2012 Seat Alhambra instrument panel

42Child safety
Always secure child seats properly and safely in the vehicle according to the
child seat manufacturer's installation instructions.
Mounted child seats must rest correctly on the vehicle's seat and must not
move or rock more than 2.5 cm (1 inch).
Child seats equipped for a Top Tether strap must also be secured using the
Top Tether retaining strap in the vehicle ⇒ page 45. Only secure the re-
taining belt to the rings fitted for this purpose and identified as Top Tether.
Not all rings can be used with the Top Tether system. Always tighten the Top
Tether retaining strap so that the child seat fits snugly against the corre-
sponding seat in the vehicle.
Specific mounting systems for each country
Europe: ISOFIX retaining rings and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 44
and ⇒ page 45.
Three-point seat belt and upper retaining strap ⇒ page 44.
The systems include the child restraint system mounting with an upper re-
taining strap (Top Tether) and lower anchoring points on the seat. 
Use of the child seat on the front passenger seat
Transporting children on the front passenger seat is not permitted in all
countries. Furthermore, not all child seats are approved for use on the front
passenger seat. Your Technical Service has an updated list of all approved
child seats. Only used child seats that are approved for each vehicle.
The frontal airbag on the front passenger side is highly dangerous for a
child. The front passenger seat is life-threatening to a child if he or she is
transported in a rear-facing child seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
airbag can strike it with such great force that severe or fatal injuries may re-
sult ⇒ 
. Therefore, rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled. A
B
Only use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat if the front pas-
senger airbag is disabled. When it is disabled, the yellow
PASSENGER
AIR BAG   control lamp on the instrument panel will be lit ⇒ page 31. If
you cannot disable the front passenger airbag and it remains enabled, it is
forbidden to transport children on the front passenger seat ⇒ 
.
Things to note if using a child seat on the front passenger seat:
● The front passenger airbag must be disabled  if using a rear-facing
child seat ⇒ page 35.
● The backrest of the front passenger seat must be upright.
● The front passenger seat must be moved as far back as possible.
● The backrest of the front passenger seat must be upright.
● The seat belt height adjustment must be as high as possible.
Suitable child seats
The child seat must be authorised by the manufacturer especially for use on
a front passenger seat with a frontal or side airbag.
If the front passenger seat is equipped with retaining rings, the child seat
can be secured using the approved retaining system provided it is approved
for this type of vehicle in accordance with current regulations in the country
in question.
Universal seats for children in groups 0, 0+, 1, 2 or 3 according to the ECE-
R 44 regulation.
WARNING
If a child seat is mounted on the front passenger seat, the risk of the
child sustaining severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increa-
ses. Rear-facing child seats must never be mounted on the front passen-
ger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled. This is life-threaten-
ing to the child should the frontal airbag deploy, as the child seat would
be struck by the inflated airbag and thrown against the backrest. 

53
Cockpit
Operating instructions Cockpit
Overview Overview of the dash panel
This overview will help you to familiarise yourself with the
controls and displays. Door release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Central locking button    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Switch for adjusting the exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
– Exterior mirror adjustment     
– Heated exterior mirrors 
– Folding exterior mirrors 
Instrument panel controls and lighting control  . . . . . . . . . . .95
Headlamp range adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Light switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
– Light off - -
– Automatic headlight control - -
– Side/dipped lights  
– Fog lights  
Controls on the multi-function steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
– Volume control for radio, navigation system and phone
conversations  – 
– Radio mute or voice control activation 
1
23
456
7
–
Activate telephone main menu or accept an incoming call

– SEAT information system control buttons , , OK, 
Lever for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
– Main beam headlights 
– Headlight flasher 
– Turn signals 
– Parking lights 
Instrument panel:
– Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
– Digital display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
– Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Horn (works only when the ignition is on)/Front driver airbag 31
Windscreen wiper/ windscreen wash lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
– Windscreen wipers  – 
– Intermittent wipe 
– “Brief wipe”  x
– Windscreen wipers 
– Automatic windscreen wash/wipe 
– Rear window wiper 
– Automatic rear window wash/wipe 
– Lever with buttons for controlling the SEAT information
system - ,  / . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Left seat heating controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
8
9
1011
12
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

54Cockpit
Radio or navigation system (fitted at factory) ⇒ Booklet Ra-
dio or ⇒ Booklet Navigation system
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Hazard warning lights switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Switches for:
– Climatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
– Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Right seat heating controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Button for:
– Anti-slip regulation (ASR)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
– Start/stop operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
– Parking distance warning system (Park Pilot)  . . . . . . . . . . 200
– Park Assist system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
– Tyre pressure monitor   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
– Opening the tailgate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
– Opening and closing of electric sliding doors  . . . . . . . . . 80
Locking lever to open glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
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 gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
– Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
12 Volt socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Auto Hold Switch - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Electronic parking brake switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Steering column adjustment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
13
141516
1718
192021
2223
242526272829
Fuse box cover
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Lever for:
– Cruise control system (GRA)  –  –  –  / -
- / -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Open bonnet lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Controls for:
– Electric windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
– Childproof locks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Note
● Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain
model versions or are optional extras.
● In versions with the steering wheel on the right, the layout of the control
elements is 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 Control 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 switched 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
3233

55
Cockpit
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp, sometimes 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
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

 Do not continue driving!
The electronic parking brake is on, the brake
fluid level is too low or the brake system is faul-
ty.
⇒ page 185
 Do not continue driving!
Fault in the engine cooling system.⇒ page 287
 Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ page 283
 Do not continue driving!
At least one of the vehicles doors is open, or is
not correctly closed.⇒ page 80
 Do not continue driving!
The tailgate is open or is incorrectly closed.⇒ page 84
 Do not continue driving!
Fault in the steering.⇒ page 169
Engine cannot be started again!
"AdBlue" level too low.⇒ page 275
Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt.⇒ page 21
Use the foot brake!
Change
⇒ page 176
Brake
⇒ page 185
Faulty generator.⇒ page 292
Yellow symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Front brake pads worn.
⇒ page 185lights: ESC malfunction or off.flashes: ESC working.
ASR manually deactivated.
ABS faulty or does not work.
Electronic parking brake faulty.⇒ page 185
Rear fog light switched on.⇒ page 95
lights: Driving light totally or partially faulty.⇒ page 330flashes: Fault in the adaptive light system.⇒ page 95
Fault in catalytic converter.
⇒ page 232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 169
Tyre pressure too low.⇒ page 297Fault in the tyre pressure gauge.⇒ page 225
Level of windscreen washer fluid too low.⇒ page 105
Fuel tank almost empty.⇒ page 268 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

57
Cockpit
WARNING (Continued)
● 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 279.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
may result in faults in the vehicle. Instruments
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Indicator lamps ⇒ page 54
● Gear engaged display (automatic gearbox) ⇒ page 176.
● 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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

58Cockpit
Details of the instruments ⇒ fig. 35:
Clock set button 1)
.
– Press button 
to select the hour or minute display.
– To continue setting the time, press button 0.0 / SET
7. Hold button
down to scroll through the numbers quickly.
– Press button 
again to end the clock setting.
Rev counter (with the engine running, in thousands of revolutions per
minute).
The beginning of the red zone of the rev counter indicates the maxi-
mum speed in any gear after running-in and with the engine hot. How-
ever, it is advisable to change up a gear or move the selector lever to D
(or lift your foot off the accelerator) before the needle reaches the red
zone ⇒ 
.
Engine coolant temperature display  ⇒ page 287.
Displays on the screen ⇒ page 58.
Fuel reserve display ⇒ page 268.
Speedometer.
Reset knob for trip recorder (trip).
– Press button 0.0 / SET
to reset to zero.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the engine, the rev counter needle should only re-
main in the red zone for a short period of time.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear in time reduces fuel consumption and noise. 
1
2
34567
Displays on screen
A variety of information can be viewed on the instrument panel display
⇒ 
fig. 35 4, depending on the vehicle equipment:
● Warning and information texts
● Mileage
● Time
● Ambient temperature
● Compass
● Selector lever positions ⇒ page 176
● Recommended gear (manual gearbox) ⇒ page 176
● Multifunction display (MFI) and menus for different setting options
⇒ page 62
● Service interval display ⇒ page 61
● Second speed display (menu Configuration) ⇒ page 62
● Start/Stop operation indicator ⇒ page 59
Warning and information texts
The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the ig-
nition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. Faults in the opera-
tion are displayed on the screen using red and yellow symbols and messag-
es on the instrument panel display ( ⇒ page 54) and, in some cases, with
audible warnings. The display may vary according to the type of instrument
panel fitted. 
1)
Depending on the vehicle equipment, it is also possible to set the time using the settings
menu on the instrument panel display ⇒ page 67.

59
Cockpit
Type of mes-
sageSymbol
colourMeaning
Priority 1
warning.Red
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audible warnings.
 Stop the vehicle! It is dangerous ⇒ 
!
Check the function that is faulty and repair it.
If necessary, request assistance from special-
ised personnel.
Priority 2
warning.Yellow
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audible warnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below
the correct levels may cause damage to the
vehicle! ⇒ 
Check the faulty function as soon as possible.
If necessary, request assistance from special-
ised personnel.
Informative
text.–Information relating to different vehicle pro-
cesses.
Mileage
The odometer registers the total distance travelled by the car.
The trip recorder (trip) shows the distance travelled since the last trip re- corder reset. The last digit of the trip recorder indicates distances of 100
metres or tenths of a mile.
Outside temperature display
When the outside temperature is below +4 °C (+39 °F), the symbol “ice crys-
tal” (warning of risk of freezing) is also displayed next to the temperature.
At first this symbol flashes and then it remains lit until the outside tempera-
ture rises above +6 °C (+43 °F) ⇒ 
.
When the vehicle is at a standstill, with the auxiliary heating on
(⇒ page 165), or when travelling at very low speeds, the temperature dis-
played may be higher than the true outside temperature, as a result of the
heat produced by the engine. The temperatures measured range from -40 °C to +50 °C (-40 °F to +122 °F).
Compass
With the ignition on and the navigation system on, the cardinal point corre-
sponding to the vehicle's direction of travel is displayed on the instrument
panel
⇒ page 60.
Selector lever positions
The range of engaged gears of the selector lever is shown on the side of the
lever, and on the instrument panel display. In positions D and S, and with
the Tiptronic, the corresponding gear is also displayed.
Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
The recommended gear to save fuel is displayed on the instrument panel
while you are driving ⇒ page 176.
Second speed display (mph or km/h)
In addition to the speedometer, the speed can also be displayed in a differ-
ent unit of measurement (in miles or in km per hour). To change the units, in
the Settings menu, select the option Second speed ⇒ page 62.
Vehicles without menu display on the instrument panel
● Switch on the engine.
● Press button 
three times. The odometer display flashes on the instru-
ment panel display.
● Press button 0.0 / SET
once. “mph” or “km/h” is displayed briefly in-
stead of the odometer.
● This activates the second speed display. To switch it off, repeat the pro-
cedure.
This option cannot be disconnected in models destined for countries in
which the second speed must always be visible.
Start/Stop operating display
Updated information relating to the status is displayed on the instrument
panel ⇒ page 196. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

60Cockpit
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.
● 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.
● 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).
WARNING
Although the outside temperature is above freezing, some roads and
bridges may be frozen.
● At an outside temperature of above +4 °C (+39 °F), even when the
“ice crystal” is not visible, there may still be ice on the road.
● Never rely totally on the outside temperature display!
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
may result in faults in the vehicle.
Note
● Different versions of the instrument panel are available and therefore
the versions and instructions on the display may vary. In the case of dis-
plays without warning or information texts, faults are indicated exclusively
by the warning lamps.
● When several warnings are active at the same time, the symbols are
shown successively for a few seconds. The symbols will stay on until the
fault is rectified. Compass*
Fig. 36 Magnetic zones.
The compass does not require calibration in vehicles for which the naviga-
tion system was mounted at the factory. The option compass disappears.
The compass in vehicles in which the navigation system was not mounted
at the factory, is permanently and automatically calibrated. If electronic or
metal accessories (mobile phone, television) are subsequently mounted in
the vehicle, the compass should be recalibrated manually.
Adjusting the magnetic zone
● Switch the ignition on.
● Select the Settings menu followed by the option Compass and Zone.
● Select the magnetic zone corresponding to the position of the vehicle
⇒  fig. 36.
● Adjust and confirm the magnetic zone ( 1-15).