2011 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

215
Driving
Lane Assist system* Introduction Additional information and warnings:
●
SEAT information system ⇒ pag e 62
● A
ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
The intelligent technology in the lane assist system cannot change the
limits impo

sed by the laws of physics and by the system itself. Careless
or uncontrolled use of the lane assist system may cause accidents and in-
jury. The system is not a replacement for driver awareness.
● Always adapt your speed and the distance to the vehicles ahead in
line with v
isibility, weather conditions, the condition of the road and the
traffic situation.
● Always keep your hands on the steering wheel so you can turn it at
any time.
● The l

ane assist system does not detect all road markings. In some cir-
cumst
ances, the poor state of the road, structures located on it or certain
objects may be mistakenly recognised as road markings by the lane as-
sist system. In such situations, switch the lane assist system off immedi-
ately.
● Pay attention to the instructions on the instrument panel display and
act acc
ordingly to its requests.
● Always pay attention to the vehicle's surroundings. Note
The lane assist system has been exclusively developed for driving on as-
phalt ed r

oads. Note
If the lane assist system does not work as described in this chapter, do not
use it and c

ontact a specialist workshop. Note
If you observe any system malfunction, have the system checked by a speci-
alised w ork

shop. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

216
Driving
Control lamps Blinks or lights
up Possible cause Solution
 (yellow) Lane assist system con-
nected b
ut
inactive. The system cannot clearly
detect
the l

ane. See and
page 217, The lane assist
system is inactive (control
lamp lit in yellow).  (green) Lane assist system con-
nected and activ
e. –
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. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
ma y

result in faults in the vehicle. Operation mode
Fig. 152 In the sun visor:
Field of


vision of the lane
assist system camera.
Using the camera located in the sun visor, the lane assist system detects
the poss
ible lines dividing the lanes. When the vehicle involuntarily ap-
proaches a dividing line it has detected, the system will notify the driver
with a corrective intervention. It is possible to override the corrective inter-
vention at any time.
If the turn signal is connected, there will be no warning as the lane assist
system understands that you wish to change lanes voluntarily.
Steering wheel vibration
The following situations cause the steering wheel to vibrate and require the
driver to take active control of the steering:
● If the limits inherent to the system are reached.
● If the maximum rotational torque during the corrective intervention is
not enough to k
eep the vehicle inside the lane.
● If during the corrective intervention by the system the lane is no longer
detected. 

217
Driving
Switching the lane assist system on or off
● Select the corresponding menu option using the button for the driver as-
si s
t systems ⇒ page 62.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Activat
e or deactivate the system in the menu Settings,
sub-menu Assist systems , menu Lane Assist ⇒ page 62. The “confirmation
sign” indicates that the driver assist system is switched on.
Automatic deactivation: the lane assist system can be deactivated automat-
ically if there is a system malfunction. Control lamp switches off.
The lane assist system is inactive (control lamp lit in yellow)
● When the speed of travel drops to below approx. 65 km/h (40 mph).
● When the lane assist system does not detect the dividing lines of the
roa

d. For example, in the event of road works, and snow, dirt, moisture or
reflections.
● When the radius of a curve is too small.
● When there is no dividing line.
● When the distance to the next dividing line is excessive.
● When there are more than two lane markings per lane.
● When the TCS is disconnected.
● When the system does not detect any active rotation of the steering
wheel by
the driver during a prolonged period.
● Temporarily, in the event of very dynamic driving.
● When the turn signal is connected. Note
Before starting travel, verify that the camera's field of vision is not covered
⇒  fig. 152

. Note
Keep the camera window clean. Disconnect the lane assist system in the following
sit
uation

s Due to the limits of the lane assist system, disconnect it in the following sit-
uations:
●
When mor e att

ention is required of the driver
● For very sporty driving
● In very unfavourable weather conditions
● In very unfavourable road conditions
● In areas of road works Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

218
Driving
Sign Assist*
Introduction Sign Assist can help the driver with information on speed limits or if over-
tak
in
g is prohibited at that moment. The traffic signs and additional infor-
mation detected by the system is represented in the instrument panel dis-
play and in the visual presentation of the navigation system map.
Applicable countries:
Sign Assist is supported in the following countries:
Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Liech-
tenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Por-
tugal, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, United
Kingdom, Vatican City.
Additional information and warnings:
● SEAT information system ⇒  pag
e 62
● Navigation system ⇒  Bookl
et Navigation systemWARNING
The traffic signs and instructions shown by Sign Assist may differ from
the curr ent

traffic situation.
● The signs and Highway Code rules always take precedence over the
instruction
s and display of Sign Assist.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions.
● The system cannot always detect or correctly show all the traffic
signs. WARNING
The traffic sign detection is not a replacement for driver awareness.
● Adverse conditions of visibility, darkness, snow, rain and fog can
cau se the sy

stem not to show the traffic signs or to show them errone-
ously. CAUTION
● If old mapping data is used in the navigation system, this may cause the
tr affic

signs to be shown incorrectly.
● In the route points mode (navigation by route points) of the navigation
syst
em, Sign Assist is only partly available. 

219
Driving
Indication on display Fig. 153 Dash panel display: Examples of speed
limits
or o
vertaking prohibitions detected together
with the corresponding additional signs. Display text of Sign Assist
on the ins
trument

panel Cause and solution
Error: Sign Assist System fault.
Have the sy
s

tem checked by a specialist
workshop. Sign Assist: Clean the wind-
sc
r

een! The windscreen is dirty in the area of the
camer
a.
C
lean the windscreen. Sign Assist: only partly availa-
bl
e at

the moment. No data is being transmitted from the navi-
gat
or
.
Connect the navigator and insert the navi-
gation data medium.
ALTERNATIVELY: Sign Assist is not suppor-
ted in the country in which you are driving
at this time. 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. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
ma y

result in faults in the vehicle. 
Operation mode Sign Assist does not work in all countries. This must be taken into account
when trav
el

ling abroad.
Display of traffic signs
Speed limits or overtaking prohibitions together with the corresponding ad-
ditional signs are shown on the instrument panel display ⇒ fig. 153. De-
pending on the navigation system installed in the vehicle, traffic signs will
be shown as above and also in the navigation system's map display.
When Sign Assist is connected, the vehicle records the traffic signs with a
camera in the base of the interior rear vision mirror. After checking and eval-
uating the information from the camera, the navigation system and the cur-
rent vehicle data, up to three valid traffic signs are displayed in conjunction
with the corresponding additional signs. The traffic sign that is currently val-
id for the driver is shown first, in the left side of the screen. A traffic sign of
only limited validity, eg. 90 km/h is shown second, together with the addi-
tional sign “if the road is wet”. If the vehicle's rain sensor detects rain Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

220
Driving
during travel, the traffic sign valid at this moment will move to the first posi-
tion along the a d
ditional sign “if the road is wet”.
The permanent display on the instrument panel screen is shown as you
pass the real traffic signs. The signs for entering and leaving towns activate
the display of the usual speed limits for that country on roads in populated
areas and national highways, even if the speed is not limited by an actual
traffic sign.
The end of a prohibition or limitation is not displayed. If you exceed the
speed limits shown, a warning will not appear. The system does not detect
areas with little traffic. The current legal provisions apply.
Connection and disconnection
● Connect or disconnect the assist system in the Settings
menu within the
Seat information system ⇒ page 62.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Pres
s the button for the driver assist systems on the
main beam lever.
Trailer
Connect or disconnect the additional display of speed limits and overtaking
prohibitions valid for trailers (trailer mode) in the Settings menu inside with-
in the Seat information system ⇒ page 62. 

221
Driving
Tyre monitoring systems Introduction The tyre monitor indicator monitors the tyre pressure of each wheel during
drivin
g u
sing the ABS sensors. The ABS sensors monitor the tyre tread pe-
rimeter and vibrations of each tire. The tyre monitor indicator warns the driv-
er if it detects a considerable drop in tyre pressure of one or several tyres
while driving. Loss of tyre pressure will be indicated by the indicator  as
well as a sound and sometimes a text message on the screen of the instru-
ment panel. When you open the driver's door, you will find a label indicat-
ing the tyre pressure recommended by the manufacturer for the maximum
vehicle load for each tyre approved for the vehicle in question. By pressing
the adjustment button on the tyre monitoring indicator, you may change the
reference pressure for the tyres so that the tyre pressure to be monitored co-
incides with actual tyre pressure ⇒ page 223.
Suitable use of the adjustment button ⇒ page 223.
Additional information and warnings:
● Transporting ⇒  pag
e 13
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒  pag
e 183
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ pag
e 242
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ pag
e 293
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ pag
e 257 WARNING
Unsuitable handling of the wheels and tyres may lead to sudden tyre
pre s

sure losses, to tread separation or even to a blow-out.
● Check tyre pressures regularly and ensure they are maintained at the
pres
sures indicated. If the tyre pressure is too low, the tyres could over-
heat, resulting in tread detachment or even burst tyres.
● Tyre pressure should be that indicated on the label when the tyres are
col

d at all times ⇒ page 297.
● Regularly check the cold inflation pressure of the tyres. If necessary,
chan
ge the tyre pressure of the vehicle tyres while they are cold.
● Regularly check your tyres for damage and wear.
● Never exceed the maximum permitted speed or loads specified for the
type of ty
re fitted on your vehicle. WARNING
Incorrect use of the tyre monitoring indicator button could result in the
indicat or giv

ing erroneous messages or prevented from indicating the
danger caused by a defective tyre ⇒ page 223. CAUTION
● The tyre valves may be damaged if the cap is not in place. Check that the
c ap

s are identical to the standard caps and have been correctly tightened.
Do not use metal caps ⇒ page 223.
● Do not damage the valves when changing the tyres ⇒ page 223. For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel consumption and tyre wear. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

222
Driving Note
● Do not only rely on the tyre monitoring system. Regularly check your
ty r
es to ensure that the tyre pressure is correct and that the tyres are not
damaged due to puncture, cuts, tears and impacts/dents. Remove objects
from the tyres only when the tyres have not been pierced by these.
● The tyre monitoring system is set to the tyre pressure recommended by
the manufact
urer and indicated on the label ⇒ fig. 176. 
Elements of the tyre monitoring indicator Tyre monitoring indicator with button.
See ⇒ page 223.

Warning lamp  on the in
strument panel.
 S
ET button on the centre console.

Monitoring the tread of all tyres using ABS sensors (indirect measure-
ment). 
Adjustable medium and full-load tyre pressures. 
Button to update the system when the tyre pressure is changed. Control lamp Lights
up or
fla she

s Possible cause ⇒  Solution
 The tyre pressure of a wheel
ha
s

dropped considerably in
relation to the pressure set by
the driver ⇒ page 223. 
Stop the vehicle! Reduc
e your
speed immediately! Stop the ve-
hicle safely as soon as possible.
Avoid sudden manoeuvres and
braking!
Check all tyres and pressures.
Replace any damaged tyres.  System malfunction. Consult a specialist workshop if
the tyr
e pr

essure is correct and
the lamp remains lit after
switching the ignition off and
back on again. Have the system
checked there. 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
When the tyres are inflated at different pressures or at a pressure that is
too lo w then a ty

re may the damaged resulting in a loss of control of the
vehicle and a serious or mortal accident.
● If the indicator  lights, st
op immediately and check the tyres.
● If the tyres are inflated at different pressures or if a tyre pressure is
too low
, this will increase tyre wear, negatively affecting vehicle stability
and increasing braking distances. 