
Contents3
ContentsManual structure
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Content
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Safety First
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Safe driving
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Brief introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Deactivating airbags*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Child safety
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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
. . . . . . . . . . 
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
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
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 

Seat belts
18The warning lamp   in the instrument panel lights up
1) if the driver or 
passenger seat belt is not fastened
1) when the ignition is switched on. More-
over, an warning buzzer
1) is heard on exceeding 25 km/h. This signal will 
stop after 90 seconds or when the seat belt is fastened.
The warning lamp* 
 is switched off if the driver seat belt is fastened while 
the ignition is switched on.
Why wear seat belts?Physical principles of frontal collisions
In the event of a frontal collision, a large amount of kinetic 
energy must be absorbed.
It is easy to explain how the laws of physics work in the case of a head-on 
collision: When a vehicle starts moving  ⇒fig. 6, a certain amount of energy 
known as “kinetic energy” is produced in the vehicle and its occupants.
The amount of “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the 
weight of the vehicle and its passengers. The higher the speed and the 
greater the weight, the more energy there is to be “released” in an accident.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If the speed 
doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic energy is multi-
plied by four.
Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, all 
of the passengers' kinetic energy has to be absorbed at the point of impact 
⇒ fig. 7.
Even at speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on bodies in a colli-
sion can easily exceed one tonne (1000 kg). At greater speed these forces are 
even higher.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “attached” to the vehicle. In a 
frontal collision, they will move forward at the same speed their vehicle was 
1)Depending on the model version
Fig. 6  Vehicle about to hit 
a wall: the occupants are 
not wearing seat belts
Fig. 7  The vehicle hits 
the wall: the occupants 
are not wearing seat belts
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 18  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Airbag system
28Monitoring of airbag and belt tensioner system
Both the airbag and belt tensioner systems operation is constantly monitored 
electronically. The warning lamp 
 will light up for a few seconds every time 
the ignition is switched on (self-diagnosis).
The system must be checked when the warning lamp 
 :
•does not light up when the ignition is switched on,•after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,•it turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,•lights up or flashes while the car is moving.
In the event of a malfunction, the warning lamp remains on continuously. 
Have the airbag system inspected immediately by a qualified workshop.
If any of the airbags are de-activated by the Authorised Service Centre, the 
indicator lights for several seconds more after the verification and will turn off 
if there is no fault.WARNING
•If there is a malfunction, the airbag and belt tensioner system cannot 
properly perform its protective function.•If a malfunction occured, have the system checked immediately by a 
qualified workshop. Otherwise, in th e event of an accident, the airbag 
system and belt tensioners may not be triggered, or may not be triggered 
correctly.
Repairs, maintenance and disposal of the airbagsThe parts of the airbag system are installed in various places in your vehicle. 
If work is carried out on the airbag system or remove and fit parts of the 
system when performing other repair work, parts of the airbag system may be  damaged. The consequence may be that, in the event of an accident, the 
airbag inflates incorrectly or does not inflate at all.
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the vehicle or 
components of the airbag are 
scrapped. The specialist workshops and the 
Vehicle disposal centres are familiar with these requirements.
WARNING
•If repairs are not carried out by a professional, or if the airbags are used 
incorrectl y, the  ris k of severe or fatal inju ries  is  increase d. T he airbags  may  
fail to inflate, or could inflate in the wrong circumstances.•Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the soft 
plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger side of the dash panel, 
and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.•It is important not to attach any objects such as cup holders or tele-
phone mountings to the surfaces covering the airbag units.•To clean the steering wheel or dash panel, you may use only a dry or a 
water-moistened cloth. Never clean the dash panel and the airbag module 
surface with cleansers containing solvents. Solvents cause the surface to 
become porous. If the airbag triggered, disintegrating plastic parts could 
cause substantial injuries.•Never attempt to repair, adjust, remove or install parts of the airbag 
system.•Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of the airbag 
components for other repairs (such as repairs to the steering wheel) should 
be performed only by a qualified wo rkshop. Qualified workshops have the 
necessary tools, repair inform ation and qualified personnel.•We strongly recommend you to go to a qualified workshop for all work 
on the airbag system.•Never attempt to alter the front bumper or the body.•The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them once 
they have deployed.
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 28  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Airbag system29
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Technical Data
Front airbagsDescription of front airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
The front airbag for the driver is located in the steering wheel  ⇒fig. 16 and 
the airbag for the front passenger is located in the dash panel  ⇒fig. 17 . 
Airbags are identified by the word “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the front airbag system gives the front 
occupants additional protection for the head and chest in the event of a 
severe frontal collision  ⇒page 31, “Safety notes on the frontal airbag 
system”.
In addition to their normal function of restraining the occupants, the seat 
belts also hold the driver and front passenger in a position where the airbags 
can provide maximum protection in a frontal collision.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part 
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the 
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their 
seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints properly. For this 
reason, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only 
because this is required by law in most countries, but also as a contribution 
to your own safety
The main parts of the front airbag system are:•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),•the two front airbags (airbag with gas generator) for the driver and front 
passenger,•a warning lamp 
 in the instrument panel  ⇒page 27.
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning 
lamp will light up for a few seconds every time the ignition is switched on 
(self-diagnosis).
There is a fault in the system if the warning lamp 
:
•does not light up when the ignition is switched on ⇒ page 27•after the ignition is switched on, it turns off after 4 seconds,•it turns off and then lights up again after the ignition is switched on,•lights up or flashes while the car is moving.
Fig. 16  Driver airbag 
located in steering wheelFig. 17  Front passenger 
airbag located in dash 
panel
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 29  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Airbag system
30The front airbag system will not be triggered if:•the ignition is switched off,•there is a minor frontal collision,•there is a side collision,•there is a rear-end collision,•the vehicle turns over.WARNING
•The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protection if the 
occupants are seated correctly  ⇒page 9, “Proper sitting position for occu-
pants”.•If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked 
immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise, during a frontal collision 
the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.
Operation of frontal airbags
Inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury.The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and front 
passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In certain types of accident the front, curtain and side airbags may be trig-
gered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas and 
deploy in front of the driver and front passenger  ⇒fig. 18 . The fully deployed 
airbags cushion the forward movement of the front occupants and help to 
reduce the risk of injury to the head and the upper part of the body.
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and 
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. After the collision, the 
airbag deflates sufficiently for the front occupants to see forward.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the airbags 
have to deploy extremely rapidly (within thousandth of a second). A fine dust 
Fig. 18  Inflated front 
airbags
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 30  Dienstag, 12. Januar 2010  4:03 16 

Airbag system
32Side airbagsDescription of side airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.The side airbags are located in the driver seat and front passenger seat back-
rests  ⇒fig. 19 . The locations are identified by the text “AIRBAG” in the upper 
region of the backrests.
Together with the seat belts, the side airbag system gives the front seat occu-
pants additional protection for the upper body in the event of a severe side 
collision ⇒ page 34, “Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag 
system”.
In a side collision, the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to passengers on 
the front seats to the areas of the body facing the impact. In addition to their 
normal function of protecting the occupants in a collision, the seat belts also 
hold the passengers on the front seats in a position where the side airbags 
can provide maximum protection. The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part 
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the 
airbag system can only work effectively when the occupants are wearing their 
seat belts. For this reason, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all 
times, not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also as 
a contribution to your own safety
The side airbag system will not be triggered if:
•the ignition is switched off,•there is a minor side collision,•there is a frontal collision,•there is a rear-end collision,•the vehicle turns over.
The main parts of the airbag system are:•an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit),•the side airbags in the sides of the backrests of the front seats,•a warning lamp 
 in the instrument panel  ⇒page 27.
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically. The airbag warning 
lamp will light up for approx. 4 seconds every time the ignition is switched on 
(self-diagnosis).
WARNING
•Never drive the vehicle if the interior panels have been removed.•Never drive if the interior door panels have been removed or if the 
panels have not been correctly fitted.•Never drive the vehicle if the loudspeakers in the door panels have 
been removed, unless the holes left by the loudspeakers have been 
correctly closed.•Always check that the openings are closed or covered if loudspeakers 
or other equipment are fitted in the interior door panels.
Fig. 19  Side airbag in 
driver seat
Ibiza ST_EN.book  Seite 32  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