wipers Seat Leon 5D 2012 User Guide

122Lights and visibility
Recommended windscreen wipers
● For the hottest seasons we recommend summer G 052 184 A1 for clear
glass. Proportions of the mixture in the washer fluid tank: 1:100 (1 part con-
centrate per 100 parts water).
● All year round, G 052 164 A2 for clear glass. Approximate proportion of
the winter mixture, up to -18 °C (0 °F): 1:2 (1 part concentrate per 2 parts
water); otherwise, a 1:4 proportion of mixture in the washer fluid tank.
Reservoir capacity
The reservoir holds approximately 3 - 4 litres; in vehicles with headlight
washer, it is approximately 3 -6 litres.
WARNING
Never mix an unsuitable antifreeze or other similar additives with the
windscreen washer water. A greasy layer may be formed on the wind-
screen which will impair visibility.
● Use clean water with a window cleaner recommended by SEAT.
● If necessary, add a suitable antifreeze to the water in the reservoir.
CAUTION
● Do not mix cleaning products recommended by SEAT with other prod-
ucts. This could lead to flocculation and may block the windscreen washer
jets.
● When topping up service fluids, make absolutely certain that you fill the
fluids into the correct reservoirs. Using the wrong fluids could cause serious
malfunctions and engine damage! Rear vision mirror
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
Fig. 69 Driver door: con-
trol for the exterior mirror
Turn the knob to the appropriate position: – In these positions you can adjust the exterior mirrors (left or right) by
moving the control in the desired direction.
– The surfaces of the exterior mirrors are heated* depending on the
outside temperature, and on the equipment fitted in the vehicle.
– The exterior mirrors are retracted*.
Synchronized regulation of the exterior mirrors
● In the Settings - Convenience menu, select whether or not the exterior
mirrors should move in synchronisation ⇒ page 77.
● Turn the knob to position L.
● Adjust the left-hand exterior mirror. The right exterior mirror will be ad-
justed at the same time (synchronised). 
L/R



134Air conditioning
Air conditioning
Heating, ventilation, cooling
Introduction
Viewing Climatronic information
On the screen of Climatronic control unit and on the screen of the factory-
fitted Easy Connect system, the theoretical values of the temperature zones
are shown.
The unit of temperature measurement can be changed in the Easy Connect
system.
Dust and pollen filter
The dust and pollen filter with its activated charcoal cartridge serves as a
barrier against impurities in the air taken into the vehicle interior.
The dust and pollen filter must be changed regularly so that air conditioner
performance is not adversely affected.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas with very high
levels of air pollution, the filter must be changed more frequently than sta-
ted in the Service Schedule.
Additional information and warnings:
● Easy Connect system
● Seat functions
● Windscreen wipers and washers
● Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior
WARNING
Reduced visibility through the windows increases the risk of serious acci-
dents.
● Always ensure that all windows are free of ice and snow, and that
they are not fogged, so as to maintain good visibility of everything out-
side.
● The maximum heat output required to defrost windows as quickly as
possible is only available when the engine has reached its normal run-
ning temperature. Only drive when you have good visibility.
● Always ensure that you use the heating system, fresh air system, air
conditioner and the heated rear window to maintain good visibility to the
outside.
● Never leave the air recirculation on for a long period of time. If the
cooling system is switched off and air recirculation mode switched on,
the windows can mist over very quickly, considerably limiting visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required.
WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
possibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never leave the fresh air fan turned off or use the air recirculation for
long periods of time; the air in the vehicle interior will not be refreshed. 

141
Air conditioning
There are other additional, non-adjustable air vents in the dash panel 2
, in
the footwell and in the rear area of the interior.
Note
Never place food, medicines or other heat-sensitive objects close to the air
vents. Food, medicine and other heat or cold sensitive objects may be dam-
aged or made unsuitable for use by the air coming from the air vents. 
Air recirculation
Basic points
Air recirculation:
Manual air recirculation (heating and fresh air system, manual
air conditioning).
Air recirculation mode prevents the ambient air from entering the interior.
When the outside temperature is very high, selecting manual air recircula-
tion mode for a short period refreshes the vehicle interior more quickly.
For safety reasons, air recirculation mode is switched off when the button
 is pressed or the air distributor turned to .
Switching on and switching off manual air recirculation with air conditioner
(manual) or with the heating and fresh air systems 
Activate: press the button  until the warning lamp lights up.
Deactivate: press the button  until all warning lamps switch off.
Switching on and off manual air recirculation with Climatronic 
Activate: press the * button until the warning lamp lights up.
Deactivate: press the * button until all warning lamps switch off. Functioning mode of manual air recirculation (air conditioning menu)
With the automatic air recirculation mode activated, the entry of fresh air in-
to the cabin interior is enabled. If the system detects a high concentration
of hazardous substances in the ambient air, air recirculation mode is
switched on automatically. When the level of impurities drops to within a
normal range, recirculation mode is switched off.
The system is unable to detect unpleasant smells.
Air recirculation mode is
not automatically switched on in the following ca-
ses of outside temperatures and conditions:
● The cooling system is switched on (the * button lamp is on) and the am-
bient temperature is below +3 ° C (+38 ° F).
● The cooling system and the windscreen wipers are switched off and the
outside temperature is below +10 °C (+50 °F).
● The cooling system is switched on, the outside temperature is below
+15 °C (+59 °F) and the windscreen wipers are switched on.
Activation/deactivation of automatic air recirculation is done in the air con-
ditioner menu, under Configuration.
WARNING
Stuffy or used air will increase fatigue and reduce driver concentration
possibly resulting in a serious accident.
● Never use recirculation mode for long periods as it does not refresh
the air inside the vehicle.
● If the cooling system is switched off and air recirculation mode
switched on, the windows can mist over very quickly, considerably limit-
ing visibility.
● Switch air recirculation mode off when it is not required. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

185
Intelligent technology
Disable ASR
ASR can be disabled through the Easy Connect system ⇒ page 79 or by
pressing the  OFF
button. The traction control system will be disabled.
The control lamp  will light up. For vehicles with a driver information sys-
tem* the driver will be informed that ASR is disabled.
In the following exceptional circumstances enabling the ESC Sport mode to
improve the traction of the wheels is tenable:
● when rocking the vehicle backwards and forwards to free it.
● Driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces.
Activate ASR
ASR can be switched on through the Easy Connect system ⇒ page 79 or by
pressing the  OFF
button. The traction control system will be enabled.
The control lamp  switches off. For vehicles with a driver information sys-
tem* the driver will be informed that ASR is enabled.
WARNING
You should switch on the ESC Sport mode only if the traffic conditions
and your driving ability allow you to do so safely: risk of skidding!
● With ESC in Sport mode, the stabilising function will be limited to al-
low for a sportier drive. The driving wheels could spin and the vehicle
could skid.
Note
● ESC Sport mode cannot be activated if the cruise control* actively inter-
venes. 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 pres-
sure 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 conditions 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 condi-
tions (for example, the temperature, air humidity, etc.) noises may be pro-
duced on braking.
Wet roads or road salt
In certain situations (for example, on driving through flooded areas, in se-
vere downpours or after washing the vehicle) the braking action 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 wipers activated, the brake pads will
briefly touch the brake discs. This takes place, although 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 vehi-
cle is driven for some distance without using the brakes when there is a lot
of salt on the road in winter. The layer of salt that accumulates on the discs
and pads can be removed by gently applying the brakes a few times. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

201
Care and cleaning
Windows
Clear vision is an essential safety factor.
The windscreen must not be cleaned with insect remover or wax, otherwise
the windscreen wipers will not function properly (juddering).
Traces of rubber, oil, grease or silicone can be removed with a window
cleaning solution or a silicone remover. Wax residue can only be removed
with a special cleaner. Your SEAT Official Service will be able to provide you
with more detailed information.
The windows should also be cleaned on the inside at regular intervals.
Use a separate cloth or chamois to dry the windows. Cloths used for waxing
and polishing contain residues that will cause smears on the glass.
WARNING
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad visibility
conditions (e.g. in the rain, dark or with a low sun), these coatings may
cause dazzle: risk of accident! Such coatings can also cause the wind-
screen wiper blades to make noise.
CAUTION
● Remove snow and ice from windows and exterior mirrors with a plastic
scraper only. To avoid scratches caused by dirt on the glass, the scraper
should only be pushed in one direction and not moved to and fro.
● The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner side of
the window. To avoid damaging them, do not apply stickers to the heating
elements.
● Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and
mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack! Rims
The wheels require regular attention to preserve their appearance. It is im-
portant to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at regu-
lar intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.
After washing, the wheels should only be cleaned with an "acid-free" clean-
ing agent for alloy wheels. This is available from SEAT Official Services and
specialist retailers. Never leave the cleaning agent on the rims for any lon-
ger than specified in the instructions before rinsing it off. If the wheel clean-
er fluid contains acid it can attack the surfaces of the wheel bolts.
Car polish or other abrasive agents should not be used for maintaining the
rims. If the protective coating is damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the dam-
aged area should be touched up immediately.
WARNING
Please note when cleaning the wheels that water, ice and road salt can
impair the effectiveness of the brakes; this can cause an accident.

Exhaust tail pipe
It is important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at
regular intervals, otherwise the exhaust tail pipe material could be dam-
aged. To remove impurities, do not use rim, paint or chrome cleaners or oth-
er abrasive products. Clean the exhaust tail pipes with cleaning products
that are suitable for stainless steel.
SEAT Official Services carry stocks of cleaning products that have been tes-
ted and approved for use on your vehicle. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

221
Checking and refilling levels
Cleaning and changing the wiper blades of the windscreen
and rear window
Fig. 113 Changing the
windscreen wiper blades
Fig. 114 Changing the
rear wiper blade
The windscreen wiper blades are supplied as standard with a layer of graph-
ite. This layer is responsible for ensuring that the wipe is silent. If the graph- ite layer is damaged, the noise of the water as it is wiped across the wind-
screen will be louder.
Check the condition of the wiper blades regularly.
If the wipers scrape
across the glass they should be changed if they are damaged, or cleaned if
they are dirty ⇒ 
.
Damaged wiper blades should be replaced immediately. Wiper blades are
available from specialised workshops.
Raising/lowering windscreen wiper arms
For windscreen wipers, please note: the wiper should be in service position
before being lowering ⇒ page 119. When raising or lowering an arm, it should only be held at the blade fasten-
ing point.
Cleaning windscreen wiper blades
● Raising the wiper arms.
● Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen wiper
blades.
● If the blades are very dirty, a sponge or damp cloth may be used ⇒ 
.
Changing the windscreen wiper blades
● Raising/lowering wiper arms
● Hold down the release button ⇒ Fig. 113 1
while gently pulling the
blade in the direction of the arrow.
● Fit a new wiper blade of the same length and design on to the wiper arm
and hook it into place.
● Rest the wiper arms back onto the windscreen.
Changing the rear wiper blade
● Raising/lowering the wiper arm.
● Turn the blade slightly ⇒ Fig. 114 (arrow A
).
● Hold down the release button 1 while gently pulling the blade in the
direction of the arrow B.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

222Checking and refilling levels
● Insert a new blade of the same length and type in the rear wiper arm in
the opposite direction to the arrow B
and hook into place button 1.
● Replace the wiper arm on the rear window.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of acci-
dent and serious injury.
● Always replace damaged or worn blades or blades which do not clean
the windscreen correctly.
CAUTION
● Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could scratch the glass.
● If products containing solvents, rough sponges or sharp objects are
used to clean the blades, the graphite layer will be damaged.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the windows. 

244Emergencies
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
General information
Points to observe when tow-starting or towing away If you use a tow rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– The tow rope must be taut before you drive off.
– Release the clutch very carefully when starting the vehicle
(manual gearbox), or accelerate gently (automatic gearbox).
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the turn signals,
horn, windscreen wipers and washers can be used. Please en-
sure that the steering wheel is unlocked when you switch on the
ignition, and that it moves freely.
– Put the gearbox lever in neutral (manual gearbox) or move the
selector lever to position N (automatic gearbox).
– The brake servo only works when the engine is running. Consid-
erably more effort is required on the brake pedal when the en-
gine is switched off.
– Remember that the brake servo only works when the ignition is
switched on and the vehicle is moving 1)
. Otherwise, considera-
bly more strength than usual will be required when steering. –
Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all times.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. You should only use a
tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to avoid damage to both vehicles. It is
advisable to use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic mate-
rial.
Only attach the tow rope or the tow bar to the towing rings ⇒ page 245.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexper-
ienced drivers should not attempt to tow.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking
the tow rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of
overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
WARNING
If the vehicle has no electrical power, the brake lights, turn signals and
all other lights will no longer function. Do not have the vehicle towed
away. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
CAUTION
If there is no oil in the gearbox or no lubricant in the automatic transmission
the car may only be towed with the driven wheels lifted clear of the road, or
transported on a special car transporter or trailer. 
1)
Important: the battery must be correctly charged.

Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety interlock for ignition key . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Saving fuel Conscientious driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Inertia mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Saving tips (efficiency programme) . . . . . . . . . 78
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Seat adjuster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Seat belt control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Seat belt position Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Seat belt protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Incorrectly fastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SEAT Drive Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Selective unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Selector lever Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Function fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Selector lever (automatic gearbox) Manual release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Service intervals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Service notification: read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Setting Headlight range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
side assist Cleaning the sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Side light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Sitting position driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sitting position for vehicle occupants . . . . . . . 10
Sliding/tilting sunroof Convenience opening/closing . . . . . . . . . 101
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229, 266
Spanner symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Special features Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Speed warning function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Driver messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Stop/Start the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Switching on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
The engine does not switch off . . . . . . . . . 151
The engine starts by itself . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Starting up (engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Steering Electro-mechanical steering . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Engage the steering lock (ignitionkey) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144, 146
Steering wheel Gearshift paddles (automatic gearbox) . . 159
Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Storage compartments Glove compartment lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Sun visor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Switch Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Switching ignition on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Switching off using inertia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Switching off (engine) With the key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Symbols See "Lamps" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
System Automatic dipped beam control . . . . . . . . 109
System Easy Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
284 Index

WWarning lamp Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Washing Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Wearing suitable shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wheel changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227, 266 Anti-theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Loosening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Removing the cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Wheel brace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Wheel cover (wheel bolts): removing . . . . . . . 236
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223, 266 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235, 239
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 30
Why should head restraints be correctly adjus- ted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 21, 30
Windows Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Windscreen washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Windscreen washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Windscreen washer water Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Windscreen wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Window wiper lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Windscreen wiper fluid Control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Windscreen wipers
Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Headlight washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Heated windscreen washer jets . . . . . . . . 119
Lifting the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Replacing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Service position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Special features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Windscreen wipers service position . . . . . . . . 119
Winter conditions Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Care of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
De-icing the glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Windscreen washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Winter operation Headlight washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Heated windscreen washer jets . . . . . . . . 119
Salt on the roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
286 Index