gearbox Seat Leon SC 2015 Owner's Guide

Driving
Economical and environmentally-
friendly driv
in
gFuel consumption, environmental pollution
and we
ar t

o the engine, brakes and tyres de-
pends largely on driving style. Fuel consump-
tion can be reduced by 10-15% with an eco-
nomical driving style and proper anticipation
of traffic conditions. The following section
gives you some tips on lessening the impact
on the environment and reducing your oper-
ating costs at the same time.
Active cylinder management (ACT ®
)*

››› table on page 2
Depending on vehicle equipment, the active
cylinder management (ACT ®
) may automati-
cally deactivate some of the engine cylinders
if the driving situation does not require too
much power. When it is switched off, no fuel
is injected into these cylinders, hence total
fuel consumption may be reduced. The num-
ber of active cylinders can be seen on the in-
strument panel display ›››
 page 32.
Foresight when driving
Acceleration causes the vehicle to consume
more fuel. If you think ahead when driving,
you will need to brake less and thus acceler-
ate less. Wherever possible, let the car roll
slowly to a stop, with a gear engaged (for in-
stance when you can see that the next traffic lights are red). This takes advantage of the
engine br
ak

ing effect, reducing wear on the
brakes and tyres. Emissions and fuel con-
sumption will drop to zero due to the overrun
fuel cut-off.
Changing gear to save energy
An effective way of saving is to change in ad-
vance to a higher gear. Running the engine at
high rpm in the lower gears uses an unneces-
sary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox : shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. In any case, we rec-
ommend that you change to a higher gear
upon reaching 2,000 rpm. Choosing the right
gear enables fuel savings. Select the highest
possible gear appropriate for the driving sit-
uation (the engine should continue function-
ing with cyclical regularity).
Automatic gearbox : accelerate gradually and
without reaching the “kick-down” position.
Avoid driving at high speed
Avoid travelling at top speed, whenever pos-
sible. Fuel consumption, emission of harmful
gases and noise pollution multiply dispropor-
tionately as speed is increased. Driving at
moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Reduce idling time
In vehicles with the Start-Stop system idling
is automatically reduced. In vehicles without the Start-Stop system it is worth switching off
the engine, for e
xample, at level crossings
and at traffic lights that remain red for long
periods of time. When an engine has reached
operating temperature, and depending on
the cylinder capacity, keeping it switched off
for a minimum of about 5 seconds already
saves more than the amount of fuel necessa-
ry for restarting.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed.
Regular maintenance
Regular servicing helps in saving fuel even
before the engine is started. A well-serviced
engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel
efficiency as well as maximum reliability and
an enhanced resale value. A badly serviced
engine can consume up to 10% more fuel
than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
The engine and catalytic converter need to
reach their optimal operating temperature in
order to minimise fuel consumption and
emissions. »
177
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Fault in the brake system
If the br
ak
e pedal travel should ever increase
suddenly, this may mean that one of the two
brake circuits has failed. Drive immediately
to the nearest specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired. Drive there slowly
and remember that you will have to apply
more pressure on the brake pedal and allow
for longer stopping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is too low. The brake flu-
id level is monitored electronically.
Brake servo
The brake servo increases the pressure you
apply to the brake pedal. It works only when
the engine is running. WARNING
● App ly

the brakes heavily to clean the brake
system only in a suitable traffic situation. Do
not put other road users in danger: there is
risk of causing an accident.
● Ensure the vehicle does not move while in
neutral, when the en
gine is stopped. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in an
accident.
● If the brake fluid loses its viscosity and is
subj
ected to heavy use, vapour bubbles can
form in the brake system. This reduces the ef-
ficiency of the brakes. CAUTION
● Never l et

the brakes “drag” by leaving your
foot on the pedal when it is not necessary to
brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in
longer stopping distances and greater wear.
● Before driving down a long, steep gradient,
it is
advisable to reduce speed and select a
lower gear. This makes use of engine braking
and relieves the brakes. If you still have to
use the brakes, it is better to brake firmly at
intervals than to apply the brakes continu-
ously. Note
● If the br ak

e servo is out of action, for exam-
ple when the car is being towed, you will
have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal to make up for the lack of
servo assistance.
● If you wish to equip the vehicle with acces-
sories s
uch as a front spoiler or wheel covers,
it is important that the flow of air to the front
wheels is not obstructed, otherwise the
brakes can overheat. Hill driving assistant*
This function is only included in vehicles with
E
SC.
The hi l

l driving assistant helps the driver to
move off and upward on a hill when the vehi-
cle is stationary. The system maintains brake pressure for ap-
prox

imately two seconds after the driver
takes his foot off the brake pedal to prevent
the vehicle from lurching backward when it is
started. During these 2 seconds, the driver
has enough time to release the clutch pedal
and accelerate without the vehicle moving
and without having to use the handbrake,
making start-up easier, more comfortable
and safer.
These are the basic operation conditions:
● being on a ramp or hill/slope,
● doors closed,
● vehicle completely stationary,
● engine running and foot on the brake,
● besides having a gear engaged or being in
neutral f
or manual gear change and with the
selector lever at position S, D or R for an au-
tomatic gearbox.
This system is also active when reversing up-
hill. WARNING
● If y

ou 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 ped-
al or u
se the hand brake immediately.182

Driver assistance systems
●
When fo l
lowing 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
c an t el

l you if your vehicle is equipped with
this system. Start-Stop system*
D e
s

cription and operation 

›› ›

table on page 2
The Start-Stop system helps save fuel and re-
duce CO 2 emissions.
In Start-Stop mode, the engine will automati-
cally switch off when the vehicle stops, when
stopping at traffic lights for example. The ig-
nition remains switched on during the stop-
ping phase. The engine automatically
switches back on when required.
As soon as the ignition is switched on, the
Start-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Basic requirements for the Start-Stop mode ● The driver door must be closed. ●
The driver mu s

t have their seat belt fas-
tened.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The vehicle must have travelled at more
than 4 km/h (2 mph) sinc
e the last stop.
● The vehicle cannot be towing a trailer. WARNING
● Never sw it

ch the engine off until the vehi-
cle is stationary. The brake servo and power
steering functions will not be completely cov-
ered under warranty. More force may also be
needed to turn the steering wheel or to brake.
As you cannot steer and brake in the normal
manner, there is a greater risk of accidents
and serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if
the vehic
le is in motion. Otherwise, the steer-
ing could lock making it impossible to steer
the vehicle.
● To avoid injury, make sure that the Start-
Stop sys
tem is switched off when working in
the engine compartment ››› page 185. CAUTION
The Start-Stop system must always be
swit c

hed off when driving through flooded
areas ››› page 185. Stopping/Starting the engine
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it into
neutral and r

elease the clutch pedal. The
engine will switch off. The warning lamp 
will appear on the instrument panel dis-
play.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed the en-
gine wil

l start up again. The warning lamp
will switch off.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
– Use the foot brake to bring the vehicle to a
stop and k

eep the brake pedal pressed
down with your foot. The engine will switch
off. The warning lamp  will appear in the
display.
– When you take your foot off the brake pedal
the engine wi

ll start up again. The warning
lamp will switch off.
Additional information related to the auto-
matic gearbox
The engine stops when the selector lever is in
the positions P, D, N and S, in addition to
when in manual mode. With the selector lev-
er in position P, the engine will also remain
switched off when you take your foot off the
brake pedal. In order to start the engine up
again the accelerator must be pressed, or an-
other gear engaged or the brake released. »
183
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
If the selector lever is placed in position R
durin g the s
t
opping phase, the engine will
start up again.
Change from position D to P to prevent the
engine from accidentally starting when
changing and passing by position R. Note
● You c an c

ontrol whether the engine should
switch off or not by reducing or increasing the
brake force applied. While the vehicle re-
mains stopped, the engine will not stop if the
brake pedal is slightly pressed, in traffic jams
with frequent stopping and starting for exam-
ple. As soon as strong pressure is applied to
the brake pedal, the engine will stop.
● In vehicles with manual gearbox, during
the stop
ping phases the brake pedal must re-
main depressed to prevent the vehicle from
moving.
● If the engine “stalls” in vehicles with man-
ual g
earbox, it can be directly started up
again by immediately pressing the clutch
pedal. General notes
The system can interrupt the Start-Stop mode
fr
equently
f

or different reasons. The engine does not switch off
Befor

e the stopping phase, the system veri-
fies whether certain conditions are met. The
engine does not switch off, in the following
situations for example:
● The engine has not yet reached the mini-
mum required t
emperature for the Start-Stop
mode.
● The interior temperature selected for the air
conditioner ha
s not yet been reached.
● The interior temperature is very high/low.
● Defrost function button activated
›››
 page 45.
● The parking aid* is switched on.
● The battery is very low.
● The steering wheel is overly turned or is be-
ing turned.
● If

there is a danger of misting.
● After engaging reverse gear.
● In case of a very steep gradient.
● In the CUPRA version with automatic gear-
box, when it i
s in Tiptronic mode or in its
sports driving position ( S).
The indication  is shown on the instrument
panel display, and in addition, the driver in-
formation system* shows, . The engine starts by itself
During a s

topping phase the normal Start-
Stop mode can be interrupted in the follow-
ing situations: The engine restarts by itself
without involvement from the driver.
● The interior temperature differs from the
value select
ed on the air conditioner.
● Defrost function button activated
›››
 page 45.
● The brake has been pressed several times
consec
utively.
● The battery is too low.
● High power consumption. Note
In vehicles with an automatic gearbox, if the
select or l

ever is placed in position D, N or S
after engaging reverse gear, the vehicle must
be driven at a speed faster than 10 km/h (5
mph) for the system to return to conditions in
which the engine can be stopped. 184

Operation
●
Rep air
s to the radar sensor require special-
ist knowledge and special tools. SEAT recom-
mends visiting a SEAT dealership for this pur-
pose.
● Clean away the snow with a brush and the
ice pref
erably with a solvent-free de-icer
spray. Operating the Adaptive Cruise Control
AC
C Fig. 196
On the left of the steering column:
thir d l
ev

er for operating the Adaptive Cruise
Control. Fig. 197
On the left of the steering column:
third l ev

er for operating the Adaptive Cruise
Control. When the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is
c
onnect
ed, the gr

een control lamp  will
light up on the instrument panel, and the
programmed speed and ACC status will be
displayed ››› Fig. 194.
Conditions for the adaptive cruise control to
be activated ● The selector lever must be at the D or S po-
sition or in the tiptronic
selection track. In
manual gearbox any forward gear must be
engaged, except the 1st gear.
● In vehicles with manual gearbox, if there is
no programmed s
peed, drive at least at
30 km/h (18 mph). Speed control
When the ACC

is connected, speed can be
programmed and adjusted. The programmed
speed must be different from the speed at
which the vehicle travels if the distance is be-
ing adjusted at the time.
What functions can be operated?
If you activate the ACC the current speed can
be programmed as the “control speed”.
During driving, control can be operated at
any time and the speed also modified.
The following settings can also be adjusted:
● Distance.
● Driving Programme.
● Driving style.
Activatin
g/Deactivating
Any speed 1)
between 30 and 160 km/h (19
and 100 mph) can be adjusted.
Activating the ACC
● Pull the lever to position 1
› ›
› Fig. 196
.
ACC standby will be shown on the instrument
panel display. 1)
Different speed limits apply in each country and
depend on the unit indic

ated on the speedometer.
190

Driver assistance systems
Programme speed and activate control
● Press the S
ET
› ››
Fig. 197
b utton to pro-
gramme current speed.
● Automatic gearbox: apply the brake pedal
to activat
e control with the vehicle stationary.
Deactivating the ACC
● Move the lever to position 0 until it en-
g ag
e

s. The text ACC: off appears.
Altering speed
● To increase or reduce speed step by step,
pres
s the lever up/down briefly ››› Fig. 197.
Any modification to the programmed speed
is shown on the bottom left part of the instru-
ment panel display.
Adjusting distance level
The distance according to speed with regard
to the vehicle in front can be controlled on
the Easy Connect system on 5 levels
›››  page 28.
In wet road conditions, you should always set
a larger distance with regard to the vehicle in
front than when driving in dry conditions.
The following distances can be preselected:
● Very short
● Short
● Media ●
Long
● V

ery long
You can u
se the Easy Connect system to ad-
just the level of distance that should be ad-
justed when the ACC is switched on with the
button  and the function buttons
 and
Driv er a
s

sistance
› ››
 p
age 28.
Adju
sting the driving programme
In vehicles with driving profile selection
(SEAT Drive Profile), the profile selected can
influence acceleration behaviour
››› page 204.
The following driving programmes items can
be selected:
● Normal
● Sport
● Eco
In vehic
les without driving profile selection,
acceleration behaviour can be influenced by
selecting a driving programme on the Easy
Connect system by means of the button  and the function buttons
 and
Driv er a
s

sistance
› ›
›
 page 28.
The following conditions may lead the ACC
not to react:
● If the accelerator is pressed.
● If there is no gear engaged. ●
If the ESC
is controlling.
● If the driver is not wearing his/her seat
belt.
● If sev

eral brake lights of the vehicle or elec-
trically
connected trailer are damaged.
● If the vehicle is reversing.
● Driving faster than 160 km/h (100 mph). WARNING
There is a danger of rear collision when the
minimum dis t

ance to the vehicle in front is
exceeded and the speed difference between
both vehicles is so great that a speed reduc-
tion by the ACC will not suffice. In this case
the brake pedal should be applied immedi-
ately.
● The ACC may not be able to detect all situa-
tions pr
operly.
● “Stepping” on the accelerator may cause
the ACC
not to intervene in braking. Driver
braking will have priority over intervention by
the speed control or adaptive cruise control.
● Always be ready to use the brakes!
● Observe country-specific provisions gov-
erning ob
ligatory minimum distances be-
tween vehicles. Note
● The progr ammed s

peed is erased once the
ignition or the ACC are switched off. » 191
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
●
When the traction c ontr
ol system (ASR) is
deactivated during acceleration or else the
ESC is activated in Sport* Mode
( ››› page 110), the ACC switches off automati-
cally.
● In vehicles with the Start-Stop system, the
engine swit
ches off automatically during the
ACC stopping phase and restarts automatical-
ly to begin driving. Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
If the vehicle is equipped with automatic
g
e
arbo

x, the ACC can brake the vehicle until
it stops completely if a vehicle in front of it
stops.
The ACC will still be available for a few sec-
onds. The vehicle will restart by itself if the
vehicle in front moves (traffic jam assistant).
Disconnection criteria
The ACC will switch off if the driver applies
the brake pedal or the driver's door is
opened.
If the vehicle in front remains stationary for
more than 3 seconds, the ACC will also
switch off for safety reasons. In this case the
driver should take control and apply the
brake.
In the latter case, when the ACC is switched
off with the vehicle stationary, the vehicle has to be braked by the pedal, since al-
though the car is

idling it can move, as there
is a gear engaged.
Restarting the vehicle with the ACC manually
The ACC can be activated again by moving
the lever to position 2
› ››
Fig. 198
. WARNING
Your vehicle can start up even if there is an
ob s

tacle between your vehicle and the vehi-
cle detected in front. Risk of accident! CAUTION
● If y

our vehicle with ACC does not start up
as expected, you can drive off by briefly step-
ping on the accelerator.
● The Start-Stop system usually acts if you
are drivin
g with ACC. Interrupting control
Fig. 198
On the left of the steering column:
thir d l
ev

er for operating the Adaptive Cruise
Control. Important: the ACC is active.
Int
erruptin
g c

ontrol during driving
● Move the lever to the position 3 . The
ACC
s t

andby message is displayed to the driver.
or
● Brake.
● To resume the programmed speed, turn the
lever t
o position 2 .
Int errupt
s
peed control with the vehicle sta-
tionary
Applies to vehicles with automatic gearbox:
● Move the lever to the position 3 . The
ACC
s t

andby message is displayed to the driver.
192

Operation
 A CC: Take action!
The me s
sage for the driver is displayed if,
when the vehicle starts up on a hill with a
mild slope, the vehicle rolls back even al-
though the ACC is activated. Apply the brake
to stop the vehicle from moving/colliding
with another vehicle.
 ACC: speed limit
The message for the driver is displayed if, in
vehicles with manual gearbox, the current
speed is too low for the ACC mode.
The speed to be stored must be at least 30
km/h. The cruise control system switches off
if the speed falls below 20 km/h.
 ACC: available as of the 2nd gear
The ACC is operational as of the 2nd gear
(manual gearbox).
 ACC: engine speed
The message for the driver is displayed if,
when the AAC accelerates or brakes, the driv-
er does not shift up or down a gear in time,
which means exceeding or not reaching the
permissible engine speed. The AAC switches
itself off. A buzzer warning is heard.
 ACC: clutch pressed
Vehicles with a manual gearbox: pressing the
clutch pedal for longer abandons control
mode.   
Three white dots
appear if a setting made
with the control lever cannot be performed.
For example, if when the vehicle is stationary
the ACC cannot be activated because the
driver is not wearing the seat belt.
Door open
Vehicles with automatic gearbox: the ACC
cannot be activated with the vehicle station-
ary and the door open.
Deactivating the Adaptive Cruise Con-
trol
ACC temporarily in certain situa-
tions In the following situations the Adaptive
C
rui
se C

ontrol (ACC) should be deactivated
due to the system's limitations ››› :
● When changing lanes, on tight bends and
r ou
nd

abouts, in acceleration and decelera-
tion lanes on motorways or in sections with
road works to prevent involuntary accelera-
tion to reach the programmed speed.
● When going through a tunnel, as operation
coul
d be affected.
● On roads with several lanes, when other ve-
hicle
s are driving more slowly in the overtak-
ing lane. In this case, slower vehicles will be
overtaken on the right. ●
In case of
heavy rain, snow or spray, as the
vehicle in front might not be detected proper-
ly or, in certain circumstances, might not be
detected at all. WARNING
If the ACC does not switch off in the situa-
tions de

scribed, serious accidents and inju-
ries may occur.
● Always switch off the ACC in critical situa-
tions. Note
If you do not switch off the ACC in the afore-
mentioned sit uation

s, you may commit a le-
gal offence. 194

Driver assistance systems
Special driving situations Fig. 200
(A) Vehicle on a bend. (B) Motorcy-
c li
s
t ahead out of range of the radar sensor. Fig. 201
(C) Vehicle changing lanes. (D) One
v ehic
l

e turning and another stationary. The adaptive cruise control (ACC) has certain
ph
y
s

ical limitations inherent in the system.
For example, certain reactions of the ACC, in
certain circumstances, may be unexpected or
come late from the driver's point of view. So
pay attention in order to intervene if necessa-
ry.
For example, the following traffic situations
call for the utmost attention:
Deceleration until the vehicle has stopped
(only vehicles with automatic gearbox)
If the vehicle in front slows down and stops,
the ACC will also slow down and halt the ve-
hicle. After approximately 3 seconds the sys- tem will inform the driver that he or she
should t

ake control of the vehicle by means
of an audible and visual warning on the in-
strument panel.
Starting driving after a stopping phase (only
vehicles with automatic gearbox)
After a stopping phase the ACC may begin
driving automatically when the vehicle in
front drives off.
Overtaking
When the turn signal lights up before the ve-
hicle begins an overtaking manoeuvre, the
ACC accelerates the vehicle automatically
and thus reduces the distance from the vehi-
cle in front.
When the vehicle enters the overtaking lane,
if the ACC does not detect another vehicle in
front, it accelerates until it reaches the pro-
grammed speed and maintains it.
System acceleration can be interrupted at
any time by pressing the brake or moving the
third lever backwards ››› page 190.
Driving through a bend
On entering or exiting bends, the radar sen-
sor may no longer determine the vehicle in
front or react to a vehicle in the adjacent lane
››› Fig. 200 A. In these situations the vehicle
may brake unnecessarily or fail to react to re-
act to the vehicle in front. In this case, the »
195
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
In the FR and X-PERIENCE models equipped
w ith dy
n
amic chassis control and Navi Sys-
tem Plus, the Comfort profile is also
available.
In the Leon Cupra model the four profiles are Comfort , Sport, Cupra and Individual .
The Individual profile can be configured
according to personal preferences. The other
profiles are fixed.
Description Depending on the equipment fitted in the ve-
hic
l
e,

SEAT Drive Profile can operate on the
following functions:
Engine
Depending on the profile selected, the en-
gine responds more spontaneously or more
in harmony with the movements of the accel-
erator. Additionally, when Eco mode is selec-
ted, the Start-stop function is automatically
activated.
In vehicles with automatic transmission, the
gear change points are modified to position
them in lower or higher engine speed ranges.
Additionally, the Eco 1)
mode activates the In- ertia function, enabling consumption to be
further r

educed.
In manual gearbox vehicles, Eco1)
mode cau-
ses the gear change recommendation indica-
tions that appear on the instrument panel to
vary, facilitating more efficient driving.
Dynamic chassis control (DCC)

››› table on page 2
DCC continuously adapts the shock absorb-
ers to the condition of the road and current
driving conditions, according to the pre-set
programme.
In the event of a fault in the DCC, the follow-
ing message is displayed on the instrument
screen Fault: damping setting .
Address
Power steering becomes more robust in
Sport mode to enable a sportier driving
style. In the Leon Cupra the power steering
becomes more robust in Cupra mode.
Air conditioning
In vehicles with Climatronic, this can operate
in eco 1)
mode, especially restricting fuel con-
sumption. Ambient lighting
The ambient lightin
g guides located in the in-
terior front door panels of the Leon FR and
the Leon Cupra change colour from white to
red depending on the driving mode selected.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) 2)
According to the active driving profile, the ac-
celeration gradient of the adaptive cruise
control varies.
Electronic self-locking differential 2)
The self-locking differential adapts its behav-
iour depending on the driving profile chosen.
Normal mode or Cupra mode can be selected
to prioritise improved traction in sport driv-
ing. 1)
In the Leon Cupra model, Ec o
mode is selected
through the Individual profile.
2) Applies to the Leon Cupra model.
205
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety