2011 Seat Alhambra brake

9
Safe driving
● For petrol vehicles: Is unleaded petrol available at the right octane rat-
in g?
● F
or diesel engines: Is diesel fuel available with a low sulphur content?
● Are a suitable engine oil ( ⇒ page 279) and other en
gine fluids comply-
ing with SEAT specifications available in the destination country?
● Will the navigation system fitted at the factory operate correctly in the
destin
ation country with the available navigation data?
● Are special tyres required in the destination country? CAUTION
SEAT does not accept liability for any damage to the vehicle due to the use
of a lo w

er quality fuel, an inadequate service or the non-availability of genu-
ine spare parts. 
Driving along flooded roadways To prevent damage to the vehicle when driving through water, for example,
along a flooded r
o

ad, please observe the following:
● Check the depth of the water before entering the flooded zone. The wa-
ter shoul
d never come above the lower edge of the bodywork ⇒  .
● Do not drive faster than a pedestrian.
● Do not stop in the water, use reverse gear or switch off the engine.
● Oncoming traffic will cause waves which raise the level of the water,
mak in

g it difficult to cross the water. WARNING
When driving through water, mud, melted snow, etc., please remember
that due t

o damp or frozen brake discs and shoes in winter, the braking
effect may be delayed, therefore the required braking distance is greater.
● Dry the brakes and remove ice by braking carefully. Ensure that you
are not end
angering other road-users or breaking traffic regulations in
the process.
● After driving through water, avoid sudden sharp manoeuvres. CAUTION
● Driving through flooded areas may severely damage vehicle compo-
nents s

uch as the engine, transmission, running gear or electrical system.
● Never drive through salt water as salt causes corrosion. Always rinse any
parts
of the vehicle which have been in contact with salt water. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

10
Safe driving
Adjusting the seat position
Introduction Number of seats
Dependin
g on the equipment,
your vehicle has a total of five or seven seats.
Each seat is equipped with a seat belt. Equipment Seats in the
front Seats in the sec-
ond ro w Seats in the
third r o

w 5 seats 2 3 –
7 seats 2 3 2
Additional information and warnings:
●
Seat functions ⇒ page 117
● Se

at belts ⇒ page 21
● Airb

ag system ⇒ page 31
● Chi

ld seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39WARNING
An incorrect sitting position in the vehicle can lead to severe injuries or
death in the ev ent

of sudden braking or manoeuvres, collision or acci-
dents or if the airbag deploys.
● Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and
maintain it
throughout the trip. This also includes fastening the seat
belt.
● Never transport more people than there are seats with a seat belt
avail
able in the vehicle. WARNING (Continued)
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
sy s

tem suited to their height and weight ⇒ page 39, ⇒ page 31.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
Never, f
or example, put your feet on the surface of a seat or on the dash
panel and never put them out of a window. Otherwise the airbag and seat
belt offer insufficient protection and the risk of injury in the event of an
accident is increased. WARNING
Before every trip, adjust the seat, the seat belt and the head restraints
and ins truct

your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly.
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
● Adjust the driver's seat so that there is a distance of at least 25 cm
(10 inches) betw
een the centre of your chest and the hub of the steering
wheel. Adjust the driver's seat so that you are able to press the accelera-
tor, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with your knees slightly angled
and that the distance between your knees and the dash panel is at least
10 cm (4 inches). If you physical constitution prevents you from meeting
these requirements, contact a Technical Service to make any modifica-
tions required.
● Never drive with the backrest tilted far back. The further the backrests
are tilt
ed to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect posi-
tioning of the belt web or to the incorrect sitting position.
● Never drive with the backrest tilted forwards. Should a front airbag
deploy
, it could throw the backrest backwards and injure the passengers
of the rear seats.
● Sit as far away as possible from the steering wheel and the dash pan-
el. 

12
Safe driving
Correct sitting position Fig. 1 The correct dis-
tanc
e betw
een the driver
and the steering wheel
must be at least 25 cm
(10 inches). Fig. 2 Correct belt web
and hea
d r

estraint posi-
tions.
The correct sitting positions for the driver and passengers are shown below.
If y
ou physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct sitting
position, contact a Technical Service for help with any special devices. The seat belt and airbag can only provide optimum protection if a correct sitting
position i

s adopted. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent or sudden braking or manoeuvre, SEAT recommend the following posi-
tions:
Valid for all vehicle occupants:
● Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same level as
the top of
your head, or as close as possible to the same level as the top of
your head and under no circumstances below eye level. Keep the back of
your neck as close as possible to the head restraint ⇒ fig. 1 and ⇒ fig. 2.
● Short people must lower the head restraint completely, even if your
head i
s below its upper edge.
● Tall people must raise the head restraint completely.
● Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests com-
plet
ely against it.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
● Adjust and fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 21.
A

lso valid for the driver:
● Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a distance of at least 25 cm
(10 inches) betw
een it and your chest ⇒ fig. 1 and so that you can hold the
steering wheel with both hands on the outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock
and 3 o'clock positions with your arms slightly bent.
● The adjusted steering wheel must face your chest and not your face.
● Adjust the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you are able to
pres
s the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with your knees
slightly angled and the distance between your knees and the dash panel is
at least 10 cm (4 inches) ⇒ fig. 1.
● Adjust the height of the driver's seat so that you can easily reach the top
of the st
eering wheel.
● Keep both feet in the footwell so that you have the vehicle under control
at all
times. 

14
Safe driving WARNING
The driving behaviour and braking ability change when transporting
heavy and l
arge objects.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions.
● Accelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early. 
Transporting a load Secure all objects in the vehicle
●
Distribute the load throughout the vehicle, on the roof and in a trailer as
unif orm

ly as possible.
● Transport heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage com-
partment
and lock the seat backs in the vertical position.
● Secure luggage in the luggage compartment with suitable straps on the
fas

tening rings ⇒ page 125.
● Check the headlight adjustment ⇒ page 95.
● U

se the suitable tyre pressure according to the load being transported.
Rea
d the tire inflation information label ⇒ page 293.
● For vehicles with a tire pressure indicator, change the vehicle load status
⇒ page 221. CAUTION
Objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating element in
the re ar w

indow and cause damage. Note
Please note the information about loading a trailer ⇒ pag
e 233 and the
roof carrier system ⇒ page 138. 
Driving with the tailgate open Driving with the tailgate open creates an additional risk. Secure all objects
and secur
e the t

ailgate correctly and take all measures possible to reduce
toxic gases from entering the vehicle. WARNING
Driving with the tailgate unlocked or open could cause serious injuries.
● Always drive with the tailgate closed.
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Loose items could fall out of the ve-
hicl e and injur

e other road users or damage other vehicles.
● Drive particularly carefully and think ahead.
● Avoid sudden manoeuvres and braking given that this could cause an
uncontr
olled movement of the open tailgate.
● When transporting objects that protrude out of the luggage compart-
ment, indicate them s
uitably. Observe legal requirements.
● If objects must project out of the luggage compartment, the tailgate
must
never be used to “secure” or “attach” objects.
● If a baggage rack is fitted on the tailgate, it should be removed before
travel
ling with the tailgate open. 

15
Safe driving WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior when the tailgate is open. This
cou l
d cause loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious
injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle always drive with the tail-
gate c
losed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must drive with the tailgate
open, obser
ve the following to reduce the entry of toxic gases inside the
vehicle:
–Close all windows and the sliding roof.
– Turn off the air recirculation for the heating and air conditioning.
– Open all of the air outlets in the dashboard.
– Turn the heating fan and heater to the highest level. CAUTION
An open tailgate changes the length and height of the vehicle. 
Driving a loaded vehicle For the best handling when driving a loaded vehicle, note the following:
●
Secure all objects
⇒ pag
e 14.
● A

ccelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a trailer
⇒ page 233.
● If

necessary, read the instructions for driving with a roof carrier system
⇒  page 138. WARNING
A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the ve-
hicl e r

esulting in an accident with serious consequences.
● Secure loads correctly so they do not move.
● When transporting heavy objects, use suitable ropes or straps.
● Lock the seat backs in vertical position. 
Specific vehicle weight information The instructions in the official vehicle documents take precedence. All the
tec
hnic

al data provided in this documentation is applicable to the basic
model. The vehicle data label in the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documents show which engine is installed in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending on if additional equipment is fitted,
for different models and for special vehicles. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised weight and the load on the axles
cou l

d cause damage to the vehicle, accidents and serious injuries.
● The real load on the axles should never exceed the maximum permit-
ted.
● The loa

d and its distribution in the vehicle have effects on the vehicle
handling and the br
aking ability. Always drive at a suitable speed. CAUTION
Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as possible.
When tran s

porting heavy objects in the trunk/boot, these should be placed
as far forward as possible or over the rear axle to have as little influence on
handling as possible. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

54
Cockpit
Radio or navigation system (fitted at factory) ⇒ Booklet Ra-
dio or ⇒ Booklet Navigation system
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Hazard warning lights switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Switches for:
– Climatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
– C

limatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Right se
at heating controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Button for:
– Anti-slip r

egulation (ASR)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
– Start/stop operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
– Parking distance warning system (Park Pilot)  . . . . . . . . . . 198
– Park Assist system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
– Tyre pressure monitor  
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
– Opening the tailgate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
– Opening and closing of electric sliding doors  . . . . . . . . . 81
Loc
king lever to open glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Position of passenger front airbag on the instrument panel . .31
Key-operated switch in glove box for deactivating front pas-
senger's
airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Passenger front airbag off warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Lever for:
– Manual g

earbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
– Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
12 V
olt socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Auto Hold Switch - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Electr
onic parking brake switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Steering column adjustment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
13 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29 Fuse box cover
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Lever for:
– Crui se c

ontrol system (GRA)  –  –  –  / -
- / -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Open bonnet lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Controls for:
– Electric w

indows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
– Childproof locks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Note
● Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain
model s/model

years or are optional extras.
● In versions with the steering wheel on the right, the layout of the control
elements i
s somewhat different. But the symbols assigned to the controls
correspond to the symbols used in the versions with the steering wheel on
the left 
Instrument panel Contro
l and warning lamps The control and warning lamps are indicators of warnings,
⇒  , faults
⇒  or certain functions. Some control and warning lamps come on when the ig-
nition is
sw

itched on, and go out when the engine starts running, or while
driving.
Depending on the model, additional text messages may be viewed on the
instrument panel display. These may be purely informative or they may be
advising of the need for action ⇒ page 57, Instruments. 
30 31
32
33

55
Cockpit
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp , sometime
s a symbol may be displayed on the instrument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are lit, an audible warning is also
heard.
Red symbols Symbol Meaning ⇒  See
 
Do not continue driving!
The el ectr

onic parking brake is on, the brake
fluid level is too low or the brake system is faul-
ty. ⇒ page 183
 
Do not continue driving!
F au

lt in the engine cooling system. ⇒ page 283
 
Do not continue driving!
En gine oi

l pressure too low. ⇒ page 279
 
Do not continue driving!
At l

east one of the vehicles doors is open, or is
not correctly closed. ⇒ page 80
 
Do not continue driving!
The t ai

lgate is open or is incorrectly closed. ⇒ page 84
 
Do not continue driving!
F au

lt in the steering. ⇒ page 167
 Engine cannot be started again!
"AdBlue" lev
el

too low. ⇒ page 271
 Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt. ⇒ page 21
 Use the foot brake! Change
⇒ pag
e 174
Br

ake
⇒ page 183  Faulty generator. ⇒ page 288 Yellow symbols
 Front brake pads worn.
⇒ page 183 lights: ESC (ESP) faulty or off
flashes: ESC (ESP) operating
 ASR (TCS) manually deactivated.
 ABS faulty or does not work.
 Electronic parking brake faulty. ⇒ page 183
 Rear fog light switched on. ⇒ page 95
 lights: Driving light totally or partially faulty. ⇒ page 326
flashes: Fault in the adaptive light system. ⇒ page 95
 Fault in catalytic converter.
⇒ page 228 lights: pre-ignition of diesel engine.
flashes: Fault in engine management.
 Fault in engine management.
 Diesel particulate filter blocked
 Fault in the steering system. ⇒ page 167
 Tyre pressure too low. ⇒ page 293
Fault in the tyre pressure gauge. ⇒ page 221
 Level of windscreen washer fluid too low. ⇒ page 105
 Fuel tank almost empty. ⇒ page 264
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

56
Cockpit  flashes: Engine oil sensor faulty.
⇒ page 279
lights: Insufficient engine oil.
 Fault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners. ⇒ page 31

 Passenger front airbag is off (
PASSENGER AIR-
BAG  ). ⇒ page 31
 Top up "AdBlue", or there is a fault in the "AdBl-
ue" system.
⇒ page 271
 Fuel tank not closed correctly. ⇒ page 264
 Lane Assist is connected, but not active. ⇒ page 216
Green symbols
Symbol Meaning ⇒  See

 Left or right turn signal. ⇒ page 95
Hazard warning lights on. ⇒ page 312
 Use the foot brake! Change
⇒ page 174
Br ak
e
⇒ page 183  Cruise control operating. ⇒ page 212
 Lane Assist is connected and active. ⇒ page 216 Blue symbols
Symbol Meaning
⇒  See
 Headlight on or flasher on.
⇒ 
page 95  Headlight adjustment (Light Assist) on.
Colourless symbols
Symbol Meaning ⇒  See
 Electronic immobiliser active. ⇒ page 170
 Service interval display ⇒ page 61
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
● Park the vehicle away from the traffic, ensuring that there are no easi-
ly inflammable materials under the vehicle which could come into contact
with the exhaust system (e.g. dry grass, fuel).
● A faulty vehicle represents a risk of accident for the driver and for oth-
er road users. If necessary, switch on the hazard warning lamps and put
out the warning triangle to advise other drivers.
● Before opening the bonnet, switch off the engine and allow it to cool.
● In any vehicle, the engine compartment is a hazardous area and could
cause severe injury ⇒ page 275. CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
may result in faults in the vehicle. 