Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 157
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Temperature
There are separate temperature selectors for the left and right sides of the
vehicle interior. The selected temperature is displayed above the selector. It
is possible to select interior tem
peratures from +16°C (61°F) to +29.5°C
(86°F). These are approximate temperat ures and the actual temperature may
be slightly higher or lower depending on the ambient conditions.
If a temperature below 16°C (61°F) is selected, the display switches to LO. In
this setting the system runs at maximum cooling output and the temperature
is not regulated.
If a temperature above 29.5°C (86°F) is selected the display switches to HI. In
this setting the system runs at maximum heating output and the temperature
is not regulated.
Blower
The airflow may be adjusted freely using the control . Always have the
blower running at a low setting to ensure a constant flow of fresh air into the
vehicle. Pushing the button
to the minimum -1, tu rns the Climatronic off.
Air distribution
The air distribution is adjusted using the buttons , and . It is also
possible to open and close some of the air vents separately.
Switching the air conditioning system on and off
Pressing the button switches off the air conditioning system to save
fuel. The temperature continues to be regulated. The set temperature can
then only be reached if it is higher than the ambient temperature.
Air recirculation mode
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells
from entering the vehicle.– Press the button ⇒page 156, fig. 128 to switch air recir-
culation mode on or off. It is switched on if the following symbol
appears in the display
.
Air recirculation mode prevents strong odours in the ambient air from
entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic.
With low outside temperatures, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by warming the air inside the passenger compart-
ment rather than the air from outside.
With high ambient temperatures, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the air conditioning system by cooling the air inside the passenger
compartment rather than the air from outside.
For reasons of safety, air recirculation is not possible when the control for air
distribution is set to the windscreen setting
.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no ambient air enters the vehicle interior. If the
air conditioning system is switched off, the windows can quickly mist over.
Therefore, you should never leave the air recirculation mode switched on
for longer periods, as this increases the risk of an accident.
A10
ECON
A2
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Driving171
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Note
•
The steering wheel controls may be used in all selector lever positions
while driving.
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. 141.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the locking knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒fig. 141 and guide the handbrake lever down
fully ⇒ .
Always apply the handbrake firmly; this prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp
lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The wa rning lamp goes out when the hand-
brake is released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following
message* will appear in the instrument display: HANDBRAKE ON . Also, an
audible warning is given.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to slow down the vehicle when it is in motion.
The braking distance is considerably longer, as braking is only applied to
the rear wheels. Ri sk of accident!
•
If it is only partially released this will cause overheating of the rear
brakes, which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead
to an accident. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake
pads/linings.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected.
Fig. 141 Handbrake
between the front seats
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Checking and refilling levels211
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant is emitted from the bonnet,
then carefully open the bonnet.
•
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 208.
Closing the bonnet– Raise the bonnet slightly
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its support.
– At a height of about 30 cm let it fall so it is locked.If the bonnet does not close, do not pr ess downwards. Open it once more and
let it fall as before.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving and
completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.•
After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.
•
If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly. Risk
of accident.
Engine oilEngine oil specifications
The engine oil used must conform with exact specifications.Specifications
The engine comes with a special, high quality, multi-grade oil that can be
used in all seasons of the year except for those regions affected by extreme
cold.
As the use of good quality oil is necessary for the correct operation and long
service life of the engine, when it be comes necessary to replenish or change
the oil, always use an oil that complies to the VW standards.
If it is not possible to find oil co nforming to the VW standards then oil
conforming to the ACEA or API standa rds with an appropriate viscosity at
atmospheric temperature should be used instead. The use of this type of oil
may have some repercussions on the performance of the engine for example,
long starting time, increased consumption and a higher emission level.
If a top up is required then different oils may be mixed as long as they all
conform to the VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should
appear on the container of the service oil; the container will display together
the different standards for petrol and diesel engines, the oil can be used for
both types of engines.
WARNING (continued)
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 211 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15
Checking and refilling levels
222However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low ⇒page 72.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 208.Changing the brake fluid
The brake fluid must be renewed every two years.We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 208 in
“Working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the cour se of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
For this reason the brake fluid must be renewed every two years.
It is important that you use only use brake fluid compliant with the US
standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake
fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
•
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and
observe the warnings ⇒page 208.
•
Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. There is a toxic risk.
•
Have the brake fluid changed every two years at the latest. Heavy use
of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left in the system
for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency of the brakes and the
safety of the vehicle. This may cause an accident.Caution
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
Brake fluid must be drained and disposed of in the proper manner observing
environmental regulations.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
224•
If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.
Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.– Open the bonnet and open the battery cover at the front ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 208 ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on
page 223.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until they disperse.The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒page 272.
The round window (“magic eye”) on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge level and electrolyte level of the battery.
If the colour in the window is colourless or bright yellow, the electrolyte level
of the battery is too low. Have the battery checked by a qualified workshop.
The colours green and black are used by the workshops for diagnostic
purposes.
Charging and changing the vehicle battery
The battery is maintenance-free and is checked during the
inspection service. All work on the vehicle battery requires
specialist knowledge.If you often drive short distances or if the vehicle is not driven for long
periods, the battery should be checked by a qualified workshop between the
scheduled services.
If the battery has discharged and you have problems starting the vehicle, the
battery might be damaged. If this happens, we recommend you have the
vehicle battery checked by an Authorised Service Centre where it will be re-
charged or replaced.
Charging the battery
The vehicle battery should be charged by a qualified workshop only, as
batteries using special technology have been installed and they must be
charged in a controlled environment.
Replacing a vehicle battery
The battery has been developed to suit the conditions of its location and has
special safety features.
Genuine SEAT batteries fulfil the maintenance, performance and safety spec-
ifications of your vehicle.
WARNING
•
We recommend you use only maintenance-free or cycle free leak-proof
batteries that comply with the standards T 825 06 and VW 7 50 73. This
standard applies as of 2001.
•
Before starting any work on the batteries, you must read and observe
the warnings ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on page 223.
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Checking and refilling levels
228
Driving on puncture-proof tyres (emergency use)
– Ensure that the ESP/TCS is operating (electronic stabilization program) ⇒page 181.
– Drive carefully and at moderate speed (80 km/h maximum).
– Avoid sharp turns and rapid manouevres.
– Avoid driving over obstacles (for example, kerbs) or potholes.
– If the ESP/TCS is frequently activated, check whether there is smoke coming from the tyres or a smell of rubber, or if the vehicle
vibrates or rattles. If this is the case, stop the vehicle.Puncture-proof tyres are marked on the tyre wall as follows: “DSST”,
“Eufonia”, “RFT”, “ROF”, “RSC”, “SSR” or “ZP”.
The tyre walls of this type of tyre are reinforced. When the tyres lose air, the
tyre walls keep the tyre up (emergency use).
Loss of air pressure in the tyre is shown on the instrument panel. The vehicle
may still be driven for at least 80 km and, under ideal conditions (for example,
no load) further.
The faulty tyre should be replaced as soon as possible. The tyre rim should be
checked for damage at a specialised workshop and replaced as necessary.
We recommend you contact your Authorised Service Centre. If more than one
tyre is being used under emergency co nditions, this reduces the distance
which can be travelled.
Starting driving in emergency conditions
When the loss in tyre pressure is displayed on the instrument panel, this
implies that at least one tyre is being driven in emergency conditions ⇒.
End of emergency operation
Do not drive on if:
•
smoke is coming from one of the tyres,
•
there is a smell of rubber,
•
the vehicle vibrates,
•
there is a rattling noise.
WARNING
When driving in emergency conditions, the driving quality of the vehicle is
considerably impaired.•
Drive carefully and at moderate speed (80km/h maximum).
•
Avoid sharp turns and rapid manoeuvres, and brake earlier than usual.
•
Avoid driving over obstacles (for example, kerbs) or potholes.
•
If one or more tyres is being driven in emergency conditions, the driving
quality of the vehicle is impaired and there is a risk of accident.Note
•
Puncture-proof tyres do not “deflate” on losing pressure as they are
supported by the tyre walls. Therefore defects in the tyre can not be deteced
with a visual inspection.
•
Snow chains must not be used on front tyres used in emergency
conditions.
New tyres and wheels
New tyres and wheels have to be run-in.The tyres and wheel rims are an essenti al part of the vehicle's design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteristics
of the vehicle and make a major contribution to good road holding and safe
handling ⇒.
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 228 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15
Index291
Index
AABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Adjusting the seat belt height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Air conditioner* 2C-Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Air conditioning system General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Air recirculation mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Manual air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Airbags Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Alterations to the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Alternator
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Ambient temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Apple iPod connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Ashtray* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror* Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . 124
Deactivating anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . . 124
Automatic car washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Automatic gearbox / DS G automatic gearbox . 166
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Automatic mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Automatic wiper/wash function for the rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Auxiliary audio connection: AUX-IN . . . . . . . . . 143
BBall coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Battery
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Belt tension device Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Belt tension devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Brake pad wear indicator* Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 183
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Bulb changes general notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Bulb defect warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116, 161
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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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