warning Seat Altea 2009 Owner's Manual

Driving
174
Driving
– Press and hold the foot brake.
– Press on the button on the selector lever knob (on the left, ⇒page 173, fig. 142 .
– Select a gear for driving ( R, D or S).
– Release the button and wait a few seconds for the gear to engage, a light jerk will be felt.
– Release the brake and accelerate.
Short stop
– Hold the vehicle stationary with the brake pressed down (for example at traffic lights). The selector lever does not need to be
put into the positions P or N for this.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking the vehicle
– Press the foot brake and hold to bring the vehicle to a stop.
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press in the button on the selector lever knob, move the lever to the position P and release the button.
Driving slowly
– Move the selector lever to the position D and press to the right to
put the lever into Tiptronic mode.
– Press the gear lever towards (-) to select a lower gear. Hill stop
– Hold the vehicle, in all cases, using the foot brake to prevent
rolling back.
– Do not try to slow the vehicle using another forward gear (engine braking).
Descending gradients
– With the gear engaged, release the brake and accelerate.
The steeper the gradient the lower the gear must be for effective engine
braking. For example, if 3rd gear is used on a very steep gradient, the engine
braking is insufficient and vehicle accelerates. So that the engine speed does
not become excessive, the gearbox changes to the next highest gear. Depress
the brake pedal and move the selector lever to the Tiptronic gate to return to
3rd gear.
WARNING
•
The driver should never leave the ve hicle while the engine is running or
with any gear selected. If for any reason you must leave the vehicle with the
engine running, apply the handbrake and move the selector lever to posi-
tion P.
•
When the engine is running and the positions D, S or R are selected, it
is necessary to hold the vehicle with the foot brake because the vehicle will
creep at a low speed.
•
Never accelerate while changing the position of the selector lever (risk
of an accident).
•
The selector lever must never be mo ved into the positions R or P while
moving (risk of an accident).
•
Before descending a steep gradient, reduce speed and use the Tiptronic
programme to select a lower gear.
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Driving175
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
If you must stop on a hill, always hold the vehicle using the footbrake
to avoid rolling back.
•
The footbrake must not be held fo r a long period of time, not even
lightly; continuous braking will cause overheating of the brakes and a
reduction or even a loss of braking power and a significant increase in
braking distances.
•
Never allow the vehicle to coast down a gradient with the selector lever
in positions N or D, even when the engine is not running. For descents, the
use of the Tiptronic programme is recommended to keep the speed
reduced.Caution
•
Never use the automatic gearbox to hold the vehicle stationary on a hill,
even for short periods, as this may overheat the gearbox and cause damage.
Apply the handbrake or depress the foot brake to hold the vehicle in position.
•
If the vehicle is allowed to roll with the engine stopped but the selector in
position N then the gearbox may be damaged because it will not be
lubricated.
Using the Tiptronic gear system
The Tiptronic system allows the driver to manually select
gears
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 143 Changing gear
with TiptronicFig. 144 Steering wheel
with levers for automatic
gearbox
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Driving177
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒ page 176, fig. 145.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒ page 176, fig. 145 and guide the handbrake
lever down fully ⇒.Always apply the handbrake firmly . This prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp
 lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The warning turns off when the handbrake is
released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following
message* will appear on the instrument panel display: HANDBRAKE ON. Also,
an audible warning is given.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The
braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied to
the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
•
If it is only partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating,
which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an acci-
dent. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected.
Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the
vehicle is parked.Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
–Apply the handbrake.
– The first gear should also be selected.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition lock. Turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle ⇒ .Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started
to roll.•
If the vehicle is parked facing downhill , turn the front wheels so that they
point towards the kerb.
•
If the vehicle is parked facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they
point away from the kerb .
•
Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and
engaging first gear.
WARNING
•
Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle
unattended.
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Driving
178•
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
•
Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.
•
Never leave children alone in the vehicle. They could set the vehicle in
motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear lever /
selector lever.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
Starting on an uphill*
This function is only included in vehicles fitted with ESP.This device helps when starting uphill.
These are the basic operation conditions: doors closed, brake pedal pressed
down and vehicle in neutral. The system is activated on engaging gear.
After removing your foot from the brake pedal, the braking force is maintained
for a few seconds to prevent the vehicle from moving backward when put into
gear. This short space of time is enough to start the vehicle with ease.
This system also works when reversing uphill.
WARNING
•
If you do not start the vehicle immedi ately after taking your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle may start to roll back under certain conditions.
Depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake immediately.
•
If the engine stalls, depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake
immediately.
•
When following a line of traffic uphill, if you want to prevent the vehicle
from rolling back accidentally when starting off, hold the brake pedal down
for a few seconds before starting off.Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop can tell you if your vehicle is
equipped with this system.Acoustic parking aid system*General notesVarious systems are available to help you when parking or manoeuvring in
tight spaces, depending on the equipment fitted on your vehicle.
The SEAT parking system* gives an acoustic warning if there are any obsta-
cles behind your car.
When you are parking, the SEAT parking system* plus warns you acoustically
and optically
19) about obstacles “in front of” and “behind” the vehicle.
Note
To ensure the acoustic parking aid works properly, the sensors must be kept
clean and free of snow and ice.
WARNING (continued)
19)Vehicles with a navigation system.WARNING (continued)
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Driving179
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Seat Parking System: Description
The parking system is an acoustic parking aid.Sensors are located in the rear bumper. When the sensors detect an obstacle,
you are alerted by acoustic signals (beeps). The measuring range of the
sensors starts at about:
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the
obstacle, the warning tone will sound continuously. Do not drive on!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected
obstacle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).
The parking aid is switched on automatically when reverse gear is engaged.
You will hear a brief acknowledgement tone.
WARNING
•
The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is
personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not
always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.
•
Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full
use of the rear-view mirrors.
Caution
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not give
any further warning. Certain kinds of ob stacles (such as wire fences, chains,
thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be detected by the
system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 181.Seat Parking System Plus*: Description
The parking system plus is an acoustic and optical parking
aid.Sensors are located in the front and rear bumpers. When the sensors detect
an obstacle, you are alerted by acoustic and optical signals. The measuring
range of the sensors starts at about:
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the
obstacle, the warning tone will soun d continuously. Stop moving immedi-
ately!
Rear
Side
0,60
Centre
1,60
Front
Side
0,90
Centre
1,20
Rear
Side
0,60
Centre
1,60
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Driving
180The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected
obstacle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).Enabling/DisablingEnabling
– Connects the radionavigator
– Press the switch

on the central console ⇒fig. 146 or on the
gear selector gate. You will hear a brief acknowledgement tone
and the LED on the switch will light up.
Disabling
– Drive forwards faster than 10 km/h, or
– Press the switch

or – Switch the ignition off.
Segments in the optical display
Some colour segments in front and behind and an acoustic signal enable the
driver to assess the distance with respect to an obstacle. The ambar colour
segments combined with a discontinuous beep indicate the presence of an
obstacle. As the vehicle gets closer to
the obstacle, the colour of the segment
changes to red and the acoustic signal beeps continuously. When the penul-
timate segment is displayed, this means that the vehicle has reached the
collision zone. Stop moving immediately! ⇒.
WARNING
•
The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is
personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not
always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.
•
Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full
use of the rear-view mirrors.Caution
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be
registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not give
any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences, chains,
thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be detected by the
system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 181.
•
There is a slight delay in the picture display.
Fig. 146 Centre console:
Switch for parking aid
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Driving181
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
To w i n g b r a c k e tIn towing mode, the rear parking sensors are not enabled when you select
reverse gear or press the switch
. This function may not be guaranteed on
towing brackets that are not factory fitted. This results in the following restric-
tions:
SEAT parking system*
No warning is given
SEAT parking system plus*
There is no rear distance warning. The system will still give a warning when
obstacles are detected while driving forwards. The optical display changes to
towing mode.
Fault messagesIf you hear a long beep for a few seconds and the LED on the switch
* starts
flashing when you switch on the parking aid, a system fault has occurred.
Please refer the problem to an Authori sed SEAT dealer or specialised work-
shop.
Note
If the fault is not corrected before you switch off the ignition, it will only be
indicated by the flashing LED on the switch
 the next time you switch on
the parking aid.
Cruise control system (CCS)*Description
The cruise control system is able to maintain the set speed in
the range from approx. 30 km/h to 180 km/h.Once the speed setting has been saved, you may take your foot off the accel-
erator.
WARNING
It could be dangerous to use the cruise control system if it is not possible
to drive at constant speed.•
For safety reasons the cruise control system should not be used in
dense traffic, in sections with bends or where roads are in bad conditions
(e.g. aquaplanning, loose chippings, slippery surfaces, snow). Risk of acci-
dent.
•
Always switch the CCS off when finish to use it in order to avoid an
involuntary use.
•
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.Note
The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when descending down-
hills. The vehicle will accelerate due to its own weight. Use the foot brake to
slow the vehicle.
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Driving183
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Adjusting set speed*
The speed can be altered without touching the accelerator or
the brake.Setting a higher speed
– Press the upper part RES/+ of the rocker switch ⇒fig. 149 to
increase the speed. The vehicle will continue to accelerate as
long as you keep the rocker switch pressed. When you release
the switch, the new speed is stored.
Setting a lower speed
–Press the lower part SET/– of the rocker switch to reduce the
speed. The vehicle will automatically reduce its speed for as long
as you keep the switch pressed. When you release the switch, the
new speed is stored.
When you increase speed with the accelerator and then release the pedal, the
system will automatically restore the set speed. This will not be the case,
however, if the vehicle speed is more than 10 km/h higher than the stored
speed for longer than 5 minutes. The speed will have to be stored again.
Control of the set speed is switched off if you reduce speed by depressing the
brake pedal. You can reactivate the control by pressing once on the upper part
of the rocker switch RES/+ ⇒ fig. 149 .
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed whic h is too high for the current road,
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.Switching off system temporarily*The cruise control system will be switched off in the following situations:•
if the brake pedal is depressed,
Fig. 149 Indicator and
main beam headlight
lever: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise
control
AA
AA
AA
Fig. 150 Indicator and
main beam headlight
lever switch and rocker
switch for the cruise
control
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Driving
184•
if the clutch pedal is depressed,
•
if the vehicle is accelerated to over 180 km/h,
•
when the ESP or TCS is used.
•
when the lever is moved to the position “CANCEL” without reaching
the “OFF” position. Once the “CANCEL” operation is completed, the lever is
released and returns to its initial position.
To resume the cruise control, release the brake or clutch pedal or reduce the
vehicle speed to less than 180 km/h and press once on the upper part of the
rocker switch RES/+ ⇒ page 183, fig. 150 .
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.Turning off the cruise control system*
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The system is completely turned off by moving the control all the way to
the right hand side (OFF engaged), or when the vehicle is stationary, ignition
off.
Vehicles with automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox
To completely disengage the system, the selector lever must be placed in one
of the following positions: P, N , R or 1 or with the vehicle stopped and the
ignition turned off.
AB
AA
Fig. 151 Indicator and
main beam headlight
lever: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise
control
AB
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Intelligent technology185
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Practical tipsIntelligent technologyBrakesBrake servoThe brake servo amplifies the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. It works
only when the engine is running .
If the brake servo is not functioning due to a malfunction, or if the vehicle has
to be towed, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably harder to
make up for the lack of servo assistance.
WARNING
The braking distance can also be affected by external factors.•
Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off. Failure to do so
could result in an accident. The braking distance is increased considerably
as the brake servo does not function.
•
If the brake servo is not working, for example when the vehicle is being
towed, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably harder than
normal.
Brake assist system (BAS)*
The Brake Assist System (BAS) function is only included in
vehicles with ESP.In an emergency, most drivers brake in time, but not with maximum force.
This results in unnecessarily long braking distances.
The brake assist system intervenes when you press the brake pedal very
quickly because the brake assist system registers an emergency situation. It
then very quickly builds up the full brake pressure so that the ABS can be acti-
vated more quickly and efficiently, thus reducing the braking distance.
Do not reduce the pressure on the br ake pedal. The brake assist system
switches off automatically as soon as you release the brake.
Emergency braking function
When the vehicle detects sudden braking, the hazard warning lights auto-
matically come on to warn vehicles behind. The hazard warning lights go off
when the vehicle accelerates or the hazard warning light switch is pressed.
WARNING
•
The risk of accident is higher if yo u drive too fast, if you do not keep
your distance to the vehicle in front, and when the road surface is slippery
or wet. The increased accident risk cannot be reduced by the brake assist
system.
•
The brake assist system cannot defy the laws of physics. Slippery and
wet roads are dangerous even with the brake assist system! Therefore, it is
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