Seat belts
28
– Press the upper part of the shoulder belt guide and hold it in this position ⇒page 27, fig. 17.
– Move the shoulder belt guide up or down until you have adjusted the seat belt ⇒page 25.
– After adjusting, pull the shoulder belt sharply to check that the catch on the shoulder belt guide is engaged securely.Incorrectly fastened seat belts
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause severe injuries.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only if the belt web is
properly worn. The seat belts must be fastened exactly in the order
described in this chapter. An incorrect sitting position impairs
substantially the protection a seat belt offers and can lead to severe
or fatal injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injuries is especially
increased when a deploying airbag strikes an occupant who has
assumed an incorrect sitting position . As driver, you are responsible
for all vehicle occupants, especially children. Therefore:
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in the vehicle while travelling ⇒.
WARNING
•
An incorrectly worn seat belt incr eases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Before every trip, instruct your passengers to adjust their seat belts
properly and to wear them during the trip.
•
Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use
of seat belts ⇒ page 23.
Belt tension devicesFunction of the belt tension device
During a frontal collision, the se at belts on the front seats are
retracted automatically.The seat belts for the front occupants are equipped with belt tension devices.
Sensors will only trigger the belt te nsion devices during severe head-on,
lateral and rear collisions, and only if th e seat belt is actually being worn. This
retracts and tightens the seat belts, reducing the forward motion of the occu-
pants.
The belt tension device ca n be triggered only once.
The belt tension devices will not be triggered in the event of a light frontal,
side or rear collision, if the vehicle overturns, or in situations where no large
forces act on the front, side or rear of the vehicle.
Note
•
If the belt tension devices are triggered, a fine dust is produced. This is
normal and is no indication that there was a fire in the vehicle.
•
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or
components of the system are scrapped. A qualified workshop is familiar with
these regulations and will be pleased to pass on the information to you.
Service and disposal of belt tension devicesThe belt tension devices are components of the seat belts that are installed
in the seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tension devices or remove
and install parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 28 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Airbag system45
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Check that the warning lamp ⇒page 44, fig. 27 in the dash
panel does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒.
WARNING
•
The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch.
•
You should deactivate the front passenger airbag only if you have to use
a rear-facing child seat in exceptional cases ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
•
Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This
represents a risk of fatal injuries to th e child! However, if it is necessary in
exceptional circumstances to transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on
the front passenger seat, you must always disable the front passenger
airbag.
•
As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.
•
Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create a danger that
in case of an accident, the airbag do es not deploy properly or does not
deploy at all.
•
When the front passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp
AIRBAG OFF is not continuously lit up when the front passenger airbag is
disabled, there may be a fault in the airbag system:
−Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified work-
shop.
− Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front
passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault
in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-
ries.
− It is not certain whether the front passenger airbag will deploy
during an accident! Inform your passengers of this.
•
When using the ignition key to activate / deactivate the passenger front
airbag, only the passenger front airbag will be activated / deactivated. The
side airbag and head airbag on the passenger side will remain active.WARNING (continued)
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 45 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Child safety
46Child safetyBrief introductionIntroduction
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the rear
seat than on the front passenger seat.We recommend that children under 12 years of age be transported on the rear
seats. Children travelling on the rear seat must use a child restraint system or
the seat belts provided, depending on their age, height and weight. For
safety reasons, the child restraint system should be installed in the centre of
the rear seat or behind the front passenger's seat.
The physical principles involved and the forces acting in a collision apply to
children just as much as adults ⇒page 21, “Why wear seat belts?”. But
unlike adults, children do not have fully developed muscle and bone struc-
tures. This means that children are subject to a greater risk of injury.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint systems
when travelling in the vehicle.
We recommend the use of child safety products from the SEAT Genuine Acces-
sories Program including systems for all ages made by “Peke”
2).
These systems have been especially designed and approved, complying with
the ECE-R44. regulation.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats. Always read and observe
⇒ page 47, “Safety notes on using child seats”. We recommend that you include the manu
facturer's directions for child seat
use in the vehicle wallet and always keep them in the vehicle.
2)Not for all countries
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 46 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Child safety47
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of
injury in an accident!As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using appropriate child seats
⇒page 48.
– Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned according to the instructions prov ided by the manufacturer of the
child seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traffic.
– Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least every two hours.
WARNING
•
Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This
represents a risk of fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in
exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front
passenger airbag must always be disabled ⇒page 44, “Deactivating
airbags*”. If the passenger seat has a height adjustment option, move it to
the highest position.
•
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
•
All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting
position and be properly belted in while travelling.
•
Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially
fatal injuries to the child!
•
Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an accident,
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries
to themselves and other occupants.
•
If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving,
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury during a sudden braking
manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly the case if the child is trav-
elling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is triggered in an
accident; this could have consequences including serious injury or death.
•
A suitable child seat can protect your child!
•
Never leave a child unsupervised in a child seat or alone in the vehicle.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
•
Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal seat
belt without a child restraint system, as this could cause injuries to the
abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an
accident.
•
Do not allow the belt webbing to become twisted or jammed, or to rub
on any sharp edges.
•
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision
or sudden braking manoeuvres.
•
The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the belt web is
properly positioned ⇒page 24, “Seat belts”.
•
Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒page 48, “Child seats”.WARNING (continued)
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 47 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Fuel gauge
and reserve indicator
Instrument panel: fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres. For four wheel drive vehicles,
the tank capacity is approximately 60 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone ⇒fig. 34 (arrow), the warning
lamp will light and an acoustic signal will sound reminding the driver to
refuel . At this point, about 7 litres remain (8 litres for four-wheel drive vehi-
cles).
The following text appears in the instrument panel display
3) PLEASE
REFUEL *
Engine coolant temperature display
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Needle in cold zone
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads ⇒fig. 35.
Needle in normal zone
In normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle section of
the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard,
especially at high outside temperatures. This is no cause for concern as long
as the warning lamp does not light up and no warning* text appears in the
combi-instrument display.
Needle in warning zone
The warning lamp* ⇒page 72, fig. 47 will light up if the needle is in the
warning zone. The following warning ap pears in the instrument panel
3)Depending on the model version
Fig. 34 Instrument panel:
fuel gauge
Fig. 35 Instrument panel:
engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge
AAABAC
A2
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 57 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Cockpit
74
Fasten seat belts! ⇒page 19
Tyre pressure ⇒page 80
Engine fault (petrol engine) ⇒page 81
Glow plug system for diesel engine
If lit: preheating active
If flashing: engine fault ⇒
page 81
Airbag or belt tension device system fault or airbag disabled ⇒page 28 ⇒page 31
Fault in the emission control system ⇒page 81
If flashing: electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) is
working
If it remains lit: ESP malfunction or off ⇒
page 81
Operate foot brake ⇒page 82
Electromechanical steering ⇒page 82
Brake pad wear indicator ⇒page 82
Door open indicator ⇒page 82
SAFE Electronic immobiliser ⇒page 83
Item
Symbol Meaning of warning and control lamps Further information
A15A16A17A17A18A19A20A21A22A23A24
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 74 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Cockpit
76Coolant level too low
The following information text is displayed in the instrument panel
11): STOP
CHECK COOLANT INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL ⇒ page 218.
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 211.
Rear fog light
This warning lamp lights up when the rear fog light is switched on
. Further
information ⇒page 111.
Turn sig nals
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 will 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 116.
Trailer turn signals
This warning lamp also flashes 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 116.
11)Depending on the model version
altea_xl ingles.book Seite 76 Donnerstag, 12. April 2007 12:56 12
Cockpit
78•
If the brake warning lamp
lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp
, the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the
rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance.
Engine oil pressure
This warning lamp indicates that the engine oil pressure is
too low.If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is accompanied by three audible
warnings, switch off the engine and check the oil level. If the oil level is too
low, add more engine oil ⇒page 214.
The following information text is displayed in the instrument panel
15): STOP
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL .
If the symbol flashes although the oil level is correct, do not drive on. The
engine must not even run at idle speed. Obtain technical assistance.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
A warning lamp system monitors the ABS.
The warning lamp
should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out again after the system has run through an automatic
test sequence. There is a fault in the ABS if:
•
The warning lamp
does not light up when the ignition is switched on.
•
The warning lamp does not go
out again after a few seconds.
•
The warning lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving.
The vehicle can still be braked in the normal way (except that the ABS control
function will not function). Please take the vehicle to a qualified workshop as
soon as possible. For further information on the ABS see the ⇒page 181.
If a fault occurs in the ABS, the ESP* warning lamp will also light up.
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp
lights up together with the brake warning lamp
, this indicates not only a fault in the ABS function, but also a possible fault
in the brake system ⇒.
WARNING
•
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 211.
•
If the brake warning lamp
should light up together with the ABS
warning lamp
, stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir ⇒page 224, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level has
dropped below the “MIN” mark you must not drive on. Risk of accident.
Obtain technical assistance.
•
If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may have
been caused by a failure of the ABS system. This could cause the rear
wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the rear to break
away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical assistance.
15)Depending on the model versionWARNING (continued)
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