Lights and visibility129
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
light turns off about 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interior lights are
switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is switched on.
Interior lights or both reading lights switched on
Turn the control to position .
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the key has been removed and the cour-
tesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from discharging.VisibilitySun visors
The sun visors for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled out of their
mountings in the centre of the vehicle and turned towards the doors
⇒fig. 84
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors have covers. When you open the cover ,
a lamp in the roof lights up.
The light* in the roof lining will go out when the vanity mirror cover is pushed
back or the sun visor is pushed back up.
Note
The roof lamp will turn off about 10 minutes following the removal of the igni-
tion key. This prevents the battery from discharging.Sun blind*
The windows on the rear doors are fitted with a sun blind
A5
Fig. 84 Sun visor on the
driver side
A1
A2
Fig. 85 Rear door sun
visor
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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 243, “Changing
windscreen wiper blades”.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.•T h e n e x t s p e e d d o w n w i ll a u t o m a t i ca ll y b e s e l e c t e d i f s p e e d ⇒page 130,
fig. 86 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 “interval wipe function” is on, the intervals are directly propor-
tional 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
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Seats and storage compartments
142Rear seatsSeat adjustment
The seats may be moved forwards or backwards independently. The
movement can be 1/3 or 2/3 of the seat. There are various possible
positions.
Adjusting reach
– In the seated position, unlock the lever in the direction of the
arrow ⇒fig. 98 .
– Move the seat cushion forwards or backwards to the desired position.
Backrest angle adjustment
– Hold the backrest at the top. Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒fig. 99 in the direction of the arrow and hold the loop in
this position. Push the backrest to the required position and
release the loop.
WARNING
•Adjust the seat only when the vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, your
seat could move unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving. This could
increase the risk of an accident and therefore, injury.•Do not push the backrests down until the seat is moved, this is to avoid
damage to the centre console.•Ensure that the seat, once moved, is fixed in position.Note
•In order to maintain the maximum luggage compartment space, put the
backrests in position normal, without moving.•In order to maintain the maximum space without putting the backrests
down, move the seats forward to the desired position.
Fig. 98 For unlocking the
rear seatFig. 99 Rear seat back-
rest angle adjustment
A1
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Seats and storage compartments143
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Folding the seat backrests down – Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒fig. 100 In this position the backrest is locked. This is the reason why the loop located
o n the si d e of the sea t m us t be pulled in th e d ire ct io n of t he a r row to op e n t he
backrest.
WARNING
•You should check that the backrest has engaged properly in position
after the loop is released.•For safety reasons the locking system loops on the seats may not be
used to secure any items.
Folding the rear seat backrests down– Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒fig. 101 in the direc-
tion of the arrow and lift the seat backrest into position.
WARNING
•You should check that the backrest has engaged properly in position
after the loop is released.•For safety reasons the locking system loops on the seats may not be
used to secure any items.•After locking the seat backrest into position ensure that the seat belts
protrude from the seat.
Fig. 100 Folding or
opening the rear seat
backrests
A1
Fig. 101 Folding or
opening the front seat
backrests
A1
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Seats and storage compartments145
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Note
The CD changer is located in this compartment.Storage areas under the front seats*
There is a storage locker with a cover under each front seat.The drawer* ⇒fig. 104 is opened by pushing the button and putting the
cover back.
There are two open positions of 15 and 60 degrees depending on the pres-
sure applied to the cover. In the 60 degree position, the cover will collapse if
too much pressure is applied.
To close the drawer, press the cover until it locks into position.
WARNING
•The drawers will hold a maximum weight of 1.5 kg.•Do not drive with the drawer cover open. There is an injury risk for
passengers if the cargo is released in case of sudden braking or an
accident.
Folding tray*
Folding trays are fitted to the rear of the front seat backrests.– To open the tray, open it up in the direction of the arrow ⇒fig. 105 .
Fig. 104 Storage area
under the front seats
AA
Fig. 105 Folding tray on
the front left seat
AlteaXL_EN.book Seite 145 Donnerstag, 9. September 2010 12:13 12
Air conditioning163
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Note
Please observe the general notes ⇒page 170.Heating and cooling the interiorInterior heating
– Turn the temperature selector ⇒fig. 130 clockwise to select
the required temperature.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution contro l to the air flow configuration
desired: (towards the windscreen), (towards the chest), (towards the footwell) and (towards the windscreen and
footwell areas). Interior cooling
– Switch on the air conditioner using the button
⇒page 162,
fig. 129 .
– Turn the temperature selector anti-clockwise until the desired cooling output is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
Fig. 130 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
A1
<
AC
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Driving173
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•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 172,
fig. 137 . 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 position, 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 Stabilit y Programme (ESP)*
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) contains the electronic differential
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). 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. 138 Detailed view of
the centre console: ESP
button
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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
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