
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
Altea_EN.book  Seite 59  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Cockpit61
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Digital instrument panel displayDisplay (without warnin g or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other 
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector 
lever position.
Digital clock display  ⇒page 59. On the right of the display: Selector 
lever position display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of 
the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for tiptronic)* is high-
lighted.
Outside temperature.
Odometer or flexible service interval display*.
Displayed categories*
The display on the instrument panel shows the mileage and 
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Clock: “Setting the time”. On the right of the display: Selector lever posi-
tion display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of the 
selector lever or the gear which is en gaged (for Tiptronic) is highlighted.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
– Optional indicators:  e.g. those on the multifunction display (MFI)
– Automatic indicators:  Information and warning messages.
– Menus providing further information and which can be used to make  diverse settings are also shown: “Instrument panel menus”
Outside temperature.
Odometer or flexible service interval display.
Fig. 38  Detailed view of 
the instrument panel: 
screen with different indi-
cators
A1A2A3
Fig. 39  Digital instru-
ment panel display
A1A2A3A4
Altea_EN.book  Seite 61  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

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
Altea_EN.book  Seite 62  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Cockpit63
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Indications for vehicles with LongLife service
Technical progress has made it possible to considerably reduce servicing 
requirements. With the LongLife System, SEAT ensures that your vehicle only 
has an interval service when it is necessary. The length of the service intervals 
(max. two years) is determined by factors such as conditions under which the 
vehicle is used and personal driving style.
The service pre-warning will first appear 20 days before the date on which the 
service is due. The distance travelled is rounded off to the nearest 100 km 
and the time to full days. The current service message can only be consulted 
500 km after the last service. Until that time, only dashes are displayed.
Note
•If you reset the display manually, the next service interval will be indi-
cated after 15,000 km or one year and will not be calculated individually.•Do not  reset the display between service intervals as the display will 
otherwise be incorrect.•In LongLife Service vehicles, if the battery is disconnected for a long 
period, the days remaining until the next service cannot be calculated. There-
fore, the service message displays on the instrument panel may be incorrect. 
Take into account the maximum authorised service intervals.
Multifunction  display (MFI)*
The multifunction display (MFI) shows you information on the 
journey and fuel consumption.
Fig. 41  Rocker buttons A 
and B. Steering wheel 
controls.Fig. 42  Digital instru-
ment panel display
Altea_EN.book  Seite 63  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Cockpit75
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Note
•For electronic and vehicle equipment one or more of these menus will be 
displayed.•SEAT dealers are able to programme other functions or change the 
existing functions depending upon the vehicle equipment.•The Configuration menu is only accessible when the vehicle is at a 
standstill.Convenience menu
From this menu it is it possible to alter the vehicle conven-
ience settings.Open menu Convenience
– Choose the option  Configuration from the main menu and press 
the button     ⇒ page 68, fig. 45 on the windscreen wiper 
lever.
– Press button   or   on the multifunction steering wheel*  ⇒page 68, fig. 46  until the Configuration menu is displayed. – Choose the option 
Convenience from the main menu and press 
the button   on the windscreen wiper lever.
Example of menu use  ⇒page 68.
Note
For electronic and vehicle equipment one or more of these menus will be 
displayed.
Inter Service
Consult service messages and reset service interval 
display here.
Factory settings
The manufacturer's predefined values for the func-
tions of this menu are restored.
Back
a)
This returns to the main menu
a)Only if the windscreen wiper lever is used (MFI).
OK
AA „
 ƒ
Displayed on the 
screen
Function
Open door
One door: Individual unlocking activated. 
Auto. locking: the doors are automatically locked 
when the vehicle is travelling at more than approx 
15 km/h.
Auto unlock: the doors are unlocked when the key is 
removed from the ignition.
Elec. window control
Opening and closing electric windows: this deter-
mines whether to open or close all the windows 
when the vehicle is unlocked or locked. The open 
function can also be activated for the driver door 
only.
Exterior mirror 
adjust.
If synchronised adjustment is selected, when the 
driver side exterior mirror is adjusted, the passen-
ger exterior mirror is also moved.
Factory settings
The manufacturer's predefined values for the func-
tions of this menu are restored.
Back
This returns to the Configuration menu
AA
Altea_EN.book  Seite 75  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

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
Altea_EN.book  Seite 81  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Lights and visibility131
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
WARNING
•Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and safety levels while 
driving.•In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless 
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation system. 
The washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and obscure 
your view of the road.•Always note the corresponding warnings on  ⇒page 242.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the 
glass before using the wipers for the first time. If you switch on the wipers 
when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you could damage both 
the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
•The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.•In certain versions of vehicles with alarms, the windscreen wiper will only 
work when the ignition is on and the bonnet closed.•When in use, the wipers do not go as far as the rest position. When the 
lever is moved to position 0, they are totally hidden.•The next speed down will automatically be selected if wiper speed   
⇒ page 130, fig. 85  or   is selected when the vehicle stops. The set speed 
will be resumed when the vehicle starts again•The windscreen will be wiped again after approximately five seconds once 
the “automatic wipe/wash system” has been operated, provided the vehicle 
is in transit (drip function). If you activate the wipers less than three seconds 
after the drip function, a new wash sequence will begin without the last wipe. 
For the “drip” function to work again, you have to turn the ignition off and 
then on again.
•When the “intermittent wipe function” is on, the intervals are directly 
proportional to the speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed the shorter 
the intervals.•The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen. 
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the 
obstacle and switch the wiper back on again.•Before removing any objects that may be trapped in the side areas of the 
windscreen, always move the wiper arms to the service position (horizontal).•The heat output of the heated jets is controlled automatically when the 
ignition is switched on, depending upon the outside temperature.
A2
A3
Altea_EN.book  Seite 131  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Air conditioning169
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
W he n the    but ton is o ff, th e a ir  cond i tio ni ng  s ys te m  is  s witch e d o ff  to sa ve  
fuel. The temperature continues to self-regulate. The set temperature can 
then only be reached if it is higher than the outside temperature.
Driver and passenger temperature control
The   button controls the synchronisation of the 2 Climatronic climate 
zones.
When the   button is on (LED lit), the climate zone of the Climatronic is 
personalised, for example: Driver side temperature 22 °C and passenger side 
temperature 23 °C.
When the   button is off (LED off), the climate zone of the Climatronic is 
synchronised, for example: Driver side temperature 22 °C and passenger side 
temperature 22 °C.
If the   button is off and the passenger side temperature is changed, the 
function is automatically activated.
Air recirculation mode
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells 
from coming from the outside.– Press the button   
⇒page 168, fig. 132    to switch air recir-
culation mode on or off. It is switched on if the following symbol 
appears in the display 
.
Air recirculation mode prevents strong odours in the ambient air from 
entering the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in 
a traffic jam.
With 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. 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).General notesPollution filter
The pollution filter (a combined particulate filter and active carbon filter) 
serves as a barrier against impurities in the outside air, including dust and 
pollen.
For the air conditioner to work with maximum efficiency, the pollution filter 
must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Service Schedule.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas reaching very high 
pollution levels, the pollen filter must be changed more frequently than 
stated in the Service Schedule.
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 
AC
DUAL
DUALDUAL
DUAL
A2
Altea_EN.book  Seite 169  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  2:00 14