2016 Seat Leon 5D brakes

Operation
WARNING
The downhill speed control cannot defy the
la w
s of physics. Therefore, speed cannot be
maintained constant in all situations. Always
be prepared to use the brakes! Inertia mode
The inertia mode enables the kinetic energy
of the
v

ehicle to be harnessed enabling cer-
tain stretches to be driven without using the
accelerator. This enables fuel to be saved.
Use the inertia mode to “let the vehicle roll”
before, for example, arriving in a town.
Switching on inertia mode
Important: selector lever must be in position
D, gradients below 12 %.
– Select, in SEAT Drive Profile*, Eco mode
›› ›

page 219.
– Take your foot off the accelerator.
The driver mes
sage Inertia will be dis-
played. At speeds higher than 20 km/h (12
mph), the gearbox will automatically disen-
gage and the vehicle will roll freely, without
the effect of the engine brake. While the vehi-
cle rolls, the engine runs at idling speed.
Stopping inertia mode
– Press the brake or the accelerator pedal. To make use of the braking force and switch
off the engine ag

ain, simply press the brake
pedal briefly.
Applying both the inertia mode (= prolonged
section with less energy) and the switching
off using inertia (= shorter section without
the need for fuel) facilitates improved fuel
consumption and emission balance. WARNING
● If the iner ti

a mode has been switched on,
take into account, when approaching an ob-
stacle and releasing the accelerator pedal,
that the vehicle will not decelerate in the usu-
al manner: risk of accident!
● When using inertia mode while travelling
down hil
ls, the vehicle can increase speed:
risk of accident!
● If other users drive your vehicle, warn them
about inerti
a mode. Note
● Inerti a mode i

s only available in eco (SEAT
Drive Profile*) driving mode.
● The driver message Inertia is on
ly dis-
played with the current consumption. In iner-
tia mode the gear will no longer be displayed
(for example “E” will appear instead of “E7”).
● On downhill sections with gradients above
15 %, the inertia mode w
ill automatically be
switched off temporarily. Backup programme
A backup programme is in place if a fault
shoul
d oc

cur in the control system.
If all the positions of the selector lever are
shown over a light background on the instru-
ment panel display, there is a system fault
and the automatic gearbox will operate in
with the backup programme. When the back-
up programme is activated, it is possible to
drive the vehicle, however, at low speeds and
within a selected range of gears. In some ca-
ses driving in reverse gear may not be possi-
ble. CAUTION
If the gearbox operates with the backup pro-
gramme, t ak

e the vehicle to a specialised
workshop and have the fault repaired without
delay. Clutch

Clutch overheating! Please
stop!
The c lut

ch has overheated and could be dam-
aged. Stop the vehicle and wait for the gear-
box to cool with the engine at idling speed
and the selector lever in position P. When the
warning lamp and the driver message switch
off, have the fault corrected by a specialised
workshop without delay. If the warning lamp
186

Operation
● Use of
c
ompatible plastics in the same part
if its components are not easily separated.
● Use of recycled materials and/or materials
originating fr
om renewable sources.
● Reduction of volatile components, includ-
ing odour, in p
lastic materials.
● Use of CFC-free coolants.
Ban on heavy
metals, with the exceptions
dictated by law (Annex II of ELV Directive
2000/53/EC): cadmium, lead, mercury, hexa-
valent chromium.
Manufacturing methods
● Reduction of the quantity of thinner in the
protectiv
e wax for cavities.
● Use of plastic film as protection during ve-
hicle tr
ansport.
● Use of solvent-free adhesives.
● Use of CFC-free coolants in cooling sys-
tems.
● Recy

cling and energy recovery from resi-
dues (RDF).
● Impr

ovement in the quality of waste water.
● Use of systems for the recovery of residual
heat (therm
al recovery, enthalpy wheels,
etc.).
● The use of water-soluble paints. Economical and environmentally-
friendly drivin

g Fuel consumption, environmental pollution
and we
ar t

o the engine, brakes and tyres de-
pends largely on driving style. Fuel consump-
tion can be reduced by 10-15% with an eco-
nomical driving style and proper anticipation
of traffic conditions. The following section
gives you some tips on lessening the impact
on the environment and reducing your oper-
ating costs at the same time.
Active cylinder management (ACT ®
)*

››› table on page 2
Depending on vehicle equipment, the active
cylinder management (ACT ®
) may automati-
cally deactivate some of the engine cylinders
if the driving situation does not require too
much power. When it is switched off, no fuel
is injected into these cylinders, hence total
fuel consumption may be reduced. The num-
ber of active cylinders can be seen on the in-
strument panel display ›››
 page 31.
Foresight when driving
Acceleration causes the vehicle to consume
more fuel. If you think ahead when driving,
you will need to brake less and thus acceler-
ate less. Wherever possible, let the car roll
slowly to a stop, with a gear engaged (for in-
stance when you can see that the next traffic lights are red). This takes advantage of the
engine br
ak

ing effect, reducing wear on the
brakes and tyres. Emissions and fuel con-
sumption will drop to zero due to the overrun
fuel cut-off.
Changing gear to save energy
An effective way of saving is to change in ad-
vance to a higher gear. Running the engine at
high rpm in the lower gears uses an unneces-
sary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox : shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. In any case, we rec-
ommend that you change to a higher gear
upon reaching 2,000 rpm. Choosing the right
gear enables fuel savings. Select the highest
possible gear appropriate for the driving sit-
uation (the engine should continue function-
ing with cyclical regularity).
Automatic gearbox : accelerate gradually and
without reaching the “kick-down” position.
Avoid driving at high speed
Avoid travelling at top speed, whenever pos-
sible. Fuel consumption, emission of harmful
gases and noise pollution multiply dispropor-
tionately as speed is increased. Driving at
moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Reduce idling time
In vehicles with the Start-Stop system idling
is automatically reduced. In vehicles without
188

Driver assistance systems
Driving tips Driv in
g thr
ough flooded roadsTo prevent damage to the vehicle when driv-
ing thr
ough w

ater, for example, along a floo-
ded road, please observe the following:
● The water should never come above the
lower edg
e of the bodywork.
● Drive at pedestrian speed. WARNING
After driving through water, mud, sludge,
etc ., the br

aking effect can be delayed slight-
ly 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
● Drivin g thr

ough flooded areas may severely
damage vehicle components such as the en-
gine, transmission, running gear or electrical
system.
● Whenever driving through water, the Start-
Stop sys
tem* must be switched off
››› page 191. Note
● Check the depth of

the water before enter-
ing the flooded zone. ●
Do not s t

op in the water, drive in reverse, or
stop the engine in any situation.
● Note that vehicles travelling in the opposite
direction ma
y splash water that could exceed
the maximum permitted water height for your
vehicle.
● Avoid driving through salt water (corro-
sion). Driver assistance systems
St ar
t

-Stop system*
Description and operation 

›› ›

table on page 2
The Start-Stop system helps save fuel and re-
duce CO 2 emissions.
In Start-Stop mode, the engine will automati-
cally switch off when the vehicle stops, when
stopping at traffic lights for example. The ig-
nition remains switched on during the stop-
ping phase. The engine automatically
switches back on when required.
As soon as the ignition is switched on, the
Start-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Basic requirements for the Start-Stop mode
● The driver door must be closed.
● The driver must have their seat belt fas-
tened.
● The bonnet mu

st be closed.
● The vehicle must have travelled at more
than 4 km/h (2 mph) sinc
e the last stop.
● The vehicle cannot be towing a trailer. »
191
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
Any modification to the programmed speed
i s
sho
wn on the bottom left part of the instru-
ment panel display.
Adjusting distance level
The distance according to speed with regard
to the vehicle in front can be controlled on
the Easy Connect system on 5 levels
›››  page 27.
In wet road conditions, you should always set
a larger distance with regard to the vehicle in
front than when driving in dry conditions.
The following distances can be preselected:
● Very short
● Short
● Media
● Long
● Very long
You can u
se the Easy Connect system to ad-
just the level of distance that should be ad-
justed when the ACC is switched on with the  button and the
S
ETUP and
Driv
er a
s
sistancefunction buttons
››
›
 page 27.
Adjusting the driving programme
In vehicles with driving profile selection
(SEAT Drive Profile), the profile selected can
influence acceleration behaviour
››› page 219. The following driving programmes items can
be selected:
● Norm

al
● Sport
● Eco
In vehic
les without the driving profile selec-
tion function, acceleration behaviour can be
influenced by selecting a driving programme
on the Easy Connect system using the  button and the
S
ETUP and
Driv
er a
s
sistance function buttons
››
›
 page 27.
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 sev

eral brake lights of the vehicle or elec-
trically
connected trailer are damaged.
● If the vehicle is reversing.
● Driving faster than 210 km/h (150 mph). WARNING
There is a danger of rear collision when the
minimum dis t

ance 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 brak
e ped

al should be applied immedi-
ately.
● The ACC may not be able to detect all situa-
tions pr
operly.
● “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 ob
ligatory minimum distances be-
tween vehicles. Note
● The progr ammed s

peed is erased once the
ignition or the ACC are switched off.
● When the traction control system (ASR) is
deactivat
ed during acceleration or else the
ESC is activated in Sport* Mode
( ››› page 110), the ACC switches off automati-
cally.
● In vehicles with the Start-Stop system, the
engine swit
ches 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
g
e
arbo

x, the ACC can brake the vehicle until »
201
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
speed accordingly and then controls the ad-
ju s
t
ed distance. If the vehicle detected in
front accelerates, the adaptive cruise control
will also accelerate up to the target speed
programmed at most.
The greater the speed, the greater the dis-
tance in metres should be ››› . We recom-
mend the settin g
Di

stance 3. WARNING
With regard to distance setting, the driver is
re s

ponsible for observing country-specific
legislation. Driver messages
 AC
C not available
The sy
stem can no longer continue to guar-
antee safe vehicle detection and will be de-
activated. The sensor has lost its setting or is
damaged. Take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop and have the fault repaired.
 ACC: currently not available. No sensor vi-
sion
 ACC and Front Assist: currently not availa-
ble. 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.
Cl
e

an the sensor.
 ACC: currently not available. Gradient too
steep
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 (18 mph). The speed limiter
switches off if the speed falls below 20 km/h
(12 mph).
 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 ACC 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 ACC 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.
Door open
Vehicles with automatic gearbox: the ACC
cannot be activated with the vehicle station-
ary and the door open.
203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Operation
Narrow or misaligned vehicles
The r a
d
ar sensor can only detect narrow or
misaligned vehicles when they are within
range ››› Fig. 205 B. This applies particularly
to narrow vehicles such as motorbikes. In
these cases, you should brake as necessary.
Vehicles with special loads and accessories
Special loads and accessories of other vehi-
cles that jut out over the sides, backwards or
over the top may be out of the ACC's range.
Switch off the ACC when driving behind vehi-
cles with special loads and accessories or
when overtaking them. In these cases, you
should brake as necessary.
Other vehicles changing lanes
Vehicles changing lanes a short distance
away from your own can only be detected
when they are within range of the sensors.
Consequently, the ACC will take longer to re-
act ››› Fig. 206 C. In these cases, you should
brake as necessary.
Stationary vehicles
The ACC does not detect stationary objects
while driving, such as traffic tails or damaged
vehicles.
If a vehicle detected by the ACC turns or
moves over and there is a stationary vehicle
in front of it, the ACC will not react to it ›››
Fig. 206 D. In these ca ses, you should
brake as necessary.
Vehicles driving in the opposite direction
and vehicles crossing your path
The ACC does not react to vehicles approach-
ing from the opposite direction or vehicles
crossing your path.
Metal objects
Metal objects, e.g. rails on the road or sheets
used in road works, can confuse the radar
sensor and cause the ACC to react wrongly.
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 mode
When driving w
ith 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
specialised workshop. SEAT recommends vis-
iting a SEAT dealership. WARNING
If the message ACC ready to start ap-
pear s

on the instrument panel display and
the vehicle in front starts up, the vehicle will
start up automatically. In this case the radar
sensor may not detect obstacles on the road.
This could cause an accident and serious in-
juries.
● Before driving off, check that the road is
cle
ar. If necessary, apply the brake. 206

Driver assistance systems
Front Assist system including
C ity
emer
gency braking and
pedestrian monitoring*
Introduction 

›› ›

table on page 2
The Front Assist system including City emer-
gency braking and pedestrian monitoring can
help avoid collisions.
The Front Assist system may warn the driver,
within the constraints of the system, of im-
pending collisions, prepare the vehicle for
emergency braking in case of danger, provide
support during braking and apply automatic
braking.
The City emergency braking and pedestrian
monitoring functions are an integral part of
the Front Assist system.
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 250 km/h (156 mph)
››› Fig. 207. The warning moment varies depending on
the traffic
s

ituation and driver behaviour.
Advance 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 250 km/h (156 mph)
››› Fig. 207.
The warning moment varies depending on
the traffic situation and driver behaviour. At
the same time, the vehicle will prepare for a
possible emergency braking ››› .
C ritic
a

l warning
If the driver fails to react to the advance
warning, the system may actively intervene in
the brakes when driving at a speed of be-
tween approximately 30 km/h (18 mph) and
250 km/h (156 mph), generating a brief jolt
to warn of the imminent collision.
Automatic braking
If the driver also fails to react to the advance
warning, the system may brake the vehicle
automatically, by progressively increasing
braking effect driving at a speed of between
approximately 4 km/h (2.5 mph) and
250 km/h (156 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 4 km/h
(2.5 mph) and 250 km/h (156 mph). Front
assist only acts while the brake pedal is
pressed down hard. WARNING
The intelligent technology in the Front Assist
cannot c

hange 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
vehicl
e 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 seriou
s injuries.
● In complex driving situations, the Front As-
sis
t 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, f
or example, by dirt or because the ra-
dar sensor has lost its settings, the system » 207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driver assistance systems
● Spec
i
al loads and accessories of other ve-
hicles that jut out over the sides, backwards
or over the top.
City Emergency braking function Fig. 210
On the instrument panel display: ad-
v anc
e w

arning message The City emergency braking function is part
of
Fr
ont

Assist and is active whenever the
system is switched on.
Depending on the equipment, the City emer-
gency braking function may be switched on
and off in the Easy Connect system using
the  button and the
S
ETUP and
Driv er a
s

sistance function buttons
› ›
›
 page 27. The City Emergency braking function picks
up, at s

peeds between approximately 4 km/h
(2.5 mph) and 30 km/h (19 mph), the traffic
situation in front of the vehicle.
If the system detects a possible collision with
a vehicle in front of it, the vehicle prepares
for a possible emergency braking ››› .
If the driv
er f

ails to react to a possible colli-
sion, the system may brake the vehicle auto-
matically, by progressively increasing braking
effect driving to reduce speed in the event of
a collision. The system can thus help to re-
duce the consequences of an accident.
Status display
Automatic deceleration by means of the City
Emergency braking function is displayed on
the instrument panel by means of the ad-
vance warning ››› Fig. 210 1)
. WARNING
The smart technology included in the City
Emerg ency

braking function cannot defy the
laws of physics. The driver is always respon-
sible for braking in time.
● Adapt your speed and safe distance to the
vehicl
e in front of you at all times to suit visi-
bility, weather, road and traffic conditions. ●
The City Emer

gency braking function alone
cannot prevent accidents or serious injury.
● In complex driving situations, the City
Emergency
braking function may issue unnec-
essary warnings and intervene inopportunely
in braking, such as in work areas or if there
are metal rails.
● If the operation of the City Emergency brak-
ing fu
nction 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 doe
s 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 Emer

gency braking function
causes a braking, the brake pedal is “hard-
er”.
● Automatic interventions on the brakes by
the City Emer
gency 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! »1)
The symbol on the instrument panels with colour
dis p

lay is in colour. 211
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety