2006 Seat Altea lock

Driving
158•
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 157,
fig. 128. 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. 129 .
For example:•
When driving with snow chains,
•
when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 129 Detail of the
centre console: ESP
button

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Driving159
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
when rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it from mud, for
example.
You should press the button to switch the ESP back on when you no longer
need wheel spin.
The TCS and EDL are also switched off if the ESP is switched off. That is to say,
these systems are not available while ESP is not activated.
When does the button light up or flash?
•
It lights up when the ignition is switched on and should go out again after
about 2 seconds.
•
It will start flashing to indicate that ESP is counteracting an unstable
driving condition.
•
It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
•
It will light up continuously if the ESP is switched off.
WARNING
•
The electronic stabilisation program (ESP) 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 ESP tempt you
into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.
•
Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in ⇒page 175,
“Intelligent technology”.
Ignition lockPosition of the ignition keyIgnition switched off, steering lock
In the position ⇒fig. 130 the ignition and the engine are OFF and the
steering may be locked.
For the Steering lock without the ignition key, turn the steering wheel until it
locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the steering wheel when
you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent theft of the vehicle ⇒ .
Switching on the ignition or glow plug system
Tu rn the ignition key to this position and let go of the key. If the key canno t b e
turned or is difficult to turn from position to position , move the
steering wheel (to take the load off the steering lock mechanism) until the key
turns freely.

Fig. 130 Ignition key
positions
A0
A1
A0
A12
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Driving
160Starting
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Each time that the vehicle must be star ted, the ignition key must be turned to
the position . The repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter moto r is the engine is already running.
WARNING
•
Wait for the vehicle to come to a standstill before removing the ignition
key from the lock. The steering lock could be activated immediately - Risk
of accident!
•
Always remove the key from the ignition lock when leaving the vehicle,
even if you only intend to be gone for a short period. This is especially
important if you must leave children or disabled people in the vehicle, they
could accidentally start the engine or work electrical equipment such as
the windows possibly resulting in an accident.
•
Unsupervised use of the keys could result in the engine being started
or electrical systems, such as the el ectric windows, being used. This can
result in serious injury.Caution
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key
position ).
Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driving
the vehicle.Inside the key there is a chip that deac tivates 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 engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with the correct
code.
Note
The vehicle cannot be operated properly if you do not have a genuine SEAT
key.Starting and stopping the engineStarting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with
the correct code.– Move the gear lever to the ne utral position and depress the
clutch pedal fully and hold it in this position, the starter will then
only have to turn the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ page 159 to start the engine.
A2A0
A2
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Driving
162Glow plug system for the diesel engine
To avoid unnecessary load on the battery, do not use any other major elec-
trical equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heating.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp ⇒page 80 goes out.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal
(up to one minute) to start the engine afte r refuelling with diesel fuel. This is
because the system must eliminate air first.
WARNING
•
Never start or run the engine in un ventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon mono xide, an odourless and colourless
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.
•
Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•
Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•
When the engine is cold, you should av oid high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
•
The vehicle should not be pushed or towed for more than approximately
50 metres to start the engine. Fuel could enter the catalytic converter and
damage it.
•
Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle to start it, you should first
try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow the instruc-
tions ⇒page 251, “Jump-starting”.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running th e engine with the vehicle stationary.
You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine
reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.Switching off the engine– Stopping the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 159, fig. 130 .After the engine is switched off the radiator fan may run on for up to 10
minutes, even if the ignition is switched of f. It is also possible that it will turn
itself on once more if the temperature of the coolant increases due to the
elimination of built up heat in the engine compartment or if this is heated due
to prolonged exposure to the heat of the sun.
WARNING
•
Never switch off the engine until the vehicle is stationary.
•
The brake servo works only when the engine is running. You will need
more strength to brake the vehicle when the engine is switched off. As you
cannot brake in the normal manner, there is a greater risk of accidents and
serious injury.
•
The steering lock can engage immediately when the key is removed
from the ignition lock. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.
A0
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Driving
164
WARNING
•
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
gear is engaged and the clutch released.
•
Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of acci-
dent.Note
•
Do not rest your hand on the gear lever when driving. The pressure of your
hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.
•
When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch fully to avoid
unnecessary wear and damage.
•
Do not hold the car “on the clutch” on hills. This causes premature wear
and damage to the clutch.
Automatic gearbox* / DSG automatic gearboxSelector lever positionsSelector lever positions indicated on the cover
P Parking position (lever locked).
R Reverse position.
N Neutral position (lever locked). This position is similar to the neutral
position for manual gearboxes).
D Drive position (economic driving program).
S Sports driving position.
+/- Tiptronic driving position (this progra m is similar to the operation of a
manual gearbox).
Fig. 133 Section of
centre console: selector
lever on cars with an auto-
matic gearbox / direct
shift gearbox
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Driving165
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Driving programs
The automatic gearbox / direct shift gearbox has two
programmes.Selecting the normal program
– Put the selector lever into position D to drive forwards
– Put the selector lever into position R to reverse. This position is
shared by all programs for reversing.
Selecting the sport program
– Move the lever to position S .If you have selected the normal driving programme D, you will drive in a more
economical driving mode. This program selects a higher gear earlier rather
than remain in a lower gear. If you select the sport programme,
S, the program is designed for a sports
mode, that is, a programme which changes up at higher engine speeds to use
the full power of the engine. This prog ram is not recommended for use on the
highway or in the city.
Selector lever locking
The selector lever lock prevents gears from being engaged
inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to move.Releasing the selector lever lock
–Start the vehicle.
– Press and release the brake pedal, at the same time press the button on the knob.
Fig. 134 Program selec-
tion
Fig. 135 Deactivating the
lock
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Driving
166The lock is only activated when the vehicle is stopped or at a speed of less
than 5 km/h. At higher speeds, the lock is automatically released in position
N .
For rapid changes of position (e.g. from R to D) the lever will not lock. If the
lever remains in the position N more than one second then it is locked. With
the automatic lock, the lever is prevented passing from P and N to any other
gear without first pressing the brake pedal.
The selector lever must be put in the position P in order to remove the key.Driving with an automatic gearbox* / DSG automatic gearbox
The drive and reverse gears are automatically engaged.Driving
– Press and hold the foot brake. –
Pre ss on the button on the se lector lever knob (on the lef t
⇒ fig.

136

.
– Select a gear for driving (R, D or S).
– Release the button and wait a few seconds for the gear to engage, a light jerk will be felt.
– Release the brake and accelerate.
Short stop
– Hold the vehicle stationary with the brake pressed down (for example at traffic lights). The sele ctor lever does not need to be
put into the positions P or N for this.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking the vehicle
– Press the foot brake and hold to bring the vehicle to a stop.
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press in the button on the selector lever knob, move the lever to the position P and release the button.
Driving slowly
– Move the selector lever to the position D and press to the right to
put the lever into Tiptronic mode.
– Press the gear lever towards (-) to select a lower gear.
Hill stop
– Hold the vehicle, in all cases, using the foot brake to prevent rolling back.
Fig. 136 Driving
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Driving
168Using the Tiptronic gear system
The Tiptronic system allows the driver to manually select
gearsChanging gear with Tiptronic
– Put the lever in the position D and press towards the right to
enter the Tiptronic gate.
– Press the gear lever forwards (+) to select a higher gear.
– Press the gear lever back (-) to select a lower gear.
HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒ fig. 138.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the locking knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒fig. 138 and guide the handbrake lever down
fully ⇒ .
Fig. 137 Changing gear
with Tiptronic
Fig. 138 Handbrake
between the front seats
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