
Contents3
ContentsManual structure
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Content
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Safety First
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Safe driving
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Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 
Pedal area  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Stowing luggage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts
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Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Belt tensioners* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Airbag system
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Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
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Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Securing child seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Operating instructions
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Cockpit
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Overview  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Digital instrument panel display  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Steering column controls*
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General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Audio + Telephone Control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Unlocking and locking
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Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Keys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Radio frequency remote control*  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Panorama tilting roof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Lights and visibility
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Lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Windscreen washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear vision mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Seats and storage compartments
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The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . 
Head restraints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ashtrays, cigarette lighter and power point  . . . 
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher  
Luggage compartment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Roof carrier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air conditioning
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Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Driving
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Starting and stopping the engine  . . . . . . . . . . . 
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Automatic gearbox*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Cruise control* (GRA)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Practical tips
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Intelligent technology
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Brakes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Anti-lock brake system and traction control ABS
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* . . . . . . . . 
Driving and the environment
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Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Economical and environmentally-friendly driving
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
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General notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Vehicle interior maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 3  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Airbag system27
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
•Always properly adjust the front seats.
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front 
passenger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled.An enabled front airbag on the front passenger side is potentially a major 
danger to a child. The front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if 
he/she is transported in a rear-facing child seat. You should always transport 
all children up to 12 years of age on the rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating 
airbag can strike it with such great force that critical or fatal injuries may 
result.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear seats. 
That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the front 
passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch  ⇒page 36. 
When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to the age and size 
of each child.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the airbag off, 
an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.
WARNING
•If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the child 
of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident increases.•Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the 
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal inju-
ries when the front passenger airbag is triggered.
•An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child seat 
and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the backrest.•If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in a 
rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely essential 
that you observe the following safety measures:
−Disable the front passenger airbag  ⇒page 36, “Deactivating 
airbags*”.
− The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for 
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
− Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer 
and absolutely observe all warnings
− Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger 
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to 
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
− Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being 
pushed completely back.
− The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright 
position.
Warning lamp for airbag and belt tension device system 
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and belt tensioner 
system.The warning lamp monitors all airbags and belt tensioners in the vehicle, 
including control units and wiring connections.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 27  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Airbag system
36Deactivating airbags*Disabling front passenger airbag
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat, 
the front passenger airbag must be de-activated.
When the passenger airbag is  deactivated, this means that only the 
passenger front airbag is deactiva ted. All the other airbags in the 
vehicle remain functional.
Disabling front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key operated switch in the glove 
compartment to the position  OFF ⇒ fig. 21 .
– Check that the warning lamp “AIRBAG OFF” on the dash panel  ⇒fig. 22  remains lit  ⇒ when the ignition is switched on.
Enabling front passenger airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the ke y-operated switch in the glove 
compartment to the position  ON ⇒ fig. 21 .
Fig. 21  In the glove 
compartment: key for 
enabling and disabling 
front passenger airbag
Fig. 22  Warning lamp for 
deactivated passenger 
airbag in centre console
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 36  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Airbag system37
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
– Check that the warning lamp “AIRBAG OFF” in the console does 
⇒page 36, fig. 22  not  light up when the ignition is switched on 
⇒ .
WARNING
•The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated 
switch. •You should only deactivate the front passenger airbag when, in excep-
tional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat on the front passeger 
seat  ⇒page 38, “Child safety”.•Never install a child seat facing backwards (or rear-facing) on the front 
passenger seat unless the front passenger airbag has been disabled. This 
represents a risk of fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary in 
exceptional circumstances to transport a child in a rear-facing child seat on 
the front passenger seat, you must always disable the front passenger 
airbag.•As soon as the child seat is no longer needed on the front passenger 
seat, enable the front passenger airbag again.•Only deactivate the passenger airbag when the ignition is off, other-
wise a fault may occur in the airbag system, this will create a danger that 
in case of an accident, the airbag does not deploy properly or does not 
deploy at all.•When the passenger airbag is deactivated, if the warning lamp AIRBAG 
OFF is not continuously lit up when the front passenger airbag is disabled, 
there may be a fault in the airbag system:
−Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified work-
shop.
− Do not use a child seat on the front passenger seat! The front 
passenger airbag could be triggered despite the fact that there is a fault 
in the system and, as a result, a child could sustain serious or fatal inju-
ries. −
It is predictable whether the front passenger airbag will deploy 
during an accident! Warn all your passengers of this.
WARNING (continued)
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 37  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Child safety39
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
“Deactivating airbags*”. If the passenger seat has a height adjustment 
option, move it to the highest position.
•For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to turn the 
airbag off, an Authorised Service Centre must be consulted.•All passengers, especially children, must assume the proper sitting 
position and be properly belted in while travelling.•Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potentially 
fatal injuries to the child!•Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being properly 
secured, or to stand up or kneel on a  seat while travelling. In an accident, 
the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal injuries 
to themselves and to the other passengers.•If children assume an improper sitting position when the car is moving, 
they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of sudden 
braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly important if the 
child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag system is trig-
gered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or even death.•A suitable child seat can protect your child!•Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the 
vehicle.•Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or cold 
inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.•Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal seat 
belt without a child seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdominal and 
neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.•Do not allow the seat belt to become twisted or jammed, or to rub on 
any sharp edges.•Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor collision 
or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
•The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the seat belt is 
properly positioned  ⇒page 21, “Seat belts”.•Only one child may occupy a child seat  ⇒page 40, “Child seats”.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 39  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Cockpit
64If the warning lamp lights up again after driving on for a short distance,  stop 
the vehicle and switch the engine off . Contact an Authorised Service Centre 
or a qualified workshop.
Coolant level too low
If the warning light comes on,  stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and wait 
for it to cool down  First check the coolant level. If the level of the coolant is 
below the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant liquid  ⇒.
WARNING
•If your vehicle is immobilised for any technical reasons, move it to a 
safe distance  from  traffic. Tur n the e ngin e off, turn t he hazard l ights  on and 
place the warning triangle.•Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no 
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.•The engine compartment is a danger ous area! Before carrying out any 
work in the engine compartment, switch off the engine and allow it to cool 
down. Always note the corresponding warnings  ⇒page 179.
Alternator 
 
This warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator.
The warning lamp 
 lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should go 
out when the engine has started running.
If the warning lamp  lights up while driving, the alternator is no longer 
charging the battery. You should immediately drive to the nearest qualified 
workshop. You should avoid using electrical equipment that is not absolutely necessary 
because this will drain the battery.
If the indicator flashes the voltage is insufficient for normal vehicle 
operation.
Turn signals 
 
The warning lamp flashes when the turn signals are in oper-
ation.Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left 
 or right 
 turn 
signal indicator lamp flashes. Both warning lamps will flash at the same time 
when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
If any of both turn signals fails, the warning lamp will start flashing twice 
faster than normal.
For further information on the turn signals, please see  ⇒page 92.
Electronic immobiliser “Safe”*
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser auto-
matically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The immobiliser will be 
activated again automatically as soon as you pull the key out of the ignition 
lock.
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 64  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Cockpit65
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
The instrument panel displays the following message
6): 
SAFE . The vehicle 
cannot be started in this case
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine 
key is used.
Note
The vehicle cannot operate properly if you do not have a genuine SEAT key.6)Depending on the version of the model.
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 65  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Unlocking and locking
70Unlocking and lockingCentral l ocking Description
The central locking system enables you to lock and unlock all 
doors by just pushing the button.Central locking can be activated by using any of the following options:•the key , by inserting it into the driver door cylinder and rotating it in the 
opening direction. Depending on the vehicle version, either all doors will be 
unlocked or only the driver door will  be unlocked. All doors will be locked on 
locking the vehicle using the key.•the interior central locking button  ⇒ page 73.•the radio frequency remote control , using the buttons on the key 
⇒ page 76.
Various functions are available to improve the vehicle safety:
- “Safe*” security system
- Selective unlocking system*
- Self-locking system to prevent involuntary unlocking
- Automatic speed-dependent locking and unlocking system*
- Emergency unlocking systemWARNING
•Locking from the outside carelessly or without good visibility may lead 
to bruising, particularly in the case of children.•When locking a vehicle, never leave children unaccompanied inside, as 
from the outside it will be difficult to provide assistance if required.
•Having the doors locked prevents an intrusion from getting in, for 
example when stopped at a traffic light.Note
For anti-theft security, only the driver door is fitted with a lock cylinder.“Safe”* Security system
This is an anti-theft device that consists of a double lock for 
the door locks and a disabling function for the luggage 
compartment in order to prevent a forced entry (depending 
on country).Activation
The “safe” system is activated when the vehicle is locked using the key or the 
remote control.
To activate it with the key, rotate once it is inserted in the door lock cylinder 
in the locking direction.
To activate the system using the remote control, press the lock button once   on the remote.
Once this system is activated, opening doors from the outside and the inside 
is not possible. The rear lid can not be opened. The central locking button 
does not work.
WARNING (continued)
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 70  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16