length Seat Altea XL 2012 Owner's Manual

63
Cockpit
Indications for vehicles with LongLife service
Technical progress has made it possible to considerably reduce servicing re-
quirements. With the LongLife System, SEAT ensures that your vehicle only
has an interval service when it is necessary. The length of the service inter-
vals (max. two years) is determined by factors such as conditions under
which the vehicle is used and personal driving style.
The service pre-warning will first appear 20 days before the date on which
the service is due. The distance travelled is rounded off to the nearest 100
km and the time to full days. The current service message can only be con-
sulted 500 km after the last service. Until that time, only dashes are dis-
played.
Note
● If you reset the display manually, the next service interval will be indica-
ted after 15 000 km or one year and will not be calculated individually.
● Do not reset the display between service intervals as the display will
otherwise be incorrect.
● In LongLife Service vehicles, if the battery is disconnected for a long pe-
riod, the days remaining until the next service cannot be calculated. There-
fore, the service message displays on the instrument panel may be incor-
rect. Take into account the maximum authorised service intervals. Multifunction display (MFI)*
The multifunction display (MFI) shows you information on
the journey and fuel consumption.
Fig. 41 Rocker buttons A
and B. Steering wheel
controls.
Fig. 42 Digital instru-
ment panel display

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

127
Lights and visibility
Rear door sun blind*
– Pull out the visor and hook it onto the hooks at the top of the
door frame ⇒ fig. 85. 
Windscreen wipers
Front windscreen wipers 
The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen wipers
and the automatic wash and wipe.
Fig. 86 Windscreen wip-
er and windscreen wash
lever
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒ fig. 86 has the following positions:
Switching off the wipers
– Move the lever to position 0
. Intermittent wipe
–
Move the lever up to position 1
.
– Move the control A
to the left or right to set the length of the
intervals. Control to the left: long intervals; control to the right:
short intervals. Four wiper interval stages can be set using
switch A
.
Slow wipe
– Move the lever up to position 2
.
Continuous wipe
– Move the lever up to position 3
.
Short wipe
– Move the lever down to position 4
to give the windscreen a
short wipe. The wiper will start to move faster if you keep the
lever pressed down for longer than two seconds.
Wash and wipe automatic system 
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel - Position 5
. The
wash function will start immediately and the wipers will start
with a slight delay. The wash and wiper systems will function at
the same time at speeds of over 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The wipers will keep running for approximate-
ly four seconds.
Heated windscreen in the wiper blade area*
In some countries and with some versions, there is the possibility of heat-
ing the windscreen in the area of the windscreen wiper blades in order to
aid de-icing in the zone. The function is switched on by pressing the heated
rear window key . 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

156Seats 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. 

196Intelligent technology
The ASR (TCS) is connected automatically when the engine starts. If neces-
sary, it may be turned on or off pushing the button on the centre console.
When the ASR (TCS) is disconnected, the warning lamp  OFF
lights up. The
TCS should normally be left on. Only in exceptional circumstances, when the
slipping of the wheels is required, should it be disconnected, for example
● With compact temporary spare wheel.
● When using the snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces
● When the vehicle is bogged-down, to free it by rocking.
The TCS should be switched on again as soon as possible.
WARNING
● Remember that the ASR (TCS) cannot defy the laws of physics. This
should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads and when
towing a trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ASR (TCS)
tempt you into taking any risks when driving.
CAUTION
● To ensure that the ASR (TCS) functions correctly, all four wheels must be
fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres
can cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.
● Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, run-
ning gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect
the efficiency of the ABS and ASR (TCS). XDS*
Driveshaft differential
When taking a bend, the driveshaft differential mechanism allows the outer
wheel to turn at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In this way, the wheel
that is turning faster (outer wheel) receives less drive torque than the inner
wheel. This may mean that in certain situations the torque delivered to the
inner wheel is too high, causing the wheels to spin. On the other hand, the
outer wheel is receiving a lower drive torque than it could transmit. This
causes an overall loss of lateral grip on the front axle, resulting in under-
steer or “lengthening” of the trajectory.
By using the ESC (ESP) sensors and signals, the XDS system is able to de-
tect and correct this effect.
Through the ESC (ESP), the XDS brakes the inner wheel, thereby counteract-
ing the excess drive torque in this wheel. This means that the driver's de-
sired trajectory is much more precise,
The XDS system operates in combination with the ESC (ESP) and is always
active, even when the traction control ASR (TCS) is disconnected.

Electronic Stability Control ESC (ESP) *
General notes
The Electronic Stability Control increases the vehicle's stabil-
ity on the road. The Electronic Stability Control helps reduce the danger of skidding.
The Electronic Stability Control ESC (ESP) includes the ABS, EDL, ASR (TCS)
and Steering manoeuvre recommendations. 

241
Checking and refilling levels
To change the blades it is necessary to change the rest position of
the wipers to the service position.
Service position (For changing wiper blades)
– Ensure that the wiper blades are not frozen.
– Turn ignition on and off and then (before approx. 8 seconds
have elapsed), move the windscreen wiper lever to the intermit-
tent wipe position. The windscreen wipers will move to the serv-
ice position.
Changing the windscreen wiper blades
– Lift the wiper arm away from the windscreen.
– Push the side buttons, free the blade and pull in the direction of
the arrow ⇒ fig. 172
Fitting the wiper blade
– Insert a blade of identical length and design into the wiper arm.
– Slide the blade until it clicks into position.
– Push the wiper arms back against the windscreen.
The windscreen wiper arms return to their original position when the igni-
tion is turned on and the windscreen wiper lever is operated, or when driv-
ing faster than 6 km/h.
If the windscreen wipers smear , they should be replaced if they are dam-
aged, or cleaned if they are soiled.
If this does not produce the desired results, the setting angle of the wind-
screen wiper arms might be incorrect. They should be checked by a special-
ised workshop and corrected if necessary.
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!
● Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all windows regularly.
● The wiper blades should be changed once or twice a year.
CAUTION
● Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could scratch the windscreen.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the windows. This could damage the windscreen wiper blades.
● Never move the windscreen wiper or windscreen wiper arm manually.
This could cause damage.
● Do not pull the windscreen wipers forward unless they are in the service
position. Otherwise the bonnet could be damaged.
Note
● The wiper arms can be moved to the service position only when the bon-
net is properly closed. 
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253
Wheels and tyres
WARNING
● We recommend that you use only wheels and tyres which have been
approved by SEAT for your model. Failure to do so could impair vehicle
handling. Risk of accident.
● Avoid running the vehicle on tyres that are more than 6 years old. If
you have no alternative, you should drive slowly and with extra care at all
times.
● Never use old tyres or those with an unknown history of use.
● If wheel trims are retrofitted, you must ensure that the flow of air to
the brakes is not restricted. This could cause them to overheat.
● All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of according to the laws in the country con-
cerned.
Note
● For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from
other vehicles. This can also apply to wheels of the same model. The use of
wheels or tyres which have not been approved by SEAT for use with your
model may invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public roads.
● If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the
vehicle (e.g. winter tyres) you should only use the spare tyre for a short peri-
od of time and drive with extra care. Refit the normal road wheel as soon as
possible. Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be tightened to the correct torque.
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the rims. If different wheel rims are
fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped
bolt heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and
that the brake system functions correctly.
In certain circumstances, you should not use wheel bolts from a different
vehicle, even if it is the same model ⇒ page 221.
After the wheels have been changed, the tightening torque of the wheel
bolts should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒ 
.
The tightening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
If the wheel bolts are not tightened correctly, the wheel could become
loose while driving. Risk of accident.
● The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily. Never apply grease or
oil to them.
● Use only wheel bolts which belong to the wheel.
● If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen whilst
the vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too
high, the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
CAUTION
The prescribed torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

302Technical specifications
Dimensions and capacities
Dimensions
Length, width 4467 mm/ 1768 mm
Height at kerb weight 1575 mm
Front and rear projection 913 mm/ 976 mm
Wheelbase 2578 mm
Turning circle 10.7 m
Track width a) Front
Rear
1527 mm 1506 mm
1541 mm 1520 mm
Capacities
Fuel tank 55 l. Reserve 7 l.
Windscreen washer fluid container with headlight washer 3 l/ 5.5 l
Tyre pressure
Summer-grade tyres:
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the inside of the tank flap.
Winter tyres:
The pressure of these tyres is the same as the summer tyre pressure plus 0.2 bar.
a) This data will change depending on the type of wheel rim. 