Get Tips and Maintenance -> Intelligent technology Guide for Seat Leon 4 Door First Generation (1999-2006)

Intelligent technology 165

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

Tips and Maintenance

Intelligent technology

Brakes

Brake servo

The brake servo amplifies the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. It works

only when the engine is running.

If the brake servo is not functioning due to a malfunction, or if the vehicle has

to be towed, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably harder to

make up for the lack of servo assistance.

WARNING

The braking distance can also be affected by external factors.

• Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off. Failure to do so

could result in an accident. The braking distance is increased considerably

as the brake servo does not function.

• If the brake servo is not functioning, for example if the vehicle is being

towed, you will have to press the brake pedal considerably harder than

normal.

Brake assist system (BAS)*

In an emergency, most drivers brake in time, but not with maximum force.

This results in unnecessarily long braking distances.

The brake assist system intervenes here, if you press the brake pedal very

quickly, the brake assist system registers an emergency situation. It then very

quickly builds up the full brake pressure so that the ABS can be activated

more quickly and efficiently, thus reducing the braking distance.

Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal. The brake assist system

switches off automatically as soon as you release the brake.

WARNING

• The risk of accident is higher if you drive too fast, if you do not keep

your distance to the vehicle in front, and when the road surface is slippery

or wet. The increased accident risk cannot be reduced by the brake assist

system.

• The brake assist system cannot defy the laws of physics. Slippery and

wet roads are dangerous even with the brake assist system! Therefore, it is

essential that you adjust your speed to suit the road and traffic conditions.

Do not let the extra safety features tempt you into taking any risks when

driving.

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Intelligent technology166

Anti-lock brake system and traction control

M-ABS (ABS and TCS)

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking

during braking.

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is an important part of the vehicle’s active

safety system.

How the ABS works

If one of the wheels is turning too slowly in relation to the road speed, and is

close to locking, the system will reduce the braking pressure for this wheel.

The driver is made aware of this control process by a pulsating of the brake

pedal and audible noise. This is a deliberate warning to the driver that one or

more of the wheels is tending to lock and the ABS control function has inter-

vened. In this situation it is important to keep the brake pedal fully depressed

so the ABS can regulate the brake application. Do not “pump”.

If you brake hard on a slippery road surface, the best possible control is

retained as the wheels do not lock.

However, ABS will not necessarily guarantee shorter braking distances in all

conditions. The braking distance could even be longer if you brake on gravel

or on fresh snow covering a slippery surface.

WARNING

• The anti-lock brake system cannot defy the laws of physics. Slippery

and wet roads are dangerous even with ABS! If you notice that the ABS is

working (to counteract locked wheels under braking), you should reduce

speed immediately to suit the road and traffic conditions. Do not let the

extra safety features tempt you into taking any risks when driving.

• The effectiveness of ABS is also determined by the tyres fitted

⇒ page 209.

• If the running gear or brakes are modified, the effectiveness of the ABS

could be severely limited.

Traction control system (TCS)

The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from

spinning when the car is accelerating.

Description and operation of the traction control system during acceleration

(TCS)

TCS reduces engine power to help prevent the drive wheels of front-wheel

drive vehicles losing traction during acceleration. The system works in the

entire speed range in conjunction with ABS. If a malfunction should occur in

the ABS, the TCS will also be out of action.

TCS helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-

pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.

The TCS is switched on automatically when the engine is started. If necessary,

it may be turned on or off pushing the button on the centre console.

When the TCS is off, the warning lamp is lit. The TCS should normally be left

switched on at all times. Only in exceptional circumstances, when slipping of

the wheels is required, should it be disconnected for example

• With compact temporary spare wheel.

• When using the snow chains.

• When driving in deep snow or on loose surfaces

• When the vehicle is bogged-down, to free it by “rocking”.

WARNING (continued)

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Intelligent technology 167

Safety First Handling instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

The TCS should be switched on again afterwards as soon as possible.

WARNING

• It must be remembered that TCS cannot defy the laws of physics. This

should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads and when

towing a trailer.

• Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and

the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by TCS tempt you

into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.

Caution

• In order to ensure that TCS function correctly, all four wheels must be

fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can

cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.

• Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running

gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-

ciency of the ABS and TCS.

Electronic stabilisation program (ESP)*

General notes

The electronic stabilisation program increases the vehicle’s

stability on the road.

The electronic stabilisation program helps to reduce the danger of skidding.

The electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) consists of ABS, EDL and TCS.

Electronic Stabilising Program (ESP)*

ESP reduces the danger of skidding by braking the wheels individually.

The system uses the steering wheel angle and road speed to calculate the

changes of direction desired by the driver, and constantly compares them

with the actual behaviour of the vehicle. If the desired course is not being

maintained (for instance, if the car is starting to skid), then the ESP compen-

sates automatically by braking the appropriate wheel.

The forces acting on the braked wheel bring the vehicle back to a stable

condition. If the vehicle tends to oversteer, the system will act on the front

wheel on the outside of the turn.

WARNING

• It must be remembered that ESP cannot defy the laws of physics. This

should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet roads and when

towing a trailer.

• Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and

the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you

into taking any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.

Caution

• In order to ensure that ESP functions correctly, all four wheels must be

fitted with the same tyres. Any differences in the rolling radius of the tyres can

cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.

• Modifications to the vehicle (e.g. to the engine, the brake system, running

gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the effi-

ciency of the ABS, EDL, ESP and TCS.

Note

To disconnect using the ESP button ⇒ page 148.

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Intelligent technology168

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

The anti-lock brake system prevents the wheels locking during braking

⇒ page 166.

Electronic differential lock (EDL)*

The electronic differential lock helps prevent the loss of trac-

tion caused if one of the driven wheels starts spinning.

EDL helps the vehicle to start moving, accelerate and climb a gradient in slip-

pery conditions where this may otherwise be difficult or even impossible.

The system will control the revolutions of the drive wheels using the ABS

sensors (in case of an EDL fault the warning lamp for ABS lights up)

⇒ page 77.

At speeds of up to approximately 80 km/h, it is able to balance out differ-

ences in the speed of the driven wheels of approximately 100 rpm caused by

a slippery road surface on one side of the vehicle. It does this by braking the

wheel which has lost traction and distributing more driving force to the other

driven wheel via the differential.

To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts

out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle will continue to

function normally without EDL. For this reason, the driver is not informed that

the EDL has been switched off.

The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.

WARNING

• When accelerating on a slippery surface, for example on ice and snow,

press the accelerator carefully. Despite EDL, the driven wheels may start to

spin. This could impair the vehicle’s stability.

• Always adapt your driving style to suit road conditions and the traffic

situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by EDL tempt you into taking

any risks when driving, this can cause accidents.

Caution

Modifications to the vehicle (e. g. to the engine, the brake system, running

gear or any components affecting the wheels and tyres) could affect the oper-

ation of the EDL ⇒ page 186.

The traction control system (TCS)

The traction control system prevents the drive wheels from spinning when the

car is accelerating ⇒ page 166.

WARNING (continued)

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Tips and Maintenance -> Intelligent technology for Your Seat Leon 4 Door First Generation (1999-2006)

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