather conditions,
surf
ace conditions and traffic conditions permit; accelerate and drive in a
manner that does not endanger other road users.
● Please remember that the drive wheels can slip and the vehicle can
skid if the ASR (T
CS) is turned off, especially on slippery ground.
● Turn on the ASR (TCS) after accelerating. CAUTION
● If you stop on a hill with a gear ratio engaged, do not try to prevent the
v ehic

le from rolling back by pressing on the accelerator. This could cause
overheating and damage the automatic gearbox.
● Never allow the vehicle to move with the gear selector lever in N, espe-
c

ially with the engine turned off. The automatic gearbox will not be lubrica-
ted and could be damaged. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

186
Driving
Automatic release of the electronic parking brake on starting the engine
The electr onic
parking brake is automatically released when the vehicle
starts moving, if the driver's door is closed and the driver is wearing his/her
seat belt. In vehicles with a manual gearbox the clutch pedal should also be
pressed to the floor before starting the engine so that the system recogni-
ses that the parking brake should be released.
Emergency braking function
Only use the emergency braking function if the vehicle cannot be stopped
with the brake pedal ⇒  !
● Pull button  hard to stop the vehicle. The warning display will be ac-
c omp

anied by the corresponding warning chime.
● To stop the braking process, release the button or press the accelerator. WARNING
The incorrect use of the electronic parking brake may result in serious ac-
cident .
● Nev

er use the electronic parking brake to brake the vehicle except in
an emergency
. The braking distance is considerably longer, because
braking is only applied to the rear wheels. Always use the foot brake.
● Never accelerate from the engine compartment with the engine run-
ning and a ge
ar or a gear range engaged. The vehicle could move, even if
the parking brake is applied. Note
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: When the clutch pedal is released
and the ac c

elerator pressed at the same time, the electronic parking brake
is automatically released.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it will not be possible to disconnect the elec-
tronic p
arking brake. Use the jump-start ⇒ page 337. ●
When the electronic
parking brake is applied or released, noises may be
heard.
● If the electronic parking brake has not been used for a long while, the
syst
em sometimes performs automatic and audible checks while the vehi-
cle is at a standstill. 
Parking When parking your vehicle, all legal requirements should be observed.
To p
ark

the vehicle
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
● Park the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒  .
● Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill.
● Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 185.
● F

or an automatic gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
● Switch off the engine and release the brake pedal.
● Remove the key from the ignition.
● If necessary, turn the steering wheel slightly to lock the steering.
● With a manual gearbox, engage the 1st gear on flat ground and slopes,
or even the rev
erse gear on hills, and release the clutch pedal.
● Ensure that all passengers leave the vehicle, especially children.
● When leaving the vehicle, take all keys with you.
● Lock the vehicle.
Additiona
l information for steep slopes and hills
Before switching off the engine, rotate the steering wheel so that if the vehi-
cle should move then it will be held by the kerb. 

195
Driving
If any of the conditions necessary for the Auto Hold function change while
the v ehic
le stopped, the system is turned off as is the indicator on the but-
ton ⇒ fig. 138. The electronic parking brake engages where necessary to
park the vehicle safely ⇒  .
Condition s

for keeping the vehicle at a standstill with Auto Hold:
● The driver's door must be closed.
● The driver's seat belt must be buckled.
● The engine must be running.
● The ASR (TCS) system must be switched on ⇒ page 183.
Sw

itching Auto Hold on and off manually
Press the AUTO HOLD button ⇒  . The control lamp on the button switches
off when the Aut o Ho

ld function is switched off.
Permanent Auto Hold connection
The Auto Hold function must be switched on every time the engine is star-
ted. However, to switch the Auto Hold function on permanently, the mark
must be switched on in the Settings menu, “Autohold” submenu
⇒ page 62.
Auto Hold works automatically under the following conditions: All points must be fulfilled simultaneously ⇒  :
manual gearbox Automatic gearbox
1. If the vehicle is
stop
ped using the brake pedal on a flat or slope.2. The engine must be running smoothly.
3. On a slope, the 1st gear is engag-
ed uphil
l

or the reverse gear is en-
gaged for a downhill. The clutch
must be held down. A gear for driving is selected from
R, D or S.
Upon accelerating and pressing in
the clut
c

h simultaneously, the
brake releases gradually. Upon accelerating, the brake re-
le
a
ses gradually. Auto Hold turns off automatically under the following conditions:
manual gearbox Automatic gearbox
1. If one of the conditions mentioned in table on page 195 changes.
2. If the engine is not running regularly or if there is a malfunction.
3. When changing to idle speed. If the selector lever is placed in
neutral
(N

). 4. If the engine is turned off or stalls. If the engine is switched off.
5. If the driver accelerates while
pre
s

sing the clutch in. If the vehicle is accelerated.
6. When one of the wheels has mini-
mal
c

ontact with the ground (for
example, on uneven ground). WARNING
The Auto Hold technology is limited by the laws of physics. The improved
comf or

t provided by Auto Hold should never prompt you to take risks.
● Never leave the vehicle running and with the Auto Hold function
switc
hed on.
● Auto Hold cannot always stop the vehicle uphill and downhill (for ex-
ample, if
the ground is slippery or frozen). CAUTION
Before entering an automatic car wash, alwa
ys switch the Auto Hold func-
tion off, as it could be damaged when the electronic parking brake automat-
ically engages. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

196
Driving
Start-Stop Function* Fig. 139 Detailed view of
the centr
e c
onsole: Start-
Stop function button.
In Start-Stop mode, the engine is automatically switched off when the vehi-
cle i
s at a standstill. The engine restarts automatically when required.
The function is enabled automatically whenever the ignition is switched on.
The instrument panel displays information on the current status.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, leave it in neutral and take your foot
off the clut
ch. The engine switches off.
● Simply depress the clutch pedal to move off again.
Vehicl
es with an automatic gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, depress the brake or keep it pressed
down. The en
gine switches off.
● The engine will start again as soon as you release the brake pedal.
● With the gear lever set to P, the engine wi
ll not start until a range of
gears is selected or the accelerator pedal is depressed. Important conditions for the engine to automatically switch off
●
The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The driver door must be closed.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The factory-fitted towing bracket must not be electrically connected to a
trail
er.
● A minimum engine temperature has been reached.
● The vehicle has moved since the last stop.
● In vehicles with Climatronic: The temperature inside the vehicle is within
the preset
temperature range.
● The temperature set is neither very high nor very low.
● The air conditioning defrost function is not switched on.
● In vehicles with Climatronic: the blower has not been manually set to a
high speed.
● The pow

er level of the vehicle's battery is sufficient.
● The vehicle's battery temperature is neither too high nor too low.
● The vehicle is not on a steep gradient or slope.
● The front wheels are not overly turned.
● The heated windscreen is not switched on.
● Reverse gear is not engaged.
● The park assist system is not switched on.
Conditions
for automatically restarting the engine
The engine may automatically restart under the following conditions:
● If the vehicle interior is too hot or too cold.
● If the vehicle moves.
● If the vehicle's battery voltage drops.
Conditions
requiring the key to restart the engine
The engine must be started using the key under the following conditions: 