2014 Seat Altea Page 71

152Seats and storage
Electrical accessories may be connected to the 12 volt power socket in the
front centre console ⇒ Fig. 117 and in the luggage compartment*. The ap-
pliances connected to each power point must not exceed a power rating of
120 Watt.
WARNING
The power sockets and the connected accessories will only operate when
the ignition is on or when the engine is running. Improper use of the
sockets or electrical accessories can lead to serious injuries or cause a
fire. To avoid the risk of injury, never leave children alone inside the vehi-
cle.
Note
● The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge.
● Before using any electrical accessories, see the instructions in
⇒ page 226. Auxiliary audio input (AUX-IN)*Fig. 119 Auxiliary audio
connection
– Lift the AUX cover ⇒ Fig. 119.
– Insert the plug as far as possible (see Radio manual). 

154Seats and storage
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire
extinguisher
Warning triangle* and first-aid kit*
Fig. 122 ALTEA: Warning
triangle storage under
the rear cover
The warning triangle* can be stowed under the rear shelf in a storage com-
partment ⇒ Fig. 122 or in the storage compartment located on the floor
storage compartment, under the carpet, depending on the version.
The first aid kit may be located in the storage compartment under the carpet
in the luggage compartment floor, or in the storage compartment in the lug-
gage compartment side lining, depending on the version.
Note
● The warning triangle and the first aid kit do not belong to the standard
vehicle equipment.
● The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements. ●
Observe the expiry date of the contents of the first aid kit. After it has
expired you should purchase a new one.
● Before acquiring accessories and emergency equipment see the instruc-
tions in ⇒ page 226. 
Fire extinguisher*
The fire extinguisher* can be attached to the luggage compartment carpet
with Velcro.
Note
● The fire extinguisher does not belong to the standard vehicle equip-
ment.
● The fire extinguisher must comply with legal requirements.
● Make sure the fire extinguisher works. They should therefore be
checked. The sticker on the fire extinguisher will inform you of the next date
for checking.
● Before acquiring accessories and emergency equipment see the instruc-
tions in ⇒ page 226. 
Luggage compartment
Storing objects
All luggage must be securely stowed. Please observe the following points to ensure the vehicle handles
well at all times: 

155
Seats and storage
– Distribute the load as evenly as possible.
– Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment
as possible.
– Secure luggage in the luggage compartment with suitable
straps on the fastening rings.
WARNING
● Loose luggage and other loose items in the vehicle can cause serious
injuries.
● Loose objects in the luggage compartment can suddenly move and
change the way the vehicle handles.
● During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects in the passen-
ger compartment can be flung forward, injuring vehicle occupants.
● Always store objects in the luggage compartment and secure with
suitable straps. This is especially important for heavy objects.
● When you transport heavy objects, always take in account that a
change in the centre of gravity can also cause changes in vehicle han-
dling.
● Please observe information on safe driving ⇒  page 7, Safe driving.
CAUTION
Hard objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating ele-
ment in the rear window and cause damage.
Note
The ventilation slots in front of the rear side windows must not be covered
as this would prevent stale air being extracted from the vehicle. Applies to the model: ALTEA
Rear shelf
Fig. 123 Rear shelf
Fig. 124 Removing stor-
age compartment
Removing the shelf
– Unhook the loops ⇒ Fig. 123 B
from housings A.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

160Air conditioning
Air distribution
Control 4
for setting the flow of air in the required direction.
 – Air distribution towards the windscreen. If the windscreen air output is
on and the air recirculation mode is pressed, this remains active. When the
recirculation mode is on, if the air distribution towards the windscreen
mode is selected, the recirculation mode is deactivated. For safety reasons,
the air recirculation mode should not be connected.
 – Air distribution to the upper body
 – Air distribution to footwell
 – Air distribution to the windscreen and the footwell
Blower
The air flow can be set at four speeds with the control 5
. The air flow
should always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
WARNING
● For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensa-
tion. This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise your-
self with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, in-
cluding the anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
● In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehi-
cle interior. The windows can quickly fog over if the heating is switched
off. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on for a
long time (risk of accident).
Note
Please observe the general notes ⇒ page 169. 

161
Air conditioning
Climatic* Controls
Fig. 130 On the dash panel: Climatic controls
The Climatic or semi-automatic air conditioning system only works
when the engine is running and the blower is switched on.
– Use the knobs ⇒ Fig. 130 1
and 5 and control 6 to set the
temperature, air distribution and blower speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button 2
,
3 or 4. When the function is activated, the display window in
the lower corner of the button is lit.
Temperature selector ⇒  page 162
AC
button – Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system on/off
⇒  page 162

button – Heated rear window The heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately 20 minutes after switching on. It can also be
switched off beforehand by pushing the button.
1
2
3
Button
 – Air recirculation mode ⇒ page 163
Air distribution control ⇒ page 162
Blower switch. There are four speed settings for the air flow. The air
flow should always be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation.
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.
Note
Please observe the general notes ⇒ page 169. 
4
56
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

165
Air conditioning
– The functions will be switched on when its buttons are pressed.
When these functions are activated, they are indicated on the
radio display. In addition, all these functions are lit with LEDs.
Press the button again to switch off the function.
The temperature can be adjusted separately for the left and right sides of
the vehicle interior. Button 
– defrost function for the windscreen. The air drawn in from
outside the vehicle is directed at the windscreen. The air recirculation
mode, if switched on, will be switched off as soon as the defrost func-
tion is switched on. At temperatures over +3 °C (+37 °F), the air condi-
tioning system will be switched on automatically in order to dehumidify
the air. The button is lit in yellow and the symbol appears on the radio
or navigator display.

button – Upward air distribution
 button – Central air distribution
 button – Downward air distribution
 button – Manual air recirculation mode
 button – Heated rear window The heating will be switched off auto-
matically approximately 20 minutes after switching on. However, it may
be turned off by pushing the button. The button lights up yellow and
the symbol appears in the display.
AUTO
button – Automatic temperature, ventilation and air distribution
control ⇒ page 166
SYNC
button – Dual zone synchroniser
OFF button – Switches the 2C-Climatronic on and off ⇒ page 167
Blower control ⇒ page 167
AC
button – Switches heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system
on
1
23456
7
891011
WARNING
For road safety all windows must be clear of ice, snow, and condensation.
This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise yourself with
the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system, including the
anti-fog/defrost functions for the windscreens.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

173
Driving
● When driving with snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
● When the vehicle is stuck, to rock it backwards and forwards.
Press the button to switch the ASR back on when you no longer need wheel
spin.
WARNING
● Do not forget that the Electronic stability control (ESC) cannot defy
the laws of physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery
and wet roads and when towing a trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. The greater safety provided by the ESC should not
encourage you to run any risks.
● Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESC in
⇒ page 196, Intelligent technology.
 Ignition lock
Position of the ignition keyFig. 140 Ignition key po-
sitions
Ignition switched off, steering lock 0
In this position
⇒ Fig. 140 the ignition and the engine are OFF and the steer-
ing may get locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the ignition key, turn the steering
wheel until it locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the steer-
ing wheel when you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle theft
⇒ 
.
Switching the ignition or the glow plug system on 1
Turn the ignition key to this position and release it. If the key cannot be
turned or it is difficult to turn from position 0 to position 1, move the
steering wheel from one side to the other until it is released. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

174Driving
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 173 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. 