2012 Seat Leon 5D engine

68Instruments and warning/control lamps
Normal temperature
If in normal operations, the diodes light up until the central zone, it means
that the engine has reached operating temperature. At high outside temper-
atures and when making the engine work hard, the diodes may continue
lighting up and reach the upper zone. This is no cause for concern, provided
the control lamp  does not light up on the instrument panel digital dis-
play.
Heat range
When the diodes light up in the upper area of the display and the control
lamp appears  on the instrument panel display, the coolant temperature
is excessive ⇒ page 215.
CAUTION
● To ensure a long useful life for the engine, avoid high revs, driving at
high speed and making the engine work hard for approx. the first 15 mi-
nutes when the engine is cold. The phase until the engine is warm also de-
pends on the outside temperature. If necessary, use the engine oil tempera-
ture* as a guide ⇒ page 77
● Additional lights and other accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the
cooling effect of the coolant. At high outside temperatures and high engine
loads, there is a risk of the engine overheating.
● The front spoiler also ensures proper distribution of the cooling air when
the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is damaged this can reduce the cooling
effect, which could cause the engine to overheat. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Gear-change indicator
This additional indicator function can help to save fuel.
Fig. 39 Instrument pan-
el: Gear-change indicator
(manual gearbox)
To familiarise yourself with the gear-change indicator, we recommend driv-
ing in the normal way to start with. A gear change will be recommended if
the gear you are in is not the most economical choice.
If no gear-change is recommended, you are already in the most economical
gear.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
The following display symbols ⇒ Fig. 39 mean:
●  Change to a higher gear: The suggested gear appears to the right of
the current gear when a higher gear is recommended.
●  Change to a lower gear: The suggested gear appears to the left of the
current gear when a lower gear is recommended.
The gear recommendation may occasionally skip a gear (2nd  4th).

69
Instruments and warning/control lamps
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox*
The display is only visible in tiptronic mode ⇒ page 159
The following display symbols mean:
●  Shifting up a gear
●  Shifting down a gear
CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is intended to help save fuel. It is not intended to
recommend the right gear for all driving situations. In certain situations, on-
ly the driver can choose the correct gear (for instance when overtaking, driv-
ing up a steep gradient or towing a trailer).
Note
The display disappears from the instrument panel when you press the
clutch pedal. 
Control lamps Control and warning lamps
The control and warning lamps are indicators of warnings, ⇒ , faults ⇒ or certain functions. Some control and warning lamps come on when the ig-
nition is switched on, and switch off when the engine starts running, or
while driving.
Depending on the model, additional text messages may be viewed on the
instrument panel display. These may be purely informative or they may be
advising of the need for action ⇒ page 61, Instruments. Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp, sometimes a symbol may be displayed on the instrument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are lit, an audible warning is also
heard.
Red symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Central warning lamp: additional information
on the instrument panel display–

Symbol on the instrument panel display:

Do not continue driving!
With the corresponding indication: door(s), rear
lid or bonnet open or not properly closed.⇒ page 86
⇒ page 98
⇒ page 209
Parking brake on.⇒ page 147
⇒ page 185

 Do not continue driving!
The brake fluid level is too low or there is a fault
in the brake system.

Lit up on instrument panel display: a)
 Do not continue driving!
Engine coolant level too low, coolant tempera-
ture too high
Flashing on the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the engine coolant system.
⇒ page 215

On the instrument panel display: a)
 Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ page 211

Lit up or flashing:
 Do not continue driving!
Fault in the steering.⇒ page 186
Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt.⇒ page 19 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

70Instruments and warning/control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Use the foot brake!
On the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the battery.⇒ page 217
a) Colour presentation on instrument panel with colour display.
Yellow symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Central warning lamp: additional information
on the instrument panel display–
Front brake pads worn.
⇒ page 183
lights: Fault in the ESC, or disconnection
caused by the system.
flashes: ESC or ASR activated.
ASR manually deactivated.
ABS faulty or does not work.
Rear fog light switched on.⇒ page 106

On the instrument panel display: a)
Driving light totally or partially faulty.⇒ page 252
On the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the cornering light system.⇒ page 106
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Lights up or flashes: Fault in the emission con-
trol system.
⇒ page 190lights: pre-ignition of diesel engine.flashes: Fault in engine management.
Fault in engine management.
On the instrument panel display: a)
Diesel particulate filter blocked.
Lights up or flashes: Fault in the steering sys-
tem.⇒ page 143
Tyre pressure too low, or fault in the tyre pres-
sure monitoring system.⇒ page 175
On the instrument panel display: a)
Level of windscreen washer fluid too low.⇒ page 116
Fuel tank almost empty.⇒ page 207

Flashing on the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the oil level detection. Control manual-
ly.
⇒ page 211Lit up on the instrument panel display: a)
Engine oil level insufficient.
Fault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners.
⇒ page 30

Front passenger front airbag is off ( PASSENGER
AIRBAG  ).

Front passenger front airbag is on ( PASSENGER
AIRBAG  ). 

71
Instruments and warning/control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Lane Assist is switched on, but not active.⇒ page 168
On the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the gearbox.⇒ page 162
a) Colour presentation on instrument panel with colour display.
Other control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

Left or right turn signal.⇒ page 106
Hazard warning lights on.⇒ page 110
Trailer turn signals⇒ page 194

lights: Press the foot brake!
flashes: The selector lever locking button has
not engaged.⇒ page 154
The vehicle is stopped by engine braking.

lights: Cruise control operating.
⇒ page 164lights: Speed limiter switched on and active.flashes: The speed set by the speed limiter has
been exceeded.
Lane Assist is switched on and active.⇒ page 168
Main beam on or flasher on.⇒ page 106
On the instrument panel display:
Light Assist switched on.
On the instrument panel display:
Immobiliser active.
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
On the instrument panel display:
Service interval display.⇒ page 65

On the instrument panel display:
Mobile telephone is connected via Bluetooth to
the original telephone device.
⇒ Book-
let Bluetooth
System

On the instrument panel display:
Mobile telephone battery charge meter. Availa-
ble only for pre-installed factory-fitted devices.

On the instrument panel display:
Ice warning. The outside temperature is lower
than +4 °C (+39 °F).⇒ page 64
On the instrument panel display:
Start-Stop system active.
⇒ page 149On the instrument panel display:
Start-Stop system not available.
On the instrument panel display:
Engine running.
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
● Park the vehicle away from the traffic, ensuring that there are no easi-
ly inflammable materials under the vehicle which could come into contact
with the exhaust system (e.g. dry grass, fuel).
● A faulty vehicle represents a risk of accident for the driver and for oth-
er road users. If necessary, switch on the hazard warning lamps and put
out the warning triangle to advise other drivers. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

72Instruments and warning/control lamps
WARNING (Continued)
● Before opening the bonnet, switch off the engine and allow it to cool.
● In any vehicle, the engine compartment is a hazardous area and could
cause severe injuries ⇒ page 209.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle. 

76Driver information system
Multifunction display memory
The multifunction display is equipped with three memories that work auto-
matically: MFD from departure, MFD from refuelling, MFD total calculation.
On the screen display, you can read which memory is currently displayed.
To change between memories with the ignition on and the memory shown,
press the button 
on the windscreen wiper lever or you can also
change between memories using the button  on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel.
MenuFunction
MFD from de-
parture
Display and storage of the values for the journey and the
consumption from when the ignition is switched on to
when it is switched off.
If the journey is continued in less than 2 hours after the ig-
nition is switched off, the new data is added to the data al-
ready stored in the memory. The memory will automatically
be deleted if the journey is interrupted for more than two
hours.
MFD from re-
fuellingDisplay and storage of the values for the journey and the
consumption. By refuelling, the memory will be erased au-
tomatically.
MFD total cal-
culation
The memory records the values for a specific number of
partial trips, up to a total of 19 hours and 59 minutes or 99
hours and 59 minutes, or 1999.9 km (or miles) or 9999 km
(or miles), depending on the model of instrument panel.
On reaching either of these limits a)
, the memory is auto-
matically erased and starts to count from 0 again.
a) It varies according to the type of instrument panel fitted.
Erasing a memory manually
● Select the memory that you wish to erase.
● Press and hold the button 
on the windscreen wiper lever or the
button  on the multifunction steering wheel for about 2 seconds. Personalising the displays
In the Easy Connect system you can adjust which of the possible displays of
the MFD can be shown on the instrument panel display with the button

and the function button Setup ⇒ page 79.
DisplaysMenuFunction
Current fuel con-
sumptionThe current fuel consumption display operates through-
out the journey, in litres/100 km; and with the engine
running and the vehicle stopped, in litres/hour.
Average fuel con-
sumption
After turning on the ignition, average fuel consumption
in litres/100 km will be shown after travelling approxi-
mately 100 metres. Otherwise horizontal lines are dis-
played. The value shown is updated approximately ev-
ery 5 seconds.
Operating range
Approximate distance in km that can still be travelled
with the fuel remaining in the tank, assuming the same
style of driving is maintained. This is calculated using
the current fuel consumption.
Journey durationThis indicates the hours (h) and minutes (min) since
the ignition was switched on.
Distance coveredDistance covered in km (m) after switching on the igni-
tion.
Average speed
The average speed will be shown after a distance of ap-
proximately 100 metres has been travelled. Otherwise
horizontal lines are displayed. The value shown is up-
dated approximately every 5 seconds.
Digital display of
speedCurrent speed displayed in digital format.
Speed warning at
--- km/h or Speed
warning at --- mphIf the stored speed is exceeded (between 30 - 250 km/
h, or 1 - 155 mph), an audible warning is given togeth-
er with a visual warning. 

77
Driver information system
DisplaysMenuFunctionOil temperatureUpdated engine oil temperature digital displayCoolant tempera-
ture gaugeDigital display of the current temperature of the liquid
coolant.
Storing a speed for the speed warning
● Select the display Speed warning at --- km/h (--- mph)
● Press the button 
on the windscreen wiper lever or the button on the multifunction steering wheel to store the current speed and activate
the warning.
●
If necessary, adjust the desired speed within 5 seconds using the rocker
switch 
on the windscreen wiper lever or by turning the thumbwheel on
the multifunction steering wheel. Next, press the button  or  again
or wait several seconds. The speed is stored and the warning activated.
● To deactivate it press the button 
or the button . The stored
speed is deleted. 
Assist systems submenu
Assist systems
menuFunction
Lane Assist*Switching the Lane Assist system on or off ⇒ page 170.Tiredness detec-
tion*Switching the tiredness detection on or off (pause recom-
mendation) ⇒ page 173.
Personal convenience settings
When two people use a vehicle, SEAT recommends that each person always
uses their own remote control key. When the ignition is switched off, or the vehicle is locked, the convenience settings are stored and allocated to the
vehicle key
⇒ page 73.
The values of the personalised convenience settings are allocated to the ve-
hicle key in the Easy Connect system via the button 
and the function
button Setup ⇒ page 79:
Vehicle settings menu
■ Time
■ Language
■ Units
Convenience settings menu ■ Door unlock (individual opening, Auto Lock)
■ Convenience handling of windows
■ Rear vision mirror adjustment
Light settings menu
■ Coming home and leaving home
■ Footwell light
■ Convenience turn signals
The stored settings are automatically activated, at the latest when the igni-
tion is switched on. 
Engine oil temperature display
Vehicles without multifunction steering wheel
– To display the temperature of the engine oil, press the rocker
switch ⇒ Fig. 40 2
until the main menu appears. Enter into
Journey data . With the button 2 move to the oil temperature
gauge. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

78Driver information system
Vehicles with multifunction steering wheel
–To display the engine oil temperature, enter the submenu Jour-
ney data and turn the thumbwheel until the oil temperature dis-
play appears.
The engine reaches its operating temperature when in normal driving condi-
tions, the oil temperature is between 80 °C (180 °F) and 120 °C (250 °F). If
the engine is required to work hard and the outside temperature is high, the
engine oil temperature can increase. This does not present any problem as
long as the warning lamps  ⇒ page 69 or  ⇒ page 70 do not appear on
the display. 
Additional electrical appliances
– Operation with the windscreen wiper lever*: Press the rocker
switch ⇒  Fig. 40 2 until the main menu appears. Enter into the
section Journey data . With the rocker switch, move to the display
Convenience appliances.
– Operation with the multifunction steering wheel*: Move with
the buttons 1
or 2 to Journey data
and enter with OK. Turn the
thumbwheel to the right until the Convenience appliances dis-
play appears.
In addition, a scale will inform you of the current sum of all the additional
appliances. 
Saving tips
Tips on how to save fuel will be displayed in certain conditions that
contribute to increased consumption. Following these tips could reduce the fuel consumption of your vehicle. The displays appear
automatically and will only be shown with the efficiency pro-
gramme. After a time, the saving tips will disappear automatically.
–
If you wish to hide a saving tip immediately after it appears,
press any button on the windscreen wiper lever*/multifunction
steering wheel*.
Note
● If you hide a saving tip, it will reappear after you switch the ignition on
again.
● The saving tips do not appear in all situations, but rather with a large
separation of time. 