2013 Seat Leon SC parking brake

Table of Contents
About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Sitting position for vehicle occupants . . . . . . . . . 10
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Storing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Knee airbag* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Side airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Deactivating airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Securing child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Operating instructions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Controls and displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Instruments and warning/control lamps . . . . 61
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Driver information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Information system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Introduction to the Easy Connect system* . . . 79
System settings (CAR)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Rear lid (luggage compartment) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Panoramic sliding sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Sun protection equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Windscreen wiper and rear wiper systems . . . . . 120
Rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Seats and storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Seat functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Power sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Roof carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Air conditioning
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Heating, ventilation, cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Kick-down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Hill driving assistant* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Speed warning function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Start-Stop system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gearbox* . . . 173
Driver assistance systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Cruise control system (CCS)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Adaptive cruise control (ACC)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Monitoring system Front Assist* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Lane Assist system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
SEAT Drive Modes* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Tiredness detection (break recommendation)* . 213
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Practical Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Electro-mechanical steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Progressive steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Information recorded in the control units . . . . . . 228
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Table of Contents

59
Controls and displays
Operating instructions Controls and displays
Overview
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Electric control to adjust exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Control lever for:
– Turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
– Lane Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
– Main beam assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
– Cruise control system (CCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Steering wheel with horn and
– Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
– On-board computer controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
– Controls for radio, telephone, navigation and speech dia-
logue system ⇒  Booklet Radio
– Paddle levers for tiptronic gearshift (automatic gearbox) . .178
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Control lever for:
– Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
– Wipe and wash system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
– On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
12345
6
7
89
Depending on equipment fitted: Radio or display for Easy
Connect (navigation, radio, TV/video)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Depending on the equipment, buttons for:
– SEAT driving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
– Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
– Park assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
– Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
– Airbag off display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Glove box with (depending on equipment): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
– CD player* and/or SD card* ⇒  Booklet Radio
– Multimedia interface* ⇒  Booklet Radio
Tyre pressure switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Front passenger airbag switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Passenger seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Storage compartment
Depending on gearbox fitted, gear lever or selector lever for:
– manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
– automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Depending on the equipment, controls for:
– Heating and ventilation system or manual air conditioner .158, 157
– Automatic air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Driver seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
10
11
12
131415161718
19
2021
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

69
Instruments and warning/control lamps
To familiarise yourself with the gear-change indicator, we recommend driv-
ing in the normal way to start with. A gear change will be recommended if
the gear you are in is not the most economical choice.
If no gear-change is recommended, you are already in the most economical
gear.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The following display symbols ⇒ Fig. 41 mean:
●  Change to a higher gear: The suggested gear appears to the right of
the current gear when a higher gear is recommended.
●  Change to a lower gear: The suggested gear appears to the left of the
current gear when a lower gear is recommended.
The gear recommendation may occasionally skip a gear (2nd  4th).
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox*
The display is only visible in tiptronic mode ⇒ page 178
The following display symbols mean:
●  Shifting up a gear
●  Shifting down a gear
CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is intended to help save fuel. It is not intended to
recommend the right gear for all driving situations. In certain situations, on-
ly the driver can choose the correct gear (for instance when overtaking, driv-
ing up a steep gradient or towing a trailer).
Note
The display disappears from the instrument panel when you press the
clutch pedal. Control lamps
Control and warning lamps
The control and warning lamps are indicators of warnings, ⇒ , faults ⇒ or certain functions. Some control and warning lamps come on when the ig-
nition is switched on, and switch off when the engine starts running, or
while driving.
Depending on the model, additional text messages may be viewed on the
instrument panel display. These may be purely informative or they may be
advising of the need for action ⇒ page 61, Instruments.
Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp, sometimes a symbol may be displayed on the instrument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are lit, an audible warning is also
heard.
Red symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Central warning lamp: additional information
on the instrument panel display–

Symbol on the instrument panel display:
 Do not continue driving!
With the corresponding indication: door(s), rear
lid or bonnet open or not properly closed.⇒ page 87
⇒ page 100
⇒ page 251
Parking brake on.⇒ page 166
⇒ page 224

 Do not continue driving!
The brake fluid level is too low or there is a fault
in the brake system. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

167
Driving
Always apply the handbrake as far as it will go in order to prevent yourself
from driving with the handbrake applied by mistake ⇒ 
.
The handbrake warning lamp  lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The warning lamp turns off when the hand-
brake is released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h (4 mph) with the handbrake on, the following
message* will appear on the instrument panel display: HANDBRAKE ON. You
will also hear an audible warning.
WARNING
● Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The
braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied
to the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
● If the handbrake is only partially released, this will cause the rear
brakes to overheat, which can impair the function of the brake system
and could lead to an accident. This also causes premature wear on the
rear brake pads.
CAUTION
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected. 
Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the
vehicle is parked.
Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. –
Apply the handbrake.
– Select first gear.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition. Turn
the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you keys with you when you leave the vehicle ⇒ 
.
Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started
to roll.
● If the vehicle is parked facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that
they point towards the kerb .
● If the vehicle is parked facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they
point away from the kerb .
● Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and se-
lecting first gear.
WARNING
● Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehi-
cle unattended.
● Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable
materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
● Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is
locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and
could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an
emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to vehicle occupants.
● Never leave children alone in the vehicle. They could set the vehicle
in motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gearbox lever.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or
cold inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

171
Driving
● The engine has not yet reached the minimum required temperature for
the Start-Stop mode.
● The interior temperature selected for the air conditioner has not yet
been reached.
● The interior temperature is very high/low.
● Defrost function button activated ⇒ page 154.
● The parking aid* is switched on.
● The battery is very low.
● The steering wheel is overly turned or is being turned.
● If there is a danger of misting.
● After engaging reverse gear.
● In case of a very steep gradient.
The indication  is shown on the instrument panel display, and in addition,
the driver information system* shows, .
The engine starts by itself
During a stopping phase the normal Start-Stop mode can be interrupted in
the following situations: The engine restarts by itself without involvement
from the driver.
● The interior temperature differs from the value selected on the air condi-
tioner.
● Defrost function button activated ⇒ page 154.
● The brake has been pressed several times consecutively.
● The battery is too low.
● High power consumption.
Note
In vehicles with an automatic gearbox, if the selector lever is placed in posi-
tion D, N or S after engaging reverse gear, the vehicle must be driven at a
speed faster than 10 km/h (5 mph) for the system to return to conditions in
which the engine can be stopped. Manually switching on/off the Start-Stop system
If you do not wish to use the system, you can switch it off
manually.
Fig. 120 Centre console:
Start-Stop system button
– To manually switch on/off the Start-Stop system, press the but-
ton 
. The button symbol remains lit up yellow when the sys-
tem is switched off.
Note
The system is automatically switched on each time the engine is deliberate-
ly stopped during a stopping phase. The engine will start automatically. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

172Driving
Driver messages on the instrument panel display
Start-Stop system deactivated. Start the engine manually
This driver message is displayed when certain conditions are not met during
the stopping phase and the Start-Stop system cannot restart the engine.
The engine must be started manually.
Start-Stop system: Fault! Function not available
There is a fault in the Start-Stop system. Take the vehicle to a workshop to
have the fault repaired. 
Manual gearbox
Changing gears
Fig. 121 Gear shift pat-
tern of a 5 or 6-speed
manual gearbox
The position of each of the gears is shown on the gear stick ⇒ Fig. 121. ●
Press and hold the clutch pedal to the floor.
● Place the gearbox lever in the required position ⇒ 
.
● Release the clutch pedal to engage clutch.
In some countries the clutch pedal must be fully pressed down for the en-
gine to start.
Selecting reverse gear
● Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle is stopped.
● Press and hold the clutch pedal to the floor ⇒ 
.
● Move the gearbox lever into the neutral position and press it down.
● Move the gearbox lever completely to the left and then forwards to posi-
tion it in reverse gear ⇒ Fig. 121 R
.
● Release the clutch pedal to engage clutch.
Changing down gears
While driving, changing down a gear must always be done gradually, i.e. to
the gear directly below and when the engine speed is not too high ⇒ 
.
Changing down while bypassing one or various gears at high speeds or at
high engine speeds can damage the clutch and the gearbox, even if the
clutch pedal remains depressed ⇒ 
.
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
gear is engaged and the clutch released. This is also the case with the
electro-mechanical parking brake switched on.
● Never engage reverse gear when the vehicle is moving.
WARNING
If the gear is changed down inappropriately by selecting a gear that is
too low, you may lose control of the vehicle, causing an accident and se-
rious injuries. 

173
Driving
CAUTION
When travelling at high speeds or at high engine speeds, selecting a gear
that is too low can cause considerable damage to the clutch and the gear-
box. This can also occur if the clutch pedal is pressed and held and it does
not engage.
CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature wear, please observe the follow-
ing:
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever while driving. The pressure ap-
plied by your hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is completely stopped before engaging
the reverse gear.
● Always press the clutch to the floor when changing gears.
● Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on hills with the engine on. 
Automatic gearbox/DSG automatic gearbox* Introduction
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled manual gearbox.
Torque between the engine and the gearbox is transmitted via two inde-
pendent clutches. They replace the torque converter found on conventional
automatic gearboxes and allow for smooth, uninterrupted acceleration of
the vehicle.
The tiptronic system allows the driver to change gears manually if desired
⇒  page 178, Changing gears in tiptronic mode*. Selector lever positions
The selector lever position engaged is highlighted on the display in the in-
strument cluster. With the selector lever in the manual gearbox positions G,
D, E and S, the engaged gear is also indicated on the display.
P – Parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the driven wheels are locked me-
chanically. The parking lock must be engaged only when the vehicle is
sta-
tionary ⇒ 
.
The interlock button (the button on the selector lever handle) must be
pressed in and simultaneously the brake pedal must be depressed before
moving the selector lever either in or out of position P.
R – Reverse gear
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is idling ⇒ 
.
To move the selector lever to position R, the interlock button must be press-
ed in and at the same time the brake pedal must be depressed. The reverse
lights come on when the selector lever is in the R position with the ignition
on.
N – Neutral (idling)
With the selector lever in this position, the gear is in neutral.
D/S – Permanent drive (forward) position
The selector lever in the D/S position enables the gears to be controlled in
normal mode (D) or Sport (S). To select Sport mode (S), move the selector
lever backwards. Moving the lever again will select normal mode (D). The
selected driving mode is shown on the instrument panel display.
In normal mode (D), the gearbox automatically selects the best gear ratio.
This depends on the engine load, the road speed and the dynamic gear
control programme (DCP). 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

174Driving
Sport mode (S) must be selected for a sporty driving style. This setting
makes use of the engine's maximum power output. When accelerating the
gear shifts will be noticeable.
The brake pedal must be pressed when moving the selector lever from D/S
to N if the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h ⇒ 
.
Under certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountains) it can be ad-
vantageous to switch temporarily to tiptronic mode ⇒ page 178, in order to
manually select gear ratios to suit the driving conditions.
WARNING
● Take care not to accidentally press the accelerator pedal when the ve-
hicle is stopped. The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately
(in some cases even if the parking brake is engaged) resulting in the risk
of an accident.
● Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving. Failure to do so
could result in an accident.
● With the selector lever in any position (except P) the vehicle must al-
ways be held with the foot brake when the engine is running. This is be-
cause an automatic gearbox still transmits power even when idling, and
the vehicle tends to “creep”. The accelerator pedal must on no account
be pressed inadvertently when a gear is engaged with the vehicle sta-
tionary. The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately (in some
cases even if the parking brake is engaged) resulting in the risk of an ac-
cident.
● While you are selecting a gear and the vehicle is stopped with the en-
gine running, do not accelerate. Failure to do so could result in an acci-
dent.
WARNING (Continued)
● As a driver you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is run-
ning and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the
engine is running, you must apply the handbrake and engage the parking
lock (P).
● To avoid accidents, apply the handbrake and put the selector lever in
position P before opening the bonnet and working on the vehicle with
the engine running. Please always observe the important safety warn-
ings ⇒ page 251, Working on components in the engine compartment.
Note
● If the selector lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, release the
accelerator and let the engine speed drop to idling before selecting gear
range D or S again.
● Should the power supply to the selector lever be interrupted in posi-
tion P, the selector lever will be locked. If this should happen the manual
release can be used ⇒ page 182. 