
Airbag system43
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-
pants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags 
so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide the 
greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have not been 
expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached to the side 
windows  ⇒page 224, “Accessories, parts replacement and modifica-
tions”.•The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do 
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do not 
hang the clothes on coat hangers.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once 
they have deployed.•Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of 
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining) 
should only be performed by a spec ialised workshop. Otherwise, faults 
may occur during the airbag system operation.•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the 
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and 
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in 
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged, the airbag 
system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the front door must 
be made in a specialised workshop.WARNING (continued)
Altea_EN.book  Seite 43  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Airbag system
44Deactivating airbags*Front passenger airbag deactivation
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat, 
the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.
When the passenger airbag is  deactivated, only the front airbag is 
deactivated. All the other airbags in the vehicle remain activated.
Deactivating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key operated switch in the glove  compartment to the position  OFF ⇒ fig. 26 .
– Check that the warning lamp “OFF” on the instrument panel  ⇒fig. 27  remains lit when the ignition is switched on  ⇒.
Activating the front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the ke y-operated switch in the glove 
compartment to the position  ON ⇒ fig. 26 .
Fig. 26  In the glove 
compartment: switch for 
activating and deacti-
vating the front passenger 
airbag
Fig. 27  Warning lamp for 
deactivated passenger 
airbag in centre console
Altea_EN.book  Seite 44  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Airbag system45
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel 
⇒page 44, fig. 27  does not light up when the ignition is 
switched on ⇒ .
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated 
switch. •You should only deactivate the front passenger airbag when, in excep-
tional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger 
seat  ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.•Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger seat 
unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. Otherwise, there is a 
risk of death. If under exceptional circumstances it is necessary to trans-
port a child in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, you must 
always disable the front passenger airbag.•As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger 
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.•Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, which could cause the airbag 
to not deploy properly or not deploy at all.•When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIRBAG 
OFF is not continuously lit up, there may be a fault in the airbag system:
−Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a specialised 
workshop.
− Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front 
passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault 
in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-
ries.
− It is unpredictable whether the front passenger airbag will deploy in 
the event of an accident. Warn all your passengers of this.
•When using the ignition key to activate/deactivate the front passenger 
airbag, only the front passenger airbag will be activated/deactivated. The 
side airbag and head airbag on the passenger side will remain active.WARNING (continued)
Altea_EN.book  Seite 45  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Child safety
46Child safetyBrief introductionIntroduction
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the rear 
seat than on the front passenger seat.For safety reasons we recommend that children under 12 years of age travel 
on the rear seats. Depending on their age, height and weight, children trav-
elling on the rear seat must use a child seat or a seat belt. For safety reasons, 
the child seat should be installed in the centre of the rear seat or behind the 
front passenger seat.
The physical laws involved and the forces acting in a collision apply also to 
children  ⇒page 21, “Why wear seat belts?”. But unlike adults, children do 
not have muscle and bone structures fully developed. This means that chil-
dren are subject to a greater risk of injury.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint systems 
when travelling in the vehicle.
We recommend the use of child safety products from the SEAT Genuine Acces-
sories Programme, which includes systems for all ages made by “Peke”
2).
These systems have been especially designed and approved, complying with 
the ECE-R44. regulation.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory require-
ments when installing and using child seats. Always read and note 
⇒ page 46, “Safety notes on using child seats”. We recommend you to include the manufacturer's Child Seat instruction 
manual together with the on-board documentation.
Safety notes on using child seats
Proper use of child seats substantially reduces the risk of 
injury in an accident!As the driver, you are responsible for any children you transport in 
your vehicle.
– Protect your children by properly using the appropriate child 
seats  ⇒page 48.
– Always ensure that the seat belt is properly positioned according  to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child 
seat.
– When travelling, do not allow children to distract you from traffic.
– Take breaks regularly during long  trips. Take a break at least 
every two hours.
WARNING
•Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger seat 
unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This could lead to a 
risk of potentially fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in 
exceptional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front 
passenger airbag must always be disabled  ⇒page 44, “Deactivating 
2)Not for all countries
Altea_EN.book  Seite 46  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Child safety47
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
airbags*”. If the passenger seat has a height adjustment option, move it to 
the highest position.
•For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to disconnect 
the airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.•All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting 
position and be properly belted in while travelling.•Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially 
fatal injuries to the child!•Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly 
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a  seat while travelling. In an accident, 
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries 
to themselves and to the other passengers.•If children assume an improper sitting position when the vehicle is 
moving, they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of a 
sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly important 
if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system 
is t riggered in an accid ent ; as  this  could caus e s erious inj ur y  or eve n deat h.•A suitable child seat can protect your child!•Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the 
vehicle.•Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold 
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.•Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal seat 
belt without a child seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdominal and 
neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.•Do not allow the seat belt to become twisted or jammed, or to rub on 
any sharp edges.•Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision 
or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
•The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the seat belt is 
properly positioned  ⇒page 24, “Seat belts”.•Only one child may occupy a child seat  ⇒page 48, “Child seats”.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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Child safety51
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Securing child seatsWays to secure a child seat
A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and on 
the front passenger seat.You can secure a child seat to the rear seat or front passenger seat in the 
following ways:•Child seats in groups  0 to 3 can be secured with a seat belt.•Child seats in groups  0, 0+ and 1 with the ISOFIX and Top Tether* systems 
can be secured without using the seatbelt, thanks to the ISOFIX and Top 
Tether* securing rings ⇒ page 52.
U: Suitable for universal approved restraining systems for use in this age  category (universal retention systems are those fitted using the adult 
seat belt).
*: Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible, as high as  possible and always deactivate the airbag.
L: Suitable for retention systems using the ISOFIX and Top Tether* anchors.
WARNING
•When travelling, children must be secured in the vehicle with a 
restraint system suitable for age, weight and size.•Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger seat 
unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This could cause fatal 
injuries to the child! However, if, in exceptional cases, it is necessary to 
transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front passenger airbag 
⇒ page 44, “Deactivating airbags*” must always be disabled and the seat 
adjusted to its highest position, where possible.•Read and always observe information and warnings concerning the use 
of child seats ⇒  in “Safety notes on using child seats” on page 46.
Category
Weight
Seat locations
Front 
passenger
Rear outer
Rear centre
Group 0
<10 kg
U*
U/L
U
Group 0+
<13 kg
U*
U/L
U
Group 1
9-18 kg
U*
U/L
U 
Group 2 / 3
15-36 kg
U*
U
U
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Cockpit55
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Operating InstructionsCockpitOverviewOverview of the dash 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  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn (works only when the ignition is on)/ Driver front airbag
Windscreen wiper and washer lever and operation of the 
multifunction display*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Left seat heating button  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls for
− Heating* and ventilation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . −
Climatic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio/Navigator*
Right seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning lamp for deactivated front passenger airbag . . . . . .
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove compartment lever  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls on the centre console:
− Central locking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− ESP  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Tyre pressure control*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Park Pilot* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Cigarette lighter / Power socket  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Exterior mirror adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Start-Stop*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard warning light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering column control lever*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handle for releasing the bonnet  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A1A2
118
A3
122
A4
122
A5A6
125, 192
A7
91
A8
57
61
77
A9
30
A10
130, 63
A11
141
A12
159 161
165
A13A14
141
A15
44
A16
30
A17
144
A18
182
A19
148
A20
99
199 85
189
152
135
178
A21
187
A22
123
A23A24
173
A25
171
A26
232
Altea_EN.book  Seite 55  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14