downhill assistant

The downhill speed control assistant is automatically activated when the gear lever is in the D/S position and the foot brake is applied while descending a gradient. An appropriate lower gear ratio is engaged by the transmission to utilize engine braking.

The assistant attempts to maintain the exact speed at which the vehicle was travelling when the brake was initially applied, within logical mechanical limits. It may still be necessary to correct or fine-tune your descent speed by lightly pressing the brake pedal.

The assistant can automatically downshift only as far down as 3rd gear. Therefore, on very steep mountain slopes, you may need to switch over to manual Tiptronic mode and actively downshift to 2nd or 1st gear to maximize engine braking and take the thermal load off the friction brake system.

Downhill speed control deactivates automatically as soon as the road profile levels out again or whenever you depress the accelerator pedal.

On Seat Leon models equipped with an active cruise control system, downhill speed control is also activated seamlessly whenever you set a cruising speed.

WARNING The downhill speed control system cannot defy the fundamental laws of physics. Consequently, vehicle speed cannot be kept perfectly constant in every road or weather situation. Always remain alert and be fully prepared to use the service brakes!