
Driving
160•
Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel  so that there is a distance of at 
least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your chest ⇒ page 159, 
fig. 130. 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. 131 .
For example:•
when driving with snow chains,
•
when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 131  Detail of the 
centre console: ESP 
button
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Checking and refilling levels205
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Checking and refilling levelsRefuellingThe tank flap is released manually. The tank holds approxi-
mately 55 litres.Unscrewing the tank cap
– Lift the lid.
– Grip the cap and then insert the key into the lock and rotate 180° 
to the left.
– Unscrew the cap, turning it anti-clockwise.
Closing the tank cap
– Screw the tank cap to the right, until the point of feeling a “click”. – Turn the key in the lock, without releasing the cap in the clock-
wise direction 180°.
– Remove the key and close the flap until it clicks into place. The  tank cap is secured with an anti-loss attachment
The tank flap is at the rear of the vehicle on the right.
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly, it will switch itself off as 
soon as the tank is “full”. Never attempt to fill beyond this point, as this will 
fill the expansion chamber. Fuel may le ak out if ambient conditions are warm.
The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is given on a sticker on the inside of the 
fuel tank flap, where further notes on fuel can be found.
WARNING
•
Fuel is highly inflammable and can cause serious burns and other inju-
ries.
−Never smoke or use any naked flame  when filling the fuel tank of the 
vehicle, or a spare fuel canister, with  fuel. This is an explosion hazard.
− Follow legal requirements for the use of spare fuel canisters.
− For safety reasons we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel 
canister in the vehicle. The canister could be damaged in an accident 
and leak.
•
If, in exceptional circumstances, you have to carry a spare fuel canister, 
please observe the following points:
−Never fill the spare fuel canister inside the vehicle or on it. An elec-
trostatic charge could build up during filling, causing the fuel fumes to 
ignite. This may be fatally explosive. Always place the canister on the 
ground to fill it.
Fig. 157  Tank flap open
altea_ingles_0706.book  Seite 205  Mittwoch, 30. August 2006  3:48 15 

If and when
262
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the to w-rope is taut. Then accelerate 
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto- matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not  working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you 
would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Fitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the onboard tools.
– Pull the lower front cover down and leave the cover hanging on  the vehicle.
– Remove the cover of the screw hole, insert a screwdriver into the  lower slot and lever gently.
– Screw the towing eye as shown by arrow  anti-clockwise to the 
limit position in the front  ⇒page 261, fig. 201  or rear 
⇒ page 261, fig. 202  threaded hole.Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a 
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles. 
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic 
material. Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a 
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, espec
ially when using a tow-rope. Both 
drivers should be familiar with the te chnique required for towing. Inexperi-
enced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow away another vehicle.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking the 
tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of over-
loading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the 
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals, 
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the  engine is not running, you must apply 
considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not  work if the engine is not running, you 
will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
•
Put the selector lever into position “N”.
•
Do not drive faster than 50 km/h when towing a vehicle.
•
Do not tow further than 50 km.
•
If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front 
wheels raised.Note
•
Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
•
Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe 
any regulations to the contrary.
•
For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be 
tow-started.
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Index
292CCar care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  193
Car care products  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  192
Car phone  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  202
Car washes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  193
Catalytic converter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  184
CD changer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  134
Central locking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  93 Automatic speed dependent locking and un-locking system*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
Locking system for invo luntary unlocking . .  95
Selective unlocking system*  . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
Unlocking system*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
Central locking button Central locking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  97
unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  97
Centre arm rest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  134
Cetane number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  207
Changing gear See Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  165
Changing the lamps Main headlight lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  250
rear lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  253
Changing the main  headlight lamps
dipped beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  251
main beam lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  252
Side lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  253
turn signal lamps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  251 Changing the rear lights
indicator lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  255
luggage compartment lights  . . . . . . . . . . .  256
rear fog light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  255
reverse light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  255
side lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  254
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . .  219
Chassis number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  268
Checking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  224
Checking battery electrolyte level  . . . . . . . . . .  224
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  213
Child safety  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48 Categorisation in groups  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
Group 1  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Group 2  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Group 3  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Groups 0 and 0+  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
Child seats ISOFIX and Toptether system . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  142
Cleaning alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  197
Cleaning and caring for your vehicle . . . . . . . .  192
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  196
Cleaning cloth seat covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  199
Cleaning dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  198
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . .  198
Cleaning fabric trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  199 Cleaning leather  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  199
Cleaning plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  198
Cleaning seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  200
Cleaning steel wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  196
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  195
Cleaning wooden trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  199
Climatic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  151
Climatronic
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  158
Clock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  137
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
Control Light switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  111
Control lamps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
Controls Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  106
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting roof   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  109
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  108
Convenience opening Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  108
Coolant  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215, 216 Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  216
Coolant level warning light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  75
Coolant Loss  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  216
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Index293
Coolant temperature
Display  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Covering bi-xenon headlights driving on the left  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
driving on the right  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Covering simple headlights driving on the left  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
driving on the right  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Cruise control system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Cruise control* Turning off the cruise control system . . . . . 176
Curtain airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Function  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42DDanger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger  seat  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Diesel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Diesel engine Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Diesel engine particulate filter*  . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Differential lock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Differential lock fault (EDL) warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Dipped headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Disabling front passenger airbag
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Disabling the airbag Disabling front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . 44
Display (without  warning or information texts) . 59
Displays in the Mult i-function display
Memory displays  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Door lock cylinders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Door release lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Doors Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Drawer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Drinks holders at the front  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Drive wheels traction control system . . . . . . . . 180
Driving Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
with a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Headlights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Driving economically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Driving programmes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Driving with an automati c gearbox / DSG automatic 
gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Driving with respect for the environment . . . . . 190
Duplicate keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Dust filter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . 113
EEDL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
EDS Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Electric steering system warning light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Electronic differential lock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Electronic immobiliser  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83, 162 warning message  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Electronic stabilisation program  . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Electronic stabilisation programme . . . . . . . . . . 81 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
emergency manual locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Emergency opening Doors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Emission control system warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Engine Running-in  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Engine compartment Working in the engine compartment  . . . . . 208
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Engine fault Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
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