
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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General notes on the technical data
270WeightsKerb weight refers to the basic model with a fuel tank filled to 90% capacity
and without optional extras. The figure quoted includes 75 kg to allow for the
weight of the driver.
For special versions and optional equipment fittings or for the addition of
accessories, the weight of the vehicle will increase ⇒.
WARNING
•
Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehi cle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Always adjust your speed and dr iving style to suit road conditions
and requirements.
•
Never exceed the gross axle weight rating or the gross vehicle weight
rating. If the allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.
To w i n g a t r a i l e rTrailer weightsTrailer weights
The trailer weights and drawbar loads approved are selected in intensive
trials according to precisely defined criteria. The approved trailer weights are
valid for vehicles in EU for maximum speeds of 80 km/h (in certain circum-
stances up to 100 km/h). The figures may be different in other countries. All
data in the official vehicle documents take precedence over these data ⇒. Drawbar load
The
maximum permitted weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball joint
of the towing bracket must not exceed 75 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend that you always tow
approaching the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the
road will be poor if th e drawbar load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load cannot be met (e.g. with small,
empty and light-weight single axle trailers or tandem axle trailers with an axle
base of less than 1 metre), at least 4% of the actual trailer weight is a legal
stipulation for a drawbar load.
WARNING
•
For safety reasons, you should not drive at speeds above 80 km/h when
towing a trailer. This also applies to countries where higher speeds are
permitted.
•
Never exceed the maximum trailer weights or the draw bar loading. If
the permissible axle load or the perm issible total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.
WheelsTyre pressure, snow chains, wheel boltsTyre pressures
The sticker with the tyre pressure values can be found on the inside of the
tank flap. The tyre pressure values given there are for cold tyres. The slightly
raised pressures of warm tyres must not be reduced ⇒.
altea_ingles_0706.book Seite 270 Mittwoch, 30. August 2006 3:48 15

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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Index
294Engine management
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Checking level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine oil pressure Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 78
Environmental tip Avoiding pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81, 181
Example of menu use Open the configuration menu . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Program a speed limit warning . . . . . . . . . . 67
To activate and deactivate the speed limit warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Examples of menu use Open the main menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Open the winter tyres menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
To close the winter tyres menu . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
External aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202FFastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Folding table* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Folding the seat backrests down . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Foot brake
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Front passenger airbag deactivation . . . . . . . . . 44
Front reading lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Front seat adjustment Lumbar support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Fuel Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuel level Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Fuel Tank Opening the fuel tank flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Fuel tank See Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
GG 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Gear shift pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
General overview of the engine compartment 272
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
HHandbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 171
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
head restraints Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 129
adjustment of the head restraint angle . . . 129
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
head restraints, correct adjustment . . . . . . . . . 13 In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Headlight flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Heated front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Heated window 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Heating and ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
High pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
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