2015 Seat Altea Owner's Manual

Air conditioning
● The air conditioning system compressor
has been temporarily switched off because
the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● The air conditioner fuse is faulty.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air
conditioner checked by a specialised work-
shop.
Air recirculation mode Air recirculation mode
››› Fig. 116 4
 pre-
vents strong odours or contaminated air from the outside from entering the vehicle, for ex-
ample when passing through a tunnel or in a
traffic jam.
With low temperatures outside, the air recir-
culation increases the effectiveness of the
heating system by warming the air inside the
vehicle rather than the cold air from outside.
With high outside temperatures, the air recir-
culation increases the effectiveness of the air
conditioning system by cooling the air inside
the vehicle rather than the ambient air.
If the windscreen air output is on and air re-
circulation mode is pressed, it is activated.When the recirculation mode is on, if the air
distribution towards the windscreen mode is
selected, the recirculation mode is deactiva-
ted. For safety reasons, the air recirculation
mode should not be connected. WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the
outside enters the vehicle interior. If the air
conditioning system is switched off, the win-
dows can quickly mist over. Therefore, never
leave the air recirculation mode switched on
for a long time (risk of accident). 111Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
2C-Climatronic* Controls Fig. 117
On the dash panel: 2C Climatronic con-
trols. The air conditioner controls the temperature
when the engine is running and the blower is
switched on.
– Turn the temperature control knobs
››› Fig. 117 to adjust the temperature on the
l ef
t-hand or right-hand side respectively.
– The functions will be switched on when its
buttons are pressed. When these functions
are activated, they are indicated on the ra-
dio 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 inte-
rior.
Button  – defrost function for the wind-
screen. 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
function is switched on. At temperatures
over +3 °C (+37 °F), the cooling system
will be switched on automatically in order
to dehumidify the air. The button is lit in
1 yellow and the symbol appears on the ra-
dio 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 automatically
approximately 20 minutes after switching
on. However, it may be turned off by
pushing the button. The button lights up
2 3
4
5
6
112

Air conditioning
yellow and the symbol appears in the dis-
play. AUTO button – Automatic temperature,
ventilation and air distribution control
››› page 113
SYNC button – Dual zone synchroniser
OFF button – Switches the 2C-Climatronic
on and off ››› page 114
Blower control ››› page 114
A/C button – To switch on the cooling
system 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 wind-
screens. 7
8
9
10
11 Viewing Climatronic information
Fig. 118
Navigation display with information
about Climatronic. Fig. 119
Radio display with information about
Climatronic. Information about the Climatronic system can
be displayed on the radio or radio and navi-
gation screen mounted at factory.The LEDs on the Climatronic controls indicate
that the selected function has been activa-
ted.
In addition, the radio or radio and navigation
displays mounted at factory briefly display
the current Climatronic settings if any of
them have been modified.
The symbols used on the radio or radio and
navigation displays are the same as the sym-
bols used for the Climatronic controls.
Automatic mode In automatic mode air temperature, air flow
and distribution are automatically regulated
so that a specified temperature is attained as
quickly as possible and then maintained.
The temperature can be adjusted separately
for the left and right sides of the vehicle inte-
rior.
Switching on automatic mode
– Press the AUTO
›››
Fig. 117 button. “AUTO
High” i s
shown on the radio display (high
fan speed).
– Press the AUTO button again
›››
Fig. 117 .
“A UT

O Low” is shown on the radio display
(low fan speed).
Depending upon the version and finish, the
vehicle may include: »
113
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
A pleasant temperature is quickly reached in
automatic mode at a temperature of +22 °C
(+72 °F). Therefore, we recommend you not
to change this adjustment, except as neces-
sary to suit individual preferences or particu-
lar circumstances. It is possible to select inte-
rior temperatures from +18 °C (+64 °F) to
+26 °C (+80 °F). These are approximate tem-
peratures and the actual temperature may be
slightly higher or lower depending on out-
side ambient conditions.
Climatronic maintains a constant tempera-
ture. The temperature of the air supplied to the interior, the blower speed and the air dis-
tribution are regulated automatically. The
system also considers the sunlight radiation,
so there is no need for manual readjustment.
Therefore,
automatic mode
almo
s t always
provides the best comfort for the vehicle oc-
cupants throughout the year.
Automatic mode is switched off whenever an
adjustment is made using the buttons for the
air distribution, fan or  or the air recircula-
tion button  . The temperature will continue
to be regulated within the parameters man-
ually selected by the user. Note
There are two automatic modes:
● Automatic mode LO: this calculates the air
flow for two people.
● Automatic mode HI: this calculates the air
flow for more than two people. Manual mode
Fig. 120
On the dash panel: 2C Climatronic con-
trols. 114

Air conditioning
In manual mode you can adjust the air tem-
perature, air flow and distribution as re-
quired.
Switching on manual mode – To enter manual mode, press one of the
buttons ››› Fig. 120 1 to
5 or press the
air flow control 10 . The selected function is
shown on the radio or navigator display.
Temperature
There are separate temperature selectors for
the left and right sides of the vehicle interior.
The selected temperature is displayed above
the selector. It is possible to select interior
temperatures from +18 °C (+64 °F) to +26 °C
(+80 °F). These are approximate tempera-
tures and the actual temperature may be
slightly higher or lower depending on the
outside ambient conditions.
If you select temperatures below +18 °C
(+64 °F), the indication: LO will appear on the
screen. In this setting the system runs at
maximum cooling output and the tempera-
ture is not regulated.
If a temperature above +26 °C (+80 °F) is se-
lected, the screen will show HI. In this setting
the system runs at maximum heating output
and the temperature is not regulated. Blower
The fan may be adjusted freely using the con-
trols
10 . Always have the blower running at a
low setting to ensure a constant flow of fresh
air into the vehicle. Pushing the button  to
the minimum -1, t urn
s the Climatronic off.
Air distribution
The air distribution is adjusted using the but-
tons  ,
 and
 . It is also possible to
open and close some of the air vents sepa-
rately.
Switching the air conditioning on and off
When the A/C button is on (LED lit), the air
conditioning system is on.
When the A/C button is off (LED off), the air
conditioning system is off.
When the A/C button is off, the air condition-
ing system is switched off to save fuel. The
temperature continues to self-regulate. The
set temperature can only be reached if it is
higher than the outside temperature.
Driver and passenger temperature control
The SYNC button controls the synchronisa-
tion of the 2 Climatronic climate zones.
When the SYNC button is off (LED off), the Cli-
matronic climate zone is personalised. For
example: driver side temperature +22 °C (+72 °F) and passenger side temperature +24
℃
(+23.89 ℃
).
When the S

YNC button is on (LED lit), the Cli-
matronic climate zone is synchronised. For
example: driver side temperature +22 °C
(+72 °F) and passenger side temperature +22
℃ (+22.22 ℃
).
If

the SYNC button is on and the passenger
side temperature is changed, the function is
automatically deactivated.
Air recirculation mode –
Press the button 
››› Fig. 120 5 to
switch air recirculation mode on or off. It is
switched on if the following symbol ap-
pears in the display .
Air recirculation mode prevents strong
odours or contaminated air from the outside
from entering in the vehicle, for example
when passing through a tunnel or in a traffic
jam.
With low outside temperatures, the air recir-
culation increases the effectiveness of the
heating system by heating the air inside the
vehicle rather than the air from outside.
With high outside temperatures, the air recir-
culation increases the effectiveness of the air
conditioning system by cooling the air inside
the vehicle rather than the ambient air. »
115Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
If the windscreen air output is on and air re-
circulation mode is pressed, this remains ac-
tive. When the recirculation mode is on, if the
air distribution towards the windscreen mode
is selected, the recirculation mode is deacti-
vated. For safety reasons, the air recirculation
mode should not be connected. WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the
outside enters the vehicle interior. If the air
conditioning system is switched off, the win-
dows can quickly mist over. Therefore, never
leave the air recirculation mode switched on
for a long time (risk of accident). General notes
Pollution filter
The pollution filter (a combined particulate
filter and active carbon filter) serves as a bar-
rier against impurities in the outside air, in-
cluding dust and pollen.
For the climate control system to work with
maximum efficiency, the pollution filter must
be replaced at the specified intervals in the
Maintenance Programme.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due
to use in areas reaching very high pollution
levels, the pollen filter must be changed
more frequently than stated in the Service
Schedule. Air conditioner
When the air conditioning system is switched
on, not only the temperature, but also the air
humidity in the vehicle interior is reduced.
This improves comfort for the vehicle occu-
pants and prevents misting of the windows
when the ambient air humidity is high.
If the air conditioning system cannot be
switched on this may be caused by the fol-
lowing reasons:
● The engine is not running.
● The A/C button is switched off.
● The outside temperature is lower than ap-
proximately +3 °C (+37 °F).
● The air conditioning system compressor
has been temporarily switched off because
the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● The air conditioner fuse is faulty.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air
conditioner checked by a specialised work-
shop. CAUTION
● If you suspect that the air conditioner is
damaged, switch it off with the A/C button to
prevent further damage and have it checked
by a specialised workshop.
● Repairs to the air conditioner require spe-
cialist knowledge and special tools. There-
fore, we recommend you to take the vehicle
to a specialised workshop. Note
● If the humidity and temperature outside the
vehicle are high, condensation can drip off
the evaporator in the cooling system and
form a pool underneath the vehicle. This is
normal and does not indicate a leak.
● Keep the air intake slots in front of the
windscreen free of snow, ice and leaves to en-
sure heating and cooling are not impaired,
and to prevent the windows from misting
over.
● The air from the vents flows through the ve-
hicle interior and is extracted by slots de-
signed for this purpose. Therefore, do not
cover these slots with items of clothing or
other objects.
● The air conditioner operates most effective-
ly with the windows and the sliding/tilting
sunroof* closed. However, if the temperature
inside the vehicle is excessive because of the
sun, the air inside can be cooled faster by
opening the windows for a short time.
● Do not smoke while air recirculation mode
is on, as smoke drawn into the air condition-
ing system leaves residue on the evaporator,
producing a permanent unpleasant odour.
● It is advisable to turn on the air condition-
ing at least once a month, to lubricate the
system gaskets and prevent leaks. If a de-
crease in the cooling capacity is detected, a
Technical Service should be consulted to
check the system. 116

Driving
Driving Power steering (servotronic*) Power steering assists the driver by reducing
the force needed to turn the steering wheel.
In cars equipped with servotronic* power
steering the degree of power assistance is
regulated electronically
according to road
s
peed.
The power steering will keep on working even
if

the servotronic* device fails. The degree of
po w
er assistance will, however, no longer
adapt to different speeds. If the electronic
regulating system is not working properly,
this is most noticeable when turning the
steering wheel at low speeds (for instance
when parking), as more effort will be required
than usual. The fault should be corrected by
a specialised workshop as soon as possible.
Power steering does not work if the engine is
off. In this case the steering wheel requires
much more force to turn.
Turning the steering to its limit when the ve-
hicle is stationary will place an excessive
load on the power steering system. Turning
the steering wheel to its limit places a load
on the system, which causes noise. It will al-
so reduce the idling speed of the engine. CAUTION
When the engine is running, do not turn the
steering wheel to its limit for more than 15
seconds. Otherwise, there is a risk of damag-
ing the power steering. Note
● If the power steering should fail at any time
or the engine is switched off (for instance
when being towed), the vehicle can still be
steered. However, more effort will be required
to turn the steering wheel.
● If the system is leaking or malfunctioning,
please take the car to a specialised workshop
immediately.
● The power steering system requires a spe-
cial hydraulic fluid. The container is located
in the engine compartment (front left). The
correct fluid level in the reservoir is impor-
tant for the power steering to function prop-
erly. The hydraulic fluid level is checked at
the Inspection Service. All-wheel drive*
On all-wheel drive models, the engine power
is distributed to all four wheels
General notes
The all-wheel drive system operates com-
pletely automatically. The propulsion force is
distributed among the four wheels and adap-ted to the driving style and the road condi-
tions.
The all-wheel drive is specially designed to
complement the superior engine power. This
combination gives the vehicle exceptional
handling and performance capabilities, both
on normal roads and in more difficult condi-
tions, such as snow and ice.
Winter tyres
Thanks to its all-wheel drive, your vehicle will
have plenty of traction in winter conditions,
even with the standard tyres. Nevertheless,
we still recommend that winter tyres or all-
season tyres should be fitted on all four
wheels when winter road conditions are ex-
pected, mainly because this will give a better
braking response.
Snow chains
On roads where snow chains are mandatory,
this also applies to cars with all-wheel drive.
Changing tyres
On vehicles with all-wheel drive, all four tyres
must have the same rolling circumference
››› page 179 . WARNING
● Even with all-wheel drive, you should al-
ways adjust your speed to suit the condi-
tions. Do not let the extra safety features » 117
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
tempt you into taking any risks when driving.
Failure to follow this instruction could result
in an accident.
●
The braking capability of your vehicle is
limited by the tyres' grip. Vehicle behaviour
is no different from a vehicle without four-
wheel drive. So do not be tempted to drive
too fast on icy or slippery roads just because
the vehicle still has good acceleration in
these conditions. Failure to do so could result
in an accident.
● On wet roads bear in mind that the front
wheels may lose contact with the road and
start to float (aquaplaning) if the vehicle is
driven too fast. If this should happen, there
will be no sudden increase in engine speed
when aquaplaning begins to warn the driver,
as with a front-wheel drive vehicle. For this
reason and for that mentioned above, always
choose a driving speed suitable for the road
conditions. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. Driving with LPG*
3 Applies to the model: ALTEA / ALTEA XL
Fig. 121
Centre console: gas system control
switch. Your SEAT vehicle has a bivalent engine able
to run on either LPG or petrol. The LPG tank
››› page 160, Refuelling with LPG is in the
spare wheel well ››› .
Connecting LPG operating mode
● Press the GAS button.
After checking the system, the engine auto-
matically switches from petrol to LPG provi-
ded the following conditions are met:
● There is enough LPG in the tank.
● The engine coolant has reached the neces-
sary temperature for LPG operation.
● The outside temperature is suitable for LPG
to work. ●
The engine speed is always above 1,200
rpm.
● The LPG system check has been completed
and the established waiting time has elapsed
(this operation may take several minutes).
● No fault was detected during the system
check.
The 
green LPG gauge control lamp will
light up.
Connecting petrol operating mode
● Press the GAS button.
The  green
control lamp will go out on the
LPG l

evel indicator.
Petrol operating mode connects automatical-
ly when the engine is started or when any of
the LPG operating mode conditions are not
met. As soon as the necessary conditions are
met again, the LPG operating mode recon-
nects.
LPG system fault
Message in the instru-
ment panel displayHow to proceed
Error: LPG Visit the work-
shop!Have the system checked
immediately by a special-
ised workshop. 118