Lights and visibility
Note
See legal requirements for each country. Instrument and switch lighting, head-
light r
an
ge control Fig. 134
Dash panel: headlight range control Instrument and switch lighting
The lightin
g l
ev
el of instruments, controls
and displays can be adjusted through the in-
fotainment system with the CAR button and
the S
ETUP function button
››
›
page 24.
The instrument lighting (some dials and nee-
dles), the centre console lighting and the
lighting of the displays are regulated by a
photodiode incorporated in the instrument
panel.
The instrument lighting (needles) is switched
on when the ignition is on and the light is
off. The instrument lighting is dimmed auto- matically as the daylight starts to fade. It
goes
out completely when ambient light is
very low. This function is intended to remind
the driver to switch on the dipped beam
headlights in good time when light condi-
tions become poor.
Headlight range control
By using the electrical headlight range con-
trol you can adjust the headlight range to the
load level that is being carried in the vehicle
››› Fig. 134. This way, it is possible to avoid
dazzling oncoming traffic more than necessa-
ry. At the same time, by using the correct
headlight settings, the driver has the best
possible lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when
the dipped beam is switched on. Turn the
wheel downwards to lower the headlight
beam from the basic setting 0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs (xenon
bulbs) are equipped with dynamic headlight
range control. When you switch on the lights,
their range regulates itself according to the
vehicle load.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not
have headlight range control. Turn signal and main beam lever Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 22
Parking lights
● Switch the ignition off and remove the key
from the lock.
● Mo
ve the turn signal lever up or down to
turn the right or l
eft-hand parking lights on,
respectively.
Convenience turn signals
For the convenience turn signals, move the
lever as far as possible upwards or down-
wards and release the lever. The turn signal
will flash three times.
The convenience turn signals are activated
and deactivated in the Easy Connect system
via the key and the
Set
up function button
› ›
›
page 107.
In vehicles that do not have the correspond-
ing menu, this function can be deactivated in
a specialised workshop. WARNING
The main beam can dazzle other drivers. Risk
of ac c
ident! Never use the main beam head-
lights or the headlight flasher if they could
dazzle other drivers. » 125
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Note
● If the c on
venience turn signals are operat-
ing (three flashes) and the other convenience
turn signals are switched on, the active part
stops flashing and only flashes once in the
new part selected.
● The turn signals only
work when the igni-
tion is switched on. The corresponding warn-
ing lamp or flashes in the instrument
panel. The control lamp flashes when the
turn signals are operated, provided a trailer is
correctly attached and connected to the vehi-
cle. If a turn signal bulb is defective, the con-
trol lamp flashes at double speed. If the trail-
er turn signal bulbs are defective, the control
lamp does not light up. Change the bulb.
● The main beam headligh
ts can only be
switched on if the dipped beam headlights
are already on. The warning lamp then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● The headlight flasher come
s on for as long
as you pull the lever – even if no other lights
are switched on. The warning lamp then
comes on in the instrument panel.
● When the parking ligh
ts are switched on,
the headlight and the tail light on the corre-
sponding side of the vehicle light up. The
parking lights will only work if the key is re-
moved from the ignition. If said light is on, an
audible warning will be emitted while the
driver door is open.
● If the turn signal lever is left on after the
key h
as been taken out of the ignition lock,
an acoustic signal sounds when the driver door is opened. This is intended as a remind-
er to sw
it
ch off the turn signal, unless you
wish to leave the parking light on. Coming Home/Leaving Home Func-
tion*
The Coming Home function is controlled man-
ually
.
The Leaving Home function is control-
led with a photosensor.
If the Coming Home or Leaving Home func-
tion is connected, the front side and dipped
lights, the tail lights and the number plate
light will light up to provide assistance.
Coming home function
The Coming Home function is activated by
switching off the ignition and briefly flashing
the lights. When the driver door is opened,
the Coming Home lighting comes on. If the
driver door is already open when the lights
are flashed briefly, the Coming Home lighting
comes on immediately.
When the last door of the vehicle or the rear
lid is closed, the Coming Home function
starts and the switching off the headlights is
delayed.
The Coming Home lighting switches off in the
following cases: ●
On comp l
etion of the time period establish-
ed for the delay in switching off the lights af-
ter all the vehicle doors and the rear lid have
been closed.
● If, 30 seconds after being connected, any
doors or the r
ear lid remain open.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on.
Automatic
Leaving Home function
The Leaving Home function is activated when
the vehicle is unlocked if:
● the light control is in position and
● the photo
sensor detects “darkness”.
The Leav
ing Home lighting switches off in the
following cases:
● If the time period for the delay in switching
off the hea
dlights has ended
● If the vehicle is locked again.
● If the light switch is turned to position .
● If the ignition is switched on.
Manual
Leaving Home function
In vehicles without an automatic headlight
system (light sensor), if the manual Coming
Home function is activated when leaving the
car, upon returning to the car and unlocking
it the manual Leaving Home function will be
activated automatically.
126
Seats and head restraints
Folding down the back seat Fig. 143
Folding up the rear seat cushion. Fig. 144
Button for unlocking the rear back-
r e
s
t. Folding seat down
– Remove the head restraint ››
›
page 133.
– Pull the front edge of the seat cushion
›››
Fig. 143 1 upwards in the direction of
the arr o
w
. –
Lift the c
ushion 2 forwards in the direc-
tion of the arr
o
w.
– Pull the release button ›››
Fig. 144 in the di-
rection of the arrow and fold the backrest forwards.
– Insert the head restraints in the spaces on
the rear of
the seat cushion which are visi-
ble when the seat cushion is lowered.
Folding seat forward
– Remove the head restraints from the
spac
es in the seat cushion.
– Lift the backrest, and before securing it, re-
plac
e the head restraints in the seat cush-
ion, and then click the seat correctly onto
the locking rails.
– Once the backrest is locked, pull on the
central
seat belt or directly on the backrest
to check that the backrest has properly en-
gaged in position.
– Check that the position lever is in neutral
position.
– L
ower the cushion and push it backwards
below the seat
belt buckles.
– Press the front part of the cushion down-
ward
s.
On split rear seats*, the backrest and cush-
ion can be lowered and raised respectively in
two sections. WARNING
● Ple a
se be careful when folding back the
backrest! Injuries can be caused if the seat
height is adjusted without due care and at-
tention.
● Do no trap or damage seat belts when rais-
ing the bac
krest.
● After raising the backrest, check it has en-
gaged pr
operly in position. Do this by pulling
on the central seat belt or directly on the
backrest and check that the position lever is
in the neutral position.
● The three point automatic seat belt only
works
correctly when the backrest of the cen-
tral seat is correctly engaged. 135
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
them, particularly in the case of heavy
ob
j
ects.
● Never exceed the allowed axle weights or
allo
wed maximum weight. If said weights are
exceeded, the driving characteristics of the
vehicle may change, leading to accidents, in-
juries and damage to the vehicle.
● Please note that the centre of gravity may
shift when tr
ansporting heavy objects; this
may affect vehicle handling and lead to an ac-
cident. Therefore, it is essential to adjust
your speed and driving style accordingly, to
avoid accidents.
● Never leave your vehicle unattended, espe-
cia
lly 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 vehic
le. 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 56. CAUTION
Hard objects on the rear shelf could chafe
again s
t the wires of the heating element in
the heated rear window and cause damage. Note
● The tyr e pr
essure 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 212.
● Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce
foggin
g 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 ring
s* are commercially available from ac-
cessory shops. Fastening rings*
3 App
lies to the model: IBIZA ST Fig. 157
Location of fastening rings in lug-
g ag
e c
ompartment. There may be four fastening rings included in
the lug
g
ag
e compartment for fastening lug-
gage and other objects ››› Fig. 157 (arrows).
– Always use suitable and undamaged straps
to secur
e luggage and other objects to the
fastening rings ››› in Loading the lug-
g ag
e c
ompartment on page 139.
– Pull up the fastening rings to attach the
strap
s.
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 piec e
s 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. 140
Air conditioning
Blower
The air flo w c
an be set
at four speeds with
switch B . The blower should always be set
at the lo
w
est speed when driving slowly.
Air distribution
Control C for setting the flow of air in the re-
quir ed dir
ection.
– Air distribution towards the windscreen
in order to demist. For safety reasons, it is
not recommended to switch air recirculation
on.
– Air distribution to upper body.
– Air distribution to footwell
– Air distribution to the windscreen and
the footwell. WARNING
● For y
our 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 sys-
tem, including the demist/defrost functions
for the windows. Note
● Ple a
se consider the general notes
››› page 144. Air recirculation
Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells
from ent
erin
g the interior.
Connecting the recirculation
In any position of rotary switch C except
tha w:
● Pr
ess button D
››› Fig. 165 and the l
amp in
the button will illuminate.
Disconnecting the recirculation
● If the lamp is on, press button D and the
l amp w
i
ll go off, indicating that the entry of
outside air has been activated.
If the rotary switch C
› ›
›
Fig. 165 is in the
thaw position, the recirculation flap will al-
ways be open and air will always enter from
the outside.
If the rotary switch C is switched from any
po s
ition t
o the thaw position, recirculation
will be automatically deactivated. WARNING
● In air rec ir
culation mode, no cold air from
the outside enters the vehicle interior. The
windows can quickly fog over if the heating is
switched off. Therefore, never leave the air re-
circulation mode switched on for a long time
(risk of accident). Vehicle ventilation or heating
Ventilating the vehicle interior
– Turn the temperature selector ›››
Fig. 165
A anticlockwise.
– Turn blower switch B to any of the head
setting s
1 -4.
– Set the airflow to the desired direction us-
ing air dis
tribution control C .
– Open the relevant air outlets.
Interior he atin
g
– Turn the temperature selector ›››
Fig. 165
A clockwise to select the desired tempera-
t ur
e.
– T
urn blower switch B to any of the head
settin g
s
1 -4.
– Set the airflow to the desired direction us-
ing air dis
tribution control C .
– Open the relevant air outlets.
D efr
o
sting the windscreen
– Turn the temperature selector ›››
Fig. 165
A clockwise to reach the maximum tem-
per at
ur
e.
– Turn the blower switch B to setting 4.
– Turn air distribution control to .
– Close outlet 3 .
»
147
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Air recirculation Air recirculation prevents unpleasant smells,
e.g. when p
a
ssing through a tunnel or in
queuing traffic, from entering the interior.
Switching on air recirculation mode
● Press button
17
››› Fig. 167 and the
symbol is displayed on the screen.
Switching off air recirculation mode
● Press button
17
› ›
› Fig. 167
and the
symbol disappears from the screen. WARNING
Read and observe the safety warnings ›››
in
Genera l
notes on page 144. Note
If air recirculation mode remains on for 15 mi-
nute s, the
symbol will start to flash on
the screen to indicate prolonged air recircula-
tion. If air recirculation is not switched off,
the symbol will continue to flash for about 5
minutes. Blower selection
Climatronic automatically regulates blower
s
peed ac
c
ording to the interior temperature. It is possible, however, to set the blower
speed to s
uit requirements.
● Turn control 10
› ››
Fig. 167
c
ounter-clock-
wise (to lower the speed) or clockwise (to in-
crease the speed).
Climatronic will switch off when the blower
switches off. WARNING
Read and observe the safety warnings ›››
in
Genera l
notes on page 144. Windscreen defrost
Switching on windscreen defrosting
●
Press the button
12
› ›
›
Fig. 167.
Switching off windscreen defrosting
● Press button
12
› ›
›
Fig. 167 several
times or press the AUTO button.
The t emper
at
ure is regulated automatically.
The air output is increased from vents 1 and
2 ›››
page 146. Driving
Ad dr
e
ss
Introduction The power steering is not hydraulic but elec-
tromec
h
anical. The advantage of this steer-
ing is that it foes not need flexible hydraulic
pipes, hydraulic oil, pump, filter or other
parts. The electromechanical system saves
fuel. Whereas a hydraulic system needs con-
tinuous oil pressure, electromechanical
steering only needs power when it is used.
In vehicles with electromechanical steering,
the assisted steering function automatically
adjusts according to vehicle speed, steering
wheel torque and wheel orientation. The
power steering only works when the engine
is running. WARNING
If the power steering does not work, you will
need much mor e s
trength to turn the wheel.
This has a considerable effect on vehicle
safety.
● The power steering only works when the
engine is
running.
● Never allow the vehicle to move when the
engine is
switched off.
● Never remove the key from the ignition
while the
vehicle is moving. The steering lock152
Driving
could be engaged and vehicle steering would
not w
ork. Note
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must
be sw itc
hed on to prevent the steering wheel
from locking and also to allow the use of the
turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and
washers. Information relating to different vehi-
c
l
e pr
ocesses. In order to make the vehicle more difficult to
s
t
e
al, you should always lock the steering be-
fore leaving the vehicle.
Mechanical steering lock
The steering column is locked when the key
is removed from the ignition lock and the ve-
hicle is stationary.
Activating the steering lock
● Park the vehicle ›››
page 156.
● Remove the ignition key.
● Turn the steering wheel slightly until the
steerin
g lock has engaged. Deactivating the steering lock
●
Turn the steering wheel slightly to release
the lock.
● Inser
t the key in the ignition lock.
● Hold the steering wheel in this position
and switc
h on the ignition.
Electromechanical steering
In vehicles with electromechanical steering,
the assisted steering function automatically
adjusts according to vehicle speed, steering
wheel torque and wheel orientation. The
power steering only works when the engine
is running.
You should take into account that you will
need considerably more power than normal
to steer the vehicle if the power steering is
not working correctly or at all.
Power-assisted steering
Power-assisted steering helps the driver in
critical situations. In counter-steering, it as-
sists by applying additional torque ››› .
WARNING
Power-assisted steering, together with the
ESC, help s
the driver to control vehicle steer-
ing in critical situations. However, the driver
is ultimately responsible for steering the ve-
hicle at all times. Power-assisted steering
does not remove this responsibility. Starting and stopping the en-
gine
Ignition k ey
po
sitions Fig. 168
Ignition key positions. Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 20
Ignition switched off, steering lock 1 In this position
››
›
Fig. 168, the ignition and
the engine are OFF and the steering may be
locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the
ignition key, turn the steering wheel until it
locks with an audible sound. You should al-
ways lock the steering wheel when you leave
your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle
theft ››› .
»
153
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Switching the ignition or the glow plug sys-
t em on 2 Turn the ignition key to this position and re-
l
e
a
se it. If the key cannot be turned or it is
difficult to turn from position 1 to position
2 , move the steering wheel from one side to
the other; thi s
w
ill release it.
Starting 3The engine is started when the key is in this
po
s
ition. El
ectrical devices with high power
consumption are switched off temporarily at
the same time.
Each time that the vehicle is restarted, the ig-
nition key must be turned to position 1 . The
r epetitiv
e s
tart prevention lock of the igni-
tion prevents possible damage to the starter
motor if the engine is already running. WARNING
● The ignition key mu
st NOT be removed from
the lock until the vehicle comes to a stand-
still. Otherwise, the steering could be imme-
diately blocked- Risk of accident!
● Always remove the key from the ignition
when leav
ing the vehicle, even if only for a
short period. This is especially important if
children or disabled people are left alone in
the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment such as
the electric windows, resulting in an acci-
dent. ●
Uns uper
vised use of the key could start the
engine or any electrical system, such as the
electric windows. This could result in serious
injury. CAUTION
The starter motor will only work when the en-
gine i s s
topped (ignition key position 3 ).
Electronic immobiliser
The electronic immobiliser prevents unau-
thori
sed per
son
s from driving the vehicle.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates
the electronic immobiliser automatically
when the key is inserted into the ignition.
The electronic immobiliser will be activated
again automatically as soon as you pull the
key out of the ignition lock.
The engine can only be started using a genu-
ine SEAT key with its correct code. Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured
if g enuine
SEAT keys are used. Starting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genu-
ine S
EA
T key with its correct code.
– Move the gearbox lever to the neutral posi-
tion and depres
s the clutch pedal thor-
oughly and hold it in this position for the
starter to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting posi-
tion ›››
page 153.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the en-
gine star
ts; the starter motor must not run
on with the engine.
After starting a very hot engine, you may
need to slightly press down the accelerator.
When starting a cold engine, it may be a little
noisy for the first few seconds until oil pres-
sure has built up in the hydraulic valve com-
pensators. This is quite normal, and no cause
for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately,
switch the starter off after 10 seconds and try
again after half a minute. If the engine still
does not start, the fuel pump fuse should be
checked ›››
page 81, Fuses.
154