2011 Seat Alhambra height

8
Safe driving
● Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
● Chec k
the tyre pressures ( ⇒ pag
e 293) and level of fuel (⇒ page 264).
● Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
● Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in the
luggag
e compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are securely fas-
tened ⇒ page 13.
● Ensure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot pedals.
● Use child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight and
height ⇒ 

page 39.
● Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit your
height ⇒ 

page 10.
● Wear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the pedals
correctly
.
● The driver's floor mat should be fixed to the floor, leaving the pedal area
unob
structed.
● Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in this
position thr
oughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the vehi-
cle ⇒ page 10.
● Correctly fasten your seat belt before starting to drive and keep it se-
curely
fastened throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the
vehicle ⇒ page 21.
● Never carry more passengers than the number of available seats and
seat belts
in your vehicle.
● Never drive with impaired faculties (for example, due to medication, al-
cohol
or drugs).
● Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, for example, to re-
set or swit
ch on a menu, by other passengers or to answer a phone call.
● Always try to adapt the speed of the vehicle and your style of driving to
the condition of the gr
ound or the road and to weather and traffic condi-
tions.
● Observe the highway code and speed limits. ●
On long journeys, rest at regular intervals (at least every two hours).
● If c

arrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accord-
ance with their w
eight and size. WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic mo

vements. Correctly anticipating traffic situations may mean the
difference between arriving safe and sound at your destination or having
a serious accident. Note
Regular servicing of your vehicle not only helps to keep it in good working
order b ut

also helps to ensure road safety. Therefore, please ensure the ve-
hicle is taken for service as indicated in the Maintenance Programme. If the
vehicle is subjected to hard use, it may require certain maintenance work
before the next service date. Hard use may involve frequent driving in traffic
jams, driving in dusty areas or frequent use of the tow-bar. For further infor-
mation, please refer to a SEAT dealer or specialised workshop. 
Driving abroad Check list
In some cou
ntrie

s, certain safety regulations and requirements are in force
relating to exhaust gas emissions, which differ from the technical character-
istics of the vehicle. Before travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you con-
sult a SEAT dealer about the legal requirements and the following points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for ex-
ample, a
djustment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and spare
parts
required for inspections and repairs?
● Are there any SEAT dealers in the destination country? 

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. 

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

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. 

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

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. 

25
Seat belts Fig. 14 Correct position-
ing of
se
at belts during
pregnancy.
Seat belts offer their maximum protection in the event of an accident and
reduce the ri
sk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries only when they are
properly positioned. Furthermore, if the webbing is correctly positioned, the
seat belt will hold the occupants in the optimum position to ensure the air-
bag provides the utmost protection. The seat belt must therefore always be
worn and the webbing correctly positioned.
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe or even fatal injuries
⇒ page 10, Adjusting the seat position.
Correct seat belt position
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoulder,
never acr
oss the neck or the arm, under the arm or behind the shoulder.
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across the
stom
ach.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably. Pull the belt tight if neces-
sary
to take up any slack.
In the case of pregnant women , the seat belt must lie evenly across the
chest and as low as possible over the pelvis, never across the stomach and
must be worn properly at all times during the pregnancy ⇒ fig. 14.Adapting the position of the belt webbing to your size
The seat belt

can be adapted using the following equipment:
● Belt height adjustment for the front seats.
● Seat height adjustment (front seats). WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe injuries in the event
of an ac c

ident or sudden braking or manoeuvre.
● The seat belt cannot provide optimum protection if it is not correctly
worn and the bac
krest is not tilted slightly backwards.
● The seat belt itself or a loose seat belt can cause severe injuries if the
belt mov
es from hard areas of the body to soft areas (e.g. the stomach).
● The shoulder part of the seat belt must lie on the centre of the shoul-
der, never ac
ross the neck or the arm.
● The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the torso
● The lap part of the seat belt must lie across the pelvis, never across
the stom
ach. The seat belt must lie flat and fit comfortably on the pelvis
Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any slack.
● For pregnant women, the lap part of the seat belt must lie as low as
poss
ible over the pelvis and always lie flat, “surrounding” the stomach.
● Do not twist the seat belt while it is fastened.
● Never pull the seat belt away from your body using your hand.
● Do not lie the seat belt across rigid or fragile objects, e.g. glasses,
pens or k
eys.
● Never use seat belt clips, retaining rings or similar instruments to al-
ter the pos
ition of the belt webbing. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

26
Seat belts Note
If you physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct posi-
tion of the belt w
ebbing, contact a Technical Service for help with any spe-
cial devices to ensure the optimum protection of the seat belt and airbag.
SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
Belt height adjustment Fig. 15 Next to the front
seat
s: belt

height adjust-
er.
Using the height adjusters for the front seats and the outer seats of the sec-
ond row
, the position of the seat belts can be adjusted in the shoulder area
according to the height of the occupant:
● Keep the guide device pressed down in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 15.
● Move the guide device up or down until the seat belt lies over the centre
of y

our shoulder ⇒ page 24, Seat belt position.
● Release the guide device.
● Pull the belt sharply to check that the device is engaged securely. WARNING
Never adjust the belt height while the vehicle is in motion. 
Seat belt tensioners
Autom atic

belt retainer, belt tension device, belt tension
limiter Seat belts are part of the vehicle safety concept
⇒ page 31 and c
onsist of
the following important functions:
Automatic belt retainer
Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retainer on the shoulder
belt. If the belt is pulled slowly or during normal driving, the system allows
for total freedom of movement on the shoulder belt. However, during sud-
den braking, during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration,
the automatic belt retainer on the seat belt is locked is pulled quickly.
Belt tension devices
The seat belts on the front seats and the outer seats of the second row are
equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on, lateral
and rear collisions and retract and tighten the seat belts. If the seat belt is
loose, it is retracted to reduce the forwards movement of occupants or
movement in the direction of the collision. The belt tension device works in
combination with the airbag system. The belt tension device will not be trig-
gered in the event of the vehicle overturning if the side airbags are not de-
ployed.
If the belt tension device is triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal
and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle. 