2007 Seat Altea instrument panel

Cockpit
76First 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 208.
Rear fog light

This warning lamp lights up when the rear fog light is switched on
. Further
information ⇒page 111.
Tu r n si g nal s
 
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 115.
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 115.
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 text is displayed in the instrument panel display
10): MAIN
BEAM LEFT DEFECT .
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Cockpit77
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Cruise control system*

The warning lamp comes on when the cruise control system
is switched on.The warning lamp
 lights up when the cruise control system is switched on.
Further notes on the cruise control system ⇒page 174.
Washer fluid

This warning lamp lights up to indicate that the windscreen
washer level is too low.This serves as a reminder to fill up the reservoir at the earliest opportunity
⇒page 218.
The information text displayed in the instrument panel display is
11): REFILL
WASHER FLUID
Brake system* / handbrake


The warning lamp lights up if the handbrake is applied, if the
brake fluid level falls too low or if there is a fault in the brake
system.
This warning lamp
 lights up if
•
If the handbrake is on If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following message
will appear in the combi-instrument display
12):
HANDBRAKE ON. Also, an
audible warning is given.
•
If the brake fluid level is too low ⇒page 221.
The following text is displayed in the instrument panel display
12): STOP
BRAKE FLUID INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL .
•
If there is a fault in the brake system
The following text is displayed in the instrument panel display
12): BRAKE
FAULT INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL .
This warning lamp can light up together with the anti-lock brake system
warning lamp.
WARNING
•
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 208.
•
If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when
driving, the brake fluid level ⇒page 221, “Brake fluid” in the reservoir is
too low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain tech-
nical assistance.
•
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.
10)Depending on the model version11)Depending on the model version
12)Depending on the model version
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Cockpit
78Engine 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 211.
The following text is displayed in the instrument panel display
13): 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 179.
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 208, “Working in the engine compartment”.
•
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 221, “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.
Differential lock fault (EDL)*
EDL operates along with the ABS in vehicles equipped with an
Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP)*A malfunction in the EDL is indicated by the ABS warning lamp
. Please
take the vehicle to a qualified workshop as soon as possible. For further infor-
mation on the EDL ⇒page 182, “Electronic differential lock (EDL)*”.
13)Depending on the model version
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Cockpit81
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Engine management


This warning lamp monitors th e engine management system
for petrol engines.
The warning lamp
 (Electronic Power Control) lights up when the ignition
is switched on to show that the lamp is working properly. It should go out
when the engine has started running.
If a fault develops in the electronic engine management system while you are
driving, this warning lamp will light up. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance.
Glow plug system / Engine fault


The warning lamp lights up to show that the glow plugs are
preheating. It flashes if there is an engine fault.
Warning lamp
 is lit
The warning lamp  lights up while the glow plugs are preheating. When the
warning lamp goes off, the engine should be started straight away.
Warning lamp
 flashes
If a fault develops in the engine management system while you are driving,
the glow plug lamp will flash
. Take the vehicle to an Authorised Service
Centre as soon as possible and have the engine checked.
Emission control system*


This warning lamp monitors the exhaust system.
Warning lamp
 flashes:
when there is misfiring that can damage the catalytic converter. Reduce
speed and drive carefully to the nearest qualified workshop to have the
engine checked.
The following text is displayed in the instrument panel display
14): EXHAUST
FUMES GO TO WORKSHOP!
Warning lamp
 is lit:
if a fault has developed during driving which has reduced the quality of the
exhaust gas (e. g. lambda probe fault). Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest qualified workshop to have the engine checked.
The following text is displayed in the instrument panel display: EXHAUST
FUMES GO TO WORKSHOP!
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)*

This warning lamp monitors the electronic stabilisation
program.
This program includes the ABS, EDL and TCS.
The warning lamp
 has the following functions:
•
It will light for about 2 seconds when the ignition is switched on while a
test of the function is carried out.
•
It flashes when the ESP is activated when driving.
•
It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
14)Depending on the model version
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Cockpit
82•
It will light up continuously if the ESP is switched off.
•
It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the ESP
operates in conjunction with the ABS.
If the ESP warning lamp
 lights up and stays on after the engine is started,
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESP.
In this case the ESP can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and then
on again. If the warning lamp goes out, this means the system is fully
functional.
Operating the foot brake

The footbrake must be depressed when this warning lamp lights up. This is
necessary when the automatic gearbox* selector lever is moved out of the
positions P or N.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 off 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 light 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 181.
Brake 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 information text displayed in the instrument panel display is
15): 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.
15)Depending on the model version
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Cockpit83
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Electronic immobiliser* “Safe”
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.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 message displayed in the instrument panel display is
16): SAFE . The
vehicle cannot be used in that case ⇒page 162.
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine
key is used.
Note
The vehicle cannot be operated properly if you do not have a genuine SEAT
key.16)Depending on the model version
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Unlocking and locking
104Ta i l g a t eOpening and locking
The operation of the tailgate opening system is electric. It is
activated by using the handle on the tailgate
Opening the tailgate
– Pull on the release lever and lift the tailgate ⇒fig. 66 . The tail-
gate will then open.
Closing the tailgate
– Grip the tailgate by one of the two handles on the interior lining and close it, using a light movement.The system may or may not operate depending on the situation of the vehicle.
If the tailgate is locked then it cannot be opened, however if it is unlocked
then the opening system is operat ive and the boot may be opened.
To the locking / unlocking status, press the button or the button on
the remote control key.
A warning appears in the instrument panel if the tailgate is open or not prop-
erly closed.* An audible warning is also given if the tailgate is opened while
the vehicle is moving faster than 6 km/h.*
Fig. 66 Tailgate: Opening
from the outside
Fig. 67 Detail of the tail-
gate inner trim: recessed
handle for closing the tail-
gate
A1
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Lights and visibility111
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Lights and visibilityLightsSwitching lights on and off


Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 73 to position

.
Switching on dipped headlights
– Turn the light switch to position

.
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position 0. Switching on the fog lights*
– Pull the switch out of position

or

to the first stop. The
symbol
 in the light switch lights up.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with front fog lights)
– Pull the switch out of position

or

to the second stop
⇒ . A warning lamp lights up in the control panel.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with no front fog lights)
– Pull the switch out of position

to the last stop. A warning lamp
lights up in the instrument panel.
WARNING
Never drive with just the side lights on . Risk of accident. The side lights are
not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that other
road users are able to see you. Always use your dipped headlights if it is
dark or if visibility is poor.
Note
•
The dipped beam headlights will only work with the ignition on. The side
lights come on automatically when the ignition is turned off.
•
If the lights are left on after the key has been taken out of the ignition lock,
a buzzer sounds when the driver door is opened. This is a reminder to switch
off the lights.
Fig. 73 Detail of the dash
panel: Switch for lights,
fog lights and rear fog
light
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