The essentials
Jump leads must comply with standard DIN
72553 (see c ab
l
e manufacturer's instruc-
tions). The wire cross section must be at least
25 mm 2
for petrol engines and at least
35 mm 2
for diesel engines. Note
● The v ehic
les must not touch each other,
otherwise electricity could flow as soon as
the positive terminals are connected.
● The discharged battery must be properly
connected t
o the on-board network. How to jump start: description
Fig. 79
Diagram of connections for vehicles
w ithout
Start Stop system Fig. 80
Diagram of connections for vehicles
with St
art Stop system Jump lead terminal connections
Swit
c
h off the ignition of both vehicles
››› .
C onnect
one end of
the red jump lead to
the positive + terminal of the vehicle
w ith the fl
at
battery A
› ›
› Fig. 79 .
Connect the other end of the red jump
lead to the positive terminal + in the
v ehic
l
e providing assistance B .
F or
vehicles without Start-Stop system:
connect one end of the black jump lead
to the negative terminal – of the vehi-
c l
e pr
oviding the current B
› ›
› Fig. 79 .
For vehicles with Start-Stop system: con-
nect one end of the black jump lead X to a suitable ground terminal, to a solid
piec
e of
met
al in the engine block, or to
the engine block itself ››› Fig. 80.
1.
2.
3.
4a.
4b. Connect the other end of the
black
jump
lead X to a solid metal component bol-
t ed t
o the en
gine block or to the engine
block itself of the vehicle with the flat
battery. Do not connect it to a point near
the battery A .
P o
s
ition the leads in such a way that
they cannot come into contact with any
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment.
Starting Start the engine of the vehicle with the
boosting battery and let it run at idling
speed.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
flat battery and wait for 2 or 3 minutes
until the engine is running.
Removing the jump leads Before you remove the jump leads,
switch off the dipped beam headlights if
they are switched on.
Turn on the heater blower and heated
rear window in the vehicle with the flat
battery. This helps minimise voltage
peaks which are generated when the
leads are disconnected.
When the engine is running, disconnect
the leads in reverse order to the details
given above. »
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
71
Operation
should not be possible to remove the head
r e
s
traint from the backrest.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly
›››
.
WARNING
● Ple a
se observe the general notes
››› page 78.
● Remove the rear head restraints only when
it is
necessary for the placement of a child
seat ››› page 91. After removing a child seat,
remount the head restraint immediately.
Travelling with the head restraints removed
or improperly adjusted increases the risk of
severe injuries. Seat functions
Intr oduction WARNING
Inappropriate use of the seat functions can
cau se sev
ere injuries.
● Assume the proper sitting position before
your trip and rem
ain in it throughout. This al-
so applies to the other occupants.
● Always keep hands, fingers, feet and other
part
s of the body away from the operating ra-
dius and the adjustment of seats. Seat heating
Fig. 151
In the centre console: front seats
he atin
g sw
itch The seat cushions can be heated electrically
when the ignition i
s
sw
itched on. The back-
rest is also heated in some versions.
The seat heating should not be engaged in
any of the following conditions:
● The seat is unoccupied.
● The seat has a covering.
● There is a child seat installed in the seat.
● The seat cushion is wet or damp.
● The indoor or outdoor temperature is great-
er than 25°C (77°F).
A
ctivate
Press the button or . Seat heating is
switched on fully. Adjusting the heating output
Pres
s the button or repeatedly until the
desired intensity level is reached.
Deactivating
Press the button or until all warning
lamps switch off. WARNING
People who, because of medications, paraly-
si s
or chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes) cannot
perceive pain or temperature, or have a limi-
ted perception thereof, may suffer burns to
the back, buttocks or legs when using seat
heating, an occurrence that may entail a very
lengthy recovery period or from which it may
not be possible to recover fully. Seek medical
advice if you have doubts regarding your
health.
● People with limited pain and temperature
thresho
lds must never use seat heating. WARNING
If the fabric of the cushion is wet, this can ad-
ver sely
affect the operation of the seat heat-
ing, increasing the risk of burns.
● Make sure the seat cushion is dry prior to
usin
g the seat heater.
● Do not sit on the seat with clothing that is
wet or d
amp.
● Do not leave clothing that is wet or damp
on the seat. 154
Seats and head restraints
●
Do not s pi
ll liquid on the seat. CAUTION
● To av oid d
amaging the heating elements of
the seat heaters, please do not kneel on the
seat or apply sharp pressure to a single point
on the seat cushion or backrest.
● Liquids, sharps objects and insulating ma-
teria
ls (e.g. covers or child seats) can damage
the seat heating.
● In the event of smells, switch off the seat
heating immedi
ately and have it inspected by
a specialised workshop. For the sake of the environment
The seat heating should remain on only when
needed. Otherw i
se, it is an unnecessary fuel
waste. Front centre armrest
The centre armrest can be adjusted to various
l
ev
el
s.
Adjusting the centre armrest – To adjust the tilt, lift the armrest from the
star
ting position so that it is engaged.
– To return the armrest to the starting posi-
tion, remov
e the armrest from the upper
fixed position and lower it. The armrest can be moved backwards and
forw
ards.
Folding down the passenger seat
back
rest* 3 Applies to the model: LEON / LEON ST
Fig. 152
Front passenger seat: lever for fold-
in g do
wn the b
ackrest. The front passenger seat can be folded down
t
o inc
r
ease the storage space.
● Pull lever 1
› ›
› Fig. 152
and push the seat
backrest 2 until the backrest is horizontal.
WARNING
When the front passenger seat is folded
down it c
annot be occupied. Folding down and raising the rear seat
b
ac
k
rest 3 Applies to the model: LEON/LEON SC
Fig. 153
Clip to support the seat belt. Fig. 154
Backrest release lever. The backrests can be folded forward individu-
al
ly
or t
ogether. »
155
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Air conditioning
In the Easy Connect system it is also possible
t o per
form
various adjustments to the Clima-
tronic ››› Fig. 189.
Open the air conditioner menu
● Press the button on the Climatronic
c ontr
ol
panel.
On the top of the screen you can see and
change the current settings, such as, for ex-
ample, the temperature set for the driver side
and for that of passenger. Temperatures up
to +22°C (+72°F) are shown with blue arrows,
and temperatures over +22°C (+72°F) with
red arrows.
To switch a function on or off, or to select a
submenu, you must press the corresponding
function button.
Function button: function
OFFClimatronic is switched off.
ONClimatronic is switched on.
SYNCSynchronise driver and front passenger
temperatures.
Function button: function
SETTINGS
The air conditioning settings submenu
is opened. The following settings can al-
so be adjusted:
Air conditioning profile. : Ad-
just the power of the fan in AUTO mode.
You can choose between low, medium
and high.
Automatic air recirculation :
Switching automatic air recirculation on
and off ››› page 176.
Automatic supplementary heat-
er : Activate/deactivate the automatic
activation of the auxiliary heater for
colder countries (only for engines with
auxiliary heater). With the option deacti-
vated, depending on the outside tem-
perature the heating may need more
time than normal to reach a comfortable
temperature.
BACK : Close the submenu. Air conditioning user instructions
The interior cooling system only works when
the en
gine i
s ru
nning and fan is switched on.
The air conditioner operates most effectively
with the windows and the panoramic sliding
sunroof closed. However, if the vehicle has
heated up after standing in the sun for some
time, the air inside can be cooled more quick- ly by opening the windows and the panoram-
ic sliding s
unroof briefly.
Climatronic: change the temperature unit on
the screen of the radio or on the factory-fit-
ted navigation system
Changing the temperature display from Cel-
sius to Fahrenheit on radio or on the factory-
fitted navigation system is done using the
menu on the instrument panel
››› page 36.
The cooling system cannot be activated
If the air conditioning system cannot be
switched on, this may be caused by the fol-
lowing:
● The engine is not running.
● The fan is switched off.
● The air conditioner fuse has blown.
● The outside temperature is lower than ap-
proxim
ately +3°C (+38°F).
● The air conditioner compressor has been
temporarily
switched off because the engine
coolant temperature is too high.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air
conditioner check
ed by a specialised work-
shop.
Special Characteristics
If the humidity and temperature outside the
vehicle are high, condensation can drip off »
175
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
Operation
Note
● Neither is the po
wer management system
able to overcome the given physical limits.
Please remember that the power and useful
life of the battery are limited.
● When there is a risk that the vehicle will
not st
art, the alternator power failure or low
battery charge level warning lamp will be
shown ››› page 119. Flat battery
Starting ability has first priority.
Shor
t
trip
s, city traffic and low temperatures
all place a heavy load on the battery. In these
conditions a large amount of power is con-
sumed, but only a small amount is supplied.
The situation is also critical if electrical devi-
ces are in use when the engine is not run-
ning. In this case power is consumed when
none is being generated.
In these situations you will be aware that the
power management system is intervening to
control the distribution of electrical power.
When the vehicle is parked for long periods
If you do not drive your vehicle for a period of
several days or weeks, the power manage-
ment will gradually shut off the electrical de-
vices one by one or reduce the amount of cur-
rent they are using. This limits the amount of power consumed and helps to ensure relia-
ble s
tarting even after a long period. Some
convenience functions, such as remote vehi-
cle opening, may not be available under cer-
tain circumstances. These functions will be
restored when you switch on the ignition and
start the engine.
With the engine switched off
For example, if you listen to the sound sys-
tem with the engine switched off the battery
will run down.
If the energy consumption means there is a
risk that the engine will not start, a text will
appear in vehicles with a driver information
system*.
This driver indicator tells you that you must
start the engine so that the battery can re-
charge.
When the engine is running
Although the alternator 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 electric
al 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.
Engine management and emis-
sion contr
ol system
Introduction WARNING
● Bec au
se of the high temperatures which
can occur in the exhaust purification system
(catalytic converter or diesel particulate fil-
ter), do not park the vehicle where the ex-
haust can come into contact with flammable
materials under the car (e.g. on grass or at
the forest edge). Fire hazard! 202