Get Driving and the environment Guide for Seat Leon 4 Door Second Generation (2007-2011)

Driving and the environment182

Driving and the environment

Running-in

Running in a new engine

The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1,500 km.

Up to 1,000 kilometres

– Do not drive at speeds of more than 2/3 the maximum speed.

– Do not accelerate hard.

– Avoid high engine revolutions.

– Do not tow a trailer.

From 1000 to 1500 km

–Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed

or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).

During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is

greater than later on, when all the moving parts have bedded in.

For the sake of the environment

If the engine is run in gently, its life will be increased and its oil consumption,

reduced.

Braking effect and braking distance

The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by

driving situations and road conditions.

The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the brake pad wear. The rate

of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under

which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often

drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we

recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an

Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommended in the Service

Schedule.

If you drive with wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in

heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-

ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter): The brakes should

be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore full braking effect.

WARNING

Longer braking distances and faults in the brake system increase the risk

of accidents.

• New brake pads must be run in and do not have the correct friction

during the first 400 km. However, the reduced braking capacity may be

compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. This also

applies when new brake pads are fitted.

• If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have

been gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal.

• On steep slopes, if brakes are excessively used, they will overheat.

Before driving down a long steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed and

change down into a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear if

leon_ingles Seite 182 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving and the environment 183

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine

braking and relieves the brakes.

• Never let the brakes “slip” by applying light pressure. Continuous

braking will cause the brakes to overheat and the braking distance will

increase. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.

• Never let the vehicle run with the engine switched off. The braking

distance is increased considerably when the brake servo is not active.

• Very heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid

is left in the system for too long. This impairs the braking effect.

• Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the

brakes and cause them to overheat. Observe the relevant instructions

before purchasing accessories ⇒ page 200, “Technical modifications”.

• If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-

ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary

journeys.

Exhaust gas purification system

Catalytic converter*

To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter

– Always use unleaded petrol.

– Do not let the fuel get too low in the tank.

– For engine oil changes, do not top the reservoir up ⇒ page 210,

“Topping up engine oil ”.

– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary

⇒ page 253.

If you notice misfiring, uneven running or loss of power when the vehicle is

moving, reduce speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected at the

nearest qualified workshop. In general, the exhaust warning lamp will light

up when any of the described symptoms occur ⇒ page 73. If this happens,

unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the environment.

The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating.

WARNING

The catalytic converter reaches very high temperatures! Fire hazard!

• Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with

dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.

• Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the

exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust

system. These materials could catch fire when the vehicle is being driven.

Caution

Never fully drain the fuel tank because the irregularity of the fuel supply may

cause ignition problems. This allows unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust

system, which could cause overheating and damage the catalytic converter.

For the sake of the environment

Even when the emission control system is working perfectly, there may be a

smell of sulphur from the exhaust under some conditions. This depends on

the sulphur content of the fuel used. Quite often the problem can be solved

by changing to another fuel brand.

WARNING (continued)

leon_ingles Seite 183 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving and the environment184

Diesel engine particulate filter*

The diesel engine particulate filter eliminates soot produced

by burning diesel.

The diesel engine dust filter eliminates most of the soot from the exhaust gas

system. Under normal driving conditions, the filter cleans itself. If the driving

conditions do not allow the filter to clean itself (for example, multiple short

trips) the filter will be obstructed by dust and pollen and the indicator  for

the diesel engine particulate filter indicator will light up. See section on

Warning Lights.

WARNING

• The diesel engine particulate filter may reach extremely high tempera-

tures; it should not enter into contact with flammable materials under-

neath the vehicle. Failure to comply could result in fire.

Caution

• The vehicle is not designed for refuelling with mixtures of FAME fuel

(biodiesel) over 7% in accordance with DIN 51628. The diesel particle filter is

damaged when this mixture percentage is exceeded.

Economical and environmentally friendly

driving

Economical and environmentally friendly driving

Fuel consumption, environmental pollution and wear to the engine, brakes

and tyres depends in large part on your driving style. By adopting an econom-

ical driving style and anticipating the traffic situation ahead, you can easily

reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. Some tips on how to help you reduce

pollution while saving money are listed below.

As you drive try to anticipate the traffic situation

A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. When you anticipate the situa-

tion, you have to brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If it is possible,

let the vehicle roll with a gear engaged, for example, if you see a red light

ahead. The braking effect achieved in this way helps to reduce the wear of

brakes and tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are reduced to zero

(disconnection due to inertia).

Change gear early to save energy

An effective way of saving fuel is to change up quickly through the gears.

Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an unnecessary

amount of fuel.

Manual gearbox: Change from first to second gear as quickly as possible. We

recommend that, whenever possible, you change to a higher gear upon

reaching 2,000 rpm.

Automatic gearbox: Accelerate in moderation and avoid the “kick-down” (full

throttle) position.

leon_ingles Seite 184 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving and the environment 185

Safety First Operating instructions Practical tips Technical Data

Avoid driving at high speed

We advise you not to drive at the top speed permitted by the vehicle. Fuel

consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels all increase very rapidly at

higher speeds. Driving at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.

Avoid idling

It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic jam, at level

crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The fuel saved after only

30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to restart the

engine.

The engine takes a very long time to warm up when it is running at idling

speed. 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.

Periodic maintenance

Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey, you

will not consume more than the required amount of fuel. 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

To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and

the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum service tempera-

ture.

With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine

does not warm up and fuel consumption does not regularise until having

driven some four kilometres. This is the reason why we recommend avoiding

short trips wherever possible.

Maintain the correct tyre pressures

Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the

tyre pressures are just 1 bar too low, this can put the fuel consumption up by

as much as 5 %. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also

increases tyre wear and impairs handling.

The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are cold.

Do not use winter tyres all through the year: they will increase fuel consump-

tion by up to 10 %.

Avoid unnecessary weight

Every kilo of extra weight will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth

checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-

essary loads are being transported.

A roof carrier is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even when it is

no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your car will use about 12%

more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof carrier

even when it is not in use.

Saving electrical energy

The engine activates the alternator, which produces electricity. With the need

for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always

turn off electrical equipment when you do not need them. Examples of equip-

ment that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear window

heating or the seat heaters*.

Environmental friendliness

Environmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of materials

and production of your new Seat.

Design measures for economical recycling

• Joints and connections designed for ease of dismantling

• Modular construction to facilitate dismantling

• Increased use of single-grade materials

leon_ingles Seite 185 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving and the environment186

• Plastic parts and elastomers are labelled in accordance with ISO 1043,

ISO 11469 and ISO 1629

Choice of materials

• Nearly all materials used can be recycled

• Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling

• Recycled materials used in manufacture

• Reduction of volatile compounds in plastics

• CFC-free refrigerant in air conditioning

Compliance with prohibited materials laws: cadmium, asbestos, lead,

mercury, chrome VI.

Manufacturing methods

• Use of recycled material for manufacturing plastic parts

• Solvent-free cavity sealing

• Solvent-free wax for protecting the vehicles in transit

• Solvent-free adhesives

• No CFCs used in production

• Surplus materials used extensively for energy conversion and building

materials

• Overall water consumption reduced

• Heat recovery systems

• Water-soluble paint

Driving abroad

Observations

To drive abroad, the following must be taken into consideration:

• For vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter ensure that unleaded petrol is

available for the journey. See the chapter “Refuelling”. Automobile organisa-

tions will have information about service station networks selling unleaded

fuel.

• In some countries it is possible that a vehicle model is sold under condi-

tions where some spare parts are not available or that the Authorised Service

Centres may only carry out limited repairs.

SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information about the

technical preparation of your vehicle and also about necessary maintenance

and repair possibilities.

Adhesive strips for headlights

If you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or

vice versa, the asymmetric dipped beam headlights will dazzle oncoming

traffic.

To prevent dazzling, you must apply stickers to certain parts of the headlight

lenses. Further information is available in your Authorised Service Centre.

In vehicles with self-directing headlights, the rotation system must previ-

ously be disconnected. To do this, please go to a specialist workshop.

leon_ingles Seite 186 Montag, 26. Januar 2009 4:29 16

Driving and the environment for Your Seat Leon 4 Door Second Generation (2007-2011)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals