2012 Seat Alhambra cooling

55
Cockpit
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp, sometimes a symbol may be displayed on the instrument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are lit, an audible warning is also
heard.
Red symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

 Do not continue driving!
The electronic parking brake is on, the brake
fluid level is too low or the brake system is faul-
ty.
⇒ page 185
 Do not continue driving!
Fault in the engine cooling system.⇒ page 287
 Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ page 283
 Do not continue driving!
At least one of the vehicles doors is open, or is
not correctly closed.⇒ page 80
 Do not continue driving!
The tailgate is open or is incorrectly closed.⇒ page 84
 Do not continue driving!
Fault in the steering.⇒ page 169
Engine cannot be started again!
"AdBlue" level too low.⇒ page 275
Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt.⇒ page 21
Use the foot brake!
Change
⇒ page 176
Brake
⇒ page 185
Faulty generator.⇒ page 292
Yellow symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Front brake pads worn.
⇒ page 185lights: ESC malfunction or off.flashes: ESC working.
ASR manually deactivated.
ABS faulty or does not work.
Electronic parking brake faulty.⇒ page 185
Rear fog light switched on.⇒ page 95
lights: Driving light totally or partially faulty.⇒ page 330flashes: Fault in the adaptive light system.⇒ page 95
Fault in catalytic converter.
⇒ page 232lights: pre-ignition of diesel engine.flashes: Fault in engine management.
Fault in engine management.
Diesel particulate filter blocked
Fault in the steering system.⇒ page 169
Tyre pressure too low.⇒ page 297Fault in the tyre pressure gauge.⇒ page 225
Level of windscreen washer fluid too low.⇒ page 105
Fuel tank almost empty.⇒ page 268 
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. 

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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

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. 

160Air conditioning
Some Climatronic controls may also be on the climate control system con-
trol panel located in the rear centre console. These controls are used to
make the appropriate settings for the rear seats.
Control but- tonAdditional information. Climatic ⇒ fig. 122; Climatronic
⇒ fig. 123.
1 Temper- ature
 ... 
Climatic: Rotate the control to adjust the temperature accord-
ingly. In the position AC MAX, the cooling output will be set to
maximum. The air recirculation mode and the cooling system
are automatically switched on.
Climatronic: The left and right sides can be adjusted sepa-
rately. Rotate the control to adjust the temperature accord-
ingly.
2 Fan
Climatic: Setting 0: Air fan and air conditioning system (man-
ual) switched off, setting 4: Maximum setting of fan.
Climatronic: The power of the fan is automatically adjusted.
Rotate the control to manually adjust the fan.
3 Air dis-
tribution
Climatic: Rotate the continuous control to direct the airflow
to the desired area.
Climatronic: The airflow will be automatically adjusted to a
comfortable flow. It can also be switched on manually with
the buttons 3
.
4Climatronic: Display of the selected interior temperature for
the left and right sides.

Climatic: Defrost function. The airflow is directed at the wind-
screen. In this position, air recirculation is automatically
switched off or is not switched on. Increase the fan power to
clear the windscreen of condensation as soon as possible.
To dry the air the cooling system will automatically switch on.

Climatronic: Defrost function. The air drawn in from outside
the vehicle is directed at the windscreen and air recirculation
is automatically switched off. To defrost the windscreen more
quickly, the air is dehumidified at temperatures over approxi-
mately +3 °C (+38 °F) and the fan runs at maximum output.
Control but-
tonAdditional information. Climatic ⇒ fig. 122; Climatronic
⇒ fig. 123.
The air is directed at the chest of driver and passengers by
the dashboard air vents.
– Air distribution towards the footwell.
Climatic: Air distribution towards the windscreen and the
footwell.
Climatronic: Upward air distribution.
Heated rear window: Only works when the engine is running
and switches off automatically after a 10 minutes.
Climatic: Air recirculation ⇒ page 163.
Climatronic: Manual and automatic air recirculation
⇒ page 163.
Instant auxiliary heating on/off button ⇒ page 165.
 Buttons for the seat heating ⇒ page 117.

Climatronic: According to the vehicle equipment there may
be a button for the windscreen heating on the air conditioner
control panel. The windscreen heating only works when the
engine is running and switches off automatically after a few
minutes.
Press the button to switch on or off the cooling system.

Climatronic: Accept the temperature selection for the driver
and front passenger sides: When the SYNC button light is lit,
the temperature settings on the driver side also apply to the
passenger side. Press the button or adjust the temperature
control for the passenger side in order to set a different tem-
perature. No lamp lights up on the button. 

161
Air conditioning
Control but-
tonAdditional information. Climatic ⇒ fig. 122; Climatronic
⇒ fig. 123.
Climatronic: Automatic temperature, fan, and air distribution
control. Press the button to switch on the function. The con-
trol lamp lights up on the AUTO
button.

Climatronic: Press the button REAR to adjust the air condi-
tioner for the rear seats from the front seats. A lamp is lit in
the REAR
button if the function is activated. The settings for
the rear seats will be displayed. Press the button again to
switch the function off or do not touch any other button for
around 10 seconds.

Climatronic: Press the button REST to use the heat that the
engine radiates. When the engine is still warm but the igni-
tion switched off, the heat given off by the engine can be
used to keep the passenger compartment warm. The REST
button will light up when the function is switched on. The
function will switch off after around 30 minutes and if the
battery level is low.
a)
Turn off.
Climatic: Turn the fan switch to setting 0.
Climatronic: Press the button OFF
or manually set the fan to
0. When the device is switched off the OFF button will light
up.
a) Depending on the version of the model.
WARNING
Never turn off the air fan for a long time or the air in the passenger com-
partment will not be refreshed.
● Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver and passen-
ger concentration possibly resulting in a serious accident.
Note
● Not all Climatronic buttons are operational in REAR mode.
● The REAR
button is locked in defrost mode. 
Rear operation
Fig. 124 Details of the
rear operation.
Control
⇒ fig. 124Description
ATemperature selectorBAir flow regulator
Climate control user instructions
The cooling system only works when the engine is running and fan is
switched on. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

162Air conditioning
The climate control system operates most effectively with the windows and
the electric sliding panoramic roof closed. However, if the vehicle has heat-
ed up after standing in the sun for some time, the air inside can be cooled
more quickly by opening the windows and the sliding electric panoramic
sunroof briefly.
Setting for conditions of optimal visibility
When the air conditioning is switched on, the temperature and the air hu-
midity in the vehicle interior drop. Hence, when the outside air humidity is
high, the windows do not mist over and comfort for the vehicle occupants is
improved:
In the air conditioning unit (Climatic)
● Switch off the air recirculation ⇒ page 163.
● Set the fan to the required setting.
● Turn the temperature control to the centre position.
● Open and direct all the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ page 163.
● Turn the air distribution control to the required position.
With Climatronic
● Press the AUTO
button.
● Set the temperature to +22 °C (+72 °F).
● Open and direct all the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ page 163.
Climatronic: Switching the measuring units for temperature on the radio
display or the navigation system installed with the default settings
Switching the temperature indication from Celsius to Fahrenheit on the ra-
dio display or the navigation system is carried out in the menu on the in-
strument panel ⇒ page 67. The cooling system does not switch on
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on, this may be caused by
the following:
●
The engine is not running.
● The fan is switched off.
● The air conditioning fuse is blown.
● The outside temperature is lower than approximately +3 °C (+38 °F).
● The climate control system compressor has been temporarily switched
off because the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioner checked by a speci-
alised workshop.
Things to note
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation
can drip off the vaporiser in the cooling system and form a pool underneath
the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak!Note
After starting the engine, any residual humidity in the air conditioner could
mist over the windscreen. Switch on the defrost function as soon as possi-
ble to clear the windscreen of condensation. 

164Air conditioning
Switching off: Press the button  until the lamp on the button switches off.
Switching the recirculation mode on and off manually on the
Climatronic 
Switching on: Press the button  until the lamp on the button lights up.
Switching off: Press the button  until the lamp on the button switches
off.
Automatic air recirculation mode 
Fresh air enters the vehicle interior in position . If the system detects a
high concentration of hazardous substances in the ambient air, air recircu-
lation mode is switched on automatically. When the level of impurities
drops to within a normal range, recirculation mode is switched off.
The system is unable to detect unpleasant smells.
With the following outside temperatures and conditions the air recirculation
does not switch on automatically:
● The cooling system is switched on (the AC
button is lit up) and the out-
side temperature is below +3 °C (+38 °F).
● The cooling system and the windscreen wipers are switched off and the
outside temperature is below +10 °C (+50 °F).
● The cooling system is switched off and the outside temperature is below
+15 °C (+59 °F). The windscreen wiper is switched on.
Switching the automatic air recirculation mode on and off
Switching on: Press the button  until the right lamp on the button lights
up.
Switching off: Press the button  until all the lamps on the button are
switched off. Switching the automatic air recirculation mode off temporarily
●
Press the  button once to temporarily switch to manual air recircula-
tion mode in the event of unpleasant smells from outside. The left indicator
lamp turns on.
● After more than two seconds, press the  button again to restart auto-
matic air recirculation. The right indicator lamp turns on.
WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
possibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never use recirculation mode for long periods as it does not refresh
the air inside the vehicle.
● If the cooling mode is switched off and air recirculation mode switch-
ed on, the windows can mist over very quickly, considerably limiting visi-
bility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required.
CAUTION
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.
Note
Climatronic: Air recirculation mode switches on to prevent exhaust gas from
entering the vehicle interior when it is in reverse and while the automatic
windscreen wash and wipe is working. 