2011 Seat Alhambra park assist

185
Driving WARNING
Driving with brakes in bad condition could result in a serious accident.
● If the brake warning lamp  does not go out, or if it lights up when
driving, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low or there is a fault
in the brake system. Obtain professional assistance immediately
⇒ page 191, Brake fluid.
● If the brake warning lamp  lights up t
ogether with the ABS warning
lamp , the regulation function of the ABS could be malfunctioning. As a
result, the rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. If the rear
wheels lock this could result in loss of vehicle control! If possible, reduce
your speed and drive carefully to a specialist workshop close by to check
the brake system. During the following journey, avoid sudden braking
and manoeuvres.
● If the ABS warning lamp  does not
go out or if it lights while driv-
ing, the ABS is malfunctioning. The vehicle can only be stopped using
normal braking without ABS. The protection provided by the ABS is not
available. Visit a specialised workshop as soon as possible.
● If  lights, alone or accompanied by a warning message on the in-
strument
panel screen, please go immediately to a specialist workshop
to check the brake pads and to replace them if they are worn. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
ma y

result in faults in the vehicle. Electronic parking brake Fig. 135 Detailed view of
the centr
e c

onsole: elec-
tronic parking brake
switch
Applying the electronic parking brake
The parkin
g brake can be applied whenever the vehicle is at a standstill,
even when the ignition is switched off. Always apply the parking brake
when you leave your vehicle and when you park.
● Pull button  until the control lamp
 on the button lights
up.
● The parking brake is applied when the control lamp  lights up on the
ins

trument panel ⇒ page 184.
Releasing the electronic parking brake
● Switch the ignition on.
● Press button  . At the same time, press the brake pedal hard or gently
pre s

s the accelerator pedal with the engine switched on.
● The control lamps  on the button and
 on the instrument panel go
out. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

194
Driving
Start assist systems
Introduction Additional information and warnings:
●
SEAT information system ⇒ pag e 62
● Br
aking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 183
● V

ehicle battery ⇒ page 288
● Wheel

s and tyres ⇒ page 293
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257
● Jump s

tarting ⇒ page 337 WARNING
The intelligent technology in the start assist systems cannot change the
la w

s of physics. The improved comfort provided by start assist systems
should not prompt you to take risks.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle could cause serious injury.
● The start assist systems are not a replacement for driver awareness.
● Always try to adapt the speed of the vehicle and your style of driving
to the condition of
the ground or the road and to weather and traffic con-
ditions.
● The start assist system cannot keep the vehicle stationary in all con-
ditions on a gr
adient or cause it to brake on steep downhill gradients,
e.g. if the road is slippery or icy. Auto Hold function*
Fig. 138 Detailed view of
the centr
e c

onsole: Au-
to Hold button.
The control lamp on the button switches on when the Auto Hold function is
on.
When the Auto Hol

d function is on, it helps the driver if they must regularly
stop the vehicle or if they must stop with the engine running for prolonged
periods, for example, on hills, before a traffic light or in traffic jams with
continuous stopping and starting.
The Auto Hold function automatically prevents the vehicle from rolling away
accidentally when at a standstill, without the driver having to keep his/her
foot on the brake pedal.
When the system that detects that the vehicle has stopped, the Auto Hold
keeps the vehicle at a standstill. The brake pedal can be released.
If the driver presses the brake pedal briefly or presses the accelerator to
start off, the Auto Hold function releases the brake once more. The vehicle
moves according to the gradient. 

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: 

198
Driving
Parking sensor system*
Introduction The parking sensor system assists the driver when parking. When the vehi-
cl
e ap
proaches an obstacle, forwards or backwards, an intermittent sound
will be heard, higher or lower depending on the distance. The shorter the
distance, the shorter the intervals between tones. If the vehicle is too close
to the obstacle, the sound signal becomes constant.
If you continue to approach an obstacle when the sound is continuous, this
means the system can no longer measure the distance.
The sensor system on the bumpers transmit and receive ultrasound. Using
the ultrasound signal (transmission, reflection from the obstacle and recep-
tion), this system continuously calculates the distance between the bumper
and the obstacle.
Additional information and warnings:
● Park Assist system ⇒ page 202
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
The parking sensor system and the optical parking system cannot re-
pl ac

e driver awareness.
● The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles and people are not
regi
stered.
● Always observe the area around the vehicle, as the sensors do not al-
way
s detect small children, animals or objects. WARNING (Continued)
● The s urface of certain objects and some clothing do not reflect the ul-
tr a

sound signals from the parking distance system. The system cannot
detect or incorrectly detects these objects and people wearing these
types of clothes.
● External sound sources can affect the parking distance aid signals. In
this c
ase, under certain circumstances, people and objects will not be de-
tected. CAUTION
● The sensors may not always be able to detect objects such as trailer
dr a

w bars, thin rails, fences, posts, trees and open boots, etc. This could re-
sult in damage to your car.
● Although the parking sensor system detects and warns of the presence
of an ob
stacle, the obstacle could disappear from the angle of measure-
ment of the sensors if it is too high or low and the system would no longer
indicate it. Therefore, it will not warn you of these objects. Ignoring the
warnings of the parking sensor system could cause considerable damage to
the vehicle.
● The bumper sensors may become damaged or misaligned, for example,
when parkin
g.
● To ensure that the system works properly, the bumper sensors must be
kept c
lean, free of ice and snow and uncovered.
● When cleaning the sensors with high-pressure or steam cleaning equip-
ment, spra
y the sensors briefly at a distance of no less than 10 cm (4 in-
ches). Note
Acoustic sources may lead to erroneous warnings on the parking sensor
sys t

em, e.g. rough tarmac, cobbles or the noise of other vehicles. 

199
Driving
Parking sensor system* Fig. 140 Detailed view of
the centr
e c
onsole: but-
ton for switching the
parking sensor system
on and off. Fig. 141 Parking sensor
sys
t

em sensors on the
front bumper.
The parking sensor system assists the driver when parking. If the vehicle is
appro
aching an obstacle, an intermittent sound signal is emitted. The short-
er the distance, the shorter the intervals between tones. If the vehicle is too
close to the obstacle, the sound signal becomes constant. Switching the parking sensor system on and off
●
Press the  button ⇒ 
fig. 140 when the ignition i
s switched on.
● Automatic on: select r
everse gear.
● Automatic off: drive fa
ster than 15 km/h.
The button lights up when the function is switched on.
Things to note regarding the parking sensor system
● The parking sensor system sometimes registers water on the sensors as
an obs
tacle.
● If the distance does not change, the warning signal will sound less loud-
ly aft
er a few seconds. If the continuous signal sounds, the volume will re-
main constant.
● When the vehicle moves away from the obstacle, the beeping sound au-
tomatic
ally switches off. On approaching the obstacle again, the beeping
sound will automatically switch back on.
● If the electronic parking brake is engaged or the gear lever is set to P, no
sound wi
ll be emitted.
● Your Authorised Service Centre can adjust the volume of the warning
signal
s. Note
If the parking sensor system is faulty, a constant acoustic signal will be
emitted the fir s

t time it is switched on and the button will flash. Switch the
parking sensor system off using the button and take the vehicle to a spe-
cialist workshop to have the system checked as soon as possible. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

200
Driving
Optical parking system* (OPS) Fig. 142 On-screen OPS
dis
p
lay: A an obstacle
ha s
been detected in the
collision zone. B an ob-
st ac

le has been detected
in the segment. C zone
rec or

ded behind the vehi-
cle. Fig. 143 On-screen OPS
dis
p

lay: A an obstacle
ha s
been detected in the
segment. B zone recor-
ded behind the v ehic

le.
The optical parking system is an accessory to the Parking sensor system
⇒ page 199 and the p
ark assist system ⇒ page 202. The zone recorded by the sensors in front of and behind the vehicle is dis-
pla

yed on the factory-fitted radio or navigation system screen. Any obsta-
cles are display in relation to the vehicle ⇒  .
Function Necessary operations
Switching the display
on: Switch on the parking sensor system ⇒ pag
e 199
or the p
ark assist system ⇒ page 202. The OPS
switches on automatically. Switching the display
off m
anual

ly: Press a zone selection button on the factory-fit-
ted r
a
dio or navigation system
OR: Briefly press the function button  or
RVC on the screen.
Switching the display
off m
anual

ly: Drive forwards at more than about 10-15 km/h.
Select
the r
everse gear on vehicles with rear as-
sist ⇒ page 207. The display changes to the im-
age of the camera. Zones explored
The z
one in whic

h obstacles are recognised runs to a distance of around
120 cm from the front of the vehicle and up to 60 cm to the side
⇒ fig. 143 B . Behind the vehicle, the zone analysed reaches a distance of
up to 160 c m and ar

ound 60 cm to the sides ⇒ fig. 142 C .
Scr een di
splay
The image displayed represents the supervised zones in several segments.
As the vehicle moves closer to an obstacle, the segment moves closer to the
vehicle displayed B and ⇒ fig. 143
A . When the penultimate segment is
dis p

layed, this means that the vehicle has reached the collision zone. Stop
the vehicle! 

202
Driving
Park Assist system*
Introduction The Park Assist system helps the driver to find a suitable place to park, to
inser
t
the vehicle into parallel and perpendicular parking places and to
leave parallel parking places.
The Park Assist system is limited to the system abilities and requires that
the driver is especially attentive ⇒  .
The park in

g sensor system is a component of the Park Assist system that
helps to park the vehicle.
For vehicles with the optical parking system, the radio navigation systems
screen displays the detected zones in front of and behind the vehicle, indi-
cating - within the limits of the system - the position of obstacles compared
to the vehicle.
The park assist system cannot be switched on if the factory-fitted towing
bracket is electrically connected to a trailer.
Additional information and warnings:
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 183
● P

arking sensor system ⇒ page 198
● C

aring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 242
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257 WARNING
Despite the assistance provided by the park assist system, do not run
any ri

sks when parking. The system is not a replacement for driver
awareness.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle could cause serious injury.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions.
● The surface of certain objects and items of clothing and external
sound sourc
es may have a negative affect on the park assist signals or on
the system sensors or may not reflect its signals.
● The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles and people are not
regi
stered.
● Always observe the area around the vehicle, as the sensors do not al-
way
s detect small children, animals or objects. CAUTION
● The park assist system aims exclusively at other parked vehicles, with-
out t

aking curbs or other circumstances into account. Make sure you do not
damage the tyres and wheel rims when parking. Where necessary, stop ma-
noeuvring to avoid damaging the vehicle.
● The sensors may not always be able to detect objects such as trailer
draw b
ars, thin rails, fences, posts and trees, etc. This could result in dam-
age to your car.
● Although the parking sensor system detects and warns of the presence
of an ob
stacle, the obstacle could disappear from the angle of measure-
ment of the sensors if it is too high or low and the system would no longer
indicate it. Therefore, it will not warn you of these objects. Ignoring the
warnings of the parking sensor system could cause considerable damage to
the vehicle. This is also valid when using the park assist (e.g. to park be-
hind a truck or motorcycle). Therefore, always keep a close watch on the
area in front of and behind the vehicle while parking, and intervene prompt-
ly if necessary. 

203
Driving
● To ensure that the system works properly, the bumper sensors must be
k ept
clean, free of ice and snow and uncovered.
● The bumper sensors may become damaged or misaligned, for example,
when parkin
g.
● When cleaning the sensors with high-pressure or steam cleaning equip-
ment, spra
y the sensors briefly at a distance of no less than 10 cm. Note
Contact a specialist workshop with any system faults. SEAT recommends
vi s

iting a Technical Service. 
Parking using the park assist system Fig. 144 Detailed view of
the centr
e c

onsole: but-
ton to switch the park as-
sist system on manually. Fig. 145 Gap detected: Engage the reverse gear to park (parallel or nose/tail to the
kerb).
Pr ep

aring to park
● The traction control system ASR (TCS) must be turned on ⇒ page 183.
● P

arallel parking: pres
s the button  at speeds up to 50 km/h
once.
When the f
unction is enabled, the button ⇒ fig. 144 will light up.
● Perpendicular parking: pres
s the button  at speeds up to 50 km/h
twic e
. When the function is enabled, the button ⇒ fig. 144 will light up.
● If necessary, press the  button once more to change parking mode.
● Apply the turn signal indicator for the side on which a gap is to be detec-
ted f or p

arking. The instrument panel displays the side corresponding to the
road. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data