2011 Seat Ibiza SC Owner's manual

103
Lights and visibility
The sun visors for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled out of
their central supports and turned towards the doors in the direction of the
arrow ⇒ fig. 62. Never pull them downwards.
The driver sun visor has compartments for cards, and the passenger sun vi-
sor has a vanity mirror with a cover*.
Note
Incorrect use of the sun visors (e.g. pulling them downwards once they are
open) may result in broken hinges. This damage is not covered by the vehi-
cle warranty. Windscreen wipers
Front windscreen wipers 
The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen wipers
and the automatic wash and wipe.
Fig. 63 Windscreen wip-
er and windscreen wash
lever
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒ fig. 63 has the following positions:
Switching off the wipers
– Move the lever to position 0
.
Intermittent wipe
– Move the lever up to position 1
.
– Move the control A
to the left or right to set the length of the
intervals. Control to the left: long intervals; control to the right: 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

104Lights and visibility
short intervals. Four wiper interval stages can be set using
switch A
.
Slow wipe
– Move the lever up to position 2
.
Continuous wipe
– Move the lever up to position 3
.
Short wipe
– Move the lever down to position 4
to give the windscreen a
short wipe.
Wash and wipe automatic system 
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel - Position 5
, the
windscreen washer is activated.
– Release the lever. The wipers-washers will keep running for ap-
proximately four seconds.
WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and safety levels while
driving.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation sys-
tem. The washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and ob-
scure your view of the road.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 203.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. If you switch on the wipers
when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you could damage
both the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
● The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.
● The heat output of the heated jets* is controlled automatically when the
ignition is switched on, depending upon the outside temperature.
● In certain versions of vehicles with alarms, the windscreen wiper will on-
ly work in interval/rain sensor mode when the ignition is on and the bonnet
closed.
● When the interval wipe function is on, the intervals are directly propor-
tional to the speed. This way, the higher the vehicle speed the shorter the
intervals.
● If you stop the vehicle with the windscreen wiper in position 1 or 2, it
will automatically change to a lower speed. The set speed will be resumed
when the vehicle pulls away. 

105
Lights and visibility
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen
wiper intervals, depending on the amount of rain.
Fig. 64 Windscreen wip-
er lever
Switching on the rain sensor
– Move the windscreen wiper lever into position 1
⇒ fig. 64.
– Move the control A
to the left or right to set the sensitivity of
the rain sensor. Control to the right: highly sensitive. Control to
the left: less sensitive.
The rain sensor is part of the interval wipe function. You will have to switch
the rain sensor back on if you switch off the ignition. This is done by switch-
ing the interval wipe function off and back on.
Note
● Do not put stickers on the windscreen in front of the sensor. This may
cause sensor disruption or faults. Rear window wiper 
The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.
Fig. 65 Windscreen wip-
er and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position 6
⇒ fig. 65. The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position 6
towards the steering wheel.
The wiper will continue to function for a short period if you
switch off whilst the wipers are in motion.
Switching on the windscreen wiper and washer system
– Press the lever fully forwards to position 7
⇒ fig. 65. The rear
wiper and washer operate at the same time. The windscreen
wash system will function as long as you hold the lever in this
position. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

106Lights and visibility
–Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers con-
tinue until the end of the cycle.
– Move the lever towards the steering wheel to switch off.
WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and safety levels while
driving.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 203.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the
glass before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper
when the wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the
wiper blade and the wiper motor.
Note
● The rear window wiper will only work when the ignition is switched on.
● Depending on the version of the model, when you engage reverse gear
and with the headlight wiper activated, the lamps are wiped. 
Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses. The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steer-
ing wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped beam headlights
or main beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from
the headlights at regular intervals, for instance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
● To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.
● To remove water, the windscreen wipers will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles. 
Rear view mirrors
Adjusting the rear view mirrors
Before beginning any journey, adjust the rear view mirrors for correct visibil-
ity. 
Interior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see clearly through the
rear window. Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror
should be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle
function. 

107
Lights and visibility
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and
off as desired.
Fig. 66 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
Switching off the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 66. Indicator lamp B goes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 66. Warning lamp is lit.
Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp lights up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the interior mirror will darken au-
tomatically according to the amount of light it receives. The anti-dazzle
function is cancelled if reverse gear is engaged.
Note
● The automatic anti-dazzle function will only work properly if the sun
blind* for the rear window is retracted and there are no other objects pre-
venting light from reaching the rear view mirror.
● If you have to stick any type of sticker on the windscreen, do not do so in
front of the sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-dazzle function from
working well or even from working at all. 
Folding in the exterior mirrors
The exterior mirrors of the vehicle may be folded in. For this, press the mir-
ror housing towards the vehicle.
Note
Before washing the vehicle with an automatic car wash, fold in the mirrors
to avoid damage. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

108Lights and visibility
Electric exterior mirrors*
The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using the rotary knob
in the driver door.
Fig. 67 Controls of exte-
rior mirrors
Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob ⇒ fig. 67 to position L (left exterior mirror ).
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn knob to position R (right exterior mirror ).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle ⇒ 
.
Heated exterior mirrors*
– Press the demisting button
 ⇒ 
fig. 57 –
The mirrors demist for some minutes to prevent draining the
battery.
– If necessary, press the button again to repeat the function.
– The exterior mirror heating is not activated with temperatures
above 20 °C.
Folding in exterior mirrors*
– Turn the control ⇒ fig. 67 to position  to fold in the exterior
mirrors. You should always fold in the exterior mirrors if you are
driving through an automatic car wash. This will help prevent
damage.
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the extended position*
– Turn the knob to position L or R to fold the exterior mirrors back
out ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Convex or aspheric mirrors increase the field of vision however the
objects appear smaller and further away in the mirrors. If you use these
mirrors to estimate the distance to vehicles behind you when changing
lane, you could make a mistake. Risk of accident.
● If possible, use the rear view mirror to estimate distances to vehicles
behind you.
● Make sure that you do not get your finger trapped between the mirror
and the mirror base when folding back the mirrors. Risk of injury!
For the sake of the environment
The exterior mirror heating should be switched off when it is no longer nee-
ded. Otherwise, it is an unnecessary fuel waste. 

109
Lights and visibility
Note
● If the electrical adjustment ever fails to operate, the mirrors can be ad-
justed by hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mirror glass.
● In vehicles with electric exterior mirrors, the following points should be
observed: if, due to an external force (e.g. a knock while manoeuvring), the
adjustment of the mirror housing is altered, the mirror will have to be com-
pletely folded electrically. Do not readjust the mirror housing by hand, as
this will interfere with the mirror adjuster function.
● The rear view mirrors can be adjusted separately or simultaneously, as
described before.
● The fold-in function on the exterior mirrors is not active at speeds over
40 km/h. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

110Seats and storage compartments
Seats and storage compartments
The importance of correct seat adjustment
Proper seat adjustment optimises the level of protection of-
fered by seat belts and airbags.
Your vehicle has five seats, two in the front and three in the rear. Each seat
is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
The driver seat and the front passenger seat can be adjusted in many ways
to suit the physical requirements of the vehicle occupants. The correct seat
position is very important for:
● a fast and easy operation of all controls on the instrument panel,
● a relaxed posture which does not cause drowsiness,
● a safe driving ⇒ page 7,
● ensuring that the seat belts and airbag system provide maximum pro-
tection ⇒  page 18.
WARNING
● If the driver and passengers assume improper sitting positions, they
may sustain critical injuries.
● More people than available seats must never be transported in your
vehicle.
● Every passenger in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the
seat belt belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an
appropriate child restraint system ⇒ page 42, Child safety.
● The front seats and all head restraints must always be adjusted to
body size and the seat belt must always be properly adjusted to provide
you and your passengers with optimum protection.
WARNING (Continued)
● Always keep your feet on the footwell when the vehicle is moving;
never rest them on the dash panel, out of the window or on the seat. This
is also applied to passengers. An incorrect sitting position exposes you
to an increased risk of injury in case of a sudden braking or an accident.
If the airbag is triggered, you could sustain severe injuries due to an in-
correct sitting position.
● It is important for the driver and front passenger to keep a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel and dash panel. Failure to respect
the minimum distance means that the airbag will not protect you. Risk of
fatal injury. The distance between the driver and the steering wheel or
between the front passenger and the dash panel should always be as
great as possible.
● Adjust the driver or front passenger seat only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. Otherwise, your seat could move unexpectedly while the vehicle
is moving. This could increase the risk of an accident and therefore, in-
jury. In addition, while adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect
sitting position. Risk of fatal accidents.
● Special guidelines apply to installing a child seat on the front passen-
ger seat. When installing a child seat, please observe the warnings de-
scribed in ⇒ page 42, Child safety.
