2017 Seat Leon SC ignition

The essentials
Towline anchorages
Att ac
h the b
ar or rope to the towline ancho-
rages.
The towline anchorages are located under
the floor panel in the luggage compartment,
next to the vehicle tools ›››
 page 95.
Screw the towline anchorage into the screw
connection ››› Fig. 77 o ››› Fig. 78 and tighten
it with the wheel brace.
Tow rope or tow bar
The tow bar offers increased safety and a
lower risk of damage.
The tow rope is recommended when there is
no tow bar. It must be elastic so that it does
not damage the vehicle.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● The tow rope must be taut before you drive
off.
● Rel

ease the clutch very carefully when start-
ing the v
ehicle (manual gearbox), or acceler-
ate gently (automatic gearbox).
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially
when using a tow rope. Both drivers should
realise how difficult it is to tow a vehicle. In-
experienced drivers should not attempt to
tow. Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle
and take c

are to avoid jerking the tow rope.
When towing on an unpaved road, there is al-
ways a risk of overloading and damaging the
anchorage points.
Switch on the ignition so that the turn sig-
nals, windscreen wipers and windscreen
washer can work. Ensure that the steering
wheel is unlocked and moves freely.
Place the gear lever in neutral on vehicles
with a manual gearbox. With an automatic
gearbox, place the lever in N.
To brake, press the brake pedal firmly. The
brake servo does not work when the engine
is switched off.
The power steering only works when the igni-
tion is switched on and the vehicle is moving,
provided that the battery is sufficiently charg-
ed. Otherwise, it will need more force.
Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all
times.

››› in General information on page 98
››› page 98 Tow-starting
If the engine will not start, first try starting it
us
in

g the battery of another vehicle
››› page 70. You should only attempt to tow-
start a vehicle if charging the battery does
not work. This is done by leveraging wheel
movement.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol en-
gine, do not tow it more than a short dis-
tance, otherwise unburned fuel can enter the
catalytic converter.
● Engage 2nd or 3rd gear before moving off.
● Press the clutch and hold the pedal down.
● Switch the ignition on.
● Once both vehicles are moving, release the
clut c

h.
● As soon as the engine has started, press
the clutc
h and move the gear lever to neutral.
How to jump start Jump lea
ds The jump lead must have a sufficient wire
c
r
o

ss section.
If the engine fails to start because of a dis-
charged battery, the battery can be connec-
ted to the battery of another vehicle to start
the engine. 70

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

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 270.
● 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. ●
Never att ac

h the negative cable to fuel sys-
tem components or the brake lines in the oth-
er vehicle.
● 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. 81
Wipers in service position. The wiper arms can be raised when the wip-
er
s
ar

e in service position ››› Fig. 81.
● Close the bonnet ›››

 page 270.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever down-
ward
s briefly 4
› ›
› page 32.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms.
Using the windscreen wiper lever, the wind-
screen wiper arms return to their initial posi-
tion.

››› page 97 72

Safety
Seat belts
Wh y
w
ear a seat belt
Number of seats Your vehicle has
five se
ats, two in the front
and three in the rear. Each seat is equipped
with a three-point seat belt.
In some versions, your vehicle is approved
only for four seats. Two front seats and two
rear seats. WARNING
● Never tr an

sport more than the permitted
amount of people in your vehicle.
● Every vehicle occupant must properly fas-
ten and we
ar the seat belt belonging to his or
her seat. Children must be protected with an
appropriate child restraint system. Seat belt control lamp* 
Fig. 89
Instrument panel: right rear seat oc-
c upied and c
orr

esponding seat belt fastened
display. The control lamp illuminates to remind the
driv
er t
o f

asten his seat belt.
Before starting the vehicle: – Fasten your seat belt securely.
– Instruct your passengers to fasten their
seat belts

properly before driving off.
– Protect children by using a child seat ac-
cordin

g to the child's height and weight.
When the ignition is switched on, the control
lamp  in the instrument panel lights up (de-
pending on the model version) if the driver or
passenger have not fastened their seat belts.
When starting to drive, if the vehicle's speed
surpasses approx. 25 km/h (15 mph) and the
seat belts are not fastened or are unfastened during the drive, a warning sound will be
heard f

or a few seconds. The warning light
will also flash .
The lamp  goes out when the driver and
passenger seat belts are fastened with the ig-
nition switched on.
Rear seat belts fastened display*
Depending on the model version, when the
ignition is switched on, the seat belt status
display ››› Fig. 89 on the instrument panel in-
forms the driver whether the passengers in
the rear seats have fastened their seat belts.
The  symbol indicates that the passenger in
this seat has fastened “his or her” seat belt.
When a seat belt in the rear seats is fastened
or unfastened, the seat belt status is dis-
played for approximately 30 seconds. The in-
dication can be hidden by pressing the 0.0/SET button on the dash panel.
The se at
belt

status flashes for a maximum of
30 seconds when a seat belt in the rear seats
is unfastened while the vehicle is in motion.
An audible warning will also be heard if the
vehicle is travelling at over 25 km/h
(15 mph).
80

Safety
travel on the rear seat. Never transport
chi
l
dren in the vehicle if they are not restrain-
ed or the restraint system is not appropriate
for their age, size or weight.
● If you are not wearing a seat belt, or if you
lean f
orward or to the side while travelling or
assume an incorrect sitting position, there is
a substantially increased risk of injury. This
increased risk of injury will be further in-
creased if you are struck by an inflating air-
bag.
● To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating
airbag, alw
ays wear the seat belt properly
››› page 80.
● Always adjust the front seats properly. Description of airbag system
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 22.
The airbag system is not a substitute for the
seat belts. The airbag system offers addition-
al protection for the driver and passenger in
combination with the seat belts.
The airbag system comprises the following
modules (as per vehicle equipment): ● Electronic control unit
● Front airbags for driver and passenger
● Knee airbag for the driver
● Side airbags ●
Head airb
ag
● Airbag control lamp  on the instrument
p

anel ››› page 90
● Key-operated switch for front passenger air-
bag
● Contr

ol lamp to disconnect/connect the
front airb
ag.
The airbag system operation is monitored
electronically. The airbag control lamp will il-
luminate for a few seconds every time the ig-
nition is switched on (self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the control
lamp :
● does not light up when the ignition is
switc
hed on ››› page 90,
● turns off after 4 seconds after the ignition
is sw
itched on,
● turns off and then lights up again after the
ignition is sw
itched on,
● illuminates or flashes while the vehicle is
movin
g.
The airbag system is not triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a minor frontal collision
● there is a minor side collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over. WARNING
● The seat belt

s and airbags can only provide
maximum protection if the occupants are
seated correctly ››› page 75, Correct position
of the vehicle occupants .
● If a fault has occurred in the airbag system,
have the sy
stem checked immediately by a
specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a
danger that during a collision, the system
may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly. Airbag activation
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within
thou
s
andths

of a second, to provide addi-
tional protection in the event of an accident.
A fine dust may develop when the airbag de-
ploys. This is normal and it is not an indica-
tion of fire in the vehicle.
The airbag system is only ready to function
when the ignition is on.
In special accidents instances, several air-
bags may activate at the same time.
In the event of minor head-on and side colli-
sions, rear-end collisions, overturning or roll-
over of the vehicle, airbags do not activate.
Activation factors
The conditions that lead to the airbag system
activating in each situation cannot be gener-
alised. Some factors play an important role,
86

Airbag system
●
The side and he a
d airbags are managed
through sensors located in the interior of the
front doors. To ensure the correct operation of
the side and curtain airbags neither the
doors nor the door panels should be modified
in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the
front door is damaged, the airbag system
may not work correctly. All work carried out
on the front door must be done in a special-
ised workshop. Deactivating airbags
A ctiv
ation and de

activation of front
passenger airbag* Fig. 95
Switch for activating and deactivating
the fr ont
p

assenger airbag. Fig. 96
Dash panel: control lamp for deactiva-
ted fr ont

passenger airbag in centre console. Deactivate the front passenger front airbag
on
ly
if

you have to use a rear-facing child
seat in the front passenger seat.
SEAT recommends fitting the child seat in the
rear seat to avoid having to deactivate the
front passenger airbag.
Front passenger front airbag switch
When the front passenger airbag is deactiva-
ted, this means that only the front passenger
front airbag is deactivated. All the other air-
bags in the vehicle remain activated.
Disconnect the front passenger front airbag
● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the glove compartment on the front
pas
senger side.
● Insert the key into the slot of the switch for
deactivatin
g the front passenger airbag ›››
Fig. 95. About 3/4 of the k
ey should enter;
this is as far as it will go.
● Turn the key gently to the  position. If
y

ou have difficulty, ensure that you have in-
serted the key as far as it will go.
● Check, with the ignition switched on, that
the   contro
l lamp remains lit where it
says      in the centre of the
dash panel ››› Fig. 96.
Connect the front passenger front airbag ● Switch the ignition off.
● Open the glove compartment on the front
pas
senger side.
● Insert the key into the slot of the switch for
deactivatin
g the front passenger airbag
››› Fig. 95. About 3/4 of the key should enter,
as far as it will go.
● Turn the key gently to the  position. If
you
have difficulty, ensure that you have inserted
the key as far as it will go.
● Check, with the ignition switched on, that
the   contro
l lamp does not remain lit
where it says      in the cen-
tre of the dash panel ››› Fig. 96. The   con-
trol lamp lights up for 60 seconds and then
goes off. WARNING
● The driver of the

vehicle is responsible for
disabling or switching on the airbag. » 89
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
●
Alw a
ys switch off the ignition before disa-
bling the front passenger airbag! Failure to do
so could result in a fault in the airbag deacti-
vation system.
● Never leave the key in the airbag disabling
switc
h as it could get damaged or enable or
disable the airbag during driving.
● If for any reason an airbag is deactivated,
reactiv
ate it as soon as possible so that it can
fulfil its protective function. Airbag system control lamps

It lights up on the combi-in-
strument
Fault in airbag
system and seat
belt tensioners.Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a specialised workshop.


It lights up on the dash panel
Front passenger
front airbag disa-
bled.Check whether the airbag should
remain disabled  
It lights up on the dash panel
Front passenger
front airbag ena-
bled.The control lamp switches off auto-
matically 60 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on
Several warning and control lamps light up
f
or a f
ew sec

onds when the ignition is switch- ed on, signalling that the function is being
verified. They

will switch off after a few sec-
onds.
If the airbag and seat belt tensioner system
control lamp  remains on or flashes, it indi-
cates a malfunction in the airbag and seat
belt tensioner system ››› . Have the system
c hec
k

ed immediately by a specialised work-
shop.
If the front passenger airbag is deactivated,
the warning lamp      re-
mains lit on the dash panel to remind you
that the airbag is deactivated. If, with the
front passenger airbag deactivated, this lamp
does not remain lit or if it is lit together with
the control lamp  on the dash panel, there
is a fault in the airbag system ››› . If the
c ontr
o

l lamp is flashing, there is a fault in the
disabling of the airbag system ››› . Have the
sy s
t

em checked immediately by a specialised
workshop. WARNING
In the event of a fault in the airbag and seat
belt t en

sioner system, the airbags and seat
belts may not trigger correctly, may fail to
trigger or may even trigger unexpectedly.
● The vehicle occupants run the risk of sus-
taining sev
ere or fatal injuries. Have the sys-
tem checked immediately by a specialised
workshop.
● Do not mount a child seat in the front pas-
senger se
at or remove the mounted child seat! The front passenger front airbag may
deplo
y

during an accident in spite of the
fault. CAUTION
Always pay attention to any lit control lamps
and t o the c orr

esponding descriptions and in-
structions to avoid damage to the vehicle or
harm to the occupants. 90

Emergencies
they should be changed if they are damaged,
or c l
e
aned if they are dirty ››› .
Dam ag
ed w
iper blades should be replaced
immediately. These are available from quali-
fied workshops. WARNING
Worn or dirty windscreen wiper blades reduce
vi s

ibility and increase the risk of accident
and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn wind-
scr
een wiper blades or blades that no longer
clean the windscreen properly. CAUTION
● Damag ed or dir

ty windscreen wipers could
scratch the glass.
● If products containing solvents, rough
spong
es or sharp objects are used to clean
the blades, the graphite layer will be dam-
aged.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or simil
ar products to clean the win-
dows.
● In icy conditions, always check that the
wiper bl
ades are not frozen to the glass be-
fore using the wipers. In cold weather, it may
help to leave the vehicle parked with the wip-
ers in service position ›››
 page 72. CAUTION
● To pr ev

ent damage to the bonnet and the
wiper arms, only leave them in the service
position.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper
arms. Towing or tow-starting
Genera l

information Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 69.
Tow-starting means starting the engine of
the vehicle while another pulls it.
Towing means one vehicle pulling another
that is not roadworthy.
If the vehicle comes with the Keyless Access
system, towing is only allowed with the igni-
tion on!
The vehicle battery drains if the vehicle is
towed with the engine switched off and the
ignition connected. Depending on the battery
charge status, the drop in voltage may be so
large, even after just a few minutes, that no
electrical device in the vehicle may work e.g.
the hazard warning lights. In vehicles with
the Keyless Access system, the steering
wheel could lock up. WARNING
If the vehicle has no electrical power, the
brak e light

s, turn signals and all other lights
will no longer function. Do not have the vehi-
cle towed away. Failure to follow this instruc-
tion could result in an accident. WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-start-
ing, f or e

xample, the towed vehicle can easily
be driven into the towing vehicle. CAUTION
If there is no oil in the gearbox or no lubricant
in the autom atic

transmission the car may
only be towed with the driven wheels lifted
clear of the road, or transported on a special
car transporter or trailer. CAUTION
Do not tow a vehicle for more than 50 m in at-
tempt t

o start it. There is risk of damage to
the catalytic converter. Note
● Ple a

se observe related legal requirements.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both
vehicl
es. However, observe any regulations
to the contrary. 98