2012 Seat Alhambra seats

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. 

141
Seats and storage compartments
The position holes are located on the inner side of the rail ⇒ fig. 101.
WARNING
If the base supports and the roof carrier system are incorrectly fitted or
used in an unsuitable manner, the entire system could break free causing
accident and injury.
● Always take the manufacturer assembly instructions into account.
● Only use base supports and roof carrier systems that are not dam-
aged and are correctly fitted.
● The base support should only be fitted to the points indicated in the
diagram ⇒ fig. 101.
● Secure the base supports and roof carrier system correctly.
● Check the screw fittings and attachments before driving and after a
short distance. During each long journey, check the attachments during
every break.
● Always fit the roof carrier system correctly for wheels, skis and surf-
boards.
● Never change or repair the basic supports or roof carrier system.
Note
Read and take into account the instructions included with the roof carrier
system fitted and keep them in the vehicle. 
Loading the roof carrier system
Loads can only be correctly secured when the roof carrier system is correctly
fitted ⇒ .
Maximum authorised roof load
The maximum authorised roof load is 100 kg (about 220 lbs). The roof load
includes the roof carrier system and the load being transported ⇒ 
.Always check the roof carrier system weight and the weight of the load to be
transported and, if necessary, weigh them. Never exceed the maximum au-
thorised roof load.
If you are using a roof carrier with a lower weight rating, you cannot trans-
port the maximum roof load. Do not exceed the maximum weight limit for
the roof carrier given in the fitting instructions.
Distributing a load
Uniformly distribute loads and secure them correctly
⇒ 
.
Check attachments
After fitting the base supports and the roof carrier system, always check the
attachments after a short trip or at regular intervals.
WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised roof load can result in accidents
and/or vehicle damage.
● Always respect the maximum authorised weight for the roof, the max-
imum authorised weight on the axles and the total maximum authorised
weight of the vehicle.
● Never exceed the capacity of the roof carrier system even if this is
less than the maximum authorised roof load.
● Secure heavy objects towards the front and distribute the load even-
ly.
WARNING
Loose and incorrectly secured loads can fall from the roof carrier system
causing accidents and injury.
● Always use suitable ropes and straps in good condition.
● Always secure loads correctly.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

142Seats and storage compartments
Storage compartments
Introduction
Storage compartments must only be used to store light or small objects.
The front central armrest compartment houses the factory-fitted AUX-IN or
multimedia (MEDIA-IN) connection sockets.
The factory-fitted CD changer is located in the left-hand storage compart-
ment of the luggage compartment.
Additional information and warnings:
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
● Luggage compartment ⇒ page 126
● Care and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ page 253
● ⇒ Booklet Radio or ⇒ Booklet navigation system
WARNING
In the event of sudden braking movements or turns, loose objects may be
thrown around the vehicle interior. This could cause serious injuries to
passengers and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
● Do not transport animals or place hard, heavy or sharp objects inside
the vehicle in: open storage compartments, instrument panel, storage
tray, items of clothing or bags.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
WARNING
Objects falling into the driver's footwell could prevent use of the pedals.
This could lead the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the
risk of a serious accident.
● Make sure the pedals can be used at all times, with no objects rolling
underneath them.
● The floor mat should always be secured to the floor.
● Never place other mats or rugs on top of the original mat supplied by
the factory.
● Make sure that no objects can fall into the driver's footwell while the
vehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
● Objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating ele-
ment in the rear window and cause damage.
● Do not keep heat-sensitive objects, food or medicines inside the vehi-
cle. Heat and cold could damage them or render them useless.
● Light-transparent objects placed inside the vehicle, such as lenses,
magnifying glasses or transparent suction caps on the windows, could con-
centrate the sun's rays and cause damage to the vehicle.
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. 

143
Seats and storage compartments
Spectacle case in the roof console
Fig. 102 On the roof
console: Sunglasses stor-
age compartment.
To open, press and release the button ⇒ fig. 102 (arrow).
To close, press the cover upwards until it clicks into place.
To ensure the interior monitoring works correctly, the spectacle case must
be closed when the vehicle is locked ⇒ page 79. Storage compartment on the roof consoleFig. 103 On the roof
console: storage com-
partment.
To open press the button and release it ⇒ fig. 103.
To close, press the storage compartment upwards until it clicks into place.
To ensure interior monitoring works properly, the storage compartments
must be closed when the vehicle is locked ⇒ page 79.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

144Seats and storage compartments
Compartment on the instrument panel*
Fig. 104 Storage com-
partment on the instru-
ment panel.
The storage compartment on the instrument panel may have a cover.
To open, press the button on the cover ⇒ fig. 104 (arrow).
To close, press the cover down until it clicks into place. Compartment on the centre consoleFig. 105 Compartment
in the front centre con-
sole.
There is an open compartment on the centre console ⇒ fig. 105 in which
there may be a 12 volt socket ⇒ page 153. 

145
Seats and storage compartments
Compartment in the front central armrest
Fig. 106 Storage com-
partment in the front cen-
tral armrest.
To open, fully lift the central armrest in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 106.
To close, lower the central armrest.
WARNING
The centre armrest may limit the freedom of movement of the driver's
arm and cause a serious accident.
● Keep the centre armrest compartments closed while the vehicle is in
motion.
WARNING
The centre armrest is not designed for children to sit on!
 Card compartments*
Fig. 107 Centre console,
lower section: card com-
partment.
To the bottom of the centre console there is a compartment ⇒ fig. 107 1
for coins, cards, car park tickets and similar items.
Note
To avoid theft or use by others, do not use the compartment to store credit
or ATM cards or similar. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

146Seats and storage compartments
Glove compartment
Fig. 108 Glove compart-
ment.
Fig. 109 Glove compart-
ment open.
Opening and closing the glove compartment
Unlock the glove compartment where necessary. The glove compartment is
locked when the key slot is vertical. Pull the lever to
open ⇒ fig. 108.
Press the cover upwards to close.
Vehicle wallet compartment
The glove compartment is designed to store the vehicle wallet.
The vehicle wallet should always be kept in the glove compartment. To store
the wallet, insert it sideways into the glove compartment.
Glove compartment cooling
There is an air vent ⇒ fig. 109 A
on the rear panel so that cooled air from
the climate control system (this must be connected) is fed into the glove
compartment. Turn the air vent to open and close it.
WARNING
The risk of serious injuries in the event of an accident during a sudden
braking manoeuvre or turn is increased if the glove compartment is left
open.
● Keep the glove compartment closed while the vehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
For structural reasons, some model versions will have gaps behind the
glove compartment into which small objects may fall. This could lead to
strange noises and damage to the vehicle. You should therefore not keep
very small objects in the glove compartment. 

147
Seats and storage compartments
Storage compartments in the rear floor area*
Fig. 110 Storage com-
partments in the floor
area of the second row of
seats.
Move the mat to one side (where applicable).
To open, pull on the rear centre part of the cover ⇒ fig. 110 (arrow).
To close, press the cover down.
WARNING
Make sure children are properly belted in and correctly secured to avoid
severe or fatal injuries while the vehicle is in motion.
● If you are using a child seat with a base or foot, always install this
base or foot correctly and safely.
● If the vehicle has a storage compartment in the foot well in front of
the last row of seats, this compartment cannot be used as designed; on
the contrary: It must be filled using the specially designed accessory so
that the base or foot is correctly supported by the closed compartment
and the child seat is secured properly. If this compartment is not suitably
WARNING (Continued)
secured when using a child seat with a base or foot then the compart-
ment cover could rupture in an accident and the child will be ejected and
suffer serious injury.
● Please read and observe the child seat manufacturer's handling in-
structions.

Drawers*
Fig. 111 Drawer under
the front seat.
There may be a drawer below the front seats.
Opening and closing the drawer
To open, press the button on the drawer handle and pull the drawer out.
To close, push the drawer under the seat until it clicks into place. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications