115
Lights and visibility
Lights and visibility
Lights Switching lights on and off
Fig. 70 Detailed view of
the dash panel: lights,
fog lights and rear fog
light switch
Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒ Fig. 70 to position .
Switching on dipped beam headlights
– Turn the light switch to position .
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position 0. Switching on front fog lights*
–
Pull the switch out of position or to the first stop. The
symbol in the light switch lights up.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with front fog lights)
– Pull the switch out of position or to the second stop ⇒
.
A control lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
Switching on the rear fog lights (vehicles with no front fog lights)
– Pull the light switch from position to the last stop. A control
lamp lights up in the instrument panel.
WARNING
Never drive with just the side lights on. Risk of accident. The side lights
are not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that
other road users are able to see you. Always use your dipped beam head-
lights if it is dark or if visibility is poor.
Note
● The dipped beam headlights will only work with the ignition on. The side
lights come on automatically when the ignition is turned off.
● If the lights are left on after the key has been taken out of the ignition
lock, an audible warning will sound while the driver door remains open. This
is a reminder to switch the lights off.
● The rear fog light is so bright that it can dazzle drivers behind you. You
should use the rear fog light only when visibility is very poor.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
118Lights and visibility
Deactivation of the Nordic country solution
● Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever downwards
(left turn signal), press it backwards to flash position and hold it in this po-
sition.
● Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The Nordic country solution is now
deactivated and the corresponding lights will not come on.
Coming/leaving home function*
The Coming Home function is controlled manually. The Leav-
ing Home function is controlled with a photosensor.
If the Coming Home or Leaving Home function is connected, the front side
and dipped lights, the tail lights and the number plate light will light up to
provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by switching off the ignition and
briefly flashing the lights. When the driver door is opened, the Coming
Home lighting comes on. If the driver door is already open when the lights
are flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting comes on immediately.
When the last door of the vehicle or the rear lid is closed, the Coming Home
function starts and the switching off the headlights is delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the following cases:
● On completion of the time period established for the delay in switching
off the lights after all the vehicle doors and the rear lid have been closed.
● If, 30 seconds after being connected, any doors or the rear lid remain
open.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on. Leaving home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when the vehicle is unlocked if:
●
the light control is in position and
● the photosensor detects “darkness”.
The Leaving Home lighting switches off in the following cases:
● If the time period for the delay in switching off the headlights has ended
● If the vehicle is locked again.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on.
Note
The setting for the delay in switching off the headlights in the Coming Home
and Leaving Home function can be changed or the function can be connec-
ted or disconnected in the menu Lights and visibility ⇒ page 74.
● If the ignition key is removed while the lights are on, and the lights are
flashed briefly and the driver door opened, no audible warning is heard, as
when the Coming Home function is on, the lights are automatically switched
off after a period of time (except when the light switch is in position or
.
123
Lights and visibility
● The headlight flasher comes on for as long as you pull the lever – even if
no other lights are switched on. The warning lamp then comes on in the
instrument panel.
● When the parking lights are switched on, the headlight and the tail light
on the corresponding side of the vehicle light up. The parking lights will on-
ly work if the key is removed from the ignition. If the lights are switched on,
an audible warning will be emitted while the driver door is open.
● If the turn signal lever is left on after the key has been taken out of the
ignition lock, an acoustic signal sounds when the driver door is opened.
This is a reminder to switch off the turn signal, unless of course you wish to
leave the parking light on.
Interior lights
Front interior light type 1
Fig. 76 Interior roof trim:
front interior lighting
The switch ⇒ Fig. 76 A
is used to select the following positions: Courtesy light position
Rocker switch in flat position (not activated). The interior lighting is auto-
matically switched on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from
the ignition. And turn off approx. 20 seconds after closing the doors. The
interior lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the igni-
tion is switched on.
Interior light switched on
Push the switch to the position .
Interior light switched off O
Push the switch to position O ⇒ Fig. 76.
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the ignition key has been removed and
the courtesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
124Lights and visibility
Front interior light type 2
Fig. 77 Interior roof trim:
front interior lighting
The switch ⇒ Fig. 77 A
is used to select the following positions:
Courtesy light position
Rocker switch in flat position (not activated). The interior lighting is auto-
matically switched on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from
the ignition. And turn off approx. 20 seconds after closing the doors. The
interior lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the igni-
tion is switched on.
Interior light switched on
Push the switch to the position .
Interior light switched off O
Push the switch to position O ⇒ Fig. 77.
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the ignition key has been removed and
the courtesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging.
125
Lights and visibility
Front reading lights
Fig. 78 Interior roof trim:
front reading lights, type
1
Fig. 79 Interior roof trim:
front reading lights, type
2
Switching on the reading light
Press the corresponding button ⇒ Fig. 78 B
and ⇒
Fig. 79 B to switch on
the reading light. Switching the reading lights off
Press the corresponding button to switch the reading light off.
Rear interior lights and reading lights*
Fig. 80 Interior roof trim:
rear interior lights and
reading lights.
The switch ⇒ Fig. 80 C
is used to select the following positions:
Interior light switched off 0
In switch position ⇒ Fig. 80 1
, the interior and reading lights are switched
off.
Switching on the reading light
Turn the switch to position 2
(left reading light) or to position 4 (right
reading light).
Courtesy light position
Turn the control to position 3
. The interior lighting is automatically switch-
ed on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the ignition.
The light turns off about 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interior
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
126Lights and visibility
lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is
switched on.
Interior lights or both reading lights switched on
Turn the control to position 5
.
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the ignition key has been removed and
the courtesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging.
Visibility Sun visors
Fig. 81 Sun visor on the
driver side The sun visors for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled out of
their mountings in the centre of the vehicle and turned towards the doors
⇒ Fig. 81
1
.
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors have covers. When you open the cover 2
, a lamp in the roof lights up.
The light* in the roof lining will go out when the vanity mirror cover is push-
ed back or the sun visor is pushed back up.
Note
The roof lamp will turn off about 10 minutes following the removal of the ig-
nition key. This prevents the battery from discharging.
Applies to the model: ALTEA XL / ALTEA FREETRACK
Sun blind*
The windows on the rear doors are fitted with a sun blind
Fig. 82 Rear door sun vi-
sor
189
Driving
– Apply the handbrake.
– Select first gear.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition. Turn
the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you keys with you when you leave the vehicle ⇒
.
Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started
to roll.
● If the vehicle is parked facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that
they point towards the kerb .
● If the vehicle is parked facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they
point away from the kerb .
● Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and se-
lecting first gear.
WARNING
● Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehi-
cle unattended.
● Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
● Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to vehicle occupants.
● Never leave children alone in the vehicle. They could set the vehicle
in motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gearbox lever.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or
cold inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.
Hill driving assistant*
This function is only included in vehicles with ESC.
The hill driving assistant helps the driver to move off and upwards on a hill
when the vehicle is stationary.
The system maintains brake pressure for approximately two seconds after
the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from
lurching backwards when it is started. During these two seconds, the driver
has enough time to release the clutch pedal and accelerate without the ve-
hicle moving and without having to use the handbrake, making start-up
easier, more comfortable and safer.
These are the basic operation conditions:
● being on a ramp or hill/slope,
● closed doors,
● vehicle completely stationary,
● engine running and foot on the brake,
● besides having a gear engaged or being in neutral for manual gear
change and with the selector lever at positions S, D or R in vehicles with au-
tomatic gearbox.
This system is also active in reversing uphill.
WARNING
● If you do not start the vehicle immediately after taking your foot off
the brake pedal, the vehicle may start to roll back under certain condi-
tions. Depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake immediately.
● If the engine stalls, depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake
immediately.
● When following a line of traffic uphill, if you want to prevent the vehi-
cle from rolling back accidentally when starting off, hold the brake pedal
down for a few seconds before starting off.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications
216Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
WARNING
● Wash your vehicle with the ignition switched off.
● Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when
cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of in-
jury.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can reduce braking effective-
ness. Risk of accident.
CAUTION
● Never remove dirt, mud or dust if the vehicle surface is dry. Never use a
dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could scratch the paintwork
or glass on your vehicle.
● Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: when washing the vehicle
with a hose, do not direct water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around
the doors, rear lid, or sunroof. Risk of freezing.
For the sake of the environment
To protect environment, the vehicle should be washed only in specially pro-
vided wash bays. This prevents toxic, oil-laden waste water entering the
sewerage system. In some places, washing vehicles outside wash bays is
prohibited.
Note
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight. Washing the vehicle with a high pressure cleaner
Be particularly careful when using a high pressure cleaner!
– Always observe the instructions for the high-pressure cleaner,
particularly those concerning the pressure and the spraying
distance.
– Increase the spraying distance for soft materials and painted
bumpers.
– Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from
windows ⇒ page 217.
– Never use concentrated jet nozzles (“rotating jets”) ⇒
.
– After washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking. “” Dry the
brakes by braking several times ⇒ page 204.
WARNING
● Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet (“rotating nozzle”). Even at
large spraying distances and short cleaning times, visible and invisible
damage can occur to the tyres. This may cause an accident.
● Water, ice and salt on the brake system can reduce braking effective-
ness. Risk of accident.
CAUTION
● Do not use water hotter than +60 °C (+140 °F). This could damage the
vehicle.
● To avoid damage to the vehicle, keep a sufficient distance from sensitive
materials such as flexible hoses, plastic, soundproofing material, etc. This
is also important for bumpers painted in the colour of the bodywork. The
closer the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the wear on the material.