Seat Alhambra 2011 Owner's Manual

139
Seats and storage compartments
Additional information and warnings:
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Tr
ansporting ⇒ page 13
● E

cological driving ⇒ page 225
● Wheel

s and tyres ⇒ page 293
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
The risk of an accident is increased by transporting heavy or bulky loads
on the roof , whic

h affects the car's handling by shifting the centre of
gravity and increasing susceptibility to cross winds.
● Always secure loads correctly with suitable and undamaged attach-
ment rope or s
traps.
● Large, heavy, wide and flat loads negatively affect the vehicle aerody-
namics, c
entre of gravity and handling.
● Avoid brusque manoeuvres and sudden braking.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visibility, road, traffic and
weather c
onditions. CAUTION
● Always remove the roof carrier system from the roof before entering a car
w a

sh.
● The height of your vehicle is changed by the installation of the roof carri-
er and the load sec
ured on it. Compare the vehicle height with the passage
height, for example in underground car parks or entering garage doors.
● The roof antenna, the range of the panoramic sliding roof and the tail-
gate shou
ld not be affected by the roof carrier system and the load being
transported.
● Take extra care not to let the tailgate strike the roof load when opening. For the sake of the environment
The vehicle uses more fuel when the roof carrier system is fitted. 
Securing the base supports and roof carrier system Fig. 101 Attachment
points
f

or the basic sup-
port and the roof carrier
system.
The mounts are the basis of a complete roof carrier system. Special fixtures
mus t

then be added in order to safely transport luggage, bicycles, skis, surf
boards or boats on the roof. All these system components are available
from an Authorised Service Centre.
It will only be possible to install a basic support or roof carrier system if the
vehicle has a roof rail.
Securing the base supports and roof carrier system
Always secure the base supports and roof carrier system correctly.
The roof carrier system must always be installed exactly according to the in-
structions provided. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

140
Seats and storage compartments
The position holes are located on the inner side of the rail ⇒ fig. 101.WARNING
If the base supports and the roof carrier system are incorrectly fitted or
used in an u n
suitable manner, the entire system could break free causing
accident and injury.
● Always take the manufacturer assembly instructions into account.
● Only use base supports and roof carrier systems that are not dam-
aged and are c
orrectly fitted.
● The base support should only be fitted to the points indicated in the
diagram
⇒ fig. 101.
● Secure the base supports and roof carrier system correctly.
● Check the screw fittings and attachments before driving and after a
short di
stance. During each long journey, check the attachments during
every break.
● Always fit the roof carrier system correctly for wheels, skis and surf-
board
s.
● Never change or repair the basic supports or roof carrier system. Note
Read and take into account the instructions included with the roof carrier
sys t

em fitted and keep them in the vehicle. 
Loading the roof carrier system Loads can only be correctly secured when the roof carrier system is correctly
fitted
⇒  .
Max imum authori

sed roof load
The maximum authorised roof load is 100 kg (about 220 lbs). The roof load
includes the roof carrier system and the load being transported ⇒  .Always check the roof carrier system weight and the weight of the load to be
tran
s

ported and, if necessary, weigh them. Never exceed the maximum au-
thorised roof load.
If you are using a roof carrier with a lower weight rating, you cannot trans-
port the maximum roof load. Do not exceed the maximum weight limit for
the roof carrier given in the fitting instructions.
Distributing a load
Uniformly distribute loads and secure them correctly ⇒  .
Check att

achments
After fitting the base supports and the roof carrier system, always check the
attachments after a short trip or at regular intervals. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised roof load can result in accidents
and/or v ehic

le damage.
● Always respect the maximum authorised weight for the roof, the max-
imum authorised weight
on the axles and the total maximum authorised
weight of the vehicle.
● Never exceed the capacity of the roof carrier system even if this is
les

s than the maximum authorised roof load.
● Secure heavy objects towards the front and distribute the load even-
ly. WARNING
Loose and incorrectly secured loads can fall from the roof carrier system
cau s

ing accidents and injury.
● Always use suitable ropes and straps in good condition.
● Always secure loads correctly. 

141
Seats and storage compartments
Storage compartments
Introduction Storage compartments must only be used to store light or small objects.
The front
c
entral armrest compartment houses the factory-fitted AUX-IN or
multimedia (MEDIA-IN) connection sockets.
The factory-fitted CD changer is located in the left-hand storage compart-
ment of the luggage compartment.
Additional information and warnings:
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
● L

uggage compartment ⇒ page 125
● C

are and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ page 249
● ⇒ 

Bookl et Radio or ⇒ Booklet navigation system WARNING
In the event of sudden braking movements or turns, loose objects may be
thro wn ar

ound the vehicle interior. This could cause serious injuries to
passengers and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
● Do not transport animals or place hard, heavy or sharp objects inside
the vehic
le in: open storage compartments, instrument panel, storage
tray, items of clothing or bags.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed. WARNING
Objects falling into the driver's footwell could prevent use of the pedals.
This c

ould lead the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the
risk of a serious accident.
● Make sure the pedals can be used at all times, with no objects rolling
underneath them.
● The floor m

at should always be secured to the floor.
● Never place other mats or rugs on top of the original mat supplied by
the factor
y.
● Make sure that no objects can fall into the driver's footwell while the
vehicl
e is in motion. CAUTION
● Objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating ele-
ment in the r

ear window and cause damage.
● Do not keep heat-sensitive objects, food or medicines inside the vehi-
cle. He
at and cold could damage them or render them useless.
● Light-transparent objects placed inside the vehicle, such as lenses,
magnify
ing glasses or transparent suction caps on the windows, could con-
centrate the sun's rays and cause damage to the vehicle. Note
The ventilating slits between the heated rear window and the shelf must not
be co v

ered so that used air can escape from the vehicle. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

142
Seats and storage compartments
Spectacle case in the roof console Fig. 102 On the roof
con
so
le: Sunglasses stor-
age compartment.
To open, press and release the button ⇒ fig. 102 (arr
ow).
To close, press the cover upwards until it clicks into place.
To ensure the passenger compartment monitoring works correctly, the spec-
tacle case must be closed when the vehicle is locked ⇒ page 79.Compartment on the instrument panel* Fig. 103 Storage com-
par
tment

on the instru-
ment panel.
The storage compartment on the instrument panel may have a cover.
To open
, press the button on the cover ⇒ fig. 103 (arrow).
To close, press the cover down until it clicks into place. 

143
Seats and storage compartments
Compartment on the centre console Fig. 104 Compartment
in the front
c
entre con-
sole.
There is an open compartment on the centre console ⇒ fig. 104 in which
there m
ay be a 12 volt socket ⇒ page 151. Compartment in the front central armrest Fig. 105 Storage com-
par
tment

in the front cen-
tral armrest.
To open, fully lift the central armrest in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 105.
T
o close, lower the central armrest. WARNING
The centre armrest may limit the freedom of movement of the driver's
arm and cau se a seriou

s accident.
● Keep the centre armrest compartments closed while the vehicle is in
motion. WARNING
The centre armrest is not designed for children to sit on! 
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

144
Seats and storage compartments
Card compartments* Fig. 106 Centre console,
low
er section: c
ard com-
partment.
To the bottom of the centre console there is a compartment ⇒ fig. 106 1 for coins, cards, car park tickets and similar items.
Note
To avoid theft or use by others, do not use the compartment to store credit
or ATM c ar

ds or similar. Glove compartment Fig. 107 Glove compart-
ment.
Fig. 108 Glove compart-
ment open.
Openin g and c

losing the glove compartment
Unlock
the glove compartment where necessary. The glove compartment is
locked when the key slot is vertical. 

145
Seats and storage compartments
Pull the lever to open ⇒ fig. 107.
Pr ess the cover upwards to close.
Vehicle wallet compartment
The glove compartment is designed to store the vehicle wallet.
The vehicle wallet should always be kept in the glove compartment. To store
the wallet, insert it sideways into the glove compartment.
Cooling the glove compartment
There is an air vent ⇒ fig. 108 A on the rear panel so that cooled air from
the clim at

e control system (this must be connected) is fed into the glove
compartment. Turn the air vent to open and close it. WARNING
The risk of serious injuries in the event of an accident during a sudden
brak in

g manoeuvre or turn is increased if the glove compartment is left
open.
● Keep the glove compartment closed while the vehicle is in motion. CAUTION
For structural reasons, some model versions will have gaps behind the
glov e c

ompartment into which small objects may fall. This could lead to
strange noises and damage to the vehicle. You should therefore not keep
very small objects in the glove compartment. Storage compartments in the rear floor area*
Fig. 109 Storage com-
par
tment

s in the floor
area of the second row of
seats.
Move the mat to one side (where applicable).
To open
, pull on the rear centre part of the cover ⇒ fig. 109 (arrow).
To close, press the cover down. WARNING
Make sure children are properly belted in and correctly secured to avoid
sever e or f

atal injuries while the vehicle is in motion.
● If you are using a child seat with a base or foot, always install this
base or f
oot correctly and safely.
● If the vehicle has a storage compartment in the foot well in front of
the las
t row of seats, this compartment cannot be used as designed; on
the contrary: It must be filled using the specially designed accessory so
that the base or foot is correctly supported by the closed compartment
and the child seat is secured properly. If this compartment is not suitably Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

146
Seats and storage compartments WARNING (Continued)
secured when using a child seat with a base or foot then the compart-
ment c
o
ver could rupture in an accident and the child will be ejected and
suffer serious injury.
● Please read and observe the child seat manufacturer's handling in-
structions. 
Drawers* Fig. 110 Drawer under
the front
se

at.
There may be a drawer below the front seats.
Opening and clo
sing the drawer
To open, press the button on the drawer handle and pull the drawer out.
To close, push the drawer under the seat until it clicks into place. WARNING
If the drawer is open it could obstruct use of the pedals. This could result
in serious ac

cident.
● The drawers must remain closed while the vehicle is in motion. Other-
wise, the dr
awer and any objects in it could fall into the driver's footwell
and obstruct the pedals. 
Folding table* Fig. 111 Folding table
on the front
se

at.
Fold out the tabl
e by pulling on it ⇒ fig. 111 (arrow).
A cup holder is built into the folding table ⇒ page 148.
To fold it back , push the folding table down as far as possible ⇒ fig. 111.

147
Seats and storage compartments WARNING
The folding table must not be folded down while the vehicle is in motion
to av oid the ri
sk of injuries. 
Portable waste bin* Fig. 112 Portable waste
bin on the trim of
the l

eft-
hand sliding door.
The portable waste bin fits onto the bottle holder on the trim of the left-
hand s lidin

g door. WARNING
Do not use the portable waste bin as an ashtray to avoid the risk of fire. Other storage compartments
Fig. 113 In the luggage
comp
ar

tment: Side stor-
age compartment. Fig. 114 Other compart-
ments
in the lug

gage
compartment floor
Side compartments in the luggage compartment
There are other c
ompartments ⇒ fig. 113 1 and
2 in the side of the lug-
gag e c

ompartment. To open the compartment 1 , turn the catch clockwise.
To open the c omp
artment 2 , lift the cover. The factory-fitted
CD chan gerSafety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

148
Seats and storage compartments
can be located in the storage compartment 1 .. The cover of the compart-
ment 1 can be used to safely store the covers of the rear shelf supports.
Comp ar
tments in the luggage compartment floor
More storage compartments can be found in the luggage compartment
floor. Function Necessary operations
Open the front compartment
⇒ fig. 114
3 : 
Pull the front of the luggage compart-
ment floor b

ack using the handle. Open the rear compartment
⇒ fig. 114
4 : 
Lift the rear of the luggage compart-
ment floor u

sing the handle. Keeping the rear compartment
open: 
Move the hook at the rear right of the
lug g

age compartment and hook the lug-
gage compartment floor onto it
⇒ page 125. Closing the compartment: 
Push back the hook and push the rear
of the lug

gage compartment floor 4 down.

Fo l

d the front part of the luggage com-
partment floor forwards 3 .
Other storage compartments:
●
in the centre console, front and rear.
● in the door trims, front and rear.
● Coat hooks on the centr al
door pillars and on the rear roof handles.
● Bag hook in the luggag
e compartment ⇒ page 125. WARNING
Clothing hung on the coat hooks could restrict the driver's view and lead
to seriou s

accidents.
● Hang the clothes from the hooks so that driver's view is not restric-
ted.
● The co

at hook is suitable for light items of clothing. Never place
heavy, h
ard or sharp objects in the bags. CAUTION
Keep the CD changer compartment closed while the vehicle is in motion to
reduc e

vibrations that could damage the changer. Note
The first aid kit is located in the rear left compartment of the luggage com-
par tment

. 
Cup holders Introduction Bottle holders
There i
s

a bottle holder in the open compartments in the driver and front
passenger doors and in that of the sliding door.
Additional information and warnings:
● Care and cleaning of the vehicle interior ⇒ pag
e 249