Transport and practical equipment
bars or conventional roof carrier systems can-
not be sec
ur
ed to the roof water drains.
As the roof water drains are integrated in the
roof to reduce air resistance, only SEAT-ap-
proved cross bars and roof carrier systems
can be used.
Cases in which cross bars and the roof carri-
er system should be disassembled.
● When they are not used.
● When the vehicle is washed in a car wash.
● When the vehicle height exceeds the maxi-
mum height, for ex
ample, in some garages.WARNING
When heavy or bulky loads are transported
on the roof c
arrier system, car driving per-
formance is affected, as the centre of gravity
shifts and there is greater wind resistance.
● Always secure the load properly using belts
or retainin
g straps that are suitable and in a
good condition.
● Bulky, heavy, long or flat loads have a neg-
ative effect
on aerodynamics, the centre of
gravity and driving performance.
● Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.
● Adapt your speed and driving style at all
times t
o suit visibility, weather, road and traf-
fic conditions. CAUTION
● Remo v
e the cross bars and the roof carrier
system before entering a car wash.
● Vehicle height is increased by the installa-
tion of cr
oss bars or a roof carrier system and
the load secured on them. For this purpose,
check that your vehicle's height does not sur-
pass the headspace limit, for example, for un-
derpasses or for entering garage doors.
● Cross bars, a roof carrier system and the
load sec
ured on them should not interfere
with the roof aerial or hamper the path of the
panoramic sun roof ››› page 138 and the rear
lid.
● On opening the rear lid make sure that it
does not
knock into the roof load. For the sake of the environment
When cross bars and a roof carrier system are
ins t
alled, the increased air resistance means
that the vehicle uses more fuel. Attach the cross bars and the roof car-
rier sy
s
t
em Fig. 187
Leon/Leon SC: attachment points for
the r oof
r
ailings for the roof carrier system. » 171
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Air conditioning
Distributing a load
Di s
trib
ute loads uniformly and secure them
correctly ››› .
Chec k
att
achments
Once the cross bars and roof carrier system
have been installed, check the bolted con-
nections and attachments after a short jour-
ney and subsequently with a certain frequen-
cy. WARNING
Exceeding the maximum authorised roof load
can r e
sult in accidents and considerable vehi-
cle damage.
● Never exceed the maximum authorised
load on the r
oof and on the axles or the vehi-
cle's maximum authorised weight.
● Never exceed the load capacity of the cross
bars
and the roof carrier system, even if the
maximum authorised roof load has not been
reached.
● Secure heavy items as far forward as possi-
ble and di
stribute the vehicle load uniformly. WARNING
If the load is loose or not secured, it could fall
from the r oof
carrier system or cause acci-
dents and injuries.
● Always use belts or retaining straps that
are suit
able and in a good condition.
● Secure the load properly. Air conditioning
He atin
g,
ventilation and cool-
ing
Introduction Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 52
Viewing Climatronic information
On the screen of Climatronic control unit and
on the screen of the factory-fitted Easy Con-
nect system, the theoretical values of the
temperature zones are shown.
The unit of temperature measurement can be
changed in the Easy Connect system.
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter with its activated
charcoal cartridge serves as a barrier against
impurities in the air taken into the vehicle in-
terior.
The dust and pollen filter must be changed
regularly so that air conditioner performance
is not adversely affected.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due
to use in areas with very high levels of air
pollution, the filter must be changed more
frequently than stated in the Service Sched-
ule. WARNING
Reduced visibility through the windows in-
cr e
ases the risk of serious accidents.
● Always ensure that all windows are free of
ice and sno
w, and that they are not fogged,
so as to maintain good visibility of everything
outside.
● The maximum heat output required to de-
fros
t windows as quickly as possible is only
available when the engine has reached its
normal running temperature. Only drive when
you have good visibility.
● Always ensure that you use the heating
syst
em, fresh air system, air conditioner and
the heated rear window to maintain good visi-
bility to the outside.
● Never leave the air recirculation on for a
long period of time. If
the cooling system is
switched off and air recirculation mode
switched on, the windows can mist over very
quickly, considerably limiting visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is
not requir
ed. WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and re-
duce driv er c
oncentration possibly resulting
in a serious accident.
● Never leave the fresh air fan turned off or
use the air rec
irculation for long periods of
time; the air in the vehicle interior will not be
refreshed. » 173
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
● The en gine t
urn
s off automatically.
Engine restart feature
If no valid key is detected inside the vehicle
after the engine stops, you will only have 5
seconds to restart it. A warning will display
on the dash panel screen.
After this interval, it will not be possible to
start the engine without a valid key inside
the vehicle.
Automatic deactivation of the ignition on ve-
hicles with the Start-Stop system
The ignition is switched off automatically
when the vehicle is stopped and the auto-
matic engine shutdown is active, if: ● The driver's seat belt is not fastened,
● the driver does not step on any pedal,
● the driver door is opened.
After aut
omatically turning off the ignition, if
the dipped beam is on, the side light re-
mains on for approx. 30 minutes (if the bat-
tery is sufficiently charged). If the driver locks
the vehicle or manually turns off the light, the
side light goes out. WARNING
Any accidental movement of the vehicle could
re s
ult in serious injury. ●
When swit c
hing on the ignition, do not
press the brake or clutch pedal, otherwise
the engine could start immediately. WARNING
If vehicle keys are used negligently or with-
out due c ar
e, this may cause accidents and
serious injury.
● Never leave any key inside the vehicle
when exitin
g. Otherwise, a child or unauthor-
ised person could lock the vehicle, start the
engine or connect the ignition and, in this
way, operate electronic equipment (e.g. the
windows). Note
● Bef or
e leaving the vehicle, always discon-
nect the ignition manually and, if appropri-
ate, take into account the instructions on the
screen of the dash panel.
● If the vehicle is stationary for a long time
with the ignition on, the v
ehicle battery
might be discharged and it might not be pos-
sible to start the engine.
● In diesel vehicles, there may be a delay in
the engine st
arting if it requires preheating.
● If during the STOP phase you press the
STAR
T ENGINE STOP button, the ignition is
swit c
hed off and the button flashes.
● If the indication “Start-Stop system deacti-
vated:
Start the engine manually” is dis-
played on the dash panel display, the START ENGINE STOP button will blink. Starting the engine
3 Valid for vehicles: with starter button
StepStarting the engine with the starter
button
››› page 180.
1.Press and hold the brake pedal until step 5
is performed.
1a.In vehicles with a manual gearbox: press
and hold the clutch down until the engine
starts.
2.Put the gearbox lever in neutral or the selec-
tor lever in position P or N.
3.
Briefly press the starter button ››› Fig. 192
without pressing the accelerator. For the en-
gine to start there must be a valid key in the
vehicle.
After starting the engine, the light of the START ENGINE STOP
button changes to a fixed
light indicating that the engine has started.
4.
If the engine does not start, stop and wait for
approx. 1 minute before trying again. If nec-
essary, perform an emergency start
››› page 180.
5.Disconnect the parking brake when you are
about to start driving ››› page 183. WARNING
Never leave the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, e s
pecially if a gear or gear range is en-
gaged. The vehicle could then suddenly move
or something strange could happen that
would cause damage, fire or serious injury. » 181
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
WARNING
Cold start sprays could explode or cause a
sud den inc
rease in the engine speed.
● Never use sprays to cold start the engine. CAUTION
● The st ar
ter motor or the engine may be
damaged if you try to start the engine while
driving or if you restart it immediately after
switching it off.
● If the engine is cold, avoid high engine
speeds, p
ushing the engine too hard and rap-
id acceleration.
● Do not start the engine by pushing the ve-
hicle or t
owing it. Unburnt fuel could enter
the catalytic converter and damage it. Note
● Do not w ait
until the engine warms up with
the vehicle stationary; if you have good visi-
bility through the windows, start driving im-
mediately. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emis-
sions.
● Electrical components with a high power
cons
umption are switched off temporarily
when the engine starts.
● When starting with a cold engine, noise
level
s may briefly increase. This is quite nor-
mal, and no cause for concern.
● When the outside temperature is below
+5°C (+41°F), if the en
gine is diesel, some smoke may appear under the vehicle when
the fuel-oper
at
ed auxiliary heater is on. Stopping the engine
3 Valid for vehicles: with starter button
StepSwitch off the engine with the starter
button
››› page 180.
1.Stop the vehicle completely ››› .
2.Press and hold the brake pedal until the step
4 is performed.
3.If you are driving an automatic vehicle, place
the selector lever in position P.
4.Connect the electronic parking brake
››› page 183.
5.
Briefly press the start-up button ››› Fig. 192.
The START ENGINE STOP button blinks again. If
the engine fails to switch off, perform an
emergency disconnect ››› page 180.
6.If the vehicle is equipped with a manual
gearbox, put it into 1st or reverse. WARNING
Never switch off the engine while the vehicle
is mo
ving. This could cause loss of control of
the vehicle, accidents and serious injury.
● The airbags and belt tensioners do not
work when the ignition i
s switched off. ●
The brak e ser
vo does not work with the en-
gine off. Therefore, you need to press the
break pedal harder to brake the vehicle.
● Power steering does not work when the en-
gine is not
running. You need more strength
to steer when the engine is switched off.
● If the ignition is switched off, the steering
column c
ould be locked, making it impossible
to control the vehicle. CAUTION
If the engine is made to work hard for a long
time, it ma
y overheat after being switched
off. To prevent damage to the engine before
switching it off, leave it idle for approx. 2 mi-
nutes in neutral. Note
After switching off the engine, the cooling fan
ma y
continue to operate in the engine com-
partment for a few more minutes, even with
the ignition off. The radiator fan is automati-
cally switched off. 182
Driving
“My Beat” Function Fig. 194
Related video For vehicles with a convenience key there is
the “My
B
eat” function. This feature provides
an additional indication of the vehicle igni-
tion system.
When accessing the vehicle, e.g. by opening
the doors with the remote control, the START ENGINE STOP button flashes, calling at-
t ention t
o the r
elevant starter system button.
Upon switching the ignition on/off, the light
of the START ENGINE STOP button flashes. With
the en gine sw
it
ched off, after a few seconds,
the STOP ENGINE START button stops flashing
and g oe
s
out.
With the engine running, the START ENGINE STOP button light stays on, indi-
c atin
g th
at the engine is running. The time
that lapses between the moment the user
starts the engine with the START ENGINE STOPbutton and the lighting changes from flash-
in
g t
o fi
xed will depend on specific engine
size characteristics. Upon switching the igni-
tion off with the START ENGINE STOP button, it
s t
ar
ts flashing again. In vehicles
with the St
art-Stop system, the
“My Beat” function also offers additional in-
formation:
● When the engine stops during the Stop
phase, the light
of the START ENGINE STOP but-
t on s
t
ays on, since, even though the engine
is off, the Start-Stop system is active.
● When the engine cannot be stated again
with the St
art-Stop system, ››› page 205, and
needs to be started manually, the START ENGINE STOP button flashes to indicate
thi s
f
act.
Braking and parking Electronic
parking brake* Fig. 195
In the lower part of the centre con-
so le: el
ectronic parking brake button. The electronic parking brake replaces the
h
andbr
ak
e.
Activating the electronic parking brake
The electronic parking brake can be activated
whenever the vehicle is at a standstill, even
when the ignition is switched off. Activate it
whenever you leave or park the vehicle.
● Pull and hold the ›››
Fig. 195 button.
● The parking brake is activated when the
contro
l light of the ››› Fig. 195 button (arrow)
and the red control light of the display in
the dash panel are on.
● Release the button.
Rele
asing the electronic parking brake
● Switch the ignition on.
● Press the button ›››
Fig. 195. At the same
time step hard on the brake pedal or, if the
engine is running, press the accelerator ped-
al slightly.
● The control light of the ›››
Fig. 195 button
(arrow) and the red control light of the dis-
play in the dash panel go out.
Automatic release of the electronic parking
brake on starting the engine
The electronic parking brake is automatically
switched off when starting if, after the driv-
er's door is closed and the driver's seat belt »
183
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
fastened, an y
of the following situations take
place:
● On vehicles with an automatic gearbox: A
gear r
ange is engaged or the vehicle is
switched to another one and the accelerator
pedal is lightly pressed.
● In vehicles with a manual gearbox: The
clutc
h pedal is pressed fully before starting
off and the accelerator is pedal lightly press-
ed.
● To facilitate certain manoeuvres there are
exc
eptions that allow the automatic parking
brake to be released without the driver's seat
belt being fastened.
The parking brake can be prevented from be-
ing automatically released by continuously
pulling up the ››› Fig. 195 switch when
starting off.
The electronic parking brake is not discon-
nected until the button is released. This
can facilitate starting off when a heavy load
is towed ››› page 246.
Automatic activation of the electronic park-
ing brake when exiting the vehicle incorrect-
ly
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the
electronic parking brake is activated auto-
matically when exiting the vehicle incorrectly
if: ●
The selector l
ever is in the D/S or R posi-
tion or in the Tiptronic selector gate.
● AND: the vehicle is stationary.
● AND: the driv
er door is
open.
Emergency braking function
Only use the emergency brake function if you
are unable to stop the vehicle with the foot
brake ››› .
● Pull and hold the › ›
›
Fig. 195 button in
this position to forcefully stop the vehicle. At
the same time, an acoustic warning can be
heard.
● To stop the braking process, release the
button or pr
ess the accelerator. WARNING
The improper use of the electronic parking
brak e c
an cause accidents and serious injury.
● Never use the electronic parking brake to
stop the
vehicle, unless it is an emergency.
The braking distance may be considerably
longer. Always use the foot brake.
● Never accelerate from the engine when a
gear r
ange or a gear is engaged and the en-
gine is running. The vehicle could move, even
if the electronic parking brake is activated. CAUTION
To prevent the vehicle from unintentionally
mov in
g when parking it, first apply the elec- tronic parking brake and then remove your
foot
fr
om the brake pedal. Note
● In vehic
les with a manual gearbox, releas-
ing the clutch and accelerating at the same
time automatically disconnects the electronic
parking brake.
● If the vehicle battery is flat, it will not be
poss
ible to disconnect the electronic parking
brake. Use the jump-start ›››
page 70.
● When the electronic parking brake is ap-
plied or rel
eased, noises may be heard.
● The system performs automatic and audi-
ble t
ests sporadically in the parked vehicle if
some time elapses without the electronic
parking brake being used. Using the handbrake
Fig. 196
Handbrake between the front seats.184
Driver assistance systems
rough tracks and uneven terrain as much as
po s
s
ible. WARNING
● Ev en w
ith four-wheel drive, you should al-
ways adjust your speed to suit the condi-
tions. Do not let the extra safety features
tempt you into taking any risks when driving.
Risk of accident!
● The braking capability of your vehicle is
limited by
the tyres' grip. It is therefore no
different from a car without four-wheel drive.
So do not be tempted to drive too fast on firm
or slippery roads just because the vehicle
still has good acceleration in these condi-
tions. Risk of accident!
● On wet roads bear in mind that the front
wheels m
ay start to “aquaplane” and lose
contact with the road if the car is driven too
fast. If this should happen, there will be no
sudden increase in engine speed to warn the
driver, as occurs with a front-wheel drive car.
For this reason you should always choose a
driving speed suitable for the road condi-
tions. Risk of accident! Driver assistance systems
St ar
t
-Stop System*
Description and operation The Start-Stop system helps save fuel and re-
duce C
O
2 emi
ssions.
In Start-Stop mode, the engine will automati-
cally switch off when the vehicle stops or is
stopping; for example when stopping at traf-
fic lights. The ignition remains switched on
during the stopping phase. The engine auto-
matically switches back on when required. In
this situation, the light of the START ENGINE STOP button stays on
1)
.
As soon a
s
the ignition is switched on, the
Start-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Further information about the Start-Stop sys-
tem can be found in the Easy Connect sys-
tem: by pressing the button in the Vehi-
cle status menu.
B a
s
ic requirements for the Start-Stop mode
● The driver door must be closed.
● The driver must have their seat belt fas-
tened. ●
The bonnet mus
t be closed.
● The engine must have reached a minimum
servic
e temperature.
● The reverse gear must not be engaged.
● The vehicle must not be on a very steep
slope. WARNING
● Never sw it
ch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is stationary. The brake servo and power
steering functions will not be completely cov-
ered under warranty. More force may also be
needed to turn the steering wheel or to brake.
As you cannot steer and brake in the normal
manner, there is a greater risk of accidents
and serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could lock making it impossible to steer
the vehicle.
● To avoid injury, make sure that the Start-
Stop sys
tem is switched off when working in
the engine compartment ››› page 207. CAUTION
The Start-Stop system must always be
swit c
hed off when driving through flooded
areas ››› page 207. 1)
Only in vehicles with Keyless Access.
205
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Auto Hold Function* D e
s
cription and operation Fig. 202
In the lower part of the centre con-
so l
e: Aut
o Hold function button. The control light of the
› ›
›
Fig. 202 button
remains on when the Auto Hold function is
connected.
Once connected, the Auto Hold function as-
sists the driver in keeping the vehicle station-
ary at repeated intervals or for a certain peri-
od of time with the engine running, for exam-
ple, when going up a slope, when stopped at
traffic lights or in heavy traffic with intermit-
tent stops.
When connected, the Auto Hold function au-
tomatically prevents the vehicle from rolling
when stationary without pressing the brake
pedal. After detecting that the vehicle is stationary
and the brake ped
al has been released, the
Auto Hold function holds the vehicle. The
driver can lift their foot off the brake pedal.
When the driver touches the accelerator ped-
al or accelerates slightly to continue driving,
the Auto Hold function releases the brake.
The vehicle moves according to the slope of
the road.
If the vehicle is stationary and one of the con-
ditions required by the Auto Hold function is
impaired, it disconnects itself and the but-
ton's control light goes out ››› Fig. 202. The
electronic parking brake connects automati-
cally, if necessary, to park the vehicle safe-
ly ››› .
C ondition
s
for keeping the vehicle stationary
with the Auto Hold function
● The driver door must be closed.
● The driver's seat belt must be fastened.
● The engine is running.
Switc
hing the Auto Hold function on and off
Press the button ››› . The control lamp on
the b utt
on g
oes out when the Auto Hold func-
tion is switched off. Automatically engaging and disengaging the
Auto Hol
d function
If the Auto Hold function was switched on
with the button before disengaging the ig-
nition, the function will remain on after the
ignition is re-engaged.
If the Auto Hold function was not switched
on, it will automatically remain off next time
the ignition is engaged.
The Auto Hold function is automatically
switched on if the following conditions are
met:
All conditions must be met at the same time
››› :
Manual gearboxAutomatic gearbox
1.The vehicle is kept stationary with the brake ped-
al on a flat surface or on a slope.
2.The engine rotates “correctly”.
Upon pressing the
clutch and accelerating
at the same time, the
brake releases gradu-
ally.Upon accelerating, the
brake releases gradu-
ally. 208