2011 Seat Leon 5D light

266If and when
Towing and tow-starting
Tow-starting
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-start-
ing is preferable ⇒ page 263.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the
gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the
towing vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it. Comments
Please observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
–
Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto-
matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not
working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake sooner than nor-
mal and pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexper-
ienced drivers should not attempt to tow. 

267
If and when
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking
the tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of
overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must ap-
ply considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running,
you will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
● Put the selector lever into position “N”.
● Do not drive faster than 50 km/h.
● Do not tow further than 50 km.
● If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels raised.
Note
● Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe
any regulations to the contrary.
● For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be
tow-started.
● If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gear-
box, you must raise the drive wheels while the vehicle is being towed.
● If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km, the front wheels should
be raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by a qualified
person. ●
The steering wheel is locked when the vehicle has no electrical power.
The vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should
be carried out by a qualified person.
● The towing eye should always be kept in the vehicle. Please refer to the
notes on ⇒ page 266. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

272Description of specifications
Drawbar load
The maximum permitted drawbar load on the ball joint of the towing bracket
must not exceed 75 kg.
In the interest of road safety, we recommend that you always tow approach-
ing the maximum drawbar load. The response of the trailer on the road will
be poor if the drawbar load is too small.
If the maximum permissible drawbar load cannot be met (e.g. with small,
empty and light-weight single axle trailers or tandem axle trailers with a
wheelbase of less than 1 metre), a minimum of 4% of the actual trailer
weight is legally required for the drawbar load.
WARNING
● For safety reasons, do not exceed the 80 km/h limit. This is also valid
in countries where higher speeds are permitted.
● Never exceed the maximum trailer weights or the drawbar load. If the
permissible axle load or the permissible total weight is exceeded, the
driving characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents,
injuries and damage to the vehicle.

Wheels
Tyre pressure, snow chains, wheel bolts
Tyre pressures
The sticker with the tyre pressure values can be found on the inside of the
tank flap. The tyre pressure values given there are for cold tyres. Do not re-
duce the slightly raised pressures of warm tyres ⇒ 
.
Snow chains
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels. Consult the chapter “wheels” of this manual.
Wheel bolts
After the wheels have been changed, the
tightening torque of the wheel
bolts should be checked as soon as possible with a torque wrench ⇒ 
.
The tightening torque for steel and alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
WARNING
● Check the tyre pressure at least once per month. Checking the tyre
pressure is very important. If the tyre pressure is too high or too low,
there is an increased danger of accidents, particularly at high speeds.
● If the torque of the wheel bolts is too low, they could loosen while the
vehicle is in motion. Risk of accident! If the tightening torque is too high,
the wheel bolts and threads can be damaged.
Note
We recommend that you ask your Authorised Service Centre for information
about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size. 

274Technical specifications
Petrol engine 1.4 63 kW (85 PS)
Engine specifications
Power output in kW (PS) rpm 63 (85)/ 5000
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 132/ 3800
No. of cylinders/capacity in cm3
4/ 1390
Fuel Super 95 RON a)
/Normal 91 RON b)
a)
Research Octane Number = Anti-detonation rating of the petrol.
b) Slight power loss.
Performance Maximum speed in km/h 172
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 9.2
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 14.1
Weights
Gross vehicle weight in kg 1745
Weight in running order (with driver) in kg 1250
Gross front axle weight in kg 900
Gross rear axle weight in kg 895
Permitted roof load in kg 75
Trailer weight
Trailer without brakes in kg 620
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 8% in kg 1200
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 12% in kg 800
Engine oil filling capacity
Approximate engine oil capacity with oil filter change 2.8 litres


277
Technical specifications
Petrol engine 1.2 77 kW (105 PS)
Engine specifications Power output in kW (PS) rpm 77 (105)/5000
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 175/1550-4100
No. of cylinders/capacity in cm3
4/ 1197
Fuel Super 95 RON a)
/Normal 91 RON b)
a)
Research Octane Number = Anti-detonation rating of the petrol.
b) With a slight power loss
Performance without Start-Stopwith Start-Stop
Maximum speed in km/h 187 187
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 7.2 7.2
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 10.9 10.9
Weights
without Start-Stop with Start-Stop
Gross vehicle weight in kg 1770 1775
Weight in running order (with driver) in kg 1275 1280
Gross front axle weight in kg 940 940
Gross rear axle weight in kg 890 890
Permitted roof load in kg 75 75
Trailer weight
without Start-Stopwith Start-Stop
Trailer without brakes in kg 630 640
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 8% in kg 1500 1500
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 12% in kg 1200 1200
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

278Technical specifications
Engine oil capacity Approximate engine oil capacity with oil filter change 3.6 litres

Petrol engine 1.4 92 kW (125 PS)
Engine specifications Power output in kW (PS) rpm 92 (125)/ 5000
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 200/ 1500-4000
No. of cylinders/capacity in cm3
4/ 1390
Fuel Super 95 RON a)
/Normal 91 RON b)
a)
Research Octane Number = Anti-detonation rating of the petrol.
b) With a slight power loss
Performance Maximum speed in km/h 197
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 6.6
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 9.8
Weights
Gross vehicle weight in kg 1819
Weight in running order (with driver) in kg 1324
Gross front axle weight in kg 969
Gross rear axle weight in kg 899
Permitted roof load in kg 75
Trailer weight
Trailer without brakes in kg 660
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 8% in kg 1500
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 12% in kg 1300 

279
Technical specifications
Engine oil filling capacity Approximate engine oil capacity with oil filter change 3.3 litres

Petrol engine 1.8 118 kW (160 PS)
Engine specifications Power output in kW (PS) rpm 118 (160)/ 4500-6200
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 250/ 1500-4500
No. of cylinders/capacity in cm3
4/ 1798
Fuel Super 95 RON a)
/Normal 91 RON b)
a)
Research Octane Number = Anti-detonation rating of the petrol.
b) With a slight power loss
Performance ManualAutomatic
Maximum speed in km/h 213 213
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 5.6 5.5
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 7.9 7.8
Weights
Manual Automatic
Gross vehicle weight in kg 1850 1865
Weight in running order (with driver) in kg 1355 1370
Gross front axle weight in kg 1035 1035
Gross rear axle weight in kg 898 898
Permitted roof load in kg 75 75
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

280Technical specifications
Trailer weight ManualAutomatic
Trailer without brakes in kg 670 680
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 8% in kg 1500 1500
Trailer with brakes, gradients up to 12% in kg 1400 1400
Engine oil filling capacity
Approximate engine oil capacity with oil filter change 4.6 litres

Petrol engine 2.0 155 kW (211 PS)
Engine specifications Power output in kW (PS) rpm 155 (211)/ 5300-6200
Maximum torque in Nm at rpm 280/ 1700 - 5200
No. of cylinders/capacity in cm3
4/ 1984
Fuel Super 95 RON a)
/Normal 91 RON b)
a)
Research Octane Number = Anti-detonation rating of the petrol.
b) With a slight power loss
Performance ManualAutomatic
Maximum speed in km/h 233 233
Acceleration from 0-80 km/h in sec. 5 5
Acceleration from 0-100 km/h in sec. 6.9 6.9