
Lights and visibility
correct use of lights in all situations. “Auto-
matic headlight control” is merely a system
to support the driver. Where necessary,
switch on the lights manually using the light
switch.
Fog lights with cornering function*
3 Applies to the model: ALTEA / ALTEA XL
When the t urn s
ignal is switched on to turn or
on very tight bends, the right or left fog light
automatically comes on to function as a cor-
nering light. The cornering light only oper-
at e
s if the dipped beam lights are on. WARNING
Read and observe the relevant warnings ››› in Adaptive headlights* (for driving round
bends) on page 80 Hazard warning lights
Fig. 63
Dash panel: switch for hazard warn-
ing lights. The hazard warning lights are used to draw
the attention of other road users to your vehi-
cle in emergencies.
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 ››› .
3. Switch the ignition off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. For a manual gearbox, engage 1st gear; for an automatic gearbox, move the gear
lever to P
.
6.
Use the warning triangle to draw the atten-
tion of other road users to your vehicle. 7. Always take the vehicle key with you when
you leave the vehicle.
Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn
other road users, for example:
● reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,
● there is an emergency
● your vehicle breaks down due to a techni-
cal fault,
● you are towing another vehicle or your vehi-
cle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when
the hazard warning lights are switched on.
The two turn signal turn signal lamps
and the turn signal lamp in the switch will
flash at the same time. The hazard warning
lights also work when the ignition is switch-
ed off.
Emergency braking warning
If the vehicle brakes suddenly and continu-
ously at a speed of more than 80 km/h (50
mph), the brake light flashes several times
per second to warn the vehicles driving be-
hind. If you continue braking, the hazard
warning lights will come on automatically
when the vehicle comes to a standstill. They
switch off automatically when the vehicle
starts to move again. »
81
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
WARNING
● The risk of an accident increases if your ve-
hicle breaks down. Always use the hazard
warning lights and a warning triangle to draw
the attention of other road users to your sta-
tionary vehicle.
● Never park where the catalytic converter
could come into contact with inflammable
materials under the vehicle, for example dry
grass or spilt petrol. This could start a fire! Note
● The battery will run down if the hazard
warning lights are left on for a long time,
even if the ignition is switched off.
● The use of the hazard warning lights de-
scribed here is subject to the relevant statu-
tory requirements. Interior lights
Front interior lights and reading lights Fig. 64
Interior roof trim: front interior light-
ing option 1. Fig. 65
Interior roof trim: front interior light-
ing option 2. Switch
A
››› Fig. 64 o
›
›› Fig. 65 is used to se-
lect the following positions: Courtesy light position
Rocker switch in flat position (not activated).
The interior lighting is automatically switched
on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key re-
moved from the ignition. It goes out approxi-
mately 20 seconds after the doors are
closed. 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
.
Turning off the interior light 0
Press the switch to position 0
››› Fig. 64 or
››› Fig. 65.
Swit
ching on the reading light
Press the corresponding button B
››› Fig. 64
or ››› Fig. 65 to switch on the reading light.
Sw it
ching the reading lights off
Press the corresponding button to switch the
reading light off. Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the in-
terior 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. 82

Lights and visibility
Rear interior lights and reading
lights* Fig. 66
Interior roof trim: rear interior lights
and reading lights. The switch
››› Fig. 66 C is used to select the
following positions:
Interior light switched off 0
In switch position ››› Fig. 66 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 switched on when
the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed
from the ignition. The light goes out approxi-
mately 20 seconds after the doors are closed. The interior lights are switched off
when the vehicle is locked or when the igni-
tion is switched on.
Interior lights or both reading lights
switched on
T urn the c
ontrol to position 5 .
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the in-
terior 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. Visibility
Sun visors Fig. 67
Sun visor on the driver side. The sun visors for the driver and the front
passenger can be pulled out of their mount-
ings in the centre of the vehicle and turned
towards the doors
››› Fig. 67 1 .
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors have cov-
ers. When you open the cover 2 , a lamp in
the roof lights up.
The light* in the roof lining will go out when
the vanity mirror cover is pushed back or the
sun visor is pushed back up. Note
The roof lighting will go out approximately
ten minutes after the ignition key has been
removed. This prevents the battery from dis-
charging. Sun blind*
3 Applies to the model: ALTEA XL/ALTEA FREETRACK
Fig. 68
Rear door blind.
» 83
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Lights and visibility
WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibili-
ty 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 ventila-
tion system. The windscreen washer fluid
could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and
obscure your view of the road.
● The rain sensor may not detect enough rain
to switch on the wipers. If necessary, switch
on the wipers manually when water on the
windscreen impedes visibility.
● Always note the corresponding warnings
››› page 194. CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the glass before us-
ing the wipers for the first time. If you switch
on the windscreen 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 only 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.
● If the vehicle stops when wiper speed 2 ›››
Fig. 69 or 3 is selected, the next speed
down will be selected automatically. The set
speed will be resumed when the vehicle pulls
away.
● The windscreen will be wiped again after
approximately five seconds once the “auto-
matic wash/wipe system” has been activa-
ted, provided the vehicle is moving (drip func-
tion). If you activate the wipers less than 3
seconds after the drip function, a new wash
sequence will begin without performing 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 proportional to the
speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed
the shorter the intervals.
● The wiper will try to wipe away any obsta-
cles that are on the windscreen. The wiper
will stop moving if the obstacle continues to
block its path. Remove the obstacle 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 (horizontal).
● The heat output of the heated jets is con-
trolled automatically when the ignition is
switched on, depending upon the outside
temperature. ●
Do not put stickers on the windscreen in
front of the rain sensor*. This may cause sen-
sor disruption or faults. Rear window wiper
Fig. 71
Windscreen wiper lever: rear window
wiper. Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forward to position 6 ›››
Fig. 71 . The wiper will wipe the window
ap pr
oximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position 6 toward
the steering wheel. The wiper will continue
to function for a short period if you switch
off whilst the wipers are in motion. »
85
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

Operation
Switching on automatic wipe – Press the lever fully forwards to position 7›››
Fig. 71 . The rear wash function will start
immedi at
ely and the wiper will start a few
seconds later. The rear window wash sys-
tem will function as long as you hold the
lever in this position.
– Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for
approximately 4 seconds, and then in inter-
vals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops
and the wipers function. WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibili-
ty and safety levels while driving.
● Always note the corresponding warnings
on ››› page 194. CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper
blade is not frozen to the glass before using
the wiper for the first time. If you switch on
the wiper when the wiper blade is frozen to
the glass, this could damage both the wiper
blade and the wiper motor. Note
● The windscreen wiper will only function
when the ignition is switched on and the rear
lid is closed. ●
In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers
switched on, the rear windscreen wiper will
make one wipe. Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight
lenses.
The headlight washers are activated auto-
matically when the windscreen washer is
used and the window wiper lever is pulled to-
wards the steering wheel for at least 1.5 sec-
onds – provided the dipped beam headlights
or main beams are switched on. Clean off
stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the head-
lights at regular intervals, for instance, when
filling the fuel tank.
Note
● To ensure that the headlight washers work
properly in winter, keep the nozzle holders in
the bumper free of snow and remove any ice
with a de-icer spray.
● To remove water, the windscreen wipers
will be activated from time to time, the head-
light washers will be activated every three cy-
cles. Rear vision mirrors
Interior rear vision mirror It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see
clearly through the rear window.
Manual anti-dazzle function for interior rear
vision mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the
bottom edge of the rear vision mirror should
be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to
select the anti-dazzle function.
Automatic anti-dazzle interior rear
vision mirror* Fig. 72
Automatic anti-dazzle interior rear vi-
sion mirror. 86

Lights and visibility
Switching off the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
››› Fig. 72. Control lamp Bgoes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
››› Fig. 72. The control
lamp lights up.
Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every
time the ignition is switched on. The green
warning lamp lights up in the rear vision mir-
ror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the
interior rear vision mirror will darken auto-
matically according to the amount of light it
r ec
eives. The anti-dazzle function is cancel-
led if reverse gear is engaged. Note
● The automatic anti-dazzle function will only
work properly if the sun blind* for the rear
window is retracted and there are no other
objects preventing light from reaching the in-
terior rear vision mirror.
● If you have to stick any type of sticker on
the windscreen, do not do so in front of the
sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-daz-
zle function from working well or even from
working at all. Exterior mirrors
Fig. 73
Exterior mirror controls. The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using
the rotary knob in the centre console.
Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob
››› Fig. 73 to position L (left ex-
t erior mirr
or).
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the exteri- or mirror so that you have a good view to
the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn the knob to position R (right exterior mirror
).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the ex- terior mirror so that you have a good view
to the rear of the vehicle ››› .
Heating the exterior mirrors* – Turn the knob forward ››› Fig. 73 so that the
he at
ed rear vision mirrors warm up and the heated windscreen* in the wiper blade rest
area is activated
››› page 84.
– Exterior mirror heating is not activated in
temperatures above approximately +20 °C
(+68 °F).
Folding in exterior mirrors*
– Turn the control ››› Fig. 73 to position to
fold in the exterior mirrors. You should al-
ways fold in the exterior mirrors if you are
driving through an automatic car wash.
This will help prevent damage.
Folding exterior mirrors with convenience
closing* – The exterior mirror will fold back automati-
cally with convenience closing (with the re-
mote or the key).
– To unfold it again, open the door and
switch on the ignition.
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the
extended position* – Turn the knob to another position to fold
the exterior mirrors back out ››› .
Synchronised mirror adjustment
1. Turn the control to the position L (
left ex-
t
erior mirror).
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the exteri- or mirror so that you have a good view to »
87
Technical 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

Operation
button while driving slowly and with low ac-
celeration. This procedure can be repeated
several times while driving carefully until all
the LPG left in the tank has been used up.
● Vehicles that display information or warn-
ing messages on the dash panel may show
information related to LPG operation.
● The notification LPG mode not possible may
be displayed. Journeys abroad
To drive abroad, the following must be taken
into consideration:
● For vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter
ensure that unleaded petrol is available for
the journey. See the chapter “Refuelling”. Au-
tomobile organisations will have information
about service station networks selling unlea-
ded fuel.
● In some countries, your vehicle model may
not be available, and therefore some spare
parts may not available or technical services
can only carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly
provide information about the technical prep-
aration that your vehicle requires and also
about necessary maintenance and repair
possibilities. Adhesive strips for headlights
If you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle
in a left-hand drive country, or vice versa, the
asymmetric dipped beam headlights will daz-
zle oncoming traffic.
To prevent dazzling, you must apply stickers
to certain parts of the headlight lenses. Fur-
ther information is available at any Technical
Service.
In vehicles with adaptive headlights, the ro-
tation system must previously be disconnec-
ted. To do this, please go to a specialised
workshop.
Ignition lock
Ignition key positions Fig. 122
Ignition key positions. Ignition switched off, steering lock
0 In this position
››› Fig. 122, the ignition and
the engine are OFF and the steering may be
locked.
For the Steering lock
to operate without the
ignition k
ey, turn the steering wheel until it
locks with an audible sound. You should al-
ways lock the steering wheel when you leave
your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle
theft ››› .
Switching the ignition or the glow plug
system on 1 Turn the ignition key to this position and re-
lease it. If the key cannot be turned or it is
difficult to turn from position
0 to position
1 , move the steering wheel from one side to
the other to release it.
Starting 2 The engine is started when the key is in this
position. Electrical devices with high power
consumption are switched off temporarily at
the same time.
Each time that the vehicle is restarted, the ig-
nition key must be turned to position
0 . The
repetitive start prevention lock of the igni-
tion prevents possible damage to the starter
motor if the engine is already running.
120