
Checking and refilling levels
228charge. Never short the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause 
injury.•
A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is 
under charge. The batteries should be  charged in a well-ventilated room 
only.
•
Keep children away from acid and batteries.
•
Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the 
engine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery 
must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only switch 
off the light.
•
Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you 
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.
•
When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system, 
disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.
•
Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery. 
Reconnect first the positive cable and  then the negative cable. Never 
reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.
•
Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could 
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which 
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0°
•
Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.
•
Never use a defective battery. This may be fatally explosive. Replace a 
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•
Never disconnect the  battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine 
is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents.
•
Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time, as 
the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
•
If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect 
the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.
Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.– Open the bonnet and open the battery cover at the front  ⇒ in 
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on 
page 213  ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on 
page 227.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the  battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until  they disperse.The position of the battery is show n in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram  ⇒page 273.
The round window (“magic eye”) on the top of the battery changes colour, 
depending on the charge level and electrolyte level of the battery.
If the colour in the window is  colourless or bright yellow, the electrolyte level 
of the battery is too low. Have the battery checked by a qualified workshop.
The colours green and black are used by the workshops for diagnostic 
purposes.
WARNING (continued)
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 228  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Wheels and tyres
232
For the sake of the environmentUnder-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel consumption and tyre wear.Significant tyre pressure lossThe tyre symbol 
 is displayed and indicates that the tyre pressure for a least 
one tyre is insufficient.
– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
– Check the tyre(s).
– Change the wheel if necessary  ⇒page 240.
Tyre service life 
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving 
style and fitting.
Fig. 168  Tyre tread wear 
indicatorsFig. 169  Diagram for 
changing wheels
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 232  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

If and when
238If and whenTools, tyre repair kit and spare wheelVehicle To ols
The vehicle onboard tools are located under the floor panel in 
the luggage compartment.– Lift the cover of the luggage compartment, by pulling it up with a 
finger in the fitting.
– Take the onboard tools out of the vehicle.The tool kit includes:•
Jack*
•
Hook for removing wheel covers* or hub caps*
•
Box spanner for wheel bolts*
•
Reversible screwdriver with handle  (including hexagonal interior) for the 
wheel bolts. The screwdriver is a combination tool.
•
To wi ng  e ye
•
Adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolts*
Some of the items listed are only prov ided in certain models / model years, 
or are optional extras.
WARNING
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in  the screwdriver handle to tighten 
the wheel bolts as with this it is not possible to tighten the bolts to the 
required torque. Risk of accident.
•
The jack* supplied by the factory is  only designed for changing wheels 
on this model. On no account attempt to  use it for lifting heavier vehicles 
or other loads. Risk of injury.
•
Use the jack* only on firm, level ground.
•
Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack. Risk of accident.
•
I f  wo r k  is  t o  b e  ca r r i e d  o u t  un d e r n ea th the vehicle, this must be secured 
by suitable stands. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury.WARNING (continued)
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 238  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

If and when
240reliably seal punctures up to a size of about 4 mm caused by the penetration 
of a foreign body into the tyre.
Note
•
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is not 
possible with the sealing compound.
Wheel changePreparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel.– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away  from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as 
level as possible.
– All passengers should leave the ve hicle. They should wait in a 
safe area (for instance behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Switch off the engine. Switch on the hazard warning lights.
–Apply the  handbrake firmly.
– Engage the  first gear, or put the selector lever to position  P for 
those vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
– If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
– Take the  vehicle tools  and the spare wheel  out of the luggage 
compartment.
WARNING
Put the hazard warning lights on and place the warning triangle in position. 
This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel opposite the 
wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object under it to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.Changing a wheelChange the wheel as described below
–Pull off the hub cap. Also see  ⇒page 241.
– Slacken the wheel bolts.
– Raise  the car with the jack in the corresponding zone.
– Remove the wheel and then mount  the spare wheel
– Lower  the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts  firmly with the box spanner.
–Replace the hub cap.
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 240  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

If and when249
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
FusesChanging a fuse
Blown fuses must be replaced
Fuse cover underneath the steering wheel
– Switch off the ignition and the component concerned.
– Identify the fuse for the failed component  ⇒page 251.
– Take the plastic clip from inside  the fuse cover, fit it onto the 
blown fuse and pull the fuse out.
– Replace the blown fuse (which will have a melted metal strip)  with a new fuse of the same ampere rating.
Fuse cover in engine compartment
– Switch off the ignition and its failed electrical component.
– Prise off the fuse cover in the engine compartment by pressing  the tabs towards the centre of the cover  ⇒fig. 179.
– Identify the fuse for the failed component  ⇒page 251.
– Take the plastic clip from inside the fuse cover (at left-hand end  of the dash panel), fit it onto th e blown fuse and pull the fuse out.
– Replace the blown fuse (which will have a melted metal strip)  with a new fuse of the same ampere rating.
– Carefully fit the fuse cover back on to ensure no water can enter  the fuse box.The individual electrical circuits are pr otected by fuses. The fuses are located 
behind a cover at the left-hand end of the dash panel and on the left-hand 
side of the engine compartment.
The electric windows are protected by  circuit breakers. These reset automat-
ically after a few seconds when the overload (caused for example by frozen 
windows) has been corrected.
Fig. 178  Left side of dash 
panel: Fuse box coverFig. 179  Fuse box cover 
in engine compartment
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If and when251
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Fuses on left side of dash panelFusesNumber
Consumer
Amps
1
Va can t
2
Va can t
3
Va can t
4
Va can t
5
Va can t
6
Va can t
7
Va can t
8
Va can t
9
Airbag
5
10
RSE input (roof screen)
10
11
Va can t 
11
 Vacant
12
Left xenon headlight
10
13
Instrument panel (oil le vel)/Switchboard wiring 
(BCM)/Heater / ABS, ESP/ Park Pilot/ Gate-
way/Flow meter
5
14
Gearbox/Servosteering/Brake light sensor/ 
Trailer/ ABS, ESP/ Haldex/ Light switch
10
15
 Heated windscreen / Instrument lighting / Diag-
nosis switchboard/Engine management/Addi-
tional heating/AFS headlamps/Park Pilot
10
16
Right xenon headlight
10
17
Engine management
10
18
Vacant
19
Vacant
20
Park Pilot (Parking assistant) / Gear lever/ ESP 
switchboard
10
21
Vacant
22
Volumetric alarm sensor/ Alarm horn
5
23
Diagnosis / Rain sensor / Light switch
10
24
Vacant
25
Switchboard coupling automatic gearbox
20
26
Vacu um pum p
20
27
RSE input (roof screen)
10
28
Rear wiper motor / Switchboard wiring
20
29
Vacant
30
Cigarette lighter / socket
20
31
Vacant
32
Vacant
33
Heater
40
34
Vacant
35
Vacant
36
Engine management
10
37
Engine management
10
38
Engine management
10
39
Trailer control unit (coupling)
15
Number
Consumer
Amps
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 251  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

If and when
252Some of the electrical items listed in the table are only fitted on certain 
models or are optional extras. Please note that the above list, while correct at the time of printing, is subject 
to alterations. If discrepancies should 
occur, please refer to the sticker on the 
inside of the fuse cover for the  correct information for your model.
Fuses layout, engine compartment, left partFuses
40
Trailer control unit (indicators, brakes and left 
side)
20
41
Trailer control unit (fog light, reversing light and 
right side)
20
42
BCM wiring switchboard
20
43
Trailer pre-installation
40
44
Rear window heater
25
45
Electric windows (front)
30
46
Rear electric windows
30
47
Engine (Fuel control unit, petrol relay)
15
48
Convenience controls
20
49
Heating controls
40
50
Heated seats
30
51
Sunroof
20
52
Headlight washer system
20
53
Vacant
20
54
Taxi (taximeter power supply)
5
55
Vacant
20
56
Taxi (taximeter power supply)
15
57
Vacant
58
Central locking control unit 
30
Number
Consumer
Amps
Number
Consumer
Amps
1
Windscreen wipers
20
2
DQ200 gearbox
30
3
Cable control unit
5
4
ABS
20
5
AQ gearbox
15
6
 Instrument panel/Steering column
5
7
Ignition key
40
8
Radio
15
9
Telephone/TomTom Navigator
5
10
Engine management
5
Engine management
10
11
Va ca n t
12
Electronic control unit
5
13
Petrol injection module supply
15
Diesel injection module supply
30
14
Coil
20
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 252  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

If and when253
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Bulb changeGeneral notesBefore changing any bulb, first turn off the failed component.
Do not touch the bulb glass. Fingerprints vaporise in the heat, causing a 
reduction in the bulb life and conden sation on the mirror surface, thus 
reducing efficiency.
A bulb should only be replaced by one of the same type. The type is inscribed 
on the bulb, either on the glass part or on the base.
It is highly recommended to keep a box of spare bulbs in the vehicle. At the 
very least, the following spare bulbs, which are essential for road safety, 
should be kept in the vehicle.
Main headlights
Dipped beam - H7
Main beam - H1
Position - W5W
Indicator - PY21W
Xenon headlights
23) /self-directing
Dipped and full beam - D1S
24)
Daylight - P21W SLL
Position W5W
Indicators PY21W
15
Engine management
5
Pump relay
10
16
Right lighting
30
17
Horn
15
18
Vacant
19
Clean
30
20
Water pump
10
Pressure sensor pump for 1.8 engine
20
21a)
Lambda probe
15
22
Brake pedal, speed sensor
5
23a)
Engine management
5
Engine management
10
Engine management
15
24
AKF, gearbox valve
10
25a)
ABS pump
40
26
Left lighting
30
27a)
Engine management
40
Engine management
50
28
Vacant
29a)
Electric windows (front and back)
50
Electric windows (front)
30
30
Ignition key
50
a)Ampere rating according to motorisationNumber
Consumer
Amps
23)On this type of headlight, the bulb changes must be made by the SEAT dealer, given
that complex elements must be removed from the vehicle and a reset must be made
on the automatic control system incorporated.24)The Xenon bulbs discharge 2.5 times the light flux and have an average lifespan of 5
times more than that of halogen bulbs, this means that, except due to unusual circum-
stances, there is no need to change the bulbs for the whole life of the vehicle.
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 253  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12