2011 Seat Altea XL headlights

Cockpit
84Main beam headlights

The indicator lamp lights up when the main beams are on.The warning lamp
 is switched on once main beams are on or once the
headlight flasher is operating.
For further information see ⇒page 125.
Soot accumulation in the diesel engine particulate filter

If the warning lamp
 lights up you should help the filter clean itself by
driving in the appropriate manner.
To do this, drive about 15 minutes in fourth or fifth gear (automatic gearbox:
S gear range) at a speed of 60 km/h, with the engine running at approxi-
mately 2000 rpm. In this way, the pollen build up in the filter is burned. When
cleaning is successful, the indicator turns off.
If the warning lamp  does not turn off, or the three lamps turn on (partic-
ulate filter
, emission control system fault
 and glow plugs
D), take
the vehicle to a specialised workshop to repair the fault.
WARNING
•Always drive according to the road weather conditions, the terrain and
traffic. Driving recommendations should never lead to illegal manoeuvres
in surrounding traffic.•The diesel engine particulate filter may reach extremely high tempera-
tures; it should not enter into contact with flammable materials under-
neath the vehicle. Otherwise there is a risk of fire.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)*
J
A warning lamp monitors the ABS.
The indicator lamp
Jshould light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out again after the system has run through an automatic
test sequence.
There is a fault in the ABS if:
•The warning lamp
J does not light up when the ignition is switched on.
•The warning lamp does not go out again after a few seconds•The warning lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving
The vehicle can still be braked in the normal way, without the ABS function.
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. For further
information on the ABS go to ⇒page 197.
If a fault occurs in the ABS, the ESP* warning lamp will also light up.
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp
J lights up together with the brake warning lamp
H, this indicates not only a fault in the ABS function, but also a possible fault
in the brake system ⇒.
WARNING
•Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 233, “Working in the engine compartment”.•If the brake warning lamp
H should light up together with the ABS
warning lamp
J, stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir ⇒page 245, “Brake fluid”. If the fluid level has
dropped below the “MIN” mark you must not drive on. Risk of accident.
Obtain technical assistance.
•If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may have
been caused by a failure of the ABS system. This could cause the rear
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Lights and visibility
118Lights and visibilityLightsSwitching lights on and off
“
Switching on the side lights
–Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 73 to position
.
Switching on dipped beam headlights
– Turn the light switch to position
.
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position 0. Switching on the fog lights*
– Pull the switch out of position
 or  to the first stop. The
symbol
in the light switch lights up.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with front fog lights)
– Pull the switch out of position
 or  to the second stop
⇒ . A warning lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with no front fog lights)
– Pull the light switch from position
 to the last stop. A warning
lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
WARNING
Never drive with just the side lights on. Risk of accident. The side lights are
not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that other
road users are able to see you. Always use your dipped beam headlights if
it is dark or if visibility is poor.
Note
•The dipped beam headlights will only work with the ignition on. The side
lights come on automatically when the ignition is turned off.•If the lights are left on after the key has been taken out of the ignition lock,
an acoustic warning will sound while the driver door remains open. This is a
reminder to switch the lights off.
Fig. 73 Detailed view of
the dash panel: lights, fog
lights and rear fog light
switch
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Lights and visibility119
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•The rear fog light is so bright that it can dazzle drivers behind you. You
should use the rear fog light only when visibility is very poor.•If you are towing a trailer equipped with a rear fog light on a vehicle with
a factory-fitted towing bracket, the rear fog light on the vehicle will automati-
cally be switched off.•The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant statutory
requirements.•Depending on weather conditions (very cold or wet), the front and tail
lights and the turn signals may be temporarily misted. This has no influence
on the useful life of the lighting system. The lights will soon demist when they
are switched on.Automatic lighting*Activation
– Rotate the switch to the position “Auto”, this indication will light up. Deactivation
– Turn the light switch to 0.
Automatic lighting
If automatic headlight control is switched on, dipped beam headlights are
automatically switched on by a photosensor if you drive into a tunnel, for
example.
The rain sensor switches on the dipped beam headlights when the wind-
screen wipers have been operating continuously for a few seconds and it
switches the lights off when the continuous or intermittent wipe is switched
off for some minutes ⇒
page 132.
When the automatic dipped light control is connected but the dipped lights
are off, the warning lamp
!54/
lights up on the light control ⇒fig. 74. If the
automatic control switches on the dipped lights, the instrument and control
lighting is also switched on.
WARNING
•Even if the automatic headlight control is switched on, the dipped
headlights will not be switched on with fog. Therefore, the dipped beam
must be switched on manually.Note
•For those vehicles with the automatic headlight system, when the key is
removed from the ignition, the acoustic signal will only sound if the light
control is in the position
 or  if the vehicle is not fitted with the coming
home function.
•If the daylight driving automatic light function is switched on, the fog
lights or rear fog light cannot be switched on in addition.•The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant statutory
requirements.
Fig. 74 Automatic
lighting
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Lights and visibility
120•Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause disruptions or faults in the automatic lighting system.•To avoid damage to the tail lights, the lights mounted on the tailgate go
off when the tailgate is opened (depending on the country).Daytime lights*
The daytime light reduces the risk of accidents by increasing
the visibility of the vehicle. The daytime running lights are
enabled automatically when the ignition is switched on. It is
automatically switched off when the side lights are turned on.Daytime running lights (halogen lamps)
22)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with halogen lamps.
These include the dipped, side and number plate lights.
The daytime lights are switched on each time the ignition is turned on if the
light setting is in position 0 or
!54/
. Depending upon the model, a control
lamp
 on the light control switch or the lighting up of the instrument panel
will indicate that the daytime lighting is on.
It is not possible to switch the daytime lights on or off. Please contact a
specialised workshop if you wish to deactivate the lights.
Daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with bi-xenon lamps.
The lights are built-in separately to the headlights and are switched on each
time the ignition is turned on if the light setting is in position 0 or
!54/
.Automatic control of the dipped light in combination with the daytime
lighting (bi-xenon headlamps)
If the dipped light control
and the daytime lighting are activated at the same
time, the dipped lights and the instrument panel lighting will automatically
come on as required (e.g. on entering a tunnel) and the daytime lights will go
off. When the automatic dipped light control switches off the dipped lights
(e.g. on coming out of the tunnel), the daytime lights come back on.
Activating the daytime lights
With the ignition switched off, move the turn signal and main beam lever
upwards and back (right turn signal and headlamp flash).
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds while holding this position. The daytime
lights are activated and can be switched on.
Deactivating the daytime lights
With the ignition switched off, move the turn signal and main beam lever
upwards and back (left turn signal and headlamp flash) and hold in this posi-
tion.
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds while holding this position. The daytime
lights are deactivated and cannot be switched on.
Activating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards (right
turn signal) and press it backwards to flash position and hold it in this posi-
tion.
Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The daytime lights are activated and
can be switched on.
Deactivating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards (left
turn signal) and press it backwards to flash position and hold it in this posi-
tion.
22)It is only available in some countries or as an optional extra
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Lights and visibility121
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The daytime lights are deactivated and
cannot be switched on.
Note
Please observe any relevant legal requirements which may apply in your
country.Coming/leaving home function*
The Coming Home function is controlled manually. The
Leaving Home function is controlled with a photosensor.If the Coming Home or Leaving Home function is connected, the front side
and dipped lights, the tail lights and the number plate light will light up to
provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by switching off the ignition and
briefly flashing the lights. When the driver door is opened, the Coming Home
lighting comes on. If the driver door is already open when the lights are
flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting comes on
immediately.
When the last door of the vehicle or the tailgate is closed, the Coming Home
function starts and the switching off the headlights is delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the following cases:•On completion of the time period established for the delay in switching off
the lights after all the vehicle doors and the tailgate have been closed.•If, 30 seconds after being connected, any doors or the tailgate remain
open.•If the light switch is turned to position
/.
•If the ignition is switched on.
Leaving home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when the vehicle is unlocked if:•the light control is in position
!54/
and
•the photosensor detects “darkness”.
The Leaving Home lighting switches off in the following cases:•If the time period for the delay in switching off the headlamps has ended•If the vehicle is locked again.•If the light switch is turned to position
/.
•If the ignition is switched on.Note
The setting for the delay in switching off the headlamps in the Coming Home
and Leaving Home function can be changed or the function can be connected
or disconnected in the menu Lights and visibility ⇒ page 76.•If the ignition key is removed while the lights are on, and the lights are
flashed briefly and the driver door opened, no acoustic signal is heard, as
when the Coming Home function is on, the lights are automatically switched
off after a period of time (except when the light switch is in position
 or
.
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Lights and visibility
122Instrument and switch lighting / Headlight range controlInstrument and switch lighting
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments and
switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning the
thumb wheel ⇒fig. 75 .
The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illumination
and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a photodiode incorpo-
rated in the instrument panel.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles) is switched on when the ignition
is on and the vehicle lights are off . The instrument lighting is dimmed auto-
matically as the daylight starts to fade. It goes out completely when the
ambient light level is very low. This function is intended to remind the driver
to switch on the dipped beam headlights in good time when light conditions
become poor.
Headlight range control
By using the electrical headlight range control, you can adjust the head-
light range to the load level that is being carried in the vehicle. This way, it is possible to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic more than necessary. At the same
time, by using the correct headlight settings, the driver has the best possible
lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To lower the beam, turn the thumb wheel down from the basic setting
0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Ve hi cle s wit h gas discharge bulbs (“xenon bulbs”) are equipped with
dynamic headlight range control. This means that the headlights will be
a d j u s t e d t o s u i t t h e l o a d l e v e l o f t h e v e h i c l e a n d “ n o d d i ng m o v e m e n t s ” w h e n
pulling off and braking are automatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not have headlight range control.
Adaptive headlights* (for driving round bends)
When driving around bends, the headlights will light the
most important areas of the road.
Fig. 75 Dash panel: regu-
lation for instrument and
switch illumination and
headlight range control
A1
A1A2
A2
A2
Fig. 76 Cornering
lighting using adaptive
headlights
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Lights and visibility123
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Dynamic cornering lights (AFS)
The
dynamic cornering lights only operate if the vehicle is travelling at more
than 10 km/h and the dipped headlights are on. When taking a bend, the
road is illuminated better with directional gas discharge bulbs than with
conventional fixed headlights.
A fault in the system is indicated via the flashing of the control lamp
 on the
instrument panel. At the same time, a text message with information or
instructions to perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument
panel display. Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and have the fault
repaired.
If the warning lamp
 lights up on the instrument panel but all the bulbs are
operating correctly ⇒ page 273, there may still be a fault in the dynamic
cornering light system (AFS). Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped beam control” is switched on, the dipped beam
headlights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on
manually using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for the
correct use of lights in all situations. “Automatic headlight control” is
merely a system to support the driver. Where necessary, switch on the
lights manually using the light switch.Fog lights with cornering function* When the turn signal is switched on to turn or on very tight bends, the right
or left fog lamp automatically comes on to function as a cornering light. The
cornering light only operates if the dipped lights are on.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped beam control” is switched on, the dipped beam
headlights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on
manually using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for the
correct use of lights in all situations. “Automatic headlight control” is
merely a system to support the driver. Where necessary, switch on the
lights manually using the light switch.Hazard warning lights

The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
Fig. 77 Dash panel:
switch for hazard warning
lights
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Lights and visibility125
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ⇒fig. 78 to indicate right, and
all the way down to indicate left.
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up or down to the point where you incur resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several
times. The corresponding indicator lamp will also flash. Switching main beam on and off
– If the dipped lights are on, push the lever forward
⇒fig. 78
to switch on the main beam.
– Push the lever towards the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 78 to switch
off the main beam.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn the right or left-hand parking lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk of accident! Never use the
main beam headlights or the headligh t flasher if they could dazzle other
drivers.
Note
• The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The corre-
sponding warning lamp
 or
flashes in the instrument panel. The warning
lamp
 flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehicle. If a turn signal bulb is defec-
tive, the warning lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn signal bulbs
are damaged, warning lamp
 does not light up. Change the bulb.
Fig. 78 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
A1
A2A1
A2
A3
A4
A4
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