2011 Seat Alhambra ESP

140
Seats and storage compartments
The position holes are located on the inner side of the rail ⇒ fig. 101.WARNING
If the base supports and the roof carrier system are incorrectly fitted or
used in an u n
suitable manner, the entire system could break free causing
accident and injury.
● Always take the manufacturer assembly instructions into account.
● Only use base supports and roof carrier systems that are not dam-
aged and are c
orrectly fitted.
● The base support should only be fitted to the points indicated in the
diagram
⇒ fig. 101.
● Secure the base supports and roof carrier system correctly.
● Check the screw fittings and attachments before driving and after a
short di
stance. During each long journey, check the attachments during
every break.
● Always fit the roof carrier system correctly for wheels, skis and surf-
board
s.
● Never change or repair the basic supports or roof carrier system. Note
Read and take into account the instructions included with the roof carrier
sys t

em fitted and keep them in the vehicle. 
Loading the roof carrier system Loads can only be correctly secured when the roof carrier system is correctly
fitted
⇒  .
Max imum authori

sed roof load
The maximum authorised roof load is 100 kg (about 220 lbs). The roof load
includes the roof carrier system and the load being transported ⇒  .Always check the roof carrier system weight and the weight of the load to be
tran
s

ported and, if necessary, weigh them. Never exceed the maximum au-
thorised roof load.
If you are using a roof carrier with a lower weight rating, you cannot trans-
port the maximum roof load. Do not exceed the maximum weight limit for
the roof carrier given in the fitting instructions.
Distributing a load
Uniformly distribute loads and secure them correctly ⇒  .
Check att

achments
After fitting the base supports and the roof carrier system, always check the
attachments after a short trip or at regular intervals. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised roof load can result in accidents
and/or v ehic

le damage.
● Always respect the maximum authorised weight for the roof, the max-
imum authorised weight
on the axles and the total maximum authorised
weight of the vehicle.
● Never exceed the capacity of the roof carrier system even if this is
les

s than the maximum authorised roof load.
● Secure heavy objects towards the front and distribute the load even-
ly. WARNING
Loose and incorrectly secured loads can fall from the roof carrier system
cau s

ing accidents and injury.
● Always use suitable ropes and straps in good condition.
● Always secure loads correctly. 

157
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Controls Fig. 121 Detailed view of the centre console: Climatic
contr
o
ls Fig. 122 Detailed view of the centre console: Clima-
tronic
c

ontrols.
To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button. The correspond-
ing butt
on will light up when a function is switched on. Press the button
again to switch off the function. The LED on each control lights up to indicate that the respective function of
a contro
l has been switched on. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

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. 

164
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Remote control Fig. 125 Auxiliary heat-
er: remot
e c
ontrol. fig. 125 Meaning
ON
Switch the auxiliary heater on.
OFF
Switch the auxiliary heater off:
A
Aerial.
B
Light.
The auxiliary heater may accidentally switch on if a button is pressed on the
remot
e c

ontrol by mistake. This may also occur outside the range of the re-
mote control or if the light flashes.
Remote control light
The remote control light provides users with different information at the
push of a button: Battery light
fig. 125 B Meaning
Lights up green for around two
second
s. The auxiliary heater has been switched on
us
in

g the ON button.
Lights up red for around two
second
s. The auxiliary heater has been switched off
us
in

g the OFF button.
Slowly flashes green for
arou
nd tw

o seconds. No on
a)
signal has been received. Quickly flashes green for
arou
nd tw

o seconds. The auxiliary heater is locked.
Po
s
sible causes: the fuel tank is almost
empty, the battery charge is very low or
there is a fault. Flashes red for around two
second
s. No off
a)
signal has been received. Lights up orange for around
two sec
ond

s, then green or
red. The remote control battery is almost flat.
How
ev
er, the on or off signal has been re-
ceived, respectively. Lights up orange for around
two sec
ond

s, then flashes
green or red. The remote control battery is almost flat.
The on or off s
ign
al has not been received,
respectively. Flashes orange for around five
second
s. The remote control battery is flat. The on
or off s
ign

al has not been received, re-
spectively. a)
Within its range, the remote control might not receive the signal sent by the vehicle receiv-
er. In thi s

case, the remote control will send an error message despite the auxiliary heater
being on or off. Come closer to the vehicle and press the corresponding button on the re-
mote control once again.
Replacing the remote control battery
When the light B on the remote control does not come on when the button
is pr

essed, the remote control battery should soon be replaced.
The battery is located beneath a cover on the back of the remote control.
Turn the slot to the left using a flat, blunt object (e.g. a coin). When chang-
ing the battery, use another battery of the same model and observe the po-
larity when fitting it ⇒  .


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. 

169
Driving WARNING
The counter steering assistance system combined with ESC (ESP) helps
the driver t o s
teer the vehicle in critical driving conditions. At all times, it
is the driver who steers the vehicle. The counter steering system does
not steer the vehicle. 
Adjusting the steering wheel position Fig. 126 Mechanical
st
eerin

g wheel adjust-
ment.
Adjust the steering wheel before your trip and only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary
.
● Push the lever ⇒ fig. 126 1 downwards.
● Adjust the steering wheel so that you can hold onto the steering wheel
with both h and

s on the outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock
positions and your arms slightly bent.
● Push the lever firmly upwards until it is flush to the steering column
⇒  . WARNING
Incorrect use of the steering wheel adjustment function and an incorrect
adju s

tment of the steering wheel can result in severe or fatal injury.
● After adjusting the steering column, push the lever 1 firmly upwards
to en s

ure the steering wheel does not accidentally change position while
driving.
● Never adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion. If you
need to adju
st the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion, stop
safely and make the proper adjustment.
● The adjusted steering wheel should be facing your chest and not your
face so a
s not to hinder the driver's frontal airbag protection in the event
of an accident.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside of
the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to reduce inju-
ries when the driver's frontal airbag deploys.
● Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or in any oth-
er manner (e.g. in the c
entre of the steering wheel). In such cases, if the
driver's airbag deploys, you may sustain injuries to your arms, hands and
head. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

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. 