2012 Seat Leon 5D tow

Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Retrofitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Care and cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Care of vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Care of the vehicle interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Windscreen washer reservoir and wiper blades . 220
Wheels and tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Accessories and modifications to the vehicle 230
Accessories, replacement parts and repairs . . . . 230
Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Radio transmitters and business equipment . . . 230
Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 244
Fuses and bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Electrical fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Changing bulbs in headlight unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Changing bulb for front fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Changing tail light bulbs (on side panel) . . . . . . 257 Changing tail light bulbs (on rear lid) . . . . . . . . . 259
Changing number plate light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Information on fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Engine specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Dimensions and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
4Table of Contents

17
Safe driving
Floor mats on the driver side
Only floor mats may be used which can be securely fastened
in the footwell and do not impair operation of the pedals.
– Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened during the trip
and do not obstruct the pedals ⇒ 
.
Only use floor mats which leave the pedals clear and which are secured to
prevent them from slipping. You can obtain suitable floor mats from a speci-
alised dealership. Fasteners* for floor mats are fitted in the footwells.
WARNING
● If the pedals are obstructed, an accident may occur. Risk of serious
injuries.
● Ensure that the floor mats are always securely attached.
● Never lay or fit floor mats or other floor coverings over the original
floor mats. This would reduce the pedal area and could obstruct the ped-
als. Risk of accident.

Storing objects Loading the luggage compartment
All luggage and other loose objects must be safely secured
in the luggage compartment.
Unsecured objects which shift back and forth could impair the driv-
ing safety or driving characteristics of the vehicle by shifting the
centre of gravity. –
Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment.
– Place heavy objects as far forward as possible in the luggage
compartment.
– Place the heavy objects first.
– Secure heavy objects to the fitted fastening rings ⇒ page 18.
WARNING
● Loose luggage and other objects in the luggage compartment could
cause serious injuries.
● Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure them on
the fastening rings.
● Use suitable straps to secure heavy objects.
● During sudden manoeuvres or accidents, loose objects can be thrown
forward, injuring vehicle occupants or passers-by. This increased risk of
injury will be further increased if a loose object is struck by an inflating
airbag. If this happens, objects can be transformed into “missiles”. Risk
of fatal injury.
● Please note that the centre of gravity may shift when transporting
heavy objects; this may affect vehicle handling and lead to an accident.
Therefore, it is essential to adjust your speed and driving style accord-
ingly, to avoid accidents.
● Never exceed the allowed axle weights or allowed maximum weight.
If the allowed axle load or the allowed total weight is exceeded, the driv-
ing characteristics of the vehicle may change, leading to accidents, inju-
ries and damage to the vehicle.
● Never leave your vehicle unattended, especially when the rear lid is
open. Children could climb into the luggage compartment, closing the
door behind them; they will be trapped and run the risk of death. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

24Seat belts
WARNING
● If the seat belts are worn incorrectly or not at all, the risk of severe
injuries increases. The optimal protection from seat belts can be ach-
ieved only if you use them properly.
● Fasten your seat belt before every trip - even when driving in town.
The other vehicle occupants must also wear the seat belts at all times,
otherwise they run the risk of being injured.
● The seat belt cannot offer its full protection if the seat belt is not
positioned correctly.
● Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same seat
belt.
● Always keep both feet in the footwell in front of your seat as long as
the vehicle is in motion.
● Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. Risk of fatal
injury.
● The seat belt must never be twisted while it is being worn.
● The seat belt should never lie on hard or fragile objects (such as
glasses or pens, etc.) because this can cause injuries.
● Do not allow the seat belt to be damaged or jammed, or to rub on any
sharp edges.
● Never wear the seat belt under the arm or in any other incorrect posi-
tion.
● Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket) impairs the
proper fit and function of the seat belts, reducing their capacity to pro-
tect.
● The slot in the seat belt buckle must not be blocked with paper or
other objects, as this can prevent the latch plate from engaging securely.
● Never use seat belt clips, fastening rings or similar instruments to al-
ter the position of the belt webbing.WARNING (Continued)
● Frayed or torn seat belts or damage to the connections, belt retrac-
tors or parts of the buckle could cause severe injuries in the event of an
accident. Therefore, you must check the condition of all seat belts at reg-
ular intervals.
● Seat belts which have been worn in an accident and stretched must
be replaced by a specialised workshop. Renewal may be necessary even
if there is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be
checked.
● Do not attempt to repair a damaged seat belt yourself. The seat belts
must not be removed or modified in any way.
● The belts must be kept clean, otherwise the retractors may not work
properly.


69
Instruments and warning/control lamps
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox*
The display is only visible in tiptronic mode ⇒ page 159
The following display symbols mean:
●  Shifting up a gear
●  Shifting down a gear
CAUTION
The gear-change indicator is intended to help save fuel. It is not intended to
recommend the right gear for all driving situations. In certain situations, on-
ly the driver can choose the correct gear (for instance when overtaking, driv-
ing up a steep gradient or towing a trailer).
Note
The display disappears from the instrument panel when you press the
clutch pedal. 
Control lamps Control and warning lamps
The control and warning lamps are indicators of warnings, ⇒ , faults ⇒ or certain functions. Some control and warning lamps come on when the ig-
nition is switched on, and switch off when the engine starts running, or
while driving.
Depending on the model, additional text messages may be viewed on the
instrument panel display. These may be purely informative or they may be
advising of the need for action ⇒ page 61, Instruments. Depending upon the equipment fitted in the vehicle, instead of a warning
lamp, sometimes a symbol may be displayed on the instrument panel.
When certain control and warning lamps are lit, an audible warning is also
heard.
Red symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Central warning lamp: additional information
on the instrument panel display–

Symbol on the instrument panel display:

Do not continue driving!
With the corresponding indication: door(s), rear
lid or bonnet open or not properly closed.⇒ page 86
⇒ page 98
⇒ page 209
Parking brake on.⇒ page 147
⇒ page 185

 Do not continue driving!
The brake fluid level is too low or there is a fault
in the brake system.

Lit up on instrument panel display: a)
 Do not continue driving!
Engine coolant level too low, coolant tempera-
ture too high
Flashing on the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the engine coolant system.
⇒ page 215

On the instrument panel display: a)
 Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ page 211

Lit up or flashing:
 Do not continue driving!
Fault in the steering.⇒ page 186
Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt.⇒ page 19 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

87
Opening and closing
To deactivate the alarm, press the button 
on the remote control key, or
switch on the ignition. After a certain time, the alarm will automatically
switch off.
Switch off the vehicle interior monitoring and tow-away protection if you
wish to prevent the alarm from being triggered accidentally ⇒ page 95.
Turn signals
The turn signals will flash twice when the vehicle is unlocked and once
when the vehicle is locked.
If the signals do not flash, this indicates that one of the doors, the rear lid or
the bonnet is not closed correctly.
Accidental lock-out
The central locking system prevents you from being locked out of the vehi-
cle in the following situations:
● If the driver door is open, the vehicle cannot be locked with the central
locking switch ⇒ page 93.
Lock the vehicle with the remote control key, when all the doors and the rear
lid have been closed. This prevents the accidental locking of the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehicle if it is locked from
the outside and the anti-theft security system* is enabled, as the doors
and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could
delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.
Note
● Never leave any valuable items in the vehicle unattended. Even a locked
vehicle is not a safe.
● If the diode on the driver door sill lights up for about 30 seconds when
the vehicle is locked, the central locking system or anti-theft alarm* is not
working properly. You should have the fault repaired at a SEAT Official Serv-
ice or specialised workshop.
● The vehicle interior monitoring of the anti-theft alarm* system will only
function as intended if the windows and the sunroof* are closed. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

94Opening and closing
● When the door is mechanically unlocked using the vehicle key without
turning the ignition within the following 15 seconds.
● A door is opened.
● The bonnet is opened.
● The rear lid is opened.
● When the ignition is switched on with a non-authorised key.
● When the vehicle battery is disconnected.
● Movement inside the vehicle (in vehicles with interior monitoring
⇒ page 95).
● When the vehicle is towed (in vehicles with anti-tow system
⇒ page 95).
● When the vehicle is raised (in vehicles with anti-tow system
⇒ page 95).
● When the vehicle is transported on a ferry or by rail (vehicles with an an-
ti-tow system or vehicle interior monitoring ⇒ page 95).
● When a trailer connected to the anti-theft alarm system is disconnected.
How to turn OFF the alarm
Unlock the vehicle with the unlocking button on the key or turn on the igni-
tion with a valid key.
Note
● The alarm will be triggered once more when anybody enters the same
zone of surveillance or any other zone. If, for example, after opening a door,
the rear lid is also opened.
● The anti-theft alarm 
is not activated when the vehicle is locked from
the inside using the central locking button. ●
If the driver door is unlocked mechanically with the key, only the driver
door is unlocked, the rest of the doors remain locked. Only when the igni-
tion has been turned on will the other doors be available - but not unlocked
- and the central lock button activated.
● If the vehicle battery is run down or flat then the anti-theft alarm will not
operate correctly. 
Vehicle interior monitoring and anti-tow system*
Monitoring or control function incorporated in the anti-theft
alarm* which detects unauthorized vehicle entry by means
of ultrasound.
Activation
– It is automatically switched on when the anti-theft alarm is acti-
vated.
Deactivation
– Open the vehicle with the key, either mechanically 1)
or by press-
ing the 
button on the remote control.
– Press the button 
on the remote control twice. The volumetric
sensor and tilt sensors will be deactivated. The alarm system re-
mains activated.
The vehicle interior monitoring and the anti-tow system are automatically
switched on again next time the vehicle is locked. 
1)
The time period from when the door is opened until the key is inserted in the contact
should not exceed 15 sec., otherwise the alarm will be triggered.

95
Opening and closing
The vehicle interior monitoring and anti-tow sensor (tilt sensor) are auto-
matically switched on when the anti-theft alarm is switched on. In order to
activate it, all the doors and the rear lid must be closed.
If you wish to switch off the vehicle interior monitoring and the anti-tow sys-
tem, it must be done each time that the vehicle is locked; if not, they will be
automatically switched on.
The vehicle interior monitoring and the anti-tow system should be switched
off if animals are left inside the locked vehicle (otherwise, their movements
will trigger the alarm) or when, for example, the vehicle is transported or
has to be towed with only one axle on the ground.
False alarms
The interior monitoring only operates correctly if the vehicle is completely
closed. Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
The following cases may cause a false alarm:
● opened windows (partially or fully)
● panoramic/tilting sunroof open (partially or completely).
● movement of objects inside the vehicle, such as loose papers, items
hanging from the rear vision mirror (air fresheners), etc.
Note
● If the vehicle is relocked and the alarm is activated without the volumet-
ric sensor function, relocking will activate the alarm with all its functions,
except the volumetric sensor. This function is reactivated when the alarm is
switched on again, unless it is deliberately switched off.
● If the alarm has been triggered by the volumetric sensor, this will be in-
dicated by a flashing of the warning lamp on the driver door when the vehi-
cle is opened. The flash is different to the flash indicating the alarm is acti-
vated. ●
The vibration of a mobile phone left inside the vehicle may cause the ve-
hicle interior monitoring alarm to trigger, as both sensors react to move-
ments and shakes inside the vehicle.
● If on activating the alarm, any door or the rear lid is open, only the alarm
will be activated. The vehicle interior monitoring and the anti-tow system
will only be activated once all the doors are closed (including the rear lid). 
Deactivating the vehicle interior monitoring and tow-away
protection 1)
Fig. 51 Vehicle interior
monitoring/tow-away
protection button
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be triggered if move-
ments are detected in the interior (e.g. by animals) or if the vehi-
cle's inclination is changed (e.g. during transport). You can prevent
the alarm from being triggered accidentally by switching off the ve-
hicle interior monitoring and/or tow-away protection.
– To switch off the vehicle interior monitoring and tow-away pro-
tection, switch off the ignition and press button ⇒ Fig. 51. The
button will light up. 
1)
Only available in certain markets.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

96Opening and closing
–When the vehicle is locked now, the vehicle interior monitoring
and the tow-away protection are switched off until the next time
the door is opened.
If the anti-theft security system (Safelock)* ⇒  page 86 is switched off, the
vehicle interior monitoring and the tow-away protection are automatically
switched off.
WARNING
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehicle if it is locked from
the outside and the anti-theft security system* is enabled, as the doors
and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could
delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.

Emergency locking and unlocking Introduction
The doors, rear lid and panoramic tilting sunroof can be locked manually
and partially opened, for example if the key or the central locking is dam-
aged.
Additional information and warnings:
● Vehicle key set ⇒ page 88
● Central locking and locking system ⇒ page 86
● Rear lid ⇒  page 98
WARNING
Opening and closing doors carelessly can cause serious injury.
● If the vehicle is locked from outside, the doors and windows cannot
be opened from the inside.
● Never leave children or disabled people alone in the car. They could
be trapped in the car in an emergency and will not be able to get them-
selves to safety.
● Depending on the time of the year, temperatures inside a locked and
closed vehicle can be extremely high or extremely low resulting in seri-
ous injuries and illness or even death, particularly for young children.
WARNING
Getting in the way of the doors and the rear lid is dangerous and can lead
to serious injury.
● Open and close the doors and the rear lid only when there is nobody
in the way.
CAUTION
When opening and closing in an emergency, carefully disassemble compo-
nents and then reassemble them carefully to avoid damage to the vehicle. 