2013 Seat Leon 5D warning light

44Airbag system
In certain types of accident the front, side and curtain airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas. In the
process, the curtain airbag covers the side windows and door pillars.
The airbags deploy extremely rapidly, within thousandths of a second, to
provide additional protection in the event of an accident. A fine dust may
develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and it is not an indication
of fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the movement of the front occupants
and help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. 
Safety notes on the operation of the curtain airbag system
If you use airbags correctly, they can considerably reduce
the risk of injury in many kinds of accident.
WARNING
● In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
● For safety reasons, the curtain airbag must be disabled in those vehi-
cles fitted with a screen dividing the interior of the vehicle. See a Techni-
cal Service to make this adjustment.
WARNING (Continued)
● There must be no other persons, animals or objects between the oc-
cupants of the outer seats and the deployment space of the curtain air-
bags so that the curtain airbag can deploy without restriction and pro-
vide the greatest possible protection. Therefore, sun blinds which have
not been expressly approved for use in your vehicle may not be attached
to the side windows.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets. Please, do
not hang the clothes on coat hangers.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed.
● Any work on the curtain airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the roof lin-
ing) should only be performed by a specialised workshop. Otherwise,
faults may occur during the airbag system operation.
● Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
● The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in
the interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct operation of the side
and head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modi-
fied in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged,
the airbag system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the
front door must be done in a specialised workshop.


45
Airbag system
Deactivating airbags
Deactivating airbags
The deactivation of airbags corresponds only to certain cases, i.e. if:
● a child seat is required in the front passenger seat with the child facing
in the opposite direction to the direction of travel (in some countries, due to
divergent legal requirements, facing in the direction of travel) ⇒ page 50;
● despite the driver seat being in the correct position, a minimum dis-
tance of 25 cm cannot be maintained between the centre of the steering
wheel and the driver's torso.
● installation of special devices is required in the steering wheel area due
to a physical disability.
● if you have special seats installed (e.g. an orthopaedic seat without side
airbag).
The front passenger front airbag can be disabled using the switch
⇒ page 46.
We recommend that you contact an authorised SEAT dealer for the disabling
of other airbags.
Airbag system control
The airbag system availability is controlled electronically, regardless of
whether an airbag is disabled.
If an airbag was disabled using a diagnostics system:
● the airbag system warning lamp  lights up after switching on the igni-
tion for about 4 seconds, and then flashes for about 12 seconds If the airbag has been disabled with the airbag switch on the side of the
dash panel:
●
the airbag control lamp  will light up for about 4 seconds after the ig-
nition is switched on.
● The airbag is disabled, signalled with the warning lamp   which
lights up with the word      placed in the centre part of the
dash panel ⇒ Fig. 28.
Note
● Respect the current legislation in your country regarding the deactiva-
tion of airbags
● At your authorised SEAT dealer you can find information on which vehi-
cle airbags can be deactivated. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

46Airbag system
Front passenger front airbag switch
Fig. 28 Front passenger
front airbag switch
Fig. 29 Warning lamp for
disabling the front pas-
senger airbag
The switch disables only the front passenger front airbag.
Disabling the airbag
– Switch the ignition off. –
Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
– Insert the key into the slot of the switch for deactivating the
front passenger airbag ⇒ Fig. 28. About 3/4 of the key should
enter, as far as it will go.
– Then turn the key gently to the OFF position. Do not force it if
you feel resistance, and make sure you have inserted the key
fully.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that the control lamp
lights up   ⇒ Fig. 29 with the word      in
the centre part of the dash panel.
Switching on the airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Insert the key into the slot of the switch for deactivating the
front passenger airbag ⇒ Fig. 28. About 3/4 of the key should
enter, as far as it will go.
– Then turn the key gently to the ON position. Do not force it if you
feel resistance, and make sure you have inserted the key fully.
– Close the passenger side storage compartment.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that the control lamp 
 ⇒ Fig. 29 does not light up, with the word    
 in the centre part of the dash panel.
– The warning lamp   is illuminated for 60 seconds in the cen-
tre part of the dash panel. 

47
Airbag system
Control lamp with the word      (front passenger airbag
disabled)
If the front passenger front airbag is disabled, after switching on the igni-
tion, the control lamp will light up for several seconds, then it will switch off
for about 1 s and then switch on again.
If the control lamp is flashing, there is a fault in the disabling of the airbag
system ⇒ 
. Please go immediately to an Official Service.
WARNING
● The driver of the vehicle is responsible for disabling or switching on
the airbag.
● Always switch off the ignition before disabling the front passenger
airbag! Failure to do so could result in a fault in the airbag deactivation
system.
● Never leave the key in the airbag deactivation switch as it could get
damaged or activate or deactivate the airbag during driving.
● If the control lamp   (airbag deactivated) flashes, the front pas-
senger front airbag will not trigger in the event of an accident! Have the
system immediately checked by an Official Service.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

59
Controls and displays
Operating instructions Controls and displays
Overview
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Electric control to adjust exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Control lever for:
– Turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
– Lane Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
– Main beam assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
– Cruise control system (CCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Steering wheel with horn and
– Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
– On-board computer controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
– Controls for radio, telephone, navigation and speech dia-
logue system ⇒  Booklet Radio
– Paddle levers for tiptronic gearshift (automatic gearbox) . .178
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Control lever for:
– Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
– Wipe and wash system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
– On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
12345
6
7
89
Depending on equipment fitted: Radio or display for Easy
Connect (navigation, radio, TV/video)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Depending on the equipment, buttons for:
– SEAT driving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
– Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
– Park assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
– Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
– Airbag off display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Glove box with (depending on equipment): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
– CD player* and/or SD card* ⇒  Booklet Radio
– Multimedia interface* ⇒  Booklet Radio
Tyre pressure switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Front passenger airbag switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Passenger seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Storage compartment
Depending on gearbox fitted, gear lever or selector lever for:
– manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
– automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Depending on the equipment, controls for:
– Heating and ventilation system or manual air conditioner .158, 157
– Automatic air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Driver seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
10
11
12
131415161718
19
2021
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

67
Instruments and warning/control lamps
Trip recorder
Fig. 40 Instrument pan-
el: Odometer and reset
button
The distance covered is displayed in “kilometres” or miles “m”. It is possi-
ble to change the measurement units (kilometres “km”/miles “m”) in the
radio/Easy Connect*. Please refer to the Easy Connect* Instruction Manual
for more details.
Odometer/trip recorder
The odometer shows the total distance covered by the vehicle.
The trip recorder shows the distance that has been travelled since it was
last reset. It is used to measure short trips. The last digit of the trip recorder
indicates distances of 100 metres or tenths of a mile.
The trip recorder can be set to zero by pressing 0.0/SET

⇒  Fig. 40.
Fault display
If there is a fault in the instrument panel, the letters DEF will appear in the
trip recorder display. Have the fault repaired immediately, as far as is possi-
ble. Fuel level
The display
6 ⇒ Fig. 38 only works when the ignition is switched on. When
the display reaches the reserve mark, the lower diode lights up in red and
the control lamp  appears ⇒ page 248. When the fuel level is very low,
the lower diode flashes in red.
The distance to empty fuel level is displayed on the instrument panel 3
⇒ Fig. 38.
The capacity of the fuel tank of your vehicle is given in the Technical data
section ⇒ page 323.
In natural gas engines
The yellow warning lamp
 lights up when both fuel types (petrol and natu-
ral gas) have reached reserve level.
The green control lamp  comes on when the vehicle is working with natural
gas.
The green control lamp  switches off when the natural gas is exhausted.
The engine changes to operate with petrol.
Thing to note: If the vehicle is left parked for a long time immediately after
refuelling, the natural gas level indicator may not accurately indicate the
same level shown after refuelling when the vehicle is started up again. This
is not due to a leak in the system, but to a drop in pressure in the gas tank
for technical reasons after a cooling phase immediately after refuelling.
CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply could cause
misfiring. In this way the unburned fuel can reach the exhaust system,
which could cause the catalytic converter to overheat resulting in damage. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

68Instruments and warning/control lamps
Coolant temperature gauge
For vehicles with no coolant temperature gauge, a control lamp appears for
high coolant temperatures  ⇒ page 257. Take into account the ⇒ .
The coolant temperature gauge 2
⇒ Fig. 38 only works when the ignition is
switched on. In order to avoid engine damage, please read the following
notes for the different temperature ranges.
Engine cold
If only the diodes in the lower part of the scale light up, this indicates that
the engine has not yet reached operating temperature. Avoid high revs and
heavy acceleration and do not make the engine work hard.
Normal temperature
If in normal operations, the diodes light up until the central zone, it means
that the engine has reached operating temperature. At high outside temper-
atures and when making the engine work hard, the diodes may continue
lighting up and reach the upper zone. This is no cause for concern, provided
the control lamp  does not light up on the instrument panel digital dis-
play.
Heat range
When the diodes light up in the upper area of the display and the control
lamp appears  on the instrument panel display, the coolant temperature
is excessive ⇒ page 257.
CAUTION
● To ensure a long useful life for the engine, avoid high revs, driving at
high speed and making the engine work hard for approx. the first 15 mi-
nutes when the engine is cold. The phase until the engine is warm also de-
pends on the outside temperature. If necessary, use the engine oil tempera-
ture* as a guide ⇒ page 77
● Additional lights and other accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the
cooling effect of the coolant. At high outside temperatures and high engine
loads, there is a risk of the engine overheating.
● The front spoiler also ensures proper distribution of the cooling air when
the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is damaged this can reduce the cooling
effect, which could cause the engine to overheat. Seek specialist assis-
tance. 
Gear-change indicator
This additional indicator function can help to save fuel.
Fig. 41 Instrument pan-
el: Gear-change indicator
(manual gearbox) 

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 