Seats and head restraints
Adjusting the front head restraints Read the additional information carefully
››› page 12
Adjust the head restraint ›››
page 12 so
that as far as possible the top of the head re-
straint is level with the top of your head.
When this is not possible, try to get as close
as possible to this position.
Adjusting the rear head restraints Fig. 106
Rear centre head restraint: release
point. When transporting people in the back seat,
place the head restraints 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 up-
wards, until you see it engage.
– To set the head restraint lower down, press
the 1
››› Fig. 106 button and move it
do wn
wards.
Removing the head restraint
To remove the head restraint, the correspond-
ing backrest must be partially folded forward. – Unlock the backrest ››› page 110.
– Move the head restraint upwards until it ar-
rives to the top.
– Press the 1
››› Fig. 106 button while at the
same time removing the head restraint
from the backrest ››› .
– Insert a screwdriver in the 2
››› Fig. 106
position of the hole while at the same time
removing the head restraint from the back-
rest ››› .
– Move the backrest until it engages properly
››› .
Fitting the head restraint
To mount the external head restraints, the
corresponding backrest must be partially fol-
ded forward.
– Unlock the backrest ››› page 110. –
Insert the head restraint bars into the
guides until they perceptibly engage. It
should not be possible to remove the head
restraint from the backrest.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly
››› .
WARNING
● Please observe the general notes
››› page 41.
● Remo
ve the rear head restraints only when
it is necessary for the placement of a child
seat ››› page 56. After removing a child seat,
remou
nt the head restraint immediately.
Travelling with the head restraints removed
or improperly adjusted increases the risk of
severe injuries. Seat functions
Introduction WARNING
Inappropriate use of the seat functions can
cause severe injuries.
● Assume the proper sitting position before
your trip and remain in it throughout. This al-
so applies to the other occupants.
● Always keep hands, fingers, feet and other
parts of the body away from the operating ra-
dius and the adjustment of seats. 107
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
compartment will not fly forward through the
interior 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. Folding down and lifting the rear seat
backrest
3 Applies to the model: LEON ST
Fig. 111
On the rear seat backrest: release
catch 1 ; red mark
2 . Fig. 112
In the luggage compartment: levers
for remote release of the left part 1 and right
part 2 of the rear seat backrest.
The rear seat backrest is split and each part
be lowered separately to extend the luggage
compartment.
When the rear seat backrest is lowered no-
body else can travel in the corresponding
seats (not even a child).
Lowering the rear seat backrest with the
unlock button
● Lower the head restraint properly.
● Push the unlock button ››› Fig. 111 1 for-
wards and at the same time lift the backrest.
● The rear seat backrest is not engaged when
the red marking of the button 2 is visible.
Lowering the rear seat backrest with the
remote release lever
● Lower the head restraint properly. ●
Open the rear lid.
● Pull the remote release lever of the left part
››› Fig. 112 1 or right part
2 of the backrest
in the direction of the arrow. The released
part of the rear seat backrest is folded auto-
matically down and forwards.
● If this occurs, close the rear lid.
The rear seat backrest is not engaged when
the red marking of the button ››› Fig. 111 2 is visible.
Folding up the rear seat backrest
●
Lift the backrest and press it firmly into the
lock until it engages ››› .
● It should not be possible to see the red
mark of the unlock button 2 .
● The backrest must be properly engaged. WARNING
Serious injuries can be caused if the rear seat
backrest is lowered or lifted without due care
and attention.
● Never lower or lift the rear seat backrest
while driving.
● Do no trap or damage the seat belt when
raising the rear seat backrest.
● When lowering or lifting the rear seat back-
rest, keep your hands, fingers, feet and other
body parts out of its path. 110
Transport and practical equipment
●
For the rear seat seat belts to offer the nec-
essary protection all the parts of the rear
backrest must be properly engaged. This is
particularly important in the case of the cen-
tre rear seat. If someone is seated in a seat
whose backrest is not properly engaged they
will fly forward, along with the backrest, dur-
ing an accident or a sudden driving or braking
manoeuvre.
● A red signal 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 lowered or is
not properly engaged nobody else can travel
in the corresponding seats (not even a child). CAUTION
Serious damage can be caused to the vehicle
and other objects if the rear seat backrest is
lowered or lifted without due care and atten-
tion.
● Before lowering the rear seat backrest, al-
ways adjust the front seats so that neither
the head restraints nor the cushions of the
rear backrest can hit them. Transport and practical
equipment
Storage compartments Storage areas under the front seats* Fig. 113
Storage compartment under the
front seats. There is a storage compartment with a cover
under each front seat.
The drawer* is opened by pulling on the cov-
er
››› Fig. 113 .
T o c
lose 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 accident. Folding table*
3 Applies to the model: LEON ST
Fig. 114
Left-hand front seat: folding table. –
To open the tray, open it up in the direction
of the arrow ››› Fig. 114 . WARNING
● The folding trays may not be folded down
whilst the vehicle is in motion and anyone is
seated on the second row of seats. There is a
risk of injury during a sudden braking ma-
noeuvre! The tray must therefore be closed
and properly secured whilst the vehicle is in
motion. » 111
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
Storing objects Loading the luggage compartment All luggage and other loose objects must be
safely secured in the luggage compartment.
Unsecured objects which shift back and forth
could impair the driving safety or driving
characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the
centre of gravity.
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage
compartment.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possi-
ble in the luggage compartment.
– Place the heavy objects first.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening
rings ›››
page 119 . WARNING
● Loose luggage and other objects in the lug-
gage compartment could cause serious inju-
ries.
● Always stow objects in the luggage com-
partment and secure them on the fastening
rings.
● Use suitable straps to secure heavy ob-
jects.
● During sudden manoeuvres or accidents,
loose objects can be thrown forward, injuring
vehicle occupants or passers-by. This in-
creased risk of injury will be further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating air-
bag. If this happens, objects may shoot out-
ward like a missile. Risk of fatal injury.
●
Please note that the centre of gravity may
shift when transporting heavy objects; this
may affect vehicle handling and lead to an ac-
cident. Therefore, it is essential to adjust
your speed and driving style accordingly, to
avoid accidents.
● Never exceed the allowed axle weights or
allowed maximum weight. If said weights are
exceeded, the driving characteristics of the
vehicle may change, leading to accidents, in-
juries and damage to the vehicle.
● Never leave your vehicle unattended, espe-
cially when the rear lid is open. Children
could climb into the luggage compartment,
closing the door behind them; they will be
trapped and run the risk of death.
● Never allow children to play in or around
the vehicle. Close and lock all the doors and
rear lid when you leave the vehicle. Before
you lock the vehicle, make sure that there are
no adults or children in the vehicle. Note
● Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce
fogging of the windows. Used air escapes
through ventilation slits in the side trim of
the luggage compartment. Ensure that the
ventilation slots are never covered.
● Straps for securing the load to the fasten-
ing rings are commercially available. Luggage compartment cover
3 Applies to the model: LEON/LEON SC
Fig. 119
Rear lid open with the luggage com-
partment cover. The luggage compartment cover blocks the
view into the luggage compartment.
Removing
– Remove the straps A and unfasten the
cover of the support B by pressing up-
wards in the direction of arrow 1 .
Fitting
– Insert the cover horizontally so that it coin-
cides with the “plate” on the axis of the
supports B and press down until it engag-
es.
– Attach the straps to the rear lid A
››› .
114
Operation
WARNING
● Never run the engine in confined spaces, as
the exhaust gases are poisonous. CAUTION
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and
extreme load conditions until the engine has
reached its normal operating temperature,
otherwise this can damage the engine. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by idling it. You
should drive off as soon as you start the en-
gine. This will help avoid unnecessary ex-
haust emissions. Note
● If it is difficult to turn the ignition key to
the position 1 , turn the steering wheel to
both sides to release the steering lock.
● When starting from cold, the engine may be
a little noisy for the first few seconds until oil
pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve
lifters. This is quite normal, and no cause for
concern.
● If the vehicle battery is disconnected and
reconnected, the key must remain in the posi-
tion 1 for around 5 seconds before starting
up.
● Vehicles with automatic gearbox: after
switching off the ignition, you can only re-
move the ignition key if the selector lever is in position “P” (parking lock). Next, the se-
lector lever is locked.
Switching off the engine with the key
Switching off the engine
– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position 1 ›››
Fig. 141.
En g
aging the steering wheel lock
In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the igni-
tion key can only be removed when the selec-
tor lever is in position P.
– Remo
ve the key from the ignition in posi-
tion 1
››› Fig. 141
›
›› .
– Turn the steering wheel until you hear it en-
gage.
Possible vehicle theft is prevented with the
steering lock engaged. WARNING
● Never switch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is stationary. The brake servo and power
steering functions will not be completely cov-
ered under warranty. More force may also be
needed to turn the steering wheel or to brake.
As you cannot steer and brake in the normal
manner, there is a greater risk of accidents
and serious injury. ●
Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could suddenly lock, making it impossible
to steer the vehicle: risk of accident!
● Always take the key with you when you
leave the vehicle. This is particularly impor-
tant if there are children in the vehicle, as
they might otherwise be able to start the en-
gine or use power-operated equipment (e.g.
the electric windows), which could cause in-
juries. CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high
load for a long time, there is a risk of heat
building up in the engine compartment after
it has been switched off; this could cause en-
gine damage. For this reason, you should idle
the engine for approximately 2 minutes be-
fore you switch it off. Note
● After the engine is switched off the radiator
fan may run on for up to 10 minutes, even if
the ignition is switched off. It is also possible
that the fan turns itself on once more if the
coolant temperature increases due to the
heat accumulated in the engine compartment
or due to its prolonged exposure to solar ra-
diation.
● If the vehicle is stopped and the Start-Stop
system* switches off the engine, the ignition 130
Operation
● Secure the vehicle as usual by applying the
handbrake firmly and putting it in 1st gear. WARNING
● Take measures to reduce the risk of injury
when you leave your vehicle 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 ex-
ample, by releasing the handbrake or the
gearbox lever.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may
become extremely hot or cold inside the vehi-
cle. This can be fatal. Manual gearbox
Changing gears Read the additional information carefully
››› page 24
In some countries the clutch pedal must be
fully pressed down for the engine to start. Selecting reverse gear
● Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle
is stopped.
Changing down gears
While driving, changing down a gear must al-
ways be done gradually, i.e. to the gear di-
rectly below and when the engine speed is
not too high ››› . Changing down while by-
passing 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 vehi-
cle 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 acci-
dent and serious injuries. CAUTION
When travelling at high speeds or at high en-
gine speeds, selecting a gear that is too low can cause considerable damage to the clutch
and the gearbox. 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 following:
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever
while driving. The pressure applied by your
hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector
forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-
ly 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 electronical-
ly controlled manual gearbox. Torque be-
tween the engine and the gearbox is trans-
mitted via two independent clutches. They re-
place the torque converter found on conven-
tional automatic gearboxes and allow for
132
AdviceFunctionReprogramming
One-touch function of
the electric windows›››
page 92, One-touch
opening and closing*.
Remote control key
If the vehicle does not re-
spond to the key, they
should be synchronised
››› page 87.
Digital clock››› page 68.
ESC warning lampAfter driving for a few me-
tres, the warning lamp goes
out again. If the vehicle is not used for long periods
The vehicle has a system for monitoring the
current consumption when the engine is left
unused for long periods of time
››› page 191.
Some functions, such as the interior lights, or
the remote door opening, may be temporarily
disabled to prevent the battery from running
flat. These functions will come back on as
soon as the ignition is switched on and the
engine started.
Winter conditions
During the winter, the starting power may be
reduced, and if necessary, the battery should
be charged ››› in Important safety warn-
ings for handling a vehicle battery on
page 206 Important safety warnings for
handling a vehicle battery All work on batteries requires specialist
knowledge. Please refer to a SEAT Official
Service or a workshop specialising in batter-
ies: risk of burns or exploding battery!
The battery must not be opened.
Never try to
change the fluid level of the battery. Other-
wise explosive gas is released from the bat-
tery that could cause an explosion.
Wear eye protection.
Battery acid is very corrosive and caustic. Wear
protective gloves and eye protection. In the event
of electrolyte splashes, rinse off with plenty of
water.
Fires, sparks, open flames and smoking are pro-
hibited.
The battery should only be charged in a well-ven-
tilated zone. Risk of explosion!
Keep children away from acid and batteries!
WARNING
● When repairing or working on the electrical
system, proceed as follows:
–1. Remove the key from the ignition. The
negative cable on the battery must be
disconnected.
– 2. When the repair is finished, reconnect
the negative pole of the battery. ●
Switch off all electrical devices before re-
connecting the battery. Reconnect first the
positive cable and then the negative cable.
Never reverse the polarity of the connections.
This could cause an electrical fire.
● Ensure that the vent hose is always connec-
ted to the battery.
● Never use damaged batteries. This could
cause an explosion! Replace a damaged bat-
tery immediately. CAUTION
● Never disconnect the battery if the ignition
is switched on or if the engine is running.
This could damage the electrical system or
electronic components. Charging the battery
Terminals for charging the battery are fitted
in the engine compartment.
–
Note the warnings ››› in Important safety
warnings for handling a vehicle battery on
page 206 and
›
›› .
– Switch off all electrical devices. Remove the
ignition key.
– Raise the bonnet ››› page 199.
– Open the battery cover.
– Connect the charger clamps as described
to the positive pole of the battery (+)
and
206
Emergencies
● Make sure the selector lever is in the N
po-
s ition.
● The
vehicle must not be towed faster than
50 km/h (30 mph).
● The v
ehicle must not be towed further than
50 km (30 miles)
. Reason: when the engine
is not running, the gearbox oil pump does
not work and the gearbox is not adequately
lubricated for higher speeds or longer distan-
ces.
If the vehicle has to be towed with a break-
down truck
, it must only be suspended at the
front wheels. Reason: the drive shafts are lo-
cated on the front wheels. If the car is towed
with the rear wheels lifted off the road (I.e.
travelling backwards), the drive shafts also
turn backwards. The planetary gears in the
aut
omatic gearbox then turn at such high
speeds that the gearbox will be severely
damaged in a short time. Note
● If it is not possible to tow the vehicle in the
normal way, or if it has to be towed further
than 50 km (30 miles), it must be transported
on a special car transporter or trailer.
● Should the power supply to the selector
lever be interrupted in position P, the selector
lever will be locked. Before the vehicle can be
recovered/manoeuvred you must manually
release the selector lever ››› page 229. Emergency locking and
unlocking
Introduction The doors, rear lid and panoramic tilting sun-
roof can be locked manually and partially
opened, for example if the key or the central
locking is damaged.
WARNING
Opening and closing doors carelessly can
cause serious injury.
● If the vehicle is locked from outside, the
doors and windows cannot be opened from
the inside.
● Never leave children or disabled people
alone in the car. They could be trapped in the
car in an emergency and will not be able to
get themselves to safety.
● Depending on the time of the year, temper-
atures inside a locked and closed vehicle can
be extremely high or extremely low resulting
in serious injuries and illness or even death,
particularly for young children. WARNING
Getting in the way of the doors and the rear
lid is dangerous and can lead to serious in-
jury.
● Open and close the doors and the rear lid
only when there is nobody in the way. CAUTION
When opening and closing in an emergency,
carefully disassemble components and then
reassemble them carefully to avoid damage
to the vehicle. Locking or unlocking the driver door
Fig. 194
Driver door lever: hidden lock cylin-
der. If the central locking system should fail to op-
erate, the driver door can still be locked and
unlocked by turning the key in the lock.
As a general rule, when the driver door is
locked all other doors are locked. When the
vehicle is unlocked manually, only the driver
door opens. Please observe the instructions
relating to the anti-theft alarm system
››› page 82 .
● Unf o
ld the vehicle key shaft ››› page 83.
»
227
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials