2009 Seat Altea tow

Lights and visibility
118Indicator 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 ⇒page 118, fig. 77 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 it. 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 ⇒ page 118, fig. 77 to switch on the
main beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam head- lights off again.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn the right or left-hand parking lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other driver s. Risk of accident! Never use the
main beam headlights or the headligh t 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 instrume nt panel. 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 defec-
tive, the warning lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn signal bulbs
are damaged, warning lamp
 does not light up. Change the bulb.
Fig. 77 Indicator and
main beam lever
A1
A2
A1
A2
A3
A4
Altea_EN.book Seite 118 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13

Lights and visibility
122light turns off about 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interior lights are
switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is switched on.
Interior lights or both reading lights switched on

Turn the control to position .
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, th e interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing th e key has been removed and the cour-
tesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from discharging.VisibilitySun visors
The sun visors for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled out of their
mountings in the centre of the vehicle and turned towards the doors ⇒fig. 83
.
The make-up mirrors in the sun visors have covers. When you open the cover
, a lamp in the roof lights up.
The lamp* in the roof lining will go out when the vanity mirror cover is pushed
back or the sun visor is pushed back up.
Note
The roof lamp will turn of f about 10 minutes following the removal of the igni-
tion key. This prevents the battery from discharging.
A5
Fig. 83 Sun visor on the
driver side
A1A2
Altea_EN.book Seite 122 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13

Lights and visibility123
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Windscreen washersFront windscreen wipers


The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen wipers
and the automatic wash and wipe.
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒fig. 84 has the following positions:
Switching off the wipers
– Move the lever to position .
Intermittent wipe
– Move the lever up to position . – Move the control to the left or right to set the length of the
intervals. Control to the left: long intervals; control to the right:
short intervals. Four wiper interval stages can be set using switch .
Slow wipe
– Move the lever up to position .
Continuous wipe
– Move the lever up to position .
Brief wipe
– Move the lever down to position to give the windscreen a brief
wipe. The wiper will start to move faster if you keep the lever
pressed down for longer than 2 seconds.
Wash and wipe automatic system

– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel - Position . The wash function will start immediately and the wipers will start with a
slight delay. The wash and wiper systems will function at the
same time at speeds of over 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The wipers will keep running for approximately four seconds.Optional heated windscreen in the wiper blade* area (page
In some countries and with some versions, there is the possibility of heating
the windscreen in the area of the windscreen wiper blades in order to aid de-
icing in the zone. The function is switched on by pressing the rear heating
window key
.
Fig. 84 Windscreen wiper
and windscreen wash
lever
A0A1
AA
AA
A2A3A4
A5
Altea_EN.book Seite 123 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13

Lights and visibility
126Rear 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. 87 . 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. 87 . 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 225.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. 87 Windscreen wiper
and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
A6
A6
A7
Altea_EN.book Seite 126 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13

Lights and visibility127
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
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. 88. Warning lamp goes out:
Switching on anti-dazzle function
– Press button ⇒ fig. 88. 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. 88 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
AA
AB
AA
Altea_EN.book Seite 127 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13

Seats and stowage
130Seats 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 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, ou t 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 co uld 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_EN.book Seite 130 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13

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. 90 and ⇒ fig. 91.Adjusting the head restraints ⇒page 132.
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
passenger's height.
Fig. 90 Front view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
Fig. 91 Side view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
Altea_EN.book Seite 131 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13

Seats and stowage
132Removing 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. 92 (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 131, “Correct adjustment
of head restraints”.
Fig. 92 Adjusting and
removing the head
restraints
Altea_EN.book Seite 132 Montag, 19. Januar 2009 1:31 13