2012 Seat Alhambra dashboard

15
Safe driving
WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior when the tailgate is open. This
could cause loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious
injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle always drive with the tail-
gate closed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must drive with the tailgate
open, observe the following to reduce the entry of toxic gases inside the
vehicle:
–Close all windows and the sliding roof.
– Turn off the air recirculation for the heating and air conditioning.
– Open all of the air outlets in the dashboard.
– Turn the heating fan and heater to the highest level.
CAUTION
An open tailgate changes the length and height of the vehicle. 
Driving a loaded vehicle
For the best handling when driving a loaded vehicle, note the following:
● Secure all objects
⇒ page 14.
● Accelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a trailer
⇒ page 237.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a roof carrier system
⇒  page 139.
WARNING
A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the ve-
hicle resulting in an accident with serious consequences.
● Secure loads correctly so they do not move.
● When transporting heavy objects, use suitable ropes or straps.
● Lock the seat backs in vertical position.

Specific vehicle weight information
The instructions in the official vehicle documents take precedence. All the
technical data provided in this documentation is applicable to the basic
model. The vehicle data label in the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documents show which engine is installed in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending on if additional equipment is fitted,
for different models and for special vehicles.
WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised weight and the load on the axles
could cause damage to the vehicle, accidents and serious injuries.
● The real load on the axles should never exceed the maximum permit-
ted.
● The load and its distribution in the vehicle have effects on the vehicle
handling and the braking ability. Always drive at a suitable speed.
CAUTION
Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as possible.
When transporting heavy objects in the trunk/boot, these should be placed
as far forward as possible or over the rear axle to have as little influence on
handling as possible. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

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. 

235
Trailer towing
Trailer towing Introduction
Always be aware of the legal requirements for each country to drive with a
trailer and to use a trailer bracket.
Your car is intended mainly for transporting passengers however, it can also
be used to tow a trailer provided that it is fitted with the necessary equip-
ment. The additional load has an effect on the useful life, fuel consumption
and the vehicle performance and, in some cases, reduce the service inter-
vals.
Driving with a trailer requires more force from the vehicle and, thus, more
concentration from the driver.
For wintertime temperatures, fit winter tyres to the vehicle and the trailer.
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted Drawbar load exerted by the trailer drawbar on the
ball joint of the tow hitch must not exceed 100 kg (approximately 220 lbs).
Vehicles with the Start-Stop function
With a SEAT factory fitted or retrofitted trailer bracket, the Start-Stop func-
tion is automatically deactivated when a trailer is connected. For trailer
brackets not installed by SEAT, the Start-Stop function must be deactivated
manually using a button located on the dashboard before driving with a
trailer and it must remain off for the entire journey ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Anti-theft alarm system ⇒ page 74
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 229
● Starter assist systems (Start-Stop function) ⇒ page 196●
Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 297
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 261
WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer: this will endanger in their life and is
against the law.
WARNING
The incorrect use of the tow hitch can cause accidents and injury.
● Only use a tow hitch in good condition and correctly installed.
● Never change or repair a tow hitch.
● To reduce the risk of injury in case of a reversing collision, injury to
pedestrians and cyclists when parking, always keep the ball joint in
when a trailer is not being used.
● Never fit a trailer tow hitch “that distributes the load” or “balances
the load”. Your vehicle has not been designed for this type of tow hitch.
The tow hitch may fail and the trailer will separate from the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or large objects can affect
vehicle handling and even cause an accident.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable and undamaged attach-
ment rope or straps.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

242Trailer towing
●The vehicle centre of gravity and handling change because of the trailer
load and because of the increased combined mass of the vehicle and trail-
er.
● If the towing vehicle is empty and the trailer loaded then the load distri-
bution is incorrect. If you must travel in these conditions, drive carefully and
reduce your speed accordingly.
Hill starts with a trailer
Depending on the hill and the gross combined weight, it is possible that the
combined vehicle and trailer move backwards slightly when starting.
For a hill start with a trailer, proceed as follows:
● Press and hold the brake pedal.
● Press the button 
once to turn off the electric parking brake
⇒ page 185.
● Press and hold the button 
to hold the vehicle and trailer combination
using the parking brake.
● With a manual gearbox: press the clutch pedal to the floor.
● Engage first gear or the gear range D ⇒ page 176, Changing gear.
● Release the brake pedal.
● Move off slowly. To do this, gently release the clutch pedal (for manual
gearbox).
● Release the button 
only when the engine provides sufficient power
to move the vehicle and trailer combination.
WARNING
Jerking the trailer in an unsuitable manner could cause loss of vehicle
control with the subsequent serious consequences.
● Driving with a trailer and transporting heavy or a large objects will
change the vehicle handling and braking distances.
WARNING (Continued)
● Anticipate traffic and be extremely cautious. Brake early.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions. Reduce your speed, especially on steep hills.
● Accelerate gently and carefully. Avoid brusque manoeuvres and sud-
den braking.
● Always take the following precautions seriously. Reduce your speed
immediately if you observe the trailer rocking from side to side.
● Never try to stop the “snaking” by increasing speed.
● Always take the speed limits for vehicles with and without trailers in
each country into account.

Stabilising the vehicle and trailer combination
Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combination is an extension of the
electronic stability control (ESC) and helps, with the assistance of the trajec-
tory control, to reduce trailer “snaking”.
Stabilisation of the vehicle and trailer combination is active when the ESC 
indicator on the dashboard remains lit for about two seconds more than the
ABS indicator.
Requirements for stabilising the vehicle/trailer combination
● An original tow hitch is fitted by the manufacturer or a compatible model
is retrofitted.
● The ECS is switched on. The warning indicator in the control panel  is
not lit.
● The trailer is connected to the vehicle using the socket.
● The vehicle is driven faster than 60 km/h.
● The maximum drawbar load is used. 

327
If and when
Vehicle fuses
Fig. 201 On the driver-
side dashboard: fuse box
cover.
Fig. 202 In the engine
compartment: fuse box
cover.
Only replace fuses with a fuse of the same amperage (same colour and
markings) and size. Identifying fuses by colours
ColourAmp ratingpurple3light brown5Brown7,5Red10Blue15Yellow20White or transparent25Green30orange40
To open the dashboard fuse box
●
To remove the cover, move the activation lever in the lower part to the
right ⇒ fig. 201.
● For right-hand drive vehicles, move the lever to the left.
To open the engine compartment fuse box
● Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 279.
● Move the attachment tabs forwards, in the direction indicated by the ar-
row to release the fuse box cover ⇒ fig. 202.
● Then lift the cover out.
● To fit the cover, place it on the fuse box. Push the attachment tabs back,
in the opposite direction indicated by the arrow until they click audibly into
place.
In is possible that there are more fuses behind a cover in the lower left-hand
side of the luggage compartment. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications