2013 Seat Alhambra height

87
Opening and closing
Opening the rear lid
● Press and hold the 
button on the vehicle key until the rear lid opens
automatically.
● OR: Press and hold the 
button on the centre console for approxi-
mately 1 second ⇒ Fig. 52.
● ALTERNATIVELY: Press the ⇒ Fig. 53 rear lid button (arrow).
In case of difficulty or obstruction, automatic opening of the rear lid is inter-
rupted.
Electronically opening the rear lid does not work when a trailer is electrically
connected and hitched to a factory fitted tow hitch ⇒ page 236.
The rear lid can be opened manually by applying more force.
Closing the rear lid
● Press and hold the 
button on the vehicle key for approximately 1
second.
● OR: Press and hold the 
button on the centre console for approxi-
mately 1 second ⇒ Fig. 52.
● OR: Press the ⇒ Fig. 53 rear lid button (arrow).
● Press the button 
on the open rear lid ⇒ Fig. 55 ⇒ .
● Manually push the rear lid down to close it.
The rear lid will move down to the closed position to close and lock itself
automatically using the power-close feature ⇒ 
.
In case of difficulty or obstruction, automatic closing of the rear lid is inter-
rupted and it will open slightly.
Check why the rear lid could not close.
Attempt to close it once more. Interrupting the opening and closing process
Rear lid opening and closing can be stopped by pressing one of the

but-
tons. Each time one of the  buttons is pressed, the rear lid moves to its
initial position.
Then, it can be opened or closed by hand. To do this, apply a little more
force.
Memorising the opening angle
The rear lid must be at least half open to memorise an opening angle.
● Stop automatic opening in the opening position required ⇒ page 87.
● Hold down the button ⇒ Fig. 55 with the rear lid open for at least three
seconds. The opening angle is memorised.
Memorisation is confirmed by blinking of the hazard warning lights and an
audible warning.
To be opened completely, the opening angle must be memorised once
more.
● Release the rear lid and open it to the memorised height.
● Push the rear lid all the way up. To do this, apply a little more force.
● Hold down the button ⇒ Fig. 55 with the rear lid open for at least three
seconds.
● The opening angle is reset to the original factory setting.
WARNING
Unsuitable or careless closing and locking of the rear lid could cause se-
rious injuries.
● Never allow children to play inside or around the vehicle without su-
pervision, especially if the rear lid is open. Children could enter the lug-
gage compartment, close the rear lid and become trapped. A locked vehi-
cle can be subjected to extremely high and low temperatures, depending
on the time of year, thus causing serious injuries/illness and even death. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

114Seats and storage
Seats and storage
Seat adjustment
Mechanical controls on the front seat
Fig. 74 Front left seat
controls
The controls are mirrored for the front right-hand seat.
Mechanically and electrically adjusted controls can be combined on the
seat.
Fig. 74FunctionNecessary operations
1Moving the head re-
straint backwards or for-
wards.Pull the lever and move the seat for-
wards. The front seat must be engag-
ed when the lever is released!
2Adjusting the lumbar
support*.Turn the lever.
Fig. 74FunctionNecessary operations
3Adjusting the seat back-
rest angle.Turn the wheel.
4Adjusting the seat
height.Pull the lever up or push down (sev-
eral times if necessary) from its
home position.


115
Seats and storage
Electrical controls on the front seat*
Fig. 75 Adjusting the
front left seat forwards or
backwards, the height,
the seat angle and the
front seat backrest
Fig. 76 Adjusting the
lumbar support
The controls are mirrored for the front right-hand seat.
Mechanically and electrically adjusted controls can be combined on the
seat.
Fig. 75 Press the control in the direction of the arrow:
A1Move the seat backwards or forwards.2 and 3Raise or lower the seat.2 or 3Adjust the seat angle.
BForwards or
backwards.Adjust the seat backrest angle.
Fig. 76 Press the corresponding area of the switch:1 or 2Adjust the curve of the lumbar support.3 or 4Adjust the height of the lumbar support.
WARNING
Using the front electric seats in a careless or uncontrolled manner may
lead to severe injuries.
● The front seats can also be electrically adjusted when the ignition is
switched off. Never leave children or disabled people alone in the vehicle.
● In the event of an emergency, stop electrical adjustment by pressing
any button.
CAUTION
So as not the damage the electrical components of the front seats, do not
kneel on the seats or apply specific pressure to one point of the seat or seat
backrest.
Note
● It may not be possible to electrically adjust the seat if the vehicle battery
is very low.
● Seat adjustment is stopped when the engine is started. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

123
Seats and storage
Head restraints Adjusting the head restraints
Fig. 84 A: Adjust the head restraints with no possibili-
ty of lengthways direction adjustment, B: Adjust the
head restraints with lengthways direction adjustment
Fig. 85 Adjust the head
restraints in the second
or third row of seats
All seats are equipped with a head restraint. Adjusting height
●
Raise the head restraint in the direction of the arrow or lower it ⇒ Fig. 84
or ⇒ Fig. 85 1
with the button pressed ⇒ .
● The head restraint must engage securely in position. There are three
possible positions on the second row of seats and two possible positions
on the third row of seats.
Adjusting the front head restraints
● Push the head restraint forward in the direction of the arrow or backward
⇒ Fig. 84 1
B with the button pressed.
● The head restraint must engage securely in position.
Correct adjustment of head restraints
Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same level as the
top of your head, or as close as possible to the same level as the top of your 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

124Seats and storage
head and under no circumstances below eye level. Keep the back of your
neck as close as possible to the head restraint.
Adjusting the head restraint for short people
Lower the head restraint completely, even if your head is below its upper
edge. When the head restraint is at its lowest, it is possible that a small gap
remains between it and the seat backrest.
Adjusting the head restraint for tall people
Raise the head restraint completely.
WARNING
Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted in-
creases the risk of severe or fatal injuries in the event of accidents and
sudden braking or manoeuvres.
● Always fit and adjust the head restraint properly whenever a person
is occupying a seat.
● All vehicle occupants must correctly adjust the head restraint accord-
ing to their height to reduce the risk of back injuries in the event of an
accident. The upper edge of the head restraint must be as close as possi-
ble to the same level as the top of your head and under no circumstances
below eye level. Keep the back of your neck as close as possible to the
head restraint.
● Never adjust the head restraint while the vehicle is in motion.

Removing and fitting the head restraints
Fig. 86 A: Fitting the head restraints with no possibili-
ty of lengthways direction adjustment, B: Fitting the
head restraints with lengthways direction adjustment 

139
Seats and storage
Hooking the baggage net into the luggage compartment floor
● Hook the baggage net into the fastening rings ⇒ Fig. 100 1
and 2.
Releasing the baggage net
The secured baggage net is taut ⇒ 
.
● Carefully unhook the baggage net hooks from the fastening rings 1
.
● Carefully unhook the baggage net hooks from the fastening rings 2.
WARNING
The elastic baggage net stretches when it is secured to the luggage com-
partment fastening rings. The secured baggage net is taut. The hooks on
the baggage net can cause injury if the net is incorrectly hooked or un-
hooked.
● Always ensure that the hooks do not suddenly release from the fas-
tening rings when hooking or un-hooking.
● Always keep your face and eyes protected at a safe distance to avoid
injury should a hook slip while hooking or unhooking.
● Always engage the hooks in the order given. If a baggage net hook
springs back this can cause injury.

Roof carrier system* Introduction
The vehicle roof has been designed to optimise aerodynamics. For this rea-
son, conventional roof carrier systems cannot be secured to the roof rails.
Given that the water drains have been incorporated into the roof for aerody-
namic reasons, only the SEAT approved basic supports and roof carrier sys-
tems can be used. When should the roof carrier system be removed?
●
When it is not being used.
● When the vehicle is being washed in a car wash.
● When the vehicle height exceeds the maximum height (for example, in a
garage).
Additional information and warnings:
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Transporting ⇒ page 13
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 228
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 296
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 260
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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

247
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
● Switch off the rain sensor and the Auto Hold function before entering a
car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehicle with the available height
and width when entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retractable exterior mirrors must NOT
be folded in or out by hand. Always use the electrical power control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork, rest the wipers on the wind-
screen after drying them. Do not let them fall!
● Lock the rear lid to prevent it from opening unexpectedly while inside
the car wash. 
Washing the vehicle with high pressure cleaning
equipment
When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, always follow the
operating instructions for the equipment. Pay special attention to the re-
quired pressure of the jet and the distance between the jet and the vehicle
⇒ 
.
Keep a suitable distance from soft materials, such as rubber hoses or insu-
lating material, and from the parking distance warning system sensors. The
parking distance sensors are fitted in the rear bumpers and, where applica-
ble, in the front bumpers ⇒ 
.
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream or one that
has a rotating jet for forcing off dirt ⇒ 
.
WARNING
The incorrect use of high pressure cleaning equipment could result in
permanent damage, visible or invisible, to the tyres or other materials.
This could result in a serious accident.
● Ensure there is a suitable distance between the nozzle and the tyres.
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or so-called “dirt blasters”.
Even at large spraying distances and short cleaning times, you may dam-
age the tyres.
WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the braking effect will be reduced
(and the braking distance increased) due to moisture (and ice in winter)
on the brakes.
● Dry the brakes and remove ice by braking carefully. Ensure that you
are not endangering other road-users or breaking traffic regulations in
the process.
CAUTION
● The temperature of the water must not be above +60 °C (+140 °F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not wash the vehicle in full sun.
● The sensors on the bumpers should be kept clean and free of ice at all
times to ensure the parking distance warning system and the parking aid
system operate correctly. When cleaning with pressure hoses and steam
cleaners, the sensors should be sprayed only briefly. A distance of 10 cm
between the sensors and the steam / hose nozzle must be observed.
● Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from windows
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: When washing the vehicle
with a hose, do not direct water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around
the doors, rear lid, or sunroof. Locks and seals could freeze! 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

262Accessories, replacement of parts and modifications
The vehicle owner should keep the documentation for the additional equip-
ment safely and hand it over to the scrap yard at the end of the vehicle's
service life. This ensures that any additional equipment mounted in end-of-
life vehicles is correctly disposed of with respect for the environment.
WARNING
Repairs or modifications which are not performed correctly may result in
damage or errors in the vehicle operation, affecting the effectiveness of
the driver assist systems. This could result in serious accident.
● All repairs and modifications to the vehicle should only be performed
by a specialised workshop.

Repair and faults in the airbag system
When performing repairs and technical modifications, SEAT's directives
must be observed! ⇒ 
Modifications and repairs to the front bumper, doors, front seats, and re-
pairs to the roof or chassis should only be carried out in a specialised work-
shop. These components may contain parts or sensors belonging to the air-
bag system.
If work is carried out on the airbag system or parts have to be removed and
fitted on the system when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag
system may be damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an
accident, the airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
So that the effectiveness of the airbag is not reduced and that removed
parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution, regulations must
be observed. These requirements are known to specialised workshops.
Modifications to the vehicle suspension may affect the operation of the air-
bag system in the event of collision. For example, if wheel and tyre combi-
nations not approved by SEAT are used, or if the vehicle height is lowered, the suspension is stiffened or the suspension springs, telescopic arms,
dampers, etc., are modified, the results received by the airbag sensors and
sent to the control unit may not be accurate. For example, some modifica-
tions to the suspension could increase the force measured by the sensors
and result in the triggering of the airbag systems in collisions. Under normal
conditions, the measured values would be lower and the airbag would not
have been triggered. Other modifications may reduce the forces measured
by the sensors and therefore the airbags are not triggered in situations
when they should have triggered.
WARNING
Repairs or modifications which are not performed correctly may result in
damage or errors in the vehicle operation, affecting the effectiveness of
the airbag systems. This could result in serious or fatal accident.
● All repairs and modifications to the vehicle should only be performed
by a specialised workshop.
● Airbag modules must never be repaired: if damaged, they must be re-
placed.
● Never fit recycled or reused airbag components in your vehicle.
WARNING
Modifications to the vehicle suspension, including the use of unauthor-
ised wheel and tyre combinations, may affect the performance of the air-
bags and increase the risk of serious or fatal injury in the event of acci-
dent.
● Never fit suspension components which are not identical to the origi-
nal parts mounted in the vehicle.
● Never use wheel and tyre combinations not approved by SEAT.
