2012 Seat Leon 5D wheel

228Wheels and tyres
–Also note that winter tyres are no longer effective when the
tread is worn down.
– After fitting the wheels you must always check the tyre pres-
sures. The correct tyre pressures are listed on the sticker on the
inside of the fuel tank flap ⇒ page 223.
In winter road conditions winter tyres will considerably improve vehicle han-
dling. The design of summer tyres (width, rubber compound, tread pattern)
gives less grip on ice and snow. This applies particularly to vehicles equip-
ped with wide section tyres or high speed tyres (code letters H, V or Y on
the sidewall).
Only use winter tyres of the correct type approved for your vehicle. The sizes
of the winter tyres approved for your vehicle are listed in the vehicle docu-
mentation (e.g. EC Certificate of Conformity or COC document 1)
). The vehi-
cle documentation varies depending on the country of residence. See also
⇒ page 226.
Winter tyres lose a great deal of their properties when the tread is worn
down to a depth of 4 mm.
The performance of winter tyres is also severely impaired by ageing, even if
the tread is still much deeper than 4 mm.
Winter tyres are subject to the following maximum speed limits according to
speed rating code letter: ⇒ 
Speed rating code
letter ⇒ page 226Maximum speed limit
Q160 km/h (140 mph)S180 km/h (140 mph)T190 km/h (140 mph)
Speed rating code
letter ⇒ page 226Maximum speed limit
H210 km/h (140 mph)V240 km/h (150 mph)
(note restrictions)
Vehicles capable of exceeding these speeds must have an appropriate
sticker attached so that it is visible to the driver. Suitable stickers are availa-
ble from the SEAT Official Service and specialised workshop. Please note
regulations to this effect in your country.
“All-weather” tyres can also be used instead of winter tyres.
Using winter tyres with V-rating
Please note that the generally applicable 240 km/h (150 mph) speed rating
for winter tyres with the letter V is subject to technical restrictions; the max-
imum permissible speed for your vehicle may be significantly lower . The
maximum speed limit for tyres with a V-rating depends directly on the maxi-
mum axle weights for your car and on the listed weight rating of the tyres
being used.
It is best to contact a SEAT Official Service to check the maximum speed
which is permissible for the V-rated tyres fitted on your car on the basis of
this information.
WARNING
Exceeding the maximum speed permitted for the winter tyres fitted on
your car can cause tyre failure, resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle
– risk of accident. 
1)
COC = certificate of conformity

229
Wheels and tyres
For the sake of the environment
Summer tyres should be fitted again as soon as possible; they give better
handling on roads which are free of snow and ice. Summer tyres perform
with less rolling noise, tyre wear and – most important – reduce fuel con-
sumption. 
Snow chains
Snow chains will improve vehicle handling on snow-covered
roads.
– Snow chains can be used on the front wheels only.
– Check that the snow chains are correctly seated after driving for
a few yards. Always take the manufacturer assembly instruc-
tions into account.
– Keep your speed below 50 km/h (30 mph).
– If there is a danger of being trapped despite having mounted
the chains, it is best to disable the driving wheels (ASR) in the
ESC ⇒ page 184, Switching on/off the ESC and ASR.
Snow chains will improve braking ability as well as traction in winter condi-
tions.
For technical reasons snow chains may only be used with the following
wheel rim/tyre combination.
195/65 R15Chains with links of maximum 15 mm205/55 R16Chains with links of maximum 15 mm225/45 R17Chains with links of maximum 9 mm225/40 R18Chains with links of maximum 9 mm
Only use snow chains with fine-pitch links. The links must not protrude
more than 13.5 mm from the tyres (including tensioner).
Remove wheel covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains.
Remove the chains when roads are free of snow. Otherwise they will impair
handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

233
Emergencies
Tyre repair kit
What to do first
– Please observe the important safety notes ⇒ page 232.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Manual gearbox: Select first gear.
– Automatic gearbox: Move the selector lever to P.
– Check whether a repair is possible using the tyre repair kit
⇒ page 233. 
Using the tyre repair kit
Fig. 117 Tyre: irrepara-
ble damage The tyre repair kit is designed to repair your tyre provisionally only. The dam-
aged tyre should be replaced as soon as possible
⇒ 
.
If the tyre has been damaged by a nail, for example, remove the nail from
the tyre.
The tyre repair kit can be used at outside temperatures of up to -20 °C
(-4 °F).
The tyre repair kit must NOT be used:
● on cuts and punctures larger than 4 mm 1
⇒ Fig. 117
● If the wheel rim has been damaged 2
●
if you have been driving with very low pressure or a completely flat tyre
3.
If necessary, request assistance from specialised personnel.
WARNING
● Remember that the tyre repair kit cannot always be used, and that it
only serves to provide a provisional repair.
● Do not allow the sealing product to come into contact with your eyes,
skin or clothing.
● If you do come into contact with the sealing product immediately
rinse the eyes or skin affected with clean water.
● Do not inhale vapours.
● If any of the sealing product is accidentally ingested, immediately
rinse the mouth thoroughly and drink lots of water. Do not induce vomit-
ing. Seek medical advice immediately.
● Change clothing immediately if it becomes soiled with the sealing
product.
● If any allergic reactions should occur get medical help immediately.
● Keep the sealing product away from children. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

235
Emergencies
Note
Do not use the compressor for longer than 6 minutes at a time, as it could
overheat. Once it has cooled down, the compressor may be used again. 
After changing a wheel
– Attach the "max. 80 km/h (50 mph)" adhesive label from the
tyre repair kit on the instrument panel, clearly within view of the
driver.
– Stop the vehicle after 10 minutes driving and check the tyre
pressure.
– If tyre pressure is less than 1.3 bar, the tyre is too badly dam-
aged. Do not carry on driving!
WARNING
After repairing a tyre please note the following points:
● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
● Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering.
● Vehicle handling could be impaired.
● If the tyre is very damaged, seek professional assistance.
For the sake of the environment
You can dispose of the used bottle of sealing compound at a SEAT Official
Service.
Note
After repairing a tyre, remember to purchase a new bottle of sealing com-
pound from a SEAT Official Service or a specialised workshop. 
Changing a wheel What to do first
Before changing the wheel, the following preliminary steps
are required. – Please observe the important safety notes ⇒ page 232.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Manual gearbox: Select first gear.
– Automatic gearbox: Move the selector lever to P.
– When towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from your vehicle.
– Have the vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 232 and the spare wheel ready
⇒ page 240.
WARNING
If you change the wheel on a slope, block the wheel on the opposite side
of the car with a stone or similar to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

236Emergencies
Wheel covers*
The wheel covers must be removed for access to the wheel
bolts
Fig. 119 Remove the
complete hub cap
Removing
– Remove the wheel cover using the wire hook ⇒ Fig. 119.
– Hook this into one of the cut-outs of the wheel cover.
Fitting
– Fit the wheel cover onto the wheel rim by pressing it firmly. Put
pressure initially on the point of the cut-out for the valve. Next
fit the rest of the hubcap Removing the wheel bolt caps*
Fig. 120 Wheel: wheel
bolts with caps
Removal
– Fit the plastic clip (vehicle tools) over the cap until it clicks into
place ⇒ Fig. 120.
– Remove the cap with the plastic clip. 

237
Emergencies
Anti-theft wheel bolts
Fig. 121 Anti-theft
wheel bolt with cap and
adapter
A special adapter (vehicle tools) is required to remove the anti-
theft wheel bolts.
– Remove the wheel cover* or the cap*.
– Insert the adapter onto the anti-theft wheel bolt and push it on
as far as it will go.
– Insert the wheel brace (vehicle tools) onto the adapter as far as
it will go.
– Remove the wheel bolt ⇒ page 237.
Note
Make a note of the code number of the anti-theft wheel bolt and keep it in a
safe place, but not in your vehicle. If you need a new adapter, you can ob-
tain it from the SEAT Official Service, indicating the code number. 
Loosening the wheel bolts
Fig. 122 Wheel: loosen
the wheel bolts
– Insert the wheel brace (vehicle tools) onto the wheel bolt as far
as it will go 1)
.
– Turn the wheel bolt approximately one turn to the left ⇒ 
Fig. 122
-arrow-. To apply the required torque, hold the wheel brace at
the end. If it is not possible to loosen a wheel bolt, carefully ap-
ply pressure with one foot on the end of the wheel brace. Hold
on to the car for support and take care not to slip. 
1)
An adapter is required to unscrew or tighten the anti-theft wheel bolts ⇒ page 237.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

238Emergencies
WARNING
Slightly loosen the wheel bolts (one turn) before raising the vehicle with
the jack*. If not, an accident may occur.

Raising the vehicle
Fig. 123 Crossbar:
makes
Fig. 124 Strut: mount-
ing the jack on the ve-
hicle
– Place the jack* (vehicle tools) on a firm surface. If necessary use
a large, strong board or similar support. If the surface is slip-
pery (for example, tiles), use a non-slip base underneath the
jack (for example, a rubber mat) ⇒ 
.
– Find the support point on the strut (sunken area) closest to the
wheel to be changed ⇒ Fig. 123. The jack* support point is be-
hind the mark on the strut.
– Turn the jack*, located below the strut support point, to raise it
until tab A
⇒ Fig. 124 is below the plastic housing.
– Align the jack* so that tab A
"grips" onto the plastic housing
on the strut and the mobile base plate B is resting on the
ground. The base plate B should fall vertically with respect to
the support point A.
– Continue turning the jack* until the wheel is slightly lifted off
the ground. 

239
Emergencies
WARNING
● Make sure that the jack* remains stable. If the surface is slippery or
soft, the jack* could slip or sink, respectively, with the resultant risk of
injury.
● Only raise the vehicle with the jack* supplied by the manufacturer.
Other vehicles could slip, with the consequent risk of injury.
● Only mount the jack* on the support points designed for this purpose
on the strut, and always align the jack correctly. If you do not, the jack*
could slip as it does not have an adequate grip on the vehicle: risk of in-
jury!
● The height of the parked vehicle can change as a result of variations
in temperature and loading.
CAUTION
The vehicle must not be raised on the crossbar. Only place the jack* on the
points designed for this purpose on the strut. Otherwise, the vehicle may be
damaged. 
Removing and fitting a wheel
After loosening the wheel bolts and raising the vehicle with the
jack, change the wheel as described below:
Taking off the wheel
– Unscrew the wheel bolts using the box spanner and place them
on a clean surface.
– Take off the wheel ⇒ 
. Putting on the spare wheel
When fitting tyres with a compulsory rotation direction, observe
the instructions in
⇒ page 239.
– Mount the wheel.
– Screw on the wheel bolts in position and tighten them loosely
with a box spanner.
– Carefully lower the vehicle using the jack*.
– Tighten the wheel bolts in diagonal pairs using the wheel
brace.
The wheel bolts should be clean and turn easily. Before fitting the spare
wheel, inspect the wheel condition and hub mounting surfaces. These sur-
faces must be clean before fitting the wheel.
CAUTION
When removing/fitting the wheel, the rim may hit and damage the brake
disc. For this reason, please take care and get a second person to assist
you. 
Tyres with compulsory direction of rotation
A directional tread pattern can be identified by arrows on the sidewall that
point in the direction of rotation. Always observe the direction of rotation in-
dicated when mounting the wheel. This is important so that these tyres can
give maximum grip and avoid excessive noise, tread wear and aquaplaning.
If, exceptionally, it is necessary to mount the spare wheel* in the opposite
direction of rotation, please drive carefully, as in this case the tyre does not
have optimum conditions of use. This is particularly important when driving
on wet roads. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications