weight Seat Alhambra 2011 Owner's Manual

8
Safe driving
● Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
● Chec k
the tyre pressures ( ⇒ pag
e 293) and level of fuel (⇒ page 264).
● Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
● Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in the
luggag
e compartment and, where applicable, on the roof, are securely fas-
tened ⇒ page 13.
● Ensure there is nothing obstructing the free passage of the foot pedals.
● Use child retention systems appropriate for the child's body weight and
height ⇒ 

page 39.
● Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear-view mirrors to suit your
height ⇒ 

page 10.
● Wear close-fitting shoes which do not prevent you from using the pedals
correctly
.
● The driver's floor mat should be fixed to the floor, leaving the pedal area
unob
structed.
● Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in this
position thr
oughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the vehi-
cle ⇒ page 10.
● Correctly fasten your seat belt before starting to drive and keep it se-
curely
fastened throughout the journey. This applies to all passengers in the
vehicle ⇒ page 21.
● Never carry more passengers than the number of available seats and
seat belts
in your vehicle.
● Never drive with impaired faculties (for example, due to medication, al-
cohol
or drugs).
● Do not allow yourself to be distracted from the traffic, for example, to re-
set or swit
ch on a menu, by other passengers or to answer a phone call.
● Always try to adapt the speed of the vehicle and your style of driving to
the condition of the gr
ound or the road and to weather and traffic condi-
tions.
● Observe the highway code and speed limits. ●
On long journeys, rest at regular intervals (at least every two hours).
● If c

arrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accord-
ance with their w
eight and size. WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic mo

vements. Correctly anticipating traffic situations may mean the
difference between arriving safe and sound at your destination or having
a serious accident. Note
Regular servicing of your vehicle not only helps to keep it in good working
order b ut

also helps to ensure road safety. Therefore, please ensure the ve-
hicle is taken for service as indicated in the Maintenance Programme. If the
vehicle is subjected to hard use, it may require certain maintenance work
before the next service date. Hard use may involve frequent driving in traffic
jams, driving in dusty areas or frequent use of the tow-bar. For further infor-
mation, please refer to a SEAT dealer or specialised workshop. 
Driving abroad Check list
In some cou
ntrie

s, certain safety regulations and requirements are in force
relating to exhaust gas emissions, which differ from the technical character-
istics of the vehicle. Before travelling abroad, SEAT recommends you con-
sult a SEAT dealer about the legal requirements and the following points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for ex-
ample, a
djustment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and spare
parts
required for inspections and repairs?
● Are there any SEAT dealers in the destination country? 

10
Safe driving
Adjusting the seat position
Introduction Number of seats
Dependin
g on the equipment,
your vehicle has a total of five or seven seats.
Each seat is equipped with a seat belt. Equipment Seats in the
front Seats in the sec-
ond ro w Seats in the
third r o

w 5 seats 2 3 –
7 seats 2 3 2
Additional information and warnings:
●
Seat functions ⇒ page 117
● Se

at belts ⇒ page 21
● Airb

ag system ⇒ page 31
● Chi

ld seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39WARNING
An incorrect sitting position in the vehicle can lead to severe injuries or
death in the ev ent

of sudden braking or manoeuvres, collision or acci-
dents or if the airbag deploys.
● Before the vehicle moves, assume the proper sitting position and
maintain it
throughout the trip. This also includes fastening the seat
belt.
● Never transport more people than there are seats with a seat belt
avail
able in the vehicle. WARNING (Continued)
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
sy s

tem suited to their height and weight ⇒ page 39, ⇒ page 31.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
Never, f
or example, put your feet on the surface of a seat or on the dash
panel and never put them out of a window. Otherwise the airbag and seat
belt offer insufficient protection and the risk of injury in the event of an
accident is increased. WARNING
Before every trip, adjust the seat, the seat belt and the head restraints
and ins truct

your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly.
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
● Adjust the driver's seat so that there is a distance of at least 25 cm
(10 inches) betw
een the centre of your chest and the hub of the steering
wheel. Adjust the driver's seat so that you are able to press the accelera-
tor, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with your knees slightly angled
and that the distance between your knees and the dash panel is at least
10 cm (4 inches). If you physical constitution prevents you from meeting
these requirements, contact a Technical Service to make any modifica-
tions required.
● Never drive with the backrest tilted far back. The further the backrests
are tilt
ed to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect posi-
tioning of the belt web or to the incorrect sitting position.
● Never drive with the backrest tilted forwards. Should a front airbag
deploy
, it could throw the backrest backwards and injure the passengers
of the rear seats.
● Sit as far away as possible from the steering wheel and the dash pan-
el. 

13
Safe driving
Also valid for the front passenger:
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible for optimum pro-
tection shou l
d the airbag deploy. 
Transporting objects Introduction Always transport heavy loads in the trunk and place the seat backs in a ver-
tical
po

sition. 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 be-
haviour and braking ability ⇒  .
Addition a

l information and warnings:
● Tailgate ⇒ page 84
● T

o lower the passenger seat back ⇒ page 117
● Light

⇒ page 95
● Lug

gage compartment ⇒ page 125
● R

oof carrier ⇒ page 138
● T

owing mode ⇒ page 233
● Wheel

s and tyres ⇒ page 293 WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can cause serious injury in case
of a s ud

den manoeuvring or breaking or in case of an accident. This is es-
pecially true when objects are struck by a detonating airbag and fired
through the vehicle interior. To reduce the risks, please note the follow-
ing:
● Secure all objects in the vehicle. Always keep equipment and heavy
obj

ects in the luggage compartment.
● Always secure objects with suitable rope or slings so that they cannot
enter the are
as around the frontal or side airbags in case of sudden brak-
ing or an accident.
● Always ensure that objects inside the vehicle cannot move into the
area of
the bags while driving.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
● Remove all objects from the passenger seat when this is followed
down. When the se
at 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.
● While the backrest of the front passenger's seat is folded, the frontal
airbag mus
t remain disconnected and the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF  light
on.
● Objects secured in the vehicle should never be placed in such a way
as t
o make passengers sit in an incorrect position.
● If secured objects occupy a seat then this should not be occupied or
used by
anybody. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

15
Safe driving WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior when the tailgate is open. This
cou l
d cause loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious
injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle always drive with the tail-
gate c
losed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must drive with the tailgate
open, obser
ve the following to reduce the entry of toxic gases inside the
vehicle:
–Close all windows and the sliding roof.
– Turn off the air recirculation for the heating and air conditioning.
– Open all of the air outlets in the dashboard.
– Turn the heating fan and heater to the highest level. CAUTION
An open tailgate changes the length and height of the vehicle. 
Driving a loaded vehicle For the best handling when driving a loaded vehicle, note the following:
●
Secure all objects
⇒ pag
e 14.
● A

ccelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a trailer
⇒ page 233.
● If

necessary, read the instructions for driving with a roof carrier system
⇒  page 138. WARNING
A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the ve-
hicl e r

esulting in an accident with serious consequences.
● Secure loads correctly so they do not move.
● When transporting heavy objects, use suitable ropes or straps.
● Lock the seat backs in vertical position. 
Specific vehicle weight information The instructions in the official vehicle documents take precedence. All the
tec
hnic

al data provided in this documentation is applicable to the basic
model. The vehicle data label in the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documents show which engine is installed in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending on if additional equipment is fitted,
for different models and for special vehicles. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised weight and the load on the axles
cou l

d cause damage to the vehicle, accidents and serious injuries.
● The real load on the axles should never exceed the maximum permit-
ted.
● The loa

d and its distribution in the vehicle have effects on the vehicle
handling and the br
aking ability. Always drive at a suitable speed. CAUTION
Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as possible.
When tran s

porting heavy objects in the trunk/boot, these should be placed
as far forward as possible or over the rear axle to have as little influence on
handling as possible. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

16
Seat belts
Seat belts
Brief introduction Introduction Check the condition of all the seat belts at regular intervals. If you notice
that
the belt
webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or buckle of any of the
belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced immediately by a specialist
workshop ⇒  . The specialist workshop must use the appropriate spare
par ts

corresponding to the vehicle, the equipment and the model year. SEAT
recommends visiting a Technical Service.
Additional information and warnings:
● Adjust the seat position ⇒ page 10
● Airb

ag system ⇒ page 31
● Chi

ld seats (accessories) ⇒ page 39
● Int

egrated child seats ⇒ page 46
● A

ccessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 257WARNING
Unbuckled or badly buckled seat belts increase the risk of severe or even
fat a

l injuries. The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if it is not fas-
tened and used correctly.
● Seats belts are the most effective ways of reducing the risk of sus-
taining sev
ere or fatal injuries In the event of an accident. Seat belts
must be correctly fastened when the vehicle is in motion to protect the
driver and all vehicle occupants. WARNING (Continued)
● Before each trip, every occupant in the vehicle occupants must sit
pr operly

, correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and
keep it fastened throughout the trip. This also applies to other occupants
when driving in town.
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a child
res

traint system suitable for their weight and height and with the seat
belts correctly fastened ⇒ page 39.
● Instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly before
driving off
.
● Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate seat and en-
sure it
is engaged. Using the latch plate in the buckle of another seat will
not protect you properly and may cause severe injuries.
● Do not allow liquids or foreign bodies to enter the buckle fastenings.
This c
ould damage the buckles and seat belts.
● Never unbuckle your seat belt when the vehicle is moving.
● Never allow more than one passenger to share the same seat belt.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap sharing the same seat belt.
● Loose, bulky clothing (such as a jacket) impairs the proper fit and
function of
the seat belt. WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to drive using damaged seat belts and could re-
su lt

in serious injury or loss of life.
● Avoid damaging the seat belt by jamming it in the door or the seat
mechani
sm. 

19
Seat belts
Why wear seat belts? Front a
l collisions and the laws of physics Fig. 5 Vehicle about to
hit a w
a

ll: the occupants
are not wearing seat
belts. Fig. 6 The vehicle hits
the wa
l

l: the occupants
are not wearing seat
belts. It is easy to explain how the laws of physics work in the case of a head-on
col

lision: when a vehicle starts moving ⇒ fig. 5, this is a certain amount of
energy known as “kinetic energy” both in the vehicle and in the occupants.
The higher the speed and the greater the weight of the vehicle, the more
energy there is to be absorbed in an accident.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If the
speed doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic energy is
multiplied by four.
The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and
the weight of the vehicle and its passengers. The higher the speed and the
greater the weight of the vehicle and the occupants, the more energy there
is to be absorbed in an accident.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “attached” to the vehicle. As a
result, in a frontal collision they will continue to move forward at the speed
their vehicle was travelling just before the impact until something stops
them! Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat
belts, all of the passengers' kinetic energy has to be absorbed at the point
of impact ⇒ fig. 6.
At speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on bodies in a collision
can easily exceed one tonne (1000 kg). At greater speed these forces are
even higher.
This example applies not only to frontal accidents, but to all accidents and
collisions. Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

36
Airbag system
Side airbags Fig. 20 On the side of
the front
se
at: location of
the side airbag. Fig. 21 Range of action
of the fr
ont

and rear side
airbags. With 5 and 7
seats.
The side airbags are located in the outer cushion of the driver and front pas-
senger se
at backrests ⇒ fig. 20. Depending on the equipment of the model,
the outer seats of the second row of seats may also be fitted with side air- bags, located between the seat backrests and the access area. Their posi-
tion is indic

ated by the word “AIRBAG”. The red area (dotted line) ⇒ fig. 21
shows the field of action of the side airbags.
In a side collision, the side airbags are triggered on the affected side of the
vehicle, thus reducing the risk of injury to passengers on that side. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● Always keep the deployment areas of the side airbags free.
● Occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any oth-
er peopl e, pet

s or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not le
ave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Do not mount accessories on the doors.
● Only used protective covers for the seats that are approved for the ve-
hicle. Other
wise, the side airbag would be obstructed when deployed. WARNING
Incorrect handling of the driver's and front passenger's seat could pre-
vent the s

ide airbag from deploying properly and cause severe injuries.
● Never remove the front seats of the vehicle or modify any of their
components.
● Gr

eat forces must not be exerted on the backrest bolsters because
the side airbag
s might not deploy correctly, might not deploy at all or
might deploy unexpectedly.
● Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of
the side airbag u
nits must be repaired immediately by a Technical Serv-
ice. 

38
Airbag system WARNING (Continued)
● Occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry any oth-
er peop l
e, pets or objects in the deployment space between them and
the airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not le
ave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Do not mount accessories on the doors.
● Do not fit curtains to the windows other than those expressly ap-
prov
ed for use in the vehicle.
● Only turn the sun blinds towards the windows if there is no object,
e.g. pens
or garage remote controls, secured to the sun blind. 
Kneed airbags Fig. 24 On the driver
side: loc
ation of

the knee
airbag. Fig. 25 On the driver
side: R
a

dius of action of
the knee airbag.
The knee airbag is located on the driver side below the instrument panel
⇒ fig. 24. Airbags
are identified by the word “AIRBAG”.
The area framed red ⇒ fig. 25 A is covered by the knee airbag when it is
deplo y

ed (deployment area). Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas. WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● The knee airbag is deployed in front of the driver's knees. Always
keep the dep lo

yment areas of the knee airbags free.
● Never not fix objects to the cover or in the deployment area of the
knee airbag.
● Adjus

t the driver's seat so that there is a distance of at least 10 cm (4
inches) betw
een your knees and the location of the knee airbag. If you
physical constitution prevents you from meeting these requirements,
make sure you contact a specialist workshop. 

39
Child safety
Child safety
Child seats (accessories) Introduction Please read the information regarding the airbag system fully before trans-
portin
g b
abies and children in a child seat or other child restraint system
installed on the front passenger seat.
This information is extremely important for driver and passenger safety, par-
ticularly that of babies and children.
SEAT recommends the use of child seats from the SEAT accessory pro-
gramme. These child seats have been designed and tested for use in SEAT
vehicles. You can purchase child seats with different mountings from a
Technical Service.
Using child restraint systems with a base or foot
Some child retention systems are secured to the seat using a base or foot.
For certain equipment the use of an additional accessory will be necessary
(for example, the accessory for the floor compartment) to fit the child reten-
tion system correctly and securely.
Additional information and warnings:
● Airbag system ⇒ page 31
● Int

egrated child seats ⇒ page 46 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.
● Never use a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat if the
front p
assenger airbag is enabled.
● You should always transport all children up to 12 years of age on the
rear se
at.
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
syst
em suited to their height and weight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in whil
e travelling.
● Ensure the backrest of a seat is upright when a child seat is being
used on it.
● Do not

allow the child's head or other part of his or her body to fall
into the deplo
yment area of the side airbags.
● Make sure the belt webbing is correctly positioned.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap or in your arms.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● 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

40
Child safety 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. WARNING
An empty or loose child seat could fly uncontrollably around the vehicle
interior and c au

se injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● When not in use while the vehicle is in motion, always safely secure it
or stor
e it in the luggage compartment. Note
Replace the child seat after an accident, as it may have invisible damage. 
General information on transporting children in the vehicle Legal regulations and provisions will always take priority over the descrip-
tions
of

this instruction manual. There are different regulations and provi-
sions for the use of child seats and their mountings ( ⇒ table on page 41).
In some countries, for example, the use of child seats on certain seats in the
vehicle may be forbidden.
The physical principles and the forces acting on the vehicle in the event of a
collision or other type of accidents also apply to children ⇒ page 21. Howev-
er, unlike adults and youngsters, children do not have fully developed mus-
cle and bone structures. In the event of an accident, children are subject to
a greater risk than adults of sustaining severe injuries.
Given that children's bodies are not yet fully developed, child restraint sys-
tems must be used that are especially adapted to their height, weight and constitution. There are laws in force in many countries that determine the
use of ap

proved seat systems for transporting babies and children.
Only used authorised, approved child seats that are suitable for the vehicle.
Always consult with a SEAT qualified workshop or a specialist workshop
should you have any doubts.
Checklist
To transport children in the vehicle ⇒  :
● Observe the legal requirements specific to each country.
● For safety reasons, SEAT recommends that children under 12 years of
age ar e tr

ansported on the rear seats.
● Only if you have no alternative should a child travel on the front passen-
ger seat
⇒ page 42. The safest place in the vehicle is on the rear seat be-
hind the front passenger seat.
● Child must always use a child restraint system when travelling in the ve-
hicle.
The child restraint system must be suitable for the height, weight and
constitution of the child.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat.
● Follow the user instructions from the child seat manufacturer and always
keep them in the v
ehicle.
● If the child seat is secured using the seat belt, guide the seat belt
through or arou
nd the child seat according to the instructions of the child
seat manufacturer.
● Make sure the belt webbing is correctly positioned and that the child is
sitting pr
operly.
● The child seat should be installed on the rear seat behind the front pas-
senger se
at so that the child can exit the car on the kerb side.
● Do not leave toys or other loose objects on the child seat or on the seat
while the
vehicle is in motion. 