2015 Seat Leon SC fuel cap

The essentials
Level control Fi l
lin
g capacities
Tank level
Petrol and diesel
engines50 l, of which, approx. 7 l reserveVehicles with all-wheel-drive :
55 l, of which, approx. 8.5 l re- serve
Natural gas en-
ginea)approx. 15 kg
a)
The capacity depends on the efficacy and characteristics of
the natural gas pumps. The capacity indicated is based on a
minimum loading pressure of 200 bar.
Capacity of the windscreen washer fluid container
Versions without
headlight washer
systemapprox. 3 litres
Versions with
headlight washer
systemapprox. 5 litres Fuel
Fig. 59
Fuel tank flap with tank cap attached. The flap that covers the tank cap is unlocked
and loc
k
ed aut

omatically using the central
locking.
Opening the fuel tank cap
● Open the fuel tank flap by pressing on the
left
side.
● Unscrew the cap by turning it to the left.
● Place it in the space on the hinge of the
open flap ››

› Fig. 59.
Closing the fuel tank cap
● Unscrew the cap by turning it to the right as
far as
it will go.
● Close the lid. 
››› in Filling up on page 241
›››
page 241 Oil
Fig. 60
Engine oil dipstick. Fig. 61
In the engine compartment: Engine
oi l
fi

ller cap » 51

The essentials
Make sure the battery clamps have sufficient
met al-t
o-met
al contact with the battery termi-
nals.
If the engine fails to start after about 10 sec-
onds, switch off the starter and try again after
about 1 minute. WARNING
● Ple a

se note the safety warnings referring to
working in the engine compartment
›››  page 246.
● The battery providing assistance must have
the same v
oltage as the flat battery (12V) and
approximately the same capacity (see imprint
on battery). Failure to comply could result in
an explosion.
● Never use jump leads when one of the bat-
teries
is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even af-
ter the battery has thawed, battery acid could
leak and cause chemical burns. If a battery
freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes
awa
y from batteries, danger of explosion.
Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the
manufact
urer of the jump leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the
other vehic
le directly to the negative terminal
of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the
battery could be ignited by sparks. Danger of
explosion. ●
Do not att ac

h the negative cable from the
other vehicle to parts of the fuel system or to
the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery
clamp
s must not be allowed to touch. The
jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the ve-
hicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they
cannot c
ome into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could re-
sult
in chemical burns. Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
erw i

se electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Changing the wiper blades
W ind
s

creen wipers service position Fig. 80
Wipers in service position The wiper arms can be raised when the wip-
er
s
ar

e in service position ››› Fig. 80.
● Close the bonnet ›››

 page 246.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever down-
ward
s briefly 4
› ›
› page 27.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms.
Using the windscreen wiper lever, the wind-
screen wiper arms return to their initial posi-
tion.

››› page 88 64

Driving
Economical and environmentally-
friendly driv
in
gFuel consumption, environmental pollution
and we
ar t

o the engine, brakes and tyres de-
pends largely on driving style. Fuel consump-
tion can be reduced by 10-15% with an eco-
nomical driving style and proper anticipation
of traffic conditions. The following section
gives you some tips on lessening the impact
on the environment and reducing your oper-
ating costs at the same time.
Active cylinder management (ACT ®
)*

››› table on page 2
Depending on vehicle equipment, the active
cylinder management (ACT ®
) may automati-
cally deactivate some of the engine cylinders
if the driving situation does not require too
much power. When it is switched off, no fuel
is injected into these cylinders, hence total
fuel consumption may be reduced. The num-
ber of active cylinders can be seen on the in-
strument panel display ›››
 page 32.
Foresight when driving
Acceleration causes the vehicle to consume
more fuel. If you think ahead when driving,
you will need to brake less and thus acceler-
ate less. Wherever possible, let the car roll
slowly to a stop, with a gear engaged (for in-
stance when you can see that the next traffic lights are red). This takes advantage of the
engine br
ak

ing effect, reducing wear on the
brakes and tyres. Emissions and fuel con-
sumption will drop to zero due to the overrun
fuel cut-off.
Changing gear to save energy
An effective way of saving is to change in ad-
vance to a higher gear. Running the engine at
high rpm in the lower gears uses an unneces-
sary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox : shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. In any case, we rec-
ommend that you change to a higher gear
upon reaching 2,000 rpm. Choosing the right
gear enables fuel savings. Select the highest
possible gear appropriate for the driving sit-
uation (the engine should continue function-
ing with cyclical regularity).
Automatic gearbox : accelerate gradually and
without reaching the “kick-down” position.
Avoid driving at high speed
Avoid travelling at top speed, whenever pos-
sible. Fuel consumption, emission of harmful
gases and noise pollution multiply dispropor-
tionately as speed is increased. Driving at
moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Reduce idling time
In vehicles with the Start-Stop system idling
is automatically reduced. In vehicles without the Start-Stop system it is worth switching off
the engine, for e
xample, at level crossings
and at traffic lights that remain red for long
periods of time. When an engine has reached
operating temperature, and depending on
the cylinder capacity, keeping it switched off
for a minimum of about 5 seconds already
saves more than the amount of fuel necessa-
ry for restarting.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed.
Regular maintenance
Regular servicing helps in saving fuel even
before the engine is started. A well-serviced
engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel
efficiency as well as maximum reliability and
an enhanced resale value. A badly serviced
engine can consume up to 10% more fuel
than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
The engine and catalytic converter need to
reach their optimal operating temperature in
order to minimise fuel consumption and
emissions. »
177
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Checking and refilling levels
When the engine is running
A lthough the alt
ern
ator generates electrical
power, the battery can still become dis-
charged while the vehicle is being driven.
This can occur when a lot of power is being
consumed but only a small amount supplied,
especially if the battery is not fully charged
initially.
To restore the necessary energy balance, the
system will then temporarily shut off the elec-
trical devices that are using a lot of power, or
reduce the current they are consuming. Heat-
ing systems in particular use a large amount
of electrical power. If you notice, for instance,
that the seat heating* or the rear window
heater is not working, they may have been
temporarily switched off or regulated to a
lower heat output. These systems will be
available again as soon as sufficient electri-
cal power is available.
You may also notice that the engine runs at a
slightly faster idling speed when necessary.
This is quite normal, and no cause for con-
cern. The increased idling speed allows the
alternator to meet the greater power require-
ment and charge the battery at the same
time. Checking and refilling levels
Fi l
lin
g the tank
Filling up Read the additional information carefully
›› ›

 page 51
If the automatic filler nozzle is operated cor-
rectly, it will switch itself off as soon as the
fuel tank is “full”. Do not try to put in more
fuel after the nozzle cuts out, as this will fill
the expansion chamber in the fuel tank.
The correct fuel grade for your vehicle is giv-
en on a sticker on the inside of the fuel tank
flap. Further notes on fuel can be found at
››› page 243.
The capacity of your vehicle's fuel tank is giv-
en in ›››
 page 51.
Vehicles with natural gas engines and hy-
brids
Every 6 months it is necessary to run on pet-
rol until the control lamp switches off  and
then the tank must be refilled. This is neces-
sary to ensure that the system works proper-
ly, as well as the fuel quality required for driv-
ing with petrol. WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable and can cause seri-
ous b

urns and other injuries.
● Do not smoke when filling the fuel tank or a
canis
ter. Naked flames are forbidden in the
vicinity due to the risk of explosion.
● Observe legislation governing the use,
stor
age and carrying of a spare fuel canister
in the vehicle.
● For safety reasons we do not recommend
carry
ing a spare fuel canister in the vehicle.
In an accident the canister could be damaged
and could leak.
● If, in exceptional circumstances, you have
to carr
y a spare fuel canister, please observe
the following points:
– Never fill fuel into the spare fuel canister
if it is inside or on top of the vehicle. An
electrostatic charge could build up during
filling, causing the fuel vapour to ignite.
Danger of explosion. Always place the
canister on the ground to fill it.
– Insert the filling nozzle as far as possible
into the spare fuel canister.
– If the spare fuel canister is made of met-
al, the filling nozzle must be in contact
with the canister during filling. This
helps prevent an electrostatic charge
building up.
– Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the
luggage compartment. Fuel vapour is ex-
plosive. Risk of fatal accident! » 241
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
CAUTION
● If an y
fuel is spilt onto the vehicle, it
should be removed immediately. It could oth-
erwise damage the paintwork.
● Never run the tank completely dry. An irreg-
ular f
uel supply could cause misfiring. As a
result, unburnt fuel could enter the exhaust
system and damage the catalytic converter.
● When filling the fuel tank after having run it
compl
etely dry on a vehicle with a diesel en-
gine, the ignition must be switched on for at
least 30 seconds before starting the engine.
When you then start the engine it may take
longer than normal (up to one minute) to
start firing. This is because air needs to be
bled from the fuel system while starting. For the sake of the environment
Do not overfill the fuel tank, it may cause the
fuel t

o overflow if it becomes warm. Note
Diesel vehicles are fitted with a protective de-
vic e th

at prevents the insertion of the wrong
fuel hose 1)
. It is only possible to refuel with
Diesel nozzles.
● If the pump nozzle is worn, damaged, or if
it is
very small, it is possible that it will not
be able to open the protective device. Before
trying to insert the pump nozzle by turning it, try a different pump or request specialist
help.
●
If

you fill the tank from a reserve fuel canis-
ter, the pr
otective device will not open. One
way to resolve this is to pour the fuel in very
slowly. Refuelling with natural gas
Fig. 233
Tank flap open: gas filler mouth 1 ,
fi ll

er mouth retainer 2 Before r
efuelling, the engine and the igni-
tion, mo b

ile telephone and heating must be
switched off separately ››› .
R e
a

d the instructions on how to use the natu-
ral gas pump carefully.
The vehicle is not prepared for refuelling with
liquefied natural gas (LNG) ››› . Before refu-elling with natural gas, make sure you add
the ap
pr
opri

ate type of fuel ››› page 243.
Opening the fuel tank cap
The natural gas filler mouth is behind the fuel
tank cap, next to the petrol filler mouth.
● Unlock the vehicle with the key or with the
central
locking button  situated on the driv-
er door ››
›
page 116.
● Press on the rear area of the flap and open
it.
Ref

uelling
Special feature: if the ambient temperature is
very high, the natural gas pump protection
against overheating disconnects this auto-
matically.
● Remove the plug from the gas filler mouth
›››
Fig. 233 1 .
● Connect the pump filling nozzle to the gas
fi l
l

er mouth.
● The fuel tank will be full when the p
ump
compressor automatically cuts the supply.
● If you wish to finish refuelling in advance,
pres
s the button on the pump to stop the
flow. 1)
Depending on country
242

Checking and refilling levels
Closing the fuel tank cap
● Check that the gas filler mouth retainer 2is not trapped with the filler nozzle. If neces-
s
ar
y
, place it in the filler mouth again.
● Insert the plug in the filler mouth.
● Close the tank flap. Make sure you hear it
click
into place. WARNING
Natural gas is a highly explosive, easily flam-
mab l

e substance. Incorrect handling of the
natural gas can cause accidents serious
burns and other injuries.
● Before refuelling with natural gas, engage
the fillin
g mouth correctly. If you can smell
gas, stop refuelling immediately. WARNING
The vehicle is not prepared to use liquefied
nat ur

al gas (LNG), and this fuel must not be
added under any circumstances. Liquefied
natural gas can cause the natural gas tank to
explode, resulting in serious injury. Note
● The fil lin

g nozzles of natural gas pumps
can differ in the way they are operated. If you
do not know, ask a qualified employee at the
petrol station to do the refuelling.
● Noises heard when refuelling are normal
and do not indicat
e the presence of a fault in
the system. ●
The v ehic

le natural gas system is prepared
both for refuelling with a small compressor
(slow refuel) and a large compressor (fast re-
fuel) in natural gas service stations. Fuel
Ty pe

s of petrol The correct grade of petrol is listed inside the
fuel
t

ank flap.
The vehicle is equipped with a catalytic con-
verter and must only be run on unleaded pet-
rol. The petrol must comply with European
Standard EN 228 or German standard DIN
51626-1 and must be unleaded. You can re-
fuel with a maximum ethanol proportion of
10 % (E10). The types of petrol are differenti-
ated by their octane rating (RON).
The following titles appear on the corre-
sponding adhesive on the fuel tank flap:
Super unleaded 95 octane or normal 91 oc-
tane unleaded petrol
We recommend you use super 95 octane pet-
rol. If this is not available: normal 91 octane
petrol, with a slight decrease in power. Super unleaded petrol with a minimum of 95
octane
s
Y

ou should use super petrol with a minimum
of 95 octanes.
If super is not available, in an emergency you
may refuel with normal 91 octane petrol. In
this case only use moderate engine speeds
and a light throttle. Refuel with super as soon
as possible.
Super unleaded 98 octane or super 95 oc-
tane unleaded petrol
We recommend you use super plus 98 octane
petrol. If this is not available: super 95 oc-
tane petrol, with a slight decrease in power.
If super is not available, in an emergency you
may refuel with normal 91 octane petrol. In
this case only use moderate engine speeds
and a light throttle. Refuel with super as soon
as possible.
Petrol additives
The quality of the fuel influences the behav-
iour, power and service life of the engine.
This is why the petrol you use should carry
suitable additives already included by the
petrol industry, free of metals. These addi-
tives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the
fuel system clean and prevent deposits from
building up in the engine.
If good-quality petrol with metal-free addi-
tives is not available or engine problems »
243
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Checking and refilling levels
●
Tak e c
are not to cause short circuits in the
electrical system, especially when working
on the battery.
● If working inside the engine compartment,
remember that, ev
en when the ignition is
switched off, the radiator fan may start up au-
tomatically, and therefore there is a risk of in-
jury.
● Never cover the engine with additional in-
sul
ating materials such as a blanket. Risk of
fire!
● Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant ex-
pans
ion tank when the engine is hot. The
cooling system is under pressure.
● Protect face, hands and arms by covering
the cap with a l
arge, thick rag to protect
against escaping coolant and steam.
● If it is necessary to work in the engine com-
partment
while the engine is running, the ro-
tating components (for example, poly-V belt,
alternator, radiator fan) and the high voltage
ignition system are an additional hazard.
● Observe the following additional warnings
if work
on the fuel system or the electrical
system is necessary:
– Always disconnect the battery from the
on-board network.
– Do not smoke.
– Never work near naked flames.
– Always keep an approved fire extinguish-
er immediately available. CAUTION
When topping up fluids make sure the correct
fluid is p

ut into the correct filler opening, oth-
erwise this can cause serious malfunctions or
engine damage. For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground underneath your vehicle
re gu

larly so that any leaks are detected at an
early stage. If you find spots of oil or other
fluids in the area where it was parked, have
your vehicle inspected at the workshop. Note
In right-hand drive vehicles* some brake flu-
id re ser

voirs are on the other side of the en-
gine compartment ››› Fig. 234. Opening the bonnet
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 13
The bonnet is released from inside the vehi-
cle.
Check that the windscreen wiper arms are
not unfolded. Otherwise the paint may be
damaged.
The bonnet can only be unlocked when the
driver door is open. WARNING
Never open the bonnet if you see steam or
drips of

coolant being released from the en-
gine compartment. Failure to comply could
result in burns. Wait until no steam or coolant
can be seen before opening the bonnet. Closing the bonnet
–
Slightly lift the bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay before pressing it
bac k

into its support.
– Carefully close the bonnet.
– Press the bonnet down until it locks into
plac

e.
– Make sure that the bonnet catches onto its
cla

sp. Do not press down too hard ››› .
WARNING
● For s af

ety reasons the bonnet must always
be completely closed when the vehicle is
moving. Therefore, after closing the bonnet,
always check that the locking element is
properly engaged. This is the case if the bon-
net is flush with the adjacent body panels.
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not
safely
secured when the vehicle is moving,
stop the vehicle immediately and close the
bonnet. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in an accident. 247
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Wheels
CAUTION
● Some v ehic
les, for example those with the
Start-Stop system* are fitted with a special
battery (AGM-type or EFB-type battery). If any
other type of battery is fitted, the Start-Stop
function may be considerably reduced and
the vehicle may not stop on repeated occa-
sions.
● Make sure that the vent hose is always at-
tached t
o the original opening on the side of
the battery. Gases or battery acid can other-
wise escape and possibly cause damage.
● The battery holder and clamps must always
be correctly
secured.
● Before starting any work on the battery, al-
way
s observe the warnings listed under
››› page 253, Important safety warnings for
handling a vehicle battery .
● Do not forget to replace the battery cover-
ings, wher
e applicable. It is a protection for
high temperatures. This in turn extends the
vehicle service life. For the sake of the environment
 Batteries contain toxic substances includ-
in g s

ulphuric acid and lead. They must be
disposed of appropriately and must not be
disposed of with ordinary household waste.
Make sure disconnected batteries cannot tip
over. Sulphuric acid could be spilt! Wheels
Wheel s
and ty

res
General notes –
When driving with new tyr e
s, be especially
careful during the first 500 km (300 miles).
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar
obs

tacle, drive very slowly and as near as
possible at a right angle to the obstacle.
– Check from time to time if the tyres are
dam ag

ed (punctures, cuts, cracks or
dents). Remove any foreign objects embed-
ded in the treads.
– Damaged wheels and tyres must be re-
plac

ed immediately.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Replace any missing valve caps as soon as
poss

ible.
– Mark the wheels before taking them off so
that they

rotate in the same direction when
put back.
– When removed, the wheels or tyres should
be stor

ed in a cool, dry and preferably dark
place.
New tyres
New tyres do not give maximum grip straight
away and should therefore be “run in” by driving carefully and at moderate speeds for
about the firs

t 500 km (300 miles). This will
also increase the useful life of the tyres.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, ac-
cording to the type and make of tyre and the
tread pattern.
Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily
visible. If you notice unusual vibration or the
car pulling to one side, this may indicate that
one of the tyres is damaged. Reduce speed
immediately if there is any reason to suspect
that damage may have occurred. Inspect the
tyres for damage. If no external damage is
visible, drive slowly and carefully to the near-
est specialised workshop and have the car
inspected.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the di-
rection of rotation on single drive tyres. Al-
ways note the direction of rotation indicated
when mounting the wheel. This guarantees
optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplan-
ing, excessive noise and wear.
Retrofitting accessories
If you wish to change or fit wheels, rims or
wheel trims, we recommend that you consult
with a SEAT Official Service centre for advice
regarding current techniques.
255
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety