Seat Altea Freetrack 2012 Owner's Manual

149
Seats and storage compartments
AUX RSE connection*
Fig. 120 AUX RSE con-
nection
This connector may be used as an audio input (red and white connectors) or
audio and video connector (red, white and yellow connectors). For more de-
tails about the use of this audio and video source, see the RSE manual. MEDIA-IN connector*Fig. 121 Connection in
central armrest compart-
ment
For information concerning the use of this equipment, please see the Radio
handbook. 
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire
extinguisher Warning triangle* and first-aid kit*
The warning triangle and the first aid kit may be located in the storage com-
partment in the luggage compartment floor, under the carpet.
The first aid kit may be located in the storage compartment under the carpet
in the luggage compartment floor, or in the storage compartment in the lug-
gage compartment side lining, depending on the version. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

150Seats and storage compartments
Note
● The warning triangle and the first aid kit do not belong to the standard
vehicle equipment.
● The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements.
● Observe the expiry date of the contents of the first aid kit. After it has
expired you should purchase a new one.
● Before acquiring accessories and emergency equipment see the instruc-
tions in ⇒ page 214. 
Fire extinguisher*
The fire extinguisher* can be attached to the luggage compartment carpet
with Velcro.
Note
● The fire extinguisher does not belong to the standard vehicle equip-
ment.
● The fire extinguisher must comply with legal requirements.
● Ensure that the fire extinguisher is fully functional. The fire extinguisher
should, therefore, be checked regularly. The sticker on the fire extinguisher
will inform you of the next date for checking.
● Before acquiring accessories and emergency equipment see the instruc-
tions in ⇒ page 214. Luggage compartment
Storing objects
All luggage must be securely stowed. Please observe the following points to ensure the vehicle handles
well at all times:
– Distribute the load as evenly as possible.
– Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment
as possible.
– Secure luggage in the luggage compartment with suitable
straps on the fastening rings*.
WARNING
● Loose luggage and other loose items in the vehicle can cause serious
injuries.
● Loose objects in the luggage compartment can suddenly move and
change the way the vehicle handles.
● During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects in the passen-
ger compartment can be flung forward, injuring vehicle occupants.
● Always store objects in the luggage compartment and secure with
suitable straps. This is especially important for heavy objects.
● When you transport heavy objects, always take in account that a
change in the centre of gravity can also cause changes in vehicle han-
dling.
● Please observe information on safe driving ⇒  page 7, Safe driving.

151
Seats and storage compartments
CAUTION
Hard objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating ele-
ment in the rear window and cause damage.
Note
The ventilation slots in front of the rear side windows must not be covered
as this would prevent stale air being extracted from the vehicle. 
Retractable rear shelf
Fig. 122 Using the rear
shelf
Fig. 123 Removing the
rear shelf
Using the rear shelf
– Use the handle A
to pull the shelf back until you hear a “click”
⇒ fig. 122.
– Press the area marked “PRESS”, and the cover is retrieved auto-
matically.
To remove the rear shelf
– Press the side pin in the direction of the arrow, lift the cover and
remove it. ⇒ fig. 123
– Installation is done in the reverse order.
WARNING
Do not place heavy or hard objects on the rear shelf, because they will
endanger the vehicle occupants in case of sudden braking. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

152Seats and storage compartments
CAUTION
● Before closing the tailgate, ensure that the rear shelf is correctly fitted.
● An overloaded luggage compartment could mean that the rear shelf is
not correctly seated and it may be bent or damaged.
● If the luggage compartment is overloaded, remove the tray.
Note
● Ensure that, when placing items of clothing on the luggage compart-
ment cover, rear visibility is not reduced. 
Partition net*
The net partition prevents loose objects in the luggage com-
partment from being thrown forward into the passenger
compartment (e.g. under sudden braking).
Fig. 124 Partition net
Fig. 125 Anchor rings
for the separation net
– Pull the net from underneath between the backrest and the fold-
ing tray and fit it to the slots in the roof, first the right then the
left ⇒ fig. 124.
– Hook the belts into the front anchor rings to tense the net
⇒ fig. 125. 
Roof rack*
Please observe the following points if you intend to carry loads on the roof:
● For safety reasons, only luggage racks and accessories approved by
SEAT should be used. 

153
Seats and storage compartments
● It is essential that you follow the assembly instructions included with
the bars exactly, being especially careful to position the front and rear lug-
gage compartment cover bars on the special housings on the longitudinal
bars. You must also respect their position according to the direction of trav-
el indicated in the assembly manual. Not following these instructions may
cause marks on the longitudinal bars.
● Distribute the load evenly. A maximum load of 40 kg only is permitted
for each roof rack system support bar, the load must be distributed evenly
along the entire length. However, the maximum load permitted for the en-
tire roof (including the support system) of 75 kg must not be exceeded nor
should the total weight of the vehicle be exceeded. See the Technical Data
section.
● When transporting heavy or large objects on the roof, any change in the
normal vehicle behaviour due to a change in the centre of gravity or an in-
creased wind resistance must be taken into account. For this reason, a suit-
able speed and driving style must be used.
● For those vehicles fitted with a sunroof*, ensure that it does not interfere
with the load on the roof rack system when opened. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

154Air conditioning
Air conditioning
Heating
Operating instructions
Fig. 126 Heating controls on the dash panel
– Using the controls ⇒ fig. 126 1
and 4 and the control 5 you
can set the temperature, air distribution and the blower speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button 2
or 3. When the function is activated, the display window in the
lower left of the button is lit.
Temperature
With the regulator 1
the heating level is determined. The required temper-
ature inside the vehicle cannot be lower than the ambient temperature.
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature. Heated rear window 
This function
2
will be switched off automatically approximately
20 mi-
nutes after being switched on. It can also be switched off beforehand by
pushing the button
Air recirculation mode 
Air recirculation mode 3
prevents strong odours in the outside air from en-
tering the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic ⇒ 
.
With low outside temperatures, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by heating the air inside the vehicle rather than
the air from outside. 

155
Air conditioning
Air distribution
Control 4
for setting the flow of air in the required direction.
 – Air distribution towards the windscreen. If the windscreen air output is
on and the air recirculation mode is pressed, this remains active. When the
recirculation mode is on, if the air distribution towards the windscreen
mode is selected, the recirculation mode is deactivated. For safety reasons,
the air recirculation mode should not be connected.
 – Air distribution to the upper body
 – Air distribution to footwell
 – Air distribution to the windscreen and the footwell
Blower
The air flow can be set at four speeds with the control 5
. The air flow
should always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
WARNING
● For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensa-
tion. This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise your-
self with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, in-
cluding the anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
● In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehi-
cle interior. The windows can quickly fog over if the heating is switched
off. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on for a
long time (risk of accident).
Note
Please observe the general notes ⇒ page 164. 
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156Air conditioning
Climatic*
Controls
Fig. 127 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
The climatic or semi-automatic air conditioning system only works
when the engine is running and the blower is switched on.
– Use the knobs ⇒ fig. 127 1
and 5 and control 6 to set the
temperature, air distribution and blower speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button 2
,
3 or 4. When the function is activated, the display window in
the lower corner of the button is lit.
Temperature selector ⇒  page 157
AC
button – Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system on/off
⇒  page 157
12
 button – Heated rear window The heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately 20 minutes after switching on. It can also be
switched off beforehand by pushing the button.
Button 
– Air recirculation mode ⇒ page 158
Air distribution control ⇒ page 157
Blower switch. There are four speed settings for the air flow. The air
flow should always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation.
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens. 
3
456

157
Air conditioning
Note
Please observe the general notes ⇒ page 164. 
Heating and cooling the interior
Fig. 128 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
Interior heating
– Turn the temperature selector ⇒ fig. 128 1
clockwise to select
the required temperature.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration de-
sired: 
(towards the windscreen),  (towards the chest), (towards the footwell) and  (towards the windscreen and
footwell areas). Interior cooling
–
Switch on the air conditioner using the button ⇒ fig. 127 AC
.
– Turn the temperature selector anti-clockwise until the desired
cooling output is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Use the air distribution control to guide the flow of air in the re-
quired direction: 
(to the windscreen),  (to the upper
body),  (to the footwell) and  (to the windscreen and to the
footwell). 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

158Air conditioning
Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Air conditioner
When the air conditioning system is switched on, not only the temperature,
but also the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves
comfort for the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows
when the ambient air humidity is high.
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on this may be caused by
the following reasons: ●
The engine is not running.
● The blower is switched off.
● The outside temperature is below +3 °C.
● The air conditioning system compressor has been temporarily switched
off because the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● The air conditioner fuse is faulty.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioner checked by a speci-
alised workshop. 
Air recirculation mode 
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells from coming from the outside.
Fig. 129 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
