
Safe driving11
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– Fasten your seat belt securely  ⇒page 19.
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you have the vehicle under  control at all times.Adjustment of the driver seat  ⇒page 137.
WARNING
•An incorrect sitting position of the driver can lead to severe injuries.•Adjust the driver seat so that there is at least 25 cm distance between 
the centre of the chest and the centre of the steering wheel  ⇒page 10, 
fig. 1 . If you are sitting closer than 25 cm, the airbag system cannot protect 
you properly.•If your physical constitution prevents you from maintaining the 
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact a specialised workshop. The work-
shop will help you decide if special specific modifications are necessary.•When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the 
outside of the ring at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions. This reduces the 
risk of injury when the driver airbag is triggered.•Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position, or in any other 
manner (e.g. in the centre of the steering wheel). In such cases, if the 
airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the arms, hands and head.•To reduce the risk of injury to the driver during sudden braking manoeu-
vres or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted far back! The airbag 
system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the driver is wearing his or her seat belt 
properly. The further the backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk 
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt web or to the incorrect 
sitting position!•Adjust the head restraint properly to achieve optimal protection.
Proper sitting position for front passenger
The front passenger must sit at least 25 cm away from the 
dash panel so that the airbag can provide the greatest 
possible protection in the event that it is triggered.For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an 
accident, we recommend the following adjustments for the front 
passenger:
– Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible  ⇒.
– Move the backrest to an upright position so that your backrests  completely against it.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper edge is at the same  level as the top of your head, or as close as possible to the same 
level as the top of your head ⇒ page 13.
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the front passenger seat.
– Fasten your seat belt securely  ⇒page 19.It is possible to deactivate the passenger airbag in  exceptional circum-
stances  ⇒ page 25.
Adjusting the front passenger seat  ⇒page 140.
WARNING
•An incorrect sitting position of the front passenger can lead to severe 
injuries.•Adjust the front passenger seat so that there is at least 25 cm between 
your chest and the dash panel. If you are sitting closer than 25 cm, the 
airbag system cannot protect you properly.
Altea_EN.book  Seite 11  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Airbag system31
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Always adjust the front seats properly.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front 
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.The front passenger airbag is a serious risk for a child if it is activated. The 
front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if he/she is transpor ted in a 
rear-facing child seat. Children up to 12 years old should always travel on the 
rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating 
airbag can strike it with such force that it can cause critical or fatal injuries.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear seats. 
That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the front 
passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch  ⇒page 44. 
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size 
of each child ⇒ page 46.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to disconnect the 
airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
WARNING
•If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child 
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.•Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the 
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries if the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat 
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.•If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in a 
rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely essential 
that you observe the following safety measures:
−Deactivate the front passenger airbag  ⇒page 44, “Deactivating 
airbags*”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for 
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructions given by the child seat manufac-
turer and observe the safety instructions  ⇒page 46, “Child safety”.
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger 
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to 
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being 
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright 
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and seat belt tensioner 
 T
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and seat belt 
tensioner system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and seat belt tensioners in the vehicle, 
including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Altea_EN.book  Seite 31  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 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
Altea_EN.book  Seite 51  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

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 

Unlocking and locking101
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Unlocking all doors and the luggage compartment
The unlock button on the remote control must be pressed twice   so that all 
doors and the luggage compartment can be opened.
Press twice within 2 seconds to deactivate the Safe system for all vehicle, to 
unlock all doors and to use the luggage compartment. The warning lamp and 
the alarm (only vehicles fitted with one) are turned off.
Automatic speed dependent locking and unlocking system*
This is a safety system which 
prevent the access to the vehicle 
from the outside when it is  running (for example, when 
stopped at a traffic light).Locking
The doors and the tailgate are automatically locked when vehicle speed 
exceeds 15 km/h.
If the vehicle is stopped and one of the doors is opened, when the vehicle 
moves off again and exceeds a speed of 15 km/h, the unlocked door(s) will 
be locked once more.
Unlocking
The driver door automatically unlocks when the key is removed from the igni-
tion.
Each door can be unlocked and opened independently from the inside (for 
example, when a passenger gets out of it). To do it, simply operate the lever 
inside the door.
WARNING
The door handles must not be operated when the vehicle is running: the 
door would open.
Automatic locking system for involuntary unlocking*
It is an anti-theft system and prevents the unintentional 
unlocking of the vehicle.If the vehicle is unlocked and any of the doors (including the tailgate) are 
opened within 30 seconds, it gets re-locked automatically. This function 
prevents the vehicle from remaining unlocked if the unlock button is pressed 
by mistake.Emergency unlocking systemIf the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle is unlocked, except 
for the luggage compartment. It is possible to lock the vehicle from inside 
with the central locking, after turning the ignition off and back on again.
If the doors must be locked from the outside, see “Emergency locking of the 
doors”
Altea_EN.book  Seite 101  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Driving
172•Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel so that there is a distance of at 
least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your chest  ⇒page 171, 
fig. 134 . If you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not 
protect you. Risk of fatal injury.•If your physical constitution does not allow you to maintain the 
minimum distance of 25 cm, contact an Authorised Service Centre. The 
Authorised Service Centre will help you to decide if special specific modifi-
cations are necessary.•If you adjust the steering wheel so that it points towards your face, the 
driver airbag will not protect you properly in the event of an accident. Make 
sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.•When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the 
outside of the ring at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions. Never hold the 
steering wheel at the 12 o’clock positi on, or in any other manner (e.g. in 
the centre of the steering wheel, or on the inside of the rim). In such cases, 
if the airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the arms, hands and 
head.
SafetyElectronic Stability Programme (ESP)* 
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) includes the electronic differential 
lock (EDL), the traction control system  (TCS), the brake assist system (BAS) 
and the trailer stabilisation programme (TSP). The ESP function works 
together with the ABS. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS 
systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it is 
only possible to switch TCS off.
The TCS can be deactivated when in cases where wheel sliding is desirable.
For example:•When driving with snow chains,
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 135  Detailed view of 
the centre console: ESP 
button
Altea_EN.book  Seite 172  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  2:00 14