2011 Seat Ibiza ST tow

102Lights and visibility
For the sake of the environment
The heated rear window should be disconnected as soon as the glass is
demisted. By saving electrical power you can also save fuel.
Note
To avoid possible damage to the battery, an automatic temporary discon-
nection of this function is possible, coming back on when normal operating
conditions are re-established. 
Hazard warning lights 
The hazard warning lights are used to draw the attention of
other road users to your vehicle in emergencies.
Fig. 59 Centre console:
switch for hazard warn-
ing lights
If your vehicle breaks down:
1. Park your vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic. 2. Press the button to switch on the hazard warning lights
⇒ 
.
3. Switch the engine off.
4. Apply the handbrake.
5. On a manual gearbox engage 1st gear. On an automatic, move the selector lever to P.
6. Use the warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your vehicle.
7. Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehi- cle.
Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for example
when:
● reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,
● there is an emergency
● your vehicle breaks down due to a technical fault,
● you are towing another vehicle or your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are
switched on. That is that the two turn signal turn signal lamps   and the
turn signal lamp in the switch  will flash at the same time. The hazard
warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
WARNING
● The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always
use the hazard warning lights and a warning triangle to draw the atten-
tion of other road users to your stationary vehicle.
● Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt
petrol. This could start a fire! 

103
Lights and visibility
Note
● The battery will run down if the hazard warning lights are left on for a
long time, even if the ignition is switched off.
● The use of the hazard warning lights described here is subject to the rel-
evant statutory requirements. 
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the park-
ing lights and the headlight flasher.
Fig. 60 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er
The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ⇒ fig. 60 1
to indicate right, and
all the way down 2 to indicate left. Signalling a lane change
–
Push the lever up 1
or down 2 to the point where you incur
resistance and then release it. The turn signal will flash several
times. The corresponding warning lamp will also flash.
Switching main beam on and off
– Turn the light switch to position .
– Press the lever forward ⇒ fig. 60 4
to switch on the main
beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam head-
lights off again.
Headlight flashers
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel 3
to operate the
flasher.
Switching on parking lights
– Switch the ignition off and remove the key from the lock.
– Move the lever up or down to turn the right or left-hand parking
lights on, respectively.
WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk of accident! Never use the
main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if they could dazzle other
drivers. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

106Lights 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. 63. 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. 64 Windscreen wip-
er and windscreen wash
lever
The windscreen wiper lever ⇒ fig. 64 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: 

107
Lights 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 209.
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. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

108Lights and visibility
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor controls the frequency of the windscreen
wiper intervals, depending on the amount of rain.
Fig. 65 Windscreen wip-
er lever
Switching on the rain sensor
– Move the windscreen wiper lever into position 1
⇒ fig. 65.
– 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. 66 Windscreen wip-
er and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position 6
⇒ fig. 66. 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. 66. 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. 

109
Lights 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
● A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 209.
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. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

110Lights and visibility
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and
off as desired.
Fig. 67 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
Switching off the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 67. Indicator lamp B goes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 67. 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. 

132Air conditioning
Air conditioning
Heating
Controls
Fig. 99 Heating controls
on the dash panel
– Using the controls A
and C and with the switch B ⇒ fig. 99
you can adjust the temperature, the air distribution and the
blower speed.
– Press the button D
to switch air recirculation mode on or off.
When the function is activated, a warning light on the button is
turned on.
Temperature
Switch A
adjusts temperature. The required temperature inside the vehicle
cannot be lower than the ambient temperature. Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is only available when the
engine has reached its operating temperature.
Blower
The air flow can be set at four speeds with switch
B
. The blower should al-
ways be set at the lowest speed when driving slowly.
Air distribution
Control C
for setting the flow of air in the required direction.
 – Air distribution towards the windscreen in order to demist. For safety
reasons, it is not recommended to switch air recirculation on.
 – Air distribution to the upper body
 – Air distribution to footwell
 – Air distribution to the windscreen and the footwell.
Air recirculation mode 
Air recirculation mode D
on (a lamp lights up in red) prevents strong
odours from the outside air from entering in the vehicle, for example when
passing through a tunnel or in a traffic jam ⇒ 
.
When the outside temperature is low, air recirculation mode improves heat-
ing performance by heating air from the interior instead of cold air from the
outside. 