2013 Seat Altea XL warning light

85
Cockpit
The following message is shown on the instrument panel display* 1)
: REFILL
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . 
Alternator 
This warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator.
The warning lamp  lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should
go out when the engine has started running.
If the warning lamp  lights up while driving, the alternator is no longer
charging the battery. You should immediately drive to the nearest special-
ised workshop.
You should avoid using electrical equipment that is not absolutely necessa-
ry because this will drain the battery. 
Worn brake pads 
If the  symbol lights up, have the front brake pads (and, for safety rea-
sons, the rear pads as well) inspected by a specialised workshop. Tyre pressure 
The tyre pressure control system controls the tyre speed and
the frequency spectrum of each tyre.
Fig. 52 Centre console:
tyre monitor system but-
ton
The tyre control lamp 2)
compares wheel revolutions and with it, the wheel
diameter of each wheel using the ESC. If the diameter of a wheel changes,
the tyre control lamp  lights up. The wheel diameter changes when:
● Tyre pressure is insufficient.
● The tyre structure is damaged.
● The vehicle is unbalanced because of a load.
● The wheels of one axle are under more pressure (for example, driving
with a trailer or on extreme slopes).
● The vehicle is fitted with snow chains. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
2) Depending on the model version
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86Cockpit
● The temporary spare wheel is fitted.
● The wheel on one axle is changed.
Tyre pressure adjustment
Following the modification to tyre pressure or after changing one or more
wheels, the button ⇒  Fig. 52 must be kept pressed while the ignition is on
until an audible warning is heard and the warning lamp goes out.
If the wheels are under excessive load (for example, driving with a trailer or
heavy load), the tyre pressure must be increased to the recommended value
for a full load (see the sticker on the inside of the fuel flap). If the tyre moni-
tor system button is pressed down, the new tyre pressures are confirmed.
The tyre pressure control lamp  lights up
If the tyre pressure of one or more wheels is much lower than the value set
by the driver, the tyre control warning lamp lights up ⇒ 
.
The tyre pressure control lamp  flashes
If the tyre pressure control lamp flashes, this indicates a fault. Go to the
nearest specialised workshop.
WARNING
● When the tyre pressure control lamp lights up, reduce speed immedi-
ately and avoid any sudden manoeuvre or braking. Stop when possible,
and check the tyre pressure and status.
● The driver is responsible for maintaining correct tyre pressures. For
this reason, tyre pressure must be regularly checked.
● Under certain circumstances (for example, when driving in a sports-
like manner, in winter conditions or on a dirt track) the tyre control lamp
may light up or function incorrectly.
Note
If the battery is disconnected, the yellow warning lamp  lights up after
turning the ignition on. This should turn off after a brief journey. 
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. 
Brake system* 
This warning lamp lights up if the brake fluid level is too low
or if there is a fault in the system.
This warning lamp  lights up if
● the brake fluid level is too low ⇒ page 246.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: STOP BRAKE FLUID
INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
● there is a fault in the brake system.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: BRAKE SYSTEM
FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

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Cockpit
This warning lamp can light up together with the ABS system warning lamp.
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 246, 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.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 239 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. 
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.
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
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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 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 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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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.

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. 