2013 Seat Leon 5D warning

109
Lights and visibility
Lights and visibility
Lights Introduction
The legal requirements regarding the use of vehicle lights in each country
must be observed.
The driver is personally responsible for the correct use and adjustment of
the lights in all situations.
Additional information and warnings:
● Information system ⇒ page 73
● Changing bulbs ⇒ page 293
WARNING
If the headlights are regulated too high and the main beam is not used
correctly, there is a risk of dazzling or distracting other road users. This
could result in a serious accident.
● Always make sure that the headlights are correctly adjusted.
● Never use the main beam or headlight flasher when it can dazzle oth-
er drivers.
 Control lamps
lights upPossible causeSolution
Driving light totally or partially
faulty.
Replace the corresponding
bulb ⇒ page 293.
If all the bulbs are OK, the vehi-
cle should be taken to a speci-
alised workshop if necessary.
Rear fog light switched on.⇒ page 111.
Fog lights switched on
 
Left or right turn signal.
The control lamp flashes twice
as fast when a vehicle or trailer
turn signal is faulty.If necessary, check the vehicle
and trailer lighting.
Main beam on or flasher on.⇒ page 110.
Light Assist on.⇒ page 114
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.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

110Lights and visibility
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.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
● Park the vehicle at a suitable distance away from the traffic ensuring
that the exhaust system is not in contact with inflammable material, for
example, dry grass, fuel, oil, etc.
● A faulty vehicle represents a risk of accident for the driver and for oth-
er road users. If necessary, switch on the hazard warning lamps and put
out the warning triangle to advise other drivers.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle. 
Turn signal and main beam lever*
Fig. 64 Turn signal and
main beam lever
Move the lever to the required position: Right turn signal. Right-hand parking light (ignition switched off)
⇒ page 112.
Left turn signal. Left-hand parking light (ignition switched off)
⇒ page 112.
Main beam switched on ⇒ 
. The control lamp
 will light up on the
instrument panel.
Flashing the headlights. The flashed beam comes on if the lever is
pressed. The control lamp  will light up.
Push the lever all the way down to turn off the corresponding function.
Convenience turn signals
For the convenience turn signals, move the lever as far as possible upwards
or downwards and release the lever. The turn signal will flash three times.
The convenience turn signals are activated and deactivated in the Easy Con-
nect system via the 
key and the Setup function button ⇒ page 79.
In vehicles that do not have the corresponding menu, this function can be
deactivated in a specialised workshop.
WARNING
Improper or lack of use of the turn signals, or forgetting to deactivate
them can confuse other road users. This could result in a serious acci-
dent.
● Always give warning when you are going to change lane, overtake or
when turning, activating the turn signal in good time.
● As soon as you have finished changing lane, overtaking or turning,
switch the turn signal off.
WARNING
Incorrect use of the headlights may cause accidents and serious injury,
as the main beam may distract or dazzle other drivers. 
1
2
3
4

111
Lights and visibility
Note
● The turn signal only works when the ignition is switched on. The hazard
warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
● If a trailer turn signal malfunctions, the control lamp will stop flashing
(trailer turn signals) and the vehicle turn signal will flash at double speed.
● The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped beam
headlights are already on. 
Turning lights on and off
Fig. 65 Dash panel:
Light switch
The legal requirements regarding the use of vehicle lights in each country
must be observed.
Turn the light switch to the required position ⇒ Fig. 65:
Symbolif the ignition is switched offwhen the ignition is on
Fog lights, dipped beam and
side lights off.Light off, or daytime driving light
on.

The “Coming home” and
“Leaving home” guide lights
may be switched on.Automatic control of dipped
beam and daytime driving light.
Symbolif the ignition is switched offwhen the ignition is on
Side light on.Side light on.

Dipped beam off; if necessa-
ry, the side light comes on for
a time.Dipped beam switched on.
Fog lights
The warning lamps
 or  also show, on the light switch or instrument
panel, when the fog lights are on.
● Switching on the fog lights : pull the light switch to the first position,
from positions ,  or .
● Switching on the rear fog light : pull the light switch completely from
position ,  or .
● To switch off the fog lights, press the light switch or turn it to position .
Audible warnings to advise the driver that the lights have not been
switched off
If the key is not in the ignition and the driver door is open, an audible warn-
ing signal is heard in the following cases: This is a reminder to turn off the
lights.
● When the parking light is on ⇒ page 110.
● When the light switch is in position  or .
WARNING
The side lights or daytime driving lights are not bright enough to illumi-
nate the road ahead and to ensure that other road users are able to see
you.
● Always use your dipped beam head lights if it is raining or if visibility
is poor.

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113
Lights and visibility
WARNING
If the road is not well lit and other road users cannot see the vehicle well
enough or at all, accidents may occur.
● The automatic dipped beam control ( ) only switches on the dip-
ped beam when there are no changes in brightness, and not, for example
when it is foggy.
● Never drive with daytime lights if the road is not well lit due to weath-
er or lighting conditions. Daytime lights do not provide enough light to
illuminate the road properly or be seen by other road users.
● The rear lights do not come on with the daytime driving light. A vehi-
cle which does not have the rear lights on may not be visible to other
drivers in the darkness, in the case of heavy rain or in conditions of poor
visibility.
Note
In cold or damp weather conditions, the headlights, tail lights and turn sig-
nals may mist up inside temporarily. This is normal and in no way effects
the useful life of the vehicle lighting system. Hazard warning lights

The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
Fig. 66 Dash panel:
switch for hazard warn-
ing lights
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights ⇒ 
.
3. Switch the ignition off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear. On an automatic gear- box, move the selector lever to P.
6. Use the warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your vehicle. 
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114Lights and visibility
7. Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehi-
cle.
Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for example:
● reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,
● there is an emergency
● your vehicle breaks down due to a technical fault,
● you are towing another vehicle or your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are
switched on. The two turn signal turn signal lamps   and the turn signal
lamp in the switch  will flash at the same time. The hazard warning lights
also work when the ignition is switched off.
Emergency braking warning
If the vehicle is braked suddenly and continuously at a speed of more than
80 km/h (50 mph), the brake light flashes several times per second to warn
vehicles driving behind. If you continue braking, the hazard warning lights
will come on automatically when the vehicle comes to a standstill. They
switch off automatically when the vehicle starts to move again.
WARNING
● The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always
use the hazard warning lights and a warning triangle to draw the atten-
tion of other road users to your stationary vehicle.
● Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt
petrol. This could start a fire!
Note
● The battery will run down if the hazard warning lights are left on for a
long time, even if the ignition is switched off.
● The use of the hazard warning lights described here is subject to the rel-
evant statutory requirements. 
Main beam assist*
Main beam assist (Light Assist)
The main beam assist begins operating (within the limits of the system and
depending on the environmental and traffic conditions) starting at a speed
of 60 km/h (37 mph), when it switches on automatically, and then deacti-
vates again below 30 km/h (18 mph) ⇒ 
. This is managed via a camera
situated on the base of the interior mirror.
The main beam assist generally detects illuminated areas and deactivates
the main beam when passing through a town, for example. 

115
Lights and visibility
Switching the main beam assist on and off
effectuse
Activate: 
– Switch the ignition on and turn the light switch to position
.
– From the base position, move the main beam and turn signal
lever forwards ⇒ page 110. When the warning lamp  is dis-
played on the instrument panel display, the main beam assist is
switched on.
To
switch
system off:
– Switch off the ignition.
– OR: Turn the light switch to a different position to 
⇒ page 111.
– OR: with main beam on, move the main beam and turn signal
lever backwards.
– OR: Move the main beam and turn signal lever forwards to
manually switch main beam on. The main beam assist will then
be deactivated.
Malfunctions
The following conditions may prevent the main beam headlight control from
turning off the headlights in time or from turning off altogether:
● In poorly lit towns with highly reflective signs.
● Other insufficiently lit road users (such as pedestrians or cyclists).
● On tight bends and steep slopes (bumps) and when oncoming vehicles
are partially obscured.
● When the drivers of other oncoming vehicles (such as a truck) can see
over a guard rail in the centre of the road.
● If the camera is damaged or the power supply is cut off.
● In fog, snow and heavy rain.
● With dust and sand turbulence.
● With loose gravel in the field of vision of the camera.
● When the field of vision of the camera is misted up, dirty or covered by
stickers, snow, ice...
WARNING
The convenience features of the main beam assist should not encourage
the taking of risks. The system is not a replacement for driver concentra-
tion.
● You are always in control of the main beam and adapting it to the
light, visibility and traffic conditions.
● It is possible that the main beam headlight control does not recog-
nise all driving situations and is limited under certain circumstances.
● When the field of vision of the camera is dirty, covered or damaged,
operation of the main beam control may be affected. This also applies
when changes are made to the vehicle lighting system, for example, if
additional headlights are installed.
CAUTION
To avoid affecting the operation of the system, take the following points in-
to consideration:
● Clean the field of vision of the camera regularly and make sure it is free
of snow and ice.
● Do not cover the field of vision of the camera.
● Check that the windscreen is not damaged in the area of the field of vi-
sion of the camera.
Note
Main beam and headlight flasher can be turned on and off manually at any
time with the turn signal and main beam lever ⇒ page 110. 
Adjusting the headlights
The light beam of the dipped beam lights is asymmetric: the side of the
road on which you are driving is lit more intensely. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

118Lights and visibility
WARNING
Heavy objects in the vehicle may mean that the headlights dazzle and
distract other drivers. This could result in a serious accident.
● Adjust the light beam to the vehicle load status so that it does not
blind other drivers.

Interior and reading lights 1)
Button/
Positioneffect
Switches interior lights off.
Switches interior lights on.

Switches door contact control on (central position).
The interior lights come on automatically when the vehicle is
unlocked, a door is opened or the key is removed from the ig-
nition.
The lights go off a few seconds after all the doors are closed,
the vehicle is locked or the ignition is switched on.
Turning the reading light on and off
Glove compartment and luggage compartment lighting*
When opening and closing the glove compartment on the front passenger
side and the rear lid, the respective light will automatically switch on and
off. Footwell lighting*
The lights in the footwell area below the dash (driver and front passenger
sides) will switch on when the doors are opened and will decrease in inten-
sity while driving. The intensity of these lights can be adjusted using the ra-
dio menu (see Easy Connect > Adjusting Lighting > Interior lighting
⇒ page 82).
Ambient light*
The ambient light in the door panel changes colour (white or red) depend-
ing on the driving mode. The intensity of these lights can be adjusted using
the radio menu (see Easy Connect > Adjusting Lights > Interior lighting
⇒  page 82).
Note
The reading lights switch off when the vehicle is locked using a key or after
several minutes if the key is removed from the ignition. This prevents the
battery from discharging. 
Sun protection equipment Introduction
WARNING
Folded sun blinds can reduce visibility.
● Always store sun blinds and visors in their housing when not in use.

1)
Depending on the level of equipment fitted in the vehicle, LEDs can be used for the follow-
ing interior lights: front courtesy light, rear courtesy light, footwell light and sun visor light.

120Lights and visibility
Windscreen wiper and rear wiper systems
Introduction
Additional information and warnings:
● Changing wheels round
● Heating, ventilation, cooling
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
WARNING
If the water from the windscreen washer does not contain enough anti-
freeze, it may freeze on the windscreen and rear window, reducing for-
ward and rear visibility.
● In winter, ensure the windscreen washer contains enough anti-freeze.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash/wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the ventilation system. The anti-
freeze could freeze on the windscreen and reduce visibility.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers. In cold weather, it may help to leave the vehi-
cle parked with the wipers in service position ⇒ page 122. Control lamp
lights upPossible causeSolution
Windscreen wiper fluid level
too lowTop up the windscreen wiper
reservoir as soon as possible
⇒ page 124.
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.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle. 