
Air conditioning
162
NotePlease observe the general notes ⇒page 169.Heating and cooling the interiorInterior heating
– Turn the temperature selector ⇒fig. 127 clockwise to select
the required temperature.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration desired: (towards the windscreen), (towards the chest), (towards the footwell) and (towards the windscreen and
footwell areas). Interior cooling
– Switch on the air conditioner using the button
⇒page 161,
fig. 126 .
– Turn the temperature selector anti-clockwise until the desired cooling output is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
Fig. 127 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
A1
<
AC
Altea_EN.book Seite 162 Donnerstag, 2. September 2010 2:00 14

Driving
172•Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel so that there is a distance of at
least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your chest ⇒page 171,
fig. 134 . If you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not
protect you. Risk of fatal injury.•If your physical constitution does not allow you to maintain the
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact an Authorised Service Centre. The
Authorised Service Centre will help you to decide if special specific modifi-
cations are necessary.•If you adjust the steering wheel so that it points towards your face, the
driver airbag will not protect you properly in the event of an accident. Make
sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.•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. Never hold the
steering wheel at the 12 o’clock positi on, or in any other manner (e.g. in
the centre of the steering wheel, or on the inside of the rim). In such cases,
if the airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the arms, hands and
head.
SafetyElectronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) includes the electronic differential
lock (EDL), the traction control system (TCS), the brake assist system (BAS)
and the trailer stabilisation programme (TSP). The ESP function works
together with the ABS. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS
systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it is
only possible to switch TCS off.
The TCS can be deactivated when in cases where wheel sliding is desirable.
For example:•When driving with snow chains,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 135 Detailed view of
the centre console: ESP
button
Altea_EN.book Seite 172 Donnerstag, 2. September 2010 2:00 14

Checking and refilling levels
226Checking and refilling levelsRefuellingThe tank flap is released manually. The tank holds approxi-
mately 55 litres.Unscrewing the tank cap
– Lift the lid.
– Hold the cap firmly with one hand, then insert the key into the
lock and rotate 180° to the left.
– Unscrew the cap, turning it anti-clockwise.
Closing the tank cap
– Screw the tank cap to the right, until the point of feeling a “click”. – Turn the key in the lock, without releasing the cap, clockwise
through 180°.
– Remove the key and close the flap until it clicks into place. The tank cap is secured with an anti-loss attachment
The tank flap is at the rear of the vehicle on the right.
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated correctly, it will switch itself off as
soon as the tank is “full”. Never attempt to fill beyond this point, as this will
fill the expansion chamber. Fuel may leak out if ambient conditions are warm.
T he co rr ec t fu el g rad e fo r you r v eh icle is giv en on a sti cker o n th e i nsid e of the
fuel tank flap. Here you will find further information on fuel.
WARNING
•Fuel is highly flammable and can cause serious burns and other inju-
ries.
−Never smoke or use an open flame when filling the fuel tank of the
vehicle, or a spare fuel canister, with fuel. This is an explosion hazard.
− Follow legal requirements for the use of spare fuel canisters.
− For safety reasons we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel
canister in the vehicle. The canister could be damaged in an accident
and leak.•If, in exceptional circumstances, you have to carry a spare fuel canister,
please observe the following points:
−Never fill the spare fuel canister inside the vehicle or on it. An elec-
trostatic charge could build up during filling, causing the fuel fumes to
ignite. This could cause an explosion. Always place the canister on the
ground to fill it.
Fig. 157 Tank flap open
Altea_EN.book Seite 226 Donnerstag, 2. September 2010 2:00 14

If and when
286To w i n g e y e sFitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the on-board tool set. – Remove the front cover by pressing down on its left-hand side.
– Remove the cover of the screw hole, insert a screwdriver into the
lower slot and lever gently.
– Screw the towing eye as shown by the arrow anti-clockwise to the
limit position in the front ⇒ fig. 205 or rear ⇒fig. 206 threaded
hole.
Fig. 205 The front right
section of the vehicle:
Fitting the front towing
eyeFig. 206 Fitting the
towing eye to the rear of
the vehicle
Altea_EN.book Seite 286 Donnerstag, 2. September 2010 2:00 14

Index
306CCatalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
CD changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Central lock button
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Automatic locking system for involuntary unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Automatic speed dependent locking and un- locking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Selective unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Changing gear See Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Changing gear in tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Changing the bulbs Main headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Changing the main headlight bulbs dipped beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Turn signal bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Changing the tail lights Luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 Reverse light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Turn signal light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . 242
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 247
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Child seats ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Cigarette lighter* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Climatronic General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Cloth seat covers cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Compartment for on-board documentation . . 144
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Controls
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239, 240 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Coolant loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Coolant temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Correct adjustment of front seat head restraints . . 13
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Correct sitting position Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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Index307
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Cruise control* Turning off the cruise control system . . . . . 194
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42DDanger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Dash panel cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Daytime lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Activating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Deactivating front passenger airbag Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Deactivating the airbag Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Diesel engine Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Diesel engine particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Differential lock fault (EDL) Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Dipped beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Display (without warning or information texts) . 61
Disposal
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Door lock cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Door release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Doors Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Drawer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Drive wheels traction control system . . . . . . . . 198
Driver See Correct sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Driveshaft differential XDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Driving Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Economically / Environmentally friendly . . 207
With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Driving programmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Driving with an automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Duplicate keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Dynamic cornering lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . 122
EEconomical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 174
Electronic Stability Programme . . . . . . . . . 88, 199 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Emergency braking warning . . . . . . . . . . 124, 197
Emergency manual locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Emergency opening Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Emission control system Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Engine compartment Working in the engine compartment . . . . . 232
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Engine fault Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Engine management Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
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