2012 Seat Alhambra technical specifications

97
Lights and visibility
The control turn signals are switched on and off from the menu Lights & Visi-
bility on the instrument panel display ⇒ page 62. This function can be dis-
connected at a specialised workshop for those vehicles which do not have
the menu Lights & Visibility .
WARNING
Incorrect use of the headlamps may cause accidents and serious injury,
as the main beam may distract or dazzle other drivers.
Note
● The turn signal only works when the ignition is switched on. The hazard
warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off ⇒ page 316.
● If a turn signal on the vehicle or trailer is faulty, the warning lamp flash-
es twice as fast as usual.
● The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam
headlights are already on. 
Turning lights on and off
Fig. 61 Next to the steering wheel: diagram of some of
the types of light switch.
The legal requirements regarding the use of vehicle lights in each country
must be observed.
In vehicles with tow bar fitted as standard: If the trailer is connected electri-
cally and is fitted with a rear fog light, this is automatically switched off on
the vehicle. Turn the light switch to the required position
⇒ fig. 61:
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Lights and visibility
Automatic dipped beam control 
The automatic dipped beam control is merely intended as an aid and is not
able to recognise all driving situations.
When the light switch is in position , the vehicle lights and the instru-
ment panel and switch lighting switch on and off automatically in the fol-
lowing situations ⇒ 
:
Automatic switching on:Automatic switching off or switch to
daytime driving lighting:
The photo sensor detects darkness,
for example, when driving through a
tunnel.When adequate lighting is detected.
The rain sensor detects rain and ac-
tivates the windscreen wipers.When the windscreen wiper has
been inactive for a few minutes.
Adaptive headlights (AFS)
The adaptive headlights only operate when the dipped beam is on and at
speeds of over 10 km/h. When taking a bend, the adaptive headlights auto-
matically light up the road better.
The adaptive headlights can be switched on and off from the infotainment
system.
Static turning lights
When turning slowly to change direction or going round a tight bend, the
static cornering lights automatically come on. The static cornering lights on-
ly work at speeds of less than 40 km/h.
The static cornering lights may be incorporated into the fog lights or the
front headlights, depending upon the equipment.
WARNING
If the road is not well lit and other road users cannot see the vehicle well
enough or at all, accidents may occur.
● The automatic dipped beam control ( ) only switches on the dip-
ped beam when there are no changes in brightness, and not, for example
when it is foggy.
● Never drive with daytime lights if the road is not well lit due to weath-
er or lighting conditions. Daytime lights do not provide enough light to
illuminate the road properly or be seen by other road users.

Headlight adjustment
Headlight adjustment (Light Assist)
The headlight adjustment automatically connects and disconnects the main
beam headlights depending on the environmental and traffic conditions
and on the speed, within the limitations of the system ⇒ 
. This is moni-
tored by a sensor located on the inside of the windscreen, above the interior
rear vision mirror.
The automatic headlight adjustment automatically switches on the main
beam depending on the vehicles travelling in front and in the opposite di-
rection, and of other environmental and traffic conditions from an approxi-
mate speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) and turns them off again at speeds below
approximately 30 km/h (18 mph). 
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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.

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Lights and visibility
Sun blind Introduction
WARNING
Sun visors and sun blinds may reduce visibility when open.
● Always roll or fold sun blinds and visors away when not in use.

Sun visors
Fig. 63 Sun visor.
Options for adjusting driver and front passenger sun visors:
● Lower by unfolding towards the windscreen.
● The sun visor can be pulled out of its mounting and turned towards the
door ⇒ fig. 63 1
.
● Swing the sun visor towards the door, longitudinally backwards. Make-up mirror light
There may be a make-up mirror, with a cover, on the rear of the sun visor.
When the cover is opened
2
a light comes on.
The lamp goes out when the make-up mirror cover is closed or the sun visor
is pushed back up.
Note
The light above the sun visor automatically switches off after a few minutes
in certain conditions. This prevents the battery from discharging. 
Rear side window sun blinds
Fig. 64 On the rear
right-hand window: sun
blind.
The sun blinds for the passenger compartment are fitted in the side panels
of the windows. 
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Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper and washer
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Recirculation of air conditioning air ⇒ page 157
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 279
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 246
WARNING
Water from the windscreen washer water bottle may freeze on the wind-
screen if it does not contain enough anti-freeze, reducing forward visibili-
ty.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer contains enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the ventilation system. The anti-
freeze could freeze on the windscreen and reduce visibility.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. In cold weather, it may help
to leave the vehicle parked with the wipers in service position ⇒ page 107. Control lamp
lights upPossible causeSolution
Windscreen wiper fluid level
too lowTop up the windscreen wiper
bottle as soon as possible
⇒ page 109.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched. This signals that the lamp is working properly. They
will switch off after a few seconds.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
may result in faults in the vehicle. 
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Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper functions
Windscreen wiper performance in different situations:If the vehicle is at a stand-
still:The activated position provisionally changes
to the previous position.
During the automatic wipe:
The air conditioning comes on for approxi-
mately 30 seconds in air recirculation mode
to prevent the smell of the windscreen wash-
er fluid entering the inside of the vehicle.
For the intermittent wipe:The intervals between wipes vary according
to the speed of the vehicle. The higher the
vehicle speed the shorter the intervals.
Heated windscreen washer jets
The heating only thaws the frozen jets, it does not thaw the water in the
washer hoses. The heated windscreen washer jets automatically adjust the
heat depending on the ambient temperature, when the ignition is switched
on.
Headlight wash /wipe system
The headlight washers/wipers clean the headlight lenses.
After the ignition is switched on, the first and every fifth time the wind-
screen washer is switched on, the headlights are also washed. Therefore,
the windscreen wiper lever should be pulled towards the steering wheel
when the dipped beam or main beam are on. Any incrusted dirt (such as in-
sects) should be cleaned regularly (e.g. when refuelling).
To ensure the headlight washers work correctly in winter, any snow which
has got into the bumper jet supports should be cleaned away. If necessary,
remove snow with an anti-icing spray.
Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the ob-
stacle and switch the wiper back on again. 
Windscreen wipers service position
Fig. 67 Wipers in service
position.
The wiper arms can be raised when the wipers are in service position
⇒ fig. 67. To place the windscreen wipers in the service position, proceed as follows:
● The bonnet must be closed ⇒ page 279.
● Switching the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever downwards briefly ⇒ fig. 65 4
.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. Using the windscreen wiper
lever, the windscreen wiper arms return to their initial position. 
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Lights and visibility
● Damaged blades: A film of water on the damaged blades may lengthen
the activation time, reduce the washing intervals or result in a fast and con-
tinuous wipe.
● Insects: insects on the sensor may trigger the windscreen wipers.
● Salt on roads: in winter, salt spread in the roads may cause an extra
long wipe when the windscreen is almost dry.
● Dirt: dry dust, wax, coating on glass (Lotus effect) or traces of detergent
(car wash) may reduce the effectiveness of the rain sensor or make it react
more slowly, later or not at all.
● Cracked windscreen: the impact of a stone will trigger a single wipe cy-
cle with the rain sensor on. Next the rain sensor detects the reduction in the
sensitive surface area and adapts accordingly. The behaviour of the sensor
will vary with the size of the damage caused by the stone.
WARNING
The rain sensor may not detect enough rain to switch on the wipers.
● If necessary, switch on the wipers manually when water on the wind-
screen obstructs visibility.
Note
● Clean the sensitive surface of the rain sensor regularly and check the
blades for damage ⇒ fig. 69 (arrow).
● To remove wax and coatings, we recommend a window cleaner contain-
ing alcohol. Checking and topping up the windscreen washer bottle
with water
Fig. 70 In the engine
compartment: wind-
screen washer bottle top.
Check the water level in the windscreen washer bottle regularly and top up
as required.
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279.
● The washer bottle is marked with the symbol  on the lid ⇒ fig. 70.
● Check there is enough water in the bottle.
● To top up, mix water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT ⇒ 
.
Please follow the instructions for use found on the packaging.
● In cold weather, a special antifreeze should also be added to prevent
the water from freezing ⇒ 
.
Bottle capacity
The bottle holds approximately 3.0 litres; in vehicles with headlight washer,
it is approximately 7.0 litres. 
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Lights and visibility
Rear vision mirror
Fig. 71 Manual anti-daz-
zle function for rear vi-
sion mirror
Fig. 72 Automatic anti-
dazzle function for rear
vision mirror
The driver should always adjust the rear vision mirror to permit adequate
visibility through the rear window. Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
●
Basic position: point the lever at the bottom of the mirror forwards.
● Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle function ⇒ fig. 71.
Automatic anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
Legend for the fig. 72:
warning lamp
Control
Light incidence sensor
This function can be activated and deactivated by pressing the rear vision
mirror switch 2
. When it is activated, the warning lamp lights up 1.
When the ignition is on, the sensor 3
automatically moves the rear vision
mirror to the anti-dazzle position depending upon the incidence of the light
from behind.
The automatic anti-dazzle function is deactivated when reverse gear is en-
gaged or the interior or reading lights are on.
Note
If the incidence of the light on the sensor is obstructed or prevented, e.g. by
the sun blinds, the rear vision mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function will
not operate correctly. 
1
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Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications