sensor Seat Alhambra 2012 Owner's Manual

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Dear SEAT Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tips for driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Adjusting the seat position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Transporting objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Child seats (accessories) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Integrated child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Operating instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
SEAT information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Unlocking and locking
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Vehicle key set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Central locking and locking system . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Sliding doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Panorama sliding sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Sun blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Windscreen wiper and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Seats and storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Seat functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Loading luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Roof carrier system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cup holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Ashtray and cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Climate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Auxiliary heater* (additional heater) . . . . . . . . . . 165
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Stopping and starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Changing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Braking, stopping and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Start assist systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Parking sensor system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Park Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Rear Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Cruise control system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lane Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Sign Assist* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Tiredness detection (recommendation to take a
break) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Practical tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Ecological driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Engine management and exhaust gas
purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Driving with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 246
Care and cleaning the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . 246
Caring for and cleaning the vehicle interior . . . . 253
Notes for the user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Accessories, parts replacement and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Accessories, replacement of parts and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Selective Catalytic Reduction* (AdBlue) . . . . . . . 275
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . 279
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
3
Table of Contents

13
Safe driving
Also valid for the front passenger:
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible for optimum pro-
tection should the airbag deploy. 
Transporting objects Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the trunk and place the seat backs in a ver-
tical position. 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 ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Tailgate ⇒ page 84
● To lower the passenger seat back ⇒ page 117
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Luggage compartment ⇒ page 126
● Roof carrier ⇒ page 139
● Towing mode ⇒ page 237
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 297
WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly secured objects can cause serious injury in case
of a sudden 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
objects in the luggage compartment.
● Always secure objects with suitable rope or slings so that they cannot
enter the areas 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 seat 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 must remain disconnected and the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF  light
on.
● Objects secured in the vehicle should never be placed in such a way
as to make passengers sit in an incorrect position.
● If secured objects occupy a seat then this should not be occupied or
used by anybody. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

26Seat belts
Note
If you physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the correct posi-
tion of the belt webbing, contact a Technical Service for help with any spe-
cial devices to ensure the optimum protection of the seat belt and airbag.
SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
Belt height adjustment
Fig. 15 Next to the front
seats: belt height adjust-
er.
Using the height adjusters for the front seats and the outer seats of the sec-
ond row, the position of the seat belts can be adjusted in the shoulder area
according to the height of the occupant:
● Keep the guide device pressed down in the direction of the arrow
⇒ fig. 15.
● Move the guide device up or down until the seat belt lies over the centre
of your shoulder ⇒ page 24, Seat belt position.
● Release the guide device.
● Pull the belt sharply to check that the device is engaged securely.
WARNING
Never adjust the belt height while the vehicle is in motion.

Seat belt tensioners
Automatic belt retainer, belt tension device, belt tension
limiter
Seat belts are part of the vehicle safety concept ⇒ page 31 and consist of
the following important functions:
Automatic belt retainer
Every seat belt is equipped with an automatic belt retainer on the shoulder
belt. If the belt is pulled slowly or during normal driving, the system allows
for total freedom of movement on the shoulder belt. However, during sud-
den braking, during travel in mountains or bends and during acceleration,
the automatic belt retainer on the seat belt is locked is pulled quickly.
Belt tension devices
The seat belts on the front seats and the outer seats of the second row are
equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on, lateral
and rear collisions and retract and tighten the seat belts. If the seat belt is
loose, it is retracted to reduce the forwards movement of occupants or
movement in the direction of the collision. The belt tension device works in
combination with the airbag system. The belt tension device will not be trig-
gered in the event of the vehicle overturning if the side airbags are not de-
ployed.
If the belt tension device is triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is normal
and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle. 

32Airbag system
● Control units and sensors.
● Height-adjustable head restraint optimised for rear collisions.
● Adjustable steering column.
● Where applicable, mountings for child seats on the rear seats and on
the front passenger's seat.
● Where applicable, mountings for the child seat upper retaining strap.
Situations in which the frontal, knee, side and curtain airbag does not
deploy:
● If the ignition is switched off during the collision.
● In frontal collisions when the deceleration measured by the control unit
is too low. ●
In minor side collisions.
● In rear collisions.
● In the event of the vehicle overturning.
● When the impact speed is lower than the reference value set in the con-
trol unit. 

56Cockpit
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
flashes: Engine oil sensor faulty.⇒ page 283lights: Insufficient engine oil.
Fault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners.⇒ page 31

Passenger front airbag is off ( PASSENGER AIR-
BAG  ).⇒ page 31
Top up "AdBlue", or there is a fault in the "AdBl-
ue" system.⇒ page 275
Fuel tank not closed correctly.⇒ page 268
Lane Assist is connected, but not active.⇒ page 218
Green symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

Left or right turn signal.⇒ page 95
Hazard warning lights on.⇒ page 316
Use the foot brake!
Change
⇒ page 176
Brake
⇒ page 185
Cruise control operating.⇒ page 214
Lane Assist is connected and active.⇒ page 218
Blue symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Headlight on or flasher on.⇒ page 95
Headlight adjustment (Light Assist) on.
Colourless symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Electronic immobiliser active.⇒ page 172
Service interval display⇒ page 61
Mobile telephone is connected via Bluetooth to
the original telephone device.⇒ Book-
let Bluetooth
System
Mobile telephone battery charge meter. Availa-
ble only for pre-installed factory-fitted devices.
Freezing warning. The outside temperature is
lower than +4 °C (+39 °F).⇒ page 59
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
● Park the vehicle away from the traffic, ensuring that there are no easi-
ly inflammable materials under the vehicle which could come into contact
with the exhaust system (e.g. dry grass, fuel). 

79
Unlocking and locking
● If the driver's door is unlocked mechanically with the key, only the driv-
er's door is unlocked, the rest of the doors remain locked. Only when the
ignition has been turned on will the other doors be available - but not un-
locked - and the central locking button activated.
● If the vehicle battery is run down or flat then the anti-theft alarm will not
operate correctly. 
Interior monitoring system and anti-tow system*
Fig. 48 On the roof con-
sole: interior monitoring
sensors.
The interior monitoring system triggers the alarm if the vehicle is locked and
movement is detected inside the vehicle. The anti-tow system triggers the
alarm if the vehicle is locked when the system detects the vehicle is being
raised.
Switching on the interior monitoring and the anti-tow systems
Close the storage compartment ⇒ fig. 48 1
on the roof console otherwise
the interior monitoring function (arrow) may not work without restrictions. Use the key to lock the vehicle. If the anti-theft alarm is turned on, the interi-
or monitoring and the anti-tow systems are also activated.
Switching off the interior monitoring and the anti-tow systems
The interior monitoring is switched off by pressing the remote control lock
button

twice.
● Lock all doors and tailgate.
● Use the key to lock the vehicle. The interior monitoring and / or anti-tow-
ing alarm are switched off until the next time the vehicle is locked.
To turn off the interior monitoring and anti-tow systems before unlocking
the vehicle, for example in the following situations:
● When leaving animals inside the vehicle  ⇒ page 74.
● When the vehicle must be loaded.
● When the vehicle is being transported, for example, by ferry.
● When the vehicle must be towed with the axle raised.
Risk of false alarms
The interior monitoring system only operates correctly if the vehicle is com-
pletely closed. Observe legal requirements. The alarm may be accidentally
triggered in the following cases:
● When a window is completely or partially open.
● If the sunglasses storage compartment in the roof console is open.
● When the panorama sliding sunroof is completely or partially open.
● When suspended objects are hung from the interior mirror (air freshen-
er) or there are loose papers in the vehicle.
● If the separation net is fitted and moves (due to heating).
● Due to a vibrating mobile telephone inside the vehicle. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

98Lights and visibility
if the ignition is switched offwhen the ignition is on
Fog lights, dipped beam and
side lights off.Lights off or daytime driving light
on.
The guidance lights may be
switched on.Automatic dipped beam control
or daytime driving light on.
Side light on.Side light on.
Dipped beam off; if necessa-
ry, the side light comes on for
a time.Dipped beam switched on.
Fog lights
The warning lamps  or  on the light switch also indicate that the fog
lights are switched on.
● Switching on the fog lights : Turn the switch to position  or pull out
 to the first stop.
● Switching on the rear fog light : turn the light switch to position  o
pull out  to the maximum.
● To switch off the fog lights, press the light switch or turn it to position .
Audible warnings to advise the driver that the lights have not been
switched off
If the key is not in the ignition and the driver's door is open, an audible
warning signal is heard in the following cases: This is a reminder to turn off
the lights.
● When the parking light is on ⇒ page 96.
● When the light switch is in position .
WARNING
The side lights or daytime driving lights are not bright enough to illumi-
nate the road ahead and to ensure that other road users are able to see
you.
● Always use your dipped beam head lights if it is raining or if visibility
is poor.

Lights and visibility: functions
Parking light
When the parking light is switched on,(right or left turn signal), the front
side light and the rear light on the corresponding side of the vehicle stay lit.
The parking lights will only work with the ignition off.
Daytime driving light*
The daytime driving light consists of individual lights in the front head-
lamps.
When the daytime driving light is switched on, only the individual lights
come on ⇒ 
.
The daytime lights are switched on each time the ignition is turned on if the
light switch is in position  .
When the light switch is in position , a photo sensor automatically turns
the instrument and switch lighting on and off.
Activating the daytime lightsDeactivating the daytime lightsPress and hold the turn signal and
main beam lever upwards and back-
wards (right turn signal and light
flasher).Press and hold the turn signal and
main beam lever downwards and
backwards (left turn signal and light
flasher).
Switch the ignition on and off for approximately 3 seconds. 

99
Lights and visibility
Automatic dipped beam control 
The automatic dipped beam control is merely intended as an aid and is not
able to recognise all driving situations.
When the light switch is in position , the vehicle lights and the instru-
ment panel and switch lighting switch on and off automatically in the fol-
lowing situations ⇒ 
:
Automatic switching on:Automatic switching off or switch to
daytime driving lighting:
The photo sensor detects darkness,
for example, when driving through a
tunnel.When adequate lighting is detected.
The rain sensor detects rain and ac-
tivates the windscreen wipers.When the windscreen wiper has
been inactive for a few minutes.
Adaptive headlights (AFS)
The adaptive headlights only operate when the dipped beam is on and at
speeds of over 10 km/h. When taking a bend, the adaptive headlights auto-
matically light up the road better.
The adaptive headlights can be switched on and off from the infotainment
system.
Static turning lights
When turning slowly to change direction or going round a tight bend, the
static cornering lights automatically come on. The static cornering lights on-
ly work at speeds of less than 40 km/h.
The static cornering lights may be incorporated into the fog lights or the
front headlights, depending upon the equipment.
WARNING
If the road is not well lit and other road users cannot see the vehicle well
enough or at all, accidents may occur.
● The automatic dipped beam control ( ) only switches on the dip-
ped beam when there are no changes in brightness, and not, for example
when it is foggy.
● Never drive with daytime lights if the road is not well lit due to weath-
er or lighting conditions. Daytime lights do not provide enough light to
illuminate the road properly or be seen by other road users.

Headlight adjustment
Headlight adjustment (Light Assist)
The headlight adjustment automatically connects and disconnects the main
beam headlights depending on the environmental and traffic conditions
and on the speed, within the limitations of the system ⇒ 
. This is moni-
tored by a sensor located on the inside of the windscreen, above the interior
rear vision mirror.
The automatic headlight adjustment automatically switches on the main
beam depending on the vehicles travelling in front and in the opposite di-
rection, and of other environmental and traffic conditions from an approxi-
mate speed of 60 km/h (37 mph) and turns them off again at speeds below
approximately 30 km/h (18 mph). 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

101
Lights and visibility
Note
Use of the Tourist light option and the adhesives on the headlights is only
allowed if they are to be used for a short period of time. To modify the direc-
tion of the headlights permanently, please take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop. SEAT recommends visiting a Technical Service. 
“Coming home” and “Leaving home” function (guidance
lights)
The “Coming home” function should be switched on manually. However the
“Leaving home” function is automatically controlled by a photo sensor.
“Coming Home”Necessary operations
To switch sys-
tem on:
– Switch off the ignition.
– Briefly flash the headlights for approximately one sec-
ond ⇒ page 96.
The “Coming home” lighting comes on when the driver's
door is opened. The delay in switching off the headlights
is counted from when the last door or tailgate is closed.
The system
switches off:
– Automatically at the end of the delay period.
– Automatically, if 30 seconds after coming on, a vehicle
door or tailgate remains open.
– If the light switch is turned to position .
– If the ignition is switched on.
“Leaving home”Necessary operationsTo switch sys-
tem on:– Unlock the vehicle when the light switch is in position
 and the photo sensor detects darkness.
The system
switches off:– Automatically, at the end of the delay period.
– When the vehicle is locked.
– When the light switch is turned to position .
– When the ignition is switched on.
Lighting around the exterior mirrors
The lighting around the exterior mirrors illuminates the door area on enter-
ing and leaving the vehicles. It comes on when the vehicle is unlocked,
when the vehicle door is opened and when the “Coming home” or “Leaving
home” 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 Lights
& Visibility menu and the function can be switched on or off ⇒ page 62.
● 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
Fig. 62 Next to the
steering wheel: instru-
ment and switch lighting
control 1
and headlight
range control 2.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

106Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper lever
Fig. 65 Using the
windscreen wipers.
Fig. 66 Using the rear
window wipers.
Move the lever to the required position ⇒ :0OFFWindscreen wiper off.
1
Intermittent windscreen wipers wipe.
Using the control ⇒ fig. 65 A adjust the interval (vehicles
without the rain sensor), or the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
2LOWSlow wipe.3HIGHContinuous wipe.
4 xBrief wipe - short wipe. Hold the lever down for more time to
increase the wipe frequency.
5Automatic wipe for cleaning windscreens with the lever up.
6Intermittent wipe for rear window. The rear wiper will wipe the
window approximately every 6 seconds.
7Automatic wipe for cleaning rear windows with the lever
pressed.
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 switch-
ed back on. Ice, snow and other obstacles may damage the windscreen wip-
er and the wiper motor.
Note
● The windscreen wipers will only function when the ignition is switched
on and the bonnet or tailgate are closed.
● The intermittent wiper speed varies according to the vehicle speed. The
faster the vehicle is moving, the more often the windscreen is cleaned.
● The rear wiper is automatically switched on when the windscreen wiper
is connected and the car is in reverse gear. 