ESP Seat Alhambra 2010 Owner's Manual

Foreword
This Instruction Manual and its corresponding supplements should be read carefully to familiarise yourself with
your vehicle.
Besides the regular care and maintenance of the vehicle, its correct handling will help preserve its value.
For safety reasons, note the information concerning accessories, modifications and parts changes.
If selling the vehicle, give all of the onboard documentation to the new owner, as it should be kept with the
vehicle.

Safe driving7
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Safety First
Safe driving
Dear SEAT Driver
Safety first!
This chapter contains important information, tips, suggestions and
warnings that you should read and consider for both your own safety
and for your passengers safety.
WARNING
xThis manual contains important information concerning the driver's
and passengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the on
board manual also contain further information that you should be aware of
for your own safety and for the safety of your passengers.
xEnsure that the onboard documentation is kept in the vehicle at all
times. This is especially important when lending or selling the vehicle to
another person.
Tips for driving
Introduction
Depending upon how you expect to use your vehicle, it may a good idea to
protect the engine from below. A guard underneath the engine may help to reduce the risk of damage to the lower part of the vehicle and the oil sump
when driving over kerbs, or along dirt tracks or rough roads... SEAT recom-
mends you have the guard fitted by a SEAT dealer.
Additional information and warnings:
xEnsure you are correctly seated Ÿpage 10
xTranspor ting Ÿpage 13
xStarting, changing gears, parking Ÿpage 195
xEcological driving Ÿpage 252
xNotes for the user Ÿpage 283
WARNING
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication or narcotics may
result in severe accidents and even loss of life.
xAlcohol, drugs, medication and narcotics may significantly alter
perception, affect reaction times and safety while driving, which could
result in the loss of control of the vehicle.
Preparing for the journey and safe driving
Check list
For your own safety, for the safety of passengers in the car, and for that of
other road users, the following should be checked before and during each
journey Ÿ:

Safe driving11
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
xIf passengers on the rear seats are not sitting in an upright position, the
risk of severe injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web increases.
WARNING
Incorrect seat adjustment may lead to accidents and severe injuries.
xOnly adjust the seats when the vehicle is stationary, as the seats could
move unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion and you could lose
control of the vehicle. Furthermore, an incorrect position is adopted when
adjusting the seat.
xOnly adjust the height, backrest and forwards or backwards position of
the seat when there is nobody in the seat adjustment area.
xThere must be no objects blocking the seat adjustment area.
xOnly adjust the height, angle and longitudinal position of the rear seats
when nobody is in the way.
xThe seat adjustment and lock areas must be kept clean.
Danger of injuries due to an incorrect sitting position
If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe injuries
increases. Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the belt web is
not positioned correctly. This could result in severe and even fatal injuries.
The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially increased when a deploying
airbag strikes an occupant who has assumed an incorrect sitting position.
The driver is responsible for all passengers in the vehicle, particularly chil-
dren.
The following list shows just some examples of incorrect sitting positions
which can be dangerous to all occupants.Whenever the vehicle is in motion:
xNever stand in the vehicle.
xNever stand on the seats.
xNever kneel on the seats.
xNever tilt your backrest too far to the rear.
xNever lean against the dash panel.
xNever lie on the rear bench.
xNever sit on the front edge of a seat.
xNever sit sideways.
xNever lean out of a window.
xNever put your feet out of a window.
xNever put your feet on the dash panel.
xNever put your feet on the surface of a seat or backrest.
xNever travel in a footwell.
xNever sit on the armrests.
xNever travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt.
xNever carry any person in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Every incorrect sitting position increases the risk of severe or fatal injuries
in the event of accidents or sudden braking or manoeuvres.
xAll passengers must assume the proper sitting position and be properly
belted in while travelling.
xOccupants in incorrect sitting positions, not wearing their seat belt or
too close to the airbag run the risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries,
particularly if the airbag deploys and hits an occupant sitting in an incor-
rect position.
WARNING (continued)

Safe driving13
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
xKeep both feet in the footwell so that you have the vehicle under control
at all times.
Also valid for the front passenger:
xMove the front passenger seat back as far as possible for optimum protec-
tion should the airbag deploy.
Transporting objects
Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the trunk and place the seat backs in a
vertical position. Always use the anchors provided with suitable rope to
secure heavy objects. Never overload the vehicle. Both the carrying capacity
as well as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have effects on the driving
behaviour and braking ability Ÿ.
Additional information and warnings:
xTa ilga te Ÿpage 97
xTo lower the passenger seat back Ÿpage 137
xLight Ÿpage 113
xLuggage compartment Ÿpage 146
xRoof carrier Ÿpage 159
xTo wi ng m o d e Ÿpage 260
xWheels and tyres Ÿpage 323
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can cause serious injury in case
of a sudden manoeuvring or breaking or in case of an accident. This is espe-cially true when objects are struck by a detonating airbag and fired through
the vehicle interior. To reduce the risks, please note the following:
xSecure all objects in the vehicle. Always keep equipment and heavy
objects in the luggage compartment.
xAlways secure objects with suitable rope or slings so that they cannot
enter the areas around the frontal or side airbags in case of sudden braking
or an accident.
xAlways ensure that objects inside the vehicle cannot move into the area
of the bags while driving.
xWhile driving, always keep object compartments closed.
xRemove all objects from the passenger seat when this is followed down.
When the seat back is folded down, it presses on small and light objects
and these are detected by the weight sensor on the seat; this sends false
information to the airbag control unit.
xWhile the backrest of the front passenger's seat is folded, the frontal
airbag must remain disconnected and the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF  light
on.
xObjects secured in the vehicle should never be placed in such a way as
to make passengers sit in an incorrect position.
xIf secured objects occupy a seat then this should not be occupied or
used by anybody.
WARNING
The driving behaviour and braking ability change when transporting heavy
and large objects.
xAdjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather conditions.
xAccelerate gently and carefully.
xAvoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
WARNING (continued)

Seat belts17
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
xAlways have damaged seatbelts replaced immediately by seat belts
approved for the vehicle in question by SEAT. Seat belts which have been
worn in an accident and stretched must be replaced by a qualified work-
shop. Renewal may be necessary even if there is no apparent damage. The
belt anchorage should also be checked.
xNever attempt to repair, modify or remove a seat belt yourself. All
repairs to seat belts, retractors and buckles must be carried out by a
specialist workshop.
Warning lamp
Some control and warning lamps on the instrument panel will come on to
check certain functions when the ignition is switched on. They will switch off
after a few seconds.
A signal will be heard for a maximum of 90 seconds if the seat belts are not
fastened as the car drives off and reaches a speed of more then 25 km/h or if
the seat belts are unfastened while the vehicle is in motion. The seat belt
warning lamp
h will also flash.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 3 Warning lamp on
the instrument panel
Lights up
or
flashesPossible causeSolution
h
Driver's seat belt not fastened
or front passenger's seat belt
not fastened if the front pas-
senger's seat is occupied.
Fasten seat belts!
hObjects on the front passen-
ger's seat.Remove any objects from the
front passenger's seat and store
them safely.
Fig. 4 Example of seat
belt status display for the
rear seats (here, a 7-seat
vehicle) on the instrument
panel. above the second
row and below the third
row of seats.

Seat belts23
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Fastening or unfastening a seat belt with one buckle
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the position that most
protects them in the event of an accident or sudden braking Ÿ.Fastening the seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
xAdjust the front seat and head restraint correctly Ÿpage 10.
xEngage the backrest of the rear seat in an upright position Ÿ.
xPull the latch plate and place the belt webbing evenly across your chest
and lap. Do not twist the seat belt when doing so Ÿ.
xEngage the latch plate in the buckle of the corresponding seat Ÿfig. 10.
xPull the belt to ensure that the latch plate is securely engaged in the
buckle.
Unfastening the seat belt
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a standstill
Ÿ.
xPress the red button on the buckle Ÿfig. 11. The latch plate is released
from the buckle.
xGuide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim will not
be damaged.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe or fatal injuries in the
event of an accident.
xThe seat belt cannot offer its full protection unless the backrests are in
an upright position and the seat belt is worn correctly, according to your
size.
xUnbuckling your seat belt while the vehicle is in motion can cause
severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
Fig. 10 Insert the latch
plate into the buckle.
Fig. 11 Release the latch
plate from the buckle.

Seat belts 24
Fastening or unfastening the seat belt with two buckles
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the position that most
protects them in the event of an accident or sudden braking Ÿ.
The seat belts for the centre seat in the second row of seats and for the seats
in the third row of seats are fastened using two buckles.
Fastening the seat belt
Fasten your seat belt before each trip.
xAdjust the rear seat and head restraint correctly Ÿpage 10.
xEngage the backrest of the rear seat in an upright position Ÿ.
xUse latch plate of the belt Ÿfig. 12 to pull the seat belt down. Do not
twist the seat belt when doing so Ÿ.
xEngage the latch plate in the buckle of the corresponding seat .
xUse the latch plate Ÿfig. 12 to pull the seat belt across your lap.
xEngage the latch plate in the buckle of the corresponding seat .
xPull the belt to ensure that both latch plates are securely engaged in the
buckles.
Unfastening the seat belt
The seat belt must not be unfastened until the vehicle has come to a standstill
Ÿ.
xPress the red button on the buckle Ÿfig. 12 . The latch plate is
released from the buckle.
xPress the red button on the buckle Ÿfig. 12 . The latch plate is
released from the buckle.
xGuide the belt back by hand so that it rolls up easily and the trim will not
be damaged.
WARNING
An incorrectly worn seat belt web can cause severe or fatal injuries in the
event of an accident.
xThe seat belt cannot offer its full protection unless the backrests are in
an upright position and the seat belt is worn correctly, according to your
size.
xUnbuckling your seat belt while the vehicle is in motion can cause
severe or fatal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
Note
Seat belts with two buckles include a diagram to show how to fasten the seat
belt.
Fig. 12 Fasten the seat
belt on the centre seat in
the second row of seats.
A1
A1AA
A2
A2AB
AA
AB

Airbag system29
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Airbag system
Brief introduction
Introduction
Front airbags have been installed for both driver and passenger. The front
airbags can also protect the chest and head of driver and passenger if the
seats, seat belts head restraints and, for the driver, the steering wheel are
correctly adjusted and used. Airbags are considered as additional safety
equipment. An airbag cannot replace the safety belt, which must be worn at
all times, even in front seats where front airbags have been installed.
Additional information and warnings:
xDriving tips Ÿpage 7
xCorrect sitting positions Ÿpage 10
xSeat belts Ÿpage 22
xChild seats (accessories) Ÿpage 42
xCare and cleaning of the vehicle interior Ÿpage 278
xAccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications Ÿpage 285
xNotes for the user Ÿpage 283
WARNING
Never exclusively trust the airbag system as a means of protection.
xEven when triggered, airbag protection is only auxiliary.
xThe airbags provide the best protection when the seat belts are prop-
erly fastened, thus reducing the risk of sustaining injuries Ÿpage 22,
“Seat belts”.
xBefore each trip, every occupant must sit properly, correctly fasten the
seat belt belonging to his or her seat and keeping it fastened throughout
the trip. This rule is valid for all occupants.
WARNING
Occupants sitting in the front of the vehicle must never carry any objects in
the deployment space between them and the airbags, as this increases the
risk of sustaining injuries if the airbag is triggered. This modifies the
airbag deployment space or the objects may fly uncontrollably and hit your
body.
xNever carry objects in your hand or on your lap while the vehicle is in
motion.
xNever transport objects on the front passenger seat. In the event of
sudden braking and manoeuvres, the objects may end up in the airbag
deployment space and fly uncontrollably around the vehicle interior if the
airbag is activated.
xOccupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any other
people, pets or objects in the deployment space between them and the
airbags. Make sure children and other passengers also respect this recom-
mendation.
WARNING
The airbag system provides protection for one accident only. If they have
been deployed, they must be replaced.
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system 30
xEnsure deployed airbags and the system components involved are
immediately replaced with new, SEAT-approved components for the
vehicle.
xHave any repairs or modifications carried out at a qualified workshop.
Qualified workshops have the necessary tools, diagnostics equipment,
repair information and qualified personnel.
xNever fit recycled or reused airbag components in your vehicle.
xNever modify the airbag system components.
WARNING
If the airbags are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal and it is
not an indication of fire in the vehicle.
xThis fine dust may irritate the skin and eyes and cause breathing diffi-
culties, particularly in people suffering from or who have suffered from
asthma or other illnesses of the respiratory tract. To reduce breathing diffi-
culties, get out of the vehicle and open and doors and windows to breath in
fresh air.
xShould you touch the dust, wash your hands and face using a mild soap
and water before you eat.
xPrevent the dust from affecting the eyes or open wounds.
xRinse your eyes with water if you have dust in them.
WARNING
Solvents cause the surfaces of the airbag modules to become porous. If an
airbag is accidentally triggered, the detachment of plastic parts could
cause serious injury.
xNever clean the instrument panel and the surfaces of the airbag
modules with cleaners containing solvents.
WARNING (continued)

Airbag system 32
xNever mount a child seat in the front passenger seat or remove the
mounted child seat! The front passenger airbag may deploy during an acci-
dent in spite of the fault.
Caution
Always pay attention to any lit lamps and to the corresponding descriptions
and instructions to avoid damage to the vehicle.
WARNING (continued)