2013 Seat Altea Owner's Manual

87
Cockpit
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 233.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driv-
ing, the brake fluid level ⇒ page 245, 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 (4 mph) with the handbrake on, the following
message 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 236.
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. Do
not even run the engine 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 238 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

88Cockpit
Cruise speed (Cruise control)* 
The warning lamp comes on when the cruise control system
is switched on.
The warning lamp  lights up when the cruise control system is switched
on. For further information on the cruise control system, see ⇒ page 190.
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 196. 
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.

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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 assistance 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 197, 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 194, 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. 
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90Cockpit
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 172.
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.

91
Steering wheel controls
Steering wheel controls
General information
The steering wheel includes a multifunction module from where it is possi-
ble to control the audio, telephone and radio navigation functions, and the
automatic gearbox*, without requiring the driver to be distracted from driv-
ing.
There are three versions of the multifunction module:
● Audio version, to control the available audio functions from the steering
wheel.
● Audio + Telephone version, to control the available audio functions and
the telephone system from the steering wheel.
Both versions may be used to control the Audio system (Radio, Audio CD,
mp3 CD, iPod 1)
/USB 1)
/SD 1)
) and the Radio navigation system, in which
case they also control the Navigation system.
● Version for automatic gearbox* ⇒ page 183. 
1)
If fitted in the vehicle.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

92Steering wheel controls
Audio system
Steering wheel audio version controls
Fig. 53 Controls on the
steering wheelFig. 54 Steering wheel
controls (depending on
version of model)
ButtonRadioCD/MP3/USB*/iPod*AUX ⇒  table on page 93AVolume upVolume upVolume upBVolume downVolume downVolume down
CSearch for next stationNext track
Hold down: Fast forwardNo function specified
DSearch for last stationPrevious track
Hold down: RewindNo function specified
ENo function specifiedNo function specifiedNo function specifiedFMutePauseMute
Ga)Operates on instrument panel displayOperates on instrument panel displayOperates on instrument panel displayNext preset b)Next track b)No function specified b)
Ha)Operates on instrument panel displayOperates on instrument panel displayOperates on instrument panel displayPrevious presetb)Previous trackb)No function specified b)


93
Steering wheel controls
Ia)Next presetChange folderNo function specifiedChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrument panel
Ja)Previous presetChange folderNo function specifiedChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrument panelKOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panel
La)Change sourceChange sourceChange sourceOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panela)
Depending on the model version
b) Only if the panel is in Audio menu. 
Steering wheel Audio + Telephone version controls
Fig. 55 Controls on the
steering wheelFig. 56 Steering wheel
controls (depending on
version of model)
ButtonRadioCD/MP3/USB*/iPod*AUXTELEPHONEAVolume upVolume upVolume upVolume upBVolume downVolume downVolume downVolume down 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

94Steering wheel controls
CSearch for next stationNext track
Hold down: Fast forwardNo function specifiedNo function specified
DSearch for last stationPrevious track
Hold down: RewindNo function specifiedNo function specified
EAccess telephone menu on instrument panelAccess telephone menu on instru-ment panelAccess telephone menu on in-strument panel
Make call
Accept incoming call End call
Hold down: reject incoming call
FEnable voice recognitionEnable voice recognitionEnable voice recognitionActivate voice control/
Interrupt current message/ Deactivate voice control
GNext preset a)Next tracka)No function specified
Previous option in the menu/
list/
selection shown on instru- ment panel b)
HPrevious preset a)Previous tracka)No function specified
Next option in the menu/
list/
selection shown on instru- ment panel b)
IChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrument
panelChange menu on instrumentpanel
JChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrumentpanelChange menu on instrumentpanel
KOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panelConfirmLOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrument panelBack to last-opened menua)Only if the panel is in Audio menu.
b) Only if the instrument panel is in the “TELEPHONE” menu. Examples of use: Agenda, List of calls, Select numbers, Select letters, Main menu. 