2013 Seat Altea XL fold seats

140Seats and storage
Folding the seat backrests down
Fig. 99 Folding or open-
ing the rear seat backr-
ests
– Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒ Fig. 99 1
In this position the backrest is locked. This is the reason why the loop loca-
ted on the side of the seat must be pulled in the direction of the arrow to
open the backrest.
WARNING
● You should check that the backrest has engaged properly in position
after the loop is released.
● For safety reasons the locking system loops on the seats may not be
used to secure any items.
 Lifting the seat backrests
Fig. 100 Folding or
opening the rear seat
backrest
– Pull the loop on the side of the seat ⇒ Fig. 100 1
in the direc-
tion of the arrow and lift the seat backrest into position.
WARNING
● You should check that the backrest has engaged properly in position
after the loop is released.
● For safety reasons the locking system loops on the seats may not be
used to secure any items.
● After locking the seat backrest into position ensure that the seat
belts protrude from the seat.


142Seats and storage
Stowage areas under the front seats*
There is a storage compartment with a cover under each
front seat.
Fig. 103 Storage com-
partment under the front
seats
The drawer* ⇒ Fig. 103 A
is opened by pushing the button and putting the
cover back.
There are two open positions of 15 and 60 degrees depending on the pres-
sure applied to the cover. In the 60 degree position, the cover will collapse
if too much pressure is applied.
To close the drawer, press the cover until it locks into position.
WARNING
● The drawers will hold a maximum weight of 1.5 kg.
● Do not drive with the drawer cover open. There is an injury risk for
passengers if the cargo is released in case of sudden braking or an acci-
dent.
 Folding tray*
Folding trays are fitted to the rear of the front seat backrests.
Fig. 104 Folding tray on
the front left seat
– To open the tray, open it up in the direction of the arrow
⇒ Fig. 104.
WARNING
● The folding trays may not be folded down whilst the vehicle is in mo-
tion and anyone is seated on the second row of seats. There is a risk of
injury during a sudden braking manoeuvre! The tray must therefore be
closed and properly secured whilst the vehicle is in motion.
● Do not put hot drinks in the drink holders. During normal or sudden
driving manoeuvres, sudden braking or an accident, the hot drink could
be spilled. Danger of scalding.
CAUTION
When driving, do not leave open cans in the cup holders. The drink might
be spilt on braking, for example, and could damage the vehicle. 

144Seats and storage
–Lift the luggage compartment floor and fold it back all the way
⇒ Fig. 106.
– Fit the separator A
⇒ Fig. 107, into the side grooves depend-
ing on the size of the objects to be transported. The on-board
tool kit and the spare wheel are located underneath the lug-
gage compartment.
– Secure objects in the luggage compartment with suitable straps
on the fastening rings.
Note
● Do not exceed the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle
⇒ page 292. Luggage compartment net*
There is a storage net in the luggage compartment for secur-
ing objects.
Fig. 108 Luggage com-
partment net
– Use the fastening rings located on the side of the luggage com-
partment to attach the storage net ⇒ Fig. 108.
Note
● Do not exceed the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle
⇒ page 292. 
Other storage compartments
Other storage compartments can be found:
● in the centre console,
● in the door trims (front and rear), 

147
Seats and storage
Multi-purpose mobile storage compartment* - Fitting and
removal
This storage compartment may only be placed in the central
area of the rear seat
Fig. 112 Mobile storage
compartment. Installa-
tion
Fig. 113 Mobile storage
compartment mounting
plate Fitting mobile storage compartment
–
Fold down the small section of the rear seat backrest, in order
to access the large section of the backrest.
– Fit the mobile storage compartment mounting plate H
⇒ Fig. 113 from the inside of the vehicle, through the rear part
of the seat. It should be fitted between the backrest and the
seat, in the central seat area.
– Push the plate until it clips the cushion frame. The rings of the
mobile storage compartment mounting plate appear at the front
of the seat.
– If it is difficult to make the plate clip, tilt the rear backrest of the
large section forwards slightly and then lean the backrest back-
wards to make the fitting of the mobile storage compartment
onto the mounting plate easier.
– Place the mobile storage compartment onto the foam of the
central seat.
– Set both mounting pieces together E
⇒ Fig. 112, with both
mounting rings G ⇒ Fig. 113 and press hard until both the
clips completely connect with the rings.
Removing mobile storage compartment
– Pull each of the buttons ⇒ Fig. 112 F
on the clips (red buttons)
forwards, until they snap out of place.
– Fold the larger seat down and remove the mobile storage com-
partment mounting plate. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

155
Seats and storage
CAUTION
● Before closing the rear lid, ensure that the rear shelf is correctly fitted.
● An overloaded luggage compartment could mean that the rear shelf is
not correctly seated and it may be bent or damaged.
● If the luggage compartment is overloaded, remove the tray.
Note
● Ensure that, when placing items of clothing on the luggage compart-
ment cover, rear visibility is not reduced. 
Partition net*
The net partition prevents loose objects in the luggage com-
partment from being thrown forward into the passenger
compartment (e.g. under sudden braking).
Fig. 125 Partition net
Fig. 126 Fastening rings
for the separation net
– Pull the net from underneath between the backrest and the fold-
ing tray and fit it to the slots in the roof, first the right then the
left ⇒ Fig. 125.
– Hook the belts into the front fastening rings to tense the net
⇒ Fig. 126. 
Roof rack*
Please observe the following points if you intend to carry loads on the roof:
● For safety reasons, only luggage racks and accessories supplied by SEAT
Official Services should be used.
● It is essential that you follow the assembly instructions included with
the bars exactly, being especially careful to position the front and rear lug-
gage compartment cover bars on the special housings on the longitudinal
bars. You must also respect their position according to the direction of trav-
el indicated in the assembly manual. Not following these instructions may
cause marks on the longitudinal bars. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

219
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
The longer stains or dirt remain on the vehicle surfaces, especially the fab-
rics covering the padded upholstery, the more difficult it becomes to clean
and maintain them. If stains and dirt are left for a long time, it may be that
they are impossible to remove.
WARNING
Car-care products may be toxic and hazardous. Using unsuitable car-care
products or, using them in the wrong way, may cause accidents, serious
injury, burns or intoxication.
● Keep your car-care products in their original containers.
● Read the instructions.
● Never keep car-care products in empty food containers, bottles or
other similar containers, other people may confuse them.
● Keep all car-care products out of the reach of children.
● Some products may give off harmful vapours during use. Therefore,
they should be used outdoors in well-ventilated places.
● Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail-varnish remover or any
other volatile product for washing, maintenance or cleaning. These are
toxic and highly flammable.
WARNING
Unsuitable maintenance and cleaning of vehicle components may impair
proper operation of safety equipment and cause serious injury.
● Maintain and clean vehicle components according to the manufactur-
er's instructions.
● Only use approved or recommended cleaning products.
CAUTION
● Cleaning products which contain solvents have a corrosive effect and
may damage the material irreparably.
● Stains and dirt containing aggressive substances or solvents attack the
material and may damage it irreparably, even when they are cleaned quick-
ly.
● Dirt and stains should not be allowed to dry and should be cleaned as
quickly as possible.
● In the case of stubborn stains, take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop to avoid damage. 
Treating your upholstery
Checklist
To treat and maintain your seat upholstery, keep the following in mind ⇒ 
:
¥ Before entering the vehicle, close any Velcro fasteners that might
snag on the upholstery or trim fabric. Any open Velcro fasteners may
damage the trim or upholstery fabrics.
¥ To prevent damage, avoid direct contact between sharp decorative
objects and the upholstery and trim fabrics. Decorative objects in-
clude zips, rivets and rhinestones on clothing and belts.
¥ From time to time, clean the dust that gathers in the perforations,
folds and seams so that the surfaces of the seats are not damaged
by its abrasive effect.
¥ Make sure clothes are colour-fast to avoid them running and staining
the upholstery. This is especially important if the upholstery is light
in colour.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications