2005 Seat Altea Owner's Manual

Lights and visibility119
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Optional heated windscreen in the wiper blade* area
In some countries and with some versions, there is the possibility of heating
the windscreen in the area of the windscreen wiper blades in order to aid de-
icing in the zone.
This function is activated by turning the exterior heated rearview mirror*
control forwards.
⇒page 123
WARNING
•
Worn and dirty wiper blades obstruct visibility and reduce safety levels.
•
In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation system.
The washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and obscure
your view of the road.
•
Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 212, “Changing
windscreen wiper blades”.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that th e wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the fi rst time. If you switch on the wipers
when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you could damage both
the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
•
The windscreen wipers will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the bonnet is closed.
•
When in use, the wipers do not go as far as the rest position. When the
lever is moved to position 0, they are totally hidden.
•
The next speed down will automatically be selected if wiper speed
⇒ page 118, fig. 86 or is selected when the vehicle stops. The set speed
will be resumed when the vehicle starts again
•
The windscreen will be wiped again after approximately five seconds once
the “automatic wipe/wash system” has been operated while the vehicle is in
transit.
•
When the “intermittent wi pe function” is on, the intervals are directly
proportional to the speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed the shorter
the intervals.
•
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the
obstacle and switch the wiper back on again.
•
Before removing any objects that may be trapped in the side areas of the
windscreen, always move the wiper arms to the service position
(horizontal).
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Lights and visibility
120Rain sensor*
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen
wiper intervals, depending on the amount of rain.
Switching on the rain sensor
– Move the windscreen wiper lever into position ⇒fig. 88
– Move the control to the left or right to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor. Switch to the right - high sensitivity. Switch to the
right - low sensitivityThe rain sensor is part of the interval wipe function. You will have to switch on
the rain sensor back on if you switch off the ignition. This is done by switching
the wiper intermittent function off and back on.
Note
•
Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause sensor disruption or faults.
Fig. 87 Rain sensor*Fig. 88 Windscreen wiper
lever
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Lights and visibility121
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Rear window wiper

The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position ⇒fig. 89 . The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from positi on towards the steering wheel.
The wiper will continue to function for a short period if you switch
off whilst the wipers are in motion. Switching on the windscreen wiper and washer system
– Press the lever fully forwards to position
⇒page 121, fig. 89
. The wash function will start immediately and the wiper will start
with a slight delay. The windscreen wash system will function as
long as you hold the lever in this position.
– Then release the lever. The wiper then wipes for approximately 4 seconds, and then in intervals again.
– Then release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers function.
WARNING
•
A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.
•
Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 212, “Changing
windscreen wiper blades”.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the glass
before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper when the
wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the wiper blade
and the wiper motor.
Note
•
The windscreen wiper will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the tailgate is closed.
•
In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers switched on, the rear wind-
screen wiper will make one wipe.
F i g . 8 9 W i n d o w w a s h a n d
wipe lever: Rear window
wiper
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Lights and visibility
122Headlight washer system
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses.The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steering
wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped headlights or main
beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the head-
lights at regular intervals, for in stance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
•
To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.
•
To remove water, the windscreen wiper s will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles.
MirrorsInterior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see clearly through the
rear window.Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror should
be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle function.
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and off
as desired.Switching off anti-dazzle function
– Press button ⇒fig. 90 . Warning lamp goes out:
Switching on anti-dazzle function
– Press button ⇒fig. 90 . Warning lamp is lit.Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp ligh ts up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is acti vated the interior mirror will darken auto-
matically according to the amount of light it receives (for example from the
headlights of a vehicle behind). The anti-dazzle function is cancelled if
reverse gear is engaged.
Fig. 90 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
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Lights and visibility123
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Note
•
The automatic anti-dazzle function will only work properly if the sun
blind* for the rear window is retracted and there are no other objects
preventing light from reac hing the interior mirror.
•
If you have to stick any type of sticker on the windscreen, do not do so in
front of the sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-dazzle function from
working well or even from working at all.
Exterior mirrors
The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using the rotary knob in
the centre console.Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob ⇒fig. 91 to position L (left exterior mirror ).2. Turn the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a
good view to the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn knob to position R (right exterior mirror ).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the car ⇒ .
Heating the exterior mirrors*
– Turn the knob forwards to the central position ⇒page 123,
fig. 91 so that the heated rear view mirrors heat up and the
heated windscreen* in the wiper blade rest area is operational.
⇒ page 119
Folding in exterior mirrors*
– Turn the control ⇒page 123, fig. 91 to position
 to fold in the
exterior mirrors. You should always fold in the exterior mirrors if
you are driving through an automatic car wash. This will help
prevent damage.
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the extended position*
– Turn the knob to another position to fold the exterior mirrors back out. ⇒ .
Synchronised mirror adjustment
1. Turn the control to the position L (left exterior mirror ).
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle. The right exterior mirror will
be adjusted at the same time (synchronised).
Fig. 91 Exterior mirror
control
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Lights and visibility
124
WARNING
•
The rear view convex or aspheric mirror increase the field of vision
however the objects appear smaller and further away in the mirrors. If you
use these mirrors to estimate the distance to vehicles behind you when
changing lane, you could make a mistake. Risk of accident.
•
If possible, use the interior mirror to estimate distances to vehicles
behind you.
•
Make sure that you do not get your finger trapped between the mirror
and the mirror base when folding back the mirrors. Risk of injury!For the sake of the environment
The exterior mirror heating should be switched off when it is no longer
needed. Fuel is wasted otherwise.
Note
•
If the electrical adjustment ever fa ils to operate, the mirrors can be
adjusted by hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mirror glass.
•
The following guideline applies to vehicles with electric exterior mirrors:
If the mirror housing is moved as a resu lt of exterior force (e.g. knocked when
parking the vehicle), the mirrors must be folded in electrically to the final
position. Do not readjust the mirror h ousing by hand, as this will interfere
with the mirror adjuster function.
•
The rear view mirrors can be adjusted separately or simultaneously, as
described before.
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Seats and stowage125
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Seats and stowageThe importance of correct seat adjustmentProper seat adjustment optimi ses the level of protection
offered by seat belts and airbags.Your vehicle has five passenger places, two individual front seats and three
places on the rear seat. Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
The driver seat and front passenger seat can be adjusted in many ways to suit
the physical requirements of the vehicle occupants. The correct seat position
is very important for:•
fast and easy operation of all controls on the instrument panel,
•
relaxed posture that does not cause drowsiness,
•
safe driving ⇒ page 7,
•
and to ensure that the seat belts and airbag system provide maximum
protection ⇒page 19.
WARNING
•
If the driver and passengers assume improper sitting positions, they
may sustain critical injuries.
•
Never transport more people than there are seats available in the
vehicle.
•
Every occupant in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat
belt belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an appro-
priate child restraint system ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
•
The front seats and all head restraints must always be adjusted to body
size and the seat belt must always be properly adjusted to provide you and
your passengers with optimum protection.
•
Always keep your feet in the footwell when the vehicle is moving; never
rest them on the dash panel, out of the window or on the se at. This also
applies to passengers. An incorrect sitting position exposes you to an
increased risk of injury in the event of a braking manoeuvre or an accident.
If the airbag is triggered, you could sustain severe injuries due to an incor-
rect sitting position.
•
It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dash panel. If this minimum
distance is not respected, the airbag will not provide the intended protec-
tion and there is a fatality risk! Always ensure the maximum possible
distance between the driver and the st eering wheel as well as between the
passenger and the dash panel.
•
Adjust the driver or front passenger seat only when the vehicle is
stationary. This also applies to the forwards/backwards adjustment of the
rear seats. Otherwise your seat coul d move unexpectedly while the vehicle
is moving. This could increase the risk of an accident and therefore injury.
In addition, while adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents.
•
Special guidelines apply to installing a child seat on the front
passenger seat. When installing a child seat, observe the warning note in
the ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.WARNING (continued)
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Seats and stowage
126Head restraintsCorrect adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
occupant protection and can redu ce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head and, as a very minimum at eye
level. ⇒fig. 92 and ⇒fig. 93Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 127
WARNING
•
Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted
increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Improperly adjusted head restraints could lead to death in the event of
a collision or accident.
•
Incorrectly adjusted head restraints also increase the risk of injury
during sudden or unexpected driving or braking manoeuvres.
•
The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the occu-
pant's size.
Fig. 92 Viewed from in
front: Properly adjusted
head restraints and
proper belt adjustment
Fig. 93 Viewed from side:
Properly adjusted head
restraints and proper belt
adjustment
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