
Checking and refilling levels
198
2.  The tyre pressures should only be checked when the tyres are cold. The slightly raised pressures of warm tyres must not be 
reduced.
3.  Adjust the tyre pressure to the load you are carrying.Tyre pressure
The correct tyre pressure is especially important at high speeds. The pressure 
should therefore be checked at least once a month and before starting a 
journey.
WARNING
A tyre can easily burst if the pressure is too low, causing an accident!•
At continuously high speeds, a tyre with insufficient pressure flexes 
more. In this way it becomes too hot, and this can cause tread separation 
and tyre blow-out. Always observ e the recommended tyre pressures.
•
If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prema-
turely and the vehicle will not h andle well. Risk of accident!For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase fuel consumption.
Tyre service life 
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving 
style and fitting.
Fig. 132  Tyre tread wear 
indicatorsFig. 133  Diagram for 
changing wheels
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If and when
204Snow chains
For technical reasons,  snow chains must not be used on the compact tempo-
rary spare wheel.
If you have a puncture on one of the front wheels  when using snow chains, fit 
the compact temporary spare in place of one of the rear wheels. You can then 
attach the snow chains to the wheel taken from the rear and use this wheel to 
replace the punctured front wheel.
WARNING
•
The tyre pressures must be checked and corrected as soon as possible.
•
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h. Hi gher speeds can cause an accident.
•
Avoid heavy acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering. Risk of acci-
dent.
•
Never use two or more compact spare tyres at the same time, risk of 
accident.
•
No other type of tyre (normal summer or winter tyre) may be fitted on 
the compact temporary spare wheel rim.
Tyre repair kit*
The tyre repair kit (for vehicles not including a spare wheel) is 
stored under the floor panel in the luggage compartment.Your vehicle is equipped with the Tyre Mobility System “Tyre repair kit”.
The tyre repair kit consists of a container with sealing compound to repair the 
puncture and a  compressor to generate the required tyre pressure. The kit will 
reliably seal punctures up to a size of about 4 mm caused by the penetration 
of a foreign body into the tyre.
Note
•
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is not 
possible with the sealing compound.
Wheel changePreparation work
What you must do before changing a wheel.– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away  from the flow of traffic as possible. Choose a location that is as 
level as possible.
– All passengers should leave the  vehicle. They should wait in a 
safe area (for instance behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Switch the engine off. Switch the hazard warning lights on and  place the triangles.
–Apply the handbrake  firmly.
– Engage the  first gear, or put the selector lever to position  P for 
those vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
– If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from your vehicle.
–Take the  vehicle tools  and the spare wheel  out of the luggage 
compartment.
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If and when205
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
WARNING
Switch on the hazard warning lights on and place the warning triangles in 
position. This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
If you have to change the wheel on a slope, it is essential to lock the parallel 
wheel and on the same axle as that to be changed, with a wedge or similar in 
order to immobilise the vehicle.
Note
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.Changing a wheelChange the wheel as described below
– Remove the hub caps or the integral trim .
– Slacken the  wheel bolts.
– Raise  the car with the jack in the corresponding zone
– Remove  the wheel and then  put on the spare wheel
– Lower  the vehicle.
– Tighten the wheel bolts  firmly with the box spanner
–Replace the  hub cap.
After changing a wheel
After changing the wheel there are still tasks to complete.– Put the tools and jack back in the luggage compartment.
– Place the wheel with the defective tyre in the luggage compart-
ment and secure it.
– Check the tyre pressure of the  newly fitted tyre as soon as 
possible.
– Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as  possible with a torque wrench. The prescribed torque must be 
120 Nm.
Note•
If you notice that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn when 
changing a wheel, they must be replaced before having the wheel bolt torque 
checked.
•
For your safety, drive at moderate speeds until the wheel bolt torque has 
been checked.
Ibiza SC_EN.book  Seite 205  Dienstag, 8. Juli 2008  5:36 17 

If and when
208a large and stable base, if necessary. On a hard, slippery surface (such as 
tiles) use a rubber mat or similar to prevent the jack from slipping.
WARNING
•
Take all precautions so that the base of the jack does not slip. Failure to 
do so could result in an accident.
•
The vehicle can be damaged if the jack is not applied at the correct 
jacking points. There is also a risk of injury since the jack can slip off 
suddenly if it is not properly engaged.
Removing and fitting the wheel 
For removal and fitting the wheel, the following tasks must be 
completed.After loosening the wheel bolts and  raising the vehicle with the jack, 
cange the wheel as described below: Removing a wheel
– Unscrew the bolts using the 
hexagonal tool in the handle of the 
screwdriver (vehicle tool) and place them on a clean surface 
⇒ fig. 138.
Fitting a wheel
– Screw in the wheel bolts and tighten them lightly using the  hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle.
The wheel bolts should be clean and easily screwed. Before fitting the spare 
wheel, inspect the wheel condition and hub mounting surfaces. These 
surfaces must be clean before fitting the wheel.
The hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle makes it easier to turn the 
wheel bolts. The reversible screwdriver blade should be removed when the 
tool is used for this purpose.
If tyres with a specific di rection of rotation are fitt ed, note the direction of 
rotation.
Note
Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to loosen or 
tighten the wheel bolts.
Fig. 138  Changing the 
wheel: Hexagonal socket 
in screwdriver handle to 
turn the wheel bolts
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If and when
210It also contains the instructions for using the compressor.
WARNING
•
Do not attempt to repair a puncture with the sealing compound if the 
tyre has been damaged by driving the car after the tyre has lost its air.
•
Always observe warnings and follow safety instructions concerning 
compressor and sealing compound carefully.
•
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h, avoid heavy acceleration, hard 
braking and fast cornering.
•
Tyres which have been repaired with sealing compound are only suit-
able for temporary use over a short period. Therefore, please drive carefully 
to the next available qualified workshop.For the sake of the environment
•
Used sealing compound containers should be disposed of at a proper 
facility.
•
The bottle containing sealing compound  must be recycled in its correct 
container.Note
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is not possible 
with the sealing compound.What to do first
Certain steps must be taken before repairing a tyre.– If you have a flat tyre or puncture, park the vehicle as far away  from the flow of traffic as possible. –Apply the handbrake
 firmly.
– Engage  first gear, or put the selector lever to position  P.
– All passengers should  leave the vehicle. They should wait in a 
safe area (for instance behind the roadside crash barrier).
– Check whether a repair is possible using the Tyre Mobility System  “General information and safety notes.”
– Unscrew inflation cap from the affected wheel.
–Take the  tyre repair kit  out of the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Switch on the hazard warning lights on and place the warning triangles in 
position. This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
Take special care if you have to repair a tyre on a slope.
Note
•
Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
•
Remember to replace the sealing compound as soon as possible.
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If and when229
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
10. When the engine is running, disconnect the leads 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 starter after about 10 seconds and 
try again after about half a minute.
WARNING
•
Please note the safety warnings  referring to working in the engine 
compartment  ⇒page 181, “Working in the engine compartment”.
•
The battery 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 batteries is frozen. Danger of 
explosion! Even after 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 explosion.
•
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 vehicle, 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 bend over the batteries. This could result in chemical burns.Note
The vehicles must not touch each other, otherwise electricity could flow as 
soon as the positive terminals are connected.
WARNING (continued)
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If and when
230To w i n g  a n d  t o w - s t a r t i n gTo w - s t a r t i n g *
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.We recommend that you do not  t o w - s t a r t  yo u r  v e h i c l e .  J u m p - s ta r t i n g  
is preferable  ⇒page 227.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2
nd or the 3
rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear  lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing 
vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when  tow-starting. The vehicle being towed 
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
Caution
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
CommentsPlease observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate  gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto- matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not  working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you 
would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.Tow-rope or tow-bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle  with a tow-bar. You should only use a 
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles. 
It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic 
material.
Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a 
towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, espec ially when using a tow-rope. Both 
drivers should be familiar with the te chnique required for towing. Inexperi-
enced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow away another vehicle.
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If and when231
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehi
cle and take care to avoid jerking the 
tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of over-
loading and damaging the anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the 
steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals, 
horn, windscreen wipers and washers.
As the brake servo does not work if th e engine is not running, you must apply 
considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would.
As the power assisted steering does not wo rk if the engine is not running, you 
will need more strength to steer than you normally would.
Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox
•
Put the selector lever into position “N”.
•
Do not drive faster than 50 km/h when towing a vehicle.
•
Do not tow further than 50 km.
•
If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front 
wheels raised.Note
•
Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.
•
Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe 
any regulations to the contrary.
•
For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be 
tow-started.
•
If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gearbox, 
you must raise the drive wheels while the vehicle is being towed.
•
If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km, the front wheels must be 
raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by a qualified person.
•
The steering wheel is locked when the  vehicle has no electrical power. The 
vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should be 
carried out by a qualified person.
•
The towing eye should always be kept in the vehicle. Please consider the 
notes on. 
Trailer eyesFitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the onboard tools.
– Pull the lower front cover down and leave the cover hanging on  the vehicle.
– Remove the cover of the screw hole, insert a screwdriver into the  lower slot and lever gently.
– Screw the eye to its limit to the  left, in the direction of the arrow 
⇒ fig. 164.
Fig. 164  Fitting the 
towing eye to the rear of 
the vehicle
Ibiza SC_EN.book  Seite 231  Dienstag, 8. Juli 2008  5:36 17