2013 Seat Altea XL Owner's Manual

95
Steering wheel controls
Radio navigation system Steering wheel Audio + Telephone controls
Fig. 57 Controls on the
steering wheelFig. 58 Steering wheel
controls (depending on
version of model)
ButtonRadioCD/MP3/USB*/iPod*AUXNAVIGATORTELEPHONEAVolume upVolume upVolume upVolume upVolume upBVolume downVolume downVolume downVolume downVolume down
CSearch for next stationNext track
Hold down: Fast forwardNo function specifiedNo function specifiedNo function specified
DSearch for last stationPrevious track
Hold down: RewindNo function specifiedNo function specifiedNo function specified 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

96Steering wheel controls
ENo function specifiedNo function specifiedNo function specifiedNo function specified
Accept incoming call
(press briefly)
Reject incoming call
(press and hold down)
End ongoing call /estab- lish call (press briefly)
Switch to private mode (press and hold down)
Redial last number (press and hold down) a)
F
Activation of voice recogni-
tion for mobile phone con-
nected to the system (if the phone has this function)* / MUTEActivation of voice recognition
for mobile phone connected to the system (if the phone has this function)* / MUTEActivation of voice recog-nition for mobile phone
connected to the system (if the phone has this function)* / MUTEActivation of voice recog-nition for mobile phone
connected to the system (if the phone has this function)* / MUTEActivation of voice recog-nition for mobile phone
connected to the system (if the phone has this function)* / MUTE
GNext preset b)Next trackb)No function specifiedOperates on instrument
panelOperates on instrument
panel/No function speci- fied
HPrevious preset b)Previous trackb)No function specifiedOperates on instrument
panelOperates on instrument
panel/No function speci- fied
IChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrumentpanelChange menu on instru-ment panelNo function specifiedChange menu on instru- ment panel
JChange menu on instrument panelChange menu on instrumentpanelChange menu on instru-ment panelNo function specifiedChange menu on instru- ment panel
KOperates on instrument pan- elOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrumentpanelOperates on instrumentpanelOperates on instrument
panel/No function speci- fied
LOperates on instrument pan- elOperates on instrument panelOperates on instrumentpanelOperates on instrumentpanelOperates on instrument
panel/No function speci- fied
a)For a more detailed description of how to use this button, please refer to the Radio navigation System User Handbook (SEAT Media System)
b) Only if the panel is in Audio menu. 

97
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 99.
● the radio frequency remote control , using the buttons on the key,
⇒  page 104
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. 64 on remote control to unlock all the doors and
rear lid.
–
–
–
–
–
– Locking the vehicle*
Press button 
⇒ 
Fig. 64 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

98Opening 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 106.
● 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 deadlock is off, the anti-theft alarm*
⇒ page 106 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. 

99
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.

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. 59 Detailed view of
the centre console: cen-
tral lock button 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

100Opening 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
Emergency manual locking
This permits mechanical locking of the doors in case of cen-
tral locking system failure.
Fig. 60 Locking the
doors manually
Locking the driver door manually
Insert the key in the door lock cylinder and rotate in a clockwise direction for
the left hand side door and anticlockwise for the right hand side door.
Once the door has been closed it can no longer be opened from the outside.
Manual (emergency) locking of the remaining doors
Open the door and remove the cap A

⇒  Fig. 60 printed with a lock image.
This will expose a circular element with a groove in the centre. Insert the key
into the groove and rotate the element clockwise for the right hand side
doors and anticlockwise for the left hand side doors.
Replace the cap and close the door. Once the door has been closed it can
no longer be opened from the outside. Unlocking the manually (emergency) locked driver door
Insert the key in the door lock cylinder and rotate anticlockwise for the left
hand side doors and clockwise for the right hand side doors.
The door lock is released and the door may be opened using the exterior
door handle.
Unlocking the remaining manually (emergency) locked doors
First the driver door must be unlocked to gain entry to the vehicle. Operate
the internal door handle for the required door. If the childproof lock is acti-
vated on the rear doors, when the interior door release lever is operated the
door is unlocked but does not open. The door must be opened from the out-
side.
Note
Once the vehicle is open, if you wish to lock it manually (emergency lock-
ing), repeat the previous instructions. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

102Opening and closing
Childproof lock
The childproof lock prevents the rear doors from being
opened from the inside. This system prevents minors from
opening a door accidentally while the vehicle is running.
Fig. 61 Childproof lock
on the left hand side door
Fig. 62 Childproof lock
on the right hand side
door This function is independent of the vehicle electronic opening and
locking systems. It only affects rear doors. It can only be activated
and deactivated manually, as described below:
Activating the childproof lock
–
Unlock the vehicle and open the door in which you wish to acti-
vate the childproof lock.
– With the door open, rotate the groove in the door using the igni-
tion key, clockwise for the left hand side doors, and anticlock-
wise for the right hand side doors ⇒ Fig. 61 ⇒ Fig. 62.
Deactivating the childproof lock
– Unlock the vehicle and open the door whose childproof lock you
want to deactivate.
– With the door open, rotate the groove in the door using the igni-
tion key, clockwise for the right hand side doors, and anticlock-
wise for the left hand side doors ⇒ Fig. 61 ⇒ Fig. 62.
Once the childproof lock is activated, the door can only be opened from the
outside. The childproof lock can be activated and deactivated by inserting
the key in the groove when the door is open, as described above. 