2011 Seat Altea Owner's Manual

Driving175
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
If the engine does not start immediately, switch the starter off after
10 seconds and try again after half a minute. If the engine still does not start,
the fuel pump fuse should be checked
⇒page 267, “Fuses”.
WARNING
•Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.•Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.•Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.•The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.•Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow
the instructions in ⇒page 281, “Jump-starting”.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle stationary.
Start off immediately, driving gently. This helps the engine reach operating
temperature faster and reduces emissions.
Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with
its correct code.– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the starter
to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 173, fig. 136 . The
indicator lamp
D will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the warning lamp turns off, turn the key to position to start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the starter motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If there are problems starting the engine, see the ⇒page 281.
Glow plug system for the diesel engine
To avoid unnecessary discharging of the battery, do not use any other major
electrical equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heating.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp ⇒page 83 goes out.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal
(up to one minute) to start the engine after refuelling with diesel fuel. This is
because the system must eliminate air first.
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Driving
176
WARNING
•Never start or run the engine in un ventilated or closed rooms. The
exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.•Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.•Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving at
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.•The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.•Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow
the instructions in ⇒page 281, “Jump-starting”.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle stationary.
You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine
reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.Switching off the engine– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒page 173, fig. 136 .
After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10
m i n u t e s . I t is a l s o p o ss i b l e t h a t t h e fa n tu r ns i t s e l f o n o n ce m o r e i f t h e co o la n t
temperature increases due to the heat accumulated in the engine compart-
ment or due to its prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
WARNING
•Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is completely stationary.•The brake servo works only when the engine is running. With the
engine switched off, more strength is needed to brake. As normal brake
operation cannot be performed, risk of accidents and serious injury may
exist.•The steering lock can be immediately blocked once the key is removed
from the ignition. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.Caution
When the engine has been running under a heavy load for a long period, heat
can accumulate in the engine compartment and cause engine damage. For
this reason, you should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you
switch it off.
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Driving177
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Driving with LPG*Your SEAT vehicle has a bivalent engine able to run on either LPG or petrol.
The LPG tank ⇒page 227, “Refuelling with LPG” is in the spare wheel well
⇒ .
It is possible to change from LPG to petrol while the engine is running, even
if the vehicle is moving, by pressing the button located on the centre
console ⇒fig. 137 . The selected operating mode is displayed on the indi-
cator lamp on the instrument panel ⇒ page 80.
Starting the engine
The engine is always started with petrol, even when LPG was being used
when it was switched off.
A blue warning lamp ⇒page 80 indicating that the engine is cold is visible
on the instrument panel until the engine temperature reaches 30 °C. On
reaching this temperature, the lamp goes out and it is possible to switch to
LGP mode. Automatic switch from petrol to LPG
When the engine is turned on and the following conditions are met, the
system will automatically switch from petrol mode to LPG mode, the notifica-
tion
changed to GAS mode is displayed and the green indicator lamp on the
instrument panel lights up:
•There is enough LPG in the tank.•The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30 °C.•Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
Automatic switch from LPG to petrol
When the vehicle is operating in LPG mode and one of these conditions is
met, the system automatically switches to petrol mode, the notification
changed to petrol mode is displayed and the green indicator lamp on the
instrument panel goes out:•When the engine is started.•If the LPG tank is empty.•If there is a fault in the LPG system.•At very low temperatures, below - 10 °C.
Manual switch from petrol to LPG
Press the button on the centre console ⇒fig. 137 to change mode. The
notification changed to GAS mode is displayed. When the following condi-
tions are met, the system switches to LPG mode, the green indicator lamp on
the instrument panel lights up and the notification displayed changes to
changed to GAS mode .•There is enough LPG in the tank.•The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30 °C.•Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
Fig. 137 Centre console:
gas system control
switch.
GAS
GAS
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Driving
178Manual switch from LPG to petrol
Press the button on the centre console ⇒page 177, fig. 137 to change
mode. The green lamp on the instrument panel goes out and the notification
changed to petrol mode is displayed.
Running on petrol
Run the engine with petrol for short journeys at regular intervals to avoid
problems in the petrol 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.Note
•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.•The notification LPG mode not possible may be displayed.Start-Stop function*Description and operationThe Start-Stop function stops the engine when the vehicle is
stopped and starts it automatically when required. – When the vehicle is stopped, put it in neutral and release the
clutch pedal. The engine will stop.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed, the engine starts again.
– The instrument panel screen displays information about the status of the Start-Stop function ⇒page 180, fig. 139 .
Start-Stop function conditions•The driver seat belt must be buckled.•The engine hood must be closed.•The engine must be at operating temperature•The steering wheel must be straight.•The vehicle must be on flat ground.•The vehicle must not be in reverse.•A trailer must not be connected.•The temperature of the passenger compartment must be within the
comfort limits (button ⇒page 168, fig. 132 should be selected).•The windscreen de-mist function must be off.•If not , it requires an increase in airflow ⇒page 168, fig. 132 for more
than three presses.•The temperature must not be set to HI or LO.•The driver door must be closed.•The diesel particulate filter must not be in regeneration mode, for diesel
engines.•The battery charge must not be low for the next start.•The battery temperature must be between -1 °C and 55 °C.•The parking assistant, Park Assist* must not be activated.
GAS
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Driving179
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Start-Stop function interruption
In the following situations, the Start-Stop function will be interrupted and the
engine will automatically start:
•The vehicle starts moving.•The brake pedal is pressed several times in a row.•The battery has been discharged excessively.•The Start-Stop System is manually deactivated.•The windscreen de-mist function is turned on.•The temperature of the passenger compartment exceeds the comfort
limits (button ⇒page 168, fig. 132 should be selected).•If in an increase in airflow ⇒page 168, fig. 132 is required for more
than three presses.•Temperature setting HI or LO is selected.•The engine coolant temperature is insufficient.•The alternator is faulty, for example the V-belt has ruptured.•If any of the conditions described in the previous section are not fulfilled.WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the engine off for any reason. You
could lose control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and serious
injury.•The brake servo does not work with the engine off. You need more force
to stop the vehicle.•Power steering does not work when the engine is not running. That is
why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.•Disconnect the Start-Stop system when driving through water (fording
streams, etc.).
Note
•For vehicles with the Start-Stop function and a manual gearbox, when the
engine is started, the clutch must be pressed.•When the conditions for the Start-Stop function are not fulfilled, the
instrument panel displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.•The vehicle can be restarted by rotating the steering wheel three times,
that is, more than 270°.Switching the Start-Stop function on and offEvery time the ignition is switched on, the Start-Stop function is
automatically switched on.
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Fig. 138 The Start-Stop
function button.
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Driving
180
Manually deactivating the Start-Stop function
–Press the ⇒page 179, fig. 138 located in the centre console.
When the Start-Stop function is deactivated, the pushbutton
indicator lights.
– If the Start-Stop function is operating then the engine starts immediately.
Switching the Start-Stop function on manually
–Press the ⇒page 179, fig. 138 located in the centre console.
The indicator on the button will go out.Driver messagesWhen the engine is turned off by the Start-Stop function, this is displayed on
the instrument panel.
Note
There are different versions of the dash panel; the display of indications on
the screen may differ.
AAAA
Fig. 139 Display on the
instrument panel during
Start-Stop function opera-
tion.
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Driving181
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Manual gearboxDriving with a manual gearbox
Engaging the reverse gear
– The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press the
clutch down thoroughly.
– Place the gear lever into neutral and push the lever downwards.
– Slide the gear lever to the left, and then into the reverse position shown on the gear lever.The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When
the engine is running and before engaging this gear, wait about 6 seconds
with the clutch pressed down thoroughly in order to protect the gearbox.
The reverse lights light up when the reverse gear is selected and the ignition
is on.
WARNING
•When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
gear is engaged and the clutch released.•Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of acci-
dent.Note
•Do not rest your hand on the gear lever while driving. The pressure of your
hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.•When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch fully to avoid
unnecessary wear and damage.•Do not hold the vehicle on the clutch on hills. This causes premature wear
and damage to the clutch.
Fig. 140 Detailed view of
the centre console: gear
shift pattern of a 5-speed
manual gearboxFig. 141 Detailed view of
the centre console: gear
shift pattern of a 6-speed
manual gearbox
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Driving
182Automatic gearbox*/DSG automatic gearboxSelector lever positionsSelector lever positions indicated on the cover
P Parking position (lever locked).
R Reverse position.
N Neutral position (lever locked). This position is similar to the neutral
position for manual gearboxes).
D Drive position (economic driving programme).
S Sports driving position.
+/- Tiptronic driving position (this programme is similar to the operation of
a manual gearbox).
Driving programmes
The automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox has three
programmes.Selecting the economy programme
– This programme selects a higher gear earlier rather than remain
in a lower gear.
– Put the selector lever into position D to drive forwards
– Put the selector lever into position R to reverse. This position is
shared by all programmes for reversing.
Selecting the sport programme
– Move the lever to position S.If you select the sport programme, S, the programme is designed for a sports
mode, that is, a programme which changes up at higher engine speeds to use
Fig. 142 Centre console:
Selector lever for auto-
matic gearbox / DSG auto-
matic gearbox
Fig. 143 Programme
selection
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