
Cockpit
58Digital display in the instrument panelDisplay (without warning or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector
lever position.
Digital clock display ⇒page 57. On the right of the display: Selector
lever position display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of
the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic)* is high-
lighted.
Ambient temperature.
Distance display or flexible service interval display.*
Displayed categories*
The display in the instrument panel shows the mileage and
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Clock: “Setting the time”. On the right of the display: Select or lever posi-
tion display for the automatic gearbox*. The actual position of the
selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic) are high-
lighted.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
– Optional indicators: e.g. those on the multi-function display (MFD)
– Automatic indicators: Information texts and warnings.
– Menus providing further information and which can be used to make diverse settings are also show n: “Instrument panel menus”
Ambient temperature:
Distance display or flexible service interval display.
Fig. 36 Detail of the
instrument cluster: screen
with different indicators
A1A2A3
Fig. 37 Digital display in
the instrument panel
A1A2A3A4
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Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Recommended gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should
change up or down.Mileage display or Service Interval DisplayDistance display
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter registers the sh ort journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding down
the reset button ⇒page 55, fig. 33 for a few seconds. Service interval display
A
Service pre-warning will appear in the mileage displays if a service is due
soon. A “spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance
that can be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will
change after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the
number of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The
following message is shown in the instrument panel display: SERV. IN... KM
OR... DAYS . The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds
after the ignition is switched on or th e engine is running. The normal display
can be resumed by pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by
pressing the rocker switch of the MFI ⇒page 60, fig. 39 .
With the ignition switched on, you can call up the current service message by
pressing the trip counter reset knob for 2 seconds.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or day
information.
Fig. 38 Gear display
A6
AB
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 59 M ontag, 2. Februar 2009 12:26 12

Intelligent technology
188speed suitable for the road conditions. Failure to do so could result in an
accident.Brakes
What factors can have a negative effect on the brakes?New brake pads
New brake pads do not provide optimal performance during the first 400 km
they must be “run in”. However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. Avoid over-
loading the brakes during run-in.
Wear
The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you drive and
the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative factors are, for
instance, city traffic, frequent short tr ips or hard driving with abrupt starts
and stops.
Wet roads; road salt
When the velocity is over 80 km/h windscreen wipers are on, the brake
system moves the pads towards the brake discs for a few seconds. This
occurs - without warning to the driver - at regular intervals and requires a
more rapid response from the brakes when driving on wet roads.
In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain, or after washing the car or driving
through water, the full braking effect ca n be delayed by moisture (or in winter
by ice) on the discs and brake pads. The brakes should be “dried” by pressing
the pedal to restore full braking effect.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if the car is
driven for some distance without using the brakes when there is a lot of salt on the road in winter. In this case, the layer of salt on the brake discs and pads
has to wear off before braking.
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and corrosion
to form on the discs if the car is used infrequently, or if you only drive low
mileages without using the brakes very much.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or
if rust has formed on the disks, it is
advisable to clean off the pads and disks by braking firmly a few times from a
moderately high speed ⇒ .
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase suddenly, this may mean that
one of the two brake circuits has failed. Drive immediately to the nearest qual-
ified workshop and have the fault rectified. On the way to the dealer, be
prepared to use more pressure on the brake pedal, and allow for longer stop-
ping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is too low.
The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
Brake servo
The brake servo amplifies the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. The
brake servo works only when the engine is running.
WARNING
•
When applying the brakes to clean off deposits on the pads and discs,
select a clear, dry road. Be sure not to inconvenience or endanger other
road users. Risk of accident.
•
Ensure the vehicle does not move wh ile in neutral, when the motor is
stopped. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
WARNING (continued)
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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)
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Index291
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
High pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53IIdentification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Ignition key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Indicators
indication lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Information texts in the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Instrument and switch lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Instrument panel menu Configuration menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Example of menu use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Lights and visibility menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Instrument panel menus Main menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Vehicle status menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Intermittent wipe, windscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50JJack position points Skirting with cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
KKey tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97LLeather cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Load compartment in the boot
See Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 148 See also Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . 17
Luggage compartment cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Luggage compartment retaining net . . . . . . . . 139MMain beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109, 116
Main beam headlights Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Main headlight lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Maintenance airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Manual mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 MEDIA-IN* connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
MFD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Mileage display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors, electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Interior mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Make-up mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Mobile telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Multi-function display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Multi-purpose* mobile stowage compartment 142
Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
NNumber of seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19OObservations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Octane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Oil change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
One-touch opening and closing Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Opening and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
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