
Seats and storage compartments
140 Front seatsAdjustment of the front seats The control elements in  ⇒fig. 94  are mirrored for the front right-
hand seat.
 Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move the seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip   and move the seat further until the  catch engages.
 Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (several times if necessary) from  its home position. This adjust s the seat height in stages.  Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
 Adjusting the lumbar support*
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel to  adjust the lumbar support.
As you make the adjustments, the curvature of the cushioned area of the 
lumbar region becomes more or less acute. In this way, it adapts to the 
natural curvature of the spine.
WARNING
•Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in 
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting 
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adjust the driver or front passenger seat 
only when the vehicle is stationary.•To reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger in case of 
a sudden braking or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted 
towards the rear. The maximum protection of the seat belt can be achieved 
only when the backrests are in an upright position and the driver and front 
passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further the back-
rests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to improper 
positioning of the belt web!•Exercise caution when securing the seat height into forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the seat height is adjusted 
without due care and attention.
Fig. 94  Front left seat 
controls
A1
A1
A2
A3A4
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Driving189
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Note
The Official Service or a specialist workshop can tell you if your vehicle is 
equipped with this system.Parking aid acoustic 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 vehicle.
When you are parking, the SEAT Parking System Plus* warns you acoustically 
and optically
23) 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.
SEAT Parking System: Description
The Parking System is an acoustic parking aid.Sensors are located in the rear bumper. When the sensors detect an obstacle, 
you are alerted by acoustic signals. The measuring range of the sensors starts 
at approximately:
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the 
obstacle. When the vehicle is less than 0.30 m away from the obstacle, the 
warning tone will sound continuously. Do not drive on!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about four 
seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected 
obstacle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).
The parking aid is switched on automatically when reverse gear is engaged. 
You will hear a brief confirmation tone.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is 
personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.•The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered. 
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not 
always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.•Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full 
use of the rear view mirrors.
23)Vehicles with a navigation system.
Rear
Side
0.60
Centre
1.60
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Driving191
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
segments combined with a discontinuous beep indicate the presence of an 
obstacle. As the vehicle gets closer to the obstacle, the colour of the segment 
changes to red and the acoustic signal beeps continuously. When the penul-
timate segment is displayed, this means that the vehicle has reached the 
collision zone. Stop moving immediately! 
⇒.
WARNING
•The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is 
personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.•The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered. 
Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not 
always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-
dents.•Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full 
use of the rear view mirrors.Caution
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be 
registered by the sensors as the vehicle moves closer, so the system will not 
give any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences, 
chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be 
detected by the system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
•Please refer to the notes on towing  ⇒page 191.•There is a slight delay in the picture display.
To w i n g  b r a c k e tIn towing mode, the rear parking aid sensors are not enabled when you select 
reverse gear or press the switch 
. This function may not be guaranteed on 
towing brackets that are not factory fitted. This results in the following restric-
tions:
SEAT Parking System*
No warning is given
SEAT Parking System Plus:*
There is no rear distance warning. The system will still give a warning when 
obstacles are detected while driving forward. The optical display changes to 
towing mode.
Fault messagesIf you hear a long beep for a few seconds and the LED on the switch 
* starts 
flashing when you switch on the parking aid, a system fault has occurred. 
Please refer the problem to an Authorised SEAT dealer or specialised work-
shop.
Note
If the fault is not corrected before you switch off the ignition, it will only be 
indicated by the flashing LED on the switch 
 the next time you switch on 
the parking aid.
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Trailer towing211
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Trailer towingInstructions to followYour vehicle may be used to tow a trailer when fitted with the correct equip-
ment.
If the vehicle is supplied with a  factory-fitted towing bracket it will already 
have the necessary technical modifications and meet the statutory require-
ments for towing a trailer. For the  after-market fitting of a trailer towing 
bracket see  ⇒page 213.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 12-pin connector for the electrical connection 
between the trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug  you will need to use an adapter cable. This is 
available in any SEAT dealer.
Trailer weight / drawbar load
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If you do not load the trailer up to 
the maximum permitted trailer weight, you can then climb correspondingly 
steeper slopes.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for  altitudes up to 
1000m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine power and there-
fore the vehicle’s climbing ability are impaired because of the reduced air 
density. The maximum trailer weight has to be reduced accordingly. The 
weight of the vehicle and trailer combination must be reduced by 10% for 
every further 1000 m (or part thereof). The gross combination weight is the 
actual weight of the laden vehicle plus the actual weight of the laden trailer. 
When possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted  drawbar load 
on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified limit. The figures for 
trailer weights and  drawbar loads that are given on the data 
plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The correct 
figures for your specific model, which may be  lower than these figures for the 
towing bracket, are given in the vehicle documents or in  ⇒Section “Tech-
nical Data”.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the axle as 
possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to prevent them 
moving.
Tyre pressure
Set tyre pressure to the maximum permissible pressure shown on the sticker 
on the inside of the fuel tank flap. Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in 
accordance with the trailer manufacturer’s recommendations.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the 
standard mirrors. If this is not the case, you should have additional mirrors 
fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on hinged extension 
brackets. Adjust the mirrors to give sufficient vision to the rear.
WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could result in fatal accidents.
Note
•Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. We recom-
mend additional services between the normal inspection intervals if the 
vehicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
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Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
218Good quality  hard wax products are available at your Authorised Service 
Centre.
Regular wax applications help to protects the paintwork from environmental 
contaminants.  ⇒page 215. It also protects against minor scratches.
Even if a  wax solution  is used regularly in the vehicle washing tunnel, it is 
advisable to protect the paint with a hard wax coating at least twice a year.Polishing the paintwork
Polishing brings back gloss to the paintwork.Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss cannot 
be brought back by applying wax. Polishing products can be purchased in 
your Authorised Service Centre.
The vehicle must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not contain 
wax compounds to seal the paint  ⇒page 217, “Vehicle paint maintenance”.
Caution
To prevent damage to the paintwork:•Do not use polishes and hard wax on painted parts with a matte finish or 
on plastic parts.•Do not polish your vehicle in a sandy or dusty environment.Caring for plastic parts
Solvents damage plastic parts.If normal washing fails to clean plastic parts, clean them with approved 
solvent-free  plastic cleaning and care products.
Caution
•The use of liquid air freshener directly over the air vents of the vehicle may 
damage the plastic parts if the liquid is accidentally spilled.•Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.Cleaning windows and exterior mirrorsCleaning windows
– Moisten the windows with commercially available, alcohol based  glass cleaner.
– Dry the windows with a clean chamois leather or a lint-free cloth.
Removing snow
– Use a small brush to remove sn ow from the windows and mirrors.
Removing ice
–Use a de-icer spray.Use a clean cloth or chamois leather to dry the windows. The chamois 
leathers used on painted surfaces are not suitable to clean windows because 
they are soiled with wax deposits which could smear the windows.
If possible, use a de-icing spray to remove ice. If you use an ice scraper, push 
it in one direction only without swinging it.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to clean rubber, oil, grease and sili-
cone deposits off.
Wax deposits can be removed with a special cleaner available in your Author-
ised Service Centre. Wax deposits on the windscreen could cause the wiper 
blades to judder. Adding a window clea ner that dissolves wax to the wind-
Altea_EN.book  Seite 218  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Vehicle maintenance and cleaning219
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
screen washer fluid prevents wiper blades from juddering, but wax deposits 
are not removed.
Caution
•Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and 
mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!•The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner side of the 
window. To prevent damage, do not put stickers on the heating elements 
inside the window.Cleaning windscreen wiper bladesClean wiper blades improve visibility.
1.  Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen  wiper blades.
2.  Use window cleaner to clean the windscreen wiper blades. Use a  sponge or a cloth to remove stubborn dirt.Rubber seals maintenance
If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not freeze so 
quickly.1.  Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the rubber seals.
2.  Apply a specialist care product to the rubber seals.
The rubber strips on the doors, windows, bonnet and tailgate will remain 
pliable and last longer if they are treated with a suitable care product (for 
example silicone spray).
Caring for rubber seals will also prevent premature ageing and leaks. The 
doors will be easier to open. If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not 
freeze so quickly in winter.Door lock cylinders
The door lock cylinders can freeze up in winter.To de-ice the lock cylinders you should only use spray with lubricating and 
anti-corrosive properties.Cleaning chrome parts1.  Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth.
2.  Polish chrome parts with a soft, dry cloth.If this does not provide satisfying results, use a specialist  chrome cleaning 
product . Chrome cleaning products will remove stains from the surface.
Caution
To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:•Never use an abrasive cleaning product on chrome.•Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a sandy or dusty environment.
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If and when
272
Bulb changeGeneral notesBefore changing any bulb, first turn off the failed component.
Do not touch the bulb glass. Fingerprints vaporise in the heat, causing a 
reduction in the bulb life and condensation on the mirror surface, thus 
reducing efficiency.
A bulb should only be replaced by one of the same type. The type is inscribed 
on the bulb, either on the glass part or on the base.
It is highly recommended to keep a box of spare bulbs in the vehicle. At the 
very least, the following spare bulbs, which are essential for road safety, 
should be kept in the vehicle.
Main headlights
Dipped beam - H7
Main beam - H1
Position - W5W
Turn signal - PY21W
Xenon headlights
26)/adaptive*
Dipped and full beam - D1S
27)
Daylight - P21W SLL
Position W5W
Turn signals PY21W
15
Engine management
5
Pump relay
10
16
Right lighting
30
17
Horn
15
18
Vacan t
19
Clean
30
20
Water pump
10
Pressure sensor pump for 1.8 engine
20
21a)
Lambda probe
15
22
Brake pedal, speed sensor
5
23a)
Engine management
5
Engine management
10
Engine management
15
24
AKF, gearbox valve
10
25a)
ABS pump
40
26
Left lighting
30
27a)
Engine management
40
Engine management
50
28
Vacan t
29a)
Electric windows (front and back)
50
Electric windows (front)
30
30
Ignition key
50
a)Ampere rating according to motorisationNumber
Consumer
Amps
26)On this type of headlight, the bulb changes must be made by the SEAT dealer, given
that complex elements must be removed from the vehicle and a reset must be made
on the automatic control system incorporated.27)The Xenon bulbs discharge 2.5 times the light flux and have an average lifespan of 5
times more than that of halogen bulbs, this means that, except due to unusual circum-
stances, there is no need to change the bulbs for the whole life of the vehicle.
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Index305
Index
AABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Accessories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Acoustic signal  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Adaptive headlights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Adjusting the seat belt height  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
AFS (cornering lights)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Air conditioner General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Air conditioner automatic mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Air conditioner* 2C-Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Air conditioning*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Air recirculation mode 2C-Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Manual air conditioner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Airbag system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Curtain airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Alarm system Switching off  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 All-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Alternator
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Anti-freeze  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Anti-lock brake system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Anti-theft alarm Switching off  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Anti-theft wheel bolts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Aquaplaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Ashtray*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Aspects to note before setting off  . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror* Activating the anti-dazzle function  . . . . . . 134
Deactivating anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . . 134
Automatic car wash tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Automatic gearbox Kick-down feature  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gearbox . . 182
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Automatic windscreeen wiper/washer . . . . . . . 130
Auxiliary audio connection: AUX-IN  . . . . . . . . . 154
BBall coupling  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Battery
Changing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Winter conditions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Biodiesel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Bonnet  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Brake fluid  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Changing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Brake pedal warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Brake servo  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  197, 205
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Brake servo  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Worn brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Braking distance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Bulb changes General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Bulb defect warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  125, 173
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