2009 Seat Altea XL warning

Lights and visibility
114A 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 253, 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 visibility115
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
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 wi th 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 fault,
•
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.
Emergency braking function
When the vehicle detects sudden brakin g, the hazard warning lights auto-
matically come on to warn vehicles behind. The hazard warning lights go off
when the vehicle accelerates or the hazard warning light switch is pressed.
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!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.
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Lights and visibility
116Indicator 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 116, 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 116, 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 headlight
lever
A1
A2
A1
A2
A3
A4
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Lights and visibility117
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 lightsFront interior light type 1The 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
122icing in the zone. The function is switched on by pressing the rear heating
window key
.
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 223, “Changing
windscreen wiper blades”.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 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, provided the vehicle
is in transit (drip function). If you activate the wipers less than three secionds
after the drip function, a new wash sequence will begin without the last wipe. For the “drip” function to work again, you have to turn the ignition off and
then 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 223, “Changing
windscreen wiper blades”.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
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. 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
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 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.
•
The wing mirrors folding function does not activate with speeds higher
than 40km/h.
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