2012 Seat Alhambra Owner's Manual

151
Seats and storage compartments
Cup holders in front centre console
Fig. 116 Front centre
console: cup holder.
● To open, move the cover backwards ⇒ fig. 116.
● To close, move the cover forwards. Cup holders, rear*Fig. 117 Centre console,
rear section: folding out
the cup holder.
Opening and closing the cup holder in the rear centre console
● To open, move the cup holder downwards in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 117.
● To close, lift the cup holder.
The third row of seats has a cup holder in the side trim compartment on the
rear left. 
Ashtray and cigarette lighter*
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Sockets ⇒ page 153.
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 261.
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152Seats and storage compartments
WARNING
Undue use of the ashtray and cigarette lighter may cause a fire or burns
and other serious injuries.
● Never put paper or other flammable objects in the ashtray.

Ashtray
Fig. 118 Front centre
console: ashtray closed.
There are ashtrays located on the front of the centre console ⇒ fig. 118 and
on the rear lining of the rear door.
Opening and closing the ashtray
● To open, lift the ashtray cover.
● To close, push the ashtray cover down. Emptying the ashtray
●
Remove the ashtray from the cup holder or lining of the door by pulling
it upwards.
● After emptying the ashtray, insert it from above into the cup holder or
door lining. 
Cigarette lighterFig. 119 Front centre
console: lighter.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, there may be a lighter to the front of
the centre console ⇒ fig. 119 or in the compartment to the front of the cen- tre console.
● Push the button on the cigarette lighter inwards with the ignition on
⇒ fig. 119.
● Wait for the lighter to pop out slightly.
● Pull out the cigarette lighter and light the cigarette on the glowing coil
⇒ 
.
● Replace the cigarette lighter in its insert. 

153
Seats and storage compartments
WARNING
Undue use of the cigarette lighter may cause a fire or burns and other se-
rious injuries.
● The cigarette lighter must only be used to light cigarettes or similar.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. The cigarette lighter
can be used when the ignition is switched on.
Note
The cigarette lighter can also be used with the 12 Volt socket ⇒ page 153. 
Electrical sockets
Introduction
Electrical equipment can be connected to the sockets in the vehicle.
All connected appliances should be in perfect working order without any
faults.
Additional information and warnings:
● Cigarette lighter
⇒ page 151
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications
⇒ page 261
WARNING
Improper use of the sockets or electrical devices could lead to a fire and
cause serious injuries.
● Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. The sockets and
equipment connected to them can be used when the ignition is switched
on.
● Should a connected electrical device overheat, switch it off and un-
plug it immediately.
CAUTION
● To avoid damage to the vehicle's electrical system, never connect equip-
ment that generates electrical current, such as solar panels or battery charg-
ers, to the 12 Volt sockets in order to charge the vehicle's battery.
● Only use accessories with approved electromagnetic compatibility ac-
cording to current regulations.
● To avoid damage due to voltage variations, switch off all appliances con-
nected to the 12 V sockets before switching the ignition on or off and before
starting the engine.
● Never connect an appliance to the 12 Volt socket that consumes more
than the power indicated in watts. Exceeding the maximum power absorp-
tion could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
For the sake of the environment
Do not leave the engine running when the vehicle is at a standstill. 
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154Seats and storage compartments
Note
● Using electrical appliances with the engine stopped and the ignition
switched on will drain the battery.
● Unshielded equipment can cause interference on the radio equipment
and the vehicle's electrical system.
● Interference can occur on the radio's AM waveband if electrical applian-
ces are used near the rear window aerial. 
Vehicle sockets
Depending on your vehicle's version, you may have a 12-
volt socket and/or a 230 volt socket.
Fig. 120 Centre console,
rear section: 12 volt
socket.
Fig. 121 Rear centre
console: 230 Volt Euro
socket.
Maximum power consumption
SocketMaximum power consumption12 Volts120 Watts230 Volts150 Watts (300 Watt peak)
The maximum capacity of each socket must not be exceeded. The power
consumption is indicated on the rating plate of each appliance.
Where two or more appliances are connected at the same time, the total rat-
ing of all the connected devices must never exceed 190 Watts ⇒ 
.
12 volt socket
The 12 Volt socket will only work with the ignition on.
Using electrical appliances with the engine stopped and the ignition switch-
ed on will drain the battery. Therefore, electrical consumers connected to
the socket must only be used when the engine is running.
To prevent voltage variations from causing damage, switch off the electrical
consumer connected to the 12 Volt socket before switching the ignition on
or off and before starting the engine. 

155
Seats and storage compartments
12 Volt sockets can be found in the following locations in the vehicle:
● Compartment in the centre of the centre console.
● Compartment in the front centre console.
● Storage compartment in the front central armrest.
● Rear centre console ⇒ fig. 120.
● At the rear right of the luggage compartment.
230 Volt Euro socket*
The socket only works when the engine is running ⇒ 
.
Connecting an electrical appliance: Plug the appliance into the socket as far
as possible to unlock the built-in child safety device. The current only flows
when the child safety device is unlocked.
LED on the socket ⇒ fig. 121Steady green light:The child safety device is unlocked. The
socket can now be used.
Flashing red light:There is some kind of fault (e.g. discon-
nection due to excess current or tempera-
ture).
Heat protection
The 230 Volt Euro power connector converter switches off automatically
when a certain temperature is exceeded. This disconnect prevents overheat-
ing in the event of an increase in power consumption of the connected ap-
pliance and where the atmospheric temperature is too high. The inverter
will switch on again automatically after it has cooled down. Appliances that
are switched on and connected to the socket will start up again. Therefore,
switch off all electrical appliances connected to the socket when the current
converter switches off due to overheating.
WARNING
High voltage in the electrical installation!
● Liquids must not be spilt over the socket.
● Do not plug adapters or extension cords into the 230 Volt Euro power
connector. Otherwise, the built-in child safety device will switch off and
the connector will become live.
● Do not plug current conductors such as a knitting needle into the 230
Volt Euro power connector.
CAUTION
● Always follow the operating instructions for the appliances to be con-
nected!
● Never exceed the maximum power rating as this could damage the vehi-
cle's general electrical system.
● 12 volt socket:
– Only use accessories with approved electromagnetic compatibility ac-
cording to current regulations.
– Never power the socket.
● 230 Volt Euro socket:
– Do not hang appliances or plugs that are too heavy (e.g. a transform-
er) from the socket.
– Do not connect lamps which contain a neon tube.
– Only plug appliances with a voltage that matches the socket voltage
into the socket.
– In the event of consumers with a high start-up current, surge protec-
tion prevents them from switching on. In this case, unplug the consumer
and try plugging it back in after around 10 seconds. 
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156Seats and storage compartments
Note
● Some appliances may not work properly in the 230 Volt Euro power con-
nector due to a lack of power (Watts).
● The 230 Watt Euro power connector can be modified for 115 Watt appli-
ances and vice versa. Consult a specialist shop for advice on accessories to
adapt the connector. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 

157
Air conditioning
Air conditioning Climate Control
Introduction
Viewing Climatronic information
The factory-fitted radio or navigation system screen briefly displays informa-
tion relating to Climatronic.
The units of temperature measurement is displayed on the factory-installed
radio or navigation system and, depending on the vehicle equipment, can
be set using the Configuration menu on the instrument panel.
Additional information and warnings:
● SEAT information system ⇒ page 62
● Windscreen wash system ⇒ page 105
● Auxiliary heating ⇒ page 165
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 246
WARNING
Reduced visibility through the windows increases the risk of serious acci-
dents.
● Ensure that all windows are free of ice and snow and that they are not
fogged up preventing a clear view of everything outside.
● The maximum heat output required to defrost windows quickly is only
available when the engine has reached its normal running temperature.
Only drive when you have good visibility.
WARNING (Continued)
● Always ensure that you use the climate control and heated rear win-
dow to maintain good visibility.
● Never leave the air recirculation on for a long period of time. If the
cooling mode is switched off and air recirculation mode switched on, the
windows can mist over very quickly, considerably limiting visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required.
WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
possibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never leave the fresh air fan turned off or use the air recirculation for
long periods of time; the air inside the passenger compartment will not
be refreshed.
CAUTION
● Switch the climate control system off if you think it may be broken. This
will avoid additional damage. Have the air conditioner checked by a special-
ised workshop.
● Repairs to the air conditioner require specialist knowledge and special
tools. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service.
● Do not smoke when air recirculation is switched on in vehicles with a cli-
mate control system. The smoke taken in could lie on the cooling system va-
poriser and on the activated charcoal cartridge of the dust and pollen filter,
leading to a permanently unpleasant smell. 
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158Air conditioning
Note
● When the cooling system is turned off, air coming from the outside will
not be dried. To avoid fogging up the windows, SEAT recommends leaving
the cooler (compressor) on. To do this, press the AC
button. The button in-
dicator should light up.
● If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensa-
tion can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool un-
derneath the vehicle, this is completely normal and there is no need to sus-
pect a leak.
● Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and
leaves to ensure heating and cooling are not impaired, and to prevent the
windows from misting over. 