2014 Seat Altea light

88Cockpit
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 assistance 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 199, 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 196, 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. 

89
Cockpit
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 174.
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.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

98Opening 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 rear lid will lock automatically if the speed of 15 km/h
(9 mph) is exceeded.
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 (9 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.
 Automatic 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”. 

99
Opening and closing
Central lock button
The central lock button allows you to lock and unlock the ve-
hicle from the inside.
Fig. 57 Detailed view of
the centre console: cen-
tral lock button
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 deadlock 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:
● 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 . 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

108Opening and closing
Rear lid
Unlocking and locking
The rear lid opening system operates electrically. It is activa-
ted by using the handle on the rear lid.
Fig. 64 Rear lid: opening
from the outside
Fig. 65 Close-up of the
inside trim of the rear lid:
hand grip
Opening the rear lid
– Pull on the release lever and lift the rear lid ⇒ Fig. 64. The rear
lid will automatically open.
Closing the rear lid
– Hold the rear lid by one of the two handles on the interior lining
and close it, pushing slightly.
This system may or may not be operative, depending on the situation of the
vehicle.
If the rear lid is locked then it cannot be opened, however if it is unlocked
then the opening system is operative and the rear lid may be opened.
To lock/unlock, press the button 
or the button
1 on the remote control
key.
A warning appears on the instrument panel display if the rear lid is open or
not properly closed.* An audible warning is also given if the rear lid is
opened while the vehicle is moving faster than 6 km/h (4 mph)*. 

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

116Lights and visibility
● If you are towing a trailer equipped with a rear fog light on a vehicle with
a factory-fitted towing bracket, the rear fog light on the vehicle will automat-
ically be switched off.
● The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant statutory
requirements.
● Depending on weather conditions (very cold or wet), the front and rear
lights and the indicators may be temporarily misted. This has no influence
on the useful life of the lighting system. The lights will soon demist when
they are switched on. 
Automatic lighting*
Fig. 71 Automatic light-
ing
Activation
– Rotate the switch to the  position. This indication will light
up.
Deactivation
– Turn the light switch to . Automatic lighting
If automatic headlight control is switched on, dipped beam headlights are
automatically switched on by a photosensor if you drive into a tunnel, for
example.
The rain sensor switches on the dipped beam headlights when the wind-
screen wipers have been operating continuously for a few seconds and it
switches the lights off when the continuous or interval wipe is switched off
for some minutes
⇒ page 129.
When the automatic dipped beam light control is connected but the dipped
beam lights are off, the warning lamp  lights up on the light control
⇒ Fig. 71. If the automatic control switches on the dipped lights, the instru-
ment and control lighting is also switched on.
WARNING
● Even if the automatic headlight control is switched on, the dipped
beam headlights will not be switched on with fog. Therefore, the dipped
beam must be switched on manually.
Note
● For those vehicles with the automatic headlight system, when the key is
removed from the ignition, the audible warning will only sound if the light
control is in the position  or  if the vehicle is not fitted with the coming
home function.
● If the daylight driving automatic light function is switched on, the fog
lights or rear fog light cannot be switched on in addition.
● The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant statutory
requirements.
● Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause disruptions or faults in the automatic lighting system.
● To avoid damage to the tail lights, the lights mounted on the rear lid go
off when the rear lid is opened (depending on the country). 

117
Lights and visibility
Daytime driving lights*
The daytime light reduces the risk of accidents by increasing
the visibility of the vehicle. The daytime running lights are
enabled automatically when the ignition is switched on. It is
automatically switched off when the side lights are turned
on.
Daytime running lights are signalling devices for improving road safety. The
lights are built into the headlights and come on each time the ignition is
turned on if the light switch is in position 0 or .
Automatic control of the dipped beam in combination with the daytime
running lights
If the dipped beam control and the daytime running lights are activated at
the same time, the dipped beams and the instrument panel lighting will au-
tomatically come on as required (e.g. when entering a tunnel) and the day-
time running lights will switch off. When the automatic dipped beam control
switches off the dipped beams (e.g. when coming out of a tunnel), the day-
time running lights come back on.
Activating the daytime driving lights
● Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards
(right 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 daytime lights are activated and
can be switched on. Switching off daytime driving lights
●
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 daytime lights are deactivated
and cannot be switched on.
Note
Please observe any relevant legal requirements which may apply in your
country. 
Nordic country solution 1)
The so-called “Nordic country solution” is an alternative solution to daytime
running lights in vehicles without this function. It consists of simultaneous-
ly connecting the dimmed dipped beams, the sidelights and the licence
plate lights.
Said lights come on each time the ignition is turned on if the light switch is
in position 0 or . Depending upon the model, the control lamp
 on the
light control switch or the lighting up of the instrument panel will indicate
that the lighting is on.
Activation of the Nordic country solution
● Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards
(right 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
activated and the corresponding lights may come on. 
1)
Only available in certain countries or as an optional extra.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications