warning Seat Altea 2015 Repair Manual

Operation
Switching on front fog lights* – Pull the switch out of position  or
 to
the first stop. The symbol  of the light
control lights up.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles
with front fog lights) – Pull the switch out of position  or 
to
the second stop ››› . A control lamp lights
up on the dash panel.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles
with no front fog lights) – Pull the light switch from position  to the
last stop. A control lamp lights up in the
dash panel. WARNING
Never drive with just the side lights on. Risk
of accident. The side lights are not bright
enough to illuminate the road ahead and to
ensure that other road users are able to see
you. Always use your dipped beam head-
lights if it is dark or if visibility is poor. Note
● The dipped beam headlights will only work
with the ignition on. The side lights come on
automatically when the ignition is turned off.
● If the lights are left on after the key has
been taken out of the ignition lock, an audi-
ble warning will sound while the driver door remains open. This is a reminder to switch
the lights off.
● The rear fog light is so bright that it can
dazzle drivers behind you. You should use
the rear fog light only when visibility is very
poor.
● If you are towing a trailer equipped with a
rear fog light on a vehicle with a factory-fitted
towing bracket, the rear fog light on the vehi-
c l
e will automatically be switched off.
● The use of the lighting described here is
subject to the relevant statutory require-
ments.
● Depending on weather conditions (very
cold or wet), the front and rear lights and the
indicators may be temporarily misted. This
has no influence on the useful life of the
lighting system. The lights will soon demist
when they are switched on. Automatic lighting*
Fig. 59
Automatic lighting. Activation
– Rotate the switch to the position. It will
light up.
Deactivation – Turn the light switch to .
Automatic lighting
If automatic headlight control is switched on,
dipped beam headlights are automatically
switched on by a photosensor if you drive in-
to a tunnel, for example.
The rain sensor switches on the dipped beam
headlights when the windscreen wipers have
been operating continuously for a few sec-
onds and it switches the lights off when the
continuous or interval wipe is switched off for
some minutes ››› page 84.
76

Lights and visibility
When the automatic dipped beam headlight
control is on but the dipped beam headlights
are off, the warning lamp  lights up on
the light control ››› Fig. 59. If the automatic
control switches on the dipped lights, the in-
strument and control lighting is also switch-
ed on. WARNING
● Even if the automatic headlight control is
switched on, the dipped beam headlights will
not be switched on with fog. Therefore, the
dipped beam must be switched on manually. Note
● For those vehicles with the automatic head-
light system, when the key is removed from
the ignition, the audible warning will only
sound if the light control is in the position 
or  if the vehicle is not fitted with the com-
in g home f
unction.
● If the daylight driving automatic light func-
tion is switched on, the front fog lights or
rear fog light cannot be switched on in addi-
tion.
● The use of the lighting described here is
subject to the relevant statutory require-
ments.
● Do not put stickers on the windscreen in
front of the sensor. This may cause disrup-
tions or faults in the automatic lighting sys-
tem. ●
To avoid damage to the tail lights, the
lights mounted on the rear lid go off when the
rear lid is opened (depending on the country). Turn signal and main beam headlight
lever
Fig. 60
Turn signal and main beam lever The turn signal and main beam headlight lev-
er has the following functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ››› Fig. 60 1 to indicate
right
, and all the way down 2 to indicate
left
.
Sign

alling a lane change
– Push the lever up 1 or down
2 to the
point where you incur resistance and then
release it. The turn signal will flash several times. The corresponding control lamp will
also flash.
Switching main beam on and off – If the dipped lights are on, push the lever
forward ››› Fig. 60 3 to switch on the main
beam headlights.
– Push the lever towards the steering wheel
››› Fig. 60 4 to switch off the main beam.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel
4 to operate the flasher.
Switching on parking lights 
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key
from the lock.
– Move the turn signal 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 head-
lights or the headlight flasher if they could
dazzle other drivers. Note
● The turn signals only
work when the igni-
tion is switched on. The corresponding warn-
ing lamp  or  flashes in the instrument
» 77
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
panel. The control lamp
 flashes when the
t urn s
ignals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehi-
cle. If a turn signal bulb is defective, the con-
trol lamp flashes at double speed. If the trail-
er turn signal bulbs are defective, the control
lamp  does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headlights can only be
sw

itched on if the dipped beam headlights
are already on. The warning lamp  then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● The headlight flasher come
s 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 he

adlight and the tail light on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle light up. The
parking lights will only work if the key is re-
moved from the ignition. If said light is on, an
audible warning 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 intended as a remind-
er to switch off the turn signal, unless you
wish to leave the parking light on. Daytime driving lights*
Daytime running lights are signalling devices
for improving road safety. The lights are built into the headlights and come on each time
the ignition is turned on if the light switch is
in position
0 or 
. It is automatically
sw

itched off when the side lights are turned
on.
Automatic control of the dipped beam in
combination with the daytime running lights
If the dipped beam control and the daytime
running lights
are activated at the same
time, the dipped beams and the instrument
panel lighting will automatically come on as
required (e.g. when entering a tunnel) and
the daytime running lights will switch off.
When the automatic dipped beam control
switches off the dipped beams (e.g. when
coming out of a tunnel), the daytime running
lights come back on. WARNING
The side lights or daytime driving lights are
not bright enough to illuminate the road
ahead and to ensure that other road users are
able to see you.
● Always use your dipped beam head lights if
it is raining or if visibility is poor.
● The rear lights do not come on with the
daytime driving light. A vehicle which does
not have the rear lights on may not be visible
to other drivers in the darkness, if it is rain-
ing or in conditions of poor visibility. Note
Please observe any relevant legal require-
ments which may apply in your country. Nordic country solution
3 Only available in certain countries or as an
option
al

extra
The so-called “Nordic country solution” is an
alternative solution to daytime running lights
in vehicles without this function. It consists
of simultaneously connecting the dimmed
dipped beams, the sidelights and the licence
plate lights.
The aforementioned lights are switched on
each time the ignition is turned on if the light
switch is in position 0 or . Depending
upon the model, the control lamp  on the
light control switch or the instrument panel
lighting will indicate that the lights are on.
Activation of the Nordic country solution
● Remove the key from the ignition, move the
turn signal lever upward (right turn signal),
press it back to flash position and hold it
there.
● Insert the key and switch on the ignition,
holding it in this position for 3 seconds.
Then, switch off the ignition. The Nordic
country solution is now activated and the cor-
responding lights can come on.
78

Lights and visibility
Deactivation of the Nordic country solution
● Remove the key from the ignition, press the
turn signal lever down (left turn signal), press
it back to flash position and hold it here.
● Insert the key and switch on the ignition,
holding it in this position for 3 seconds.
Then, switch off the ignition. The Nordic
country solution is now deactivated and the
corresponding lights will not come on.
Coming Home/Leaving Home
function* The Coming Home function is controlled man-
ually. The Leaving Home function is control-
led with a photosensor.
If the Coming Home or Leaving Home func-
tion is connected, the front side and dipped
lights, the tail lights and the number plate
light will light up to provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by
switching off the ignition and briefly flashing
the lights. When the driver door is opened,
the Coming Home lighting comes on. If the
driver door is already open when the lights
are flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting
comes on
immediately .
When the l a
st door of the vehicle or the rear
lid is closed, the Coming Home function starts and the switching off the headlights is
delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the
following cases:
● On completion of the time period establish-
ed for the delay in switching off the lights af-
ter all the vehicle doors and the rear lid have
been closed.
● If, 30 seconds after being connected, any
doors or the rear lid remain open.
● If the light switch is turned to position 
.
● If the ignition is switched on.
Leaving home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when
the vehicle is unlocked if:
● the light control is in position  and
● the photosensor detects “darkness”.
The Leaving Home lighting switches off in the
following cases:
● If the time period for the delay in switching
off the headlights has ended
● If the vehicle is locked again.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on. Note
The setting for the delay in switching off the
headlights in the Coming Home and Leaving
Home function can be changed or the func-
tion can be connected or disconnected in the
menu Lights and visibility › ›
› page 56.
● If the ignition key is removed while the
lights are on, the lights flash briefly and the
driver door opens, no audible warning is
heard, since with the Coming Home function
on, the lights are automatically switched off
after a period of time (except when the light
switch is in position  or  . Instrument and switch lighting /
Headlight range control
Fig. 61
Dash panel: Instrument panel and
control dimmers and headlight range control. » 79
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
Instrument and switch lighting 1When the headlights are switched on, the
brightness of the instrument panel and con-
trols can be adjusted by turning the thumb
wheel
››› Fig. 61 1 .
The instrument lighting (dials and needles),
the centre console illumination and the illu-
mination of the displays are regulated by a
photodiode incorporated 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 automatically as the daylight
starts to fade. It goes out completely when
ambient light is very low. This function is in-
tended to remind the driver to switch on the
dipped beam headlights in good time when
light conditions become poor.
Headlight range control 2By using the electrical headlight range con-
trol,
2 you can adjust the headlight range to
the load level that is being carried in the ve-
hicle. This way, it is possible to avoid daz-
zling oncoming traffic more than necessary.
At the same time, by using the correct head-
light settings, the driver has the best possi-
ble 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
2 from
the basic setting 0.
D y
namic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge lamps (“xenon
lamps”) are equipped with
dynamic head-
light range control . This means that the
headlights will be adjusted to suit the load
level of the vehicle and “nodding move-
ments” when pulling off and braking are au-
tomatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not
have headlight range control.
Adaptive headlights* (for driving
round bends) Fig. 62
Cornering lighting using adaptive
headlights. When driving around bends, the headlights
will light the most important areas of the
road.
Dynamic cornering lights* (AFS)
Dynamic cornering lights
only operate if the
vehicle is travelling at more than 10 km/h
(6 mph) 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 instru-
ment panel. At the same time, a text mes-
sage with information or instructions to per-
form necessary operations may appear on
the instrument panel display. Take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop and have the
fault repaired.
If the control lamp  lights up on the instru-
ment panel but all the bulbs are operating
correctly ››› page 198 , there may still be a
f au

lt in the dynamic curve lighting system
(AFS). Take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop 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 80

Lights and visibility
correct use of lights in all situations. “Auto-
matic 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*
3 Applies to the model: ALTEA / ALTEA XL
When the t urn s
ignal is switched on to turn or
on very tight bends, the right or left fog light
automatically comes on to function as a cor-
nering light. The cornering light only oper-
at e

s if the dipped beam lights are on. WARNING
Read and observe the relevant warnings ››› in Adaptive headlights* (for driving round
bends) on page 80 Hazard warning lights
 Fig. 63
Dash panel: switch for hazard warn-
ing lights. The hazard warning lights are used to draw
the attention of other road users to your vehi-
cle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from
moving traffic.
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights ››› .
3. Switch the ignition off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. For a manual gearbox, engage 1st gear; for an automatic gearbox, move the gear
lever to P
.
6.

Use the warning triangle to draw the atten-
tion 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:
● reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,
● there is an emergency
● your vehicle breaks down due to a techni-
cal fault,
● you are towing another vehicle or your vehi-
cle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when
the hazard warning lights are switched on.
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 switch-
ed off.
Emergency braking warning
If the vehicle brakes suddenly and continu-
ously at a speed of more than 80 km/h (50
mph), the brake light flashes several times
per second to warn the vehicles driving be-
hind. If you continue braking, the hazard
warning lights will come on automatically
when the vehicle comes to a standstill. They
switch off automatically when the vehicle
starts to move again. »
81
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
WARNING
● The risk of an accident increases if your ve-
hicle breaks down. Always use the hazard
warning lights and a warning triangle to draw
the attention of other road users to your sta-
tionary 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 battery will run down if the hazard
warning lights are left on for a long time,
even if the ignition is switched off.
● The use of the hazard warning lights de-
scribed here is subject to the relevant statu-
tory requirements. Interior lights
Front interior lights and reading lights Fig. 64
Interior roof trim: front interior light-
ing option 1. Fig. 65
Interior roof trim: front interior light-
ing option 2. Switch
A
››› Fig. 64 o
›
›› Fig. 65 is used to se-
lect the following positions: Courtesy light position

Rocker switch in flat position (not activated).
The interior lighting is automatically switched
on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key re-
moved from the ignition. It goes out approxi-
mately 20 seconds after the doors are
closed. The interior lights are switched off
when the vehicle is locked or when the igni-
tion is switched on.
Interior light switched on 
Push the switch to the position
.
Turning off the interior light 0
Press the switch to position 0
››› Fig. 64 or
››› Fig. 65.
Swit
ching on the reading light 
Press the corresponding button B
››› Fig. 64
or ››› Fig. 65 to switch on the reading light.
Sw it

ching the reading lights off 
Press the corresponding button to switch the
reading light off. Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the in-
terior lights will be switched off after approx.
10 minutes, providing the ignition key has
been removed and the courtesy light position
selected. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging. 82

Lights and visibility
WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibili-
ty 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 ventila-
tion system. The windscreen washer fluid
could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and
obscure your view of the road.
● The rain sensor may not detect enough rain
to switch on the wipers. If necessary, switch
on the wipers manually when water on the
windscreen impedes visibility.
● Always note the corresponding warnings
››› page 194. CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the glass before us-
ing the wipers for the first time. If you switch
on the windscreen 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.
● If the vehicle stops when wiper speed 2 ›››
Fig. 69 or 3 is selected, the next speed
down will be selected automatically. The set
speed will be resumed when the vehicle pulls
away.
● The windscreen will be wiped again after
approximately five seconds once the “auto-
matic wash/wipe system” has been activa-
ted, provided the vehicle is moving (drip func-
tion). If you activate the wipers less than 3
seconds after the drip function, a new wash
sequence will begin without performing the
last wipe. For the “drip” function to work
again, you have to turn the ignition off and
then on again.
● When the “interval 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 obsta-
cles that are on the windscreen. The wiper
will stop moving if the obstacle continues to
block 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 con-
trolled automatically when the ignition is
switched on, depending upon the outside
temperature. ●
Do not put stickers on the windscreen in
front of the rain sensor*. This may cause sen-
sor disruption or faults. Rear window wiper 
Fig. 71
Windscreen wiper lever: rear window
wiper. Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forward to position 6 ›››
Fig. 71 . The wiper will wipe the window
ap pr
oximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position 6 toward
the steering wheel. The wiper will continue
to function for a short period if you switch
off whilst the wipers are in motion. »
85
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
Switching on automatic wipe – Press the lever fully forwards to position 7›››
Fig. 71 . The rear wash function will start
immedi at
ely and the wiper will start a few
seconds later. The rear window wash sys-
tem will function as long as you hold the
lever in this position.
– Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for
approximately 4 seconds, and then in inter-
vals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops
and the wipers function. WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibili-
ty and safety levels while driving.
● Always note the corresponding warnings
on ››› page 194. CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper
blade is not frozen to the glass before using
the wiper for the first time. If you switch on
the wiper when the wiper blade is frozen to
the glass, this could damage both the wiper
blade and the wiper motor. Note
● The windscreen wiper will only function
when the ignition is switched on and the rear
lid is closed. ●
In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers
switched on, the rear windscreen wiper will
make one wipe. Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight
lenses.
The headlight washers are activated auto-
matically when the windscreen washer is
used and the window wiper lever is pulled to-
wards the steering wheel for at least 1.5 sec-
onds – provided the dipped beam headlights
or main beams are switched on. Clean off
stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the head-
lights at regular intervals, for instance, when
filling the fuel tank.
Note
● To ensure that the headlight washers work
properly in winter, keep the nozzle holders in
the bumper free of snow and remove any ice
with a de-icer spray.
● To remove water, the windscreen wipers
will be activated from time to time, the head-
light washers will be activated every three cy-
cles. Rear vision mirrors
Interior rear vision mirror It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see
clearly through the rear window.
Manual anti-dazzle function for interior rear
vision mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the
bottom edge of the rear vision mirror should
be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to
select the anti-dazzle function.
Automatic anti-dazzle interior rear
vision mirror* Fig. 72
Automatic anti-dazzle interior rear vi-
sion mirror. 86

Lights and visibility
Switching off the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
››› Fig. 72. Control lamp Bgoes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
››› Fig. 72. The control
lamp lights up.
Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every
time the ignition is switched on. The green
warning lamp lights up in the rear vision mir-
ror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the
interior rear vision mirror will darken auto-
matically according to the amount of light it
r ec
eives. The anti-dazzle function is cancel-
led if reverse gear is engaged. Note
● The automatic anti-dazzle function will only
work properly if the sun blind* for the rear
window is retracted and there are no other
objects preventing light from reaching the in-
terior rear vision mirror.
● If you have to stick any type of sticker on
the windscreen, do not do so in front of the
sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-daz-
zle function from working well or even from
working at all. Exterior mirrors
Fig. 73
Exterior mirror controls. The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using
the rotary knob in the centre console.
Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob
››› Fig. 73 to position L (left ex-
t erior mirr

or).
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the exteri- or mirror so that you have a good view to
the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn the knob to position R (right exterior mirror
).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the ex- terior mirror so that you have a good view
to the rear of the vehicle ››› .
Heating the exterior mirrors* – Turn the knob forward ››› Fig. 73 so that the
he at

ed rear vision mirrors warm up and the heated windscreen* in the wiper blade rest
area is activated
››› page 84.
– Exterior mirror heating is not activated in
temperatures above approximately +20 °C
(+68 °F).
Folding in exterior mirrors*
– Turn the control ››› Fig. 73 to position  to
fold in the exterior mirrors. You should al-
ways fold in the exterior mirrors if you are
driving through an automatic car wash.
This will help prevent damage.
Folding exterior mirrors with convenience
closing* – The exterior mirror will fold back automati-
cally with convenience closing (with the re-
mote or the key).
– To unfold it again, open the door and
switch on the ignition.
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the
extended position* – Turn the knob to another position to fold
the exterior mirrors back out ››› .
Synchronised mirror adjustment
1. Turn the control to the position L (
left ex-
t

erior mirror).
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the exteri- or mirror so that you have a good view to »
87
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety