Seat Alhambra 2010 Owner's Manual

Lights and visibility 120
function is switched on. If the equipment includes the light sensor, the
lighting around the exterior mirrors only comes when it is dark.
Note
The time taken for the headlights to go off can be changed in the menu Lights
& Visibility and the function can be switched on or off Ÿpage 70.
Note
When the “Coming home” function is on, if the vehicle door is opened there
is no audible warning signal to advise that the light is still on.
Headlight range control, instrument and switch lighting
Instrument and switch lighting
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments and
switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning the
switch Ÿfig. 68 .
Headlight range control
The headlight range control Ÿfig. 68 is modified according to the value
of the headlight beam and the vehicle load status. This offers the driver
optimum visibility and the headlights do not dazzle oncoming drivers Ÿ.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To reset, turn switch Ÿfig. 68 :
Dynamic headlight range control
The control is not mounted in vehicles with dynamic headlight range
control. The headlight range is automatically adjusted according to the
vehicle load status when the headlights are switched on.
WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that the headlights dazzle and
distract other drivers. This could result in serious accident.
Fig. 68 Next to the
steering wheel: instru-
ment and switch lighting
control and headlight
range control .
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ValueVehicle load statusa)
a)If the vehicle load does not correspond to those shown in the table, it is possible to
select intermediary positions.
–Two front occupants, luggage compartment empty
1All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty
2All seats occupied, luggage compartment full. With trailer
and minimum support load
3Driver only, luggage compartment full. With trailer and
maximum support load
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Lights and visibility121
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
xAdjust the light beam to the vehicle load status so that it does not blind
other drivers.
Interior and reading lights
Storage and luggage compartment lighting
When the glove box and the tailgate are opened and closed, a light automat-
ically switches on or off.
Background lighting
The background lighting in the front covering of the ceiling lights up the
controls on the central console from above when the side or dipped lights are
on.
In addition, the lever on the door moulding can also be illuminated.
Note
The reading lights go out when the vehicle is locked, or a few minutes after
the key is removed from the ignition. This prevents the battery from
discharging.
Button /
SwitchFunction
/Switches interior lights off.
Switches interior lights on.
o
Switches door contact control on (central position).
The interior lights come on automatically when the vehicle is
unlocked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the
ignition.
The lights go off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Turning the reading light on and off
WARNING (continued)

Lights and visibility 122
Sun blind
Introduction
WARNING
Sun visors and sun blinds may reduce visibility when open.
xAlways roll or fold sun blinds and visors away when not in use.
Sun visors
Options for adjusting driver and front passenger sun visors:
xLower by unfolding towards the windscreen.
xThe sun visor can be pulled out of its mounting and turned towards the
door Ÿfig. 69 .
xSwing the sun visor towards the door, longitudinally backwards.
Make-up mirror light
There may be a make-up mirror, with a cover, on the rear of the sun visor.
When the cover is opened Ÿfig. 69 a light comes on.
The lamp goes out when the make-up mirror cover is closed or the sun visor
is pushed back up.
Note
The light above the sun visor automatically switches off after a few minutes
in certain conditions. This prevents the battery from discharging.
Rear side window sun blinds
The sun blinds for the passenger compartment are fitted in the side panels of
the windows.
Fig. 69 Sun visor.
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Fig. 70 On the rear right-
hand window: sun blind.

Lights and visibility123
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xPull the sun blind by the handle Ÿpage 122, fig. 70 up to the top.
xHook both rings of the fastening rod in the spaces provided . Check
that the sun blind is securely hooked into the spaces provided when it has
been lowered .
xTo put the sun blind away, unhook it at the top and lower by hand Ÿ.
Caution
To prevent damage to the blind or the interior trim, do not lower the sun blind
“quickly”.
Heat-insulating glass windscreen*
The heat-insulating windscreens include a reflective infrared coating. The
section above the rear vision mirror has been left uncoated (communication
window) to allow electric components from the accessories shop to operate
correctly Ÿfig. 71.
The uncoated surface should be covered from inside or outside or have an
adhesive label attached, otherwise the electronic components may not
operate correctly.
AA
AB
AB
Fig. 71 Windscreen with reflective infrared and metal
coating and small window (red surface).

Lights and visibility 124
Windscreen wiper and washer
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
xRecirculation of air conditioning air Ÿpage 179
xWorking in the engine compartment Ÿpage 304
xCaring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior Ÿpage 269
WARNING
Water from the windscreen washer water bottle may freeze on the wind-
screen if it does not contain enough anti-freeze, reducing forward visibility.
xIn winter, ensure the windscreen washer contains enough anti-freeze.
xIn cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the ventilation system. The anti-
freeze could freeze on the windscreen and reduce visibility.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
xAlways replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. In cold weather, it may help to
leave the vehicle parked with the wipers in service position Ÿpage 127.
Warning lamp
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched. This signals that the lamp is working properly. They
will switch off after a few seconds.
Caution
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle.
lights upPossible causeSolution
YWindscreen wiper fluid level
too lowTop up the windscreen wiper
bottle as soon as possible
Ÿpage 129.

Lights and visibility125
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Windscreen wiper lever
Caution
If the ignition is switched off while the windscreen wipers are on, the wind-
screen wipers carry on wiping at the same level when the ignition is switched
back on. Ice, snow and other obstacles may damage the windscreen wiper
and the wiper motor.
Note
The windscreen wipers will only function when the ignition is switched on and
the bonnet or tailgate are closed.
Fig. 72 Using the wind-
screen wipers.
Fig. 73 Using the rear
window wipers.
Move the lever to the required position Ÿ:
OFFWindscreen wiper off.
u
Intermittent windscreen wipers wipe.
Using the control Ÿfig. 72 adjust the interval (vehicles
without the rain sensor), or the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
LOWSlow wipe.
HIGHContinuous wipe.
xBrief wipe - short wipe. Hold the lever down for more time to
increase the wipe frequency.
WAutomatic wipe for cleaning windscreens with the lever up.
ZIntermittent wipe for rear window. The rear wiper will wipe the
window approximately every 6 seconds.
\Automatic wipe for cleaning rear windows with the lever
pressed.
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Lights and visibility 126
Note
The intermittent wiper speed varies according to the vehicle speed. The faster
the vehicle is moving, the more often the windscreen is cleaned.
Note
The rear wiper is automatically switched on when the windscreen wiper is
connected and the car is in reverse gear.
Windscreen wiper functions
Heated windscreen washer jets
The heating only thaws the frozen jets, it does not thaw the water in the
washer hoses. The heated windscreen washer jets automatically adjust the
heat depending on the ambient temperature, when the ignition is switched
on.Headlight wash /wipe system
The headlight washers/wipers clean the headlight lenses.
After the ignition is switched on, the first and every fifth time the windscreen
washer is switched on, the headlights are also washed. Therefore, the wind-
screen wiper lever should be pulled towards the steering wheel when the
dipped beam or main beam are on. Any incrusted dirt (such as insects)
should be cleaned regularly (e.g. when refuelling).
To ensure the headlight washers work correctly in winter, any snow which has
got into the bumper jet supports should be cleaned away. If necessary,
remove snow with an anti-icing spray.
Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen. The
wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the obstacle
and switch the wiper back on again.Windscreen wiper performance in different situations:
If the vehicle is at a stand-
still:The activated position provisionally changes
to the previous position.
During the automatic wipe:
The air conditioning comes on for approxi-
mately 30 seconds in air recirculation mode
to prevent the smell of the windscreen
washer fluid entering the inside of the vehi-
cle.
For the intermittent wipe:The intervals between wipes vary according
to the speed of the vehicle. The higher the
vehicle speed the shorter the intervals.

Lights and visibility127
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Windscreen wipers service position
The wiper arms can be raised when the wipers are in service position
Ÿfig. 74. To place the windscreen wipers in the service position, proceed as
follows:
xThe bonnet must be closed Ÿpage 304.
xSwitching the ignition on and off.
xPress the windscreen wiper lever downwards briefly Ÿpage 125, fig. 72
.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. Using the windscreen wiper
lever, the windscreen wiper arms return to their initial position.
Lifting and returning windscreen wiper arms
xPlace the wiper arms in the service position Ÿ.
xOnly hold the wiper arms at the point where the blade is fixed.
Caution
xTo prevent damage to the bonnet and the wiper arms, only leave them in
the service position.
xBefore driving, always lower the wiper arms.
Fig. 74 Wipers in service
position.
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Lights and visibility 128
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen wiper intervals,
depending on the amount of rain Ÿ. The sensitivity of the rain sensor can
be adjusted manually. Manual wipe Ÿpage 125Move the lever to the required position Ÿfig. 75:
Rain sensor off.
Rain sensor on; automatic wipe if necessary.
Setting sensitivity level of rain sensor
Set control to the right: highly sensitive.
Set control to the left: less sensitive.
When the ignition is switched off and then back on, the rain sensor stays on
and starts operating again when the windscreen wipers are in position
and the vehicle is travelling at more than 4 km/h (2 mph).
Rain sensor modified behaviour
Possible causes of faults and mistaken readings on the sensitive surface
Ÿfig. 76 of the rain sensor include:
xDamaged blades: A film of water on the damaged blades may lengthen
the activation time, reduce the washing intervals or result in a fast and contin-
uous wipe.
xInsects: insects on the sensor may trigger the windscreen wipers.
xSalt on roads: in winter, salt spread in the roads may cause an extra long
wipe when the windscreen is almost dry.
xDirt: dry dust, wax, coating on glass (Lotus effect) or traces of detergent
(car wash) may reduce the effectiveness of the rain sensor or make it react
more slowly, later or not at all.
xCracked windscreen: the impact of a stone will trigger a single wipe cycle
with the rain sensor on. Next the rain sensor detects the reduction in the
sensitive surface area and adapts accordingly. The behaviour of the sensor
will vary with the size of the damage caused by the stone.
WARNING
The rain sensor may not detect enough rain to switch on the wipers.
xIf necessary, switch on the wipers manually when water on the wind-
screen obstructs visibility.
Fig. 75 Windscreen wiper
lever: adjusting the rain
sensor .
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Fig. 76 Rain sensor
sensitive surface.
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Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTe c h n i c a l D a t a
Note
Clean the sensitive surface of the rain sensor regularly and check the blades
for damage Ÿpage 128, fig. 76 (arrow).
Note
To remove wax and coatings, we recommend a window cleaner containing
alcohol.
Checking and topping up the windscreen washer bottle with
water
Check the water level in the windscreen washer bottle regularly and top up as
required.
xOpen the bonnet ’ Ÿpage 304.
xThe washer bottle is marked with the symbol Y on the lid Ÿfig. 77.
xCheck there is enough water in the bottle.
xTo top up, mix water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT Ÿ.
Please follow the instructions for use found on the packaging.
xIn cold weather, a special antifreeze should also be added to prevent the
water from freezing Ÿ.
Bottle capacity
The bottle holds approximately 3.0 litres; in vehicles with headlight washer,
it is approximately 7.0 litres.
WARNING
Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other similar products with the wind-
screen washer water. A greasy layer may be formed on the windscreen
which will impair visibility.
xUse clean water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT.
xIf necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to the water bottle.
Caution
xDo not mix cleaning products recommended by SEAT with other products.
This could lead to flocculation and may block the windscreen washer jets.
xWhen topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that you fill the
fluids into the correct reservoirs. Failure to observe this point will result in
serious malfunctions and engine damage!
Fig. 77 In the engine
compartment: windscreen
washer bottle top.