The essentialsSym-
bolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther in-formation
If flashing:
the Electronic Sta-
bility Control (ESC) is working
or the ASR is working
If it remains lit: ESC or ASR
faulty››› page
60
››› page
60
Brake fluid required or
serious fault in brake system›››
page
61
Handbrake on›››
page
126
Cruise speed activated
(Cruise control)›››
page
61
Tyre pressure›››
page
61
Selector lever lock (automatic
gearbox)›››
page
62
Fuel level / reserve›››
page
62
Doors open›››
page
62
Rear lid open›››
page
62
Airbag or belt tensioner sys-
tem fault or airbag disabled›››
page
42
Main beam switched on›››
page
62
Start-Stop system switched
off›››
page
142
Sym-
bolMeaning of control and warning lampsFurther in-formation
Electro-hydraulic steering›››
page
62
Fault in the emission control
system›››
page
63
Coolant level / coolant tem-
perature›››
page
63
Alternator fault›››
page
63
If it stays lit:
ASR switched off
››› page
60
››› page
60
Turn signals in operation›››
page
63
SAFEElectronic immobiliser
››› page
64
››› page
79
››› in Overview of the warning lamps
on page 57
››› page 57 Gear lever
Manual gearbox Fig. 28
The position of the gears is indicated on the
gearbox lever
››› Fig. 28 .
● Pr e
ss the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● Move the gearbox lever to the required po-
sition.
● Release the clutch.
Selecting reverse gear
● Press the clutch pedal and keep your foot
right down.
● With the gearbox lever in neutral, push it
upwards, move it to the left as far as it will go
and then forwards to select reverse ››› Fig. 28
R .
» 19
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Dash panel
For the sake of the environment
Changing up a gear early will help you to save
fuel and minimise emissions and engine
noise. Speedometer
The speedometer is equipped with a digital
odometer and a trip odometer, in addition to
a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions
shown on
›››
page 134 should be followed.
W arnin
g lamps
Overview of the warning lamps Read the additional information carefully
››› page 18 WARNING
● Failure to observe control lamps and warn-
ing messages can result in serious personal
injuries or damage to your vehicle.
● The risk of an accident increases if your ve-
hicle breaks down. Use a warning triangle to
draw the attention of other road users in or-
der to prevent danger to third parties. ●
The engine compartment is a dangerous
area. Before you open the bonnet to work on
the engine or in the engine compartment,
switch the engine off and allow it to cool to
reduce the risk of burns or other injuries.
Read and observe the relevant warnings
››› page 166. Note
● The appropriate control lamp for a fault will
light up in vehicles without warning or infor-
mation messages in the display.
● In vehicles with warning or information
messages on the screen, the appropriate con-
trol lamp for a fault will light up and a warn-
ing or information message will also appear
on the screen. Warning symbols
There are red warning symbols (priority 1)
and yellow warning symbols (priority 2).
Warning messages, Priority 1 (red)
If one of these faults occurs, the warning
lamp will light up or flash and will be accom-
panied by
three audible warnings. This is a
danger warning. Stop the vehicle and switch
off the en
gine. Check the fault and correct it.
Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If several priority 1 faults are detected at the
same time, the symbols will be displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time
and will continue until the fault is corrected.
No menus will be shown in the display for the
duration of a priority 1 warning message.
Examples of priority 1 warning messages
(red)
● Brake system symbol
with the warning
message STOP BRAKE FLUID INSTRUCTION
MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
● Coolant symbol with the warning mes-
sage STOP SEE COOLANT INSTRUCTION MAN-
UAL.
● Engine oil pressure symbol with the
warning message STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE
LOW! INSTRUCTION MANUAL.
Warning messages, Priority 2 (yellow)
If one of these faults occurs, the correspond-
ing warning lamp lights up and is accompa-
nied by an audible warning. Check the corre-
sponding function as soon as possible al-
though the vehicle may be used without risk.
If several priority 2 warning messages are de-
tected at the same time, the symbols are dis-
played one after the other for about 2 sec-
onds at a time. After a set time, the informa-
tion text will disappear and the symbol will
be shown as a reminder at the side of the
display. »
57
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Dash panel
Control lamp flashes
If a f
ault develops in the engine management
system while you are driving, the glow plug
system lamp will flash
. Take the vehicle to
a specialised workshop as soon as possible
and have the engine checked.
Soot accumulation in the diesel
engine particulate filter* If the control lamp
lights up you should
help the filter clean itself by driving in the ap-
propriate manner.
To do this, drive about 15 minutes in fourth
or fifth gear (automatic gearbox: S gear
range) at a minimum speed of 60 km/h
(37 mph), with the engine running at approxi-
mately 2,000 rpm. In this way, the soot build
up in the filter is burned. When cleaning is
successful, the control lamp turns off.
If the lamp does not turn off, or the three
lamps turn on (particulate filter , fault in
the emission control system and glow
plugs ), drive the vehicle to a specialised
workshop and have the fault repaired at the
earliest opportunity. WARNING
● Always drive according to the road weather
conditions, the terrain and traffic. Driving rec- ommendations should never lead to illegal
manoeuvres in surrounding traffic.
●
The diesel engine particulate filter may
reach extremely high temperatures; in this
case the vehicle should be parked so that it
does not enter into contact with highly flam-
mable materials underneath the vehicle. Oth-
erwise there is a risk of fire. Engine oil pressure
If this warning lamp
is red it indicates
that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If this warning symbol starts to flash, and is
accompanied by three audible warnings,
switch off the engine and check the oil level.
If necessary, add more oil ››› page 170.
If the warning lamp flashes although the oil
level is correct, stop driving. Do not even run
the en gine at
idle speed! Obtain technical as-
sistance.
Checking the oil level
If the warning lamp is yellow the engine
oil level should be checked as soon as possi-
ble. Top up the oil ››› page 170 at the next
opportunity.
Oil level sensor faulty*
If the yellow warning lamp flashes, take
the vehicle to a specialised workshop to have the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is
advisable to check the oil level every time
you refuel.
Bulb defect* The
warning lamp lights up when there is
a f
ault 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 very low.
This serves as a reminder to fill up the reser-
voir at the earliest opportunity
›››
page 174.
Rear fog light* The warning lamp
lights up when the rear
fog light is switched on. For further informa-
tion see ›››
page 90 .
Anti-loc k
brake system (ABS)* The warning lamp lights up for a few sec-
onds when the ignition is switched on. It
goes out again after the system has run
through an automatic test sequence.
»
59
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
Tyre pressure adjustment
On adjusting tyre pressure or changing one
or more wheels, the ››› Fig. 71 button must be
k ept
pressed down, with the ignition on, until
an acoustic signal is heard.
If the wheels are under excessive load (for ex-
ample, driving with a trailer or heavy load),
the tyre pressure must be increased to the
recommended value for a full load (see the
sticker on the inside of the fuel flap). If the
tyre monitor system button is pressed down,
the new tyre pressures are confirmed.
The tyre pressure control lamp lights up
If the tyre pressure of a wheel is much lower
than the value set by the driver, then the tyre
pressure control lamp ››› will light up.
WARNING
● When the tyre pressure control lamp lights
up, reduce speed immediately and avoid any
sudden turning or braking manoeuvre. Stop
when possible, and check the tyre pressure
and status.
● The driver is responsible for maintaining
correct tyre pressures. For this reason, tyre
pressure must be regularly checked.
● Under certain circumstances (e.g. when
driving in a sporty manner, in winter condi-
tions or on a dirt track) the tyre control lamp
may light up belatedly or may function incor-
rectly. Note
If the battery is disconnected, the yellow
warning lamp lights up after turning the
ignition on.
This should turn off after a brief
journey. Speed selector lever lock*
The brake pedal must be depressed when
this warning lamp lights up. This is necessary
when the automatic gearbox* selector lever
is moved out of the positions
P
or N
.
Fuel level/reserve It lights up when only 7 litres of fuel remain
in the tank, and an
acoustic signal*
al
so
sou
nds. It reminds you to fuel up the fuel
tank as soon as possible ›››
page 163.
Door open display* This warning lamp lights up if one of the
doors is open.
The warning light
should go off when all
the doors are closed correctly. Rear lid open* The warning lamp
should switch off when
the r
ear lid is fully closed.
Main beam headlights The warning lamp lights up when the main
beams are on or when the headlight flasher
is operated.
For further information see
››› page 93.
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 steer-
ing system if the lamp does not go out or
lights up whilst the vehicle is in motion. Take
the vehicle to technical services as soon as
possible.
62
Transport and practical equipment
●
Never leave your vehicle unattended, espe-
cially when the rear lid is open. Children
could climb into the luggage compartment,
closing the door behind them; they will be
trapped and run the risk of death.
● Never allow children to play in or around
the vehicle. Close and lock all the doors and
rear lid when you leave the vehicle. Before
you lock the vehicle, make sure that there are
no adults or children in the vehicle.
● Please observe the notes on the ››› page 29. CAUTION
Hard objects on the rear shelf could chafe
against the wires of the heating element in
the heated rear window and cause damage. Note
● The tyre pressure must be adjusted accord-
ing to the load. When necessary check the
tyre pressures on the label located on the in-
side fuel tank flap ››› page 177.
● Air c ir
culation in the vehicle helps reduce
fogging of the windows. Used air escapes
through ventilation slits in the side trim of
the luggage compartment. Ensure that the
ventilation slots are never covered.
● Straps for securing the load to the fasten-
ing rings* are commercially available from ac-
cessory shops. Fastening rings*
3 Applies to the model: IBIZA ST
Fig. 118
Location of fastening rings in lug-
gage compartment. There may be four fastening rings included in
the luggage compartment for fastening lug-
gage and other objects
››› Fig. 118 (arrows).
– Alw
ays use suitable and undamaged straps
to secure luggage and other objects to the
fastening rings ››› in Loading the lug-
gage compartment on page 108.
– Pull up the fastening rings to attach the
straps.
Example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying
unsecured in the vehicle. During a frontal col-
lision at a speed of 50 km/h (31 mph), this
object generates a force corresponding to 20
times its weight. That means that the effec-
tive weight of the object increases to approxi-
mately 90 kg. You can imagine the severity of the injuries which might be sustained if this
“object” strikes an occupant as it flies
through the interior of the vehicle. This in-
creased risk of injury will be further increased
if a loose object is struck by an inflating air-
bag.
WARNING
● If pieces of baggage or other objects are se-
cured to the fastening rings with inappropri-
ate or damaged retaining cords, injuries
could result in the event of braking manoeu-
vres or accidents.
● Never secure a child seat on the fastening
rings. Luggage net*
3 Applies to the model: IBIZA ST
Fig. 119
Stretched luggage net.
» 109
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
WARNING
You could lose control of the vehicle if you ac-
celerate on slippery road surfaces. Risk of se-
rious injury.
● Be particularly careful when using the kick-
down features on slippery road surfaces. With
a fast acceleration, the vehicle could lose
traction and skid.
● You should use the kick-down feature only
when traffic and weather conditions allow it
to be used safely. Gear-change indicator
3 Valid for vehicles: with a manual gearbox
The recommended gear for saving fuel is in-
dicated on the dash screen of certain vehi-
cles during driving.DisplayMeaning
The optimal gear is selected.
Changing to a higher gear is recommended.
Changing to a lower gear is recommended.
Information regarding the “cleanliness” of
the diesel particulate filter
The exhaust system manager detects that the
diesel particulate filter is nearly saturated
and contributes to self-cleaning by recom-
mending the optimal gear. For this purpose, it might be necessary to drive momentarily
with a high rpm
››› page 59. WARNING
The gear change indicator is only an auxiliary
function and in no case should be a substi-
tute for careful driving.
● The responsibility of choosing the correct
gear depending on the situation (e.g. over-
taking, driving up or down a slope or towing a
trailer) lies with the driver. For the sake of the environment
Selecting the correct gear can help to save
fuel. Note
The recommended gear display is switched
off when the clutch pedal is pressed. Run-in and economical driving
Running in a new engine The engine needs to be run in over the first
1,500 km.
Up to 1000 kilometres
– Do not drive at speeds of more than 2/3
the maximum speed. –
Do not accelerate hard.
– Avoid high engine revolutions.
– Do not tow a trailer.
From 1000 to 1500 kilometres (600 to 900
miles) – Speeds can be gradually increased to the
m ax
imum road speed or maximum permis-
sible engine speed (rpm).
During its first few hours of running, the in-
ternal friction in the engine is greater than
later on, when all the moving parts have bed-
ded in. For the sake of the environment
If the engine is run in gently, its life will be in-
creased and its oil consumption reduced. Running in tyres and brake pads
New tyres should be run-in carefully for the
first 500 km (300 miles). New brake pads
should be run-in carefully for the first
200 km.
During the first 200 km, you can compensate
for the reduced braking effect by applying
more pressure to the brake pedal. In case of
a sharp braking, the braking distance will be
longer with new brake pads than with brake
pads which have been run-in.
134
Driving
Some tips on how to help you reduce pollu-
tion while saving money are listed below.
Active cylinder management (ACT ®
)
Depending on the equipment, the vehicle
may have active cylinder management
(ACT ®
).
The active cylinder management (ACT ®
) may
automatically deactivate some of the engine
cylinders if the driving situation does not re-
quire too much power. When it is switched
off, no fuel is injected into these cylinders,
hence total fuel consumption may be re-
duced.
Drive anticipating the traffic situation
A vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating.
When you anticipate situations, you have to
brake less often and, thus, accelerate less. If
it is possible, let the vehicle roll with a gear
engaged , for example, if you see a red light
ahe a
d. The braking effect achieved in this
way helps to reduce the wear of brakes and
tyres; emissions and fuel consumption are
reduced to zero (disconnection due to iner-
tia).
Change gear early to save energy
An effective way of saving fuel is to change
up
quickly through the gears. Running the
engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses
an unnecessary amount of fuel. Manual gearbox:
shift up from first to second
gear as soon as possible. We recommend
that, whenever possible, you change to a
higher gear upon reaching 2000 rpm. Follow
the “recommended gear” indication that ap-
pears on the instrument panel ››› page 64.
Avoid driving at high speed
We advise you not to drive at the top speed
permitted by the vehicle. Fuel consumption,
exhaust emissions and noise levels all in-
crease very rapidly at higher speeds. Driving
at moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Avoid idling
It is worthwhile switching off the engine
when waiting in a traffic jam, at level cross-
ings or at traffic lights with a long red phase.
The fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is
greater than the amount of fuel needed to re-
start the engine.
The engine takes a long time to warm up
when it is idling. Mechanical wear and pollu-
tant emissions are also especially high dur-
ing this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore
best to drive off immediately after starting
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
speed.
Periodic maintenance
Periodic maintenance work guarantees that,
before beginning a journey, you will not con- sume more than the required amount of fuel.
A well-serviced engine gives you the benefit
of
improved fuel efficiency as well as maxi-
mum reliability and an enhanced resale val-
ue.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to
10% more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short journeys
To reduce the consumption and emission of
polluting exhaust gases, the engine and the
exhaust gas filtration systems should reach
the optimum operating temperature.
With the en
gine cold, fuel consumption is
proportionally higher. The engine does not
warm up and fuel consumption does not nor-
malise until having driven approximately four
kilometres (2.5 miles). This is why we recom-
mend avoiding short trips whenever possi-
ble.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Bear in mind that keeping the tyres at an ad-
equate pressure saves fuel. If the tyre pres-
sure is just one bar (14.5 psi/100 kPa) too
low, fuel consumption can increase by as
much as 5%. Due to the greater rolling resist-
ance, under-inflation also increases tyre wear
wear and impairs handling.
The tyre pressures should always be checked
when the tyres are cold.
»
137
Technical specifications
Advice
Operation
Safety
The essentials
Operation
Do not use winter tyres all year round as they
increase fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Avoid unnecessary weight
Given that every kilo of extra weight will in-
c r
ease the fuel consumption, it is advisable
to always check the luggage compartment to
make sure that no unnecessary loads are be-
ing transported.
A roof rack is often left in place for the sake
of convenience, even when it is no longer
needed. At a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)
and 120 km/h (75 mph) your vehicle will use
about 12% more fuel as a result of the extra
wind resistance caused by the roof rack even
when it is not in use.
Save electricity
The engine activates the alternator, which
produces electricity. With the need for elec-
tricity, fuel consumption also increases. Be-
cause of this, always turn off electrical devi-
ces when you do not need them. Examples of
devices that use a lot of electricity are: the
blower at high speeds, the rear window heat-
ing or the seat heaters*. Note
● If your vehicle has Start-Stop, it is not rec-
ommended th at
you switch this function off. ●
It is recommended that you close the win-
dows when driving at more than 60 km/h
(37 mph)
● Do not driv
e with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal
, as the pressure can make the
plate spin, more fuel will be used and it can
burn the clutch plate lining, causing a serious
fault.
● Do not hold the car on a hill with the clutch,
use the foot brake or hand brake, using the
latter to start. The fuel consumption will be
lower and you will prevent the clutch plate
from being damaged.
● On descents, use the engine brake, chang-
ing to the gear that is more suitable for the
slope. Fuel consumption will be “zero” and
the brakes will not suffer. Driving abroad
To drive abroad, the following must be taken
into consideration:
●
For vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter
ensure that unleaded petrol is available for
the journey. See the chapter “Refuelling”. Au-
tomobile organisations will have information
about service station networks selling unlea-
ded fuel.
● In some countries, it is possible that your
car model is not sold, and therefore some
spare parts are not available or the technical services may only be able to carry out limited
repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly
provide information about the technical prep-
aration that your vehicle requires and also
about necessary maintenance and repair
possibilities.
Adhesive strips for headlights
In countries where vehicles drive on the other
side of the road to your home country, the
asymmetric dipped beam may dazzle drivers
of oncoming vehicles.
To prevent dazzling, you must apply stickers
to certain parts of the headlight lenses. Fur-
ther information is available at any Technical
Service.
In vehicles with adaptive headlights, the ro-
tation system must previously be disconnec-
ted. To do this, please go to a specialised
workshop.
138