
Contents3
ContentsManual structure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety First
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safe driving
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 
Pedal area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Storing objects  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belt tensioners  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Airbag system
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Curtain airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Securing child seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating Instructions
 . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cockpit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
LPG system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Digital instrument panel display  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instrument panel menus* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering wheel controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio navigation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Unlocking and locking
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Keys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Sliding/tilting sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights and visibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen wipers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear-view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seats and storage compartments
. . . . . . . . . . 
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . 
Head restraints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Ashtrays*, cigarette lighter* and electrical 
sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher  
Luggage compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air conditioning
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Climatic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
2C-Climatronic*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Starting and stopping the engine  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Start-Stop function*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Automatic gearbox*/DSG automatic gearbox . . 
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Parking aid acoustic system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cruise control* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Practical Tips
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Intelligent technology
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-lock brake system and traction control M-ABS 
(ABS and TCS)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* . . . . . . . . 
Driving and the environment
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Economical and environmentally friendly driving
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
5
6
7
7
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10
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34
37
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51 55
55
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57
60
61
68
77
91
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96
99
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105
107
109
111
113
115
118
118
126
129
130
134
137
137
138
140
142
144 152
155
156
159
159
161
165
169
171
171
172
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174
178
181
182
187
189
192
197
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199
205
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207
210
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Content
6ContentThis manual is structured to provide the information you need in an organised 
way. The content of this Manual is divided into  sections which belong to 
chapters  (e.g. “Air conditioning”). The entire manual is divided into five large 
parts which are:1. Safety FirstInformation on the vehicle equipment relating to passive safety such as seat 
belts, airbags, seats, etc.2. Operating instructionsInformation about the distribution of controls in the driver position of your 
vehicle, about the seat adjustment possibilities, about how to create a suit-
able climate in the passenger compartment, etc.3. Practical TipsAdvice relating to the driving, caring  and maintenance of your vehicle and 
certain problems you can solve yourself.4. Technical SpecificationsFigures, values and the dimensions of your vehicle.5. Alphabetic indexAt the end of this manual there is a detailed alphabetical index, this will help 
you to rapidly find the information you require.
Altea_EN.book  Seite 6  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Air conditioning159
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Air conditioningHeatingOperating instructions– Using the controls ⇒fig. 125    and   and the control   you 
can set the temperature, air distribution and the blower speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button   or  . When the function is activated, the display window in the 
lower left of the button is lit.Te m p e r a t u r e
With the regulator   the heating level is determined. The required tempera-
ture inside the vehicle cannot be lower than the ambient temperature.  Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Heated rear window 
 =
This function   will be switched off automatically approximately 
20 minutes 
after being switched on. It can also be switched off beforehand by pushing 
the button
Air recirculation mode 
Air recirculation mode   prevents strong odours in the outside air from 
entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in 
queuing traffic  ⇒.
Fig. 125  Heating controls on the dash panel
A1
A4
A5A2
A3
A1
A2
A3
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Air conditioning
160With low outside temperatures, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by heating the air inside the vehicle rather than 
the air from outside.
Air distribution
Control   for setting the flow of air in the required direction. < – Air distribution towards the windscreen. If the windscreen air output is 
on and the air recirculation mode is pressed, this remains active. When the 
recirculation mode is on, if the air distribution towards the windscreen mode 
is selected, the recirculation mode is deactivated. For safety reasons, the air 
recirculation mode should not be connected. – Air distribution to the upper body – Air distribution to footwell – Air distribution to the windscreen and the footwell
Blower
The air flow can be set at four speeds with the control  . The air flow should 
always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
WARNING
•For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensa-
tion. This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself 
with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including 
the anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.•In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehicle 
interior. The windows can quickly fog over if the heating is switched off. 
Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on for a long 
time (risk of accident).Note
Please observe the general notes  ⇒page 169.
A4
A5
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Air conditioning161
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Climatic*Control switchesThe climatic or semi-automatic air conditioning system only works 
when the engine is running and the blower is switched on.
–Using the knobs ⇒ fig. 126   and   and knob   you can set 
the temperature, air distribution and blower speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button  ,   or  . When the function is activated, the display window in 
the lower corner of the button is lit.
Temperature selector  ⇒page 162
 button – Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system on/off 
⇒ page 162  button – Heated rear window The heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately  20 minutes after switching on. It can also be 
switched off beforehand by pushing the button.
Button   – Air recirculation mode  ⇒page 163
Air distribution control  ⇒page 162
Blower switch. There are four speed settings for the air flow. The air flow 
should always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation. 
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with 
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the 
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
Fig. 126  On the dash panel: Climatic controls
A1
A5
A6
A2
A3
A4
A1A2
AC
A3
 =
A4
A5A6
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Air conditioning
162
NotePlease observe the general notes  ⇒page 169.Heating and cooling the interiorInterior heating
– Turn the temperature selector  ⇒fig. 127    clockwise to select 
the required temperature.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration  desired:   (towards the windscreen),   (towards the chest),   (towards the footwell) and   (towards the windscreen and 
footwell areas). Interior cooling
– Switch on the air conditioner using the button 
⇒page 161, 
fig. 126  .
– Turn the temperature selector anti-clockwise until the desired  cooling output is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
Fig. 127  On the dash panel: Climatic controls
A1
 <
AC
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Air conditioning163
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– Use the air distribution control  to guide the flow of air in the 
required direction:   (to the windscreen),   (to the upper 
body),   (to the footwell) and   (to the windscreen and to the 
footwell).Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Air conditioner
When the air conditioning system is switched on, not only the temperature, 
but also the air humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced. This improves  comfort for the vehicle occupants and prevents misting of the windows when 
the ambient air humidity is high.
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on this may be caused by 
the following reasons:
•The engine is not running.•The blower is switched off.•The outside temperature is below +3 °C.•The air conditioning system compressor has been temporarily switched 
off because the engine coolant temperature is too high.•The air conditioner fuse is faulty.•Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioner checked by a special-
ised workshop.
Air recirculation mode   
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells from coming from the outside.
 <
Fig. 128  On the dash panel: Climatic controls
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Air conditioning
164Air recirculation mode  ⇒page 163, fig. 128    prevents strong odours in 
the outside air from entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing 
through a tunnel or in queuing traffic.
With low temperatures outside, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by warming the air inside the vehicle rather than 
the cold air from outside.
With high outside temperatures, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the air conditioning system by cooling the air inside the vehicle rather 
than the ambient air.
If the windscreen air output is on and the air recirculation mode is pressed, 
this remains active. When the recirculation mode is on, if the air distribution 
towards the windscreen mode is selected, the recirculation mode is deacti-
vated. For safety reasons, the air recirculation mode should not be 
connected.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehicle 
interior. If the air conditioning system is switched off, the windows can 
quickly mist over. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode 
switched on for a long time (risk of accident).
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