2012 Seat Alhambra height

88Unlocking and locking
To be opened completely, the opening angle must be memorised once
more.
● Release the tailgate and open it to the memorised height.
● Push the tailgate all the way up. To do this, apply a little more force.
● Hold down the button ⇒  fig. 55 with the tailgate open for at least three
seconds.
● The opening angle is reset to the original factory setting.
WARNING
Unsuitable or careless closing and locking of the tailgate could cause se-
rious injuries.
● Never allow children to play inside or around the vehicle without su-
pervision, especially if the tailgate is open. Children could enter the lug-
gage compartment, close the tailgate and become trapped. A locked ve-
hicle can be subjected to extremely high and low temperatures, depend-
ing on the time of year, thus causing serious injuries/illness and even
death.
WARNING
It is possible that the tailgate does not open completely or, if it is open,
closes alone if a large amount of snow has built up on it or if a luggage
rack is fitted. In this case, the tailgate must be supported.
CAUTION
● When using a trailer, ensure that there is sufficient space to open and
close the tailgate.
● Before opening the tailgate, any kind of equipment carrier should be re-
moved, for example a bicycle carrier.
CAUTION
In case of repeated short-term use, the system is turned off to avoid over-
heating.
● When it has cooled, it may be used once again. During this time, the
tailgate may be manually opened or closed applying a little more effort.
● If the vehicle battery is disconnected or the fuse blows when the tailgate
is open, the tailgate system must be re-initialised. To do this, close the tail-
gate.
Note
Before closing the tailgate, make sure that the key has not been left inside
the boot. 
Electric windows Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● SEAT information system
⇒ page 62
● Central locking and locking system
⇒ page 74
WARNING
Careless use of the electric windows can cause serious injury.
● Only operate the electric windows when nobody is in the way.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle if the
doors are to be locked. The windows cannot be opened in case of an
emergency. 

114Seats and storage compartments
Seats and storage compartments
Seat adjustment
Mechanical controls on the front seat
Fig. 74 Front left seat
controls.
The controls are mirrored for the front right-hand seat.
Mechanically and electrically adjusted controls can be combined on the
seat.
fig. 74FunctionNecessary operations
1Moving the head re-
straint backwards or for-
wards.Pull the lever and move the seat for-
wards. The front seat must be engag-
ed when the lever is released!
2Adjusting the lumbar
support*.Turn the lever.
fig. 74FunctionNecessary operations
3Adjusting the backrest
angle.Turn the wheel.
4Adjusting the seat
height.Pull the lever up or push down (sev-
eral times if necessary) from its
home position.


115
Seats and storage compartments
Electrical controls on the front seat*
Fig. 75 Adjusting the
front left seat forwards or
backwards, the height,
the seat angle and the
front seat backrest.
Fig. 76 Adjusting the
lumbar support.
The controls are mirrored for the front right-hand seat.
Mechanically and electrically adjusted controls can be combined on the
seat.
fig. 75 Press the control in the direction of the arrow:
A1Move the seat backwards or forwards.2 and 3Raise or lower the seat.2 or 3Adjust the seat angle.
BForwards or
backwards.Adjust the backrest angle.
fig. 76 Press the corresponding area of the switch:1 or 2Adjust the curve of the lumbar support.3 or 4Adjust the height of the lumbar support.
WARNING
Using the front electric seats in a careless or uncontrolled manner may
lead to severe injuries.
● The front seats can also be electrically adjusted when the ignition is
switched off. Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle.
● In the event of an emergency, stop electrical adjustment by pressing
any button.
CAUTION
So as not the damage the electrical components of the front seats, do not
kneel on the seats or apply specific pressure to one point of the seat or
backrest.
Note
● It may not be possible to electrically adjust the seat if the vehicle battery
is very low.
● Seat adjustment is stopped when the engine is started. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

123
Seats and storage compartments
Head restraints Adjusting the head restraints
Fig. 84 A: Adjust the head restraints with no possibili-
ty of lengthways direction adjustment, B: Adjust the
head restraints with lengthways direction adjustment.
Fig. 85 Adjust the head
restraints in the second
or third row of seats.
All seats are equipped with a head restraint. Adjusting height
●
Raise the head restraint in the direction of the arrow or lower it ⇒ fig. 84
or ⇒ fig. 85 1
with the button pressed ⇒ .
● The head restraint must engage securely in position. There are three
possible positions on the second row of seats and two possible positions
on the third row of seats.
Adjusting the front head restraints
● Push the head restraint forward in the direction of the arrow or backward
⇒ fig. 84 1
B with the button pressed.
● The head restraint must engage securely in position.
Correct adjustment of head restraints
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 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

124Seats and storage compartments
head and under no circumstances below eye level. Keep the back of your
neck as close as possible to the head restraint.
Adjusting the head restraint for short people
Lower the head restraint completely, even if your head is below its upper
edge. When the head restraint is at its lowest, it is possible that a small gap
remains between it and the backrest.
Adjusting the head restraint for tall people
Raise the head restraint completely.
WARNING
Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted in-
creases the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the event of accidents and
sudden braking or manoeuvres.
● Always fit and adjust the head restraint properly whenever a person
is occupying a seat.
● All occupants must correctly adjust the head restraint according to
their height to reduce the risk of back injuries in the event of an accident.
The upper edge of the head restraint must be 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 re-
straint.
● Never adjust the head restraint while the vehicle is in motion.

Removing and fitting the head restraints
Fig. 86 A: Fitting the head restraints with no possibili-
ty of lengthways direction adjustment, B: Fitting the
head restraints with lengthways direction adjustment. 

139
Seats and storage compartments
Luggage net*
Fig. 100 In the luggage
compartment: net used
on secured baggage.
The baggage net can be used to secure lighter items.
Hooking the baggage net into the luggage compartment floor
● Hook the baggage net into the fastening rings ⇒ fig. 100 1
and 2.
Releasing the baggage net
The secured baggage net is taut ⇒ 
.
● Carefully unhook the baggage net hooks from the fastening rings 1
.
● Carefully unhook the baggage net hooks from the fastening rings 2.
WARNING
The elastic baggage net stretches when it is secured to the luggage com-
partment fastening rings. The secured baggage net is taut. The hooks on
the baggage net can cause injury if the net is incorrectly hooked or un-
hooked.
● Always ensure that the hooks do not suddenly release from the fas-
tening rings when hooking or un-hooking.
● Always keep your face and eyes protected at a safe distance to avoid
injury should a hook slip while hooking or unhooking.
● Always engage the hooks in the order given. If a baggage net hook
springs back this can cause injury.

Roof carrier system* Introduction
The vehicle roof has been designed to optimise aerodynamics. For this rea-
son, conventional roof carrier systems cannot be secured to the roof rails.
Given that the water drains have been incorporated into the roof for aerody-
namic reasons, only the SEAT approved basic supports and roof carrier sys-
tems can be used.
When should the roof carrier system be removed?
● When it is not being used.
● When the vehicle is being washed in a car wash.
● When the vehicle height exceeds the maximum height (for example, in a
garage). 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

140Seats and storage compartments
Additional information and warnings:
●Light ⇒ page 95
● Transporting ⇒ page 13
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 229
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 297
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 261
WARNING
The risk of an accident is increased by transporting heavy or bulky loads
on the roof, which affects the car's handling by shifting the centre of
gravity and increasing susceptibility to cross winds.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable and undamaged attach-
ment rope or straps.
● Large, heavy, wide and flat loads negatively affect the vehicle aerody-
namics, centre of gravity and handling.
● Avoid brusque manoeuvres and sudden braking.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
CAUTION
● Always remove the roof carrier system from the roof before entering a car
wash.
● The height of your vehicle is changed by the installation of the roof carri-
er and the load secured on it. Compare the vehicle height with the passage
height, for example in underground car parks or entering garage doors.
● The roof antenna, the range of the panoramic sliding roof and the tail-
gate should not be affected by the roof carrier system and the load being
transported.
● Take extra care not to let the tailgate strike the roof load when opening.
For the sake of the environment
The vehicle uses more fuel when the roof carrier system is fitted. 
Securing the base supports and roof carrier system
Fig. 101 Attachment
points for the basic sup-
port and the roof carrier
system.
The mounts are the basis of a complete roof carrier system. Special fixtures
must then be added in order to safely transport luggage, bicycles, skis, surf
boards or boats on the roof. All these system components are available
from a Technical Service.
It will only be possible to install a basic support or roof carrier system if the
vehicle has a roof rail.
Securing the base supports and roof carrier system
Always secure the base supports and roof carrier system correctly.
The roof carrier system must always be installed exactly according to the in-
structions provided. 

248Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Switch off the rain sensor and the Auto Hold function before entering a
car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehicle with the available height
and width when entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retractable exterior mirrors must NOT
be folded in or out by hand. Always use the electrical power control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork, rest the wipers on the wind-
screen after drying them. Do not let them fall!
● Lock the tailgate to prevent it from opening unexpectedly while inside
the car wash. 
Washing the vehicle with high pressure cleaning
equipment
When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, always follow the
operating instructions for the equipment. Pay special attention to the re-
quired pressure of the jet and the distance between the jet and the vehicle
⇒ 
.
Keep a suitable distance from soft materials, such as rubber hoses or insu-
lating material, and from the parking distance warning system sensors. The
parking distance sensors are fitted in the rear bumpers and, where applica-
ble, in the front bumpers ⇒ 
.
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream or one that
has a rotating jet for forcing off dirt ⇒ 
.
WARNING
The incorrect use of high pressure cleaning equipment could result in
permanent damage, visible or invisible, to the tyres or other materials.
This could result in serious accident.
● Ensure there is a suitable distance between the nozzle and the tyres.
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or so-called “dirt blasters”.
Even at large spraying distances and short cleaning times, you may dam-
age the tyres.
WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the braking effect will be reduced
(and the braking distance increased) due to moisture (and ice in winter)
on the brakes.
● Dry the brakes and remove ice by braking carefully. Ensure that you
are not endangering other road-users or breaking traffic regulations in
the process.
CAUTION
● The temperature of the water must not be above +60 °C (+140 °F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not wash the vehicle in full sun.
● The sensors on the bumpers should be kept clean and free of ice at all
times to ensure the parking distance warning system and the parking aid
system operate correctly. When cleaning with pressure hoses and steam
cleaners, the sensors should be sprayed only briefly. A distance of 10 cm
between the sensors and the steam / hose nozzle must be observed.
● Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from windows
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: When washing the vehicle
with a hose, do not direct water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around
the doors, tailgate, or sunroof. Locks and seals could freeze! 