2012 Seat Leon 5D ESP

128Seats and storage
Rear head restraints
Fig. 74 Rear centre head
restraint: release point
When transporting people in the back seat, place the head re-
straints of the occupied seats at a minimum of the next socket up
⇒ 
.
Adjusting the head restraints
– To set the head restraint higher, grasp the sides with both
hands and move it upwards, until you see it engage.
– To set the head restraint lower down, press the A
⇒ Fig. 74
button and move it downwards.
Removing the head restraint
To remove the head restraint, the corresponding backrest must be
partially folded forward.
– Unlock the backrest ⇒ page 132.
– Move the head restraint upwards until it arrives to the top.
– Press the A
⇒ Fig. 74 button while at the same time removing
the head restraint from the backrest ⇒ .–
Insert a screwdriver in the B
position of the hole while at the
same time removing the head restraint from the backrest ⇒ .
– Move the backrest until it engages properly ⇒ 
in Increase ca-
pacity of luggage compartment on page 133.
Fitting the head restraint
To mount the external head restraints, the corresponding backrest
must be partially folded forward.
– Unlock the backrest ⇒ page 132.
– Insert the head restraint bars into the guides until they percept-
ibly engage. It should not be possible to remove the head re-
straint from the backrest.
– Move the backrest until it engages properly ⇒ 
in Increase ca-
pacity of luggage compartment on page 133.
WARNING
● Please observe the general notes.
● Remove the rear head restraints only when it is necessary for the
placement of a child seat ⇒ page 47. After removing a child seat, remount
the head restraint immediately. Travelling with the head restraints re-
moved or improperly adjusted increases the risk of severe injuries.


130Seats and storage
WARNING
● Do not place any hot drinks in the drink holder while the vehicle is
moving. Hot drinks could spill and cause burns, which may cause an acci-
dent.
● Do not use hard china cups or glasses. These could cause injury in the
event of an accident.
CAUTION
You should avoid putting open drinks containers in the cup holders. The
drinks could otherwise spill over and cause damage to e.g. the electrical
equipment or the seat covers. 
Glove compartment
Fig. 77 Glove compart-
ment Open/close
–
To open the glove compartment, pull the handle in the direction
of the arrow.
– To close the glove compartment, move the cover upwards until
it engages.
The CD-ROM reader* for the SEAT navigation system* is found in the glove
compartment. Separate operating instructions are enclosed for this equip-
ment in the corresponding Instruction Manual.
WARNING
The cover of the glove compartment should always be closed while driv-
ing. Failure to do so could result in an accident.

Other storage compartments
You will find more object holders, compartments and supports in other
parts of the vehicle:
● In the top of the glove compartment in vehicles that do not have a CD
reader. The load must not exceed 1.2 kg.
● In the centre console under the centre armrest*.
● In the driver side panel there is a removable box for access to fuses and
relays. The load of the compartment should not exceed 0.2 kg.
● Coat hooks in the pillar B ⇒ 
.
● Other storage compartments are found in the rear seat, to the left and
the right of the seats. 

135
Air conditioning
CAUTION
● Switch the air conditioner off if you think it may be broken. This will
avoid additional damage. Have the air conditioner checked by a specialised
workshop.
● Repairs to the air conditioner require specialist knowledge and special
tools. SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT Official Service.
Note
● When the cooling system is turned off, air coming from the outside will
not be dried. To prevent fogging of the windows, SEAT recommends leaving
the cooling system (compressor) turned on. To do this, press the button 
.
The button lamp should light up.
● The maximum heat output required to defrost windows as quickly as
possible is only available when the engine has reached its normal running
temperature.
● Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and
leaves to ensure heating and cooling are not impaired, and to prevent the
windows from misting over. Air conditioner controls
Fig. 81 In the centre console: Climatronic controls
To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button. Press the but-
ton again to switch off the function.
The LED on each control lights up to indicate that the respective function of
a control has been switched on.
Control but- tonAdditional information. Climatronic.
1 Temper-
ature
 ... The left and right sides can be adjusted separately. Rotate
the control to adjust the temperature accordingly.
2 Fan
The power of the fan is automatically adjusted. The fan is al-
so adjusted manually by turning the control.
3 Air dis-
tributionThe airflow adjusts automatically for comfort. You can also
switch it on manually using the buttons 3.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

137
Air conditioning
To switch a function on or off, or to select a submenu, you must press the
corresponding function button.
For more information about functions ⇒ page 79.
Function
buttonFunction
OFFSwitch off and switch on the Climatronic.
SETTINGS
The air conditioning settings submenu is opened. It is possi-
ble to make the following adjustments:
Function button Air conditioning profile.
: to adjust the level of the
fan in AUTO mode. You can choose between low, medium and
high.
Function button Automatic air recirculation
to switch on and off au-
tomatic air recirculation ⇒ page 141.
BACK 
function button to close the submenu.
Operating by using the Easy Connect* system (valid for
Standard Radio)
In the Easy Connect system it is also possible to perform various adjust-
ments to the Climatronic.
Open the air conditioner menu
● Press the Setup
button
On the top of the screen you can see and change the current settings, such
as, for example, the temperature set for the driver side and for that of pas-
senger. Temperatures up to +22 ° C (+72 ° F) are shown with blue arrows,
and temperatures over +22 ° C (+72 ° F) with red arrows.
To switch a function on or off, or to select a submenu, you must press the
corresponding function button.
Function buttonFunction
Air conditioning profileAdjust the fan level in AUTO mode. You can choose be-
tween low, medium and high.
Climatronic is switched off.
Climatronic is switched on.
SETTINGS
The air conditioning settings submenu is opened. It is
possible to make the following adjustments:
Function button Air conditioning profile.
: to adjust the level
of the fan in AUTO mode. You can choose between low,
medium and high.
Function button Automatic air recirculation
to switch on and
off automatic air recirculation ⇒ page 141.
BACK 
function button to close the submenu.
Manual air conditioning controls
Fig. 82 In the centre console: Manual air conditioning controls 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

140Air conditioning
● Turn the air distribution control to the required position.
● Press the button 
to switch on the cooling system. The button will
light up.
With Climatronic
● Press button 
.
● Set the temperature to +22 °C (+72 °F).
● Open and direct all the air outlets in the dash panel.
Climatronic: change the temperature unit on the screen of the radio or on
the factory-fitted navigation system
Changing the temperature display from Celsius to Fahrenheit on radio or on
the factory-fitted navigation system is done using the menu on the instru-
ment panel ⇒ page 73.
The cooling system cannot be activated
If the air conditioning system cannot be switched on, this may be caused by
the following:
● The engine is not running.
● The fan is switched off.
● The air conditioner fuse has blown.
● The outside temperature is lower than approximately +3 °C (+38 °F).
● The air conditioner compressor has been temporarily switched off be-
cause the engine coolant temperature is too high.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioner checked by a speci-
alised workshop.
Special Characteristics
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation
can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and form a pool under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak!
Note
After starting the engine, any residual humidity in the air conditioner could
mist over the windscreen. Switch on the defrost function as soon as possi-
ble to clear the windscreen of condensation. 
Air vents
Fig. 84 On the dash panel: air vents Air vents
To ensure proper heating, cooling and ventilation in the vehicle interior, air
vents ⇒ Fig. 84 1
should remain open.
● Turn the corresponding thumbwheel (detail) in the required direction to
open and close the air vents. When the thumbwheel is in the  position, the
corresponding air vent is closed.
● Change the air direction using the ventilation grille lever. 

156Driving
The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or driving at
speeds up to 5 km/h (3 mph). At higher speeds the selector lever lock in
the N position is disengaged automatically.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved quickly
through position N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This makes it possible,
for instance, to rock the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck. The
selector lever lock engages automatically if the brake pedal is not de-
pressed and the lever is in position N for more than about two seconds.
Interlock button
The interlock button on the selector lever handle prevents the driver from
inadvertently engaging certain gears. Press the button in to disengage the
selector lever lock. The selector lever positions in which the interlock button
has to be pressed are shown in the illustration, highlighted in colour
⇒  Fig. 90.
Safety interlock for ignition key
Once the ignition has been turned off, the key may be removed only if the
gear selector is in position P. While the key is not in the ignition, the selec-
tor lever is locked in position P.
Note
● If the selector lever lock does not engage, there is a fault. The transmis-
sion is interrupted to prevent the vehicle from accidentally moving. Follow
the procedure below in order for the selector lever lock to engage again:
● >With a 6-speed gearbox: press the brake pedal and release it again.
● >With a 7-speed gearbox: press the brake pedal. Move the selector lever
to position P or N and subsequently engage a gear.
● Despite a gear being engaged, the vehicle does not move forwards or
back. Proceed to the next mode: ●
When the vehicle does not move in the required direction, the system
may not have the gear range correctly engaged. Press the brake pedal and
engage the gear range again.
● If the vehicle still does not move in the required direction, there is a sys-
tem malfunction. Seek specialist assistance and have the system checked. 
Driving tips
The gearbox changes gear ratios automatically as the vehi-
cle moves.
The engine can only start with the selector lever in the position P or
N. At low temperatures, below -10 °C (50 °F), the engine can only
start with the selector lever in the position P.
Starting the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the button in the selector
lever handle), move the selector lever to the desired position,
for instance D ⇒  page 154, and release the interlock button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight movement can
be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒ 
.
Stopping briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle when stationary (for in-
stance at traffic lights). Do not press the accelerator. 

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.

172Driver assistance systems
The profiles, normal, sport and eco are fixed. Individual can be configured
according to personal preferences. 
Description
Depending on the equipment fitted in the vehicle, SEAT Drive Mode can op-
erate on the following functions:
Engine
Depending on the profile selected, the engine responds more spontaneous-
ly or more in harmony with the movements of the accelerator. Additionally,
when eco mode is selected, the Start-stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
In vehicles with DQ transmission, the gear change points are modified to
position them in lower engine speed ranges ( eco) or higher (sport). Addi-
tionally, eco mode activates the Inertia function, enabling the consumption
to be further reduced.
In manual vehicles, eco mode causes the gear recommendation indications
that appear on the instrument panel to vary, facilitating more efficient driv-
ing.
Steering
Power steering becomes more robust in sport mode to enable a more sporty
driving style.
Air conditioning
In vehicles with Climatronic, this can operate in eco mode, especially re-
stricting fuel consumption.
Ambient lighting
The ambient lighting guides located in the interior front door panels of the
Leon FR change colour from white to red when sport mode is activated. Setting driving mode
You can select from Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual.
Fig. 100 Centre console:
MODE button
The required mode can be selected on the touch screen, in the menu that
opens when the MODE button is pressed.
An icon on the Easy Connect system display informs about the active mode.
The MODE button light remains lit up yellow when the active mode is differ- ent to normal.
Driving pro-
fileCharacteristics
NormalOffers a balanced driving experience, suitable for everyday
use.
SportProvides a complete dynamic performance in the vehicle, en-
abling the user a more sporty driving style. 