2008 Seat Altea warning

Lights and visibility115
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Note
The system operates from a speed of about 10 km/h.Hazard warning lights


The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights ⇒.
3. Switch the engine off.
4. Apply the handbrake. 5. On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear, and for an automatic
move the selector lever to P.
6. Use the warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your vehicle.
7. Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehicle.
You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for
instance when:•
reaching the tail end of a traffic jam
•
there is an emergency
•
your vehicle breaks down due to a technical defect
•
you are towing another vehicle or your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are
switched on. That is that the two turn signal indicator lamps
  and the
indicator lamp in the switch
 will flash at the same time. The hazard
warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
Turning on the emergency indicators
The emergency indicators turn on automatically when braking sharply at a
speed of over 60km/h, or if the ABS works for a prolonged period, in order to
alert the vehicles behind. If you accelerate, or continue at over 40km/h, the
emergency indicators turn off automatically.
WARNING
•
The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always
use the hazard warning lights and a wa rning triangle to draw the attention
of other road users to your stationary vehicle.
•
Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt
petrol. This could start a fire!
Fig. 77 Instrument panel:
switch for hazard warning
lights
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Lights and visibility
116
Note•
The battery will run down if the hazard warning lights are left on for a long
time, even if the ignition is switched off.
•
The use of the hazard warning lights de scribed here is subject to the rele-
vant statutory requirements.
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions: Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up
⇒fig. 78 to indicate right , and
all the way down to indicate left.
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up or down to the point where you incur resistance and then release the lever. The turn signal will flash
several times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash.
Switching main beam on and off
– Turn the light switch to position

.
–Press the lever forward ⇒ fig. 78 to switch on the main
beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam head- lights off again.
Headlight flasher
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch off the ignition and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn on the right or left-hand parking lights respectively.
Fig. 78 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
A1
A2A1
A2A3
A4
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Lights and visibility117
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other driver s. Risk of accident! Never use the
main beam headlights or the headli ght flasher if they could dazzle other
drivers.
Note
•
The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The corre-
sponding warning lamp
 or  flashes in the combi-instrument. The
warning lamp
 flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a
trailer is correctly attached and connected to the vehicle. If a turn signal bulb
is defective, the warning lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn
signal bulbs are damaged, warning lamp
 does not light up. You should
have the bulb replaced.
•
The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam
headlights are already on. The warning lamp
 then comes on in the combi-
instrument.
•
The headlight flasher comes on for as long as you pull the lever – even if
no other lights are switched on. The warning lamp
 then comes on in the
combi-instrument.
•
When the parking lights are switched on, the headlight and the rear light
on the corresponding side of the vehicle light up. The parking lights will only
work if the key is removed from the ignition. If the lights are switched on, a
buzzer gives an audible warning while the driver door is open.
•
If the turn signal lever is left on after the key has been taken out of the
ignition lock, an acoustic signal sounds when the driver door is opened. This
is a reminder to switch off the turn signal, unless of course you wish to leave
the parking light on.
Interior lightsInterior front light, type 1 The switch ⇒fig. 79 is used to select the following positions:
Courtesy light position

Rocker switch in flat position (not ac tivated). The interior lights are automat-
ically switched on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the
ignition lock and turn off about 20 seconds after the closure of the doors. The
interior lights are switched off when th e vehicle is locked or when the ignition
is switched on.
Interior light switched on

Push the switch to the position
.
Interior light switched off O
Push the switch to the position O ⇒fig. 79 .
Fig. 79 Interior roof trim:
front interior lights
AA
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Lights and visibility
122
WARNING
•
Worn and dirty wiper blades obstruct visibility and reduce safety levels.
•
In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation system.
The washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and obscure
your view of the road.
•
Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 222.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. If you switch on the wipers
when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you could damage both
the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
•
The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.
•
In certain versions of vehicles with alarms, the windscreen wiper will only
work when the ignition is on and the bonnet closed.
•
When in use, the wipers do not go as far as the rest position. When the
lever is moved to position 0, they are totally hidden.
•
The next speed down will automatically be selected if wiper speed
⇒ page 121, fig. 85 or is selected when the vehicle stops. The set speed
will be resumed when the vehicle starts again.
•
The windscreen will be wiped again after approximately five seconds once
the “automatic wipe/wash system” has been operated while the vehicle is in
transit (automatic function). If you activate the wipers less than three
seconds after the drip function, a new wash sequence will begin without the
last wipe. To reactivate the “automatic” function the ignition must be turned
off and on again.
•
When the “intermittent wipe function” is on, the intervals are directly
proportional to the speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed the shorter
the intervals.
•
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the
obstacle and switch the wiper back on again.
•
Before removing any objects that may be trapped in the side areas of the
windscreen, always move the wiper arms to the service position (horizontal).
•
The heat output of the heated jets is controlled automatically when the
ignition is switched on, depending upon the outside temperature.
A2
A3
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Lights and visibility
124Rear window wiper


The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position ⇒fig. 88 . The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position towards the steering wheel. T h e wi p e r will co n t i n u e to fun c t i o n fo r a sh o r t p e r i o d i f yo u s wi tch
off whilst the wipers are in motion. Switching on the windscreen wiper and washer system
– Press the lever fully forwards to position
⇒fig. 88 . The wash
function will start immediately and the wiper will start with a
slight delay. The windscreen wash system will function as long as
you hold the lever in this position.
– Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for approximately 4 seconds, and then in intervals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers func- tion.
WARNING
•
A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.
•
Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 222.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the glass
before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper when the
wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the wiper blade
and the wiper motor.
Note
•
The windscreen wiper will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the tailgate is closed.
•
In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers switched on, the rear wind-
screen wiper will make one wipe.
Fig. 88 Windscreen wiper
and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
A6
A6
A7
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Lights and visibility125
Safety First
Operating instructions
Tips and Maintenance
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Headlight washer system
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses.The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steering
wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped headlights or main
beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the head-
lights at regular intervals, for instance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
•
To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of sn ow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.
•
To remove water, the windscreen wipers will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles.
MirrorsInterior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see clearly through the
rear window.Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror should
be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle function.
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-da zzle function can be switched on and off
as desired.Switching off anti-dazzle function
– Press button ⇒ fig. 89. Warning lamp goes out.
Switching on anti-dazzle function
– Press button ⇒ fig. 89. Warning lamp is lit.Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp ligh ts up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is activa ted the interior mirror will darken auto-
matically according to the amount of light it receives (for example from the
headlights of a vehicle behind). The anti-dazzle function is cancelled if
reverse gear is engaged.
Fig. 89 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
AA
AB
AA
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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.
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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)
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