Page 129 of 317

Lights and visibility127
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a
good view to the rear of the vehicle. The right exterior mirror will
be adjusted at the same time (synchronised).
WARNING
•
The rear view convex or aspheric mirror increase the field of vision
however the objects appear smaller and further away in the mirrors. If you
use these mirrors to estimate the distance to vehicles behind you when
changing lane, you could make a mistake. Risk of accident.
•
If possible, use the interior mirror to estimate distances to vehicles
behind you.
•
Make sure that you do not get your finger trapped between the mirror
and the mirror base when folding back the mirrors. Risk of injury!For the sake of the environment
The exterior mirror heating should be switched off when it is no longer
needed. Fuel is wasted otherwise.
Note
•
If the electrical adjustment ever fa ils to operate, the mirrors can be
adjusted by hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mirror glass.
•
In vehicles with electric wing mirro rs, the following points should be
observed: if, due to an external forc e (e.g. a knock while manoeuvring), the
adjustment of the mirror housing is altered, the mirror will have to be
completely folded electrically . Do not readjust the mirror housing by hand, as
this will interfere with the mirror adjuster function.
•
The rear view mirrors can be adjusted separately or simultaneously, as
described before.
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 127 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10
Page 130 of 317

Seats and stowage
128Seats and stowageThe importance of correct seat adjustmentProper seat adjustment optimi ses the level of protection
offered by seat belts and airbags.Your vehicle has five passenger places, two individual front seats and three
places on the rear seat. Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
The driver seat and front passenger seat can be adjusted in many ways to suit
the physical requirements of the vehicl e occupants. The correct seat position
is very important for:•
fast and easy operation of all controls on the instrument panel,
•
relaxed posture that does not cause drowsiness,
•
safe driving ⇒page 7,
•
and to ensure that the seat belts and airbag system provide maximum
protection ⇒page 19.
WARNING
•
If the driver and passengers assume improper sitting positions, they
may sustain critical injuries.
•
Never transport more people than there are seats available in the
vehicle.
•
Every occupant in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the seat
belt belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an appro-
priate child restraint system ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
•
The front seats and all head restraints must always be adjusted to body
size and the seat belt must always be properly adjusted to provide you and
your passengers with optimum protection.
•
Always keep your feet in the foot well when the vehicle is moving; never
rest them on the dash panel, out of the window or on the seat. This also
applies to passengers. An incorrect sitting position exposes you to an
increased risk of injury in the event of a braking manoeuvre or an accident.
If the airbag is triggered, you could sustain severe injuries due to an incor-
rect sitting position.
•
It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a distance
of at least 25 cm from the steering wh eel or dash panel. Failure to respect
the minimum distance means that the airbag will not protect you. Risk of
fatal injury. The distance between the driver and the steering wheel or
between the front passenger and the dash panel should always be as great
as possible.
•
Adjust the driver or front passenger seat only when the vehicle is
stationary. This also applies to the forwards/backwards adjustment of the
rear seats. Otherwise your seat coul d move unexpectedly while the vehicle
is moving. This could increase the risk of an accident and therefore injury.
In addition, while adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents.
•
Special guidelines apply to installing a child seat on the front
passenger seat. When installing a chil d seat, observe the warning note in
the ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.WARNING (continued)
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 128 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10
Page 131 of 317

Seats and stowage129
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Head restraintsCorrect adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
occupant protection and can redu ce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same
level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head and, as a very minimum at eye level
⇒fig. 92 and ⇒ fig. 93.Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 130.
WARNING
•
Travelling with the head restrain ts removed or improperly adjusted
increases the risk of severe injuries.
•
Improperly adjusted head restraints could lead to death in the event of
a collision or accident.
•
Incorrectly adjusted head restraints also increase the risk of injury
during sudden or unexpected driving or braking manoeuvres.
•
The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the occu-
pant's size.
Fig. 92 Front view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
Fig. 93 Side view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 129 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10
Page 132 of 317

Seats and stowage
130Removing or adjust ing head restraints
The head restraints can be adjusted by moving them up and
down.Adjusting height (front seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired position.
– To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head restraint downwards.
– Make sure that it engages securely into position.
Adjusting height (rear seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired position. – To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head
restraint downwards.
– Make sure that the head restrain t engages securely in one of its
positions ⇒page 14.
Angle adjustment (front seats)
– Press the head restraint forward or back to the required position.
Removing the head restraint
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press the button ⇒fig. 94 (arrow).
– Pull head restraint out of fitting without releasing the button.
Fitting the head restraint
– Insert the head restraint into the guides on the rear backrest.
– Push head restraint down.
– Adjust the head restraint to suit body size ⇒page 14 and
⇒ page 13.
WARNING
•
Never drive if the head restraints have been removed. Risk of injury.
•
Never drive if the head restraints are in an unsuitable position, there is
a risk of serious injury.
•
After refitting the head restraint, yo u must always adjust it properly for
height to achieve optimal protection.
•
Please observe the safety warnings ⇒page 129, “Correct adjustment
of head restraints”.
Fig. 94 Adjusting and
removing the head
restraints
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 130 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10
Page 133 of 317

Seats and stowage131
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Front seatsAdjustment of the front seatsThe control elements in ⇒ fig. 95 are mirrored for the front right-
hand seat.
Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move the seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip and move the seat further until the catch engages.
Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (several times if necessary) from its home position. This adjusts the seat height in stages. Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
Adjusting the lumbar support*
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel to adjust the lumbar support.
The backrest curvature of the cushioned area is determined by the settings
made in the lumbar region. This supports the natural curvature of the spine
very effectively.
WARNING
•
Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adjust the driver or front passenger seat
only when the vehicle is stationary.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger during
sudden braking manoeuvres or an accide nt, never drive with the backrest
tilted far to the rear. The maximum pr otection of the seat belt can be
achieved only when the backrests are in an upright position and the driver
and front passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further
the backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to
improper positioning of the belt web!
•
Exercise caution when adjusting the seat height or forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the backrest is tilted without due
care and attention.
Fig. 95 Front left seat
controls
A1
A1
A2
A3A4
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 131 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10
Page 134 of 317
Seats and stowage
132Heated seats*
The front seat cushions and backrests can be heated electri-
cally.
– Turn the appropriate thumb wheel ⇒fig. 96 t o s w i t ch o n t h e s e a t
heating. The seat heating is switched off in the 0 position.The seat heating only works when the ignition is switched on. The left thumb
wheel controls the left seat and the right thumb wheel the right seat.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements, please do not kneel on the seat or
apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat cushion and backrest.
Rear seat benchSeat adjustment
Fig. 96 Thumb wheel for
the front seat heating
Fig. 97 For unlocking the
rear seatFig. 98 Rear seat back-
rest angle adjustment
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 132 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10
Page 135 of 317

Seats and stowage133
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
The seats may be moved forwards or backwards independently. The
movement can be 1/3 or 2/3 of the seat. There are various possible
positions.
Adjusting reach
– In the seated position, unlock the lever in the direction of the
arrow ⇒page 132, fig. 97 .
– Move the seat cushion forwards or backwards to the desired position.
Backrest angle adjustment
– Hold the backrest at the top. Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒page 132, fig. 98 in the direction of the arrow and hold the
loop in this position. Push the backrest to the required position
and release the loop.
WARNING
•
Adjust the seat only when the vehicle is stationary. Otherwise your seat
could move unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving. This could increase
the risk of an accident and therefore injury.
•
Do not push the seatbacks down until th e seat is moved, this is to avoid
damage to the centre console.
•
Ensure that the seat, once moved, is fixed in position.Note
•
In order to maintain the maximum luggage compartment space, put the
seatbacks in position normal, without moving.
•
In order to maintain the maximum space without putting the seatbacks
down, move the seats forward to the desired position.
Folding the seat backrests down – Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒fig. 99 .In this position the back rest is locked. This is the reason why the loop located
on the side of the seat must be pulled in the direction of the arrow to open the
backrest.
WARNING
•
You should check that the backrest has engaged properly in position
after the loop is released.
•
The locking system loops on the seats may not, for reasons of safety, be
used to secure any items.
A1
Fig. 99 Folding or
opening the rear seat
backrestsA1
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 133 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10
Page 136 of 317
Seats and stowage
134Folding the rear seat backrests down– Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒fig. 100 in the direc-
tion of the arrow and lift the seat backrest into position.
WARNING
•
You should check that the backrest has engaged properly in position
after the loop is released.
•
The locking system loops on the seats may not, for reasons of safety, be
used to secure any items.
•
After locking the seat backrest into position ensure that the seat belts
protrude from the seat.
Stowage compartmentsStowage compartment on the front passenger sideThe compartment can be opened by pulling the lever ⇒fig. 101.
WARNING
Always keep the stowage compartment co ver closed while the vehicle is in
motion to reduce the risk of injury during a sudden braking manoeuvre or
in the event of an accident.
Fig. 100 Folding or
opening the front seat
backrests
A1
Fig. 101 Passenger side:
stowage compartment
altea_XL ingles.book Seite 134 Donnerstag, 13. September 2007 10:36 10