2018 Seat Alhambra warning light

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
● Do not t
op up w
ith too much engine oil
››› page 274.
● Do not tow-start the vehicle; use the starter
cabl
es ›››
 page 52.
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. 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

oad In 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 274) 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
››› .
204

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. 205
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. 205. 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 188.
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 engaged, 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 c
entre console
››› Fig. 206.
● 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. 207
Detailed view of the centre console:
b utt
on f
or switching the parking distance
warning system on and off Fig. 208
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 when the ignition i
s
switched on ››› Fig. 207.
● 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

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

Operation
● Mode 2: r ev
er
se parking parallel to the
curb.
The mode can be changed by pressing the
button on the radio or navigation system
screen. Only the mode to which the points
can be changed will be displayed. WARNING
Use of the camera to calculate the distance
from o b

stacles (people, vehicles, etc.) is inac-
curate and may cause accidents and severe
injuries.
● The camera lens expands and distorts the
field of
vision and displays the objects on the
screen in a different, vague manner.
● Some objects may not be displayed or may
not be v
ery clear (e.g. very thin posts or fen-
ces), due to the resolution of the monitor or if
the light is dim.
● The camera has blind spots in which obsta-
cle
s and people are not detected.
● Keep the camera lens clean and clear of
snow and ic
e. Do not cover it. WARNING
The intelligent technology in the rear assist
sys t

em cannot change the limits imposed by
the laws of physics and by the system itself.
Careless or uncontrolled use of the rear assist
system may result in severe injuries and acci-
dents. The system is not a replacement for
driver awareness. ●
Adjus t

your speed and driving style to visi-
bility, road, traffic and weather conditions.
● Always keep a close eye on the area around
the vehic
le and always look towards where
you are parking. The display shows the path
of the rear end of the vehicle using the cur-
rent steering angle. The front of the vehicle
turns more in comparison with the rear.
● Do not be distracted from the traffic when
looking at
the screen.
● Always observe the area around the vehi-
cle, a
s the cameras do not always detect chil-
dren, animals or objects.
● The system might not show all areas clear-
ly.
● Only

use the rear assist system when the
boot hat
ch is completely closed. CAUTION
● The camer a on

ly displays 2D images on the
screen. Due to the lack of depth, it might be
difficult or impossible to recognise protrud-
ing objects or cracks in the road.
● The cameras may not always be able to de-
tect o
bjects such as thin rails, fences, posts
and trees, etc. This could result in damage to
your car. Instructions for use
Fig. 214
On the rear lid: location of the rear
a s
s

ist camera. Fig. 215
Rear assist display: mode 2 connec-
t ed Function buttons on the screen:
 di s
p

lay the menu;  hide the menu.
 Turning off the reversing camera im-
ages
1 2
218