2011 Seat Alhambra park assist

204
Driving
Parking
● Parking parallel to the road: Drive next to the gap at a speed of no more
than 40 km/h and at a distance of between 0.5 m and 2 m.
● Parking perpendicular to the road: Drive next
to the gap at a speed of no
more than 20 km/h and at a distance of between 0.5 m and 2 m.
● The best parking results will be achieved if you position the vehicle as
paral
lel as possible to the line of parked cars or the kerb.
● When a suitable parking place is displayed on the instrument panel,
stop and sel
ect reverse gear.
● Follow the instructions given on the instrument panel display
● Then, release the steering wheel when the warning signal sounds ⇒  :
The sys t

em will move the steering wheel! Observe the surrounding area.
● Observe the surrounding area and accelerate carefully at a maximum of
up to 7 km/h.
● The park

assist system is only r
esponsible for moving the steering wheel
during the manoeuvre. The driver applies the accelerator, the clutch, the
gears and the brake.
● Follow the instructions given by the park assist system until the ma-
noeuvre i
s completed.
● The park assist system steers the vehicle forwards and backwards until
it is

in a straight position in the parking space.
● The manoeuvre is complete when the corresponding indication is given
on the instrument
panel display.
Stopping the parking manoeuvre
The park assist system stops the manoeuvre in the event of one of the fol-
lowing:
● Press button  .
● Driving faster than 7 km/h.
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● The parking manoeuvre has not been completed after six minutes since
the park a

ssist system was activated. ●
A sliding door is opened. To restart the manoeuvre, close the sliding
door and pre
ss the button  again.
● There is a system malfunction (system temporarily unavailable).
● The ASR (TCS) system is switched off or the ASR (TCS) or ESC (ESP) is
work in

g. WARNING
The steering wheel turns quickly by itself when parking using the park
as s

ist system. Placing your hand between the steering wheel spokes
could lead to injuries. Note
● The park assist system has its limitations. For example, it is not possible
t o p

ark on tight bends using the park assist system.
● Even if the park assist system recognises that there is not enough space
for park
ing the vehicle, the display screen on the instrument panel will still
display this place. In this case, the parking manoeuvre should not be re-
quested.
● Changing gears between forward and reverse gears before indicated
(that i
s, before the signal from the parking sensor system) the parking re-
sults may not be ideal.
● For parallel parking (parallel to the road), a sound will tell the driver
when they mus
t change from forward gears to reverse; the signal from the
parking sensor system does not indicate changes of direction.
● The park assist can also be activated afterwards, if you pass close to a
paral
lel parking space at a maximum of 40 km an hour or close to be per-
pendicular parking space at about 20 km an hour then press the button  .
● The progress bar on the screen of the instrument panel shows a display
of the r el

ative distance to be covered.
● When the Park Assist system is turning the steering wheel of the stop-
ped vehic
le the symbol  is also displayed. Press on the brake pedal so
that the steering can turn with the vehicle at a standstill and thus reduce
the number of manoeuvres. 

205
Driving
● A suitable parking space length is at least 1.1 m greater than the length
of the
vehicle.
● If the results of the park assist system are not as good after changing
the wheels, the sys
tem must memorise the perimeter of the new wheels.
This process is performed automatically while the vehicle is in motion. To
help this process, turn slowly (at less than 20 km/h), e.g. in an empty car
park. 
Leaving a parking space using the Park Assist system Driving off
●
Switch on the engine.
● Press button  . When the function is enabled, the button
⇒ fig. 144
wi l

l light up.
● Apply the turn signal indicator for the side on which you want to leave
the parkin
g space.
● Select reverse gear.
● Follow the instructions given by the park assist system.
● When the next indication appears, release the steering wheel ⇒  in
Park in

g using the park assist system on page 204: The system will move the
steering wheel! Observe the surrounding area.
● Observe the surrounding area and accelerate carefully at a maximum of
up to 7 km/h.
● The park

assist system is only r
esponsible for moving the steering wheel
during the manoeuvre. The driver applies the accelerator, the clutch, the
gears and the brake.
● When it is possible to leave the parking space, the Park Assist system
wil

l stop. Take control of the steering and when traffic conditions permit,
leave the parking space. Automatic stoppage of the manoeuvre
The park a

ssist system stops the manoeuvre in the event of one of the fol-
lowing:
● Driving faster than 7 km/h.
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● A sliding door is opened. To restart the manoeuvre, close the sliding
door and pres
s the button  again.
● There is a system malfunction (system temporarily unavailable).
● The ASR (TCS) system is switched off or the ASR (TCS) or ESC (ESP) is
work in

g. WARNING
The steering wheel turns quickly automatically when leaving a parking
sp ac

e using the park assist system. Placing your hand between the steer-
ing wheel spokes could lead to injuries. 
Park Assist brake operation The Park Assist system helps the driver by braking automatically. Automatic
brak
in

g does not relieve the driver of responsibility for controlling the accel-
erator, brake and clutch ⇒  .
Brak in

g to avoid damage at excess speed
It is possible that the system operates the brakes to reduce excess speed.
The parking manoeuvre can then continue. The brakes will intervene during
each parking process.
Braking to minimise damage
When approaching an obstacle, the vehicle may brake automatically. In cer-
tain circumstances (for example, storm, detection of ultrasounds, vehicle Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

206
Driving
status, load, inclination), the Park Assist system may stop the vehicle com-
pl et
ely before an object.
● Press the foot brake ⇒  !
Fo l

lowing the intervention of the brakes, the Park Assist will stop. 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.
● Always be ready to brake.
● Automatic brake intervention will end after 1.5 seconds approximate-
ly. Fo
llowing automatic intervention of the brakes, stop the vehicle your-
self. 

207
Driving
Rear Assist system*
Introduction The camera fitted to the tailgate helps drivers during parking or reversing
manoeu
vr
es. The camera image and certain orientation points generated by
the system are indicated on the factory-fitted radio or navigation system
screen.
Two types of location point (modes) can be selected:
● Mode 1: reverse parking perpendicular to the road (e.g. in a car park).
● Mode 2: r

everse parking parallel to the curb.
The mode can be c
hanged by pressing the button on the radio or navigation
system screen. Only the mode to which the points can be changed will be
displayed.
Additional information and warnings:
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
Use of the camera to calculate the distance from obstacles (people, vehi-
cl e

s, etc.) is inaccurate and may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● The camera lens expands and distorts the field of vision and displays
the obj
ects on the screen in a different, vague manner.
● Some objects may not be displayed or may not be very clear (e.g. very
thin post
s or fences), due to the resolution of the monitor or if the light is
dim.
● The camera has blind spots in which obstacles and people are not
regi
stered.
● Keep the camera lens clean and clear of snow and ice. Do not cover it. WARNING
The intelligent technology in the rear assist system cannot change the
limits impo

sed by the laws of physics and by the system itself. Careless
or uncontrolled use of the rear assist system may result in severe injuries
and accidents. The system is not a replacement for driver awareness.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions.
● Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and always
look to
wards where you are parking. The display shows the path of the
rear end of the vehicle using the current steering angle. The front of the
vehicle turns more in comparison with the rear.
● Do not be distracted from the traffic when looking at the screen.
● Always observe the area around the vehicle, as the cameras do not al-
way
s detect children, animals or objects.
● The system might not show all areas clearly.
● Only use the rear assist system when the tailgate is completely
closed. CAUTION
● The camera only displays 2D images on the screen. Due to the lack of
depth, it might

be difficult or impossible to recognise protruding objects or
cracks in the road.
● The cameras may not always be able to detect objects such as thin rails,
fence
s, posts and trees, etc. This could result in damage to your car. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

208
Driving
User instructions Fig. 146 On the boot lid:
location of
the r
ear assist
camera. Fig. 147 Rear assist dis-
pl
a

y: mode 2 connected.
Function buttons on the screen:  disp
lay the menu;  hide the menu.
 Turning off the reversing camera images
1 2 Display help. The help list explains the surfaces and lines on the cam-
era im
ag

e. Press  to exit help.
Mute the sound.
Adjust the display: brightness, contrast, colour.
Switching on the orientation points for rear parking perpendicular to
the road (mode 1).
Displaying the optical parking system. Function Operations in vehicles with
no optica
l

parking system
(OPS) Operations in vehicles with
the optica
l
parking system
(OPS) Switching the
dis
p

lay on auto-
matically: select reverse gear with the ignition switched on or the
engine ru nnin
g. Mode 1 will be displayed. Switching the
dis
p

lay off man-
ually: Press a button to select the area on the radio or the navi-
gation sy s

tem ⇒ Booklet Radio or ⇒ Booklet Navigation
system. ALTERNATIVELY: Pre
s
s the button  on the screen.
ALTERNATIVELY: Aft
er sw
itching off the ignition, the rear
assist image remains on the screen for a short period. Press button
 .
Switching off
the dis
p

lay by
disengaging re-
verse gear: The image will switch off af-
ter ar
ou
nd 10 seconds. The OPS display will imme-
diat
ely
be shown. Switching off
the dis
p

lay by
driving for-
wards: Drive forwards at more than
appr
o
x. 15 km/h. Drive forwards at more than
appr
o
x. 10 km/h.  3
4
5
6
7

209
Driving
Things to note 1) Do not use the rear assist system in the following cases:
– If there is a fault in the dynamic chassis control (DCC).
– If the image displayed is not very clear or reliable (low visibility or dirty
len
s). – If the space behind the vehicle cannot be clearly or completely recog-
nised.
– If the vehicle has been overloaded at the rear.
– If the driver is not familiar with the system.
– If the tailgate is open.
– If the position and installation angle of the camera have been changed,
e.g. in a r
e
ar-end collision. Have a specialised workshop check the system. 2) Optical illusions of the camera (examples)
The rear assist camera produces two-dimensional images. Any cracks in or
ob
j

ects protruding from the ground or from other vehicles are more diffi-
cult to spot or cannot be seen due to a lack of depth in the image dis-
played. Objects or other vehicles may seem to be closer or further away than what
they r
e

ally are: – On changing from a flat surface to a slope or gradient.
– On changing from a slope or gradient to a flat surface.
– If the vehicle has been overloaded at the rear.
– On approaching protruding objects. These objects may be outside the
angl
e of

vision of the camera when reversing. Cleaning the camera lens
Keep the c
amer

a lens clean and clear of snow and ice:
● Moisten the lens using a commercially available, alcohol-based glass
cle

aning agent and clean the lens with a dry cloth ⇒  .
● Remove snow using a small brush.
● Use de-icing spray to remove any ice ⇒  . CAUTION
● Never use abrasive cleaners to clean the camera lens.
● Nev er r

emove snow or ice from the camera lens using warm or hot water.
This c
ould damage the lens. Note
● SEAT recommends that you practise parking with the rear assist system
in a quiet loc

ation or in a car park to become familiar with the system, in-
cluding the orientation lines and their function.
● The orientation lines will not be displayed on the screen if the tailgate is
open or the factor
y-fitted towing bracket is electrically connected to a trailer. 
Parking perpendicular to the road (mode 1) Fig. 148 Display: orien-
tation line
s

for the park-
ing space behind the ve-
hicle. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

231
Trailer towing
Trailer towing Introduction Always be aware of the legal requirements for each country to drive with a
trai
l
er and to use a trailer bracket.
Your car is intended mainly for transporting passengers however, it can also
be used to tow a trailer provided that it is fitted with the necessary equip-
ment. The additional load has an effect on the useful life, fuel consumption
and the vehicle performance and, in some cases, reduce the service inter-
vals.
Driving with a trailer requires more force from the vehicle and, thus, more
concentration from the driver.
For wintertime temperatures, fit winter tyres to the vehicle and the trailer.
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted Drawbar load exerted by the trailer drawbar on the
ball joint of the tow hitch must not exceed 100 kg (approximately 220 lbs).
Vehicles with the Start-Stop function
With a SEAT factory fitted or retrofitted trailer bracket, the Start-Stop func-
tion is automatically deactivated when a trailer is connected. For trailer
brackets not installed by SEAT, the Start-Stop function must be deactivated
manually using a button located on the dashboard before driving with a
trailer and it must remain off for the entire journey ⇒  .
Addition a

l information and warnings:
● Anti-theft alarm system ⇒ page 74
● Light

⇒ page 95
● Ec

ological driving ⇒ page 225
● St

arter assist systems (Start-Stop function) ⇒ page 194●
Wheel
s and tyres
⇒ p
age 293
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257 WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer: this will endanger in their life and is
again s

t the law. WARNING
The incorrect use of the tow hitch can cause accidents and injury.
● Only use a tow hitch in good condition and correctly installed.
● Never change or repair a tow hitch.
● To reduce the risk of injury in case of a reversing collision, injury to
pedestri
ans and cyclists when parking, always keep the ball joint in
when a trailer is not being used.
● Never fit a trailer tow hitch “that distributes the load” or “balances
the load”.
Your vehicle has not been designed for this type of tow hitch.
The tow hitch may fail and the trailer will separate from the vehicle. WARNING
Driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or large objects can affect
vehic l

e handling and even cause an accident.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable and undamaged attach-
ment rope or s
traps.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

238
Trailer towing
●The vehicle centre of gravity and handling change because of the trailer
lo a
d and because of the increased combined mass of the vehicle and trail-
er.
● If the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer loaded then the load distri-
bution is
incorrect. If you must travel in these conditions, drive carefully and
reduce your speed accordingly.
Hill starts with a trailer
Depending on the hill and the gross combined weight, it is possible that the
combined vehicle and trailer move backwards slightly when starting.
For a hill start with a trailer, proceed as follows:
● Press and hold the brake pedal.
● Press the button  once to turn off the electric parking brake
⇒ p ag

e 183.
● Press and hold the button  to hold the vehicle and trailer combination
us in

g the parking brake.
● With a manual gearbox: press the clutch pedal to the floor.
● Engage first gear or the gear range D ⇒ page 174, Ch
anging gear.
● Release the brake pedal.
● Move off slowly. To do this, gently release the clutch pedal (for manual
gearbo
x).
● Release the button  only when the engine provides sufficient power
to mo v

e the vehicle and trailer combination. WARNING
Jerking the trailer in an unsuitable manner could cause loss of vehicle
contr o

l with the subsequent serious consequences.
● Driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or a large objects will
chan
ge the vehicle handling and braking distances. WARNING (Continued)
● Antic ipate traffic and be extremely cautious. Brake early.
● Adju
s

t your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions. Reduce your speed, especially on steep hills.
● Accelerate gently and carefully. Avoid brusque manoeuvres and sud-
den brakin
g.
● Always take the following precautions seriously. Reduce your speed
immediately
if you observe the trailer rocking from side to side.
● Never try to stop the “snaking” by increasing speed.
● Always take the speed limits for vehicles with and without trailers in
each c
ountry into account. 
Stabilising the vehicle and trailer combination Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combination is an extension of the
electr
onic

stability control ESC (ESP) and helps, with the assistance of the
trajectory control, to reduce trailer “snaking”.
Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combination is active when the ESC
(ESP)  indicator on the dashboard remains lit for about two seconds more
than the ABS indicator.
Requirements for stabilising the vehicle/trailer combination
● An original tow hitch is fitted by the manufacturer or a compatible model
is r

etrofitted.
● The ESC (ESP) is on. The warning indicator in the control panel  is not
lit

.
● The trailer is connected to the vehicle using the socket.
● The vehicle is driven faster than 60 km/h.
● The maximum drawbar load is used. 