2013 Seat Leon 5D height

53
Child safety
Securing child seats
Ways to secure a child seat
A child seat can be secured differently on the rear seat and
on the front passenger seat.
Fig. 33 On the rear seats: figure A shows the basic child restraint system mounting
using lower retaining rings and the upper retaining strap figure B shows the child re-
straint system mounting using the vehicle seat belt
You can secure a child seat to the rear seat or front passenger seat in the
following ways:
● Child seats in groups 0 to 3 can be secured with a seat belt.
● Child seats in groups 0, 0+ and 1 with the ISOFIX and Top Tether* sys-
tems can be secured without using the seatbelt, thanks to the ISOFIX and
Top Tether* securing rings ⇒ page 55.
● During installation of some models of group I, II and III child seats in the
rear seat, difficulty may arise in mounting the seat given that it comes into
contact with the head restraint. In this case adjust the height of the head restraint or remove it from the seat following the instructions in the corre-
sponding chapter ⇒ 
page 131. Once you remove the child seat, replace the
head restraint in its original position. 
Securing the child seat using the seat belt
The seat belt may be used to secure universal type child seats to the vehicle
seats marked with a U in the table below.
● If the front passenger seat lacks a height adjustment, child seats cannot
be mounted is this location.
Mass groupSeating positionFront passenger seatRear side seatRear centralseat
Group 0
to 10 kgU*UU
Group 0+ to 13 kgU*UU
Group I
9 to 18 kgU*UU
Group II
15 to 25 kgU*UU
Group III
22 to 36 kgU*UU
Suitable for universal restraint systems for use in this mass group.
Only compatible for models with adjustable seat height. Place seat in
the backmost highest position possible. 
U:
*:
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129
Seats and storage
Front seats
Manual seat adjustment
Fig. 77 Front seats:
manual seat adjustment
Fig. 78 Front seats: lever
for folding the backrest
(3-door vehicles)
Adjusting the seat forward/backward: pull the lever and move the seat
forwards or backwards.
Raise/lower the seat: Pull/push the lever.
Backrest lower/raise: turn the hand wheel.
1
23
Adjusting the lumbar support* : press the button in the corresponding
position.
Folding the seat backrest (only 3-door vehicles): pull the lever and push
the backrest forward.
WARNING
● Adjust the front seats only when the vehicle is stationary. Failure to
do so could result in an accident.
● Be careful when adjusting the seat height. Careless or uncontrolled
adjustment can cause injuries.
● The front seat backrests must not be reclined for driving. Otherwise,
seat belts and the airbag system might not protect as they should, with
the subsequent danger of injury.

Applies to the model: LEON ST
To lower the front passenger seat back*
Fig. 79 Passenger's
seat: lever for folding
down the backrest
The passenger's seat can be down to expand the luggage compartment
loading area. 
4
5
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149
Seats and storage
WARNING
During a sudden braking manoeuvre or accident, objects could be
launched across the passenger compartment and cause serious or fatal
injuries.
● Always secure objects, even when the luggage compartment floor is
properly raised.
● Between the rear seat and the raised luggage compartment floor, car-
ry only objects that are not more than two-thirds the height of the floor.
● Between the rear seat and the raised luggage compartment floor, you
can only carry objects that do not exceed the weight of approximately
7.5 kg.
CAUTION
● The maximum weight supported by the variable floor of the luggage
compartment at the top is 150 kg.
● Do not let the luggage compartment floor fall when closing it. Always
carefully guide it downwards in a controlled manner. Otherwise, the lining
and the floor of the luggage compartment could be damaged.
Note
SEAT recommends that you use suitable straps to secure the objects to the
retaining rings. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

150Seats and storage
Roof carrier
Introduction
The vehicle roof has been designed to optimise aerodynamics. This is why it
is not possible to mount cross bars or conventional roof carrier systems in
the roof's rain channels.
Given that the rain channels have been incorporated into the roof for aero-
dynamic reasons, only SEAT-approved cross bars and roof carrier systems
can be used.
Cases in which the cross bars and roof carrier systems should be
dismounted
● When they are no longer needed.
● When the vehicle is to be washed in a car wash.
● When the vehicle height exceeds the maximum height, for example, in a
garage.
Additional information and warnings:
● Lights ⇒ page 109
● Storing objects ⇒ page 17
● Driving ecologically ⇒ page 231
● Wheels and tyres ⇒ page 265
● Accessories, parts replacement, repairs and modifications ⇒ page 272
WARNING
Transporting heavy or bulky loads on the roof carrier system affects car
handling due to the shift in the centre of gravity and increased air resist-
ance.
● It is important to always use belts or retaining straps that are suita-
ble and in good condition to secure loads.
● A bulky, heavy, long or flat load has a negative effect on aerodynam-
ics and on the vehicle's centre of gravity and driving behaviour.
● Avoid sudden braking and other brusque manoeuvres.
● Adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road
and traffic conditions.
CAUTION
● Remove the cross bars and the roof carrier system before entering a car
wash.
● The height of your vehicle increases with the installation of the cross
bars and roof carrier system and with the load secured on them. To do so,
make sure that vehicle height does not exceed the height limit when going
through underpasses or garage doors.
● The cross bars, roof carrier system and load on them should not inter-
fere with the roof antenna or hamper the panoramic sliding roof and the
⇒  page 106 rear lid.
● On opening the rear lid, make sure that it does not bump into the roof
load.
For the sake of the environment
Fitting the cross bars and roof carrier system increases fuel consumption
due to greater aerodynamic resistance. 

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. 

230Driving and the environment
Driving and the environment
Running in the engine
A new vehicle should be run in over a distance of 1500 km (1000 miles). For
the first 1000 km (600 miles) the engine speed should not exceed 2/3 of
the maximum permissible engine speed. In doing so, do not accelerate at
full throttle and do not drive with a trailer! From 1000 to 1500 km (600 to
1000 miles) you can gradually increase the engine rpm and road speed.
During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on when all the moving parts have bedded down.
How the vehicle is driven for the first 1500 km (1000 miles) influences the
future engine performance. Subsequently, also drive at a moderate rate, es-
pecially when the engine is still cold: this will lead to less engine wear and
tear and will prolong its useful life.
You should also avoid driving with the engine speed too low. Change down
to a lower gear when the engine no longer runs “smoothly”. If the engine
revs too much, cut fuel injection to protect the engine. 
Driving through flooded roads
To prevent damage to the vehicle when driving through water, for example,
along a flooded road, please observe the following:
● The water should never come above the lower edge of the bodywork.
● Drive at pedestrian speed.
WARNING
After driving through water, mud, sludge, etc., the braking effect can be
delayed slightly due to moisture build-up on the discs and brake pads.
Applying the brakes carefully several times will remove the moisture and
restore the full braking effect.
CAUTION
● Driving through flooded areas may severely damage vehicle compo-
nents such as the engine, transmission, running gear or electrical system.
● Whenever driving through water, the Start-Stop system* must be switch-
ed off ⇒ page 169.
Note
● Check the depth of the water before entering the flooded zone.
● Do not stop in the water, drive in reverse, or stop the engine in any sit-
uation.
● Note that vehicles travelling in the opposite direction may splash water
that could exceed the maximum permitted water height for your vehicle.
● Avoid driving through salt water (corrosion). 
Installation of exhaust gas filtration systems
Catalytic converter
Applies to vehicles with petrol engine: The vehicle must only be used with
unleaded petrol, otherwise the catalytic converter will be irreparably dam-
aged. 

268Wheels and tyres
To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres the wheels should be changed
round from time to time according to the system ⇒ Fig. 162. The useful life
of all the tyres will then be about the same time. 
Replacing wheels and tyres
It is important to use the correct wheels and tyres when re-
placement is necessary.
– All four wheels must be fitted with tyres of the same type, size
(rolling circumference) and preferably the same tread pattern.
– Tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually
(i.e. both front tyres or both rear tyres together).
– Do not use tyres whose effective size exceeds the dimensions
of the factory-approved makes of tyre.
– If you wish to fit the vehicle with rims or tyres that are different
to those installed in manufacture, it is advisable to consult a
SEAT Official Service before purchasing them.
The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's design. The
tyres and rims approved by SEAT are specially matched to the characteris-
tics of the vehicle and make a major contribution to good roadholding and
safe handling ⇒ 
.
The sizes of the rims and tyres approved for your vehicle are listed in the
vehicle documentation (e.g. EC Certificate of Conformity or COC docu-
ment 1)
). The vehicle documentation varies depending on the country of resi-
dence. A knowledge of tyre designations makes it easier to choose the correct
tyres. The following wording can be read on the sides of the tyre:
205/55 R16 91V
This contains the following information:
205Tyre width in mm55Height/width ratio in %RTyre construction: Radial16Rim diameter in inches91Load rating codeVSpeed index
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly only
on the inner side of the wheel): DOT... 2212...
means that the tyre was produced in the 22nd week of 2012.
Please note that with some types of tyre, the actual tyre size can differ from
the nominal size marked on the tyre (for instance 205/55 R 16 91 W), and
there may be significant differences in the contours of the tyres, even
though the tyres are marked with the same nominal size designation.
When replacing the tyres, it is therefore important to make sure that the
actual size of the new tyres does not exceed the dimensions of the factory-
approved makes of tyre.
Failure to observe this requirement can affect the clearance needed for the
tyres. This could result in contact between the tyres and suspension com-
ponents or bodywork causing damage. The brake lines could also be dam-
aged and vehicle safety could be severely impaired ⇒ 
.
1)
COC = certificate of conformity

281
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 281.
– 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