2014 Seat Altea headlights

74Cockpit
–Press button 
or  on the multifunction steering wheel*
⇒ Fig. 46 until the Configuration menu is displayed.
– Choose the option Convenience from the main menu and press
the button A
on the windscreen wiper lever.
Example of menu use ⇒ page 68
Displayed on the
screeneffect
Central locking.One door: individual unlocking activated.
Auto lock: The doors are automatically locked when
the vehicle is travelling at more than approx
15 km/h (10 mph).
Auto unlock: the doors are unlocked when the key
is removed from the ignition.
Elec. window controlOpening and closing electric windows: this deter-
mines whether to open or close all the windows
when the vehicle is unlocked or locked. The open
function can also be activated for the driver door
only.
Exterior mirror ad-
just.If synchronised adjustment is selected, when the
driver side exterior mirror is adjusted, the passen-
ger exterior mirror is also moved.
Factory settingsThe predefined factory values for the functions of
this menu are restored.
BackThis returns to the Configuration menu
Note
For electronic and vehicle equipment one or more of these menus will be
displayed. Lights and visibility menu
From this menu it is it possible to alter the vehicle lighting
settings.
Open Lights and visibility Menu
– Select the option Configuration from the main menu: “Main
menu” and press button OK

A ⇒ page 68 on the windscreen
wiper lever. or
– Press button 
or  on the multifunction steering wheel*
⇒ Fig. 46 until the Configuration menu is displayed.
– Select the option Lights & visibil. from the menu and press but-
ton A
on the windscreen wiper lever.
Example of menu use ⇒ page 68.
Displayed on the
screeneffect
Coming Home/
Leaving HomeThis option permits the adjustment of the time dur-
ing which the headlights remain lit after the vehicle
is locked, and also permits the function to be
switched on and off
Indicator conf.The convenience turn signal function can be activa-
ted or deactivated here. With the convenience
mode activated, the turn signal will blink at least
three times when turned on.
Factory settingsThe predefined factory values for the functions of
this menu are restored.
BackThis returns to the Configuration menu 

82Cockpit
Rear fog light 
This warning lamp lights up when the rear fog light is switched on . For
further information see ⇒ page 115. 
Turn signals  
The control lamp flashes when the turn signals are in opera-
tion.
Depending on which turn signal is operating, either the left  or right 
turn signal lamp flashes. Both control lamps will flash at the same time
when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
If any of both turn signals fails, the warning lamp will start flashing twice
faster than normal.
For further information on the turn signals, please see ⇒  page 122.
Engine management* 
This warning lamp monitors the engine management sys-
tem for petrol engines.
The warning lamp  (Electronic Power Control) lights up when the ignition
is switched while the system operation is verified. It should go out once the
engine is started.
If there is a fault in the electronic engine management system while you are
driving, this warning lamp will light up. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance. Glow plug system/engine fault

The warning lamp lights up to show that the glow plugs are
preheating the diesel engine. It flashes if there is an engine
fault.
Control lamp  is lit
The control lamp  lights up while the glow plug system is preheating.
When the warning lamp goes off, the engine should be started straight
away.
Control lamp  flashes
If a fault develops in the engine management system while you are driving,
the glow plug system lamp will flash . Take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop as soon as possible and have the engine checked. 
Main beam headlights 
This control lamp lights up when the main beams are on.
The warning lamp  is switched on once main beams are on or once the
headlight flasher is operating.
For further information see ⇒ page 122. 
Soot accumulation in the diesel engine particulate filter *

If the lamp  lights up you should help the filter clean itself by driving in
the appropriate manner. 

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

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
. 

119
Lights and visibility
Instrument and switch lighting / Headlight range control
Fig. 72 Dash panel: reg-
ulation for instrument
and switch lighting and
headlight range control
Instrument and switch lighting 1
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments
and switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning
the thumb wheel
⇒ Fig. 72 1
.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illumination
and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a photodiode incorpo-
rated in the instrument panel.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles) is switched on when the igni-
tion is on and the vehicle lights are off . The instrument lighting is dimmed
automatically as the daylight starts to fade. It goes out completely when the
ambient light level is very low. This function is intended to remind the driver
to switch on the dipped beam headlights in good time when light condi-
tions become poor.
Headlight range control 2
By using the electrical headlight range control, 2 you can adjust the head-
light range to the load level that is being carried in the vehicle. This way, it
is possible to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic more than necessary. At the same time, by using the correct headlight settings, the driver has the best
possible lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To lower the beam, turn the thumb wheel down
2
from the basic setting
0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge lamps (“xenon lamps”) are equipped with dy-
namic headlight range control . This means that the headlights will be ad-
justed to suit the load level of the vehicle and “nodding movements” when
pulling off and braking are automatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not have headlight range control. 
Adaptive headlights* (for driving round bends)
When driving around bends, the headlights will light the
most important areas of the road.
Fig. 73 Cornering light-
ing using adaptive head-
lights 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

120Lights and visibility
Dynamic cornering lights* (AFS)
The dynamic cornering lights only operate if the vehicle is travelling at more
than 10 km/h (6 mph) and the dipped headlights are on. When taking a
bend, the road is illuminated better with directional gas discharge bulbs
than with conventional fixed headlights.
A fault in the system is indicated via the flashing of the control lamp  on
the instrument panel. At the same time, a text message with information or
instructions to perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument
panel display. Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and have the fault
repaired.
If the control lamp  lights up on the instrument panel but all the bulbs are
operating correctly ⇒ page 274, there may still be a fault in the dynamic
curve lighting system (AFS). Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped beam control” is switched on, the dipped beam
headlights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on
manually using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for
the correct use of lights in all situations. “Automatic headlight control”
is merely a system to support the driver. Where necessary, switch on the
lights manually using the light switch.

Applies to the model: ALTEA / ALTEA XL Fog lights with cornering function*
When the turn signal is switched on to turn or on very tight bends, the right
or left fog light automatically comes on to function as a cornering light. The
cornering light only operates if the dipped beam lights are on.
WARNING
If the “automatic dipped beam control” is switched on, the dipped beam
headlights will not be switched on in fog. They should be switched on
manually using the light switch. The driver is personally responsible for
the correct use of lights in all situations. “Automatic headlight control”
is merely a system to support the driver. Where necessary, switch on the
lights manually using the light switch.

Hazard warning lights 
The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
Fig. 74 Dash panel:
switch for hazard warning
lights
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights ⇒ 
.