2013 Seat Leon 5D brake

70Instruments and warning/control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

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 257

On the instrument panel display: a)
 Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.⇒ page 253

Lit up or flashing:
 Do not continue driving!
Fault in the steering.⇒ page 225
Driver or passenger has not fastened seat belt.⇒ page 20
Use the foot brake!
On the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the battery.⇒ page 260
a) Colour presentation on instrument panel with colour display. Yellow symbols
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
Central warning lamp: additional information
on the instrument panel display–
Front brake pads worn.
⇒ page 222
lights: Fault in the ESC, or disconnection
caused by the system.
flashes: ESC or ASR activated.
ASR manually deactivated.
ABS faulty or does not work.
Rear fog light switched on.⇒ page 109

On the instrument panel display:
a)
Driving light totally or partially faulty.⇒ page 293
On the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the cornering light system.⇒ page 109
Lights up or flashes: Fault in the emission con-
trol system.
⇒ page 230lights: pre-ignition of diesel engine.flashes: Fault in engine management.
Fault in engine management.
On the instrument panel display: a)
Diesel particulate filter blocked.
Lights up or flashes: Fault in the steering sys-
tem.⇒ page 162
Tyre pressure too low, or fault in the tyre pres-
sure monitoring system.⇒ page 214 

71
Instruments and warning/control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
On the instrument panel display: a)
Level of windscreen washer fluid too low.⇒ page 120
Fuel tank almost empty.⇒ page 248

Flashing on the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the oil level detection. Control manual-
ly.
⇒ page 253Lit up on the instrument panel display: a)
Engine oil level insufficient.
Fault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners.
⇒ page 31OFF Front passenger front airbag is off ( PASSENGER
AIRBAG  ).
ON Front passenger front airbag is on ( PASSENGER
AIRBAG  ).
Lane Assist is switched on, but not active.⇒ page 207
On the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the gearbox.⇒ page 182
a) Colour presentation on instrument panel with colour display.
Other control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

Left or right turn signal.⇒ page 109
Hazard warning lights on.⇒ page 113
Trailer turn signals⇒ page 234
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

lights: Press the foot brake!
flashes: The selector lever locking button has
not engaged.⇒ page 173
The vehicle is stopped by engine braking.

lights: Cruise control operating.
⇒ page 184lights: Speed limiter switched on and active.flashes: The speed set by the speed limiter has
been exceeded.
Lane Assist is switched on and active.⇒ page 207
Main beam on or flasher on.⇒ page 109
On the instrument panel display:
Light Assist switched on.
On the instrument panel display:
Immobiliser active.
On the instrument panel display:
Service interval display.⇒ page 65

On the instrument panel display:
Mobile telephone is connected via Bluetooth to
the original telephone device.
⇒ Book-
let Bluetooth
System

On the instrument panel display:
Mobile telephone battery charge meter. Availa-
ble only for pre-installed factory-fitted devices.

On the instrument panel display:
Ice warning. The outside temperature is lower
than +4 °C (+39 °F).⇒ page 64 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

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. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

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. 

140Seats and storage
WARNING
● The luggage compartment cover must always be fixed properly (risk
of accident).
● The luggage compartment cover should not be used as a storage
shelf. Articles placed on this cover could cause injury to vehicle occu-
pants in an accident or if the brakes are applied suddenly.

Applies to the model: LEON ST
Retractable rear shelf
Fig. 94 In the luggage
compartment: closing the
rear shelf
Fig. 95 In the luggage
compartment: removing
the rear shelf
opening the rear shelf
● Press the handle of the rear shelf ( press) until it is released
⇒ Fig. 94
1
. The shelf will slide automatically to the end until it is totally retracted.
Closing the rear shelf
● Pull backwards and evenly on the rear shelf.
Removing the rear shelf
● Press the rear shelf support
⇒ Fig. 95 1
in the direction of the arrow.
● Pull the rear shelf upwards through the support.
● In versions with side covers (without nets) the rear shelf can be stored
under the luggage compartment variable floor, although it must be in the
top position ⇒ page 141.
Mounting the rear shelf
● Place the rear shelf in the housing provided for in the left side trim.
● Fit the rear shelf support
⇒ Fig. 95 1
into the right housing.
● Check that the support
⇒ Fig. 95 1 has engaged properly.


162Driving
Driving
SteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely ad-
justed to suit the driver.
Fig. 117 Lever in the
lower left side of the
steering column
– Press the lever 1
⇒ Fig. 117 down ⇒ 
–
Move the steering wheel to the desired position.
– Move the lever up, applying pressure until the close position is
reached.
WARNING
● Never adjust the position of the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving, as this could cause an accident.
● Move the lever up firmly so the steering wheel position does not acci-
dentally change during driving. risk of accident!
● Make sure you are capable of reaching and firmly holding the upper
part of the steering wheel while your back remains well supported by the
backrest: risk of accident!

Ignition lock Warning and control lamps
Lights upPossible causeSolution

Preheating of the diesel en-
gine before starting the en-
gine⇒ page 164
Foot not on the brake pedal.Press the brake model to start the
engine.
Some warning and control lamps will light up briefly when the ignition is
switched on to check certain functions. They will switch off after a few sec-
onds. 

164Driving
–Turn the ignition key to position 1
to switch off the ignition.
Preheating is produced in Diesel vehicles  when the ignition is
switched on.
Starting up the engine
– Manual gearbox: Press the clutch pedal all the way down and
move the gearbox lever into neutral.
– Automatic gearbox : Press the brake pedal and move the selec-
tor lever to position P or N.
– Turn the ignition key to position 3
. The key returns to position
2 automatically. Do not press the accelerator.
Diesel engines can take a few seconds longer than usual to start
on cold days. Therefore the clutch pedal (manual gearbox) or the
brake pedal (automatic gearbox) must remain pressed until the en-
gine starts up. During preheating, the warning lamp  remains lit.
The preheating time depends on the coolant and exterior tempera-
tures. When the engine is at operating temperature or at outside
temperatures above +8 °C (46 °F) the warning lamp  will only
light up for about one second. This means that the engine starts
immediately.
If the engine does not immediately start up, interrupt the starting process
and try again after 30 seconds. To start the engine again, return the key to
position 1
.
Start-Stop System*
If the vehicle is stopped and the Start-Stop system* switches off the engine,
the ignition remains switched on.
Automatic gearbox: Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the ignition
is switched off and the selector lever is in position P. Driver messages on the instrument panel display
Press the clutch This message appears on vehicles with a manual gearbox if the driver tries
to start the engine without having the clutch pedal pressed. The engine will
only start if you press the clutch pedal.
Press the brake
This message appears on vehicles with an automatic gearbox if the driver
tries to start the engine without having the brake pedal pressed.
Select N or P
This message appears if you try to start or stop the engine when the selec-
tor lever of the automatic gearbox is not in position P or N. The engine can
only start or stop in these positions.
Engage position P; the vehicle can move; doors can only close in position P. For safety reasons, this driver message appears and an audible warning
sounds if the selector lever of the automatic gearbox is not in position P af-
ter you switch off the ignition. Otherwise the vehicle could move.
Gear change: selector lever in the drive position!
This driver message is displayed and a buzzer is sounded when the selector
lever is not in the position P when the driver door is opened. Put the selec-
tor lever in position P; otherwise the vehicle can roll away.
Ignition is switched onThis driver message is displayed and a buzzer is sounded when the driver
door is opened with the ignition switched on. 

165
Driving
WARNING
● Never run the engine in confined spaces, as the exhaust gases are
poisonous.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion.
Otherwise, the steering could suddenly lock, making it impossible to
steer the vehicle: risk of accident!
● Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle. This is par-
ticularly important if there are children in the vehicle, as they might oth-
erwise be able to start the engine or use power-operated equipment (e.g.
the electric windows), which could cause injuries.
CAUTION
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and extreme load conditions until
the engine has reached its normal operating temperature, otherwise this
can damage the engine.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by running it with the car stationary. You should
drive off as soon as you start the engine. This will help avoid unnecessary
exhaust emissions.
Note
● If it is difficult to turn the ignition key to the position 1, turn the steer-
ing wheel to both sides to release the steering lock.
● When starting from cold, the engine may be a little noisy for the first few
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve lifters. This is
quite normal, and no cause for concern.
● If the vehicle battery is disconnected and reconnected, the key must re-
main in the position 1
for around 5 seconds before starting up.
● Vehicles with automatic gearbox: After switching off the ignition, you
can only remove the ignition key if the selector lever is in position “P” (park-
ing lock). Next, the selector lever is locked. Switching off the engine with the key
Switching off the engine
–
Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position 1
⇒ Fig. 118.
Engaging the steering wheel lock
Important: selector lever (automatic gearbox*) must be in position
P.
– Remove the key from the ignition in position 1
⇒ Fig. 118
⇒ .
– Turn the steering wheel until you hear it engage.
Possible vehicle theft is prevented with the steering lock engaged.
WARNING
● Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary. The brake
servo and power steering functions will not be completely covered under
warranty. More force may also be needed to turn the steering wheel or to
brake. As you cannot steer and brake in the normal manner, there is a
greater risk of accidents and serious injury.
● Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion.
Otherwise, the steering could lock making it impossible to steer the vehi-
cle.
● Always take the ignition key with you whenever you leave the vehicle,
even temporarily. This is particularly important if there are children in
the vehicle, as they might otherwise be able to start the engine or use
power-operated equipment (e.g. the electric windows), which could
cause injuries. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications