2012 Seat Ibiza ST catalytic converter

195
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
● Fuel is highly flammable and can cause serious burns and other inju-
ries.
–Never smoke or use an open flame when filling the fuel tank of the
vehicle, or a spare fuel canister, with fuel. This is an explosion haz-
ard.
– Follow legal requirements for the use of spare fuel canisters.
– For safety reasons we do not recommend carrying a spare fuel can-
ister in the vehicle. The canister could be damaged in an accident and
leak.
● If, in exceptional circumstances, you have to carry a spare fuel canis-
ter, please observe the following points:
–Never fill the spare fuel canister inside the vehicle or on it. An elec-
trostatic charge could build up during filling, causing the fuel fumes
to ignite. This could cause an explosion. Always place the canister on
the ground to fill it.
– Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as possi-
ble.
– If the spare fuel canister is made of metal, the filling nozzle must
be in contact with the canister during filling. This helps prevent an
electrostatic charge building up.
– Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the luggage compartment. Fuel
vapours are explosive. Danger of death.
CAUTION
● Fuel spills should be removed from the paintwork immediately.
● Never run the tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply could cause
misfiring. As a result, unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and
cause damage.
● When filling the fuel tank after having run it completely dry on a vehicle
with a diesel engine the ignition must be switched on for at least 30 sec-
onds without starting the engine. When you then start the engine it may take longer than normal (up to one minute) for the engine to start firing.
This is due to the fact that the fuel system has to purge itself of air before
starting.
For the sake of the environment
Do not try to put in more fuel after the automatic filler nozzle has switched
off; this may cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

199
Checking and refilling levels
Petrol Petrol types
The correct petrol types are listed on a sticker inside the fuel
tank flap.Only unleaded petrol conforming to standard DIN EN 228 may be used for
vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Standard”).
Fuel types are differentiated by the octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON (RON
= “Research Octane Number”, unit for determining the knock resistance of
petrol). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the one rec-
ommended for your engine. However, this has no advantage in terms of fuel
consumption and engine power.
CAUTION
● Even one tankful of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency
of the catalytic converter.
● High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using
petrol with an octane rating lower than the correct grade for the engine.
For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the
catalytic converter. 
Petrol additives
Petrol additives improve the quality of the petrol.
The quality of the petrol influences the performance, power and life of the
engine. For this reason, you should use good quality petrol containing addi- tives. These additives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the fuel system
clean and prevent deposits from building up in the engine.
If good quality petrol with additives is not available or engine problems oc-
cur, the required additives must be added during refuelling.

Diesel Diesel*
Diesel fuel must conform to DIN EN 590 (EN = “European Standard”). It
must have a cetane number (CN) of at least 51. The cetane number indi-
cates the ignition quality of the diesel fuel.
Notes on refuelling ⇒ page 194. 
Biodiesel*
CAUTION
● Your vehicle is not designed to use biodiesel fuel. Never, under any cir-
cumstances refuel with biodiesel. The use of biodiesel fuel could damage
the engine and the fuel system. The addition of biodiesel to diesel fuel by
the diesel manufacturer in accordance with standard EN 590 or DIN 51628
is authorised and will not cause damage to the engine or the fuel system.
● The diesel engine has been designed to be used exclusively with diesel
fuel conforming to standard EN 590. Never refuel or use petrol, kerosene,
fuel oil or any other type of fuel. If you accidentally fill up the vehicle with
the wrong type of fuel, do not start the engine. Seek assistance from speci-
alised personnel. The composition of these fuels may severely damage the
fuel system and the engine. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

205
Checking and refilling levels
Checking the engine oil level
The engine oil dipstick indicates the level of the oil.
Fig. 133 Engine oil dip-
stick
Checking oil level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Briefly run the engine at idle speed until the operating tempera-
ture is reached and then stop.
– Wait two minutes.
– Pull out the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and
insert it again, pushing it in as far as it will go.
– Then pull it out once more and check the oil level ⇒ Fig. 133.
Top up with engine oil if necessary.
Oil level in area A
Do not add oil
⇒ .
– Oil level in area
B
You can add oil, but keep the level in this zone.
Oil level in area C
Oil
must be added. Afterwards, the oil level should be in the lined area
B.
Depending on how you drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is
used, oil consumption can be up to 0.5 l/1000 km. Oil consumption is likely
to be higher for the first 5000 km (3000 miles). For this reason the engine
oil level must be checked at regular intervals, preferably when filling the
tank and before a journey.
WARNING
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the engine must
be carried out cautiously.
● When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety
warnings ⇒ page 200.
CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not start the engine. This could result
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact a Technical Serv-
ice. 
–
–
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

206Checking and refilling levels
Topping up engine oil 
Top up gradually with small quantities of engine oil.
Fig. 134 In the engine
compartment: Engine oil
filler cap
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒ 
in
Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment on
page 200.
– Unscrew cap from engine oil filler opening ⇒ Fig. 134.
– Top-up oil in small amounts, using the correct oil.
– To avoid over-filling with engine oil, you should top-up using
small quantities, wait a while and check the oil level before
adding any more oil.
– As soon as the oil level is in area B
, carefully close the cap.
The position of the oil filler opening is shown in the corresponding engine
compartment illustration ⇒ page 259.
Engine oil specification ⇒ page 204.
WARNING
Oil is highly inflammable! Ensure that no oil comes into contact with hot
engine components when topping up.
CAUTION
If the oil level is above the area A do not start the engine. This could result
in damage to the engine and catalytic converter. Contact a specialised work-
shop.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must never be above area A. Otherwise oil can be drawn in
through the crankcase breather and escape into the atmosphere via the ex-
haust system. 
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals given in the
service schedule. We recommend that you have the engine oil changed by a Technical Serv-
ice.
The oil change intervals are shown in the Maintenance Programme. 

252If and when
Towing and tow-starting
Tow-starting*
The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting.
We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-start-
ing is preferable ⇒ page 248.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started:
– Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear.
– Keep the clutch pressed down.
– Switch the ignition on.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the
gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the
towing vehicle.
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed
can easily collide with the towing vehicle.
CAUTION
When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it. Comments
Please observe the following points if you use a tow rope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
–
Drive slowly at first until the tow rope is taut. Then accelerate
gradually.
– Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an auto-
matic vehicle, accelerate gently.
– Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not
working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake sooner than nor-
mal and pressing the pedal gently.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– Ensure that the tow rope remains taut at all times when towing.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. You should only use a
tow rope if you do not have a tow bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles.
It is advisable to use a tow rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic
material.
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the towline anchorages provided
or a towing bracket.
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow rope. Both
drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexper-
ienced drivers should not attempt to tow. 

C
Car care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Car phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
CCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Central lock button Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Automatic speed dependent locking andunlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Emergency unlocking system . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Locking system for involuntary unlocking . 84
Selective unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Unlocking system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Changing bulbs interior light and front reading lights . . . . 247
Changing gear see Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Changing gear in tiptronic mode . . . . . . . . . . 157
Changing rear lights on the rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
on the wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Changing single headlight bulbs Turn signal bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Changing the AFS headlight bulbs Xenon lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Changing the bulbs AFS headlight bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
fog light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Luggage compartment light . . . . . . . . . . . 248
number plate light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Side turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Changing the main headlight bulb turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Changing the main headlight bulbs turn signal lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Changing the single headlight bulbs Dipped/main beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Side light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Changing windscreen wiper blades . . . . . . . . 210
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Checking battery electrolyte level . . . . . . . . . . 215
Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Child seat Categorisation in groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Group 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Group 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Groups 0 and 0+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
on the front passenger seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Top Tether system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Cleaning alloy wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Cleaning chrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Cleaning engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Cleaning steel wheel rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Cleaning windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Climatronic
automatic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
manual mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Cloth seat covers cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Coming Home function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Compartment for on-board documentation . . 122
Control Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Control lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Control lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Controls Electric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Convenience closing Sliding/tilting sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Convenience opening Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207, 208
Coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Coolant loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Coolant temperature control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Correct adjustment of front head restraints . . . 13
272 Index