2011 Seat Ibiza 5D brake pads

154Driving
Always apply the handbrake when you leave your vehicle and when
you park.
Applying the handbrake
–Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒ fig. 111.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the di-
rection of the arrow ⇒ fig. 111 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
accident. 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.
– Select first gear.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition. 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 se-
lecting first gear. 

167
Driving and the environment
Driving and the environment
Running-in Running 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 consump-
tion 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 capaci-
ty 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 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

168Driving and the environment
checked by an Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommen-
ded in the Service Plan.
If you drive with wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in
heavy rainfall or even after washing the vehicle, the effect of the brakes is
lessened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter). In this case
the brakes should be dried by pressing the brake pedal several times.
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 ap-
plies when the brake pads have to be changed further on.
● If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have
been salted, braking power may be lower 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 range (depending on the type of
transmission). This makes use of engine braking and relieves the brakes.
● Never let the brakes “drag” 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.
● If the brake fluid loses its viscosity and is subjected to heavy use, va-
pour bubbles can form in the brake system. This reduces the efficiency of
the brakes.
WARNING (Continued)
● 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 instructions ⇒ page 184, Technical modifi-
cations.
● If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a specialised workshop immediately and avoid unnecessa-
ry journeys.

Exhaust gas purification system Catalytic converter*
To maintain the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Use only unleaded petrol with petrol engines, as lead damages
the catalytic converter.
– Do not let the fuel get too low in the tank.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine
oil ⇒ page 199, Topping up engine oil .
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary
⇒ page 240.
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 specialised workshop. In general, the exhaust gas warning lamp
will light up when any of the described symptoms occur ⇒ page 61. If this
happens, unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the en-
vironment. The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating. 

176Vehicle maintenance and cleaning
Care of the vehicle exterior
Automatic car washing tunnel
The vehicle paintwork is so durable that the vehicle can normally be washed
without problems in an automatic car wash tunnel. However, the paintwork
wear depends to a large extent on the kind of the car wash 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 rack or two-
way radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car wash tunnel operator.
After washing, the brakes could take some time 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
accident.
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 hand
Vehicle washing
–
First soften the dirt and rinse it off with water.
– 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.
– Leave the wheels, sill panels etc. until last, using a different
sponge or glove.
– Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water.
– Dry the vehicle surface gently with a chamois leather.
– In cold temperature, dry the rubber seals and their surfaces to
prevent them from freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber
seals.
After washing the vehicle
– After washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking. Dry the brakes
by braking several times. 

206Checking and refilling levels
Removing the wiper blade
–Lift the wiper arm away from the glass ⇒ fig. 131.
– Slide the blade adapter in the direction of the arrow and remove
the blade ⇒ fig. 131.
Fitting the wiper blade
– With one hand, hold the top end of the wiper arm.
– Place the blade as shown in the ⇒ fig. 132 and slide the adapt-
er along until it engages.
Check the condition of the wiper blade regularly. Change as required.
If the windscreen wiper scrapes, it should be replaced if damaged, or
cleaned if soiled.
If this is not sufficient, refer to a specialised workshop.
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!
● Clean the windscreen wiper blades and all windows regularly.
● The wiper blades should be changed once or twice a year.
CAUTION
● A damaged or dirty window wiper could scratch the rear window.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the window.
● Never move the windscreen wiper by hand. This could cause damage. Brake fluid
Checking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid is checked at the intervals given in the serv-
ice schedule.
Fig. 133 In the engine
compartment: Brake fluid
reservoir cover
– 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 en-
gine compartment illustration ⇒ page 250. 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
instrument panel will warn you if the brake fluid level is too low ⇒ page 61.

207
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and ob-
serve the warnings ⇒ page 194.

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 194 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.
● Before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid level, read and ob-
serve the warnings ⇒ page 194.
WARNING (Continued)
● Brake fluid should be stored in the closed original container in a safe
place out of reach of children. There is a toxic risk.
● Complete the brake fluid change according to the Maintenance Pro-
gramme. Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake
fluid is left in the system for too long. This would seriously affect the effi-
ciency of the brakes and the safety of the vehicle. This may cause an ac-
cident.
CAUTION
Brake fluid could damage the paintwork. Wipe off any brake fluid from the
paintwork immediately.
For the sake of the environment
The brake pads and fluid must be collected and disposed of according the
applicable regulations. The SEAT Technical Service network has the neces-
sary equipment and qualified personnel for collecting and disposing of this
waste material. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

Index
A
ABS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Acoustic signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Acoustic warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Adaptive headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
AFS headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Airbag covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Air conditioner Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Air recirculation Semi-automatic air conditioning . . . . . . . . 131
Air recirculation mode Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Alarm system Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Alternator Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Anti-freeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Anti-theft alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Anti-theft wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Aquaplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Aspects to note before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror Activating the anti-dazzle function . . . . . . 108
Deactivating the anti-dazzle function . . . . 108
Automatic car washing tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Kick-down feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Automatic lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Automatic windscreeen wiper/washer . . . . . . 104
AUX/USB input connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Auxiliary audio input connection (AUX) . . . . . 123
B
Ball coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Battery Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Winter conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Before setting off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Biodiesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Brake servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162, 167
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Braking distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Bulb change double headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Single headlight bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Bulb changes General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Bulb defect Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Buzzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102, 137
C
Car care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Car phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
CCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Automatic speed-dependent locking . . . . . 79
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Locking system for involuntary unlocking . 79
267
Index

Rear fog lightControl lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Rear head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rear seat folding down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Rear shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Rear window automatic wiper/washer . . . . . . 106
Rear window heating Heating element wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Rear window wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Remote control key Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Replacement of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Reverse gear Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Roll-back function Panorama/ tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Roof aerial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Rubber seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Running in
Brake pads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Running in tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
S Safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe Security system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safety instructions Coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Safety notes Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Deactivating front passenger airbag . . . . . . 41
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Using child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Using seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Seals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111, 114
Seat belt cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Seat belt position Pregnant women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Seat belt protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Seat belt release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Incorrectly fastened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Seat belt tensioner Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Seat belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Seat belt warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Selective opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Semiautomatic air conditioning controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Single headlight bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Sitting position Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sitting position, occupants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215, 249
Soot accumulation in the diesel engine particu- late filter
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Spanner symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
272 Index