Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper functionsWindscreen wiper performance in different sit-
uations
If the vehicle is at a
standstillThe activated position provision-
ally changes to the previous posi-
tion.
During automatic
wipe
The air conditioner comes on for
approximately 30 seconds in air
recirculation mode to prevent the
smell of the windscreen washer
fluid entering the inside the vehi-
cle.
For the interval wipe
Intervals between wipes depend
on the vehicle's speed. The high-
er the vehicle speed the shorter
the intervals. Heated windscreen washer jets
The he
atin
g on
ly thaws the frozen jets, it
does not thaw the water in the washer hoses.
When the ignition is switched on the heated
windscreen washer jets automatically adjust
the heat depending on the ambient tempera-
ture.
Headlight wash/wipe system
The headlight washers/wipers clean the
headlight lenses.
After the ignition is switched on, the first and
every fifth time the windscreen washer is
switched on, the headlights are also washed. Therefore, the windscreen wiper lever should
be pul
led towards the steering wheel when
the dipped beam or main beam are on. Any
incrusted dirt (such as insects) should be
cleaned regularly (e.g. when refuelling).
To ensure the headlight washers work cor-
rectly in winter, any snow which has got into
the bumper jet supports should be cleaned
away. If necessary, remove snow with an anti-
icing spray. Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles
that ar
e on the windscreen. The wiper will
stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path.
Remove the obstacle and switch the wiper
back on again. Rain sensor*
Fig. 143
Windscreen wiper lever: adjusting
the r ain sen
sor A Fig. 144
Rain sensor sensitive surface The rain sensor controls the frequency of the
w
ind
s
creen wiper intervals, depending on
the amount of rain ››› . The sensitivity of the
r ain sen
sor c
an be adjusted manually. Man-
ual wipe ››› page 136.
Move the lever to the required position
››› Fig. 143:
Rain sensor off.
Rain sensor on; automatic wipe if neces-
sary.
Setting sensitivity level of rain sensor
– Set control to the right: highly sensi-
tive.
– Set control to the left: less sensitive.
When the ignition is switched off and then
back on, the rain sensor stays on and starts
operating again when the windscreen wipers
are in position 1 and the vehicle is travel-
lin g at
mor
e than 16 km/h (10 mph). »
0 1
A
137
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Rain sensor modified behaviour
P o
s
sible causes of faults and mistaken read-
ings on the sensitive surface ››› Fig. 144 of
the rain sensor include:
● Damaged blades: a film of water on the
damag
ed blades may lengthen the activation
time, reduce the washing intervals or result
in a fast and continuous wipe.
● Insects: insects on the sensor may trigger
the winds
creen wiper.
● Salt on roads: in winter, salt spread in the
roa
ds may cause an extra long wipe when the
windscreen is almost dry.
● Dirt: dry dust, wax, coating on glass (Lotus
effect) or trac
es of detergent (car wash) may
reduce the effectiveness of the rain sensor or
make it react more slowly, later or not at all.
● Cracked windscreen: the impact of a stone
wil
l trigger a single wipe cycle with the rain
sensor on. Next the rain sensor detects the
reduction in the sensitive surface area and
adapts accordingly. The behaviour of the sen-
sor will vary with the size of the damage
caused by the stone. WARNING
The rain sensor may not detect enough rain
to sw it
ch on the wipers.
● If necessary, switch on the wipers manually
when water on the w
indscreen obstructs visi-
bility. Note
● Cle
an the sensitive surface of the rain sen-
sor regularly and check the blades for dam-
age ››› Fig. 144 (arrow).
● To remove wax and coatings, we recom-
mend a window c
leaner containing alcohol. Rear vision mirror
Anti-dazz l
e rear vision mirrors Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 17
Your vehicle is fitted with an interior rear vi-
sion mirror with a manual or automatic* con-
trol for anti-dazzle position.
Interior rear vision mirror with manual set-
ting for anti-dazzle position
– Position the small lever of the lower edge
of the mirror t
o face towards the rear. WARNING
In the event that an automatic anti-dazzle
re ar
vision mirror breaks, an electrolyte fluid
may leak. This could cause irritation to the
skin, eyes and respiratory organs. If you
come into contact with this liquid, it must be
rinsed with large quantities of water. If neces-
sary, get medial help. CAUTION
In the event that an automatic anti-dazzle
re ar
vision mirror breaks, an electrolyte fluid
may leak. This liquid attacks plastic surfaces.
Clean it with a wet sponge as soon as possi-
ble. Note
● If the light inc
ident in the interior rear vi-
sion mirror is obstructed (e.g. with the sun
blind*, the anti-dazzle rear vision mirror with
automatic setting will not operate perfectly.
● When the interior lights are on or reverse
gear en
gaged, the rear vision mirrors do not
darken with automatic adjustment for anti-
dazzle position. 138
Lights and visibility
Adjusting the exterior rear view mir-
r or
s Fig. 145
Driver door: control for the exterior
mirr or
. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 16
Synchronized regulation of the exterior mir-
rors
● In the Settings - Convenience menu,
select whether or not
the exterior mirrors
should move in synchronisation.
● Turn the knob to position L 1)
.
● Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror. The
right ext
erior mirror will be adjusted at the
same time (synchronised). ●
If nece
ssary the right exterior mirror adjust-
ment may need correcting. turn the control to
position R 1)
.
● In the Easy Connect system the exterior mir-
rors
can be adjusted using the CAR button
and the f u
nction b
utton SETUP .
Ti lt
f
unction for front passenger exterior mir-
ror*
When parking backwards, and in order to be
able to see the kerb, the passenger side mir-
ror can be automatically tilted towards the
passenger to provide a better view of the
kerb. The control must be in the position R1)
for this feature to be operational.
The mirror returns to its original position as
soon as you drive forwards at over 15 km/h
(10 mph) or switch off the ignition. It also re-
turns to its original position if the position of
the control is adjusted.
Storing the rear view mirror settings for the
tilt function
● Switch the ignition on.
● Access the Easy Connect system, Menu
CAR , function “Rear view mirrors and wind-
s c
r
een wipers” and select “lower when re-
versing” ›››
page 110.
● Select the R1)
position on the c
ontrol.●
Select r
everse gear.
● Adjust the front passenger exterior mirror
so that
you can see, for example, the kerb
area well.
● Release the reverse gear.
● The adjusted position for the rear view mir-
ror is
stored.
Fold in the exterior mirrors after parking
(convenience function)*
The Easy Connect system, Menu CAR , func-
tion “R e
ar
view mirrors and windscreen wip-
ers” can be used to have the exterior mirrors
fold in when the vehicle is parked
››› page 110.
When the vehicle is locked with the remote
control, by pressing for more than approxi-
mately 1 second the exterior mirrors are fol-
ded in automatically. When the vehicle is
opened with the remote control, the exterior
mirrors are deployed automatically. WARNING
Convex or wide-angle* exterior mirrors give a
lar g
er field of vision. However, they make ob-
jects look smaller and further away than they
really are. If you use these mirrors to esti-
mate the distance to vehicles behind you »1)
Regulation in right-hand drive vehicles is symmet-
rical .
139
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Storing objects Lo
a
ding the luggage compartment
›› ›
table on page 2
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
comp ar
tment.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possi-
ble in the lug
gage compartment.
– Place the heavy objects first.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening
rings
›››
page 153. WARNING
● Loo se lug
gage 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.
● D
uring sudden manoeuvres or accidents,
loose ob
jects can be thrown forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This in-
cr
e
ased 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 tr
ansporting 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
allo
wed 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-
cia
lly 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 vehic
le. 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 cir c
ulation 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. ●
Strap s
for securing the load to the fasten-
ing rings are commercially available. Luggage compartment cover
3 Applies to the model: LEON/LEON SC
Fig. 159
Rear lid open with the luggage com-
p ar
tment
cover. The luggage compartment cover blocks the
v
iew int
o the lug
gage compartment.
Removing – Remove the straps A and unfasten the
c o
v
er of the support B by pressing up-
w ar
d
s in the direction of arrow 1 .
Fittin g
– Inser
t the cover horizontally so that it coin-
cides
with the “plate” on the axis of the
supports B and press down until it engag-
e s.
148
Transport and practical equipment
– Att ac
h the s
traps to the rear lid A
› ›› .
WARNING
● The lugg ag
e compartment cover must al-
ways be fixed properly (risk of accident).
● The luggage compartment cover should not
be used as
a storage shelf. Articles placed on
this cover could cause injury to vehicle occu-
pants in an accident or if the brakes are ap-
plied suddenly. Retractable rear shelf
3 App
lies to the model: LEON ST Fig. 160
In the luggage compartment: Rear
shelf . Fig. 161
In the luggage compartment: remov-
ing the r e
ar shelf. Retracting the rear shelf
● Press the release catch of the rear shelf
(pr e
s
s) until it is released ››› Fig. 160 1 . The
shelf w
i
ll automatically move towards the
end and will retract completely.
Opening the rear shelf
● Pull the unfolded shelf evenly backwards.
Remov
ing the rear shelf
● Press the support of the rear shelf
›››
Fig. 161 1 in the direction of the arrow.
● Remove the rear shelf through the support
and up w
ar
ds.
● The rear shelf can be stored under the lug-
gage c
ompartment variable floor when the
latter is in the top position (except for vehi-
cles equipped with natural gas engine CNG)
››› page 150. Fitting the rear shelf
● Place the rear shelf in the housing provided
in the left
side cover.
● Engage the support of the rear shelf
›››
Fig. 161 1 in the right housing.
● Check that the support ››
›
Fig. 161 1 is
pr operly
en
gaged. WARNING
Animals, loose or unsecured or objects car-
ried on the re ar shelf
can cause serious injury
in case of sudden manoeuvring or braking or
in case of an accident.
● Do not leave hard, sharp or heavy objects
or in bags
on the rear shelf.
● Never carry animals on the rear shelf. 149
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Use of the net partition with the rear
se at
b
ackrests lowered 3 Applies to the model: LEON ST
Fig. 168
Assembling the net partition in the
r e
ar se
at backrests. Fig. 169
In the luggage compartment: net
p ar
tition hook
ed into the rear seat backrests. Fitting the net partition
● Fold the rear seat backrests forward. ●
Remo
v
e the net partition from the side sup-
ports.
● Place the net casing in the rail slots in the
direction of the arr
ows ››› Fig. 168 1 .
● Push the casing towards the left side of the
v ehic
l
e in the direction of arrow ››› Fig. 168
2 and as far as it will go.
● Check that the net is secure.
P u
l
ling out and securing the net partition
● Pull up handle ›››
Fig. 169 2 to remove the
net fr
om the c
asing ››› Fig. 169 4 .
● Hook in the net partition on the right side
› ›
›
Fig. 169 3 (magnified image).
● Hook in the net partition in the left side
hou s
in
g ››› Fig. 169 1 pulling the rod.
The net p
ar
tition is properly assembled when
the T-shaped ends are firmly secured in the
corresponding housings ››› Fig. 169 3 and
1 .
R etr
actin
g the net partition
● Remove the rod from the housings in the
trims of the r
oof side members.
● Roll up the net into the casing ›››
Fig. 169
4 lowering it with your hand.Removing the net partition
●
Pull the net casing out approximately 5 cm
in the op po
s
ite direction to the arrow
››› Fig. 168 2 .
● Remove the casing from the rails by pulling
in the op po
s
ite direction to the arrows
››› Fig. 168 1 .
● Lift the rear seat backrests. WARNING
During a sudden driving or braking manoeu-
vre, or in the ev ent
of an accident, objects
could be flung though the interior and cause
serious or fatal injuries.
● Always secure objects, even when the net
partition i
s properly assembled.
● There should be nobody behind the assem-
bled p
artition when the vehicle is moving. WARNING
The rear seat backrests should only be lifted
again onc e the net
partition has been disas-
sembled. CAUTION
Incorrect handling of the net partition could
cau se d
amage.
● Do not “release” the net partition when
lowerin
g it, as the net and other vehicle parts
could be damaged. Roll down the net parti-
tion by hand. 152
Driving
When accelerating, the gearbox automatical-
ly shif
ts
up into the next gear shortly before
the maximum engine speed is reached.
If you select a lower gear, the automatic gear-
box will not shift down until there is no risk of
overrevving the engine.
When the kick-down feature is used, the
gearbox shifts down to a lower gear, depend-
ing on road speed and engine speed.
Driving tips The gearbox changes gear ratios automatical-
ly
a
s
the vehicle moves.
The engine can only start with the selector
lever in the position P or N. At low tempera-
tures, below -10°C (50°F), the engine can on-
ly start with the selector lever in the position
P.
Starting the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the
button on the sel
ector lever handle), move
the selector lever to the desired position,
for instance D ›››
page 168, and release the
interlock button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a
slight mo
vement can be felt). –
Rele
ase the brake and press the accelerator
››› .
St op
pin
g briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle
briefly when st
ationary (for instance at traf-
fic lights). Do not press the accelerator.
Stopping/Parking
If the driver door is opened and the selector
lever is not in position P, the vehicle could
move. The driver message will be: Gear
change: selector lever in the
drive position! . Additionally, a buzzer
will sound.
– Press and hold the brake pedal ›››
.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Move the selector lever to position P.
Ho l
din
g the car on a hill
– Always apply the brake pedal firmly to pre-
vent
the vehicle from “moving backwards;
if necessary, apply the handbrake” ››› .
Do not tr y
t
o stop the vehicle “rolling back”
by increasing the engine speed when a
gear is engaged (pressing the accelerator)
››› .
Mo v
in
g off uphill in vehicles without Hill
start assistant*
– Apply the handbrake. –
Once y
ou have engaged a gear press the
accelerator carefully and disengage the
handbrake.
Moving off uphill in vehicles with Hill start
assistant* – Once you have engaged a gear, release the
footbr
ake and press the accelerator
››› page 182, Hill driving assistant*.
Driving down hills: in some situations (on
mountain roads or when towing a trailer or
caravan) it can be advantageous to switch
temporarily to the manual gearbox pro-
gramme so that the gear ratios can be selec-
ted manually to suit the driving conditions
››› .
On l ev
el
ground it is sufficient to move the
selector lever to position P. On slopes, first
engage the parking brake and then put the
selection lever into the P position. This
avoids overloading the locking mechanism
and it will be easier to move the selector lev-
er from position P. WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ›››
in Selector
lev er po
sitions on page 168.
● Never allow the brake to rub and do not use
the brake ped
al too often or for long periods.
Constant braking causes overheating in the » 171
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
– Tak
e
your left foot off the brake pedal. WARNING
● Alw a
ys adapt your driving style to the traf-
fic conditions.
● Only use the launch control programme
when roa
d and traffic conditions permit, and
make sure your manner of driving and accel-
erating the vehicle does not inconvenience or
endanger other road users.
● Make sure that the ESC remains switched
on. Plea
se note that when the ASR and ESC
are deactivated, the wheels may start to spin,
causing the vehicle to lose grip. Risk of acci-
dent!
● After putting the vehicle into gear, the
“sport” mode of
the ESC should be deactiva-
ted again by briefly pressing the OFF but-
ton. Note
● Aft er u
sing the Launch control programme,
the temperature in the gearbox may have in-
creased considerably. In this case, the pro-
gramme could be disabled for several mi-
nutes. The programme can be used again af-
ter the cooling phase.
● Accelerating with the Launch control pro-
gramme pl
aces a heavy load on all parts of
the vehicle. This can result in increased wear
and tear. Downhill speed control*
The downhill speed control function helps
the driver when driv
in
g down steep gradi-
ents.
Downhill speed control is activated when the
selector lever is in D/S and the driver applies
the foot brake. The automatic gearbox auto-
matically engages a lower gear that is suita-
ble for the slope. The downhill speed control
function attempts to maintain the speed at
which the vehicle was travelling when the
foot brake was applied (subject to the laws of
physics and technical drive limitations). It
may be necessary to adjust the speed again
using the foot brake in certain situations. Giv-
en that the downhill speed control can only
change down to 3rd gear, on very steep de-
scents the tiptronic mode may be required. In
this case, manually reduce the tiptronic to
2nd or 1st gear to use the engine brake and
reduce the charge on the brakes.
Downhill speed control is deactivated as
soon as the road levels out again or you
press the accelerator pedal.
On vehicles with cruise control system*
››› page 185, downhill speed control is acti-
vated when you set a cruising speed. WARNING
The downhill speed control cannot defy the
la w
s of physics. Therefore, speed cannot be maintained constant in all situations. Always
be prep
ar
ed to use the brakes! Inertia mode
The inertia mode enables the kinetic energy
of the
v
ehicle to be harnessed enabling cer-
tain stretches to be driven without using the
accelerator. This enables fuel to be saved.
Use the inertia mode to “let the vehicle roll”
before, for example, arriving in a town.
Switching on inertia mode
Important: selector lever must be in position
D, gradients below 12 %.
– Select, in SEAT Drive Profile*, Eco mode
›› ›
page 204.
– Take your foot off the accelerator.
The driver mes
sage Inertia will be dis-
played. At speeds higher than 20 km/h (12
mph), the gearbox will automatically disen-
gage and the vehicle will roll freely, without
the effect of the engine brake. While the vehi-
cle rolls, the engine runs at idling speed.
Stopping inertia mode
– Press the brake or the accelerator pedal.
To mak
e use of the braking force and switch
off the engine again, simply press the brake
pedal briefly. »
173
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety