2012 Seat Ibiza ST warning

134Air 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. 

135
Air conditioning
WARNING
● For your safety, the windows should never be fogged up or covered
with snow or ice. This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please famili-
arise yourself with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation
system, including the demist/defrost functions for the windows.
● In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehi-
cle interior. The windows can quickly fog over if the heating is switched
off. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on for a
long time (risk of accident).
Note
● Please consider the general notes ⇒ page 142. 
Vehicle ventilation or heating
Fig. 100 Heating con-
trols on the dash panel Ventilating the vehicle interior
–
Turn the temperature selector A
⇒ Fig. 100 anticlockwise.
– Turn blower switch B
to any of the head settings 1 -4.
– Set the airflow to the desired direction using air distribution
control C
.
– Open the relevant air outlets.
Interior heating
– Turn the temperature selector A
⇒ Fig. 100 clockwise to select
the desired temperature.
– Turn blower switch B
to any of the head settings 1 -4.
– Set the airflow to the desired direction using air distribution
control C
.
– Open the relevant air outlets.
Defrosting the windscreen
– Turn the temperature selector A
⇒ Fig. 100 clockwise to reach
the maximum temperature.
– Turn the blower switch B
to setting 4.
– Turn air distribution control to .
– Close outlet 3
.
– Open and turn outlet 4
towards side windows
Keeping the windscreen and the side windows demisted
– Turn the temperature selector A
⇒ Fig. 100 to the heating area. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

137
Air conditioning
Air distribution C
Switch on symbolMain air output through outlets:
1,2
5
1, 2, 5
3, 4
Outlets 3 and 4 can be closed or opened separately and the air flow di-
rected as required. 
Air conditioning* Controls
Fig. 102 Air condition-
ing controls on the dash
panel The air conditioning system only works when the engine is running
and the fan is switched on.
–
Using the controls ⇒ Fig. 102 A
and C and with the switch Byou can adjust the temperature, the air distribution and the
blower speed.
– To switch a function on or off, press the appropriate button D
or E. When the function is activated, a red warning light on the
button is turned on.
– To demist the windscreen:
– Turn air distribution to .
– Turn the fan control to one of the two levels depending on the
speed required.
– Rotate the temperature control to the desired level of comfort.
– Close outlets 3
–
Open and turn outlets 4 towards side windows.
Temperature selector ⇒ page 138
Blower control. There are four speed settings for the blower. At low
speed, it is recommended to set the blower to a minimum of 1 to im-
prove the intake of fresh air.
Air distribution control ⇒ page 138
Air recirculation button 
⇒ page 139
AC button – Switch on air conditioning ⇒ page 138
A
B
CDE
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

138Air conditioning
WARNING
For your safety, the windows should never be fogged up or covered with
snow or ice. This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise
yourself with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system,
including the demist/defrost functions for the windows.
Note
Please consider the general notes. 
Vehicle interior heating or cooling system
Fig. 103 Air condition-
ing controls on the dash
panel
Interior heating
– Disconnect the cooling system using button ⇒ Fig. 103 AC
(the
button light turns off).
– Turn the temperature selector A
to set the desired temperature
inside the vehicle. –
Turn the blower switch to any of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control C
to the air flow configuration
desired:  (towards the windscreen),  (towards the chest),
 (towards the footwell) and  (towards the windscreen and
footwell areas).
Interior cooling
– Connect the cooling system with button AC
(the button light
should light up).
– Turn the temperature control switch until the desired interior
temperature is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to any of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration de-
sired: 
(towards the windscreen),  (towards the chest), (towards the footwell) and  (towards the windscreen and
footwell areas).
Heating
Maximum heat output, which is needed to defrost the windows quickly, is
only available when the engine has reached its operating temperature.
Coolant system
When the air conditioning is switched on, the temperature and the air hu-
midity go down. This way, if the outside humidity is extreme, the air condi-
tioning prevents the misting of the windows and therefore, comfort is im-
proved.
If the air conditioning does not work, this may be due to the following rea-
sons:
● The engine is stationary.
● The fan blower is switched off. 

139
Air conditioning
● The outside temperature is below +3°C.
● The air conditioning system compressor has been temporarily switched
off because of an increased engine coolant temperature.
● The air conditioner fuse is faulty.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a spe-
cialised workshop. 
Air recirculation 
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells
from coming from the outside.
When air recirculation mode is switched on (button ⇒ Fig. 103 
with
warning lamp) strong odours in the outside air do not enter the vehicle inte-
rior, 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.
When the outside temperature is high, air recirculation mode improves cool-
ing performance by cooling air from the interior instead of warm air from
outside.
For safety reasons, the air recirculation should not be switched on when the
air distribution control is set to the windscreen setting .
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehicle
interior. If the air conditioner is switched off, the windows can quickly
mist over. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on
for a long time (risk of accident).
Note
● When engaging reverse gear, the air recirculation is connected automat-
ically to prevent the entrance of exhaust gases in the vehicle on travelling
backwards. The control lamp on the button 
does not light up.
● If the temperature control is turned to the coldest setting (blue point)
and the switch AC
is activated, the “Air recirculation” function is automati-
cally activated in order to cool the vehicle rapidly using less energy; its
function control lamp will light.
● If the function is not deactivated by pressing the button, this will deacti-
vate after approx. 20 min. 
Economic use of the air conditioning
When the air conditioning is switched on, the compressor consumes engine
power and has influence on fuel consumption. Consider the following
points in order to have the system operating in the minimum possible time.
● If the vehicle interior has overheated due to an excessive solar radiation,
it is best to open the windows or doors to allow the hot air to escape.
● While in motion, the air conditioning should not be switched on if the
windows or the sunroof are open.* 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

140Air conditioning
Climatronic
Controls
Fig. 104 Climatronic controls on the dash panelThe air conditioner only works when the engine is running and the
blower is switched on.
– Press keys 10
and 11 ⇒ Fig. 104 to adjust temperature.
– The functions will be switched on when its buttons are pressed.
When the function is activated, a symbol is displayed on the
screen. Press the button again to switch off the function.
Blower level indicator.
Air recirculation display:
Display AUTO (Automatic operation)
Demisting indicator
AC indicator (Cooling connected)
1
2345
Interior temperature indicator selected
Air flow direction indicator
Fan speed increase
Fan speed decrease
Interior temperature increase
Interior temperature decrease
AUTO
button – Automatic adjustment of temperature, ventilation and
air distribution
Button 
– Windscreen demisting function. The air drawn in is direc-
ted at the windscreen. The air recirculation mode will be switched off as
soon as the demisting function is switched on. At temperatures over
3°C, the cooling system is switched on automatically in order to dry the
air.
Button 
– Air distribution to head area
Button  – Air distribution to the upper body
Button  – Air distribution to footwell
 – Manual air recirculation
AC button – To switch on the air conditioning.
WARNING
For your safety, the windows should never be fogged up or covered with
snow or ice. This is essential to ensure good visibility. Please familiarise
yourself with the correct operation of the heating and ventilation system,
including the demist/defrost functions for the windows.
Note
Please consider the general notes. 
6
789101112
13
1415161718

142Air conditioning
Air recirculation mode
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells
from coming from the outside.
– Press the button 
to switch air recirculation mode on or off.
This is ON if the symbol  ⇒ Fig. 104 is displayed on the
screen.
Air recirculation mode prevents strong odours in the ambient air from enter-
ing the vehicle interior, 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.
When the outside temperature is high, air recirculation mode improves cool-
ing performance by cooling air from the interior instead of warm air from
outside.
For safety reasons, the air recirculation should not be switched on when the
air distribution control is set to the windscreen setting .
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehicle
interior. If the air conditioner is switched off, the windows can quickly
mist over. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on
for a long time (risk of accident).
Note
When engaging reverse gear, the air recirculation is connected automatical-
ly to prevent the entrance of exhaust gases in the vehicle on travelling back-
wards. In this case the symbol 
for air recirculation is not displayed. General notes
Pollution filter
The pollution filter (a combined particulate filter and active carbon filter)
serves as a barrier against impurities in the outside air, including dust and
pollen.
For the air conditioner to work with maximum efficiency, the pollution filter
must be replaced at the specified intervals in the Maintenance Programme.
If the filter loses efficiency prematurely due to use in areas reaching very
high pollution levels, the pollen filter must be changed more frequently
than stated in the Service Schedule.
CAUTION
● If you suspect that the air conditioner is damaged, switch it off with but-
ton AC
to prevent further damage and have it checked by a specialised
workshop.
● Repairs to the air conditioner require specialist knowledge and special
tools. Therefore, we recommend you to take the vehicle to a specialised
workshop.
Note
● If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensa-
tion can drip off the evaporator in the cooling system and so forming a pud-
dle underneath the vehicle. This is completely normal and there is no need
to suspect a leak.
● Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen free of snow, ice and
leaves to ensure heating and cooling are not impaired, and to prevent the
windows from misting over.
● The air from the vents flows through the vehicle interior and is extracted
by slots designed for this purpose. Therefore, do not cover these slots with
items of clothing or other objects. 

144Driving
Driving
SteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be freely ad-
justed to suit the driver.
Fig. 105 Steering col-
umn height adjustment
– Adjust the driver seat to the correct position.
– Push the lever under the steering column ⇒ Fig. 105 down ⇒ 
.
– Adjust the steering wheel until the correct position is set
⇒ Fig. 105.
– Then push the lever up again firmly ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Incorrect use of the steering column adjustment function and an in-
correct seating position can result in serious injury.
● To avoid accidents, the steering column should be adjusted only
when the vehicle is stationary.
● Adjust the driver seat or steering wheel so that there is a distance of
at least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your chest ⇒ Fig. 105. If
you fail to observe the minimum distance, the airbag will not protect you.
Risk of fatal injury.
● If your physical constitution does not allow you to maintain the mini-
mum distance of 25 cm, contact a Technical Service. Here you will be hel-
ped to decide if special specific modifications are necessary.
● If you adjust the steering wheel so that it points towards your face,
the driver airbag will not protect you properly in the event of an accident.
Make sure that the steering wheel points towards your chest.
● When driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands on the
outside of the ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. Never hold
the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or in any other manner
(e.g. in the centre of the steering wheel, or on the inside of the rim). In
such cases, if the airbag is triggered, you may sustain injuries to the
arms, hands and head.
