
Checking and refilling levels
188
– Briefly run the engine at idle speed until the service temperature is reached and stop.
– Wait two minutes.
– Pull out the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and  insert it again, pushing it in as far as it will go.
– Then pull it out once more and check the oil level  ⇒fig. 118 . Top 
up with engine oil if necessary.Oil level in area 
–Do not add oil.
Oil level in area 
–Oil  can be topped up. The indicated oil level should be  after the zone 
Oil level in area 
–Oil  must be topped up. The indicated oil level should be  after in zone 
Depending on how you drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is used, 
oil consumption can be up to 0.5 l/1000 km. Oil consumption is likely to be 
higher for the first 5000 km. For this reason the engine oil level must be 
checked at regular intervals, preferably when filling the tank and before a 
journey.
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 183.
Caution
If the oil level is above the area   do not start the engine. This could result 
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact an Authorised 
Service Centre.Topping up engine oil 
 E
 
Top up gradually with small quantities of oil.
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒  in 
“Safety instructions on working  in the engine compartment” on 
page 183.
– Unscrew cap from oil filler opening  ⇒fig. 119.
– Top-up oil in small amounts, using the correct oil.
AAAB
AA
AC
AA
AA
Fig. 119  In the engine 
compartment: Engine oil 
filler cap
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Checking and refilling levels189
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– To avoid over-filling with engine oil, you should top-up using 
small quantities, wait a while and check the oil level before 
adding any more oil.
– As soon as the oil level is in area  , carefully close the cap.The position of the oil filler opening is shown in the corresponding engine 
compartment illustration  ⇒page 235.
Engine oil specification  ⇒page 187.
WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil comes into contact with hot 
engine components when topping up.
Caution
If the oil level is above the area   do not start the engine. This could result 
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact a specialised work-
shop.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area  . Otherwise oil can be drawn in 
through the crankcase breather and escape into the atmosphere via the 
exhaust system.
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals given in the 
service schedule.We recommend that you have the engine oil changed by an Authorised 
Service Centre.
The oil change intervals are shown in the Maintenance Programme.
WARNING
Only change the oil yourself if you have the specialist knowledge required!•Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings 
⇒ page 183, “Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment”.•Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil may cause burn injuries.•Wear eye protection to avoid injuries caused by splashes of oil.•When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arm hori-
zontal to help prevent oil from running down your arm.•Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.•Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be stored in a safe place out of 
the reach of children.Caution
No additives should be used with engine oil. This could result in engine 
damage. Any damage caused by the use of such additives would not be 
covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
•Because of the disposal problems, the necessary special tools and 
specialist knowledge required, we recommend that you have the engine oil 
and filter changed by an Authorised Service Centre.
AB
AA
AA
Ibiza_EN.book  Seite 189  Mittwoch, 1. September 2010  5:24 17 

Checking and refilling levels195
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
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 235. 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 183.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 183 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. 124  In the engine 
compartment: Brake fluid 
reservoir cover
Ibiza_EN.book  Seite 195  Mittwoch, 1. September 2010  5:24 17 

Index
258Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Fog lights with cornering function . . . . . . . . . . .  92
Front airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
Description  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Front ashtray  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  114
Front cup holder*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  113
Front interior light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96
Front passenger airbag deactivation . . . . . . . . .  35
Front reading light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  97
Front seat adjustment Lumbar support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  107
Fuel Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  182
Petrol  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  181
Fuel level Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
Fuel reserve  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
Fuel Tank Opening the fuel tank flap  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  180
Fuel tank See Fuel reserve  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
Fuel: save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  161
Fuses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  212GG 12  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  190
Gear shift pattern  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  136
General overview of the engine compartment   235 Glove compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  110
Glow plug system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  133
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
GRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  148
HHandbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  144 Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63, 145
Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
HBA  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  153
Head restraints Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105, 106
Adjustment of the head restraint angle . . .  106
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  106
Headlight flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
Headlight range control  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91
Headlights Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  163
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Headlight washer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  101
Heated exterior mirrors* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  102
Heated front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  108
Heated rear window Heating element wires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  170
Heating  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  119
Heating system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  120
High pressure cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  168
Hill-start assist  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  146
Horn  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
How to jump start description  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  225 Hydraulic Brake Assist
Automatic hazard warning lights activation . . .153
IIdentification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  232
Identification plate  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  232
Ignition key  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  130
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  130
Information in the multifunction display
Memory displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  52
Instrument and switch lighting  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  91
Instrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47
Instrument panel Service interval display  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Interior mirror  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  101
Interior monitoring and anti-towing alarm* Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
ISOFIX system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42JJump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  224
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  224KKeys  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
Ibiza_EN.book  Seite 258  Mittwoch, 1. September 2010  5:24 17 

Index
260Rear seat
folding down  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  109
Rear seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  109
Rear shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  117
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  101
Rear window automatic wiper/washer  . . . . . .  100
Rear window wiper  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  100
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  180
Remote control key Buttons  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  78
Synchronising  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  79
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .  209
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
Replacement of parts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  175
Rev counter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
Reverse gear Manual gearbox  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  136
Roll-back function Panorama/ tilting sunroof  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  88
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  85
Roof aerial  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  176
Roof rack*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  118
Rubber seals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  170
Running in Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  158
Engine  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  158
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  158 Running in tyres  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  158
SSafe  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Safe Security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
Safety equipment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Safety instructions
Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  66
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
Deactivating front passenger airbag . . . . . .  36
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
Seat belt tensioners  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
Side airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
Using seat belts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
Seals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  170
Seat adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104, 107
Seat belt cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  174
Seat belt position Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Seat belt protection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
Seat belt tensioner Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16 Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Incorrectly fastened  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
Not worn  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
Seat heating  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  108
Selective opening*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  73
Semiautomatic air conditioning controls  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  122
Service interval display  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
Side airbags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32 Description  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  33
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Sitting position Driver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Front passenger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Sitting position, occupants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Snow chains  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203, 234
Soot accumulation in the diesel engine particulate  filter *
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
Spanner symbol  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
Spare parts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  175
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  204
Speed selector lever lock warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50
Starting Petrol engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  132
Ibiza_EN.book  Seite 260  Mittwoch, 1. September 2010  5:24 17