Seat Altea XL 2013 Owner's Manual

99
Opening and closing
Automatic speed dependent locking and unlocking system*
This is a safety system which prevent the access to the vehi-
cle from the outside when it is running (for example, when
stopped at a traffic light).
Locking
The doors and the rear lid are automatically locked when vehicle speed ex-
ceeds 15 km/h (10 mph).
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 (10 mph), the unlocked
door(s) will be locked once more.
Unlocking
The driver door automatically unlocks when the key is removed from the ig-
nition.
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 un-
locking of the vehicle. If the vehicle is unlocked and any of the doors (including the rear lid) are
opened within 30 seconds, it gets re-locked automatically. This function prevents the vehicle from remaining unlocked if the unlock button is press-
ed by mistake.

Emergency unlocking system
If the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle is unlocked, ex-
cept for the luggage compartment. It is possible to lock the vehicle from in-
side 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” 
Central lock button
The central lock button allows you to lock and unlock the ve-
hicle from the inside.
Fig. 59 Detailed view of
the centre console: cen-
tral lock button 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

100Opening and closing
Locking the vehicle
–Press the button 
⇒ .
Unlocking the doors
– Press button 
.
The central lock 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 lock but-
ton:
● Locking the doors and rear lid prevents access from the outside (for
safety reasons, e.g. 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 rear lid) are open. This avoids the user from
forgetting his key inside the vehicle.
● Repeated operation of the central locking will deactivate the central lock
button for 30 seconds. Once this time has passed, the button if operative
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 lock button is not operative in the following cases:
WARNING (Continued)
● 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 cylin-
der with the key.
Note
● Vehicle locked, amber button .
● Vehicle unlocked, red button . 
Unlocking and locking - Manual personalisation
Activating selective unlocking
With the driver door open, turn the key to unlock for approx. 3 s
Deactivating selective unlocking
With the driver door open, turn the key to lock for approx. 3 s
The turn signal lamps flash to confirm activation or deactivation.
Activation of automatic locking
Press the lock button 
on the central locking button for 3 seconds.
Deactivation of automatic locking
Press the unlock button 
on the central locking button for 3 seconds.
The lock button lamp flashes to confirm activation or deactivation. 

101
Opening and closing
Emergency manual locking
This permits mechanical locking of the doors in case of cen-
tral locking system failure.
Fig. 60 Locking the
doors manually
Locking the driver door manually
Insert the key in the door lock cylinder and rotate in a clockwise direction for
the left hand side door and anticlockwise for the right hand side door.
Once the door has been closed it can no longer be opened from the outside.
Manual (emergency) locking of the remaining doors
Open the door and remove the cap A

⇒  Fig. 60 printed with a lock image.
This will expose a circular element with a groove in the centre. Insert the key
into the groove and rotate the element clockwise for the right hand side
doors and anticlockwise for the left hand side doors.
Replace the cap and close the door. Once the door has been closed it can
no longer be opened from the outside. Unlocking the manually (emergency) locked driver door
Insert the key in the door lock cylinder and rotate anticlockwise for the left
hand side doors and clockwise for the right hand side doors.
The door lock is released and the door may be opened using the exterior
door handle.
Unlocking the remaining manually (emergency) locked doors
First the driver door must be unlocked to gain entry to the vehicle. Operate
the internal door handle for the required door. If the childproof lock is acti-
vated on the rear doors, when the interior door release lever is operated the
door is unlocked but does not open. The door must be opened from the out-
side.
Note
Once the vehicle is open, if you wish to lock it manually (emergency lock-
ing), repeat the previous instructions. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

102Opening and closing
Childproof lock
The childproof lock prevents the rear doors from being
opened from the inside. This system prevents minors from
opening a door accidentally while the vehicle is running.
Fig. 61 Childproof lock
on the left hand side door
Fig. 62 Childproof lock
on the right hand side
door This function is independent of the vehicle electronic opening and
locking systems. It only affects rear doors. It can only be activated
and deactivated manually, as described below:
Activating the childproof lock
–
Unlock the vehicle and open the door in which you wish to acti-
vate the childproof lock.
– With the door open, rotate the groove in the door using the igni-
tion key, clockwise for the left hand side doors, and anticlock-
wise for the right hand side doors ⇒ Fig. 61 ⇒ Fig. 62.
Deactivating the childproof lock
– Unlock the vehicle and open the door whose childproof lock you
want to deactivate.
– With the door open, rotate the groove in the door using the igni-
tion key, clockwise for the right hand side doors, and anticlock-
wise for the left hand side doors ⇒ Fig. 61 ⇒ Fig. 62.
Once the childproof lock is activated, the door can only be opened from the
outside. The childproof lock can be activated and deactivated by inserting
the key in the groove when the door is open, as described above. 

103
Opening and closing
Keys
Set of keys
The set of keys includes a remote control, a key without a re-
mote control and a plastic key tab*.
Fig. 63 Set of keys
The set of keys belonging to your vehicle consists of the following items:
● one remote control key
⇒ Fig. 63 A
with folding key bit,
● a key without remote control B,
● a plastic key tab* C.
Duplicate keys
If you need a replacement key, go to a Technical Service with your vehicle
identification number.
WARNING
● An incorrect use of the keys can cause serious injuries.
● Never leave children or disabled persons in the vehicle. In case of
emergency, they may not be able to leave the vehicle or manage on their
own.
● An uncontrolled use of the key could start the engine or activate any
electric equipment (e.g. electric windows), causing risk of accident. The
doors can be locked using the remote control key. This could become an
obstacle for assistance in an emergency situation.
● Never forget the keys inside the vehicle. An unauthorised use of your
vehicle could result in injury, damage or theft. Always take the key with
you when you leave the vehicle.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion.
Otherwise, the steering could suddenly block and it would be impossible
to steer the vehicle.
CAUTION
There are electronic components in the remote control key. Avoid wetting
and hitting the keys. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

104Opening and closing
Radio frequency remote control
Locking and unlocking the vehicle
The radio frequency remote control key is used to lock and
unlock the vehicle from a distance.
Fig. 64 Assignment of
buttons on the remote
control key
Fig. 65 Range of the ra-
dio frequency remote
control
Using the button ⇒ Fig. 64 (arrow) on the control, the key blade is released.
Unlocking the vehicle 

⇒  Fig. 64 1.
Locking the vehicle 

⇒  Fig. 64 2.
Unlocking the rear lid. Press button 

⇒  Fig. 64 3 until all the turn signals
on the vehicle flash briefly. When the unlocking button 
3 is pressed,
you have 2 minutes to open the door. Once this time has passed, it will lock
again.
Also, the battery indicator on the key ⇒ Fig. 64, will flash.
The remote control transmitter and the batteries are integrated in the key.
The receiver is inside the vehicle. The maximum range depends on different
factors. The range is reduced as the batteries start to lose power.
Selective unlocking*
When the button 

⇒  Fig. 64 1, is pressed once, the driver door is un-
locked, all others remain locked.
Press the button 

⇒  Fig. 64 1 twice to unlock all doors.


105
Opening and closing
WARNING
● An improper use of the key can cause serious injuries.
● Never leave children or disabled persons in the vehicle. In case of
emergency, they may not be able to leave the vehicle or manage on their
own.
● Never forget the keys inside the vehicle. Otherwise, this could result
in serious injuries, accidents or even the theft of your vehicle. Always
take the key with you when you leave the vehicle.
● An uncontrolled use of the key could start the engine or activate any
electric equipment (e.g. electric windows), causing risk of accident. The
vehicle can be locked when using the remote control key. This could com-
plicate the aid in case of emergency.
Note
● The radio frequency remote control can be programmed by means of
pressing the unlocking button once; as a result, only the driver door will un-
lock. When the button is pressed once more, all doors and the rear lid will
be unlocked.
● The radio frequency remote control functions only when you are in range
⇒ Fig. 65 (red area).
● If the vehicle is unlocked using the 

1 button, it will lock again auto-
matically if any of the doors or the rear lid are not opened within 30 sec-
onds after unlocking it. This function prevents the vehicle from remaining
unlocked if the unlock button is pressed by mistake.
● If the vehicle cannot be opened and closed using the radio frequency re-
mote control, the remote control key will have to be re-synchronised
⇒ page 105. Changing the battery
If the battery indicator does not flash when the buttons are pushed, the bat-
tery must be replaced.
CAUTION
The use of inappropriate batteries may damage the radio frequency remote
control. For this reason, always replace the dead battery with another of the
same size and power.
For the sake of the environment
Used batteries must be disposed of at an appropriate waste facility or
through an authorised service, given that their components can affect the
environment. 
Synchronising the remote control key
If it is not possible to unlock or lock the door with the remote
control, it should be re-synchronised.
– Press the 
⇒ Fig. 64 button on the remote control.
– Then close the vehicle using the key bit within one minute.
It is possible that the vehicle could no longer be opened and closed with
the remote control if the button 
is repeatedly pressed outside of the ef-
fective range of the radio frequency remote control. The remote control key
will have to be resynchronised.
Spare remote control keys are available in your Technical Service, where
they must be matched to the locking system.
Up to four remote control keys can be used. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

106Opening and closing
Anti-theft alarm system*
Description of anti-theft alarm system*
The anti-theft alarm triggers if unauthorised movements are
detected around the vehicle.
The anti-theft alarm makes it more difficult to break into the vehicle or steal
it. Audible and visible alarms are triggered if the vehicle is opened using
the key, or if unauthorised access to the vehicle is forced.
The anti-theft alarm system is automatically switched on when locking the
vehicle. The system is then primed.
When does the system trigger an alarm?
The system triggers an alarm if the following unauthorised actions are car-
ried out when the vehicle is locked:
● Mechanical opening of the vehicle with the vehicle key
● Opening a door
● Opening the bonnet
● Opening the rear lid
● Switching on the ignition
● Movements in the vehicle interior
● Undue manipulation of the alarm
● Battery handling
The acoustic signals sound and the turn signals flash for approx. 30 sec-
onds. This may be repeated up to 10 times depending on the country.
Opening the doors mechanically (emergency opening)
If the radio frequency remote control function fails, you will have to use the
key to unlock the vehicle. This is done as follows: ●
Unfold the key by pressing the button shown by the (arrow).
● Use the lock on the driver door to unlock the vehicle. The anti-theft
alarm system remains active, but an alarm is not triggered immediately.
● Switch on the ignition within 15 seconds. When the ignition is switched
on, the electronic immobiliser recognises a valid vehicle key and deacti-
vates the anti-theft alarm system. If you do not switch on the ignition within
15 seconds, the alarm is triggered.
Opening all the doors in manual mode
In vehicles without alarm, when opening the driver door manually all the
doors are opened.
How to switch the alarm off
When the vehicle is unlocked via the unlocking button of the radio frequen-
cy remote control or when the key is inserted in the ignition lock.
Note
● If, after the audible warning goes off, another monitored area is ac-
cessed (e.g. the rear lid is opened after a door has been opened), the alarm
is triggered again.
● Vehicle monitoring remains active even if the battery is disconnected or
not working for any reason.
● The alarm is triggered immediately if one of the battery cables is discon-
nected while the alarm system is active. 
Volumetric sensor*
Monitoring or control function incorporated in the anti-theft
alarm* which detects unauthorized vehicle entry by means
of ultrasound.
The system consists of 3 sensors, 2 emitters and a receptor. 

107
Opening and closing
Activation
– It is automatically turned on with the anti-theft alarm, when the
vehicle is locked mechanically with the key and when the but-
ton 
on the remote control is used.
Deactivation
– Press the button 
on the remote control twice. Only the volu-
metric sensor is deactivated. The alarm system remains activa-
ted.
WARNING
● The Safe security system remains deactivated if the volumetric sen-
sor is deactivated.
● For those vehicles in which a separation screen is fitted, the alarm
will not function correctly due to interference with the sensor.
Note
● If the alarm has been triggered by the volumetric sensor, this will be in-
dicated by a flashing of the warning lamp on the driver door when the vehi-
cle is opened. This flashing will be different to that for an activated alarm. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

108Opening and closing
Rear lid
Unlocking and locking
The rear lid opening system operates electrically. It is activa-
ted by using the handle on the rear lid.
Fig. 66 Rear lid: opening
from the outside
Fig. 67 Close-up of the
inside trim of the rear lid:
hand grip
Opening the rear lid
– Pull on the release lever and lift the rear lid ⇒ Fig. 66. The rear
lid will automatically open.
Closing the rear lid
– Hold the rear lid by one of the two handles on the interior lining
and close it, pushing slightly.
This system may or may not be operative, depending on the situation of the
vehicle.
If the rear lid is locked then it cannot be opened, however if it is unlocked
then the opening system is operative and the rear lid may be opened.
To lock/unlock, press the button 
or the button
1 on the remote control
key.
A warning appears on the instrument panel display if the rear lid is open or
not properly closed.* An audible warning is also given if the rear lid is open
when the car is driven faster than 6 km/h*. 