2013 Seat Altea steering

201
Intelligent technology
Note
● If the power steering should fail at any time or the engine is switched off
(for instance when being towed), the vehicle can still be steered. However,
more effort will be required to turn the steering wheel.
● If the system is leaking or malfunctioning, please take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop as soon as possible.
● The power steering system requires a special hydraulic fluid. The con-
tainer is located in the engine compartment (front left). The correct fluid lev-
el in the reservoir is important for the power steering to function properly.
The hydraulic fluid level is checked at the Inspection Service. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

253
Wheels and tyres
Wear indicators
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear indicators”
⇒  Fig. 171, running across the tread. Depending on the make, there will be
6 to 8 of them evenly spaced around the tyre. Markings on the tyre sidewall
(for instance the letters “TWI” or other symbols) indicate the positions of
the tread wear indicators. The minimum tread depth required by law is
1.6 mm (measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indicators).
Worn tyres must be replaced. Different figures may apply in export countries
⇒ 
.
Tyre pressure
Incorrect tyre pressure causes premature wear and could cause tyre blow-
out. For this reason, the tyre pressure should be checked at least once per
month ⇒ page 250.
Driving style
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking all increase tyre wear.
Changing wheels around
If the front tyres are worn considerably more than the rear ones it is advisa-
ble to change them around as shown ⇒ Fig. 172. The useful life of all the
tyres will then be about the same time.
Wheel balance
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors encoun-
tered in normal driving can cause them to become unbalanced, which re-
sults in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause exces-
sive wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must also be reba-
lanced when a new tyre is fitted. Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the safety
of the vehicle. If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the wheel
alignment checked by a Technical Service.
WARNING
There is a serious danger of accidents if a tyre bursts during driving!
● The tyres must be replaced at the latest when the tread wear indica-
tors are worn ⇒ page 253. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Worn tyres do not grip well at high speeds on wet roads. There is also a
greater risk of aquaplaning.
● At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes
more. This causes it to overheat. This can cause tread separation and tyre
blow-out. Risk of accident. Always observe the recommended tyre pres-
sures.
● If tyres show excessive wear, you should have the running gear
checked by a Technical Service.
● Keep chemicals such as oil, fuel and brake fluid away from tyres.
● Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately!
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

268If and when
Fuses
Changing a fuse
Blown fuses must be replaced
Fig. 179 Left side of
dash panel: Fuse box cov-
er
Fig. 180 Fuse box cover
in engine compartment Fuse cover underneath the steering wheel
–
Switch off the ignition and the component concerned.
– Identify the fuse corresponding to the damaged electric con-
sumer ⇒ page 270.
– Take the plastic clip from inside the fuse cover, fit it onto the
blown fuse and pull the fuse out.
– Replace the blown fuse (which will have a melted metal strip)
with a new fuse of the same ampere rating.
Fuse cover in engine compartment
– Switch off the ignition and its failed electrical component.
– Prise off the fuse cover in the engine compartment by pressing
the tabs towards the centre of the cover ⇒ Fig. 180.
– Identify the fuse for the failed component ⇒ page 270.
– Take the plastic clip from inside the fuse cover (at left-hand end
of the dash panel), fit it onto the blown fuse and pull the fuse
out.
– Replace the blown fuse (which will have a melted metal strip)
with a new fuse of the same ampere rating.
– Carefully fit the fuse cover back on to ensure no water can enter
the fuse box.
The individual electrical circuits are protected by fuses. The fuses are loca-
ted behind a cover at the left-hand end of the dash panel and on the left-
hand side of the engine compartment. 

270If 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)/Switchboard wiring
(BCM)/Heater / ABS, ESC / Park Pilot/ Gateway/
Flow meter5
14Gearbox/ Power steering/ Brake light sensor/
Trailer/ ABS, ESC/ 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 switch-
board10
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/power 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

271
If and when
NumberConsumerAmps48Convenience controls2049Heating controls4050Heated seats3051Sunroof2052Headlight washer system2053Trailer hook pre-installation assistant2054Taxi (taximeter power supply)555Trailer hook pre-installation assistant2056Taxi (transmitter power supply)1557Telephone power supply with START-STOP1058Central locking control unit30
Some of the electrical items listed in the table are only fitted on certain
models or are optional extras.
Please note that the above list, while correct at the time of printing, is sub-
ject to alterations. If discrepancies should occur, please refer to the sticker
on the inside of the fuse cover for the correct information for your model. 
Fuses layout, engine compartment, left part
Fuses
NumberConsumerAmps1Windscreen wipers202DQ200 gearbox303Cable control unit54ABS205AQ gearbox156Instrument panel/Steering column5
NumberConsumerAmps7Ignition key408Radio159Telephone/TomTom Navigator5
10Engine management5Engine management1011Vacant 12Electronic control unit5
13Petrol injection module supply15Diesel injection module supply3014Coil20
15Engine management5Pump relay1016Right lighting3017Horn1518Vacant 19Clean30
20Water pump10Pressure sensor pump for 1.8 engine2021 a)Lambda probe1522Brake pedal, speed sensor5
23a)Engine management5Engine management10Engine management1524AKF, gearbox valve1025a)ABS pump4026Left lighting30
27a)Engine management40Engine management5028Vacant

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

284If and when
Towing and tow-starting
Tow-starting
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-start-
ing is preferable ⇒ page 281.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the
gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the
towing vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it. General notes
Please observe the following points if you use a tow rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
–
Drive slowly at first until the tow rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto-
matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not
working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake sooner than nor-
mal and pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. You should only use a
tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towline anchorages provided
or a towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexper-
ienced drivers should not attempt to tow. 

285
If and when
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking
the tow rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of
overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must ap-
ply considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running,
you will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
● Put the selector lever into position “N”.
● Do not drive faster than 50 km/h (30 mph).
● Do not tow further than 50 km.
● If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.
Note
● Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe
any regulations to the contrary.
● For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.
● If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gear-
box, you must raise the driven wheels while the vehicle is being towed.
● If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km (30 miles), the front
wheels should be raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by
a qualified person. ●
The steering wheel is locked when the vehicle has no electrical power.
The vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should
be carried out by a qualified person.
● The towline anchorage should always be kept in the vehicle. Please refer
to the notes on ⇒ page 284, Tow-starting. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

Correct adjustment of front seat head re-straints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Correct sitting position front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Cruise control Complete system deactivation . . . . . . . . . 192
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Cruise speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
D Danger of fitting a child seat on the front pas- senger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Dash panel cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Daytime driving lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Activating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Deactivating front passenger airbag Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Deactivating the airbag Front passenger front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Diesel engine
Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Diesel engine particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Differential lock fault (EDL) control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Dipped beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Display (without warning or information texts) 61
Disposal Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Door lock cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Door release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Doors Childproof locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Drawer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Driver see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 10, 11, 12
Driveshaft differential XDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Drive wheel traction control system (ASR) . . . 195
Driving Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Economical/Environmentally friendly . . . . 204
With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Driving programmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Driving with automatic gearbox/DSG automatic
gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Duplicate keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . 120
E
Economical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
EDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electrical sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Electric power steering Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90, 172
Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 89, 196 description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Emergency braking warning . . . . . . . . . . 122, 194
Emergency manual locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Emergency opening Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Emission control system control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Engine Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Engine compartment Working in the engine compartment . . . . 233
305
Index