2014 Seat Altea XL ESP

85
Cockpit
● The temporary spare wheel is fitted.
● The wheel on one axle is changed.
Tyre pressure adjustment
Following the modification to tyre pressure or after changing one or more
wheels, the button ⇒ Fig. 50 must be kept pressed while the ignition is on
until an audible warning is heard and the warning lamp goes out.
If the wheels are under excessive load (for example, driving with a trailer or
heavy load), the tyre pressure must be increased to the recommended value
for a full load (see the sticker on the inside of the fuel flap). If the tyre moni-
tor system button is pressed down, the new tyre pressures are confirmed.
The tyre pressure control lamp  lights up
If the tyre pressure of one or more wheels is much lower than the value set
by the driver, the tyre control warning lamp lights up ⇒ 
.
The tyre pressure control lamp  flashes
If the tyre pressure control lamp flashes, this indicates a fault. Go to the
nearest specialised workshop.
WARNING
● When the tyre pressure control lamp lights up, reduce speed immedi-
ately and avoid any sudden manoeuvre or braking. Stop when possible,
and check the tyre pressure and status.
● The driver is responsible for maintaining correct tyre pressures. For
this reason, tyre pressure must be regularly checked.
● Under certain circumstances (for example, when driving in a sports-
like manner, in winter conditions or on a dirt track) the tyre control lamp
may light up or function incorrectly.
Note
If the battery is disconnected, the yellow warning lamp  lights up after
turning the ignition on. This should turn off after a brief journey. 
Brake system* 
This warning lamp lights up if the brake fluid level is too low
or if there is a fault in the system.
This warning lamp  lights up if
● the brake fluid level is too low ⇒ page 249.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: STOP BRAKE FLUID
INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
● there is a fault in the brake system.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: BRAKE SYSTEM
FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
This warning lamp can light up together with the ABS system warning lamp. 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

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.
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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
. 

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 ⇒ 
.

122Lights and visibility
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the park-
ing lights and the headlight flasher.
Fig. 75 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er
The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ⇒ Fig. 75 1
to indicate right, and
all the way down 2 to indicate left.
Signalling a lane change
– Push the lever up 1
or down 2 to the point where you incur
resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several
times. The corresponding control lamp will also flash. Switching main beam on and off
–
If the dipped lights are on, push the lever forward ⇒ Fig. 75 3
to switch on the main beam.
– Push the lever towards the steering wheel ⇒ Fig. 75 4
to
switch off the main beam.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel 4
to operate the
flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the turn signal lever up or down to turn the right or left-
hand parking lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk of accident! Never use the
main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if they could dazzle other
drivers.
Note
● The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The corre-
sponding warning lamp  or  flashes in the instrument panel. The control
lamp  flashes when the turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehicle. If a turn signal bulb is de-
fective, the control lamp flashes at double speed. If the trailer turn signal
bulbs are damaged, control lamp  does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam
headlights are already on. The warning lamp  then comes on in the instru-
ment panel. 

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. 
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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

128Lights and visibility
WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and safety levels while
driving.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash/wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation sys-
tem. The windscreen washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the wind-
screen and obscure your view of the road.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 245.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. If you switch on the wind-
screen wipers when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you
could damage both the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
● The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.
● In certain versions of vehicles with alarms, the windscreen wiper will on-
ly work when the ignition is on and the bonnet closed.
● When in use, the wipers do not go as far as the rest position. When the
lever is moved to position 0, they are totally hidden.
● The next speed down will automatically be selected if wiper speed 2
⇒ Fig. 83 or 3 is selected when the vehicle stops. The set speed will be
resumed when the vehicle starts again
● The windscreen will be wiped again after approximately five seconds
once the “automatic wipe/wash system” has been operated, provided the
vehicle is in transit (drip function). If you activate the wipers less than three
seconds after the drip function, a new wash sequence will begin without the
last wipe. For the “drip” function to work again, you have to turn the ignition
off and then on again. ●
When the “interval wipe function” is on, the intervals are directly propor-
tional to the speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed the shorter the
intervals.
● The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the ob-
stacle and switch the wiper back on again.
● Before removing any objects that may be trapped in the side areas of
the windscreen, always move the wiper arms to the service position (hori-
zontal).
● The heat output of the heated jets is controlled automatically when the
ignition is switched on, depending upon the outside temperature. 