2013 Seat Alhambra airbag

121
Seats and storage
WARNING (Continued)
● All seat backrests must engage correctly for the seat belts on the rear
seats to work properly. When the seat backrest of an occupied seat is not
correctly locked in place, the passenger can be thrust forward with the
seat backrest in case of sudden braking, sudden manoeuvres or an acci-
dent.
● A red mark on the side of the seat 2
indicates that the seat backrest
is not engaged. The mark is no longer visible when the seat backrest is
correctly engaged.
● If the seat backrest or seat are folded down and are not correctly
locked in place, no passenger should use them.
● When getting in or out, never lean or hold onto the folded seat on the
second row of seats.
WARNING
If child seats are fitted to all the seats in the second row then it is possi-
ble that the seats of this row cannot be folded down from the third row of
seats in case of an accident. In case of an emergency, passengers in the
third row of seats will not be able to leave the vehicle or to help them-
selves.
● Child seats should not occupy all the seats of the second row if other
passengers are to occupy the third row of seats.
CAUTION
● Before folding down the rear seat backrest for returning it to its position,
adjust the front seats so that the head restraints and seat backrests do not
hit off each other when folding and unfolding.
● Any objects located in the footwell of the second row of seats may be
damaged on folding the rear seat forwards. Remove any objects before fold-
ing the seat down. Folding the seat backrest of the front passenger seat*
Fig. 82 Folding the seat
backrest of the front pas-
senger seat
Fig. 83 Unlocking the
folding seat backrest of
the front passenger seat
The seat backrest of the front passenger seat can be folded and locked hori-
zontally.
The front passenger front airbag must be disabled ⇒ page 32 if objects are
being transported on the folded front passenger seat. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

122Seats and storage
Folding the seat backrest of the front passenger seat
● Remove any objects from the front passenger seat cushion ⇒ 
.
● Adjust the front passenger seat to its lowest position ⇒ page 10.
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go ⇒ page 10.
● Unlock the seat backrest of the front passenger seat in the direction of
the arrow ⇒ Fig. 82 1
.
● Fold the seat backrest of the front passenger seat forwards in the direc-
tion of the arrow 2
until it is horizontal.
● The seat backrest of the front passenger seat must engage safely in its
folded position.
Lifting the seat backrest of the front passenger seat
● Check that there are no objects or parts of the body in the hinge area.
● Lift the seat backrest of the front passenger seat by first unlocking it
again ⇒ Fig. 83.
● Lift the seat backrest of the front passenger seat until it is upright. The
seat backrest must be engaged.
● The upright seat backrest of the front passenger seat must safely en-
gage.
WARNING
Folding and lifting the seat backrest of the front passenger seat uncon-
trollably or without paying attention may lead to severe injuries.
● Only fold and lift the seat backrest of the front passenger seat when
the vehicle is stationary.
● While the seat backrest of the front passenger seat is folded, the
front airbag must remain disabled and the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF 
light on.
● Keep your hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of the hinges
and the seat locking mechanism when folding and unfolding.
WARNING (Continued)
● Mats or other objects can be caught in the hinges of the seat backrest
of the front passenger seat. This could prevent the seat backrest from
locking safely when positioned upright.
● The upright seat backrest of the front passenger seat must engage. If
the seat backrest of the front passenger seat is not locked, it may sud-
denly move and cause severe injuries.
WARNING
Seat anchors and hinges exposed when the seat backrest of the front
passenger seat is folded may lead to severe injuries in the event of an ac-
cident or sudden braking.
● Never carry people or children on the front passenger seat when the
seat backrest is folded.
● When the seat backrest of the front passenger seat is folded, only the
outer seat behind the driver on the second row of seats may be occupied.
This also applies to children sitting in a child seat.


126Seats and storage
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.
● Refit any removed head restraints immediately so that passengers
are properly protected.
CAUTION
On removing and fitting the head restraint, make sure the head restraint
does not hit the interior roof of the vehicle or the seat backrest of the front
seat. This could damage the interior roof and other parts of the vehicle. 
Centre armrest
Fig. 88 Front centre arm-
rest To lift the central armrest, lift it upwards in the direction of the arrow
⇒ Fig. 88, setting by setting.
To lower the centre armrest, pull it downwards. Then lower the centre arm-
rest.
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.
● The centre armrest is not designed for children to sit on! Sitting in
this incorrect position can cause severe injuries.

Loading luggage compartment Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the luggage compartment and place the
seat backs in a vertical position. Always use the fastening rings with suita-
ble rope or straps. Never overload the vehicle. Both the carrying capacity as
well as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have effects on the driving
behaviour and braking ability ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Airbag system ⇒ page 32
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Transporting ⇒ page 13
● Towing mode ⇒ page 236
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 296 

127
Seats and storage
WARNING
When the vehicle is not in use or being watched, always lock the doors
and the rear lid to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
● Do not leave children unwatched, especially when the rear lid is open.
Children could climb into the luggage compartment, close the rear lid
from inside and be unable to escape themselves. This could lead to seri-
ous injury or death.
● Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle.
● Never transport people in the luggage compartment.
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 straps so that they can-
not enter the areas around the front or side airbags in case of sudden
braking or an accident.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
WARNING (Continued)
● Do not place hard, heavy or sharp objects inside the vehicle interior,
in open storage compartments, the rear shelf or on the dash panel.
● Remove hard, heavy and sharp objects from clothes and pockets in-
side the vehicle and store securely.
WARNING
The transport of heavy object changes vehicle handling and increases
braking distance. Heavy loads that have not been stored or secured cor-
rectly could cause loss of control and result in serious injury.
● The vehicle handling changes when transporting heavy objects due
to a change in the centre of gravity.
● Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as
possible.
● Store heavy objects in the luggage compartment as far from the rear
axle as possible.
CAUTION
● Hard objects on the rear shelf could chafe the wires of the heating ele-
ment and antenna of the rear window and cause damage.
● The side window antenna could be damaged due to chafing from ob-
jects.
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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

170Driving
WARNING
The counter steering assistance system combined with ESC helps the
driver to steer the vehicle in critical driving conditions. At all times, it is
the driver who steers the vehicle. The counter steering system does not
steer the vehicle.

Adjusting the steering wheel position
Fig. 127 Mechanical
steering wheel adjust-
ment
Adjust the steering wheel before your trip and only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
● Push the lever ⇒ Fig. 127 1
downwards.
● Adjust the steering wheel so that you can hold onto the steering wheel
with both hands on the outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock
positions and your arms slightly bent.
● Push the lever firmly upwards until it is flush to the steering column
⇒ 
.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the steering wheel adjustment function and an incorrect
adjustment of the steering wheel can result in severe or fatal injury.
● After adjusting the steering column, push the lever 1
firmly upwards
to ensure the steering wheel does not accidentally change position while
driving.
● Never adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion. If you
need to adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion, stop
safely and make the proper adjustment.
● The adjusted steering wheel should be facing your chest and not your
face so as not to hinder the driver's front airbag protection in the event of
an accident.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to reduce inju-
ries when the driver's front airbag deploys.
● Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or in any oth-
er manner (e.g. in the centre of the steering wheel). In such cases, if the
driver's airbag deploys, you may sustain injuries to your arms, hands and
head.


171
Driving
Stopping and starting the engine Introduction
Immobiliser display
When an invalid key is used or in the event of a system fault,  or Immo-
biliser on is displayed on the instrument panel. The engine cannot be star- ted.
Pushing or towing
For technical reasons, the vehicle must not be push- or tow-started. Jump
starting is preferable.
Additional information and warnings:
● Vehicle key set ⇒ page 71
● Changing gear ⇒  page 175
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 184
● Steering ⇒  page 168
● Start assist systems ⇒ page 195
● Refuelling ⇒  page 267
● Fuel ⇒ page 270
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 317
● Jump starting ⇒  page 340
● Tow starting and towing away ⇒ page 343
WARNING
Turning off the engine while driving will make stopping the vehicle diffi-
cult; this could even result in the loss of control causing an accident with
serious consequences.
● The assisted braking and steering systems, the airbag system, seat
belts and certain safety equipment are only active while the engine is
running.
● The engine should only be switched off when the vehicle is at a
standstill.
WARNING
While the engine is running or starting it could help reduce the risk of se-
rious injury.
● Never start or leave the engine running in poorly ventilated or closed
spaces. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a toxic, colourless and
odourless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause people to lose conscious-
ness. It can also cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running. The vehi-
cle could move off suddenly or something unexpected could happen re-
sulting in damage and serious injury.
● Never use start boosters. Cold start sprays could explode or increase
the engine speed unexpectedly. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

174Driving
WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a sudden increase in the engine
speed.
● Never use start boosters.
CAUTION
● An attempt to start the engine while driving or starting the engine imme-
diately after turning it off can cause damage to the engine or starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, avoid high revs and heavy acceleration and do
not make the engine work hard.
● Do not push or tow start the engine. Sunburnt fuel could damage the
catalytic converter.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm the engine at idle speed; start driving immediately if the visi-
bility is OK. This helps the engine reach operating temperature faster and
reduces emissions.
Note
● For example, if the key battery is very worn or flat, the engine cannot be
started with the starter button. In this case, remove the ignition button from
the lock and insert the key.
● Electrical components with a high power consumption are switched off
temporarily when the engine starts.
● When the engine is started cold, there may be strong vibrations for a few
moments for technical reasons. This is quite normal, and no cause for con-
cern.
● At temperatures below +5 °C (+41 °F), smoke may be given off below the
vehicle when the additional heater is connected. Stopping the engine
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Step 1.Stopping the vehicle completely
⇒ .
2.Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until step 4 has been
completed.
3.In automatic gearboxes, put the selector lever in position P.4.Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 184.5.Turn the key in the ignition lock to position ⇒ Fig. 128 0.6.With a manual gearbox, put the vehicle in first or reverse gear.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle is moving. You may lose
control of the vehicle and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is
switched off.
● The brake servo does not work with the engine off. To stop, the brake
pedal must be pressed with more force.
● As the power steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
will need more strength to steer than normally.
● If the key is removed from the ignition, the steering may lock and it
will not be possible to steer the vehicle.
CAUTION
If the engine has been driven at high speed for a prolonged period of time,
it may overheat when turned off. To avoid engine damage, allow the engine
to run for approximately two minutes in neutral before switching it off. 

215
Driving
FunctionControl position,
control operations
⇒ Fig. 152Action
Switching the
speed setting
back on.Press RESUME 1
The stored speed is reached again
and maintained. If no speed has
been set then the vehicle will re-
cord and maintain the actual
speed of the vehicle.
Increasing the
stored speed (dur-
ing CCS setting).Hold down
SPEED + +
Short press:
Increases the speed
at intervals of 10 km/h (6 mph)
and records it.
Long press: the vehicle acceler-
ates while the button remains
pressed. Release the button to
store the current speed.
Reducing the stor-
ed speed (during
CCS setting).Press SPEED – –
Short press:
Reduces the speed at
intervals of 10 km/h (6 mph) and
records it.
Long press: while this remains
pressed, speed is reduced inter-
rupting the accelerator without
using the brakes. Release the but-
ton to store the current speed.
Switching off the
cruise control sys-
tem.Click OFF 2The system is switched off. The
stored speed is deleted.
Travelling down hills with the CCS
When travelling down hills the CCS cannot maintain a constant speed. Slow
the vehicle down using the brake pedal and reduce gears if required.
Automatic off
The cruise control system is switched off automatically or temporarily: ●
If the system detects a fault that could affect the working order of the
CCS.
● If you increase the stored speed by using the accelerator for a certain
time.
● if the brake or clutch pedal is depressed.
● If you change gears.
● If the airbag is triggered. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications