
Seat belts29
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Service and disposal of belt tensionersThe belt tensioners are components of the seat belts that are installed in the 
seats of your vehicle. If you work on the belt tensioners or remove and install 
parts of the system when performing other repair work, the seat belt may be 
damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the belt 
tensioners function incorrectly or not at all.
So that the effectiveness of the seat belt tensioner is not reduced and that 
removed parts do not cause any injuries or environmental pollution, regula-
tions, which are known to the specialised workshops, must be observed.
WARNING
•Improper use or repairs not carried out by qualified mechanics increase 
the risk of severe or fatal injuries. The belt tensioners may fail to trigger or 
may trigger in the wrong circumstances.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the belt 
tensioners or seat belts.•The seat belt tensioner, seat belt and automatic retractor cannot be 
repaired.•Any work on the belt tensioners and seat belts, including the removal 
and refitting of system parts in conjunction with other repair work, must be 
performed by a specialised workshop only.•The belt tensioners will only provide protection for one accident and 
must be changed if they have been activated.
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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)
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Airbag system
32Monitoring of airbag and belt tensioner system
Both the airbag and belt tensioner systems operation is constantly monitored 
electronically. Each time the ignition is switched on, the warning lamp 
 T 
lights for several seconds and the display in the instrument panel* shows 
AIRBAG / TENSIONER.
The system must be checked when the warning lamp 
 T :
•does not light up when the ignition is switched on,•after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,•turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,•lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously. In 
addition, depending on the malfunction, a fault message appears in the 
display of the instrument panel for approx. 10 seconds and a short acoustic 
signal is given. In this event, you should have a specialised workshop check 
the system immediately.
If any of the airbags are de-activated by the Authorised Service Centre, the 
indicator lights for several seconds more after the verification and will turn off 
if there is no fault.WARNING
•If there is a malfunction, the airbag and belt tensioner system cannot 
properly perform its protective function.•If a malfunction occurred, have the system checked immediately by a 
specialised workshop. Otherwise, in the event of an accident, the airbag 
system and belt tensioners may not be triggered, or may not be triggered 
correctly.
Repairs, maintenance and disposal of airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle. 
If work is carried out on the airbag system or parts have to be removed and 
fitted on the system when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag 
system may be damaged. In the event of an accident this could cause the 
airbag to inflate incorrectly or not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or 
components of the airbag are scrapped . Specialised workshops and vehicle 
disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used 
incorrectl y, the  ris k of severe or fatal inju ries  is  increase d. T he airbags  may  
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.•Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the surface 
of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dash panel, and do not 
obstruct or modify them in any way.•It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.•To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry or a 
water-moistened cloth. Never clean the dash panel and the airbag module 
surface with cleaners containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to 
become porous. If the airbag triggered, plastic parts could become 
detached and cause injuries.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag 
system.•Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of the airbag 
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should 
be performed only by a specialised workshop. Specialised workshops have 
the necessary tools, repair information and qualified personnel.
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Airbag system33
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•We strongly recommend you to go to a specialised workshop for all 
work on the airbag system.•Never attempt to alter the front bumper or the body.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once 
they have deployed.For the sake of the environment
The airbags, which are a special type of waste, must be disposed of through 
an authorised service, because they contain pyrotechnic elements.
WARNING (continued)
Altea_EN.book  Seite 33  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Airbag system
42•there is a frontal collision•there is a rear-end collision•the vehicle turns over•there is a minor side collisionWARNING
If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during 
a collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.Operation of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury in 
a side collision.
During some  side collisions  the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side 
of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 25.
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the 
process, the curtain airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to 
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may 
develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication of 
fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants and 
help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and 
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the 
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the 
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts 
fastened while travelling.•For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must be disconnected in those 
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an 
Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.
Fig. 25  Deployed curtain 
airbags
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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 safety
52Child seats fastened with the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether* system
Child seats with the ISOFIX or Top Tether* system can be 
secured quickly, easily and safely on the rear outer seats.
When removing or fitting the child seat, please be sure to follow the 
manufacturer's instructions.
– Move the seat as far to rear as it will go.
– Press the child seat onto the ISOFIX retaining rings until the child 
seat can be heard to engage securely. If the child seat is 
equipped with Top Tether* anchor points, secure it to the corre-
spondent ring  ⇒fig. 32 . Observe the manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
– Pull on both sides of the child seat to ensure that it is secure.Two  ISOFIX retaining rings are fitted on each rear seat. In some vehicles, the 
rings are secured to the seat frame and, in others, they are secured to the rear 
floor. The access to the “ISOFIX” rings is between the rear seat backrest and 
the seat cushioning. The Top Tether* anchors are located at the rear of the 
backs seats (behind the seat or in the luggage compartment).
Child seats with the ISOFIX and Top Tether* attachment system are available 
from the Authorised Service Centres.
WARNING
•The securing rings are designed only for use with ISOFIX and Top 
Tether* child seats.•Never secure child seats that do not have the ISOFIX and Top Tether* 
system, retaining belts or other objects to the securing rings – this could 
result in potentially fatal injuries to the child!•Ensure that the child seat is secured correctly using the ISOFIX and Top 
Tether* securing rings.
Fig. 31  ISOFIX securing 
ringsF i g .  3 2  To p  Te t h e r *  
securing ring
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Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
panel display 
4). 
Stop the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the 
coolant level ⇒ page 239 ⇒.
Even if the coolant level is correct  do not continue driving. You should obtain 
technical assistance.
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety warn-
ings  ⇒page 232.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At 
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the 
engine overheating.Rev counter
The rev counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per 
minute.The start of the red zone  ⇒page 57, fig. 34    indicates the maximum 
engine speed operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to 
change up a into a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot 
off the accelerator before the needle reaches the red zone.
Caution
The rev counter needle must never enter the red zone on the scale. Risk of 
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
C h a n g i ng  u p  i n t o  h i g h e r  ge a r s  e a r l y  wi ll  h e l p  yo u  t o  r e d u ce  f u e l  co ns u m p t i o n ,  
emissions and minimise engine noise.SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip recorder, in 
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on  ⇒page 205 should 
be followed.Setting the digital clock* 
The digital clock is located in  the instrument panel display.– Turn the setting knob ⇒page 57, fig. 34    clockwise until the 
first “click” to set the hour. The hour will flash. To change the 
hour, press the button.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the second “click” to set the  minutes. The minutes will flash. To change the minutes, press the 
button.
4)Depending on the version of the model.
A4
A5
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