
Contents3
ContentsManual structure
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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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Safe driving
8However, these safety systems can only be effective if you and your passen-
gers are sitting in a correct position and use this equipment properly.
Therefore, information is provided about why this equipment is so important, 
h o w  i t  p r o t e c t s  yo u ,  w h a t  yo u  ha v e  to  co ns i d e r  w h e n  u s i n g  i t  a n d  h o w  yo u  a n d  
your passengers can achieve the greatest possible benefit from the safety 
equipment fitted. This manual includes important warnings that you and your 
passengers should note in order to reduce the risk of injury.
Safety is everyone’s business!Before setting off
The driver is responsible for the safety of the passengers and 
the safe operation of the vehicle.For your own safety and the safety of your passengers, always note 
the following points before every trip:
– Make sure that the vehicle’s lights and turn signals are working 
properly.
– Check tyre pressure.
– Ensure that all windows provide a clear and good view of the  surroundings.
– Make sure all luggage is secured  ⇒page 17.
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors properly according  to your size. – Ensure that the passengers in the rear seats always have the 
head restraints in the in-use position  ⇒page 14.
– Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to  their height.
– Protect children with appropriate child seats and properly  applied seat belts  ⇒page 46.
– Assume the correct sitting position. Instruct your passengers  also to assume a proper sitting position  ⇒page 10.
– Fasten your seat belt securely. Instruct your passengers also to  fasten their seat belts properly ⇒ page 19.
What affects driving safety?
Driving safety is largely determined by your driving style and 
the personal behaviour of all occupants.As a driver, you are responsible for yourself and your passengers. 
When your concentration or driving safety is affected by any circum-
stance, you endanger yourself as well as others on the road  ⇒, 
for this reason:
– Always pay attention to traffic and do not get distracted by  passengers or telephone calls.
– Never drive when your driving abil ity is impaired (e.g. by medica-
tion, alcohol, drugs).
– Observe traffic laws and speed limits.
Altea_EN.book  Seite 8  Donnersta g, 2. September 2010  2:00 14 

Safe driving
12•If your physical constitution pr events 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.•Al ways  kee p you r feet  in t he footw ell  w hen t he vehicle  is moving; never 
rest them on the dash panel, out the window or on the seat. An incorrect 
sitting position exposes you to an increased risk of injury in case of a 
sudden braking or an accident. If the airbag is triggered, you could sustain 
severe injuries due to an incorrect sitting position.•To reduce the risk of injury to the  front passenger in events such sudden 
braking manoeuvres or an accident, never travel with the backrest tilted far 
back! The airbag system and seat belts can only provide optimal protection 
when the backrest is in an upright position and the front passenger 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 in order to achieve maximum 
protection.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear seats
Passengers in the rear seats must sit up straight, keep their 
feet on the footwells, have the head restraints positioned for 
use and wear their seat belts properly.To reduce the risk of injury in the event of a sudden braking 
manoeuvre or an accident, passengers on the rear bench seat must 
consider the following:
– Adjust the head restraint to the correct position  ⇒page 14. – Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the rear seat.
–Fasten your seat belt securely 
⇒page 19.
– Use an appropriate child restrain t system when you take children 
in the vehicle  ⇒page 46.
WARNING
•If the passengers on the rear seat are not sitting properly, they could 
sustain severe injuries.•Adjust the head restraint properly in order to achieve maximum protec-
tion.•Seat belts can only provide optimal protection when backrests are in an 
upright position and the passengers are wearing their seat belts properly. 
If passengers on the rear seat are not sitting in an upright position, the risk 
of injury due to incorrect positioning of the seat belt increases.
WARNING (continued)
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Safe driving15
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Rear outer seat head restraints
– The rear outer seat head restraints have 3 positions.
–Two positions for use  ⇒ page 14, fig. 5 . In these positions, the 
head restraints are used normally, protecting passengers along 
with the rear seat belts.
–And one position for  non-use.
– To fit the head restraints in position for use, pull on the edges  with both hands in the direction of the arrow.
Centre rear head restraint
– The centre head restraint only has two positions,  in-use (head 
restraint up) and  non-use (head restraint down).
WARNING
•Under no circumstances should the rear passengers travel while the 
head restraints are in the non-use position. See the warning label located 
on the rear side fixed window  ⇒page 14, fig. 6 .•Do not swap the centre rear head restraint with either of the outer seat 
rear head restraints.•Risk of injury in case of an accident!Caution
Note the instructions on the adjustment of the head restraints ⇒ page 138.
Examples of incorrect sitting positions
An incorrect sitting position can lead to severe injuries to 
occupants.Seat belts can provide optimal protection only when the belt webs 
are properly positioned. Incorrect sitting positions substantially 
reduce the protective function of seat belts and increase the risk of 
injury due to incorrect seat belt position. As the driver, you are 
responsible for all vehicle occupants, especially children.
– Never allow anyone to assume an incorrect sitting position in the  vehicle while travelling  ⇒.The following list contains examples of sitting positions that could be 
dangerous for all occupants. The list is not complete, but we would like to 
make you aware of this issue.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is in motion:•Never stand in the vehicle,•never stand on the seats,•never kneel on the seats,•never tilt your backrest far to the rear,•never lean against the dash panel,•never lie on the rear bench,•never sit on the front edge of a seat,•never sit sideways,•never lean out of a window,•never put your feet out of a window,•never put your feet on the dash panel,•never put your feet on the surface of a seat,
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Safe driving17
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original floor 
mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the pedals. Risk 
of accident.
Storing objectsLoading the luggage compartment
All luggage and other loose objects must be safely secured in 
the luggage compartment.Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could impair the 
driving safety or driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the 
centre of gravity.
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage  compartment.
–Place the heavy objects first.
– Secure heavy objects to the fastening rings  ⇒page 18.
WARNING
•Loose luggage and other objects in the luggage compartment could 
cause serious injuries.
•Always stow objects in the luggag e compartment and secure them on 
the fastening rings.•Use suitable straps to secure heavy objects.•During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown 
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This increased risk of 
injury will be further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating 
airbag. If this happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk of 
fatal injury.•Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting 
heavy objects; this may affect the vehicle’s handling and lead to an acci-
dent. Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style 
accordingly, to avoid accidents.•Never exceed the allowed axle weights or allowed maximum weight. If 
the allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driving 
characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, injuries 
and damage to the vehicle.•Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the tailgate is 
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment, closing the door 
behind them; they will be trapped and run the risk of death.•Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Close and lock all 
the doors and tailgate when you leave the vehicle. Before you lock the 
vehicle, make sure that there are no adults or children in the vehicle.•Never transport passengers in the luggage compartment. All passen-
gers must have their seat belt fastened  ⇒page 19.Note
•Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce fogging of the windows. Used 
air escapes through ventilation slits in the side trim of the luggage compart-
ment. Ensure that the ventilation slits are never covered.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
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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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Airbag system43
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-
pants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags 
so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide the 
greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have not been 
expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached to the side 
windows  ⇒page 224, “Accessories, parts replacement and modifica-
tions”.•The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do 
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do not 
hang the clothes on coat hangers.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once 
they have deployed.•Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of 
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining) 
should only be performed by a spec ialised workshop. Otherwise, faults 
may occur during the airbag system operation.•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the 
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and 
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in 
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged, the airbag 
system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the front door must 
be made in a specialised workshop.WARNING (continued)
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Cockpit
56
Button for opening and closing the front windows  . . . . . . . .
Safety switch* for the rear windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control* for opening and closing the rear windows . . . . . . . .Note
Some of the items of equipment listed here are fitted only on certain model 
versions or are optional extras.A27
113
A28
113
A29
113
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