2020-2026 Cupra Leon 4 Door Driving -> Trailer mode User Manual
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Driving -> Trailer mode for Your Cupra Leon 4 Door First Generation (2020-2026)

Driving  
the Start-Stop system operates as normal.  
No special characteristics need to be taken  
into account.  
the trailer with the maximum authorised  
drawbar load on the ball joint of the towing  
bracket, but do not exceed the specified  
limit.  
Towing bracket device  
Trailer mode  
If the system does not recognise the trailer  
or the trailer bracket has not been retrofitted  
by CUPRA, the Start-Stop system must be  
disconnected by pressing the corresponding  
button in the lower part of the centre con-  
sole before driving with the trailer, and it  
should remain off for the rest of the jour-  
WARNING  
Introduction  
Never use the trailer to transport people,  
since it would put their life in danger and is  
also prohibited.  
Take into account country-specific regula-  
tions about driving with a trailer and the use  
of a towing bracket.  
ney  
.
›››  
WARNING  
The vehicle has been developed primarily for  
carrying people, although it can also be used  
to tow a trailer if fitted with the correspond-  
ing technical equipment. This additional load  
has an effect on the useful life, fuel con-  
sumption and vehicle performance and in  
some cases can reduce the service intervals.  
Undue use of the towing bracket may cause  
injury and accidents.  
Vehicles with driving profile selection  
If you are going to be towing a trailer, the use  
of the Eco driving profile is not recommen-  
ded. You are advised to select another of the  
available driving profiles before beginning to  
drive with a trailer.  
Only use the towing bracket if it is in a  
perfect state of repair and is properly se-  
cured.  
Never modify or repair the towing bracket  
Driving with a trailer requires more force  
from the vehicle, and thus more concentra-  
tion from the driver.  
in any way.  
In order to reduce the danger of injury in  
Trailer weight/drawbar load  
the event of rear-end collisions and to  
avoid injury to pedestrians and cyclists  
when parking the vehicle, cover or remove  
the tow hook when you are not using a trail-  
er.  
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If  
you do not load the trailer up to the maxi-  
mum permitted trailer weight, you can then  
climb correspondingly steeper slopes.  
In winter, winter tyres should be fitted on  
both the vehicle and the trailer.  
Maximum vertical load technically permit-  
ted on the coupling device  
Never fit a towing bracket “with weight  
The maximum trailer weights listed are only  
applicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above  
sea level. Since higher altitude decreases en-  
gine performance and the ability to climb  
slopes, the tow load decreases proportional-  
ly. The weight of the vehicle and trailer com-  
bination must be reduced by 10% for every  
1000 m of altitude. When possible, operate  
distribution” or “load compensation”. The  
vehicle has not been designed for this type  
of towing bracket. The towing bracket  
could fail and the trailer could be released  
from the vehicle.  
The maximum vertical load technically per-  
mitted from the trailer draw bar on the tow-  
ing bracket's tow ball is 80 kg.  
Vehicles with the Start-Stop system  
If the vehicle has a factory-fitted towing  
bracket or one that is retrofitted by CUPRA,  
288  
Towing bracket device  
Technical requirements  
WARNING  
system must be disconnected manually  
whenever driving with a trailer. Otherwise  
the brake system could be damaged and  
could consequently cause a serious acci-  
dent or injury.  
Driving with a trailer and transporting  
heavy or large objects can affect driving  
properties and even cause an accident.  
Vehicles that are factory-mounted with a  
towing device meet all the technical and le-  
gal requirements for driving with a trailer  
Always secure the load properly using  
page 294.  
›››  
Always disconnect the Start-Stop system  
belts or straps that are suitable and in good  
condition.  
manually when using a towing bracket that  
has not been fitted by a CUPRA workshop.  
If the vehicle is retrofitted with a towing  
bracket, only a bracket that is authorised for  
the maximum authorised load of the trailer  
that is to be towed may be fitted. The towing  
bracket must be suitable for the vehicle and  
the trailer and must be properly secured to  
the vehicle's chassis. Only use a towing  
bracket that has been authorised by CUPRA  
for this vehicle. Always check and take into  
account the towing bracket manufacturer's  
instructions.  
Adapt your speed and driving style at all  
times to suit visibility, weather, road and  
traffic conditions.  
Note  
Before hitching or unhitching a trailer, al-  
Trailers with a high centre of gravity are  
ways deactivate the anti-theft alarm  
more likely to overturn than those with a  
low one.  
page 98. Otherwise, the tilt sensor could  
›››  
cause the alarm to go off.  
Avoid sudden braking and manoeuvres.  
Take great care when overtaking.  
Do not drive with a trailer for the engine's  
first 1000 km page 228 .  
›››  
CUPRA recommends that, if possible, the  
Reduce speed immediately if you notice  
that the trailer is swaying, however slightly.  
tow hook be removed or covered when it is  
not going to be used. In the event of a rear-  
end collision, the damage to the vehicle  
could be greater if the tow hook is fitted.  
Towing bracket fitted on the bumper  
Never drive at more than 80 km/h  
(50 mph) when towing a trailer (or at more  
than 100 km/h (60 mph) in exceptional cir-  
cumstances). This also applies in countries  
where driving at higher speeds is permit-  
ted. Take into account the speed limit for  
vehicles with trailers in the corresponding  
country, as it could be less than the speed  
limit for vehicles without a trailer.  
Never fit a towing bracket to the bumper or  
to the area where the bumper is mounted.  
The towing bracket should not impair the  
bumper's function. Do not make modifica-  
tions or repairs to the exhaust system or the  
brake system. Make regular checks to ensure  
that the towing bracket is secure.  
Some retrofitted towing brackets cover  
the rear towing eye. In these cases, the  
towing eye should not be used for tow-  
starting or for towing other vehicles. For  
this reason, if the vehicle has been retrofit-  
ted with a towing bracket, always keep the  
tow hook in the vehicle when you remove it.  
Never attempt to “straighten” the towing  
Engine cooling system  
vehicle and trailer while accelerating.  
Driving with a trailer increases the load on  
the engine and cooling system. The cooling  
system should have sufficient coolant and be  
prepared for the additional effort involved in  
driving with a trailer.  
WARNING  
If the towing bracket has been retrofitted  
by a non-CUPRA workshop, the Start-Stop  
»
289  
Driving  
Trailer brakes  
Hitching and connecting a trailer  
WARNING  
If the trailer has its own brake system, please  
take the relevant legal requirements into ac-  
count. Never connect the trailer's brake sys-  
tem to the vehicle's brake system.  
If the towing bracket is wrongly fitted or is  
not the right one, the trailer could become  
detached from the vehicle and cause seri-  
ous injury.  
Tow cable  
CAUTION  
Always use a cable between the vehicle and  
If the rear lights of the trailer are not cor-  
the trailer page 290 .  
›››  
rectly connected, the vehicle's electronic  
system may be damaged.  
Trailer tail lights  
If the trailer absorbs excessive electric  
Fig. 198 Schematic representation: as-  
signment of the pins of the trailer's electri-  
cal socket.  
The trailer's rear lights should comply with  
current, the vehicle's electronic system  
may be damaged.  
the statutory safety regulations page 290 .  
›››  
Never connect the trailer's electric sys-  
Never connect the trailer's rear lights directly  
to the vehicle's electric system. If you are not  
sure that the trailer's electrical connection is  
correct, have it checked by a specialised  
workshop. To do so, CUPRA recommends  
going to a specialised CUPRA dealer or any  
SEAT dealership.  
tem directly to the electrical connections  
of the tail lights or any other power sour-  
ces. Only use the connections intended for  
providing electric current to the trailer.  
Pin  
1
Meaning  
Left turn signal  
Rear fog light  
2
3
Earth for pins 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8  
Right turn signal  
Rear light, right  
Brake lights  
4
Exterior mirrors  
5
If you cannot see the area behind the trailer  
with the exterior mirrors of the towing vehi-  
cle, additional mirrors will have to be instal-  
led in accordance with the regulations of the  
country in question. The exterior mirrors  
should be adjusted before you start driving  
and must provide a sufficient field of vision at  
the rear.  
6
7
Rear light, left  
8
Reverse lights  
9
Permanent live  
Live charge cable  
Earth for pin 10  
10  
11  
290  
Towing bracket device  
that the vehicle can handle turns smoothly.  
However, make sure that the cable does not  
rub on the ground while driving.  
Before hitching or unhitching a trailer, always  
turn off the anti-theft alarm. Otherwise, the  
tilt sensor could cause the alarm to go off.  
Pin  
12  
Meaning  
Unassigned  
Earth for pin 9  
13  
Trailer tail lights  
Trailers with LED tail lights  
Always check the trailer's rear lights to en-  
sure they are working correctly and that they  
comply with the relevant safety regulations. If  
you connect the trailer to the factory-moun-  
ted system, when you turn on the rear fog  
lamp, the fog lamp of the towing vehicle will  
turn off to turn on the trailer fog lamp.  
For technical reasons, trailers fitted with LED  
rear lights cannot be connected to the anti-  
theft alarm system.  
Power socket for trailer  
The vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power  
socket for the connection between the trail-  
er and the vehicle. With the engine running,  
electrical devices on the trailer receive pow-  
er from the electrical connection (pin 9 and  
pin 10 of the trailer power socket).  
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm does  
not go off when the electrical connection  
with the trailer is cut if it has rear lights with  
light-emitting diodes.  
Include in the anti-theft alarm  
If the system detects that a trailer has been  
connected, the consumers on the trailer will  
receive electricity through this connection  
(pins 9 and 10). Pin 9 has a permanent live.  
This powers, for example, the trailer's interior  
lighting. Electrical devices such as a fridge in  
a caravan only receive electrical power if the  
engine is running (through pin 10).  
WARNING  
The trailer is included in the anti-theft sys-  
tem if the following conditions are met:  
If the cables are improperly or incorrectly  
connected, it may lead to an excessive  
amount of current supplied to the trailer,  
which can cause abnormalities in the entire  
vehicle electronic system, as well as acci-  
dents and serious injuries.  
If the vehicle is factory-equipped with an  
anti-theft alarm and towing bracket.  
If the trailer is electrically connected to the  
towing vehicle through the trailer power  
socket.  
Ensure that any repairs that need to be  
To avoid overloading the electrical system,  
you cannot connect the ground wires of pin  
3, pin 11 or pin 13.  
carried out on the electrical system are  
carried out by a specialised workshop.  
If the electrical systems of the vehicle and  
trailer are in perfect condition and have no  
faults or damage.  
Never connect the trailer's electric sys-  
tem directly to the electrical connections  
of the tail lights or any other power sour-  
ces.  
If the trailer has a 7-contact connector, you  
will need to use an adapter cable. In this case  
the function corresponding to pin 10 will not  
be available.  
If the vehicle is locked with the key and the  
anti-theft alarm is activated.  
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm is trig-  
gered if the electrical connection with the  
trailer is cut off.  
WARNING  
Tow cable  
Contact between the pins of the trailer  
power socket can cause short circuits,  
overloading of the electrical system or  
The tow rope must always be securely fixed  
to the towing vehicle and loose enough so  
»
291  
Driving  
Trailer loading  
Gross combination weight of the towing  
vehicle and trailer  
failure of the lighting system, and conse-  
quently can cause accidents and serious in-  
juries.  
Technically permissible maximum trailer  
weight and vertical load on the coupling  
device  
The gross combination weight is the actual  
weight of the loaded vehicle plus the actual  
weight of the loaded trailer.  
Never connect the pins of the trailer  
power socket to each other.  
The technically permissible maximum trailer  
weight is the weight that the vehicle can tow  
Make sure any work on bent pins is car-  
In some countries trailers are classified into  
distinct categories. CUPRA recommends ob-  
taining information from a specialised work-  
shop regarding which type of trailer is most  
suitable for your vehicle.  
ried out by a specialised workshop.  
. The vertical load on the coupling is ex-  
erted vertically from above on the hook of  
the towing bracket.  
›››  
CAUTION  
Do not leave the trailer connected to the  
vehicle when parked; place it on its support  
wheel or its supports. If the vehicle rises or  
falls due, for example, to a variation of the  
load or a burst tyre, increased pressure will  
be placed on the towing bracket and the  
trailer, and both the vehicle and the trailer  
can be damaged.  
The information on the maximum trailer  
weight and vertical load on the coupling de-  
vice contained in the type plate of the towing  
bracket are experimental values only. The  
correct figures for your specific model,  
which may be lower than these figures, are  
given in the vehicle documentation. The in-  
formation in the vehicle documentation  
takes precedence at all times.  
Trailer loading  
The weight of the towing vehicle and trailer  
must be balanced. In order to do this, the  
load must be as close as possible to the max-  
imum vertical load technically permissible on  
the coupling point, and it must be evenly dis-  
tributed between the back and front of the  
trailer:  
Note  
To promote safety while driving, CUPRA rec-  
ommends making the most of the maximum  
vertical load technically permissible on the  
In case of anomalies in the electrical sys-  
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy  
tems of the vehicle or trailer, as well as in  
the anti-theft alarm system, have them in-  
spected by a specialised workshop.  
objects are as near to the axle as possible or  
above it.  
coupling device page 288 . An insufficient  
›››  
Secure the trailer load properly.  
vertical load has a negative influence on the  
behaviour of both the vehicle and trailer.  
If the trailer accessories consume energy  
through the power socket to the trailer and  
the engine is turned off, the battery will  
discharge.  
Tyre pressure  
The vertical load increases the weight on the  
rear axle, reducing the vehicle's carrying ca-  
pacity.  
Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres in ac-  
cordance with the trailer manufacturer's rec-  
ommendations.  
If the vehicle battery is running low, the  
electrical connection with the trailer will be  
automatically cut.  
When towing a trailer, inflate the tyres of the  
towing vehicle with the maximum allowable  
pressure page 335 .  
›››  
292  
Towing bracket device  
Specific features of driving with a trailer  
Press the button once to disconnect the  
electronic parking brake page 265 .  
WARNING  
›››  
If your trailer has an overrun brake, brake  
If the maximum permissible axle weight,  
the maximum load technically permissible  
on the coupling point, the maximum au-  
thorised vehicle weight or the gross combi-  
nation weight of the towing vehicle and  
trailer are exceeded, accidents and serious  
injuries may occur.  
Move the selector lever to the D/S position  
page 220.  
gently at first and then rapidly. This will pre-  
vent the jerking that can be caused by the  
locking of trailer wheels.  
›››  
Pull out the button and hold it in that  
position to immobilise the towing vehicle and  
trailer with the electronic parking brake.  
Due to the gross combination weight of  
the towing vehicle and trailer, the braking  
distance increases.  
Release the brake pedal.  
Never exceed the values indicated!  
When going down a slope, go into a lower  
Start driving slowly.  
The actual weight on the front and rear  
gear (in tiptronic automatic gearbox mode)  
to take advantage of the braking power pro-  
vided by the engine. Otherwise, the braking  
system could overheat and even fail.  
Do not release the button until the en-  
axles must never exceed the maximum  
permissible axle weight. The weight on the  
front and rear axles must never exceed the  
maximum permissible weight.  
gine has sufficient power to start driving.  
WARNING  
The trailer weight, as well as the gross  
If a trailer is pulled incorrectly, this may  
lead to loss of control of the vehicle and se-  
rious injury.  
combination weight of the towing vehicle  
and trailer, change the centre of gravity and  
the properties of the vehicle.  
WARNING  
A shift in weight could jeopardize the sta-  
bility and security of the towing vehicle and  
trailer, which could lead to accidents and  
serious injuries.  
Driving with a trailer and transporting  
If the towing vehicle is empty and the trail-  
heavy or large objects will change the vehi-  
cle handling and braking distances.  
er is loaded, then the load distribution is in-  
correct. Under these conditions, drive slowly  
and with extra caution.  
Always drive cautiously and carefully.  
Always load the trailer correctly.  
Brake earlier than usual.  
Always secure the load properly using  
Adapt your speed and driving style at all  
belts or straps that are suitable and in good  
condition.  
Hill starts with a trailer  
times to suit visibility, weather, road and  
traffic conditions. Slow down, especially  
when driving down hills or slopes.  
Depending on the slope of the hill and the  
combination weight of the towing vehicle  
and trailer, the vehicle might start rolling  
backwards slightly when you first start up.  
Accelerate with particular care and cau-  
Driving with a trailer  
tion. Avoid sudden braking and manoeu-  
vres.  
For hill-starting with a trailer, do the follow-  
ing:  
Adjusting the headlights  
Take great care when overtaking. Reduce  
The front part of the vehicle may be raised  
when the trailer is connected and the light  
may dazzle the rest of the traffic.  
speed immediately if you notice that the  
trailer is swaying, however slightly.  
Press and hold the brake pedal.  
»
293  

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