2012 Seat Altea XL headlights

130Lights and visibility
Rear window wiper 
The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.
Fig. 89 Windscreen wip-
er and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position 6
⇒ fig. 89. The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position 6
towards the steering wheel.
The wiper will continue to function for a short period if you
switch off whilst the wipers are in motion.
Switching on the windscreen wiper and washer system
– Press the lever fully forwards to position 7
⇒ fig. 89. The wash
function will start immediately and the wiper will start with a
slight delay. The windscreen wash system will function as long
as you hold the lever in this position. –
Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for approximately 4 sec-
onds, and then in intervals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers
function.
WARNING
● A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 240, Changing
windscreen wiper blades.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the
glass before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper
when the wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the
wiper blade and the wiper motor.
Note
● The windscreen wiper will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the tailgate is closed.
● In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers switched on, the rear wind-
screen wiper will make one wipe. 
Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses. The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steer-
ing wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped beam headlights 

131
Lights and visibility
or main beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from
the headlights at regular intervals, for instance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
● To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.
● To remove water, the windscreen wipers will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles. 
Rear-view mirrors Interior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see clearly through the
rear window.Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror
should be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle
function. Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and
off as desired.
Fig. 90 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
Switching off the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 90. Indicator lamp B goes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 90. Warning lamp is lit.
Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp lights up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the interior mirror will darken au-
tomatically according to the amount of light it receives. The anti-dazzle
function is cancelled if reverse gear is engaged. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

207
Driving and the environment
Driving abroad Observations
To drive abroad, the following must be taken into consideration:
● For vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter ensure that unleaded petrol
is available for the journey. See the chapter “Refuelling”. Automobile organ-
isations will have information about service station networks selling unlea-
ded fuel.
● In some countries, it is possible that your vehicle model is not sold, and
therefore spare parts are not available or the Authorised Services can only
carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information about the
technical preparations that you vehicle requires and also about necessary
maintenance and repair possibilities. 
Adhesive strips for headlights
If you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or
vice versa, the asymmetric dipped beam headlights will dazzle oncoming
traffic.
To prevent dazzling, you must apply stickers to certain parts of the head-
light lenses. Further information is available at your Authorised Service Cen-
tre.
In vehicles with adaptive headlights, the rotation system must previously be
disconnected. To do this, please go to a specialised workshop. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

239
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the engine must
be carried out cautiously.
● When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 230.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised!
Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine is hot.
This is a burn injury risk.
CAUTION
● When mixed with other additives the colour of G12 will change to brown.
If this occurs you should have the coolant changed immediately. Failure to
do so will result in engine damage!
● If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down
before putting in cold coolant. This avoids damaging the engine. Large cool-
ant losses are an indication of leaks in the cooling system. See a special-
ised workshop immediately and have the cooling system checked. Other-
wise, there is a risk of engine damage. Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades
Topping up washer fluid 
The water for cleaning the windscreen should always be
mixed with washer fluid.
Fig. 170 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir.
The windscreen washer and the headlight washers are supplied with fluid
from the windscreen washer fluid container in the engine compartment.
The reservoir is located on the right-hand side of the engine compartment.
Plain water is not enough to clean the windscreen and headlights. We rec-
ommend that you always add a product to the windscreen washer fluid. Ap-
proved windscreen cleaning products exist on the market with high deter-
gent and anti-freeze properties, these may be added all-year-round. Please
follow the dilution instructions on the packaging. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

268If and when
Fuses on left side of dash panel
Fuses
NumberConsumerAmps1Vacant 2Vacant 3Vacant 4Vacant 5Vacant 6Vacant 7Vacant 8Vacant 9Airbag510RSE input (roof screen)1011Vacant 12Left xenon headlight10
13Instrument panel (oil level)/Cable control unit
(BCM)/Heater/ABS, ESC (ESP)/Park Pilot/Gate-
way/Flow meter5
14Gearbox/Power steering/Brake light sensor/Trail-
er/ABS, ESC (ESP)/Haldex/Light switch10
15Heated windscreen / Instrument lighting / Diag-
nosis switchboard/Engine management/Addi-
tional heating/AFS headlights/Park Pilot10
16Right xenon headlight10
17Engine management / RSE system with START
STOP10
18Kombi / levers with START STOP519Navigation/ radio with START STOP15
20Park Pilot (parking aid)/Gear lever/ESC (ESP) con-
trol unit10
NumberConsumerAmps21Vacant 22Volumetric alarm sensor/ Alarm horn523Diagnosis / Rain sensor / Light switch1024Trailer hook pre-installation assistant1525Vacant 26Vacuum pump2027RSE supply (Ceiling display) without START STOP1028Rear window wiper motor2029Vacant 30Cigarette lighter / socket2031Vacant 32Vacant 33Heater4034Vacant 35Vacant 36Vacant 37Vacant 38Vacant 39Trailer control unit (coupling)15
40Trailer control unit (turn signals, brakes and left
side)20
41Trailer control unit (fog light, reverse light and
right side)20
42BCM wiring switchboard2043Trailer pre-installation4044Heated rear window2545Electric windows (front)3046Rear electric windows3047Engine (Fuel control unit, petrol relay)15

270If and when
NumberConsumerAmps
29a)Electric windows (front and back)50Electric windows (front)3030Ignition key50a)
Ampere rating according to motorisation 
Bulb change General notes
Before changing any bulb, first turn off the failed component.
Do not touch the bulb glass. Fingerprints vaporise in the heat, causing a re-
duction in the bulb life and condensation on the mirror surface, thus reduc-
ing efficiency.
A bulb should only be replaced by one of the same type. The type is inscri-
bed on the bulb, either on the glass part or on the base.
It is highly recommended to keep a box of spare bulbs in the vehicle. At the
very least, the following spare bulbs, which are essential for road safety,
should be kept in the vehicle. Main headlights
- H7
- H1
- W5W - PY21W
Xenon 1)
/adaptive headlights
- D1S2)
- P21W SLL
- W5W - PY21W
Fog lights - H3
Fixed tail light - P21W3)
- P21W
Mobile tailgate light - P21W- P21W
- W5W 
Dipped beam
Main beam
Position
Turn signal
Dipped and full beam
Daylight
Position
Turn signals
Fog lights
Stop/Position
Turn signal
Fog light (driver side)
Reverse (passenger side)
Position
1)
On this type of headlight, the bulb changes must be made by the SEAT dealer, given that
complex elements must be removed from the vehicle and a reset must be made on the
automatic control system incorporated.
2) The Xenon bulbs discharge 2.5 times the light flux and have an average lifespan of 5 times
more than that of halogen bulbs, this means that, except due to unusual circumstances,
there is no need to change the bulbs for the whole life of the vehicle.
3) Electronically controlled single filament bulb for Stop/side bulbs. If the bulb blows it will
not work in either position or Stop.

271
If and when
Side turn signal - W5W
Number plate light - C5W
Note
● Depending on weather conditions (cold or wet), the front lights, the fog
lights, the tail lights and the turn signals may be temporarily misted. This
has no influence on the useful life of the lighting system. By switching on
the lights, the area through which the beam of light is projected will quickly
be demisted. However, the edges may continue to be misted.
● Please check at regular intervals that all lighting (especially the exterior
lighting) on your vehicle is functioning properly. This is not only in the inter-
est of your own safety, but also that of all other road users.
● Due to the difficulty in accessing some of the bulbs, any replacement
work should be done by a SEAT dealer. However, the following is a descrip-
tion of how to change the lamps except for the fog lights* and interior
lamps. 
Side turn signal
Number plate light
Main headlight bulbs
Fig. 186 Main headlight
bulbs
Turn signal
Dipped beam headlights
Main beam headlights
Side lights 
A
BCD
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

272If and when
Turn signal bulbs
Fig. 187 Turn signal
– Raise the bonnet.
– Rotate the bulb holder ⇒ fig. 187 A
to the left and pull.
– Remove the bulb by pressing on the bulb holder and rotating at
the same time to the left.
– Installation is done in the reverse order. Dipped lights
Fig. 188 Dipped beam
headlights
Fig. 189 Dipped beam
headlights
– Raise the bonnet.
– Remove the loops ⇒ fig. 188 1
in the direction of the arrow
and remove the cover. 