OperationItemSymbolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther information
3
Rear fog light switched on›››
page 40
4 Turn signals in operation›››
page 41
5 Engine fault (petrol engine)›››
page 41
Glow plug system (diesel engines)›››
page 41
6 Main beam switched on›››
page 41
7 Soot accumulation in the diesel engine particulate filter›››
page 41
8 ABS system fault›››
page 41
9 Windscreen washer fluid level›››
page 42
10 Alternator fault›››
page 42
11 Fasten seat belts!›››
page 11
12 Brake pad worn›››
page 42
13 Tyre pressure›››
page 43
14 Airbag or belt tensioner system fault or airbag disabled›››
page 16 ››› page 19
15 Bulb defective›››
page 44
16 Brake fluid required or
brake system fault›››
page 44
17
Red:
Engine oil pressure
›››
page 44Yellow:
If flashing: engine oil sensor faulty
If it remains lit: insufficient engine oil
18 Handbrake on›››
page 123 36
OperationMessages
a)Description
CHECK SAFE-
LOCKNotification of central locking function
activated.
a)These messages may vary according the version of the vehi-
cle model.
Fuel level/reserve The light comes on when only 7 litres of fuel
remain in the tank, and an acoustic signal
al-
so sou nd
s. It reminds you to fuel up the fuel
tank as soon as possible ›››
page 158.
The instrument panel displays the following
message 1)
: PLEASE REFUEL!
.
Coolant level* / temperature (red) There is a fault if:
● The warning symbol does not go out again
after a few seconds.
● The warning lamp lights up or flashes while
the vehicle is moving, and three acoustic
warning signals ›
›
› are emitted.
This means that either the coolant level is too
low or the coolant temperature is too high. Coolant temperature too high
The instrument panel displays the following
message
1)
: CHECK COOLANT INSTRUCTION
MANU AL
››› page 169.
Firs
t look at the coolant temperature gauge.
The coolant temperature is too high if the
needle is over the warning area on the dial.
Stop the vehicle, switch the engine off and
wait for it to cool down. Check the coolant
level.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating
may be caused by a malfunction of the radia-
tor fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have
it replaced if necessary ››› page 196.
If the control lamp lights up again after driv-
ing on for a short distance, stop the vehicle
and switch the engine off. Contact a Techni-
cal
Service or a specialised workshop.
Coolant level too low
The instrument panel displays the following
message 1)
: STOP CHECK COOLANT INSTRUC-
TION MANUAL.
First look at the coolant temperature gauge. If
the needle is in the normal range, top up with
coolant at the earliest opportunity ››› . WARNING
● If your vehicle is immobilised for technical
reasons, move it to a safe distance from traf-
fic. Turn the engine off, turn the hazard lights
on and place the warning triangle.
● Never open the bonnet if you can see or
hear steam or coolant escaping from the en-
gine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait un-
til you can no longer see or hear escaping
steam or coolant.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous
area. Before carrying out any work in the en-
gine compartment, switch off the engine and
allow it to cool down. Always note the corre-
sponding warnings ››› page 163. Coolant temperature
(blue) 3 Applies to vehicles with LPG
This lamp lights up when the coolant is be-
low approximately +45 °C (+113 °F). When it
exceeds this temperature the lamp turns off.
Rear fog light The warning lamp lights up when the rear
fog light is switched on. For further informa-
tion see
›››
page 75 . 1)
Depending on the version of the model.
40
Operation
Brake system* Situations in which the warning lamp lights
up
● the br ak
e fluid level is too low
››› page 172.
The ins
trument 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 INSTRUC-
TION MANUAL .
This warning lamp can light up together with
the ABS system warning lamp. WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the warnings on ››› page 163.
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out,
or if it lights up when driving, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir ››› page 172, Brake fluid
is too low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle
and do not drive on. Obtain technical assis-
tance.
● If the brake warning lamp lights up to-
gether with the ABS lamp this could be
due to an ABS fault. This could cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This
could cause the rear to break away. Risk of
skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance.
Handbrake
This lamp lights up when the handbrake is
applied.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h (4 mph) with
the handbrake on, the following message will
appear on the instrument panel display
1)
:
HANDBRAKE ON. You will also hear an acous-
tic warning signal ››› page 123.
Bulb defect* The warning lamp lights up when there is
a fault in the turn signals, headlights, side
lights and fog lights, e.g. in the left head-
light.
The instrument panel displays the following
message
1)
: LEFT FULL BEAM FAULTY .Engine oil pressure
If this warning lamp is red it indicates that
the engine oil pressure is too low.
If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is
accompanied by three
audible warnings,
switch off the engine and check the oil level.
If necessary, add more oil ››› page 166.
The instrument panel displays the following
message 1)
: STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE IN-
S TRUCTION MANU
AL.
If the warning lamp flashes although the oil
level is correct, stop driving. Do not even run
the en gine at
idle speed! Obtain technical as-
sistance.
Checking the oil level
If the warning lamp is yellow the engine
oil level should be checked as soon as possi-
ble. Top up the oil ›››
page 168 at the next
opportunity.
Oil level sensor faulty*
If the yellow warning lamp flashes, take
the vehicle to a specialised workshop to have
the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is
advisable to check the oil level every time
you refuel. 1)
Depending on the version of the model.
44
Lights and visibility
Using the remote control
– Push the lock button on the remote control
for approximately 3 seconds. The slid-
ing/tilting sunroof is closed.
– Release the unlock button to interrupt the
function.
– When the sliding/tilting sunroof has closed
completely, the turn signals flash once. Note
The sliding/tilting sunroof rotary knob re-
mains in the last position selected if the roof
is closed using convenience closing from out-
side the vehicle and will have to be re-posi-
tioned the next time you drive. Roll-back function of the
sliding/tilting sunroof*
Fig. 57
Roof lining description: sliding/tilting
sunroof rotary knob. The sliding/tilting sunroof has a
roll-back
function which prevents larger objects get-
tin g tr
apped when the roof is closed. The roll-
back function does not prevent fingers get-
ting pinched against the roof opening. The
sliding/tilting sunroof stops and opens again
immediately if it is obstructed when closing.
If the sliding/tilting sunroof has been
opened again by the roll-back function, it can
be closed only by pressing the rotary button
at the front in position A
››› Fig. 57 until the
s lidin
g/tilting sunroof has closed fully.
Please note that the sunroof will now close
without the roll-back function. Lights and visibility
Lights Switching lights on and off Fig. 58
Detailed view of the dash panel:
lights, front fog lights and rear fog light
switch. Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch ››› Fig. 58 to position
.
Sw it
ching on dipped beam headlights
– Turn the light switch to position .
Switching off the lights – Turn the light switch to position 0.
»
75
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
Switching on front fog lights* – Pull the switch out of position or
to
the first stop. The symbol of the light
control 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 on the dash 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
dash 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 audi-
ble 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.
● 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 vehi-
c l
e will automatically be switched off.
● The use of the lighting described here is
subject to the relevant statutory require-
ments.
● 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. 59
Automatic lighting. Activation
– Rotate the switch to the position. It 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 in-
to a tunnel, for example.
The rain sensor switches on the dipped beam
headlights when the windscreen wipers have
been operating continuously for a few sec-
onds and it switches the lights off when the
continuous or interval wipe is switched off for
some minutes ››› page 84.
76
Lights and visibility
When the automatic dipped beam headlight
control is on but the dipped beam headlights
are off, the warning lamp lights up on
the light control ››› Fig. 59. If the automatic
control switches on the dipped lights, the in-
strument and control lighting is also switch-
ed 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 head-
light 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 com-
in g home f
unction.
● If the daylight driving automatic light func-
tion is switched on, the front fog lights or
rear fog light cannot be switched on in addi-
tion.
● The use of the lighting described here is
subject to the relevant statutory require-
ments.
● Do not put stickers on the windscreen in
front of the sensor. This may cause disrup-
tions or faults in the automatic lighting sys-
tem. ●
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). Turn signal and main beam headlight
lever
Fig. 60
Turn signal and main beam lever The turn signal and main beam headlight lev-
er has the following functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ››› Fig. 60 1 to indicate
right
, and all the way down 2 to indicate
left
.
Sign
alling 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. 60 3 to switch on the main
beam headlights.
– Push the lever towards the steering wheel
››› Fig. 60 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 head-
lights or the headlight flasher if they could
dazzle other drivers. Note
● The turn signals only
work when the igni-
tion is switched on. The corresponding warn-
ing lamp or flashes in the instrument
» 77
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Operation
Instrument and switch lighting 1When the headlights are switched on, the
brightness of the instrument panel and con-
trols can be adjusted by turning the thumb
wheel
››› Fig. 61 1 .
The instrument lighting (dials and needles),
the centre console illumination and the illu-
mination of the displays are regulated by a
photodiode incorporated in the instrument
panel.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles) is
switched on when the ignition 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
ambient light is very low. This function is in-
tended to remind the driver to switch on the
dipped beam headlights in good time when
light conditions become poor.
Headlight range control 2By using the electrical headlight range con-
trol,
2 you can adjust the headlight range to
the load level that is being carried in the ve-
hicle. This way, it is possible to avoid daz-
zling oncoming traffic more than necessary.
At the same time, by using the correct head-
light settings, the driver has the best possi-
ble 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.
D y
namic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge lamps (“xenon
lamps”) are equipped with
dynamic head-
light range control . This means that the
headlights will be adjusted to suit the load
level of the vehicle and “nodding move-
ments” when pulling off and braking are au-
tomatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not
have headlight range control.
Adaptive headlights* (for driving
round bends) Fig. 62
Cornering lighting using adaptive
headlights. When driving around bends, the headlights
will light the most important areas of the
road.
Dynamic cornering lights* (AFS)
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 instru-
ment panel. At the same time, a text mes-
sage with information or instructions to per-
form necessary operations may appear on
the instrument panel display. Take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop and have the
fault repaired.
If the control lamp lights up on the instru-
ment panel but all the bulbs are operating
correctly ››› page 198 , there may still be a
f au
lt in the dynamic curve lighting system
(AFS). Take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop 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 80
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