Changing gears

Fig. 123 Diagram of a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The exact gear positions and shift pattern are engraved or indicated clearly on the gear lever handle ››› Fig. 123.

• Depress the clutch pedal firmly and keep your foot pressed down as far as it will go against the floorboard.
• Move the gear lever smoothly into the desired gear position.
• Release the clutch pedal in a controlled, progressive manner.

Engaging reverse gear

You must only ever engage reverse gear when the vehicle has been brought to a complete, stationary stop.

• Depress the clutch pedal fully and keep your foot held down as far as it will go.
• With the gear lever in the neutral central position, push the lever straight down, move it all the way to the left, and then push it forwards to select reverse gear ››› Fig. 123 R.
• Release the clutch pedal gradually while applying light throttle.

Changing to lower gears

When driving your Seat Leon, you should always change down through the transmission gears progressively—shifting to the immediately preceding lower gear when engine RPM is not excessively high. Skipping one or multiple gears when downshifting at high speeds or high engine revolutions can cause severe mechanical stress and damage to the clutch assembly and gearbox internals, even if the clutch pedal is fully depressed.

WARNING If the engine is running, your Seat Leon will begin moving forward or backward as soon as a gear is engaged and the clutch pedal is released. This unexpected movement will also occur even if the electronic parking brake is currently switched on.

• Never attempt to engage reverse gear while the vehicle is still rolling or in motion.

WARNING Downshifting incorrectly by selecting a gear that is far too low for your current road speed can lead to sudden engine over-revving, loss of vehicle traction, loss of control, and cause severe accidents and personal injuries.

NOTICE Engaging a gear that is far too low when travelling at high speeds or at elevated engine RPM can cause catastrophic mechanical damage to the clutch disc and gearbox housing. This type of damage can occur even if the clutch pedal is kept fully depressed and the gear is not fully engaged.

NOTICE Please observe the following guidelines to avoid premature wear and mechanical damage:

• Never rest your hand on the gear lever while driving. The continuous weight and pressure exerted by your hand are transmitted directly to the internal selector forks inside the gearbox.
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving; even if the pressure feels insignificant, it creates continuous slip and can cause premature wear of the clutch friction disc.

  Always rest your left foot securely on the dedicated footrest when you are not actively changing gears.

• Make sure the vehicle has come to a complete standstill before attempting to engage reverse gear.
• When changing gears, always depress the clutch pedal fully to the floor.
• Do not "ride" the clutch or hold the car stationary on an uphill slope by slipping the clutch with the engine running.