Checking and refilling levels
178Petrol additives
Petrol additives improve the quality of the petrol.The quality of the petrol influences running behaviour, performance and
service life of the engine. For this reason, you should use good quality petrol
containing additives. These additives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the
fuel system clean and prevent deposits from building up in the engine.
If good quality petrol with additives is not available or engine problems occur,
the required additives must be added during refuelling.DieselDiesel*Diesel fuel must correspond to DIN EN 590 (EN = “European standard”). It
must have a cetane number (CN) of at least 51. The cetane number indicates
the ignition quality of the diesel fuel.
Notes on refuelling ⇒page 176.Biodiesel*The biodiesel fuel must comply with the DIN EN 14.214 (FAME) Standard.•Biodiesel is a methyl ester obtained from rapeseed oil.•DIN is the German abbreviation for “ Deutsches Institut für N ormung e.V.”,
the German standards institute.•EN means European Norm.•FAME is the English abbreviation for “ Fatty Acid Methyl Ester”. Your Authorised Service Centre can also be consulted to know if the vehicle
has been prepared for biodiesel use.
Things to note about RME fuel (biodiesel)
•The performance of a vehicle using biodiesel maybe somewhat reduced.•Fuel consumption of a vehicle using biodiesel may be slightly higher.•Biodiesel is resistant to the cold down to approx. -10°C.•At temperatures below -10°C, we recommend using winter diesel fuel.•Your vehicle is designed to be refuelled with up to a maximum of 7%
blended biodiesel in accordance with standard DIN 51628.Caution
•RME fuel can damage the fuel system in vehicles which are not suitably
adjusted.•If you decide to use biodiesel in your vehicle, please use only RME fuel
which is DIN E 14.214 compliant.•If you use biodiesel that does not meet the required standard, the fuel
filter could become clogged.Note
•In case of low outside temperatures and a fuel biodiesel percentage of
higher than 50%, an increase in gas emission may occur during operation of
the independent heating.•The fuel filter may become clogged when fu el is changed to biodiesel. For
this reason, we recommend that, after driving 300 or 400 km, the fuel filter
should also be changed after a fuel change. Also note the instructions in the
Maintenance Programme.•If the vehicle is to remain parked for more than about two weeks, we
recommend filling the fuel tank with biodiesel and driving about 50 km in
order to avoid damage to the injection system.
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Checking and refilling levels
182•Wait until no more steam, smoke or coolant is emitted from the bonnet,
then carefully open the bonnet.•When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒page 179.
Closing the bonnet– Slightly raise the bonnet
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its support.
– At a height of about 30 cm let it fall so it is locked.If the b onn et d o es n ot clos e , do not p ress d ownwa rds . Op e n it o nce m or e an d
let it fall as before.
WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could open while you are driving and
completely obscure your view of the road. Risk of accident.•After closing the bonnet, always check that it is properly secured. The
bonnet must be flush with the surrounding body panels.•If you notice that the bonnet latch is not secured when the vehicle is
moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the bonnet properly. Risk
of accident.
Engine oilEngine oil specifications
The engine oil used must conf orm with exact specifications.Specifications
The engine comes with a special, high quality, multi grade oil that can be
used in all seasons of the year except for those regions affected by extreme
cold.
As the use of good quality oil is necessary for the correct operation and long
service life of the engine, when it becomes necessary to replenish or change
the oil, always use an oil that complies to the VW standards.
If it is not possible to find oil conforming to the VW standards then oil
conforming to the ACEA or API standards with an appropriate viscosity at
atmospheric temperature should be used instead. The use of this type of oil
may have some repercussions on the performance of the engine for example,
long starting time, increased consumption and a higher emission level.
If a top up is required then different oils may be mixed as long as they all
conform to the VW standards.
The specifications (VW standards) set out in the following page should
appear on the container of the service oil; the container will display together
the different standards for petrol and diesel engines, the oil can be used for
both types of engines.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels
188
Caution•If you notice a change in the colour of the liquid because it has been in
use for a long time, it is re commended to change it, as it will have lost some
of its properties and could cause damage to the vehicle.•If a lot of liquid coolant has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down
before putting in cold coolant. This avoids damaging the engine. Large
coolant losses are an indication of leaks in the cooling system. See a special-
ised workshop immediately and have the cooling system checked. Other-
wise, there is a risk of engine damage.Washer fluid and windscreen wiper bladesTopping up washer fluid
The water for cleaning the windscreen should always be
mixed with washer fluid.
The windscreen washer and the headlight washers are supplied with fluid
from the windscreen washer fluid container in the engine compartment. The
container holds approx. 2 litres; in vehicles with headlight washers* it holds
approx. 4.5 litres.
The reservoir is located on the right-hand side of the engine compartment.
Plain water is not enough to clean th e windscreen and headlights. We recom-
mend that you always add a product to the windscreen washer fluid.
Approved windscreen cleaning products exist on the market with high deter-
gent and anti-freeze properties, these may be added all-year-round. Please
follow the dilution instructions on the packaging.
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the engine must be
carried out cautiously.•When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒page 179.Caution
•Never put radiator anti-freeze or other additives into the windscreen
washer fluid.•Always use approved windscreen cleansing products diluted as per
instructions. If you use other washer fluids or soap solutions, the tiny holes
in the fan-shaped nozzles could become blocked.
Fig. 125 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir.
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Checking and refilling levels191
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Brake fluidChecking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the service
schedule.– Read off the fluid level at the transparent brake fluid reservoir. It
should always be between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.The position of the brake fluid reservoir is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment illustration ⇒page 234. The brake fluid reservoir has a black
and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the vehicle is being used as the
brake pads are automatically adjusted as they wear. However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. A display on the instru-
ment panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low
⇒page 56.
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and observe
the warnings ⇒page 179.Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates the brake fluid
change intervals.We recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by an Authorised
Service Centre.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and follow the warnings ⇒ in
“Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment” on page 179 in
section “Safety notes for working in the engine compartment”.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. In the course of time, it will absorb water from
the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the brake
system could corrode. This also considerably reduces the boiling point of the
brake fluid. Heavy use of the brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
It is important that you use only brake fluid compliant with US standard
FMVSS 116 DOT 4. We recommend the use of Genuine SEAT brake fluid.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Old brake fluid impairs the braking effect.
Fig. 128 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
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Checking and refilling levels193
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
charge. Never short the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause
injury.
•A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is
under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room
only.•Keep children away from acid and batteries.•Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the
engine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery
must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only switch
off the light.•Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.•When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system,
disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.•Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery.
Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never
reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.•Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0°C.•Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.•Never use a defective battery. This may be fatally explosive. Replace a
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine
is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents.•Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time, as
the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
•If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect
the battery from frost. If it “freezes” it will be damaged.Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.– Open the engine bonnet and the battery cover ⇒ in “Safety
instructions on working in the engine compartment” on
page 179 ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on
page 192.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until they disperse.The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram ⇒page 234.
The “magic eye” indicator, located on the top of the battery changes colour,
depending on the charge state and electrolyte level of the battery.
There are two different colours:•Black: correct charge status.•Transparent/clear yellow: the battery must be replaced. Contact a
specialist workshop.
WARNING (continued)
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If and when
202Snow 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. Higher 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 warning triangles in position.
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage the first gear, or put the gear 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.
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 202 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16
If and when
210The individual electrical circuits are protected by fuses. The fuses are located
behind a cover at the left-hand end of the dash panel. When the steering
wheel is on the right, the fuses are on the right-hand side of the dash panel,
behind a cover.
The electric windows are protected by circuit breakers . These reset automat-
ically after a few seconds when the overload (caused for example by frozen
windows) has been corrected.
Fuses colour code
WARNING
Never “repair” damaged fuses and never replace them with fuses with a
higher rating. Failure to comply could result in fire. This could also cause
damage to other parts of the electrical system.
Note
•If a newly replaced fuse blows again after a short time, the electrical
system must be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.•If you replace a fuse with higher-rating fuse, you could cause damage to
another location in the electrical system.
•Always keep some spare fuses in the vehicle. These are available from
SEAT dealers.Fuses on left side of dash panelFuses
Colour
Amps
Beige
5
Brown
7,5
Red
10
Blue
15
Ye ll ow
20
Natural (white)
25
Green
30
Number
Consumer
Amps
1
Power steering/Engine operation
7,5
2
Diagnostics/Heater/Autoclimate/Cli-
matronic/Electric anti-dazzle mirror/Naviga-
tor/Air conditioning pressure switch/ Climate
fan/ Kisi/ AFS Control unit/Coming home
relay/Soundaktor
10
3
Petrol engine control unit/Flow meter/Diesel
engine control unit/Relay coils/Engine opera-
tion/Bi-turbo fuel control unit
5
4
ABS/ESP switch (turning sensor)/Light lever
10
5
Reverse light/Heating nozzles
10
6
Instrument panel
5
7
Rear fog light
5
8
Vaca n t
9
Headlight lever
10
10
Headlight lever/Clutch (Petrol)/Brakes (all)
5
11
Airbag control unit
5
12
Automatic gearbox/ Headlight lever
10
13
Exterior mirror control
5
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 210 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16
Index
242Car phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Automatic speed dependent locking and un-locking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Locking system for involuntary unlocking . . 72
Selective unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Central locking button locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Changing bulbs interior light and front reading lights . . . . 221
Changing double headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . 214 dipped beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
main beam and side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
turn signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Changing gear See Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Changing gear in Tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Changing rear lights on the rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
on the wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Changing single headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 216 turn signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Changing the bulbs Luggage compartment light . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
number plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Side turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Changing the single headlight bulbs
dipped/main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . . 189
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 193
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Child seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Child seats on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Climatronic automatic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
manual mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Cloth seat covers cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Coming home function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Control
exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Controls Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Light switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186, 187
Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Coolant level warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Coolant Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Coolant temperature Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Correct adjustment of front head restraints . . . 12
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Cruise control system warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 242 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16