
Driving131
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
SafetyElectronic Stabilit y Programme (ESP)* 
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) contains the electronic differential 
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works 
together with the ABS. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS 
systems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it is 
only possible to switch TCS off.
WARNING
•The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of 
physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet 
roads and when towing a trailer.•Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and 
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you 
into taking any risks when driving, as this can cause accidents.•Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in  ⇒page 153, 
“Intelligent technology”.
Ignition lockPosition of the ignition key
Fig. 94  Detailed view of 
the centre console: ESP 
button
Fig. 95  Ignition key posi-
tions
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 131  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18 

Driving133
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Starting 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 131.
– Le t  go  o f  the  ig nit io n key  as  so on  as the  e ngin e  star t s; t he sta r ter  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 unventilated 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 225, “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)
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 133  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18 

Driving135
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
operation cannot be performed, risk 
of accidents and serious injury may 
exist.
•The steering lock can be immediately blocked once the key is removed 
from the ignition. The steering wheel  cannot be turned. Risk of accident.Caution
When the engine has been running under a heavy load for a long period, heat 
can accumulate in the engine compartment and cause engine damage. For 
this reason, you should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you 
switch it off.Start-Stop function*Description and operationThe Start-Stop function stops the engine when the vehicle is 
stopped and starts it automatically when required.
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it in neutral and release the 
clutch pedal. The engine will stop.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed, the engine starts again.
– The instrument panel screen displays information about the  status of the Start-Stop function  ⇒page 137, fig. 97 .Start-Stop function conditions•The driver seat belt must be buckled.
•The engine hood must be closed.•The engine must be at operating temperature•The steering wheel must be straight.•The vehicle must be on flat ground.•The vehicle must not be in reverse.•A trailer must not be connected.•The temperature of the passenger compartment must be within the 
convenience limits (  button should be selected).•The windscreen de-mist function must be off.•If in an increase in airflow is  not requested.•The temperature must not be set to  HI or LO .•The driver door must be closed.•The diesel particulate filter must not be in regeneration mode, for diesel 
engines.•The battery charge must not be low for the next start.•The battery temperature must be between -1 °C and 55 °C.
Start-Stop function interruption
In the following situations, the Start-Stop function will be interrupted and the 
engine will automatically start:•The vehicle starts moving.•The brake pedal is pressed several times in a row.•The battery has been discharged excessively.•The Start-Stop System is manually deactivated.•The windscreen de-mist function is turned on.•The temperature of the passenger compartment exceeds the convenience 
limits (  button).•If the airflow is increased by more than 3 presses.•Temperature setting  HI or  LO is selected.
WARNING (continued)
AC
AC
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 135  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18 

Driving137
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Driver messagesFig. 97  Display on the instrument panel during Start-Stop function operation.When the engine is turned off by the Start-Stop function, this is displayed on 
the instrument panel.
If the Start-Stop system is not switched on, the 
 › lamp will appear on the 
instrument panel.
Note
There are different versions of the dash panel; the display of indications on 
the screen may differ.
Manual gearboxDriving with a manual gearboxEngaging the reverse gear
– The vehicle should be stationary with the engine idling. Press the  clutch down thoroughly.
– Place the gear lever into neutral and push the lever downwards.
– Slide the gear lever to the left, and then into the reverse position  shown on the gear lever.The reverse gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary. When 
the engine is running and before engaging this gear, wait about 6 seconds 
with the clutch pressed down thoroughly in order to protect the gearbox.
The reverse lights light up when the reverse gear is selected and the ignition 
is on.
Fig. 98  Centre Console: 
gear shift pattern of a 5-
speed manual gearbox
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 137  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18 

Driving139
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
If you select the sport programme, 
S, you will drive in a sporty mode, i.e. a 
programme in which shifts into high gears are postponed in order to use the 
full power of the engine.
Selector lever lock functions
The selector lever lock in positi on P or N prevents gears from 
being engaged inadvertently, which would cause the vehicle 
to move.
The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch the ignition on.
– Hold the brake pedal pressed down and at the same time, hold 
the selector lever lock on the left of the selector lever also 
pressed down.The warning lamp 
 K on t he  inst ru m e nt pa ne l lig hts  up  whe n t he  bra ke p e dal  
should be applied. This is essential when the selector lever is taken from the 
P or N positions.
The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or driving at 
s p e e d s  u p  t o  5  k m / h .  A t  h i g h e r  s p e e d s  t h e  s e le c to r  le v e r  l o ck  is  a u t o m a t i ca ll y  
unlocked in the  N position.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if it is moved quickly through position 
N  (e.g. when shifting from  R to D). This makes it possible, for instance, to 
“rock” the vehicle backwards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The 
selector lever lock engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed 
and the lever is in position  N for more than about 1second.
Fig. 100  Automatic 
gearbox
Fig. 101  Automatic 
gearbox: Instrument 
panel display
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 139  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18 

Driving141
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
– With a selected gear, accelerate slowly and at the same time, 
release the handbrake.The steeper the slope, the lower the needed gear. This increases the braking 
effect of the engine. For example, when driving down a very steep slope in 
third gear. If the engine brake effect is not enough, the vehicle will speed up. 
The automatic gearbox automatically changes up to prevent the engine over-
revving. Use the foot brake to reduce speed and change into 3rd gear again 
using tiptronic*  ⇒.
Your vehicle has an automatic interlock which prevents the selector lever 
from being put into a position for driving forwards or in reverse from positions 
P  or  N if the brake pedal is not depressed.
Warning lamp “Pressing brake pedal” 
 K
When the warning lamp next to the selector lever lights up, press the brake 
pedal. This is necessary when the automatic gearbox selector lever is moved 
out of positions  P or  N. At the same time, a text message or the instructions 
to perform necessary operations may appear on the instrument panel.
WARNING
•As a driver, you should never leave your vehicle if the engine is running 
and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your vehicle while the engine is 
running, you must apply the parking brake and put the selector lever in 
position P.•If the engine is running and D or R are engaged, you will need to hold 
vehicle stopped by depressing the brake pedal. The car would keep on 
creeping forward as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even 
when the engine is idling.•Never accelerate when moving the selector gear or you may cause an 
accident.•Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving. Risk of accident!
•Before driving down a long, steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed 
and change into a lower gear.•If you stop the vehicle up hill, always hold the foot brake strongly 
depressed down to stop it from rolling back.•Never allow the brake to rub and do not use the brake pedal too often 
or for long periods. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat and 
will considerably reduce the brake effect. This increases the braking 
distance and could cause the brake system to fail.•Never allow the car to roll down a mountain or a slope with the lever in 
the N or D position, regardless of the engine is running or not.Caution
•If you stop the vehicle up hills, do not attempt to stop it from rolling back 
by depressing the accelerator when a gear has been selected. Otherwise, the 
automatic gearbox may overheat causing damage. Pull the handbrake up or 
fully depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.•If you allow the car to roll when the engine is not running, or with the 
selector lever in position N, a lack of lubrication in the automatic gearbox will 
damage it.WARNING (continued)
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 141  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18 

Driving143
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Changing gears in the normal or sport programme using the steering wheel 
paddle levers
If the paddle levers ⇒
page 142, fig. 104 are used in the normal or sport 
programme, the system switches temporarily to tiptronic mode. To exit 
“tiptronic” mode again, press the right paddle lever   towards the steering 
wheel for approximately one second. You will also leave tiptronic mode if the 
paddle levers are not moved for a certain time.
Note
•The gear paddle levers on the steering wheel can be operated with the 
selector lever in any position and with the vehicle in motion.Selector lever positions
The selector lever positions and gears are shown on the 
instrument panel screen.
Selector lever positions
The selected gear is displayed on the side of the selector lever and on the 
instrument panel screen. The currently selected gear for the automatic 
gearbox will also be shown on the display.
Tiptronic gear indicator
If the automatic gearbox is shifted manually, the selected gears are shown on 
the screen.
P - parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the drive wheels are locked 
mechanically.
Position P on the lever must only be selected if the vehicle is stationary.
To move selector lever from position  P, the locking button on the selector 
lever handle must be pressed and the brake pedal depressed at the same 
time while the ignition is switched on.
To put the selector lever in position  P, simply press the lock button down and, 
if necessary, depress the brake pedal down.
R - Reverse gear
The reverse gear is engaged in this position.
Reverse gear must be engaged only when the vehicle is stationary and the 
engine is idling.
To move the selector lever to position  R, press the lock button down and, at 
the same time, press the brake pedal down, with the ignition switched on.
With the selector lever in position R and the ignition switched on the 
following occurs:•Reverse lights light up.•The air conditioner automatically changes the air recirculation mode.
+Fig. 105  Automatic 
gearbox: Instrument 
panel display
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 143  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18 

Driving145
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
•Power steering does not work when the engine is not running. That is 
why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.•Never remove the key from the ignition if the vehicle is in motion. The 
steering lock could suddenly engage, and you would not be able to steer 
the vehicle.•Never allow the car to roll downhill with the selector lever in “N”, 
regardless of the engine is running or not.Caution
If you allow the vehicle to move when the engine is switched off or with the 
selector lever in position “N”, take your foot off the accelerator and wait until 
the engine starts idling before returning to position “D”.Kickdown feature
This feature allows maximum acceleration.If you press the accelerator down thoroughly, the gearbox automatically 
changes down, depending on speed and e ngine speed, into a lower gear to 
take full advantage of give the vehicle maximum acceleration.
The gearbox does not change gear until the engine reaches the maximum 
determined engine speed for the gear.
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you accelerate on slippery road 
surfaces. Risk of serious injury.
•Be particularly careful when using the kickdown features on slippery 
road surfaces. With a fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose traction and 
skid.•You should use the kickdown feature only when traffic and weather 
conditions allow it to be used safely.
HandbrakeUsing the handbrake
The handbrake should be applied firmly to prevent the 
vehicle from accidentally rolling away.
WARNING (continued)
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 106  Handbrake 
between the front seats
IbizaSC_EN.book  Seite 145  Donnerstag, 2. September 2010  6:10 18