2013 Seat Altea light

166Air conditioning
Switching on manual mode
–To enter manual mode, press one of the buttons ⇒ Fig. 131 1
to 5 or press the air flow control 10. The selected function is
shown on the radio or navigator display.
Temperature
There are separate temperature selectors for the left and right sides of the
vehicle interior. The selected temperature is displayed above the selector.
The inside temperature can be set between +18 °C (64 °F) and +26 °C
(80 °F). These are approximate temperatures and the actual temperature
may be slightly higher or lower depending on the ambient conditions.
If a temperature below 18 °C (64 °F) is selected, the display switches to LO
In this setting the system runs at maximum cooling output and the tempera-
ture is not regulated.
If a temperature above 26 °C (80 °F) is selected, the display switches to HI.
In this setting the system runs at maximum heating output and the temper-
ature is not regulated.
Blower
The air flow may be adjusted freely using the control 10
. Always have the
blower running at a low setting to ensure a constant flow of fresh air into
the vehicle. Pushing the button  to the minimum -1, turns the Climatronic
off.
Air distribution
The air distribution is adjusted using the buttons 
,  and . It is also
possible to open and close some of the air vents separately.
Switching the air conditioning on and off
When the AC
button is on (LED lit), the air conditioning system is on.
When the AC
button is off (LED off), the air conditioning system is off. When the
AC
button is off, the air conditioning system is switched off to
save fuel. The temperature continues to self-regulate. The set temperature
can then only be reached if it is higher than the outside temperature.
Driver and passenger temperature control
The SYNC
button controls the synchronisation of the 2 Climatronic climate
zones.
When the SYNC
button is off (LED off), the climate zone of the Climatronic is
personalised. For example: driver side temperature 22 °C and passenger
side temperature 23 °C.
When the SYNC
button is on (LED lit), the climate zone of the Climatronic is
synchronised. For example: driver side temperature 22 °C and passenger
side temperature 22 °C.
If the SYNC
button is on and the passenger side temperature is changed,
the function is automatically deactivated. 
Air recirculation mode
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells
from coming from the outside. – Press the button 
⇒ Fig. 131
2 to switch air recirculation
mode on or off. It is switched on if the following symbol appears
in the display .
Air recirculation mode prevents strong odours in the ambient air from enter-
ing the vehicle interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in a
traffic jam.
With low outside temperatures, the air recirculation increases the effective-
ness of the heating system by heating the air inside the vehicle rather than
the air from outside. 

170Driving
WARNING (Continued)
● Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel so that there is a distance of
at least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your chest ⇒ Fig. 133. If
you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not protect you.
Risk of fatal injury.
● If your physical constitution does not allow you to maintain the mini-
mum distance of 25 cm, contact a Technical Service. The Technical Serv-
ice will help you to decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
● If you adjust the steering wheel so that it points towards your face,
the driver airbag will not protect you properly in the event of an accident.
Make sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Never hold
the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other manner
(e.g. in the centre of the steering wheel, or on the inside of the rim). In
such cases, if the airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the
arms, hands and head.
 Safety
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*
The ESC helps make driving safer in extreme driving condi-
tions.
Fig. 134 Detailed view of
the centre console: ESC
switch.
The Electronic Stability Control ESC includes the electronic differential lock
(EDL), the traction control system (ASR), the brake assist system (BAS) and
the trailer stabilisation programme (TSP). The ESC works together with the
ABS. Both control lamps will light up if the ESC or ABS systems are faulty.
The ESC system is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESC system is always active and cannot be switched off. The ESC switch
only switches the ASR off.
The ASR can be deactivated when wheel spin is desirable.
For example: 

172Driving
Starting 2
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Every time the vehicle is started again, the ignition key must be turned to
position 0
. The
repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter motor if the engine is already running.
WARNING
● The ignition key must NOT be removed from the lock until the vehicle
comes to a standstill. Otherwise, the steering could be immediately
blocked- Risk of accident!
● Always remove the key from the ignition when leaving the vehicle,
even for a short period. This is especially important if children or disa-
bled people are left alone in the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment such as the electric windows, conse-
quently resulting in an accident.
● Unsupervised use of the keys could start the engine or any electrical
system, such as the electric window. This could result in serious injury.
CAUTION
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key
position 2
). 
Electronic immobiliser
The electronic immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons
from driving the vehicle.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser au-
tomatically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The electronic immobiliser will be activated again automatically as soon as
you pull the key out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with its correct
code.
Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured if genuine SEAT keys are used. 
Starting and stopping the engine Starting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key
with its correct code. – Move the gearbox lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the start-
er to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting ⇒ page 171 position.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the start-
er motor must not run on with the engine.
After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the ac-
celerator.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few sec-
onds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern. 

173
Driving
If the engine does not start immediately, switch the starter off after 10 sec-
onds and try again after half a minute. If the engine still does not start, the
fuel pump fuse should be checked ⇒ page 268, Fuses.
WARNING
● Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The ex-
haust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless poi-
sonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also result in death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
● Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.
CAUTION
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving
at full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
● The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
● Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and fol-
low the instructions in ⇒ page 281, Jump-starting.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle station-
ary. Start off immediately, driving gently. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emissions. Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key
with its correct code.
– Move the gearbox lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the start-
er to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ Fig. 135 1
. The warning
lamp  will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the lamp turns off, turn the ignition key to position 2
to
start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the start-
er motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few sec-
onds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If there are problems starting the engine, see the ⇒ page 281.
Glow plug system for the diesel engine
To avoid unnecessary discharging of the battery, do not use any other major
electrical equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heating.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp ⇒ page 83 goes
out.
Starting the diesel engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal
(up to one minute) to start a diesel engine after refuelling. This is because
the fuel system must eliminate air first. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

175
Driving
Driving with LPG*
Fig. 136 Centre console:
gas system control
switch.
Your SEAT vehicle has a bivalent engine able to run on either LPG or petrol.
The LPG tank ⇒ page 228, Refuelling with LPG is in the spare wheel well
⇒ 
.
It is possible to change from LPG to petrol while the engine is running, even
if the vehicle is moving, by pressing the GAS
button located on the centre
console ⇒ Fig. 136. The selected operating mode is displayed on the warn-
ing lamp on the instrument panel ⇒ page 79.
Starting the engine
The engine is always started with petrol, even when LPG was being used
when it was switched off.
Automatic switch from petrol to LPG
When the engine is turned on and the following conditions are met, the sys-
tem will automatically switch from petrol mode to LPG mode, the notifica-
tion changed to GAS mode is displayed and the green warning lamp on the
instrument panel lights up: ●
There is enough LPG in the tank.
● The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30 °C.
● Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
Automatic switch from LPG to petrol
When the vehicle is operating in LPG mode and one of these conditions is
met, the system automatically switches to petrol mode, the notification changed to petrol mode is displayed and the green warning lamp on the in-
strument panel goes out:
● When the engine is started.
● If the LPG tank is empty.
● If there is a fault in the LPG system.
● At very low temperatures below minus 10 °C.
Manual switch from petrol to LPG
Press the GAS
button on the centre console ⇒ 
Fig. 136 to change mode. The
notification changed to GAS mode is displayed. When the following condi-
tions are met, the system switches to LPG mode, the green warning lamp on
the instrument panel lights up and the notification displayed changes to changed to GAS mode .
● There is enough LPG in the tank.
● The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30 °C.
● Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
Manual switch from LPG to petrol
Press the GAS
button on the centre console ⇒ Fig. 136 to change mode. The
green lamp on the instrument panel goes out and the notification changed
to petrol mode is displayed.
Running on petrol
Run the engine with petrol for short journeys at regular intervals to avoid
problems in the petrol system. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

177
Driving
● If in an increase in airflow 10
⇒ Fig. 131 is required for more than three
presses.
● Temperature setting HI or LO is selected.
● The engine coolant temperature is insufficient.
● The alternator is faulty, for example the V-belt has ruptured.
● If any of the conditions described in the previous section are not fulfil-
led.
WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the engine off for any reason. You
could lose control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and seri-
ous injury.
● Power steering does not work when the engine is not running. That is
why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
● Turn off the Start-Stop system when driving through water (fording
streams, etc.).
Note
● For vehicles with the Start-Stop function and a manual gearbox, when
the engine is started, the clutch must be pressed.
● When the conditions for the Start-Stop function are not fulfilled, the in-
strument panel displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than 270°, Stop will not function;
however, the angle of steering wheel turn does not affect starting the vehi-
cle. Activating and deactivating the Start-Stop function
Fig. 137 The Start-Stop
function button.
Every time the ignition is switched on, the Start-Stop function is au-
tomatically switched on.
Manually deactivating the Start-Stop function
– Press the A
⇒ Fig. 137 located in the centre console. When the
Start-Stop function is deactivated, the pushbutton indicator
lights.
– If the Start-Stop function is operating then the engine starts im-
mediately.
Switching the Start-Stop function on manually
– Press the A
⇒ Fig. 137 located in the centre console. The indi-
cator on the button will go out. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

179
Driving
Manual gearbox
Driving with a manual gearbox
Fig. 139 Detailed view of
the centre console: gear
shift pattern of a 5-speed
manual gearbox
Fig. 140 Detailed view of
the centre console: gear
shift pattern of a 6-speed
manual gearbox Engaging the reverse gear
–
The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press
the clutch down thoroughly.
– Place the gearbox lever into neutral and push the lever down-
wards.
– Slide the gearbox lever to the left, and then into the reverse po-
sition shown on the lever.
The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When
the engine is running and before engaging this gear, wait about 6 seconds
with the clutch pressed down thoroughly in order to protect the gearbox.
The reverse lights switch on when the reverse gear is selected and the igni-
tion is on.
WARNING
● When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as
a gear is engaged and the clutch released.
● Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of
accident.
Note
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever while driving. The pressure of
your hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.
● When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch fully to
avoid unnecessary wear and damage.
● Do not hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on hills. This causes premature
wear and damage to the clutch.
● Do not leave your foot on the clutch pedal; although the pressure may
seem insignificant, it can cause the premature wear of the clutch plate. Use
the foot rest when you do not need to change gear. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

182Driving
–Select a gear for driving ( R, D or S).
– Release the button and wait a few seconds for the gear to en-
gage, a light jerk will be felt.
– Release the brake and accelerate.
Short stop
– Hold the vehicle stationary with the brake pressed down (for ex-
ample at traffic lights). The selector lever does not need to be
put into the positions P or N for this.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking
– Press the brake pedal and hold to bring the vehicle to a stop.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press in the button on the selector lever knob, move the lever to
the position P and release the button.
Driving slowly
– Move the selector lever to position D and press to the right to
put the lever into tiptronic mode.
– Press the gear lever towards (-) to select a lower gear.
Hill stop
– Hold the vehicle, in all cases, using the brake pedal to prevent
rolling back.
– Do not try to slow the vehicle using another forward gear (en-
gine braking). Descending gradients
–
With the gear engaged, release the brake and accelerate.
The steeper the gradient the lower the gear must be for effective engine
braking. For example, if 3rd gear is used on a very steep gradient, the en-
gine braking is insufficient and vehicle accelerates. So that the engine
speed does not become excessive, the gearbox changes to the next highest
gear. Depress the brake pedal and move the selector lever to the tiptronic
gate to return to 3rd gear.
WARNING
● The driver should never leave the vehicle while the engine is running
or with any gear selected. If for any reason you must leave the vehicle
with the engine running, apply the handbrake and move the selector lev-
er to position P.
● When the engine is running and the positions D, S or R are selected,
it is necessary to hold the vehicle with the brake pedal because the vehi-
cle will creep at a low speed.
● Never accelerate while changing the position of the gear lever (risk of
an accident).
● The gear lever must never be moved into the positions R or P while
moving (risk of an accident).
● Before descending a steep gradient, reduce speed and use the tip-
tronic programme to select a lower gear.
● If you must stop on a hill, always hold the vehicle using the footbrake
to avoid rolling back. 