Page 57 of 312

Cockpit55
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
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* .
Controls on the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dash panel:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Indication lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn (works only when the ignition is on)/ and driver front
airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windscreen wiper and windscreen wash lever and operation of
the multi-function display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Start-Stop* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard warning light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A1A2
113
A3
117
A4
117
A5A6
120, 188
A7
87
A8
57
61
77
A9
30
A10
125, 63
A11
136
A12
155
157
161
A13A14
136
A15
44
A16
30
A17
139
A18
178
A19
144
A20
95
195
185
148
130
174
A21
183
A22
118
A23A24
169
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 55 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10
Page 58 of 312
Cockpit
56
Steering column control lever* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handle for releasing the bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Button for opening and closing the front windows . . . . . . . . .
Safety switch* for the rear windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control* for opening and closing the rear windows . . . . . . . . . Note
Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain
models/model years or are optional extras.A25
167
A26
227
A27
108
A28
108
A29
108
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 56 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10
Page 59 of 312
Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
InstrumentsInstrument overview
The instruments display the vehicle operating status.Detailed view of instrument panel: Dash panel
Fuel gauge ⇒ page 58
Multi-function display ⇒page 61
Engine coolant temperature gauge ⇒ page 58
Rev counter ⇒ page 59
Time adjustment button / trip recorder reset button ⇒page 59
Speedometer ⇒page 59
Fig. 33 Detailed view of instrument panel: Dash panel
A1A2A3A4A5A6
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 57 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10
Page 60 of 312

Cockpit
58Fuel gauge
and reserve indicator
Dash panel: fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone ⇒fig. 34 (arrow), the warning
lamp will light and an acoustic signal will sound reminding the driver to
refuel . At this point there are still about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
The following text appears on the dash panel display
3) PLEASE REFUEL
[XXX] *
Engine coolant temperature display
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Needle in cold zone
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads ⇒fig. 35 .
Needle in normal zone
In normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle section of
the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard,
especially at high outside temperatures. This is no cause for concern as long
as the warning lamp does not light up and no warning* text appears on the
dash panel display.
Needle in warning zone
The warning lamp* ⇒page 77, fig. 49 will light up if the needle is in the
warning zone. The following warning appears on the dash panel display
4).
3)Depending on the model version
Fig. 34 Dash panel: fuel
gauge
4)Depending on the model version
Fig. 35 Dash panel:
engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge
AAABAC
A2
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 58 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10
Page 61 of 312

Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Stop the car and switch off the engine.
Check the coolant level ⇒page 234
⇒ .
Even if the coolant level is correct do not continue driving. You should obtain
technical assistance.
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety warn-
ings ⇒page 227.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.Rev counter
The rev. counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per
minute.The start of the red zone ⇒page 57, fig. 33 indicates the maximum
engine speed operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to
change up a into a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot
off the accelerator before the needle reaches the red zone.
Caution
The rev counter needle must never enter the red zone on the scale. Risk of
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears early will help you to save fuel and minimise
engine noise.SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip counter, in
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on ⇒page 200 should
be followed.Setting the digital clock*
The digital clock is located in the dash panel display.– Turn the setting knob ⇒page 57, fig. 33 clockwise until the
first “click” to set the hour. The hour will flash. To change the
hour, press the button.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the second “click” to set the minutes. The minutes will flash. To change the minutes, press the
button.
A4
A5
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 59 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10
Page 62 of 312

Cockpit
60LPG system*LPG gaugeLPG system filler level display
The LPG tank ⇒ in the spare wheel well has a capacity of 39 litres at an
outside temperature of 15°C ⇒ page 222, “LPG refuelling”.
The level of LPG in the tank is shown by the five control lights ⇒fig. 36
and . It varies with the outside temperatures.
When the LPG tank is full, the blue lights come on and as the level goes
down the blue lights go out. When the level reaches the reserve, the lamp, , comes on.
When the LPG tank is empty, a long warning buzz is heard. Warning lamp
comes on and warning lamps flash slowly. To switch off the warning
buzzer, press the switch . Refill with LPG at the earliest opportunity. If while driving with LPG, a sudden warning buzz is heard, lamp lights up
and lamps flash quickly, this means that there is a fault in the LPG system.
To switch off the warning buzzer, press the switch . Take the vehicle
to a specialised workshop to check the LPG system.
WARNING
LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause severe
burns and other injury.•Due care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire or explosion.•When parking the vehicle in a closed
area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechanical,
to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Fig. 36 Centre console: gas system control warning
lights and switch.
AA
AB
AA
AB
A2
AA
GAS
A1
A2
AA
GAS
A1
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 60 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10
Page 63 of 312

Cockpit61
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Note
•The values shown in the average fuel consumption and the fuel remaining
displays on the MFA display
5) on the dash panel insert are approximate value
only.
•Please check the fuel level on the petrol tank fuel level indicator on the
dash panel ⇒page 58.•If frequent short journeys are made, especially when the outside temper-
ature is low, the vehicle will tend to run on petrol more often than on LPG.
Therefore, the petrol tank may empty before the LPG tank.
Digital display in the dash panelDisplay (without warnin g or information texts)
The display in the dash panel shows, amongst other things,
the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector lever
position.
Digital clock display ⇒page 59. 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.*
5)Optional equipment
F ig. 37 Detail of th e dash
panel insert: screen with
different indicators
A1A2A3
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 61 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10
Page 64 of 312

Cockpit
62Displayed categories*
The display on the dash panel shows the mileage and trip
recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Clock: “Setting the time”. On the right of the display: Selector 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 shown: “Dash panel menus”
Ambient temperature:
Distance display or flexible service interval display.
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 short journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding down
the reset button ⇒page 57, fig. 33 for a few seconds.
Fig. 38 Digital display in
the dash panel
A1A2A3A4
Fig. 39 Gear display
A6
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 62 Dienstag, 1. September 2009 10:37 10