towing Seat Leon 5D 2014 User Guide

Operation
–
for roads with certain surfaces, or with
long grass,
– for external ultrasound sources, such as
cleaning vehicles,
– In downpours, intense snow or dense ex-
haust gases
● In order to familiarise yourself with the sys-
tem, it is advised that you practice parking in
an area or car park that is free from traffic.
There must be good weather and light condi-
tions.
● The volume and tone of the warnings can
be modified, in addition to the indications
››› page 176.
● In v
ehicles without a driver information
sys

tem, these parameters can be modified in
a SEAT Official Service or in a specialised
workshop.
● Please observe information on towing a
trailer ››› page 177.
● The dis

play on the Easy Connect screen
shows a slight time delay.
● To ensure that the parking aid works prop-
erly, the sensors must be kept clean and free
of ice and snow. Rear parking aid*
The rear parking aid is an audible assistant. Description
There are sensors integrated in the rear
bumper. When the sensors detect an obsta-
cle, you are alerted by audible warnings.
Make sure that the sensors are not covered
by adhesives, residues and the like, given
that this could affect the system operation.
Cleaning instructions
››› page 185.
The approximate measurement range of the
sensors is:
rearside0.90 m
centre1.60 m As you approach the obstacle, the time inter-
val between the audible warnings will be re-
duced. When you reach around 0.30 m the
warning will be constant: Do not continue to
move forward (or backward)
››› in General
information on page 173 , ›
›
› in General in-
formation on page 173 !
If you maintain separation from the obstacle,
the volume of the warning begins to reduce
after four seconds (does not affect the tone
of the constant warning).
Activate
When engaging reverse gear, the parking aid
is automatically switched on. This is con-
firmed with a short warning. Parking system plus*
Fig. 168
Represented area. Parking system plus assists you audibly and
visually when parking.
There are sensors integrated in the front and
rear bumpers. When the sensors detect an
obstacle, audible and visual warnings are
given.
Make sure that the sensors are not covered
by adhesives, residues and the like, given
that this could affect the system operation.
Cleaning instructions
››› page 185.
The approximate measurement range of the
sensors is:
1.20 m
0.90 m
1.60 m
0.90 m
A B
C
D
174

Towing bracket device
Front volume
Volume in the front and rear area.
Front sound settings/sharpness
Frequency (tone) of the sound in the front
area.
Rear volume
Volume in the rear area.
Rear sound settings/sharpness
Frequency (tone) of the sound in the rear
area.
Adjust volume
With the parking aid switched on, the active
audio/video source volume will be reduced
to the intensity of the selected setting.
You will hear a short test tone from the corre-
sponding speaker each time you make a new
setting.
Error messages When the parking aid is activated or when
switching it on, if a continuous warning can
be heard over several seconds (additionally,
in the case of Parking system plus the LED of
the 
button flashes), there is a fault in the
system. If the fault does not disappear before
switching off the ignition, the next time the parking aid is switched on by engaging re-
verse gear the fault will only be indicated
with the flashing LED on the

b
utton.
P
arking system plus*
If there is a fault in a sensor, the symbol 
is
displayed on the Easy Connect display in
front of/behind the vehicle. If a rear sensor is
faulty, only the obstacles in the areas A and
B are displayed
››› Fig. 168 . If a front sensor
i s

faulty, only the obstacles in the areas C and
D are displayed.
Have the fault corrected by a specialised
workshop without delay.
Towing bracket If the trailer power socket is occupied, the
rear parking aid sensors will not activate
when reverse gear is engaged, or when the
button  is pressed. This function may not
be covered under warranty if the towing
bracket is not factory-fitted. This causes the
following limitations:
Parking system plus*
There will be no warning about the presence
of obstacles in the rear area. The monitoring
in the front area remains active. The optical
display changes to towing mode. Towing bracket device
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 equipment.
If you wish to
retrofit a towing bracket, con-
s u
lt ››› page 180.
Connect
ors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 13-pin connector
for the electrical connection between the
trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to
u se an a

dapter cable. It is available at any
Technical Service.
Trailer weight/drawbar load
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If
you do not load the trailer up to the maxi-
mum permitted trailer weight, you can then
climb correspondingly 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 »
177
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials

Operation
to be reduced accordingly. The weight of the
vehicle and trailer combination must be re-
duced 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 maxi-
mum permitted drawbar load on the ball joint
of the t
owing 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
to
wing bracket are for certification purposes
only. The correct figures for your specific
model, which may be lower than these fig-
ures for the towing bracket, are given in the
vehicle documentation or in ››› chapter Tech-
nical 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 moving.
Tyre pressure
Set tyre pressure to the maximum permissi-
ble pressure shown on the sticker on the in-
side of the fuel tank flap. Set the tyre pres-
sure 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 additional exterior mirrors fitted.
Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on
hinged extension brackets. Adjust the mirrors
to give sufficient vision to the rear.
Tow rope
Always use a cable between the vehicle and
the trailer
››› page 178.
Tr
ailer rear lights
The trailer's rear lights should comply with
the statutory safety regulations ››› page 178. WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could
result in fatal accidents. Note
● Towing a trailer places additional demands
on the vehicle. We recommend additional
services between the normal inspection inter-
vals if the vehicle is used frequently for tow-
ing a trailer.
● Find out whether special regulations apply
to towing a trailer in your country. Hitching and connecting the trailer
Fig. 171
Schematic diagram: assignment of
the pins of the trailer's electrical socket.
Key of the Schematic diagram ››› Fig. 171:
PinMeaning
1Left turn signal
2Rear fog light
3Earth, pins 1, 2, 4 to 8
4Right turn signal
5Tail light, right
6Brake lights
7Tail light, left
8Reverse lights
9Permanent live
10Cable without positive charge
11Earth, pin 10178

Towing bracket deviceKey of the Schematic diagram
››› Fig. 171:
PinMeaning
12Unassigned
13Earth, pin 9 Electrical socket for trailer
The vehicle is fitted with a 13-pole power
socket for the electrical connection between
the trailer and the vehicle. If the system de-
tects that a trailer has been connected elec-
trically, the electrical equipment on the trailer
will receive voltage through this connection.
Pin 9 has a permanent live. This powers, for
example, the trailer's interior lighting. Pin 10
is only powered when the engine is running.
The charge wire (pin 10) charges, for exam-
ple, a caravan battery.
Pin 9 and 10 should not be connected to
each other to avoid discharging or damaging
the vehicle's battery.
The earth wires, pin 3, pin 11 and pin 13,
should never be connected to each other to
avoid overloading the electrical system.
If the trailer has a
7-contact connector , you
will need to use an adapter cable. In this case
the function corresponding to pin 10 will not
be available. Trailer maximum electricity consumption
Brake lights (total)84 Watts
Turn signal, on each side42 Watts
Side lights (total)100 Watts
Rear lights (total)42 Watts
Rear fog light42 Watts
Never exceed the values indicated!
Note
● If the rear lights of the trailer are not cor-
rectly connected, the vehicle electronics may
be damaged.
● If the trailer absorbs excessive electric cur-
rent, the vehicle electronics may be dam-
aged.
● Never connect the trailer's electric system
directly to the electrical connections of the
tail lights or any other power sources. Only
use the connections intended for providing
electric current to the trailer. Ball coupling of towing bracket*
The ball coupling is provided with instruc-
tions on fitting and removing the ball cou-
pling 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 vehi-
cle and causing 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 ex-
tra slowly to allow for the unbalanced weight
distribution.
Speed
The stability of the vehicle and trailer is re-
duced 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 es-
pecially when driving downhill.
»
179
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials

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

Towing bracket device
tightened using a torque wrench, and a pow-
er socket must be connected to the vehicle
electrical system. This requires specialised
knowledge and tools.
● Figures in the illustration show the eleva-
tion value and the attachment points which
must be considered if you are retrofitting a
towing bracket. WARNING
The towing brackets should be fitted at a spe-
cialised workshop.
● If the towing bracket is incorrectly instal-
led, there is a serious danger of accident.
● For your own safety, please observe the tow
bracket manufacturer's instructions. CAUTION
● If the power socket is incorrectly installed,
this could cause damage to the vehicle elec-
trical system. Note
● SEAT recommends that the towing hooks
be fitted at a specialised workshop. Consult
your SEAT dealer in case additional modifica-
tions to your vehicle are necessary.
● Due to the specific design of the exhaust,
the fitting of a conventional towing hook is
not recommended for some sportier versions.
Please consult your Technical Service. 181Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials

Emergencies
Snow chains will improve braking ability as
well as traction in winter conditions.
F or t
echnical reasons snow chains may only
be used with the following wheel rim/tyre
combination.
195/65 R15Chains with links of maximum 15 mm
205/55 R16Chains with links of maximum 15 mm
225/45 R17Chains with links of maximum 9 mm
225/40 R18Chains with links of maximum 9 mm Remove wheel covers and any
integral trim
ring before fitting snow chains.
R emo

ve the chains when roads are free of
snow
. Otherwise they will impair handling,
damage the tyres and wear out very quickly. Emergencies
Changing a wheel What to do first Read the additional information carefully
›››  page 34
– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the
car as far away from the flow of traffic as
possible in a safe place. If you have a punc-
ture, stop the vehicle on a horizontal sur-
face. If you are on a slope, take extra care.
– Apply the handbrake.
– Switch on the hazard warning lights.
– Manual gearbox: select the 1st gear.
– Automatic gearbox: move the selector lever
to P.
– When towing a trailer: unhitch the trailer
from your vehicle.
– Have the vehicle tool kit ›››
page 220 and
the spare wheel ready ›››
page 214.
– Observe the applicable legislation for each
country (reflective vest, warning triangles,
etc.).
– All vehicle occupants should leave the car.
They should wait in a safe area (for in-
stance behind the roadside crash barrier). WARNING
● Always observe the above steps and pro-
tect yourself and other road users.
● If you change the wheel on a slope, block
the wheel on the opposite side of the car with
a stone or similar to prevent the vehicle from
moving. Wheel covers*
Fig. 182
Remove the wheel cover. The wheel covers must be removed for access
to the wheel bolts.
Removing
– Remove the wheel cover using the wire
hook ›››
Fig. 182 .
– Hook thi

s into one of the cut-outs of the
wheel cover. »
217
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials

Advice
8. Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat battery and wait 2 or 3 minutes until the
engine is “running”.
Removing the jump leads
9. Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the dipped beam headlights (if they
are switched on).
10.Turn on the heater blower and heated rear window in the vehicle with the flat battery.
This helps minimise voltage peaks which
are generated when the leads are discon-
nected.
11. When the engine is running, disconnect
the l e
ads in reverse order to the details
given above.
Connect the battery clamps so they have
good metal-to-metal contact with the battery
terminals.
If the engine fails to start, switch off the start-
er after about 10 seconds and try again after
about 1 minute. WARNING
● Please note the safety warnings referring to
working in the engine compartment
››› page 198.
● The b att

ery providing assistance must have
the same voltage as the flat battery (12V) and
approximately the same capacity (see imprint on battery). Failure to comply could result in
an explosion.
●
Never use jump leads when one of the bat-
teries is frozen. Danger of explosion! Even af-
ter the battery has thawed, battery acid could
leak and cause chemical burns. If a battery
freezes, it should be replaced.
● Keep sparks, flames and lighted cigarettes
away from batteries, danger of explosion.
Failure to comply could result in an explo-
sion.
● Observe the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the jump leads.
● Do not connect the negative cable from the
other vehicle directly to the negative terminal
of the flat battery. The gas emitted from the
battery could be ignited by sparks. Danger of
explosion.
● Do not attach the negative cable from the
other vehicle to parts of the fuel system or to
the brake line.
● The non-insulated parts of the battery
clamps must not be allowed to touch. The
jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the ve-
hicle, this can cause a short circuit.
● Position the leads in such a way that they
cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
● Do not lean on the batteries. This could re-
sult in chemical burns. Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, oth-
erwise electricity could flow as soon as the
positive terminals are connected. Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle
General information Read the additional information carefully
›››  page 35
Points to observe when tow-starting or tow-
ing 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 start-
ing the vehicle (manual gearbox), or accel-
erate gently (automatic gearbox).
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially
when using a tow rope
. Both drivers should
be f
amiliar with the technique required for
towing. Inexperienced drivers should not at-
tempt to tow.
224

Emergencies
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 al-
ways 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 vehi-
cle towed away. Failure to follow this instruc-
tion 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. Note
● Please observe related legal requirements.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both
vehicles. However, observe any regulations
to the contrary.
● The tow rope must not be twisted. Other-
wise the front towline anchorage could be
pulled off the vehicle. Towline anchorage at the front of the
vehicle
Fig. 191
Right side of the front bumper: tow-
line anchorage screwed in. The front towline anchorage is only mounted
if the vehicle has to be towed.
There is a cover with an opening into which
the towline anchorage is screwed on the right
part of the front bumper.
– To remove the bumper cover, just press the
upper left side inwards.
– Take the towline anchorage out of the vehi-
cle tool kit ››› page 220 .
– Sc r
ew the towline anchorage into the screw
connection as far as it will go ››› Fig. 191
and tighten with the wheel brace.
After use, unscrew the towline anchorage
and fit the cover back on the bumper. Put the
towline anchorage back in the vehicle tool kit. The towline anchorage should always be
kept in the vehicle.
Rear towline anchorage Fig. 192
Right side of the rear bumper: cover-
cap. Fig. 193
Right side of the rear bumper: tow-
line anchorage screwed in. The rear towline anchorage should only be
mounted if you wish to tow another vehicle.
»
225
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials

Advice
Vehicles with towline anchorage
On the right of the rear bumper there is a cov-
er which covers a threaded hole. – Take the towline anchorage out of the vehi-
cle tool set ››› page 220 .
– To r
emove the bumper cover, just press the
upper side of the cover inwards (arrow) and
remo

ve the cover by levering on the lower
››› Fig. 192 side.
– Scr

ew the towline anchorage into the screw
connection as far as it will go ››› Fig. 193
and tighten with the wheel brace.
After use, unscrew the towline anchorage
and put it back in the vehicle tool kit. Replace
the cover on the bumper. The towline anchor-
age should always be kept in the vehicle. WARNING
● If the towline anchorage is not screwed in
as far as the stop, there is a risk of the screw
connection shearing off during towing (acci-
dent risk).
● If your car has a towing bracket, only use
special towing ropes. Risk of accident! CAUTION
In vehicles fitted with a towing bracket, only
use special tow bars to prevent damage to
the ball joint. These tow bars have been spe-
cially approved for use with towing brackets. Tow-starting
As a general rule, tow-starting is not recom-
mended.
– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear before moving off.
– Press the clutch and hold the pedal down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the
clutch.
– As soon as the engine has started, press
the clutch and move the gear lever to neu-
tral.
If the engine will not start, it is best to try
starting it using the battery of another vehi-
cle ›››
page 223 before attempting to tow
s t

art. You should only try to tow-start the en-
gine if jump starting is not successful. Tow-
starting is an attempt to start the engine via
the movement of the wheels.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol en-
gine
, do not tow it more than a short dis-
tance, otherwise unburned fuel can enter the
catalytic converter. WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-start-
ing, for example, the towed vehicle can easily
be driven into the towing vehicle. CAUTION
Do not tow vehicles for more than 50 km. Risk
of damage to the catalytic converter. Towing vehicles with a manual
gearbox
Towing is relatively straightforward.
Please observe the relevant instructions
››› page 224.
The v

ehicle can be towed using a tow bar or
tow rope in the normal way, with all four
wheels on the road; it can also be towed with
either the front or rear wheels lifted off the
road. The maximum towing speed is 50 km/h
(30 mph).
To

wing a vehicle equipped with
automatic gearbox Certain restrictions must be observed when
towing your vehicle.
Please observe the relevant instructions
››› page 224 .
The v

ehicle can be towed with a tow bar or
tow rope in the normal way, with all four
wheels on the ground. When doing so,
please note the following points:
226