display Seat Altea 2007 Owner's Manual
Page 5 of 302
Contents3
ContentsThe structure of this manual
 . . . . . 
Content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety First
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safe driving
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 
Pedal area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowing luggage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Belt tension devices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Airbag system
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Curtain airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Securing child seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating instructions
 . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cockpit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Digital display in the instrument panel  . . . . . . . 
Instrument panel menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering wheel controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Using these instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering wheel lighting controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Unlocking and locking
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Keys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Sliding/tilting roof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights and visibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Mirrors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seats and stowage
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . 
Head restraints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowage compartments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Ashtrays*, cigarette lighter* and electrical 
sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher  
Luggage compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
 . . 
Heating and ventilation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Climatic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
2C-Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Starting and stopping the engine  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Automatic gearbox* / DSG automatic gearbox . 
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cruise control system (CCS)*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tips and Maintenance
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Intelligent technology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-lock brake system and traction control M-ABS 
(ABS and TCS)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Electronic stabilisation program (ESP)* . . . . . . . 
Driving and the environment
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
5
6
7
7
7
10
16
17
19
19
21
24
28
30
30
34
37
41
44
46
46
48
51 55
55
55
56
59
65
72
84
84
84
88
92
93
93
99
100
102
104
106
108
111
111
117
119
120
124
127
127
128
130
131
133 142
145
146
149
149
151
154
158
159
159
160
161
162
165
166
171
172
174
179
179
179
180
181
183
183
184
185
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Page 22 of 302
Seat belts
20The warning lamp  in the combi-instrument lights up
1) if the driver seat belt 
is not fastened when the ignition is switched on. In addition, an acoustic 
signal is given for a few seconds and a text is displayed on the combi-instru-
ment asking you to  fasten your seat belt
1).
The warning la mp* 
 does not go out until the driv er seat belt is fastened, 
while the ignition is switched on.
1)Depending on the model version
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Page 34 of 302
Airbag system
32Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
The functionality of the airbag and belt tension device system is constantly 
monitored electronically. Each time th e ignition is switched on, the warning 
lamp 
 lights for several seconds and the display in the instrument panel* 
shows  AIRBAG / TENSIONER .
The system must be checked when the warning lamp 
 :
•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•
does not go out about 4 seconds after the ignition is switched on,
•
goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched on,
•
or if it comes on or flickers while the car is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously. In 
addition, depending on the malfunctio n, a fault message appears in the 
display of the combi-instrument for approx. 10 seconds and a short acoustic 
signal is given. In this event, you should have a qualified workshop check the 
system immediately.
If any of the airbags are deactivated by the Authorised Service Centre, the 
indicator lights for several  seconds more after the veri fication and will turn off 
if there is no fault.
WARNING
•
If there is a malfunction, the air bag and belt tension device system 
cannot properly perform its protective function.
•
If a malfunction should occur, have the system checked immediately by 
a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a risk that, in the event of an acci-
dent, the airbag system and belt tension devices may not be triggered, or 
may not be triggered correctly.
Repair, care and disposal of the airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle. 
If you work on the airbag system or remove and install parts of the system 
when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag system may be 
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the 
airbag inflates incorrectly  or does not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or 
components of the airbag are scrapped . The specialist workshops and the 
Vehicle disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•
If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used 
incorrectly, the risk of severe or fatal injuries is increased. The airbags may 
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.
•
Do not cover or stick anything on  the steering wheel hub or the soft 
plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dashboard, 
and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.
•
It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.
•
To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry cloth 
or one moistened with water. Never clean the dash panel and surface of the 
airbag module with cleansers containing solvents. Solvents cause the 
surface to become porous. If the airbag inflates, disintegrating plastic 
parts can cause substantial injuries.
•
Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag 
system.
•
Any work on the airbag system or re moval and installation of the airbag 
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should 
be performed only by a qualified workshop. Qualified workshops have the 
necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
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Page 57 of 302
Cockpit55
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Operating instructionsCockpitOverviewOverview of the instrument panel
This overview will help you to  familiarise yourself with the 
controls and displays.
Door release lever 
Light switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air vent
Lighting control for instrument and  control lighting   . . . . . . . . 
Headlight range control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Turn signal and main beam lever and cruise control system* . 
Instrument panel:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Indication lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Horn (works only when the igni tion is on)/ and driver front 
airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen wiper and windscreen wash lever and operation of 
the multi-function display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Thumb wheel for left seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Controls for
− Heating* and ventilation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Air conditioning*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  −
Air conditioner*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio
Thumb wheel for right seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Indication lamp for deactivated  front passenger airbag  . . . . . 
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Glove compartment lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Gear shift lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cup holder compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handle for releasing the bonnet  . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Button for opening and closing the front windows  . . . . . . . . . 
Safety switch* for the rear windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Control* for opening and closing the rear windows . . . . . . . . . 
Note
Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain 
models/model years or are optional extras.
A1A2
111
A3A4
113
A5
113
A6
115,
A7
56
59
72
A8
30
A9
120, 61
A10
131
A11
149
151 154
A12A13
131
A14
44
A15
30
A16
133
A17
166
A18
138
A19A20A21
161
A22
208
A23
106
A24
106
A25
106
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Cockpit
56InstrumentsInstrument overview
The instruments display the vehicle operating status.Detail of the dash panel: Instruments
Fuel gauge ⇒ page 57
Multi-function display
Engine coolant temperature gauge  ⇒page 57
Rev counter ⇒ page 58
Time adjustment button / tr ip recorder reset button ⇒page 58
Speedometer
Fig. 33  Detail of the dash panel: Instruments
A1A2A3A4A5A6
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Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Fuel gauge 
 and reserve indicator
Details of the instrument panel: Fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone  ⇒fig. 34  (arrow), the warning 
lamp will light and an acoustic signal will sound  reminding the driver to 
refuel . At this point there are still about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
The following text appears in the instrument panel display
3)  PLEASE 
REFUEL *
Engine coolant temperature display 
 
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Needle in cold zone 
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads  ⇒fig. 35.
Needle in normal zone 
In normal driving conditions, the needle  should be in the middle section of 
the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard, 
especially at high outside temperatures. This is no cause for concern as long 
as the warning lamp does not light up  and no warning* text appears in the 
combi-instrument display.
Needle in warning zone 
The warning lamp*  ⇒page 72, fig. 47    will light up if the needle is in the 
warning zone. The following warning  appears in the instrument panel 
3)Depending on the model version
Fig. 34  Details of the 
instrument panel: Fuel 
gauge
Fig. 35  Details of the 
instrument panel: Engine 
coolant temperature 
gauge
AAABAC
A2
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Page 60 of 302
Cockpit
58display
4).  Stop the car and switch off the engine.  Check the coolant level 
⇒ page 215  ⇒ .
Even if the coolant level is correct  do not continue driving. You should obtain 
technical assistance.WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always bear in mind the safety 
warnings ⇒ page 208.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At 
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the 
engine overheating.Rev counter
The rev. counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per 
minute.The start of the red zone on the dial  ⇒page 56, fig. 33    indicates the 
maximum engine speed which may be used briefly when the engine is warm 
and after it has been run-in properly. Ho wever, it is advisable to change up a 
gear or move the selector lever to D (or l ift your foot off the accelerator) before 
the needle reaches the red zone.
Caution
The rev counter needle must never enter the red zone on the scale. Risk of 
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear early will help you to save fuel and minimise engine 
noise.Setting the digital clock* 
The digital clock is located in the instrument panel display.– Turn the setting knob  ⇒page 56, fig. 33    anti-clockwise to 
the stop to set the hour. If the kn ob is turned briefly anti-clock-
wise the clock will advance one hour further.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the limit stop to set the  minutes. If the knob is turned briefly clockwise the clock will 
advance one minute further.
4)Depending on the model version
A4
A5
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Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Digital display in the instrument panelDisplay (without warning or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other 
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector 
lever position.
Digital clock display  ⇒page 58
Distance display or service interval display  ⇒page 60
Selector lever position display for the automatic gearbox*.
Display for the gears in Tiptronic mode (automatic gearbox)*. The 
selected gear appears in the display field with a light background 
⇒ fig. 37   .
Fig. 36  Detail of the 
instrument panel: Screen 
with various displays
Fig. 37  Detail of instru-
ment panel: Display with 
Tiptronic gear selection
A1A2A3A4
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Cockpit
60Displayed categories
The display in the instrument panel shows the mileage and 
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Control and warning lamps: “Control and warning lamps”.
Clock: “Setting the time”. In some vehicles the ambient temperature is 
displayed to the right of the clock.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
- Selectable displays:  e.g. Multi-function display (MFD) and ambient 
temperature display
- Automatic indications:  information or warning messages: “Information 
or warning messages on the screen”
- Menus with diverse information are shown on the screen allowing many  adjustments to be made: “Instrument panel menus”. Mileage display or Service Interval Display “Mileage display or Service 
Interval Display”.
Selector lever position display for the automatic gearbox. The actual 
position of the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic) 
are highlighted.
Mileage display or Service Interval DisplayDistance display
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance 
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter regi
sters the short journeys. The last digit indicates 
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by the reset 
button  ⇒page 56, fig. 33 .
Service interval display
A  Service pre-warning will appear in the mileage display if a service is due 
soon. A “spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance 
that can be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will 
change after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the 
number of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The 
following information text displaye d in the instrument panel display: SERV. IN 
... KM OR ... DAYS . The service message will disappear approximately 20 
seconds after the ignition is switched on  or the engine is running. The normal 
display can be resumed by pressing the re set button on the trip counter or by 
pressing the rocker switch of the MFI  ⇒page 61, fig. 39  .
With the ignition switched on, you can call up the current  service message by 
pressing the trip counter reset knob for 2 seconds.
An  overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in  front of the mileage or day 
information.
Fig. 38  Digital display in 
the instrument panel
A1A1A2
A3A4
A6
AB
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Cockpit61
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Display with multi-function display (MFD)*
The multi-function display (M FD) shows you diverse journey 
and consumption data.
The multi-function display is equipped with two automatic memo-
ries:  1 - Trip memory  and 2 - Total journey memory . The selected 
memory will be shown in the upper right-hand corner of the display.
Selecting memory
– With the ignition switched on, briefly press the button  ⇒fig. 39  
 on the windscreen wiper lever to move between the two 
memories.
Resetting the memory
– Select the memory that you would like to reset.
– Press and hold button   on the windscreen wiper lever for at  least 2 seconds.The  trip memory 1  collects the travel and cons umption data from the moment 
the ignition is switched on until it is switched off. If the journey is continued 
within two hours of switching off the ignition, the new values will be added to 
the existing trip recorder memory. The  memory will automatically be deleted 
if the journey is interrupted for more than two hours.
The  total journey memory 2  collects the journey data for any number of indi-
vidual journeys (even if the ignition is  switched off for longer than two hours) 
up to a total of 99 hours and 59 minutes travel time, 9999 miles distance trav-
elled and 999 litres of fuel consumed. The memory will automatically be 
deleted if one of the named values is reached.
Fig. 39  Windscreen wiper 
and washer lever: Button 
A and rocker switch BFig. 40  Digital screen on 
the instrument panel: 
Average fuel consumption 
display
AA
AA
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