
Content
6ContentThis manual is structured to provide th e information you need in an organised 
way. The content of this Manual is divided into  sections which belong to 
chapters (e.g. “Air conditioning”). The entire manual is  divided into five large 
parts which are:1. Safety FirstInformation on the vehicle equipment relating to passive safety such as seat 
belts, airbags, seats, etc.2. Controls and equipmentInformation about the distribution of controls in the driver position of your 
vehicle, about the seat adjustment possibilities, about how to create a suit-
able climate in the passenger compartment, etc.3. Practical tipsAdvice relating to the driving, caring and maintenance of your vehicle and 
certain problems you can solve yourself.4. Technical DataFigures, values and the dimensions of your vehicle.5. Alphabetic indexAt the end of this manual there is a detailed alphabetical index, this will help 
you to rapidly find the information you require.
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 6  Montag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Safe driving7
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Safety FirstSafe drivingBrief introductionDear SEAT Driver
Safety first!This chapter contains important information, tips, suggestions and 
warnings that you should read and consider for both your own safety 
and for your passengers safety.
WARNING
•
This manual contains important info rmation concerning the driver's 
and passengers' handling of the vehicle. The other booklets in the on 
board manual also contain further information that you should be aware of 
for your own safety and for the safety of your passengers.
•
Ensure that the onboard documentatio n is kept in the vehicle at all 
times. This is especially important when lending or selling the vehicle to 
another person.
Safety equipment
The safety equipment is a part of the occupant protection 
system and can reduce the risk of injury in the event of acci-
dent.Never “put” your safety and the safety of your passengers in danger. In the 
event of an accident, the safety equipment may reduce the risk of injury. The 
following list includes most of the safety equipment in your SEAT:•
three-point seat belts,
•
belt tension limiters for the front and rear side seats,
•
belt tension devices for the front seats,
•
belt height adjustment for the front seats,
•
front airbags,
•
side airbags in the front seat backrests,
•
curtain airbags,
•
crash-active front head restraints*,
•
“ISOFIX” anchorage points for child se ats in the rear side seats with the 
“ISOFIX” system,
•
height-adjustable head restraints,
•
head restraints with in-use position and non-use position,
•
adjustable steering column.
The safety equipment mentioned above works together to provide you and 
your passengers with the best possible protection in the event of accidents. 
But this safety equipment cannot neither help you nor your passengers if you 
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 7  Montag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Safe driving
10Proper sitting position for occupantsProper sitting position for driver
The proper sitting position for the driver is important for a 
safe and relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injur y in the event of an 
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the driver:
– Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a distance of at least 
25 cm between the steering wheel and the centre of your chest 
⇒fig. 1.
– Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you are able  to press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals to the floor with 
your knees still slightly angled  ⇒.
– Ensure that you can reach the highest point of the steering  wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same  level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same 
level as the top of your head  ⇒fig. 2.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests  completely against it.
Fig. 1  The proper 
distance between driver 
and steering wheel
Fig. 2  Proper head 
restraint position for 
driver
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 10  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Safe driving11
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
– Fasten your safety belt securely  ⇒page 19.
– Keep both feet in the foot well so that you have the vehicle under  control at all times.Adjustment of the driver's seat  ⇒page 128.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the driver can lead to severe injuries.
•
Adjust the driver's seat so that ther e is at least 25 cm distance between 
the centre of the chest and the centre of the steering wheel  ⇒page 10, 
fig. 1 . If you are sitting nearer than 25 cm, the airbag system cannot protect 
you properly.
•
If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the 
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a qualified workshop. The workshop 
will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
•
When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the 
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and  3 o'clock positions. This reduces the 
risk of injury when the driver airbag is triggered.
•
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other 
manner (e.g. in the centre of the stee ring wheel). In such cases, if the 
airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the driver during sudden braking manoeu-
vres or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted far back! The airbag 
system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the driver is wearing his or her seat belt 
properly. The further the backrests are ti lted to the rear, the greater the risk 
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web or to the incorrect 
sitting position!
•
Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve optimal protection.
Proper sitting position for front passenger
The front passenger must sit at least 25 cm away from the 
dash panel so that the airbag can provide the greatest 
possible protection in the event that it is triggered.For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an 
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the front 
passenger:
– Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible ⇒ .
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your back rests  completely against it.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same  level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same 
level as the top of your head  ⇒page 13.
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the front passenger seat.
– Fasten your safety belt securely  ⇒page 19.It is possible to deactivate the passenger airbag in  exceptional circum-
stances  ⇒ page 24.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's seat, see 
⇒ page 131.
WARNING
•
An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe 
injuries.
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 11  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Safe driving15
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Rear outer seat head restraints
– The rear outer seat head restraints have 3 positions.
–Two positions for  use ⇒ page 14, fig. 5 . In these positions, the 
head restraints are used normally, protecting passengers along 
with the rear seat belts.
– And one position for  non-use.
– To fit the head restraints in posi tion for use, pull on the edges 
with both hands in the direction of the arrow.
Centre rear head restraint
– The centre head restraint only has two positions,  in-use (head 
restraint up) and  non-use (head restraint down).
WARNING
•
Under no circumstances should the rear passengers travel while the 
head restraints are in the non-use position. See the warning label located 
on the rear side fixed window  ⇒page 14, fig. 6 .
•
Do not swap the centre rear head restraint with either of the outer seat 
rear head restraints.
•
Injury risk in case of an accident!Caution
Note the instructions on the adjustment of the head restraints  ⇒page 129.
Examples of incorrect sitting positions
An incorrect sitting position can lead to severe injuries to 
occupants.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only when the belt webs 
are properly positioned. Incorrec t sitting positions substantially 
reduce the protective function of se at belts and increase the risk of 
injury due to incorrect belt web position. As the driver, you are 
responsible for all vehicle occupants, especially children.
– Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in  the vehicle while travelling ⇒ .The following list contains examples of sitting positions that could be 
dangerous for all occupants. The list is  not complete, but we would like to 
make you aware of this issue.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is in motion:•
Never stand in the vehicle,
•
never stand on the seats,
•
never kneel on the seats,
•
never tilt your backrest far to the rear,
•
never lean against the dash panel,
•
never lie on the rear bench,
•
never sit on the front edge of a seat,
•
never sit sideways,
•
never lean out of a window,
•
never put your feet out of a window,
•
never put your feet on the dash panel,
•
never put your feet on the surface of a seat,
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 15  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Child safety
46Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of 
injury in an accident!As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in 
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using appropriate child seats 
⇒page 47.
– Always ensure that the belt webbing is properly positioned  according to the instructions prov ided by the manufacturer of the 
child seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traffic.
– Take breaks regularly during long trips. Take a break at least  every two hours.
WARNING
•
Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front 
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This 
could lead to a risk of potentially fatal in juries to the child! However, if it is 
necessary, in exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger 
seat, the front passenger airbag must always be disabled  ⇒page 43, 
“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passe nger seat has a height adjustment 
option, move it to the highest position.
•
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the 
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
•
All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting 
position and be properly belted in while travelling.
•
Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially 
fatal injuries to the child!
•
Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly 
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an accident, 
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries 
to themselves and to the other passengers.
•
If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving, 
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of sudden 
braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly important if the 
child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is trig-
gered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or even death.
•
A suitable child seat can protect your child!
•
Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the 
vehicle.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it  may become extremely hot or cold 
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
•
Children who are less than 1.5 metres  tall must not wear a normal seat 
belt without a child restraint system, as this could cause injuries to the 
abdominal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an 
accident.
•
Do not allow the belt webbing to become twisted or jammed, or to rub 
on any sharp edges.
•
Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision 
or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
•
The seat belt provides maximum prot ection only when the belt web is 
properly positioned ⇒ page 23, “Seat belts”.
•
Only one child may occupy a child seat  ⇒page 47, “Child seats”.WARNING (continued)
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 46  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Cockpit53
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Operating instructionsCockpitOverviewOverview of the instrument panel
This overview will help you to  familiarise yourself with the 
controls and displays.
Door release lever 
Light switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lighting control for instrument and  control lighting   . . . . . . . . 
Headlight range control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air vent
Turn signal and main beam lever and cruise control system* . 
Instrument panel:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Indication lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Horn (works only when the igni tion is on)/ and driver front 
airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen wiper and windscreen wash lever and operation of 
the multi-function display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Controls on the steering wheel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Left seat heating button  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Controls for
−
Heating* and ventilation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Climatic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio/Navigator*
Right seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Indication lamp for deactivated  front passenger airbag  . . . . . 
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Glove compartment lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Gear shift lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cup holder compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Controls on the centre console:
− Central locking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− ESP* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Tyre pressure control*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Park Pilot* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Cigarette lighter / Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
− Wing mirror adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Hazard warning light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column control lever*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
A1A2
109
A3
113
A4
113
A5A6
116, 179
A7
55
58
73
A8
29
A9
121, 60
A10
83
A11
132
A12
151
153
157
A13A14
132
A15
43
A16
29
A17
135
A18
170
A19
140
A20
91
185
231
176
144
126
A21
174
A22
114
A23A24
165
A25
163
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 53  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12 

Cockpit71
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
•
SEAT dealers are able to programme other functions or change the 
existing functions depending upon the vehicle equipment.
•
The Configuration menu is only accessible when the vehicle is at a 
standstill.
Convenience menu
From this menu it is it possible to alter the vehicle conven-
ience settings.Open menu Convenience
– Choose the option Configuration from the main menu and press  the button      ⇒page 64, fig. 43 on the windscreen wiper 
lever.
– Press button   or   on the multifunction steering wheel*  ⇒page 64, fig. 44 until the  Configuration menu is displayed.
– Choose the option  Convenience from the main menu and press 
the button   on the windscreen wiper lever.Example of menu use  ⇒page 64
Note
For electronic and vehicle equipment on e or more of these menus will be 
displayed.
OK
AA
AA
Displayed on the 
screen
Function
Open door
One door: Individual unlocking activated. 
Auto. locking: the doors are automatically locked 
when the vehicle is travelling at more than approx 
15 km/h.
Auto unlock: the doors are unlocked when the key 
is removed from the ignition.
Elec. window control
Opening and closing electric windows: this deter-
mines whether to open or close all the windows 
when the vehicle is unlocked or locked. The open 
function can also be activa ted for the driver's door 
only.
Wing mirror adjust.
If synchronised adjustment is selected, when the 
driver's side wing mirror is adjusted, the passen-
ger wing mirror is also moved.
Manufacturer's set-
tings
The manufacturer's predefined values for the func-
tions of this menu are restored.
Back
This returns to the Configuration menu
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 71  M ontag, 2. Februar 2009  12:26 12