weight Seat Alhambra 2013 Owner's Manual

8Safe driving
● Check that the lights and turn signals operate correctly.
● Check the tyre pressures ( ⇒ page 296) and level of fuel ( ⇒ page 267).
● Ensure there is good visibility through all the windows.
● Make sure that all objects and bags in the storage compartments, in the
luggage 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 40.
● Correctly adjust front seat, head rests and rear vision 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
unobstructed.
● Before starting out, ensure you are correctly seated and remain in this
position throughout 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 switch 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 ground 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 carrying animals, make sure they are correctly restrained in accord-
ance with their weight and size.
WARNING
Always observe traffic regulations and speed limits and try to anticipate
traffic movements. 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 but 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 Technical Service or specialised workshop. 
Driving abroad
Check list
In some countries, 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 Technical Service about the legal requirements and the following
points:
● Does the vehicle need technical modifications for driving abroad, for ex-
ample, adjustment of the headlamps?
● Does the vehicle have all the tools, diagnostics equipment and spare
parts required for inspections and repairs? 

10Safe driving
Adjusting the seat position
Introduction
Number of seats
Depending on the equipment, your vehicle has a total of five or seven seats.
Each seat is equipped with a seat belt.
EquipmentSeats in the frontSeats in the sec- ond rowSeats in thethird row
5 seats23–7 seats232
Additional information and warnings:
● Seat functions ⇒ page 117
● Seat belts ⇒ page 21
● Airbag system ⇒ page 32
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 40
WARNING
An incorrect sitting position in the vehicle can lead to severe injuries or
death in the event 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
available in the vehicle.
WARNING (Continued)
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
system suited to their height and weight ⇒ page 40, ⇒ page 32.
● Always keep your feet in the footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
Never, for 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 instruct your passengers to fasten their seat belts properly.
● Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
● Adjust the driver seat so that there is a distance of at least 25 cm
(10 inches) between the centre of your chest and the hub of the steering
wheel. Adjust the driver 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 your physical constitution prevents you from meeting
these requirements, contact a specialised workshop to make any modifi-
cations required.
● Never drive with the seat backrest tilted far back. The further the seat
backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to incor-
rect positioning of the belt web or to the incorrect sitting position!
● Never drive with the seat backrest tilted forwards. Should a front air-
bag deploy, it could throw the seat 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 should the airbag deploy. 
Transporting objects Introduction
Always transport heavy loads in the luggage compartment and place the
seat backs in a vertical position. Always use the anchors provided with suit-
able rope to secure heavy objects. Never overload the vehicle. Both the car-
rying capacity as well as the distribution of the load in the vehicle have ef-
fects on the driving behaviour and braking ability ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Rear lid ⇒ page 83
● To lower the front passenger seat back ⇒ page 117
● Light ⇒ page 95
● Luggage compartment ⇒ page 126
● Roof carrier ⇒ page 139
● Towing mode ⇒ page 236
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 296
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 front or side airbags in case of sudden braking
or an accident.
● Always ensure that objects inside the vehicle cannot move into the
area of the airbags while driving.
● While driving, always keep object compartments closed.
● Remove all objects from the front passenger seat when this is fol-
lowed down. When the seat backrest 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 seat backrest of the front passenger seat is folded, the
front airbag must remain disabled 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

15
Safe driving
WARNING
Toxic gases may enter the vehicle interior when the rear lid is open. This
could cause loss of consciousness, carbon monoxide poisoning, serious
injury and accidents.
● To avoid toxic gases entering the vehicle always drive with the rear lid
closed.
● In exceptional circumstances, if you must drive with the rear lid open,
observe the following to reduce the entry of toxic gases inside the vehi-
cle:
–Close all windows and the sliding sunroof.
– Turn off the air recirculation for the heating and air conditioner.
– Open all of the air outlets in the dash panel.
– Turn the heating fan and heater to the highest level.
CAUTION
An open rear lid 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
⇒ page 14.
● Accelerate gently and carefully.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Brake early.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a trailer
⇒ page 236.
● If necessary, read the instructions for driving with a roof carrier system
⇒  page 139.
WARNING
A sliding load could considerably affect the stability and safety of the ve-
hicle resulting 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
technical data provided in this documentation is applicable to the basic
model. The vehicle data label in the Maintenance Programme or the vehicle
documentation shows which engine is installed in your vehicle.
The figures may be different depending whether additional equipment is fit-
ted, for different models and for special vehicles.
WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised weight and the load on the axles
could cause damage to the vehicle, accidents and serious injuries.
● The real load on the axles should never exceed the maximum permit-
ted.
● The load and its distribution in the vehicle have effects on the vehicle
handling and the braking ability. Always drive at a suitable speed.
CAUTION
Distribute the load as uniformly and as low down on the vehicle as possible.
When transporting heavy objects in the luggage compartment, these
should be placed as far forward as possible or over the rear axle to have as
little influence on handling as possible. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

16Seat 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 specialised
workshop ⇒ 
. The specialised workshop must use the appropriate spare
parts 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
● Airbag system ⇒ page 32
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 40
● Integrated child seats ⇒ page 46
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 260
WARNING
Unbuckled or badly buckled seat belts increase the risk of severe or even
fatal 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 severe 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
properly, correctly fasten the seat belt belonging to his or her seat and
keep it fastened throughout the trip. This also applies to other vehicle
occupants when driving in town.
● When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a child
restraint system suitable for their weight and height and with the seat
belts correctly fastened ⇒ page 40.
● 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 could 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-
sult in serious injury or loss of life.
● Avoid damaging the seat belt by jamming it in the door or the seat
mechanism. 

19
Seat belts
Why wear seat belts? Frontal collisions and the laws of physics
Fig. 5 Vehicle about to
hit a wall: the vehicle oc-
cupants are not wearing
seat belts
Fig. 6 The vehicle hits
the wall: the vehicle oc-
cupants are not wearing
seat belts It is easy to explain how the laws of physics work in the case of a head-on
collision: 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 vehicle occu-
pants.
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 (15 to 30 mph), 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 vehicle occupants, the more ener-
gy there is to be absorbed in an accident.
Vehicle occupants 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 vehicle occupants in our example are not restrain-
ed by seat belts, all of the vehicle occupants' kinetic energy has to be ab-
sorbed at the point of impact ⇒ Fig. 6.
At speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h (20 to 30 mph), the forces acting on bod-
ies in a collision can easily exceed one tonne (1000 kg). At greater speed
these forces are even higher.
This example applies not only to head-on collisions, but to all accidents and
collisions. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

37
Airbag system
Side airbags
Fig. 20 On the side of
the front seat: location of
the side airbag
Fig. 21 Range of action
of the front 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 seat 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 indicated 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.
● Vehicle occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry
any other people, 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 leave 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. Otherwise, the side airbag would be obstructed when deployed.
WARNING
Incorrect handling of the driver's and front passenger seat could prevent
the side airbag from deploying properly and cause severe injuries.
● Never remove the front seats of the vehicle or modify any of their
components.
● Great forces must not be exerted on the seat backrest bolsters be-
cause the side airbags 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 units must be repaired immediately by a specialised
workshop.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

39
Airbag system
WARNING (Continued)
● Vehicle occupants of the front and outer rear seats must never carry
any other people, 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 leave 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-
proved 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.

Knee airbag
Fig. 24 On the driver
side: location of the knee
airbag
Fig. 25 On the driver
side: Radius of action of
the knee airbag
The knee airbag is located on the driver side below the dash 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
deployed (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 deployment areas of the knee airbags free.
● Never not fix objects to the cover or in the deployment area of the
knee airbag.
● Adjust the driver seat so that there is a distance of at least 10 cm
(4 inches) between your knees and the location of the knee airbag. If
your physical constitution prevents you from meeting these require-
ments, make sure you contact a specialised workshop.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

40Child safety
Child safety
Child seats (accessories) Introduction
Please read the information regarding the airbag system fully before trans-
porting babies 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 32
● Integrated child seats ⇒ page 46
WARNING
Make sure children are properly belted in and correctly secured to avoid
severe or fatal injuries while the vehicle is in motion.
● Never use a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat if the
front passenger front airbag is enabled.
● Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the rear seat.
● Children must always be protected with an approved child restraint
system suited to their height and weight.
● Children must assume the proper sitting position and be properly bel-
ted in while travelling.
● Ensure the seat backrest 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 deployment 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 foot correctly and safely.
● If the vehicle has a storage compartment in the footwell in front of
the last 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
secured when using a child seat with a base or foot then the compart-
ment cover 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. 

41
Child safety
WARNING
An empty or loose child seat could fly uncontrollably around the vehicle
interior and cause injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
● When not in use while the vehicle is in motion, always safely secure
the child seat or store 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 42).
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 approved seat systems for transporting babies and children.
Only used authorised, approved child seats that are suitable for the vehicle.
Always consult with a Technical Service or a specialised 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 are transported on the rear seats.
● Only if you have no alternative should a child travel on the front passen-
ger seat ⇒ page 43. 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 vehicle.
● If the child seat is secured using the seat belt, guide the seat belt
through or around 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 properly.
● The child seat should be installed on the rear seat behind the front pas-
senger seat 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.
Specific child seat regulations for each country (selection)
RegulationFurther informationECE-R 44 a)Technical Service or qualified work-
shop
a)
ECE-R: Economic Comission for Europe Regulation.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications