service Seat Altea XL 2009 Owner's Manual

Seat belts27
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Press the upper part of the shoulder belt guide and hold it in this
position ⇒page 26, fig. 17 .
– Move the shoulder belt guide up or down until you have adjusted the seat belt ⇒page 24.
– After adjusting, pull the shoulder belt sharply to check that the catch on the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe injuries.Seat belts can provide optimal prot ection only if the belt web is
properly worn. The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order
described in this chapter. An in correct sitting position impairs
substantially the protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe
or fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially
increased when a deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has
assumed an incorrect sitting position. As driver, you are responsible
for all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in
the vehicle while travelling ⇒.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt incr eases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts
properly and to wear them during the trip.
•
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of seat belts ⇒page 22.
Belt tension devicesFunction of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the seat belts on the front seats are
retracted automatically.The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will only trigger the belt tension devices during severe head-on,
lateral and rear collisions, and only if th e seat belt is actually being worn. This
retracts and tightens the seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occu-
pants.
The belt tension device can be triggered only once.
The belt tension devices will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal,
side or rear collision, if the vehicle overturns, or in situations where no large
forces act on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•
If the belt tension devices are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is
normal and it is not an indication of fire in the vehicle.
•
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the system are scrapped. A qualified workshop is familiar with
these regulations and will be pleased to pass on the information to you.
Service and disposal of belt tension devicesThe belt tension devices are components of the seat belts that are installed
in the seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tension devices or remove
and install parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat
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Airbag system
30•
Always properly adjust the front seats.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.An enabled front airbag on the front passenger side is potentially a major
danger to a child. The front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if
he/she is transported in a rear-facing child seat. You should always transport
all children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
airbag can strike it with such great force that critical or fatal injuries may
result.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear seats.
That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the front
passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch ⇒page 43.
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size
of each child ⇒ page 45.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the airbag off,
an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
WARNING
•
If a child seat is secured to the fron t passenger seat, the risk to the child
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.
•
Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries when the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•
An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.
•
If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in a
rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely essential
that you observe the following safety measures:
−Disable the front passenger airbag ⇒page 43, “Deactivating
airbags*”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructions given by the child seat manufac-
turer and observe the safety instructions ⇒page 45, “Child safety”.
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and belt tension device system

This warning lamp monitors the airbag and belt tension
device system.The warning lamp monitors all airbag s and belt tension devices in the
vehicle, including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Airbag system31
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Monitoring of airbag and belt tension device system
Both the airbag and belt tension device systems operation is constantly
monitored 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,
•
it turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,
•
lights up or flashes while the car 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 combi-instrument for approx. 10 seconds and a short acoustic
signal is given. In this event, you should have a qualified 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 tension device system
cannot properly perform its protective function.
•
If a malfunction occured, have the system checked immediately by a
qualified workshop. Otherwise, in the event of an accident, the airbag
system and belt tension devices may not be triggered, or may not be trig-
gered correctly.
Repairs, maintenance and disposal of the airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle.
If you work on the airbag system or remove and fit parts of the system when
performing other repair work, parts of the airbag system may be damaged.
The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the airbag inflates
incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the airbag are scrapped. The specialist workshops and the
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 airbags may
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.
•
Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft
plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dashboard,
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.
•
To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry or a
water-moistened cloth. Never clean th e dash panel and the airbag module
surface with cleansers containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to
become porous. If the airbag triggered, disintegrating plastic parts could
cause substantial injuries.
•
Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag
system.
•
Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of the airbag
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should
be performed only by a qualified wo rkshop. Qualified workshops have the
necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
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Airbag system41
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
there is a frontal collision,
•
there is a rear-end collision,
•
if the vehicle rolls,
•
during a minor side collision,
WARNING
If a fault has occured in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a qualified workshop. Otherw ise there is a danger that during a
collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.Function of curtain airbags
Fu ll y i n fl a ted a i rb ag s redu ce t h e r i s k o f h ea d o r ch est i n ju r y i n
a side collision.
During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side
of the vehicle ⇒fig. 25.
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain bag covers the side windows and door pillars.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (withi n thousandth of a second). A fine dust
may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indica-
tion of fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants and
help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•
In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
•
For safety reasons, the head air bag must be disconnected in those
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an
Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.
Fig. 25 Deployed curtain
airbags
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Child safety
46Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of
injury in an accident!As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using appropriate child seats
⇒page 47.
– Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned according to the instructions prov ided by the manufacturer of the
child seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traffic.
– Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least every two hours.
WARNING
•
Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This
could lead to a risk of potentially fatal in juries to the child! However, if it is
necessary, in exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger
seat, the front passenger airbag must always be disabled ⇒page 43,
“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passe nger seat has a height adjustment
option, move it to the highest position.
•
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
•
All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly belted in while travelling.
•
Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially
fatal injuries to the child!
•
Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an accident,
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries
to themselves and to the other passengers.
•
If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving,
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of sudden
braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly important if the
child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is trig-
gered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or even death.
•
A suitable child seat can protect your child!
•
Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the
vehicle.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
•
Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal seat
belt without a child restraint system, as this could cause injuries to the
abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an
accident.
•
Do not allow the belt webbing to become twisted or jammed, or to rub
on any sharp edges.
•
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision
or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
•
The seat belt provides maximum prot ection only when the belt web is
properly positioned ⇒ page 23, “Seat belts”.
•
Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒page 47, “Child seats”.WARNING (continued)
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Child safety
50Securing child seat with the “ISOFIX” system
The child seat with “ISOFIX” system can be secured quickly,
easily and safely on the rear outer seats using the systemWhen removing or fitting the child seat, please be sure to follow the
manufacturer's instructions.
– Move the seat as far to rear as it will go.
– Press the child seat onto the “ISOFIX” retaining rings until the
child seat can be heard to engage securely.
– Pull on both sides of the child se at to ensure that it is secure.Two “ISOFIX” retaining rings are fitted on each rear seat. In some vehicles, the
rings are secured to the seat frame and, in others, they are secured to the rear
floor. The access to “ISOFIX” rings is between the rear back rest and the seat. Child seats with “ISOFIX” mountings are available in your Authorised Service
Centres.
WARNING
•
The retaining rings are designed only for use with “ISOFIX” child seats.
•
Never secure child seats without the “ISOFIX” system, retaining belts
or objects to the fastening rings – this c an result in potentially fatal injuries
to the child.
•
Ensure that the child seat is secured correctly by using the “ISOFIX”
anchors.
Fig. 31 ISOFIX securing
rings
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Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
display
4).
Stop the car and switch off the engine. Check the coolant level
⇒ page 220 ⇒.
Even if the coolant level is correct do not continue driving. You should obtain
technical assistance.WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety warn-
ings ⇒page 213.
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 ⇒page 55, fig. 33 indicates the maximum
engine speed operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to
change up a into a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot
off the accelerator 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 early will help you to save fuel and minimise
engine noise.SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip counter, in
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on ⇒page 190 should
be followed.Setting the digital clock*
The digital clock is located in the instrument panel display.– Turn the setting knob ⇒page 55, fig. 33 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.
4)Depending on the model version
A4
A5
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Cockpit
58Digital display in the instrument panelDisplay (without warning or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector
lever position.
Digital clock display ⇒page 57. On the right of the display: Selector
lever position display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of
the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic)* is high-
lighted.
Ambient temperature.
Distance display or flexible service interval display.*
Displayed categories*
The display in the instrument panel shows the mileage and
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Clock: “Setting the time”. On the right of the display: Select or lever posi-
tion display for the automatic gearbox*. The actual position of the
selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic) are high-
lighted.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
– Optional indicators: e.g. those on the multi-function display (MFD)
– Automatic indicators: Information texts and warnings.
– Menus providing further information and which can be used to make diverse settings are also show n: “Instrument panel menus”
Ambient temperature:
Distance display or flexible service interval display.
Fig. 36 Detail of the
instrument cluster: screen
with different indicators
A1A2A3
Fig. 37 Digital display in
the instrument panel
A1A2A3A4
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Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Recommended gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should
change up or down.Mileage display or Service Interval DisplayDistance display
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter registers the sh ort journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding down
the reset button ⇒page 55, fig. 33 for a few seconds. Service interval display
A
Service pre-warning will appear in the mileage displays if a service is due
soon. A “spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance
that can be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will
change after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the
number of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The
following message is shown in the instrument panel display: SERV. IN... KM
OR... DAYS . The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds
after the ignition is switched on or th e engine is running. The normal display
can be resumed by pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by
pressing the rocker switch of the MFI ⇒page 60, fig. 39 .
With the ignition switched on, you can call up the current service message by
pressing the trip counter reset knob for 2 seconds.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or day
information.
Fig. 38 Gear display
A6
AB
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Cockpit63
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Note
In the case of screens without warning or information texts, faults are indi-
cated exclusively by the warning lamps.Warning reports, Priority 1 (red)*If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will
be accompanied by three audible warnings . This is a danger warning. Stop
the car and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain profes-
sional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will continue
until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the duration of a priority 1 warning
report.
Examples of priority 1 warning reports (red)•
Brake system symbol
 with the warning text STOP BRAKE FLUID
SERVICE MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL .
•
Coolant symbol
 with the warning text STOP SEE COOLANT SERVICE
MANUAL .
•
Engine oil pressure symbol

with the warning text STOP ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE LOW! SERVICE MANUAL .
Warning reports, Priority 2 (yellow)*If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompanied
by one audible warning . The function should be checked as soon as possible. If several priority 2 warning reports are detected at the same time, the
symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time. After
a set time, the information text will disappear and the symbol will be shown
as a reminder at the side of the display.
Priority 2
warning reports will not be shown until all Priority 1 warning
reports have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning reports (yellow):
6)
•
Fuel warning light with the information text PLEASE REFUEL.
•
Windscreen washer fluid symbol
 with the information text REFILL
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . Refill the windscreen washer tank
⇒ page 222.
6)Depending on the version of the model.
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