
Safe driving17
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original floor
mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the pedals. Risk
of accident.
Stowing luggageLoading the boot
All luggage and other loose object s must be safely secured in
the luggage compartment.Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could impair the
driving safety or driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the
centre of gravity.
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment.
– Lay and stow heavy luggage as far forward as possible in the luggage compartment.
– Stow heavy luggage as low as possible in the luggage compart- ment.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening rings*.
WARNING
•
Loose luggage and other objects in the boot could cause serious inju-
ries.
•
Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure them on
the fastening rings.
•
Use suitable specialist straps to secure heavy objects.
•
During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This increased risk of
injury will be further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating
airbag. If this happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of
fatal injury.
•
Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle's handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style
accordingly, to avoid accidents.
•
Never exceed the allowed axle loads or allowed maximum weight. If the
allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving char-
acteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries and
damage to the vehicle.
•
Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment closing the door
behind them; they will remain trapped without help and there is a mortal
risk.
•
Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Close and lock
both the tailgate and all the doors when you leave the vehicle. Before you
lock the vehicle, make sure that ther e are no adults or children in the
vehicle.
•
Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. Every
passenger must be properly belted in ⇒ page 19.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 17 Montag, 2. Februar 2009 12:26 12

Unlocking and locking93
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Unlocking all doors and the boot
The unlock button on the remote must be pressed twice so that all doors
and the boot can be opened.
Press twice within 2 seconds to deactivate the “Safe” system for all vehicle,
to unlock all doors and to use the boot. The indicator and the alarm (only vehi-
cles fitted with one) are turned off.
Automatic speed dependent locking and unlocking system*
This is a safety system which prevent the access to the vehicle
from the outside when it is running (for example, when
stopped at a traffic light).Locking
The doors and the boot are automatically locked when vehicle speed exceeds
15 km/h.
If the vehicle is stopped and one of the doors is opened, when the vehicle
moves off again and exceeds a speed of 15 km/h, the unlocked door(s) will
be locked once more.
Unlocking
The driver's door automatically unlocks when the key is removed from the
ignition.
Each door can be unlocked and opened
independently from the inside (for
example, when a passenger gets out of it). To do it, simply operate the lever
inside the door.
WARNING
The door handles must no t be operated when the vehicle is running: the
door would open.
Locking system for involuntary unlocking*
It is an anti-theft system and prevents the unintentional
unlocking of the vehicle.If the vehicle is unlocked and any of the doors (including the tailgate) are
opened within 30 seconds, it gets re-locked automatically. This function
prevents the vehicle from remaining unlocked if the unlock button is pressed
by mistake.Emergency unlocking systemIf the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle gets unlocked,
except for the boot. It is possible to lock the vehicle from inside with the
central locking, after turning the ignition of f and back on again.
If the doors must be locked from th e outside, see “Emergency locking of the
doors”.
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Unlocking and locking
102Ta i l g a t eUnlocking and locking
The operation of the tailgate opening system is electric. It is
activated by using the handle on the tailgate
Opening the tailgate
– Pull on the release lever and lift the tailgate ⇒fig. 65 . The tail-
gate will then open.
Closing the tailgate
– Grip the tailgate by one of the two handles on the interior lining and close it, using a light movement.The system may or may not operate depending on the situation of the vehicle.
If the tailgate is locked then it cannot be opened, however if it is unlocked
then the opening system is operat ive and the boot may be opened.
To the locking / unlocking status, press the button or the button on
the remote control key.
A warning appears in the instrument panel if the tailgate is open or not prop-
erly closed.* An audible warning is also given if the tailgate is open when the
car is driven faster than 6 km/h*.
Fig. 65 Tailgate: opening
from the outside
Fig. 66 Detail of the
inside of the tailgate:
hand grip
A1
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Unlocking and locking103
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
WARNING
•
Always close the tailgate properly. Risk of accident or injury.
•
The tailgate must not be opened when the reverse or rear fog lights are
lit. This may damage the lighting units.
•
Do not close the tailgate by pushing it down with your hand on the rear
window. The glass could smash. Risk of injury!
•
Ensure the tailgate is locked after closing it. If not, it may open unex-
pectedly while driving.
•
If the tailgate is not fully closed, open it with the handle and close it
again correctly. Do not try to close it by pressing on the surface of the tail-
gate, as this may damage the surface.
•
Never allow children to play in or ar ound the vehicle. A locked vehicle
can be subjected to extremely high and low temperatures, depending on
the time of year, thus causing serious injuries/illness. It could even have
fatal consequences. Close and lock both the tailgate and all the other doors
when you are not using the vehicle.
•
Closing the tailgate without observing and ensuring it is clear could
cause serious injury to you and to third parties. Make sure that no one is in
the path of the tailgate.
•
Never drive with the tailgate open or half-closed, exhaust gases may
penetrate into the interior of th e vehicle. Danger of poisoning!
•
If you only open the tailgate, do not leave the key inside. The vehicle
will not be opened if the key is left inside.
Emergency opening
This allows the vehicle to be opened if the central locking
does not operate (for example, if the battery is flat)There is a groove in the boot allowing access to the emergency
opening mechanism.
Opening the tailgate from inside the luggage compartment
– Insert the key bit in the groove and unlock the locking system, turning the key from right to left, as shown by the arrow
⇒fig. 67 .
Fig. 67 Tailgate: emer-
gency open
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Seats and stowage
138Stowage in the luggage compartment*
There is a variable stowage area* in the luggage compart-
ment floor.
– Lift the luggage compartment floor and fold it back all the way
⇒fig. 106.
– Fit the separator ⇒fig. 107, into the side grooves depending
on the size of the objects to be transported. The onboard tool kit
and the spare wheel are located underneath the luggage
compartment.
– Secure luggage in the luggage compartment with suitable straps on the fastening rings.
Note•
The folding table is designed for a maximum load of 50 kg. For heavier
loads fold up the table and remove.
•
Do not exceed the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle
⇒ page 273.
Fig. 106 Variable floor
boot stowage compart-
mentFig. 107 Variable floor
boot stowage compart-
ment
AA
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Seats and stowage145
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Electrical sockets*
Electrical equipment can be connected to any of the 12 volt
sockets.
Electrical accessories may be connected to the 12 volt socket in the front
centre console ⇒fig. 118 of the passenger compartment and that of the
boot* ⇒ fig. 119. The appliances co nnected to each power point must not
exceed a power rating of 120 Watt.
WARNING
The current power points and the connected accessories will only operate
when the ignition is on or when the engine is running. Improper use of the
sockets or electrical accessories can lead to serious injuries or cause a fire.
To avoid the risk of injury, never le ave children alone inside the vehicle.
Note
•
The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge.
•
Before using any electrical accessories, see the instructions on
⇒ page 208.
Fig. 118 Socket, centre
console, frontFig. 119 Socket, luggage
compartment
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Seats and stowage147
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
MEDIA-IN* connectorFor information concerning the use of this equipment, please see the Radio
handbook.First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire
extinguisherWarning triangle and first-aid kit*The warning triangle and the first aid kit may be located in the stowage
compartment on the floor of the boot, under the carpet.
The first aid kit may be located in the stowage compartment drawer on the
boot floor under the carpet or in the stowage compartment in the boot side
lining, depending on the version.
Note
•
The warning triangle and the first ai d box do not belong to the standard
vehicle equipment.
•
The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements.
•
Observe the expiry date of the conten ts of the first aid kit. You should
purchase a new first-aid kit as soon as possible after the shelf-life date of the
first-aid kit has expired.
•
Before acquiring accessories and em ergency equipment see the instruc-
tions on ⇒page 208.
Fire extinguisherThe fire extinguisher* is attached to the luggage compartment carpet by
velcro.
Note
•
The fire extinguisher does not belong to the standard vehicle equipment.
•
The fire extinguisher must comp ly with legal requirements.
•
Ensure that the fire extinguisher is fully functional. The fire extinguisher
should, therefore, be checked regularly. The sticker on the fire extinguisher
will inform you of the next date for checking.
•
Before acquiring accessories and em ergency equipment see the instruc-
tions on ⇒page 208.
Fig. 122 Connection in
central armrest compart-
ment
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Seats and stowage149
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Luggage compartment cover
Using the luggage compartment cover
– Use the handle to pull the cover back until you hear a “click”
⇒fig. 123.
– Press the area marked “PRESS”, and the cover is retrieved auto- matically.
To remove the luggage compartment cover
– Press the side pin in the direction of the arrow, lift the cover and remove it ⇒fig. 124.
– Follow the instructions in reverse to fit it.
WARNING
Do not place heavy or hard objects on the open stowage compartment,
because they will endanger the ve hicle occupants in case of sudden
braking.
Caution
•
Before closing the tailgate, ensure th at the stowage compartment tray is
correctly fitted.
•
An overloaded boot could mean that the rear stowage tray is not correctly
seated and it may be bent or damaged.
•
If the boot is overloaded, remove the tray.Note
•
Ensure that, when placing items of clothing on the luggage compartment
cover, rear visibility is not reduced.
Fig. 123 Using the
luggage compartment
coverFig. 124 Removing the
luggage compartment
cover
AA
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