
Intelligent technology203
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Brake servo
The brake servo increases 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 while in neutral, when the engine is
stopped. Failure to do so could result in an accident.Caution
•Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your foot on the pedal when it is
not necessary to brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in longer stop-
ping distances and greater wear.•Before driving down a long, steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce speed
and change to a lower gear (or move the gear lever to a lower gear position if
your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine braking
and prolongs the service life of the brakes. If you still have to use the brakes,
it is better to brake firmly at intervals than to apply the brakes continuously.Note
•If the brake servo is not functioning due to a malfunction, or if the vehicle
has to be towed, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably harder
to make up for the lack of servo assistance.•If you wish to equip the vehicle with accessories such as a front spoiler or
wheel covers, it is important that the flow of air to the front wheels is not
obstructed, otherwise the brakes can overheat.
Power steering (servotronic*)
Power steering makes it easier to turn the steering wheel
when the engine is running.Power steering assists the driver by reducing the force needed to turn the
steering wheel. In cars equipped with servotronic* power steering the degree
of power assistance is regulated electronically according to road speed.
The power steering will keep on working even if the servotronic* device fails.
The degree of power assistance will, however, no longer adapt to different
speeds. If the electronic regulating system is not working properly, this is
most noticeable when turning the steering wheel at low speeds (for instance
when parking), as more effor t will be required than usual. The fault should be
corrected by a specialised workshop as soon as possible.
Power steering does not work if the engine is off. In this case the steering
wheel requires much more force to turn.
If the steering is held at its turning limit when the vehicle is stationary, this
will place an excessive load on the power steering system. Turning the
steering wheel to its limit places a load on the system, which causes noise. It
will also reduce the idling speed of the engine.
Caution
When the engine is running, do not turn the steering wheel to its limit for
more than 15 seconds. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the power
steering.
Note
•If the power steering should fail at any time or the engine is switched off
(for instance when being towed), the vehicle can still be steered. However,
more effort will be required to turn the steering wheel.•If the system is leaking or malfunctioning, please take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop as soon as possible.
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Intelligent technology
204•The power steering system requires a special hydraulic fluid. The
container is located in the engine compartment (front left). The correct fluid
level in the reservoir is important for the power steering to function properly.
The hydraulic fluid level is checked at the Inspection Service.
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If and when
270Fuses on left side of dash panelFusesNumber
Consumer
Amps
1
Va ca n t
2
Va ca n t
3
Va ca n t
4
Va ca n t
5
Va ca n t
6
Va ca n t
7
Va ca n t
8
Va ca n t
9
Airbag
5
10
RSE input (roof screen)
10
11
Va ca n t
12
Left xenon headlight
10
13
Instrument panel (oil level)/Switchboard wiring
(BCM)/Heater / ABS, ESP/ Park Pilot/ Gate-
way/Flow meter
5
14
Gearbox/Power steering/Brake light sensor/
Trailer/ ABS, ESP/ Haldex/ Light switch
10
15
Heated windscreen / Instrument lighting / Diag-
nosis switchboard/Engine management/Addi-
tional heating/AFS headlamps/Park Pilot
10
16
Right xenon headlight
10
17
Engine management / RSE system with START
STOP
10
18
Kombi / levers with START STOP
5
19
Navigation/ radio with START STOP
15
20
Park Pilot (parking aid) / Gear lever/ ESP switch-
board
10
21
Va ca n t
22
Volumetric alarm sensor/ Alarm horn
5
23
Diagnosis / Rain sensor / Light switch
10
24
Trailer hook pre-installation assistant
15
25
Va ca n t
26
Va cu um pum p
20
27
RSE supply (Ceiling display) without START STOP
10
28
Rear window wiper motor
20
29
Va ca n t
30
Cigarette lighter / socket
20
31
Va ca n t
32
Va ca n t
33
Heater
40
34
Va ca n t
35
Va ca n t
36
Va ca n t
37
Va ca n t
38
Va ca n t
39
Trailer control unit (coupling)
15
Number
Consumer
Amps
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If and when271
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Some of the electrical items listed in the table are only fitted on certain
models or are optional extras. Please note that the above list, while correct at the time of printing, is subject
to alterations. If discrepancies should occur, please refer to the sticker on the
inside of the fuse cover for the correct information for your model.
Fuses layout, engine compartment, left partFuses
40
Trailer control unit (turn signals, brakes and left
side)
20
41
Trailer control unit (fog light, reverse light and
right side)
20
42
BCM wiring switchboard
20
43
Trailer pre-installation
40
44
Heated rear window
25
45
Electric windows (front)
30
46
Rear electric windows
30
47
Engine (Fuel control unit, petrol relay)
15
48
Convenience controls
20
49
Heating controls
40
50
Heated seats
30
51
Sunroof
20
52
Headlight washer system
20
53
Trailer hook pre-installation assistant
20
54
Taxi (taximeter power supply)
5
55
Trailer hook pre-installation assistant
20
56
Taxi (taximeter power supply)
15
57
Telephone power supply with START STOP
10
58
Central locking control unit
30
Number
Consumer
Amps
Number
Consumer
Amps
1
Windscreen wipers
20
2
DQ200 gearbox
30
3
Cable control unit
5
4
ABS
20
5
AQ gearbox
15
6
Instrument panel/Steering column
5
7
Ignition key
40
8
Radio
15
9
Te lep ho ne /TomTo m Na viga tor
5
10
Engine management
5
Engine management
10
11
Vacant
12
Electronic control unit
5
13
Petrol injection module supply
15
Diesel injection module supply
30
14
Coil
20
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If and when
284Towing and tow-startingTo w - s t a r t i n g
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting
is preferable ⇒ page 281.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
General notesPlease observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto- matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake sooner than normal
and pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexperi-
enced drivers should not attempt to tow.
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If and when285
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking the
tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of over-
loading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must apply
considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running, you
will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
•Put the selector lever into position “N”.•Do not drive faster than 50 km/h.•Do not tow further than 50 km.•If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.Note
•Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.•Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe
any regulations to the contrary.•For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.•If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gearbox,
you must raise the drive wheels while the vehicle is being towed.•If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km, the front wheels should
be raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by a qualified
person.
•The steering wheel is locked when the vehicle has no electrical power. The
vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should be
carried out by a qualified person.•The towing eye should always be kept in the vehicle. Please refer to the
notes on ⇒page 284, “Tow-starting”.
Altea_EN.book Seite 285 Donnerstag, 2. September 2010 2:00 14

Index
310OObservations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Octane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
235
Oil change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
One-touch opening and closing
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Opening and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 73
Overview Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 80PPaintworkPolishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Parking aid acoustic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Parking lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Parking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Parking system plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Passenger See Correct sitting position . . . . . . . . . . 11, 12
Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Physical principles of a frontal collision . . . . . . 21
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Plastic parts cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Pollen filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Pollution filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 215
RRadio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Radio navigation controls on the steering wheel Audio + telephone version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Rain sensor* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Rear drink holder* Armrest* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Rear fog light Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Rear interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Rear reading lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Rear shelf Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Rear window automatic wiper/washer . . . . . . 133 Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Registration light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Remote control key
Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Replacement of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Reverse gear Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Roll-back function Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Roof rack* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Roof storage compartment* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Run-flat tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Running in Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
SSafe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
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