Get Driving Guide for Seat Leon 4 Door Second Generation (2007-2011)

Driving154

Driving

Address

Adjusting the steering wheel position

The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely

adjusted to suit the driver.

– Adjust the driver seat to the correct position.

– Push the lever under the steering column ⇒ fig. 115 down

⇒ .

– Adjust the steering wheel in this way until the correct position is

set ⇒ fig. 116.

– Then push the lever up again firmly ⇒ .

WARNING

• Incorrect use of the steering column adjustment function and an incor-

rect seating position can result in serious injury.

• To avoid accidents, the steering column should be adjusted only when

the vehicle is stationary.

Fig. 115 Adjusting the

steering wheel position

Fig. 116 Proper sitting

position for driver

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Driving 155

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

• Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel so that there is a distance of at

least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your chest ⇒ page 154,

fig. 116. If you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not

protect you. Risk of fatal injury.

• If your physical constitution does not allow you to mantain the

minimum distance of 25 cm, contact an Authorised Service Centre. The

Authorised Service Centre will help you to decide if special specific modifi-

cations are necessary.

• If you adjust the steering wheel so that it points towards your face, the

driver airbag will not protect you properly in the event of an accident. Make

sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.

• When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the

outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Never hold the

steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other manner (e.g. in

the centre of the steering wheel, or on the inside of the rim). In such cases,

you could receive severe injuries to the arms, hands and head.

Safety

Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)*

ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.

The Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) contains the electronic differential

lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works

together with the ABS. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS

systems are faulty.

The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.

The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it is

only possible to switch TCS off.

The TCS can be deactivated when in cases where wheel sliding is desirable.

For example:

• When driving with snow chains,

WARNING (continued)

Fig. 117 Detail of the

centre console: ESP

button

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Driving156

• when driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces,

• when rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it from mud, for

example.

Next, the button should be pressed to reactivate the TCS.

When does the warning light switch on or flash ?

• On switching the ignition on, it lights up for about two seconds to carry

out a function control.

• The warning lamp will start flashing when the vehicle is moving if the ESP

or the TCS is activated. The warning lamp will light up slowly if the TCS is

switched off.

• It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.

WARNING

• The electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of

physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet

roads and when towing a trailer.

• Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and

the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you

into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.

• Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in ⇒ page 175,

“Intelligent technology”.

Ignition lock

Position of the ignition key

Ignition switched off, steering lock

In this position ⇒ fig. 118 the ignition and the engine are OFF and the

steering may be locked.

For the Steering lock to operate without the ignition key, turn the steering

wheel until it locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the

steering wheel when you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent theft of the

vehicle ⇒ .

Switching the ignition or the glow plug system on

Turn the ignition key to this position and release it. If the key cannot be turned

or it is difficult to turn from position to position , move the steering

wheel back and forth until it loosens up.



Fig. 118 Ignition key

positions

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Driving 157

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

Starting

The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components

with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.

Every time the vehicle is started again, the ignition key must be turned to

position . The repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents

possible damage to the starter motor if the engine is already running.

WARNING

• The ignition key must NOT be removed from the lock until the vehicle

comes to a standstill. Otherwise, the steering could be immediately

blocked- Risk of accident!

• Always remove the key from the ignition lock when leaving the vehicle,

even for a short period. This is especially important if children or disabled

people are left alone in the vehicle. They could accidentally start the

engine or work electrical equipment such as the electric windows, conse-

quently resulting in an accident.

• Unsupervised use of the keys could start the engine or any electrical

system, such as the electric window. This could result in serious injury.

Caution

The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key

position ).

Electronic immobiliser

The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driving

the vehicle.

Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser auto-

matically when the key is inserted into the ignition.

The immobiliser will be activated again automatically as soon as you pull the

key out of the ignition lock.

The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with its correct code.

Note

A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured if genuine SEAT keys are used.

Starting and stopping the engine

Starting petrol engines

The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with

its correct code.

– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the

clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the starter

to turn the engine on.

– Turn the ignition key to the starting ⇒ page 156 position.

– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the starter

motor must not run on with the engine.

After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the

accelerator.

When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few

seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.

This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.

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Driving158

If the engine does not start immediately, switch the starter off after

10 seconds and try again after half a minute. If the engine still does not start,

the fuel pump fuse should be checked ⇒ page 239, “Fuses”.

WARNING

• Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The

exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless

poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of

consciousness. It can also cause death.

• Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.

• Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine

to run at high revs. Risk of injury.

Caution

• When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving at

full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.

• The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start

the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.

• Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you

should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow

the instructions ⇒ page 253, “Jump-starting”.

For the sake of the environment

Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle stationary.

You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine

reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.

Starting diesel engines

The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with

its correct code.

– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the

clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the starter

to turn the engine on.

– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.

– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ page 156, fig. 118 . The

indication lamp

 will light for engine pre-heating.

– When the warning lamp turns off, turn the key to position to

start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.

– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the starter

motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.

When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few

seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.

This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.

If there are problems starting the engine, see ⇒ page 253.

Glow plug system for the diesel engine

To avoid unnecessary discharging of the battery, do not use any other major

electrical equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heating.

Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp ⇒ page 76 goes out.

Starting the engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry

If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal

(up to one minute) to start the engine after refuelling with diesel fuel. This is

because the system must eliminate air first.

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Driving 159

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

WARNING

• Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The

exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless

poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of

consciousness. It can also cause death.

• Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.

• Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine

to run at high revs. Risk of injury.

Caution

• When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving at

full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.

• The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start

the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.

• Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you

should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow

the instructions ⇒ page 253, “Jump-starting”.

For the sake of the environment

Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle stationary.

You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the engine

reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions.

Switching the engine off

– Stop the engine.

– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ page 156, fig. 118 .

After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10

minutes. 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 compart-

ment or due to its prolonged exposure to solar radiation.

WARNING

• Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is completely stationary.

• The brake servo works only when the engine is running. With the

engine switched off, more strength is needed to brake. As normal brake

operation cannot be performed, risk of accidents and serious injury may

exist.

• The steering lock can be immediately blocked once the key is removed

from the ignition lock. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.

Caution

If the engine has been driven hard for a long period, the engine could over-

heat when it is switched off. Risk of engine damage. For this reason, you

should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you switch it off.

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Driving160

Manual gearbox

Driving a car with a manual gearbox

Engaging the reverse gear

– The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press the

clutch down thoroughly.

– Place the gear lever into neutral and push the lever downwards.

– Slide the gear lever to the left, and then into the reverse position

shown on the gear stick.

The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When

the engine is running and before engaging this gear, wait about 6 seconds

with the clutch pressed down thoroughly in order to protect the gearbox.

The reverse lights light up when the reverse gear is selected and the ignition

is on.

WARNING

• When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a

gear is engaged and the clutch released.

• Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of acci-

dent.

Note

• Do not rest your hand on the gear rest when driving. The pressure of your

hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.

• When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch down fully to

avoid unnecessary wear and damage.

• Do not hold the car “on the clutch” uphills. This causes premature wear

and damage to the clutch.

Fig. 119 Detail of the

centre console: gear shift

pattern of a 5-speed

manual gearbox

Fig. 120 Detail of the

centre console: gear shift

pattern of a 6-speed

manual gearbox

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Driving 161

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

Automatic gearbox* / DSG automatic

gearbox*

Selector lever positions

Selector lever positions indicated on the cover

P Parking position (lever locked).

R Reverse position.

N Neutral position (lever locked). This position is similar to the neutral

position for manual gearboxes).

D Drive position (economic driving programme).

S Sports driving position.

+/- Tiptronic driving position (this programme is similar to the operation of

a manual gearbox).

Driving programmes

The automatic gearbox / direct shift gearbox has three

programmes.

Selecting the economy programme

– This programme selects a higher gear earlier rather than remain

in a lower gear.

– Put the selector lever into position D to drive forwards.

– Put the selector lever into position R to reverse. This position is

shared by all programmes for reversing.

Selecting the sport programme

– Move the lever to position S.

If you select the sport programme, S, the program is designed for a sports

mode, that is, a programme which changes up at higher engine speeds to use

Fig. 121 Centre console:

selector lever for auto-

matic gearbox / direct

shift gearbox DSG

Fig. 122 Program selec-

tion

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Driving162

the full power of the engine. This programme is not recommended for use on

the motorway or in the city.

Selecting the manual programme (tiptronic)

This programme allows driving similar to a manual gearbox.

This programme may be accessed using the selector lever or from the

steering wheel controls when this option is fitted ⇒ page 164.

Selector lever locking

The selector lever lock prevents gears from being engaged

inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle to move.

Releasing the selector lever lock

–Start the vehicle.

– Press and release the brake pedal, at the same time press the

button on the selector lever.

The lock is only activated when the vehicle is stopped or at a speed of less

than 5 km/h. At higher speeds, the lock is automatically released in position

For rapid changes of position (e.g. from R to D) the lever will not lock. If the

lever remains in the position N more than one second then it is locked. With

the automatic lock, the lever is prevented passing from P and N to any other

gear without first pressing the brake pedal.

The selector lever must be put in the position P in order to remove the key.

Driving with an automatic gearbox* / DSG automatic

gearbox*

The drive and reverse gears are automatically engaged.

Fig. 123 Deactivating the

lock

Fig. 124 Driving

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Driving 163

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

Driving

– Press and hold the foot brake.

– Press the button on the selector lever knob (on the left)

⇒ page 162, fig. 124.

– Select a gear for driving (R, D or S).

– Release the button and wait a few seconds for the gear to

engage, a light jerk will be felt.

– Release the brake and accelerate.

Short stop

– Hold the vehicle stationary with the brake pressed down (for

example at traffic lights). The selector lever does not need to be

put into the positions P or N for this.

– Do not press the accelerator.

Parking the vehicle

– Press the foot brake and hold to bring the vehicle to a stop.

– Apply the handbrake firmly.

– Press in the button on the selector lever knob, move the lever to

the position P and release the button.

Driving slowly

– Move the selector lever to the position D and press to the right to

put the lever into Tiptronic mode.

– Press the gear lever towards (-) to select a lower gear.

Hill stop

– Hold the vehicle, in all cases, using the foot brake to prevent

rolling back.

– Do not try to slow the vehicle using another forward gear (engine

braking).

Descending gradients

– With the gear engaged, release the brake and accelerate.

The steeper the gradient the lower the gear must be for effective engine

braking. For example, if 3rd gear is used on a very steep gradient, the engine

braking is insufficient and vehicle accelerates. So that the engine speed does

not become excessive, the gearbox changes to the next highest gear. Depress

the brake pedal and move the selector lever to the Tiptronic gate to return to

3rd gear.

WARNING

• The driver should never leave the vehicle while the engine is running or

with any gear selected. If for any reason you must leave the vehicle with the

engine running, apply the handbrake and move the selector lever to posi-

tion P.

• When the engine is running and the positions D, S or R are selected, it

is necessary to hold the vehicle with the foot brake because the vehicle will

creep at a low speed.

• Never accelerate while changing the position of the selector lever (risk

of an accident).

• The selector lever must never be moved into the positions R or P while

moving (risk of an accident).

• Before descending a steep gradient, reduce speed and use the Tiptronic

programme to select a lower gear.

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Driving164

• If you must stop on a hill, always hold the vehicle using the footbrake

to avoid rolling back.

• The footbrake must not be held for a long period of time, not even

lightly; continuous braking will cause overheating of the brakes and a

reduction or even a loss of braking power and a significant increase in

braking distances.

• Never allow the vehicle to coast down a gradient with the selector lever

in positions N or D, even when the engine is not running. For descents, the

use of the Tiptronic programme is recommended to keep the speed

reduced.

Caution

• Never use the automatic gearbox to hold the vehicle stationary on a hill,

even for short periods, as this may overheat the gearbox and cause damage.

Apply the handbrake or depress the foot brake to hold the vehicle in position.

• If the vehicle is allowed to roll with the engine stopped but the selector in

position N then the gearbox may be damaged because it will not be

lubricated.

Using the Tiptronic gear system

The Tiptronic system allows the driver to manually select

gears

WARNING (continued)

Fig. 125 Changing gear

with Tiptronic

Fig. 126 Steering wheel

with levers for automatic

gearbox

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Driving 165

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

General information about driving in Tiptronic mode

Changing gear with the gear stick

– Put the lever in position D and press towards the right to enter

the Tiptronic gate ⇒ page 164, fig. 125.

– Press the gear lever forwards (+) to select a higher gear.

– Press the gear lever back (-) to select a lower gear.

Changing gear with the steering wheel levers

– Press the right paddle towards the steering wheel to change

up ⇒ page 164, fig. 126.

– Press the left paddle towards the steering wheel to change

down ⇒ page 164, fig. 126.

Using the levers on the steering wheel, you can access manual driving mode

regardless of the driving mode pre-selected.

General information about driving in Tiptronic mode

When accelerating, the automatic gearbox / direct shift gearbox goes into a

higher gear a little before it reaches the maximum permitted revolutions.

If a lower gear is selected, the automatic gearbox / direct shift gearbox does

not change down until the point is reached where the engine could no longer

overrev.

If the “Tiptronic” is selected whilst the vehicle is in motion and the automatic

gearbox / direct shift gearbox is in 3rd gear in selector lever position D, the

“Tiptronic” will then also be in 3rd gear.

Note

• The gearbox controls on the steering wheel can operate with the gear stick

in any position and with the vehicle in motion.

Handbrake

Using the handbrake

The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the

vehicle from accidentally rolling away.

Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when

you park.

–

Fig. 127 Handbrake

between the front seats

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Driving166

Applying the handbrake

– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒ page 165, fig. 127.

Releasing the handbrake

– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc-

tion of the arrow ⇒ page 165, fig. 127 and guide the handbrake

lever down fully ⇒ .

Always apply the handbrake firmly. This prevents you driving with the hand-

brake applied ⇒ .

The handbrake warning lamp  lights up when the handbrake is applied

and the ignition switched on. The warning turns off when the handbrake is

released.

If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following

message* will appear on the instrument panel display: HANDBRAKE ON. Also,

an audible warning is given.

WARNING

• Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The

braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied to

the rear wheels. Risk of accident!

• If it is only partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating,

which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an acci-

dent. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads.

Caution

Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear

should also be selected.

Parking

The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the

vehicle is parked.

Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:

– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.

–Apply the handbrake.

– The first gear should also be selected.

– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition lock.

Turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.

– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle

⇒ .

Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:

Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started

to roll.

• If the vehicle is parked facing downhill, turn the front wheels so that they

point towards the kerb.

• If the vehicle is parked facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they

point away from the kerb.

• Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and

engaging first gear.

WARNING

• Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle

unattended.

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Driving 167

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

• Never park where the hot exhaust system could ignite inflammable

materials, such as dry grass, low bushes, spilt fuel etc.

• Never allow vehicle occupants to remain in the vehicle when it is

locked. They would be unable to open the vehicle from the inside, and

could become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency. In the event of an

emergency, locked doors will delay assistance to occupants.

• Never leave children alone in the vehicle. They could set the vehicle in

motion, for example, by releasing the handbrake or the gear lever /

selector lever.

• Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold

inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.

Starting on an uphill*

This function is only included in vehicles fitted with ESP.

This device helps when starting uphill.

These are the basic operation conditions: doors closed, brake pedal pressed

down and vehicle in neutral. The system gets activated on engaging gear.

This system also works when reversing uphill.

After removing your foot from the brake pedal, the braking force is maintained

for a few seconds to prevent the vehicle from moving backward when put into

gear. This short space of time is enough to start the vehicle with ease.

This system also works when reversing uphill.

WARNING

• If you do not start the vehicle immediately after taking your foot off the

brake pedal, the vehicle may start to roll back under certain conditions.

Depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake immediately.

• If the engine stalls, depress the brake pedal or use the hand brake

immediately.

• When following a line of traffic uphill, if you want to prevent the vehicle

from rolling back accidentally when starting off, hold the brake pedal down

for a few seconds before starting off.

Note

The Official Service or a specialist workshop can tell you if your vehicle is

equipped with this system.

Acoustic parking aid system*

General notes

Various systems are available to help you when parking or manoeuvring in

tight spaces, depending on the equipment fitted on your vehicle.

The SEAT parking system* gives an acoustic warning if there are any obsta-

cles behind your car.

When you are parking, the SEAT parking system* plus warns you acoustically

and optically

19)

about obstacles “in front of” and “behind” the vehicle.

WARNING (continued)

19)

Vehicles with a navigation system.

leon_ingles Seite 167 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving168

Note

To ensure the acoustic parking aid works properly, the sensors must be kept

clean and free of snow and ice.

Seat Parking System: Description

The parking system is an acoustic parking aid.

Sensors are located in the rear bumper. When the sensors detect an obstacle,

you are alerted by acoustic signals (beeps). The measuring range of the

sensors starts at about:

The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the

obstacle. When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the

obstacle, the warning tone will sound continuously. Do not drive on!

The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4

seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected

obstacle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).

The parking aid is switched on automatically when reverse gear is engaged.

You will hear a brief acknowledgement tone.

WARNING

• The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is

personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.

• The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.

Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not

always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-

dents.

• Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full

use of the rear-view mirrors.

Caution

Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be

registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not give

any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences, chains,

thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be detected by the

system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.

Note

Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒ page 170.

Seat Parking system plus*: Description

The parking system plus is an acoustic and optical parking

aid.

Sensors are located in the front and rear bumpers. When the sensors detect

an obstacle, you are alerted by acoustic and optical signals. The measuring

range of the sensors starts at about:

Rear

Side 0,60

Centre 1,60

Front

Side 0,90

Centre 1,20

Rear

Side 0,60

Centre 1,60

WARNING (continued)

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Driving 169

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you approach the

obstacle. When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the

obstacle, the warning tone will sound continuously. Stop moving immedi-

ately!

The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after about 4

seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from a detected

obstacle (it does not affect the permanent acoustic signal).

Enabling/Disabling

Enabling

– Connects the radionavigator.

–Press the switch

 on the central console ⇒ fig. 128 or on the

gear selector gate. You will hear a brief acknowledgement tone

and the LED on the switch will light up.

Disabling

– Drive forwards faster than 10 km/h, or

– Press the switch

 or

– Switch the ignition off.

Segments in the optical display

Some colour segments in front and behind and an acoustic signal enable the

driver to assess the distance with respect to an obstacle. The ambar colour

segments combined with a discontinuous beep indicate the presence of an

obstacle. As the vehicle gets closer to the obstacle, the colour of the segment

changes to red and the acoustic signal beeps continuously. When the penul-

timate segment is displayed, this means that the vehicle has reached the

collision zone. Stop moving immediately! ⇒ .

WARNING

• The parking aid is not a replacement for driver awareness. The driver is

personally responsible for safe parking and other manoeuvres.

• The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not registered.

Always look out for small children and animals because the system will not

always detect them. Always pay attention when reversing to avoid acci-

dents.

• Always keep a close eye on the area around the vehicle and make full

use of the rear-view mirrors.

Caution

Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no longer be

registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the system will not give

any further warning. Certain kinds of obstacles (such as wire fences, chains,

thin painted posts or trailer draw bars, etc) may not always be detected by the

system, so take care not to damage the vehicle in such cases.

Fig. 128 Centre console:

Switch for parking aid

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Driving170

Note

• Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒ page 170.

• There is a slight delay in the picture display.

Towing bracket

In towing mode, the rear parking sensors are not enabled when you select

reverse gear or press the switch . This function may not be guaranteed on

towing brackets that are not factory fitted. This results in the following restric-

tions:

SEAT parking system*

No warning is given.

SEAT parking system plus*

There is no rear distance warning. The system will still give a warning when

obstacles are detected while driving forwards. The optical display changes to

towing mode.

Fault messages

If you hear a long beep for a few seconds and the LED on the switch * starts

flashing when you switch on the parking aid, a system fault has occurred.

Please refer the problem to an Authorised SEAT dealer or specialised work-

shop.

Note

If the fault is not corrected before you switch off the ignition, it will only be

indicated by the flashing LED on the switch  the next time you switch on

the parking aid.

Cruise control system (CCS)*

Description

The cruise control system is able to maintain the set speed in

the range from approx. 30 km/h to 180 km/h.

Once the speed setting has been saved, you may take your foot off the accel-

erator.

WARNING

It could be dangerous to use the cruise control system if it is not possible

to drive at constant speed.

• For safety reasons the cruise control system should not be used in

dense traffic, in sections with bends or where roads are in bad conditions

(e.g. aquaplanning, loose chippings, slippery surfaces, snow). Risk of acci-

dent.

• Always switch the CCS off when finish to use it in order to avoid an

involuntary use.

• It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,

traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.

leon_ingles Seite 170 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving 171

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

Note

The cruise control cannot maintain a constant speed when descending down-

hills. The vehicle will accelerate due to its own weight. Use the foot brake to

slow the vehicle.

Switching the cruise control system on and off

Switching on the system

–Push the switch ⇒ fig. 129 to the left to ON.

Switching off system

– Either push the switch to the right to OFF or turn the ignition

off when the vehicle is stationary.

When the cruise control is on and a speed is programmed, the indicator  on

the instrument panel is lit.

20)

When the speed regulator (CCS) is turned off the indicator  is turned off, the

speed regulator is completely deactivated if the 1st gear is engaged.*

Setting speed*

– Press the lower part SET/SET of the rocker switch ⇒ fig. 130

once briefly when you have reached the speed you wish to set.

When you release the rocker switch, the current speed is set and held

constant.

Fig. 129 Indicator and

main beam headlight

lever: switch and rocker

switch for the cruise

control

20)

Depending on model version

Fig. 130 Indicator and

main beam headlight

lever: switch and rocker

switch for the cruise

control

leon_ingles Seite 171 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving172

Adjusting set speed*

The speed can be altered without touching the accelerator or

the brake.

Setting a higher speed

– Press the upper part RES/+ of the rocker switch ⇒ fig. 131 to

increase the speed. The vehicle will continue to accelerate as

long as you keep the rocker switch pressed. When you release

the switch, the new speed is stored.

Setting a lower speed

– Press the lower part SET/– of the rocker switch to reduce the

speed. The vehicle will automatically reduce its speed for as long

as you keep the switch pressed. When you release the switch, the

new speed is stored.

When you increase speed with the accelerator and then release the pedal, the

system will automatically restore the set speed. This will not be the case,

however, if the vehicle speed is more than 10 km/h higher than the stored

speed for longer than 5 minutes. The speed will have to be stored again.

Control of the set speed is switched off if you reduce speed by depressing the

brake pedal. You can reactivate the control by pressing once on the upper part

of the rocker switch RES/+ ⇒ fig. 131 .

WARNING

It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,

traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.

Switching off system temporarily*

The cruise control system will be switched off in the following situations:

• if the brake pedal is depressed,

Fig. 131 Indicator and

main beam headlight

lever: switch and rocker

switch for the cruise

control

Fig. 132 Indicator and

main beam headlight

lever: switch and rocker

switch for the cruise

control

leon_ingles Seite 172 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving 173

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

• if the clutch pedal is depressed,

• if the vehicle is accelerated to over 180 km/h,

• when the lever is moved to the position “CANCEL” without reaching

the “OFF” position. Once the “CANCEL” operation is completed, the lever is

released and returns to its initial position.

To resume the cruise control, release the brake or clutch pedal or reduce the

vehicle speed to less than 180 km/h and press once on the upper part of the

rocker switch RES/+ ⇒ page 172, fig. 132 .

WARNING

It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the current road,

traffic or weather conditions. Risk of accident.

Turning off the cruise control system*

Vehicles with a manual gearbox

The system is completely turned off by moving the control all the way to

the right hand side (OFF engaged), or when the vehicle is stationary, ignition

off.

Vehicles with automatic gearbox / DSG automatic gearbox

To completely disengage the system, the selector lever must be placed in one

of the following positions: P, N, R or 1 or with the vehicle stopped and the

ignition turned off.

Fig. 133 Indicator and

main beam headlight

lever: switch and rocker

switch for the cruise

control

leon_ingles Seite 173 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

leon_ingles Seite 174 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving for Your Seat Leon 4 Door Second Generation (2007-2011)

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