Operation
windscreen wipers and select
lower
while reversing ›
›› page 120.
● Select the R1)
position on the c
ontrol.
● Select reverse gear.
● Adjust the front passenger exterior mirror
so that
you can see, for example, the kerb
area well.
● Release the reverse gear.
● The adjusted position for the rear view mir-
ror is
stored.
Fold in the exterior mirrors after parking
(convenience function)*
Via the Easy Connect system, Menu and
Rear view mirrors and windscreen
wipers fu
nction,
you can choose to have the
exterior mirrors fold in when the vehicle is
parked ››› page 120.
When the vehicle is locked with the remote
control, by pressing for more than approxi-
mately 1 second the exterior mirrors are fol-
ded in automatically. When the vehicle is
opened with the remote control, the exterior
mirrors are deployed automatically. WARNING
Convex or wide-angle* exterior mirrors give a
lar g
er field of vision. However, they make ob- jects look smaller and further away than they
re
a
lly are. If you use these mirrors to esti-
mate the distance to vehicles behind you
when changing lane, you could misjudge the
distance. Risk of accident! CAUTION
● If one of the mirr
or housings is knocked out
of position (e.g. when parking), the mirrors
must first be fully retracted with the electric
control. Do not readjust the mirror housing by
hand, as this will interfere with the mirror ad-
juster function.
● Before washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wa
sh, please make sure to retract the ex-
terior mirrors to prevent them from being
damaged. Electrically retractable exterior
mirrors must not be folded in or out by hand.
Always use the electrical power control. Note
If the electrical adjustment should fail to op-
erat e, both of
the mirrors can be adjusted by
hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mir-
ror glass. Seats and head restraints
Adju
s
tin
g the seats and headr-
ests
Manual adjustment of the seats Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 19 WARNING
The safe driving chapter contains important
inform ation, tip
s, suggestions and warnings
that you should read and observe for your
own safety and the safety of your passengers
››› page 74. WARNING
● Adjus t
the front seats only when the vehi-
cle is stationary. Failure to follow this instruc-
tion could result in an accident.
● Be careful when adjusting the seat height.
Carel
ess or uncontrolled adjustment can
cause injuries.
● The front seat backrests must not be re-
clined for driv
ing. Otherwise, seat belts and
the airbag system might not protect as they
should, with the subsequent danger of injury. 1)
Regulation in right-hand drive vehicles is symmet-
rical .
152
Seats and head restraints
Electric driver's seat adjustment* Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 19 WARNING
● If the el ectric
front seats are used negli-
gently or without paying due attention, it can
cause serious injury.
● The front seats can also be electrically ad-
just
ed when the ignition is switched off. Nev-
er leave a child or any other person who may
need help in the vehicle.
● In the event of an emergency, electrical ad-
justment
can be stopped by pressing any
control. CAUTION
To avoid damaging the electrical components
of the fr ont
seats, please refrain from kneel-
ing on the seat or applying sharp pressure at
a single point to the seat cushion and back-
rest. Note
● It m a
y not be possible to electrically adjust
the seat if the vehicle battery is very low.
● If the engine is started while the seats are
being electric
ally adjusted, the adjustment
will stop. Adjusting the front head restraints
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 20
Adjust the head restraint ›››
page 20 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.
Adjustment of the rear head restraints Fig. 150
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. 150
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 156.
– Move the head restraint upwards until it ar-
rives
to the top.
– Press button 1
› ›
› Fig. 150
, while simulta-
neously pressing on the security hole 2 ›››
Fig. 150 with a fl at
screwdriver a maxi-
mum 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 156.
– Insert the head restraint bars into the
guides u
ntil they perceptibly engage. It »
153
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Folding the backrest forwards
– Place the side seat belts in the trim clip
› ›
›
Fig. 153.
– Slide the head restraint(s) downwards
›››
page 153.
– Press the release lever ›››
Fig. 154 1 in the
dir ection of
the arr
ow.
– Fold the backrest forwards.
Conv
erting the table to a seat
– Raise the backrest until it engages in its
upright pos
ition ››› . The red marking on
the t ab
›
›
› Fig. 154 2 should no longer be
v i
s
ible when the backrest is properly se-
cured. WARNING
The safe driving chapter contains important
inform ation, tip
s, suggestions and warnings
that you should read and observe for your
own safety and the safety of your passengers
››› page 74. WARNING
● Mak e s
ure that the rear backrest is securely
locked in position so that the seat belt can
provide proper protection on the centre rear
seat.
● The rear backrest must always be securely
latc
hed so that objects stored in the luggage 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. 155
On the rear seat backrest: release
c at
c
h 1 ; red mark
2 . Fig. 156
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. 155 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.
156
Transport and practical equipment
● Open the r e
ar lid.
● P
ull the remote release lever of the left part
›››
Fig. 156 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. 155 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.
● For the rear seat belts to offer the necessa-
ry pr
otection all the parts of the rear backrest must be properly engaged. This is particular-
ly impor
t
ant in the case of the centre rear
seat. If someone is seated in a seat whose
backrest is not properly engaged they will fly
forward, along with the backrest, during an
accident or a sudden driving or braking ma-
noeuvre.
● 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. 157
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 han-
dle of the cover ››› Fig. 157.
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. » 157
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Transport and practical equipment
●
Use s uit
able straps to secure heavy ob-
jects.
● During sudden manoeuvres or accidents,
loose ob
jects can be thrown forward, injuring
vehicle occupants or passers-by. This in-
creased 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
the rear lid when you leave the vehicle. Be-
fore 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.
● Straps for securing the load to the fasten-
ing ring
s are commercially available. Luggage compartment shelf
3 App
lies to the model: LEON/LEON SC Fig. 163
In the luggage compartment: remov-
in g and in
s
talling the rear shelf. Fig. 164
In the luggage compartment: remov-
ing and in s
talling the rear shelf. The luggage compartment cover blocks the
v
iew int
o the lug
gage compartment.
Removing ● Detach the cord loops ›››
Fig. 163 B from
their hook s
A .
● Remove the rear shelf from the side sup-
por ts
›
›› Fig. 164 by pulling it upwards and
then take it out.
● If necessary, the rear shelf can be stored
under the lugg
age compartment variable
floor ››› page 163
Fitting
● Insert the cover horizontally so that the “re-
ces
s” fits onto the axis of the supports
››› Fig. 164 and press down until it engages.
● Hook the loops ›››
Fig. 163 B to the rear lid
› ›
›
.
»
161
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Driving
WARNING
● Never ru n the en
gine in confined spaces, as
the exhaust gases are poisonous. CAUTION
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and
extr eme lo
ad conditions until the engine has
reached its normal operating temperature,
otherwise this can damage the engine. For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by idling it. You
shoul d driv
e off as soon as you start the en-
gine. This will help avoid unnecessary ex-
haust emissions. Note
● If it i
s difficult to turn the ignition key to
the position 1 , move the steering wheel to
both side s
to release the steering lock.
● When starting from cold, the engine may be
a little noisy
for the first few seconds until oil
pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve
lifters. This is quite normal, and no cause for
concern.
● If the vehicle battery is disconnected and
reconnect
ed, the key must remain in the posi-
tion 1 for around 5 seconds before starting
up.
● Vehic
les with automatic gearbox without
electronic
brake, depending on the country:
after switching off the ignition, you can only remove the ignition key if the selector lever is
in pos
ition “P” (p
arking lock). Next, the se-
lector lever is locked. Switching off the engine with the key
Switching off the engine
– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position
›› ›
Fig. 191 1 .
Eng agin
g the steering wheel lock
In vehicles with automatic gearbox, the igni-
tion key can only be removed when the selec-
tor lever is in position P.
– Remove the key from the ignition in posi-
tion ›››
Fig. 191 1
› ›
› .
– Turn the steering wheel until you hear it en-
gag
e.
P
ossible vehicle theft is prevented with the
steering lock engaged. 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
injur
y.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could suddenly lock, making it impossible
to steer the vehicle: risk of accident!
● Always take the key with you when you
leav
e the vehicle. This is particularly impor-
tant if there are children in the vehicle, as
they might otherwise be able to start the en-
gine or use power-operated equipment (e.g.
the electric windows), which could cause in-
juries. CAUTION
If the engine has been running under high
loa d f
or a long time, there is a risk of heat
building up in the engine compartment after
it has been switched off; this could cause en-
gine damage. For this reason, you should idle
the engine for approximately 2 minutes be-
fore you switch it off. Note
● Aft er the en
gine is switched off the radiator
fan may run on for up to 10 minutes, even if
the ignition is switched off. It is also possible
that the fan turns itself on once more if the
coolant temperature increases due to the
heat accumulated in the engine compartment
or due to its prolonged exposure to solar ra-
diation. » 179
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
●
If the v
ehicle is stopped and the Start-Stop
system* switches off the engine, the ignition
remains switched on. Make sure that the igni-
tion is switched off before leaving the vehi-
cle, otherwise the battery could discharge. Starter button*
Fig. 192
In the lower part of the centre con-
so l
e: s
tarter button. Fig. 193
On the right of the steering column:
emerg ency
start. The vehicle engine can be started with a
s
t
ar
ter button (Press & Drive). To do so, there
must be a valid key inside the vehicle in the
area of the front or rear seats.
Opening the driver's door when exiting the
vehicle activates the electronic lock on the
steering column if the ignition is disabled.
Switching the ignition on/off manually
Briefly push the starter button without touch-
ing the brake or clutch pedal ››› .
F or
v
ehicles with both manual and automatic
transmission, the starter button text START ENGINE STOP flashes like a heartbeat
when the sy s
t
em is preset for switching the
ignition on and off. Automatic ignition switch-off
If the driver l
eaves the vehicle, taking the ve-
hicle key with them but leaving the ignition
on, the ignition is switched off automatically
after a certain time. If at that time the dipped
beam is on, the parking lights will stay on for
approx. 30 minutes. The side light can be
turned off by blocking the vehicle
››› page 125 or manually ››› page 140.
Emergency starting function
If no valid key is detected inside the vehicle,
an emergency start-up will be required. The
relevant message will appear in the dash
panel display. This may happen when, for ex-
ample, the battery of the vehicle key button
is very low or flat: ● Immediately after pushing the starter but-
ton, keep the
vehicle key next to the right
trim of the steering column ››› Fig. 193, as
close as possible to the Kessy logo.
● The ignition connects and the engine starts
automatic
ally.
Emergency disconnection
If the engine does not switch off after briefly
pressing the starter button, an emergency
disconnect will be required:
● Press the starter button twice within 3 sec-
onds or pr
ess it once for more than 1 sec-
ond ››› .
180
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