2012 Seat Altea Freetrack fog light

18Safe driving
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.
● Straps for securing the load to the fastening rings are commercially
available. 
Fastening rings*
There can be four fastening rings in the luggage compart-
ment for fastening luggage and other objects.
– Always use suitable and undamaged straps to secure luggage
and other objects to the fastening rings ⇒ 
in Loading the lug-
gage compartment on page 17.
– Pull up the fastening rings to attach the straps.
During a collision or an accident, even small and light objects can build up
so much energy that they can cause very severe injuries. The amount of ki-
netic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight of the ob-
ject. The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle.
Example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying unsecured in the vehicle. Dur-
ing a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, this object generates a force
corresponding to 20 times its weight. That means that the effective weight
of the object increases to about 90 kg. You can imagine the severity of the
injuries which might be sustained if this object strikes an occupant as it
flies through the passenger compartment. This increased risk of injury will
be further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating airbag.
WARNING
● If pieces of luggage or other objects are secured to the fastening
rings with inappropriate or damaged retaining cords, injuries could be
sustained in the event of braking manoeuvres or accidents.
● To prevent pieces of luggage or other objects from flying forward, al-
ways use appropriate retaining cords which are secured to the fastening
rings.
● Never secure a child seat on the fastening rings.


77
Cockpit
ItemSymbolMeaning of warning and indicator
lampsFurther infor-mation
1Fuel level / reserve⇒ page 79
2Coolant level / coolant temperature⇒ page 80
3Rear fog light switched on⇒ page 80
4 Turn signals in operation⇒ page 80
5Engine fault (petrol engine)⇒ page 81
Glow plug system for diesel engine⇒ page 81
6Main beam switched on⇒ page 81
7Soot accumulation in the diesel engine
particulate filter⇒ page 81
8ABS system fault⇒ page 82
9Windscreen washer fluid level⇒ page 82
10Alternator fault⇒ page 83
11Fasten seat belts!⇒ page 19
12Brake pad worn⇒ page 83
13Tyre pressure⇒ page 83
14Airbag or belt tensioner system fault or
airbag disabled⇒ page 29
⇒ page 32
ItemSymbolMeaning of warning and indicator
lampsFurther infor-mation
15Bulb defective⇒ page 84
16Brake fluid required or
brake system fault⇒ page 84
17
Red:
Engine oil pressure
⇒ page 85Yellow:
If flashing: engine oil sensor faulty
If it remains lit: insufficient engine oil
18Handbrake on⇒ page 180
19Cruise speed activated (Cruise control)⇒ page 85
20Door open indicator⇒ page 86
21If it stays lit: ASR (TCS) deactivated⇒ page 87
⇒ page 87
⇒ page 167
22Electromechanical steering⇒ page 86
23Fault in the emission control system⇒ page 86
24If flashing: the Electronic Stability Con-
trol ESC (ESP) or the ASR (TCS) is work-
ing
If it remains lit: ESC (ESP) or ASR (TCS)
faulty⇒ page 87
⇒ page 87
⇒ page 167

25Selector lever lock (automatic gearbox)⇒ page 88 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

80Cockpit
Coolant level* / temperature 
The warning lamp lights up if the coolant temperature is too
high or if the coolant level is too low.
There is a fault if:
● The warning symbol does not go out again after a few seconds.
● The warning lamp lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving, and
three acoustic warning signals ⇒ 
are emitted.
This means that either the coolant level is too low or the coolant tempera-
ture is too high.
Coolant temperature too high
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: CHECK COOLANT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL. ⇒  page 226.
First look at the coolant temperature gauge. The coolant temperature is too
high if the needle is over the warning area on the dial. Stop the vehicle,
switch the engine off and wait for it to cool down. Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may be caused by a malfunc-
tion of the radiator fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have it replaced if
necessary ⇒ page 255.
If the warning lamp lights up again after driving on for a short distance,
stop the vehicle and switch the engine off . Contact an Authorised Service
Centre or a specialised workshop.
Coolant level too low
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: STOP CHECK COOL-
ANT INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
First look at the coolant temperature gauge. If the needle is in the normal
range, top up with coolant at the earliest opportunity ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● If your vehicle is immobilised for technical reasons, move it to a safe
distance from traffic. Turn the engine off, turn the hazard lights on and
place the warning triangle.
● Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escap-
ing from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before carrying out any
work in the engine compartment, switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down. Always note the corresponding warnings ⇒ page 219.

Rear fog light 
This warning lamp lights up when the rear fog light is switched on . For
further information see ⇒ page 113. 
Turn signals  
The indicator lamp flashes when the turn signals are in op-
eration.
Depending on which turn signal is operating, either the left  or right 
turn signal lamp flashes. Both indicator lamps will flash at the same time
when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
If any of both turn signals fails, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice
faster than normal. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

107
Unlocking and locking
WARNING
● Always close the tailgate properly. Risk of accident or injury.
● The tailgate must not be opened when the reverse or rear fog lights
are lit. This may damage the tail lights
● Do not close the tailgate by pushing it down with your hand on the
rear window. The glass could smash. Risk of injury!
● Ensure the tailgate is locked after closing it. If not, it may open unex-
pectedly while driving.
● If the tailgate is not fully closed, open it with the handle and close it
again correctly. Do not try to close it by pressing on the surface of the
tailgate, as this may damage the surface.
● Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. A locked vehicle
can be subjected to extremely high and low temperatures, depending on
the time of year, thus causing serious injuries/illness. It could even have
fatal consequences. Close and lock both the tailgate and all the other
doors when you are not using the vehicle.
● Closing the tailgate without observing and ensuring it is clear could
cause serious injury to you and to third parties. Make sure that no one is
in the path of the tailgate.
● Never drive with the tailgate open or half-closed, exhaust gases may
penetrate into the interior of the vehicle. Danger of poisoning!
● If you only open the tailgate, do not leave the key inside. The vehicle
will not be opened if the key is left inside.
 Emergency opening
This allows the vehicle to be opened if the central locking
does not operate (for example, if the battery is flat)
Fig. 66 Tailgate: emer-
gency open
There is a groove in the luggage compartment allowing access to
the emergency opening mechanism.
Opening the tailgate from inside the luggage compartment
– Insert the key in the groove and unlock the locking system, turn-
ing the key from right to left, as shown by the arrow ⇒ fig. 66.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

113
Lights and visibility
Lights and visibility
Lights Switching lights on and off 
Fig. 71 Detailed view of
the dash panel: lights,
fog lights and rear fog
light switch
Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 71 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 head-
lights 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.
● 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. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

114Lights and visibility
● 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 automat-
ically 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*
Fig. 72 Automatic light-
ing
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 126.
When the automatic dipped light control is connected but the dipped lights
are off, the warning lamp  lights up on the light control ⇒ fig. 72. 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.
● 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). 

118Lights and visibility
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 control bulb  lights up on the instrument panel but all the bulbs are
operating correctly, there may still be a fault in the dynamic curve lighting
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.
 Hazard warning lights

The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
Fig. 75 Dash panel:
switch for hazard warning
lights
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights ⇒ 
.
3. Switch the engine off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear. On an automatic, move the selector lever to P.
6. Use the warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your vehicle. 

161
Air conditioning
be turned off by pushing the button. The button lights up yellow and the symbol appears in the display.
AUTO
button – Automatic temperature, ventilation and air distribution
control ⇒ page 162
DUAL
button - Dual zone synchroniser
OFF button – Switches the 2C-Climatronic on and off ⇒ page 163
Blower control ⇒ page 163
AC
button – Switches heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system
on
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation.
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
Note
Please observe the general notes ⇒ page 164. 
7
891011
Viewing Climatronic information
Information about the Climatronic system can be displayed
on the radio or radio and navigation screen mounted at fac-
tory.
Fig. 131 Navigation dis-
play with information
about the Climatronic
Fig. 132 Radio display
with information about
Climatronic

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications