2015 Seat Leon SC handbrake

The essentials
● Pr e
s
s the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● Move the gearbox lever to the required po-
sition.
● Rel

ease the clutch.
Selecting r
everse gear
● Press the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● W

ith the gearbox lever in neutral, push it
upwar
ds, move it to the left as far as it will go
and then forwards to select reverse ››› Fig. 53
R .
● Release the clutch.

››› in Changing gear on page 167
››› page 167 Automatic gearbox*
Fig. 54
Automatic gearbox: selector lever po-
s ition
s. Parking lock
R
ev
er

se gear
Neutral (idling)
Drive (forward)
Tiptronic mode: pull the lever forwards
(+) to go up a gear or backwards ( –) to
go down a gear.

››› in Selector lever positions on
page 168
››› page 167
››› page 44 P
R
N
D/S
+/–
Manual release of the selector lever Fig. 55
Selector lever: manual release from
po s
ition P

. Should the power supply be interrupted,
ther
e i
s

a manual unlocking device located
under the console of the selector lever, on
the right. Releasing the selector lever re-
quires a certain degree of practical skill.
● Unlocking: use the flat part of a screwdriver
bla
de.
Removing the cover from the selector lever
● Apply the handbrake  ›››
to ensure that
the c ar doe
s
not move.
● Carefully pull the corners of the selector
lever boot
and twist it upwards above the lev-
er handle. 44

The essentials
● Rep
l
ace the cover again or close the fuse
box lid.
Bulbs Bul
bs (12 V)
Light source used for each function
Halogen headlightsType
Daytime driving light/side lightP21W SLL
Dipped beam headlightsH7 LL
Main beam headlightsH7 LL
Turn signalPY21W LL
Full-LED main headlightsType
No bulbs may be replaced. All functions are with LEDs
Front fog lightType
Fog/cornering lights*H8
Rear lightsType
Brake light/tail lightP21W LL
Side lights2x W5W LL
Turn signalPY21W LL
Retro fog lightH21W
Rear lightsType
Reverse lightsP21W LL
LED rear lightsType
Turn signalPY21W LL
Retro fog lightH21W
Reverse lightsP21W LL
The remaining functions work with LEDs 
›››
page 94 Action in the event of a punc-
t
ur
e
Wh

at to do first ●
Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface
and in a s af
e p

lace as far away from traffic as
possible.
● Apply the handbrake.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights.
● Manual gearbox: select the 1s
t gear.
● Automatic gearbox: Move the sel
ector lever
to position P.
● If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from
your v
ehicle. ●
Have the v
ehicle tool kit ›››
 page 86
and the spare wheel* ready
›››  page 262.
● Observe the applicable legislation for each
countr
y (reflective vest, warning triangles,
etc.).
● All occupants should leave the vehicle and
wait in a s
afe place (for instance behind the
roadside crash barrier). WARNING
● Alw a

ys observe the above steps and pro-
tect yourself and other road users.
● If you change the wheel on a slope, block
the wheel on the oppo
site side of the car with
a stone or similar to prevent the vehicle from
moving. 56

Emergencies
●
Never u se a f
use with a higher value. Only
replace fuses with a fuse of the same amper-
age (same colour and markings) and size.
● Never repair a fuse.
● Never replace a fuse by a metal strip, staple
or simil
ar. CAUTION
● To pr ev

ent damage to the vehicle's electric
system, before replacing a fuse always turn
off the ignition, the lights and all electrical
elements and remove the key from the igni-
tion.
● If you replace a fuse with higher-rating
fuse,
you could cause damage to another part
of the electrical system.
● Protect the fuse boxes when open to pre-
vent the entr
y of dust or humidity as they can
damage the electrical system. Note
● One component m

ay have more than one
fuse.
● Several components may run on a single
fuse. Vehicle fuses
Fig. 101
On the driver-side dash panel: fuse
bo x
c

over Fig. 102
In the engine compartment: fuse box
c o
v

er Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 55
Only replace fuses with a fuse of the same
amperage (same colour and markings) and
size. Opening and closing the fuse box situated
below the da

sh panel
● Opening: fold the cover down ››
› Fig. 101.
● Closing: push back the cover it in until it
clic
ks into place.
To open the engine compartment fuse box
● Open the bonnet  ›››
page 246.
● Press the locking tabs to release the fuse
box c
over ››› Fig. 102.
● Then lift the cover out.
● To fit the cover, place it on the fuse box.
Pu
sh the locking tabs down until they click
audibly into place.
Fuses in the vehicle interior
No.Consumers/Amps
4Taxis3
5Gateway5
6Automatic gearbox lever5
7Air conditioning and heating control
panel, heating the back window.10
8Diagnosis, handbrake switch, light
switch, reverse light, interior lighting10
9Steering column5
10Radio display5
12Radio20 92

Lights and visibility
Hazard warning lights Fig. 139
Dash panel: switch for hazard warn-
in g lights. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
 page 26
The hazard warning lights are used to draw
the attention of other road users to your vehi-
cle in emergencies.
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from movin
g traffic.
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights
››› .
3. Switch the ignition off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. For a manual gearbox, engage 1st gear; for an aut
om

atic gearbox, move the gear
lever to P. 6. Use the warning triangle to draw the atten-
tion of other ro
ad users to your vehicle.
7. Always take the vehicle key with you when you le
ave the vehicle.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when
the hazard warning lights are switched on.
The two turn signal turn signal lamps  
and the turn signal lamp in the switch  will
flash at the same time. The hazard warning
lights also work when the ignition is switch-
ed off.
Emergency braking warning
If the vehicle is braked suddenly and continu-
ously at a speed of more than 80 km/h (50
mph), the brake light flashes several times
per second to warn vehicles driving behind. If
you continue braking, the hazard warning
lights will come on automatically when the
vehicle comes to a standstill. They switch off
automatically when the vehicle starts to
move again. WARNING
● The risk of

an accident increases if your ve-
hicle breaks down. Always use the hazard
warning lights and a warning triangle to draw
the attention of other road users to your sta-
tionary vehicle.
● Due to the high temperatures that the cata-
lytic con
verter can reach, never park in an
area where the catalytic converter could come into contact with highly inflammable materi-
al
s, f

or example dry grass or spilt petrol. This
could start a fire. Note
● The b atter

y will run down if the hazard
warning lights are left on for a long time,
even if the ignition is switched off.
● The use of the hazard warning lights de-
scribed her
e is subject to the relevant statu-
tory requirements. Parking lights
When the parking light is switched on, (right
or l
ef
t

turn signal), the front side light and
the rear light on the corresponding side of
the vehicle stay lit. The parking lights can on-
ly be activated with the ignition switched off
and the turn signal and main beam lever in
the central position, before being triggered.
Parking light on both sides With the ignition switched off and the light
sw
it
c

h in position , when locking the vehi-
cle from the outside, the parking lights on
both sides of the vehicle light up. In doing
so, only the side lights of both headlights
light up, and additionally the tail lights will
do so partially.
133
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
remains switched on. Make sure that the igni-
tion is
sw
itched off before leaving the
vehicle, otherwise the battery could dis-
charge. Braking and parking
Us in

g the handbrake Fig. 186
Handbrake between the front seats. The handbrake should be applied firmly to
pr
ev
ent

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. 186. Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the re-
lea

se knob in the direction of the arrow
››› Fig. 186 and guide the handbrake lever
down fully ››› .
A lw
a

ys pull the handbrake all the way up, so
there is less risk of driving off with it still en-
gaged ››› .
The h andbr
ak

e 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 audi-
ble warning. WARNING
● Never u se the h

andbrake 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 w
ill 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 v ehic

le. Put it in 1st gear as well. Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly ap-
plied when the
v

ehicle 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. T

urn the steering wheel
slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Never leave a vehicle key in the vehicle.
Additiona
l 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 downhil
l,
turn the front wheels so that they point to-
wards the kerb .
● If the vehicle is parked facing uphill
, turn
the front wheels so that they point away from
the kerb.
166

Driving
● Sec ur
e the
vehicle as usual by applying the
handbrake firmly and putting it in 1st gear. WARNING
● Tak e me

asures to reduce the risk of injury
when you leave your vehicle unattended.
● Never park where the hot exhaust system
coul
d ignite inflammable materials, such as
dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.
● Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in
the vehic
le when it is locked. They would be
unable to open the vehicle from the inside,
and could become trapped in the vehicle in
an emergency. In the event of an emergency,
locked doors will delay assistance to vehicle
occupants.
● Never leave children alone in the vehicle.
They cou
ld set the vehicle in motion, for ex-
ample, by releasing the handbrake or the
gearbox lever.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may
become extr
emely hot or cold inside the vehi-
cle. This can be fatal. Manual gearbox
Ch angin

g gearRead the additional information carefully
› › ›

 page 43
In some countries the clutch pedal must be
fully pressed down for the engine to start. Selecting reverse gear
● Engage reverse gear only when the vehicle
is s
topped.
Changing down gears
While driving, changing down a gear must al-
ways be done gradually, i.e. to the gear di-
rectly below and when the engine speed is
not too high ››› . Changing down while by-
p a
s

sing one or various gears at high speeds
or at high engine speeds can damage the
clutch and the gearbox, even if the clutch
pedal remains depressed ››› .
WARNING
When the engine is running, the vehicle will
st ar

t to move as soon as a gear is engaged
and the clutch released. This is also the case
with the electro-mechanical parking brake
switched on.
● Never engage reverse gear when the vehi-
cle i
s moving. WARNING
If the gear is changed down inappropriately
by sel

ecting a gear that is too low, you may
lose control of the vehicle, causing an acci-
dent and serious injuries. CAUTION
When travelling at high speeds or at high en-
gine speed s, sel

ecting a gear that is too low can cause considerable damage to the clutch
and the ge
arbo

x. This can also occur if the
clutch pedal is pressed and held and it does
not engage. CAUTION
To prevent damage and avoid premature
w ear

, please observe the following:
● Do not rest your hand on the gear lever
while driv
ing. The pressure applied by your
hand is transmitted to the gearbox selector
forks.
● Always ensure that the vehicle is complete-
ly st
opped before engaging the reverse gear.
● Always press the clutch to the floor when
chan
ging gears.
● Never hold the vehicle “on the clutch” on
hill
s with the engine on. Automatic gearbox/DSG auto-
m
atic
g

earbox*
Introduction 

›› ›

table on page 2
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronical-
ly controlled manual gearbox. Torque be-
tween the engine and the gearbox is trans-
mitted via two independent clutches. They re-
place the torque converter found on »
167
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
not accelerate. Failure to follow this instruc-
tion cou
l
d result in an accident.
● As a driver you should never leave your ve-
hicle if
the engine is running and a gear is en-
gaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while
the engine is running, you must apply the
handbrake and engage the parking lock (P).
● To avoid accidents, apply the handbrake
and put the sel
ector lever in position P before
opening the bonnet and working on the vehi-
cle with the engine running. Please always
observe the important safety warnings
››› page 246, Work in the engine compart-
ment. Note
● If the sel ect

or lever is moved accidentally
to N when driving, release the accelerator and
let the engine speed drop to idling before se-
lecting gear range D or S again.
● Should the power supply to the selector
lever be int
errupted in position P, the selector
lever will be locked. If this should happen the
manual release can be used ›››
 page 44. Selector lever lock
Fig. 187
Selector lever lock. The selector lever lock prevents gears from
bein g en
g

aged inadvertently, so that the ve-
hicle is not set in motion unintentionally.
The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch the ignition on.
– Press the brake pedal and at
the same time
press in the interlock button.
Automatic selector lever lock
With the ignition switched on, the selector
lever is locked in the positions P and N. The
brake pedal must be pressed to release the
lever while pressing the release button if the
selector lever is in the position P. As a re-
minder for the driver, with the lever in posi-
tions P or N the following message will be
shown on the display: When stationary, apply footbrake
while selecting a gear.
The selector l

ever lock only works if the vehi-
cle is stationary or driving at speeds up to 5
km/h. At higher speeds the selector lever
lock in the N position is disengaged automat-
ically.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the
selector lever is moved quickly through posi-
tion N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This
makes it possible, for instance, to rock the
vehicle “backwards and forwards” if it is
stuck. The selector lever lock engages auto-
matically if the brake pedal is not depressed
and the lever is in position N for more than
about two seconds.
Interlock button
The interlock button on the selector lever
handle prevents the driver from inadvertently
engaging certain gears. Press the button in
to disengage the selector lever lock. The se-
lector lever positions in which the interlock
button has to be pressed are shown in the il-
lustration, highlighted in colour ››› Fig. 187.
Safety interlock for ignition key
Once the ignition has been turned off, the
key may be removed only if the gear selector
is in position P. While the key is not in the ig-
nition, the selector lever is locked in position
P. »
169
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

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