Page 136 of 236

Operation
and 120 km/h (75 mph) your vehicle will use
about 12% more fuel as a result of the extra
wind resistance caused by the roof rack even
when it is not in use.
Save electricity
The engine activates the alternator, which
produces electricity. With the need for elec-
tricity, fuel consumption is also increased.
Because of this, always turn off electrical de-
vices when you do not need them. Examples
of devices that use a lot of electricity are: the
fan at high speeds, the rear window heating
or the seat heaters*. Note
● If you vehicle has Start-Stop, it is not rec-
ommended t o sw
itch this function off.
● It is recommended to close the windows
when driving at more than 60 km/h
● Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal,, as the pressure can make the
pl
ate spin, more fuel will be used and it can
burn the clutch plate lining, causing a serious
fault.
● Do not hold the vehicle on a hill with the
clutch, use the foot brake or hand brake, us-
ing the latter to start. The fuel consumption
will be lower and you will prevent the clutch
plate from being damaged.
● On descents, use the engine brake, chang-
ing to the gear that is more suitable for the slope. Fuel consumption will be “zero” and
the brakes will not suffer.
Driver assistance systems
Braking and stability systems Electronic Stability Control (ESC)* Fig. 131
Detailed view of the centre console:
ESC switch. This Electronic Stability System reduces the
risk of skidding and improves the vehicle's
stability and ability to hold the road.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) includes the
electronic differential lock (EDL), the traction
control system (TCS), the brake assist system
(BAS) and the trailer stabilisation programme
(TSP). The ESC works together with the ABS.
Both control lamps will light up if the ESC or
ABS systems are faulty.
The ESC system is started automatically
when the engine is started.
134
Page 162 of 236

Advice
Diesel Diesel* Diesel fuel
must conform to DIN EN 590 (EN =
“European Standard”). It must have a cetane
number (CN) of at least 51. The cetane num-
ber indicates the ignition quality of the diesel
fuel.
Notes on refuelling ››› page 158.
Biodiesel* CAUTION
● Your vehicle is not designed to use biodie-
sel fuel. Never, under any circumstances re-
fuel with biodiesel. The use of biodiesel fuel
could damage the engine and the fuel sys-
tem. The addition of biodiesel to diesel fuel
by the diesel manufacturer in accordance
with standard EN 590 or DIN 51628 is author-
ised and will not cause damage to the engine
or the fuel system.
● The diesel engine has been designed to be
used exclusively with diesel fuel conforming
to standard EN 590. Never refuel or use pet-
rol, kerosene, fuel oil or any other type of
fuel. If you accidentally fill up the vehicle
with the wrong type of fuel, do not start the
engine. Seek assistance from specialised per-
sonnel. The composition of these fuels may
severely damage the fuel system and the en-
gine. Winter operation
Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, dif-
ficulties may be experienced at temperatures
below 0 °C (+32 °F) because the fuel thickens
due to wax separation. For this reason, “win-
ter-grade diesel fuel” is available in some
countries during the cold months. It can be
used at temperatures as low as -22 °C (-8 °F).
In countries with different climatic conditions
the diesel fuel generally sold has different
temperature characteristics. Check with the
Technical Services or filling stations in the
country concerned regarding the type of die-
sel fuels available.
Filter pre-heater
Your vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter glow
plug system, making it well equipped for op-
eration in winter. This ensures that the fuel
system remains operational to approx. -24 °C
(-11 °F), provided you use winter-grade diesel
which is safe to -15 °C (+5 °F).
However, if the fuel has waxed to such an ex-
tent that the engine will not start at tempera-
tures of under -24 °C (-11 °F), simply leave
the vehicle in a heated area for a while.
CAUTION
Do not mix fuel additives, the so-called “thin-
ners”, or similar additives with diesel fuel. LPG system (Liquefied
petroleum gas)*
Refuelling with LPG 3 Applies to the model: ALTEA / ALTEA XL
Fig. 140
Fuel tank open with LPG filler neck
and adapter 160
Page 192 of 236

Advice
How to jump start: description Fig. 163
Diagram of connections for vehicles
without Start-Stop system. Fig. 164
Diagram of connections for vehicles
with Start-Stop system. Jump lead terminal connections
1. Switch off the ignition of both vehicles
››› . 2. Connect one end of the
red jump lead to
the po s
itive + terminal of the vehicle
with the flat battery A
››› Fig. 163 .
3. C
onnect the other end of the red
jump
lead to the positive terminal + in the ve-
hicle providing assistance B .
4. For vehicles without Start-Stop system:
connect one end of the black jump lead to
the negative terminal – in the vehicle
providing assistance B
››› Fig. 163 .
– For
vehicles with Start-Stop system: Con-
nect one end of the black jump lead X to a
suitable ground terminal, a solid piece of
metal in the engine block, or to the engine
block itself ››› Fig. 164.
5. Connect the other end of the black jump
lead X to a solid metal component bolted
to the engine block or to the engine block
itself of the vehicle with the flat battery.
Do not connect it to a point near the bat-
tery A .
6. Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
Starting
7. Start the vehicle's engine with the boost- ing battery and let it run at idling speed.
8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat battery and wait 2 or 3 minutes until the
engine is “running”. Removing the jump leads
9. Before you remove the jump leads, switch
off the dipped beam headlights (if they
are switched on).
10.Turn on the heater blower and heated rear window in the vehicle with the flat battery.
This helps minimise voltage peaks which
are generated when the leads are discon-
nected.
11. When the engine is running, disconnect
the l e
ads in reverse order to the details
given above.
Connect the battery clamps so they have
good metal-to-metal contact with the battery
terminals.
If the engine fails to start, switch off the start-
er after about 10 seconds and try again after
about a minute. WARNING
● Please note the safety warnings referring to
working in the engine compartment
››› page 163, Working in the engine compart-
ment.
● The b att
ery providing assistance must have
the same voltage as the flat battery (12 V)
and approximately the same capacity (see
imprint on battery). Failure to comply could
result in an explosion.
● Never use jump leads when one of the bat-
teries is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even 190