
Contents3
ContentsThe structure of this manual
 . . . . . 
Content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety First
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safe driving
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 
Pedal area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowing luggage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Belt tension devices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Airbag system
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Curtain airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Securing child seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating instructions
 . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cockpit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Digital display in the instrument panel  . . . . . . . 
Instrument panel menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering wheel controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Using these instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering wheel lighting controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Opening and closing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Keys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Sliding/tilting roof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights and visibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Mirrors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seats and stowage
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . 
Head restraints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Electric Front seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowage compartments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Ashtrays*, cigarette lighter* and electrical 
sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher  
Luggage compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air conditioning
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Climatic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
2C-Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Starting and stopping the engine  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Automatic gearbox*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cruise control system (CCS)*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tips and Maintenance
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Intelligent technology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-lock brake system and traction control M-ABS 
(ABS and TCS)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Electronic stabilisation program (ESP)* . . . . . . . 
Driving and the environment
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Catalytic converter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
5
6
7
7
7
10
16
17
19
19
21
24
28
30
30
34
37
41
44
46
46
48
50 55
55
55
56
59
65
71
83
83
83
87
90
91
91
97
98
100
102
104
106
109
109
115
117
118
122
125
125
126
128
129
131 139
141
142
145
145
147
150
154
155
155
156
157
158
161
162
166
167
169
173
173
173
174
175
177
177
178
179
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Contents
4Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving economically and with respect for the 
environment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
 . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Care of the vehicle interior  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Accessories, parts replacement and 
modifications
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Accessories and parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Roof aerial*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Mobile telephones and two-way radios . . . . . . . 
Fitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Checking and refilling levels
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . 
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades . . . . 
Brake fluid  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Battery  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
If and when
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tools, tyre repair kit and spare wheel  . . . . . . . . 
Wheel change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tyre repair kit (Tyre-Mobility-System) . . . . . . . . . 
Fuses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lamp change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes on the technical data
 . . . . . . . 
What you should be aware of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
How are the figures measured?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Towing a trailer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Techn ical  Data
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 1.6l 75 kW (102 bhp) . . . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 2.0l 110 kW (150 bhp)  . . . . . . . . 
Petrol engine 2.0l 110 kW (150 bhp). Automatic
Diesel engine 1.9l TDI 77 kW (105 bhp)  . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 2.0l  TDI 103 kW (140  bhp)   . . .  . 
Diesel engine 2.0l  TDI 103 kW (140  bhp)   
Automatic  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Diesel engine 2.0l  TDI 100 kW (136  bhp)   .  . .  . 
Diesel engine 2.0l  TDI 100 kW (136  bhp)
Automatic  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Dimensions and capacities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Index
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
181
183
185
185
186
191
194
194
194
195
195
196
198
198
199
200
201
204
209
211
214
216
218
224
224
226
231
233
240
249
252 255
255
255
257
258
258
260
260
261
262
264
265
267
268
270
271
273
275
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Safe driving17
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original floor 
mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the pedals. Risk 
of accident.
Stowing luggageLoading the luggage compartment
All luggage and other loose object s must be safely secured in 
the luggage compartment.Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could impair the 
driving safety or driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the 
centre of gravity.
– Distribute the load evenly  in the luggage compartment.
– Lay and stow heavy luggage as far forward as possible in the  luggage compartment.
– Stow heavy luggage as low as possible in the luggage compart- ment.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening rings   ⇒page 18 .
WARNING
•
Loose luggage and other objects in the luggage compartment can 
cause serious injuries.
•
Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure them on 
the fastening rings.
•
Use suitable specialist straps to secure heavy objects.
•
During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be flung 
forward, injuring vehicle occupants. Th is increased risk of injury will be 
further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating airbag. If thi s 
happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of fatal injury.
•
Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting 
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Therefore, it is essential to  adjust your speed and driving style 
accordingly, to avoid accidents.
•
Never exceed the allowed axle loads  or allowed maximum weight. If the 
allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving char-
acteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries and 
damage to the vehicle.
•
Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is 
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment closing the door 
behind them; they will remain trapped without help and there is a mortal 
risk.
•
Never allow children to play in or  around the vehicle. Close and lock 
both the tailgate and all the doors when you leave the vehicle. Before you 
lock the vehicle, make sure that ther e are no adults or children in the 
vehicle.
•
Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every 
passenger must be properly belted in ⇒ page 19.Note
•
Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce fogging of the windows. Used 
air escapes through ventilation slits in the side trim of the luggage compart-
ment. Ensure that the ventil ation slits are never covered.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
altea_ingles  Seite 17  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

Cockpit75
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
First look at the coolant temperature gauge. If the needle is in the normal 
range, top up with coolant at the earliest opportunity ⇒
.
WARNING
•
If your vehicle is immobilised for any technical reasons, move it to a 
safe distance from traffic. Turn off the engine, turn on the hazard lights and 
place the warning triangle.
•
Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no 
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.
•
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous area! 
Before carrying out any work in the engine compartment, switch off the 
engine and allow it to cool down. Alwa ys note the corresponding warnings. 
⇒ page 201
Rear fog light 
This warning lamp lights up when  the rear fog light is switched on 
. Further 
information  ⇒page 109.
Turn signals 
 
The warning lamp flashes when the turn signals are in oper-
ation.Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left  
 or right 
 indi-
cator lamp flashes. Both warning lamps wi ll flash at the same time when the 
hazard warning lights are switched on.
If one turn signal fails, the warning lamp will start flashing twice as fast. Further information on the turn signals 
⇒page 113.
Trailer turn signals 
This warning lamp also flashe s when the turn signals are 
operated while towing a caravan or trailer.The warning lamp 
 flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a 
trailer is correctly attached and connected to the vehicle.
The warning lamp will not flash if one of the turn signals on the trailer fails.
Main beam headlights 
This warning lamp lights up when the main beams are on.The warning lamp 
 lights up when the main beams are on or when the 
headlight flasher is operated.
Further information  ⇒page 113
Bulb defect 
The warning lamp lights up when a bulb in the vehicle's exte-
rior lighting is defective.The warning lamp 
 lights up when a bulb in  the vehicle's exterior lighting 
(e.g. left-hand main beam) is defective.
The following information text displayed in the instrument panel display
9) : 
FULL LIGHTS LEFT FAULT
altea_ingles  Seite 75  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

Cockpit81
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Power steering system* 
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 when the engine has started running.
If the battery is disconnected, the indicator remains lit, even with the engine 
running. The warning light only goes of f after a distance of approx. 50 m.
There is a fault in the electromechanica l steering system if the lamp does not 
go out or lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. The indicator may appear 
in two different colours to indicate faults. If it lights yellow, this indicates a 
minor fault. If it lights red, seek wo rkshop assistance immediately, if no 
assistance is available stop 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 
steering assistance is reduced or has failed completely.
For those vehicles fitted with ESP* the function “Recommended steering 
manoeuvre” is included. See⇒ page 175Brake pad wear indicator* 
As the brake pad wear indicator only monitors the front brake pads, it is advis-
able to have the rear brake pads inspected at the same time.
The following information text displayed in the instrument panel display
14) : 
CHECK BRAKE PADS .
WARNING
Have the brake pads inspected immediately by a qualified dealership if the 
warning display 
 lights up.
Indicator for open doors or tailgate 
This indicator lights if one of th e doors or the tailgate is open.The warning light 
 should go off when all the doors are closed correctly.
The system also works when the ignition is switched off. It should go off 
about 15 seconds after the vehicle is locked.
Electronic immobiliser* “Safe”
This warning lamp flashes if  an unauthorised key is used.Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser auto-
matically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The immobiliser will be 
activated again automatically as soon as you pull the key out of the ignition 
lock.
The following information text displayed in the instrument panel display
15) : 
SAFE . The vehicle cannot be used in that case  ⇒page 158.
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine 
key is used.
14)Depending on the model version
15)Depending on the model version
altea_ingles  Seite 81  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

Lights and visibility
110•
If the coming home* feature is activated, the acoustic signal for the 
dipped beam headlights will not sound, it will sound if the position lights are 
activated.
•
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 car will automatically 
be switched off.
•
The use of the lighting described here is subject to  the relevant statutory 
requirements.
Automatic lightingActivation
– Rotate the switch to the position “Auto”, this indication will light  up.
When the switch is in this position,  as soon as visibility conditions are 
reduced, the lights are automaticall y activated. The indication “Auto”, 
changes to red.
Automatic lighting
If the automatic headlight control is switched on, dipped headlights are auto-
matically switched on by a light-sensitive sensor if you drive into a tunnel, for 
example.
The rain function switches on the headlights if the continuous wipe function 
is switched on for longer than 5 seconds. The dipped beam headlights are 
switched off if the continuous wipe or the intermittent wipe functions are 
switched off for longer than 255 seconds .
WARNING
•
If automatic headlight control is switched on, the headlights will not be 
switched on in fog or heavy rain. Therefore, the dipped beam must be 
switched on.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.
•
Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may 
cause disruptions or faults in the automatic lighting system.
Fig. 76  Automatic 
lighting
altea_ingles  Seite 110  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

Lights and visibility113
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
7.  Always take the vehicle key wi th you when you leave the vehicle.You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for 
instance:•
When reaching the tail end of a traffic jam
•
There is an emergency
•
Your vehicle breaks down due to a technical defect
•
You are towing another vehicle or your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are 
switched on. That is that the two turn signal indicator lamps 
  and the 
indicator lamp in the switch 
 will flash at the same time. The hazard 
warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
WARNING
•
The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always 
using the hazard warning lights and a warning triangle to draw the atten-
tion of other road users to your stationary vehicle.
•
Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with 
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt 
petrol. This could start a fire!Note
•
The battery will run down if the hazard  warning lights are left on for a long 
time, even if the ignition is switched off.
•
The use of the hazard warning lights d escribed here is subject to the rele-
vant statutory requirements.
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the 
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following 
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up  ⇒fig. 79  to indicate  right, and 
all the way down   to indicate  left.
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up   or down   to the point where you incur  resistance and then release the lever. The turn signal will flash 
three times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash.
Fig. 79  Turn signal and 
main beam headlight 
lever
A1
A2A1
A2
altea_ingles  Seite 113  Donnerstag, 19. Mai 2005  3:02 15 

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”.
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