2012 Seat Altea fuel reserve

58Cockpit
Fuel gauge  and reserve indicator
Fig. 35 Instrument pan-
el: fuel gauge
Instrument panel: fuel gauge
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve area ⇒ fig. 35 (arrow), the warning
lamp will light up and an acoustic signal will sound reminding the driver to
refuel. At this point there are still 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
The following text appears on the instrument panel display 1)
PLEASE REFUEL
[XXX]* Engine coolant temperature gauge

This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Fig. 36 Instrument pan-
el: engine coolant tem-
perature gauge
Needle in cold zone A
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads
⇒ fig. 36.
Needle in normal zone B
In normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle section of
the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard,
especially at high outside temperatures. This is no cause for concern as
long as the warning lamp does not light up and no warning message* ap-
pears on the instrument panel display.

1)
Depending on the version of the model.

60Cockpit
LPG system*
LPG gauge
Fig. 37 Instrument pan-
el: gas gauge.
LPG system filler level display
The LPG tank ⇒ 
in the spare wheel well has a capacity of 39 litres at an
outside temperature of 15 °C ⇒ page 225, Refuelling with LPG.
The charge level can be checked on the analogue gas gauge located on the
instrument panel ⇒ fig. 37. When the level reaches reserve, a notification
text is displayed on the screen. Refill with LPG at the earliest opportunity.
If, while driving in LPG mode, a sudden warning signal is heard and the
warning LPG fault, contact workshop is displayed on the screen1)
, it means
that there is a fault in the LPG system. Take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop to check the LPG system.
WARNING
LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause se-
vere burns and other injury.
● Due care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire or explosion.
● When parking the vehicle in a closed area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechani-
cal, to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Note
● The values shown in the average fuel consumption and distance to emp-
ty indications on the multifunction display (MFI) 2)
on the instrument panel 1)
are approximate values only.
● Two different consumption values are given on the MFI, depending on
whether the vehicle is running in GAS or Petrol mode.
● Please check the fuel level on the fuel level gauge on the instrument
panel ⇒ page 58
● If frequent short journeys are made, especially when the outside tem-
perature is low, the vehicle will tend to run on petrol more often than on
LPG. Therefore, the petrol tank may empty before the LPG tank. 
1)
Depending on the model version
2) Optional equipment

78Cockpit
ItemSymbolMeaning of warning and indicator
lampsFurther infor-mation
1Fuel level / reserve⇒ page 81
2Coolant level / coolant temperature⇒ page 82
3Rear fog light switched on⇒ page 82
4
Turn signals in operation⇒ page 83
5Engine fault (petrol engine)⇒ page 83
Glow plug system for diesel engine⇒ page 83
6Main beam switched on⇒ page 83
7Soot accumulation in the diesel engine
particulate filter⇒ page 83
8ABS system fault⇒ page 84
9Windscreen washer fluid level⇒ page 84
10Alternator fault⇒ page 85
11Fasten seat belts!⇒ page 19
12Brake pad worn⇒ page 85
13Tyre pressure⇒ page 85
ItemSymbolMeaning of warning and indicator lampsFurther infor-mation
14Airbag or belt tensioner system fault or
airbag disabled⇒ page 29
⇒ page 32
15Bulb defective⇒ page 87
16Brake fluid required or
brake system fault⇒ page 86
17
Red:
Engine oil pressure
⇒ page 87Yellow:
If flashing: engine oil sensor faulty
If it remains lit: insufficient engine oil
18Handbrake on⇒ page 185
19Cruise speed activated (Cruise control)⇒ page 88
20Door open indicator⇒ page 88
21If it stays lit: ASR (TCS) deactivated⇒ page 89
⇒ page 89
⇒ page 170
22Electromechanical steering⇒ page 88
23Fault in the emission control system⇒ page 88
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 89
⇒ page 89
⇒ page 170

25Selector lever lock (automatic gearbox)⇒ page 90 

81
Cockpit
Information messages displayed on the screen*
Message a)Description
SERVICEThe service interval has ended. Take the vehicle to an au-
thorised service.
IMMOBILIS-
ERImmobiliser system active. The vehicle will not start. Take
the vehicle to an authorised service.
ERRORInstrument panel faulty. Take the vehicle to an authorised
service.
CLEAN AIRFILTERWarning: The air filter must be cleaned.
NO KEYWarning: Correct key cannot be found in the vehicle.KEY BATTERYWarning: Key battery low. Change the battery.
CLUTCHWarning: Press the clutch to start. In vehicles with manual
gearbox and Start/Stop system.
--> P/NWarning: Place the selector level in P/N to start. Only in ve-
hicles with automatic gearbox.
--> PWarning: Place the selector lever in position P to stop the
engine.
STARTINGWarning: The engine starts automatically. Start-Stop system
activated.
START MAN- UALLYWarning: The engine must be started manually. Start-Stop
system activated.
ERROR
START STOPWarning: Start-Stop system error.
START STOP
IMPOSSIBLEWarning: Although the Start-Stop system is switched on, the
engine cannot be stopped automatically. Not all the neces-
sary conditions are met
START STOP ACTIVEWarning: Start-Stop system activated. Vehicle in Stop mode.
SWITCH OFFWarning: Start-Stop system activated. Switch off the ignition
when you leave the vehicle.
STOP TRANS-MISSIONTOO HOTWarning: Stop the engine. Gearbox overheated.
BRAKEWarning: To start the engine, press the brake pedal. Only in
vehicles with automatic gearbox.
COASTING FUNCTIONWarning: Coasting mode active. Transmission engaged. On-
ly in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
CHECK SAFE- LOCKNotification of central locking function activated.
a)These messages may vary according the version of the vehicle model. 
Fuel level / reserve 
This symbol lights up to indicate that the fuel tank is under
the reserve level.
It lights up when only 7 litres of fuel remain in the tank. You will also hear a
warning signal. It reminds you to fuel up the fuel tank as soon as possible
⇒ page 223.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: PLEASE REFUEL! .
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

299
Technical specifications
Dimensions and capacities
Dimensions
Length, width 4282 mm/ 1768 mm
Height at kerb weight 1546 mm
Front and rear projection 916 mm/ 788 mm
Wheelbase 2578 mm
Turning circle 10.7 m
Track width a) Front
Rear
1525 mm 1509 mm
1539 mm 1523 mm
Capacities
Fuel tank 55 l. Reserve 7 l.
Windscreen washer fluid container with headlight washer 3 l/ 5.5 l
Tyre pressure
Summer-grade tyres:
The correct tyre pressure can be seen on the sticker on the inside of the tank flap.
Winter tyres:
The pressure of these tyres is the same as the summer tyre pressure plus 0.2 bar.
a) This data will change depending on the type of wheel rim. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Engine oil pressure Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 87
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Environmentally friendly driving . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Environmental tip Avoiding pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 170, 196 see also Electronic Stability Control . . . . . 170
ESP see ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 170, 196
Example of menu use Program a speed limit warning . . . . . . . . . . 69
To activate and deactivate the speed limitwarning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Example of the use of the menus Open the Configuration menu with the MFIlever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Open the Configuration menu with the steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Examples of menu use Open the main menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Open the winter tyres menu . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
To close the winter tyres menu . . . . . . . . . . 69
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 F
Fabric trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Flexible service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Fog lights with cornering function . . . . . . . . . 121
Folding table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Folding the seat backrests down . . . . . . . . . . 141
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Front drinks holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Front passenger airbag deactivation . . . . . . . . 44
Front reading lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Front seat adjustment Lumbar support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Fuel Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Fuel level Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Warning message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Fuel tank see Fuel reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Fuel Tank
Opening the fuel tank flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Fuel: save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
G
G 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Gear shift pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
General overview of the engine compartment 287
Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Glow plug system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
H Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
HBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Headlight flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Headlights Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Headlight washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Head restraints Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136, 137
Adjustment of the head restraint angle . . 137
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Heated front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
304 Index

Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructionsCoolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Deactivating front passenger airbag . . . . . . 45
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135, 138, 140
Seat belt cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Seat belt position Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Seat belt protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Incorrectly fastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat belt tensioner Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Selective opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Selector lever locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
servotronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Sitting position Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sitting position, occupants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254, 286
Soot accumulation in the diesel engine particu- late filter *
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Start-Stop Activating and deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Starting petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Starting Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172, 173 After the fuel tank has been run dry . . . . . 173
Steam jets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 Steering lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Steering wheel audio controls Audio version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Audio + telephone version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Steering wheel height adjustment . . . . . . . . . 169
Storage compartment
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Front passenger side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Other storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 145
Storage in the luggage compartment . . . . . . . 144
Sun visor Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Switch Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Switches electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
T Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Emergency opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Tail lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Tank Fuel level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Reserve indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
TCS see ASR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 195
Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
The danger of not using the seat belt . . . . . . . . 22
307
Index