Airbag system33
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
The main parts of the front airbag system are:
•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),•the two front airbags (airbag with gas generator) for the driver and front
passenger,•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 a few seconds every time the ignition is switched on
(self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the warning lamp
•does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 30•after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,•it turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,•lights up or flashes while the car is moving.
The front airbag system will not be triggered if:•the ignition is switched off,•there is a minor frontal collision,•there is a side collision,•there is a rear-end collision,•the vehicle turns over.WARNING
•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 frontal collision
the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.
Operation of frontal airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury.The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and front
passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas and
deploy in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒ fig. 19. The fully deployed
airbags cushion the forward movement of the front occupants and help to
reduce the risk of injury to the head and the upper part of the body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. After the collision, the
airbag deflates sufficiently for the front occupants to see forward.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within thousandth of a second). A fine dust
Fig. 19 Inflated front
airbags
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Airbag system37
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Function of side airbags
Inflated airbags can reduce the risk of head or chest injury in
many side impact collisions.In some side collisions the side airbag is triggered on the impact side of the
vehicle ⇒page 37, fig. 22 .
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas.
In order to provide the desired extra pr otection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within thousandth of a second). A fine dust
may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indica-
tion of fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the occupants of the
front seats and the outer rear seats and help to reduce the risk of injury to the
upper body. The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.
Fig. 22 Illustration of
principle: inflated side
airbags on left side of
vehicle
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Airbag system
40•there is a frontal collision,•there is a rear-end collision,•if the vehicle rolls,•during a minor side collision,WARNING
If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked imme-
diately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that during a
collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.Function of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury in
a side collision.
During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact side
of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 24.
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain bag covers the side windows and door pillars.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within thousandth of a second). A fine dust
may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indica-
tion of fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants and
help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag.Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce the
risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
•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.•For safety reasons, the head air bag must be disconnected in those
vehicles fitted with a passenger compartment separation screen. See an
Authorised Service Centre to make this adjustment.
Fig. 24 Deployed curtain
airbags
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Checking and refilling levels211
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Screw on the cap of the gas filler neck .
– Close the tank flap.When the hose is removed from the tank, a small amount of LPG may spill out
⇒.
The LPG tank ⇒fig. 140 in the spare wheel well has a capacity of 39 litres. If
the outside temperatures are very low, it may not be possible to completely
fill the LPG tank.
Pump attachments
There are a variety of types of LPG pump, and the methods of use may vary.
Therefore, let the pump operator fill the tank when refuelling for the first time
or fill from another pump.
Noises when refuelling with LPG
When refuelling with LPG, noises may be heard. These noises are insignifi-
cant.
WARNING
Failure to refuel or handle LPG in the correct way could result in a fire, cause
an explosion or lead to injury.•LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause
severe burns and other injury.•Switch off the engine before refuelling.•Always disconnect mobile phones and any other radiophony appli-
ances, as electromagnetic waves may produce sparks and cause a fire.•Do not remain in the vehicle while refuelling. If it is absolutely neces-
sary to enter the vehicle, close the door and touch a metal surface before
touching the attachment again. This will prevent the generation of static
electricity and any possible fires while refuelling.
•Small quantities of LPG may leak out after refuelling. If LPG comes into
contact with skin, there is a risk of freezing.•Do not smoke and always keep bare flames away from the tank during
refuelling. Failure to do so may lead to an explosion.
A1
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
212Adapter for the liquid petroleum gas (LPG) filler neck
An adapter is required due to the existence of a range of
pumps with different nozzles.Fig. 141 General table of LPG filler neck adapters.
ACME adapter (adapter for Europe)
Dish Coupling Adapter (adapter for Italy)
Bayonet adapter
EURO adapter (adapter for Spain)
The supply includes the adapter for the country in question, the ACME , the
Dish Coupling , the bayonet or the EURO adapter .
The filler systems and corresponding adapters vary according to country. As
petrol stations abroad do not always have the necessary adapters for your
LPG system, we recommend you purchase the appropriate adapter before
travelling abroad. Check that the adapters are suited to your filling system.
Note
The four most common types of adapter in Europe are the ACME adapter ,
the Dish Coupling adapter , the bayonet adapter and the EURO adapter . On the whole, we recommend you carry all four adapters in your vehicle,
as some countries use more than one type of filling system. The introduction
of a single system (Euronozzle) throughout Europe is being studied.LPG fuelLPG is an alternative vehicle fuel and is a blend of propane and butane.
The success of LPG is due to the strict regulations concerning exhaust gas
e m is s i o n s . Co m p a r e d t o o t h e r f o s si l f u e l s , L P G is ch a r a c t e r is e d b y i t s r e d u ce d
emissions.
LPG quality and consumption
Quality requirements for LPG are regulated for all Europe in DIN EN 589 and
permit the use of LPG throughout Europe.
A difference is drawn between winter gas and summer gas. Winter gas has a
higher proportion of propane gas. As a result, the driving range of winter gas
may be lower (due to increased consumption) than that of summer gas.
LPG supplier network
The number of LPG pumps is constantly increasing.
Lists of existing LPG pumps may be found on Internet.LPG safetyA series of collision tests performed on this vehicle while running with LPG
have confirmed its high level of safety.
A1A2A3A4
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A2
A3
A4
A1
A2
A3
A4
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Checking and refilling levels213
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
The safety of the LPG system guarantees operation without risk. The following
safety measures have been adopted:
•The LPG tank has a solenoid valve which closes automatically when the
engine is switched off (ignition off) or when running on petrol.•A solenoid type main valve disconnects the supply of gas to the engine
compartment when the engine is switched off or running on petrol.•A safety valve in the LPG tank with pipes to the outside prevents the gas
from entering the vehicle compartment.•All anchorage points and materials have been designed to ensure the
maximum possible levels of safety.
The condition of the LPG system should be checked regularly to guarantee
safe driving conditions ⇒ . These checks are included in the Maintenance
Programme.WARNING
•If there is a smell of gas or a suspected leak, stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off the ignition. Open the doors to ventilate the vehicle. Do
not carry on driving! Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the
fault repaired.•Immediately extinguish any cigarettes and remove from the vehicle any
objects which might produce a spark or cause a fire, and switch off imme-
diately if gas is smelt or a leak is detected.•LGP tanks are subject to pressure and must be checked regularly. The
owner of the vehicle must check that these services are performed
correctly.•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.
PetrolPetrol types
The recommended fuel types are listed on a sticker inside the
fuel tank flap.Only unleaded petrol, corresponding to the standard DIN EN 228, may be
used for vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Standard”).
Fuel types are differentiated by the octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON (RON
= “Regulation Octane Number, unit for determining the knock resistance of
petrol”). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one recom-
mended for your engine. However, this has no advantage in terms of fuel
consumption and engine power.
The correct fuel type for your vehicle is given in the technical table for the
engine. Section “Technical Data”
Caution
•Petrol that follows EN 228 may be mixed with small quantities of ethanol.
However, the so-called “bioethanol fuels” available at commercial establish-
ments with reference E50 or E85, which contain a high percentage of ethanol,
may not be used, as they will damage the fuel system.•Even one tankful of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency
of the catalytic converter.•High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using
petrol with an octane rating lower than the correct grade for the engine.For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the
catalytic converter.
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