2018 Seat Alhambra Ignition

The essentials
●
Never u se jump l
eads when one of the bat-
teries is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even af-
ter the battery has thawed, battery acid could
leak and cause chemical burns. If a battery
freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes
awa
y from batteries, danger of explosion.
Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the
manufact
urer of the jump leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the
other vehic
le directly to the negative terminal
of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the
battery could be ignited by sparks. Danger of
explosion.
● Never attach the negative cable to fuel sys-
tem component
s or the brake lines in the oth-
er vehicle.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery
clamp
s must not be allowed to touch. The
jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the ve-
hicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they
cannot c
ome into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could re-
sult
in chemical burns. Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
erw i

se electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Changing windscreen wipers
Wind s

creen wipers service position Fig. 76
Wipers in service position. The wiper arms can be raised when the wip-
er
s
ar

e in service position ››› Fig. 76.
● Close the bonnet ›››

 page 271.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever down-
ward
s briefly ››› page 27 4 .
B ef
or
e driving, always lower the wiper arms.
Using the windscreen wiper lever, the wind- screen wiper arms return to their initial posi-
tion.

››› page 88 Changing the front wiper blades
Fig. 77
Changing the front wiper blades Fig. 78
Changing the rear wiper blade » 55

Seat belts
Warning lamp Fig. 81
Warning lamp on the instrument pan-
el . Fig. 82
Example of seat belt status display for
the r ear se
ats (here, a 7-seat vehicle) on the
instrument panel above, the second row and,
below, the third row of seats. 
Lights up or flashes
Driver's seat belt not
fastened or front pas-
senger seat belt not
fastened if the front
passenger seat is occu-
pied.
Fasten seat belts!
Objects on the front
passenger seat.Remove any objects from the
front passenger seat and
store them safely.
Some control and warning lamps on the in-
strument
p

anel will come on to check certain
functions when the ignition is switched on.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
An audible warning will be heard for a maxi-
mum of 90 seconds if the seat belts are not
fastened as the car drives off and reaches a
speed of more than 25 km/h (15 mph) or if
the seat belts are unfastened while the vehi-
cle is in motion. The seat belt warning lamp
 will also flash.
The warning lamp  does not switch off until
the driver and front passenger fasten their
seat belts while the ignition is switched on.
Seat belt status display for rear seats
The seat belt status display on the instru-
ment panel informs the driver, when the igni-
tion is switched on, whether any passengers
in the rear seats have fastened their seat
belts. The  symbol indicates that the pas- senger in this seat has fastened “his or her”
seat
belt

››› Fig. 82.
The seat belt status is displayed for around
30 seconds when a seat belt in the rear seats
is fastened or unfastened. You can switch off
this display by pressing the 0.0 / SET button.
The se at
belt

status flashes for a maximum of
30 seconds when a seat belt in the rear seats
is unfastened while the vehicle is in motion.
An audible warning will also be heard if the
vehicle is travelling at over 25 km/h
(15 mph).
The rear seat display can be enabled or disa-
bled by a technical service centre.
The protective function of seat belts Fig. 83
Drivers with properly worn seat belts
w i
l

l not be thrown forward in the event of sud-
den braking » 63
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Airbag system
The airbag system operation is monitored
el ectr
onic
ally. The airbag control lamp will il-
luminate for a few seconds every time the ig-
nition is switched on (self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the  control
lamp:
● does not light up when the ignition is
switc
hed on,
● turns off after 4 seconds after the ignition
is sw
itched on,
● turns off and then lights up again after the
ignition is sw
itched on,
● illuminates or flashes while the vehicle is
movin
g.
The airbag system is not triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a minor frontal collision
● there is a minor side collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over. WARNING
● The seat belt

s and airbags can only provide
maximum protection if the occupants are
seated correctly ››› page 58.
● If a fault has occurred in the airbag system,
have the sy
stem checked immediately by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a collision, the system
ma
y

fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly. Airbag activation
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within
thous
andths

of a second, to provide addi-
tional protection in the event of an accident.
The airbag system is only ready to function
when the ignition is on.
In special accidents instances, several air-
bags may activate at the same time.
In the event of minor head-on and side colli-
sions, rear-end collisions, overturning or roll-
over of the vehicle, airbags do not activate.
Activation factors
The conditions that lead to the airbag system
activating in each situation cannot be gener-
alised. Some factors play an important role,
such as the properties of the object the vehi-
cle hits (hard/soft), angle of impact, vehicle
speed, etc.
Deceleration trajectory is key for airbag acti-
vation.
The control unit analyses the collision trajec-
tory and activates the respective restraint
system.
If the deceleration rate is below the prede-
fined reference value in the control unit the airbags will not be triggered, even though
the acc
ident

may cause extensive damage to
the car.
The following airbags are triggered in seri-
ous head-on collisions:
● Driver airbag.
● Front passenger front airbag
● Knee airbag for the driver.
The fol
lowing airbags are triggered in seri-
ous side-on collisions:
● Front side airbag on the side of the acci-
dent.
● Re

ar side airbag on the side of the acci-
dent.
● Cur

tain (head) airbag on the side of the ac-
cident.
In an ac

cident with airbag activation:
● the interior lights switch on (if the interior
light swit
ch is in the courtesy light position);
● the hazard warning lights switch on;
● all doors are unlocked;
● the fuel supply to the engine is cut.
71
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Airbag system
●
Gre at
forces must not be exerted on the
seat backrest bolsters because the side air-
bags might not deploy correctly, might not
deploy at all or might deploy unexpectedly.
● Any damage to the original seat upholstery
or around the se
ams of the side airbag units
must be repaired immediately by a special-
ised workshop. Curtain airbags*
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 21. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in frac-
tions of

a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the
head-pr
otection airbags free.
● Do not fix objects to the cover or in the de-
ployment
area of the curtain airbag.
● Vehicle occupants of the front and outer
rear se
ats must never carry any other people,
pets or objects in the deployment space be-
tween them and the airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only
for lightweight
clothing. Do not leave any
heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Do not mount accessories on the doors. ●
Do not fit c

urtains to the windows other
than those expressly approved for use in the
vehicle.
● Only turn the sun blinds towards the win-
dows
if there is no object, e.g. pens or garage
remote controls, secured to the sun blind. Deactivating airbags
Contr o

l lamp Fig. 90
Control lamp for disabling the front
p a
s

senger front airbag on the dash panel 
It lights up on the combi-in-
strument
Fault in airbag
system and seat
belt tensioners.Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.  
It lights up on the dash panel
Fault in the air-
bag system.Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.
Front passenger
front airbag disa-
bled.Check whether the airbag should
remain disabled
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.
If the front passenger airbag is deactivated,
the lamp      does not re-
main lit, or if it is lit together with the control
lamp  on the instrument panel, there may
be a fault in the airbag system ››› .
WARNING
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
the airbag m a

y not trigger correctly, may fail
to trigger or may even trigger unexpectedly,
leading to severe or fatal injuries.
● Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately b
y a specialised workshop.
● Never mount a child seat in the front pas-
senger se
at ››› page 79 or remove the
mounted child seat! The front passenger front
airbag may deploy during an accident in spite
of the fault. » 73
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and to the c orr
esponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle. Manual disabling and enabling of the
front
p

assenger front airbag with the
key switch Fig. 91
In the glove compartment on the front
p a
s

senger side: Key switch for enabling and
disabling the front passenger front airbag. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 20.
The front passenger front airbag must be dis-
abled when a rear-facing child seat is moun-
ted.
Activating the front passenger front airbag
● Switch the ignition off. ●
Open the glove c
ompartment on the front
passenger side.
● Insert the key into the slot of the switch for
deactivatin
g the front passenger airbag
››› Fig. 91. About 3/4 of the key should enter,
as far as it will go.
● Then turn the key gently to the  position.
Do not
force it if you feel resistance, and
make sure you have inserted the key fully.
● Close the glove compartment on the front
pas
senger side.
● Check that, with the ignition switched on,
the contro
l lamp      on the
dash panel is not lit ››› page 73.
How to know whether the front passenger
front airbag is disabled
The only indication of the front passenger air-
bag being disabled is that the   
  control lamp on the dash panel re-
mains lit (   stays yellow) ››› page 73,
Control lamp .
If the      control lamp on
the centre console does not remain lit or is lit
in combination with the control lamp  on
the dash panel, a child restraint system can-
not be mounted on the front passenger seat
for safety reasons. The front passenger front
airbag may deploy during an accident. WARNING
The front passenger front airbag must only be
dis ab

led in special cases.
● Disable and activate the front passenger
front airb
ag when the ignition is switched off
to avoid damage to the airbag system.
● It is the driver's responsibility to ensure
that the k
ey operated switch is set to the cor-
rect position.
● Only disable the front passenger front air-
bag when a chi
ld seat is to be mounted under
exceptional circumstances.
● As soon as the child seat is no longer nee-
ded on the front p
assenger seat, reconnect
the front passenger front airbag.
● Never leave the key in the airbag deactiva-
tion switc
h as it could get damaged or acti-
vate or deactivate the airbag during driving. 74

Emergencies
Changing the windscreen wiper
b l
a
des
Changing the windscreen and rear
window wiper blades Read the additional information carefully
›› ›

 page 55.
The windscreen wiper blades are supplied as
standard with a layer of graphite. This layer is
responsible for ensuring that the wipe is si-
lent. If the graphite layer is damaged, the
noise of the water as it is wiped across the
windscreen will be louder.
Check the condition of the wiper blades regu-
larly. If the wipers scrape across the glass
they should be changed if they are damaged,
or cleaned if they are dirty ››› .
Dam ag
ed w

iper blades should be replaced
immediately. These are available from quali-
fied workshops. WARNING
Worn or dirty windscreen wiper blades reduce
vi s

ibility and increase the risk of accident
and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn wind-
scr
een wiper blades or blades that no longer
clean the windscreen properly. CAUTION
● Damag ed or dir

ty windscreen wipers could
scratch the glass.
● If products containing solvents, rough
spong
es or sharp objects are used to clean
the blades, the graphite layer will be dam-
aged.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or simil
ar products to clean the win-
dows.
● In icy conditions, always check that the
wiper bl
ades are not frozen to the glass be-
fore using the wipers. In cold weather, it may
help to leave the vehicle parked with the wip-
ers in service position ›››
 page 55.
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the
wiper arms, only
leave them in the service
position.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper
arms. Tow-starting and towing
Intr oduction Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 51
When towing, always respect legal require-
ments.
For technical reasons, it is not possible to
tow a vehicle if the battery is flat. If the vehicle comes with the Keyless Access
syst

em, towing is only allowed with the igni-
tion on!
The vehicle battery drains if the vehicle is
towed with the engine switched off and the
ignition connected. Depending on the battery
charge status, the drop in voltage may be so
large, even after just a few minutes, that no
electrical device in the vehicle may work e.g.
the hazard warning lights. In vehicles with
the Keyless Access system, the steering
wheel could lock ››› .
WARNING
A vehicle with a flat battery should never be
to w

ed.
● Never remove the key from the ignition
lock. Otherw
ise, the steering wheel lock
could suddenly lock. The vehicle would not
be controlled and a serious accident could
ensue. WARNING
When towing the vehicle, the handling and
brak in

g efficiency change considerably.
Please observe the following instructions to
minimise the risk of serious accidents and in-
jury:
● As the driver of the vehicle being towed:
– The brake mu

st be depressed must hard-
er as the brake servo does not operate. 88

Self-help
Always remain aware to avoid collision
with the t
o
wing vehicle.
– More strength is required at the steering
wheel as the power steering does not op-
erate when the engine is switched off.
● As the driver of the towing vehicle:
– Acc

elerate gently and carefully.
– Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
– Brake well in advance than usual and
brake gently. CAUTION
● Car ef

ully fit and remove the towline anchor-
age and its cover to avoid damage to the ve-
hicle (e.g. paintwork).
● When towing, fuel could enter the catalytic
conv
erter and cause damage! Note
● The v ehic

le can only be towed if the elec-
tronic parking brake and steering lock are de-
activated. If the vehicle has no power supply
or there is an electric system fault, the en-
gine must be started using jump leads to de-
activate the electronic parking brake and
electronic steering lock.
● Vehicles with the Keyless Access locking
and ignition syst
em should only be towed
with the ignition connected since, otherwise,
the electronic steering lock will not unlock. Fitting the front towline anchorage
Fig. 102
On the right-hand side of the front
b umper:
Sc

rew in the towline anchorage. The location for the removable towline an-
c
hor
ag

e is on the right-hand side of the front
bumper ››› Fig. 102.
The towline anchorage should always be kept
in the vehicle.
Note the instructions for towing
›››  page 51.
To fit the towline anchorage
● Take the towline anchorage from the vehi-
cle t
ool kit ››› page 83.
● Press on the upper cover and carefully re-
move it
forwards. Allow the cover to hang.
● Screw in the towline anchorage into its po-
sition antic
lockwise as far as it will go
››› Fig. 102 ››› . Use a suitable tool to firmly
tight en the t o

wline anchorage in its location. ●
After t
owing, remove the towline anchorage
by turning it clockwise and put the cover
back in place. CAUTION
The towline anchorage must always be com-
pl et

ely and firmly tightened. Otherwise, it
could be released while towing and tow-start-
ing. Fitting the rear towline anchorage
Fig. 103
On the rear bumper, to the right
h and s ide:

Towline anchorage in position The location for the removable towline an-
c
hor
ag

e is on the right-hand side of the rear
bumper ››› Fig. 103. For vehicles with a facto-
ry fitted towing bracket , there is no fitting be-
hind the cover to insert the towline anchor-
age. For towing, fit and use the tow hitch
››› page 237, ››› .
»
89
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Emergencies
Note the instructions for towing
› ›
›
 page 51.
Fitting the towline anchorage to the rear for
vehicles without factory fitted tow hitch
● Take the towline anchorage from the vehi-
cle t
ool kit in the luggage compartment
››› page 83.
● Press on the upper cover and carefully re-
move it
back. This may require some
strength. Allow the cover to hang.
● Screw in the towline anchorage into its po-
sition antic
lockwise as far as it will go ››› .
U se a s
uit
able tool to firmly tighten the tow-
line anchorage in its location.
● After towing, remove the towline anchorage
by t
urning it clockwise and put the cover
back in place. CAUTION
● The to wline anc

horage must always be
completely and firmly tightened. Otherwise,
it could be released while towing and tow-
starting.
● Vehicles with a factory fitted towing brack-
et, can only
be used for towing with a tow
bar, specially designed to fit on a tow hitch
ball. Otherwise, the tow hitch ball and the ve-
hicle may be damaged. Otherwise, a tow rope
should be used. Towing advice
Towing requires some expertise and experi-
ence, e
s

pecially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique
required for towing. For this reason, inexper-
ienced drivers should abstain.
While driving, avoid excessive traction forces
and jerking. When towing on an unpaved
road, there is always a risk of overloading
and damaging the anchorage points.
If the vehicle is towed, with the hazard warn-
ing lights on and the ignition switched on,
the turn signal may be used to indicate
changes of direction. Simply operate the turn
signal lever as usual. Meanwhile, the hazard
warning lights will go off. When the turn sig-
nal lever is returned to the rest position, the
hazard warning lights will be turned on auto-
matically.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
● Leave the ignition on to avoid locking the
st eerin

g wheel, to release the electronic
parking brake and to activate the turn sig-
nals, the horn as well as the window wipers
and window washers.
● As the power assisted steering does not
work if
the engine is not running, you will
need more strength to steer than normally. ●
The brake mu
st be depressed must harder
as the brake servo does not operate. Avoid
hitting the towing vehicle.
● Note the instructions and information con-
tained in the Ins
truction Manual for the vehi-
cle to be towed.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● Accelerate gently and carefully. Avoid sud-
den manoeuvr
es.
● Brake well in advance than usual and brake
gently.
● Not

e the instructions and information con-
tained in the Ins
truction Manual for the vehi-
cle to be towed.
Emergency locking and unlock-
ing
Introduction Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 10,
›››
 page 12,
›››  page 15
The doors, rear lid and panoramic sliding
sunroof can be locked manually and partially
opened, for example if the key or the central
locking is damaged.
90