2013 Seat Ibiza ST cooling

207
Checking and refilling levels
6. Raise the bonnet ⇒ page 208.
You should not do any work in the engine compartment unless you know ex-
actly how to carry out the jobs and have the correct tools! Have the work car-
ried out by a specialised workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. coolant, engine oil, spark plugs
and batteries, are under constant development. SEAT provides a constant
flow of information to the Technical Services concerning modifications. For
this reason, we recommend you to have service fluids and consumables re-
placed by a Technical Service. Please observe the relevant instructions
⇒  page 196. The engine compartment of the vehicle is a hazardous area
⇒ 
.
WARNING
All work on the engine or in the engine compartment, e.g. checking and
refilling fluids, involves the danger of injury and scalding as well as the
risk of accident or fire.
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam, smoke or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. Otherwise, there is a risk of sustaining
burns. Wait until no more steam or coolant is emitted, then allow the en-
gine to cool before carefully opening the bonnet.
● Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
● Apply the handbrake and move the gear lever to neutral or selector
lever to position P.
● Keep children away from the vehicle.
● Never touch hot engine parts. There is a risk of burns.
● Never spill liquids on a hot engine or on a hot exhaust gas system.
This is a fire hazard.
● Avoid causing short-circuits in the electrical system, particularly at
the points where the jump leads are attached ⇒ page 257. The battery
could explode.
WARNING (Continued)
● Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and could
start automatically, even when the engine has been switched off and the
key removed from the ignition!
● Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the en-
gine is hot. If the coolant is hot, the cooling system will be pressurised!
● Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large, thick
cloth to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
● Always make sure you have not left any objects, such as cleaning
cloths and tools, in the engine compartment.
● If you have to work underneath the vehicle, you must use suitable
stands additionally to support the vehicle, there is a risk of accident!. A
hydraulic jack is insufficient for securing the vehicle and there is a risk of
injury.
● If any work has to be performed when the engine is started or with
the engine running, there is an additional, potentially fatal, safety risk
from the rotating parts, such as the drive belts, alternator, radiator fan,
etc., and from the high-voltage ignition system. You should also observe
the following points:
–Never touch the electrical wiring of the ignition system.
– Ensure that jewellery, loose clothing and long hair do not get trap-
ped in rotating engine parts. Danger of death. Before starting any
work remove jewellery, tie back and cover hair, and wear tight-fitting
clothes.
– Never accelerate with a gear engaged without taking the necessary
precautions. The vehicle could move, even if the handbrake is ap-
plied. Danger of death.
● If work has to be carried out on the fuel system or on electrical com-
ponents, you must observe the following safety notes in addition to the
above warnings:
–Always disconnect the battery from the on-board network. The ve-
hicle must be unlocked when this is done, otherwise the alarm will be
triggered.
– Do not smoke. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

213
Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you have the specialist knowledge
required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings
⇒ page 206, Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment.
● Wait for the engine to cool down. Hot oil may cause burn injuries.
● Wear eye protection to avoid injuries, such as acid burns, caused by
splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arm
horizontal to help prevent oil from running down your arm.
● Wash your skin thoroughly if it comes into contact with engine oil.
● Engine oil is poisonous! Used oil must be stored in a safe place out of
the reach of children.
CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil. This could result in engine
damage. Any damage caused by the use of such additives would not be
covered by the factory warranty.
For the sake of the environment
● Because of the disposal problems, the necessary special tools and spe-
cialist knowledge required, we recommend that you have the engine oil and
filter changed by a Technical Service.
● Never pour oil down drains or into the ground.
● Use a suitable container when draining the used oil. It must be large
enough to hold all the engine oil. Coolant
Engine coolant specifications
The engine cooling system is supplied from the factory with a specially trea-
ted mixture of water and, at least, 40 % of the additive G 13 (TL-VW 774 J).
The engine coolant additive is recognisable by its purple colour. This mix-
ture of water and additive gives the necessary frost protection down to -25
°C (-13 °F) and protects the light alloy parts of the cooling system against
corrosion. It also prevents scaling and considerably raises the boiling point
of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the percentage of additive must al-
ways be at least 40 %, even in warm climates where anti-freeze protection is
not required.
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of
additive can be increased. However, the percentage of additive should not
exceed 60 %, as this would reduce the frost protection and, in turn, de-
crease the cooling capacity.
When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture of distilled water and, at
least, 40 % of the G 13 or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive (both are
purple) to obtain an optimum anticorrosion protection ⇒ 
. The mixture of
G 13 with G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G 12 (red) or G 11 (green-blue) engine
coolants will significantly reduce the anticorrosion protection and should,
therefore be avoided ⇒ 
. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

214Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the coolant system, the engine may
fail leading to serious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of additive is correct with re-
spect to the lowest expected ambient temperature in the zone in which
the vehicle is to be used.
● When the outside temperature is very low, the coolant could freeze
and the vehicle would be immobilised. In this case, the heating would
not work either and inadequately dressed passengers could die of cold.
CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed with coolants which are not
approved by SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing severe damage to
the engine and the engine cooling system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not purple but is, for example,
brown, this indicates that the G 13 additive has been mixed with an inade-
quate coolant. The coolant must be changed as soon as possible if this is
the case! This could result in serious faults and engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Coolants and additives can contaminate the environment. If any fluids are
spilled, they should be collected and correctly disposed of, with respect to
the environment. Checking the coolant level and topping up

The correct coolant level is important for fault-free function-
ing of the engine cooling system.
Fig. 138 In the engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion tank cap
Before opening the bonnet, read and observe the warnings ⇒ 
in
Safety instructions on working in the engine compartment on
page 206.
Opening the coolant expansion tank
– Switch off the engine and allow it to cool.
– To prevent scalding, cover the cap on the coolant expansion
tank with a thick cloth and carefully unscrew the cap ⇒ 
.
Checking coolant level
– Look into the open coolant expansion tank and read off the
coolant level.
– If the level is below the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant. 

215
Checking and refilling levels
Topping up coolant
– Only use new coolant liquid.
– Do not fill above the “MAX” mark.
Closing the coolant expansion tank
– Screw the cap on again tightly.
The position of the coolant expansion reservoir is shown in the correspond-
ing engine compartment illustration ⇒ page 267.
Ensure the coolant conforms to the required specifications. Do not use a dif-
ferent type of additive if additive G 12++ is not available. In this case use
only water and bring the coolant concentration back up to the correct level
as soon as possible by putting in the specified additive.
Always top up with new coolant.
Do not fill above the “MAX” mark. Otherwise the excess coolant will be
forced out of the cooling system when the engine is hot.
The additive G 12++ can be mixed with the G 12+ in any proportion.
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 206.
● When the engine is warm or hot, the cooling system is pressurised!
Do not unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the engine
is hot. This is a burn injury risk.
CAUTION
● If you notice a change in the colour of the liquid because it has been in
use for a long time, it is recommended to change it, as it will have lost some
of its properties and could cause damage to the vehicle.
● If a lot of coolant fluid has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down
before putting in cold coolant. This avoids damaging the engine. Large cool-
ant losses are an indication of leaks in the cooling system. See a special-
ised workshop immediately and have the cooling system checked. Other-
wise, there is a risk of engine damage. 
Washer fluid and windscreen wiper blades Topping up washer fluid 
The water for cleaning the windscreen should always be
mixed with washer fluid.
Fig. 139 In the engine
compartment: Cap of
windscreen washer fluid
reservoir 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

Traction control systemcontrol lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Traction control system (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Trailer turn signals control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Trailer weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76, 108
Two-way radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Tyre Mobility System (tyre repair kit) . . . . . . . . 230
Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tyre pressure control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Tyre pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230, 235
Tyres and wheels Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Tyres tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Tyres useful life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Tyres with directional tread pattern . . . . . . . . 223
U Underbody protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
V Vehicle battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Vehicle data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Vehicle interior heating or cooling system . . . 141 Vehicle interior monitoring and anti-tow system
Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Vehicle modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Vehicle paintwork Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Products for vehicle maintenance . . . . . . . 187
Vehicle tools Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Vehicle washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Ventilation slits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
W Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Warning messages Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Yellow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Warning symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Washing by hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Washing the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Washing tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Washing with high pressure cleaners . . . . . . . 189
Water in the windscreen washer tank . . . . . . . 215
Wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Wearing suitable shoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232, 266 Tightening torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Wheel change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222, 265
Why assume the correct sitting position? . . . . . 30
Why should head restraints be correctly adjus-
ted? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 21, 30
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Windscreen defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Windscreen washer fluid control lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Windscreen wiper blades Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Changing blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Changing the rear wiper blade . . . . . . . . . 218
Winter driving Diesel engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Wooden trim cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Working in the engine compartment . . . . . . . 206
290 Index