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
Seats and head restraints
Adjusting the front head restraints Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 15
Adjust the head restraint ›››
page 15 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. 146
Rear centre head restraint: release
point . When transporting people in the back seat,
p
l
ac
e 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
side
s
with both hands and move it up-
wards, until you see it engage.
– To set the head restraint lower down, press
the 1
› ››
Fig. 146
b
utton and move it
downwards.
Removing the head restraint
To remove the head restraint, the correspond-
ing backrest must be partially folded forward. – Unlock the backrest ›››
page 144.
– Move the head restraint upwards until it ar-
rives
to the top.
– Press the button 1
› ›
› Fig. 146
, while
pressing simultaneously on the security
hole 2
› ›
› Fig. 146
with a flat screwdriver a
maximum of 5 mm wide and remove the
head restraint.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly
›››
.
Fittin g the he
a
d restraint
To mount the external head restraints, the
corresponding backrest must be partially fol-
ded forward.
– Unlock the backrest ›››
page 144.
– Insert the head restraint bars into the
guides u
ntil they perceptibly engage. It should not be possible to remove the head
res
traint from the backrest.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly
›››
.
WARNING
● Ple a
se observe the general notes
››› page 70.
● Remove the rear head restraints only when
it is
necessary for the placement of a child
seat ››› page 83. After removing a child seat,
remount the head restraint immediately.
Travelling with the head restraints removed
or improperly adjusted increases the risk of
severe injuries. Seat functions
Intr oduction WARNING
Inappropriate use of the seat functions can
cau se sev
ere injuries.
● Assume the proper sitting position before
your trip and rem
ain in it throughout. This al-
so applies to the other occupants.
● Always keep hands, fingers, feet and other
part
s of the body away from the operating ra-
dius and the adjustment of seats. 141
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
compartment will not fly forward through the
interior durin
g s
udden braking.CAUTION
● With the b ac
krest inclined there is a danger
of damaging the rear head restraints when
adjusting the front seats backwards.
● When folding the backrest forwards, make
sure t
o 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
b
ac
k
rest 3 App
lies to the model: LEON ST Fig. 151
On the rear seat backrest: release
c at
c
h 1 ; red mark
2 . Fig. 152
In the luggage compartment: levers
for r emot
e release of the left part 1 and right
par t
2 of the rear seat backrest.
The rear seat backrest is split and each part
be lo
w
er
ed 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 un-
lock button
● Lower the head restraint properly.
● Push the unlock button ›››
Fig. 151 1 for-
w ar
d
s and at the same time lift the backrest.
● The rear seat backrest is not engaged when
the red mark
ing of the button 2 is visible.
L o
w
ering the rear seat backrest with the re-
mote release lever
● Lower the head restraint properly. ●
Open the rear lid.
● P
ull the remote release lever of the left part
›››
Fig. 152 1 or right part
2 of the backrest
in the dir ection of
the arr
ow. The released
part of the rear seat backrest is folded auto-
matically down and forwards.
● If this occurs, close the rear lid.
The rear se
at backrest is not engaged when
the red marking of the button ››› Fig. 151 2 is visible.
F
o
l
ding up the rear seat backrest
● Lift the backrest and press it firmly into the
lock u
ntil it engages ››› .
● It should not be possible to see the red
m ark
of
the unlock button 2 .
● The backrest must be properly engaged. WARNING
Serious injuries can be caused if the rear seat
bac k
rest is lowered or lifted without due care
and attention.
● Never lower or lift the rear seat backrest
while driv
ing.
● Do no trap or damage the seat belt when
rais
ing the rear seat backrest.
● When lowering or lifting the rear seat back-
res
t, keep your hands, fingers, feet and other
body parts out of its path. 144
Transport and practical equipment
●
For the r e
ar 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 bac k
rest 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 ob j
ects if the rear seat backrest is
lowered or lifted without due care and atten-
tion.
● Before lowering the rear seat backrest, al-
way
s adjust the front seats so that neither
the head restraints nor the cushions of the
rear backrest can hit them. Transport and practical
equipment
St or
ag
e compartments
Storage areas under the front seats* Fig. 153
Storage compartment under the
fr ont
se
ats. There is a storage compartment with a cover
u
nder e
ac
h front seat.
The drawer* is opened by pulling on the cov-
er ››› Fig. 153.
To close the drawer, press the cover until it
locks into position. WARNING
● The dra w
ers will hold a maximum weight of
1.5 kg. ●
Do not driv e w
ith 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. 154
Left-hand front seat: folding table. –
To open the tray, open it up in the direction
of the arr
o
w ››› Fig. 154. WARNING
● The fo l
ding 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. » 145
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
●
Do not p ut
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
c up ho l
ders. The drink might be spilt on brak-
ing, for example, and could damage the vehi-
cle. Drink holders
Fig. 155
Centre console: front drink holders. Front drink holders
– Place drinks in the holder ››
›
Fig. 155.
Placement of two drinks is possible. There
is also the possibility of placing larger plas-
tic bottles in the trims of the doors. WARNING
● Do not p l
ace any hot drinks in the drink
holder while the vehicle is moving. Hot drinks
could spill and cause burns, which may cause
an accident.
● Do not use hard china cups or glasses.
These cou
ld cause injury in the event of an
accident. CAUTION
You should avoid putting open drinks con-
tainer s
in the cup holders. The drinks could
otherwise spill over and cause damage to e.g.
the electrical equipment or the seat covers. Glove compartment
Fig. 156
Glove compartment Opening/closing
– To open the glove compartment, pull the
handl
e in the dir
ection of the arrow.
– To close the glove compartment, move the
cov
er upwards until it engages.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the CD
player is located in the glove compartment.
Separate operating instructions are enclosed
for this equipment in the corresponding In-
struction Manual. WARNING
The cover of the glove compartment should
alw a
ys be closed while driving. Failure to fol-
low this instruction could result in an acci-
dent. Other storage compartments
You will find more object holders, compart-
ments
and s
up
ports in other parts of the ve-
hicle:
● In the top of the glove compartment in ve-
hicle
s that do not have a CD reader. The load
of the compartment should not exceed
1.2 kg.
● In the centre console under the centre arm-
res
t*.
● In the driver side panel there is a remova-
ble bo
x for access to fuses and relays. The
146
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
Use of the net partition behind the
fr ont
se
at* 3 Applies to the model: LEON ST
Fig. 166
In the luggage compartment: pulling
out and sec
urin
g the net partition. Fig. 167
In the luggage compartment: remov-
in g the net
p
artition. Pulling out and securing the net partition
● Pull up handle ››
›
Fig. 166 2 to remove the
net fr
om the c
asing 4 .●
Hook in the net
p
artition on the right side
3 (magnified image).
● Hook in the net partition in the left side
hou s
in
g 1 pulling the rod.
The net p
ar
tition is properly assembled when
the T-shaped ends are firmly secured in the
corresponding housings 3 and
1 .
R etr
actin
g the net partition
● Unhook the rod from the housings 3 and
1 .
● Roll up the net into the casing 4 lowering
it w
ith
your hand.
Removing the net partition
● Fold the rear seat backrests forward.
● Press the left or right release catch
›››
Fig. 167 in the direction of the arrow 1 .
● Remove the casing from the support in the
dir ection of
the arr
ow ››› Fig. 167 2 .
Fittin g the net
p
artition
● Fold the rear seat backrests forward.
● Fit the casing in the right and left supports.
● Press the casing into the left and right sup-
ports in the op
posite direction to the arrow
››› Fig. 167 2 until it engages.
The r ed m
ark
ings on the release buttons
should no longer be visible. WARNING
● Alw a
ys secure objects, even when the net
partition is properly assembled.
● There should be nobody behind the assem-
bled p
artition when the vehicle is moving. 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. 151
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