2011 Seat Alhambra ESP

Foreword
This In
struction Manual and its corresponding supplements should be read carefully to familiarise yourself
with your vehicle.
Besides the regular care and maintenance of the vehicle, its correct handling will help preserve its value.
For safety reasons, note the information concerning accessories, modifications and parts changes.
If selling the vehicle, give all of the onboard documentation to the new owner, as it should be kept with the
vehicle.

7
Safe driving
Safety First
Safe driv in
g
Dear SEAT Driver Safety first!
This c

hapter contains important information, tips, suggestions and
warnings that you should read and consider for both your own
safety and for your passengers safety. WARNING
● This manual contains important information concerning the driver's
and p a

ssengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the on
board manual also contain further information that you should be aware
of for your own safety and for the safety of your passengers.
● Ensure that the onboard documentation is kept in the vehicle at all
times. Thi
s is especially important when lending or selling the vehicle to
another person. 
Tips for driving Introduction Depending upon how you expect to use your vehicle, it may a good idea to
prot
ect

the engine from below. A guard underneath the engine may help to
reduce the risk of damage to the lower part of the vehicle and the oil sump when driving over kerbs, or along dirt tracks or rough roads... SEAT recom-
mends

you have the guard fitted by a SEAT dealer.
Additional information and warnings:
● Ensure you are correctly seated ⇒ page 10
● T

ransporting ⇒ page 13
● St

arting, changing gears, parking ⇒ page 170
● E

cological driving ⇒ page 225
● Not

es for the user ⇒ page 255 WARNING
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics
ma y

result in severe accidents and even loss of life.
● Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics may significantly alter per-
ception, affect
reaction times and safety while driving, which could result
in the loss of control of the vehicle. 
Preparing for the journey and safe driving Check list
For
y

our own safety, for the safety of passengers in the car, and for that of
other road users, the following should be checked before and during each
journey ⇒  :
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

11
Safe driving WARNING (Continued)
● Keep your back straight and resting completely against the backrest
and the fr ont
seats correctly adjusted. Never place any part of your body
in the area of the airbag or very close to it.
● If passengers on the rear seats are not sitting in an upright position,
the risk of
severe injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web in-
creases. WARNING
Incorrect seat adjustment may lead to accidents and severe injuries.
● Only adjust the seats when the vehicle is stationary, as the seats
cou l

d move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion and you could
lose control of the vehicle. Furthermore, an incorrect position is adopted
when adjusting the seat.
● Only adjust the height, backrest and forwards or backwards position
of the seat
when there is nobody in the seat adjustment area.
● There must be no objects blocking the seat adjustment area.
● Only adjust the height, angle and longitudinal position of the rear
seats
when nobody is in the way.
● The seat adjustment and lock areas must be kept clean. 
Danger of injuries due to an incorrect sitting position If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe injuries
incr
e

ases. Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is
not positioned correctly. This could result in severe and even fatal injuries.
The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased when a deploying
airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect sitting position.
The driver is responsible for all passengers in the vehicle, particularly chil-
dren. The following list shows just some examples of incorrect sitting positions
which can be d

angerous to all occupants.
Whenever the vehicle is in motion:
● Never stand in the vehicle.
● Never stand on the seats.
● Never kneel on the seats.
● Never tilt your backrest too far to the rear.
● Never lean against the dash panel.
● Never lie on the rear bench.
● Never sit on the front edge of a seat.
● Never sit sideways.
● Never lean out of a window.
● Never put your feet out of a window.
● Never put your feet on the dash panel.
● Never put your feet on the surface of a seat or backrest.
● Never travel in a footwell.
● Never sit on the armrests.
● Never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt.
● Never carry any person in the luggage compartment. WARNING
Every incorrect sitting position increases the risk of severe or fatal inju-
ries in the ev

ent of accidents or sudden braking or manoeuvres.
● All passengers must assume the proper sitting position and be prop-
erly belted in whi
le travelling.
● Occupants in incorrect sitting positions, not wearing their seat belt or
too clo
se to the airbag run the risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries,
particularly if the airbag deploys and hits an occupant sitting in an incor-
rect position. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

16
Seat belts
Seat belts
Brief introduction Introduction Check the condition of all the seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that
the belt
webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of the
belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced immediately by a specialist
workshop ⇒  . The specialist workshop must use the appropriate spare
par ts

corresponding to the vehicle, the equipment and the model year. SEAT
recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
● Adjust the seat position ⇒ page 10
● Airb

ag system ⇒ page 31
● Chi

ld seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
● Int

egrated child seats ⇒ page 46
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
Unbuckled or badly buckled seat belts increase the risk of severe or even
fat a

l injuries. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if it is not fas-
tened and used correctly.
● Seats belts are the most effective ways of reducing the risk of sus-
taining sev
ere or fatal injuries In the event of an accident. Seat belts
must be correctly fastened when the vehicle is in motion to protect the
driver and all vehicle occupants. WARNING (Continued)
● Before each trip, every occupant in the vehicle occupants must sit
pr operly

, correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and
keep it fastened throughout the trip. This also applies to other occupants
when driving in town.
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a child
res

traint system suitable for their weight and height and with the seat
belts correctly fastened ⇒ page 39.
● Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before
driving off
.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and en-
sure it
is engaged. Using the latch plate in the buckle of another seat will
not protect you properly and may cause severe injuries.
● Do not allow liquids or foreign bodies to enter the buckle fastenings.
This c
ould damage the buckles and seat belts.
● Never unbuckle your seat belt when the vehicle is moving.
● Never allow more than one passenger to share the same seat belt.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap sharing the same seat belt.
● Loose, bulky clothing (such as a jacket) impairs the proper fit and
function of
the seat belt. WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to drive using damaged seat belts and could re-
su lt

in serious injury or loss of life.
● Avoid damaging the seat belt by jamming it in the door or the seat
mechani
sm. 

23
Seat belts
Fastening the seat belt
Fa s
ten your seat belt before each trip.
● Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly ⇒ page 10.
● En

gage the backrest of the rear seat in an upright position ⇒  .
● Pull the latch plate and place the belt webbing evenly across your chest
and lap . Do

not twist the seat belt when doing so ⇒  .
● Engage the latch plate in the buckle of the corresponding seat ⇒ fig. 10.
● Pull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the
buc k

le.
Unfastening the seat belt
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a stand-
still ⇒  .
● Press the red button on the buckle ⇒ fig. 11. The lat
ch plate is released
from the buckle.
● Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim will not
be damag
ed. WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe or fatal injuries in the
event of

an accident.
● The seat belt cannot offer its full protection unless the backrests are
in an upright pos
ition and the seat belt is worn correctly, according to
your size.
● Unbuckling your seat belt while the vehicle is in motion can cause se-
vere or f
atal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking. Fastening or unfastening the seat belt with two buckles
Fig. 12 Fasten the seat
belt on the c
entr

e seat in
the second row of seats.
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the position that
most
protects them in the event of an accident or sudden braking ⇒  .
The seat belts
for the centre seat in the second row of seats and for the
seats in the third row of seats are fastened using two buckles.
Fastening the seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
● Adjust the rear seat and head restraint correctly ⇒ page 10.
● En

gage the backrest of the rear seat in an upright position ⇒  .
● Use latch plate of the belt ⇒ fig. 12 1 to pull the seat belt down. Do
not
twi s

t the seat belt when doing so ⇒  .
● Engage the latch plate 1 in the buckle of the corresponding seat
A .
● Use the latch plate 2 to pull the seat belt across your lap.
● Engage the latch plate 2 in the buckle of the corresponding seat
B .
● Pull the belt to ensure that both latc
h plates are securely engaged in the
buckles. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

28
Airbag system
Airbag system
Brief introduction Introduction Front airbags have been installed for both driver and passenger. The front
airbag
s
can also protect the chest and head of driver and passenger if the
seats, seat belts head restraints and, for the driver, the steering wheel are
correctly adjusted and used. Airbags are considered as additional safety
equipment. An airbag cannot replace the safety belt, which must be worn at
all times, even in front seats where front airbags have been installed.
Additional information and warnings:
● Driving tips ⇒ pag
e 7
● Correct sitting positions ⇒ pag
e 10
● Seat belts ⇒ pag
e 21
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ pag
e 39
● Care and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ pag
e 249
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ pag
e 257
● Notes for the user ⇒ pag
e 255WARNING
Never exclusively trust the airbag system as a means of protection.
● Even when triggered, airbag protection is only auxiliary. WARNING (Continued)
● The airb ags provide the best protection when the seat belts are prop-
erly f

astened, thus reducing the risk of sustaining injuries ⇒ page 21,
Seat belts.
● Before each trip, every occupant must sit properly, correctly fasten
the seat belt
belonging to his or her seat and keeping it fastened
throughout the trip. This rule is valid for all occupants. WARNING
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any objects
in the deplo yment

space between them and the airbags, as this increa-
ses the risk of sustaining injuries if the airbag is triggered. This modifies
the airbag deployment space or the objects may fly uncontrollably and
hit your body.
● Never carry objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in
motion.
● Never transport objects on the front passenger seat. In the event of
sudden br
aking and manoeuvres, the objects may end up in the airbag
deployment space and fly uncontrollably around the vehicle interior if the
airbag is activated.
● Occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any oth-
er people, pet
s or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags. Make sure children and other passengers also respect this
recommendation. 

29
Airbag system WARNING
The airbag system provides protection for one accident only. If they have
been deplo y
ed, they must be replaced.
● Ensure deployed airbags and the system components involved are im-
mediately
replaced with new, SEAT-approved components for the vehicle.
● Have any repairs or modifications carried out at a Technical Service.
Qualified work
shops have the necessary tools, diagnostics equipment,
repair information and qualified personnel.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag components in your vehicle.
● Never modify the airbag system components. WARNING
If the airbags are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal and it
is not

an indication of fire in the vehicle.
● This fine dust may irritate the skin and eyes and cause breathing dif-
ficultie
s, particularly in people suffering from or who have suffered from
asthma or other illnesses of the respiratory tract. To reduce breathing dif-
ficulties, get out of the vehicle and open and doors and windows to
breath in fresh air.
● Should you touch the dust, wash your hands and face using a mild
soap and wat
er before you eat.
● Prevent the dust from affecting the eyes or open wounds.
● Rinse your eyes with water if you have dust in them. WARNING
Solvents cause the surfaces of the airbag modules to become porous. If
an airbag i s

accidentally triggered, the detachment of plastic parts could
cause serious injury.
● Never clean the instrument panel and the surfaces of the airbag mod-
ule

s with cleaners containing solvents. 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

31
Airbag system CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit lamps and to the corresponding descriptions
and ins truction
s to avoid damage to the vehicle. 
Airbag system Des
cription and function of the airbag The airbag can protect vehicle occupants in the event of an accidents, cush-
ioning the mo
v

ement of the occupants in the direction of the collision in
frontal and side accidents.
Deployed airbags fill with a propellant gas. This causes the airbag covers to
break and the airbags to deploy extremely quickly in their entire deploy-
ment space within fractions of a second. When an occupant with the seat
belt properly fastened puts pressure on the inflated airbag, the propellant
gas escapes to absorb the force of the impact and slow the movement. This
reduces the risk of severe or fatal injuries. Airbag deployment does not
mean that other types of injury such as swelling, bruising, burns and skin
injuries can be ruled out.
Airbags do not protect the arms or the lower part of the body.
The most important factors for triggering the airbag are the type of accident,
the angle of impact, the vehicle speed and the characteristics of the object
the vehicle hits. Therefore, airbags are not triggered every time the vehicle
is visibly damaged.
The airbag system is designed to be triggered in collisions with a severe im-
pact. The front, curtain, side and knee airbags may be triggered under spe-
cial circumstances. The scope of any visible damage to the vehicle is not an
indication of airbag deployment. Airbags act in conjunction with three-point seat belts in the event of certain
accidents, when the

vehicle deceleration rate is severe enough to trigger
the airbags. Airbags only deploy once and only under certain circumstan-
ces. Seat belts remain present to offer protection in situations where air-
bags are not triggered or where they have already deployed. For example,
when a vehicle hits another after an initial collision or is hit by another vehi-
cle.
The airbag system is an integral part of the car's passive safety system. The
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing
their seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly 
⇒  page 10.
Vehicle safety components
The following safety equipment makes up the vehicle safety design to re-
duce the risk of severe and fatal injuries. Depending on the vehicle equip-
ment, some equipment may not be fitted in the vehicle or may not be avail-
able in some markets.
● Optimised seat belts for all seats.
● Belt tension devices for the driver and front passenger and, where appli-
cabl
e, on the outer seats of the second row of seats in combination with the
side airbags.
● Furthermore, belt tension limiters for the driver's and front passenger's
seat belt
.
● Belt height adjustment for the front seats and, where applicable, the
outer seats
of the second row of seats.
● Seat belt warning lamp
● Frontal airbags for driver and passenger.
● Side airbags for the driver, front passenger and, where applicable, the
outer seats
of the second row of seats.
● Left and right curtain airbags.
● One airbag for the driver's knees.
● Airbag control lamp .
● PASSENGER AIR BAG   contro
l lamp. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data