light Seat Altea XL 2011 Owner's Guide

Cockpit
88Indicator for open doors or tailgate*
o
This warning lamp lights up if one of the doors or the tailgate
is open.The warning light
o should go off when all the doors are closed correctly.
The system also works when the ignition is switched off. It should go off
approx. 15 seconds after the vehicle is locked.
Electromechanical steering*

For vehicles with power steering, the level of steering assistance depends on
the vehicle's speed and on the steering angle.
The warning lamp should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It should go out once the engine is started.
If the battery is disconnected, the indicator remains lit, even with the engine
running. The warning light only goes off after a distance of approx. 50 m.
There is a fault in the electromechanical steering system if the lamp does not
go out or lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. The warning lamp may
appear in two different colours to indicate faults. If it lights yellow, this indi-
cates a minor fault. If it lights red, seek workshop assistance immediately, as
the steering assistance is not working; in this case you should not keep
driving. Stop the vehicle and seek technical assistance. The power steering
does not work if the battery is flat or if the engine is off (for example, for
towing). You should take into account that you will need considerably more
power than normal to steer the vehicle if the power steering is not working
correctly or at all.
For those vehicles fitted with ESP* the function “Recommended steering
manoeuvre” is included. See ⇒page 199.
Emission control system*

This warning lamp monitors the exhaust system.
Warning lamp
 flashes:
When there is misfiring that can damage the catalytic converter. Reduce
speed and drive carefully to the nearest specialised workshop to have the
engine checked.
The instrument panel displays the following message
19): EXHAUST GAS SEE
WORKSHOP
Warning lamp
 is lit:
If a fault has developed during driving which has reduced the quality of the
exhaust gas (e.g. lambda probe fault). Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest specialised workshop to have the engine checked.
The following message is shown in the instrument panel display: EXHAUST
GAS SEE WORKSHOP .
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
/ l
There are two warning lamps for the electronic stability
programme. The
 lamp provides information concerning
the function and the l provides information on the discon-
nection status
B ot h lam ps com e on to ge the r whe n th e ig nit io n is s wi tche d o n an d s ho uld go
out after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.19)Depending on the model version.
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Cockpit89
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
This programme includes the ABS, EDL and TCS. This also includes the brake
assist system (BAS), automatic cleaning of the brake discs and the trailer
stability programme (TSP).
The warning lamp
 has the following functions:
•It flashes when the TCS/ESP is activated when driving.•It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.•It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the ESP
operates in conjunction with the ABS.
If the ESP warning lamp
 lights up and stays on after the engine is started,
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESP.
In this case the ESP can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and then
on again. If the warning lamp goes out, this means the system is fully func-
tional.
The
l lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
•It stays lit when the TCS is disconnected after pressing the
l switch.
Differential lock fault (EDL)*
EDL operates along with the ABS in vehicles equipped with an
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*A malfunction in the EDL is indicated by the ABS warning lamp
J. Take the
vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. For further informa-
tion on the EDL see ⇒page 200, “Electronic differential lock (EDL)*”.
Traction control system (TCS)*
/l
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is acceleratingThere are two warning lamps for the traction control system:
 and
l. Both
lamps come on together when the ignition is switched on and should go out
after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.
The
 lamp has the following function:
•It flashes when the TCS is on, and the vehicle is moving.
If the system is deactivated or if it has any fault, the warning lamp will remain
l it . It will als o co m e on if a fa ult s ho uld o ccur in t he A B S b e caus e the TCS op er -
ates in conjunction with the ABS. For further information, see ⇒page 197,
“Brakes”
The l lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
•It stays lit when the TCS is disconnected after pressing the TCS OFF switch.
By pressing again, TCS function is reactivated and the warning lamp switched
off.Operating the foot brake
K
The brake pedal must be depressed when this warning lamp lights up. This is
necessary when the automatic gearbox* selector lever is moved out of the
positions P or N.
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Unlocking and locking101
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Unlocking all doors and the luggage compartment
The unlock button on the remote control must be pressed twice so that all
doors and the luggage compartment can be opened.
Press twice within 2 seconds to deactivate the Safe system for the entire
vehicle, to unlock all doors and to use the luggage compartment. The warning
lamp and the alarm (only vehicles fitted with one) are turned off.
Automatic speed dependent locking and unlocking system*
This is a safety system which
prevent the access to the vehicle
from the outside when it is running (for example, when
stopped at a traffic light).Locking
The doors and the tailgate are automatically locked when vehicle speed
exceeds 15 km/h.
If the vehicle is stopped and one of the doors is opened, when the vehicle
moves off again and exceeds a speed of 15 km/h, the unlocked door(s) will
be locked once more.
Unlocking
The driver door automatically unlocks when the key is removed from the igni-
tion.
Each door can be unlocked and opened independently from the inside (for
example, when a passenger gets out of it). To do it, simply operate the lever
inside the door.
WARNING
The door handles must not be operated when the vehicle is running: the
door would open.
Locking system for involuntary unlocking*
It is an anti-theft system and prevents the unintentional
unlocking of the vehicle.If the vehicle is unlocked and any of the doors (including the tailgate) are
opened within 30 seconds, it gets re-locked automatically. This function
prevents the vehicle from remaining unlocked if the unlock button is pressed
by mistake.Emergency unlocking systemIf the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle is unlocked, except
for the luggage compartment. It is possible to lock the vehicle from inside
with the central locking, after turning the ignition off and back on again.
If the doors must be locked from the outside, see “Emergency locking of the
doors”

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Unlocking and locking
102Central locking button
The central locking button allows you to lock and unlock the
vehicle from the inside.Locking the vehicle
–Press the button ⇒.
Unlocking the doors
–Press button .The central locking button is still operative when the ignition is switched off.
Except when the Safe security system is activated.
Please note the following if you lock your vehicle with the central locking
button:•For safety reasons it is not possible to open the doors or the tailgate from
the outside (for instance, when stopped at a traffic light).
•The driver door and/or front passenger door cannot be locked if any of the
vehicle doors (except the tailgate) are open. This avoids the user from forget-
ting his key inside the vehicle.•Repeated operation of the central locking will deactivate the central
locking button for 30 seconds. Once this time has passed, the button if oper-
ative again.•There is a danger of leaving the key inside the vehicle if the vehicle is
locked by the central locking button when the driver door is closed and any of
the rear doors open. On closing any of the rear doors, the vehicle locks and
the keys remain inside it.•All doors can be locked separately from inside the vehicle. Do this by
pulling the door release lever once.WARNING
•If the vehicle is locked, children and disabled people may be trapped
inside it.•The central locking button is not operative in the following cases:•When the vehicle is locked from the outside (with the remote control or
the key).•While the ignition is not activated after unlocking the door lock cylinder
with the key.Note
•Vehicle locked, amber button .•Vehicle unlocked, red button .
Fig. 59 Detailed view of
the centre console:
central locking button



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Unlocking and locking111
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Ta i l g a t eUnlocking and locking
The operation of the tailgate opening system is electric. It is
activated by using the handle on the tailgate
Opening the tailgate
– Pull on the release lever and lift the tailgate ⇒fig. 66 . The tail-
gate will be automatically open.
Closing the tailgate
– Hold the tailgate by one of the two handles on the interior lining and close it, pushing slightly.The system may or may not operate depending on the situation of the vehicle.
If the tailgate is locked then it cannot be opened, however if it is unlocked
then the opening system is operative and the tailgate may be opened.
To lock/unlock, press the button or the button on the remote control
key.
A warning appears on the instrument panel if the tailgate is open or not prop-
e r l y cl o s e d . * A n a co u s t i c wa r n i n g is a l s o g i v e n i f t h e ta i lga te i s o p e n w h e n t h e
vehicle is driven faster than 6 km/h*.
Fig. 66 Tailgate: opening
from the outside
Fig. 67 Detail of the
inside of the tailgate:
hand grip

A1
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Unlocking and locking
112
WARNING
•Always close the tailgate properly. Risk of accident or injury.•The tailgate must not be opened when the reverse or rear fog lights are
lit. This may damage the tail lights•Do not close the tailgate by pushing it down with your hand on the rear
window. The glass could smash. Risk of injury!•Ensure the tailgate is locked after closing it. If not, it may open unex-
pectedly while driving.•If the tailgate is not fully closed, open it with the handle and close it
again correctly. Do not try to close it by pressing on the surface of the tail-
gate, as this may damage the surface.•Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. A locked vehicle
can be subjected to extremely high and low temperatures, depending on
the time of year, thus causing serious injuries/illness. It could even have
fatal consequences. Close and lock both the tailgate and all the other doors
when you are not using the vehicle.•Closing the tailgate without observing and ensuring it is clear could
cause serious injury to you and to third parties. Make sure that no one is in
the path of the tailgate.•Never drive with the tailgate open or half-closed, exhaust gases may
penetrate into the interior of the vehicle. Danger of poisoning!•If you only open the tailgate, do not leave the key inside. The vehicle
will not be opened if the key is left inside.
Emergency opening
This allows the vehicle to be opened if the central locking
does not operate (for example, if the battery is flat)There is a groove in the luggage compartment allowing access to the
emergency opening mechanism.
Opening the tailgate from inside the luggage compartment
– Insert the key in the groove and unlock the locking system, turning the key from right to left, as shown by the arrow
⇒fig. 68 .
Fig. 68 Tailgate: emer-
gency open
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Lights and visibility
118Lights and visibilityLightsSwitching lights on and off
“
Switching on the side lights
–Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 73 to position
.
Switching on dipped beam headlights
– Turn the light switch to position
.
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position 0. Switching on the fog lights*
– Pull the switch out of position
 or  to the first stop. The
symbol
in the light switch 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 warning lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with no front fog lights)
– Pull the light switch from position
 to the last stop. A warning
lamp lights up in the instrument 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 headlights 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 acoustic warning will sound while the driver door remains open. This is a
reminder to switch the lights off.
Fig. 73 Detailed view of
the dash panel: lights, fog
lights and rear fog light
switch
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Lights and visibility119
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•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 vehicle will automati-
cally be switched off.•The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant statutory
requirements.•Depending on weather conditions (very cold or wet), the front and tail
lights and the turn signals 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*Activation
– Rotate the switch to the position “Auto”, this indication will light up. Deactivation
– Turn the light switch to 0.
Automatic lighting
If automatic headlight control is switched on, dipped beam headlights are
automatically switched on by a photosensor if you drive into a tunnel, for
example.
The rain sensor switches on the dipped beam headlights when the wind-
screen wipers have been operating continuously for a few seconds and it
switches the lights off when the continuous or intermittent wipe is switched
off for some minutes ⇒
page 132.
When the automatic dipped light control is connected but the dipped lights
are off, the warning lamp
!54/
lights up on the light control ⇒fig. 74. If the
automatic control switches on the dipped lights, the instrument and control
lighting is also switched on.
WARNING
•Even if the automatic headlight control is switched on, the dipped
headlights will not be switched on with fog. Therefore, the dipped beam
must be switched on manually.Note
•For those vehicles with the automatic headlight system, when the key is
removed from the ignition, the acoustic signal will only sound if the light
control is in the position
 or  if the vehicle is not fitted with the coming
home function.
•If the daylight driving automatic light function is switched on, the fog
lights or rear fog light cannot be switched on in addition.•The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant statutory
requirements.
Fig. 74 Automatic
lighting
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Lights and visibility
120•Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause disruptions or faults in the automatic lighting system.•To avoid damage to the tail lights, the lights mounted on the tailgate go
off when the tailgate is opened (depending on the country).Daytime lights*
The daytime light reduces the risk of accidents by increasing
the visibility of the vehicle. The daytime running lights are
enabled automatically when the ignition is switched on. It is
automatically switched off when the side lights are turned on.Daytime running lights (halogen lamps)
22)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with halogen lamps.
These include the dipped, side and number plate lights.
The daytime lights are switched on each time the ignition is turned on if the
light setting is in position 0 or
!54/
. Depending upon the model, a control
lamp
 on the light control switch or the lighting up of the instrument panel
will indicate that the daytime lighting is on.
It is not possible to switch the daytime lights on or off. Please contact a
specialised workshop if you wish to deactivate the lights.
Daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with bi-xenon lamps.
The lights are built-in separately to the headlights and are switched on each
time the ignition is turned on if the light setting is in position 0 or
!54/
.Automatic control of the dipped light in combination with the daytime
lighting (bi-xenon headlamps)
If the dipped light control
and the daytime lighting are activated at the same
time, the dipped lights and the instrument panel lighting will automatically
come on as required (e.g. on entering a tunnel) and the daytime lights will go
off. When the automatic dipped light control switches off the dipped lights
(e.g. on coming out of the tunnel), the daytime lights come back on.
Activating the daytime lights
With the ignition switched off, move the turn signal and main beam lever
upwards and back (right turn signal and headlamp flash).
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds while holding this position. The daytime
lights are activated and can be switched on.
Deactivating the daytime lights
With the ignition switched off, move the turn signal and main beam lever
upwards and back (left turn signal and headlamp flash) and hold in this posi-
tion.
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds while holding this position. The daytime
lights are deactivated and cannot be switched on.
Activating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards (right
turn signal) and press it backwards to flash position and hold it in this posi-
tion.
Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The daytime lights are activated and
can be switched on.
Deactivating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards (left
turn signal) and press it backwards to flash position and hold it in this posi-
tion.
22)It is only available in some countries or as an optional extra
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Lights and visibility121
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The daytime lights are deactivated and
cannot be switched on.
Note
Please observe any relevant legal requirements which may apply in your
country.Coming/leaving home function*
The Coming Home function is controlled manually. The
Leaving Home function is controlled with a photosensor.If the Coming Home or Leaving Home function 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 last door of the vehicle or the tailgate 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 established for the delay in switching off
the lights after all the vehicle doors and the tailgate have been closed.•If, 30 seconds after being connected, any doors or the tailgate 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
!54/
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 headlamps 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 headlamps in the Coming Home
and Leaving Home function can be changed or the function can be connected
or disconnected in the menu Lights and visibility ⇒ page 76.•If the ignition key is removed while the lights are on, and the lights are
flashed briefly and the driver door opened, no acoustic signal is heard, as
when the Coming Home function is on, the lights are automatically switched
off after a period of time (except when the light switch is in position
 or
.
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