
SEAT S.A. is permanently concerned about continuous development of its types and models. For this reason we ask you to understand,
that  at  any  given  time,  changes  regarding  shape,  equipment  and  technique  may  take  place  on  the  car  delivered.  For  this  reason  n o
right at all may derive based on the data, drawings and descriptions in this current handbook.
All texts, illustrations and standards in this handbook are based on the status of information at the time of printing. Except  for error
or omissi on, the information included in the current han dbook is valid as of the date  of closing print.
Re-printing, copying or translating, whether total or partial is not allowed unless SEAT allows it in written form.
SEAT reserves all rights in accordance with the "Copyright" Act.
All rights on changes are reserved.
This paper has been manufactured using bleached non-chlorine cellulose. 
© SEAT S.A. - Reprint: 15.09.10 
Portada ALTEA_interior.qxd:maquetación  22/7/10  18:51  Página 3 

Cockpit
62Recommended gear display* 
This display helps to save fuel.Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot 
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an 
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should 
change up or down.Odometer or flexible service interval displayOdometer
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance 
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter registers the short journeys. The last digit indicates 
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding down 
the reset button for a few seconds. Service interval display
Ve hi cle s wi th Service intervals dependent on time/distance travelled
 already 
have certain service intervals set. The intervals are calculated individually in 
vehicles with  LongLife service .
The service interval display only indicates the dates of services that include 
engine oil change. The dates of all other services, such as Inspection Service 
or brake fluid change, appear in the sticker on the door pillar or in the Main-
tenance Programme.
A  Service pre-warning  will appear in the odometer if a service is due soon. A 
“spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance that can 
be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will change 
after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the number 
of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The following 
message is shown in the instrument panel display*:
Service in
[XXXX]
km
or
[XXXX]
days
The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on or the engine is running. The normal display can be 
resumed by briefly pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by pressing 
the   button on the steering wheel controls.
With the ignition on, you can  check the current service message at any 
moment in the  Vehicle status menu or turning the reset button to access the 
service display.
An  overdue service  is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or day 
information.
Fig. 40  Gear display
OK
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Cockpit
64
The multifunction system uses two automatic memories:  1 - Actual 
memory  and 2 - Total memory . The selected memory will be shown 
in the upper right-hand corner of the display.
Selecting a memory
– When the ignition is on, briefly press button  ⇒page 63, fig. 41  
 on the windscreen wiper lever  to change from one memory to 
another or press button   on the steering wheel controls 
⇒ page 63, fig. 41 .
Resetting a memory
– Select the memory that you would like to reset.
– Hold down button   on the windscreen wiper lever or button    on the steering wheel contro ls for at least 2 seconds.The trip memory 1  collects the travel and consumption rates from the 
moment the ignition is switched on until it is switched off. If the journey is 
continued within two hours of switching off the ignition, the new values will 
be added to the existing trip recorder memory. The memory will automatically 
be deleted if the journey is interrupted for more than two hours.
The  total memory 2  collects the trip data for any number of individual jour-
neys (even if the ignition is switched off for longer than two hours) up to a 
total of 19 hours and 59 minutes travel time or 1999 km distance travelled. 
The memory will automatically be deleted if one of the named values is 
reached.
Information in th e multifunction display (MFI)* You can switch between the following displays in the multifunction display 
(MFI) by operating rocker switch  ⇒fig. 43    on the windscreen wiper lever.
AA
AA
AA
AA
Fig. 43  Rocker buttons A 
and B. Steering wheel 
controls.Fig. 44  Digital instru-
ment panel display: 
average fuel consumption 
indicator.
AB
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Cockpit71
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Note
For electronic and vehicle equipment one or more of these menus will be 
displayed.
Multifunction disp lay menu (MFI)
The multifunction display (MFI) shows you information on the 
journey and fuel consumption.The multifunction display (MFI) has two automatic memories: 1 - Trip memory 
and 2 - Total memory . The selected memory is shown on the upper right hand 
section of the display  ⇒fig. 49  at all times.
Open the multifunction display menu
–Select the Multifunction display menu from the main menu  ⇒page 70 
and press the   button on the windscreen wiper lever or the multifunc-
tion lever*.
Selecting a memory
– To change from one memory to another, briefly press button    ⇒page 68, fig. 45  ⇒ page 68 on the windscreen wiper lever or the   
button on the multifunction lever  ⇒page 68, fig. 46  ⇒page 68 while 
the ignition is switched on.
Te l e p h o n e
This menu is only available in vehicles with radio unit if 
the vehicle is fitted with the telephone function. In vehi-
cles fitted with a radio navigation system, this menu is 
available in the central unit (navigator) ⇒ Booklet 
“SEAT Media System 2.1”.
Vehicle condition
This menu displays current warning or information 
texts: “Vehicle status menu”
This option flashes when one of these texts is dis-
played.
Configuration
This option allows the time, the speed warning when 
using winter tyres, units, language, independent heat-
ing, the Light and visibility menu and the Convenience 
menu to be reset.
a)Only in vehicles fitted with a radio navigation system.
Fig. 49  Multifunction 
display (MFI) instrument 
panel display.
OK
AA
OK
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Cockpit
74
– Press button   or   on the multifunction steering wheel* ⇒page 68, fig. 46  until the Vehicle Status  menu is displayed.Priority 2 warning messages and information texts: “Information and warning 
messages on the screen” will automatically disappear from the screen after a 
time and will be stored in the  Vehicle status menu.
The warning and information texts may be viewed in this menu. If there is no 
warning or information message, the option  Vehicle status is not displayed. 
If there are several messages, each one is shown for a few seconds.
Example of menu use  ⇒page 68
Note
If there are no warning messages, this menu is not available.Configuration menu
This menu is used to make th e settings for the vehicle func-
tions.Open Configuration menu
– Select the option  Configuration from the main menu: “Main 
menu” and press button      ⇒page 68, fig. 45  on the wind-
screen wiper lever.  or
– Press button   or   on the multifunction steering wheel*  ⇒page 68, fig. 46  until the Configuration  menu is displayed.Example of menu use ⇒page 68.
 „
 ƒ
OK
AA
 „
 ƒ
Displayed on the 
screen
Function
Multifunction 
display data.
This menu is used to establish the data in the multi-
function display menu to be displayed on the instru-
ment panel  ⇒page 71
Convenience
This menu allows you to make the settings for the 
convenience functions in the vehicle.
Lights and visibility
From this menu it is it possible to alter the vehicle 
lighting settings.
Time
The hours and minutes of the clock and the naviga-
tion system can be changed. Choose between 12 
and 24-hour format and change to summer time.
Winter tyres
The menu allows the setting of a speed at which an 
optical and acoustic warning will be given by the 
system. You can use this function, for example, if 
you have fitted winter tyres which are not suited for 
the top speed of your vehicle. Please see the sec-
tion “Wheels and tyres”.
Settings: Language
The display texts and the navigation system texts 
can be seen in different languages.
Units
This option allows you to select the units for dis-
playing temperature, fuel consumption values and 
distances.
Aux. Speed
The instrument panel also displays the speed in 
another different unit of measurement (mph or 
km/h) to that given on the speedometer.
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Cockpit81
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be 
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will continue 
until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the duration of a priority 1 warning 
message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages (red)
•Brake system symbol 
 H with the warning message 
STOP BRAKE FLUID 
SERVICE MANUAL  or STOP BRAKE FAULT SERVICE MANUAL .
•Coolant symbol 
 v with the warning message STOP SEE COOLANT 
INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
•Engine oil pressure symbol 
 E with the warning message  STOP ENGINE 
OIL PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
Warning reports, Priority 2 (yellow) 
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompanied 
by  one audible warning . Check the corresponding function as soon as 
possible although the vehicle may be used without risk.
If several priority 2 warning messages are detected at the same time, the 
symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time. After 
a set time, the information text will disappear and the symbol will be shown 
as a reminder at the side of the display.
Priority 2  warning messages will not be shown until all  Priority 1 warning 
messages have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning messages (yellow):
10)
•Fuel warning light with the information text PLEASE REFUEL .•Windscreen washer fluid symbol 
 with the information text REFILL 
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . Top up the washer fluid level.
Information messages displayed on the screen*
10)Depending on the version of the model.
Message
a)
Description
SERVICE
The service interval has ended. Take the vehicle to an 
authorised service.
IMMOBILISER
Immobiliser system active. The vehicle will not start. Take 
the vehicle to an authorised service.
ERROR
Instrument panel faulty. Take the vehicle to an authorised 
service.
CLEAN AIR 
FILTER
Warning: The air filter must be cleaned
NO KEY
Warning: Correct key cannot be found in the vehicle.
KEY BATTERY
Warning: Key battery low. Change the battery.
CLUTCH
Warning: Press the clutch to start. In vehicles with manual 
gearbox and Start/Stop system.
--> P/N
Warning: Place the selector level in P/N to start. Only in 
vehicles with automatic gearbox.
--> P
Warning: Place the selector lever in position P to stop the 
engine.
STARTING
Warning: The engine starts automatically. Start-Stop sys-
tem activated.
START 
MANUALLY
Warning: The engine must be started manually. Start-Stop 
system activated.
ERROR START 
STOP
Warning: Start-Stop system error.
START STOP 
IMPOSSIBLE
Warning: Although the Start-Stop system is switched on, 
the engine cannot be stopped automatically. Not all the 
necessary conditions are met
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Lights and visibility121
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3 
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The daytime lights are deactivated and 
cannot be switched on.
Note
Please observe any relevant legal requirements which may apply in your 
country.Coming home / leaving home function*
The Coming Home function is controlled manually. The 
Leaving Home function is controlled with a photosensor.If the Coming Home or Leaving Home function is connected, the front side 
and dipped lights, the tail lights and the number plate light will light up to 
provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by switching off the ignition and 
briefly flashing the lights. When the driver door is opened, the Coming Home 
lighting comes on. If the driver door is already open when the lights are 
flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting comes on 
immediately.
When the last door of the vehicle or the tailgate is closed, the Coming Home 
function starts and the switching off the headlights is delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the following cases:•On completion of the time period established for the delay in switching off 
the lights after all the vehicle doors and the tailgate have been closed.•If, 30 seconds after being connected, any doors or the tailgate remain 
open.•If the light switch is turned to position 
 /.
•If the ignition is switched on.
Leaving home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when the vehicle is unlocked if:•the light control is in position 
 ! 5 4 /
 and
•the photosensor detects “darkness”.
The Leaving Home lighting switches off in the following cases:•If the time period for the delay in switching off the headlamps has ended•If the vehicle is locked again.•If the light switch is turned to position 
 /.
•If the ignition is switched on.Note
The setting for the delay in switching off the headlamps in the Coming Home 
and Leaving Home function can be changed or the function can be connected 
or disconnected in the menu  Lights and visibility ⇒ page 76.•If the ignition key is removed while the lights are on, and the lights are 
flashed briefly and the driver door opened,  no acoustic signal is heard, as 
when the Coming Home function is on, the lights are automatically switched 
off after a period of time (except when the light switch is in position 
  or 
 .
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Lights and visibility125
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the 
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following 
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up  ⇒fig. 78    to indicate  right, and 
all the way down   to indicate  left.
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up   or down   to the point where you incur  resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several 
times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash. Switching main beam on and off
– If the dipped lights are on, push the lever forward 
⇒fig. 78   
to switch on the main beam.
– Push the lever towards the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 78   to switch 
off the main beam.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel   to operate the  flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn the right or left-hand parking  lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk of accident! Never use the 
main beam headlights or the headligh t flasher if they could dazzle other 
drivers.
Note
• The  turn signals  only work when the ignition is switched on. The corre-
sponding warning lamp 
  or  
 flashes in the instrument panel. The warning 
lamp 
  flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is 
correctly attached and connected to the vehicle. If a turn signal bulb is defec-
tive, the warning lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn signal bulbs 
are damaged, warning lamp 
  does not light up. Change the bulb.
Fig. 78  Turn signal and 
main beam headlight 
lever
A1
A2A1
A2
A3
A4
A4
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