2012 Seat Alhambra tailgate

86Unlocking and locking
WARNING
Unsuitable or careless unlocking and opening of the tailgate could cause
serious injuries.
● If there is a loaded luggage carrier on the tailgate, it could be un-
locked or open but not recognised as such. An unlocked or open tailgate
could open unexpectedly while driving.
Note
At outside temperatures of less than 0 °C (+32 °F), the pressurised gas
struts cannot always automatically lift the tailgate. In this case, open the
tailgate manually. 
Closing the tailgate
Fig. 54 Tailgate open:
hand grip. Closing the tailgate
●
Grab the handgrip inside the tailgate ⇒ fig. 54 (arrow).
● Push the tailgate downwards until it locks into place in the lock.
● Ensure that it is correctly closed by pulling on it firmly.
Locking the tailgate
If you unlock the vehicle without opening any doors or the tailgate, it will
lock again automatically after 30 seconds. This function prevents the vehi-
cle from remaining unlocked if the unlocking button is pressed by mistake.
Locking is only possible when the tailgate is correctly and fully closed.
● The tailgate is also locked by a central locking.
● If the vehicle tailgate is locked or unlocked using the 
button, when it
is closed once more it will lock automatically.
● A closed but not locked tailgate will lock automatically at a speed above
about 9 km/h ( 7 mph).
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.
Note
Before closing the tailgate, make sure that the key has not been left inside
the boot. 

87
Unlocking and locking
Opening the tailgate electronically
Fig. 55 Button with tail-
gate open.
Opening the tailgate
● Press and hold the 
button on the vehicle key until the tailgate opens
automatically.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Press and hold the 
button on the centre console for
approximately 1 second ⇒ fig. 52.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Press the ⇒ fig. 53 tailgate button (arrow).
In case of difficulty or obstruction, automatic opening of the tailgate is inter-
rupted.
Electronically opening the tailgate does not work when a trailer is electrical-
ly connected and hitched to a factory fitted trailer hitch ⇒ page 237.
The tailgate can be opened manually by applying more force. Closing the tailgate
●
Press and hold the 
button on the vehicle key for approximately 1
second.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Press and hold the 
button on the centre console for
approximately 1 second ⇒ fig. 52.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Press the ⇒ fig. 53 tailgate button (arrow).
● Press the button 
on the open tailgate ⇒ 
fig. 55 ⇒ .
● Manually push the tailgate down to close it.
The tailgate will move down to the closed position to close and lock itself
automatically using the power-close feature ⇒ 
.
In case of difficulty or obstruction, automatic closing of the tailgate is inter-
rupted and it will open slightly.
Check why the tailgate could not close.
Attempt to close it once more.
Interrupting the opening and closing process
Tailgate opening and closing can be stopped by pressing one of the 
but-
tons. Each time one of the  buttons is pressed, the tailgate moves to its
initial position.
Then, it can be opened or closed by hand. To do this, apply a little more
force.
Memorising the opening angle
The tailgate must be at least half open to memorise an opening angle.
● Stop automatic opening in the opening position required ⇒ page 87.
● Hold down the button ⇒ fig. 55 with the tailgate open for at least three
seconds. The opening angle is memorised.
Memorisation is confirmed by blinking of the hazard warning lights and a
sound signal. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

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. 

101
Lights and visibility
Note
Use of the Tourist light option and the adhesives on the headlights is only
allowed if they are to be used for a short period of time. To modify the direc-
tion of the headlights permanently, please take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
“Coming home” and “Leaving home” function (guidance
lights)
The “Coming home” function should be switched on manually. However the
“Leaving home” function is automatically controlled by a photo sensor.
“Coming Home”Necessary operations
To switch sys-
tem on:
– Switch off the ignition.
– Briefly flash the headlights for approximately one sec-
ond ⇒ page 96.
The “Coming home” lighting comes on when the driver's
door is opened. The delay in switching off the headlights
is counted from when the last door or tailgate is closed.
The system
switches off:
– Automatically at the end of the delay period.
– Automatically, if 30 seconds after coming on, a vehicle
door or tailgate remains open.
– If the light switch is turned to position .
– If the ignition is switched on.
“Leaving home”Necessary operationsTo switch sys-
tem on:– Unlock the vehicle when the light switch is in position
 and the photo sensor detects darkness.
The system
switches off:– Automatically, at the end of the delay period.
– When the vehicle is locked.
– When the light switch is turned to position .
– When the ignition is switched on.
Lighting around the exterior mirrors
The lighting around the exterior mirrors illuminates the door area on enter-
ing and leaving the vehicles. It comes on when the vehicle is unlocked,
when the vehicle door is opened and when the “Coming home” or “Leaving
home” function is switched on. If the equipment includes the light sensor,
the lighting around the exterior mirrors only comes when it is dark.
Note
● The time taken for the headlights to go off can be changed in the Lights
& Visibility menu and the function can be switched on or off ⇒ page 62.
● When the “Coming home” function is on, if the vehicle door is opened
there is no audible warning signal to advise that the light is still on. 
Headlight range control, instrument and switch lighting
Fig. 62 Next to the
steering wheel: instru-
ment and switch lighting
control 1
and headlight
range control 2.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

102Lights and visibility
1
Instrument and switch lighting
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments
and switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning
the switch ⇒ fig. 62 1
.
2
Headlight range control
The headlight range control 2 is modified according to the value of the
headlight beam and the vehicle load status. This offers the driver optimum
visibility and the headlights do not dazzle oncoming drivers ⇒ 
.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To reset, turn switch 2
:
ValueVehicle load statusa)–Two front occupants, luggage compartment empty1All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty
2All seats occupied, luggage compartment full. With trailer
and minimum support load
3Driver only, luggage compartment full. With trailer and
maximum support load
a)
If the vehicle load does not correspond to those shown in the table, it is possible to select
intermediary positions.
Dynamic headlight range control
The control 2
is not mounted in vehicles with dynamic headlight range
control. The headlight range is automatically adjusted according to the ve-
hicle load status when the headlights are switched on.
WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that the headlights dazzle and
distract other drivers. This could result in serious accident.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load status so that it does not
blind other drivers.
 Interior and reading lights
Button /
SwitchFunction
Switches interior lights off.
Switches interior lights on.

Switches door contact control on (central position).
The interior lights come on automatically when the vehicle is
unlocked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the ig-
nition.
The lights go off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Turning the reading light on and off
Storage and luggage compartment lighting
When the glove box and the tailgate are opened and closed, a light auto-
matically switches on or off.
Ambient lighting
The background lighting in the front covering of the ceiling lights up the
controls on the centre console from above when the side or dipped lights
are on.
In addition, the lever on the door moulding can also be illuminated.
Note
The reading lights go out when the vehicle is locked, or a few minutes after
the key is removed from the ignition. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging. 

106Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper lever
Fig. 65 Using the
windscreen wipers.
Fig. 66 Using the rear
window wipers.
Move the lever to the required position ⇒ :0OFFWindscreen wiper off.
1
Intermittent windscreen wipers wipe.
Using the control ⇒ fig. 65 A adjust the interval (vehicles
without the rain sensor), or the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
2LOWSlow wipe.3HIGHContinuous wipe.
4 xBrief wipe - short wipe. Hold the lever down for more time to
increase the wipe frequency.
5Automatic wipe for cleaning windscreens with the lever up.
6Intermittent wipe for rear window. The rear wiper will wipe the
window approximately every 6 seconds.
7Automatic wipe for cleaning rear windows with the lever
pressed.
CAUTION
If the ignition is switched off while the windscreen wipers are on, the wind-
screen wipers carry on wiping at the same level when the ignition is switch-
ed back on. Ice, snow and other obstacles may damage the windscreen wip-
er and the wiper motor.
Note
● The windscreen wipers will only function when the ignition is switched
on and the bonnet or tailgate are closed.
● The intermittent wiper speed varies according to the vehicle speed. The
faster the vehicle is moving, the more often the windscreen is cleaned.
● The rear wiper is automatically switched on when the windscreen wiper
is connected and the car is in reverse gear. 

127
Seats and storage compartments
WARNING
When the vehicle is not in use or being watched, always lock the doors
and the tailgate to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
● Do not leave children unwatched, especially when the tailgate is
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment, close the tail-
gate from inside and be unable to escape themselves. This could lead to
serious injury or death.
● Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle.
● Never transport people in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can cause serious injury in case
of a sudden manoeuvring or breaking or in case of an accident. This is es-
pecially true when objects are struck by a detonating airbag and fired
through the vehicle interior. To reduce the risks, please note the follow-
ing:
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Always keep equipment and heavy
objects in the luggage compartment.
● Always secure objects with suitable rope or straps so that they can-
not enter the areas around the frontal or side airbags in case of sudden
braking or an accident.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
WARNING (Continued)
● Do not place hard, heavy or sharp objects inside the passenger com-
partment, in open storage compartments, the rear shelf or on the dash-
board.
● Remove hard, heavy and sharp objects from clothes and pockets in-
side the vehicle and store securely.
WARNING
The transport of heavy object changes vehicle handling and increases
braking distance. Heavy loads that have not been stored or secured cor-
rectly could cause loss of control and result in serious injury.
● The vehicle handling changes when transporting heavy objects due
to a change in the centre of gravity.
● Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as
possible.
● Store heavy objects in the luggage compartment as far from the rear
axle as possible.
CAUTION
● Hard objects on the shelf could chafe the wires of the heating element
and antenna of the rear window and cause damage.
● The side window antenna could be damaged due to chafing from ob-
jects.
Note
The ventilating slits between the heated rear window and the shelf must not
be covered so that used air can escape from the vehicle. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

129
Seats and storage compartments
Folding the seats in the second row of seats for loading
● If necessary, open the belt loop and wind up the seat belt by hand.
● If it is necessary, remove the head rests on the integrated child seats
then reinstalled the integrated child seats ⇒ page 45.
● If necessary, raise the armrests.
● Remove objects from the footrest area in front of and behind the rear
seat ⇒ 
.
● Move the rear seat all the way back.
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go ⇒ page 10.
● In the middle seat, close the drinks carrier in the rear of the centre con-
sole, if necessary.
● Pull lever ⇒ fig. 89 1
back and fold the backrest forwards. The com-
plete rear seat folds forward ⇒ .
● Fold the backrest forwards until it locks into the load surface position
B
.
● If necessary, pull on the lever ⇒ fig. 90 2 to move the seat to the re-
quired position.
● When the seat is folded down, no adults or children should travel in it
⇒ 
.
Folding the seats in the third row of seats for loading
● If necessary, open the belt loop and wind up the seat belt by hand.
● Open the tailgate.
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go ⇒ page 10.
● Remove objects from the footrest area in front of and behind the rear
seat ⇒ 
.
● Remove objects from the space below the rear seat.
● Remove the attachment elements and supports for the net from the rail
system.
● Pull lever 1
back and fold the backrest forwards. The rear seat folds for-
ward ⇒  and the cushion also moves forward. ●
Fold the seat tray forward on top of the folded seat.
● When the seat is folded down, no adults or children should travel in it
⇒ 
.
Putting the seats in the second row back in place
● Pull lever ⇒ fig. 89 1
upwards and place the backrests in vertical posi-
tion. The entire seat folds backwards.
● Pull on the rear seats and the backrest to ensure that they are correctly
locked in place and that the safety belt protection is guaranteed for rear
seat passengers.
Putting the seats in the third row back in place
● Open the tailgate.
● Pull on the handle ⇒ fig. 90 2
to put the seat tray back in position.
● Pull on the handle 3. The entire seat folds backwards.
● Press on the seat tray in the backrest until it is held in position by its
magnets.
● Open the sliding door.
● Put the backrest into position and press firmly until it clicks into place.
● Pull on the rear seats and the backrest to ensure that they are correctly
locked in place and that the safety belt protection is guaranteed for rear
seat passengers.
WARNING
Folding and lifting the rear seats carelessly without paying attention
could cause serious injury.
● Never fold or lift the seats while driving.
● Do no trap or damage seat belts when raising the backrest.
● Keep your hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the hinges
and the seat locking mechanism when folding and unfolding. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications