2012 Seat Altea low beam

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 

83
Cockpit
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.
For further information on the turn signals, please see ⇒ page 123. 
Engine management* 
This warning lamp monitors the engine management sys-
tem for petrol engines.
The warning lamp  (Electronic Power Control) lights up when the ignition
is switched on to show that the lamp is working properly. It should go out
once the engine is started.
If there is a fault in the electronic engine management system while you are
driving, this warning lamp will light up. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance. Glow plug system / engine fault

The warning lamp lights up to show that the glow plugs are
preheating. It flashes if there is an engine fault.
Warning lamp  is lit
The warning lamp  lights up while the glow plugs are preheating. When
the warning lamp goes off, the engine should be started straight away.
Warning lamp  flashes
If a fault develops in the engine management system while you are driving,
the glow plug lamp will flash . Take the vehicle to an Authorised Service
Centre as soon as possible and have the engine checked. 
Main beam headlights 
This warning 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 123. 
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. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

87
Cockpit
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 230.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driv-
ing, the brake fluid level ⇒ page 242, Brake fluid in the reservoir is too
low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain techni-
cal assistance.
● If the brake warning lamp  lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp , the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause
the rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek tech-
nical assistance.

Handbrake 
This lamp lights up when the handbrake is applied. If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following mes-
sage will appear on the instrument panel display 1)
: HANDBRAKE ON. You will
also hear an acoustic warning signal ⇒ page 185. 
Bulb defect* 
The warning lamp lights up when a bulb in the vehicle's ex-
terior lighting is defective.
The warning lamp  lights up when a bulb in the vehicle's exterior lighting
(e.g. left-hand main beam) is defective. The instrument panel displays the following message
1)
: LEFT FULL BEAM
FAULTY. 
Engine oil pressure 
If this warning lamp is red it indicates that the engine oil
pressure is too low.
If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is accompanied by three audible
warnings, switch off the engine and check the oil level. If necessary, add
more oil ⇒ page 233.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: STOP ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
If the symbol flashes although the oil level is correct, do not drive on. The
engine must not even run at idle speed. Obtain technical assistance.
Checking the oil level 
If the warning lamp is yellow  the engine oil level should be checked as
soon as possible. Top up the oil ⇒ page 235 at the next opportunity.
Oil level sensor faulty* 
If the  yellow warning lamp flashes, take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop to have the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is advisable to
check the oil level every time you refuel. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

120Lights and visibility
Instrument and switch lighting / Headlight range control
Fig. 75 Dash panel: reg-
ulation for instrument
and switch illumination
and headlight range con-
trol
Instrument and switch lighting 1
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 1
.
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 igni-
tion is on and the vehicle lights are off . The instrument lighting is dimmed
automatically 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 condi-
tions become poor.
Headlight range control 2
By using the electrical headlight range control, 2 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
2
from the basic setting
0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge lamps (“xenon lamps”) are equipped with dy-
namic headlight range control . This means that the headlights will be ad-
justed to suit the load level of the vehicle and “nodding movements” when
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. 76 Cornering light-
ing using adaptive head-
lights 

123
Lights and visibility
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the park-
ing lights and the headlight flasher.
Fig. 78 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er
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 1
to indicate right, and
all the way down 2 to indicate left.
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up 1
or down 2 to the point where you incur
resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several
times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash. Switching main beam on and off
–
If the dipped lights are on, push the lever forward ⇒ fig. 78 3
to switch on the main beam.
– Push the lever towards the steering wheel ⇒ fig. 78 4
to switch
off the main beam.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel 4
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 headlight 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 warn-
ing 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 de-
fective, the warning lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn signal
bulbs are damaged, warning lamp  does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam
headlights are already on. The warning lamp  then comes on in the instru-
ment panel. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

190Driving
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system)
Description
The cruise control system is able to maintain the set speed
in the range of 30 km/h to 180 km/h.
Once the speed setting has been saved, you may take your foot off the ac-
celerator.
WARNING
It could be dangerous to use the cruise control system if it is not possible
to drive at constant speed.
● Do not use the cruise control system when driving in dense traffic, on
roads with lots of bends or on roads with poor conditions (with ice, slip-
pery surfaces, loose grit or gravel), as this could cause an accident.
● Always switch the cruise control system off after using it in order to
avoid an involuntary use.
● It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current
road, traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.
Note
The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when descending
downhill. The vehicle will accelerate due to its own weight. Use the foot
brake to slow the vehicle. Switching the cruise control system on and off
Fig. 150 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise con-
trol
Switching on the system
– Push the switch ⇒ fig. 150 B
to the left to
ON.
Switching off the system
– Either push the switch B
to the right to
OFF or turn the ignition
off when the vehicle is stationary.
When the cruise control is on and a speed is programmed, the indicator 
on the instrument panel is lit. 1)
If the cruise control system is switched off, the  symbol is switched off.
The system will also be deactivated completely when 1st gear is selected.*
1)
Depending on the model version

191
Driving
Setting speed*
Fig. 151 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise con-
trol
– Press the lower part SET/- of the rocker switch ⇒ fig. 151 A
once briefly when you have reached the speed you wish to set.
When you release the rocker switch, the current speed is set and held con-
stant. Adjusting set speed*
The speed can be altered without touching the accelerator or
the brake.
Fig. 152 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise con-
trol
Setting a higher speed
– Press the upper part RES/+ of the rocker switch ⇒ fig. 152 A
to
increase the speed. The vehicle will continue to accelerate as
long as you keep the rocker switch pressed. When you release
the switch, the new speed is stored.
Setting a lower speed
– Press the lower part SET/– of the rocker switch A
to reduce the
speed. The vehicle will automatically reduce its speed for as
long as you keep the switch pressed. When you release the
switch, the new speed is stored.
When you increase speed with the accelerator and then release the pedal,
the system will automatically restore the set speed. This will not be the 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

192Driving
case, however, if the vehicle speed is more than 10 km/h higher than the
stored speed for longer than 5 minutes. The speed will have to be stored
again.
Cruise control is switched off if you reduce speed by depressing the brake
pedal. You can reactivate the control by pressing once on the upper part of
the rocker switch RES/+ ⇒  fig. 152 A
.
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.

Switching off the system temporarily*
Fig. 153 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise con-
trol
The cruise control system will be switched off in the following situations:
● if the brake pedal is depressed,
● if the clutch pedal is depressed, ●
if the vehicle is accelerated to over 180 km/h,
● when the ESC (ESP) or ASR (TCS) intervenes.
● when the lever B
is moved to the position “CANCEL” without reaching
the “OFF” position. Once the “CANCEL” operation is completed, the lever is
released and returns to its initial position.
To resume the cruise control, release the brake or clutch pedal or reduce the
vehicle speed to less than 180 km/h and press once on the upper part of
the rocker switch RES/+ ⇒ fig. 153 A
.
WARNING
It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,
traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.

Complete system deactivation*
Fig. 154 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er: switch and rocker
switch for the cruise con-
trol 