instrument panel Seat Altea 2012 Owner's Manual

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 10
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Storing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Deactivating airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Securing child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Operating Instructions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
LPG system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Digital instrument panel display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Instrument panel menus* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Radio navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Unlocking and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Sliding/tilting sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Rear-view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Seats and storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 135
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . . 135
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Ashtray*, cigarette lighter* and power points . . 150 First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher . 153
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
2C-Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Starting and stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Start-Stop function* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gearbox* . . . 180
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Parking aid acoustic system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system) . . . . . . . . 190
Practical Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Anti-lock brake system and traction control M-
ABS (ABS and ASR (TCS)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Electronic Stability Control ESC (ESP) * . . . . . . . . 196
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Economical and environmentally friendly driving 204
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
3
Table of Contents

32Airbag system
Warning lamp for airbag and seat belt tensioner 
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and seat belt ten-
sioner system.
The warning lamp monitors all airbags and seat belt tensioners in the vehi-
cle, including control units and wiring connections.
Monitoring of airbag and belt tensioner system
Both the airbag and belt tensioner systems operation is constantly moni-
tored electronically. Each time the 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 light up when the ignition is switched on,
● after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,
● turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,
● lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously. In
addition, depending on the malfunction, a fault message appears in the
display of the instrument panel for approx. 10 seconds and a short acoustic
signal is given. In this event, you should have a specialised workshop check
the system immediately.
If any of the airbags are de-activated by the Authorised Service Centre, the
indicator lights for several seconds more after the verification and will turn
off if there is no fault.WARNING
● If there is a malfunction, the airbag and belt tensioner system cannot
properly perform its protective function.
● If a malfunction occurred, have the system checked immediately by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise, in the event of an accident, the airbag
system and belt tensioners may not be triggered, or may not be triggered
correctly.

Repairs, maintenance and disposal of airbags
The parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehi-
cle. If work is carried out on the airbag system or parts have to be removed
and fitted on the system when performing other repair work, parts of the air-
bag system may be damaged. In the event of an accident this could cause
the airbag to inflate incorrectly or not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the airbag are scrapped. Specialised workshops and 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 air-
bags may fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.
● Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the sur-
face of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dash panel, 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. 

34Airbag system
Front airbags
Description of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 18 Driver airbag lo-
cated in steering wheel
Fig. 19 Front passenger
airbag located in dash
panel The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 18 and
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel ⇒ fig. 19. Air-
bags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front
occupants additional protection for the head and chest in the event of a se-
vere frontal collision ⇒ page 37, Safety notes on the front airbag system.
In addition to their normal function of restraining the occupants, the seat
belts also hold the driver and front passenger in a position where the air-
bags can provide maximum protection in a frontal collision.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing
their seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly.
Therefore, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only
because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your safety
⇒ page 19, Brief introduction.
The main parts of the front airbag system are:
● an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● the two front airbags (airbag with gas generator) for the driver and front
passenger,
● a warning lamp  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 32
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning
lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is switched on
(self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the warning lamp :
● does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 32
● after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,
● turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,
● lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving. 

38Airbag system
Side airbags*
Description of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 22 Side airbag in
driver seat
The front side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger
seat backrests ⇒ fig. 22. The rear side airbags are located in the rear wheel
housing lining. The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in the up-
per region of the backrests and in the rear wheel housing lining.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat oc-
cupants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe
side collision ⇒ page 40, Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system.
In a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to passengers
on the front seats to the areas of the body facing the impact. In addition to
their normal function of protecting the occupants in a collision, the seat
belts also hold the passengers in the front seats and the outer rear seats in
a position where the side airbags can provide maximum protection. The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing
their seat belts. Therefore, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all
times, not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also
for your safety
⇒ page 19, Brief introduction.
The side airbag system will not be triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a minor side collision
● there is a frontal collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over
The main parts of the airbag system are:
● an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● The front side airbags in the backrests of the front seats and the rear
side airbags in the lining of the rear wheel housing
● a warning lamp  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 32
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning
lamp will light up for approx. 4 seconds every time the ignition is switched
on (self-diagnosis).
WARNING
● In a side collision, the side airbags will not work, if the sensors do
not correctly measure the pressure increase on the interior of the doors,
due to air escaping through the areas with holes or openings in the door
panel.
● Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.
● Never drive if the interior door panels have been removed or if the
panels have not been correctly fitted. 

41
Airbag system
Curtain airbags
Description of curtain airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 24 Location of head airbags on the left side of the
vehicle
The curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors
⇒ fig. 24 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the curtain airbag system gives the occu-
pants additional protection for the head and upper body in the event of a
severe side collision ⇒ page 42, Safety notes on the operation of the cur-
tain airbag system.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing
their seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly.
Therefore, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only
because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your safety
⇒ page 19, Brief introduction. The main parts of the curtain airbag system are:
●
an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● the curtain airbags (airbags with gas generator) for the driver, front pas-
senger and passengers on the rear seats,
● a warning lamp  on the instrument panel ⇒ page 32
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically.
The curtain airbag system will not be triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a frontal collision
● there is a rear-end collision 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

44Airbag system
Deactivating airbags*
Front passenger airbag deactivation
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat,
the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.
Fig. 26 In the glove com-
partment: switch for acti-
vating and deactivating
the front passenger air-
bag
Fig. 27 Warning lamp for
deactivated passenger
airbag in centre console
When the passenger airbag is deactivated, only the front airbag is
deactivated. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain activated.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key operated switch in the glove
compartment to the position OFF ⇒ fig. 26.
– Check that the warning lamp “OFF” on the instrument panel
⇒ fig. 27 remains lit when the ignition is switched on ⇒ 
.
Activating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to the position ON ⇒ fig. 26.
– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel ⇒ fig. 27
does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ 
.

55
Cockpit
Operating Instructions Cockpit
Overview Overview of the dash panel
This overview will help you to familiarise yourself with the
controls and displays. Door release lever
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Lighting control for instrument and control lighting . . . . . . . . .120
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Air vent
Turn signal and main beam lever and cruise control system* 123, 190
Controls on the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Instrument panel:
– Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
– Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
– Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Horn (works only when the ignition is on)/ Driver front airbag . .30
Windscreen wiper and washer lever and operation of the
multifunction display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 63
Left seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
1
2345678
910
11
Controls for
–
Heating* and ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
– Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
– Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Radio/Navigator*
Right seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Warning lamp for deactivated front passenger airbag . . . . . . .44
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Glove compartment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Cup holder compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Controls on the centre console:
– Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
– ESC (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
– Tyre pressure control* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
– Park Pilot* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
– Cigarette lighter / Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
– Exterior mirror adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
– Start-Stop* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hazard warning light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Steering column control lever* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
12
1314151617181920
2122232425
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

57
Cockpit
Instruments Instrument overview
The instruments display the vehicle operating status.
Fig. 34 Detailed view of the dash panel: instrument
panel
Detailed view of the dash panel: instrument panel Fuel gauge ⇒ page 58
Multifunction display ⇒ page 61
Engine coolant temperature gauge ⇒ page 58
Rev counter ⇒ page 59
Time adjustment button / trip recorder reset button ⇒ page 59
Speedometer ⇒ page 59 
1
23456
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

58Cockpit
Fuel gauge  and reserve indicator
Fig. 35 Instrument pan-
el: fuel gauge
Instrument panel: fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve area ⇒ fig. 35 (arrow), the warning
lamp will light up and an acoustic signal will sound reminding the driver to
refuel. At this point there are still 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
The following text appears on the instrument panel display 1)
PLEASE REFUEL
[XXX]* Engine coolant temperature gauge

This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Fig. 36 Instrument pan-
el: engine coolant tem-
perature gauge
Needle in cold zone A
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads
⇒ fig. 36.
Needle in normal zone B
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 message* ap-
pears on the instrument panel display.

1)
Depending on the version of the model.

59
Cockpit
Needle in warning zone C
The warning lamp* ⇒ fig. 50 2 will light up if the needle is in the warning
zone. The following warning message appears on the instrument panel dis-
play 1)
. Stop the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the coolant level
⇒ page 237 ⇒ 
.
Even if the coolant level is correct do not continue driving. You should ob-
tain technical assistance.
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 230.
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 ⇒ fig. 34 4
indicates the maximum engine speed
operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to change up a in-
to a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot off the acceler-
ator 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 into higher gears sooner, following the recommended gear in-
dications ⇒ fig. 40 will help you to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and
also engine noise. 
Speedometer
The speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip recorder, in
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on ⇒ page 202
should be followed. 
Setting the digital clock*
The digital clock is located in the instrument panel display.
– Turn the setting knob ⇒ fig. 34 5
clockwise until the first
“click” to set the hour. The hour will flash. To change the hour,
press the button.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the second “click” to set the
minutes. The minutes will flash. To change the minutes, press
the button. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications