2016 Seat Alhambra brake light

Driving
WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction
and skid din
g, especially on slippery ground.
This could cause loss of control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident and considerable
damage.
● Only use the kick-down function or rapid
accel
eration if visibility, weather, road and
traffic conditions so permit. WARNING
Do not allow the brakes to “rub” for a pro-
long ed period of

time, or brake frequently or
for long periods of time. Continuous braking
heats up the brakes. This could significantly
reduce braking power, increase braking dis-
tance or even result in the total failure of the
brake system. Control and warning lamps

It lights up red
Brake pedal not
pressed!Press brake pedal to the floor.

It lights up green
Brake pedal not
pressed.To select a range of gears, press
the brake pedal.
Please also see "Electronic park-
ing brake"
››› page 189. 
Flashes green
The selector lever
locking button has
not engaged. The
vehicle does not
start to move.
Engage the selector lever lock
››› page 196. Several warning and indication lamps light
up for a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is
switched on, signalling that the function is
being verified. They will switch off after a few
seconds. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Warning
and indication l amp
s on page 105. Manual gear change
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 34
In some countries, it is necessary to press the
clutch pedal to the floor to start the engine.
Selecting reverse gear
Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle is
stopped. WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will
st ar

t to move as soon as a gear is engaged and the clutch released. This is also the case
with the el
ectr

onic parking brake on.
● Never engage the reverse gear when a vehi-
cle i
s moving forward. CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature
w ear

, please observe the following:
● While driving, do not leave your hand rest-
ing on the ge
ar stick. The pressure applied by
your hand is transmitted to the gearbox se-
lector forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-
ly st
opped before engaging the reverse gear.
● When changing gear, always make sure the
clutc
h pedal is pushed right to the floor.
● Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on
hill
s with the engine on. 195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Automatic gear change* Fig. 203
Automatic gearbox selector lever
w ith loc
k
ing button (arrow) Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 34
The selector lever has a lock. When changing
the selector lever from position P to a range
of gears, press the brake pedal and press the
lock on the selector lever, located on the
front part of the knob, in the direction of the
arrow ››› Fig. 203. To move the gear selector
lever from the position N to D or to R, first
press and hold the brake pedal.
When the ignition is on, the current position
of the selector lever is shown on the instru-
ment panel.
 - Parking lock
The driven wheels are mechanically locked. Only change gears when the vehicle is
at a
st
andstill. To change the position of the se-
lector lever, press the brake pedal and switch
on the ignition.
 - Reverse gear
Reverse gear is engaged.
Only put in reverse when the vehicle is at a
standstill. If not it could result in serious
damage.
 - Neutral
The gear box is in neutral. No movement is
transmitted to the wheels and the engine
does not act as a brake.
 - Standard forwards driving position (nor-
mal programme)
The gears are changed (up and down) auto-
matically. The gear shifts are determined by
the engine load, your individual driving style
and the speed of the vehicle.
 - Standard forwards driving position
(sports programme)
The shift up to a higher gear is automatically
delayed and the shift down is faster with re-
spect to the D range of gears, to take full ad-
vantage of the engine power. The gear shifts
are determined by the engine load, your indi-
vidual driving style and the speed of the ve-
hicle. Selector lever locking
The gear sel
ector lever lock prevents, in P or
N, a gear selection from being inadvertently
engaged and the vehicle moving off acciden-
tally.
To release the gear selector lever lock, press
and hold the brake pedal with the ignition
on. Press simultaneously on the selector lev-
er lock.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if it is
moved quickly through position N (e.g. when
shifting from R to D). This makes it possible,
for instance, to “rock the vehicle backwards
and forwards” if it is stuck in snow or mud.
The selector lever lock engages automatically
if the brake pedal is not pressed and the lev-
er is in position N for more than about one
second at a speed of less than 5 km/h
(3 mph).
In vehicles with a DSG ®
automatic gearbox,
on rare occasions the selector lever lock may
not engage. In this case, the transmission is
locked to prevent the vehicle from moving ac-
cidentally. The green control light  flashes
and an information text is displayed. Proceed
as follows to engage the selector lever lock:
● Press the brake pedal and then release.
196

Operation
● Pu
l
l the right-hand side paddle +›››
Fig. 205 t o
w ards the steering wheel to
step up a gear.
● Pull the left-hand side paddle –
› ››
Fig. 205
t o

wards the steering wheel step down a gear.
If the paddles are not used for a period of
time, the vehicle leaves Tiptronic mode. CAUTION
● When acc el

erating, the gearbox automati-
cally shifts up into the next gear shortly be-
fore the maximum engine speed is reached.
● When reducing speed manually, the gear
box on
ly shifts gear when the engine can no
longer exceed the maximum engine speed. Driving with automatic gearbox
The gearbox changes gear ratios automatical-
ly
a
s

the vehicle moves.
Driving down hills
The steeper the gradient, the lower the gear
you will need. The lowest gears increase the
engine braking work. Never go down hills
with the selector lever in neutral N.
● You should reduce speed accordingly.
● Press the selector lever from position D to
the right int

o the Tiptronic selector gate
››› page 197. ●
Gently p u

ll the selector lever back to
change down a gear.
● OR: reduce using the steering wheel pad-
dle
s ››› Fig. 205 ››› page 197.
Back-up mode
If all the selector lever positions on the in-
strument panel display are shown with a
light-coloured background, this means there
is a fault in the system. The automatic gear-
box will operate in back-up mode. When the
backup programme is activated, it is possible
to drive the vehicle, however, at low speeds
and within a selected range of gears.
For the DSG ®
dual clutch gearbox, in some
cases, this may mean that the reverse gear
does not engage . The gearbox should be
checked by a specialised workshop as soon
as possible.
Protection against overloading the DSG ®
6-
gear automatic gearbox
When the clutch is overloaded, the vehicle
begins to jerk and the selector lever position
indicator begins to flash. To prevent damage
to the clutch, this interrupts the power trans-
mission between the engine and the gear-
box. There is no more traction and it is not
possible to accelerate. If the clutch is opened
automatically due to overloading, press the
brake pedal. Wait a few seconds before start-
ing to move again. Kick-down
The kick

-down system provides maximum ac-
celeration when the gear selector lever is in
the positions D, S or in the Tiptronic position.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right
down, the automatic gearbox will shift down
to a lower gear, depending on road speed
and engine speed. This takes advantage of
the maximum acceleration of the vehicle
››› .
When the ac c
el

erator is pressed to the floor,
the automatic gearbox shifts to the next gear
only after the engine reaches the specified
maximum engine speed.
Launch-Control Programme
The Launch-Control programme enables max-
imum acceleration while at a standstill.
● Switch off the ASR ›››
page 189.
● Press and hold the brake pedal with your
left
foot.
● Place the selector lever in position S or Tip-
tronic
.
● Press the accelerator with the right foot un-
til the
vehicle reaches an engine speed of ap-
proximately 3200 rpm.
● Lift the left foot off the brake ›››
. The ve-
hic l
e s
tarts with maximum acceleration.
● Turn on the ASR after accelerating!
198

Operation
Start assist systems Intr oduction WARNING
The intelligent technology in the start assist
sys t
ems cannot change the laws of physics.
The improved comfort provided by start as-
sist systems should not prompt you to take
risks.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle
coul
d cause serious injury.
● The start assist systems are not a replace-
ment for driv
er awareness.
● Always try to adapt the speed of the vehi-
cle and
your style of driving to the condition
of the ground or the road and to weather and
traffic conditions.
● The start assist system cannot keep the ve-
hicle s
tationary in all conditions on a gradi-
ent or cause it to brake on steep downhill
gradients, e.g. if the road is slippery or icy. Auto Hold function*
Fig. 207
Detailed view of the centre console:
Aut o Ho
l

d button The control lamp on the button switches on
when the Aut
o Ho
l

d function is on.
When the Auto Hold function is on, this helps
the driver if they must regularly stop the vehi-
cle or if they must stop with the engine run-
ning for prolonged periods, for example, on
hills, before a traffic light or in traffic jams
with continuous stopping and starting.
The Auto Hold function automatically pre-
vents the vehicle from rolling away acciden-
tally when at a standstill, without the driver
having to keep his/her foot on the brake ped-
al.
When the system that detects that the vehi-
cle has stopped, the Auto Hold keeps the ve-
hicle at a standstill. The brake pedal can be
released. If the driver presses the brake pedal briefly or
the accel

erator to start off, the Auto Hold
function releases the brake once more. The
vehicle moves according to the gradient.
If any of the conditions necessary for the Au-
to Hold function change while the vehicle
stopped, the system is turned off as is the in-
dicator on the button ››› Fig. 207. The elec-
tronic parking brake engages where necessa-
ry to park the vehicle safely ››› .
C ondition
s

for keeping the vehicle at a
standstill with Auto Hold:
● The driver door must be closed.
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The engine must be running.
● The ASR system is switched on
›››
page 189.
Automatically engaging and disengaging the
Auto Hold function
If the Auto Hold function was engaged with
the AUTO HOLD button before disengaging the
ignition, the f u
nction w

ill automatically re-
main engaged after the ignition is re-engag-
ed.
If the Auto Hold function was not disengag-
ed, it will automatically remain disengaged
after the ignition is engaged.
208

Operation
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, leave it
in neutr al
and t
ake your foot off the clutch.
The engine switches off.
● Simply depress the clutch pedal to move
off again.
V

ehicles with an automatic gearbox
● When the vehicle is at a standstill, depress
the brake or k
eep it pressed down. The en-
gine switches off.
● The engine will start again as soon as you
rele
ase the brake pedal.
● With the selector lever set to position P, the
engine wi
ll not start until a range of gears is
selected or the accelerator pedal is de-
pressed.
Important conditions for the engine to auto-
matically switch off
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The driver door must be closed.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The factory-fitted towing bracket must not
be electrical
ly connected to a trailer.
● A minimum engine temperature has been
reac
hed.
● The steering wheel must not be turned
more than 270 de
grees.
● The vehicle has moved since the last stop. ●
In vehic
les with Climatronic: the tempera-
ture inside the vehicle is within the pre-set
temperature range.
● The temperature set is neither very high nor
very
low.
● The air conditioning defrost function is not
switc
hed on.
● In vehicles with Climatronic: the blower has
not been manual
ly set to a high speed.
● The power level of the vehicle's battery is
sufficient
.
● The vehicle's battery temperature is neither
too high nor too lo
w.
● The vehicle is not on a steep gradient or
slope.
● The front

wheels are not overly turned.
● The heated windscreen is not switched on.
● Reverse gear is not engaged.
● The park assist system is not switched on.
Conditions
for automatically restarting the
engine
The engine may automatically restart under
the following conditions:
● If the vehicle interior is too hot or too cold.
● If the vehicle moves.
● If the vehicle's battery voltage drops. Conditions requiring the key to restart the
engine
The engine mu

st be started manually under
the following conditions:
● If the driver unbuckles his/her seat belt.
● If the driver door is opened.
● If the bonnet is opened.
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: if a gear
has
been selected.
Switching Start-Stop mode on and off man-
ually
● Press the  button on the centre console
› ›
›

Fig. 208.
● The button will light up when the Start-Stop
function i
s switched off.
The engine will start immediately if the vehi-
cle is in Stop mode when it is switched off
manually. WARNING
The brake servo and the power steering do
not w ork

when the engine is switched off.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the
engine is
switched off. CAUTION
Using the Start-Stop function for a long peri-
od at v

ery high outside temperatures could
damage the vehicle's battery. 210

Operation
Parking distance warning system* Fig. 209
Detailed view of the centre console:
b utt
on f
or switching the parking distance
warning system on and off Fig. 210
Parking sensor system sensors on
the fr ont
b

umper The parking distance warning system assists
the driv
er when p
ark

ing. If the vehicle is ap-
proaching an obstacle, an intermittent audi-
ble warning is emitted. The shorter the dis-
tance, the shorter the intervals between tones. If the vehicle is too close to the obsta-
cle, the audib

le warning becomes constant.
Switching the parking distance warning sys-
tem on and off ● Press the  button
›››
Fig. 209
when the
ignition i

s switched on.
● Automatic on: select r
everse gear.
● Automatic off: drive fa
ster than 15 km/h
(9 mph).
The button lights up when the function is
switched on.
Things to note on the parking distance warn-
ing system
● The parking distance warning system
sometimes r
egisters water on the sensors as
an obstacle.
● If the distance does not change, the warn-
ing sign
al will sound less loudly after a few
seconds. If the continuous signal sounds, the
volume will remain constant.
● When the vehicle moves away from the ob-
stac
le, the beeping sound automatically
switches off. On approaching the obstacle
again, the beeping sound will automatically
switch back on.
● If the electronic parking brake is engaged
or the selector l
ever is set to P, no audible
warning will be emitted. ●
Your tec
hnical service centre can adjust the
volume of the warning signals. Note
If the parking distance warning system is
fau lty

, a constant audible warning will be
emitted the first time it is switched on and
the button will flash. Switch the parking dis-
tance warning system off using the button
and take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop to have the system checked as soon as
possible. 212

Operation
● Ob
ser
ve the surrounding area and acceler-
ate carefully at a maximum of 7 km/h
(4 mph).
● The park assist system is only r
esponsible
for moving the steering wheel during the ma-
noeuvre. The driver applies the accelerator,
the clutch, the gears and the brake.
● Follow the instructions given by the park
ass
ist system until the manoeuvre is comple-
ted.
● The park assist system steers the vehicle
forw
ards and backwards until it is in a
straight position in the parking space.
● The manoeuvre is complete when the corre-
sponding indic
ation is given on the instru-
ment panel display.
Stopping the parking manoeuvre
The park assist system stops the manoeuvre
in advance in the event of one of the follow-
ing:
● Press button  .
● Driving faster than 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● The parking manoeuvre has not been com-
p l
et

ed after 6 minutes since the park assist
system was activated.
● A sliding door is opened. To restart the ma-
noeuvr e, c

lose the sliding door and press the
button  again. ●
Ther e i
s

a system malfunction (system tem-
porarily unavailable).
● The ASR system is switched off or the ASR
or ESC i
s working. WARNING
The steering wheel turns quickly by itself
when park in

g using the park assist system.
Placing your hand between the steering
wheel spokes could lead to injuries. Note
● The park a

ssist system has its limitations.
For example, it is not possible to park on
tight bends using the park assist system.
● Even if the park assist system recognises
that ther
e is not enough space for parking
the vehicle, the instrument panel display will
still show this place. In this case, the parking
manoeuvre should not be requested.
● Changing gears between forward and re-
verse g
ears before indicated (that is, before
the signal from the parking sensor system)
the parking results may not be ideal.
● For parallel parking (parallel to the road), a
sound wi
ll tell the driver when they must
change from forward gears to reverse; the
signal from the parking sensor system does
not indicate changes of direction.
● The park assist can also be activated after-
ward
s, if you pass close to a parallel parking
space at a maximum of 40 km an hour
(25 mph) or close to be perpendicular parking space at about 20 km an hour (12 mph) then
pre
s

s the button  .
● The progress bar on the screen of the in-
strument p

anel shows a display of the rela-
tive distance to be covered.
● When the Park Assist system is turning the
steerin
g wheel of the stopped vehicle the
symbol  is also displayed. Press on the
brake pedal so that the steering can turn with
the vehicle at a standstill and thus reduce the
number of manoeuvres.
● A “suitable” parking space length is at
lea
st 1.1 m greater than the length of the ve-
hicle.
● If the results of the park assist system are
not as
good after changing the wheels, the
system must memorise the perimeter of the
new wheels. This process is performed auto-
matically while the vehicle is in motion. To
help this process, turn slowly (at less than
20 km/h [12 mph]), e.g. in an empty car park. Leaving a parking space using the
P
ark
As

sist system Driving off
● Switch on the engine.
● Press button  . When the function is ena-
b l
ed, the b

utton ››› Fig. 213 will light up.
● Apply the turn signal for the side on which
you w ant

to leave the parking space.
● Select reverse gear.
216

Driver assistance systems
● in the c a
se of
special constructions to the
side of the vehicle, e.g., high or irregular di-
viders
Parking assistant (RTA) Fig. 225
Schematic representation of the
p ark
in

g assistant: monitored zone around the
vehicle being parked. The parking assistant uses the radar sensors
on the r
e
ar b

umper ››› Fig. 222 to monitor the
traffic crossing behind the vehicle as it backs
out of a parallel parking space or as it is be-
ing manoeuvred, for example in very low visi-
bility conditions.
If the system detects that someone else on
the road is approaching the rear of the vehi-
cle ››› Fig. 225, an acoustic alarm will sound. ●
In vehic
les without ParkPilot a “gong” will
sound and a message will be displayed on
the instrument panel.
● If the vehicle is equipped ParkPilot, the
ParkPilot
acoustic alarm will sound continu-
ously.
Automatic braking to reduce damages
If the system detects that someone else on
the road is approaching the rear of the vehi-
cle and the driver does not step on the brake,
the system will engage the brakes automati-
cally.
The parking system helps the driver by auto-
matically engaging the brakes to reduce any
damage. The system will brake automatically
if the vehicle is backing up at a speed of ap-
proximately 1-12 km (1-7 mph). Once it has
detected that the vehicle has stopped, the
system will keep the vehicle stopped for ap-
prox. 2 seconds.
After automatically braking to reduce dam-
age, the system will not be able to automati-
cally brake again for approximately 10 sec-
onds.
You can interrupt the automatic braking by
stepping forcefully on the accelerator pedal
or the brake pedal in order to regain control
of the vehicle. WARNING
The smart technology incorporated into the
blind s pot

detector cannot overcome the lim-
its imposed by the laws of physics; it only
works within the limits of the system. Do not
let the extra convenience afforded by the
parking assistant tempt you into taking any
risks. The system is not a replacement for
driver awareness.
● The system should never be used in limited
vis
ibility conditions or complicated traffic,
e.g., in high-traffic areas or when crossing
multiple lanes.
● Be sure to always be aware of the vehicle's
surrou
ndings, since the system is not guaran-
teed to detect things such as bicycles or pe-
destrians in all situations.
● The parking assistant itself will not brake
the vehic
le to a complete stop. Using the blind spot detector (BSD)
w
ith p
ark

ing assistance (RTA) Activating and deactivating the blind spot
det
ect
or (BSD) w

ith parking assistance (RTA)
The blind spot detector with parking assis-
tant can be activated or deactivated in the
“Assistants” menu of the SEAT information
system, or depending on the vehicle's equip-
ment, by using the driver assistance key loca-
ted on the headlight lever.
Open the Assistants menu.»
229
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety