2008 Seat Altea Freetrack window

Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 155
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
– Use the air distribution control to guide the flow of air in the
required direction: (to the windscreen), (to the upper
body), (to the foot well) and (to the windscreen and to the
foot well).Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Air conditioner
When the air conditioning system is switched on, not only the temperature,
but also the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves comfort for the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows when
the ambient air humidity is high.
If the air conditioning system cannot be
switched on this may be caused by
the following reasons:
•
The engine may not be running.
•
The blower is switched off.
•
The ambient air temperature is lower than +3°C.
•
The air conditioning system compress or has been temporarily switched
off because the engine coolant temperature is too high.
•
The air conditioning fuse is faulty.
•
Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a qual-
ified workshop.
Air recirculation mode
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or un pleasant smells from entering the vehicle.





Fig. 131 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
156Air recirculation mode ⇒page 155, fig. 131 prevents strong odours in
the outside air from entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing
through a tunnel or in queuing traffic.
With low temperatures outside, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by warming the air inside the passenger compart-
ment rather than the cold 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 ambient air. 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.
2C-Climatronic*Control switches
The controls allow separate adjustment of air conditioning settings for the left and right.

Fig. 132 On the dash panel: 2C Climatronic controls
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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
The air conditioning system only works when the engine is running
and the blower is switched on.
– Press the temperature control buttons ⇒page 156, fig. 132
or in order to adjust the temperature on the left hand side or
the right hand side respectively.
– The functions will be switched on when the buttons are pressed. When these functions are activated, they are indicated in the
display. Also, the de-icing and re ar heated window functions will
turn on along with their corres ponding yellow symbol. Press the
button again to switch off the function.The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right sides of the
vehicle interior.
Display of the selected interior temperature for the left side.
Button – Manual air recirculation mode.
Button – Central air distribution
Button – Downward air distribution
Button – Upward air distribution
Display of the selected interior temperature for the right side.
Button – defrost function for the windscreen. The air drawn in from
outside the vehicle is directed at the windscreen. The air recirculation
mode, if switched on, will be switched off as soon as the defrost function
is switched on. At temperatures over 3°C, the air conditioning system will
be switched on automatically and the blower speed will be increased by
one level in order to dry the air. The button lights up yellow and the
symbol appears in the display.
Button – Rear window heating. The heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately 20 minutes after switching on. However, it may
be turned off by pushing the button. The button lights up yellow and the
symbol appears in the display.
Temperature selector for the left side ⇒page 157 Blower control
⇒page 158
Button – Switches the 2C-Climatronic on and off ⇒page 158
Button – Automatic temperature, ventilation and air distribution
control ⇒page 157
Button – Switches heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
system off
Temperature selector for the right side ⇒page 157
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation.
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
Note
Please observe the general notes ⇒page 160.Automatic mode
In automatic mode air temperatur e, air flow and distribution
are automatically regulated so that a specified temperature is
attained as quickly as possible and then maintained.The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right
sides of the vehicle interior.
Switching on automatic mode
– Press the button ⇒page 156, fig. 132 . “AUTO” is shown
on the display.
A9
A14
A1A2

A3

A4

A5

A6A7

A8

A9
A10A11
OFF
A12
AUTO
A13
ECON
A14
AUTO
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 159
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 air flow 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 158, fig. 133 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 temperatures outside, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by heating 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 ambient air.
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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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
160General notesThe pollen filter
The pollution filter (a combined part iculate filter and active carbon filter)
serves as a barrier against impurities in the ambient air, including dust and
pollen.
For the air conditioning system to work with maximum efficiency, the pollen
filter must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Service Schedule.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high
levels of air pollution, the pollen filte r must be changed more frequently than
stated in the Service Schedule.
Caution
•
If you suspect that the air conditioning is damaged, switch off the air
conditioning with button to prevent further damage and have it
checked by a qualified workshop.
•
Repairs to the air conditioning system require specialist knowledge and
special tools. Therefore, we recommend that you take the vehicle to a quali-
fied workshop should problems occur.Note
•
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensa-
tion can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle, this is completely normal and there is no need to suspect
a leak.
•
Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and
leaves to ensure heating and cooling is not impaired, and to prevent the
windows misting over.
•
The air from the vents flows through the passenger compartment and is
extracted by slots designed for this purpose. Do not cover these slots with
articles of clothing or other objects.
•
The air conditioning system operates most effectively with the windows
and the sliding/tilting roof* closed. Howe ver, if the sun has heated up the
vehicle, the air inside can be cooled more quickly by opening the windows for
a short period.
•
Do not smoke while air recirculation mode is on, as smoke drawn into the
air conditioning system leaves a r esidue on the evaporator, producing a
permanent unpleasant odour.
•
It is advisable to connect the air conditioning at least once a month, to
lubricate the system gaskets and prevent leaks. If a decrease in the cooling
capacity is detected, an Authorised Service Centre should be consulted to
check the system.
ECON
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Driving
164Starting
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Each time that the vehicle must be star ted, the ignition key must be turned to
the position . The repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter moto r if the engine is already running.
WARNING
•
Wait for the vehicle to come to a standstill before removing the ignition
key from the lock. The steering lock could be activated immediately - Risk
of accident!
•
Always remove the key from the ignition lock when leaving the vehicle,
even if you only intend to be gone for a short period. This is especially
important if you must leave children or disabled people in the vehicle, they
could accidentally start the engine or work electrical equipment such as
the windows possibly resulting in an accident.
•
Unsupervised use of the keys could result in the engine being started
or electrical systems, such as the el ectric windows, being used. This can
result in serious injury.Caution
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key
position ).
Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driving
the vehicle.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 engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with the correct
code.
Note
The vehicle cannot be operated properly if you do not have a genuine SEAT
key.Starting and stopping the engineStarting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with
the correct code.– Move the gear lever to the ne utral position and depress the
clutch pedal fully and hold it in this position, the starter will then
only have to turn the engine.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ page 163 to start the engine.
A2A0
A2
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Driving and the environment195
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not regularise until having
driven some
four kilometres. This is the reason why we recommend avoiding
short trips wherever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the
tyre pressures are just 1 bar too low, this can put the fuel consumption up by
as much as 5 %. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also
increases tyre wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold.
Do not use winter tyres all through the year: they will increase fuel consump-
tion by up to 10 %.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Every kilo of extra weight will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-
essary loads are being transported.
Save electrical energy
The engine activates the alternator, which produces electricity. With the need
for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always
turn off electrical equipment when you do not need them. Examples of equip-
ment that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear window
heating or the seat heaters*.
Logbook
A good way of keeping a check on fuel consumption is to take regular notes.
You will be able to note the variations (both positive and negative) and react
accordingly.
Environmental friendlinessEnvironmental protection is a top priori ty in the design, choice of materials
and production of your new Seat
Design measures for economical recycling•
Joints and connections designed for ease of dismantling
•
Modular construction to facilitate dismantling
•
Increased use of single-grade materials
•
Plastic parts and elastomers are labelled in accordance with ISO 1043,
ISO 11469 and ISO 1629
Choice of materials
•
Nearly all materials used can be recycled
•
Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling
•
Recycled materials used in manufacture
•
Reduced “vapour emissions” from plastics
•
CFC-free refrigerant in air conditioning
Compliance with prohibited materials laws : cadmium, asbestos, lead,
mercury, chrome VI.
Manufacturing methods
•
Use of recycled material for manufacturing plastic parts
•
Solvent-free cavity sealing
•
Solvent-free wax for protecting the vehicles in transit
•
Solvent-free adhesives
•
No CFCs used in production
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Cleaning and caring for your vehicle
202Care of the vehicle exteriorAutomatic car wash tunnel
The car can normally be washed without problem in an auto-
matic car wash.The paint is so durable that the car can normally be washed without problems
in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint depends to a large
extent on the design of the car wash, the brushes used, the filtering of the
wash water and the type of detergents and wax solutions used, etc.
Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions such
as closing the windows and sunroof. There is nothing to note apart from that.
If the vehicle has special accessories such as spoilers or a roof carrier or two-
way radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car wash operator.
After the car has been washed, the brakes could hesitate to respond as the
brake discs and pads will be wet, or even frozen in winter. “Dry” the brakes by
braking several times.
WARNING
Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of
accident.
Caution
If an automatic car wash tunnel is u sed, before entering the tunnel, put the
aerial down parallel to the roof and do not tighten to avoid damage.
Washing by handWashing the vehicle
– First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off.
– Clean the vehicle with a soft spon ge, a glove or a brush. Start on
the roof and work your way down. Use only light pressure.
– Rinse the sponge or glove as much as possible.
– Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt.
– Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last using a different sponge or glove.
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry the surface of the vehicle gently using a chamois leather.
–If it is cold , dry the rubber seals and the surfaces they touch with
a cloth to prevent them freezing. Apply silicone spray to the
rubber seals.
After cleaning the vehicle
– If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes care-
fully several times ⇒page 187, “Braking effect and braking
distance”.
WARNING
•
The ignition must always be switched off before the vehicle is washed.
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