2011 Seat Alhambra window

156
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning Note
● When the coo lin g system is turned off, air coming from the outside will
not be dried. To avoid fogging up the windows, SEAT recommends leaving
the cooler (compressor) on. To do this, press the AC button. The button in-
dicat or shou

ld light up.
● If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condens
a-
tion can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool un-
derneath the vehicle, this is completely normal and there is no need to sus-
pect a leak.
● Keep the air vents in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves
to ens
ure heating and cooling are not impaired and to prevent the windows
from misting over. 

158
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Some Climatronic controls may also be on the climate control system con-
tro l
panel located in the rear centre console. These controls are used to
make the appropriate settings for the rear seats. Control
butt on Additional information. Climatic
⇒ fig. 121; Climatr
onic
⇒ fig. 122. 1
Tem-
perat ur

e
 ...  Climatic: rotate the control to adjust the temperature accord-
in
gly

.
Climatronic: the settings for the left hand side, the right-hand
side and the rear seats are made separately. Rotate the con-
trol to adjust the temperature accordingly. The temperature is
indicated on the outside ring. 2
Fan
 ...  Climatic: setting 0, f
an and C
limatic switched off;
setting 4, fan set to maximum.
Climatronic: the Fan speed is automatically adjusted depend-
ing on the vehicle speed to avoid annoying noises. The fan
can also be adjusted manually. 3
Air dis-
tribution Climatic: rotate the continuous control to direct the airflow to
the de
s

ired area.
Climatronic: manually adjustable using the controls.  Climatic: defro
s
t function. The airflow is directed at the wind-
screen. In this position, air recirculation is automatically
switched off or is not switched on.  Climatronic: defro
s
t function. The air drawn in from outside
the vehicle is directed at the windscreen and air recirculation
is automatically switched off. To defrost the windscreen more
quickly, the air is dehumidified at temperatures over approxi-
mately +1.5°C (+35°F) and the fan runs at maximum output.  The air is directed at the chest of driver and passengers by the
da
shbo

ard air vents.  – Air distribution towards the footwell.
 Air distribution towards the windscreen and the footwell.
AC Climatic, Climatronic: Pre
s
s the button to turn off/on cooling. Control
butt on Additional information. Climatic
⇒ fig. 121; Climatr
onic
⇒ fig. 122.  Heated rear window: this only works when the engine is run-
ning and sw
it

ches off automatically after a maximum of 10 mi-
nutes.  Air recirculation mode ⇒ pag
e 161.  Climatronic: Autom
atic
air recirculation ⇒ page 161.  Windscreen heating: only works when the engine is running
and swit
c

hes off automatically after a few minutes.  Instant auxiliary heating on/off button
⇒ page 163. Switching
off
OFF Climatic: turn the fan switch to setting 0.
C
lim

atronic: press the OFF button or set the fan manually to
0. When the sy s
tem switches off, the OFF button will light up.
REAR Climatronic: pre
s
s the REAR button to adjust the climate con-
tro l
for the rear seats from the front. The REAR button will light
up when the fu nction i
s switched on. The settings for the rear
seats will be displayed. Press the button again to switch the
function off or do not touch any other button for around 10
seconds. REST Climatronic: pre
s
s the button REST to use residual heat. When
the engine i s
still warm but the ignition switched off, the heat
given off by the engine can be used to keep the passenger
compartment warm. The REST button will light up when the
fu nction i

s switched on. The function will switch off after
around 30 minutes and if the battery level is low. 

159
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning Control
butt on Additional information. Climatic
⇒ fig. 121; Climatr onic
⇒ fig. 122.  Climatronic: tran
sf
erring the driver's seat temperature set-
tings to the other seats. If the  button is not lit up, the set
temper at
ure in the driver's seat will also apply to the other
seats.
Press the button or the temperature control for the front pas-
senger's seat or the rear seats to set them to a different tem-
perature. The button lights with an indicator.
Vehicles with auxiliary heating: observe the description of the AUTO button.
AUTO Automatic temperature, fan, and air distribution control.
WARNING
Never turn off the air fan for a long time or the air in the passenger com-
par tment

will not be refreshed.
● Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver and passen-
ger conc
entration possibly resulting in a serious accident. Note
● Not all Climatronic buttons are operational in REAR mode.
● The REAR button is locked in defrost mode.
Rear operation Fig. 123 Details of the
re
ar oper

ation. Rotary
contr o

l
⇒ fig. 123 Description
A
Temperature selector
B
Air flow regulator 
Climate control user instructions The cooling system only works when the engine is running and fan is
swit
c

hed on.
The climate control system operates most effectively with the windows and
the sliding panoramic roof closed. However, if the vehicle has heated up af-
ter standing in the sun for some time, the air inside can be cooled more
quickly by opening the windows briefly. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

160
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Keep the air vents in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves to
ens ur
e heating and cooling are not impaired and to prevent the windows
from misting over.
Adjustment for safer driving
When the air conditioning is switched on, the temperature and the air hu-
midity in the vehicle interior drop. Hence, when the outside air humidity is
high, the windows do not mist over and comfort for the vehicle occupants is
improved:
With Climatic
● Disable air recirculation mode ⇒  pag
e 161.
● Set the fan to setting 1 or 2.
● Turn the temperature control to the centre position.
● Open the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ pag
e 161.
● Turn the air distribution control to the required position.
● Press the AC button to turn on cooling. The button will light up.
With C lim

atronic
● Press the AUTO button.
● Set the temperature to +22°C (+72°F).
● Open the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ pag
e 161.
Switching the Climatronic temperature measuring unit
Press and hold the AC and
AUT
O buttons to switch the temperature display
between C el

sius and Fahrenheit.
Heat
The maximum heat output required to defrost windows quickly is only avail-
able when the engine has reached its normal running temperature.
The air conditioning system does not switch on
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on, this may be caused by
the following: ●
The engine is not running.
● The fan i

s switched off.
● The climate control fuse has blown.
● The outside temperature is lower than approximately +3°C (+38°F).
● The climate control system compressor has been temporarily switched
off becau
se the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the climate control system checked by
a Tec
hnical Service.
Things to note
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation
can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak!
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter with its activated charcoal cartridge serves as a
barrier against impurities in the ambient air.
For the climate control system to work with maximum efficiency, the dust
and pollen filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Programme.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high
levels of air pollution, the filter must be changed more frequently than sta-
ted in the Service Schedule. Note
● The climate control system must left running for a few minutes to reach
the set t

emperature in the vehicle interior.
● After starting it, any residual humidity in the climate control system
coul
d mist over the windscreen.
● The air from the vents flows through the passenger compartment and
out through the outl
ets below the rear window. Do not cover these outlets
with items of clothing or other objects. 

162
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Switching air recirculation mode on and off manually 
Swit c
hing on: press the corresponding button until the light under the sym-
bol  comes on.
Switching off: press the button until no indicator remains lit.
Automatic air recirculation mode 
Fresh air enters the vehicle interior in position . If the system detects a
high concentration of hazardous substances in the ambient air, air recircu-
lation mode is switched on automatically. When the level of impurities
drops to within a normal range, recirculation mode is switched off.
The system is unable to detect unpleasant smells.
Air recirculation mode is not automatically switched on in the following ca-
ses of outside temperatures and conditions:
● The cooling system is switched on (the AC button is lit up) and the out-
side t emper

ature is below +3°C (+38°F).
● The cooling system and the windscreen wipers are switched off and the
outside temper
ature is below +10°C (+50°F).
● The cooling system is switched on, the outside temperature is below
+15°C (+59°F) and the wind
screen wipers are switched on.
Switching the automatic air recirculation mode on and off
Switching on: press the   button until the light under the symbol

come s

on.
Switching off: press the   button until no button remains lit.
Swit c

hing the automatic air recirculation mode off temporarily
● Press the   button once to temporarily switch to manual air recircula-
tion mode in the event of

unpleasant smells from outside. The control light
under the symbol  comes on.
● After more than two seconds, press the 
 button again to restart au-
tom atic

air recirculation. The control light under the symbol  comes on. WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
pos s

ibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never use recirculation mode for long periods as it does not refresh
the air inside the
vehicle.
● If the cooling mode is switched off and air recirculation mode switch-
ed on, the window
s can mist over very quickly, considerably limiting visi-
bility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required. CAUTION
Do not smoke when air recirculation is switched on in vehicles with a cli-
mat e c

ontrol system. The smoke taken in could lie on the cooling system va-
poriser and on the activated charcoal cartridge of the dust and pollen filter,
leading to a permanently unpleasant smell. Note
Air recirculation mode switches on to prevent exhaust gas from entering the
vehic l

e interior when it is in reverse and while the automatic windscreen
wash and wipe is working. 

166
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Checking programming
If the timer h
as been switched on after switching the ignition off, the instant
on button  will remain lit for around ten seconds.
WARNING
Never program the independent heating system to be activated and oper-
ated in c lo

sed, unventilated areas. The auxiliary heater fumes contain
carbon dioxide, an odourless and colourless toxic gas. Carbon monoxide
can cause people to lose consciousness. It can also cause death. 
Operating instructions The auxiliary heater exhaust system located below the vehicle must be kept
cl
e

ar of snow, mud and other objects. The exhaust fumes must not be ob-
structed in any way. The exhaust fumes generated by the auxiliary heater
are removed via an exhaust pipe fitted underneath the vehicle.
On heating the vehicle interior, depending on the outside temperature the
warm air is first directed at the windscreen and then to the rest of the pas-
senger compartment through the air vents. If the air vents are turned to-
wards the windows, for example, the form of air distribution may be affec-
ted.
Depending on the outside temperature, the temperature at which the auxili-
ary heater warms the vehicle interior may be somewhat higher if the heating
or climate control temperature control is set to maximum before switching
the heating on.
Depending on the engine, vehicles with auxiliary heater may be fitted with a
second battery in the luggage compartment that is responsible for powering
the auxiliary heater. Cases in which the auxiliary heater will not switch on
●
The auxiliary heater requires about as much power as the dipped head-
lights. If the batt
ery charge is low, the auxiliary heater will switch off auto-
matically or will not even switch on. This avoids problems when starting the
engine.
● The heater will switch just once each time. The timer will also have to be
switc
hed back on every time it is required. Note
● Noise will be heard while the auxiliary heater is running.
● When the air humidity i

s high and the outside temperature low, the
heating sy
stem may evaporate condensation from the auxiliary heater. In
this case, steam may be released from underneath the vehicle. This is com-
pletely normal and there is no need to suspect a fault!
● If the auxiliary heater runs several times over a prolonged period, the ve-
hicle b
attery may run flat. To re-charge the battery, drive the vehicle for a
long distance. In general: drive for as much time as the auxiliary heating
was working. 

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. 

174
Driving Note
● In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the key can only be removed when
the sel ect
or lever is in position P.
● After stopping the engine, the engine compartment fan may continue
running f
or a few minutes, even when the ignition has been switched off or
the key removed. The radiator fan is automatically switched off. 
Electronic immobiliser The gear lock prevents the engine from being started with an unauthorised
key
and the

vehicle being moved.
The vehicle key has a built-in chip. It automatically deactivates the immobil-
izer when the key is inserted into the ignition lock.
For this reason, the vehicle can only be used with a genuine SEAT key with
the correct code. Coded keys can be obtained from your Authorised Service
Centre ⇒ page 71. If an unauthorised key is used, the message SAFE or Immobiliser active is
displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle cannot be started in this
case Note
The correct operation of the vehicle is only guaranteed when original SEAT
key s

are used. Changing gear
Introduction When reverse gear is engaged and the ignition is switched on the following
tak
e

s place:
● Reverse lights light up.
● When reversing, the air conditioner automatically changes to air recircu-
lation mode.
● The re

ar window heater switches on when the windscreen wiper is acti-
vated.
● A

lso, the parking sensor system, the optical parking sensor and the
camera f
or the reverse assist system are connected.
Additional information and warnings:
● Instruments ⇒ page 57
● Br

aking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 183
● P

arking sensor system ⇒ page 198
● P

ark Assist system ⇒ page 202
● R

everse assist system (Rear Assist) ⇒ page 207
● Air c

onditioning ⇒ page 155
● El

ectronic power control and exhaust gases purification system
⇒ page 228
● Emer

gency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 314 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 the kickdown or rapid acceleration if visibility, weather, road
and traffic c
onditions so permit. 