2012 Seat Leon 5D engine coolant

195
Trailer
Note
● Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. We recom-
mend additional services between the normal inspection intervals if the ve-
hicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
● Find out whether special regulations apply to towing a trailer in your
country. 
Ball coupling of towing bracket*
The ball coupling is provided with instructions on fitting and removing the
ball coupling of the towing bracket.
WARNING
The towing bracket ball coupling must be stored securely in the luggage
compartment to prevent them being flung through the vehicle and caus-
ing injury.
Note
● By law, the ball coupling must be removed if a trailer is not being towed
if it obscures the number plate. 
Driving tips
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care. Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slowly to allow
for the unbalanced weight distribution. Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed. For
this reason, it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed
in an unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This applies especially
when driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slight-
est sign of
snaking. Never try to stop the “snaking” by increasing speed.
Always brake in due course. If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then, firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can
be caused by locking of trailer wheels. Select a low gear in due course be-
fore going down a steep downhill. This enables you to use the engine brak-
ing to slow down the vehicle.
Reheating
At very high temperatures and during prolonged slopes, driving in a low
gear and high engine speed, always monitor the coolant temperature gauge
⇒ page 69.
Electronic Stability Control*
The ESC* system helps to stabilise the trailer in case of skidding or rocking. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

209
Checking and refilling levels
Note
Diesel vehicles are fitted with a protective device that prevents the insertion
of the wrong fuel hose 1)
. It is only possible to refuel with Diesel nozzles.
● If the pump nozzle is worn, damaged, or if it is very small, it is possible
that it will not be able to open the protective device. Before trying to insert
the pump nozzle by turning it, try a different pump or request specialist
help.
● If you fill the tank from a reserve fuel canister, the protective device will
not open. One way to resolve this is to pour the fuel in very slowly. 
Bonnet
Working on components in the engine compartment
Extra caution is necessary when working on components in
the engine compartment. Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk of
accident or even fire when working in the engine compartment (e.g. when
checking and refilling fluids). Always observe the warnings listed below
and follow all general safety precautions. The engine compartment of the
vehicle is a potentially hazardous area ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Switch the ignition off.
● Remove the ignition key.
WARNING (Continued)
● Apply the handbrake.
● If the vehicle has a manual gearbox, place the lever in neutral; if it
has an automatic gearbox, place the selector lever in position P.
● Wait for the engine to cool down.
● Keep children away from the engine compartment.
● Never spill liquids used for vehicle operation on the engine compart-
ment, as these may catch fire (e.g. the antifreeze in coolant).
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the electrical system, especial-
ly when working on the battery.
● If working inside the engine compartment, remember that, even when
the ignition is switched off, the radiator fan may start up automatically,
and therefore there is a risk of injury.
● Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. The cooling system is under pressure.
● Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large, thick
rag to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
● If it is necessary to work in the engine compartment while the engine
is running, the rotating components (for example, poly-V belt, alternator,
radiator fan) and the high voltage ignition system are an additional haz-
ard.
● Observe the following additional warnings if work on the fuel system
or the electrical system is necessary:
–Always disconnect the battery from the on-board network.
– Do not smoke.
– Never work near naked flames.
– Always keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately available. 
1)
according to the country
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

210Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
When changing or topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that
you fill the fluids into the correct reservoirs. Using the wrong fluids could
cause serious malfunctions and engine damage!
For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground underneath your vehicle regularly so that any leaks are
detected at an early stage. If you find spots of oil or other fluids, have your
vehicle inspected at the workshop.
Note
On right-hand drive vehicles* some of the containers/reservoirs mentioned
below are located on the other side of the engine compartment. 
Opening the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.
Fig. 107 Release lever in driver footwell and cam below the bonnet Check that the windscreen wiper arms are not unfolded. Otherwise
the paint may be damaged.
The bonnet can only be unlocked when the driver door is open.
–
Pull the lever under the dash panel in the direction of the arrow
1
⇒ Fig. 107.
– Lift the bonnet slightly ⇒ 
.
– Press the release catch under the bonnet upwards ⇒ Fig. 107
2
. This will release the arrester hook under the bonnet.
– Open the bonnet.
WARNING
Never open the bonnet if you see steam or drips of coolant being re-
leased from the engine compartment. Failure to comply could result in
burns. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen before opening the
bonnet.

Closing the bonnet
– Press the bonnet down until it locks into place.
– Make sure that the bonnet catches onto its clasp. Do not press
down too hard ⇒ 
. 

215
Checking and refilling levels
Cooling system Engine coolant specifications
The engine cooling system is supplied from the factory with a specially trea-
ted mixture of water and, at least, 40 % of the additive G 13 (TLVW 774 J).
The engine coolant additive is recognisable by its purple colour. This mix-
ture of water and additive gives the necessary frost protection down to
-25°C (-13 F) and protects the light alloy parts of the cooling system against
corrosion. It also prevents scaling and considerably raises the boiling point
of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the percentage of additive must al-
ways be at least 40 %, even in warm climates where anti-freeze protection is
not required.
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
additive can be increased. However, the percentage of additive should not
exceed 60 %, as this would reduce the frost protection and, in turn, de-
crease the cooling capacity.
When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture of distilled water and, at
least, 40 % of the G 13 or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive (both are
purple) to obtain an optimum anticorrosion protection ⇒ 
. The mixture of
G 13 with G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G 12 (red) or G 11 (green-blue) engine
coolants will significantly reduce the anticorrosion protection and should,
therefore be avoided ⇒ 
.
WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the coolant system, the engine may
fail leading to serious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of additive is correct with re-
spect to the lowest expected ambient temperature in the zone in which
the vehicle is to be used.
● When the outside temperature is very low, the coolant could freeze
and the vehicle would be immobilised. In this case, the heating would
not work either and inadequately dressed passengers could die of cold.
CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed with coolants which are not
approved by SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing severe damage to
the engine and the engine cooling system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not purple but is, for example,
brown, this indicates that the G 13 additive has been mixed with an inade-
quate coolant. The coolant must be changed as soon as possible if this is
the case! This could result in serious faults and engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the environment. If any fluids are
spilled, they should be collected and correctly disposed of, with respect to
the environment. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

216Checking and refilling levels
Topping up coolant
Top up coolant when the level is below the MIN (minimum)
mark.
Fig. 110 Engine com-
partment: Coolant expan-
sion tank cap
Checking coolant level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Switch the ignition off
– Read off the coolant level on coolant expansion tank. When the
engine is cold, the coolant level should be between the marks.
When the engine is hot, it may be slightly above the upper
mark.
Topping up coolant
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the coolant expansion tank cap with a cloth and carefully
unscrew it to the left ⇒ 
. –
Top up the coolant only if there is still coolant in the expansion
tank, otherwise you could damage the engine. If there is no
coolant in the expansion tank, do not continue driving. You
should obtain professional assistance ⇒ 
.
– If there is still some coolant in the expansion tank, top up to the
upper mark.
– Top up with coolant to the upper mark until the level becomes
stable.
– Screw the cap back on correctly.
Any loss of coolant fluid normally indicates a leak in the cooling system.
Take the vehicle straight to a specialised workshop to have the cooling sys-
tem examined. If there are no leaks in the engine cooling system, a loss of
coolant can only occur if the coolant boils and is forced out of the system as
a result of overheating.
WARNING
● The cooling system is under pressure. Do not unscrew the cap on the
coolant expansion tank when the engine is hot: risk of burns!
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a health hazard. Therefore,
the antifreeze should be stored in the original container in a safe place
out of reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.
● If working inside the engine compartment, remember that, even when
the ignition is switched off, the radiator fan may start up automatically,
and therefore there is a risk of injury.
CAUTION
Do not top up the expansion tank with coolant fluid if it is empty! Air could
enter the cooling system. In this case, stop driving. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Otherwise, there is a risk of engine damage. 

267
Technical specifications
Engine specifications
Checking fluid levels
From time to time, the levels of the different fluids in the ve-
hicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, other-
wise serious damage to the engine may be caused.
Fig. 152 Diagram for the location of the various elements Coolant expansion tank
Engine oil dipstick
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath the cover)
Windscreen washer reservoir
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the compo-
nents mentioned above. These operations are described in ⇒ page 209.
1
23456
Overview
You will find further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the tech-
nical specifications as of
⇒ page 263. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

Controls and displays (overview) . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Control Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Convenience closingPanoramic sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Convenience opening Panoramic sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Convenience opening/closing . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Cooling system Checking the coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Topping up coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Cornering lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Correct adjustment of front seat head re- straints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Correct adjustment of rear seat head restraints In-use and non-use positions . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Correct sitting position front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 D
Danger of fitting a child seat on the front pas- senger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Data recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Daytime driving light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
DEF (instrument panel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Depth of tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Diagnostic connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Diesel Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Particulate filter Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Preheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Dipped beam headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Direction of rotation (tyres) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Disabling the airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61, 62
Display/Easy Connect control panel: Cleaning . .202
Disposal Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Door/rear lid warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Downhill speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Drink holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Driver see Correct sitting position . . . . . . . 11, 12, 13
Driver information system CD/radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Door/rear lid warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Engine oil temperature display . . . . . . . . . . 77 Operation via the windscreen wiper lever . 73
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Driving With a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194, 195
Driving abroad Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Driving safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Driving through water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Dynamic headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . 114
E
E10 see Ethanol (fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Easy Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Economic driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Efficiency programme Additional electrical appliances . . . . . . . . . 78
Saving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Electrical accessories see Power socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Convenience opening/closing . . . . . . . . . 101
Electro-mechanical steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Electronic Self-locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . 183
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 Automatic gearbox Backup programme . . 162
Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Emergency braking warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
279
Index

Emergency locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . 96
EngineAssisted starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Preheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Starting up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Starting up (driver messages with the me-chanical contact) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Switching off (engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Engine compartment Closing the bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Opening the bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine coolant G 12 plus-plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
G 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Checking oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Inspection service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Longlife inspection service . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Replace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Service intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Temperature display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Environment Ecological driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Environmental friendliness . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Environmental tip
Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Environmental tips Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207, 208
Environment warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
ESC Electronic stability control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Mode Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Multi-collision brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
ESC Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Ethanol (fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Exhaust tail pipe: Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
extending the rear lid locking time see rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Exterior anti-dazzle rear vision mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exterior lighting Changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Exterior mirrors Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
F
Fastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 133
Fault in the gearbox (warning lamp) . . . . . . . . 162
Fault memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Faults Panoramic sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Faults in the gearbox (warning lamps) . . . . . . 162 Faulty bulbs
Changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Opening the fuel tank cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Fold the seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fold the back seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Front armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Ethanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Full-LED headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Fuses Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
G
Gear-change indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Gearbox DSG see Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Gear recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
280 Index