2017 Seat Alhambra technical data

Driving
Flashes green
The selector lever
locking button has
not engaged. The
vehicle does not
start to move.
Engage the selector lever lock
››› page 194. Several warning and control lamps light up
for a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is switch-
ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Control
and warnin g l
amps 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. Automatic gearbox*
Fig. 202
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. 202. 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. »
193
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
CAUTION
If, when the vehicle is at a standstill, the
electr onic
parking brake is not applied and
the brake pedal is released while in position
P, the vehicle may move a few centimetres
forwards or backwards. Note
If, while driving, the selector lever is acciden-
ta l

ly placed in position N, lift your foot off the
accelerator. Wait until the engine is running
at idle speed before selecting a new gear
range. Gear change with Tiptronic*
Fig. 203
Selector lever in Tiptronic position
(l ef t

-hand drive vehicles). The lay-out in right-
hand drive vehicles is symmetrically op-
posed. Fig. 204
Steering wheel with two paddle
shifts f

or Tiptronic The Tiptronic system allows you to manually
c
h
an

ge gears in vehicles with an automatic
gearbox. When you change to the Tiptronic
programme, the vehicle remains in the cur-
rently selected gear. This is possible as long
as the system is not changing gear automati-
cally due to a traffic situation.
Using Tiptronic with the selector lever
● Press the selector lever from position D to
the right int
o the Tiptronic selector gate ››› in Automatic gearbox* on page 194.
●
Press the lever forwards + or backwards
– to move up or down a gear
››
›
Fig. 203.
Using the Tiptronic with the steering wheel
paddle shifts
● In D or S, move the s
teering wheel paddle
shifts ››› Fig. 204. ●
Pul
l the right-hand side paddle + ›››
Fig. 204 t o
w ards the steering wheel to
step up a gear.
● Pull the left-hand side paddle –
› ››
Fig. 204
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 195. »
195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

DrivingDisplayMeaning

Optimum gear.

Recommendation to change up a gear.

Recommendation to change down a
gear.
Information for “cleaning” the diesel partic-
ul
at

e filter
The exhaust gas system control recognises
when the diesel particulate filter is blocked,
and helps to clean it by recommending a spe-
cific gear for driving. It may therefore be nec-
essary to drive with the engine at an excep-
tionally high speed ›››
page 200. WARNING
The recommended gear display is intended as
a guideline only; it shou

ld never replace the
driver's attention to driving carefully.
● Responsibility for selecting the correct gear
for eac
h situation continues to lie with the
driver, for example when overtaking, climb-
ing a hill or towing a trailer. For the sake of the environment
Selecting the most appropriate gear for the
sit uation w

ill help you to save fuel. Note
The recommended gear display is switched
off when the c lut

ch pedal is pressed. Run-in and economical driving
Ru nnin

g in Please observe the instructions for running-in
new components.
R u

nning-in the engine
The engine needs to be run-in over the first
1500 km (1000 miles). During its first few
hours of running, the internal friction in the
engine is greater than later on when all the
moving parts have bedded down.
How the vehicle is driven for the first
1500 km (1000 miles) influences the future
engine performance. Throughout the life of
the vehicle, it should be driven at a moderate
speed – especially when the engine is cold –
this will reduce engine wear and increase its
useful life. Never drive at extremely low en-
gine speeds. Always engage a lower gear
when the engine works “irregularly”. For the
first 1000 km or 600 miles, please note:
● Do not use full throttle.
● Do not force the engine above two thirds of
its m ax

imum speed. ●
Do not to
w a trailer.
Between 1000 and 1500 kilometres (600 to
1000 miles), gradually increase power until
reaching the maximum speed and high en-
gine speeds.
Running in new tyres and brake pads ● Replacement of wheel rims and new tyres
›››
page 284
● Notes on the brakes ›››
page 190 For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, the life of the
engine w i

ll be increased and the engine oil
consumption reduced. Environmental compatibility
Environmental protection is a top priority in
the de
s
ign, c

hoice of materials and manufac-
ture of your new SEAT.
Constructive measures to encourage recy-
cling
● Joints and connections designed for easy
dismantlin
g
● Modular construction to facilitate disman-
tling
● Incr

eased use of single-grade materials. »
197
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
accelerator. This eliminates the need for con-
s t
ant
braking and acceleration.
Calm and steady driving
Constancy is more important than speed: The
more you drive at a constant speed, the lower
the fuel consumption.
When driving on the motorway, it is more effi-
cient to drive at a constant and more moder-
ate speed than to be continuously accelerat-
ing and braking. As a general rule, you will
reach your destination just as quickly when
you drive at a constant speed.
The cruise control function helps you to ach-
ieve a constant style of driving.
Moderate use of additional devices
It is important to travel in comfort, but con-
venience systems should be used ecological-
ly.
Some equipment, when connected, increase
fuel consumption considerably, for example:
● Air conditioning cooling system: If the air
conditioning sy
stem is required to cool to
significantly lower temperatures than the true
outside temperature, it will require a large
amount of energy from the engine. Therefore,
we recommend that the selected temperature
for the vehicle is not too different to the out-
side temperature. It is a good idea to air the
vehicle before starting your journey and to drive a short distance with all the windows
open. Only then shou

ld you close all the win-
dows and switch on the air conditioning.
Keep windows closed when travelling at high
speeds. Driving with the windows open in-
creases fuel consumption.
● Switch off the seat heating when the seats
have w
armed up.
● Switch off the heated rear window and the
winds
creen heating when the windows have
demisted and are free of ice.
● Do not leave the auxiliary heater switched
on when the vehic
le is moving ››› page 177.
Avoid short journeys
Fuel consumption is much higher when the
engine is cold, immediately after it has been
started. It takes a few kilometres of driving
for the engine to warm up and to normalise
consumption.
The engine and catalytic converter need to
reach their proper working temperature in or-
der to minimise fuel consumption and emis-
sions. The ambient temperature has a deci-
sive influence.
Therefore, unnecessary short journeys
should be avoided. Try to combine trips.
The vehicle uses more fuel in winter than in
summer, even when other conditions are the
same. The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is

idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed.
Adjusting type pressures.
Having the correct pressure in your tyres
helps to reduce rolling resistance and, as a
result reduces fuel consumption. Increasing
the tyre pressure slightly (+0.2 bar
[2.9 psi/20 kPa]) can help to save fuel.
If you are prepared to accept a slight reduc-
tion in comfort, the tyres may be filled to the
pressures recommended for a fully-loaded
vehicle. This is also valid when driving alone
without luggage.
When you buy new tyres, make sure they are
optimised for minimum rolling resistance.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
The lighter the vehicle, the more economical
and ecological the driving style. For example,
an additional weight of 100 kg will increase
fuel consumption up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove any unnecessary objects or loads
from the vehicle. »
199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
●
Only c
arry on driving if visibility, weather,
road and traffic conditions so permit.
● Never endanger your safety or that of other
roa
d users. CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and t o the c orr

esponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle. Note
While the control lamps , ,  or  re-
m ain lit, ther

e may be engine problems, fuel
consumption may increase and the engine
may lose power. Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter permits the subse-
quent
tr
e

atment of the exhaust gases thus
reducing contaminating gas emissions. To
ensure a longer working life for the exhaust
system and catalytic converter in a petrol en-
gine:
● Always use unleaded petrol.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry.
● Do not top up with too much engine oil
›››
page 271.
● Do not tow-start the vehicle; use the starter
cabl
es ›››
 page 51. If you should notice misfiring, uneven run-
ning or los

s of power when the car is moving,
reduce speed immediately. Have the car in-
spected by a specialised workshop. If this
happens, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust
system and escape into the atmosphere. The
catalytic converter can also be damaged by
overheating. For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is
work in

g perfectly, there may be a smell of
sulphur under certain conditions. This de-
pends on the sulphur content of the fuel be-
ing used. Diesel particulate filter
The diesel particulate filter removes soot par-
tic
u
l

ates from the exhaust gas, retains and
burns them. To assist the combustion proc-
ess, SEAT recommends you avoid frequent
short trips.
● Always use diesel with a low sulphur con-
tent ›

›› page 264.
● Never use petrol or fuel oil.
● Never use biodiesel. However, a blend pre-
pared b
y the diesel manufacturer containing
biodiesel within the limits established by the
EN 590 standard may be used ›››
page 264.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry. ●
Do not top up w
ith too much engine oil
››› page 271.
● Do not tow-start the vehicle; use the starter
cabl
es ›››
 page 51.
In order to reduce blocking of the diesel par-
ticulate filter, some vehicles with an automat-
ic gearbox may increase the engine speed
slightly to start cleaning the filter automati-
cally. The control lamp will not light up in this
case .
Control lamp 
If the control lamp  lights up you should
help the filter clean itself by driving in the ap-
propriate manner.
To do this, drive about 15 minutes in fourth
or fifth gear (automatic gearbox: S gear
range) at a minimum speed of 60 km/h
(37 mph), with the engine running at approxi-
mately 2,000 rpm. In this way, the soot build
up in the filter is burned. When cleaning is
successful, the control lamp turns off.
If the lamp  does not turn off, or the three
lamps turn on (particulate filter , fault in
the emission control system  and glow
plugs ), drive the vehicle to a specialised
workshop and have the fault repaired at the
earliest opportunity. »
201
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
WARNING
● Alw a
ys drive according to the road weather
conditions, the terrain and traffic. Driving rec-
ommendations should never lead to illegal
manoeuvres in surrounding traffic. For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is
work in

g perfectly, there may be a smell of
sulphur under certain conditions. This de-
pends on the sulphur content of the fuel be-
ing used. Driving tips
Driv ing abr

oadIn some countries, certain safety regulations
and r
equir
ements

are in force relating to ex-
haust gas emissions, which differ from the
technical characteristics of the vehicle. Be-
fore travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you
consult a technical service about the legal re-
quirements and the following points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifica-
tions f
or driving abroad, for example, adjust-
ment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diag-
nostic
s equipment and spare parts required
for inspections and repairs? ●
Are there an
y SEAT dealers in the destina-
tion country?
● For petrol vehicles: Is unleaded petrol avail-
able at
the right octane rating?
● For diesel engines: Is diesel fuel available
with a low s
ulphur content?
● Are a suitable engine oil ( ›››
page 271) and
other engine fluids complying with SEAT
specifications available in the destination
country?
● Will the navigation system fitted at the fac-
tory
operate correctly in the destination coun-
try with the available navigation data?
● Are special tyres required in the destination
countr
y? CAUTION
SEAT does not accept liability for any damage
to the v

ehicle due to the use of a lower quali-
ty fuel, an inadequate service or the non-
availability of genuine spare parts. Driving along flooded roadways
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driv-
in
g thr
ough w

ater, for example, along a floo-
ded road, please observe the following:
● Check the depth of the water before enter-
ing the flooded z
one. The water should never
come above the lower edge of the bodywork
››› .●
Do not driv
e f

aster than a pedestrian.
● Do not stop in the water, use reverse gear
or switc
h off the engine.
● Oncoming traffic will cause waves which
raise the l
evel of the water, making it difficult
to cross the water.
The Start/Stop system must be deactivated
when driving through flooded areas WARNING
When driving through water, mud, melted
sno w

, etc., please remember that due to
damp or frozen brake discs and shoes in win-
ter, the braking effect may be delayed, there-
fore the required braking distance is greater.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
caref
ully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process.
● After driving through water, avoid sudden
sharp manoeu
vres. CAUTION
● Drivin g thr

ough flooded areas may severely
damage vehicle components such as the en-
gine, transmission, drive train or electrical
system.
● Never drive through salt water as salt cau-
ses c
orrosion. Always rinse any parts of the
vehicle which have been in contact with salt
water. 202

Driver assistance systems
Driver assistance systems
Br ak
in
g and stability systems
Brake assist systems The brake assist systems ESC, ABS, BAS, ASR
and EDL on
ly

operate when the ignition is
switched on. They contribute significantly to
increasing active safety.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ESC reduces the risk of skidding and increa-
ses the vehicle stability by braking individual
wheels under specific driving conditions. ESC
detects critical handling situations, such as
understeer, oversteer and wheelspin on the
driven wheels. The system stabilises the ve-
hicle by braking individual wheels or by re-
ducing the engine torque.
The ESC has limits. It is important to realise
that the ESC is also subject to the laws of
physics. ESC will not be able to deal with all
situations with which drivers may be faced.
For example, if the road surface changes sud-
denly then ESC will not be useful in all cases.
If the vehicle suddenly enters a section cov-
ered by water, mud or snow then ESC will not
provide assistance in the same way as on dry
ground. If the vehicle loses its grip on the
ground and moves on a film of water (“aqua-
planing”), the ESC will not be able to assist the driver to control the vehicle as the loss of
adher
enc

e with the road surface will prevent-
ing braking and steering. If the vehicle is
driven through series of bends at high
speed, the ESC will not always be as effec-
tive: the vehicle reaction to aggressive driv-
ing is not the same as at reduced speeds.
When driving with a trailer, ESC does not pro-
vide the same amount of vehicle control as
without a trailer.
Adjust your speed and driving style to road,
traffic and weather conditions. ESC cannot
push the limits of the laws of physics; im-
prove the transmission available or maintain
the vehicle on the road if a lack of driver at-
tention creates an inevitable situation. Other-
wise, ESC assists in maintaining vehicle con-
trol in extreme situations and uses the move-
ments of the steering made by the driver to
maintain the vehicle moving in the desired
direction. If the vehicle is driven at such a
speed that it will leave the road before ESC
can intervene then the system cannot pro-
vide assistance.
The ABS, BAS, ASR and EDL systems are in-
corporated into the ESC. The ESC is always
on. The ESC should only be turned off using
the ASR button ›››
Fig. 205 when traction is
insufficient. Always remember to turn on the
ASR once more when the vehicle has traction
again. Anti-lock system (ABS)
ABS can pr
event the wheels from locking dur-
ing braking until just before the vehicle stops
thus helping the driver to steer the vehicle
and maintain control. This means that, even
during full braking, the risk of skidding is re-
duced:
● Press and hold the brake pedal fully. Do not
remov
e your foot from the brake pedal or re-
duce braking force!
● Do not “pump” the brake pedal, or reduce
brakin
g force!
● Maintain vehicle direction when braking
ful
ly.
● When the brake pedal is released or when
the brake f
orce is reduced, ABS is turned off.
ABS control can be observed by vibration of
the brake pedal and noise. You should never
expect the ABS to reduce the braking dis-
tance under any circumstances. This distance
will increase when driving on gravel, recent
snow or on icy and slippery ground.
When driving on loose ground, the all-terrain
configuration of the ABS is automatically
turned on. When ABS is activated, the front
wheels may lock briefly. This shortens the
braking distance in off-road situations as the
wheels are prevented from digging into loose
surfaces. All-terrain ABS only intervenes
when driving in a straight line. When the »
203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
WARNING
The effectiveness of the ESC can be consider-
ably r
educed if other components and sys-
tems affecting driving dynamics are not main-
tained or are not functioning correctly. This
includes, among others, brakes, tyres and
other systems already mentioned.
● Remember that changing and fitting other
components
to the vehicle can affect opera-
tion of the ABS, BAS, ASL EDL and ESC.
● Changes to the vehicle suspension or using
unap
proved wheel/tyre combinations can af-
fect operation of the ABS, BAS, ASL EDL and
ESC, as well as their effectiveness.
● Likewise, the effectiveness of ESC depends
on the use of s
uitable tyres ››› page 284. Note
● To en s

ure that the ESC and ASR work prop-
erly, all four wheels must be fitted with iden-
tical tyres. Any differences in the rolling radi-
us of the tyres can cause the system to re-
duce engine power when this is not desired.
● If a malfunction should occur in the ABS,
the ESC, EDL and ASR w
ill also be out of ac-
tion.
● Noises may be heard while any of the
above sy
stems are operating. Switching ASR on and off
Fig. 205
Detailed view of the centre console:
b utt
on u

sed to switch ASR on and off (vehi-
cles with ESC) The electronic stability control ESC consists
of
ABS, EDL
and ASR and on

ly works when
the engine is running.
The ASR can be switched off while the engine
is running by pressing the  OFF
› ›
› Fig. 205
b

utton. The ASR (and similar) is only switch-
ed off when the required traction is not ob-
tained:
● When driving through deep snow or on
loose grou
nd (gravel, etc.).
● When “freeing” a trapped vehicle.
Turn the ASR bac
k on by pressing the but-
ton  OFF
›
› ›
Fig. 205
. Start assist systems
Introduction 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. 205
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety