Page 137 of 260

Driving135
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
The reverse lights light up when the reverse gear is selected and the ignition
is on.
WARNING
•
When the engine is running, the vehicle will start to move as soon as a
gear is engaged and the clutch released.
•
Never select the reverse gear when the vehicle is in motion. Risk of acci-
dent.Note
•
Do not rest your hand on the gear rest when driving. The pressure of your
hand could cause premature wear on the selector forks in the gearbox.
•
When changing gear, you should always depress the clutch down fully to
avoid unnecessary wear and damage.
•
Do not hold the car “on the clutch” uphills. This causes premature wear
and damage to the clutch.
Automatic gearbox*Gearbox programmes
The automatic gearbox has got two gearbox programmes.Selecting the normal programme
– Put the selector lever into position D.
Selecting the sport programme
– Put the selector lever into position S.If you select the normal programme, D, you will drive in economy mode, i.e.
the programme is designed to reduce fuel consumption. The gearbox
changes up into a higher gear as soon as possible and down into a lower gear
as late as possible.
Fig. 96 Automatic
gearbox
Ibiza250_angles Seite 135 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13
Page 138 of 260

Driving
136If you select the sport programme, S, you will drive in a sporty mode, i.e. a
programme in which shifts into high gears are postponed in order to use the
full power of the engine.Selector lever lock functions
The selector lever lock in positi on P or N prevents gears from
being engaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle
to move.
The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch the ignition on.
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down and at the same time, hold
the selector lever lock on the left of the selector lever also
pressed down.The warning lamp
at the side of the lever and on the instrument panel
lights up when the brake pedal must be pressed. This is essential when the
selector lever is taken from the P or N positions.
The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or driving at
speeds up to 5 km/h. At higher speeds the selector lever lock is automatically
unlocked in the N position.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if it is moved quickly through position
N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This makes it possible, for instance, to
“rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The
selector lever lock engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed
and the lever is in position N for more than about 1 second.
Fig. 97 Automatic
gearbox
Fig. 98 Automatic
gearbox: Instrument
panel display
Ibiza250_angles Seite 136 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13
Page 139 of 260

Driving137
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the
display on the instrument panel.Driving a car with an automatic gearbox
The gearbox changes gear ratios automatically as the vehicle
moves.Starting
– Start the engine with the selector lever in position P or N.
Driving
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down. – By holding the lock button (button on the left in the selector
lever), select R or D.
– Release the lever and wait a little for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight movement can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– If stopping for a short time, keep the vehicle stationary by pressing the foot brake hard to prevent the car moving back-
wards on a slope or “creeping” forwards, e.g. at traffic lights. The
selector lever does not need to be put into the positions P or N.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking the vehicle
– Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle comes to a standstill ⇒.
–Apply the handbrake.
– By pressing the lock button down, move the selector lever to P
and release the lock button.
Driving up and down hills
– Press the selector lever from position “D” to the right into the Tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector lever back to change down.
Fig. 99 Automatic
gearbox
Ibiza250_angles Seite 137 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13
Page 140 of 260

Driving
138
Holding the car on a hill
– The footbrake must be always pressed down to prevent the vehicle from “rolling backwards” ⇒. Do not try to prevent the
vehicle from “rolling backwards” by increasing the engine speed
while a range of gears is selected.
Starting the vehicle on a hill
–Apply the handbrake.
– With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time, release the handbrake.The steeper the slope, the lower the gear required. This increases the braking
effect of the engine. For example, when driving down a very steep slope in 3rd
gear. If the engine brake effect is not enough, the vehicle will speed up. The
automatic gearbox automatically changes up to prevent the engine over-
revving. Use the foot brake to reduce speed and change into 3rd gear again
using Tiptronic* ⇒.
Your vehicle has an automatic interlock which prevents the selector lever
from being put into a position for driving forwards or in reverse from positions
P or N if the brake pedal is not depressed.
The ignition key cannot be removed unl ess the selector lever is in position P.
Warning lamp “Pressing brake pedal”
When the warning lamp next to the selector lever lights up, press the brake
pedal. This is necessary when the automatic gearbox selector lever is moved
out of positions P or N. At the same time, a text message or instructions to
perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument panel.
WARNING
•
As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is
running, you must apply the parking brake and engage parking lock P.
•
If the engine is running and D or R are engaged, you will need to hold
the vehicle stopped by depressing the brake pedal. The car would keep on
creeping forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even
when the engine is idling.
•
Never accelerate when changing gear or you may cause an accident.
•
Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving. Risk of accident!
•
Before driving down a long, steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed
and change into a lower gear.
•
If you stop the vehicle up hill, always hold the foot brake strongly
depressed down to stop it from rolling back.
•
Never allow the brake to rub and do not use the brake pedal too often
or for long periods. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat and
will considerably reduce the braking effect. This increases the braking
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.
•
Never allow the car to roll down a mountain or a slope with the lever in
the N or D position, regardless of whether the engine is running or not.Caution
•
If you stop the vehicle on a hill, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back
by depressing the accelerator when a gear has been selected. Otherwise, the
automatic gearbox may overheat causing damage. Pull the handbrake up or
fully depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
•
If you allow the car to roll when the engine is not running, or with the
selector lever in position N, lack of lubrication in the automatic gearbox will
damage it.
Ibiza250_angles Seite 138 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13
Page 141 of 260

Driving139
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
Changing gear with the Tiptronic*
The Tiptronic system allows the driver to change gears manu-
ally.Changing gear with Tiptronic
– Press the selector lever from position D to the right into the
Tiptronic selector gate.
– Lightly press the selector forward + to change up into high gears.
– Lightly press the selector lever backwards - to change down into low gears.When accelerating, the automatic gearbox automatically shifts up to the next
gear shortly before the maximum permitted engine speed is reached.
When changing from a higher to a lower gear, the automatic gearbox will
change down when the point is where the engine cannot no longer over-rev. If driving in 3rd gear in position
D on the automatic gearbox and you change
to Tiptronic, 3rd gear is also engaged on the Tiptronic.
Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the
instrument panel screen.Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the
instrument panel screen. The currently selected gear for the automatic
gearbox will also be shown on the screen.
Tiptronic gear indicator
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually, the selected gears are shown on
the screen.
Fig. 100 Automatic
gearbox
Fig. 101 Automatic
gearbox: Display on the
instrument panel
Ibiza250_angles Seite 139 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13
Page 142 of 260

Driving
140P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the drive wheels are locked
mechanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position P, the locking button in the selector lever
handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same time
with the ignition switched on.
To put the selector lever in position P, simply press the lock button down and,
if necessary, depress the brake pedal down.
R -Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the
engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position R, press the lock button down and, at
the same time, press the brake pedal down, with the ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the ignition switched on the
following occurs:•
Reverse lights light up.
•
The air conditioning automatically changes the air recirculation mode.
•
The wiper starts if the windscreen washer is on.
•
The parking distance warning system switches on.*
N - Neutral (idling)
If this position is selected, the gearbox is in neutral. Power is not transmitted
to the wheels and the engine does not have a braking function.
Never use the N position to drive down a hill. The engine does not function as
a brake and the brakes are subjected to excessive stain.
You could damage the automatic gearbox if you drive down hills with the
selector lever in position N and the engine switched off. D - Drive (forwards)
In this position the gearbox automatically changes to a lower or higher gear,
according to the engine requirements, driving style and speed. The braking
effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited when the selector is
in this position. The instrument panel screen displays the selected gear and
selector lever to position D
.
If position N has been selected and you wish to select D, you must press the
foot brake if the vehicle is stationary, or travelling at under 5 km/h.
S - Standard driving position (Sport programme)
When the selector lever is in position S, it will automatically change up into a
higher gear later, and change down into a low gear, if compared with position
D . This way, it is possible to take full advantage of the engine reserve power,
depending on the engine demand, dr iving style and speed. The braking
effect of the engine when driving downhill is very limited. On the instrument
panel screen the selected gear is shown as well as the selector lever to posi-
tion S.
To select gear range S, press the lock button on the selector lever.
WARNING
If the vehicle moves with no control, an accident and serious injury may
occur.•
As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is
running, you must always apply the parking brake and engage parking lock
P.
•
If the engine is running and if D or R are engaged, you will need to hold
the vehicle stopped by depressing footbrake down. The car would creep
forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even when the
engine is idling.
•
Never accelerate when changing gear or you may cause an accident.
Ibiza250_angles Seite 140 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13
Page 143 of 260

Driving141
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l D a t a
•
Never move the selector lever to “R” or “P” when driving. Risk of acci-
dent.
•
Before driving down a very steep slope, reduce your speed and shift to
position 1st.
•
Always hold the vehicle on the foot brake if you stop uphill. Otherwise,
the vehicle could roll back.
•
Never allow the brake to rub and do not use the brake pedal too often
or for long periods. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat and
will considerably reduce the braking effect. This increases the braking
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.WARNING
Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is stationary. You could lose
control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and serious injury.•
The airbags and belt tensioners do not work when the ignition is
switched off.
•
The brake servo does not work when the engine is not running. You
need more force to stop the vehicle.
•
Power assisted steering does not work when the engine is not running.
That is why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
•
Never remove the key from the ignitio n if the vehicle is in motion. The
steering lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer
the vehicle.
•
Never allow the car to roll downhill wi th the gear in “N”, regardless of
whether the engine is running or not.
Caution
If you allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off or with the
selector lever in position “N”, take your foot off the accelerator and wait until
the engine starts idling befo re returning to position “D”.Kickdown feature
The kickdown feature is designed to give maximum accelera-
tion.If you press the accelerator down thoroughly, the gearbox automatically
changes down, depending on speed and engine speed, into a lower gear to
take full advantage of the vehicle maximum acceleration.
The gearbox does not change gear until the engine reaches the maximum
determined engine speed for the gear.
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you accelerate on slippery road
surfaces. Risk of serious injury.•
Be particularly careful when using the kickdown features on slippery
road surfaces. With fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose traction and
skid.
•
You should use the kickdown feat ure only when traffic and weather
conditions allow it to be used safely.
WARNING (continued)
Ibiza250_angles Seite 141 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13
Page 144 of 260

Driving
142HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒fig. 102.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒fig. 102 and guide the handbrake lever down
fully ⇒ .
Always apply the handbrake firmly. This prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp
lights up when the handbrake is applied
and the ignition switched on. The warning turns off when the handbrake is
released.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The
braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied to
the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
•
If it is only partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating,
which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an acci-
dent. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear
should also be selected.Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the
vehicle is parked.Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
–Apply the handbrake.
– The first gear should also be selected.
Fig. 102 Handbrake
between the front seats
Ibiza250_angles Seite 142 Dienstag, 5. August 2008 1:11 13