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
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
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
Fuses and bulbs
the following spare bulbs, which are essen-
tial for road safety, should be kept in the ve-
hicle.
Main headlights - H7
- H1
- W5W - PY21W
Xenon headlights 1)
/adaptive*
- D1S 2)
- P21W SLL
- W5W - PY21W
Front fog light - H3
Dipped beam
Main beam
Position
Turn signal
Dipped and full beam
Daylight
Position
Turn signals
Front fog light Upper tail light (ALTEA)
- P21W3)
- R10W
Lower tail light (ALTEA) - P21W- P21W
Fixed tail light (ALTEA XL / ALTEA FREETRACK) - P21W3)
- P21W
Mobile tail light (ALTEA XL / ALTEA
FREETRACK) - P21W- P21W
- W5W
Stop/Position
Turn signal
Fog light
Reverse light
Stop/Position
Turn signal
Fog light (driver side)
Reverse (passenger side)
Position Side turn signal
- W5W
Number plate light - C5W Note
● Depending on weather conditions (cold or
wet), the headlights, the fog lights, the tail
lights and the turn signals may be temporari-
ly misted. This has no influence on the useful
life of the lighting system. By switching on
the lights, the area through which the beam
of light is projected will quickly be demisted.
However, the edges may continue to be mis-
ted.
● Please check at regular intervals that all
lighting (especially the exterior lighting) on
your vehicle is functioning properly. This is » Side turn signal
Number plate light
1)
On this type of headlight, the bulb changes must
be made by the technical service, given that complex
elements must be removed from the vehicle and the
incorporated automatic control system must be re-
set.
2) The Xenon bulbs discharge 2.5 times the light flux
and have an average lifespan of 5 times more than
that of halogen bulbs, this means that, except due to
unusual circumstances, there is no need to change
the bulbs for the whole life of the vehicle.
3) Electronically controlled single filament bulb for
Stop/side bulbs. If the bulb blows it will not work in
either position or Stop. 199Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Advice
not only in the interest of your own safety,
but also that of all other road users.
● Due to difficulty of access to some of the
bulbs, any replacement work should be done
by a technical service. However, the following
is a description of how to change the lamps
except for the fog lights* and interior lamps. Main headlight bulbs
Fig. 176
Main headlight bulbs. Turn signal
Dipped beam headlights
Main beam headlights
Side light
A B
C
D Turn signal bulbs
Fig. 177
Turn signal bulb. –
Raise the bonnet.
– Rotate the bulb holder ››› Fig. 177 A to the
left and pull.
– Remove the bulb by pressing on the bulb
holder and turn it anti-clockwise at the
same time.
– Installation involves all of the above steps
in reverse sequence. Dipped lights Fig. 178
Dipped beam headlights. Fig. 179
Dipped beam headlights. –
Raise the bonnet.
– Move the loops ››› Fig. 178 1 in the direc-
tion of the arrow and remove the cover.
– Remove connector ››› Fig. 179 2 from the
bulb.
200
Fuses and bulbs
– Pull out the turn signal bulb holder using a
screw driver in the direction of the arrow
››› Fig. 187 .
– Fit the r
eplacement bulb by pressing it
down and rotating to the left.
– Installation involves all of the above steps
in reverse sequence.
Reverse light/rear fog light 3 Applies to the model: ALTEA
Fig. 188
Lamp on interior side of bumper. –
Rotate the bulb holder to the left and re-
move it in the direction of the arrow
››› Fig. 188.
– Replace the bulb by pressing on it and ro-
tating at the same time to the left Turn signal, side and brake lights on
the body 3 Applies to the model: ALTEA XL/ALTEA FREETRACK
Fig. 189
Lights on the vehicle body. Fig. 190
Lights on the vehicle body. –
Open the cover of the luggage compart-
ment side panel ››› Fig. 189 .
– Turn the b
ulb holder to the left ››› Fig. 190. –
Remove the blown bulb and change it for a
new one.
– To refit follow the steps in reverse order,
taking special care when fitting the bulb
holder.
203
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
Advice
Position light, fog light and reverse
light on the rear lid 3 Applies to the model: ALTEA XL/ALTEA FREETRACK
Fig. 191
Lights on the boot. Fig. 192
Side light. Side light
A–
Open the rear lid.
– Pull the cover off. –
Take the lampholder out pressing on the
securing pins and extract it outwards.
– Remove the blown bulb and replace it with
another.
– To refit follow the steps in reverse order,
taking special care when fitting the bulb
holder.
Fog light and reverse lights B –
Open the rear lid.
– Pull the cover off.
– Turn the bulb holder to the left.
– Remove the blown bulb and replace it with
another.
– Installation involves all of the above steps
in reverse sequence. Side turn signals Fig. 193
Side turn signal. –
Press the turn signal to the left or to the
right to remove the bulb.
– Remove the bulb holder from the turn sig-
nal.
– Remove the failed glass bulb and replace
with a new bulb.
– Insert the bulb holder in the turn signal
guide until it clicks into place.
– First place the turn signal in the opening in
the bodywork, fixing the tabs ››› Fig. 193 ,
arr o
w 1 .
– Insert the bulb as shown by the arrow 2 ›››
Fig. 193.
204
Index
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Selective unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Centre armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Changing gear see Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Ch an
ging gear in Tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Changing the bulbs Main headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Changing the lights general remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Changing the main headlight bulbs Main beam lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Turn signal bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Changing the main headlight lamps dipped lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Changing the tail light bulbs Position light, fog light and tail light on therear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Changing the tail lights Luggage compartment lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Reverse light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Turn signal light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Turn signal, side and brake lights on the body . . .203
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . 194
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Child seat Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Cleaning exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Cleaning plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cleaning the instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Climatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Climatronic General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Clothes hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Coming/Leaving Home function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Compartment for on-board documentation . . . . . 93
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Controls electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Convenience closing sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Coolant fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Coolant loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Coolant temperature
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cornering lights Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Correct adjustment of front seat head restraints . . 9
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Correct sitting position front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Cruise control Complete system deactivation . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Cruise speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
D Dangers in not using the seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Daytime driving lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Daytime running lights Nordic countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Deactivating front passenger airbags safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Deactivating the airbag Front passenger front airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Diesel engine Winter operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Diesel engine particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Differential lock fault (EDL) control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
224