2009 Seat Altea driver

Lights and visibility111
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Lights and visibilityLightsSwitching lights on and off


Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 72 to position

.
Switching on dipped headlights
– Turn the light switch to position

.
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position 0. Switching on the fog lights*
– Pull the switch out of position

or

to the first stop. The
symbol
 in the light switch lights up.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with front fog lights)
– Pull the switch out of position

or

to the second stop
⇒ . A warning lamp lights up in the control panel.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with no front fog lights)
– Pull the light switch from position

to the last stop. A warning
lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
WARNING
Never drive with just the side lights on . Risk of accident. The side lights are
not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that other
road users are able to see you. Always use your dipped headlights if it is
dark or if visibility is poor.
Note
•
The dipped beam headlights will only work with the ignition on. The side
lights come on automatically when the ignition is turned off.
•
If the lights are left on after the key has been taken out of the ignition lock,
a buzzer will sound while the driver door remains open. This is a reminder to
switch the lights off.
•
The rear fog light is so bright that it can dazzle drivers behind you. You
should use the rear fog light only when visibility is very poor.
Fig. 72 Detailed view of
instrument panel: lights,
fog light and rear fog light
control
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Lights and visibility113
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
If the daylight driving automatic light function is switched on, the fog
lights or rear fog light cannot be switched on in addition.
•
The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant statutory
requirements.
•
Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause disruptions or faults in the automatic lighting system.
•
To avoid damage to the tail lights, the lights mounted on the tailgate go
off when the tailgate is opened (according to country).
Daytime lights*
The daytime light reduces the risk of accidents by increasing
the visibility of the vehicle. The daytime running lights are
enabled automatically when the ignition is switched on. It is
automatically switched off when the side lights are turned on.Daytime lights (halogen lamps)
18)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with halogen lamps.
These include the dipped, side and registration plate lights.
The daytime lights are switched on each time the ignition is turned on if the
light setting is in position 0 or

. Depending upon the model, a control
lamp
 on the light control switch or the lighting up of the instrument panel
will indicate that the daytime lighting is on.
It is not possible for the driver to switch the daytime lights on or off. Please
contact a qualified workshop if you wish to deactivate the lights. Daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with bi-xenon lamps.
The lights are built-in separately to the headlights and are switched on each
time the ignition is turned on if the light setting is in position
0 or

.
Automatic control of the dipped lig ht in combination with the daytime
lighting (bi-xenon headlamps)
If the dipped light control and the daytime lighting are activated at the same
time, the dipped lights and the instrument panel lighting will automatically
come on as required (e.g. on entering a tunnel) and the daytime lights will go
off. When the automatic dipped light control switches off the dipped lights
(e.g. on coming out of the tunnel), the daytime lights come back on.
Activating/deactivating the daytime lights*
In vehicles with daytime lights* combined with bi-xenon headlamps, these
lights may be activated or deactivated with the indicator and main beam
lever. In vehicles with daytime lights combined with halogen lamps, this func-
tion can only be activated or deactivated in a specialist workshop.
Deactivating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
With the ignition switched off, move the indicator and main beam lever
upwards and back (left indicator and headlamp flash).
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds. The daytime lights are deactivated and
can not be switched on.
Activating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
With the ignition switched off, move the indicator and main beam lever
upwards and back (left indicator and headlamp flash).
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds. The daytime lights are activated and can
be switched on.
18)It is only available in some countries or as an optional extra
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Lights and visibility
114
NotePlease observe any relevant legal requirements which may apply in your
country.Coming home / leaving home function*
The Coming Home function is controlled manually. The
Leaving Home function is cont rolled with a photo sensor.If the Coming Home or Leaving Home function is connected, the front side
and dipped lights, the tail lights and the registration plate light will light up
to provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activate d by switching off the ignition and
briefly flashing the lights. When the dr iver's door is opened, the Coming
Home lighting comes on. If the driver's door is already open when the lights
are flashed briefly, the Comi ng Home lighting comes on immediately.
When the last door of the vehicle or the tailgate is closed, the Coming Home
function starts and the switching off the headlights is delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the following cases:•
On completion of the time period established for the delay in switching off
the lights after all the vehicle doors and the tailgate have been closed.
•
If, 30 seconds after being connected, any doors or the tailgate remain
open.
•
If the light switch is turned to position
.
•
If the ignition is switched on.
Leaving home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when the vehicle is unlocked if:
•
the light control is in position

and
•
the photosensor detects “darkness”.
The Leaving Home lighting switches off in the following cases:
•
If the time period for the delay in switching off the headlamps has ended
•
If the vehicle is locked again.
•
If the light switch is turned to position
.
•
If the ignition is switched on.Note
The setting for the delay in switching off the headlamps in the Coming Home
and Leaving Home function can be chan ged or the function can be connected
or disconnected in the menu Lights and visibility ⇒ page 74.•
If the ignition key is removed while the lights are on, and the lights are
flashed briefly and the driver's door opened, no acoustic signal is heard, as
when the Coming Home function is on, the lights are automatically switched
off after a period of time (except when the light switch is in position
 or
.
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Lights and visibility115
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Instrument and switch lighting / Headlight range controlInstrument and switch lighting
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments and
switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning the
thumb wheel ⇒fig. 74 .
Those vehicles fitted with xenon gas discharge headlights are fitted with an
automatic headlight range system.
Headlight range control
By using the electrical headlight range control, you can adjust the head-
light range to the load level that is being carried in the vehicle. This way, it is
possible to avoid dazzling oncoming traffi c more than necessary. At the same
time, by using the correct headlight settings, the driver has the best possible
lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To lower the beam, turn the thumb wh eel down from the basic setting 0.Dynamic headlight range control
Vehicles with
gas discharge lamps (“xenon lamps”) are equipped with
dynamic headlight range control . This means that the headlights will be
adjusted to suit the load level of the vehicle and “nodding movements” when
pulling off and braking are automatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge lamps do not have headlight range control.
Self directional headlights*
When driving around bends, the headlights will light the
most important areas of the road.Dynamic curve lights* (AFS)
The dynamic curve lights only operate if the vehicle is travelling at more than
10 km/h and the dipped headlamps are on. When taking a bend, the road is
illuminated better with directional gas discharge lamps than with conven-
tional fixed headlamps.
Fig. 74 Instrument panel:
regulation for instrument
and switch illumination
and headlight range
control
A1
A1A2
A2A2
Fig. 75 Cornering
lighting using self-direc-
tional headlights
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Lights and visibility
116A fault in the system is indicated via the flashing of the control lamp
 on the
instrument panel. At the same time, a text message with information or
instructions to perform necessary oper ations may appear on the instrument
panel display. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the fault
repaired.
If the control lamp
 lights up on the instrument panel but all the lamps are
operating correctly ⇒page 254, there may still be a fault in the dynamic
curve lighting system (AFS). Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and
have the fault repaired.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped light control” is switched on, the dipped head-
lights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on manually
using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for the correct
use of lights in all situations. “Autom atic headlight control” is merely a
system to support the driver. Where necessary, switch on the lights manu-
ally using the light switch.Turning light* When the indicator is switched on to turn or on very tight bends, the right or
left fog lamp automatically comes on to function as a turning light. The
turning light only operates if the dipped lights are on.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped light control” is switched on, the dipped head-
lights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on manually
using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for the correct
use of lights in all situations. “Automatic headlight control” is merely a
system to support the dr iver. Where necessary, switch on the lights manu-
ally using the light switch.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.
Fig. 76 Instrument panel:
switch for hazard warning
lights
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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
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Lights and visibility119
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
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. 78 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 approx. 20 seconds after closing the doors. The inte-
rior lights are switched off when the vehi cle 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 position O ⇒fig. 78 .
Fig. 78 Interior roof trim:
front interior lights
AA
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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
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