2018 Seat Alhambra ESP

Driving
Several warning and control lamps light up
f or 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 107. Information on the steering
Steering column electronic lock
V
ehic
l

es with Keyless Access: the steering
column locks when the driver's door is
opened and the ignition is switched off.
Therefore, the vehicle should be at a stand-
still and, where applicable, the selector lever
in position P.
If the driver door is opened before the igni-
tion is switched off, the steering column elec-
tronic lock is activated via the ignition key or
the sensor built into the door handle.
Steering column mechanical lock
To prevent theft, we recommend you lock the
steering before leaving the vehicle.
Please engage steer-
ing lockUnlocking the steering
Parking the vehicle
››› page 188.Turn the steering wheel
slightly to release the
steering lock.
Remove the key from the
ignition.Insert the key in the igni-
tion lock.
Turn the steering wheel
slightly until you hear the
steering lock.Hold the steering wheel in
this position and switch
on the ignition. Electromechanical power steering
W
ith the po
w

er steering system, the assisted
steering function automatically adjusts ac-
cording to the vehicle speed, the steering tor-
que and the wheel turning angle. The power
steering only works when the engine is run-
ning.
You should remember that you will need con-
siderably more power than normal to steer
the vehicle if the power steering is not work-
ing correctly or not at all.
Counter steering assistance system
The counter steering assistance system helps
the driver in critical situations. Additional
steering power helps the driver when counter
steering. WARNING
The counter steering assistance system com-
bined w ith E

SC 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. Run-in and economical driving
Ru nnin

g in Please observe the instructions for running-in
new c
omponents.
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: »
199
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Therefore, unnecessary short journeys
shou l
d be av
oided. 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 c
onsumption up to 0.3 l/100 km.
Remove any unnecessary objects or loads
from the vehicle.
Remove optional equipment and unnecessa-
ry accessories
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the lower
the fuel consumption. Optional equipment
and accessories (such as roof racks or bike
carriers) reduce the aerodynamic benefits of
the vehicle.
Therefore, we recommend you remove all op-
tional and unnecessary equipment and racks,
especially if you intend to drive at high
speeds.
Other factors which increase fuel consump-
tion (examples):
● Fault in engine management.
● Driving on hills.
● Trailer towing. WARNING
Always adapt your speed and the distance to
the v ehic

les ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation. Engine management and ex-
h
au
s

t gas purification system
Introduction WARNING
The components of the exhaust system reach
ver y

high temperatures. This could cause a
fire.
● Always park your vehicle so that no part of
the exhau
st system can come in contact with
flammable materials (such as dried grass).
● Do not apply additional underseal or anti-
corro
sion coatings to the exhaust pipes, cata-
lytic converter, heat shields or the diesel par-
ticulate filter. Control lamps

It lights up
fault in the petrol
engine manage-
ment.Take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop as soon as possible
and have the engine checked.

It lights up
Diesel engine glow
plug system.The engine glow plug system has
been activated. The engine can
be started straight away when
the lamp switches off.
202

Driving
Flashes
Fault in the diesel
engine manage-
ment.If the lamp flashes while you are
driving, have the engine checked
by a specialised workshop as
soon as possible.

It lights up
Fault in the emis-
sion control system.Reduce speed and drive carefully
to the nearest specialised work-
shop to have the engine
checked.

Flashes
Combustion fault
which could dam-
age the catalytic
converter.Reduce speed and drive carefully
to the nearest specialised work-
shop to have the engine
checked.

It lights up
Diesel particulate
filter blocked›››
page 204 Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or 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 traffic regulations when cleaning the
diesel p

articulate filter while 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  or
rem ain lit, ther

e may be engine problems,
fuel consumption may increase and the en-
gine 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 274.
● Do not tow-start the vehicle; use the starter
cabl
es ›››
 page 52. 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 267.
● 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 267.
● Never run the fuel tank completely dry. »
203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Switching the parking sensor system sound
on and off
If the

b
utton on the radio or navigation
system screen is pressed briefly, it may mute
the sound of OPS warnings. To switch the
warnings back on, press the button again
briefly.
When the OPS is switched off and back on
again, muting is cancelled. Error messages
cannot be switched off. WARNING
Do not be distracted from the traffic when
lookin g at

the screen. Park Assist system* (Park As-
s
i
s

t)
Related video Fig. 211
Park Assist Introduction
The Park Assist system helps the driver to
find a suit
ab

le place to park, to insert the ve-
hicle into parallel and perpendicular parking
places and to leave parallel parking places.
The Park Assist system is limited to the sys-
tem abilities and requires that the driver is
especially attentive ››› .
The park in

g sensor system is a component of
the Park Assist system that helps to park the
vehicle.
For vehicles with the optical parking system
(OPS), the radio navigation systems screen
displays the detected zones in front of and
behind the vehicle, indicating - within the
limits of the system - the position of obsta-
cles in relation to the vehicle.
The park assist system cannot be switched
on if the factory-fitted towing bracket is elec-
trically connected to a trailer. WARNING
Despite the assistance provided by the park
as s

ist system, do not run any risks when
parking. The system is not a replacement for
driver awareness.
● Unintentional movements of the vehicle
coul
d cause serious injury.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility
, road, traffic and weather conditions. ●
The sur f

ace of certain objects and items of
clothing and external sound sources may
have a negative affect on the park assist sig-
nals or on the system sensors or may not re-
flect its signals.
● The sensors have blind spots in which ob-
stac
les and people are not registered.
● Always observe the area around the vehi-
cle, a
s the sensors do not always detect
small children, animals or objects. CAUTION
● The p ark a

ssist system aims exclusively at
other parked vehicles, without taking curbs
or other circumstances into account. Make
sure you do not damage the tyres and wheel
rims when parking. Where necessary, stop
manoeuvring to avoid damaging the vehicle.
● The sensors may not always be able to de-
tect o
bjects such as trailer draw bars, thin
rails, fences, posts and trees, etc. This could
result in damage to your car.
● Although the parking distance warning sys-
tem detect
s and warns of the presence of an
obstacle, the obstacle could disappear from
the angle of measurement of the sensors if it
is too high or low and the system would no
longer show it. Therefore, it will not warn you
of these objects. Ignoring the warnings of the
parking sensor system could cause consider-
able damage to the vehicle. This is also valid
when using the park assist (e.g. to park be-
hind a truck or motorcycle). Therefore, always
keep a close watch on the area in front of and 214

Driver assistance systems
behind the vehicle while parking, and inter-
vene pr
omptly
if necessary.
● To ensure that the system works properly,
the bumper sensor
s must be kept clean, free
of ice and snow and uncovered.
● The bumper sensors may become damaged
or misa
ligned, for example, when parking.
● When cleaning the sensors with high-pres-
sure or s
team cleaning equipment, spray the
sensors briefly at a distance of no less than
10 cm. Note
Contact a specialised workshop with any sys-
tem f au

lts. SEAT recommends taking your car
in for technical service. Parking using the park assist system
Fig. 212
Detailed view of the centre console:
b utt on t

o switch the park assist system on
manually Fig. 213
Gap detected: engage the reverse
g e
ar t

o park (parallel or nose/tail to the kerb) Preparing to park
● The Traction control system ASR must be
t urned on ›
›

› page 188.
● Parallel parking: Pres
s the  button at
speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph) once. When
the function is enabled, the button
››› Fig. 212 will light up. ●
Perpendicu
lar parking: Press the  button
at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph) twice.
When the function is enabled, the button
››› Fig. 212 will light up.
● If necessary, press the  button onc
e more
to change parking mode.
● Apply the turn signal for the side on which
a gap is
to be detected for parking. The in-
strument panel displays the side correspond-
ing to the road.
Parking
● Parking parallel to the road: drive next
to
the gap at a speed of no more than 40 km/h
(25 mph) and at a distance of between 0.5 m
and 2 m.
● Parking perpendicular to the road: drive
next
to the gap at a speed of no more than
20 km/h (12 mph) and at a distance of be-
tween 0.5 m and 2 m.
● The best parking results will be achieved if
you pos
ition the vehicle as parallel as possi-
ble to the line of parked cars or the kerb.
● When a suitable parking place is displayed
on the instrument
panel, stop and select re-
verse gear.
● Follow the instructions given on the instru-
ment panel
display
● Then, release the steering wheel when the
warning s
ignal sounds ››› : The system
will move the steering wheel! Ob-
serve the surrounding area. »
215
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

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 the  button.
● Driv

ing faster than 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● The parking manoeuvre has not been com-
plet
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. ●
There 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/h (25 mph) or
close to a perpendicular parking space at about 20 km/h (12 mph) and then press the
 butt
on.
● The pr

ogress 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 f
u
nction is ena-
bled, the button ››› Fig. 212 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
● Fo
l
low the instructions given by the park
assist system.
● When the next indication appears, release
the steerin
g wheel ››› in Parking using the
p ark
a
ssist system on page 216: The sys-
tem will move the steering wheel!
Observe the surrounding area.
● Observe the surrounding area and acceler-
ate car
efully 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.
● When it is possible to leave the parking
spac
e, the Park Assist system will stop. Take
control of the steering and when traffic condi-
tions permit, leave the parking space.
Automatic stoppage of the manoeuvre
The park assist system stops the manoeuvre
in the event of one of the following:
● Driving faster than 7 km/h (4 mph).
● The driver moves the steering wheel.
● A sliding door is opened. To restart the ma-
noeuvre, c
lose the sliding door and press the
 button again.
● There is 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 automatical-
ly when l e

aving a parking space using the
park assist system. Placing your hand be-
tween the steering wheel spokes could lead
to injuries. Park Assist brake operation
The Park Assist system helps the driver by
brak
in

g automatically. Automatic braking
does not relieve the driver of responsibility
for controlling the accelerator, brake and
clutch ››› .
Br ak
in

g to avoid damage at excess speed
It is possible that the system operates the
brakes to reduce excess speed. The parking
manoeuvre can then continue. The brakes
will intervene during each parking process.
Braking to minimise damage
When approaching an obstacle, the vehicle
may brake automatically. In certain circum-
stances (e.g. storm, detection of ultrasounds,
vehicle status, load, inclination), the Park As-
sist system may stop the vehicle completely
before an object.
● Press the foot brake ››
›
!Following the intervention of the brakes, the
P
ark
As

sist will stop. WARNING
Despite the assistance provided by the park
as s

ist system, do not run any risks when
parking. The system is not a replacement for
driver awareness.
● Always be ready to brake.
● Automatic brake intervention will end after
1.5 seconds
approximately. Following auto-
matic intervention of the brakes, stop the ve-
hicle yourself. Rear assist* (Rear View Cam-
er
a)
Intr oduction The camera fitted to the rear lid helps drivers
durin
g p
ark

ing or reversing manoeuvres. The
camera image and certain orientation points
generated by the system are indicated on the
factory-fitted radio or navigation system
screen.
Two types of location point (modes) can be
selected:
● Mode 1: reverse parking perpendicular to
the ro
ad (e.g. in a car park). »
217
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
Note
The lane assist system has been exclusively
developed f or driv
ing on asphalted roads.Note
If the lane assist system does not work as de-
sc ribed in thi

s chapter, do not use it and con-
tact a specialised workshop. Note
If you observe any system malfunction, have
the sys t

em checked by a specialised work-
shop. Control lamps

Blinks or lights up yellow:
Lane assist sys-
tem connected
but inactive.The system cannot clearly detect the
lane. See
page 223, The lane assist
system is inactive (control lamp lit
in yellow) . 
Blinks or lights up green:
Lane assist system connected and active.
Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or 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 107. Operation mode
Fig. 219
In the windscreen: field of vision of
the l ane a
s

sist system camera. Using the camera located in the sun visor,
the l
ane a
s

sist system detects the possible
lines dividing it. When the vehicle involuntar-
ily approaches a dividing line it has detected,
the system will notify the driver with a correc-
tive intervention. It is possible to over-regu-
late the corrective intervention at any time.
If the turn signal is connected, there will be
no warning as the lane assist system under-
stands that you wish to change lanes volun-
tarily. Steering wheel vibration
The fol

lowing situations cause the steering
wheel to vibrate and require the driver to take
active control of the steering:
● If the limits inherent to the system are
reac
hed.
● If the maximum rotational torque during
the correctiv
e intervention is not enough to
keep the vehicle inside the lane.
● If during the corrective intervention by the
syst
em the lane is no longer detected.
Switching the lane assist system on or off
● Select the corresponding menu option us-
ing the butt
on for the driver assist systems
›››  page 27.
● OR: activate or deactivate the system in the
menu Settings , sub-menu Assist sys-
tems , menu

Lane Assist ›››
 page 27.
The “confirmation sign” indicates that the
driver assist system is switched on.
Automatic deactivation: the lane assist sys-
tem can be deactivated automatically if there
is a system malfunction. Control lamp
switches off.
The lane assist system is inactive (control
lamp lit in yellow)
● When driving speed drops to approx.
65 km/h (40 mph). »
223
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety