2012 Seat Alhambra tow

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Dear SEAT Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tips for driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Adjusting the seat position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Transporting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Child seats (accessories) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Integrated child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Operating instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
SEAT information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Unlocking and locking
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Vehicle key set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Central locking and locking system . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Panorama sliding sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Windscreen wiper and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Seats and storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Loading luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Roof carrier system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cup holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Ashtray and cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Climate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Auxiliary heater* (additional heater) . . . . . . . . . . 165
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Stopping and starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Changing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Braking, stopping and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Start assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Parking sensor system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Park Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Rear Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Cruise control system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lane Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Sign Assist* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Tiredness detection (recommendation to take a
break) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Practical tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Ecological driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine management and exhaust gas
purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 246
Care and cleaning the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . 246
Caring for and cleaning the vehicle interior . . . . 253
Notes for the user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Accessories, parts replacement and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Selective Catalytic Reduction* (AdBlue) . . . . . . . 275
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . 279
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
3
Table of Contents

Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Wheel trims* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Changing a wheel* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
If and when . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
In case of emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Tools* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Starting assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Towing and tow starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Description of specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Information on fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Petrol engine 1.4 110 kW (150 PS) . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Petrol engine 1.4 110 kW (150 PS) Automatic . . 354
Petrol engine 2.0 147 kW (200 PS) Automatic . . 355
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 85 kW (115 PS) . . . . . . 357
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 100 kW (136 PS) . . . . . 358
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 100 kW (136 PS)
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS) . . . . . 360
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS)
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 103 kW (140 PS) All-
wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 125 kW (170 PS) . . . . . 364 Diesel engine 2.0 TDI CR 125 kW (170 PS)
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Dimensions and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
4Table of Contents

8Safe driving
● Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
● Check the tyre pressures ( ⇒ page 297) and level of fuel ( ⇒ page 268).
● Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
● Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in the
luggage compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are securely fas-
tened ⇒ page 13.
● Ensure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot pedals.
● Use child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight and
height ⇒ page 39.
● Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit your
height ⇒ page 10.
● Wear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the pedals
correctly.
● The driver's floor mat should be fixed to the floor, leaving the pedal area
unobstructed.
● Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in this
position throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the vehi-
cle ⇒ page 10.
● Correctly fasten your seat belt before starting to drive and keep it se-
curely fastened throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the
vehicle ⇒ page 21.
● Never carry more passengers than the number of available seats and
seat belts in your vehicle.
● Never drive with impaired faculties (for example, due to medication, al-
cohol or drugs).
● Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, for example, to re-
set or switch on a menu, by other passengers or to answer a phone call.
● Always try to adapt the speed of the vehicle and your style of driving to
the condition of the ground or the road and to weather and traffic condi-
tions.
● Observe the highway code and speed limits. ●
On long journeys, rest at regular intervals (at least every two hours).
● If carrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accord-
ance with their weight and size.
WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic movements. Correctly anticipating traffic situations may mean the
difference between arriving safe and sound at your destination or having
a serious accident.
Note
Regular servicing of your vehicle not only helps to keep it in good working
order but also helps to ensure road safety. Therefore, please ensure the ve-
hicle is taken for service as indicated in the Maintenance Programme. If the
vehicle is subjected to hard use, it may require certain maintenance work
before the next service date. Hard use may involve frequent driving in traffic
jams, driving in dusty areas or frequent use of the tow-bar. For further infor-
mation, please refer to a Technical Service or specialised workshop. 
Driving abroad
Check list
In some countries, certain safety regulations and requirements are in force
relating to exhaust gas emissions, which differ from the technical character-
istics of the vehicle. Before travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you con-
sult a Technical Service about the legal requirements and the following
points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for ex-
ample, adjustment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and spare
parts required for inspections and repairs? 

13
Safe driving
Also valid for the front passenger:
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible for optimum pro-
tection should the airbag deploy. 
Transporting objects Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the trunk and place the seat backs in a ver-
tical position. Always use the anchors provided with suitable rope to secure
heavy objects. Never overload the vehicle. Both the carrying capacity as well
as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have effects on the driving be-
haviour and braking ability ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Tailgate ⇒ page 84
● To lower the passenger seat back ⇒ page 117
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Luggage compartment ⇒ page 126
● Roof carrier ⇒ page 139
● Towing mode ⇒ page 237
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 297
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 slings so that they cannot
enter the areas around the frontal or side airbags in case of sudden brak-
ing or an accident.
● Always ensure that objects inside the vehicle cannot move into the
area of the bags while driving.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
● Remove all objects from the passenger seat when this is followed
down. When the seat back is folded down, it presses on small and light
objects and these are detected by the weight sensor on the seat; this
sends false information to the airbag control unit.
● While the backrest of the front passenger's seat is folded, the frontal
airbag must remain disconnected and the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF  light
on.
● Objects secured in the vehicle should never be placed in such a way
as to make passengers sit in an incorrect position.
● If secured objects occupy a seat then this should not be occupied or
used by anybody. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

16Seat belts
Seat belts
Brief introduction Introduction
Check the condition of all the seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that the belt webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of the
belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced immediately by a specialised
workshop ⇒ 
. The specialised workshop must use the appropriate spare
parts corresponding to the vehicle, the equipment and the model year. SEAT
recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
● Adjust the seat position ⇒ page 10
● Airbag system ⇒ page 31
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
● Integrated child seats ⇒ page 45
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 261
WARNING
Unbuckled or badly buckled seat belts increase the risk of severe or even
fatal injuries. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if it is not fas-
tened and used correctly.
● Seats belts are the most effective ways of reducing the risk of sus-
taining severe or fatal injuries In the event of an accident. Seat belts
must be correctly fastened when the vehicle is in motion to protect the
driver and all vehicle occupants.
WARNING (Continued)
● Before each trip, every occupant in the vehicle occupants must sit
properly, correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and
keep it fastened throughout the trip. This also applies to other occupants
when driving in town.
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a child
restraint system suitable for their weight and height and with the seat
belts correctly fastened ⇒ page 39.
● Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before
driving off.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and en-
sure it is engaged. Using the latch plate in the buckle of another seat will
not protect you properly and may cause severe injuries.
● Do not allow liquids or foreign bodies to enter the buckle fastenings.
This could damage the buckles and seat belts.
● Never unbuckle your seat belt when the vehicle is moving.
● Never allow more than one passenger to share the same seat belt.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap sharing the same seat belt.
● Loose, bulky clothing (such as a jacket) impairs the proper fit and
function of the seat belt.
WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to drive using damaged seat belts and could re-
sult in serious injury or loss of life.
● Avoid damaging the seat belt by jamming it in the door or the seat
mechanism. 

38Airbag system
WARNING (Continued)
● Occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any oth-
er people, pets or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Do not mount accessories on the doors.
● Do not fit curtains to the windows other than those expressly ap-
proved for use in the vehicle.
● Only turn the sun blinds towards the windows if there is no object,
e.g. pens or garage remote controls, secured to the sun blind.

Knee airbag
Fig. 24 On the driver
side: location of the knee
airbag.
Fig. 25 On the driver
side: Radius of action of
the knee airbag.
The knee airbag is located on the driver side below the instrument panel
⇒ fig. 24. Airbags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”.
The area framed red ⇒ fig. 25 A
is covered by the knee airbag when it is
deployed (deployment area). Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas.
WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● The knee airbag is deployed in front of the driver's knees. Always
keep the deployment areas of the knee airbags free.
● Never not fix objects to the cover or in the deployment area of the
knee airbag.
● Adjust the driver's seat so that there is a distance of at least 10 cm (4
inches) between your knees and the location of the knee airbag. If you
physical constitution prevents you from meeting these requirements,
make sure you contact a specialised workshop.


75
Unlocking and locking
● Electric windows ⇒ page 88
● Panorama sliding sunroof ⇒ page 92
● Towing mode ⇒ page 237
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 318
WARNING
The incorrect use of the central locking system may cause serious inju-
ries.
● The central locking system will lock all doors. A vehicle locked from
the inside can prevent any non-authorised individual from opening the
doors and accessing the vehicle. Nevertheless, in case of emergency or
accident, locked doors will complicate access to the passenger compart-
ment to help the passengers.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle. The cen-
tral locking button can be used to lock all the doors from within. There-
fore, passengers will be locked inside the vehicle. Individuals locked in
the vehicle can be exposed to very high or very low temperatures.
● Depending on the time of the year, temperatures inside a locked and
closed vehicle can be extremely high or extremely low resulting in seri-
ous injuries and illness or even death, particularly for young children.
● Never leave individuals locked in a closed and locked vehicle. In case
of emergency, they may not be able to exit the vehicle by themselves or
get help.

Description of the central locking system
The central locking system allows all doors and the tailgate to be locked
and unlocked centrally.
● From outside, using the vehicle key.
● From inside, by pushing the central locking button ⇒ page 77. In the submenu Convenience in the Configuration menu, or by visiting a spe-
cialized workshop, special functions of the central locking system can be
switched on or off ⇒ page 62.
In case of a vehicle key fault or central locking system fault, all doors can be
locked or unlocked manually.
Locking the vehicle after the airbags have been deployed
If the airbags are deployed due to an accident, the vehicle will be automati-
cally and completely unlocked. Depending on the amount of damage, the
vehicle can be locked following an accident in the following ways:
FunctionNecessary operationsLocking the vehicle
from within:– Turn off the ignition and turn it on again.
– Push the central locking button .Locking the vehicle
from the outside:– Turn off the ignition and turn it on again.
OR: – Remove the key from the ignition.
– Open any door just once.
– Lock the vehicle with the key.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

77
Unlocking and locking
Locking and unlocking the vehicle from the inside
Fig. 47 In the driver
door: central locking but-
ton.
Push the button ⇒ fig. 47:Unlocking the vehicle.Lock the vehicle.
The central locking button is still operative when the ignition is switched off.
The central locking button is only deactivated if the "Safe" security system
is activated ⇒ page 77.
Please note the following when you use the central locking button to lock
your vehicle:
● Do not turn on the "Safe" security system ⇒ page 77.
● Do not turn on the anti-theft alarm.
● It will not be possible to open the doors or the tailgate from the outside
this may offer extra safety, when stopped at traffic lights for example. ●
The doors can be opened and unlocked individually from the inside by
pulling the inside door handle. If necessary, pull the door release lever
twice.
● The driver's door cannot be locked when it is still open. This avoids lock-
ing the vehicle key inside the vehicle when there is nobody inside. 
"Safe" security system
FunctionNecessary operationsLocks the vehicle with the
"Safe" security system.Press the  button once on the vehicle
key.
Locks the vehicle without the
"Safe" security system.Press the  button twice on the vehicle
key.
Press the central locking button  on
the driver's door once.
When the vehicle is locked, the "Safe" security system deactivates the door
handles and the central locking button making the vehicle difficult to open.
The doors cannot be opened from inside ⇒ 
.
When the "Safe" security system is turned off:
● The vehicle can be opened and unlocked from the inside using an inside
door handle.
● The vehicle may be unlocked from the inside by pushing the central
locking button.
● The anti-theft alarm will be activated.
● The vehicle interior monitoring system and the anti-tow system are de-
activated. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications