
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
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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 

Cockpit
70The warning and information texts may be viewed in this menu. If there is no 
warning or information message, the option  Vehicle status is not displayed. 
If there are several messages, each one is shown for a few seconds.
Example of menu use  ⇒page 64.
Note
If there are no warning messages, this menu is not available.Configuration menu
This menu is used to make the settings for the vehicle func-
tions.Open Configuration menu
– Select the option Configuration  from the main menu: “Main 
menu” and press button      ⇒page 64, fig. 43  on the wind-
screen wiper lever  or
– Press button   or   on the multifunction steering wheel*  ⇒page 64, fig. 44  until the Configuration menu is displayed.Example of menu use  ⇒page 64
Note
•
For electronic and vehicle equipment on e or more of these menus will be 
displayed.
Displayed on the screen
Function
Multifunction display 
data
This menu is used to establish the data in the 
multifunction display menu to be displayed on 
the instrument panel  ⇒page 67
Convenience
The convenience set-up mode is used to make 
the settings for the convenience functions in the 
vehicle.
OK
AA
Lights and visibility
From this menu it is it possible to alter the vehi-
cle lighting settings.
Time
The hours and minutes of the clock and the navi-
gation system can be changed. Choose between 
12 or 24-hour format and change to summer 
time.
Winter tyres
The menu allows the setting of a speed at which 
an optical and acoustic wa rning will be given by 
the system. You can use this function, for exam-
ple, if you have fitted winter tyres which are not 
suited for the top speed of your vehicle. Please 
see the section “Wheels and tyres”.
Settings: Language
The display texts and the navigation system texts 
can be seen in different languages.
Units
This option allows you to select the units for dis-
playing temperature, fuel consumption values 
and distances.
Aux. Speed
The instrument panel also displays the speed in 
another different unit of measurement (mph or 
km/h) to that given on the speedometer.
Inter Service
Consult service messages and reset service inter-
val display here.
Manufacturer's settings
The manufacturer's predefined values for the 
functions of this menu are restored.
Back
a)
This returns to the main menu
a)Only of the windscreen wiper lever is used (MFD).
AlteaXL_EN.book  Seite 70  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)
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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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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
158
Button   – Manual air recirculation mode.
Button   – Rear window heating. The  heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately  20 minutes after switching on. However, it may 
be turned off by pushing the button. Th e button lights up yellow and the 
symbol appears in the display.
Button   – Automatic temperature, ventilation and air distribution 
control  ⇒page 159
 button - Dual zone synchroniser
Button   – Switches the 2C-Climatronic on and off  ⇒page 160
Blower control  ⇒page 160
 button – Switches heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system 
onWARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation. 
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with 
the correct operation of the heating  and ventilation system, including the 
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
Note
Please observe the general notes  ⇒page 161.
Viewing Climatronic information
Information about the Climatronic system can be displayed 
on the radio or radio and na vigation screen mounted at 
factory.
A5
A6
A7
AUTO
A8
DUAL
A9
OFF
A10A11
AC
Fig. 132  Navigation 
display with information 
about the ClimatronicFig. 133  Radio display 
with information about 
Climatronic
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Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning 159
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
The LEDs on the Climatronic controls indicate that the selected function has 
been activated.
In addition, the radio or radio and navigation displays mounted at factory 
briefly display the current settings of the Climatronic if any are modified.
The symbols used on the radio or radio and navigation displays are the same 
as the symbols used for the Climatronic controls.
Automatic mode
In automatic mode air temperature, air flow and distribution 
are automatically regulated so that a specified temperature is 
attained as quickly as possible and then maintained.The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right 
sides of the vehicle interior.
Switching on automatic mode
–Press the   ⇒
page 157, fig. 131 button. “AUTO High” is 
shown on the radio display (high fan speed).
– Press the   button again ⇒ page 157, fig. 131. “AUTO Low” 
is shown on the radio display (low fan speed).Depending upon the version and finish, the vehicle may include:
When a temperature of 22°C (72°F) is  set in automatic mode a comfortable 
interior climate is quickly reached. Therefore, we recommend you not to 
change this adjustment, except as necessary to suit individual preferences or 
particular circumstances. The compartment temperature can be set between 
+18°C (64°F) and +26°C (80°F). These ar e approximate temperatures and the  actual temperature may be slightly higher or lower depending on the ambient 
conditions.
Climatronic maintains a constant temperature. The temperature of the air 
supplied to the interior, the blower speed and the air distribution are regu-
lated automatically. The system also considers the sunlight radiation, so 
there is no need for manual readjustment. Therefore, 
automatic mode almost 
always provides the best comfort for the vehicle occupants throughout the 
year.
Automatic mode is switched off whenever an adjustment is made using the 
buttons for the air distribution, air flow  or   or the air recirculation button 
. The temperature will continue to be regulated within the parameters 
manually selected by the user.
Note
There are two automatic modes:•
Automatic mode LO: This calculates the air flow for two people.
•
Automatic mode HI: This calculates the air flow for more than two 
people.
AUTOAUTO
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Driving
176•
Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable 
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
•
Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is 
locked. They would be unable to open  the vehicle from the inside, and 
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an 
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.
•
Never leave children alone in the vehicle. They could set the vehicle in 
motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear lever / 
selector lever.
•
Depending on weather conditions, it  may become extremely hot or cold 
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
Starting on an uphill*
This function is only included in vehicles fitted with ESP.This device helps when starting uphill.
These are the basic operation conditions: doors closed, brake pedal pressed 
down and vehicle in neutral. The system gets activated on engaging gear.
After removing your foot from the brake pedal, the braking force is maintained 
for a few seconds to prevent the vehicle from moving backward when putting 
into gear. This short space of time is enough to start the vehicle with ease.
This system also works when reversing uphill.
WARNING
•
If you do not start the vehicle immedi ately after taking your foot off the 
brake pedal, the vehicle may start to roll back under certain conditions. 
Depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake immediately.
•
If the engine stalls, depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake 
immediately.
•
When following a line of traffic uphill,  if you want to prevent the vehicle 
from rolling back accidentally when starting off, hold the brake pedal down 
for a few seconds before starting off.Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop can tell you if your vehicle is 
equipped with this system.Acoustic parking aid system*General notesVarious systems are available to help you when parking or manoeuvring in 
tight spaces, depending on the equipment fitted on your vehicle.
The SEAT parking system* gives an acoustic warning if there are any obsta-
cles behind your car.
When you are parking, the SEAT parking system* plus warns you acoustically 
and optically
19) about obstacles “in front of” and “behind” the vehicle.
Note
To ensure the acoustic parking aid works properly, the sensors must be kept 
clean and free of snow and ice.
WARNING (continued)
19)Vehicles with a navigation system.WARNING (continued)
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