2013 Seat Altea Freetrack warning

86Cockpit
Indicator for open doors or rear lid* 
This warning lamp lights up if one of the doors or the rear
lid is open.
The warning light  should go off when all the doors are closed correctly.
The system also works when the ignition is switched off. It should go off ap-
prox. 15 seconds after the vehicle is locked. 
Electromechanical steering* 
For vehicles with power steering, the level of steering assistance depends
on the vehicle's speed and on the steering angle.
The control lamp should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It should go out once the engine is started.
If the battery is disconnected, the indicator remains lit, even with the en-
gine running. The warning light only goes off after a distance of approx. 50
m.
There is a fault in the electromechanical steering system if the lamp does
not go out or lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. The warning lamp
may appear in two different colours to indicate faults. If it lights yellow, this
indicates a minor fault. If it lights red, seek assistance from a specialised
workshop immediately, as the steering assistance is not working; in this
case you should not keep driving. Stop the vehicle and seek technical assis-
tance. The power steering does not work if the battery is flat or if the engine
is off (for example, for towing). You should take into account that you will
need considerably more power than normal to steer the vehicle if the power
steering is not working correctly or at all. For those vehicles fitted with ESC*, the “Steering manoeuvre recommenda-
tion” function is included. See
⇒ page 189. 
Emission control system* 
This warning lamp monitors the exhaust system.
Control lamp  flashes:
When there is misfiring that can damage the catalytic converter. Reduce
speed and drive carefully to the nearest specialised workshop to have the
engine checked.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: EXHAUST GAS SEE
WORKSHOP
Control lamp  is lit:
If a fault has developed during driving which has reduced the quality of the
exhaust gas (e.g. lambda probe fault). Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest specialised workshop to have the engine checked.
The following message is shown in the instrument panel display: EXHAUST
GAS SEE WORKSHOP . 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

87
Cockpit
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*  / 
There are two control lamps for the electronic stability con-
trol. The  lamp provides information concerning the func-
tion and the  provides information on the disconnection
status
Both lamps come on together when the ignition is switched on and should
go out after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.
This programme includes the ABS, EDL and ASR. This also includes the
brake assist system (BAS), automatic cleaning of the brake discs and the
trailer stability programme (TSP).
The warning lamp  has the following functions:
● It flashes whilst driving when the ASR/ESC is activated.
● It will light up continuously if there is a fault in the ESC.
● As the ESC operates in conjunction with the ABS, it will also light up if a
fault should occur in the ABS.
If the ESC control lamp  lights up and stays on after the engine is started,
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESC.
In this case the ESC can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and
then on again. If the control lamp goes out, this means the system is fully
functional.
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the ASR is disconnected when pressing the  switch.Differential lock fault (EDL)*The EDL operates along with the ABS in vehicles equipped
with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*
A malfunction in the EDL is indicated by the ABS control lamp . Take the
vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. For further informa-
tion on the EDL see ⇒ page 190, Electronic differential lock (EDL)*. 
Traction control system (ASR)*  / 
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is accelerating
There are two warning lamps for the traction control system:  and . Both
lamps come on together when the ignition is switched on and should go out
after approx. 2 seconds, which is how long the function check lasts.
The  lamp has the following function:
● It flashes when the ASR is working if the vehicle is moving.
If the system is deactivated or if it has any fault, the warning lamp will re-
main lit. The warning lamp will also light up if a fault should occur in the
ABS because the ASR operates in conjunction with the ABS. For further in-
formation, see ⇒  page 187, Brakes
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the ASR is disconnected when pressing the ASR OFF
switch.
By pressing it again, the ASR function is reactivated and the warning lamp
switched off. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

88Cockpit
Operating the foot brake 
The brake pedal must be depressed when this warning lamp lights up. This
is necessary when the automatic gearbox* selector lever is moved out of the
positions P or N. 
Electronic immobiliser* “Safe”
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser au-
tomatically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The electronic immo-
biliser will be activated again automatically as soon as you pull the key out
of the ignition lock.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: IMMOBILISER. The
vehicle cannot be used in that case ⇒ page 169.
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine
key is used.
Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured if genuine SEAT keys are used. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

95
Opening and closing
Opening and closing
Central locking
Basic functions
The central locking system enables you to lock and unlock
all doors and the rear lid by just pushing the button. Description
Central locking can be activated by using any of the following options:
● the key, by inserting it into the driver door cylinder and rotating it man-
ually,
● the central lock button in the vehicle interior ⇒ page 97.
● the radio frequency remote control , using the buttons on the key,
⇒  page 102
Various functions are available to improve the vehicle safety: “Safe” locking system
Selective unlocking system*
Automatic speed-dependent locking and unlocking system*
Self-locking system to prevent involuntary unlocking
Emergency unlocking system
Unlocking the vehicle* Press button 
⇒ Fig. 62 on remote control to unlock all the doors and
rear lid.
–
–
–
–
–
– Locking the vehicle*
Press button 
⇒ 
Fig. 62 on the remote control to lock all doors and
the rear lid or turn the key in the door to lock all doors and the rear lid.
WARNING
● Never leave children or disabled persons in the vehicle. In case of
emergency, they may not be able to leave the vehicle or manage on their
own.
● 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 rear lid and all the other
doors when you are not using the vehicle.
● Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle. Misuse
of the keys, for example, by children, may result in serious damage and
accident.
–The engine may accidentally be started and be out of control.
– If the ignition is switched on, the electric equipment could be acti-
vated with risk of injury, for example, in the electric windows.
– The doors can be locked using the remote control key. This could
become an obstacle for assistance in an emergency situation.
– Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer
the vehicle. 
–
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

96Opening and closing
Note
● While the driver door is open, the vehicle cannot be locked with the re-
mote control. This avoids the user from forgetting his key inside the vehicle.
● If the driver door is unlocked with the key shaft, only the driver door is
unlocked, the rest of the doors remain locked. When the ignition is switched
on, the door deadlock function is deactivated (although the doors remain
locked) and the central lock button is activated. See ⇒ page 97.
● If the central locking or anti-theft alarm are faulty, the driver door control
lamp remains lit for approx. 30 seconds after locking the vehicle.
● For anti-theft security, only the driver door is fitted with a lock cylinder. 
Safety system “Safe*”
The deadlock function makes it more difficult to break into
the vehicle because the door release lever and the central
lock button are not active (depending upon country). Activating deadlock
– Press once the locking button 
on the remote control. Or
– Turn the key once in the driver door lock to lock. A warning lamp
in the driver door flashes to indicate the deadlock is working.
The warning lamp flashes for approx. two seconds at short in-
tervals and then more slowly.
Deactivating deadlock when the vehicle is locked
– Press the lock button 
on the remote control
twice within two
seconds. The vehicle is locked without activating the deadlock.
The driver door warning lamp flashes for approx. two seconds
and then goes out. After approx. 30 seconds it starts flashing
again. The doors can be unlocked and opened from the inside if the deadlock has
not been activated. You will have to pull the door release lever once. When
the Safe deadlock function is off, the anti-theft alarm* remains active. The
vehicle interior monitoring system* and the anti-tow system are deactiva-
ted*.
WARNING
Nobody should remain in the vehicle if the anti-tow system deadlock
mechanism has been activated. It is not possible to open the doors from
the inside. Locked doors could make it more difficult to assist vehicle oc-
cupants in the event of an accident. People could become trapped inside
in an emergency.

Selective unlocking system*
This system allows to unlock either just the driver door or all
the vehicle.
Using the remote control, press the unlock button on the remote 
once.
The Safe system for all the vehicle is deactivated, only the driver door is un-
locked and both the alarm and the warning lamp are also turned off.
Unlocking all doors and the luggage compartment
The unlock button on the remote control must be pressed twice 
so that
all doors and the luggage compartment can be opened.
Press twice within 2 seconds to deactivate the Safe system for all vehicle, to
unlock all doors and to use the luggage compartment. The warning lamp
and the alarm (only vehicles fitted with one) are turned off. 

97
Opening and closing
Automatic speed dependent locking and unlocking system*
This is a safety system which prevent the access to the vehi-
cle from the outside when it is running (for example, when
stopped at a traffic light).
Locking
The doors and the rear lid are automatically locked when vehicle speed ex-
ceeds 15 km/h (10 mph).
If the vehicle is stopped and one of the doors is opened, when the vehicle
moves off again and exceeds a speed of 15 km/h (10 mph), the unlocked
door(s) will be locked once more.
Unlocking
The driver door automatically unlocks when the key is removed from the ig-
nition.
Each door can be unlocked and opened independently from the inside (for
example, when a passenger gets out of it). To do it, simply operate the lever
inside the door.
WARNING
The door handles must not be operated when the vehicle is running: the
door would open.

Automatic locking system for involuntary unlocking*
It is an anti-theft system and prevents the unintentional un-
locking of the vehicle. If the vehicle is unlocked and any of the doors (including the rear lid) are
opened within 30 seconds, it gets re-locked automatically. This function prevents the vehicle from remaining unlocked if the unlock button is press-
ed by mistake.

Emergency unlocking system
If the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle is unlocked, ex-
cept for the luggage compartment. It is possible to lock the vehicle from in-
side with the central locking, after turning the ignition off and back on
again.
If the doors must be locked from the outside, see “Emergency locking of the
doors” 
Central lock button
The central lock button allows you to lock and unlock the ve-
hicle from the inside.
Fig. 57 Detailed view of
the centre console: cen-
tral lock button 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

98Opening and closing
Locking the vehicle
–Press the button 
⇒ .
Unlocking the doors
– Press button 
.
The central lock button is still operative when the ignition is switched off.
Except when the Safe security system is activated.
Please note the following if you lock your vehicle with the central lock but-
ton:
● Locking the doors and rear lid prevents access from the outside (for
safety reasons, e.g. when stopped at a traffic light).
● The driver door and/or front passenger door cannot be locked if any of
the vehicle doors (except the rear lid) are open. This avoids the user from
forgetting his key inside the vehicle.
● Repeated operation of the central locking will deactivate the central lock
button for 30 seconds. Once this time has passed, the button if operative
again.
● There is a danger of leaving the key inside the vehicle if the vehicle is
locked by the central locking button when the driver door is closed and any
of the rear doors open. On closing any of the rear doors, the vehicle locks
and the keys remain inside it.
● All doors can be locked separately from inside the vehicle. Do this by
pulling the door release lever once.
WARNING
● If the vehicle is locked, children and disabled people may be trapped
inside it.
● The central lock button is not operative in the following cases:
WARNING (Continued)
● When the vehicle is locked from the outside (with the remote control
or the key).
● While the ignition is not activated after unlocking the door lock cylin-
der with the key.
Note
● Vehicle locked, amber button .
● Vehicle unlocked, red button . 
Unlocking and locking - Manual personalisation
Activating selective unlocking
With the driver door open, turn the key to unlock for approx. 3 s
Deactivating selective unlocking
With the driver door open, turn the key to lock for approx. 3 s
The turn signal lamps flash to confirm activation or deactivation.
Activation of automatic locking
Press the lock button 
on the central locking button for 3 seconds.
Deactivation of automatic locking
Press the unlock button 
on the central locking button for 3 seconds.
The lock button lamp flashes to confirm activation or deactivation. 

101
Opening and closing
Keys
Set of keys
The set of keys includes a remote control, a key without a re-
mote control and a plastic key tab*.
Fig. 61 Set of keys
The set of keys belonging to your vehicle consists of the following items:
● one remote control key
⇒ Fig. 61 A
with folding key bit,
● one key without remote control B,
● a plastic key tab* C.
Duplicate keys
If you need a replacement key, go to a Technical Service with your vehicle
identification number.
WARNING
● An incorrect use of the keys can cause serious injuries.
● Never leave children or disabled persons in the vehicle. In case of
emergency, they may not be able to leave the vehicle or manage on their
own.
● An uncontrolled use of the key could start the engine or activate any
electric equipment (e.g. electric windows), causing risk of accident. The
doors can be locked using the remote control key. This could become an
obstacle for assistance in an emergency situation.
● Never forget the keys inside the vehicle. An unauthorised use of your
vehicle could result in injury, damage or theft. Always take the key with
you when you leave the vehicle.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion.
Otherwise, the steering could suddenly block and it would be impossible
to steer the vehicle.
CAUTION
There are electronic components in the remote control key. Avoid wetting
and hitting the keys. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications