Driving
144
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒fig. 110 .
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒fig. 110 and guide the handbrake lever down
fully ⇒ .Always apply the handbrake as far as it will go in order to prevent you from
driving with the handbrake applied by mistake ⇒.
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 brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake.
– The first gear should also be selected.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition lock. Turn the steering wheel slightly to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle ⇒ .Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started
to roll.•If the vehicle is parked facing downhill , turn the front wheels so that they
point towards the kerb .•If the vehicle is parked facing uphill, turn the front wheels so that they
point away from the kerb .•Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and
engaging first gear.WARNING
•Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle
unattended.
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 144 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16
Driving and the environment
156Driving and the environmentRunning-inRunning in a new engine
The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1500 km.Up to 1000 kilometres
– Do not drive at speeds of more than 2/3 the maximum speed.
– Do not accelerate hard.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1000 to 1500 km
–Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed
or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is
greater than later on, when all the moving parts have bedded in.
For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, its life will be increased and its oil consumption,
reduced.
Running in tyres and brake pads
New tyres should be run-in carefully for the first 500 km. New
brake pads should be run-in carefully for the first 200 km.During the first 200 km, you can compensate for the reduced braking effect
by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. In case of a sharp braking, the
braking distance will be longer with new brake pads than with brake pads
which have been run-in.
WARNING
•At first, new tyres do not give maximum grip, and require running-in.
This may cause an accident. Drive particularly carefully in the first 500 km.•New brake pads must be “run in” and do not have the correct friction
properties during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity
may be compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder.
Braking effect and braking distance
The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by
driving situations and road conditions.The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the brake pad wear. The rate
of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under
which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often
drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we
recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an
Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommended in the Service
Schedule.
Ibiza ST_EN.book Seite 156 Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010 4:03 16
Driving and the environment157
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
If you drive with
wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in
heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-
ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter): The brakes should
be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore full braking effect.
WARNING
Longer braking distances and faults in the brake system increase the risk
of accidents.•New brake pads must be run in and do not have the correct friction
during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity may be
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. This also
applies when new brake pads are fitted.•If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have
been gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal.•On steep slopes, if brakes are excessively used, they will overheat.
Before driving down a long steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed and
change down into a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear if
your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine
braking and relieves the brakes.•Never let the brakes “slip” by applying light pressure. Continuous
braking will cause the brakes to overheat and the braking distance will
increase. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.•Never let the vehicle run with the engine switched off. The braking
distance is increased considerably when the brake servo is not active.•Very heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid
is left in the system for too long. This impairs the braking effect.•Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the
brakes and cause them to overheat. Before purchasing accessories please
observe the relevant ⇒ page 172, “Technical modifications” instructions.•If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary
journeys.
Exhaust gas purification systemCatalytic converter*To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Always use unleaded petrol.
– Do not let the fuel get too low in the tank.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine oil ⇒page 184, “Topping up engine oil ”.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary ⇒page 222.If you notice misfiring, uneven running or loss of power when the vehicle is
moving, reduce speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected at the
nearest qualified workshop. In general, the exhaust gas warning lamp will
light up when any of the described symptoms occur ⇒page 56. If this
happens, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the envi-
ronment. The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating.
WARNING
The catalytic converter reaches very high temperatures! Fire hazard!•Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with
dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.•Do not apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust
system. These materials could catch fire when the vehicle is being driven.
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Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
164Care of the vehicle exteriorAutomatic car washing tunnelThe vehicle paintwork is so durable that the car can normally be washed
without problems in an automatic car washing tunnel. However, the paint-
work wear depends to a large extent, on the kind of the car washing tunnel,
the brushes used, its water filtering and the type of cleaning and preservative
products.
Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions such
as closing the windows and sunroof. There is nothing to note apart from that.
If the vehicle has special accessories such as spoilers or a roof carrier or two-
way radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car washing tunnel oper-
ator.
After washing, the brakes could hesitate to respond as the brake discs and
pads could be wet, or even frozen in winter. “Dry” the brakes by braking
several times.
WARNING
Water, ice and salt on the brakes can reduce braking efficiency. Risk of acci-
dent.
Caution
Before putting the vehicle through the car washing tunnel, do not tighten the
aerial if it is folded because it can be damaged.
Washing by handVehicle washing
– First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off.
– Clean your vehicle from top to bottom with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush. Use very light pressure.
– Rinse the sponge or glove often with clean water.
– Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt.
– Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. until last with a different sponge or glove.
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry your vehicle surface gently with a chamois leather.
–When temperature is cold , dry the rubber seals and its surfaces
to prevent them from freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
seals.
After washing
– Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking. “Dry” the brakes by braking several times.
WARNING
•Wash your car with the ignition switched off.•Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when
cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of
injury.
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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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Index241
Index
AABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Adjustable service interval display . . . . . . . . . . 54
Air conditioner Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Air recirculation Semi-automatic air conditioning . . . . . . . . 125
Air recirculation mode Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Ashtray* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Automatic anti-dazzle rear vision mirror* Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . 98
Deactivating anti-dazzle function . . . . . . . . . 98
Automatic car washing tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Automatic wiper/wash function for the rear window 97
AUX/USB input connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Auxiliary audio input connection (AUX) . . . . . . 113
BBall coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
BAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Battery Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 Belt tensioner
disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Boot* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Brake Assist System Automatic warning lights on . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151, 156
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Bulb change general notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Bulb defect Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92, 132
CCar care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
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Index
246Rear fog light
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59, 87
Rear head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Emergency opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Rear seat folding down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Rear seat bench . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Rear shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Rear shelf with storage compartment Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Rear vision mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Rear vision mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Remote control key Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Repairs airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Replacement of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Reverse gear Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Roll-back function
Panorama/ tilting roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Roof carrier* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Running in Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Running in tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
SSafe - Security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructions Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Disabling front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . 37
frontal airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101, 104 Seat belt position
Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Seat belt protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Incorrectly fastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Seat belts cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Selective opening* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Semiautomatic air conditioning controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Sitting position Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sitting position, occupants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199, 232
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