2012 Seat Leon 5D ECU

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

196Trailer
Retrofitting a towing bracket*
It is possible to fit a towing bracket to the rear of the vehicle.
Fig. 105 Attachment points for towing bracket
If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the vehicle is purchased, this must be
completed according to the instructions of the towing bracket manufacturer.
The attachment points for the towing bracket A
are on the lower part of the
vehicle.
The distance between the centre of the ball coupling and the ground should
never be lower than the indicated value, even with a fully loaded vehicle
and including the maximum drawbar load.
Elevation values for securing the towing bracket:
65 mm (minimum)
from 350 mm to 420 mm (fully loaded vehicle)
B
C
1040 mm
317 mm
339 mm
Fitting a towing bracket
● Driving with a trailer involves an extra effort for the vehicle. Therefore,
before fitting a towing bracket, please contact a Technical Service to check
whether your cooling system needs modification.
● The legal requirements in your country must be observed (e.g. the fitting
of a separate control lamp).
● Certain vehicle components, e.g. the rear bumper, must be removed and
reinstalled. The towing bracket securing bolts must be tightened using a
torque wrench, and a power socket must be connected to the vehicle electri-
cal system. This requires specialised knowledge and tools.
● Figures in the illustration show the elevation value and the attachment
points which must be considered if you are retrofitting a towing bracket.
WARNING
The towing brackets should be fitted at a specialised workshop.
● If the towing bracket is incorrectly installed, there is a serious danger
of accident.
● For your own safety, please observe the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the towing bracket.
CAUTION
● If the power socket is incorrectly installed, this could cause damage to
the vehicle electrical system. 
D
EF

211
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
● For safety reasons the bonnet must always be completely closed
when the vehicle is moving. Therefore, after closing the bonnet, always
check that the locking element is properly engaged. This is the case if
the bonnet is flush with the adjacent body panels.
● Should you notice that the bonnet is not safely secured when the ve-
hicle is moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet. Fail-
ure to do so could result in an accident.

Engine oil General notes
The engine comes with a special, multi-grade oil that can be used all year
round.
Because the use of high-quality oil is essential for the correct operation of
the engine and its long useful life, when topping up or changing oil, use on-
ly those oils that comply with VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should ap-
pear on the container of the service oil; when the container displays the
specific standards for petrol and diesel engines together, it means that the
oil can be used for both types of engines.
We recommend that the oil change, indicated in the Maintenance Pro-
gramme, be performed by a Technical Service or a specialised workshop.
The correct oil specifications for your engine are listed in ⇒ page 212, Oil
properties. Service intervals
Service intervals can be flexible (LongLife service) or fixed (dependent on
time/distance travelled).
If the PR code that appears on the back of the “Maintenance Programme”
booklet is PR QI6, this means that your vehicle has the LongLife service pro-
grammed. If it lists the codes QI1, QI2, QI3, QI4 or QI7, the interval service
is dependent on time/distance travelled.
Flexible service intervals (LongLife service intervals*)
Special oils and processes have been developed which, depending on the
characteristics and individual driving profiles, enable the extension of the
oil change service (LongLife service intervals).
Because this oil is essential for extending the service intervals, it
must only
be used observing the following indications:
● Avoid mixing it with oil for fixed service intervals.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 212 and LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to top up
(once) with oil for fixed service intervals ⇒  page 212 (up to a maximum of
0.5 litres).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife service interval” or it has been
disabled (by request), you may use oils for fixed service intervals, which al-
so appear in ⇒ page 212, Oil properties. In this case, your vehicle must be
serviced after a fixed interval of 1 year/15 000 km (10 000 miles)(whatever
comes first) ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme.
● In exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒ page 212 and you cannot obtain the oil specified for your vehicle, you
can put in a small quantity of oil conforming to the specification ACEA A2 or
ACEA A3 (petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (diesel engines) (up to 0.5
l). 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

219
Checking and refilling levels
Charging the battery
Terminals for charging the battery are fitted in the engine
compartment.
– Note the warnings ⇒ 
in Important safety warnings for han-
dling a vehicle battery on page 218 and ⇒ .
– Switch off all electrical equipment. Remove the ignition key.
– Raise the bonnet ⇒ page 210.
– Open the battery cover.
– Connect the charger clamps as described to the positive pole of
the battery (+) and, exclusively to an earth on the bodywork
(–).
– Only use a charger which is compatible for use with 12 V nomi-
nal voltage batteries. The charge must not exceed a voltage of
15 V.
– Now connect the battery charger to the power socket and switch
on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger and
disconnect the power socket cable.
– Finally disconnect the charger cables from the battery.
– Replace the battery cover correctly.
– Close the bonnet ⇒ page 210.
Important: Before you charge the battery make sure you read the manufac-
turer's instructions for using the battery charger.
WARNING
Never charge a battery that has frozen: replace battery! Failure to do so
may lead to an explosion.
Note
Use only the terminals in the engine compartment to charge the battery. 
Replacing the battery
The new battery should have the same specifications (am-
perage, load and voltage) as the used battery.
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent power management system to
control the distribution of electrical energy ⇒ page 187. The power manage-
ment function ensures that the battery is charged much more efficiently
than on vehicles without a power management system. To maintain this
function after replacing the battery, we recommend that the replacement
battery used is of the same make and type as the original fitted battery. To
make proper use of the power management function after the battery has
been changed, have the battery coded to the power management mode at a
specialised workshop.
CAUTION
● Some vehicles, for example those with the Start-Stop system* are fitted
with a special battery (AGM-type or EFB-type battery). If any other type of
battery is fitted, the Start-Stop function may be considerably reduced and
the vehicle may not stop on repeated occasions.
● Make sure that the vent hose is always attached to the original opening
on the side of the battery. Gases or battery acid can otherwise escape and
possibly cause damage.
● The battery holder and clamps must always be correctly secured. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

227
Wheels and tyres
If you use tyres that are approved by SEAT you can be sure that the actual
tyre dimensions will be correct for your vehicle. If you decide to fit a differ-
ent type of tyre, you must obtain the appropriate manufacturer's certificate
from the tyre retailer to confirm that the tyres are suitable for your vehicle.
Keep this certificate in a safe place.
Your SEAT Official Service will be able to advise you on which tyres may be
fitted to your vehicle.
It is best to have all servicing of wheels and tyres performed by a special-
ised workshop. They are familiar with the procedure and have the necessary
special tools and spare parts as well as the proper facilities for disposing of
the old tyres.
WARNING
● It is very important to ensure that the tyres you have chosen have ad-
equate clearance. When selecting replacement tyres, do not rely entirely
on the nominal tyre size marked on the tyre; with some makes of tyre the
effective tyre size can differ significantly from the nominal dimensions,
even though the tyres have the same size designation. Inadequate tyre
clearance can result in damage to the tyres or the vehicle, causing a seri-
ous safety risk. It may also invalidate the vehicle's registration for use on
public roads.
● Avoid running the vehicle on tyres that are more than 6 years old. If
you have no alternative, you should drive slowly and with extra care at all
times.
● If wheel trims are fitted after the car is purchased, ensure that there
is an adequate flow of air for cooling the brake system.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of according to the laws in the country con-
cerned.
Note
● Never mount used tyres if you are not sure of their “previous history”.
● For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from
other vehicles. In some cases, this may also be true for the same model of
wheel. 
Wheel bolts
The wheel bolts are designed to suit the rims on your car.
The wheel bolts are matched to the rims. When installing different wheels
(for instance alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres) it is important to use
the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt
heads. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the brake sys-
tem functions correctly.
The wheel bolts must be clean and turn easily.
A special adapter is required to turn the anti-theft wheel bolts*
⇒ page 237. 
Winter tyres
Winter tyres will improve the vehicles handling on snow and
ice.
– Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
– Only use winter tyres that are approved for your vehicle.
– Please note that the maximum permissible speed for winter
tyres may be lower than for summer tyres. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

258Fuses and bulbs
Removing tail light
Fig. 143 Luggage com-
partment: Location of the
bolt securing the tail
light unit
Fig. 144 Remove rear
light unit from side panel
– Check which of the bulbs is defective.
– Open the rear lid. –
Remove the cover by prying the flat side of a screwdriver into
the recess and remove the cover from the opening ⇒ Fig. 143
1
.
– Carefully loosen the screw located behind the cover with a
screwdriver, turning it anti-clockwise (arrows) ⇒ Fig. 143 2
.
– Tilt the light in the direction of the arrows until it comes out (po-
sitions 3
and 4 ⇒ Fig. 144).
– Remove the bulb holder ⇒ page 259.
CAUTION
Take care when removing the rear light unit to make sure there is no dam-
age to the paintwork or any of its components.
Note
Make sure you have a soft cloth ready to place under the glass on the rear
light unit, to avoid any scratches. 

Index
A
ABSsee Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Acoustic parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Acoustic warnings Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Additional electrical appliances (efficiency pro- gramme) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Adjusting the head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Adjusting the head restraint Front head restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Differences between front passenger frontairbag systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Knee airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Air pressure (tyres) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Alcantara: cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Ambient lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Anti-dazzle rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Anti-dazzle rear vision mirrors
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Anti-freeze protection Windscreen washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Anti-theft alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86, 93 see also Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . 86
Anti-theft alarm system Interior monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Tow-away protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Anti-theft security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86, 97
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Antifreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Aspects to take into account before starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ASR see Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Assistance systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Parking aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Assisted starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Assist systems Tyre monitoring indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Audible warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Auto Lock (central locking) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Automatic car washes see Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Automatic dipped beam control . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Backup programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Downhill speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Driving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Launch Control Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Manual release of selector lever . . . . . . . . 163
Safety interlock for ignition key . . . . . . . . . 144
Selector lever lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Steering wheel with gearshift paddles . . . 159
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154, 159
B
Balanced (wheels) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Ball coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Assisted starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Charge Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Disconnecting/Connecting . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Power Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Before starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Bioethanol see Ethanol (fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
277
Index

Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
New brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Braking Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Moving off on a hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
C
Carbon components: Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Care of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Care (paint care) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
CD-ROM reader (navigation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Central locking Anti-theft alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Remote control key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Selective unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Manual locking in an emergency . . . . . . . . 97
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cetane number (Diesel fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Changing Windscreen and rear window wiper blades . .221
Changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Bulb sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Changing gear
Engaging gears (manual gearbox) . . . . . . 152
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Changing main headlight main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
turn signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Changing main headlight bulbs daylight bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Dipped beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Changing the battery of the vehicle key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Child-proof lock Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Child seat Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 55
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Carbon components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Display/Easy Connect control panel . . . . . 202
Exhaust pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200, 202
Radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Trim parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Trims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Windscreen and rear window wiper blades . .221
Cleaning/De-icing the windows . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Cleaning the rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Cleaning the upholstery Natural leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Closing Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Panoramic sliding sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Panoramic sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Clutch (warning lamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Coming Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Consumption (fuel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Control lamp Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Tyre monitor indicator warning lamp . . . . 175
Tyre monitoring systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Windscreen wiper fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Control lamps Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Control of function Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
278 Index