2011 Seat Altea ignition

Lights and visibility
132Rain sensor*
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen
wiper intervals, depending on the amount of rain.
Switching on the rain sensor
– Move the windscreen wiper lever into position ⇒ fig. 87.
– Move the control to the left or right to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor. Control to the right: highly sensitive. Control to the
left: less sensitive.The rain sensor is part of the interval wipe function. You will have to switch
the rain sensor back on if you switch off the ignition. This is done by switching
the wiper intermittent function off and back on.
Note
•Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause sensor disruption or faults.
Fig. 86 Rain sensor*Fig. 87 Windscreen wiper
lever
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Lights and visibility133
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Rear window wiper
]
The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position ⇒fig. 88 . The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position towards the steering wheel. The wiper will continue to function for a short period if you switch
off whilst the wipers are in motion. Switching on the windscreen wiper and washer system
– Press the lever fully forwards to position
⇒fig. 88 . The wash
function will start immediately and the wiper will start with a
slight delay. The windscreen wash system will function as long as
you hold the lever in this position.
– Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for approximately 4 seconds, and then in intervals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers func- tion.
WARNING
•A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.•Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 242.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the glass
before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper when the
wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the wiper blade
and the wiper motor.
Note
•The windscreen wiper will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the tailgate is closed.•In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers switched on, the rear wind-
screen wiper will make one wipe.
Fig. 88 Windscreen wiper
and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
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Lights and visibility
134Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses.The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steering
wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped beam headlights or
main beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the
headlights at regular intervals, for instance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
•To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.•To remove water, the windscreen wipers will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles.Rear-view mirrorsInterior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if yo u cannot see clearly through the
rear window.Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror should
be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle function.
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and off
as desired.Switching off the anti-dazzle function
–Press button ⇒ fig. 89. Indicator lamp goes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
–Press button ⇒ fig. 89. Warning lamp is lit.Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp lights up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the interior mirror will darken auto-
matically according to the amount of light it receives. The anti-dazzle func-
tion is cancelled if reverse gear is engaged.
Fig. 89 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
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Seats and storage compartments141
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Heated seats*
A
The front seat cushions and backrests can be heated electri-
cally.
Front seat heating for vehicles without Climatronic
– Turn the appropriate thumb wheel ⇒fig. 95 t o s w i t ch o n t h e s e a t
heating. The seat heating is switched off in the 0 position.
Front seat heating for vehicles with Climatronic
– Press button to switch on the seat heating.
– Press once to set seat heating at maximum level (level 3).
– Press twice to set seat heating at medium level (level 2).
– Press three times to set seat heating at minimum level (level 1).
– When the button is pressed four times, the heating goes off and the LED goes out (level 0).The seat heating only works when the ignition is switched on. The left thumb
wheel controls the left seat and the right thumb wheel the right seat.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements, please do not kneel on the seat or
apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat cushion and backrest.
Fig. 95 Thumb wheel for
the front seat heatingFig. 96 Front seat
heating with Climatronic
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Seats and storage compartments153
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Cigarette lighter* – Press on the cigarette lighter ⇒fig. 117 to activate it ⇒.
– Wait for the lighter to pop out slightly.
– Pull out the cigarette lighter and light the cigarette on the glowing coil.
WARNING
•Improper use of the cigarette lighter ca n lead to serious injuries or start
a fire.•Using the lighter carefully. Carelessness or negligence when using the
cigarette lighter can cause burns, risk of injury.•The lighter only works when the ignition is turned on or the engine is
running. To avoid the risk of fire, never leave children alone inside the
vehicle.
Electrical sockets
Electrical equipment can be connected to any of the 12 volt
sockets.Electrical accessories may be connected to the 12 volt power point in the front
centre console ⇒fig. 118 and in the luggage compartment*. The appliances
connected to each power point must not exceed a power rating of 120 Watt.
WARNING
The power sockets and the connected accessories will only operate when
the ignition is on or when the engine is running. Improper use of the
sockets or electrical accessories can lead to serious injuries or cause a fire.
To avoid the risk of injury, never leave children alone inside the vehicle.
Note
•The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge.
Fig. 117 The cigarette
lighter is located in the
electric socket on the
front of the centre console
Fig. 118 Electric socket,
centre console, front
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Driving173
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,•when the vehicle is stuck, to rock it backwards and forwards.
Next, the button should be pressed to reactivate the TCS.WARNING
•The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of
physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet
roads and when towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you
into taking any risks when driving, as this can cause accidents.•Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in ⇒page 197,
“Intelligent technology”.
Ignition lockPosition of the ignition keyIgnition switched off, steering lock
In this position ⇒ fig. 136 the ignition and the engine are OFF and the
steering may get locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the ignition key, turn the steering
wheel until it locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the
steering wheel when you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle
theft ⇒ .
Switching the ignition or the glow plug system on
Turn the ignition key to this position and release it. If the key cannot be turned
or it is difficult to turn from position to position , move the steering
wheel back and forth until it loosens up.
Fig. 136 Ignition key
positions
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Driving
174Starting
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Every time the vehicle is started again, the ignition key must be turned to
position . The repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter motor if the engine is already running.
WARNING
•The ignition key must NOT be removed from the lock until the vehicle
comes to a standstill. Otherwise, the steering could be immediately
blocked- Risk of accident!•Always remove the key from the ignition when leaving the vehicle, even
for a short period. This is especially important if children or disabled
people are left alone in the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment such as the electric windows, conse-
quently resulting in an accident.•Unsupervised use of the keys could start the engine or any electrical
system, such as the electric window. This could result in serious injury.Caution
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key
position ).Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driving
the vehicle.Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser auto-
matically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The immobiliser will be activated again automatically as soon as you pull the
key out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with its correct code.
Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured if genuine SEAT keys are used.Starting and stopping the engineStarting petrol 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 ⇒page 173.
– Le t go o f t he ign itio n key as so o n as t he eng in e sta r ts; t he sta r te r motor must not run on with the engine.After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the
accelerator.
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.
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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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