
Air conditioning
124
– Turn the temperature control switch until the desired interior temperature is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to any of of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration  desired:   (towards the windscreen),   (towards the chest), 
 (towards the footwell) and   (towards the windscreen and 
footwell areas).Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is 
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Coolant system
When the air conditioning is switched on, the temperature and the air 
humidity go down. This way, if the outside humidity is extreme, the air condi-
tioning prevents the misting of the windows and therefore, comfort is 
improved.
If the air conditioning does not work, this may be due to the following 
reasons:•The engine is stationary.•The fan blower is switched off.•The outside temperature is below +3 °C.•The cooling system compressor has been temporarily switched off 
because of an increased engine coolant temperature.•The air conditioner fuse is faulty.•Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a qual-
ified workshop.
Air recirculation   
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells 
from coming from the outside.When air recirculation mode is switched on (button  ⇒page 123, fig. 92    
with warning lamp) strong odours in the outside air do not enter the vehicle 
interior, for example when passing through a tunnel or in a traffic jam.
When the outside temperature is low, air recirculation mode improves 
heating performance by heating air from  the interior instead of cold air from 
the outside.
When the outside temperature is high, air recirculation mode improves 
cooling performance by cooling air from the interior instead of warm air from 
outside.
For safety reasons, the air recirculation  should not be switched on when the 
air distribution control is set to the windscreen setting 
 <.
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehicle 
interior. If the air conditioner is switched off, the windows can quickly mist 
over. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on for a 
long time (risk of accident).
Note
•When engaging reverse gear, the air recirculation is connected automati-
cally to prevent the entrance of exhaust fumes in the vehicle on travelling 
backwards. The warning lamp on the button   does not light up.•If the temperature control is turned to the coldest setting (blue point) and 
the switch   is activated, the “Air recirculation” function is automatically 
activated in order to cool the vehicle rapidly using less energy; its function 
indicator will light.
 <
AC
Ibiza_EN.book  Seite 124  Mittwoch, 1. September 2010  5:24 17 

Air conditioning
128over. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on for a 
long time (risk of accident).
Note
When engaging reverse gear, the air reci rculation is connected automatically 
to prevent the entrance of exhaust fumes in the vehicle on travelling back-
wards. In this case the symbol   for air recirculation is not displayed.General notesPollution filter
The pollution filter (a combined particulate filter and active carbon filter) 
serves as a barrier against impurities in the outside air, including dust and 
pollen.
For the air conditioner to work with maximum efficiency, the pollution filter 
must be replaced at the specified intervals in the Maintenance Programme.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas reaching very high 
pollution levels, the pollen filter must be changed more frequently than 
stated in the Service Schedule.
Caution
•If you suspect that the air conditioner is damaged, switch it off with the   button to prevent further damage and have it checked by a specialised 
workshop.•Repairs to the air conditioner require specialist knowledge and special 
tools. Therefore, we recommend you to take the vehicle to a specialised work-
shop.
Note
•If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensa-
tion  can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and so forming a puddle 
underneath the vehicle. This is completely normal and there is no need to 
suspect a leak.•Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and 
leaves to ensure heating and cooling are not impaired, and to prevent the 
windows from misting over.•The air from the vents flows through the vehicle interior and is extracted 
by slots designed for this purpose. Therefore, do not cover these slots with 
items of clothing or other objects.•The air conditioner operates most effectively with the windows and the 
sliding/tilting sunroof* closed. However,  if the temperature inside the vehicle 
is excessive because of the sun, the air inside can be cooled faster by opening 
the windows for a short time.•Do not smoke while air recirculation mode is on, as smoke drawn into the 
air conditioning system leaves a residue on the evaporator, producing a 
permanent unpleasant odour.•At low outside temperatures the compressor switches off automatically. 
The   button cannot be switched on either.•It is advisable to connect the air conditioning at least once a month, to 
lubricate the system gaskets and prevent leaks. If a decrease in the cooling 
capacity is detected, an Authorised Service Centre should be consulted to 
check the system.•To ensure correct operation, the grilles on both sides of the screen must 
not be obstructed•When the engine is under extreme strain, switch off the compressor for a 
moment.
WARNING (continued)
AC
AUTO
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Driving
132Starting and stopping the engineStarting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with 
its correct code.– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the 
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the starter 
to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position  ⇒page 130.
– Le t go  o f t he  ign itio n  key  as so o n  as t he  eng in e sta r ts;  t he  sta r te r  motor must not run on with the engine.After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the 
accelerator.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few 
seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators. 
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch the starter off after 
10 seconds and try again after half a minute. If the engine still does not start, 
the fuel pump fuse should be checked  ⇒page 212, “Fuses”.
WARNING
•Never start or run the engine in un ventilated or closed rooms. The 
exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless 
poisonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of 
consciousness. It can also cause death.•Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
•Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine 
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.Caution
•When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving at 
full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.•The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start 
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.•Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you 
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and follow 
the instructions in ⇒ page 224, “Jump-starting”.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle stationary. 
Start off immediately, driving gently. This helps the engine reach operating 
temperature faster and reduces emissions.Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key with 
its correct code.– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the 
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the starter 
to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.
WARNING (continued)
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Driving and the environment
158Driving 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 kilometres
–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 capacity and braking distance
The braking capacity 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 
Plan.
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Driving and the environment161
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Economical and environmentally friendly 
drivingEconomical and environmentally friendly drivingFuel consumption, environmental pollution and wear to the engine, brakes 
and tyres depend mostly on your driving style. By adopting an economical 
driving style and anticipating the traffic situation ahead, you can easily 
reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. Some tips on how to help you reduce 
pollution while saving money are listed below.
Drive anticipating the traffic situation
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. When you anticipate the situa-
tion, you have to brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If it is possible, 
let the vehicle roll with a gear engaged , for example, if you see a red light 
ahead. The braking effect achieved in this way helps to reduce the wear of 
brakes and tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are reduced to zero 
(disconnection due to inertia).
Change gear early to save energy
An effective way of saving fuel is to change up  quickly through the gears. 
Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an unnecessary 
amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox:  Change from first to second gear as quickly as possible. We 
recommend that, whenever possible, you change to a higher gear upon 
reaching 2000 rpm. Follow the recommended gear indication that appears on 
the instrument panel  ⇒page 51.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed permitted by the vehicle. Fuel 
consumption, exhaust emissions and noise levels all increase very rapidly at 
higher speeds. Driving at moderate speeds will help to save fuel. Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic jam, at level 
crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The fuel saved after only 
30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of fuel needed to restart the 
engine.
The engine takes a long time to warm up when it is idling. Mechanical wear 
and pollutant emissions are also especially high during this initial warm-up 
phase. It is therefore best to drive off immediately after starting the engine. 
Avoid running the engine at high speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that, before beginning a journey, you 
will not consume more than the required amount of fuel. 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.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of polluting gases, the engine and 
the exhaust filtration systems should reach the optimum  service tempera-
ture .
With the engine cold, fuel consumption is proportionally higher. The engine 
does not warm up and fuel consumption does not normalise until having 
driven approximately  four kilometres. This is why we recommend avoiding 
short trips whenever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an adequate pressure saves fuel. If the 
tyre pressure is just one bar too low, fuel consumption can increase by as 
much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also 
increases  tyre wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked when the tyres are  cold.
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Driving and the environment
162Do not use  winter tyres  all year round as they increase fuel consumption by 
up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Every kilo of extra weight  will put up the fuel consumption, so it is worth 
checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make sure that no unnec-
essary loads are being transported.
A roof rack is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even when it is 
no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your vehicle will use about 
12% more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance caused by the roof rack 
even when it is not in use.
Save electricity
The engine activates the alternator, which produces electricity. With the need 
for electricity, fuel consumption is also increased. Because of this, always 
turn off electrical components when you do not need them. Examples of 
components that use a lot of electricity are: the fan at high speeds, the rear 
window heating or the seat heaters*.
Note
•If you vehicle has  Start-Stop, it is not recommended to disconnect this 
function.•It is recommended to  close the windows when driving at more than 60 
km/h•Do not drive with your foot resting  on the clutch pedal, as the pressure can 
make the plate spin, more fuel will be used and it can burn the clutch plate 
lining, causing a serious fault.•Do not hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch, use the foot brake or hand 
brake, using the latter to start. The fuel consumption will be lower and you will 
prevent the clutch plate from being damaged.•On descents, use the engine brake, changing to the gear that is more suit-
able for the slope. The fuel consumption will be lower and the brakes will not 
suffer.
Environmental friendlinessEnvironmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of materials 
and production of your new Seat.
Design measures for economical recycling•Joints and connections designed for easy dismantling•Modular construction to facilitate dismantling•Increased use of single-grade materials•Plastic parts and elastomers are rated in accordance with ISO 1043, ISO 
11469 and ISO 1629
Choice of materials•Nearly all materials used can be recycled•Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling•Recycled materials used in manufacture•Reduction of volatile compounds in plastics•CFC-free refrigerant in air conditioner
Compliance with prohibited materials regulation : cadmium, lead, mercury, 
chrome VI.
Manufacturing methods•Use of recycled material for manufacturing plastic parts•Solvent-free cavity sealing•Solvent-free wax for protecting the vehicles in transit•Solvent-free adhesives•No CFCs used in production•Surplus materials used extensively for energy conversion and building 
materials•Overall water consumption reduced•Heat recovery systems
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Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
172Underbody 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. Risk of fire.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.
G o o d  co r r o s i o n  p r o t e c t i o n  is  p a r t i cu la r l y  i m p o r t a n t  i n  wi n te r  w h e n  t h e  v e h i c le  
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 r e  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 183.•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 or wheel trims 
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 only be carried out at a specialised workshop or an 
adequate petrol station.
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Checking and refilling levels181
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
−
Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as 
possible.
− If the spare fuel canister is made of metal, the filling nozzle must be 
in contact with the canister during filling. This helps prevent an electro-
static charge building up.
− Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the luggage compartment. Fuel 
vapours are explosive. Danger of death.
Caution
•Fuel spills should be removed  from the paintwork immediately.•Never run the tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply could cause 
misfiring. As a result, unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and 
cause damage.•When filling the fuel tank after having run it completely dry on a vehicle 
with a diesel engine  the ignition must be switched on for at least 30 seconds 
without starting the engine. When you then start the engine it may take 
longer than normal (up to one minute) for the engine to start firing. This is due 
to the fact that the fuel system has to purge itself of air before starting.For the sake of the environment
Do not try to put in more fuel after the automatic filler nozzle has switched off; 
this may cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm.
PetrolPetrol types
The correct petrol types are listed on a sticker inside the fuel 
tank flap.Only unleaded petrol conforming to standard DIN EN 228  may be used for 
vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Standard”).
Fuel types are differentiated by the  octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON (RON 
= “Research Octane Number”, unit for determining the knock resistance of 
petrol). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one recom-
mended for your engine. However, this has no advantage in terms of fuel 
consumption and engine power.
Caution
•Even one tankful of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency 
of the catalytic converter.•High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using 
petrol with an octane rating lower than the correct grade for the engine.For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the 
catalytic converter.
WARNING (continued)
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