Seat Leon 5D 2008 Owner's manual
Page 131 of 293
Seats and stowage
130 Front seatsAdjustment of the front seatsThe control elements in  ⇒fig. 90 are mirrored for the front right-
hand seat.
 Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move th e seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip   and move the seat further until the  catch engages.
 Adjusting the seat height*
– Pull the lever up or push down (s everal times if necessary) from 
its home position. This adjusts the seat height in stages.  Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
 Adjusting the lumbar support*
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel to  adjust the lumbar support.
The backrest curvature of the cushioned area is determined by the settings 
made in the lumbar region. This supports the natural curvature of the spine 
very effectively.
WARNING
•
Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in 
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting 
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adju st the driver or front passenger seat 
only when the vehicle is stationary.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the  driver and front passenger in case of 
a sudden braking or an accident, neve r drive with the backrest tilted 
towards the rear. The maximum protection  of the seat belt can be achieved 
only when the backrests are in an uprigh t position and the driver and front 
passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further the back-
rests are tilted to the rear, the greater  the risk of injury due to improper 
positioning of the belt web!
•
Exercise caution when securing th e seat height into forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the backrest is tilted without due 
care and attention.
Fig. 90  Front left seat 
controls
A1
A1
A2
A3A4
leon_ingles  Seite 130  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 132 of 293
Seats and stowage131
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Heated seats* 
 
The front seat cushions and backrests can be heated electri-
cally.
Front seat heating for vehicles without Climatronic
– Turn the appropriate thumb wheel ⇒ fig. 91 to switch on the seat 
heating. The seat heating is switched off in the  0 position.
Front seat heating for vehicles with Climatronic
– Press button   to switch on the seat heating.
– Press once to set seat heating at maximum level (level 3).
– Press twice to set seat heating at medium level (level 2).
– Press three times to set seat heating at minimum level (level 1).
– When the button is pressed four times, the heating goes off and  the LED goes out (level 0).The seat heating only works when the ignition is switched on. The left thumb 
wheel controls the left seat and the right thumb wheel the right seat.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements, please do not kneel on the seat or 
apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat cushion and backrest.
Fig. 91  Thumb wheel for 
the front seat heatingFig. 92  Front seat 
heating with Climatronic
AA
leon_ingles  Seite 131  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 133 of 293
Seats and stowage
132Rear seat benchFold down the seat back – Pull the release button on the  backrest (sectioned backrest) 
forwards in the direction of the arrow
– Fold down the backrest. You might have to remove the rear head  restraints before folding the seat forwards if the front seats have 
been moved too far back  ⇒page 129.
Folding up the seat back– Fold the backrest back and push the backrest firmly into the lock. 
The red marking should no longer be visible  ⇒fig. 94.
WARNING
•
Please be careful when raising the backrest! Injuries can be caused if 
the seat height is adjusted wi thout due care and attention.
Fig. 93  Folding the seat 
backrests down
Fig. 94  Folding up the 
rear seat back.
leon_ingles  Seite 132  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 134 of 293
Seats and stowage133
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Stowage compartmentsStowage compartment on the front passenger sideThe compartment can be opened by pulling the lever  ⇒fig. 95 . On opening, 
a lamp* lights up, and on  closing, it turns off.
If the glove box remains open inadvertenly, on locking the vehicle using the 
remote control or the key, the lamp* turns  off. If the vehicle is not locked using 
the remote control or the key and the glove box remains open, after little time 
the lamp* turns off.
WARNING
Always keep the stowage compartment cover closed while the vehicle is in 
motion in order to reduce the risk of injury caused by a sudden braking or 
by an accident.
The centre console with drinks holder 
The centre console has a drinks holder.Stowage compartment under the left hand side front seat*
There is a stowage locker with a cover under the front left 
hand side seat.The locker*  ⇒fig. 96    is opened by pulling on the cover.
There are two open positions of 15 and 60 degrees depending on the pres-
sure applied to the cover. In the 60 degree position, the cover will collapse if 
too much pressure is applied.
To close the drawer, press the cover until it locks into position.
Fig. 95  Passenger side: 
stowage compartment
Fig. 96  Stowage area 
under the front seats
AA
leon_ingles  Seite 133  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 135 of 293
Seats and stowage
134
WARNING
•
The drawers will hold a maximum weight of 1.5 kg.
•
Do not drive with the drawer cover open. There is an injury risk for 
passengers if the cargo is released in case of sudden braking or an 
accident.
Folding table*
Folding tables are fitted to the rear of the front seat backrests.– To open the table, open it up in the direction of the arrow  ⇒fig. 97 .
WARNING
•
The folding tables may not be folded down whilst the vehicle is in 
motion and anyone is seated on the seco nd row of seats. There is a risk on 
injury during a sudden braking manoeuvre! The table must therefore be 
closed and properly secured whilst the vehicle is in motion.
•
Never place hot drinks in the drink holders. During normal or sudden 
driving manoeuvres, sudden braking or an accident, the hot drink could be 
spilled. Danger of scalding.Caution
When driving, do not leave open cans  in the cup holders. The drink might be 
spilt on braking, for example, and could damage the vehicle.Other stowage areasOther stowage areas can be found:•
in the centre console,
•
in the side trims of the luggage compartment,
The hooks for hanging are found on the pillar between the front and rear side 
windows.
WARNING
•
Do not store loose objects on the dashboard. These objects could be 
flung through the passenger compartment when the vehicle is moving (e.g. 
while accelerating, braking or cornerin g) and distract the driver. Risk of 
accident.
•
Ensure that no objects can fall from the centre console or other stowage 
areas into the driver foot well while the vehicle is moving. In the event of a 
Fig. 97  Folding table of 
front left seat
leon_ingles  Seite 134  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 136 of 293
Seats and stowage135
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
sudden braking manoeuvre, you will not be able to use the brake, clutch or 
accelerator. Risk of accident.
•
Clothing hung on the coat hooks must not restrict the driver's view. 
Risk of accident. The coat hooks are intended only for use with light arti-
cles of clothing. Do not leave any ha rd, sharp or heavy objects in hanging 
articles of clothing. During sudden braking manoeuvres or accidents, espe-
cially those involving airbag deployment, these objects could injure the 
vehicle occupants.
Front drinks holdersOn the centre console, in front of the gear lever, there are two drink holders 
⇒ fig. 98 .
WARNING
•
Never place hot drinks in the bottle  holder. During normal or sudden 
driving manoeuvres, sudden braking or an accident, the hot drink could be 
spilled. Danger of scalding.
•
Never use rigid materials (for example, glass or ceramic), these could 
cause injury in the case of an accident.
Ashtrays*, cigarette lighter* and electrical 
sockets*Ashtray* Opening and closing the ashtray
– To open the ashtray, lift the cover  ⇒fig. 99 .
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 98  Front drinks 
holder
Fig. 99  Ashtray located 
in the front drink holder
leon_ingles  Seite 135  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 137 of 293
Seats and stowage
136
– To close, push the cover down.
Emptying the ashtray
– Extract the ashtray and empty it.
WARNING
Never put paper in the ashtray. Hot ash could ignite the paper in the 
ashtray and cause a fire.Cigarette lighter* – Press on the cigarette lighter  ⇒fig. 100 to activate it  ⇒.
– Wait for the lighter to pop out slightly. – Pull out the cigarette lighter and light the cigarette on the 
glowing coil.
WARNING
•
Improper use of the cigarette lighter can lead to serious injuries or start 
a fire.
•
Using the lighter carefully. Carelessness or negligence when using the 
cigarette lighter can cause burns, risk of injury.
•
The lighter only works when the ignition is turned on or the engine is 
running. To avoid the risk of fire, never leave children alone inside the 
vehicle.
Electrical sockets* 
Electrical equipment can be connected to any of the 12 volt 
sockets.
Fig. 100  The cigarette 
lighter is located in the 
electric socket on the 
front of the centre console
Fig. 101  Socket, centre 
console, front
leon_ingles  Seite 136  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 138 of 293
Seats and stowage137
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Electrical accessories may be connected 
to the 12 volt power point in the front 
centre console  ⇒page 136, fig. 101 of the passenger compartment and that 
of the boot* The appliances connected  to each power point must not exceed 
a power rating of 120 Watt.
WARNING
The current power points and the connected accessories will only operate 
when the ignition is on or when the engine is running. Improper use of the 
sockets or electrical accessories can lead to serious injuries or cause a fire. 
To avoid the risk of injury, never leave children alone inside the vehicle.
Note
•
The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a 
battery discharge.
•
Before using any electrical accessories, see the instructions on 
⇒ page 200.
Auxiliary audio connection (AUX-IN)*– Lift the AUX. cover  ⇒fig. 102.
– Insert the pin as far as possible (see Radio manual).
Fig. 102  Auxiliary audio 
connection
leon_ingles  Seite 137  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 139 of 293
Seats and stowage
138MEDIA-IN* connectorFor information concerning the use of this equipment, please see the Radio 
handbook.
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire 
extinguisherWarning triangleThe emergency warning triangle can be fitted in the side lining of the boot.
Note
•
The warning triangle is not part of  the vehicle's standard equipment.
First-aid kit and fire extinguisherThe first-aid kit* can be housed in a stow age box in the left side lining of the 
luggage compartment.
Fig. 103  Opening 
connector on central 
consoleFig. 104  Connector on 
the central console
Fig. 105  Housing for the 
emergency warning 
triangle in the boot
leon_ingles  Seite 138  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16 
Page 140 of 293
Seats and stowage139
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
The fire extinguisher* is attached to the luggage compartment carpet by 
velcro.
Note
•
The first-aid kit and the fire extinguisher are 
not part of the vehicle's 
standard equipment.
•
The first aid kit must comply with legal requirements.
•
Observe the expiry date of the contents of the first aid kit. You should 
purchase a new first-aid kit as soon as possible after the shelf-life date of the 
first-aid kit has expired.
•
The fire extinguisher must comply with legal requirements.
•
Ensure that the fire extinguisher is fu lly functional. The fire extinguisher 
should, therefore, be checked regularly. The sticker on the fire extinguisher 
will inform you of the next date for checking.
•
Before acquiring accessories and  emergency equipment see the instruc-
tions on  ⇒page 200.
BootStowing luggage
All luggage must be securely stowed.Please observe the following points to ensure the vehicle handles 
well at all times:
– Distribute the load as evenly as possible.
– Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compartment 
as possible. – Secure luggage in the luggage compartment with suitable straps 
on the fastening rings.
WARNING
•
Loose luggage and other loose items in the vehicle can cause serious 
injuries.
•
Loose objects in the luggage compartment can suddenly move and 
change the way the vehicle handles.
•
During sudden manoeuvres or ac cidents, loose objects in the 
passenger compartment can be flung forward, injuring vehicle occupants.
•
Always store objects in the luggage compartment and secure with suit-
able straps. This is especially important for heavy objects.
•
When you transport heavy objects, always take in account that a 
change in the centre of gravity can also cause changes in vehicle handling.
•
Please observe information on safe driving  ⇒page 7, “Safe driving”.Caution
Hard objects on the shelf could chafe against the wires of the heating 
element in the rear window and cause damage.
Note
The ventilation slots in front of the r ear side windows must not be covered as 
this would prevent stale air being extracted from the vehicle.
leon_ingles  Seite 139  Montag, 26. Januar 2009  4:29 16