2011 Seat Ibiza ST towing

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

Accessories, parts replacement and
modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Accessories and spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Technical modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Roof aerial* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Mobile telephones and two-way radios . . . . . . . . 190
Fitting a towing bracket* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Checking and refilling levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Refuelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
LPG system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . 199
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades . . . . 208
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
If and when . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Vehicle tools, spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Wheel change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Tyre repair kit (Tyre-Mobility-System)* . . . . . . . . . 227
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Single headlight bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Double headlight bulb change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Changing the bulbs of AFS headlights . . . . . . . . 240
Changing the fog light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Changing the rear lights (on the wing) . . . . . . . . 242
Changing the rear lights (on the tailgate) . . . . . . 243
Side turn signal bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Number plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Interior light and front reading lights . . . . . . . . . 245
Additional brake lights* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Luggage compartment light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Towing and tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Description of specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Information on fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Towing a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Petrol engine 1.2 51 kW (70 PS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Petrol engine 1.4 63 kW (85 PS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Petrol engine 1.2 TSI 77 kW (105 PS) . . . . . . . . . 259
Petrol engine 1.2 TSI 77 kW (105 PS) Start-Stop 260
Petrol engine 1.4 TSI 110 kW (150 PS) . . . . . . . . 261
Diesel engine 1.2 TDI CR 55 kW (75 PS) DPF
Start-Stop Ecomotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Diesel engine 1.2 TDI CR 55 kW (75 PS) DPF . . . . 263
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 66 kW (90 PS) DPF . . . . 264
Diesel engine 1.6 TDI CR 77 kW (105 PS) with/
without DPF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Dimensions and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
4Table of Contents

73
Cockpit
Main beam headlights 
This warning lamp lights up when the main beams are on.
The warning lamp  is switched on once main beams are on or once the
headlight flasher is operating.
For further information see ⇒ page 103. 
Electro-hydraulic steering* 
The level of steering assistance depends on the vehicle speed and on the
steering wheel turning speed.
The warning lamp should light up for a few seconds when the ignition is
switched on. It should go out once the engine is started.
There is a fault in the electro-hydraulic steering system if the lamp does not
go out or lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. Take the vehicle to the
Authorised Service Centre as soon as possible.
Note
When towing the vehicle with the engine stopped or due to a fault in the
power steering, this will not operate. The vehicle can still be steered, but it
will require greater force to turn the steering wheel. Emission control system* 
This warning lamp monitors the exhaust system.
Warning lamp  flashes:
When there is misfiring that can damage the catalytic converter. Reduce
speed and drive carefully to the nearest specialised workshop to have the
engine checked.
Warning lamp  is lit:
If a fault has developed during driving which has reduced the quality of the
exhaust gas (e.g. lambda probe fault). Reduce speed and drive carefully to
the nearest specialised workshop to have the engine checked. 
Coolant level* /temperature 
The warning lamp lights up if the coolant temperature is too
high or if the coolant level is too low.
There is a fault if:
● The warning symbol does not go out again after a few seconds.
● The warning lamp lights up or flashes while the vehicle is moving, and
three acoustic warning signals ⇒ 
are emitted.
This means that either the coolant level is too low or the coolant tempera-
ture is too high.
Coolant temperature too high
If the warning light comes on, stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
wait for it to cool down. Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may be caused by a malfunc-
tion of the radiator fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have it replaced if
necessary ⇒ page 229. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

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
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

88Unlocking and locking
Note
● After 28 days, the indicator light will be switched off to prevent the bat-
tery from exhausting if the vehicle has been left parked for a long period of
time. The alarm system remains activated.
● The alarm will trigger again if attempts are made to open another protec-
tion zone.
● The alarm system can be activated or deactivated using the remote con-
trol ⇒ page 85. 
Interior monitoring and anti-towing alarm*
Monitoring or control function incorporated in the anti-theft
alarm* which detects unauthorized vehicle entry by means
of ultrasound.
Activation
– It is connected automatically when the anti-theft alarm is acti-
vated.
Deactivation
– Open the vehicle with the key, either mechanically 1)
or by press-
ing the 
button on the remote control.
– Press the button 
on the remote control twice. The volumetric
sensor and tilt sensors will be deactivated. The alarm system re-
mains activated. The interior monitoring and the anti-towing alarm are automatically switch-
ed on again next time the vehicle is locked.
The interior monitoring and anti-towing alarm (tilt sensor) are automatically
switched on when the anti-theft alarm is switched on. In order to activate it,
all the doors and the tailgate must be closed.
If you wish to disconnect the interior monitoring and the anti-towing sys-
tem, it must be done each time that the vehicle is locked; if not, they will
connect automatically.
The interior monitoring and the anti-towing system should be disconnected
if animals are left inside the locked vehicle (otherwise, their movements will
trigger the alarm) or when, for example, the vehicle is transported or has to
be towed with only one axle on the ground.
False alarms
The interior monitoring only operates correctly if the vehicle is completely
closed. Please observe legal requirements when doing so.
The following cases may cause a false alarm:
●
opened windows (partially or fully)
● panorama/tilting sunroof open (partially or completely).
● movement of objects inside the vehicle, such as loose papers, items
hanging from the rear view mirror (air fresheners), etc. 
1)
The time period from when the door is opened until the key is inserted in the contact
should not exceed 15 sec., otherwise the alarm will be triggered.

89
Unlocking and locking
Note
● If the vehicle is relocked and the alarm is activated without the volumet-
ric sensor function, relocking will activate the alarm with all its functions,
except the volumetric sensor. This function is reactivated when the alarm is
switched on again, unless it is deliberately switched off.
● If the alarm has been triggered by the volumetric sensor, this will be in-
dicated by a flashing of the indicator on the driver door. The flash is differ-
ent to the flash indicating the alarm is activated.
● The vibration of a mobile phone left inside the vehicle may cause the in-
terior monitoring alarm to trigger, as both sensors react to movements and
shakes inside the vehicle.
● If on activating the alarm, any door or the tailgate is open, only the
alarm will be activated. The interior monitoring and the anti-towing system
will only be activated once all the doors are closed (including the tailgate). 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

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! 

143
Driving
Safety Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.
Fig. 106 Detailed view of
the centre console: ESP
button.
The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) contains the electronic differential
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works to-
gether with the ABS. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS sys-
tems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it
is only possible to switch TCS off.
WARNING
● The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of
physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet
roads and when towing a trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you
into taking any risks when driving, as this can cause accidents.
● Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in
⇒ page 167, Intelligent technology.

Ignition lock Position of the ignition key
Fig. 107 Ignition key po-
sitions 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications