2011 Seat Ibiza ST ABS

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 10
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Storing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Belt tensioners* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Deactivating airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Securing child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 LPG system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Digital instrument panel display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Steering column controls* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Audio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Audio + Telephone Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Unlocking and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Radio frequency remote control* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Panorama tilting sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Seats and storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 113
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . . 113
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Ashtrays, cigarette lighter and power socket . . . 123
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher . 126
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Roof rack* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Starting and stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Start-Stop function* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Automatic gearbox* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system) . . . . . . . . 163
Practical Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Anti-lock brake system and traction control ABS 168
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)* . . . . . . . . 169
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Economical and environmentally friendly driving 175
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 180
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Vehicle interior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
3
Table of Contents

21
Seat belts
Why wear seat belts? Physical principles of frontal collisions
In the event of a frontal collision, a large amount of kinetic
energy must be absorbed.
Fig. 6 Vehicle about to
hit a wall: the occupants
are not wearing seat
belts
Fig. 7 The vehicle hits
the wall: the occupants
are not wearing seat
belts
It is easy to explain how the laws of physics work in the case of a head-on
collision: When a vehicle starts moving ⇒ fig. 6, a certain amount of energy
known as kinetic energy is produced in the vehicle and its occupants.
The amount of kinetic energy depends on the speed of the vehicle and the
weight of the vehicle and its passengers. The higher the speed and the
greater the weight, the more energy there is to be released in an accident.
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If the
speed doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic energy is
multiplied by four.
Because the passengers in our example are not restrained by seat belts, in
the case of a head-on collision all of their kinetic energy has to be absorbed
at the point of impact ⇒ fig. 7.
Even at speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on bodies in a col-
lision can easily exceed one tonne (1000 kg). At greater speed these forces
are even higher.
Passengers not wearing seat belts are not “attached” to the vehicle. In a
head-on collision, they will move forward at the same speed their vehicle 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

23
Seat belts
Seat belt protection
Passengers not wearing seat belts risk severe injuries in the
event of an accident.
Fig. 10 A driver wearing
the seat belt properly is
secured by the belt in
sharp braking
Properly worn seat belts hold the vehicle occupants in the correct sitting po-
sitions and substantially reduce the kinetic energy in the event of an acci-
dent. Seat belts also help to prevent uncontrolled movements that could
lead to severe injuries. In addition, properly worn seat belts reduce the dan-
ger of being thrown from the vehicle.
Passengers wearing their seat belts correctly benefit greatly from the ability
of the belts to absorb kinetic energy. The front part of your vehicle and other
passive safety features (such as the airbag system) are also designed to ab-
sorb the kinetic energy released in a collision. Taken together, all these fea-
tures reduce the releasing kinetic energy and consequently, the risk of in-
jury.
Our examples describe frontal collisions. Of course, properly worn seat belts
substantially reduce the risk of injury in all other types of accidents. This is
why it is so important to fasten seat belts before every trip, even when "just
driving around the corner". Ensure that your passengers wear their seat belts as well. Accident statistics
have shown that wearing seat belts is an effective means of substantially
reducing the risk of injury and improving the chances of survival in a seri-
ous accident. Furthermore, properly worn seat belts improve the protection
provided by airbags in the event of an accident. For this reason, wearing a
seat belt is required by law in most countries.
Although your vehicle is equipped with airbags, the seat belts must be fas-
tened and worn. The front airbags, for example, are only triggered in some
frontal accidents. The front airbags will not be triggered during minor frontal
collisions, minor side collisions, rear collisions, overturns or accidents in
which the airbag trigger threshold value in the control unit is not exceeded.
Therefore, you should always wear your seat belt and ensure that your pas-
sengers have fastened their seat belts properly before you drive off!

Safety instructions on using seat belts
If seat belts are used correctly, they can reduce the risk of in-
jury in an accident.
– Always wear the seat belt as described in this section.
– Ensure that the seat belts can be fastened at all times and are
not damaged. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

31
Airbag system
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger
seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front pas-
senger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled. The front passenger airbag is a serious risk for a child if it is activated. The
front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if he/she is transported in
a rear-facing child seat. Children up to 12 years old should always travel on
the rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
airbag can strike it with such force that it can cause critical or fatal injuries.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear
seats. That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the
front passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch
⇒ page 41. When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to
the age and size of each child.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to disconnect the
airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
WARNING
● If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the
child of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident in-
creases.
● Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal in-
juries if the front passenger airbag is triggered.
WARNING (Continued)
● An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child
seat and hurl it with great force against the door, the roof or the back-
rest.
● If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in
a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely es-
sential that you observe the following safety measures:
–Deactivate the front passenger airbag ⇒ page 41, Deactivating
airbags*.
– The child seat must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
– Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer
and absolutely observe all warnings
– Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
– Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being
pushed completely back.
– The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright po-
sition.

Warning lamp for airbag and seat belt tensioner 
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and seat belt ten-
sioner system.
The warning lamp monitors all airbags and seat belt tensioners in the vehi-
cle, including control units and wiring connections. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

64Cockpit
ItemSymbolMeaning of warning and indicator
lampsFurther infor-mation
1Engine fault (petrol engine)⇒ page 67
1Glow plug system for diesel engine
If lit: glow plug system active
If flashing: engine fault⇒ page 68
2Soot accumulation in the diesel en-
gine particulate filter⇒ page 68
3
Red:
Engine oil pressure
⇒ page 68Yellow:
If flashing: engine oil sensor faulty
If it remains lit: insufficient engine
oil
4Bulb defective⇒ page 69
5Level of liquid for washing windows
too low.⇒ page 69
6Rear fog light switched on⇒ page 69
7Seat belt warning lamp*⇒ page 20
8Anti-lock brake system (ABS) *⇒ page 69
9
If flashing: Electronic Stability Pro-
gramme (ESP) or the TCS is working
If it remains lit: ESP or TCS faulty⇒ page 70
⇒ page 70
10Brake fluid required or
serious fault in brake system⇒ page 71
11Handbrake on⇒ page 159
ItemSymbolMeaning of warning and indicator
lampsFurther infor-mation
12Cruise speed activated (Cruise con-
trol)⇒ page 71
13Tyre pressure*⇒ page 71
14Selector lever lock (automatic gear-
box)⇒ page 72
15Fuel level / reserve⇒ page 72
16Doors open⇒ page 72
17Tailgate open⇒ page 72
18Airbag or belt tensioner system fault
or airbag disabled⇒ page 31
19Main beam switched on⇒ page 73
20Start-Stop system switched off⇒ page 148
21Electro-hydraulic steering⇒ page 73
22Fault in the emission control system⇒ page 73
23Coolant level / coolant temperature⇒ page 73
24Alternator fault⇒ page 74
25If it stays lit: TCS disabled⇒ page 70
⇒ page 70 

69
Cockpit
Bulb defect* 
The indicator lights up when a bulb is not functioning. The  warning lamp lights up when there is a fault on the turn signals,
headlights, side lights and fog lights. 
Washer fluid 
This warning lamp lights up to indicate that the windscreen
washer level is too low. This serves as a reminder to fill up the reservoir at the earliest opportunity
⇒ page 208 
Rear fog light* 
This warning lamp lights up when the rear fog light is switched on . For
further information see ⇒ page 97. 
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)* 
A warning lamp monitors the ABS. The indicator lamp  should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It goes out again after the system has run through an automat-
ic test sequence. There is a fault in the ABS if:
●
The warning lamp  does not light up when the ignition is switched on.
● The warning lamp does not go out again after a few seconds
● The warning lamp lights up when the vehicle is moving
The vehicle can still be braked in the normal way, without the ABS function.
Take the vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. For further
information on the ABS go to ⇒ page 168.
If there is a fault in the ABS, the ESP* and the tyre pressure warning lamp
will also light up.
Brake system fault
If the ABS warning lamp  lights up together with the brake warning lamp
, this indicates not only a fault in the ABS function, but also a possible
fault in the brake system ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings on
⇒ page 199, Working in the engine compartment.
● If the brake warning lamp  should light up together with the ABS
warning lamp , stop the vehicle immediately and check the brake fluid
level in the reservoir ⇒ page 211, Brake fluid. If the fluid level has drop-
ped below the “MIN” mark you must not drive on. Risk of accident. Ob-
tain technical assistance.
● If the brake fluid level is correct, the fault in the brake system may
have been caused by a failure of the ABS system. This could cause the
rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause the rear to
break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek technical assis-
tance.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

70Cockpit
Differential lock fault (EDL)*
EDL operates along with the ABS in vehicles equipped with
an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
A malfunction in the EDL is indicated by the ABS warning lamp . Take the
vehicle to a specialised workshop as soon as possible. For further informa-
tion on the EDL see ⇒ page 170, Electronic differential lock (EDL)*. 
Traction control system (TCS)*  / 
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from
spinning when the vehicle is accelerating
There are two warning lamps for the traction control system:  and . Both
warning lamps light up together when the ignition is switched on and
should turn off after approximately 2 seconds. This is the time taken for the
function check.
The  lamp has the following function:
● It flashes when the TCS is on, and the vehicle is moving.
If the system is deactivated or if it has any fault, the warning lamp will re-
main lit. It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the
TCS operates in conjunction with the ABS. For further information, see
⇒  page 167, Brakes
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the TCS is disconnected after pressing the TCS OFF
switch.
By pressing again, TCS function is reactivated and the warning lamp switch-
ed off. Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*  / 
There are two warning lamps for the electronic stability pro-
gramme. The  lamp provides information concerning the
function and the
 provides information on the disconnec-
tion status
Both warning lamps light up together when the ignition is switched on and
should turn off after approximately 2 seconds. This is the time taken for the
function check.
This programme includes the ABS, EDL and TCS. It also includes emergency
braking assistance (BAS).
The warning lamp  has the following functions:
● It flashes when the TCS/ESP is activated when driving.
● It will light up continuously if there is a malfunction in the ESP.
● It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the ESP
operates in conjunction with the ABS.
If the ESP warning lamp  lights up and stays on after the engine is started,
this may mean that the control system has temporarily switched off the ESP.
In this case the ESP can be reactivated by switching the ignition off and
then on again. If the warning lamp goes out, this means the system is fully
functional.
The  lamp provides information about the disconnection status of the
system:
● It stays lit when the TCS is disconnected after pressing the  switch.

71
Cockpit
Brake system* 
This warning lamp lights up if the brake fluid level is too low
or if there is a fault in the system.
This warning lamp  lights up if
● the brake fluid level is too low ⇒ page 211.
● there is a fault in the brake system.
This warning lamp can light up together with the ABS system warning lamp.
WARNING
● If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up when driv-
ing, the brake fluid level ⇒ page 211, Brake fluid in the reservoir is too
low. Risk of accident. Stop the vehicle and do not drive on. Obtain techni-
cal assistance.
● If the brake warning lamp  lights up together with the ABS warning
lamp , the control function of the ABS could be out of action. This could
cause the rear wheels to lock quickly when you brake. This could cause
the rear to break away. Risk of skidding. Stop the vehicle and seek tech-
nical assistance.

Cruise speed (Cruise control)* 
The warning lamp comes on when the cruise control system
is switched on.
The warning lamp  lights up when the cruise control system is switched
on. For further information on the cruise control system, see ⇒ page 163.Tyre pressure* 
Fig. 40 Centre console:
tyre monitor system but-
ton
The tyre warning lamp 1)
compares wheel revolutions and with this informa-
tion, the diameter of each wheel using the ESP sensors. If the diameter of a
wheel changes, the tyre warning lamp  lights up. The wheel diameter
changes when:
● Tyre pressure is insufficient.
● The tyre structure is damaged.
● The vehicle is unbalanced because of a load.
● The wheels of one axle are under more pressure (for example, driving
with a trailer or on extreme slopes).
● The vehicle is fitted with snow chains.
● The temporary spare wheel is fitted.
● The wheel on one axle is changed. 
1)
Depending on the model version
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications