2016 Seat Leon 5D ESP

Driving
On vehicles with the driver information sys-
t em, the E
SC
lamp lights up permanently and
the corresponding text message Stability
control deactivated (temporary) ap-
pears on the instrument panel to indicate the
deactivation status.
– When the engine is running, switch off the
traction contr

ol (ASR)1)
.
– Turn the selector lever to the position “S”
or tiptronic, or else sel

ect the sport driv-
ing mode from the SEAT Drive Profile*
››› page 219.
– Press the brake pedal firmly with your left
foot and ho

ld it down for at least one sec-
ond.
– With your right foot, press the accelerator
down to the f

ull throttle or kick-down posi-
tion. The engine speed will stabilise at
about 3,200 rpm (petrol engine) or about
2,000 rpm (diesel engine).
– Take your left foot off the brake pedal. WARNING
● Alw a

ys adapt your driving style to the traf-
fic conditions.
● Only use the launch control programme
when roa
d and traffic conditions permit, and make sure your manner of driving and accel-
eratin
g the

vehicle does not inconvenience or
endanger other road users.
● Make sure that the ESC remains switched
on. Plea
se note that when the ASR and ESC
are deactivated, the wheels may start to spin,
causing the vehicle to lose grip. Risk of acci-
dent!
● After putting the vehicle into gear, the
“sport” mode of
the ESC should be deactiva-
ted again by briefly pressing the OFF but-
ton. Note
● Aft er u

sing the Launch control programme,
the temperature in the gearbox may have in-
creased considerably. In this case, the pro-
gramme could be disabled for several mi-
nutes. The programme can be used again af-
ter the cooling phase.
● Accelerating with the Launch control pro-
gramme pl
aces a heavy load on all parts of
the vehicle. This can result in increased wear
and tear. Downhill speed control*
The downhill speed control function helps
the driver when driv
in

g down steep gradi-
ents.
Downhill speed control is activated when the
selector lever is in D/S and the driver applies
the foot brake. The automatic gearbox auto-
matically engages a lower gear that is suita-
ble for the slope. The downhill speed control
function attempts to maintain the speed at
which the vehicle was travelling when the
foot brake was applied (subject to the laws of
physics and technical drive limitations). It
may be necessary to adjust the speed again
using the foot brake in certain situations. Giv-
en that the downhill speed control can only
change down to 3rd gear, on very steep de-
scents the tiptronic mode may be required. In
this case, manually reduce the tiptronic to
2nd or 1st gear to use the engine brake and
reduce the charge on the brakes.
Downhill speed control is deactivated as
soon as the road levels out again or you
press the accelerator pedal.
On vehicles with cruise control system*
››› page 195, downhill speed control is acti-
vated when you set a cruising speed. »1)
Vehicles without driver information system: the
warnin g l

amp flashes slowly/Vehicles with driver in-
formation system: the warning lamp stays on. 185
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
and the driver message do not switch off, do
not c
ontinue driv
ing. Seek specialist assis-
tance.
Gearbox malfunctions 

Gearbox: Fault! Stop the ve-
hicle and place the lever in the
position P.
Ther e i

s a fault in the gearbox. Stop the vehi-
cle in a safe place and do not continue driv-
ing. Seek specialist assistance.
 Gearbox: System fault! You
may continue driving.
Have the fault corrected by a specialised
workshop without delay.  Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving with re-
strictions. Reverse gear disa‐
bled
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop
and have the fault repaired without delay.  Gearbox: System fault! You
can continue driving in D until
switching off the engine
Stop the vehicle in a safe place well away
from moving traffic. Seek specialist assis-
tance. 
Gearbox: too hot. Adapt your
driving accordingly
Continue driv

ing at moderate speeds. When
the warning lamp switches off, you can con-
tinue driving in a normal manner.
 Gearbox: press the brake and
engage a gear again.
If the fault was caused by a gearbox with a
high temperature, this driver message will be
displayed when the gearbox has cooled
again.
Run-in and economical driving Runnin
g-in the engine A new vehicle should be run in over a dis-
t
anc
e of

1500 km (1000 miles). For the first
1,000 km the engine speed should not ex-
ceed 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 in-
ternal friction in the engine is greater than
later on when all the moving parts have bed-
ded down. How the vehicle is driven for the first 1,500
km influences

the future engine perform-
ance. Subsequently, also drive at a moderate
rate, especially 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.
Environmental compatibility Environmental protection is a top priority in
the de
s
ign, c

hoice of materials and manufac-
ture of your new SEAT.
Constructive measures to encourage recy-
cling
● Joints and connections designed for easy
dismantlin
g
● Modular construction to facilitate disman-
tling
● Incr

eased use of single-grade materials.
● Plastic parts and elastomers are marked in
accor
dance with ISO 1043, ISO 11469 and
ISO 1629.
Choice of materials
● Use of recycled materials. »
187
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Driving
the Start-Stop system it is worth switching off
the en gine, f
or e
xample, at level crossings
and at traffic lights that remain red for long
periods of time. When an engine has reached
operating temperature, and depending on
the cylinder capacity, keeping it switched off
for a minimum of about 5 seconds already
saves more than the amount of fuel necessa-
ry for restarting.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed.
Regular maintenance
Regular servicing helps in saving fuel even
before the engine is started. A well-serviced
engine gives you the benefit of improved fuel
efficiency as well as maximum reliability and
an enhanced resale value. A badly serviced
engine can consume up to 10% more fuel
than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
The engine and catalytic converter need to
reach their optimal operating temperature in
order to minimise fuel consumption and
emissions. A cold engine consumes a disproportionate
amount of
fuel. The engine reaches its work-
ing temperature after about four kilometres
(2.5 miles), when fuel consumption will re-
turn to a normal level.
Check tyre pressure
Always make sure the tyres are inflated to the
correct pressures ››› page 272 to save fuel. If
the pressure is below half bar, fuel consump-
tion may increase by 5%. Due to the greater
rolling resistance, under-inflation also increa-
ses tyre wear and impairs handling.
Do not use winter tyres all year round as they
increase fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
Given that every kilo of extra weight will in-
crease the fuel consumption, it is advisable
to always check the luggage compartment to
make sure that no unnecessary loads are be-
ing transported.
Since the luggage rack increases the aerody-
namic drag of the vehicle, you should remove
it when not needed. At speeds of 100-120
km/h (62-75 mph), this will save 12% of fuel.
Save electrical energy
The engine drives the alternator, thereby gen-
erating electricity. This implies that any in-
crease in power consumption also increases
fuel consumption! For this reason, switch off any unneeded electrical devices. Devices that
use a lot of
electricity includes the blower at
a high setting, the rear window heating or
the seat heating*.
Engine management and ex-
haus
t gas purification system
Introduction WARNING
● Bec au

se of the high temperatures which
can occur in the exhaust purification system
(catalytic converter or diesel particulate fil-
ter), do not park the vehicle where the ex-
haust can come into contact with flammable
materials under the car (e.g. on grass or at
the forest edge). Fire hazard!
● Do not apply wax underneath the vehicle
around the ar
ea of the exhaust system: Fire
hazard! Note
While the control lamps , ,  or  re-
m ain lit, ther

e may be engine problems, fuel
consumption may increase and the engine
may lose power. 189
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

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
Front Assist operation may be affected by a
s tr
on
g radar reverse reflection. This may oc-
cur, for example, in a closed car park or due
to the presence of metallic objects (e.g. rails
on the road or sheets used in road works).
The area in front of and around the radar sen-
sor should not be covered with adhesives,
additional or similar headlights, as this may
negatively affect Front Assist operation.
If structural modifications are made to the ve-
hicle, for example, if the suspension is low-
ered or the front spoiler is modified, Front As-
sist operation may be affected. So structural
modifications should only be made by speci-
alised workshops. SEAT recommends visiting
a SEAT dealership for this purpose.
If work is done incorrectly on the front of the
vehicle, the radar sensor could be damaged
or lose its settings, and Front Assist opera-
tion may be affected. So repair work should
only be made by specialised workshops.
SEAT recommends visiting a SEAT dealership
for this purpose. CAUTION
If you have the sensation that the radar sen-
sor is d

amaged or has lost its settings, dis-
connect the Front Assist. This will avoid pos-
sible damage. If this occurs have it adjusted.
● The sensor may become damaged or lose
its settin
gs when knocked, for example, dur- ing a parking manoeuvre. This may compro-
mise the sy
s

tem's efficacy or disconnect it.
● Repairs to the radar sensor require special-
ist
knowledge and special tools. SEAT recom-
mends visiting a SEAT dealership for this pur-
pose.
● Clean away the snow with a brush and the
ice pref
erably with a solvent-free de-icer
spray. Operating the Front Assist monitoring
sys
t

em Fig. 209
On the instrument panel display:
Fr ont
As

sist switched off message. Front Assist is active whenever the ignition is
sw
it
c

hed on.
When the Front Assist is switched off, so too
are the advance warning function (pre warn-
ing) and the distance warning. SEAT recommends leaving the Front Assist al-
way

s switched on. Exceptions ››› page 210,
Switch Front Assist off in the following situa-
tions.
Activating and deactivating Front Assist
With the ignition switched on, the Front As-
sist can be switched on and off as follows:
● Select the corresponding menu option us-
ing the butt
on for the driver assistance sys-
tems ›››
 page 31.
● OR: switch the system on and off in Easy
Connect
using the  button and the
Set
up and
Driv
er a
s
sistance function buttons
› ›
›
 page 27.
When Front Assist is switched off, the instru-
ment panel will inform that it has been
switched off with the following indicator 
››› Fig. 209.
Switching the advance warning function on
or off
The advance warning function may be switch-
ed on and off in the Easy Connect system us-
ing the  button and the
Set
up and
Driv er a
s

sistance function buttons
› ›
›
 page 27.
The system will store the setting for the next
time the ignition is switched on.
SEAT recommends keeping the advance
warning function switched on at all times. »
209
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

Operation
●
If sev er
al 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 C
ity Emergency braking function may
switch off automatically. Pedestrian Monitoring*
1)Fig. 211
On the instrument panel display: 
Adv anc
e w

arning message.  Pedestrian
Monitoring deactivated. The pedestrian monitoring system can help
pr
ev
ent

accidents involving pedestrians or
reduce the consequences of an accident. The system warns of danger of collision, pre-
pare

s the vehicle for emergency braking, as-
sists in the braking and brakes automatically.
If the system detects a possible collision with
a pedestrian, it warns the driver with an
acoustic signal and a message on the dash
panel display ››› Fig. 211.
The pedestrian monitoring system, including
the advance warning, is automatically con-
nected when the ignition is switched on
››› page 167.
SEAT recommends always having the pedes-
trian monitoring system connected. The ex-
ceptions set out for the Front Assist system
are equally valid for the pedestrian monitor-
ing system ››› page 210.
Switching the pedestrian monitoring system
on and off
With the ignition on, the pedestrian monitor-
ing system can be switched on and off as fol-
lows:
● Switch the system on and off in the info-
tainment sy
stem using the  button and
the S
ETUP and
Driv
er a
s
sistance function but-
t on
s
›››
 page 27.
When the pedestrian protection system is
switched off, the dash panel display shows a message indicating this
›››
Fig. 211 . The
pedestrian monitoring system is switched off
with the Front Assist function. WARNING
The technology in the pedestrian monitoring
sys t

em cannot defy the laws of physics and
only works within the system's limits. The
driver is always responsible for braking in
time. If the pedestrian monitoring system is-
sues a warning, brake the vehicle immediate-
ly with the brake pedal or swerve to avoid the
pedestrian, depending on traffic conditions.
● The pedestrian monitoring system alone
cannot av
oid accidents or serious injury.
● In complex driving situations, the pedes-
trian monitorin
g system may issue unneces-
sary warnings and intervene unnecessarily in
braking, such as in main roads with turnings.
● If the operation of the system is impaired,
for ex
ample, because the radar sensor and
camera are covered or have lost their set-
tings, the system may issue unnecessary
warnings and intervene inopportunely in the
braking.
● The driver must always be ready to take
over the c
ontrol of the vehicle. 1)
Depending on the vehicle equipment, pedestrian
monitorin g i

s not available in all countries.
212

Driver assistance systems
Operation Fig. 214
In the windscreen: field of vision of
the Lane As s
i
st system camera. Using the camera located in the windscreen,
the Lane As
s
i

st system detects the possible
lines dividing the lanes. When the vehicle in-
voluntarily approaches a dividing line it has
detected, the system notifies the driver with
a corrective steering movement . This move-
ment can be over-regulated at any time.
No warning is produced with the turn signals
activated, given that the Lane Assist system
understands that a lane change is required.
Steering wheel vibration
The following situations can cause vibration
in the steering wheel and require the driver
to take active control of driving:
● When the limits of the very nature of the
syst
em are reached. ●
When the maximum r
otational torque dur-
ing the corrective steering movement is not
enough to keep the vehicle inside the lane.
● When no lane is detected during the correc-
tive st
eering movement.
Switching the Lane Assist system on or off
Through the Easy Connect system
● Press the Easy Connect button  .
● Press the S
ETUP function button.
● Press the function button driv
er a
s
sistance to
open the menu.
OR: thr ough the driving assist
b
utt
on
on the turn signal level*.
The Lane centring guide is activa-
ted/deactivated in the Easy Connect system
using the  button and the
S
ETUP function
b utt
on ›

›› page 110.
Self-deactivation: the Lane Assist system can
be automatically deactivated if there is a sys-
tem malfunction. The control lamp disap-
pears.
Hands-Off Function
● In the absence of steering wheel activity
the syst
em alerts the driver with acoustic sig-
nals and a text message on the dash panel
asking to actively take over the steering.
● If the driver does not react to this, the sys-
tem also al
erts the driver with a little shaking motion through the brakes and, if the vehicle
has

it, activates the Emergency Assist func-
tion ››› page 217.
● In vehicles without Emergency Assist, the
adaptiv
e lane guidance function will be disa-
bled after the corresponding warnings to the
driver.
The lane assist system is active but it is not
available (the control lamp is lit up yellow)
● When driving at speeds below 65 km/h (38
mph).
● When the Lane Assist system does not de-
tect the div
iding lines of the road. For exam-
ple, in the event warnings indicating road
works, and snow, dirt, moisture or reflec-
tions.
● When the radius of a curve is too small.
● When no road markings can be seen.
● When the distance to the next marking to
too gre
at.
● When the system does not detect any clear
and active st
eering movement during a long
period of time.
● Temporarily, in the event of very dynamic
driving s
tyles.
● If a turn signal is activated.
● With the stability control system (ESC) in
Sport
mode or switched off. »
215
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety