mirror Seat Alhambra 2016 Owner's Guide

Driver assistance systems
Blind spot detector (BSD) with
p ark
in
g assistant (RTA)
Introduction The blind spot detector (BSD) helps detect
the traffic
s

ituation to the sides and behind
the vehicle.
The integrated parking assistant (RTA) helps
the driver when backing out of a parallel
parking spot and in manoeuvring.
The blind spot detector has been developed
for driving on paved roads. WARNING
The smart technology incorporated into the
blind s pot

detector (BSD) with parking assis-
tance (RTA) included cannot overcome the
limits imposed by the laws of physics; it only
works within the limits of the system. Acci-
dents and severe injury may occur if the blind
spot detection system or the parking assis-
tant are used negligently or involuntarily. The
system is not a replacement for driver aware-
ness.
● Adapt your speed and safe distance to the
vehicl
e in front of you at all times to suit visi-
bility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
● Keep your hands on the wheel at all times,
and be rea
dy to intervene in the steering at
any time. ●
Pa y

attention to the control lamps that may
come on in the external rear view mirrors and
on the instrument panel, and follow any in-
structions they may give.
● The blind spot assistant may react in the
face of
any special constructions that may be
present on the sides of the vehicle: e.g., high
or irregular protective fences. This may cause
erroneous warnings.
● Never use the blind spot detector with
parkin
g assistance on unpaved roads. The
blind spot detector with parking assistance
has been designed for use on paved roads.
● Always pay attention to the vehicle's sur-
roundin
gs.
● Never use the blind spot detector with
parkin
g assistance if the radar sensors are
dirty, covered or damaged. The system may
work incorrectly in these cases. CAUTION
● The ra d

ar sensors on the rear bumper may
be damaged or shifted in the event of a colli-
sion, for example, when entering or exiting a
parking space. This may result in the system
disconnecting itself, or at least having its
functionality diminished.
● In order to ensure that the radar sensors
work pr
operly, keep the rear bumper free of
snow and ice and do not cover it.
● The rear bumper should only be painted
with paint
authorised by SEAT. The blind spot detector's functions may be limited or work
incorr
ectly

if other paints are used.
● The external rear view mirror control lamps
may
have their functionality limited in the
event of solar radiation. Note
If the blind spot detector with the parking as-
s is

tant does not work as described in this
chapter, do not use it and have it checked by
a specialised workshop. Control lamps
Control lamp in external rear view mirrors:

Lights up
Lights up once briefly: the blind spot detector is activa-
ted and ready to operate.
Lights up: blind spot detector has detected a vehicle in
the blind spot.

Flashes
The blind spot detector has detected a vehicle in the
blind spot and the turn signal has been turned on in the
direction of the detected vehicle
›››
.
For vehicles that are also equipped with Lane Assist
››› page 222, a warning to switch lanes will also appear
even though the turn signal has not been engaged.
» 225
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
If there are no indications from the control
l amp in the e
xt
ernal rear view mirror, this
means that the blind spot detector has not
detected any other vehicles in the area ››› in Introduction on page 225.
If
the dip
ped be

am is on, then the control
lamps in the external rear view mirrors will be
dimmed (night mode). WARNING
If the warning lamps and the corresponding
mes s

ages are ignored when they light up, the
vehicle may stall in traffic and cause acci-
dents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or messag-
es.
● Carr

y out the necessary operations. CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and corre-
spondin g t

ext messages when they light up
may result in damage to the vehicle. Blind spot detector (BSD)
Fig. 221
In the exterior mirrors: indication of
the b lind s
pot

detector. Fig. 222
Rear view of the vehicle: radar sen-
sor z one

s. The Blind spot detector uses radar sensors to
monit
or the ar
e

as to the side and behind the
vehicle. The system does this by measuring
the vehicle's distance from other vehicles
and its speed differential. The blind spot de-
tector will not work at speeds of less than ap-
prox. 15 km/h (9 mph). The system uses opti-
cal signals in the external rear view mirrors to
notify the driver.
Indication in the external rear view mirrors
The control lamp (expanded view) provides
an indication in the corresponding external
mirror ››› Fig. 221 regarding the traffic situa-
tion behind the vehicle, if it is deemed to be
critical. The control lamp of the left-hand ex-
ternal mirror A indicates the traffic situation
to the left of the vehicle, and the control lamp
of the right-hand external mirror B, indicates
the traffic situation to the right of the vehicle.
226

Driver assistance systems
In the case of tinted windows or windows
w ith tint
ed fi
lm, the indications of the exter-
nal mirrors may not be seen clearly or correct-
ly.
Keep the external mirrors clean and free of
snow and ice, and do not cover them with ad-
hesives or other similar materials.
Radar sensors
The radar sensor are located on the left and
right of the bumper, and are not visible from the outside
››› Fig. 222. The sensors have a
range of approx. 20 metres behind the vehi-
cle, including the blind spots to the left and
right of the vehicle. The range to the sides of
the vehicle is roughly larger than the width of
a lane.
The lane width is not detected individually,
but is rather pre-configured in the system.
Thus if you are driving in wide lanes or in be-
tween two lanes, the indications may be in-
correct. Furthermore, the system can detect vehicles driving in the lane next to you (if
there are an
y), and can also detect stationary
objects such as dividers, and thus give an in-
correct indication.
227
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Driving conditions Fig. 223
Schematic diagram:  Pas sing sit-
uation with traffic behind the vehicle.  Indi-
cation from the blind spot detector in the left-
hand external mirror. Fig. 224
Schematic diagram:  Situation of
p a

ssing and then moving into the right-hand
lane.  Indication from the blind spot detec- tor in the right-hand external mirror. In the following situations, an indication will
be di
s
p

layed in the external mirror ››› Fig. 223
B (arrow) or ››› Fig. 224 B (arrow):
● When being passed by another vehicle
›››
Fig. 223 A.
● When passing another vehicle ›››
Fig. 224 A
with a speed differential of approx. 10 km/h
(6 mph). If the vehicle is passing at a consid- erably higher speed, no indication will be
disp

layed.
The faster the vehicle approaches, the sooner
an indication will be displayed in the external
mirror, because the blind spot detector takes
into account the speed differential with other
vehicles. Thus even though the distance from
the other vehicle is identical, the indication
will appear sooner in some cases and later in
others. Physical limitations inherent to the system
In some situation
s the blind spot detector
may not interpret the traffic situation correct-
ly. E.g. in the following situations:
● on tight bends
● in the case of lanes with different widths
● at the top of slopes
● in adverse weather conditions
228

Operation
●  BSD
●  P arking Assist.
If the
verification box on the control panel is
checked , the functionality will be automat-
ically activated at ignition.
When the blind spot detector is ready to op-
erate, the indications in the external mirrors
will turn on briefly as confirmation.
The control lamp of the instrument panel in-
dicates the system's status.
When the vehicle is restarted, the last adjust-
ment in the system will remain active.
If the blind spot detector was automatically
deactivated, it will only be possible to restart
the system after turning the vehicle off and
restarting it.
Automatic deactivation of the blind spot de-
tector (BSD)
The radar sensors of the blind spot detector
with parking assistant will be automatically
deactivated when, among other reasons, one
of the sensors is detected to be permanently
covered. This may be the case if, for example,
there is a layer of snow or ice in front of one
of the sensors.
The relevant text message will appear in the
dash panel display Towing a trailer
The Blind spot det

ector and the parking as-
sistant will be automatically deactivated and
it will be impossible to activate them if the
tow hitch is electrically connected to a trailer
or other similar object.
As soon as the driver starts to drive with a
trailer connected electrically to the vehicle, a
message will appear on the instrument panel
display indicating that the blind spot detec-
tor and parking assistant are deactivated.
Once the trailer has been unhitched from the
vehicle, if you want to us the blind spot de-
tector and parking assistant, you will have to
reactivate them in the corresponding menu.
If the towing hitch is not factory equipped,
then the blind spot detector and parking as-
sistant will have to be deactivated manually
when driving with a trailer.
Traffic signal detection
(Sign Assi

st)*
Introduction Sign Assist can help the driver with informa-
tion on s
peed limits
or if

overtaking is pro-
hibited at that moment. The traffic signs and
additional information detected by the sys-
tem is represented in the dash panel display and in the visual presentation of the naviga-
tion syst

em map.
Applicable countries:
Sign Assist is accepted in the following coun-
tries:
Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Fin-
land, France, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway,
Austria, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Swe-
den, Switzerland, Spain, Czech Republic, Uni-
ted Kingdom, Vatican City. WARNING
The traffic signs and instructions shown by
Sign Ass i

st may differ from the current traffic
situation.
● The signs and highway code rules always
take pr
ecedence over the instructions and
display of Sign Assist.
● Adjust your speed and driving style to visi-
bility
, road, traffic and weather conditions.
● The system cannot always detect or cor-
rectly sho
w all the traffic signs. WARNING
The traffic sign detection is not a replacement
for driv er a

wareness.
● Adverse conditions of visibility, darkness,
snow
, rain and fog can cause the system not
to show the traffic signs or to show them er-
roneously. 230

Operation
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text
mes s
ages when they appear may result in ve-
hicle faults. Operation mode
Sign Assist does not work in all countries.
This
mu

st be taken into account when travel-
ling abroad.
Display of traffic signs
Speed limits or overtaking prohibitions to-
gether with the corresponding additional
signs are shown on the instrument panel dis-
play ›››
Fig. 226. Depending on the naviga-
tion system installed in the vehicle, traffic
signs will be shown as above and also in the
navigation system's map display.
When Sign Assist is connected, the vehicle
records the traffic signs with a camera in the
base of the interior rear vision mirror. After
checking and evaluating the information
from the camera, the navigation system and
the current vehicle data, up to three valid
traffic signs are displayed in conjunction with
the corresponding additional signs. The traf-
fic sign that is currently valid for the driver is
shown first, in the left side of the screen. A
traffic sign of only limited validity,
e.g. 90 km/h (56 mph) is shown second, to-
gether with the additional sign “if the road is wet”. If the vehicle's rain sensor detects rain
during tr
av

el, the traffic sign valid at this mo-
ment will move to the first position along the
additional sign “if the road is wet”.
The permanent display on the instrument
panel screen is shown as you pass the real
traffic signs. The signs for entering and leav-
ing towns activate the display of the usual
speed limits for that country on roads in
populated areas and national highways, even
if the speed is not limited by an actual traffic
sign.
The end of a prohibition or limitation is not
displayed. If you exceed the speed limits
shown, a warning will not appear. The system
does not detect areas with little traffic. The
current legal provisions apply.
Connection and disconnection
● Connect or disconnect the assist system in
the Settings menu in the SEA

T information
system ›››
 page 26.
● OR: press the button for the driver assist
sys
tems on the main beam lever.
Trailer
Connect or disconnect the secondary display
for speed limits and overtaking bans that ap-
ply to trailers (trailer mode) in the Settings
menu in the SEAT information system
›››  page 26. Tiredness detection (recom-
mendation to t

ake a break)
Introduction WARNING
Do not let the extra convenience afforded by
the tiredne s

s detection function tempt you
into taking any risks when driving. When
making long trips, conveniently long breaks
must be taken.
● The driver is responsible for determining
their capac
ity to drive.
● Never drive when tired.
● The system does not always detect the
tirednes
s of the driver. Please read the infor-
mation provided in the section ››› page 233,
Limited operation.
● In some situations the system may incor-
rectly int
erpret an intended manoeuvre as a
sign of tiredness of the driver.
● In the event of the an episode called “mi-
cro
sleep” at the wheel, a strong warning is
not in place!
● Observe the indications on the display of
the instrument
panel and act in accordance
with them. 232

Operation
Note
● Alw a
ys turn off the anti-theft alarm system
before connecting or disconnecting a trailer
››› page 119. Otherwise, the tilt sensor may
erroneously activate the alarm.
● Never use a trailer with a new engine (for
the first
1,000 km or 600 miles) ››› page 247.
● At SEAT, we recommend folding in the tow
hitch b
all when a trailer is not being used. In
case of a rear collision, the damage caused to
the vehicle with the extended tow hitch ball
could be more extensive.
● In some models, a tow hitch is necessary
for to
wing vehicles. For this reason, you
should store the tow hitch in the vehicle at all
times. Technical requirements
If the car is supplied with a
fact
or
y-fitted tow-
ing bracket it will already have the necessary
technical modifications and meet the statuto-
ry requirements for towing a trailer.
Only use an approved tow hitch for the gross
trailer weight rating. The tow hitch must be
suitable for both the vehicle and trailer and
must be securely fitted to the vehicle chassis.
Only use a tow hitch with a removable ball
joint. Always check and take into account the
tow hitch manufacturer's instructions. Never
fit a trailer tow hitch “that distributes the
load” or “balances the load”. Bumper mounted tow hitch
Never fit a t

ow hitch or its attachments to the
bumper. A tow hitch should never interfere
with the bumper performance. Do not modify
the exhaust system and brake system. Regu-
larly check the tow hitch to ensure it is firmly
fitted.
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer increases the load on
the engine and cooling system. The cooling
system should always have sufficient coolant
and to be able to cope with the vehicle and
trailer.
Electric trailer brake
If the trailer has its own braking system,
please note the relevant legal requirements.
The trailer braking system should never be
connected to the vehicle braking system.
Trailer cable
Always use a cable between the vehicle and
the trailer ››› page 240.
Trailer rear lights
The rear lights of a trailer must fulfil the cor-
responding standards ››› page 240.
Never connect the trailer's rear lights directly
to the vehicle electric system. In case of any
doubt about the electrical connection of the trailer, ask a specialised workshop. SEAT rec-
ommends
visiting a technical service.
Wing mirrors
When the field of vision behind the trailer
cannot be seen using the standard wing mir-
rors of the towing vehicle, additional wing
mirrors are required according to the legal re-
quirements of each country. The wing mirrors
must be fitted before driving and must pro-
vide a sufficient field of vision behind.
Trailer electricity consumption
Never exceed the specifications:
DevicesMaximum power
Side lights and rear lights50 Watts
Turn signal (each side)54 Watts
Brake lights (total)84 Watts
Reversing lights (total)42 Watts
Rear fog light42 Watts WARNING
If the tow hitch is badly fitted or unsuitable,
the trai l

er may separate from the vehicle
causing an accident with serious consequen-
ces. 238

Advice
Automatic car washes
A lw
a
ys observe the instructions provided at
the automatic car wash. The standard pre-
cautionary measures prior to entering the car
wash should be taken to avoid damage to
the vehicle (close all windows, fold in exterior
mirrors). If the vehicle is fitted with additional
components (spoiler, roof-rack, aerial, etc.),
check with the car wash supervisor whether
these can enter the car wash ››› .
The v
ehic

le paintwork is so durable that the
vehicle can normally be washed without
problems in an automatic car wash tunnel.
However, wear and damage to the paintwork
will depend on the type of car wash used.
SEAT recommends the use of car washes
without brushes.
To remove traces of wax on windows and to
prevent wiper blades from scratching, please
observe the following ››› page 255, Cleaning
windows and exterior mirrors .
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of
water to soften the dirt first, and rinse off as
well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge,
glove or brush using only slight pressure.
Start at the roof and work downwards. Spe-
cial car shampoo should only be used for
very persistent dirt. Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and of-
ten.
Wheels, s

ills and similar should be cleaned
last. Use a second sponge for this. WARNING
Sharp components on the vehicle may cause
injury .
● Pr

otect arms and hands from sharp edges
when cle
aning the vehicle undercarriage or
the interior of the wheel hubs. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing eff ect

will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
caref
ully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process. CAUTION
● The temper at

ure of the water must not ex-
ceed +60°C (+140°F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the
vehicle in full sun.
● Do not use rough sponges or similar which
coul
d damage the surface to clean away the
traces of insects. ●
Never w ipe the he

adlights with a dry cloth
or sponge, always moisten first. It is best to
use soapy water.
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
When washin
g the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! CAUTION
To avoid any risk of damage to the vehicle,
p le

ase check the following points before us-
ing an automatic car wash:
● Compare the distance between the vehicle
wheels and the di
stance between the guide-
rails of the car wash to prevent damage to the
wheels and tyres!
● Switch off the rain sensor and the Au-
to Hol
d function before entering a car wash.
● Compare the height and width of your vehi-
cle w
ith the available height and width when
entering and driving through the car wash.
● Fold in exterior mirrors Electrically retracta-
ble e
xterior mirrors must not be folded in or
out by hand. Always use the electrical power
control.
● To avoid damaging the bonnet paintwork,
res
t the wipers on the windscreen after dry-
ing them. Do not let them fall!
● Lock the rear lid to prevent it from opening
unexpect
edly while inside the car wash.254

Care and maintenance
Washing the vehicle with a high pres-
s ur
e c
leaner When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pres-
sur
e c

leaner, always follow the operating in-
structions for the equipment. Pay special at-
tention to the required pressure of the jet
and the distance between the jet and the ve-
hicle ››› .
Keep a s uit

able distance from soft materials,
such as rubber hoses or insulating material,
and from the parking distance warning sys-
tem sensors. The parking distance sensors
are fitted in the rear bumpers and, where ap-
plicable, in the front bumpers ››› .
Do not u
se a no

zzle that sprays the water out
in a direct stream or one that has a rotating
jet for forcing off dirt ››› .
WARNING
The incorrect use of high pressure cleaning
equipment c ou

ld result in permanent dam-
age, visible or invisible, to the tyres or other
materials. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.
● Ensure there is a suitable distance between
the nozzl
e and the tyres.
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or
so-cal
led “dirt blasters”. Even at large spray-
ing distances and short cleaning times, you
may damage the tyres. WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the brak-
ing eff ect

will be reduced (and the braking
distance increased) due to moisture (and ice
in winter) on the brakes.
● “Dry the brakes and remove ice” by braking
caref
ully. Ensure that you are not endanger-
ing other road-users or breaking traffic regu-
lations in the process. CAUTION
● The wat er t

emperature should not exceed
+60°C (+140°F).
● To avoid damage to the paintwork, do not
wash the
vehicle in full sun.
● The sensors on the bumpers should be kept
cle
an and free of ice at all times to ensure the
parking distance warning system and the
park assist system operate correctly. When
cleaning with pressure hoses and steam
cleaners, the sensors should be sprayed only
briefly. A distance of 10 cm between the sen-
sors and the steam / hose nozzle must be ob-
served.
● Do not use a high pressure cleaner to re-
move ic
e or snow from windows
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures:
When washin
g the vehicle with a hose, do
not direct water into the lock cylinders or the
gaps around the doors or roof. Locks and
seals could freeze! Cleaning windows and exterior mir-
r
or
s Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors
Spr
a

y windows and exterior windows with a
standard window cleaner containing alcohol.
Dry the windows with a clean chamois leath-
er or a lint-free cloth. The chamois leathers
used on painted surfaces are not suitable for
cleaning windows because they are soiled
with wax deposits which could smear the
windows.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to
clean rubber, oil, grease and silicone depos-
its off ››› .
R emo
v

ing wax residue
Automatic car washes and certain car care
products may leave wax deposits on the win-
dows. These deposits can only be removed
with a special product or cleaning cloths.
Wax deposits on the windscreen could cause
the wiper blades to judder. SEAT recom-
mends you wipe the wax deposits off the
windscreen with a soft cloth each time after
you have washed the vehicle.
A window cleaning detergent which helps to
dissolve the wax may be added to the wind-
screen washer fluid to prevent the wiper
blades from scratching the windscreen.
Please ensure you add the cleaning product
in the correct proportions. Products for »
255
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
removing grease do not eliminate the wax
depo s
its
››› .
S pec
i
al cleaning products or window cloths
are available at any technical service. To re-
move wax deposits, SEAT recommends the
following products:
● For the hottest time of the year: the
G 052 184 A1 window c
leaner for summer
use. Proportion 1:100 (1 part detergent,
100 parts water) in the windscreen washer
reservoir.
● All year round: window cleaning product
G 052 164 A2; proportion 1:2 in w
indscreen
washer container (1 part concentrate, 2 parts
water) in winter, up to -18 ℃ (-0.4 ºF), or 1:4,
during the rest of the year.
● Window cloths G 052 522 A1 for all win-
dows
and exterior mirrors.
Removing snow
Use a small brush to remove snow from the
windows and exterior mirrors.
Removing ice
If possible, use a de-icing spray to remove
ice. If you use an ice scraper, push it in one
direction only without swinging it. If you pull
the scraper backwards, the dirt may scratch
the window. WARNING
Dirty or misted windows reduce visibility in
al l

directions and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Do not drive unless you have good visibility
through al
l windows!
● Remove ice and snow from the windows
and demist
inside and out. CAUTION
● Never mi x

our cleaning products with other
products not recommended by SEAT in the
windscreen washer reservoir. This could lead
to flocculation and may block the windscreen
washer jets.
● Do not use hot or warm water to remove ice
or snow fr
om the windows and exterior mir-
rors. The glass could crack!
● The heating element for the rear window is
located on the inner s
ide of the window. Do
not stick adhesive labels over the heating el-
ements and never clean the inside of the rear
window with corrosive or acid products or
other similar chemical cleaning products.
● Aerials on the inside of windows may be
damag
ed if knocked or if cleaned with corro-
sive or acid cleaning products. Do not stick
adhesive labels over the heating elements
and never clean the inside of the rear window
with corrosive or acid products or other simi-
lar chemical cleaning products. Caring for and polishing the vehicle
p
aintw
ork Waxing
Re
gu

lar waxing protects the paintwork. It is
time to apply a good coat of wax when water
no longer forms droplets and rolls off the
clean paintwork.
Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the
automatic car wash, SEAT recommends pro-
tecting the paint with a hard wax coating at
least twice a year.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paint has
lost its shine, and the gloss cannot be
brought back by applying wax.
If the polish does not contain wax, a wax
product should be applied after polishing. CAUTION
● To pr ev

ent damage, car polish or hard wax
should not be used on components painted in
matt paint, plastic components and the glass
headlamp and tail light covers.
● Do not polish the paintwork if it is dirty, ap-
ply po
lish in dusty or sandy zones.256