The essentials
How it works
Un loc
k
ing and locking
Doors Fig. 1
Remote control key: buttons. Fig. 2
See position on page 9-10 Locking and unlocking the vehicle using the
k
ey
● Loc
king: press the ›››
Fig. 1 button.
● Locking the vehicle without activating the
anti-theft sy
stem: Press the ››› Fig. 1 button
for a second time for the next 2 seconds.
● Unlocking: press the ›››
Fig. 1 button.
● Unlocking the rear lid: Hold down the
›››
Fig. 1 button for at least 1 second.
Locking and unlocking with the central lock-
ing switch
● Locking: press the ›››
Fig. 2 button. None
of the doors can be opened from the outside.
The doors can be opened from the inside by
pulling the inside door handle.
● Unlocking: press the ›››
Fig. 2 button.
››› in Description on page 116
››› page 116
››› page 11, ››› page 12 Unlocking and locking the driver's
door
Fig. 3
Driver door lever: hidden lock cylinder. If the central locking system should fail to op-
er
at
e, the driv
er 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 it is
unlocked manually, only the driver door
opens. Please observe the instructions relat-
ing to the anti-theft alarm system
››› page 116.
● Unfold the vehicle key shaft
›››
page 117.
● Insert the key shaft into the lower opening
in the cov
er on the driver door handle
››› Fig. 3 (arrow) then remove the cover up-
wards.
● Insert the key shaft into the lock cylinder to
unloc
k or lock the vehicle. » 11
The essentials
Special Characteristics
● The anti-theft alarm will remain active when
v ehic
l
es are unlocked. However, the alarm
will not be triggered ›››
page 116.
● After the driver door is opened, you have
15 seconds
to switch on the ignition. Once
this time has elapsed, the alarm is triggered.
● Switch the ignition on. The electronic im-
mobi
lizer recognises a valid vehicle key and
deactivates the anti-theft alarm system. Note
The anti-theft alarm is not activated when the
vehic l
e is locked manually using the key
shaft ›››
page 116. Manual locking of the doors with no
loc
k
cylinder Fig. 4
Locking the door manually. If the central locking system should fail to
w
ork
at
any time, doors with no lock cylinder
will have to be locked separately.
A mechanical locking device (only visible
when the door is open) is provided on the
front passenger door.
● Pull the cap out of the opening.
● Insert the key in the inside slot and turn it
to the right a
s far as it will go (if the door is
on the right side) or to the left (if the door is
on the left side).
Once the door has been closed it can no lon-
ger be opened from the outside. Pull the inte-
rior door handle once to unlock and open the
door.
Rear lid Fig. 5
Rear lid: opening from the outside. The rear lid opening system operates electri-
c
al
ly
. It is activated by using the handle on
the boot lid.
To lock/unlock, press the button or button
››› Fig. 1 on the remote control key.
A warning appears on the instrument panel
display if the rear lid is open or not properly
closed.* An audible warning is also given if
the rear lid is open when the car is driven
faster than 6 km/h*.
Opening and closing ● Opening the rear lid: Pull on the release
lever and lif
t it up ››› Fig. 5. The rear lid opens
automatically.
● Closing the rear lid: Hold it by one of the
handle
s on the interior lining and close it by
pushing gently.
››› in Tailgate automatic lock on
page 124
››› page 123
››› page 13, ››› page 13 12
The essentials
Manual release of the rear lid 3 Applies to the model: LEON/LEON SC
Fig. 6
Luggage compartment: access to man-
ual r
el
ease. The rear lid can be unlocked manually from
in
s
ide in the ev
ent of an emergency.
● Insert the key in the opening in the lining
of the tai
l gate 1 and move the key in the di-
r ection of
the arr
ow until the lock is released. Manual release of the rear lid 3 Applies to the model: LEON ST
Fig. 7
Luggage compartment: access to man-
ual r
el
ease. The rear lid can be unlocked manually from
in
s
ide in the ev
ent of an emergency.
● Remove the cover by inserting a screwdriv-
er in groov
e ››› Fig. 7 A.
● Insert the key into the opening and turn it
in the direction of the arr
ow until the latch
››› Fig. 7 B has been released. Bonnet
Fig. 8
See position on page 9-10 Fig. 9
Cam under the bonnet ●
Opening the bonnet: Pull the lever under
the d a
shbo
ard ›››
Fig. 8 1 .
● Lift up the bonnet. Press the release catch
u nder the bonnet
up
wards ›››
Fig. 9 2 . The
arr es
ter hook under the bonnet is released. » 13
The essentials
Fig. 22
Front passenger airbag located in
d ash p
anel. The front airbag for the driver is located in
the s
t
eerin
g wheel ››› Fig. 21 and the airbag
for the front passenger is located in the dash
panel ››› Fig. 22. Airbags are identified by the
word “AIRBAG”.
When the driver and front passenger airbags
are deployed, the covers remain attached to
the steering wheel and dashboard, respec-
tively ››› Fig. 21 ››› Fig. 22.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front
airbag system gives the front occupants ad-
ditional protection for the head and chest in the event of a severe frontal collision
›››
in
Fr ont
airb
ags on page 79.
Their special design allows the controlled es-
cape of the propellant gas when an occupant
puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are protected by the airbag. After the
collision, the airbag deflates sufficiently to
allow visibility.
››› page 79 Deactivating the front passenger front
airb
ag Fig. 23
Front passenger front airbag switch. To deactivate the front passenger front air-
b
ag:
● Open the glo v
e compartment on the front
pas
senger side. ●
Insert
the key into the slot provided in the
deactivation switch.
● Approximately ¾ of the length of the key
remain
s inserted (the maximum).
● Turn the key, changing its position to .
Do not for
ce it. If you have difficulty, ensure
that you have inserted the key as far as it will
go.
● Finally, check the control lamp on the in-
strument p
anel where it shows
the following should appear .
››› in Front passenger front airbag
switch on page 83
››› page 82 18
The essentials
Attachment of the child seat with the
T op
T
ether* retainer straps Fig. 33
Position of the Top Tether rings on the
b ac
k
of the rear seat. Child seats with the Top Tether system come
w
ith a s
tr
ap 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. Securing the Top Tether* to the an-
chorag
e point Fig. 34
Retainer strap: correct adjustment
and fittin g. Securing the retainer strap
● Follow the manufacturer's instructions to
dep lo
y
the child seat Top Tether retainer
strap.
● Guide the strap under the rear seat head re-
straint
››› Fig. 34 (lift the head restraint where
necessary).
● Slide the strap and secure it properly with
the anchorag
e of the backrest ››› Fig. 33.
● Firmly tighten the strap following the manu-
factur
er's instructions.
Releasing the retaining strap
● Loosen the strap following the manufactur-
er's in s
tructions. ●
Pu sh the loc
k and release it from the an-
choring support.
››› in Safety instructions on page 85 Starting the vehicle
Ignition lock Fig. 35
See position on page 9-10 Switch ignition on: Place the key in the igni-
tion and s
t
ar
t the engine.
Locking and unlocking the steering wheel
● Engaging the steering wheel lock: Remove
the key fr
om the ignition and turn the wheel
until it locks. In vehicles with an automatic
gearbox, the gear lever must be in the P posi-
tion in order to remove the key. If necessary, 24
The essentials
press the locking key on the selector lever
and r el
e
ase it again.
● Unlocking the steering wheel: Put the key
into the ignition and turn it
at the same time
as the steering wheel in the direction indica-
ted by the arrow. If it is not possible to turn
the steering wheel, it may be because it is
locked.
Turning on/switching off the ignition, glow
plugs reheating
● Switch ignition on: Turn the key to the 2position.
●
Switch ignition off. Turn the key to the 1position.
●
Diesel vehicles : The glo
w p
lugs reheat
when the ignition is switched on
Starting the engine
● Manual gearbox: press the clutch pedal all
the way
down and move the gearbox lever in-
to neutral.
● Automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal
and move the sel
ector lever to the P position
or into N.
● Turn the key to the 3 position. The key au-
t om
atic
ally returns to the 2 position. Do not
pr e
s
s the accelerator. Start-Stop System*
When you s
top and release the clutch pedal,
the Start-Stop system* turns off the engine.
The ignition remains switched on.
››› in Switching the ignition on and
starting the engine with the key on
page 165
››› page 164 Lights and visibility
Light sw
it
ch Fig. 36
See position on page 9-10 ●
Turn the switch to the required position
› ›
›
Fig. 36.
Sym-
bolIgnition switched
offIgnition is
switched on
Fog lights, dipped
beam and side lights
off.Light off or daytime
driving light on.
The “Coming home”
and “Leaving home”
guide lights may be
switched on.Automatic control of
dipped beam and
daytime driving
light.
Side light on.
Dipped beam head-
light offDipped beam
switched on.
Front fog lights: mo
ve the switch to the
first position, from positions , or .
Rear fog light: move the switch completely
from positions , or .
● Switching off fog lights: Push the switch or
turn it t
o the position.
››› in Side light and dipped beam head-
light on page 128
››› page 128 25
The essentials
Turn signal and main beam lever Fig. 37
See position on page 9-10 More the lever to the required position:
Right t
urn s
ignal: Right-hand parking
light (ignition switched off).
Left turn signal: Left-hand parking light
(ignition switched off).
Main beam switched on: Control lamp
lit up on the instrument panel.
Headlight flasher: lit up when the lever is
pushed. Control lamp lit up.
Lever all the way down to switch it off.
››› in Turn signal and main beam lever
on page 129
››› page 129 1
2
3
4 Hazard warning lights
Fig. 38
See position on page 9-10 Switched on, for example:
● When approaching a traffic jam
● In an emergency
● The vehicle has broken down
● When towing or being towed
››› in Hazard warning lights on
page 133
››› page 133 Interior lights
Fig. 39
Detail of headliner: front interior light-
in g.
KnobFunction
Switches interior lights off.
Switches interior lights on.
Switches door contact control on (central po-
sition).
The interior lights come on automatically
when the vehicle is unlocked, a door is
opened or the key is removed from the igni-
tion.
The lights go off a few seconds after all the
doors are closed, the vehicle is locked or the
ignition is switched on.
Turning the reading light on and off
Ambient light*: in the door panel, it changes
c
o
lour (whit
e or red) depending on the driv-
ing mode. 26
The essentials
Bonnet, rear lid and doors open Fig. 47
A: bonnet open; B: rear lid open; C:
fr ont
l
eft door open; D: rear right door open
(5-door vehicles only). When the ignition is switched on or when
driv
in
g, the bonnet, r
ear lid or doors that are
open will be indicated on the instrument pan-
el display, and, as applicable, this will be in-
dicated audibly. The display may vary accord-
ing to the type of instrument panel fitted.
Illustra- tionKey to ››› Fig. 47
A Do not continue driving!
The bonnet is open or is not properly
closed ››› page 246.
B Do not continue driving!
The rear lid is open or is not properly
closed ››› page 123.
C, D Do not continue driving!
A vehicle door is open or is not properly
closed ››› page 116. Warning and information messages
The system runs a check on certain compo-
nents
and f
u
nctions when the ignition is
switched on and while the vehicle is moving.
Faults in the operation are displayed on the
screen using red and yellow symbols and
messages on the instrument panel display
( ›››
page 108) and, in some cases, with
audible warnings. The display may vary ac-
cording to the type of instrument panel fitted.
Priority 1 warning (red symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
Stop the vehicle! It is dangerous ››› in Warning
and indication lamps on page 109 !
Check the function that is faulty and repair it. If necessa-
ry, request assistance from specialised personnel.
Priority 2 warning (yellow symbols)
Symbol flashing or lit; partly combined with audible
warnings.
A faulty function, or fluids which are below the correct
levels may cause damage to the vehicle! ›››
in Warn-
ing and indication lamps on page 109
Check the faulty function as soon as possible. If neces-
sary, request assistance from specialised personnel.
Informative text
Information relating to different vehicle processes. Submenu Assist systems
Assist
systems
menuFunction
ACCDisplay of Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) ››› page 187.
Front As-
sistSwitching the monitoring system on
and off ››› page 197.
Lane As-
sist *Switching the Lane Assist system on or
off ››› page 203.
Detection
of traffic
signsDisplay of traffic signs ››› page 208:
Tiredness
detection *Switching the tiredness detection on
or off (pause recommendation)
››› page 210. 34