
Contents3
ContentsManual structure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety First
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safe driving
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 
Pedal area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowing luggage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Belt tension devices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Airbag system
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Curtain airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Securing child seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating instructions
 . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cockpit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Digital display in the instrument panel  . . . . . . . 
Instrument panel menus* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering wheel controls*
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Unlocking and locking
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Keys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Sliding/tilting roof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights and visibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen wipers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Mirrors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seats and stowage
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . 
Head restraints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowage compartments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Ashtrays*, cigarette lighter* and electrical 
sockets* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher  
Luggage compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
 . . 
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Climatic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
2C-Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Starting and stopping the engine  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Automatic gearbox* / DSG automatic gearbox*  
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cruise control system (CCS)*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Practical tips
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Intelligent technology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-lock brake system and traction control M-ABS 
(ABS and TCS)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)*  . . . . 
Driving and the environment
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Exhaust gasses purification system . . . . . . . . . . 
Economical and ecological driving  . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
5
6
7
7
7
10
16
17
19
19
20
23
27
29
29
33
36
40
43
45
45
47
49 53
53
53
55
58
64
73
83
83
83
87
91
91
97
98
100
102
104
106
109
109
117
120
121
125
128
128
129
131
133
135 144
147
148
151
151
153
157
161
163
163
164
165
166
169
170
174
176
179
183
183
183
184
185
190
190
191
192
194
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 3  Montag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Cockpit
66Main menu
The menu provides access to the different display functions 
(only with the MFD lever).
Open main menu
– Switch the ignition on.
– Press and hold the eject button   for at least 2 seconds. It may 
be necessary to repeat this operation until the main menu is 
displayed.
Select a menu from the main menu
– To choose an option from the menu, press the upper or lower end  of rocker switch  . The selected option is displayed between 
two horizontal lines.
– Press button   to select the entry.Example of menu use ⇒ page 64
Fig. 45  Windscreen wiper 
lever (MFD): button A to 
confirm the menu selec-
tion and rocker switch B to 
change the menuFig. 46  Digital instru-
ment panel display: Main 
menu
Main menu
Function
Multi-function dis-
play
Change to the multi-function display (MFD): “Multi-
function display (MFD)”
Audio
The current station will be  shown when the radio is 
switched on.
Navigation
This menu is only available if the vehicle is fitted with 
a navigation system. The navigation system must be 
switched on. When the route guidance is activated, 
the turning arrows and proximity bars are displayed. 
The display is similar to that of the Navigation sys-
tem. 
If the route guidance is not activated, the direction of 
travel (compass) and the name of the street along 
which you are driving are shown.
AB
AB
AA
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 66  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Steering wheel controls*83
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Steering wheel controls*General informationThe steering wheel includes a multifunction module from where it is possible 
to control the audio, telephone and radi o navigation functions, and the auto-
matic gearbox*, without needing to distract the driver's attention.
There are two versions of the multifunction module:
•
Audio version, to control the available audio functions from the steering 
wheel.
•
Audio + Telephone version, to control the available audio functions and 
the telephone system from the steering wheel.
Both versions may be used to control the Audio system (Radio, CD Audio, CD 
mp3, CD Changer) and the radio / naviga tion System, in which case they also 
control the Navigation system.
•
Version for automatic gearbox*  ⇒page 173.
Audio systemSteering wheel audio version controls
Fig. 50  Controls on the 
steering wheel
Fig. 51  Steering wheel 
controls (depending on 
version of model)
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 83  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Steering wheel controls*
84Button
Radio
CD/MP3/USB*/iPod*
AUX
a)
a)Only if the panel is in Audio menu.
Vol ume up
Volume up
Volume up
Vol ume down
Volume down
Volume down
Search for next station
Next track
Hold down: Fast forward
No specified function
Search for last station
Last track
Hold down:Rewind
No function specified
No function specified
No function specified
No function specified
Silence
Pause
Silence
b)
b)Depending on the model version
Operates on Instrument panel display
Operates on Instrument panel display
Operates on Instrument panel display
Next preset 
a)
Next track 
a)
No function specified
a)
b)
Operates on Instrument panel display
Operates on Instrument panel display
Operates on Instrument panel display
Previous preset 
a)
Previous track 
a)
No function specified
a)
b)
Next preset
Change folder
No function specified
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
b)
Previous preset
Change folder
No function specified
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
b)
Change source
Change source
Change source
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
AAABACADAEAFAGAHAIAJAKAL
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 84  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Steering wheel controls*85
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Steering wheel Audio + Telephone version controls
Fig. 52  Controls on the 
steering wheel
Fig. 53  Steering wheel 
controls (depending on 
version of model)
Button
Radio
CD/MP3/USB*/iPod*
AUX
TELEPHONE
Volume up
Volume up
Volume up
Volume up
Volume down
Volume down
Volume down
Volume down
Search for next station
Next track
Hold down: Fast forward
No function specified
No function specified
Search for last station
Last track
Hold down:Rewind
No function specified
No function specified
Access telephone menu on instrument 
panel
Access telephone menu on instrument panel
Access telephone menu on instrument panel
Make call
Accept incoming call
End call
Hold down: reject incoming  call
Enable voice recognition
Enable voice recognition
Enable voice recognition
Enable voice recognition
AAABACADAEAF
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Steering wheel controls*
86
Next preset 
a)
Next track 
a)
No function specified
Movement on telephone menu
Address book / Last calls / 
Calls received / Missed calls
Previous preset 
a)
Previous track 
a)
No function specified
Movement on telephone menu Address book / Last calls / 
Calls received / Missed calls
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument 
panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Confirm
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Return to MULTIFUNCTION DIS-PLAY menu
a)Only if the instrument panel is in Audio menu.AGAHAIAJAKAL
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 86  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Steering wheel controls*87
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Radio navigation systemSteering wheel audio version controls
Fig. 54  Controls on the 
steering wheel
Fig. 55  Steering wheel 
controls (depending on 
version of model)
Button
Radio
CD/MP3/USB*/iPod*
AUX
NAVIGATOR
Volume up
Volume up
Volume up
Volume up
Volume down
Volume down
Volume down
Volume down
Search for next station
Next track
Hold down: Fast forward
No function specified
No function specified
Search for last station
Last track
Hold down:Rewind
No function specified
No function specified
Access telephone menu on instrument  panel
Access telephone menu on instrument panel
Access telephone menu on instrument panel
No function specified
Enable voice recognition
Enable voice recognition
Enable voice recognition
Enable voice recognition
AAABACADAEAF
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Steering wheel controls*
88Steering wheel Audio + Telephone controls
Next preset 
a)
Next track 
a)
No function specified
Operates on instrument panel
Previous preset 
a)
Previous track 
a)
No function specified
Operates on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument 
panel
No function specified
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument panel
Change menu on instrument 
panel
No function specified
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
Operates on instrument panel
a)Only if the instrument panel is in Audio menu.AGAHAIAJAKAL
Fig. 56  Controls on the 
steering wheel
Fig. 57  Steering wheel 
controls (depending on 
version of model)
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 88  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12