2013 Seat Altea XL warning

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Cockpit
Even if the coolant level is correct do not continue driving. You should ob-
tain technical assistance.
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 233.
CAUTION
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant.
At high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating. 
Rev counter
The rev counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per
minute. The start of the red zone ⇒ Fig. 34 4
indicates the maximum engine speed
operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to change up into
a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot off the accelerator
before the needle reaches the red zone.
CAUTION
To prevent possible engine malfunctions, the rev counter needle should not
reach the red zone. The start of the red zone on the dial is different for some
engine versions.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears sooner, following the recommended gear in-
dications ⇒ Fig. 40 will help you to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and
also engine noise. Speedometer
The speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip recorder, in
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on
⇒ page 202
should be followed. 
Setting the digital clock*
The digital clock is located in the instrument panel display.
– Turn the setting knob ⇒ Fig. 34 5
clockwise until the first
“click” to set the hour. The hour will flash. To change the hour,
press the button.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to the second “click” to set the
minutes. The minutes will flash. To change the minutes, press
the button.
Note
On Highline versions, the time can also be configured on the Kombi menu. 
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LPG system*
LPG gauge
Fig. 37 Instrument pan-
el: gas gauge.
LPG system filler level display
The LPG tank ⇒ 
in the spare wheel well has a capacity of 39 litres at an
outside temperature of 15 °C ⇒ page 228, Refuelling with LPG.
The charge level can be checked on the analogue gas gauge located on the
instrument panel ⇒ Fig. 37. When the level reaches reserve, a notification
text is displayed on the screen. Refill with LPG at the earliest opportunity.
If, while driving in LPG mode, a sudden audible warning is heard and the
warning message LPG fault, contact workshop is displayed on the screen1)
, it
means that there is a fault in the LPG system. Take the vehicle to a special-
ised workshop to check the LPG system.
WARNING
LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause se-
vere burns and other injury.
● Due care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire or explosion.
● When parking the vehicle in a closed area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechani-
cal, to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Note
● The values shown in the average fuel consumption and distance to emp-
ty indications on the multifunction display (MFI) 2)
on the instrument panel
display 1)
are approximate values only.
● Two different consumption values are given on the MFI, depending on
whether the vehicle is running in GAS or Petrol mode.
● Please check the fuel level on the fuel level gauge on the instrument
panel ⇒ page 58
● If frequent short journeys are made, especially when the outside tem-
perature is low, the vehicle will tend to run on petrol more often than on
LPG. Therefore, the petrol tank may empty before the LPG tank. 
1)
Depending on the model version
2) Optional equipment

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Cockpit
Digital instrument panel display
Display (without warning or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector
lever position.
Fig. 38 Detailed view of
the instrument panel:
screen with different in-
dicators
Digital clock display ⇒ page 59. On the right of the display: Selector
lever position display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position
of the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for tiptronic)* is
highlighted.
Outside temperature.
Odometer or flexible service interval display.* 
1
23
Displayed categories*
The display on the instrument panel shows the mileage and
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Fig. 39 Digital instru-
ment panel display
Clock: “Setting the time”. On the right of the display: Selector lever po-
sition display for the automatic gearbox*. The actual position of the se-
lector lever or the gear which is engaged (for tiptronic) is highlighted.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
Optional indicators: e.g. those on the multifunction display (MFI)
Automatic indicators: Information and warning messages.
Menus providing further information and which can be used to make di-
verse settings are also shown: “Instrument panel menus”
Outside temperature:
Odometer or flexible service interval display. 
1
2
–
–
–
3
4
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Recommended gear display*
This display helps to save fuel.
Fig. 40 Gear display
Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should
change up or down.
Note
The gear change indication should not be taken into account the accelera-
tion is required (for example when overtaking). 
Odometer or flexible service interval display
Odometer
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance
covered by the vehicle. The right-hand counter registers the short journeys. The last digit indicates
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding
down the reset button for a few seconds.
Service interval display
Vehicles with
Service intervals dependent on time/distance travelled al-
ready have certain service intervals set. The intervals are calculated individ-
ually in vehicles with LongLife service.
The service interval display only indicates the dates of services that include
engine oil change. The dates of all other services, such as Inspection Serv-
ice or brake fluid change, appear in the sticker on the door pillar or in the
Maintenance Programme.
A Service pre-warning will appear in the odometer if a service is due soon. A
“spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance that can
be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will change
after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the number
of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The following
message is shown in the instrument panel display*: Service in
[XXXX]
kmor
[XXXX]
days
The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds after the ig-
nition is switched on or the engine is running. The normal display can be
resumed by briefly pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by press-
ing the OK
button on the steering wheel controls.
With the ignition on, you can check the current service message at any mo-
ment in the Vehicle status menu or turning the reset button to access the
service display.
An overdue service is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or
day information. 

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Cockpit
Indications for vehicles with LongLife service
Technical progress has made it possible to considerably reduce servicing re-
quirements. With the LongLife System, SEAT ensures that your vehicle only
has an interval service when it is necessary. The length of the Interval Serv-
ices (max. two years) is determined by factors such as conditions under
which the vehicle is used and personal driving style.
The service pre-warning will first appear 20 days before the date on which
the service is due. The distance travelled is rounded off to the nearest
100 km (miles) and the time to full days. The current service message can
only be consulted 500 km (300 miles) after the last service. Until that time,
only dashes are displayed.
Note
● If you reset the display manually, the next service interval will be indica-
ted after 15 000 km (10 000 miles) or one year and will not be calculated
individually.
● Do not reset the display between service intervals as the display will
otherwise be incorrect.
● In LongLife Service vehicles, if the battery is disconnected for a long pe-
riod, the days remaining until the next service cannot be calculated. There-
fore, the service message displays on the instrument panel may be incor-
rect. Take into account the maximum authorised service intervals. Multifunction display (MFI)*
The multifunction display (MFI) shows you information on
the journey and fuel consumption.
Fig. 41 Rocker buttons A
and B. Steering wheel
controls.
Fig. 42 Digital instru-
ment panel display

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Cockpit
Memory displays
● Distance
● Average speed
● Driving speed
● Speed warning at --- km/h (mph)
● Journey duration
● Current fuel consumption
● Average fuel consumption
● Fuel range
km (miles) - Distance travelled The display shows the distance travelled since the ignition was switched on.
The maximum display value in both memories is 1999 km (miles). The
memory will automatically be deleted once this value has been reached.
km/h (mph) - Average speed
The average speed will be shown after running a distance of approximately
100 metres. Until then dashes will appear in the display. The display will be
updated every 5 seconds while the vehicle is in motion.
km/h (mph) - Driving speed Driving speed is digitally shown in the display.
Set speed indicator
When driving at the required speed, enter the speed indicator mode and
press the button A
(Reset), the display remembers the indicated speed. If
the indicated speed is exceeded, a warning message is displayed on the
screen 1)
and an acoustic signal is given.
This may be deactivated by pressing the button A
(Reset).The speed may be altered using the rocker switch
B
in steps of 5 km/h
(mph) within 5 seconds of the initial memory value.
min - Journey duration
The display shows the amount of time which has elapsed since the ignition
was switched on.
The maximum display value in both memories is 19 hours and 59 minutes.
The memory will automatically be deleted once this value has been
reached.
l/100 km or l/h - Current fuel consumption The display will show the current fuel consumption in litre/km whilst the ve-
hicle is in motion or in litre/hour when the vehicle is in a stationary position
with the engine running.
Using this display you can see how your driving style affects fuel consump-
tion ⇒  page 204.
litre/100 km - Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption will be shown ⇒ Fig. 44 after a distance of
approximately 100 metres has been travelled. Until then dashes will appear
in the display. The display will be updated every 5 seconds while the vehicle
is in motion. The amount of fuel used will not be shown.
 Km (miles) - Fuel range
The fuel range is calculated using the figures for tank content and current
fuel consumption. It shows how far the vehicle can travel using the same
conditions as a reference.
Outside temperature indicator
The measurement margin ranges from -45 °C (-49 °F) to +58 °C (+136.4 °F).
At temperatures lower than +4 °C (+39.2 °F), an “ice crystal symbol” is dis-
played and an audible “gong” warning is given if the vehicle is moving at 
1)
Depending on the model version, the message on the screen may vary and may be repre-
sented by flashing of the speed indication or by a speed message.
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more than 20 km/h (12 mph) (ice warning). This symbol will flash for about
10 seconds and remains lit until the outside temperature rises above +4 °C
(+39.2 °F) or +6 °C (+42.8 °F) if it was already lit.
WARNING
There could be black ice on the road surface even if the “snowflake sym-
bol” is not shown. For this reason you should not rely exclusively on this
display - Risk of accident!
Note
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the tempera-
ture displayed may be slightly higher than the actual outside temperature
as a result of the heat radiated from the engine. 
Warning or information message in the display
Faults are shown in the display with control lamps and
warning/information reports.
The system runs a check on certain components and functions when the ig-
nition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. Functional faults are
indicated by symbols with warning or information messages in the display.
An audible warning is given in certain cases.
Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1) and yellow warning symbols (pri-
ority 2)
Information text
In addition to warning messages given on a fault, you will receive informa-
tion in the display on procedures or will be asked to carry out certain tasks.
Note
In the case of screens without warning or information messages, faults are
indicated exclusively by the control lamps. 
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp will flash or light up and will
be accompanied by three audible warnings. This is a danger warning. Stop
the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the fault and correct it. Obtain
professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols will be
displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time and will contin-
ue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the duration of a priority 1 warn-
ing message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages (red)
● Brake system symbol  with the warning message STOP BRAKE FLUID
INSTRUCTION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL .
● Coolant symbol  with the warning message STOP SEE COOLANT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the warning message STOP ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL . 
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning lamp lights up, and is accompa-
nied by one audible warning. The function should be checked as soon as
possible. 

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Cockpit
If several priority 2 warning messages are detected at the same time, the
symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time. Af-
ter a set time, the information text will disappear and the symbol will be
shown as a reminder at the side of the display.
Priority 2 warning messages will not be shown until all Priority 1 warning
messages have been dealt with!
Examples of priority 2 warning messages (yellow): 1)
● Fuel warning light with the information text PLEASE REFUEL.
● Windscreen washer fluid level symbol  with the information message
ADD WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID . Refill the windscreen washer tank
⇒ page 242. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications