2011 Seat Altea XL ignition

Lights and visibility
132Rain sensor*
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen
wiper intervals, depending on the amount of rain.
Switching on the rain sensor
– Move the windscreen wiper lever into position ⇒ fig. 88.
– Move the control to the left or right to set the sensitivity of the rain sensor. Control to the right: highly sensitive. Control to the
left: less sensitive.The rain sensor is part of the interval wipe function. You will have to switch
the rain sensor back on if you switch off the ignition. This is done by switching
the wiper interval function off and back on.
Note
•Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause sensor disruption or faults.
Fig. 87 Rain sensor*Fig. 88 Windscreen wiper
lever
A1
AA
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 132 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12

Lights and visibility133
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Rear window wiper
]
The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position ⇒fig. 89 . The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position towards the steering wheel. The wiper will continue to function for a short period if you switch
off whilst the wipers are in motion. Switching on the automatic windscreen wiper/washer
– Press the lever fully forwards to position
⇒fig. 89 . The wash
function will start immediately and the wiper will start with a
slight delay. The windscreen wash system will function as long as
you hold the lever in this position.
– Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for approximately 4 seconds, and then in intervals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers func- tion.
WARNING
•A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.•Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒page 243, “Changing
windscreen wiper blades”.Caution
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the glass
before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper when the
wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the wiper blade
and the wiper motor.
Note
•The windscreen wiper will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the tailgate is closed.•In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers switched on, the rear wind-
screen wiper will make one wipe.
Fig. 89 Windscreen wiper
and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
A6
A6
A7
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 133 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12

Lights and visibility
134Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses.The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steering
wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped beam headlights or
main beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the
headlights at regular intervals, for instance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
•To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.•To remove water, the windscreen wipers will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles.Rear-view mirrorsInterior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if yo u cannot see clearly through the
rear window.Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror should
be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle function.
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and off
as desired.Switching off the anti-dazzle function
–Press button ⇒ fig. 90. Indicator lamp goes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
–Press button ⇒ fig. 90. The indicator lamp turns on.Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp lights up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the interior mirror will darken auto-
matically according to the amount of light it receives. The anti-dazzle func-
tion is cancelled if reverse gear is engaged.
Fig. 90 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
AA
AB
AA
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 134 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12

Lights and visibility135
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Note
•The automatic anti-dazzle function will only work properly if the sun
blind* for the rear window is retracted and there are no other objects
preventing light from reaching the rear view mirror.•If you have to stick any type of sticker on the windscreen, do not do so in
front of the sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-dazzle function from
working well or even from working at all.Exterior mirrors
The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using the rotary knob in
the centre console.Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob ⇒fig. 91 to position L ( left exterior mirror). 2. Turn the rotary knob to positi
on the mirror so that you have a
good view to the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn knob to position R (right exterior mirror ).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle ⇒.
Heating the exterior mirrors*
– Turn the knob forwards to the central position ⇒fig. 91 so
that the heated rear view mirrors warm up and the heated wind-
screen* in the wiper blade rest area is activated. ⇒page 130.
– The exterior mirror heating is not activated in temperatures above approximately 20 °C.
Folding in exterior mirrors*
–Turn the control ⇒fig. 91 to position
 to fold in the exterior
mirrors. You should always fold in the exterior mirrors if you are
driving through an automatic car wash. This will help prevent
damage.
Folding exterior mirrors with convenience control*
– The exterior mirror will fold back automatically with convenience closing (with the remote or the key)
– To unfold it again, open the door and switch on the ignition.
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the extended position*
– Turn the knob to another position to fold the exterior mirrors back out ⇒ .
Fig. 91 Controls of exte-
rior mirrors
A1
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 135 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12

Seats and storage compartments141
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Heated seats*
A
The front seat cushions and backrests can be heated electri-
cally.
Front seat heating for vehicles without Climatronic
– Turn the appropriate thumb wheel ⇒fig. 96 t o s w i t ch o n t h e s e a t
heating. The seat heating is switched off in the 0 position.
Front seat heating for vehicles with Climatronic
– Press button to switch on the seat heating.
– Press once to set seat heating at maximum level (level 3).
– Press twice to set seat heating at medium level (level 2).
– Press three times to set seat heating at minimum level (level 1).
– When the button is pressed four times, the heating goes off and the LED goes out (level 0).The seat heating only works when the ignition is switched on. The left thumb
wheel controls the left seat and the right thumb wheel the right seat.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements, please do not kneel on the seat or
apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat cushion and backrest.
Fig. 96 Thumb wheel for
the front seat heatingFig. 97 Front seat
heating with Climatronic
AA
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 141 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12

Seats and storage compartments153
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Ashtrays*, cigarette lighter* and electrical
socketsAshtray* Opening and closing the ashtray
– To open the ashtray, lift the cover ⇒fig. 117 .
– To close, push the cover down.
Emptying the ashtray
–Extract the ashtray and empty it.
WARNING
Never put paper in the ashtray. Hot ash could ignite the paper in the
ashtray and cause a fire.
Cigarette lighter* – Press on the cigarette lighter ⇒fig. 118 to activate it ⇒.
– Wait for the lighter to pop out slightly.
– Pull out the cigarette lighter and light the cigarette on the glowing coil.
WARNING
•Improper use of the cigarette lighter ca n lead to serious injuries or start
a fire.•Using the lighter carefully. Carelessness or negligence when using the
cigarette lighter can cause burns, risk of injury.•The lighter only works when the ignition is turned on or the engine is
running. To avoid the risk of fire, never leave children alone inside the
vehicle.
Fig. 117 Ashtray located
in the front drink holder
Fig. 118 The cigarette
lighter is located in the
power socket on the front
of the centre console
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 153 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12

Seats and storage compartments
154Electrical sockets
Electrical equipment can be connected to any of the 12 volt
sockets.
Electrical accessories may be connected to the 12 volt socket in the front
centre console ⇒ fig. 119 and in the luggage compartment* ⇒fig. 120 . The
appliances connected to each power point must not exceed a power rating of
120 Watt.
WARNING
The power sockets and the connected accessories will only operate when
the ignition is on or when the engine is running. Improper use of the
sockets or electrical accessories can lead to serious injuries or cause a fire.
To avoid the risk of injury, never leave children alone inside the vehicle.
Note
•The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge.•Before using any electrical accessories, see the instructions in
⇒ page 224.
Fig. 119 Power socket in
front centre consoleFig. 120 Power socket in
luggage compartment
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 154 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12

Driving
174•when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,•when the vehicle is stuck, to rock it backwards and forwards.
Next, the button should be pressed to reactivate the TCS.WARNING
•The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of
physics. This should be kept in mi nd, particularly on slippery and wet
roads and when towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you
into taking any risks when driving, as this can cause accidents.•Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in ⇒page 197,
“Intelligent technology”.
Ignition lockPosition of the ignition keyIgnition switched off, steering lock
In this position ⇒fig. 139 the ignition and the engine are OFF and the
steering may get locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the ignition key, turn the steering
wheel until it locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the
steering wheel when you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle
theft ⇒ .
Switching the ignition or the glow plug system on
Turn the ignition key to this position and release it. If the key cannot be turned
or it is difficult to turn from position to position , move the steering
wheel back and forth until it loosens up.
Fig. 139 Ignition key
positions
A0
A1
A0
A1
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 174 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12