light Seat Altea 2011 Service Manual

Lights and visibility
122Instrument and switch lighting / Headlight range controlInstrument and switch lighting
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments and
switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning the
thumb wheel ⇒fig. 75 .
The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illumination
and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a photodiode incorpo-
rated in the instrument panel.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles) is switched on when the ignition
is on and the vehicle lights are off . The instrument lighting is dimmed auto-
matically as the daylight starts to fade. It goes out completely when the
ambient light level is very low. This function is intended to remind the driver
to switch on the dipped beam headlights in good time when light conditions
become poor.
Headlight range control
By using the electrical headlight range control, you can adjust the head-
light range to the load level that is being carried in the vehicle. This way, it is possible to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic more than necessary. At the same
time, by using the correct headlight settings, the driver has the best possible
lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To lower the beam, turn the thumb wheel down from the basic setting
0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Ve hi cle s wit h gas discharge bulbs (“xenon bulbs”) are equipped with
dynamic headlight range control. This means that the headlights will be
a d j u s t e d t o s u i t t h e l o a d l e v e l o f t h e v e h i c l e a n d “ n o d d i ng m o v e m e n t s ” w h e n
pulling off and braking are automatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not have headlight range control.
Adaptive headlights* (for driving round bends)
When driving around bends, the headlights will light the
most important areas of the road.
Fig. 75 Dash panel: regu-
lation for instrument and
switch illumination and
headlight range control
A1
A1A2
A2
A2
Fig. 76 Cornering
lighting using adaptive
headlights
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Lights and visibility123
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Dynamic cornering lights* (AFS)
The
dynamic cornering lights only operate if the vehicle is travelling at more
than 10 km/h and the dipped headlights are on. When taking a bend, the
road is illuminated better with directional gas discharge bulbs than with
conventional fixed headlights.
A fault in the system is indicated via the flashing of the control lamp
 on the
instrument panel. At the same time, a text message with information or
instructions to perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument
panel display. Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and have the fault
repaired.
If the control bulb
 lights up on the instrument panel but all the bulbs are
operating correctly ⇒ page 272, there may still be a fault in the dynamic
curve lighting system (AFS). Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped beam control” is switched on, the dipped beam
headlights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on
manually using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for the
correct use of lights in all situations. “Automatic headlight control” is
merely a system to support the driver. Where necessary, switch on the
lights manually using the light switch.Fog lights with cornering function*When the turn signal is switched on to turn or on very tight bends, the right
or left fog lamp automatically comes on to function as a cornering light. The
cornering light only operates if the dipped lights are on.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped beam control” is switched on, the dipped beam
headlights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on
manually using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for the
correct use of lights in all situations. “Automatic headlight control” is
merely a system to support the driver. Where necessary, switch on the
lights manually using the light switch.Hazard warning lights

The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
Fig. 77 Dash panel:
switch for hazard warning
lights
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Lights and visibility
124
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights ⇒.
3. Switch the engine off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear, and for an automatic move the selector lever to P.
6. Use the warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your vehicle.
7. Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehicle.Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for example
when:•reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,•there is an emergency•your vehicle breaks down due to a technical fault,•you are towing another vehicle or your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are
switched on. That is that the two turn signal turn signal lamps

and the
turn signal lamp in the switch
 will flash at the same time. The hazard
warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
Emergency braking warning
If the vehicle is braked suddenly and continuously at a speed of more than 80
km/h, the brake light flashes several times per second to warn vehicles
driving behind. If you continue braking, the hazard warning lights will come
on automatically when the vehicle comes to a standstill. They switch off auto-
matically when the vehicle starts to move again.
WARNING
•The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always
use the hazard warning lights and a warning triangle to draw the attention
of other road users to your stationary vehicle.•Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt
petrol. This could start a fire!Note
•The batter y will run down if the hazard warn ing lights are left on for a long
time, even if the ignition is switched off.•The use of the hazard warning lights described here is subject to the rele-
vant statutory requirements.
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Lights and visibility125
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ⇒fig. 78 to indicate right, and
all the way down to indicate left.
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up or down to the point where you incur resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several
times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash. Switching main beam on and off
– If the dipped lights are on, push the lever forward
⇒fig. 78
to switch on the main beam.
– Push the lever towards the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 78 to switch
off the main beam.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn the right or left-hand parking lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk of accident! Never use the
main beam headlights or the headligh t flasher if they could dazzle other
drivers.
Note
• The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The corre-
sponding warning lamp
 or
flashes in the instrument panel. The warning
lamp
 flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehicle. If a turn signal bulb is defec-
tive, the warning lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn signal bulbs
are damaged, warning lamp
 does not light up. Change the bulb.
Fig. 78 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
A1
A2A1
A2
A3
A4
A4
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Lights and visibility
126•The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam
headlights are already on. The warning lamp
 then comes on in the instru-
ment panel.
•The headlight flasher comes on for as long as you pull the lever – even if
no other lights are switched on. The warning lamp
 then comes on in the
instrument panel.
•When the parking lights are switched on, the headlight and the tail light
on the corresponding side of the vehicle light up. The parking lights will only
work if the key is removed from the ignition. If the lights are switched on, an
acoustic signal will be emitted while the driver door is open.•If the turn signal lever is left on after the key has been taken out of the
ignition lock, an acoustic signal sounds when the driver door is opened. This
is a reminder to switch off the turn signal, unless of course you wish to leave
the parking light on.
Interior lightsInterior front light, type 1 The switch ⇒fig. 79 is used to select the following positions:
Courtesy light position
o
Rocker switch in flat position (not activated). The interior lights are automat-
ically switched on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the
ignition. And turn off approx. 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interior
lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is
switched on.
Interior light switched on

Push the switch to the position
.
Interior light switched off O
Push the switch to position O ⇒fig. 79 .
Fig. 79 Interior roof trim:
front interior lights
AA
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Lights and visibility127
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the key has been removed and the cour-
tesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from discharging.Interior front light, type 2 The switch ⇒fig. 80 is used to select the following positions:
Courtesy light position
o
Rocker switch in flat position (not activated). The interior lights are automat-
ically switched on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the
ignition. And turn off approx. 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interior
lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is
switched on. Interior light switched on

Push the switch to the position
.
Interior light switched off O
Push the switch to position O ⇒fig. 80.
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the key has been removed and the cour-
tesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from discharging.
Fig. 80 Interior roof trim:
front interior lights
AA
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Lights and visibility
128Front reading lights Switching on the reading light

Press the corresponding button ⇒fig. 81 and ⇒fig. 82 to switch on
the reading light. Switching the reading lights off

Press the corresponding button to switch the reading light off.Rear interior and reading lights* The switch
⇒fig. 83 is used to select the following positions:
Interior light switched off 0
In switch position ⇒fig. 83 , the interior and reading lights are switched
off.
Switching on the reading light

Turn the switch to position (left reading light) or to position (right
reading light).
Courtesy light position
o
Turn the control to position . The interior lights are automatically switched
on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the ignition. The
Fig. 81 Interior roof trim:
front reading lights, type
1Fig. 82 Interior roof trim:
front reading lights, type
2
AB
AB
Fig. 83 Interior roof trim:
rear interior lights and
reading lights.
AC
A1A2
A4
A3
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Lights and visibility129
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
light turns off about 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interior lights are
switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is switched on.
Interior lights or both reading lights switched on

Turn the control to position .
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the key has been removed and the cour-
tesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from discharging.VisibilitySun visors
The sun visors for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled out of their
mountings in the centre of the vehicle and turned towards the doors
⇒fig. 84
.
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors have covers. When you open the cover ,
a lamp in the roof lights up.
The light* in the roof lining will go out when the vanity mirror cover is pushed
back or the sun visor is pushed back up.
Note
The roof lamp will turn off about 10 minutes following the removal of the igni-
tion key. This prevents the battery from discharging.
A5
Fig. 84 Sun visor on the
driver side
A1
A2
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Lights and visibility
130Windscreen wipersFront windscreen wipers
U
The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen wipers
and the automatic wash and wipe.
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒fig. 85 has the following positions:
Switching off the wipers
– Move the lever to position .
Intermittent wipe
– Move the lever up to position . – Move the control to the left or right to set the length of the
intervals. Control to the left: long intervals; control to the right:
short intervals. Four wiper interval stages can be set using switch .
Slow wipe
– Move the lever up to position .
Continuous wipe
– Move the lever up to position .
Short wipe
– Move the lever down to position to give the windscreen a short wipe. The wiper will start to move faster if you keep the
lever pressed down for longer than two seconds.
Wash and wipe automatic system
W
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel - Position . The wash function will start immediately and the wipers will start with a
slight delay. The wash and wipe r systems will function at the
same time at speeds of over 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The wipers wi ll keep running for approximately
four seconds.Heated windscreen in the wiper blade area*
In some countries and with some versions, there is the possibility of heating
the windscreen in the area of the windscreen wiper blades in order to aid de-
icing in the zone. The function is switched on by pressing the heated rear
window key
=.
Fig. 85 Windscreen wiper
and windscreen wash
lever
A0A1
AA
AA
A2A3A4
A5
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Lights and visibility131
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
WARNING
•Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and safety levels while
driving.•In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation system.
The washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and obscure
your view of the road.•Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 242.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. If you switch on the wipers
when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you could damage both
the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
•The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.•In certain versions of vehicles with alarms, the windscreen wiper will only
work when the ignition is on and the bonnet closed.•When in use, the wipers do not go as far as the rest position. When the
lever is moved to position 0, they are totally hidden.•The next speed down will automatically be selected if wiper speed
⇒ page 130, fig. 85 or is selected when the vehicle stops. The set speed
will be resumed when the vehicle starts again•The windscreen will be wiped again after approximately five seconds once
the “automatic wipe/wash system” has been operated, provided the vehicle
is in transit (drip function). If you activate the wipers less than three seconds
after the drip function, a new wash sequence will begin without the last wipe.
For the “drip” function to work again, you have to turn the ignition off and
then on again.
•When the “intermittent wipe function” is on, the intervals are directly
proportional to the speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed the shorter
the intervals.•The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the
obstacle and switch the wiper back on again.•Before removing any objects that may be trapped in the side areas of the
windscreen, always move the wiper arms to the service position (horizontal).•The heat output of the heated jets is controlled automatically when the
ignition is switched on, depending upon the outside temperature.
A2
A3
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