ignition Seat Leon SC 2013 Workshop Manual

118Lights and visibility
WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that the headlights dazzle and
distract other drivers. This could result in a serious accident.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load status so that it does not
blind other drivers.

Interior and reading lights 1)
Button/
Positioneffect
Switches interior lights off.
Switches interior lights on.

Switches door contact control on (central position).
The interior lights come on automatically when the vehicle is
unlocked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the ig-
nition.
The lights go off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Turning the reading light on and off
Glove compartment and luggage compartment lighting*
When opening and closing the glove compartment on the front passenger
side and the rear lid, the respective light will automatically switch on and
off. Footwell lighting*
The lights in the footwell area below the dash (driver and front passenger
sides) will switch on when the doors are opened and will decrease in inten-
sity while driving. The intensity of these lights can be adjusted using the ra-
dio menu (see Easy Connect > Adjusting Lighting > Interior lighting
⇒ page 82).
Ambient light*
The ambient light in the door panel changes colour (white or red) depend-
ing on the driving mode. The intensity of these lights can be adjusted using
the radio menu (see Easy Connect > Adjusting Lights > Interior lighting
⇒  page 82).
Note
The reading lights switch off when the vehicle is locked using a key or after
several minutes if the key is removed from the ignition. This prevents the
battery from discharging. 
Sun protection equipment Introduction
WARNING
Folded sun blinds can reduce visibility.
● Always store sun blinds and visors in their housing when not in use.

1)
Depending on the level of equipment fitted in the vehicle, LEDs can be used for the follow-
ing interior lights: front courtesy light, rear courtesy light, footwell light and sun visor light.

120Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper and rear wiper systems
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Changing wheels round
● Heating, ventilation, cooling
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
WARNING
If the water from the windscreen washer does not contain enough anti-
freeze, it may freeze on the windscreen and rear window, reducing for-
ward and rear visibility.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer contains enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash/wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the ventilation system. The anti-
freeze could freeze on the windscreen and reduce visibility.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers. In cold weather, it may help to leave the vehi-
cle parked with the wipers in service position ⇒ page 122. Control lamp
lights upPossible causeSolution
Windscreen wiper fluid level
too lowTop up the windscreen wiper
reservoir as soon as possible
⇒ page 124.
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle. 

121
Lights and visibility
Window wiper lever
Fig. 70 Operating the
windscreen wiper and
rear wiper
Move the lever to the required position ⇒ :
0Windscreen wiper off.
1
Windscreen wipers interval wipe.
Using the control ⇒ Fig. 70 A adjust the interval (vehicles
without the rain sensor), or the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
2Slow wipe.
3Continuous wipe.
4Brief press, short clean. Hold the lever down for more time to
increase the wipe frequency.
5
The windscreen washer function is activated by pushing the
lever forwards, and simultaneously the windscreen wipers
start.
Move the lever to the required position ⇒ :
6Interval wipe for rear window. The rear wiper will wipe the
window approximately every six seconds.
7The windscreen washer function is activated by pressing the
lever, and the rear wiper starts simultaneously.
CAUTION
If the ignition is switched off with the windscreen wipers active, they com-
plete their wipe before returning to the rest position. Ice, snow and other
obstacles on the windscreen may damage the wiper and the windscreen
wiper motor.
● If necessary, remove snow and ice from the windscreen wipers before
starting your journey.
● Carefully lift the frozen windscreen wipers from the glass. SEAT recom-
mends a de-icer spray for this operation.
CAUTION
Do not switch on the windscreen wipers if the windscreen is dry. Cleaning
with the windscreen wipers while dry can cause damage.
Note
● The windscreen wiper and rear wiper system only function when the ig-
nition is switched on and the bonnet or rear lid, respectively, are closed.
● The interval wipe speed varies according to the vehicle speed. The faster
the vehicle is moving, the more often the windscreen is cleaned.
● The rear wiper is automatically switched on when the windscreen wiper
is on and the car is in reverse gear. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

122Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper functions
Windscreen wiper performance in different situations:If the vehicle is at a stand-
still:The activated position provisionally changes
to the previous position.
During the automatic wipe:
The air conditioner comes on for approxi-
mately 30 seconds in air recirculation mode
to prevent the smell of the windscreen wash-
er fluid entering the inside the vehicle.
For the interval wipe:The intervals between wipes vary according
to the speed of the vehicle. The higher the
vehicle speed the shorter the intervals.
Heated windscreen washer jets
The heating only thaws the frozen jets, it does not thaw the water in the
washer hoses. The heated windscreen washer jets automatically adjust the
heat depending on the ambient temperature, when the ignition is switched
on.
Headlight wash/wipe system
The headlight washers/wipers clean the headlight lenses.
After the ignition is switched on, the first and every fifth time the wind-
screen washer is switched on, the headlights are also washed. Therefore,
the windscreen wiper lever should be pulled towards the steering wheel
when the dipped beam or main beam are on. Any incrusted dirt (such as in-
sects) should be cleaned regularly (e.g. when refuelling).
To ensure the headlight washers work correctly in winter, any snow which
has got into the bumper jet supports should be cleaned away. If necessary,
remove snow with an anti-icing spray.
Note
The wiper will try to wipe away any obstacles that are on the windscreen.
The wiper will stop moving if the obstacle blocks its path. Remove the ob-
stacle and switch the wiper back on again. 
Windscreen wipers service position
Fig. 71 Wipers in service
position
The wiper arms can be raised when the wipers are in service position
⇒ Fig. 71. To place the windscreen wipers in the service position, proceed
as follows:
● The bonnet must be closed ⇒ page 251.
● Switch the ignition on and off.
● Press the windscreen wiper lever downwards briefly ⇒ Fig. 70 4
.
Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. Using the windscreen wiper
lever, the windscreen wiper arms return to their initial position. 

123
Lights and visibility
Lifting and returning windscreen wiper arms
● Place the wiper arms in the service position ⇒ 
.
● Only hold the wiper arms at the point where the blade is fixed.
CAUTION
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the wiper arms, only leave them in
the service position.
● Before driving, always lower the wiper arms. 
Rain sensor*
Fig. 72 Windscreen wip-
er lever: adjusting the
rain sensor A
Fig. 73 Rain sensor sen-
sitive surface
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen wiper intervals,
depending on the amount of rain ⇒ 
. The sensitivity of the rain sensor can
be adjusted manually. Manual wipe ⇒ page 121
Move the lever to the required position ⇒ Fig. 72:
Rain sensor off.
Rain sensor on; automatic wipe if necessary.
Setting sensitivity level of rain sensor
– Set control to the right: highly sensitive.
– Set control to the left: less sensitive.
When the ignition is switched off and then back on, the rain sensor stays on
and starts operating again when the windscreen wipers are in position 1
and the vehicle is travelling at more than 16 km/h (10 mph).
Rain sensor modified behaviour
Possible causes of faults and mistaken readings
on the sensitive surface
⇒  Fig. 73 of the rain sensor include:

0
1A
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

126Lights and visibility
● If necessary the right exterior mirror adjustment may need correcting.
Turn the knob to position R.
● In the Easy Connect system the exterior mirrors can be adjusted using
the CAR
button and the function button SETUP.
Tilt function for front passenger exterior mirror*
The mirror can automatically tilt slightly to provide a better view of the kerb
when parking backwards. The control must be in the position R for this fea-
ture to be operational.
The mirror returns to its original position as soon as you drive forwards at
over 15 km/h (10 mph) or switch off the ignition. It also returns to its origi-
nal position if the position of the control is adjusted.
Storing the settings of the passenger's exterior mirror for the tilt function
● Switch the ignition on.
● On the control, select position R.
● Select reverse gear.
● Adjust the front passenger exterior mirror so that you can see, for exam-
ple, the kerb area.
● Disengage the reverse gear.
● The rear view mirror setting is stored.
WARNING
Convex or wide-angle* exterior mirrors give a larger field of vision. How-
ever, they make objects look smaller and further away than they really
are. If you use these mirrors to estimate the distance to vehicles behind
you when changing lane, you could misjudge the distance. Risk of acci-
dent!
CAUTION
● If one of the mirror housings is knocked out of position (e.g. when park-
ing), the mirrors must first be fully retracted with the electric control. Do not
readjust the mirror housing by hand, as this will interfere with the mirror ad-
juster function.
● Before washing the vehicle in an automatic car wash, please make sure
to retract the exterior mirrors to prevent them from being damaged. Electri-
cally retractable exterior mirrors must not be folded in or out by hand. Al-
ways use the electrical power control.
Note
If the electrical adjustment should fail to operate, both of the mirrors can be
adjusted by hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mirror glass. 
Anti-dazzle rear vision mirrors
Your vehicle is fitted with an interior rear vision mirror with a
manual or automatic control for anti-dazzle position.
Fig. 76 Interior rear vi-
sion mirror with automat-
ic setting for anti-dazzle
position 

130Seats and storage
● Pull on lever 1
⇒ Fig. 79 and push the backrest forwards so that the
backrest is horizontal.
WARNING
When the passenger's backrest is folded down this place cannot be occu-
pied by a passenger.

Front centre armrest
The centre armrest can be adjusted to various levels. Adjusting the centre armrest
– To adjust the tilt, lift the armrest from the starting position so
that it is engaged.
– To return the armrest to the starting position, remove the arm-
rest from the upper fixed position and lower it.
The armrest can be moved backwards and forwards. 
Seat functions Introduction
Additional information and warnings
● Adjusting the position of the seats ⇒ page 10
● Seat belts ⇒ page 20 ●
Airbag system ⇒  page 31
● Child seats (accessories) ⇒ page 48
WARNING
Inappropriate use of the seat functions can cause severe injuries.
● Assume the proper sitting position before your trip and remain in it
throughout. This also applies to the other occupants.
● Always keep hands, fingers, feet and other parts of the body away
from the operating radius and the adjustment of seats.

Seat heating
Fig. 80 In the centre
console: front seats heat-
ing switch
The seat cushions can be heated electrically when the ignition is switched
on. The backrest 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. 

136Seats and storage
In the centre console
–Remove the connector located in the centre console of the pow-
er socket ⇒ Fig. 87.
– Insert the plug of the electrical appliance into the power socket.
In the luggage compartment (valid only for the Leon ST model)
– Lift the power socket cover ⇒ Fig. 88.
– Insert the plug of the electrical appliance into the power socket.
Electrical equipment can be connected to the 12 volt power socket. The ap-
pliances connected to each power socket must not exceed a power rating of
120 Watt.
WARNING
The power socket works only when the ignition is on. Improper use may
cause serious injury or even fire. Children should therefore not be left in
the vehicle, unattended, if the button is also left behind. Otherwise there
is a possibility that they may be injured.
CAUTION
Always use the correct type of plugs to avoid damaging the sockets.
Note
The use of electrical appliances with the engine switched off will cause a
battery discharge. Luggage compartment
General notes
WARNING
The Safe driving chapter contains important information, tips, sugges-
tions and warnings that you should read and observe for your own safety
and the safety of your passengers ⇒ page 7.


162Driving
Driving
SteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely ad-
justed to suit the driver.
Fig. 117 Lever in the
lower left side of the
steering column
– Press the lever 1
⇒ Fig. 117 down ⇒ 
–
Move the steering wheel to the desired position.
– Move the lever up, applying pressure until the close position is
reached.
WARNING
● Never adjust the position of the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving, as this could cause an accident.
● Move the lever up firmly so the steering wheel position does not acci-
dentally change during driving. risk of accident!
● Make sure you are capable of reaching and firmly holding the upper
part of the steering wheel while your back remains well supported by the
backrest: risk of accident!

Ignition lock Warning and control lamps
Lights upPossible causeSolution

Preheating of the diesel en-
gine before starting the en-
gine⇒ page 164
Foot not on the brake pedal.Press the brake model to start the
engine.
Some warning and control lamps will light up briefly when the ignition is
switched on to check certain functions. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. 

163
Driving
WARNING
Failure to heed the warning lamps when they light up and the corre-
sponding messages may cause the vehicle to stall in traffic and cause ac-
cidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or messages.
● Stop the vehicle at the next safe opportunity.
● If the vehicle breaks down or has to be parked for repair, always park
it a safe distance away from the road, switch on the hazard warning
lights, switch off the engine and take other relevant safety measures to
warn vehicles approaching from the rear.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps when they light up and the corresponding
messages may result in damage to the vehicle. Starting the engine with the ignition key
Switch on the ignition with the key in the ignition and start
the engine.
Fig. 118 Ignition key po-
sitions
Steering wheel lock
– To lock the steering wheel, remove the key from the ignition and
turn the wheel until it locks. In vehicles with the automatic gear-
box*, the selector lever must be in the position P in order to re-
move the key.
– To unlock the steering wheel, insert the key into the ignition
and simultaneously turn the key (in the direction of the arrow)
and the steering wheel.
Warning: If the steering wheel cannot be turned, this is because
the steering wheel lock is activated.
Switching the ignition on/off, preheating
– Turn the ignition key to position 2
to switch on the ignition.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications