2012 Seat Leon 5D speed

38Airbag system
Knee airbag*
Fig. 21 On the driver
side: location of the knee
airbag
Fig. 22 On the driver
side: Radius of action of
the knee airbag
The knee airbag is located on the driver side below the dash panel
⇒  Fig. 21. Airbags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”. The area framed in red ⇒ Fig. 22 is covered by the knee airbag when it is
deployed (deployment area). Therefore, objects should never be placed or
mounted in these areas.
WARNING
The airbag is deployed at high speed in fractions of a second.
● The knee airbag is deployed in front of the driver's knees. Always
keep the deployment areas of the knee airbags free.
● Never not fix objects to the cover or in the deployment area of the
knee airbag.
● Adjust the driver seat so that there is a distance of at least 10 cm (4
inches) between your knees and the location of the knee airbag. If you
physical constitution prevents you from meeting these requirements,
make sure you contact a specialised workshop.


61
Instruments and warning/control lamps
Instruments and warning/control lamps
Instruments Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Control and warning lamps ⇒ page 69
● SEAT information system
● Easy Connect system
● Gear engaged display (automatic gearbox) ⇒ page 154.
● Instructions for inspection intervals ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme
WARNING
Any distraction may lead to an accident, with the risk of injury.
● Do not operate the instrument panel controls when driving.
 View of instrument panelFig. 36 Instrument panel, on dash panel
Details of the instruments
⇒ Fig. 36:
Rev counter (with the engine running, in hundreds of revolutions per
minute).
The beginning of the red zone of the rev counter indicates the maxi-
mum speed in any gear after running-in and with the engine hot. How-
ever, it is advisable to change up a gear or move the selector lever to D
(or lift your foot off the accelerator) before the needle reaches the red
zone ⇒ 
.
Engine coolant temperature display 
⇒ page 215.
Displays on the screen
⇒  page 62.
Adjuster button and display ⇒ page 67
Speedometer.
Fuel reserve display
⇒  page 207.

123456
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

62Instruments and warning/control lamps
CAUTION
● To prevent damage to the engine, the rev counter needle should only re-
main in the red zone for a short period of time.
● When the engine is cold, avoid high revs and heavy acceleration and do
not make the engine work hard.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear in time reduces fuel consumption and noise. 
Displays on screen
Fig. 37 A: bonnet open; B: rear lid open; C: front left door open; D: rear right door
open (4-door vehicles only)
A variety of information can be viewed on the instrument panel display
⇒  Fig. 36 3
, depending on the vehicle equipment: ●
Bonnet, rear lid and doors open ⇒ Fig. 37.
● Information and warning texts
● Mileage
● Time
● Navigation instructions
● Outside temperature
● Compass
● Selector lever position ⇒ page 154
● Recommended gear (manual gearbox) ⇒ page 68
● Multifunction display (MFD) and menus with different setting options
⇒ page 73.
● Service interval display ⇒ page 65
● Second speed display ⇒ page 73
● Speed warning function ⇒ page 149
● Start-Stop system status display ⇒ page 149
● Identifying letters on engine (MKB)
Bonnet, rear lid and doors open
When the ignition is switched on or when driving, the bonnet, rear lid or
doors that are open will be indicated on the instrument panel display, and if
it should be the case, this will also be indicated audibly. The display may
vary according to the type of instrument panel fitted. 

64Instruments and warning/control lamps
The time can also be set via the 
key and Setup function button in the
Easy Connect system ⇒ page 79.
Outside temperature display
When the outside temperature is below +4 °C (+39 °F), the symbol “ice crys-
tal” (warning of risk of freezing) is also displayed next to the temperature.
At first this symbol flashes and then it remains lit until the outside tempera-
ture rises above +6 °C (+43 °F) ⇒ 
.
When the vehicle is at a standstill or when travelling at very low speeds, the
temperature displayed may be higher than the true outside temperature as
a result of the heat produced by the engine.
The temperatures measured range from -40 °C to +50 °C (-40 °F to +122 °F).
Compass
With the ignition on and the navigation system on, the cardinal point corre-
sponding to the direction of travel of the vehicle is displayed on the instru-
ment panel.
Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the
instrument panel display. In positions D and S, and with the Tiptronic, the
corresponding gear is also displayed.
Recommended gear (manual gearbox)
The recommended gear in order to save fuel is displayed on the instrument
panel while you are driving ⇒ page 68.
Second speed display (mph or km/h)
In addition to the speedometer, the speed can also be displayed in a differ-
ent unit of measurement (in miles or in km per hour).
This option cannot be deactivated in models destined for countries in which
the second speed must always be visible.
The second speed display can be adjusted in the Easy Connect system via
the 
key and the Setup function button ⇒ page 79. Speed warning
When the speed setting is exceeded, this will be indicated on the instru-
ment panel display. This is very useful, for example when using winter tyres
that are not designed for driving at the maximum speed of the vehicle
⇒ 
page 149.
The speed warning settings can be adjusted in the Easy Connect system via
the 
key and the Setup function button ⇒ 
page 79.
Start/Stop operating display
Updated information relating to the status is displayed on the instrument
panel ⇒ page 149.
Identifying letters on engine (MKB)
Hold the button ⇒ Fig. 36 4
down for more than 15 seconds to display the
identifying letters of the vehicle engine (MKB). To do this, the ignition must
be switched on and the engine switched off.
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.
● 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.
● 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). 

66Instruments and warning/control lamps
Reading a service notification
With the ignition switched on, the engine off and the vehicle at a standstill,
the current service notification can be read:
Press and hold the button ⇒ Fig. 36 4
for more than 5 seconds to consult
the service message.
When the service date has past , a minus sign is displayed in front of the
number of kilometres or days. In vehicles with text messages the following
is displayed: Service --- km (miles) or --- days ago .
The time can also be set via the 
key and Setup function button in the
Easy Connect system ⇒ page 79.
The service interval display is reset
If the service was not carried out by a SEAT dealership, the display can be
reset as follows:
● To reset the service interval display, turn the ignition off and press and
hold the button ⇒ Fig. 36 4
.
● Switch the ignition back on.
● Release the button 4
and press the button 4 again for the next 20
seconds.
Note
● The service message disappears after a few seconds, when the engine is
started or when OK/RESET
is pressed on the windscreen wiper lever, or OKon the multifunction steering wheel.
●
In vehicles with the LongLife system in which the battery has been dis-
connected for a long period of time, it is not possible to calculate the date
of the next service. Therefore the service interval display may not be correct.
In this case, please check the maximum permitted service intervals ⇒ Book-
let Maintenance Programme. Rev counter
The rev counter indicates the number of engine revolutions
per minute.
Together with the gear-change indicator, the rev counter offers you the pos-
sibility of using the engine of your vehicle at a suitable speed.
The start of the red zone on the dial indicates the maximum engine speed
which may be used briefly when the engine is warm and after it has been
run in properly. Before reaching this range, you should change to a higher
gear for vehicles with a manual gearbox or for automatic gearboxes put the
selector lever in “D” or take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
We recommend that you avoid high revs and that you follow the recommen-
dations on the gear-change indicator. Consult the additional information in
⇒  page 68, Gear-change indicator.
CAUTION
Never allow the rev counter needle 1 ⇒ Fig. 36 to go into the red zone on
the scale for more than a very brief period, otherwise, there is a risk of en-
gine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear early will help you to save fuel and minimise engine
noise. 

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).

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

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. 