
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 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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altea_ingles  Seite 121  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

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)
altea_ingles  Seite 125  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

Seats and stowage135
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Other stowage areasOther stowage areas can be found:•
in the centre console,
•
in the door trims (front and rear),
•
in the side trims of the luggage compartment,
•
in the spare wheel recess in the luggage compartment (only on vehicles 
with an optional anti-puncture kit*.
The clothes hooks are located on the rear roof handles.
WARNING
•
Do not store loose objects on the dashboard. These objects could be 
flung through the passenger compartment when the vehicle is moving (e.g. 
while accelerating, braking or cornerin g) and distract the driver. Risk of 
accident.
•
Ensure that no objects can fall from the centre console or other stowage 
areas into the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. In the event of a 
sudden braking manoeuvre, you will not be able to use the brake, clutch or 
accelerator. Risk of accident.
•
Clothing hung on the coat hooks must not restrict the driver's view. 
Risk of accident. The coat hooks are intended only for use with light arti-
cles of clothing. Do not leave any ha rd, sharp or heavy objects in hanging 
articles of clothing. During sudden braking manoeuvres or accidents, espe-
cially those involving airbag deployment, these objects could injure the 
vehicle occupants.
Drinks holders at the frontIn the centre console, in front of the  gear lever, there are two drink holders 
⇒ fig. 107 .
WARNING
•
Never place hot drinks in the drink  holders. During normal or sudden 
driving manoeuvres, sudden braking or an accident, the hot dr ink could be 
spilled. Danger of scalding.
•
Never use rigid materials (for example, glass or ceramic), these could 
cause injury in the case of an accident.
Fig. 107  Front drink 
holder
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Seats and stowage
142The warning triangle* is located in a stowage box under the luggage compart-
ment cover.  ⇒page 141, fig. 118 . To open this storage compartment, turn the 
knob 90º fig.  ⇒page 141, fig. 119
Note
•
The warning triangle is not part of the vehicle's standard equipment.
First-aid kit and fire extinguisherThe first-aid kit * is located in a stowage box on the left side of the luggage 
compartment.
The fire extinguisher* is velcroed on the luggage compartment carpet.
Note
•
The first-aid kit and the fire extinguisher are  not part of the vehicle's 
standard equipment.
•
The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements.
•
Observe the expiry date  of the contents of the first aid kit. You should 
purchase a new first-aid kit as soon as possible after the shelf-life date of the 
first-aid kit has expired.
•
The fire extinguisher must comp ly with legal requirements.
•
Ensure that the fire extinguisher is fully functional. The fire extinguisher 
should, therefore, be checked regularly. The sticker on the fire extinguisher 
will inform you of the next date for checking.
•
Before acquiring accessories and emergency equipment see the instruc-
tions in “Accessories and spares”  ⇒page 194.
Luggage compartmentStowing luggage
All luggage must be securely stowed.Please observe the following points to ensure the vehicle handles 
well at all times:
– Distribute the load as evenly as possible.
– Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment 
as possible.
– Secure luggage in the luggage compartment with suitable straps  on the fastening rings.
WARNING
•
Loose luggage and other loose items in the vehicle can cause serious 
injuries.
•
Loose objects in the luggage compartment can suddenly move and 
change the way the vehicle handles.
•
During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects in the 
passenger compartment can be flung forward, injuring vehicle occupants.
•
Always store objects in the luggage compartment and secure with suit-
able straps. This is especially important for heavy objects.
•
When you transport heavy objects, always keep in mind that a change 
in the centre of gravity can also cause changes in vehicle handling.
•
Please observe information on safe driving  ⇒page 7, “Safe driving”.
altea_ingles  Seite 142  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

Seats and stowage
144
Note•
Ensure that, when placing items of clothing on the luggage compartment 
cover, that rear visibility is not reduced.
•
Only the warning triangle* and other li ghtweight objects should be stored 
in the storage compartment.
Roof carrier*Please observe the following points if  you intend to carry loads on the roof:•
For safety reasons, only luggage racks and accessories supplied by offi-
cial SEAT Service should be used.
•
It is imperative to precisely follow the fitting instructions included for the 
rack, taking special care when fitting th e front bar in the allotments designed 
for this and the rear bar between the marks on the upper part of the rear door 
frame while respecting the correct direction of travel indicated in the installa-
tion manual. Not following these instructions may lead to paintwork damage 
or marks on the bodywork.
•
Pay special attention to the tightening torque of the attachment bolts and 
check them following a short journey. If necessary, retighten the bo lts and 
check them at regular intervals.
•
Distribute the load evenly. A maximum  load of 40 kg only is permitted for 
each roof carrier system support bar, the load must be distributed evenly over 
the entire length. However, the maximu m load permitted for the entire roof 
(including the support system) of 75 kg must not be exceeded nor should the 
total weight of the vehicle be exceeded. See the chapter on “Technical Data”.
•
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 
increased 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 contact 
the load on the roof carrier system when opened.
altea_ingles  Seite 144  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

Air conditioning151
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
The air conditioning system only works when the engine is running 
and the blower is switched on.
– Press the temperature control buttons  ⇒page 150, fig. 126   
or   in order to adjust the temperature on the left hand side or 
the right hand side respectively.
– The functions will be switched on when the buttons are pressed.  When these functions are activated, they are indicated in the 
display. Also, the de-icing and re ar heated window functions will 
turn on along with their corres ponding yellow symbol. Press the 
button again to switch off the function.The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right sides of the 
vehicle interior.
Display of the selected interior temperature for the left side.
Button   – Manual air recirculation mode
Button   – Central air distribution
Button   – Downward air distribution
Button   – Upward air distribution
Display of the selected interior temperature for the right side.
Button   – defrost function for the  windscreen. The air drawn in from 
outside the vehicle is directed at the windscreen. The air recirculation 
mode, if switched on, will be switched off as soon as the defrost function 
is switched on. At temperatures over 3° C, the air conditioning system 
will be switched on automatically and the blower speed will be increased 
by one level in order to dry the air. The button lights up yellow and the 
symbol appears in the display.
Button   – Rear window heating. The heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately 20 minutes  after switching on. However, it may 
be turned off by pushing the button.  The button lights up yellow and the 
symbol appears in the display.
Temperature selector for the left side  ⇒page 151 Blower control 
⇒page 152
Button   – Switches the 2C-Climatronic on and off  ⇒page 152
Button   – Automatic temperature, ventilation and air distribution 
control  ⇒page 151
Button   – Switches cooling system off
Temperature selector for the right side  ⇒page 151
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation. 
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarize yourself with 
the correct operation of the heating  and ventilation system, including the 
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windows.
Note
Please observe the general notes  ⇒page 154.Automatic mode
In automatic mode air temperatur e, air flow and distribution 
are automatically regulated so that a specified temperature is 
attained as quickly as possible and then maintained.The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right 
sides of the vehicle interior.
Switching on automatic mode
– Press the button    ⇒page 150, fig. 126 .“AUTO” is shown 
on the display.
A9
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A1A2
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A4
A5
A6A7
A8
A9
A10A11
OFF
A12
AUTO
A13
ECON
A14
AUTO
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Driving
156•
Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel  so that there is a distance of at 
least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your breast bone  ⇒page 155, 
fig. 129. If you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not 
protect you. Risk of fatal injury.
•
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the 
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact an Authorised Service Centre. The 
Authorised Service Centre will help you decide if special specific modifica-
tions are necessary.
•
If you adjust the steering wheel so tha t it points towards your face, the 
driver airbag will not protect you properly in the event of an accident. Make 
sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.
•
When driving, always hold the steer ing wheel with both hands on the 
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and  3 o'clock positions. Never hold the 
steering wheel at the 12 o'clock positi on, or in any other manner (e.g. in 
the centre of the steering wheel, or on  the inside of the rim). In such cases, 
you could receive severe injuries to the arms, hands and head.
SafetyElectronic stabilisation programme (ESP)* 
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP ) contains the electronic differential 
lock (EDL) and the traction control syst em (TCS). The ESP function works in 
conjunction with the ABS. Both warning  lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS 
systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
In specific circumstances where you require less traction, you can switch off 
the ESP by pressing button  ⇒fig. 130 .
For example:•
When driving with snow chains,
•
when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 130  Detail of the 
centre console: ESP 
button
altea_ingles  Seite 156  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15