2012 Seat Altea ignition

45
Airbag system
WARNING
● The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch.
● You should only deactivate the front passenger airbag when, in ex-
ceptional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat on the front pas-
senger seat ⇒ page 46, Child safety.
● Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger
seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. Otherwise,
there is a risk of death. If under exceptional circumstances it is necessary
to transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger
seat, you must always disable the front passenger airbag.
● As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.
● Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, which could cause the airbag
to not deploy properly or not deploy at all.
● When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIR-
BAG OFF is not continuously lit up, there may be a fault in the airbag sys-
tem:
–Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a specialised
workshop.
– Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front pas-
senger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault
in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal
injuries.
– It is unpredictable whether the front passenger airbag will deploy
in the event of an accident. Warn all your passengers of this.
● When using the ignition key to activate/deactivate the front passen-
ger airbag, only the front passenger airbag will be activated/deactivated.
The side airbag and head airbag on the passenger side will remain ac-
tive.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

55
Cockpit
Operating Instructions Cockpit
Overview Overview of the dash panel
This overview will help you to familiarise yourself with the
controls and displays. Door release lever
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Lighting control for instrument and control lighting . . . . . . . . .120
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Air vent
Turn signal and main beam lever and cruise control system* 123, 190
Controls on the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Instrument panel:
– Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
– Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
– Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Horn (works only when the ignition is on)/ Driver front airbag . .30
Windscreen wiper and washer lever and operation of the
multifunction display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128, 63
Left seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
1
2345678
910
11
Controls for
–
Heating* and ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
– Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
– Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Radio/Navigator*
Right seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Warning lamp for deactivated front passenger airbag . . . . . . .44
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Glove compartment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Selector lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Cup holder compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Controls on the centre console:
– Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
– ESC (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
– Tyre pressure control* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
– Park Pilot* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
– Cigarette lighter / Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
– Exterior mirror adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
– Start-Stop* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hazard warning light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Steering column control lever* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
12
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Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

62Cockpit
Recommended gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.
Fig. 40 Gear display
Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should
change up or down.
Note
The gear change indication should not be taken into account the accelera-
tion is required (for example when overtaking). 
Odometer or flexible service interval display
Odometer
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle. The right-hand counter registers the short journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding
down the reset button for a few seconds.
Service interval display
Vehicles with
Service intervals dependent on time/distance travelled al-
ready have certain service intervals set. The intervals are calculated individ-
ually in vehicles with LongLife service.
The service interval display only indicates the dates of services that include
engine oil change. The dates of all other services, such as Inspection Serv-
ice or brake fluid change, appear in the sticker on the door pillar or in the
Maintenance Programme.
A Service pre-warning will appear in the odometer if a service is due soon. A
“spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance that can
be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will change
after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the number
of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The following
message is shown in the instrument panel display*: Service in
[XXXX]
kmor
[XXXX]
days
The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds after the ig-
nition is switched on or the engine is running. The normal display can be
resumed by briefly pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by press-
ing the OK
button on the steering wheel controls.
With the ignition on, you can check the current service message at any mo-
ment in the Vehicle status menu or turning the reset button to access the
service display.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or
day information. 

64Cockpit
The multifunction system uses two automatic memories: 1 - Actual
memory and 2 - Total memory . The selected memory will be shown
in the upper right-hand corner of the display.
Selecting a memory
– When the ignition is on, briefly press button ⇒ fig. 41 A
on the
windscreen wiper lever to change from one memory to another
or press button A
on the steering wheel controls
⇒ fig. 41.
Resetting a memory
– Select the memory that you would like to reset.
– Hold down button A
on the windscreen wiper lever or button
A on the steering wheel controls for at least 2 seconds.
The trip memory 1 collects the travel and consumption rates from the mo-
ment the ignition is switched on until it is switched off. If the journey is con-
tinued within two hours of switching off the ignition, the new values will be
added to the existing trip recorder memory. The memory will automatically
be deleted if the journey is interrupted for more than two hours.
The total memory 2 collects the trip data for any number of individual jour-
neys (even if the ignition is switched off for longer than two hours) up to a
total of 19 hours and 59 minutes travel time or 1999 km distance travelled.
The memory will automatically be deleted if one of the named values is
reached. Information in the multifunction display (MFI)*Fig. 43 Rocker buttons A
and B. Steering wheel
controls.
Fig. 44 Digital instru-
ment panel display: aver-
age fuel consumption in-
dicator.
You can switch between the following displays in the multifunction display
(MFI) by operating rocker switch ⇒ fig. 43 B
on the windscreen wiper lever.


65
Cockpit
Memory displays
● Driving speed
● Journey duration
● Average speed
● Distance
● Distance to empty
● Average fuel consumption
● Current fuel consumption
● Outside temperature display
● Speed warning
km/h - Driving speed
Driving speed is digitally shown in the display.
min - Journey duration
The display shows the amount of time which has elapsed since the ignition
was switched on.
The maximum display value in both memories is 19 hours and 59 minutes.
The memory will automatically be deleted once this value has been
reached.
Ø mph - Average speed The average speed will be shown after running a distance of approximately
100 metres. Until then dashes will appear in the display. The display will be
updated every 5 seconds while the vehicle is in motion.
km - Distance travelled
The display shows the distance travelled since the ignition was switched on. The maximum display value in both memories is 1999 km. The memory will
automatically be deleted once this value has been reached.
 Km - Fuel range
The fuel range is calculated using the figures for tank content and current
fuel consumption. It shows how far the vehicle can travel using the same
conditions as a reference.
Ø ltr/100km - Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption will be shown ⇒ fig. 44 after a distance of ap-
proximately 100 metres has been travelled. Until then dashes will appear in
the display. The display will be updated every 5 seconds while the vehicle is
in motion. The amount of fuel used will not be shown.
l/100 km or l/h - Current fuel consumptionThe display will show the current fuel consumption in litre/km whilst the ve-
hicle is in motion or in litre/hour when the vehicle is in a stationary position
with the engine running.
Using this display you can see how your driving style affects fuel consump-
tion ⇒ page 204.
Outside temperature display
The measurement range extends from -45 °C to +58 °C. At temperatures be-
low +4 °C, an ice crystal symbol is displayed and a warning sounds if the
vehicle is moving at more than 20 km/h (ice danger warning). This symbol
will flash for about 10 seconds and remains lit until the outside temperature
rises above +4 °C or 6 °C if it was already lit.
Set speed indicator
When driving at the required speed, enter the speed indicator mode and
press the button A
(Reset), the display remembers the indicated speed. If
the indicated speed is exceeded, a warning message is displayed on the
screen 1)
and an acoustic signal is given. 
1)
Depending on the model version, the message on the screen may vary and may be repre-
sented by flashing of the speed indication or by a speed message.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

68Cockpit
Instrument panel menus*
Example of menu use
All the menus on the instrument panel may be used accord-
ing to the following procedure. The instrument panel menus
may vary according to the version of the model.
Fig. 45 Windscreen wip-
er lever: button A to con-
firm the menu selection
and rocker switch B to
change the menu
Fig. 46 Steering wheel
controls: button A to con-
firm the menu selection
and switch B to change
the menu
The setting of a speed warning will be used as an example of how
to use the menus. This is a good idea if you are, for example, using
winter tyres which are not suited for the top speed of the vehicle.
1. Open the main menu with the MFI lever
– Switch the ignition on.
– Hold down button B
for two seconds to return to main menu
from other menu. It may be necessary to repeat this operation
until the main menu is displayed.
2. Open the menu “Configuration” with the MFI lever
– To choose an option from the menu, press the upper or lower
end of the rocker switch. The selected option is displayed be-
tween two lines and there will also be a triangle on the right.
– Select menu Configuration.
– Press button A
on the windscreen wiper lever. The
Configura-
tion menu is opened. 

70Cockpit
Main menu
The menu provides access to the different display functions
(only with the MFI lever).
Fig. 47 Windscreen wip-
er lever (MFI): button A to
confirm the menu selec-
tion and rocker switch B
to change the menu
Fig. 48 Digital instru-
ment panel display: Main
menu Open main menu
–
Switch the ignition on.
– Press and hold the eject button B
for at least two seconds. It
may be necessary to repeat this operation until the main menu
is displayed.
Select a menu from the main menu
– To choose an option from the menu, press the upper or lower
end of rocker switch B
. The selected option is displayed be-
tween two horizontal lines.
– Press button A
to select the entry.
Example of menu use ⇒ page 68
Main menuFunctionMultifunction dis-
playChange to the multifunction display (MFI): “Multifunc-
tion display (MFI)”
AudioThis menu displays the available information for the
active audio source (radio station, CD audio track /
MP3 / USB / iPod / Bluetooth audio a)
/ call informa-
tion a)
.
NavigationThis menu is only available if the vehicle is fitted with a
navigation system. The navigation system must be
switched on. When the route guidance is activated, the
turning arrows and proximity bars are displayed. The
display is similar to that of the Navigation system.
If the route guidance is not activated, the direction of
travel (compass) and the name of the street along
which you are driving are shown. 

71
Cockpit
TelephoneThis menu is only available in vehicles with radio unit if
the vehicle is fitted with the telephone function. In ve-
hicles fitted with a radio navigation system, this menu
is available in the central unit (navigator) ⇒ Book-
let SEAT Media System 2.1.
Vehicle conditionThis menu displays current warning or information
texts: “Vehicle status menu”
This option flashes when one of these texts is dis-
played.
ConfigurationThis option allows the time, the speed warning when
using winter tyres, units, language, independent heat-
ing, the Light and visibility menu and the Convenience
menu to be reset.
a) Only in vehicles fitted with a radio navigation system.
Note
For electronic and vehicle equipment one or more of these menus will be
displayed. Multifunction display menu (MFI)
The multifunction display (MFI) shows you information on
the journey and fuel consumption.
Fig. 49 Multifunction
display (MFI) instrument
panel display.
The multifunction display (MFI) has two automatic memories: 1 - Trip memo-
ry and 2 - Total memory . The selected memory is shown on the upper right
hand section of the display ⇒ fig. 49 at all times.
Open the multifunction display menu Select the Multifunction display menu from the main menu ⇒ page 70
and press the OK
button on the windscreen wiper lever or the multi-
function steering wheel*.
Selecting a memory To change from one memory to another, briefly press button A
⇒ fig. 45 ⇒ page 68 on the windscreen wiper lever or the OK button on
the multifunction steering wheel ⇒ fig. 46 ⇒  page 68 while the ignition
is switched on. 
–
–
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications