2013 Seat Alhambra page 74

5
Manual structure
Manual structure
What you should know before reading this manual This manual contains a description of the equipment supplied with the ve-
hicle at the time of press. Some of the equipment hereunder described will
not be available until a later date, or is only available in certain markets.
Because this is a general manual for the ALHAMBRA, some of the equip-
ment and functions that are described in this manual are not included in all
types or variants of the model; they may vary or be modified depending on
the technical requirements and on the market; this is in no way deceptive
advertising.
The illustrations are intended as a general guide and may vary from the
equipment fitted in your vehicle in some details.
The direction indications (left, right, front, rear) appearing in this manual re-
fer to the normal forward working direction of the vehicle except when oth-
erwise indicated.
The equipment marked with an asterisk ** is fitted as standard only in cer-
tain versions, and is only supplied as optional extras for some versions, or
are only offered in certain countries.
All registered marks are indicated with ®. Although the copyright sym-
bol does not appear, it is a copyrighted mark.
The section is continued on the following page.
Marks the end of a section .
WARNING
Texts preceded by this symbol contain information on safety. They warn
you about possible dangers of accident or injury.
®


CAUTION
Texts with this symbol draw your attention to potential sources of damage
to your vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
Texts preceded by this symbol contain relevant information concerning envi-
ronmental protection.
Note
Texts preceded by this symbol contain additional information. 

7
Safe driving
Safety First
Safe driving
Dear SEAT Driver
Safety first!This chapter contains important information, tips, suggestions and
warnings that you should read and consider for both your own
safety and for your passengers' safety.
WARNING
● This manual contains important information about the operation of
the vehicle, both for the driver and the passengers. The other sections of
the on-board documentation also contain further information that you
should be aware of for your own safety and for the safety of your passen-
gers.
● Ensure that the on-board documentation is kept in the vehicle at all
times. This is especially important when lending or selling the vehicle to
another person.

Tips for driving Introduction
Depending upon how you expect to use your vehicle, it may a good idea to
protect the engine from below. A guard underneath the engine may help to reduce the risk of damage to the lower part of the vehicle and the oil sump
when driving over kerbs, or along dirt tracks or rough roads... SEAT recom-
mends you have the guard fitted by a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
●
Ensure you are correctly seated ⇒ page 10
● Transporting ⇒ page 13
● Starting, changing gears, parking ⇒ page 171
● Ecological driving ⇒ page 228
● Notes for the user ⇒ page 258
WARNING
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics
may result in severe accidents and even loss of life.
● Alcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics may significantly alter per-
ception, affect reaction times and safety while driving, which could result
in the loss of control of the vehicle.

Preparing for the journey and safe driving
Check list
For your own safety, for the safety of passengers in the car, and for that of
other road users, the following should be checked before and during each
journey ⇒ 
: 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

8Safe driving
● Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
● Check the tyre pressures ( ⇒ page 296) and level of fuel ( ⇒ page 267).
● 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 40.
● Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear vision 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? 

9
Safe driving
● Are there any SEAT dealers in the destination country?
● For petrol vehicles: Is unleaded petrol available at the right octane rat-
ing?
● For diesel engines: Is diesel fuel available with a low sulphur content?
● Are a suitable engine oil ( ⇒ page 282) and other engine fluids comply-
ing with SEAT specifications available in the destination country?
● Will the navigation system fitted at the factory operate correctly in the
destination country with the available navigation data?
● Are special tyres required in the destination country?
CAUTION
SEAT does not accept liability for any damage to the vehicle due to the use
of a lower quality fuel, an inadequate service or the non-availability of genu-
ine spare parts. 
Driving along flooded roadways
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driving through water, for example,
along a flooded road, please observe the following:
● Check the depth of the water before entering the flooded zone. The wa-
ter should never come above the lower edge of the bodywork ⇒ 
.
● Do not drive faster than a pedestrian.
● Do not stop in the water, use reverse gear or switch off the engine.
● Oncoming traffic will cause waves which raise the level of the water,
making it difficult to cross the water.
WARNING
When driving through water, mud, melted snow, etc., please remember
that due to damp or frozen brake discs and shoes in winter, the braking
effect may be delayed, therefore the required braking distance is greater.
● 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.
● After driving through water, avoid sudden sharp manoeuvres.
CAUTION
● Driving through flooded areas may severely damage vehicle compo-
nents such as the engine, transmission, running gear or electrical system.
● Never drive through salt water as salt causes corrosion. Always rinse any
parts of the vehicle which have been in contact with salt water. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

10Safe driving
Adjusting the seat position
Introduction
Number of seats
Depending on the equipment, your vehicle has a total of five or seven seats.
Each seat is equipped with a seat belt.
EquipmentSeats in the frontSeats in the sec- ond rowSeats in thethird row
5 seats23–7 seats232
Additional information and warnings:
● Seat functions ⇒ page 117
● Seat belts ⇒ page 21
● Airbag system ⇒ page 32
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 40
WARNING
An incorrect sitting position in the vehicle can lead to severe injuries or
death in the event of sudden braking or manoeuvres, collision or acci-
dents or if the airbag deploys.
● Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and
maintain it throughout the trip. This also includes fastening the seat
belt.
● Never transport more people than there are seats with a seat belt
available in the vehicle.
WARNING (Continued)
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
system suited to their height and weight ⇒ page 40, ⇒ page 32.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
Never, for example, put your feet on the surface of a seat or on the dash
panel and never put them out of a window. Otherwise the airbag and seat
belt offer insufficient protection and the risk of injury in the event of an
accident is increased.
WARNING
Before every trip, adjust the seat, the seat belt and the head restraints
and instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly.
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
● Adjust the driver seat so that there is a distance of at least 25 cm
(10 inches) between the centre of your chest and the hub of the steering
wheel. Adjust the driver seat so that you are able to press the accelera-
tor, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with your knees slightly angled
and that the distance between your knees and the dash panel is at least
10 cm (4 inches). If your physical constitution prevents you from meeting
these requirements, contact a specialised workshop to make any modifi-
cations required.
● Never drive with the seat backrest tilted far back. The further the seat
backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to incor-
rect positioning of the belt web or to the incorrect sitting position!
● Never drive with the seat backrest tilted forwards. Should a front air-
bag deploy, it could throw the seat backrest backwards and injure the
passengers of the rear seats.
● Sit as far away as possible from the steering wheel and the dash pan-
el. 

12Safe driving
Correct sitting position
Fig. 1 The correct dis-
tance between the driver
and the steering wheel
must be at least 25 cm
(10 inches)
Fig. 2 Correct belt web
and head restraint posi-
tions
The correct sitting positions for the driver and passengers are shown below.
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct sit-
ting position, contact a specialised workshop for help with any special devi-
ces. The seat belt and airbag can only provide optimum protection if a cor- rect sitting position is adopted. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Serv-
ice.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent or sudden braking or manoeuvre, SEAT recommend the following posi-
tions:
Valid for all vehicle occupants:
●
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 head and under no circumstances below eye level. Keep the back of
your neck as close as possible to the head restraint ⇒ Fig. 1 and ⇒ Fig. 2.
● Short people must lower the head restraint completely, even if your
head is below its upper edge.
● Tall people must raise the head restraint completely.
● Adjust the seat backrest to an upright position so that your back rests
completely against it.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
● Adjust and fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 21.
Also valid for the driver:
● Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a distance of at least 25 cm
(10 inches) between it and your chest ⇒ Fig. 1 and so that you can hold the
steering wheel with both hands on the outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock
and 3 o'clock positions with your arms slightly bent.
● The adjusted steering wheel must face your chest and not your face.
● Adjust the driver seat forwards or backwards so that you are able to
press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with your knees
slightly angled and the distance between your knees and the dash panel is
at least 10 cm (4 inches) ⇒ Fig. 1.
● Adjust the height of the driver seat so that you can easily reach the top
of the steering wheel.
● Keep both feet in the footwell so that you have the vehicle under control
at all times. 

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 luggage compartment and place the
seat backs in a vertical position. Always use the anchors provided with suit-
able rope to secure heavy objects. Never overload the vehicle. Both the car-
rying capacity as well as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have ef-
fects on the driving behaviour and braking ability ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Rear lid ⇒ page 83
● To lower the front passenger seat back ⇒ page 117
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Luggage compartment ⇒ page 126
● Roof carrier ⇒ page 139
● Towing mode ⇒ page 236
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 296
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 front or side airbags in case of sudden braking
or an accident.
● Always ensure that objects inside the vehicle cannot move into the
area of the airbags while driving.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
● Remove all objects from the front passenger seat when this is fol-
lowed down. When the seat backrest 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 seat backrest of the front passenger seat is folded, the
front airbag must remain disabled 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

14Safe driving
WARNING
The driving behaviour and braking ability change when transporting
heavy and large objects.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
● Accelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.

Transporting a load
Secure all objects in the vehicle
● Distribute the load throughout the vehicle, on the roof and in a trailer as
uniformly as possible.
● Transport heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage com-
partment and lock the seat backs in the vertical position.
● Secure luggage in the luggage compartment with suitable straps on the
fastening rings ⇒ page 126.
● Check the headlight adjustment ⇒ page 95.
● Use the suitable tyre pressure according to the load being transported.
Read the tire inflation information label ⇒ page 296.
● For vehicles with a tire pressure indicator, change the vehicle load status
⇒ page 224.
CAUTION
Objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating element in
the heated rear window and cause damage.
Note
Please note the information about loading a trailer ⇒ page 236 and the
roof carrier system ⇒ page 139. 
Driving with the rear lid open
Driving with the rear lid open creates an additional risk. Secure all objects
and secure the rear lid correctly and take all measures possible to reduce
toxic gases from entering the vehicle.
WARNING
Driving with the rear lid unlocked or open could cause serious injuries.
● Always drive with the rear lid closed.
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Loose items could fall out of the ve-
hicle and injure other road users or damage other vehicles.
● Drive particularly carefully and think ahead.
● Avoid sudden manoeuvres and braking given that this could cause an
uncontrolled movement of the open rear lid.
● When transporting objects that protrude out of the luggage compart-
ment, indicate them suitably. Observe legal requirements.
● If objects must project out of the luggage compartment, the rear lid
must never be used to “secure” or “attach” objects.
● If a baggage rack is fitted on the rear lid, it should be removed before
travelling with the rear lid open. 