
Driving and the environment159
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
advantage of your vehicle inertia, for instance when you see that the next 
traffic light is red.
Regular servicesBy taking your car to an Authorised Service Centre for regular servicing you 
can establish a basis for good fuel economy 
before you start driving. 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.
Check the oil level  every time you refuel  ⇒page 183. Oil consumption 
depends to a great extent on the engine load and engine speed. Depending 
on your personal driving style, oil consumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000 
km.
Avoid short journeysThe engine and catalytic converter need to reach their proper  working 
temperature  in order to minimise fuel consumption and emissions.
Directly after a cold start, the engine uses about 50-70 litres of fuel per 100 
km. This figure then drops to 20-30 litres per 100 km after about one kilo-
metre. The engine only reaches it s working temperature after about  four kilo-
metres, when fuel consumption will return to a normal level. You should 
therefore avoid short journeys.
The  ambient temperature  has a decisive influence.
The illustration shows the different rates of fuel consumption for the same 
distance at both +20°C and -10°C. Your vehicle will use more fuel in winter 
than in summer.
Fig. 116  Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km at 
two different ambient 
temperatures
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 159  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Vehicle maintenance and cleaning163
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Vehicle maintenance and cleaningGeneral notesRegular washing and care help maintain the value of your 
vehicle.Yo u r  v e h i c l e  m a i n te n a n ce
Regular care and washing help to maintain the value of the vehicle. This may 
also be one of the requirements for acknowledging warranty claims in the 
event of bodywork corrosion or paint defects.
The best way to protect your car against the harmful effects of the environ-
ment is through correct maintenance and  frequent washing. The longer 
substances such as insects remains, bird droppings, resinous tree sap, road 
dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt and other aggressive materials 
remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork. High 
temperatures (for instance in strong sunlight) further intensify the corrosive 
effect.
After winter, a period when salt is put on the roads, it is impor tant to have the 
underside of the vehicle washed thoroughly.
Products for vehicle maintenance
Car care products are available in your Authorised Service Centre. Keep the 
product instructions until you have used them up.
WARNING
•Car care products can be toxic. For this, they must always be kept 
closed in their original container. Keep them out of the reach of children. 
Failure to comply could result in poisoning.•Always read and observe the instructions and warnings on the package 
before using car care products. Improper use could damage your health or  your vehicle. The use of certain products may produce noxious vapours; 
they should be used in well ventilated areas.
•Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other 
volatile fluids. These are toxic and highly flammable. Risk of fire and explo-
sion.•Before washing your vehicle, or carrying out any maintenance, switch 
the engine off, apply your handbrake firmly and remove the key from the 
ignition.Caution
Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry. 
Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could damage the 
paintwork or the windows of your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with plenty 
of water.
For the sake of the environment
•When purchasing products for your vehicle maintenance, select the ones 
which are not harmful to the environment.•The leftovers of the car care products should not be disposed of with ordi-
nary household waste. Observe the disposal information on the package.WARNING (continued)
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 163  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Vehicle maintenance and cleaning169
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Underbody protection
The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it from chemical 
and mechanical damage.The protective coating can be damaged when driving. We recommend you to 
check the protective coating under the body and on the running gear, and 
reinstated if necessary, before and after the winter season.
We recommend you to go to your Authorised Service Centre to carry out repair 
work and additional anti-corrosion work.
WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, 
catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust system. The heat of 
the exhaust system or the engine could cause them to ignite! Fire hazard.Cleaning the engine compartment
Take special care when cleaning the engine compartment.Anti-corrosion treatment
The engine compartment and the surface of the power unit are given anti-
corrosion treatment at the factory.
Good corrosion protection is particularly important in winter when the car is 
frequently driven on salted roads. To prevent the salt corroding the vehicle, 
the entire engine compartment should be thoroughly cleaned before and 
after winter.
Yo u r  A u t h o r i s e d  S e r v i ce  Ce n t re has got the necessary equipment to provide 
the correct cleaning and preserving products. For this reason, we recommend 
having this work performed by them. The anti-corrosion protection is usually removed if the engine compartment 
is cleaned with grease removing solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned. 
On commissioning this work, ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and 
components in the engine compartment are given anti-corrosion treatment.
WARNING
•When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety 
warnings  ⇒page 179.•Before opening the bonnet, switch the engine off, apply the handbrake 
firmly and always remove the key from the ignition.•Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.•Do not clean the vehicle underbody, wheel arches without protecting 
your hands and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. 
Failure to comply could result in injury.•Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk 
of accident. Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking.•Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature-controlled and could 
start automatically, even when the key is removed from the ignition!For the sake of the environment
Fuel, grease and oil deposits could be removed when the engine is washed. 
The polluted water must be cleaned in an oil separator. For this reason, 
engine washing should be carried out only by a qualified workshop or a petrol 
station.
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 169  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

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.
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 178  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Checking and refilling levels179
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Winter driving
Diesel can thicken in winter.Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, difficulties may be experienced at 
sub-zero temperatures because the fuel thickens due to wax separation. 
Therefore, “winter-grade diesel fuel” is available in some countries during 
the cold months. It can be used at temperatures as low as -22°C.
In countries with different climatic conditions the diesel fuel generally sold 
has different temperature characteristics. Check with an Authorised Service 
Centre or filling stations in the country concerned regarding the type of diesel 
fuels available.
Filter pre-heater
Your vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter glow plug system, making it well 
equipped for operation in winter. This ensures that the fuel system remains 
operational to approx. -24°C, provided you use winter-grade diesel which is 
safe to -15°C.
However, if the fuel has waxed to such an extent that the engine will not start 
at temperatures of under -24° C, simply place the vehicle in a warm place for 
a while.
Caution
Do not mix fuel additives (“thinners”, or similar additives) with diesel fuel.
Working in the engine compartmentSafety instructions on working in the engine compartment
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the 
engine must be carried out cautiously.Before starting any work on the engine or in the engine compart-
ment:
1.  Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Apply the handbrake.
3.  Move the gear lever to neutral or the gear lever to position P.
4.  Wait for the engine to cool down.
5.  Keep children away from the vehicle.
6.  Raise the bonnet  ⇒page 181.You should not do any work in the engine compartment unless you know 
exactly how to carry out the jobs and have the correct tools! Have the work 
carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. coolant, engine oil, spark plugs and 
batteries, are being constantly developed. SEAT provides a constant flow of 
information to the Authorised Service Centres concerning modifications. For 
this reason, we recommend you to have service fluids and consumables 
replaced by an Authorised Service Centre. Please observe the relevant 
instructions  ⇒page 172. The engine compartment of the vehicle is a 
hazardous area  ⇒.
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 179  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Checking and refilling levels181
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the environment. For this reason you 
should make regular checks on the ground underneath your vehicle. If you 
find spots of oil or other fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a qualified 
workshop.Opening the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the windscreen wipers are in 
rest position.
– To release the bonnet, pull the lever under the dash panel 
⇒fig. 119  in the direction indicated (arrow). The bonnet will be 
released by a spring action  ⇒.
– Lift the bonnet using the release lever (arrow) and open the  bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and secure  it in fixture designed for this 
in the bonnet.
WARNING
Hot coolant can scald!•Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping 
from the engine compartment.
Fig. 119  Bonnet opening 
lever
Fig. 120  Bonnet support 
rod
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 181  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

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)
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 182  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Checking and refilling levels183
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Oil propertiesViscosity
The viscosity class of the oil is selected according to the diagram.
When the ambient temperature falls outside the limits of the scale for a short 
period, an oil change is not required.
Mono-grade oil
Single grade oils are generally not suitable for all year round use, due to 
ranges of viscosity
11). These oils are only useful in a climate that is constantly very cold or very 
warm.
Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed with the engine oil. The deterioration 
caused by these additives is not covered by the warranty.
Note
Before a long trip, we recommend finding an engine oil that conforms to the 
corresponding VW specifications and keeping it in the vehicle. This way, the 
correct engine oil will always be available for a top-up if needed.Checking the engine oil level
The engine oil dipstick indi
cates the level of the oil.
Engine type
Specification
Petrol
VW 501 01/ VW 502 00/ VW 504 00
Diesel 
VW 505 01/ VW 507 00/ VW 506 01
Diesel Engines with Particulate filter 
(DPF)
a)
a)Only use recommended oils, otherwise you may damage the engine.
VW 507 00
Fig. 121  Types of oil 
according to temperature
11)Viscosity: oil density
Fig. 122  Engine oil 
dipstick
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 183  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16