gearbox Seat Alhambra 2012 Owner's Manual

54Cockpit
Radio or navigation system (fitted at factory) ⇒ Booklet Ra-
dio or ⇒ Booklet Navigation system
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Hazard warning lights switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Switches for:
– Climatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
– Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Right seat heating controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Button for:
– Anti-slip regulation (ASR)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
– Start/stop operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
– Parking distance warning system (Park Pilot)  . . . . . . . . . . 200
– Park Assist system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
– Tyre pressure monitor   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
– Opening the tailgate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
– Opening and closing of electric sliding doors  . . . . . . . . . 80
Locking lever to open glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Position of passenger front airbag on the instrument panel . .31
Key-operated switch in glove box for deactivating front pas-
senger's airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Passenger front airbag off warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Lever for:
– Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
– Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
12 Volt socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Auto Hold Switch - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Electronic parking brake switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Steering column adjustment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
13
141516
1718
192021
2223
242526272829
Fuse box cover
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Lever for:
– Cruise control system (GRA)  –  –  –  / -
- / -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Open bonnet lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Controls for:
– Electric windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
– Childproof locks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Note
● Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain
model versions or are optional extras.
● In versions with the steering wheel on the right, the layout of the control
elements is somewhat different. But the symbols assigned to the controls
correspond to the symbols used in the versions with the steering wheel on
the left 
Instrument panel Control and warning lamps
The control and warning lamps are indicators of warnings, ⇒ , faults ⇒ or certain functions. Some control and warning lamps come on when the ig-
nition is switched on, and go out when the engine starts running, or while
driving.
Depending on the model, additional text messages may be viewed on the
instrument panel display. These may be purely informative or they may be
advising of the need for action ⇒ page 57, Instruments. 
30
31
3233

57
Cockpit
WARNING (Continued)
● A faulty vehicle represents a risk of accident for the driver and for oth-
er road users. If necessary, switch on the hazard warning lamps and put
out the warning triangle to advise other drivers.
● Before opening the bonnet, switch off the engine and allow it to cool.
● In any vehicle, the engine compartment is a hazardous area and could
cause severe injury ⇒ page 279.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the warning lamps and text messages when they appear
may result in faults in the vehicle. Instruments
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Indicator lamps ⇒ page 54
● Gear engaged display (automatic gearbox) ⇒ page 176.
● Instructions for inspection intervals ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme
WARNING
Any distraction may lead to an accident, with the risk of injury.
● Do not handle the instrument panel controls when driving.

View of instrument panel
Fig. 35 Instrument panel, on dash panel. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

58Cockpit
Details of the instruments ⇒ fig. 35:
Clock set button 1)
.
– Press button 
to select the hour or minute display.
– To continue setting the time, press button 0.0 / SET
7. Hold button
down to scroll through the numbers quickly.
– Press button 
again to end the clock setting.
Rev counter (with the engine running, in thousands of revolutions per
minute).
The beginning of the red zone of the rev counter indicates the maxi-
mum speed in any gear after running-in and with the engine hot. How-
ever, it is advisable to change up a gear or move the selector lever to D
(or lift your foot off the accelerator) before the needle reaches the red
zone ⇒ 
.
Engine coolant temperature display  ⇒ page 287.
Displays on the screen ⇒ page 58.
Fuel reserve display ⇒ page 268.
Speedometer.
Reset knob for trip recorder (trip).
– Press button 0.0 / SET
to reset to zero.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the engine, the rev counter needle should only re-
main in the red zone for a short period of time.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear in time reduces fuel consumption and noise. 
1
2
34567
Displays on screen
A variety of information can be viewed on the instrument panel display
⇒ 
fig. 35 4, depending on the vehicle equipment:
● Warning and information texts
● Mileage
● Time
● Ambient temperature
● Compass
● Selector lever positions ⇒ page 176
● Recommended gear (manual gearbox) ⇒ page 176
● Multifunction display (MFI) and menus for different setting options
⇒ page 62
● Service interval display ⇒ page 61
● Second speed display (menu Configuration) ⇒ page 62
● Start/Stop operation indicator ⇒ page 59
Warning and information texts
The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the ig-
nition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. Faults in the opera-
tion are displayed on the screen using red and yellow symbols and messag-
es on the instrument panel display ( ⇒ page 54) and, in some cases, with
audible warnings. The display may vary according to the type of instrument
panel fitted. 
1)
Depending on the vehicle equipment, it is also possible to set the time using the settings
menu on the instrument panel display ⇒ page 67.

59
Cockpit
Type of mes-
sageSymbol
colourMeaning
Priority 1
warning.Red
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audible warnings.
 Stop the vehicle! It is dangerous ⇒ 
!
Check the function that is faulty and repair it.
If necessary, request assistance from special-
ised personnel.
Priority 2
warning.Yellow
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with
audible warnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below
the correct levels may cause damage to the
vehicle! ⇒ 
Check the faulty function as soon as possible.
If necessary, request assistance from special-
ised personnel.
Informative
text.–Information relating to different vehicle pro-
cesses.
Mileage
The odometer registers the total distance travelled by the car.
The trip recorder (trip) shows the distance travelled since the last trip re- corder reset. The last digit of the trip recorder indicates distances of 100
metres or tenths of a mile.
Outside temperature display
When the outside temperature is below +4 °C (+39 °F), the symbol “ice crys-
tal” (warning of risk of freezing) is also displayed next to the temperature.
At first this symbol flashes and then it remains lit until the outside tempera-
ture rises above +6 °C (+43 °F) ⇒ 
.
When the vehicle is at a standstill, with the auxiliary heating on
(⇒ page 165), or when travelling at very low speeds, the temperature dis-
played may be higher than the true outside temperature, as a result of the
heat produced by the engine. The temperatures measured range from -40 °C to +50 °C (-40 °F to +122 °F).
Compass
With the ignition on and the navigation system on, the cardinal point corre-
sponding to the vehicle's direction of travel is displayed on the instrument
panel
⇒ page 60.
Selector lever positions
The range of engaged gears of the selector lever is shown on the side of the
lever, and on the instrument panel display. In positions D and S, and with
the Tiptronic, the corresponding gear is also displayed.
Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
The recommended gear to save fuel is displayed on the instrument panel
while you are driving ⇒ page 176.
Second speed display (mph or km/h)
In addition to the speedometer, the speed can also be displayed in a differ-
ent unit of measurement (in miles or in km per hour). To change the units, in
the Settings menu, select the option Second speed ⇒ page 62.
Vehicles without menu display on the instrument panel
● Switch on the engine.
● Press button 
three times. The odometer display flashes on the instru-
ment panel display.
● Press button 0.0 / SET
once. “mph” or “km/h” is displayed briefly in-
stead of the odometer.
● This activates the second speed display. To switch it off, repeat the pro-
cedure.
This option cannot be disconnected in models destined for countries in
which the second speed must always be visible.
Start/Stop operating display
Updated information relating to the status is displayed on the instrument
panel ⇒ page 196. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

174Driving
Key not authorised for the vehicle
If a key which is not authorised for this vehicle is inserted in the ignition
lock, it can be removed as follows:
● Automatic gearbox: the key cannot be removed from the ignition lock.
Press and release the selector lever locking button. Key can be removed
from the vehicle.
● Manual gearbox: Remove the key from the ignition.
WARNING
Unsuitable or careless use of the vehicle key could result in serious in-
jury.
● Always take all the keys with you whenever you leave the vehicle. The
engine could accidentally be started and electrical equipment such as
the windows could accidentally be operated resulting in serious injury.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the car. They could
be trapped in the car in an emergency and will not be able to get them-
selves to safety. For example, depending on the time of the year, temper-
atures inside a locked and closed vehicle can be extremely high or ex-
tremely low resulting in serious injuries and illness or even death, partic-
ularly for young children.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering may lock and it will not be possible to turn the steering wheel.
Note
● If the key is left in the ignition lock with the engine off for long periods,
the vehicle battery will run flat.
● For automatic gearbox vehicles the key can only be removed from the ig-
nition lock if the gear selector lever is in position P. In this case, press and
release the selector lever locking button. Starting the engine
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Step
1.Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until step 5 has been
completed.
1 a.In vehicles with a manual gearbox:
Press the clutch pedal all
the way and keep pressed until the engine starts.
2.Put the gearstick in neutral or the selector lever in position P
or N.
3.Only in vehicles with diesel engine: To preheat, turn the key
in the ignition lock to position ⇒ fig. 128 1. A warning lamp
lights up in the control panel .
4.Turn the key in the ignition lock to position ⇒ fig. 128 2; do
not press the accelerator.
5.When the engine has started, release the key in the ignition
lock.
6.If the engine does not start, stop the process and try again af-
ter one minute.
7.Disconnect the electronic parking brake when you wish to
start driving ⇒ page 185.
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running. The vehicle
could move off suddenly, especially if it is in gear, resulting in an acci-
dent and serious injury. 

175
Driving
WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a sudden increase in the engine
speed.
● Never use start boosters.
CAUTION
● An attempt to start the engine while driving or starting the engine imme-
diately after turning it off can cause damage to the engine or starter motor.
● When the engine is cold, avoid high revs and heavy acceleration and do
not make the engine work hard.
● Do not push or tow start the engine. Sunburnt fuel could damage the
catalytic converter.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm the engine at idle speed; start driving immediately if the visi-
bility is OK. This helps the engine reach operating temperature faster and
reduces emissions.
Note
● For example, if the key battery is very worn or flat, the engine cannot be
started with the starter button. In this case, remove the ignition button from
the lock and insert the key.
● Electrical components with a high power consumption are switched off
temporarily when the engine starts.
● When the engine is started cold, there may be strong vibrations for a few
moments for technical reasons. This is quite normal, and no cause for con-
cern.
● At temperatures below +5 °C (+41 °F), smoke may be given off below the
vehicle when the additional heater is connected. Stopping the engine
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Step 1.Stopping the vehicle completely
⇒ .
2.Press the brake pedal and keep pressed until step 4 has been
completed.
3.In automatic gearboxes, put the selector lever in position P.4.Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 185.5.Turn the key in the ignition lock to position ⇒ fig. 128 0.6.With a manual gearbox, put the vehicle in first or reverse gear.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle is moving. You may lose
control of the vehicle and there is a risk of serious accident.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is
switched off.
● The brake servo does not work with the engine off. To stop, the brake
pedal must be pressed with more force.
● As the power steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
will need more strength to steer than normally.
● If the key is removed from the ignition, the steering may lock and it
will not be possible to steer the vehicle.
CAUTION
If the engine has been driven at high speed for a prolonged period of time,
it may overheat when turned off. To avoid engine damage, allow the engine
to run for approximately two minutes in neutral before switching it off. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

176Driving
Note
● In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the key can only be removed when
the selector lever is in position P.
● After stopping the engine, the engine compartment fan may continue
running for a few minutes, even when the ignition has been switched off or
the key removed. The radiator fan is automatically switched off. 
Electronic immobiliser
The gear lock prevents the engine from being started with an unauthorised
key and the vehicle being moved.
The vehicle key has a built-in chip. It automatically deactivates the immobil-
izer when the key is inserted into the ignition lock.
For this reason, the vehicle can only be used with a genuine SEAT key with
the correct code. Coded keys can be obtained from your Technical Services
⇒ page 71.
If an unauthorised key is used, the message SAFE or Immobiliser active is
displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle cannot be started in this
case
Note
The correct operation of the vehicle is only guaranteed when original SEAT
keys are used. Changing gear
Introduction
When reverse gear is engaged and the ignition is switched on the following
takes place:
● Reverse lights light up.
● When reversing, the air conditioner automatically changes to air recircu-
lation mode.
● The rear window heater switches on when the windscreen wiper is acti-
vated.
● Also, the parking sensor system, the optical parking sensor and the
camera for the reverse assist system are connected.
Additional information and warnings:
● Instruments ⇒ page 57
● Braking, stopping and parking ⇒ page 185
● Parking sensor system ⇒ page 200
● Park Assist system ⇒ page 204
● Reverse assist system (Rear Assist) ⇒ page 209
● Air conditioning ⇒ page 157
● Electronic power control and exhaust gases purification system
⇒ page 232
● Emergency locking and unlocking ⇒ page 318
WARNING
Rapid acceleration can cause loss of traction and skidding, especially on
slippery ground. This could cause loss of control of the vehicle resulting
in an accident and considerable damage.
● Only use the kickdown or rapid acceleration if visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions so permit. 

178Driving
Pedals
Fig. 129 Pedals in vehi-
cles with a manual gear-
box: 1
accelerator; 2brake; 3 clutch.
Fig. 130 Pedals in vehi-
cles with an automatic
gearbox: 1
accelerator;
2 brake.
Do not allow floor mats or other objects to obstruct the free passage of the
pedals. Floor mats should leave the pedal area free and unobstructed and be cor-
rectly secured in the footwell zone.
In the event of failure of a brake circuit, the brake pedal must be pressed
harder than normal to brake the vehicle.
WARNING
Objects falling into the driver's footwell could prevent use of the pedals.
This could 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.
● Always secure the mat in the foot well.
● Never place other mats or rugs on top of the original mat supplied by
the factory.
● Ensure that no objects can fall into the driver's footwell while the ve-
hicle is in motion.
CAUTION
The pedals must always have free and unobstructed passage to the floor.
For example, in case of a fault in the brake circuit, the brake pedal will need
to be pressed further to stop the vehicle. To press the brake pedal down fur-
ther will require more force than usual. 

179
Driving
Manual gearbox: Engaging gears
Fig. 131 Gear shift pat-
tern of a 6-speed manual
gearbox.
The position of each of the gears is shown on the gear stick ⇒ fig. 131.
● Keep the clutch pedal pushed all the way down.
● Move the gear stick to the required position.
In some countries, it is necessary to press the clutch pedal to the floor to
start the engine.
Selecting reverse gear
● With the vehicle at a standstill, press the clutch pedal to the floor and
keep pressed.
● Push the gear lever down.
● Move the gear stick to the left and then forwards to reverse gear R
.
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
gear is engaged and the clutch released. This is also the case with the
electronic parking brake on.
● Never engage the reverse gear when a vehicle is moving forward.
CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature wear, please observe the follow-
ing:
● While driving, do not leave your hand resting on the gear stick. The pres-
sure applied by your hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is completely stopped before engaging
the reverse gear.
● When changing gear, always make sure the clutch pedal is pushed right
to the floor.
● Never hold the vehicle on the clutch on hills. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

180Driving
Automatic gearbox*: Selecting gears
Fig. 132 Left-hand drive
vehicles: Automatic gear-
box selector lever with
locking button (arrow).
Fig. 133 Right-hand
drive vehicles: Automatic
gearbox selector lever
with locking button (ar-
row).
The gear selection lever has a lock. When changing the selector lever from
position P to a range of gears, press the brake pedal and press the lock on
the selector lever, located on the front part of the knob, in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 132 or ⇒ 
fig. 133. To move the gear selector lever from the
position N to D or to R, first press and hold the brake pedal.
When the ignition is on, the current position of the selector lever is shown
on the instrument panel.
Selector
lever po- sitionsDenominationMeaning ⇒ 
Parking lock
The drive wheels are locked mechanically.
They only engage when the vehicle is at a
standstill. To change the position of the selec-
tor lever, press the brake pedal and switch on
the ignition.
Reverse gearReverse gear is engaged.
Only select reverse gear when the vehicle is at
a standstill .
NeutralThe gear box is in neutral. No movement is
transmitted to the wheels and the engine
does not act as a brake.

Standard for-
wards driving position (nor- mal pro-
gramme)The gears are changed (up and down) auto-
matically. The gear shifts are determined by
the engine load, your individual driving style
and the speed of the vehicle.

Standard for-
wards driving position
(sports pro- gramme)The shift up to a higher gear is automatically
delayed and the shift down is faster with re-
spect to the D range of gears, to take full ad-
vantage of the engine power. The gear shifts
are determined by the engine load, your indi-
vidual driving style and the speed of the vehi-
cle.
Selector lever locking
The gear selector lever lock prevents, in P or N, a gear selection from being
inadvertently engaged and the vehicle moving off accidentally. 