2012 Seat Leon 5D Owner's manual

160Driving
Kick-down feature
The kick-down feature allows maximum acceleration to be
reached.
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down past the point of resist-
ance at full throttle, the gearbox will shift down to a lower gear, depending
on road speed and engine speed. The upshift to the next higher gear is de-
layed until the engine reaches maximum rpm.
WARNING
Please note that if the road surface is slippery or wet, the kick-down fea-
ture could cause the driving wheels to spin, which could result in skid-
ding.

Launch Control Programme 1)
The Launch control programme enables maximum accelera-
tion.
Important: the engine must have reached operating temperature
and the steering wheel must not be turned.
The engine speed for Launch control is different on petrol and die-
sel engines. Before you can use the Launch control, you must first switch off the traction control system (ASR), either using the Easy
Connect system
⇒ page 79, or with the switch 
OFF
; the warning
lamp  will stay on or will flash slowly depending on whether the
vehicle has a driver information system* 2)
.
– When the engine is running, switch off the traction control
(ASR) 2)
3)
.
– Move the selector lever to position “S” or tiptronic, or select the
driving mode Sport from the SEAT Drive Mode* ⇒  page 171.
– Press the brake pedal firmly with your left foot and hold it down
for at least one second.
– With your right foot, press the accelerator down to the full throt-
tle or kick-down position. The engine speed will stabilise at ap-
prox. 3200 rpm (petrol engine) or approx. 2000 rpm (diesel en-
gine).
– Take your left foot off the brake pedal. 
1)
Valid for vehicles: with Launch Control/6-Speed DSG with diesel engines superior to 125
kW and petrol engines superior to 140 kW.
2) On vehicles with the driver information system, the ESP lamp lights up permanently and
the corresponding text message Stability control deactivated (temporary) appears on the in-
strument panel to indicate the deactivation status.
3) Vehicles without driver information system: the warning lamp flashes slowly/Vehicles with
driver information system: the warning lamp stays on.

161
Driving
WARNING
● Always adapt your driving style to the traffic conditions.
● Only use the Launch control programme when road and traffic condi-
tions permit, and make sure your manner of driving and accelerating the
vehicle does not inconvenience or endanger other road users.
● Make sure that the ESC remains switched on. Please note that when
the ASR and ESC are deactivated, the wheels may start to spin, causing
the vehicle to lose grip. Risk of accident!
● After engaging gear, the Sport mode of the ESC should be deactivated
again by briefly pressing the 
OFF
button.
Note
● After using the Launch control programme, the temperature in the gear-
box may have increased considerably. In this case, the programme could be
disabled for several minutes. The programme can be used again after the
cooling phase.
● Accelerating with the Launch control programme places a heavy load on
all parts of the vehicle. This can result in increased wear and tear. 
Inertia mode
The inertia mode enables the kinetic energy of the vehicle to be
harnessed enabling certain stretches to be driven without using
the accelerator. This enables fuel to be saved. Use the inertia mode
to let the vehicle roll in advance of, for example, arriving in a town.
Switching on inertia mode
Important: selector lever must be in position D, gradients below
12 %. –
Select Eco mode ⇒  page 171 once in SEAT Drive Mode*.
– Take your foot off the accelerator.
The driver message Inertia will be displayed. At speeds higher
than 20 km/h (12 mph), the gearbox will automatically disengage
and the vehicle will roll freely, without the effect of the engine
brake. While the vehicle rolls, the engine runs at idling speed.
Stopping inertia mode
– Press the brake or the accelerator pedal.
To make use of the braking force and switch off the engine again,
simply press the brake pedal briefly.
Applying both the inertia mode (= prolonged section with less energy) and
the switching off using inertia (= shorter section without the need for fuel)
facilitates improved fuel consumption and emission balance.
WARNING
● If the inertia mode has been switched on, take into account, when ap-
proaching an obstacle and releasing the accelerator pedal, that the vehi-
cle will not decelerate in the usual manner: risk of accident!
● When using inertia mode while travelling down hills, the vehicle can
increase speed: risk of accident!
● If other users drive your vehicle, warn them about inertia mode. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

162Driving
Note
● Inertia mode is only available in eco driving mode (SEAT Drive Mode*).
● The driver message Inertia is only displayed with the current consump-
tion. In inertia mode the gear will no longer be displayed (for example: E will
appear in place of E7).
● On downhill sections with gradients above 15 %, the inertia mode will
automatically be switched off temporarily. 
Backup programme
A backup programme is in place if a fault should occur in the
control system.
If all the positions of the selector lever are shown over a light background
on the instrument panel display, there is a system fault and the automatic
gearbox will operate in with the backup programme. When the backup pro-
gramme is activated, it is possible to drive the vehicle, however, at low
speeds and within a selected range of gears. In some cases driving in re-
verse gear may not be possible .
CAUTION
If the gearbox operates with the backup programme, take the vehicle to a
specialised workshop and have the fault repaired without delay. 
Clutch
 Clutch overheated! Stop the vehicle!
The clutch has overheated and could be damaged. In order to prevent the
temperature from increasing again and so that the clutch is cooled, stop the
vehicle and wait for the gearbox to cool down with the selector lever in posi- tion P and the engine running at idling speed. If the warning does not
switch off, do not continue driving. Seek specialist assistance. Failure to do
so could cause considerable damage to the gearbox. When the warning
switches off, the fault should be corrected by a specialised workshop with-
out delay.

Faults in the gearbox
 Gearbox: Fault! Stop the vehicle and place the lever in the position P.
There is a fault in the gearbox. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and do not
continue driving. Seek specialist assistance.  Overheated clutch! Stop the vehicle!
The clutch has overheated and could be damaged. Stop the vehicle and
wait for the gearbox to cool with the engine at idling speed and the selector
lever in position P. When the warning lamp and the driver message switch
off, have the fault corrected by a specialised workshop without delay. If the
warning lamp and the driver message do not switch off, do not continue
driving. Seek specialist assistance.  Gearbox: System fault! You may continue driving.
Have the fault corrected by a specialised workshop without delay.  Gearbox: System fault! You can continue driving with restrictions. Re-
verse gear disabled.
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop and have the fault repaired with-
out delay.  Gearbox: System fault! You can continue driving in D until switching off
the engine
Stop the vehicle in a safe place well away from moving traffic. Seek special-
ist assistance. 

163
Driving
 Gearbox: too hot. Adapt your driving accordingly
Continue driving at moderate speeds. When the warning lamp switches off,
you can continue driving in a normal manner.  Gearbox: press the brake and engage a gear again.
If the fault was caused by a gearbox with a high temperature, this driver
message will be displayed when the gearbox has cooled again. 
Manual release of the selector lever
The selector lever can be released manually if the electrical
power supply should fail.
Fig. 93 Selector lever:
manual release from po-
sition P
The manual release mechanism is located under the selector lever
console on the right side. Releasing the selector lever requires a
certain degree of practical skill. We therefore advise you to obtain
professional assistance. A screwdriver will be needed to carry out the manual release. Use
the flat part of the screwdriver blade
⇒ page 232.
Removing the cover from the selector lever
– Apply the handbrake  ⇒ 
to ensure that the car does not
move.
– Carefully pull the corners of the selector lever boot and fold up
the selector lever boot (inside out) by hand.
Releasing the selector lever
– Using a screwdriver, press and hold the yellow unlocking tab
sideways ⇒ Fig. 93.
– Now press the interlock button on the selector lever A
and
move the selector lever to position N.
– After carrying out the manual release, attach the selector lever
boot on the gearbox console again.
If the power supply should ever fail (discharged battery, etc.) and the vehi-
cle has to be pushed or towed, the selector lever must first be moved to po-
sition N. This is possible after operating the manual release mechanism.
WARNING
The selector lever may be moved out of position P only when the hand-
brake is firmly applied. If this does not work, secure the vehicle with the
brake pedal. On a slope the vehicle could otherwise start to move inad-
vertently after shifting the selector lever out of position P - accident risk!

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

164Driver assistance systems
Driver assistance systems
Cruise control system (CCS)*
Introduction
The cruise control system (CCS) is able to maintain the set speed from 20
km/h (15 mph).
A constant speed is maintained using the engine power control or by apply-
ing the active brake ⇒ 
.
Additional information and warnings:
● Change gear ⇒ page 154.
● Accessories and technical modifications ⇒ page 230.
WARNING
Use of the cruise control could cause accidents and severe injuries if it is
not possible to drive at a constant speed maintaining the safety distance.
● Do not use the cruise control in heavy traffic, if the distance from the
vehicle in front is insufficient, on steep roads, with several bends or in
slippery circumstances (snow, ice, rain or loose gravel), or on flooded
roads.
● Never use the CCS when driving off-road or on unpaved roads.
● Always adapt your speed and the distance to the vehicles ahead in
line with visibility, weather conditions, the condition of the road and the
traffic situation.
● To avoid unexpected operation of the cruise control system, turn it off
every time you finish using it.
WARNING (Continued)
● It is dangerous to use a set speed which is too high for the prevailing
road, traffic or weather conditions.
● When travelling down hills, the CCS cannot maintain a constant
speed. The vehicle tends to accelerate under its own weight. Select a
lower gear or use the foot brake to slow the vehicle.

Warning and control lamp
Fig. 94 Instrument panel display: CCS status indications 

165
Driver assistance systems
Control lamp
lights upPossible cause
Cruise control is active
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
Displayed on the CCS screen
Status Fig. 94: CCS temporarily switched off. The set speed is displayed in small fig-
ures.
System error. Contact a specialised workshop.
CCS switched on. The speed memory is empty.
The CCS is switched on. The set speed is displayed in large figures.
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.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle. 
A
BCD
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

166Driver assistance systems
Operating the cruise control system*
Fig. 95 On the left of the
steering column:
switches and controls for
operating the CCSFig. 96 On the left of the
steering column: Third 6-
position lever for operat-
ing the CCS
FunctionPosition of the switch, operating the switch on the turn signal lever ⇒ Fig. 95, or
by using the third lever ⇒ Fig. 96Action
Switching on the CCSMove the switch 1 on the turn signal lever to the
ON position, or move the third
lever to the ON position.The system is switched on. The system does
not maintain the speed because there is still
no speed set.
Activating the CCSPress the SET button on the turn signal lever or press the SET button on the third
lever.The current speed is stored and maintained.
Temporarily switching off
the CCSMove the switch 1 on the turn signal lever to the
CANCEL position. Move the
third lever to the CANCEL position and release it.
OR: Apply the foot brake.The cruise control system is switched off
temporarily. The speed setting will remain
stored.
Switching on the CCS againPress the button 3 on the turn signal lever to the
RES/+ position, or move the
third lever to the RESUME position and release it.The stored speed will be saved and will reg-
ulate again. 

167
Driver assistance systems
FunctionPosition of the switch, operating the switch on the turn signal lever ⇒ Fig. 95, or
by using the third lever ⇒ Fig. 96Action
Increasing the stored
speed (during CCS setting)
Depending on equipment fitted:
– briefly press the button 3 on the turn signal lever in the
RES
zone– or briefly move the third lever to the RESUME position to increase speed by
1 km/h (1 mph)
– or move the third lever upwards with SPEED+ to increase the speed by 10 km/h
(10 mph) and store it
– or continuously press the button 3
on the turn signal lever in the
RES
zone– or move the third lever upwards with SPEED+ continuously
– or move the third lever to the RESUME position and hold it to continuously in-
crease the speed and store it.
The vehicle accelerates actively until it rea-
ches the new stored speed.
Increasing the stored
speedWhen the CCS is in the ON position, but DEACTIVATED, the speed setting can be
increased with SPEED+ by 10 km/h (10 mph).The vehicle accelerates actively until it rea-
ches the new stored speed.
Reducing the stored speed
(during CCS setting)
Depending on equipment fitted:
– briefly press the button 3 on the turn signal lever in the
SET zone to reduce
speed by 1km/h (1mph)
– or briefly move the third lever to the SET position to reduce the speed by 1 km/h
(1 mph)
– or move the third lever downwards with SPEED– to reduce the speed by 10 km/
h (10 mph) and store it
– or continuously press the button 3
on the turn signals lever in the
SET
zone– or press and hold the button SET on the third lever to reduce speed contin-
uously
– or move the third lever downwards ( SPEED–) continuously and store it.
Speed is reduced without braking, by inter-
rupting the accelerator until reaching the
new stored speed.
Setting a lower speedWhen the CCS is in the ON position, but DEACTIVATED, the speed setting can be
reduced with SPEED– by 10 km/h (10 mph).The system is switched off. The stored speed
is deleted.
Switching off the CCSMove the switch 1 to the OFF position.
OR: move the third lever to the OFF position.Speed is reduced without intervening in the
braking system, by interrupting the accelera-
tor until reaching the new stored speed.
The value indicated in the table in brackets (in mph, miles per hour) only
refers to instrument panels with indications in miles. Changing gear in CCS mode
The CCS decelerates as soon as the clutch pedal is pressed, intervening
again automatically after a gear is engaged.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications