2011 Seat Ibiza ST warning light

74Cockpit
If the warning lamp lights up again after driving on for a short distance,
stop the vehicle and switch the engine off . Contact an Authorised Service
Centre or a specialised workshop.
Coolant level too low
If the warning light comes on, stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
wait for it to cool down . First check the coolant level. If the level of the cool-
ant is below the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant liquid ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● If your vehicle is immobilised for technical reasons, move it to a safe
distance from traffic. Turn the engine off, turn the hazard lights on and
place the warning triangle.
● Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escap-
ing from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before carrying out any
work in the engine compartment, switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down. Always note the corresponding warnings ⇒ page 199.

Alternator 
This warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator.
The warning lamp  lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should
go out when the engine has started running.
If the warning lamp  lights up while driving, the alternator is no longer
charging the battery. You should immediately drive to the nearest special-
ised workshop. You should avoid using electrical equipment that is not absolutely necessa-
ry because this will drain the battery.
If the indicator flashes the voltage is insufficient for normal vehicle opera-
tion.

Turn signals  
The indicator lamp flashes when the turn signals are in op-
eration.
Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left  or right  turn
signal indicator lamp flashes. Both indicator lamps will flash at the same
time when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
If any of both turn signals fails, the indicator lamp will start flashing twice
faster than normal.
For further information on the turn signals, please see ⇒ page 103. 
Electronic immobiliser “Safe”*
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser au-
tomatically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The immobiliser will
be activated again automatically as soon as you pull the key out of the igni-
tion lock.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: SAFE. The vehicle
cannot be started in this case 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

79
Unlocking and locking
Unlocking and locking
Central locking Description
The central locking system enables you to lock and unlock
all doors by just pushing the button.Central locking can be activated by using any of the following options:
● the key, by inserting it into the driver door cylinder and rotating it in the
opening direction. Depending on the vehicle version, either all doors will be
unlocked or only the driver door will be unlocked. All doors will be locked on
locking the vehicle using the key.
● the interior central locking button ⇒ page 82.
● the remote control, using the buttons on the key ⇒ page 85.
Various functions are available to improve the vehicle safety: Safe* security system
Selective unlocking system*
Self-locking system to prevent involuntary unlocking
Automatic speed-dependent locking and unlocking system*
Emergency unlocking system
-
-
-
-
-
WARNING
● Locking from the outside carelessly or without good visibility may
lead to bruising, particularly in the case of children.
● When locking a vehicle, never leave children unaccompanied inside,
as from the outside it will be difficult to provide assistance if required.
● Having the doors locked prevents an intrusion from getting in, for ex-
ample when stopped at a traffic light.
Note
For anti-theft security, only the driver door is fitted with a lock cylinder. 
Safe security system*
This is an anti-theft device that consists of a double lock for
the door locks and a disabling function for the luggage
compartment in order to prevent a forced entry (depending
on country). Activation
The “safe” system is activated when the vehicle is locked using the key or
the remote control.
To activate it with the key, rotate once it is inserted in the door lock cylinder
in the locking direction.
To activate the system using the remote control, press the lock button once 
on the remote. 
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81
Unlocking and locking
Activating the selective unlocking system*
With the door open, insert a key into the start cylinder and start the ignition.
Insert the other key into the driver door lock and turn in the opening direc-
tion for at least 3 seconds. The turn signals will flash twice.
Deactivating the selective unlocking system*
With the door open, insert a key into the start cylinder and start the ignition.
Insert the other key into the driver door lock and turn in the locking direc-
tion for at least 3 seconds. The turn signals will flash once. 
Involuntary unlocking
It is an anti-theft system and prevents the unintentional un-
locking of the vehicle. If the vehicle is unlocked and any of the doors (including the tailgate) are
opened within 30 seconds, it gets re-locked automatically. 
Automatic speed dependent locking and unlocking system*
This is a safety system which prevent the access to the vehi-
cle from the outside when it is running (for example, when
stopped at a traffic light).
Locking
The doors lock automatically after exceeding 15km/h. The tailgate locks au-
tomatically after exceeding 6 km/h.
If the vehicle is stopped and any of its doors open, when starting again and
exceeding the mentioned speed, all doors will lock again. Unlocking
On withdrawing the ignition key, the vehicle will returns to its status prior to
self-locking.
Each door can be unlocked and opened independently from the inside (for
example, when a passenger gets out of it). To do it, simply operate the lever
inside the door.
Activating the system*
With the ignition on, press the locking key on the central locking system
within 3 to 10 seconds.
Deactivating the system*
With the ignition on, press the unlocking key on the central locking system
within 3 to 10 seconds.
In both cases, if the operation has been carried out correctly, the locking
lamp will flash

⇒ 
fig. 43.
WARNING
The door handles must not be operated when the vehicle is running: the
door would open.
Note
If the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle is unlocked, ex-
cept for the luggage compartment. It is possible to lock the vehicle from in-
side with the central locking, after turning the ignition off and back on
again. 
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82Unlocking and locking
Emergency unlocking system
If the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle is unlocked, ex-
cept for the luggage compartment. It is possible to lock the vehicle from in-
side with the central locking, after turning the ignition off and back on
again. 
Central locking button*
The central lock button allows you to lock and unlock the ve-
hicle from the inside.
Fig. 43 Central locking
button
Locking the vehicle
– Press button 
⇒ fig. 43 ⇒ .
Unlocking the doors
– Press the button 
⇒ fig. 43. The central lock button is still operative when the ignition is switched off.
Except when the Safe security system is activated.
Please note the following if you lock your vehicle with the central lock but-
ton:
●
Locking the doors and tailgate prevents access from the outside (for
safety reasons, e.g. when stopped at a traffic light).
● The driver door cannot be locked. This avoids the user from forgetting
his key inside the vehicle.
● All doors can be locked separately from inside the vehicle. Do this by
pulling the door release lever once.
WARNING
● If the vehicle is locked, children and disabled people may be trapped
inside it.
● Repeated operation of central locking will prevent the central locking
button from working for a few seconds. Then, it can only be unlocked in
case it has been previously locked. After few seconds, the central locking
becomes operative again.
● The central locking button is not operative when the vehicle is locked
from the outside (with the remote control or the key).
Note
● Vehicle locked,  button.
● Vehicle unlocked,  button. 

87
Unlocking and locking
Anti-theft alarm system* Description of anti-theft alarm system*
The anti-theft alarm triggers if unauthorised movements are
detected around the vehicle.
The anti-theft alarm makes it more difficult to break into the vehicle or steal
it. The system will initiate acoustic and optical warning signals when your
vehicle is tried to be forced.
The anti-theft alarm system is automatically connected on locking the vehi-
cle. For this, either rotate the key in the locking position or press button 
2 on the radio-frequency remote control*. The system is immediately acti-
vated and the turn signal light located on the driver door will flash along
with the turn signals, indicating that the alarm and the locking security sys-
tem (double lock) have been turned on.
If any of the doors or the bonnet are open, they will not be included in the
protection zones of the vehicle when the alarm is connected. If the door or
the bonnet are subsequently closed, they will be automatically included in
the protection areas of the vehicle and the turn signals will flash according-
ly when the doors close.
● The turn signal light will flash twice on opening and deactivating the
alarm..
● The turn signal light will flash once on closing and activating the alarm.
When does the system trigger an alarm?
The system triggers an alarm if the following unauthorised actions are car-
ried out when the car is locked: ●
Opening of vehicle with mechanical key without switching ignition on
within the next 15 seconds
● Opening a door
● Opening the bonnet
● Opening the tailgate
● Ignition switched on with a non-validated key.
● Movements in the driving compartment (vehicles with a volume sensor)
● Towing of the vehicle 1)
● Tilt angle (tow-away protection) 1)
● Undue manipulation of the alarm
● Battery handling
The acoustic signals sound and the turn signals flash for approx. 30 sec-
onds. This may be repeated up to 10 times depending on the country.
Opening all the doors in manual mode
In vehicles without alarm, when opening the driver door manually all the
doors are opened.
How to switch the alarm off
To deactivate the anti-theft alarm, turn the key in the direction, to open,
open the door and switch the ignition on, or press the unlock button 
on
the remote control.
In vehicles equipped with an anti-theft alarm system, you have 15 seconds
to insert the key in the ignition lock and activate the ignition if the vehicle is
opened using the driver door key.
Otherwise, the alarm will trigger for 30 sec. and the ignition will be blocked. 
1)
With vehicles fitted with a tow-away protection
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90Unlocking and locking
Tailgate
Unlocking and locking
The operation of the tailgate opening system is electric. It is
activated by using the handle on the tailgate
Fig. 48 Tailgate: opening
from the outside
Fig. 49 Detail of the in-
side of the tailgate: hand
grip
Opening the tailgate
– Pull on the release lever and lift the tailgate ⇒ fig. 48. The tail-
gate will be automatically open.
Closing the tailgate
– Hold the tailgate by one of the two handles on the interior lining
and close it, pushing slightly.
The system may or may not operate depending on the situation of the vehi-
cle.
If the tailgate is locked then it cannot be opened, however if it is unlocked
then the opening system is operative and the tailgate may be opened.
To change the locking / unlocking status, press the button 
or the button
1 ⇒ fig. 46 on the remote control key.
A warning appears on the instrument panel if the tailgate is open or not
properly closed.* An acoustic warning signal is also given if the tailgate is
opened while the vehicle is moving faster than 6 km/h.* 

91
Unlocking and locking
WARNING
● Always close the tailgate properly. Risk of accident or injury.
● The tailgate must not be opened when the reverse or rear fog lights
are lit. This may damage the tail lights
● Do not close the tailgate by pushing it down with your hand on the
rear window. The glass could smash. Risk of injury!
● Ensure the tailgate is locked after closing it. If not, it may open unex-
pectedly while driving.
● Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. A locked vehicle
can be subjected to extremely high and low temperatures, depending on
the time of year, thus causing serious injuries/illness. It could even have
fatal consequences. Close and lock both the tailgate and all the other
doors when you are not using the vehicle.
● Closing the tailgate without observing and ensuring it is clear could
cause serious injury to you and to third parties. Make sure that no one is
in the path of the tailgate.
● Never drive with the tailgate open or half-closed, exhaust gases may
penetrate into the interior of the vehicle. Danger of poisoning!
● If you only open the tailgate, do not leave the key inside. The vehicle
will not be opened if the key is left inside.
 Emergency opening
This allows the vehicle to be opened if the central locking
does not operate (for example, if the battery is flat)
Fig. 50 Tailgate: emer-
gency open
There is a groove in the luggage compartment allowing access to
the emergency opening mechanism.
Opening the tailgate from inside the luggage compartment
– Insert the key in the groove and unlock the locking system, turn-
ing the key from right to left, as shown by the arrow ⇒ fig. 50.
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97
Lights and visibility
Lights and visibility
Lights Switching lights on and off 
Fig. 54 Detailed view of
the dash panel: lights,
fog lights and rear fog
light switch
Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch ⇒ fig. 54 to position .
Switching on dipped beam headlights
– Turn the light switch to position .
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position 0. Switching on the front fog lights*
–
Turn the switch from position  or  to the first stop and pull
it. The symbol  in the light switch lights up.
Switching on the rear fog light (vehicles with front fog lights)
– Turn the lights control from position  or  to the second stop
and pull out ⇒ 
. A warning lamp on the instrument panel
lights up.
Switching on the rear fog light (vehicles with no front fog lights)
– Turn the light control to the end from position  or  and pull
it. A warning lamp on the instrument panel lights up.
WARNING
Never drive with just the side lights on. Risk of accident. The side lights
are not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that
other road users are able to see you. Always use your dipped beam head-
lights if it is dark or if visibility is poor.
Note
● The dipped beam headlights will only work with the ignition on. The side
lights come on automatically when the ignition is turned off.
● If the lights are left on after the key has been taken out of the ignition
lock, a buzzer will sound while the driver door remains open. This is a re-
minder to switch the lights off. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications