ESP Seat Leon 5D 2013 Repair Manual

232Driving and the environment
Reduce idling time
In vehicles with the Start-Stop system idling is automatically reduced. In ve-
hicles without the Start-Stop system it is worth switching off the engine, for
example, at level crossings and at traffic lights that remain red for long peri-
ods of time. When an engine has reached operating temperature, and de-
pending on the cylinder capacity, keeping it switched off for a minimum of
about 5 seconds already saves more than the amount of fuel necessary for
restarting.
The engine takes a long time to warm up when it is idling. Mechanical wear
and pollutant emissions are also especially high during 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 only
reaches its working temperature after about four kilometres (2.5 miles),
when fuel consumption will return to a normal level.
Check tyre pressure
Always make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressures
⇒ page 265 to save fuel. If the pressure is below half bar, fuel consumption
may increase by 5%. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation
also increases 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 increase the fuel consumption, it is
advisable to always check the luggage compartment to make sure that no
unnecessary loads are being transported.
Since the luggage rack increases the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle, you
should remove it when not needed. This will save, at a speed of 100-120
km/h (60-75 mph), approximately 12% of fuel.
Save electrical energy
The engine drives the alternator, thereby generating electricity. This implies
that any increase in power consumption also increases fuel consumption!
For this reason, switch off any unneeded consumption of electricity. Electri-
cal equipment which uses a lot of electricity includes the blower (at a high
setting), the rear window heating and the seat heating*. 
Environmental friendliness
Environmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of materials
and manufacture of your new SEAT.
Constructive measures to encourage recycling
● Joints and connections designed for easy dismantling
● Modular construction to facilitate dismantling
● Increased use of single-grade materials.
● Plastic parts and elastomers are marked in accordance with ISO 1043,
ISO 11469 and ISO 1629.
Choice of materials
● Use of recycled materials.
● Use of compatible plastics in the same part if its components are not
easily separated. 

234Trailer
Trailer
Trailer towing What do you need to bear in mind when towing a trailer?
Your vehicle may be used to tow a trailer when fitted with the correct equip-
ment.
If you wish to retrofit a towing bracket, consult ⇒ page 236.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 12-pin connector for the electrical connection
between the trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to use an adapter cable. This is
available in any Technical Service.
Trailer weight/drawbar load
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If you do not load the trailer up
to the maximum permitted trailer weight, you can then climb correspond-
ingly steeper slopes.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes up to
1000 m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine power and
therefore the vehicle climbing ability are impaired because of the reduced
air density. The maximum trailer weight has to be reduced accordingly. The
weight of the vehicle and trailer combination must be reduced by 10% for
every further 1000 m (or part thereof). The gross combination weight is the
actual weight of the laden vehicle plus the actual weight of the laden trailer.
When possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted drawbar
load on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified
limit. The figures for
trailer weights and drawbar loads that are given on the data
plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The correct
figures for your specific model, which may be lower than these figures for
the towing bracket, are given in the vehicle documentation or in ⇒ chap-
ter Technical Data.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the axle as
possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to prevent them mov-
ing.
Tyre pressure
Set tyre pressure to the maximum permissible pressure shown on the stick-
er on the inside of the fuel tank flap. Set the tyre pressure of the trailer tyres
in accordance with the trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer with the
standard rear vision mirrors. If this is not the case, you should have addi-
tional exterior mirrors fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on
hinged extension brackets. Adjust the mirrors to give sufficient vision to the
rear.
WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could result in fatal accidents. 

235
Trailer
Note
● Towing a trailer places additional demands on the vehicle. We recom-
mend additional services between the normal inspection intervals if the ve-
hicle is used frequently for towing a trailer.
● Find out whether special regulations apply to towing a trailer in your
country. 
Ball coupling of towing bracket*
The ball coupling is provided with instructions on fitting and removing the
ball coupling of the towing bracket.
WARNING
The towing bracket ball coupling must be stored securely in the luggage
compartment to prevent them being flung through the vehicle and caus-
ing injury.
Note
● By law, the ball coupling must be removed if a trailer is not being towed
if it obscures the number plate. 
Driving tips
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care. Weight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer with an unladen vehicle is very
unfavourable. However, if this cannot be avoided, drive extra slowly to allow
for the unbalanced weight distribution. Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is reduced with increasing speed. For
this reason, it is advisable not to drive at the maximum permissible speed
in an unfavourable road, weather or wind conditions. This applies especially
when driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately if the trailer shows the slight-
est sign of
snaking. Never try to stop the “snaking” by increasing speed.
Always brake in due course. If the trailer has an overrun brake, apply the
brakes gently at first and then, firmly. This will prevent the jerking that can
be caused by locking of trailer wheels. Select a low gear in due course be-
fore going down a steep downhill. This enables you to use the engine brak-
ing to slow down the vehicle.
Reheating
At very high temperatures and during prolonged slopes, driving in a low
gear and high engine speed, always monitor the coolant temperature gauge
⇒ page 69.
Electronic Stability Control*
The ESC* system helps to stabilise the trailer in case of skidding or rocking. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

240Care and cleaning
CAUTION
● When you clean the vehicle with a pressure washer,
– stay a suitable distance from the sensors on the front and rear bump-
ers.
– Do not clean the camera lenses or surrounding area with the pressure
washer.
● Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from the reverse
camera lens, as it could crack the lens.
● Never use abrasive cleaning agents on the lens. 
Care and polishing
Care
Waxing protects the paintwork. It is time to apply a good coat of wax when
water no longer forms droplets and rolls off the clean paintwork.
Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the vehicle washing tunnel, it is
advisable to protect the paint with a hard wax coating at least twice a year.
In the summer, you will find it is much easier to remove dead insects (which
accumulate on the bumper and the front of the bonnet) if the car has been
treated with care products recently.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss can-
not be brought back by putting on wax.
If the polish does not contain wax, a wax product should be applied after
polishing.
CAUTION
● Do not use polishes and hard wax on painted parts with a matt finish or
on plastic parts.
● Do not apply paint polishes to the side trim that runs around the panor-
amic roof and ends on the windscreen. However, it can be treated with hard
wax. 
Trims
In respect for the environment, the silver-plated trims on the body are made
of pure aluminium (they do not contain chrome).
Dirt or marks on the trim mouldings should be removed with a cleaning
product with a neutral PH (do not use a chrome cleaner). Body polish is also
unsuitable for use on trim mouldings. The intensive cleaning fluids often
used before the car goes into a car wash may contain alkaline substances,
which can cause dull or milky patches when they dry out.
SEAT Official Services carry stocks of cleaning products which have been
tested for use on your vehicle and are not harmful to the environment. 
Plastic parts
Plastic parts are cleaned with a power washer. If this is not sufficient, plas-
tic parts should only be treated with a special solvent-free plastic cleaning
agent. Do not use paintwork cleaners, polishes or wax on plastic parts. 

243
Care and cleaning
sponge. If the stains are difficult to remove, a washing paste can be applied
directly onto the stain and worked into the fabric. The surface will then have
to be wiped with clear water to remove any residue left by the paste. To do
so, use a damp cloth or sponge and then dab the stain with an absorbent
cloth.
Remove chocolate or make-up stains with a cleaning paste (for e.g., soft
soap). Then remove the soap with water (wet sponge).
A spirit-based cleaner can be used to remove grease, oil, lipstick or ball
point pen. Then dab the dissolved grease or colour particles off with an ab-
sorbent cloth or similar. You may also have to treat the stain once more us-
ing washing paste and water.
If the covers or textile trim panels are badly soiled we recommend that you
have them cleaned by a professional cleaning company with a shampoo
and spray.
Note
Open Velcro fasteners on clothes can damage the seat upholstery. Make
sure that Velcro fasteners are closed. 
Natural leather
SEAT does everything possible to preserve the genuine qual-
ities of this natural product. General information
Our range of leathers is large. The main type used is nappa in various forms,
that is, leather with a smooth surface in various different colours.
The amount of dye used determines the appearance and properties of leath-
er. If the leather is left in a more natural state, it retains its typical natural
napped appearance and confers excellent all-weather properties to the
seats. Fine veins, healed scars, insect bites, wrinkles and a subtle variation in shading remain visible; these are the characteristic features of genuine
natural leather.
Natural napped leather does not have a protective surface coating of dye. It
is therefore somewhat more prone to damage. This should be borne in mind
if children or pets often travel in the car, or if there are other factors that
could lead to damage.
Types of leather with a coloured surface coating are likely to be more resist-
ant to damage. This has a great advantage for day-to-day use. However, this
means that the typical natural characteristics of the surface are less appa-
rent, though this does not affect quality.
Cleaning and care
Due to the natural properties of the specially selected hides employed, the
finished leather has a certain sensitivity to grease and dirt, etc. so a degree
of care is required in everyday use and when looking after the leather. Dark
clothing (especially if damp or incorrectly dyed) may stain leather uphols-
tery. Dust and grit in the pores and seams can scratch and damage the sur-
face. Therefore leather should be cleaned at regular intervals, depending on
the actual amount of use. When they have been in use for a certain time,
your car seats will acquire a typical and unmistakable patina. This is charac-
teristic for leather as a natural product and is a sign of genuine quality.
To maintain the value of natural leather you should note the following
points:CAUTION
● Avoid exposing leather to direct sunlight for long periods, otherwise it
may tend to lose some of its colour. If the car is left for a prolonged period
in the bright sun, it is best to cover the leather.
● Sharp-edged objects on clothing, such as belts, zip fasteners, rivets or
similar, can also leave permanent scratches and rough marks on the surface
of the leather. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

244Care and cleaning
Note
● Use a suitable impregnating cream with ultra-violet protection at regular
intervals and after cleaning. The cream nourishes and moisturises the leath-
er, keeps it supple and able to breathe. It will also form a protective film.
● Clean the leather every 2 to 3 months and remove fresh dirt as soon as
possible.
● Remove stains from fresh ball-pen and other inks, lipstick, shoe cream
and similar stains as soon as possible.
● Preserve the colour of the leather. A special coloured cream will renew
the colour of the leather when required and will eliminate differences in col-
our. 
Cleaning and care of leather upholstery
Natural leather requires an extra degree of attention and
care.
Normal cleaning
– Moisten a cotton or woollen cloth with water and wipe over the
leather surfaces.
More stubborn dirt
– More stubborn dirt can be removed using a mild soap solution
(pure liquid soap: two tablespoons dissolved in one litre of wa-
ter).
– Do not let the water soak through the leather or penetrate into
the seams.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth. Removal of stains
–
Remove fresh water-based stains such as coffee, tea, juices,
blood etc. with an absorbent cloth or kitchen roll, dried-on
stains with the cleaning agent from the care set.
– Remove fresh fat-based stains that have not penetrated the sur-
face such as butter, mayonnaise, chocolate, etc. with an ab-
sorbent cloth or kitchen roll or with the cleaning agent from the
care set.
– Treat fat-based, dried-in stains with grease-dissolving spray.
– Treat less common stains such as ball-pen and other inks, felt-
tip pens, nail polish, dispersion paint, shoe cream etc. with a
special leather stain remover.
Leather maintenance
– The leather should be treated regularly (about twice a year) with
a special leather-care product.
– Apply these products very sparingly.
– Then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
Should you have questions regarding the care and cleaning of the leather
upholstery in your vehicle, we recommend that you contact your SEAT Offi-
cial Service. Our representatives will be happy to advise you and tell you
about the product range for leather conservation, for example:
● Cleaning and care set
● Coloured leather-care cream
● Stain remover for ball-pen inks, shoe cream etc.
● Grease dissolving spray
● New products and further developments 

246Checking and refilling levels
Checking and refilling levels
Fuel
Types of petrol
The correct grade of petrol is listed inside the fuel tank flap.
The vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter and must only be run on
unleaded petrol. The petrol must comply with European Standard EN 228 or
German standard DIN 51626-1 and must be unleaded. You can refuel with a
maximum ethanol proportion of 10 % (E10). The types of petrol are differen-
tiated by their octane rating (RON).
The following titles appear on the corresponding adhesive on the fuel tank
flap:
Super unleaded 95 octane or normal 91 octane unleaded petrol
We recommend you use super 95 octane petrol. If this is not available: nor-
mal 91 octane petrol, with a slight decrease in power.
Super unleaded petrol with a minimum of 95 octanes
You should use super petrol with a minimum of 95 octanes.
If super is not available, in an emergency you may refuel with normal 91 oc-
tane petrol. In this case only use moderate engine speeds and a light throt-
tle. Refuel with super as soon as possible.
Super unleaded 98 octane or super 95 octane unleaded petrol
We recommend you use super plus 98 octane petrol. If this is not available:
super 95 octane petrol, with a slight decrease in power.
If super is not available, in an emergency you may refuel with normal 91 oc-
tane petrol. In this case only use moderate engine speeds and a light throt-
tle. Refuel with super as soon as possible. Petrol additives
The quality of the fuel influences the behaviour, performance and service
life of the engine. This is why the petrol you use should carry suitable addi-
tives already included by the petrol industry, free of metals. These additives
will help to prevent corrosion, keep the fuel system clean and prevent de-
posits from building up in the engine.
If good quality petrol with metal-free additives is not available or engine
problems arise, the necessary additives must be added when refuelling
⇒ 
.
Not all petrol additives have been shown to be effective. The use of unsuita-
ble petrol additives may cause significant damage to the engine and the
catalytic converter. Metal additives should never be used. Metal additives
may also be contained in petrol additives for improving anti-detonation rat-
ings or octane ratings ⇒ 
.
SEAT recommends “Genuine Volkswagen Group fuel additives for petrol en-
gines”. These additives can be bought at SEAT Authorised Services, where
information on how to use them can also be obtained.
CAUTION
● Do not refuel if the filler indicates that the fuel contains metal. LRP (lead
replacement petrol) fuels contain high concentrations of metal additives.
Using them may damage the engine!
● Never refuel with fuels containing a large proportion of ethanol (for ex-
ample, E50, E85). This could damage the fuel system.
● Just filling one full tank of leaded fuel or fuel containing other metal ad-
ditives would seriously impair the efficiency of the catalytic converter. 

251
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Natural gas is a highly explosive, easily flammable substance. Incorrect
handling of the natural gas can cause accidents serious burns and other
injuries.
● Before refuelling with natural gas, engage the filler neck correctly. If
you smell gas, stop refuelling immediately.
WARNING
The vehicle is not prepared to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and this
fuel must not be added under any circumstances. Liquefied natural gas
can cause the natural gas tank to explode resulting in serious injury.
Note
● The filling nozzles of all natural gas pumps might not be operated in the
same way. If you do not know, ask a qualified employee at the petrol station
to do the refuelling.
● Noises heard when refuelling are normal and do not indicate the pres-
ence of damage to the system.
● The vehicle natural gas system is prepared both for refuelling with a
small compressor (slow refuel) and a large compressor (fast refuel) in natu-
ral gas service stations. Bonnet
Working on components in the engine compartment
Extra caution is necessary when working on components in
the engine compartment. Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the risk of
accident or even fire when working in the engine compartment (e.g. when
checking and refilling fluids). Always observe the warnings listed below
and follow all general safety precautions. The engine compartment of the
vehicle is a potentially hazardous area ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Switch the ignition off.
● Remove the ignition key.
● Apply the handbrake.
● If the vehicle has a manual gearbox, place the lever in neutral; if it
has an automatic gearbox, place the selector lever in position P.
● Wait for the engine to cool down.
● Keep children away from the engine compartment.
● Never spill liquids used for vehicle operation on the engine compart-
ment, as these may catch fire (e.g. the antifreeze in coolant).
● Take care not to cause short circuits in the electrical system, especial-
ly when working on the battery.
● If working inside the engine compartment, remember that, even when
the ignition is switched off, the radiator fan may start up automatically,
and therefore there is a risk of injury.
● Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. The cooling system is under pressure. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

254Checking and refilling levels
Because this oil is essential for extending the service intervals, it must only
be used observing the following indications:
● Avoid mixing it with oil for fixed service intervals.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒  page 255 and LongLife oil is not available, it is permitted to top up
(once) with oil for fixed service intervals ⇒  page 254 (up to a maximum of
0.5 litres).
Fixed service intervals*
If your vehicle does not have the “LongLife service interval” or it has been
disabled (by request), you may use oils for fixed service intervals, which al-
so appear in ⇒  page 254, Oil properties. In this case, your vehicle must be
serviced after a fixed interval of 1 year/15 000 km (10 000 miles)(whatever
comes first) ⇒ Booklet Maintenance Programme.
● In exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒  page 255 and you cannot obtain the oil specified for your vehicle, you
can put in a small quantity of oil conforming to the specification ACEA A2 or
ACEA A3 (petrol engines) or ACEA B3 or ACEA B4 (diesel engines) (up to 0.5
l).
Vehicles with diesel particulate filter*
The “Maintenance Programme” states whether your vehicle is fitted with a
diesel particulate filter.
Only VW 507 00 engine oil, with reduced ash formation, may be used in die-
sel engines equipped with particulate filter. Using other types of oil will
cause a higher soot concentration and reduce the life of the DPF. Therefore:
● Avoid mixing this oil with other engine oils.
● Only in exceptional circumstances, if the engine oil level is too low
⇒  page 255 and you cannot obtain the oil specified for your vehicle, you
can use a small quantity of oil (once) conforming to the VW 506 00,
VW 506 01, VW 505 00, VW 505 01 or ACEA B3/ACEA B4 specification. (up
to 0.5 l). Oil properties
Engine typeSpecificationPetrol without flexible service in-
tervalVW 502 00/VW 504 00
Petrol with flexible service inter-
val (LongLife)VW 504 00
Diesel. Engines without Particu-
late filter (DPF)VW 505 01/VW 506 01/VW 507 00
Diesel. Particulate Filter Engines
(DPF).
With or without flexible service in-
terval (with and without Long-
life)
a)VW 507 00
a)
Only use recommended oils, otherwise you may damage the engine.
Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed with the engine oil. The deterioration
caused by these additives is not covered by the warranty.
Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an engine oil that conforms to the
corresponding VW specifications and recommend keeping it in the vehicle.
This way, the correct engine oil will always be available for a top-up if nee-
ded. 

256Checking and refilling levels
Topping up engine oil 
Top up gradually with small quantities of engine oil.
Fig. 155 In the engine
compartment: Engine oil
filler cap
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒ 
in
Working on components in the engine compartment on page 251.
– Unscrew cap from engine oil filler opening ⇒ Fig. 155.
– Top-up oil in small amounts, using the correct oil.
– To avoid over-filling with engine oil, you should top-up using
small quantities, wait a while and check the oil level before
adding any more oil.
– As soon as the oil level is in area B
, carefully close the cap.
The position of the oil filler opening is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment illustration ⇒ page 309.
Engine oil specification ⇒ page 253.
WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil comes into contact with hot
engine components when topping up.
CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not start the engine. This could result
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact a specialised work-
shop.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A. Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the crankcase breather and escape into the atmosphere via the ex-
haust system. 
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals given in the
service schedule. We recommend that you have the engine oil changed by a Technical Serv-
ice.
The oil change intervals are shown in the Maintenance Programme. 