
Cockpit
58display
4). Stop the car and switch off the engine. Check the coolant level
⇒ page 215 ⇒ .
Even if the coolant level is correct do not continue driving. You should obtain
technical assistance.WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always bear in mind the safety
warnings ⇒ page 208.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.Rev counter
The rev. counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per
minute.The start of the red zone on the dial ⇒page 56, fig. 33 indicates the
maximum engine speed which may be used briefly when the engine is warm
and after it has been run-in properly. Ho wever, it is advisable to change up a
gear or move the selector lever to D (or l ift your foot off the accelerator) before
the needle reaches the red zone.
Caution
The rev counter needle must never enter the red zone on the scale. Risk of
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear early will help you to save fuel and minimise engine
noise.Setting the digital clock*
The digital clock is located in the instrument panel display.– Turn the setting knob ⇒page 56, fig. 33 anti-clockwise to
the stop to set the hour. If the kn ob is turned briefly anti-clock-
wise the clock will advance one hour further.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the limit stop to set the minutes. If the knob is turned briefly clockwise the clock will
advance one minute further.
4)Depending on the model version
A4
A5
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 58 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

Cockpit63
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Miles - Distance travelled
The display shows the distance travelled since the ignition was switched on.
The maximum display value in both memories is 9999 miles. The memory will
automatically be deleted once this value has been reached.
Miles - Fuel range
The fuel range is calculated using the fi gures for tank content and current fuel
consumption. It shows how far the vehicle can travel using the same condi-
tions as a reference.
Ø litre/100km - Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption will be shown ⇒page 62, fig. 42 after a
distance of approximately 100 metres has been travelled. Dashes will appear
in the display until that time. The display will be updated every 5 seconds
whilst the vehicle is in motion. The am ount of fuel used will not be shown.
litres/100km or litres/hr - Current fuel consumption
The display will show the current fuel consumption in litre/km whilst the
vehicle is in motion or in litre/hour when the vehicle is in a stationary position
with the engine running.
Using this display you can see how your driving style affects fuel consump-
tion ⇒page 190.
Ambient temperature display
The measurement margin extends from -45°C to +58°C. At temperatures
lower than +4°C, an “ice crystal symbol” is displayed and a “warning” sounds
if the vehicle is moving at more than 20 km/h (ice warning). This symbol will
flash for about 10 seconds and remains lit until the exterior temperature rises
above +4°C or 6°C if it was already lit.
WARNING
There could be black ice on the road surface even if the “snowflake symbol”
is not shown. You should, for this reason, not rely exclusively on this
display - Risk of accident!
Note
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the tempera-
ture displayed may be slightly higher than the actual ambient temperature as
a result of the heat radiated from the engine.Warning or information text in the display
Faults are shown in the display with warning lamps and
warning/information reports.The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the igni-
tion is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. Functional faults are indi-
cated by symbols with warnings and information texts in the display. An
audible warning is gi ven in certain cases.
Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1) and yellow warning symbols
(priority 2).
Information text
In addition to warning messages given on a fault, you will receive information
in the display on procedures or will be asked to carry out certain tasks.
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 63 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

Cockpit
64
NoteIn the case of screens without warning or information texts, faults are indi-
cated exclusively by the warning lamps.Warning reports, Priority 1 (red)If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will
be accompanied by three audible warnings . This is a danger warning. Stop
the car and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain profes-
sional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will continue
until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display fo r the duration of a priority 1 warning
report.
Examples of priority 1 warning reports (red)•
Brake system symbol
with warning text STOP BRAKE FLUID
INSTRUCTION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL
•
Coolant symbol
with the warning text STOP CHECK COOLANT
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
•
Engine oil pressure symbol
with the warning text STOP ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE LOW! SERVICE MANUAL
Warning reports, Priority 2 (yellow)If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompanied
by one audible warning. The function should be checked as soon as possible. If several priority 2 warning reports are detected at the same time, the
symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time. After
a set time, the information text will disappear and the symbol will be shown
as a reminder at the side of the display.
Priority 2
warning reports will not be shown until all Priority 1 warning
reports have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning reports (yellow):
6)
•
Fuel symbol with the information text PLEASE REFUEL
•
Windscreen washer fluid symbol
with the information text REFILL
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . Refill the windscreen washer tank ⇒page 218
•
Electronic immobiliser symbol
with the information text IMMOBILIZ.
ACTIVE . A valid key was not used, for this reason the vehicle may not start
6)Depending on the model version
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 64 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

Cockpit65
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Instrument panel menusMain menu
The menu enables access to the different display functions.Open main menu
– Switch on the ignition.
– Press and hold the eject button for at least 2 seconds. It may
be necessary to repeat this operation until the main menu is
displayed.
Select a menu from the main menu
– To choose an option from the menu, press the upper or lower end of the rocker switch. The selected option is displayed between
two horizontal lines. – Press button to select the entry.
Example of menu use: “Example of menu use”
Fig. 43 Windscreen wiper
lever: button A to confirm
the menu point and rocker
switch B to change the
menu
Fig. 44 Digital display on
the instrument panel:
Main menu
AB
AA
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 65 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

Cockpit67
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Example of menu use
All the menus on the instrument panel may be used according to the following procedure.The setting of a speed warning will be used as an example of how to
use the menus. This is a good idea if you are, for example, using
winter tyres which are not suited for the top speed of the vehicle.
1. Open the main menu
– Switch on the ignition.
– Hold down button for two seconds to return to main menu
from other menu. It ma y be necessary to repeat this operation
until the main menu is displayed.
2. Open the main menu “Configuration”
– To choose an option from the menu, press the upper or lower end of the rocker switch. The selected option is displayed between
two lines and there will also be a triangle on the right. –Select menu
Configuration.
– Press button on the windscreen wiper lever. The Configura-
tion menu is opened.
3. Open the main menu “Winter tyres”
– Select option Winter tyres using the rocker switch.
– Press button . The menu Winter tyres is opened.
4. Program a speed limit warning
– Use the rocker switch to select the menu entry +10 km/h or -10
km/h and press the button to either increase or decrease the set
speed.
Fig. 45 Windscreen wiper
lever: button A to confirm
the menu point and rocker
switch B to change the
menu
Fig. 46 Digital screen on
the instrument panel:
winter tyre display
AB
AAAA
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 67 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

Cockpit73
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Item
Symbol Meaning of warning and control lamps Further information
Fuel level / reserve ⇒page 75
Coolant level / coolant temperature ⇒page 75
Rear fog light switched on ⇒page 76
Turn signals in operation ⇒page 76
Trailer turn signals in operation ⇒page 76
Main beam switched on ⇒page 76
Bulb defective ⇒page 76
Cruise control system switched on ⇒page 77
Washer fluid level ⇒page 77
Parking brake applied
or low brake fluid level or
fault in brake system ⇒
page 77
Engine oil pressure ⇒page 78
ABS system fault ⇒page 78
Pollen accumulation in the diesel engine particulate filter ⇒page 79
Alternator fault ⇒page 79
A1A2A3A4A5A6A7A8A9A10A11A12A13A14
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 73 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

Cockpit
74
WARNING
•
Failure to observe warning lamps and warning messages can result in
serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle.
•
The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Use a
warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your
stationary vehicle so that it does not represent a danger.
Fasten seat belts! ⇒page 19
Tyre pressure ⇒page 80
Engine fault (petrol engine) ⇒page 81
Glow plug system (diesel engine)
Lit up: Glow plug system switched on
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
Flashing: electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) in opera-
tion,
Lit up: ESP fault or switched off ⇒
page 81
Selector lever lock (automatic gearbox) ⇒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
WARNING (continued)
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 74 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

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
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 77 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15