Airbag system
36The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their
seat belts. Therefore, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times,
not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your
safety ⇒page 19, “Brief Introduction”.
The side airbag system will not be triggered if:•the ignition is switched off,•there is a minor side collision,•there is a frontal collision,•there is a rear-end collision,•the vehicle turns over.
The main parts of the airbag system are:•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),•the side airbags in the sides of the backrests of the front and rear seats•a warning lamp
in the dash panel insert ⇒page 30.
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning
lamp will light up for approx. 4 seconds every time the ignition is switched on
(self-diagnosis).
WARNING
•In a side-on collision, the side airbags will not work, if the sensors do
not correctly measure the pressure increase on the interior of the doors,
due to air escaping through the areas with holes or openings in the door
panel.•Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.•Never drive if the interior door panels have been removed or if the
panels have not been correctly fitted.
•Never drive the vehicle if the loudspeakers in the door panels have
been removed, unless the holes left by the loudspeakers have been
correctly closed.•Always check that the openings are closed or covered if loudspeakers
or other equipment are fitted in the interior door panels.•Any work carried out to the doors should be made in a qualified author-
ised workshop.•The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if the
occupants are seated correctly ⇒page 10, “Proper sitting position for
occupants”.•If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked
immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, during a side collision,
the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.WARNING (continued)
Leon_EN.book Seite 36 Dienstag, 8. September 2009 5:25 17
Airbag system
38Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system
If airbags are used correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in side impact collisions.
WARNING
•If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not seated
correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at a greater risk of injury if
the side airbag system is triggered in an accident.•In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.•Occupants of the outer seats must never carry any objects or pets in the
deployment space between them and the airbags, or allow children or
other passengers to travel in this position. It is also important not to attach
any accessories (such as cup holders) to the doors. This would impair the
protection offered by the side airbags.•The built-in coat hooks should be us ed only for lightweight clothing. Do
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.•Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks, must not be exer ted upon the
backrest bolster because the system may be damaged. In this case, the
side airbags would not be triggered.•Under no circumstances should protective covers be fitted over the
driver seat or front passenger seat un less the covers have been expressly
approved for use in your vehicle. Because the airbag is triggered from the
side of the backrest, the use of non-approved seat covers would obstruct
the side airbag, seriously reducing the airbag's effectiveness ⇒page 206,
“Accessories, parts replacement and modifications”.•Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of the
side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a qualified workshop.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once
they have deployed.
•When children assume an incorrect sitting position, they expose them-
selves to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This is
particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat
and the airbag system is triggered in an accident; this could have critical
consequences including serious injury or death ⇒page 44, “Child safety”.•Any work on the side airbag system or removal and installation of the
airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the front seat)
should only be performed by a qualif ied workshop. Otherwise, faults may
occur during the airbag system operation.•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged, the airbag
system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the front door must
be made in a qualified workshop.WARNING (continued)
Leon_EN.book Seite 38 Dienstag, 8. September 2009 5:25 17
Airbag system41
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
•There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the occu-
pants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain airbags
so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and provide the
greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have not been
expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached to the side
windows ⇒page 206, “Accessories, parts replacement and modifica-
tions”.•The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing. Do
not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do not
hang the clothes on coat hangers.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once
they have deployed.•Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lining)
should only be performed by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, faults may
occur during the airbag system operation.•Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any way.•The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in the
interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct functioning of the side and
head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modified in
any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged, the airbag
system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the front door must
be made in a qualified workshop.WARNING (continued)
Leon_EN.book Seite 41 Dienstag, 8. September 2009 5:25 17
Airbag system43
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Check that the warning lamp on the instrument panel does
⇒page 42, fig. 26 not light up when the ignition is switched on
⇒ .
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch. •Yo u s h o u l d d e a c t i v a te t h e f ro n t p a s s e n g e r a i r b a g o n l y i f yo u h a v e t o u s e
a rear-facing child seat in exceptional cases. ⇒ page 44, “Child safety”.•For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.•Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This
represents a risk of fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary in
exceptional circumstances to transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on
the front passenger seat, you must always disable the front passenger
airbag.•As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.•Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create a danger that
in case of an accident, the airbag does not deploy properly or does not
deploy at all.•When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIRBAG
OFF is not continuously lit up when the front passenger airbag is disabled,
there may be a fault in the airbag system:
−Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified work-
shop.
− Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front
passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-
ries.
−
It is predictable whether the front passenger airbag will deploy
during an accident! Warn all your passengers of this.
•When using the ignition key to activate / deactivate the passenger front
airbag, only the passenger front airbag will be activated / deactivated. The
side airbag and head airbag on the passenger side will remain active.WARNING (continued)
Leon_EN.book Seite 43 Dienstag, 8. September 2009 5:25 17
Cockpit53
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Controls and equipmentCockpitOverviewOverview of the dash panel
This overview will help you to familiarise yourself with the
controls and displays.
Door release lever
Light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lighting control for instrument and control lighting . . . . . . . .
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air vent
Turn signal and main beam lever and cruise control system* .
Controls on the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dash panel:
− Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Indication lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn (works only when the ignition is on)/ and driver front
airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windscreen wiper and windscreen wash lever and operation of
the multi-function display* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Left seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls for
− Heating* and ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . −
Climatic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Climatronic* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio/Navigator*
Right seat heating button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove compartment lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gear shift lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls on the centre console:
− Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− ESP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Tyre pressure control
− Park Pilot* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Cigarette lighter / Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Wing mirror adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
− Start-Stop* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard warning light switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indication lamp for deactivated front passenger airbag . . . . .
Pedals
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering column control lever* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handle for releasing the bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Button for opening and closing the front windows . . . . . . . . .
A1A2
111
A3
115
A4
115
A5A6
118, 176
A7
85
A8
55
59
75
A9
29
A10
121, 61
A11
133
A12
143 145
149
A13A14
133
A15
29
A16
135
A17
136
A18
166
A19
93
183
173
137
126
162
A20
171
A21
116
A22
42
A23A24
157
A25
155
A26
215
A27
106
Leon_EN.book Seite 53 Dienstag, 8. September 2009 5:25 17
Cockpit
56Fuel gauge
and reserve indicator
Dash panel fuel gauge.
The fuel tank has a capacity of approx. 55 litres.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone ⇒fig. 33 (arrow), the warning
lamp will light and an acoustic signal will sound reminding the driver to
refuel . At this point there are still about 7 litres of fuel in the tank.
The following text appears on the dash panel display
3) PLEASE REFUEL
[XXX] *.
Engine coolant temperature display
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature.
Needle in cold zone
Avoid high engine speeds and heavy engine loads ⇒fig. 34 .
Needle in normal zone
In normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle section of
the scale. The temperature may also rise when the engine is working hard,
especially at high outside temperatures. This is no cause for concern as long
as the warning lamp does not light up and no warning* text appears on the
dash panel display.
Needle in warning zone
The warning lamp* ⇒page 75, fig. 48 will light up if the needle is in the
warning zone. The following warning appears on the dash panel display
4).
3)Depending on the version of the model.
Fig. 33 Dash panel: fuel
gauge
4)Depending on the version of the model.
Fig. 34 Dash panel
engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge
AAABAC
A2
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Cockpit
58LPG system*LPG gaugeLPG system filler level display
The LPG tank ⇒ in the spare wheel well has a capacity of 39 litres at an
outside temperature of 15°C ⇒ page 210, “Refuelling with LPG”.
The level of LPG in the tank is shown by the five control lights ⇒fig. 35
and . It varies with the outside temperatures.
When the LPG tank is full, the blue lights come on and as the level goes
down the blue lights go out. When the level reaches the reserve, the lamp, , comes on.
When the LPG tank is empty, a long warning buzz is heard. Warning lamp
comes on and warning lamps flash slowly. To switch off the warning
buzzer, press the switch . Refill with LPG at the earliest opportunity. If while driving with LPG, a sudden warning buzz is heard, lamp lights up
and lamps flash quickly, this means that there is a fault in the LPG system.
To switch off the warning buzzer, press the switch . Take the vehicle
to a specialised workshop to check the LPG system.
WARNING
LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause severe
burns and other injury.•Due care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire or explosion.•When parking the vehicle in a closed
area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechanical,
to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Fig. 35 Centre console: gas system control warning
lights and switch.
AA
AB
AA
AB
A2
AA
GAS
A1
A2
AA
GAS
A1
Leon_EN.book Seite 58 Dienstag, 8. September 2009 5:25 17
Cockpit59
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Note
•The values shown in the average fuel consumption and the fuel remaining
displays on the MFA display
5) on the dash panel insert are approximate value
only.
•Please check the fuel level on the petrol tank fuel level indicator on the
dash panel ⇒page 56•If frequent short journeys are made, especially when the outside temper-
ature is low, the vehicle will tend to run on petrol more often than on LPG.
Therefore, the petrol tank may empty before the LPG tank.
Digital display in the dash panelDisplay (without warnin g or information texts)
The display in the dash panel shows, amongst other things,
the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector lever
position.
Digital clock display ⇒page 57. On the right of the display: Selector
lever position display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of
the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for Tiptronic)* is high-
lighted.
Ambient temperature.
Distance display or flexible service interval display*.
5)Optional equipment
F ig. 36 Detail of th e dash
panel insert: screen with
different indicators
A1A2A3
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