cooling Seat Alhambra 2011 Owner's Manual

55
Cockpit
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp , sometime
s a symbol may be displayed on the instrument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are lit, an audible warning is also
heard.
Red symbols Symbol Meaning ⇒  See
 
Do not continue driving!
The el ectr

onic parking brake is on, the brake
fluid level is too low or the brake system is faul-
ty. ⇒ page 183
 
Do not continue driving!
F au

lt in the engine cooling system. ⇒ page 283
 
Do not continue driving!
En gine oi

l pressure too low. ⇒ page 279
 
Do not continue driving!
At l

east one of the vehicles doors is open, or is
not correctly closed. ⇒ page 80
 
Do not continue driving!
The t ai

lgate is open or is incorrectly closed. ⇒ page 84
 
Do not continue driving!
F au

lt in the steering. ⇒ page 167
 Engine cannot be started again!
"AdBlue" lev
el

too low. ⇒ page 271
 Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt. ⇒ page 21
 Use the foot brake! Change
⇒ pag
e 174
Br

ake
⇒ page 183  Faulty generator. ⇒ page 288 Yellow symbols
 Front brake pads worn.
⇒ page 183 lights: ESC (ESP) faulty or off
flashes: ESC (ESP) operating
 ASR (TCS) manually deactivated.
 ABS faulty or does not work.
 Electronic parking brake faulty. ⇒ page 183
 Rear fog light switched on. ⇒ page 95
 lights: Driving light totally or partially faulty. ⇒ page 326
flashes: Fault in the adaptive light system. ⇒ page 95
 Fault in catalytic converter.
⇒ page 228 lights: pre-ignition of diesel engine.
flashes: Fault in engine management.
 Fault in engine management.
 Diesel particulate filter blocked
 Fault in the steering system. ⇒ page 167
 Tyre pressure too low. ⇒ page 293
Fault in the tyre pressure gauge. ⇒ page 221
 Level of windscreen washer fluid too low. ⇒ page 105
 Fuel tank almost empty. ⇒ page 264
Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

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

155
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning Climate Control
Introduction Viewing Climatronic information
The fact
or
y-fitted radio or navigation system screen briefly displays informa-
tion relating to Climatronic.
The units of temperature measurement is displayed on the factory-installed
radio or navigation system and, depending on the vehicle equipment, can
be set using the Configuration menu on the instrument panel.
Additional information and warnings:
● SEAT information system ⇒ page 62
● W

indscreen wash system ⇒ page 105
● Aux

iliary heating ⇒ page 163
● C

aring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior ⇒ page 242WARNING
Reduced visibility through the windows increases the risk of serious acci-
dents.
● Ens

ure that all windows are free of ice and snow and that they are not
fogg
ed up preventing a clear view of everything outside.
● The maximum heat output required to defrost windows quickly is only
avail
able when the engine has reached its normal running temperature.
Only drive when you have good visibility. WARNING (Continued)
● Always ensure that you use the climate control and heated rear win-
do w t

o maintain good visibility.
● Never leave the air recirculation on for a long period of time. If the
coolin
g mode is switched off and air recirculation mode switched on, the
windows can mist over very quickly, considerably limiting visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required. WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
pos s

ibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never leave the fresh air fan turned off or use the air recirculation for
long periods
of time; the air inside the passenger compartment will not
be refreshed. CAUTION
● Switch the climate control system off if you think it may be broken. This
w i

ll avoid additional damage. Have the climate control system checked by a
Technical Service.
● Repairs to the climate control system require specialist knowledge and
speci
al tools. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service.
● Do not smoke when air recirculation is switched on in vehicles with a cli-
mate c
ontrol system. The smoke taken in could lie on the cooling system va-
poriser and on the activated charcoal cartridge of the dust and pollen filter,
leading to a permanently unpleasant smell. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

156
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning Note
● When the coo lin g system is turned off, air coming from the outside will
not be dried. To avoid fogging up the windows, SEAT recommends leaving
the cooler (compressor) on. To do this, press the AC button. The button in-
dicat or shou

ld light up.
● If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condens
a-
tion can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool un-
derneath the vehicle, this is completely normal and there is no need to sus-
pect a leak.
● Keep the air vents in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves
to ens
ure heating and cooling are not impaired and to prevent the windows
from misting over. 

158
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Some Climatronic controls may also be on the climate control system con-
tro l
panel located in the rear centre console. These controls are used to
make the appropriate settings for the rear seats. Control
butt on Additional information. Climatic
⇒ fig. 121; Climatr
onic
⇒ fig. 122. 1
Tem-
perat ur

e
 ...  Climatic: rotate the control to adjust the temperature accord-
in
gly

.
Climatronic: the settings for the left hand side, the right-hand
side and the rear seats are made separately. Rotate the con-
trol to adjust the temperature accordingly. The temperature is
indicated on the outside ring. 2
Fan
 ...  Climatic: setting 0, f
an and C
limatic switched off;
setting 4, fan set to maximum.
Climatronic: the Fan speed is automatically adjusted depend-
ing on the vehicle speed to avoid annoying noises. The fan
can also be adjusted manually. 3
Air dis-
tribution Climatic: rotate the continuous control to direct the airflow to
the de
s

ired area.
Climatronic: manually adjustable using the controls.  Climatic: defro
s
t function. The airflow is directed at the wind-
screen. In this position, air recirculation is automatically
switched off or is not switched on.  Climatronic: defro
s
t function. The air drawn in from outside
the vehicle is directed at the windscreen and air recirculation
is automatically switched off. To defrost the windscreen more
quickly, the air is dehumidified at temperatures over approxi-
mately +1.5°C (+35°F) and the fan runs at maximum output.  The air is directed at the chest of driver and passengers by the
da
shbo

ard air vents.  – Air distribution towards the footwell.
 Air distribution towards the windscreen and the footwell.
AC Climatic, Climatronic: Pre
s
s the button to turn off/on cooling. Control
butt on Additional information. Climatic
⇒ fig. 121; Climatr
onic
⇒ fig. 122.  Heated rear window: this only works when the engine is run-
ning and sw
it

ches off automatically after a maximum of 10 mi-
nutes.  Air recirculation mode ⇒ pag
e 161.  Climatronic: Autom
atic
air recirculation ⇒ page 161.  Windscreen heating: only works when the engine is running
and swit
c

hes off automatically after a few minutes.  Instant auxiliary heating on/off button
⇒ page 163. Switching
off
OFF Climatic: turn the fan switch to setting 0.
C
lim

atronic: press the OFF button or set the fan manually to
0. When the sy s
tem switches off, the OFF button will light up.
REAR Climatronic: pre
s
s the REAR button to adjust the climate con-
tro l
for the rear seats from the front. The REAR button will light
up when the fu nction i
s switched on. The settings for the rear
seats will be displayed. Press the button again to switch the
function off or do not touch any other button for around 10
seconds. REST Climatronic: pre
s
s the button REST to use residual heat. When
the engine i s
still warm but the ignition switched off, the heat
given off by the engine can be used to keep the passenger
compartment warm. The REST button will light up when the
fu nction i

s switched on. The function will switch off after
around 30 minutes and if the battery level is low. 

159
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning Control
butt on Additional information. Climatic
⇒ fig. 121; Climatr onic
⇒ fig. 122.  Climatronic: tran
sf
erring the driver's seat temperature set-
tings to the other seats. If the  button is not lit up, the set
temper at
ure in the driver's seat will also apply to the other
seats.
Press the button or the temperature control for the front pas-
senger's seat or the rear seats to set them to a different tem-
perature. The button lights with an indicator.
Vehicles with auxiliary heating: observe the description of the AUTO button.
AUTO Automatic temperature, fan, and air distribution control.
WARNING
Never turn off the air fan for a long time or the air in the passenger com-
par tment

will not be refreshed.
● Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver and passen-
ger conc
entration possibly resulting in a serious accident. Note
● Not all Climatronic buttons are operational in REAR mode.
● The REAR button is locked in defrost mode.
Rear operation Fig. 123 Details of the
re
ar oper

ation. Rotary
contr o

l
⇒ fig. 123 Description
A
Temperature selector
B
Air flow regulator 
Climate control user instructions The cooling system only works when the engine is running and fan is
swit
c

hed on.
The climate control system operates most effectively with the windows and
the sliding panoramic roof closed. However, if the vehicle has heated up af-
ter standing in the sun for some time, the air inside can be cooled more
quickly by opening the windows briefly. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

160
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Keep the air vents in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves to
ens ur
e heating and cooling are not impaired and to prevent the windows
from misting over.
Adjustment for safer driving
When the air conditioning is switched on, the temperature and the air hu-
midity in the vehicle interior drop. Hence, when the outside air humidity is
high, the windows do not mist over and comfort for the vehicle occupants is
improved:
With Climatic
● Disable air recirculation mode ⇒  pag
e 161.
● Set the fan to setting 1 or 2.
● Turn the temperature control to the centre position.
● Open the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ pag
e 161.
● Turn the air distribution control to the required position.
● Press the AC button to turn on cooling. The button will light up.
With C lim

atronic
● Press the AUTO button.
● Set the temperature to +22°C (+72°F).
● Open the air outlets in the dash panel ⇒ pag
e 161.
Switching the Climatronic temperature measuring unit
Press and hold the AC and
AUT
O buttons to switch the temperature display
between C el

sius and Fahrenheit.
Heat
The maximum heat output required to defrost windows quickly is only avail-
able when the engine has reached its normal running temperature.
The air conditioning system does not switch on
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on, this may be caused by
the following: ●
The engine is not running.
● The fan i

s switched off.
● The climate control fuse has blown.
● The outside temperature is lower than approximately +3°C (+38°F).
● The climate control system compressor has been temporarily switched
off becau
se the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the climate control system checked by
a Tec
hnical Service.
Things to note
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation
can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak!
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter with its activated charcoal cartridge serves as a
barrier against impurities in the ambient air.
For the climate control system to work with maximum efficiency, the dust
and pollen filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Mainte-
nance Programme.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high
levels of air pollution, the filter must be changed more frequently than sta-
ted in the Service Schedule. Note
● The climate control system must left running for a few minutes to reach
the set t

emperature in the vehicle interior.
● After starting it, any residual humidity in the climate control system
coul
d mist over the windscreen.
● The air from the vents flows through the passenger compartment and
out through the outl
ets below the rear window. Do not cover these outlets
with items of clothing or other objects. 

162
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Switching air recirculation mode on and off manually 
Swit c
hing on: press the corresponding button until the light under the sym-
bol  comes on.
Switching off: press the button until no indicator remains lit.
Automatic air recirculation mode 
Fresh air enters the vehicle interior in position . If the system detects a
high concentration of hazardous substances in the ambient air, air recircu-
lation mode is switched on automatically. When the level of impurities
drops to within a normal range, recirculation mode is switched off.
The system is unable to detect unpleasant smells.
Air recirculation mode is not automatically switched on in the following ca-
ses of outside temperatures and conditions:
● The cooling system is switched on (the AC button is lit up) and the out-
side t emper

ature is below +3°C (+38°F).
● The cooling system and the windscreen wipers are switched off and the
outside temper
ature is below +10°C (+50°F).
● The cooling system is switched on, the outside temperature is below
+15°C (+59°F) and the wind
screen wipers are switched on.
Switching the automatic air recirculation mode on and off
Switching on: press the   button until the light under the symbol

come s

on.
Switching off: press the   button until no button remains lit.
Swit c

hing the automatic air recirculation mode off temporarily
● Press the   button once to temporarily switch to manual air recircula-
tion mode in the event of

unpleasant smells from outside. The control light
under the symbol  comes on.
● After more than two seconds, press the 
 button again to restart au-
tom atic

air recirculation. The control light under the symbol  comes on. WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
pos s

ibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never use recirculation mode for long periods as it does not refresh
the air inside the
vehicle.
● If the cooling mode is switched off and air recirculation mode switch-
ed on, the window
s can mist over very quickly, considerably limiting visi-
bility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required. CAUTION
Do not smoke when air recirculation is switched on in vehicles with a cli-
mat e c

ontrol system. The smoke taken in could lie on the cooling system va-
poriser and on the activated charcoal cartridge of the dust and pollen filter,
leading to a permanently unpleasant smell. Note
Air recirculation mode switches on to prevent exhaust gas from entering the
vehic l

e interior when it is in reverse and while the automatic windscreen
wash and wipe is working. 

226
Driving and the environment
Economic driving style Changing gear early
General
in
structions: The highest gear is always the most economical gear.
As a guideline, for the majority of vehicles: At a speed of 30 km/h, drive in
third gear, at 40 km/h in fourth gear and at 50 km/h in fifth gear.
In addition, skipping gears when shifting up helps to save fuel, weather and
traffic conditions permitting.
Do not wait until the last moment before changing gear. Only use first gear
when you move off and change to second gear quickly. Avoid the kick-down
function in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
Vehicles with a gear display help to achieve an economical driving style as
the display indicates the best moment to change gear.
Let the vehicle roll
If you take your foot off the accelerator, the fuel supply is stopped and con-
sumption is reduced.
Allow the vehicle to roll without accelerating, for example when approach-
ing a red traffic light. However, if the vehicle is rolling too slowly or the dis-
tance is too long, the clutch pedal should be pressed to declutch. The en-
gine will then operate at idle speed.
If the vehicle is going to be at a standstill for a period of time, switch off the
engine; for example, while waiting at a level crossing. In vehicles which
have the Start-Stop function on, the engine switches off automatically when
the vehicle is not moving.
Think ahead and “flow” with the traffic
Frequent acceleration and braking considerably increase fuel consumption.
If you think ahead as you drive and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in
front, it is possible to slow down by simply lifting your foot off the accelera-
tor. This eliminates the need for constant braking and acceleration. Calm and steady driving
Cons

tancy is more important than speed: The more you drive at a constant
speed, the lower the fuel consumption.
When driving on the motorway, it is more efficient to drive at a constant and
more moderate speed than to be continuously accelerating and braking. As
a general rule, you will reach your destination just as quickly when you drive
at a constant speed.
The cruise control function helps you to achieve a constant style of driving.
Moderate use of additional electrical appliances
It is important to travel in comfort, but convenience systems should be used
in an ecological manner.
Some equipment, when connected, increase fuel consumption considera-
bly, for example:
● Air conditioning cooling system: If the air conditioning system is re-
quired to c
ool to significantly lower temperatures than the true outside tem-
perature, it will require a large quantity of energy from the engine. There-
fore, we recommend that the selected temperature for the vehicle is not too
different to the outside temperature. It is a good idea to open all the win-
dows of the car before starting your journey, and to drive a short distance
with all the windows open to allow the vehicle to cool down slightly. Only
then should you close all the windows and switch on the air conditioning.
Keep windows closed when travelling at high speeds. Driving with the win-
dows open increases fuel consumption.
● Switch off the seat heating when the seats have warmed up.
● Switch off the heated rear window and the windscreen heating when the
window
s have demisted and are free of ice.
● Do not leave the auxiliary heater switched on when the vehicle is mov-
ing ⇒  p

age 163. 

233
Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer Tec hnic
al requirements If the car is supplied with a
factor
y-fitted tow hitch it will already have the
necessary technical modifications and meet the statutory requirements for
towing a trailer.
Only use an approved trailer hitch for the gross trailer weight rating. The tow
hitch must be suitable for both the vehicle and trailer and must be securely
fitted to the vehicle chassis. Only use a tow hitch with a removable ball
joint. Always check and take into account the tow hitch manufacturer's in-
structions. Never fit a trailer tow hitch “that distributes the load” or “balan-
ces the load”.
Bumper mounted tow hitch
Never fit a tow hitch or its attachments to the bumper. A tow hitch should
never interfere with the bumper performance. Do not modify the exhaust
system and brake system. Regularly check the tow hitch to ensure it is firmly
fitted.
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer increases the load on the engine and cooling system.
The cooling system should always have sufficient coolant and to be able to
cope with the vehicle and trailer.
Electric trailer brake
If the trailer has its own braking system, please note the relevant legal re-
quirements. The trailer braking system should never be connected to the ve-
hicle braking system.
Trailer cable
Always use a cable between the vehicle and the trailer ⇒ page 235.Trailer rear lights
The rear lights

of a trailer must fulfil the corresponding standards
⇒ page 235.
Never connect the trailer's rear lights directly to the vehicle electric system.
In case of any doubt about the electrical connection of the trailer, ask a spe-
cialist workshop. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Wing mirrors
When the field of vision behind the trailer cannot be seen using the stand-
ard wing mirrors of the towing vehicle, additional wing mirrors are required
according to the legal requirements of each country. The wing mirrors must
be fitted before driving and must provide a sufficient field of vision behind.
Trailer electricity consumption
Never exceed the specifications: Electrical consumer Maximum power
Position lights and rear lights 50 Watts
Indicator (each side) 54 Watts
Brake lights (total) 84 Watts
Reversing lights (total) 42 Watts
Rear fog light 42 Watts
WARNING
If the tow hitch is badly fitted or unsuitable, the trailer may separate from
the v ehic

le causing an accident with serious consequences. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data