2015 Seat Altea Owner's Manual

Driver assistance systems
The ESC system is always active and cannot
be switched off. The ESC switch only switches
the ASR off.
The ASR can be deactivated when wheel spin
is desirable.
For example:
● When driving with snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on loose sur-
faces.
● When the vehicle is stuck, to rock it back-
wards and forwards.
Press the button to switch the ASR back on
when you no longer need wheel spin.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)*
The ESC reduces the risk of skidding by brak-
ing the wheels individually.
The system uses the steering wheel angle
and road speed to calculate the changes of
direction desired by the driver, and constant-
ly compares them with the actual behaviour
of the vehicle. When irregularities occur, for
example, if the vehicle begins to skid, the
ESC brakes the appropriate wheel automati-
cally.
The forces acting on the braked wheel bring
the vehicle back to a stable condition. If the
vehicle tends to oversteer (the rear end
slides out), the system will act on the front
wheel on the outside of the turn. Steering manoeuvre recommendations
This is a complementary safety function in-
cluded in the ESC. This function aids the driv-
er to better stabilize the vehicle in a critical
situation. For example, in case of sudden
braking on a surface with varied adherence,
the vehicle will tend to destabilise its trajec-
tory to the right or to the left. In this case, the
ESC recognises the situation and assists the
driver with a counter steering manoeuvre
from the power steering.
This function simply provides the driver with
a recommended manoeuvre in critical situa-
tions.
The vehicle does not steer itself with this
function, the driver has full control of the ve-
hicle at all times.
WARNING
● Remember that not even the ESC can defy
the laws of physics. This should be kept in
mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads
and when towing a trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the
condition of the roads and the traffic situa-
tion. The greater safety provided by the ESC
should not encourage you to run any risks. CAUTION
● To ensure that the ESC works correctly, all
four wheels must be fitted with the same
tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can cause the system to reduce en-
gine power when this is not desired.
● Any modifications made to the vehicle (for
example, to the engine, brake system, run-
ning gear or to the combination of wheels
and tyres) may affect the operation of the
ABS, EDL, ESC and ASR. Electronic differential lock (EDL)*
EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accel-
erate and climb a gradient in slippery condi-
tions where this may otherwise be difficult or
even impossible.
It uses the ABS sensors to monitor the speed
of the driven wheels. In case of an EDL fault,
the warning light for ABS lights up
››› page 41 .
At s
peeds of up to approximately 80 km/h
(50 mph), it is able to balance out differences
in the speed of the driven wheels of approxi-
mately 100 rpm/min caused by a partially
slippery road surface. It does this by braking
the wheel which has lost traction and distrib-
uting more driving force to the other driven
wheel via the differential.
To prevent the disc brake of the braking
wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out au-
tomatically if subjected to excessive loads.
The vehicle will continue to function normally »
135
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not
informed that the EDL has been switched off.
The EDL will switch on again automatically
when the brake has cooled down. WARNING
● When accelerating on a slippery surface,
for example on ice and snow, press the accel-
erator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven
wheels may start to spin. This could impair
the vehicle's stability.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit road
conditions and the traffic situation. Do not let
the extra safety afforded by EDL tempt you in-
to taking any risks when driving, this can
cause accidents. CAUTION
Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the en-
gine, the brake system, running gear or any
components affecting the wheels and tyres)
could affect the efficiency of the EDL
››› page 147. Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)*
The function (Hydraulic Brake Assist HBA) is
only included in vehicles with ESC.
In an emergency, most drivers brake in time,
but not with maximum force. This results in
unnecessarily long braking distances. This is when the brake assist system comes
into action. When pressing the brake pedal
rapidly, the assistant interprets it as an emer-
gency. It very quickly builds up the full brake
pressure so that the ABS can be activated
more quickly and efficiently, thus reducing
braking distance.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake ped-
al, since the brake assist system switches off
automatically as soon as you release the
brake.
Emergency braking warning
If the vehicle is braked suddenly and continu-
ously at a speed of more than 80 km/h, the
brake light flashes several times per second
to warn vehicles driving behind. If you contin-
ue braking, the hazard warning lights will
come on automatically when the vehicle
comes to a standstill. They switch off auto-
matically when the vehicle starts to move
again.
WARNING
● The risk of accident is higher if you drive
too fast, if you do not keep your distance from
the vehicle in front, and when the road sur-
face is slippery or wet. The increased acci-
dent risk cannot be reduced by the brake as-
sist system.
● The brake assist system cannot defy the
laws of physics. Slippery and wet roads are
dangerous even with the brake assist system! Therefore, it is essential that you adjust your
speed to suit the road and traffic conditions.
Do not let the extra safety features tempt you
into taking any risks when driving.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
The anti-lock brake (ABS) system prevents
the wheels from locking during braking and
is an important part of the vehicle's active
safety system.
How the ABS works
If one of the wheels turns too slowly in rela-
tion to the vehicle's speed, and is close to
locking, the system will reduce the braking
pressure to this wheel. The driver is made
aware of this control process by a
pulsating
of the brake pedal and audible noise. This is
a deliberate warning to the driver that one or
more of the wheels is tending to lock and the
ABS control function has intervened. In this
situation it is important to keep the brake
pedal fully depressed so the ABS can regu-
late the brake application. Do not “pump”.
If you brake hard on a slippery road surface,
the best possible control is retained as the
wheels do not lock.
However, ABS will not necessarily guarantee
shorter braking distances in all conditions.
Br ak
ing distance could even be further if you
136

Driver assistance systems
brake on gravel or on fresh snow on a
slippery surface. WARNING
● The anti-lock brake system cannot defy the
laws of physics. Slippery and wet roads are
dangerous even with ABS! If you notice that
the ABS is working (to counteract locked
wheels under braking), you should reduce
speed immediately to suit the road and traffic
conditions. Do not let the extra safety fea-
tures tempt you into taking any risks when
driving.
● The effectiveness of ABS is also determined
by the tyres fitted ››› page 175.
● If the ru
nning gear or brake system is modi-
fied, the effectiveness of the ABS could be se-
verely limited. Drive wheel traction control system
(ASR)
The traction control system prevents the driv-
en wheels from spinning when the vehicle is
accelerating.
Description and operation of the traction
control system during acceleration (ASR
On front-wheel drive vehicles, the ASR sys-
tem intervenes, reducing engine power and
preventing the driven wheels from slipping
during acceleration. The system works in the entire speed range in conjunction with ABS.
If a failure occurs in the ABS, the ASR will al-
so stop working.
TCS helps the car to start moving, accelerate
and climb a gradient in slippery conditions
where this may otherwise be difficult or even
impossible.
The ASR automatically switches on when the
engine is started. If necessary, it may be
turned on or off by briefly pushing the button
on the centre console.
When the ASR is switched off, the
 OFF warning lamp will light up. The ASR should
normally be left on. Only in exceptional cir-
cumstances, when slipping of the wheels is
desired, should it be disconnected.
●
With compact temporary spare wheel.
● When using the snow chains.
● When driving in deep snow or on soft ter-
rain.
● When the vehicle is bogged-down, to free it
by “rocking.”
The ASR should be switched on again as
soon as possible. WARNING
● Remember that not even the ASR can defy
the laws of physics. This should be kept in
mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads
and when towing a trailer. ●
Always adapt your driving style to suit the
condition of the roads and the traffic situa-
tion. The greater safety provided by the ASR
should not encourage you to run any risks. CAUTION
● To ensure that the ASR works correctly,
identical tyres should be fitted on all four
wheels. Any differences in the rolling radius
of the tyres can cause the system to reduce
engine power when this is not desired.
● Any modifications made to the vehicle (for
example, to the engine, brake system, run-
ning gear or to the combination of wheels
and tyres) may affect the operation of the
ABS and ASR. XDS*
When taking a curve, the driveshaft differen-
tial mechanism allows the outer wheel to turn
at a higher speed than the inner wheel. In
this way, the wheel that is turning faster (out-
er wheel) receives less drive torque than the
inner wheel. This may mean that in certain
situations the torque delivered to the inner
wheel is too high, causing the wheels to
spin. On the other hand, the outer wheel is
receiving a lower drive torque than it could
transmit. This causes an overall loss of lateral
grip on the front axle, resulting in understeer
or “lengthening” of the trajectory.
»
137
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
The XDS system can detect and correct this
effect via the sensors and signals of the ESC.
Via the ESC, the XDS will brake the inside
wheel and counter the excess driving torque
of that wheel. This means that the driver's
desired trajectory is much more precise,
The XDS system works in combination with
the ESC and is always active, even when ASR
traction control is disconnected.
Brake servo The brake servo increases the pressure you
apply to the brake pedal. It works
only when
the engine is running .
If the brake servo is not functioning, e.g. due
to a malfunction, or if the vehicle is being
towed, you will have to press the brake pedal
considerably harder to make up for the lack
of servo assistance. WARNING
The braking distance can also be affected by
external factors.
● Never let the vehicle coast with the engine
switched off. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. The braking dis-
tance is increased considerably when the
brake servo is not active.
● If the brake servo is not working, for exam-
ple when the vehicle is being towed, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal.
Start-Stop System*
Description and operation The Start-Stop function stops the engine
when the vehicle is stopped and starts it au-
tomatically when required.
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it in neu-
tral and release the clutch pedal. The en-
gine will stop.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed, the en-
gine starts again.
– The instrument panel display shows infor-
mation about the status of the Start-Stop
function ››› Fig. 133 .
St ar
t-Stop function conditions
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The engine must be at operating tempera-
ture.
● The steering wheel must be straight.
● The vehicle must not be on a steep gradi-
ent.
● The vehicle must not be in reverse.
● A trailer must not be connected. ●
The temperature of the passenger compart-
ment must be within comfort limits (button A/C
11
››› Fig. 120 should be selected).
● The w ind

screen de-mist function must be
off.
● If not
, it requires an increase in airflow 10 ›››
Fig. 120 for more than three presses.
● The t emper
ature must not be set to HI or
LO.
● The driver door must be closed.
● The diesel particulate filter must not be in
regeneration mode, for diesel engines.
● The battery charge must not be low for the
next start.
● Battery temperature must be between -1 °C
(+30 °F) and +55 °C (+131 °F).
● The Parking aid system (Park Assist*) must
not be activated.
Start-Stop function interruption
In the following situations, the Start-Stop
function will be interrupted and the engine
will automatically start:
● The vehicle starts moving.
● The brake pedal is pressed several times in
a row.
● The battery has been discharged excessive-
ly.
● The Start-Stop System is manually deacti-
vated.
138

Driver assistance systems
● The windscreen de-mist function is turned
on.
● The temperature of the passenger compart-
ment exceeds comfort limits (button A/C
11 ›››
Fig. 120 should be selected).
● If in an inc
rease in airflow 10
››› Fig. 120 is
r equir

ed for more than three presses.
● Temperature setting HI or LO is selected.
● The engine coolant temperature is insuffi-
cient.
● The alternator is faulty, for example the V-
belt has ruptured.
● If any of the conditions described in the
previous section are not fulfilled. WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the en-
gine off for any reason. You could lose control
of your vehicle. This could cause an accident
and serious injury.
● Power steering does not work when the en-
gine is not running. That is why it is much
more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
● Turn off the Start-Stop system when driving
through water (fording streams, etc.). Note
● For vehicles with the Start-Stop function
and a manual gearbox, when the engine is
started, the clutch must be pressed. ●
When the conditions for the Start-Stop
function are not fulfilled, the instrument pan-
el displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than
270°, Stop will not function; however, the an-
gle of steering wheel turn does not affect
starting the vehicle. Activating and deactivating the Start-
Stop function
Fig. 132
The Start-Stop function button. Every time the ignition is switched on, the
Start-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Manually deactivating the Start-Stop
function
– Press the A
››› Fig. 132 located in the cen-
tre console. When the Start-Stop function is deactivated, the pushbutton indicator
lights.
– If the Start-Stop function is operating then
the engine starts immediately.
Switching the Start-Stop function on
manually – Press the A
››› Fig. 132 located in the cen-
tre console. The indicator on the button will
go out.
Driver messages Fig. 133
Display on the instrument panel dur-
ing Start-Stop function operation. When the engine is turned off by the Start-
Stop function, this is displayed on the instru-
ment panel.
»
139Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
Note
There are different versions of the dash pan-
el; the display of indications on the screen
may differ. Parking aid acoustic system*
General notes Various parking aid systems are available to
help you when parking or manoeuvring in
tight spaces, depending on the equipment
fitted on your vehicle.
The SEAT Parking System* gives an audible
warning if there are any obstacles behind
your vehicle.
When you are parking, the SEAT Parking Sys-
tem Plus* warns you acoustically and optical-
ly
1)
about obstacles “in front of” and “be-
hind” the vehicle. Note
To ensure the acoustic parking aid works
properly, the sensors must be kept clean and
free of snow and ice. SEAT Parking System: description
The Parking System is an acoustic parking
aid.
Sensors are located in the rear bumper.
When the sensors detect an obstacle, you are
alerted by audible warnings. The measuring
range of the sensors starts at approximately:RearSide0.60
Centre1.60
The audible warnings sound with increasing
frequency as you approach the obstacle.
When the vehicle is less than 0.30 m away
from the obstacle, the warning tone will
sound continuously. Do not drive on!
The volume of the warning beeps will gradu-
ally decrease after about 4 seconds if the ve-
hicle remains at a constant distance from a
detected obstacle (it does not affect the per-
manent acoustic signal).
The parking aid is switched on automatically
when reverse gear is engaged. You will hear a
brief confirmation tone.
WARNING
● The parking aid is not a replacement for
driver awareness. The driver is personally re- sponsible for safe parking and other manoeu-
vres.
●
The sensors have blind spots in which ob-
stacles are not registered. Always look out for
small children and animals because the sys-
tem will not always detect them. Always pay
attention when reversing to avoid accidents.
● Always keep a close eye on the area around
the vehicle and make full use of the rear vi-
sion mirrors. CAUTION
Please note that low obstacles detected by
the system may no longer be registered by
the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Cer-
tain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences,
chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc) may not always be detected by the
system, so take care not to damage the vehi-
cle in such cases. Note
Please refer to the notes on towing
››› page 141. 1)
Vehicles with a navigation system.
140

Driver assistance systems
SEAT Parking System Plus*:
description The Parking System Plus is an acoustic and
optical parking aid.
Sensors are located in the front and rear
bumpers. When the sensors detect an obsta-
cle, you are alerted by audible and optical
warnings. The measuring range of the sen-
sors starts at approximately:FrontSide0.90
Centre1.20
RearSide0.60
Centre1.60
The audible warnings sound with increasing
frequency as you approach the obstacle.
When the vehicle is less than 0.30 m away
from the obstacle, the warning tone will
sound continuously. Stop moving immediate-
ly!
The volume of the warning beeps will gradu-
ally decrease after about 4 seconds if the ve-
hicle remains at a constant distance from a
detected obstacle (it does not affect the per-
manent acoustic signal). Activating/deactivating
Fig. 134
Centre console: Switch for parking
aid. Activate
– Connects the radio navigator.
– Press the switch  on the centre console
››› Fig. 134 or on the gear indicator. You will
he ar a brief

confirmation tone and the LED
on the switch will light up.
Deactivating – Drive forward faster than 10 km/h (6 mph),
or
– Press the switch  or
– Switch the ignition off.
Segments in the optical display
Some colour segments in front and behind
and an audible warning enable the driver to
assess the distance with respect to an obsta- cle. The amber colour segments combined
with a discontinuous beep indicate the pres-
ence of an obstacle. As the vehicle gets clos-
er to the obstacle, the colour of the segment
changes to red and the acoustic signal beeps
continuously. When the penultimate segment
is displayed, this means that the vehicle has
reached the collision zone. Stop moving im-
mediately!
››› in SEAT Parking System: de-
scription on page 140. Note
● Please refer to the notes on towing
››› page 141.
● Ther e i

s a slight delay in the picture dis-
play. Towing bracket
In towing mode, the rear parking aid sensors
are not enabled when you select reverse gear
or press the switch
. This function may not
be guaranteed on towing brackets that are
not factory fitted. This results in the following
restrictions:
SEAT Parking System*
No warning is given.
SEAT Parking System Plus*
There is no rear distance warning. The system
will still give a warning when obstacles are »
141
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
detected while driving forward. The optical
display changes to towing mode.
Fault messages If you hear a long beep for a few seconds and
the LED on the switch 
* starts flashing
when
you switch on the parking aid, a system
fault has occurred. Contact a SEAT official
service or specialised workshop. Note
If the fault is not corrected before you switch
off the ignition, it will only be indicated by
the flashing LED on the switch  the next
time y

ou switch on the parking aid. Cruise speed* (cruise control
system - CCS)
Description The CCS is able to maintain the set speed in
the range from approx. 30 km/h (19 mph) to
180 km/h (112 mph).
Once the speed setting has been saved, you
may take your foot off the accelerator. WARNING
It could be dangerous to use the cruise con-
trol system if it is not possible to drive at con-
stant speed.
● Do not use the cruise control system when
driving in dense traffic, on roads with lots of
bends or on roads with poor conditions (with
ice, slippery surfaces, loose grit or gravel), as
this could cause an accident.
● Always switch the cruise control system off
after using it in order to avoid involuntary
use.
● It is dangerous to use a set speed which is
too high for the current road, traffic or weath-
er conditions. Risk of accident. Note
The cruise control cannot maintain a constant
speed when descending downhill. It will in-
crease due to its own weight. Use the foot
brake to slow the vehicle. Switching the cruise control system
on and off
Fig. 135
Turn signal and main beam head-
light lever: switch and rocker switch for the
cruise control. Switching on the cruise control system
– Push the switch ››› Fig. 135 B to the left to
ON.
Switching off the cruise control system
– Either push the switch B to the right to
OFF or turn the ignition off when the vehicle
is stationary.
When cruise control is on and a speed is pro-
grammed, the indicator  on the dash panel
is lit. 1)
If the cruise control system is switched off,
the  symbo l

is switched off. The system will 1)
Depending on the model version
142