2012 Seat Alhambra window

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Dear SEAT Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tips for driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Adjusting the seat position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Transporting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Child seats (accessories) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Integrated child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Operating instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
SEAT information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Unlocking and locking
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Vehicle key set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Central locking and locking system . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Panorama sliding sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Windscreen wiper and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Seats and storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Loading luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Roof carrier system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cup holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Ashtray and cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Climate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Auxiliary heater* (additional heater) . . . . . . . . . . 165
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Stopping and starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Changing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Braking, stopping and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Start assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Parking sensor system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Park Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Rear Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Cruise control system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lane Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Sign Assist* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Tiredness detection (recommendation to take a
break) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Practical tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Ecological driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine management and exhaust gas
purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 246
Care and cleaning the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . 246
Caring for and cleaning the vehicle interior . . . . 253
Notes for the user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Accessories, parts replacement and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Selective Catalytic Reduction* (AdBlue) . . . . . . . 275
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . 279
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
3
Table of Contents

8Safe driving
● Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
● Check the tyre pressures ( ⇒ page 297) and level of fuel ( ⇒ page 268).
● Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
● Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in the
luggage 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
unobstructed.
● Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in this
position throughout 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 switch 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 ground 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 carrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accord-
ance with their weight and size.
WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic movements. 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 but 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 Technical Service or specialised workshop. 
Driving abroad
Check list
In some countries, 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 Technical Service about the legal requirements and the following
points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for ex-
ample, adjustment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and spare
parts required for inspections and repairs? 

10Safe driving
Adjusting the seat position
Introduction
Number of seats
Depending on the equipment, your vehicle has a total of five or seven seats.
Each seat is equipped with a seat belt.
EquipmentSeats in the frontSeats in the sec- ond rowSeats in thethird row
5 seats23–7 seats232
Additional information and warnings:
● Seat functions ⇒ page 117
● Seat belts ⇒ page 21
● Airbag system ⇒ page 31
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
WARNING
An incorrect sitting position in the vehicle can lead to severe injuries or
death in the event 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
available in the vehicle.
WARNING (Continued)
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
system suited to their height and weight ⇒ page 39, ⇒ page 31.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
Never, for 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 instruct 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) between 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 tilted 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 front 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
could 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
increases. 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 dangerous 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 event of accidents or sudden braking or manoeuvres.
● All passengers must assume the proper sitting position and be prop-
erly belted in while travelling.
● Occupants in incorrect sitting positions, not wearing their seat belt or
too close 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 FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

14Safe driving
WARNING
The driving behaviour and braking ability change when transporting
heavy and large objects.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
● 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
uniformly 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
fastening rings ⇒ page 126.
● Check the headlight adjustment ⇒ page 95.
● Use the suitable tyre pressure according to the load being transported.
Read the tire inflation information label ⇒ page 297.
● For vehicles with a tire pressure indicator, change the vehicle load status
⇒ page 225.
CAUTION
Objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating element in
the rear window and cause damage.
Note
Please note the information about loading a trailer ⇒ page 237 and the
roof carrier system ⇒ page 139. 
Driving with the tailgate open
Driving with the tailgate open creates an additional risk. Secure all objects
and secure the tailgate 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-
hicle and injure other road users or damage other vehicles.
● Drive particularly carefully and think ahead.
● Avoid sudden manoeuvres and braking given that this could cause an
uncontrolled movement of the open tailgate.
● When transporting objects that protrude out of the luggage compart-
ment, indicate them suitably. 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
travelling with the tailgate open. 

15
Safe driving
WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior when the tailgate is open. This
could cause loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious
injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle always drive with the tail-
gate closed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must drive with the tailgate
open, observe 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
⇒ page 14.
● Accelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a trailer
⇒ page 237.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a roof carrier system
⇒  page 139.
WARNING
A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the ve-
hicle resulting 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
technical 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
could cause damage to the vehicle, accidents and serious injuries.
● The real load on the axles should never exceed the maximum permit-
ted.
● The load and its distribution in the vehicle have effects on the vehicle
handling and the braking ability. Always drive at a suitable speed.
CAUTION
Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as possible.
When transporting 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 FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

29
Airbag system
WARNING
The airbag system provides protection for one accident only. If they have
been deployed, 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 workshops 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-
ficulties, 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 water 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 is accidentally triggered, the detachment of plastic parts could
cause serious injury.
● Never clean the instrument panel and the surfaces of the airbag mod-
ules with cleaners containing solvents.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

37
Airbag system
Curtain airbags
Fig. 22 On the left side of the vehicle: location and de-
ployment area of the curtain airbag.
Fig. 23 Deployed curtain
airbags
The curtain airbags are located on the driver and front passenger side
above the doors ⇒ fig. 22. Airbags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. The area framed red ⇒ fig. 22 is covered by the curtain airbag when it is de-
ployed (deployment area). Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas.
In a side collision, the curtain airbag on the side affected will be deployed.
The airbag covers the windows and pillars.
In a side collision, the curtain airbags for the front and outer rear seats re-
duce the risk of injury to the areas of the body facing the impact.
WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the curtain airbags free.
● Do not fix objects to the cover or in the deployment area of the cur-
tain airbag. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications