Page 129 of 291

Lights and visibility
128
Note•
The automatic anti-dazzle function will only work properly if the sun
blind* for the rear window is retracted and there are no other objects
preventing light from reaching the interior mirror.
•
If you have to stick any type of sticker on the windscreen, do not do so in
front of the sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-dazzle function from
working well or even from working at all.
Exterior mirrors
The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using the rotary knob in
the centre console.Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob ⇒fig. 90 to position L ( left exterior mirror). 2. Turn the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a
good view to the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn knob to position R (right exterior mirror ).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the car ⇒ .
Heating the exterior mirrors*
– Turn the knob forwards to the central position ⇒ fig. 90 so
that the heated rear view mirrors warm up and the heated wind-
screen* in the wiper blade rest area is activated ⇒ page 123.
– The wing mirror heating is not activated in temperatures above approximately 20°C.
Folding in exterior mirrors*
– Turn the control ⇒fig. 90 to position
to fold in the exterior
mirrors. You should always fold in the exterior mirrors if you are
driving through an automatic car wash. This will help prevent
damage.
Folding rear view mirrors with convenience control*
– The outer rear view mirror will fold back automatically with convenience closing (with the remote or the key).
– To unfold it again, open the door and use the contact.
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the extended position*
– Turn the knob to another position to fold the exterior mirrors back out ⇒ .
Fig. 90 Controls of exte-
rior mirrors
A1
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 128 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10
Page 130 of 291

Lights and visibility129
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Synchronised mirror adjustment
1. Turn the control to the position L (left exterior mirror ).
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. Otherwise, it is an unnecessary fuel waste.
Note
•
If the electrical adjustment ever fails to operate, the mirrors can be
adjusted by hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mirror glass.
•
In vehicles with electric wing mirrors, the following points should be
observed: if, due to an external force (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.
•
The wing mirrors folding function does not activate with speeds higher
than 40 km/h.
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 129 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10
Page 131 of 291

Seats and stowage
130Seats and stowageThe importance of correct seat adjustmentProper seat adjustment optimises the level of protection
offered by seat belts and airbags.Yo u r ve h i cl e ha s five seats, two on the front part and three on the rear part.
Each seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
The driver seat and the front passenger seat can be adjusted in many ways to
suit the physical requirements of the vehicle occupants. The correct seat
position is very important for:•
a fast and easy operation of all controls on the instrument panel,
•
a relaxed posture which does not cause drowsiness,
•
a safe driving ⇒ page 7,
•
ensuring that the seat belts and airbag system provide maximum protec-
tion ⇒page 19.
WARNING
•
If the driver and passengers assume improper sitting positions, they
may sustain critical injuries.
•
More people than available seats must never be transported in your
vehicle.
•
Every passenger 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 on the foot well when the vehicle is moving;
never rest them on the dash panel, out of the window or on the seat. This
is also applied to passengers. An incorrect sitting position exposes you to
an increased risk of injury in case of a sudden braking or an accident. If the
airbag is triggered, you could sustain severe injuries due to an incorrect
sitting position.
•
It is important for the driver and front passenger to keep a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel 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 could 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 child seat, observe the warning note in
the ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.WARNING (continued)
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 130 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10
Page 132 of 291

Seats and stowage131
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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
passengers protection and can reduce 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, at minimum, at eye level
⇒fig. 91 and ⇒fig. 92 .Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 132
WARNING
•
Travelling with the head restraints 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
passenger's height.
Fig. 91 Front view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
Fig. 92 Side view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 131 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10
Page 133 of 291

Seats and stowage
132Removing or adjusting 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 restraint 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. 93 (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, you must always adjust it properly for
height to achieve optimal protection.
•
Please observe the safety warnings ⇒page 131, “Correct adjustment
of head restraints”.
Fig. 93 Adjusting and
removing the head
restraints
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 132 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10
Page 134 of 291

Seats and stowage133
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Front seatsAdjustment of the front seatsThe control elements in ⇒fig. 94 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 adjust s 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 in case of
a sudden braking or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted
towards the rear. The maximum protection 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 back-
rests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to improper
positioning of the belt web!
•
Exercise caution when securing the seat height into forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the backrest is tilted without due
care and attention.
Fig. 94 Front left seat
controls
A1
A1
A2
A3A4
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 133 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10
Page 135 of 291

Seats and stowage
134Heated seats*
The front seat cushions and ba ckrests can be heated electri-
cally.
Front seat heating for vehicles without Climatronic
– Turn the appropriate thumb wheel ⇒ fig. 95 to switch on the seat
heating. The seat heating is switched off in the 0 position.
Front seat heating for vehicles with Climatronic
– Press button to switch on the seat heating.
– Press once to set seat heating at maximum level (level 3).
– Press twice to set seat heating at medium level (level 2).
– Press three times to set seat heating at minimum level (level 1).
– When the button is pressed four times, the heating goes off and the LED goes out (level 0).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.
Fig. 95 Thumb wheel for
the front seat heatingFig. 96 Front seat
heating with Climatronic
AA
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 134 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10
Page 136 of 291

Seats and stowage135
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Rear seat benchSeat adjustment
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 ⇒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 ⇒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 the 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.
Fig. 97 For unlocking the
rear seatFig. 98 Rear seat back-
rest angle adjustment
A1
altea_freetrack_ingles.book Seite 135 Montag, 16. Februar 2009 10:48 10