2015 Seat Ibiza 5D coolant level

The essentials
Front brake pads worn.
›››
page
169 
it lights up:
Fault in the ESC, or dis-
connection caused by the system.
flashes: ESC or ASR activated. 
ASR manually deactivated.
Or else
: ESC in Sport mode. 
ABS faulty or does not work.

Rear fog light switched on.›››
page
21 
lights up or flashes:
fault in the
emission control system.››› page
106 
it lights up:
pre-ignition of diesel
engine.
››› page
101
flashes: fault in the diesel engine
management. 
fault in the petrol engine manage-
ment.›››
page
101 
lights up or flashes:
fault in the
steering system.››› page
105 
Tyre pressure too low, or fault in
the tyre pressure monitoring sys-
tem.›››
page
104 
Fuel tank almost empty.›››
page
105 
Fault in airbag system and seat
belt tensioners.›››
page
66 Other warning lamps

Left or right turn signal.›››
page
22
Hazard warning lights on.››› page
127 
Trailer turn signals›››
page
187 
it lights up:
Press the foot brake!
flashes: the selector lever locking
button has not engaged.››› page
159 
it lights up:
cruise control activated
or speed limiter switched on and
active.
››› page
34
flashes: the speed set by the
speed limiter has been exceeded. 
Main beam on or flasher on.›››
page
22 On the instrument panel display
Fig. 43
See position on page 7-8  
Do not continue driving!
With the corresponding indica-
tion: door(s), rear lid or bonnet
open or not properly closed.››› page
112
››› page 9
››› page
201 
Ignition:  Do not carry on driv-
ing! Engine coolant level too low,
coolant temperature too high
››› page
207
Flashing: Fault in the engine
coolant system.  
Do not continue driving!
Engine oil pressure too low.››› page
204 36

The essentialsEngine typeSpecification
Diesel. Particulate Filter En-
gines (DPF).
With or without flexible
service interval (with and
without LongLife)
a)VW 507 00
a)
Only use recommended oils, otherwise you may damage the
engine.
Engine oil additives
No type of additive should be mixed with the
engine oil. The deterioration caused by these
additives is not covered by the warranty.

››› in Changing engine oil on page 207
››› page 204 Coolant
Fig. 54
Engine compartment: coolant expan-
s ion t
ank

cap. The coolant tank is located in the engine
c
omp
ar

tment ›››
 page 204.
When the engine is cold, replace the coolant
when the level is below .
Coolant specifications
The engine cooling system is supplied from
the factory with a specially treated mixture of
water and at least 40 % of the additive G13
(TL-VW 774 J), purple. This mixture gives the
necessary frost protection down to -25°C
(-13°F) and protects the light alloy parts of
the engine cooling system against corrosion.
It also prevents scaling and considerably rai-
ses the boiling point of the coolant.
To protect the cooling system, the percentage
of additive must always be at least 40 %, even in warm climates where anti-freeze pro-
tection is

not required.
If for weather reasons further protection is
necessary, the proportion of additive may be
increased, but only up to 60 %; otherwise an-
tifreeze protection will diminish and this will
worsen cooling.
When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture
of distilled water and at least 40 % of the
G13 or G12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive
(both are purple) to obtain an optimum anti-
corrosion protection ››› in Topping up cool-
ant on p ag
e 208

. The mixture of G13 with
G12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G12 (red) or G11
(green-blue) engine coolants will significant-
ly reduce anti-corrosion protection and
should therefore be avoided ››› in Topping
up c oo
l

ant on page 208.

››› in Topping up coolant on page 207
››› page 207 42

Operation
●
Addition a
l lights and other accessories in
front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect
of the coolant. At high outside temperatures
and high engine loads, there is a risk of the
engine overheating.
● The front spoiler also ensures proper distri-
bution of the c
ooling air when the vehicle is
moving. If the spoiler is damaged this can re-
duce the cooling effect, which could cause
the engine to overheat. Seek specialist assis-
tance. Fuel level
Fig. 123
Fuel gauge. The display
6
› ›
› Fig. 121
only works when
the ignition is switched on. When the display
reaches the reserve mark, the lower diode
lights up in red and the control lamp  ap-
pears ››› page 96. When the fuel level is very
low, the lower diode flashes in red. The distance to empty fuel level is displayed
on the instrument

panel 3
› ››
Fig. 121
.
Y
ou can consult the tank capacity of your ve-
hicle in the ›››
 page 40 section. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely dry. An ir-
re gu

lar fuel supply could cause misfiring. In
this way the unburned fuel can reach the ex-
haust system, which could cause the catalytic
converter to overheat resulting in damage. Warning and indication lamps
W arnin
g symbo

ls Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 35
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 engine. 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 wil

l 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 warnin
g
message STOP BRAKE FLUID INSTRUC-
TION MANUAL or STOP BRAKE FAULT IN-
STRUCTION MANUAL .
● Coolant symbol  with the warnin
g mes-
sage STOP SEE COOLANT INSTRUCTION
MANUAL .
● Engine oil pressure symbol  with the
warnin
g 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.
100

Operation
●
Never ignor e the w
arning lamps or messag-
es.
● Stop the vehicle at the next opportunity
and in a safe p
lace. Note
Failure to heed the control lamps and corre-
s pondin g t

ext messages when they light up
may result in damage to the vehicle. Emission control system*
Control lamp
 fla
she
s:
When there is misfiring that can damage the
catalytic converter. Reduce speed and drive
carefully to the nearest specialised workshop
to have the engine checked.
The control lamp  lights up:
If a fault has developed during driving which
has reduced the quality of the exhaust gas
(e.g. lambda probe fault). Reduce speed and
drive carefully to the nearest specialised
workshop to have the engine checked.
Coolant Level*/Temperature  There is a fault if:
● The warning symbol does not go out again
af t
er a f

ew seconds. ●
The contro
l lamp lights up or flashes while
the vehicle is moving, and three acoustic
warning signals ››› are emitted.
Thi s
me

ans that either the coolant level is too
low or the coolant temperature is too high.
Coolant temperature too high
If the control lamp comes on, stop the vehi-
cle, turn off the engine and wait for it to cool
down. Check the coolant level.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating
may be caused by a malfunction of the radia-
tor fan. Check the radiator fan fuse and have
it replaced if necessary ››› page 81.
If the control lamp lights up again after driv-
ing on for a short distance, stop the vehicle
and switch the engine off. Contact a Techni-
cal Service or a specialised workshop.
Coolant level too low
If the control lamp comes on , stop the vehi-
cle, turn off the engine and wait for it to cool
down. First check the coolant level. If the lev-
el of the coolant is below the “MIN” mark,
top up with coolant liquid ››› .
WARNING
● If y

our vehicle is immobilised for technical
reasons, move it to a safe distance from traf-
fic. Turn the engine off, turn the hazard lights
on and place the warning triangle. ●
Never open the bonnet if

you can see or
hear steam or coolant escaping from the en-
gine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait un-
til you can no longer see or hear escaping
steam or coolant.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous
area. B
efore carrying out any work in the en-
gine compartment, switch off the engine and
allow it to cool down. Always note the corre-
sponding warnings ››› page 201. Alternator 
This control lamp signals a fault in the alter-
n
at
or

.
The control lamp  lights up when the igni-
tion is switched on. It should go out when the
engine has started running.
If the control lamp  lights up while driving,
the alternator is no longer charging the bat-
tery. You should immediately drive to the
nearest specialised workshop.
You should avoid using electrical equipment
that is not absolutely necessary because this
will drain the battery.
Turn signals   Depending on which turn signal is operating,
either the l
ef
t

 or right  turn signal lamp
flashes. Both control lamps will flash at the
106

Checking and refilling levels
CAUTION
When topping up service fluids, make sure
not t o mi
stake them. Using the wrong fluids
could cause serious malfunctions and engine
damage! For the sake of the environment
Service fluids leaks are harmful to the envi-
ronment . F

or this reason you should make
regular checks on the ground underneath
your vehicle. If you find spots of oil or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected in a speci-
alised workshop. Opening the bonnet
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 10
The bonnet is released from inside the vehi-
cle.
Before opening the bonnet ensure that the
windscreen wipers are in rest position. WARNING
Hot coolant can scald!
● Never open the bonnet if you see steam,
smoke or c oo

lant escaping from the engine
compartment. ●
Wait u

ntil no more steam, smoke or coolant
is emitted from the bonnet, then carefully
open the bonnet.
● When working in the engine compartment,
alwa
ys observe the safety warnings
››› page 201. Closing the bonnet
–
Slightly lift the bonnet.
– Release the bonnet stay and replace it in its
sup
por

t.
– At a height of approximately 30 cm let it fall
so it lock

s.
If the bonnet does not close, do not press
downwards. Open it again and let it fall as
mentioned above. WARNING
If the bonnet is not closed properly, it could
open whil e

you are driving and completely
obscure your view of the road. Risk of acci-
dent.
● After closing the bonnet, always check that
it is
properly secured. The bonnet must be
flush with the surrounding body panels.
● If you notice that the bonnet latch is not se-
cured when the
vehicle is moving, stop the
vehicle immediately and close the bonnet
properly. Risk of accident. 203
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
Checking levels Fig. 185
Diagram for the location of the various elements. Fig. 186
For vehicles with the battery in the
lugg ag
e compartment. From time to time, the levels of the different
fluid
s in the

vehicle must be checked. Never
fill with incorrect fluids, otherwise serious
damage to the engine may be caused. Coolant expansion tank
Engine oil

level dipstick
Engine oil filler cap
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery
Windscreen washer reservoir
The checking and refilling of service fluids
are carried out on the components men-
tioned above. These operations are descri-
bed in ››› page 201.
Overview
You will find further explanations, instruc-
tions and restrictions on the technical speci-
fications as of ››› page 217.
1 2
3
4
5
6 Note
The layout of parts may vary depending on
the engine. Engine oil
Genera l

notes The engine comes with a special, multi-grade
oil
th

at can be used all year round.
Because the use of high-quality oil is essen-
tial for the correct operation of the engine
and its long useful life, when topping up or
changing oil, use only those oils that comply
with VW standards.
204

Checking and refilling levels
WARNING
Only change the engine oil yourself if you
hav e the s
pecialist knowledge required!
● Before opening the bonnet, read and ob-
serve the w
arnings ››› page 201, safety notes
for work 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 ac
id burns, caused by splashes of oil.
● When removing the oil drain plug with your
finger
s, keep your arm horizontal to help pre-
vent 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
stor
ed in a safe place out of the reach of chil-
dren. CAUTION
No additives should be used with engine oil.
This c

ould result in engine damage. Any dam-
age caused by the use of such additives
would not be covered by the factory warranty. For the sake of the environment
● Bec au

se of disposal problems and the spe-
cial tools and specialist knowledge required,
we recommend that you have the engine oil
and filter changed by a Technical Service. ●
Never pour oi l

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. Cooling system
Top pin

g up coolant Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 42
Top up coolant when the level is below the
MIN (minimum) mark.
Checking coolant level
– Park the vehicle in a horizontal position.
– Switch the ignition off.
– Read off the coolant level on coolant ex-
pans

ion tank. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be between the marks.
When the engine is hot, it may be slightly
above the upper mark.
Topping up coolant
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the coolant expansion tank cap with
a cloth and car

efully unscrew it to the left
››› .–
Top up the c
oo

lant only if there is still cool-
ant in the expansion tank, otherwise you could damage the engine. If there is no
coolant in the expansion tank, do not con-
tinue driving. You should obtain professio- nal assistance ››› .
– If there is still some coolant in the expan-
sion t
ank, t

op up to the upper mark.
– Top up with coolant until the level becomes
stab

le.
– Screw the cap back on correctly.
Any lo
ss of coolant fluid normally indicates a
leak in the cooling system. Take the vehicle
straight to a specialised workshop to have
the cooling system examined. If there are no
leaks in the engine cooling system, a loss of
coolant can only occur if the coolant boils
and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating. WARNING
● The coo lin

g system is under pressure. Do
not unscrew the cap on the coolant expan-
sion tank when the engine is hot: risk of
burns!
● The antifreeze and coolant fluid can be a
health h
azard. Therefore, the antifreeze
should be stored in the original container in a
safe place out of reach of children. Failure to
comply could result in poisoning. » 207
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Advice
●
If w ork
ing inside the engine compartment,
remember that, even when the ignition is
switched off, the radiator fan may start up au-
tomatically, and therefore there is a risk of in-
jury. WARNING
If there is not enough anti-freeze in the cool-
ant sys

tem, the engine may fail leading to se-
rious damage.
● Please make sure that the percentage of
additiv
e is correct with respect 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 cool
ant could freeze and the vehicle
would be immobilised. In this case, the heat-
ing would not work either and inadequately
dressed passengers could die of cold. CAUTION
Do not top up the expansion tank with cool-
ant fluid if it

is empty! Air could enter the
cooling system. In this case, stop driving.
Seek specialist assistance. Otherwise, there
is a risk of engine damage. CAUTION
The original additives should never be mixed
with c oo

lants which are not approved by
SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing severe damage to the engine and the engine
coo
lin

g system.
● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not pur-
ple b
ut is, for example, brown, this indicates
that the G13 additive has been mixed with an
inadequate 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
en vir

onment. If any fluids are spilled, they
should be collected and correctly disposed
of, with respect to the environment. Brake fluid
Chec k
in

g the brake fluid level Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›

 page 43
The position of the brake fluid reservoir is
shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment illustration ››› page 204. The brake fluid
reservoir has a black and yellow cap.
The brake fluid level drops slightly when the
vehicle is being used as the brake pads are
automatically adjusted as they wear. However, if the level goes down noticeably in
a short time, or dr

ops below the “MIN” mark,
there may be a leak in the brake system. A
display on the instrument panel will warn you
if the brake fluid level is too low ››› page 100. WARNING
Before opening the bonnet to check the brake
fluid lev el, r

ead and observe the warnings
››› page 201. Changing the brake fluid
The Maintenance Programme indicates brake
fluid c
h
an

ge intervals.
We recommend that you have the brake fluid
changed by a Technical Service.
Before opening the bonnet, please read and
follow the warnings ››› in safety notes for
w ork
in the en

gine compartment on
page 201 in section “Safety notes for work-
ing in the engine compartment”.
In the course of time, brake fluid becomes
hygroscopic and absorbs water from the am-
bient air. If the water content in the brake flu-
id is too high, the brake system could cor-
rode. This also considerably reduces the boil-
ing point of the brake fluid. Heavy use of the
brakes may then cause a vapour lock which
could impair the braking effect.
208