2013 Seat Leon 5D lock

132Seats and storage
Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head restraint is lev-
el with the top of your head. When this is not possible, try to get as
close as possible to this position.
–Grasp the sides of the head restraint with both hands and move
it up/down (to lower you must press button 1
) until you see it
engage. 
Rear head restraints
Fig. 82 Rear centre head
restraint: release point
When transporting people in the back seat, place the head re-
straints of the occupied seats at a minimum of the next socket up
⇒ 
.
Adjusting the head restraints
– To set the head restraint higher, grasp the sides with both
hands and move it upwards, until you see it engage.
– To set the head restraint lower down, press the A
⇒ Fig. 82
button and move it downwards. Removing the head restraint
To remove the head restraint, the corresponding backrest must be
partially folded forward.
–
Unlock the backrest ⇒ page 138.
– Move the head restraint upwards until it arrives to the top.
– Press the A
⇒ Fig. 82 button while at the same time removing
the head restraint from the backrest ⇒ .
– Insert a screwdriver in the B
position of the hole while at the
same time removing the head restraint from the backrest ⇒ .
– Move the backrest until it engages properly ⇒ 
.
Fitting the head restraint
To mount the external head restraints, the corresponding backrest
must be partially folded forward.
– Unlock the backrest ⇒ page 138.
– Insert the head restraint bars into the guides until they percept-
ibly engage. It should not be possible to remove the head re-
straint from the backrest.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Please observe the general notes.
● Remove the rear head restraints only when it is necessary for the
placement of a child seat ⇒ page 48. After removing a child seat, remount
the head restraint immediately. Travelling with the head restraints re-
moved or improperly adjusted increases the risk of severe injuries.


133
Seats and storage
Storage compartments
Storage areas under the front seats*
There is a storage compartment with a cover under each
front seat.
Fig. 83 Storage com-
partment under the front
seats
The drawer* is opened by pulling on the cover ⇒ Fig. 83.
To close the drawer, press the cover until it locks into position.
WARNING
● The drawers will hold a maximum weight of 1.5 kg.
● Do not drive with the drawer cover open. There is an injury risk for
passengers if the cargo is released in case of sudden braking or an acci-
dent.
 Applies to the model: LEON ST
Folding table*
Fig. 84 Left-hand front
seat: folding table
– To open the tray, open it up in the direction of the arrow
⇒ Fig. 84.
WARNING
● The folding trays may not be folded down whilst the vehicle is in mo-
tion and anyone is seated on the second row of seats. There is a risk of
injury during a sudden braking manoeuvre! The tray must therefore be
closed and properly secured whilst the vehicle is in motion.
● Do not put hot drinks in the drink holders. During normal or sudden
driving manoeuvres, sudden braking or an accident, the hot drink could
be spilled. Danger of scalding.
CAUTION
When driving, do not leave open cans in the cup holders. The drink might
be spilt on braking, for example, and could damage the vehicle. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

137
Seats and storage
Applies to the model: LEON / LEON SC
Increase capacity of luggage compartment
The backrests can be folded forward individually or togeth-
er.
Fig. 89 Clip to support
the seat belt
Fig. 90 Backrest release
lever Folding the backrest forwards
–
Place the side seat belts in the trim clip ⇒ Fig. 89.
– Slide the head restraint(s) downwards ⇒ page 132.
– Press the release lever ⇒ Fig. 90 A
in the direction of the ar-
row.
– Fold the backrest forwards.
Returning the backrest to its upright position
– Move the backrest until it engages properly ⇒ 
. The red mark-
ing on the tab ⇒ Fig. 90 B should no longer be visible when
the backrest is properly secured.
WARNING
● Make sure that the rear backrest is securely locked in position so that
the seat belt can provide proper protection on the centre rear seat.
● The rear backrest must always be securely latched so that objects
stored in the luggage compartment will not fly forward through the inte-
rior during sudden braking.
CAUTION
● With the backrest inclined there is a danger of damaging the rear head
restraints when adjusting the front seats backwards.
● When folding the backrest forwards, make sure to place the side seat
belts in the trim clip to prevent them from being damaged by becoming
trapped in the backrest lock. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

138Seats and storage
Applies to the model: LEON ST
Folding down and lifting the rear seat backrest
Fig. 91 In the rear seat
backrest: release tab 1;
red marking 2
Fig. 92 In the luggage
compartment: distance
unlocking levers of left
part 1 and right part 2 of
the rear backrest
The rear seat backrest is divided and each part can be folded down sepa-
rately to extend the boot. When the rear seat backrest is folded down, nobody is allowed to travel in
the corresponding seats (not even a child).
Folding down the rear seat backrest with the release tab
●
Push the head restraint down as far as it will go.
● Push the release tab ⇒ Fig. 91 1
forwards and at the same time fold
down the backrest.
● The rear backrest is released when the red mark of button 2
can be
seen.
Fold down the rear seat backrest with the distance unlocking lever
● Push the head restraint down as far as it will go.
● Open the rear lid.
● Pull on the distance unlocking lever of the left part ⇒ Fig. 92 1
or right
2 of the backrest in the direction of the arrow. The unlocked part of the
rear backrest is folded down automatically forwards.
● As applicable, close the rear lid.
The rear backrest is released when the red mark on button ⇒ Fig. 91 2
can
be seen.
Folding up the rear seat backrest
● Lift the backrest and press it firmly in the lock until it engages properly
⇒ 
.
● It should not be possible to see the red mark of the release tab 2.
● The backrest has to be properly engaged.
WARNING
If the rear seat backrest is folded down or lifted carelessly it may cause
serious injury.
● Never fold down or lift the rear seat backrest while driving. 

139
Seats and storage
WARNING (Continued)
● On lifting the rear seat backrest, avoid trapping or damaging the seat
belt.
● On folding down or lifting the rear seat backrest, always keep your
hands, fingers, feet and other body parts out of its path.
● For the safety belts to offer the necessary protection, all the parts of
the rear backrest should always be properly engaged. This is particularly
important in the case of the rear centre seat. Anyone sitting in a seat
whose backrest is not properly engaged could fly forward, together with
the backrest in the event of a sudden braking, a brusque manoeuvre or
an accident.
● A red mark on the button 2
warns that the backrest is not engaged.
Always check that the red marking is not visible when the backrest is in
the upright position.
● When the rear seat backrest is folded down or not properly engaged,
nobody is allowed to travel in the corresponding seats (not even a child).
CAUTION
If the rear seat backrest is folded down or lifted carelessly it may cause
damage to the vehicle or other objects.
● Before folding the rear seat backrest, adjust the front seats so that nei-
ther the head restraints nor the padding of the rear backrest hit them. Applies to the model: LEON / LEON SC
Luggage compartment cover
The luggage compartment cover blocks the view into the
luggage compartment.
Fig. 93 Rear lid open
with the luggage com-
partment cover
Removing
– Remove the straps A
and unfasten the cover of the support Bby pressing upwards in the direction of arrow 1.
Fitting
– Insert the cover horizontally so that it coincides with the “plate”
on the axis of the supports B
and press down until it engages.
– Attach the straps to the rear lid A
⇒ .
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

145
Seats and storage
To avoid soiling the inside, any dirty objects should be wrapped (in a blan-
ket, for example) before they are entered through the tailboard.
When the armrest is lowered, nobody is allowed to travel in the centre rear
seat.
Opening the tailboard
● Lower the centre armrest.
● Pull on the release lever in the direction of the arrow and fold the tail-
board cover ⇒  Fig. 102 1
completely forwards.
● Open the rear lid.
● Enter long objects through the gap from the luggage compartment.
● Fasten the objects securely with the safety belt.
● Close the rear lid.
Closing the tailboard
● Turn the tailboard cover clockwise until it engages. The red marking
should not be seen on the luggage compartment side.
● Close the rear lid.
● Fold up the centre armrest if necessary.
Note
The tailboard can also be opened from the luggage compartment. To do so,
press the release lever downwards, in the direction of the arrow, and the
cover forwards ⇒ Fig. 103. Fastening rings
Fig. 104 In the luggage
compartment: fastening
rings (LEON / LEON SC
model).
Fig. 105 In the luggage
compartment: fastening
rings (LEON ST model).
At the front and rear of the luggage compartment, there are fastening rings
for securing luggage ⇒ Fig. 105. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

162Driving
Driving
SteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely ad-
justed to suit the driver.
Fig. 117 Lever in the
lower left side of the
steering column
– Press the lever 1
⇒ Fig. 117 down ⇒ 
–
Move the steering wheel to the desired position.
– Move the lever up, applying pressure until the close position is
reached.
WARNING
● Never adjust the position of the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving, as this could cause an accident.
● Move the lever up firmly so the steering wheel position does not acci-
dentally change during driving. risk of accident!
● Make sure you are capable of reaching and firmly holding the upper
part of the steering wheel while your back remains well supported by the
backrest: risk of accident!

Ignition lock Warning and control lamps
Lights upPossible causeSolution

Preheating of the diesel en-
gine before starting the en-
gine⇒ page 164
Foot not on the brake pedal.Press the brake model to start the
engine.
Some warning and control lamps will light up briefly when the ignition is
switched on to check certain functions. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. 

163
Driving
WARNING
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they light up and the corre-
sponding messages may cause the vehicle to stall in traffic and cause ac-
cidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or messages.
● Stop the vehicle at the next safe opportunity.
● If the vehicle breaks down or has to be parked for repair, always park
it a safe distance away from the road, switch on the hazard warning
lights, switch off the engine and take other relevant safety measures to
warn vehicles approaching from the rear.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps when they light up and the corresponding
messages may result in damage to the vehicle. Starting the engine with the ignition key
Switch on the ignition with the key in the ignition and start
the engine.
Fig. 118 Ignition key po-
sitions
Steering wheel lock
– To lock the steering wheel, remove the key from the ignition and
turn the wheel until it locks. In vehicles with the automatic gear-
box*, the selector lever must be in the position P in order to re-
move the key.
– To unlock the steering wheel, insert the key into the ignition
and simultaneously turn the key (in the direction of the arrow)
and the steering wheel.
Warning: If the steering wheel cannot be turned, this is because
the steering wheel lock is activated.
Switching the ignition on/off, preheating
– Turn the ignition key to position 2
to switch on the ignition.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications