Seat belts
The seat belts are equipped with an automat-
ic retractor on the shoulder strap. Full free-
dom of movement is permitted when the
shoulder belt is pulled slowly. However, dur-
ing sudden braking, during travel in steep
areas or bends and during acceleration, the
automatic retractor on the shoulder belt is
locked.
The automatic belt retractors on the front
seats are fitted with seat belt tensioners
››› page 47 .
R el
easing the seat belt
● Press the red button on the belt buckle
››› Fig. 64 B
. The latch plate is released and
springs out ››› .
● Guide the belt back by hand so that it rolls
up easily and the trim is not damaged.
Adjusting the seat belt
Seat belts offer their maximum protection on-
ly when they are properly positioned
››› Fig. 65 . WARNING
● The seat belts offer best protection only
when the backrests are in an upright position
and the seat belts have been fastened prop-
erly.
● Never put the latch plate in the buckle of
another seat. If you do this, the seat belt will not protect you properly and the risk of injury
is increased.
●
Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehi-
cle is in motion. If you do, you increase the
risk of sustaining severe or fatal injuries.
● An incorrectly worn seat belt can cause se-
vere injuries in the event of an accident.
● For pregnant women, the lap part of the
seat belt must lie as low as possible over the
pelvis, never across the stomach, and always
lie flat so that no pressure is exerted on the
abdomen ››› Fig. 65.
● Alw
ays engage the retractor lock when you
are securing a child seat in group 0, 0+ or 1
››› page 56.
● Re
ad and observe the warnings ››› page 44. Seat belt tensioners
How the seat belt tensioner works During a frontal collision, the seat belts on
the front seats are retracted automatically.
The seat belts for the occupants in the front
seats are equipped with belt tensioners. Sen-
sors will trigger the belt tensioners only dur-
ing severe head-on, lateral and rear-end colli-
sions and only if the seat belt is worn. This
retracts and tightens the seat belts, reducing
the forward motion of the occupants.The seat belt tensioner can be triggered only
once.
The seat belt tensioners will not be triggered
in the event of a light frontal, side or rear col-
lision, if the vehicle overturns or in situations
where no large forces act on the front, side or
rear of the vehicle.
Note
● If the seat belt tensioners are triggered, a
fine dust is produced. This is normal and it is
not an indication of fire in the vehicle.
● The relevant safety requirements must be
observed when the vehicle or components of
the system are scrapped. Specialised work-
shops are familiar with these regulations,
which are also available to you. Service and disposal of belt
tensioners
The belt tensioners are components of the
seat belts that are installed in the seats of
your vehicle. If you work on the belt tension-
ers or remove and install parts of the system
when performing other repair work, the seat
belt may be damaged. The consequence may
be that, in the event of an accident, the belt
tensioners function incorrectly or may not
function at all.
So that the effectiveness of the seat belt ten-
sioner is not reduced and that removed parts
»
47
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Airbag system
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.
● In a side-on collision the side airbags will
not work if the sensors do not correctly meas-
ure the pressure increase on the interior of
the doors, due to air escaping through the
areas with holes or openings in the door pan-
el.
● 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, un-
less the holes left by the loudspeakers have
been closed properly.
● Always check that the openings are closed
or covered if loudspeakers or other equip-
ment are fitted inside the door panels.
● Occupants of the outer seats must never
carry any objects or pets in the deployment
space between them and the airbags, or al-
low children or other passengers to travel in
this position. It is also important not to at-
tach 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 used 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 exerted upon the backrest bol-
ster because the system may be damaged. In
this case, the side airbags would not be trig-
gered.
● Under no circumstances should protective
covers be fitted over seats with side airbags
unless the covers have been approved for use
in your vehicle. Because the airbag deploys
from the side of the backrest, the use of con-
ventional seat covers would obstruct the side
airbag, seriously reducing the airbag's effec-
tiveness.
● Any damage to the original seat upholstery
or around the seams of the side airbag units
must be repaired immediately by a special-
ised workshop.
● The airbags provide protection for just one
accident; replace them once they have de-
ployed.
● Any work on the side airbag system or re-
moval and installation of the airbag compo-
nents for other repairs (such as removal of
the front seat) should only be performed by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise, faults may
occur during the airbag system operation.
● Do not attempt to modify components of
the airbag system in any way. Head-protection airbags*
Fig. 72
Location of head-protection airbags. The head-protection airbags are located on
both sides in the interior above the doors
››› Fig. 72 and are identified with the text
“AIRB AG”.
In c
onjunction with the seat belts, the head-
protection airbag system gives the vehicle
occupants additional protection for the head
and upper body in the event of a severe side
collision ››› .
WARNING
● In order for the head-protection airbags to
provide their maximum protection, the pre-
scribed sitting position must always be main-
tained with seat belts fastened while travel-
ling.
● For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must
be disabled in those vehicles fitted with a
screen dividing the interior of the vehicle. » 53
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Airbag system
countries, due to divergent legal require-
ments, facing in the direction of travel)
››› page 58 ;
● de s
pite the driver seat being in the correct
position, a minimum distance of 25 cm can-
not be maintained between the centre of the
steering wheel and the driver's torso,
● installation of special devices is required in
the steering wheel area due to a physical dis-
ability,
● if you have special seats installed (e.g. an
orthopaedic seat without side airbags).
The front passenger front airbag can be disa-
bled using the switch ››› page 55.
We recommend that you contact an author-
ised SEAT dealer for the disabling of other air-
bags.
Airbag system control
The airbag system availability is controlled
electronically, regardless of whether an air-
bag is disabled.
If an airbag was disabled using a diagnostics
system:
● the airbag system warning lamp illumi-
nates after switching on the ignition for
about 4 seconds, and then flashes for about
12 seconds. If the airbag has been disabled with the air-
bag switch on the side of the dash panel:
●
the airbag control lamp will illuminate
for about
4 seconds after the ignition is
switched on,
● The airbag is disabled, signalled with the
warning lamp
which lights up with the
word placed in the cen-
tre part of the dash panel ››› Fig. 74. WARNING
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
the airbag may not trigger correctly, may fail
to trigger or may even trigger unexpectedly,
leading to severe or fatal injuries.
● Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.
● Never mount a child seat in the front pas-
senger seat or remove the mounted child
seat! The front passenger front airbag may
deploy during an accident in spite of the
fault. CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and to the corresponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle. Note
● Follow the current legislation in your coun-
try regarding the disabling of airbags. ●
At your authorised SEAT dealer you can find
information on which vehicle airbags can be
disabled. Front passenger front airbag switch
Fig. 74
Front passenger front airbag switch. Fig. 75
Warning lamp for disabling the front
passenger airbag. » 55
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Transporting children safety
“ISOFIX” child seat mounting system Fig. 78
ISOFIX securing rings. When removing or fitting the child seat,
please be sure to follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
– Remove the protective caps of the “ISOFIX”
rings by placing a finger in the hole and
pulling up ››› Fig. 78 .
– Pr e
ss the child seat onto the “ISOFIX” re-
taining rings until the child seat can be
heard to engage securely. If the child seat
is equipped with Top Tether* anchor points,
secure it to the correspondent ring
››› Fig. 79
. Observe the manufacturer's in-
structions.
– Do a test by pulling both sides of the child
seat to ensure that it is properly anchored.
Child seats with the “ISOFIX” and Top Tether*
attachment system are available from Techni-
cal Services. Top Tether* retainer straps
Fig. 79
Position of the Top Tether rings on the
back of the rear seat. Child seats with the Top Tether system come
with a strap for securing the seat to the vehi-
cle anchor point, located at the back of the
rear seat backrest and provide greater re-
straint.
The objective of this strap is to reduce for-
ward movements of the child seat in a crash,
to reduce the risk of injuries to the head from
hitting the inside of the vehicle.
Using the Top Tether in rear-facing mounted
seats
Currently, there are very few rear-facing child
safety seats that have Top Tether. Please
carefully read and follow the seat manufac-
turer instructions to learn the proper way to
install the Top Tether strap. Fitting the Top Tether child restraint to
the anchoring point
Fig. 80
Retainer strap: correct adjustment
and fitting. Securing the Top Tether child restraint to the
anchor point situated on the rear of the
backrest
– Pull out the fastening belt of the child re-
straint seat according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
– Guide the Top Tether fastening belt under
the rear seat head restraint ››› Fig. 80 (lift
the he a
d restraint where necessary).
– Slide the belt so that the Top Tether belt of
the child restraint seat is correctly secured
to the anchor on the back of the rear seat
››› Fig. 79.
– Firmly
tighten the Top Tether belt following
the child restraint seat manufacturer's in-
structions. »
61
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
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
Seat heating Fig. 107
In the centre console: front seats
heating switch The seat cushions can be heated electrically
when the ignition is switched on. The back-
rest is also heated in some versions.
The seat heating should not be engaged in
any of the following conditions:
● The seat is unoccupied.
● The seat has a covering.
● There is a child seat installed in the seat.
● The seat cushion is wet or damp.
● The indoor or outdoor temperature is great-
er than 25°C (77°F).
Activate
Press the button or . Seat heating is
switched on fully. Adjusting the heating output
Press the button
or
repeatedly until the
desired intensity level is reached.
Deactivating
Press the button
or until all warning
lamps switch off. WARNING
People who, because of medications, paraly-
sis or chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes) cannot
perceive pain or temperature, or have a limi-
ted perception thereof, may suffer burns to
the back, buttocks or legs when using seat
heating, an occurrence that may entail a very
lengthy recovery period or from which it may
not be possible to recover fully. Seek medical
advice if you have doubts regarding your
health.
● People with limited pain and temperature
thresholds must never use seat heating. WARNING
If the fabric of the cushion is wet, this can ad-
versely affect the operation of the seat heat-
ing, increasing the risk of burns.
● Make sure the seat cushion is dry prior to
using the seat heater.
● Do not sit on the seat with clothing that is
wet or damp.
● Do not leave clothing that is wet or damp
on the seat. ●
Do not spill liquid on the seat. CAUTION
● To avoid damaging the heating elements of
the seat heaters, please do not kneel on the
seat or apply sharp pressure to a single point
on the seat cushion or backrest.
● Liquids, sharps objects and insulating ma-
terials (e.g. covers or child seats) can damage
the seat heating.
● In the event of smells, switch off the seat
heating immediately and have it inspected by
a specialised workshop. For the sake of the environment
The seat heating should remain on only when
needed. Otherwise, it is an unnecessary fuel
waste. Front centre armrest
The centre armrest can be adjusted to various
levels.
Adjusting the centre armrest
– To adjust the tilt, lift the armrest from the
starting position so that it is engaged.
– To return the armrest to the starting posi-
tion, remove the armrest from the upper
fixed position and lower it.
108
Transport and practical equipment
load of the compartment should not exceed
0.2 kg.
● Coat hooks in the door frames ››› .
● Other storage compartments are found in
the rear seat, to the left and the right of the
seats. WARNING
● Please make sure that any items of clothing
hanging from the coat hooks do not obstruct
your view to the rear.
● The coat hooks should only be used for
lightweight clothing. Do not leave any heavy
or sharp objects in the pockets.
● Do not use clothes hangers to hang up the
clothing, as this could interfere with the func-
tion of the head-protection airbags. Power sockets
Fig. 117
Centre console: front/rear 12-volt
power socket. Fig. 118
Detailed view of the side trim in the
luggage compartment: 12-volt power socket
(applies only to the LEON ST model). In the centre console
– Remove the connector located in the centre
console of the power socket ››› Fig. 117 . –
Inser t the plug of the electrical appliance
into the power socket.
In the luggage compartment (applies only to
the LEON ST model)
– Lift the power socket cover ››› Fig. 118.
– Inser
t the plug of the electrical appliance
into the power socket.
Electrical equipment can be connected to the
12 volt power socket. The appliances connec-
ted to each power socket must not exceed a
power rating of 120 Watt. WARNING
The power socket works only when the igni-
tion is on. Improper use may cause serious
injury or even fire. Children should therefore
not be left in the vehicle unattended if the
button is also left behind. Otherwise there is
a possibility that they may be injured. CAUTION
Always use the correct type of plugs to avoid
damaging the sockets. Note
The use of electrical appliances with the en-
gine switched off will cause a battery dis-
charge. 113Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Driving
remains switched on. Make sure that the igni-
tion is switched off before leaving the
vehicle, otherwise the battery could dis-
charge.
Braking and parking
Using the handbrake Fig. 142
Handbrake between the front seats. The handbrake should be applied firmly to
prevent the vehicle from accidentally rolling
away.
Always apply the handbrake when you leave
your vehicle and when you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly
››› Fig. 142 . R
el easing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the re-
lease knob in the direction of the arrow
››› Fig. 142 and guide the handbrake lever
down f
ully ››› .
Always pull the handbrake all the way up, so
there is less risk of driving off with it still en-
gaged ››› .
The handbrake warning lamp lights up
when the handbrake is applied and the igni-
tion switched on. The warning lamp turns off
when the handbrake 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 vehi-
cle when it is in motion. The braking distance
is considerably longer, because braking is
only applied to the rear wheels. Risk of acci-
dent!
● 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 al-
so causes premature wear on the rear brake
pads. CAUTION
Always apply the handbrake before you leave
the vehicle. Put it in 1st gear as well. Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly ap-
plied when the vehicle is parked.
Always note the following points when park-
ing the vehicle:
– Use the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Put it in 1st gear.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key
from the ignition. Turn the steering wheel
slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Never leave a vehicle key in 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 to-
wards the kerb .
● If the vehicle is parked facing uphill
, turn
the fr ont
wheels so that they point away from
the kerb
. »
131
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials