2015 Seat Altea headlights

Dash panel
Turn signals 
 Depending on which turn signal is operating,
either the left
 or right  turn signal lamp
fl a
shes. Both control lamps will flash at the
same time when the hazard warning lights
are switched on.
If any of both turn signals fails, the warning
lamp will start flashing twice faster than nor-
mal.
For further information on the turn signals,
please see ››› page 77.
Engine management*  This warning lamp monitors the engine man-
agement system for petrol engines.
The warning lamp  (Electronic Power Con-
trol) lights up when the ignition is switched
on while system operation is being verified. It
should go out once the engine is started.
If there is a fault in the electronic engine
management system while you are driving,
this warning lamp will light up. Stop the vehi-
cle and seek technical assistance.
Glow plug system / Engine fault The warning lamp lights up to show that the
glow plugs are preheating the diesel engine. The control lamp
 lights up
If the c

ontrol lamp  lights up when the en-
gine is

started it means that the glow plugs
are preheating. When the warning lamp goes
off, the engine should be started straight
away.
Control lamp  flashes
If a f

ault develops in the engine management
system while you are driving, the glow plug
system lamp will flash 
. Take the vehicle to
a specialised workshop as soon as possible
and have the engine checked.
Main beam headlights  The warning lamp  lights up when the main
beams are on or when the headlight flasher
is operated.
For further information see
›››
page 77.
Soot accumulation in the diesel
engine particulate filter  If the control lamp
 lights up you should
help the filter clean itself by driving in the ap-
propriate manner.
To do this, drive about 15 minutes in fourth
or fifth gear (automatic gearbox: S gear
range) at a minimum speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), with the engine running at approxi-
mately 2,000 rpm. In this way, the soot build
up in the filter is burned. When cleaning is
successful, the control lamp turns off.
If the lamp
 does not turn off, or the three
l amp

s turn on (particulate filter , fault in
the emission control system  and glow
plugs ), drive the vehicle to a specialised
workshop and have the fault repaired at the
earliest opportunity. WARNING
● Always drive according to the road weather
conditions, the terrain and traffic. Driving rec-
ommendations should never lead to illegal
manoeuvres in surrounding traffic.
● The diesel engine particulate filter may
reach extremely high temperatures; in this
case the vehicle should be parked so that it
does not enter into contact with highly flam-
mable materials underneath the vehicle. Oth-
erwise there is a risk of fire. Anti-lock brake system (ABS)* 
The warning lamp  lights up for a few sec-
onds when the ignition is switched on. It
goes out again after the system has run
through an automatic test sequence.
»
41Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety

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
panel. The control lamp
 flashes when the
t urn s
ignals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehi-
cle. If a turn signal bulb is defective, the con-
trol lamp flashes at double speed. If the trail-
er turn signal bulbs are defective, the control
lamp  does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headlights can only be
sw

itched on if the dipped beam headlights
are already on. The warning lamp  then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● The headlight flasher come
s on for as long
as you pull the lever – even if no other lights
are switched on. The warning lamp  then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● When the parking lights are switched on,
the he

adlight and the tail light on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle light up. The
parking lights will only work if the key is re-
moved from the ignition. If said light is on, an
audible warning will be emitted while the
driver door is open.
● If the turn signal lever is left on after the
key has been taken out of the ignition lock,
an acoustic signal sounds when the driver
door is opened. This is intended as a remind-
er to switch off the turn signal, unless you
wish to leave the parking light on. Daytime driving lights*
Daytime running lights are signalling devices
for improving road safety. The lights are built into the headlights and come on each time
the ignition is turned on if the light switch is
in position
0 or 
. It is automatically
sw

itched off when the side lights are turned
on.
Automatic control of the dipped beam in
combination with the daytime running lights
If the dipped beam control and the daytime
running lights
are activated at the same
time, the dipped beams and the instrument
panel lighting will automatically come on as
required (e.g. when entering a tunnel) and
the daytime running lights will switch off.
When the automatic dipped beam control
switches off the dipped beams (e.g. when
coming out of a tunnel), the daytime running
lights come back on. WARNING
The side lights or daytime driving 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 raining or if visibility is poor.
● The rear lights do not come on with the
daytime driving light. A vehicle which does
not have the rear lights on may not be visible
to other drivers in the darkness, if it is rain-
ing or in conditions of poor visibility. Note
Please observe any relevant legal require-
ments which may apply in your country. Nordic country solution
3 Only available in certain countries or as an
option
al

extra
The so-called “Nordic country solution” is an
alternative solution to daytime running lights
in vehicles without this function. It consists
of simultaneously connecting the dimmed
dipped beams, the sidelights and the licence
plate lights.
The aforementioned lights are switched on
each time the ignition is turned on if the light
switch is in position 0 or . Depending
upon the model, the control lamp  on the
light control switch or the instrument panel
lighting will indicate that the lights are on.
Activation of the Nordic country solution
● Remove the key from the ignition, move the
turn signal lever upward (right turn signal),
press it back to flash position and hold it
there.
● Insert the key and switch on the ignition,
holding it in this position for 3 seconds.
Then, switch off the ignition. The Nordic
country solution is now activated and the cor-
responding lights can come on.
78

Lights and visibility
Deactivation of the Nordic country solution
● Remove the key from the ignition, press the
turn signal lever down (left turn signal), press
it back to flash position and hold it here.
● Insert the key and switch on the ignition,
holding it in this position for 3 seconds.
Then, switch off the ignition. The Nordic
country solution is now deactivated and the
corresponding lights will not come on.
Coming Home/Leaving Home
function* The Coming Home function is controlled man-
ually. The Leaving Home function is control-
led with a photosensor.
If the Coming Home or Leaving Home func-
tion is connected, the front side and dipped
lights, the tail lights and the number plate
light will light up to provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by
switching off the ignition and briefly flashing
the lights. When the driver door is opened,
the Coming Home lighting comes on. If the
driver door is already open when the lights
are flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting
comes on
immediately .
When the l a
st door of the vehicle or the rear
lid is closed, the Coming Home function starts and the switching off the headlights is
delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the
following cases:
● On completion of the time period establish-
ed for the delay in switching off the lights af-
ter all the vehicle doors and the rear lid have
been closed.
● If, 30 seconds after being connected, any
doors or the rear lid remain open.
● If the light switch is turned to position 
.
● If the ignition is switched on.
Leaving home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when
the vehicle is unlocked if:
● the light control is in position  and
● the photosensor detects “darkness”.
The Leaving Home lighting switches off in the
following cases:
● If the time period for the delay in switching
off the headlights has ended
● If the vehicle is locked again.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on. Note
The setting for the delay in switching off the
headlights in the Coming Home and Leaving
Home function can be changed or the func-
tion can be connected or disconnected in the
menu Lights and visibility › ›
› page 56.
● If the ignition key is removed while the
lights are on, the lights flash briefly and the
driver door opens, no audible warning is
heard, since with the Coming Home function
on, the lights are automatically switched off
after a period of time (except when the light
switch is in position  or  . Instrument and switch lighting /
Headlight range control
Fig. 61
Dash panel: Instrument panel and
control dimmers and headlight range control. » 79
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