2014 Seat Leon 5D brakes

Operation
Stability programme (ESC), including the ASR
function.
● The ASR and ESC function are reconnected
by pressing the button 
›
›› Fig. 146.
● OR
: activate or deactivate the ASR or ESC
function in the Easy Connect system by
means of the button  and the function
buttons Setup and
ESC System .
WARNING
You should switch on the ESC Sport mode on-
ly if the traffic conditions and your driving
ability allow you to do so safely: risk of skid-
ding!
● With ESC in Sport mode, the stabilising
function will be limited to allow for a sportier
drive. The driving wheels could spin and the
vehicle could skid.
● If the ESC/ASR is deactivated, the vehicle
stabilisation function is not available. Note
If the ASR is disconnected or the ESC’s Sport
mode is selected, cruise control* will be
switched off. Brakes
New brake pads
For the first 400 km (250 miles), new brake
pads have not yet reached their maximum braking capacity, and need to be “run in”
first. However, you can compensate for the
slightly reduced braking effect by applying
more pressure on the brake pedal. Avoid
overloading the brakes while running them
in.
Wear
The rate of wear on the
brake pads depends
a great deal on how you drive and the condi-
tions in which the vehicle is operated. This is
a particular problem in urban traffic and
short stretches, or with very sporty driving.
Depending on the speed, the braking force,
and the environmental conditions (for exam-
ple, the temperature, air humidity, etc.)
noises may be produced on braking.
Wet roads or road salt
In certain situations (for example, on driving
through flooded areas, in severe downpours
or after washing the vehicle) the braking ac-
tion could be delayed if the discs and pads
are damp, or frozen in winter. In this case the
brakes should be “dried” by pressing the
brake pedal several times.
At high speed and with the windscreen wip-
ers activated, the brake pads will briefly
touch the brake discs. This takes place, al-
though unnoticeable to the driver, at regular
intervals to improve the response time of the
brakes when they are wet. The effectiveness of the brakes can also be
temporarily reduced if the vehicle is driven
for some distance without using the brakes
when there is a lot of salt on the road in win-
ter. The layer of salt that accumulates on the
discs and pads can be removed by gently ap-
plying the brakes a few times.
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for corrosion to
form on the discs and dirt to build up on the
brake pads if the vehicle is used infrequently
or the brakes are not used very often.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if
rust has formed on the disks, it is advisable
to clean off the pads and disks by braking
firmly a few times at a moderately high speed
››› .
Fault in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase
suddenly , this may mean that one of the two
br ak

e circuits has failed. Drive immediately
to the nearest specialised workshop and
have the fault repaired. Drive there slowly
and remember that you will have to apply
more pressure on the brake pedal and allow
for longer stopping distances.
146

Driver assistance systems
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if
the brake fluid level is too low. The brake flu-
id level is monitored electronically.
Brake servo
The brake servo increases the pressure you
apply to the brake pedal. It works only when
the engine is running. WARNING
● Apply the brakes heavily to clean the brake
system only in a suitable traffic situation. Do
not put other road users in danger: there is
risk of causing an accident.
● Ensure the vehicle does not move while in
neutral, when the engine is stopped. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in an
accident.
● If the brake fluid loses its viscosity and is
subjected to heavy use, vapour bubbles can
form in the brake system. This reduces the ef-
ficiency of the brakes. CAUTION
● Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your
foot on the pedal when it is not necessary to
brake. This overheats the brakes, resulting in
longer stopping distances and greater wear.
● Before driving down a long, steep gradient,
it is advisable to reduce speed and select a
lower gear. This makes use of engine braking and relieves the brakes. If you still have to
use the brakes, it is better to brake firmly at
intervals than to apply the brakes continu-
ously.
Note
● If the brake servo is out of action, for exam-
ple when the car is being towed, you will
have to press the brake pedal considerably
harder than normal to make up for the lack of
servo assistance.
● If you wish to equip the vehicle with acces-
sories such as a front spoiler or wheel covers,
it is important that the flow of air to the front
wheels is not obstructed, otherwise the
brakes can overheat. Hill driving assistant*
This function is only included in vehicles with
ESC.
The hill driving assistant helps the driver to
move off and upward on a hill when the vehi-
cle is stationary.
The system maintains brake pressure for ap-
proximately two seconds after the driver
takes his foot off the brake pedal to prevent
the vehicle from lurching backward when it is
started. During these 2 seconds, the driver
has enough time to release the clutch pedal
and accelerate without the vehicle moving
and without having to use the handbrake,making start-up easier, more comfortable
and safer.
These are the basic operation conditions:
● being on a ramp or hill/slope,
● doors closed,
● vehicle completely stationary,
● engine running and foot on the brake,
● besides having a gear engaged or being in
neutral for manual gear change and with the
selector lever at position S,
D or R for an au-
tomatic gearbox.
This system is also active when reversing up-
hill. WARNING
● If you do not start the vehicle immediately
after taking your foot off the brake pedal, the
vehicle may start to roll back under certain
conditions. Depress the brake pedal or use
the hand brake immediately.
● If the engine stalls, depress the brake ped-
al or use the hand brake immediately.
● When following a line of traffic uphill, if you
want to prevent the vehicle from rolling back
accidentally when starting off, hold the brake
pedal down for a few seconds before starting
off. » 147
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials

Operation
The following conditions may lead the ACC
not to react:
● If the accelerator is pressed.
● If there is no gear engaged.
● If the ESC is controlling.
● If the driver is not wearing his/her seat
belt.
● If several brake lights of the vehicle or elec-
trically connected trailer are damaged.
● If the vehicle is reversing.
● Driving faster than 160 km/h (100 mph). WARNING
There is a danger of rear collision when the
minimum distance to the vehicle in front is
exceeded and the speed difference between
both vehicles is so great that a speed reduc-
tion by the ACC will not suffice. In this case
the brake pedal should be applied immedi-
ately.
● The ACC may not be able to detect all situa-
tions properly.
● “Stepping” on the accelerator may cause
the ACC not to intervene in braking. Driver
braking will have priority over intervention by
the speed control or adaptive cruise control.
● Always be ready to use the brakes!
● Observe country-specific provisions gov-
erning obligatory minimum distances be-
tween vehicles. Note
● The programmed speed is erased once the
ignition or the ACC are switched off.
● When the traction control system (ASR) is
deactivated during acceleration or else the
ESC is activated in Sport* Mode ( ››› page 81),
the ACC switches off automatically.
● In vehicles with the Start-Stop system, the
engine switches off automatically during the
ACC stopping phase and restarts automatical-
ly to begin driving. Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
If the vehicle is equipped with automatic
gearbox, the ACC can brake the vehicle until
it stops completely if a vehicle in front of it
stops.
The ACC will still be available for a few sec-
onds. The vehicle will restart by itself if the
vehicle in front moves (traffic jam assistant).
Disconnection criteria
The ACC will switch off if the driver applies
the brake pedal or the driver's door is
opened.
If the vehicle in front remains stationary for
more than 3 seconds, the ACC will also
switch off for safety reasons.
In this case the
driver should take control and apply the
brake. In the latter case, when the ACC is switched
off with the vehicle stationary, the vehicle
has to be braked by the pedal, since al-
though the car is idling it can move, as there
is a gear engaged.
Restarting the vehicle with the ACC manually
The ACC can be activated again by moving
the lever to position
2
››› Fig. 154 . WARNING
Your vehicle can start up even if there is an
obstacle between your vehicle and the vehi-
cle detected in front. Risk of accident! CAUTION
● If your vehicle with ACC does not start up
as expected, you can drive off by briefly step-
ping on the accelerator.
● The Start-Stop system usually acts if you
are driving with ACC. 156

Operation
 ACC: currently not available. No sensor
v i
sion

ACC and Front Assist: currently not
available. No sensor vision
This message will be displayed to the driver if
the radar sensor's vision is impaired due, for
example, to leaves, snow, heavy fog or dirt.
Clean the sensor.
 ACC: currently not available. Gradient too
st

eep
The maximum road slope has been excee-
ded, hence safe ACC operation cannot be
guaranteed. The ACC cannot be switched on.
 ACC: only available in D, S or M
Select the D/S or M position on the selector
lever.
 ACC: parking brake applied
The ACC is deactivated if the parking brake is
applied. The ACC is available once again after
the parking brake is released.
 ACC: currently not available. Intervention
of stability control
The message for the driver is displayed when
the electronic stability control (ESC) inter-
venes. In this case, the ACC is automatically
switched off.  ACC: Take action!
The message for the driver is displayed if,
when the vehicle starts up on a hill with a
mild slope, the vehicle rolls back even al-
though the ACC is activated. Apply the brake
to stop the vehicle from moving/colliding
with another vehicle.
 ACC: speed limit
The mes

sage for the driver is displayed if, in
vehicles with manual gearbox, the current
speed is too low for the ACC mode.
The speed to be stored must be at least 30
km/h. The cruise control system switches off
if the speed falls below 20 km/h.
 ACC: available as of the 2nd gear
The ACC is operational as of the 2nd gear
(manual gearbox).
 ACC: engine speed
The message for the driver is displayed if,
when the AAC accelerates or brakes, the driv-
er does not shift up or down a gear in time,
which means exceeding or not reaching the
permissible engine speed. The AAC switches
itself off. A buzzer warning is heard.
 ACC: clutch pressed
Vehicles with a manual gearbox: pressing the
clutch pedal for longer abandons control
mode.   
Three white dots appear if a setting made
with the control lever cannot be performed.
For example, if when the vehicle is stationary
the ACC cannot be activated because the
driver is not wearing the seat belt.
Door open
Vehicles with automatic gearbox: the ACC
cannot be activated with the vehicle station-
ary and the door open.
Deactivating the Adaptive Cruise
Control ACC temporarily in certain
situations In the following situations the Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC) should be deactivated
due to the system's limitations
››› :
● When changing lanes, on tight bends and
roundabouts, in acceleration and decelera-
tion lanes on motorways or in sections with
road works to prevent involuntary accelera-
tion to reach the programmed speed.
● When going through a tunnel, as operation
could be affected.
● On roads with several lanes, when other ve-
hicles are driving more slowly in the overtak-
ing lane. In this case, slower vehicles will be
overtaken on the right.
158

Driver assistance systems
Factors that may affect how the radar sensor
operates
If laser sensor operation is impaired, due to
heavy rain, spray, snow or mud, the ACC is
deactivated temporarily. The relevant text
message will appear in the dash panel dis-
play. If necessary, clean the radar sensor.
When the radar sensor begins to operate
properly again, the ACC will automatically be
available again. The message on the instru-
ment panel screen will switch off and the ACC
will be reactivated again.
ACC operation may be affected by a strong ra-
dar reverse reflection, for example in a closed
car park.
Trailer towing
When driving with trailer the ACC controls
less dynamically.
Overheated brakes
If the brakes overheat, for example after
abrupt braking or in long and steep slopes,
the ACC may be deactivated temporarily. The
relevant text message will appear in the dash
panel display. In this case, adaptive cruise
control cannot be activated.
Adaptive cruise control can be reactivated
once brake temperature has cooled suffi-
ciently. The message will disappear from the
instrument panel display. If the message ACC
not available remains on for quite a long time it means that there is a fault. Contact a speci-
alised workshop. SEAT recommends visiting
a SEAT dealership.
WARNING
If the message ACC ready to start appears on
the instrument panel display and the vehicle
in front starts up, the vehicle will start up au-
tomatically. In this case the radar sensor may
not detect obstacles on the road. This could
cause an accident and serious injuries.
● Before driving off, check that the road is
clear. If necessary, apply the brake. Monitoring system Front
Assist*
Introduction The Front Assist Monitoring system helps to
prevent rear collisions.
The Front Assist can warn the driver of colli-
sion hazards, prepare the vehicle for emer-
gency braking in case of danger, assist the
driver on braking and cause automatic brak-
ing.
The Front Assist is not a replacement for
driver awareness.Distance warning
If the system detects that safety is endan-
gered by the proximity of the vehicle in front,
it may warn the driver by means of a message
on the instrument panel when driving at a
speed of between approximately 60 km/h
(37 mph) and 210 km/h (130 mph)
››› Fig. 158 .
The w arnin
g moment varies depending on
the traffic situation and driver behaviour.
Pre-warning
If the system detects a possible collision with
the vehicle in front, it may warn the driver by
means of an audible warning and an indica-
tion on the instrument panel when driving at
a speed of between approximately 30 km/h
(18 mph) and 210 km/h (130 mph)
››› Fig. 158.
The warnin
g moment varies depending on
the traffic situation and driver behaviour. At
the same time, the vehicle will prepare for a
possible emergency braking ››› .
Critical warning
If the driver fails to react to the pre-warning,
the system may actively intervene in the
brakes when driving at a speed of between
approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) and
210 km/h (130 mph), generating a brief jolt
to warn of the imminent collision. »
161
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials

Operation
Automatic braking
If the driver also fails to react to the pre-warn-
ing, the system may brake the vehicle auto-
matically, by progressively increasing braking
effect driving at a speed of between approxi-
mately 5 km/h (3 mph) and 210 km/h
(130 mph). By reducing speed in case of a
possible collision, the system may contribute
to reducing the consequences of an accident.
Front assist
If the Front Assist notices that the driver is
not braking sufficiently in case of a collision
hazard, the system can increase braking ef-
fect and thus avert the collision when driving
at a speed of between approximately 5 km/h
(3 mph) and 210 km/h (130 mph). Front as-
sist only acts while the brake pedal is press-
ed down hard. WARNING
The intelligent technology in the Front Assist
cannot change the laws of physics. The driver
is always responsible for braking in time. If
the Front Assist issues a warning, then, de-
pending on the traffic circumstances, you
must brake immediately or dodge the obsta-
cle.
● Adapt your speed and safe distance to the
vehicle in front of you at all times to suit visi-
bility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
● The Front Assist alone cannot avoid acci-
dents and serious injuries. ●
In complex driving situations, the Front As-
sist may issue unnecessary warnings and in-
tervene unnecessarily in braking, such as in
traffic islands.
● If the operation of the Front Assist is im-
paired, for example, by dirt or because the ra-
dar sensor has lost its settings, the system
may issue unnecessary warnings and inter-
vene inopportunely in the braking.
● During driving, the Front Assist does not re-
act to people or animals or vehicles crossing
your path or which approach you head-on in
the same lane.
● The driver must always be ready to take
over the control of the vehicle. Note
● When the Front Assist causes a braking,
the brake pedal is “harder”.
● Automatic interventions by the Front Assist
on the brakes may be interrupted by pressing
the clutch, accelerator or moving the wheel.
● If the Front Assist does not work as descri-
bed in this chapter (e.g. in intervenes several
times unnecessarily), switch it off. Have the
system checked by a specialised workshop.
SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT dealership. On-screen warning lamps and
messages
Fig. 158
On the instrument panel display:
Warning indications. Distance warning
If the safe distance with regard to the vehicle
in front is exceeded, the relevant warning will
appear on the instrument panel display
.
WARNING
Observe the safety warnings ››› in Control
and warning lamps on page 71. Note
When the Front Assist is connected, the indi-
cations on the instrument panel screen may
be concealed by warnings from other func-
tions, such as an incoming call. 162

Operation
in braking, such as in work areas or if there
are metal rails.
●
If the operation of the City Emergency brak-
ing function is impaired, for example, by dirt
or because the radar sensor has lost its set-
tings, the system may issue unnecessary
warnings and intervene inopportunely in the
braking.
● During driving, the City Emergency braking
function does not react to people or animals
or vehicles crossing your path or which ap-
proach you head-on in the same lane. Note
● When the City Emergency braking function
causes a braking, the brake pedal is “hard-
er”.
● Automatic interventions on the brakes by
the City Emergency braking function may be
interrupted by pressing the clutch, accelera-
tor or moving the wheel.
● The City Emergency braking function can
brake the vehicle until it stops completely.
However, the brake system does not halt the
vehicle permanently. Use the foot brake!
● If several inopportune intervenes occur,
switch off the Front Assist and with it the City
Emergency braking function. Take it to a spe-
cialised workshop, SEAT recommends visiting
a SEAT dealership.
● If numerous unnecessary interventions oc-
cur, the City Emergency braking function may
switch off automatically. Lane Assist system*
Introduction WARNING
The intelligent technology in the Lane Assist
system cannot change the limits imposed by
the laws of physics and by the very nature of
the system. Careless or uncontrolled use of
the Lane Assist system may cause accidents
and injury. The system is not a replacement
for driver awareness.
● Always adapt your speed and the distance
to the vehicles ahead in line with visibility,
weather conditions, the condition of the road
and the traffic situation.
● Always keep your hands on the steering
wheel so it can be turned at any time.
● The Lane Assist system does not detect all
road markings. The road surfaces, road struc-
tures or objects in poor condition can be in-
correctly detected as road markings under
certain circumstances by the Lane Assist sys-
tem. In such situations, switch the Lane As-
sist system off immediately.
● Please observe the indications on the in-
strument panel and act as is necessary.
● Always pay attention to the vehicle's sur-
roundings.
● When the area of vision of the camera be-
comes dirty, covered or is damaged, the Lane
Assist system function can be affected. CAUTION
In order to avoid influencing the operation of
the system, the following points must be tak-
en into account:
● Regularly clean the area of vision of the
camera and keep it in a clean state, without
snow or ice.
● Do not cover the area of vision of the cam-
era.
● Check that the area of vision of the wind-
screen camera is not damaged. Note
● The Lane Assist system has been exclusive-
ly developed for driving on paved roads only.
● If the Lane Assist system does not work as
described in this chapter, do not use it and
contact a specialised workshop.
● If there is a fault in the system, have it
checked by a specialised workshop. 166

Operation
You should always reduce speed immediately
if the trailer shows the slightest sign of snak-
ing . Never try to stop the “snaking” by in-
c r
easing speed.
Always brake in due course. If the trailer has
an overrun brake, apply the brakes gen
tly at
first and then, firmly. This will prevent the
jerking that can be caused by locking of trail-
er wheels. Select a low gear in due course
before going down a steep downhill. This en-
ables you to use the engine braking to slow
down the vehicle.
Reheating
At very high temperatures and during pro-
longed slopes, driving in a low gear and high
engine speed, always monitor the coolant
temperature gauge ››› page 71.
Electronic stability control*
The ESC* system helps to stabilise the trailer
in case of skidding or rocking. Retrofitting a towing bracket*
Fig. 172
Attachment points for towing brack-
et. If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the ve-
hicle is purchased, this must be completed
according to the instructions of the towing
bracket manufacturer.The attachment points for the towing bracket
A are on the lower part of the vehicle.
The distance between the centre of the ball
coupling and the ground should never be
lower than the indicated value, even with a
fully loaded vehicle and including the maxi-
mum drawbar load.
Elevation values for securing the towing
bracket:
B65 mm (minimum)
C350 mm to 420 mm (fully laden vehicle)
D1040 mm
E317 mm
FLEON/LEON SCLEON ST
319 mm596 mm Fitting a towing bracket
●
Driving with a trailer involves an extra effort
for the vehicle. Therefore, before fitting a
towing bracket, please contact a Technical
Service to check whether your cooling system
needs modification.
● The legal requirements in your country
must be observed (e.g. the fitting of a sepa-
rate control lamp).
● Certain vehicle components, e.g. the rear
bumper, must be removed and reinstalled.
The towing bracket securing bolts must be
180