2011 Seat Alhambra traction control

57
Cockpit
Instruments Introduction Additional information and warnings:
●
Indicator lamps ⇒ pag e 54
● Gear engaged display (automatic gearbox) ⇒ pag
e 174.
● Instructions for inspection intervals ⇒ Booklet
Maintenance Programme WARNING
Any distraction may lead to an accident, with the risk of injury.
● Do not handle the instrument panel controls when driving. 
View of instrument panel Fig. 35 Instrument panel, on dash panel.
Details of the instruments ⇒ fig. 35: 1)
Depending on the vehicle equipment, it is also possible to set the time using the settings
menu on the in
strument panel display ⇒ page 67.Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

62
Cockpit
The service interval display is reset
If the ser v
ice was not carried out by a Technical Service, the display can be
reset as follows: In vehicles with text messages:
Select the
Settings
menu.In the submenu Serv
ic
e, select the option Reset.Confirm with
OK when requested to do so by the system.
In vehicles without text messages:
Switch the ignition off.
Press and hold the
0.0 / S
ET button.
Switch the ignition back on.
Release the
0.0 / S
ET button and, press
 for the next 20 seconds.
Do not reset the indicator to zero between two intervals, otherwise the dis-
p l

ay will be incorrect.
If, while the LongLife service is valid, the service interval display is reset to
zero, the “service will be activated by time or mileage”. The service interval
is no longer calculated individually ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme.Note
● The service message disappears after a few seconds, when the engine is
s t

arted or when OK is pressed.
● In vehicles with the LongLife system in which the battery has been dis-
connect ed f

or a long period of time, it is not possible to calculate the date
of the next service. Therefore the service interval display may not be correct.
In this case, please check the maximum permitted service intervals ⇒ Book-
let Maintenance Programme. SEAT information system
Introduction With the ignition switched on, it is possible to read the different functions of
the dis
p

lay by scrolling through the menus.
In vehicles with a multifunction steering wheel, there are no buttons on the
windscreen wiper lever. The multifunction display can only be controlled
from the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.
The number of menus displayed on the instrument panel will vary according
to the vehicle electronics and equipment.
A specialised dealer will be able to programme or modify additional func-
tions, according to the vehicle equipment. SEAT recommends visiting a
Technical Service.
Some menu options can only be read when the vehicle is at a standstill.
As long as a priority 1 warning is displayed, it will not be possible to read
the menus. To display the menus, confirm the warning by pressing OK .
Addition a

l information and warnings:
● Exterior mirrors ⇒ pag
e 110
● Auxiliary heating ⇒ pag
e 163 WARNING
Any distraction may lead to an accident, with the risk of injury.
● Do not read the instrument panel menus when driving. 

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. 

181
Driving
● You should reduce speed accordingly.
● Pre
ss the selector lever from position D to the right int
o the Tiptronic se-
lector gate ⇒ page 180.
● Gently pull the selector lever back to change down a gear.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Reduce u
sing the steering wheel paddles ⇒ page 180.
Emergency program
If all the selector lever positions on the instrument panel display are shown
with a light-coloured background, this means there is a fault in the system.
The automatic gearbox will operate in emergency programme mode. When
the emergency program is activated, it is possible to drive the vehicle how-
ever, at low speeds and within a selected range of gears.
For the DSG ®
dual clutch gearbox, in some cases, this may mean that re-
verse gear does not engage . The gearbox should be checked by a Technical
Service as soon as possible.
Overload protection for the 6-speed DSG gearbox ®
When the clutch is overloaded, the vehicle begins to jerk and the selector
lever position indicator begins to flash. To prevent damage to the clutch,
this interrupts the power transmission between the engine and the gearbox.
There is no more traction and it is not possible to accelerate. If the clutch is
opened automatically due to overloading, press the brake pedal. Wait a few
seconds before starting to move again.
Kick-down
The kick-down system provides maximum acceleration when the gear selec-
tor lever is in the positions D, S or in the Tiptronic position.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down, the automatic gearbox
will shift down to a lower gear, depending on road speed and engine speed.
This takes advantage of the maximum acceleration of the vehicle ⇒  .
When the acc el

erator is pressed to the floor, the automatic gearbox shifts to
the next gear only after the engine reaches the specified maximum engine
speed. Launch-Control Programme
The Launch-C

ontrol programme enables maximum acceleration while at a
standstill.
● Deactivate the ASR (TCS) ⇒ page 183.
● Pr

ess and hold the brake pedal with your left foot.
● Place the selector lever in position S or Tiptronic
.
● Press the accelerator with the right foot until the vehicle reaches an en-
gine speed of ap
proximately 3200 rpm.
● Lift the left foot off the brake ⇒  . The vehicle starts with maximum ac-
cel er

ation.
● Turn on the ASR (TCS) after accelerating! 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 kick-down and rapid acceleration when weather conditions,
surf
ace conditions and traffic conditions permit; accelerate and drive in a
manner that does not endanger other road users.
● Please remember that the drive wheels can slip and the vehicle can
skid if the ASR (T
CS) is turned off, especially on slippery ground.
● Turn on the ASR (TCS) after accelerating. CAUTION
● If you stop on a hill with a gear ratio engaged, do not try to prevent the
v ehic

le from rolling back by pressing on the accelerator. This could cause
overheating and damage the automatic gearbox.
● Never allow the vehicle to move with the gear selector lever in N, espe-
c

ially with the engine turned off. The automatic gearbox will not be lubrica-
ted and could be damaged. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

183
Driving
Braking, stopping and parking
Introduction The assisted braking systems include the anti-lock braking system (ABS),
the br
ak
e assist system (BAS), the electronic differential system (EDS), the
ASR traction control system (TCS) and the ESC electronic stabilisation pro-
gram (ESP).
Additional information and warnings:
● Towing mode ⇒ page 233
● St

art assist systems ⇒ page 194
● Wheel

s and tyres ⇒ page 293
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
Driving with worn brake pads or a faulty brake system may lead to seri-
ous ac

cident.
● If  lights, alone or accompanied by a warning message on the in-
strument
panel, please go immediately to a specialist workshop to check
the brake pads and to replace them if they are worn. WARNING
Careless parking can cause serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
st eerin

g lock may engage and locked the steering wheel making the vehi-
cle impossible to control. WARNING (Continued)
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can
c ome in c

ontact with flammable materials (such as wood, leaves, spilled
fuel, dried grass, etc).
● Always apply the electronic parking brake when you leave your vehi-
cle and when
you park.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle. They
coul
d release the electronic parking brake, activate the selector lever or
gear stick and start the vehicle moving. This could result in serious acci-
dent.
● Always 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. CAUTION
● Special care should be taken when parking in areas with high kerbs or
fi x

ed barriers. Objects protruding from the ground may damage the bumper
or other parts of the vehicle during manoeuvres. To avoid damage, stop be-
fore the wheels touched the barrier or kerb.
● Special attention is required when driving through entrances, over
ramps, k
erbs or other objects. The vehicle underbody, bumpers, mudguards
and running gear, and the engine and exhaust system could be damaged as
you drive over these objects. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

189
Driving Note
When checking the front brake pads, take the time to also check the rear
brak e p
ads. The thickness of the brake pads should be checked visually and
regularly, by looking through the openings in the wheel rims or from under-
neath the vehicle. If necessary, remove the wheels to check them thorough-
ly. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
Assisted braking systems The assisted braking systems ESC (ESP), ABS, BAS, ASR (TCS) and EDS only
operat
e when the ignition i

s switched on. They contribute significantly to in-
creasing active safety.
Electronic stability programme ESC (ESP)
ESC (ESP) reduces the risk of skidding and increases the vehicle stability by
braking individual wheels under specific driving conditions. ESC (ESP) de-
tects critical handling situations, such as understeer, oversteer and wheel-
spin on the drive wheels. The system stabilises the vehicle by braking indi-
vidual wheels or by reducing the engine torque.
The ESC (ESP) has limits. It is important to realise that the ESC (ESP) is also
subject to the laws of physics. ESC (ESP) will not be able to deal with all sit-
uations with which drivers may be faced. For example, if the road surface
changes suddenly then ESC (ESP) will not be useful in all cases. If the vehi-
cle suddenly enters a section covered by water, mud or snow then ESC (ESP)
will not provide assistance in the same way as on dry ground. If the vehicle
loses its grip on the ground and moves on a film of water (“aquaplaning”),
the ESC (ESP) will not be able to assist the driver to control the vehicle due
to the loss of adherence with the road surface preventing braking and steer-
ing. If the vehicle is driven through series of bends at high speed, the ESC
(ESP) will not always be as effective: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driv-
ing is not the same as at reduced speeds. When driving with a trailer, ESC
(ESP) does not provide the same amount of vehicle control as without a
trailer. Adjust your speed and driving style to road, traffic and weather conditions.
ESC (E

SP) cannot push the limits of the laws of physics; improve the trans-
mission available or maintain the vehicle on the road if a lack of driver at-
tention creates an inevitable situation. Otherwise, ESC (ESP) assists in
maintaining vehicle control in extreme situations and uses the movements
of the steering made by the driver to maintain the vehicle moving in the de-
sired direction. If the vehicle is driven at such a speed that it will leave the
road before ESC (ESP) can intervene then the system cannot provide assis-
tance.
The ABS, BAS, ASR (TCS) and EDS systems are incorporated into the ESC
(ESP). The ESC (ESP) is always on. The ESC (ESP) should only be turned off
using the ASR (TCS) button ⇒ fig. 136 when traction is insufficient. Always remember to turn on the ASR (TCS) once more when the vehicle has traction
once again.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS can prevent the wheels from locking during braking until just before
the vehicle stops thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle and maintain
control. This means that, even during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:
● Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not remove your foot from the
brake ped
al or reduce braking force!
● Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce braking force!
● Maintain vehicle direction when braking fully.
● When the brake pedal is released or when the brake force is reduced,
ABS is
turned off.
ABS control can be observed by vibration of the brake pedal and noise. You
should never expect the ABS to reduce the braking distance under any cir-
cumstances. Braking distances will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy and slippery ground.
When driving on loose ground, the all-terrain configuration of the ABS is au-
tomatically turned on. When ABS is activated, the front wheels may lock
briefly. This shortens the braking distance in off-road situations as the Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

190
Driving
wheels are prevented from digging into loose surfaces. All-terrain ABS only
inter v
enes when driving in a straight line. When the front wheels are turned,
the normal ABS is activated.
Braking assist system (BAS)
The brake assist system may reduce the required braking distance. The
brake assist system boosts the braking force if you press the brake pedal
quickly in an emergency. As a result, the braking pressure increases rapidly,
the braking force is multiplied and the braking distance is reduced. This en-
ables the ABS to be activated more quickly and efficiently.
¡Do not lift your foot off the brake pedal! When the brake pedal is released
or when the brake force is reduced, braking assist automatically turns off
the brake servo.
Traction control when accelerating ASR (TCS)
In the event of wheelspin, the ASR (TCS) reduces the engine torque to match
the amount of grip available. The ASR (TCS) makes some situations easier,
for example, when starting, accelerating or going uphill, even in unfavoura-
ble road conditions.
The ASR (TCS) can be switched on or off manually ⇒ page 191.
Electronic differential lock system (EDS)
EDS is available when driving in straight lines under normal conditions.
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes the spinning wheel and directs
the power to the other drive wheels. To prevent the disc brake of the braked
wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to ex-
cessive loads. The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake
has cooled down. WARNING
Driving at high speed on icy, slippery wet ground can result in loss of ve-
hicl e c

ontrol and serious injury to the driver and passengers.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions. Even though the braking assist systems ABS, BAS,
EDS, ASR (TCS) and ESC (ESP) provide more security, do not take unnec-
essary risks while driving.
● Braking assist systems can not overcome the laws of physics. Even
with ESC
(ESP) and other systems, slippery and wet roads will always be
dangerous.
● Driving to quickly on wet ground can result in the wheels losing con-
tact w
ith the ground in an effect known as aquaplaning. Without adher-
ence, it is impossible to brake, steer or control the vehicle.
● Braking assist systems cannot avoid accidents if, for example, the
driver does
not respect safety distances or drives to quickly in difficult
conditions.
● Even though braking assist systems are extremely effective and help
contro
l the vehicle in difficult situations, remember that the vehicle sta-
bility depends on tyre grip.
● When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and
snow
, press the accelerator carefully. The wheels can still slip even with
braking assist systems resulting in loss of vehicle control. WARNING
The effectiveness of the ESC (ESP) can be considerably reduced if other
component s

and systems affecting driving dynamics are not maintained
or are not functioning correctly. This includes, among others, brakes,
tyres and other systems already mentioned.
● Remember that changing and fitting other components to the vehicle
can affect
operation of the ABS, BAS, ASL EDL and ESC (ESP). 

191
Driving WARNING (Continued)
● Changes to the vehicle suspension or using unapproved wheel/tyre
c omb
inations can affect operation of the ABS, BAS, ASL EDL and ESC
(ESP) and their effectiveness.
● Likewise, the effectiveness of ESC (ESP) depends on the use of suita-
ble ty
res ⇒ page 293. Note
● To ensure that the ESC (ESP) and ASR (TCS) work properly, all four
wheel s

must be fitted with identical tyres. Any differences in the rolling radi-
us of the tyres can cause the system to reduce engine power when this is
not desired.
● If a malfunction should occur in the ABS, the ESC (ESP), ASR (TCS) and
EDS w
ill also be affected.
● Noises may be heard while any of the above systems are operating. 
Turning on and off the ASR (TCS) Fig. 136 Detailed view of
the centr
e c

onsole: but-
ton used to switch ASR
(TCS) on and off (vehicles
with ESC (ESP)). The electronic stabilisation control ESC (ESP) consists of ABS, EDL and ASR
(TCS) and on

ly works when the engine is running.
The ASR (TCS) can be switched off while the engine is running by pressing
the  OFF ⇒ fig. 136 butt
on.
The ASR (TCS) (and similar) is only switched off
when the required traction is not obtained:
● When driving through deep snow or on loose ground (gravel...).
● When freeing a trapped vehicle.
Turn the ASR (TC
S) back on by pressing the button  OFF ⇒ fig. 136.

Brake fluid Fig. 137 In the engine
comp
ar

tment: brake fluid
reservoir, lid
In the course of time, the brake fluid absorbs water from the ambient air. If
there is
too much water contained in the brake fluid, the brake system could
be damaged. In addition, the boiling point of the brake fluid is significantly
lowered. When the brake fluid contains too much water and the brakes are
subject to considerable forces, bubbles of water vapour can form in the sys-
tem. These bubbles of water vapour can significantly reduce braking power, Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data