Operation
the engine. Avoid running the engine at high
s peed.
P eriodic
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 engine 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.
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-
crease 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 y
our vehicle has Start-Stop, it is not rec-
ommended that 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 drive with your foot resting on the
clutc
h 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 g
ear that is more suitable for the
slope. Fuel consumption will be “zero” and
the brakes will not suffer. Engine management and ex-
h
au
s
t gas purification system
Introduction WARNING
● Bec au
se of the high temperatures which
can occur in the exhaust purification system
(catalytic converter or diesel particulate fil-
ter), do not park the vehicle where the 166
Driving
exhaust can come into contact with flamma-
bl
e m
aterials under the car (e.g. on grass or
at the forest edge). Fire hazard!
● Do not apply wax underneath the vehicle
around the ar
ea of the exhaust system: Fire
hazard! Note
While the control lamps , , or r
e-
m ain lit, ther
e may be engine problems, fuel
consumption may increase and the engine
may lose power. Catalytic converter
To maintain the useful life of the catalytic
c
on
v
erter
– Use only unleaded petrol with petrol en-
gines, as
lead damages the catalytic con-
verter.
– Do not let the fuel get too low in the tank.
– For engine oil changes, do not replenish
with too muc
h engine oil ››› page 203, Top-
ping up engine oil.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump
lea
ds if necessary ›››
page 52.
If you notice misfiring, uneven running or
loss of power when the vehicle is moving, re-
duce speed immediately and have the vehi-
cle inspected at the nearest specialised workshop. In general, the exhaust warning
lamp wi
ll light up when any of the described
symptoms occur ››› page 98. If this happens,
unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system
and escape into the environment. The cata-
lytic converter can also be damaged by over-
heating. CAUTION
Never run the fuel tank completely dry be-
cau se the irr
egularity of the fuel supply may
cause ignition problems. This allows unburnt
fuel to enter the exhaust system, which could
cause overheating and damage the catalytic
converter. For the sake of the environment
Even when the emission control system is
work in
g perfectly, there may be a smell of
sulphur from the exhaust gas under some
conditions. This depends on the sulphur con-
tent of the fuel used. Quite often the problem
can be solved by changing to another brand
of fuel. Diesel engine particulate filter*
Fig. 161
Vehicle data sticker on back cover of
the M aint
en
ance Programme. Your vehicle is fitted with a DPF (Diesel Partic-
u
l
at
e Filter) if the vehicle data sticker (back
cover of the “Maintenance Programme”) lists
the code PR 7GG ››› Fig. 161.
The diesel engine particulate filter eliminates
most of the soot from the exhaust gas sys-
tem. Under normal driving conditions, the fil-
ter cleans itself. If this is not possible (for ex-
ample, multiple short trips) the filter will be
obstructed by soot and the diesel engine
particulate filter warning lamp will light up.
This does not represent a fault, it is a warning
that indicates that the filter has not been
able to regenerate automatically and that you
must perform a cleaning cycle, as indicated
below. »
167
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
Accumulation of soot in the diesel engine
p ar
tic
ulate 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
condition s, the t
errain and traffic. Driving rec-
ommendations should never lead to illegal
manoeuvres in surrounding traffic. CAUTION
● Your v
ehicle is not designed to use biodie-
sel fuel. Never, under any circumstances re-
fuel with biodiesel. The use of biodiesel fuel
could damage the engine and the fuel sys-
tem. The addition of biodiesel to diesel by
the diesel producer in accordance with stand- ard EN 590 is authorised and will not cause
dam
ag
e to the engine or the fuel system.
● Using diesel fuel with a high sulphur con-
tent m
ay significantly reduce the useful life of
the diesel particulate filter. Your Technical
Service will be able to tell you which coun-
tries have diesel with a high sulphur content. Engine management*
This warning lamp monitors the engine man-
agement
sy
stem for petrol engines.
The warning lamp (Electronic Power Con-
trol) lights up when the ignition is switched
on while system operation is being verified. It
should go out once the engine is started.
If there is a fault in the electronic engine
management system while you are driving,
this warning lamp will light up. Take the vehi-
cle to a specialised workshop as soon as
possible and have the engine checked.
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.
Engine pre-heating/fault system* The warning lamp lights up to show that the
glow p
lug
s are preheating the diesel engine.
The control lamp lights up
If the control lamp lights up when the en-
gine is started it means that the glow plugs
are preheating. The engine can be started
straight away when the lamp switches off.
Control lamp flashes
If a fault 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.
168
Operation
Driver assistance systems
St ar
t
-Stop System*
Description and operation The Start-Stop function stops the engine
when the v
ehic
le is stopped and starts it au-
tomatically when required.
Vehicles with a manual gearbox
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it into
neutral and r
elease the clutch pedal. The
engine will switch off. The warning lamp
will appear on the instrument panel dis-
play.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed the en-
gine wil
l start up again. The warning lamp
will switch off.
Vehicles with an automatic gearbox
– Use the foot brake to bring the vehicle to a
stop and k
eep the brake pedal pressed
down with your foot. The engine will switch
off. The warning lamp will appear in the
display.
– When you take your foot off the brake pedal
the engine wi
ll start up again. The warning
lamp will switch off. Start-Stop function conditions
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The bonnet must be closed.
● The engine must be at operating tempera-
ture.
● The s
teering wheel must be straight.
● The vehicle must be on flat ground.
● The vehicle must not be in reverse.
● A trailer must not be connected.
● The temperature of the interior must be
within the comf
ort limits (A/C button should
be sel ect
ed).
● The w
indscreen de-mist function must be
off.
● If in an inc
rease in airflow is not reques
ted.
● The temperature must not be set to HI or
LO .
● The driver door must be closed.
● The diesel particulate filter must not be in
reg
eneration mode, for diesel engines.
● The battery charge must not be low for the
next s
tart.
● Battery temperature must be between -1°C
(+30°F) and +55°C (+131°F).
Star
t-Stop function interruption
In the following situations, the Start-Stop
function will be interrupted and the engine
will automatically start: ●
The vehic
le starts moving.
● The brake pedal is pressed several times in
a row
.
● The battery has been discharged excessive-
ly.
● The St
art-Stop System is manually deacti-
vated.
● The w
indscreen de-mist function is turned
on.
● The temperature of the interior exceeds the
comfor
t limits ( A/C button).
● If the airflow is increased by more than 3
pr e
s
ses.
● Temperature setting HI or LO is sel
ected.
● The engine coolant temperature is insuffi-
cient.
● The alt
ernator is faulty, for example the V-
belt ha
s ruptured.
● If any of the conditions described in the
previou
s section are not fulfilled.
When the engine is turned off by the Start-
Stop function, this is displayed on the instru-
ment panel.
If the Start-Stop system is not switched on,
the warning lamp will appear on the instru-
ment panel.
170
Driver assistance systems
WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the en-
gine off f or an
y reason. You could lose control
of your vehicle. This could cause an accident
and serious injury.
● The brake servo does not work with the en-
gine off. Y
ou need more force to stop the vehi-
cle.
● Power steering does not work when the en-
gine is not
running. That is why it is much
more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
● Turn off the Start-Stop system when driving
through wat
er (fording streams, etc.). Note
● For v
ehicles with the Start-Stop function
and a manual gearbox, when the engine is
started, the clutch must be pressed.
● When the conditions for the Start-Stop
function ar
e not fulfilled, the instrument pan-
el displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than
270°, it wi
ll not be possible to start the vehi-
cle again. To start the vehicle, straighten the
steering wheel so that it is turned less than
270°.
● There are different versions of the dash
panel; the dis
play of indications on the
screen may differ. Activating and deactivating the Start-
St
op f
u
nction Fig. 162
The Start-Stop function button. Every time the ignition is switched on, the
St
ar
t
-Stop function is automatically activa-
ted.
Manually deactivating the Start-Stop func-
tion
– Press the
› ›
› Fig. 162
button located on
the centre console. When the Start-Stop
function is switched off, the warning lamp
comes on.
– If the Start-Stop function is operating then
the engine st
arts immediately. Switching the Start-Stop function on manual-
ly
– Press the
› ››
Fig. 162
b
utton located on
the centre console. The warning lamp will
switch off.
Fatigue detection (break rec-
ommendation)* Introduction
›› ›
table on page 2
The Fatigue detection informs the driver
when their driving behaviour shows signs of
fatigue. WARNING
Do not let the comfort afforded by the Fatigue
detection sy s
tem tempt you into taking any
risks when driving. Take regular breaks, suffi-
cient in length when making long journeys.
● The driver always assumes the responsibil-
ity of driv
ing to their full capacity.
● Never drive if you are tired.
● The system does not detect the tiredness of
the driver in al
l circumstances. Consult the in-
formation in the section ››› page 172, System
limitations. » 171
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Towing bracket device and trailer
●
Stop the v
ehicle at the next opportunity
and in a safe place. CAUTION
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. Note
If the “SEAT Drive Profile” system presents a
fau lt, the
symbol appears on the instrument
panel, with the message Fault: Damping
setting . Indication on the display and warning
l
amp
There is a fault in the “SEAT Drive Pro-
file” suspension.
See a specialised workshop immediately and have the
“SEAT Drive Profile” suspension checked.
If the yellow warning lamp does not light up again after
the engine is restarted and the vehicle has travelled a
short distance, you do not need to take it to a special-
ised workshop. Some warning and control lamps will light up
briefly
when the ignition i
s
switched on to
check certain functions. They will switch off
after a few seconds. WARNING
If the warning lamps and the corresponding
mes s
ages are ignored when they light up, the
vehicle may stall in traffic and cause acci-
dents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or messag-
es. WARNING
Changing the “SEAT Drive Profile” settings
whil e the
vehicle is in motion can distract you
from the road and lead to accidents. CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps when they
light up and the c orr
esponding messages
may result in damage to the vehicle. Note
If the “SEAT Drive Profile” system does not
work a
s described in this chapter, have it
checked immediately by a specialised work-
shop. Towing bracket device and
tr
ai
l
er
Trailer mode What do you need to bear in mind
when towing a trailer? Your vehicle may be used to tow a trailer
when fitted w
ith the c
orrect equipment.
If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted tow-
ing bracket it will already have the necessary
technical modifications and meet the statuto-
ry requirements for towing a trailer. If you
wish to retrofit a towing bracket, consult
››› page 185.
Connectors
Your vehicle is fitted with a 12-pin connector
for the electrical connection between the
trailer and the vehicle.
If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you will need to
use an adapter cable. It is available at any
Technical Service.
Trailer weight/drawbar load
Never exceed the authorised trailer weight. If
you do not load the trailer up to the maxi-
mum permitted trailer weight, you can then
climb correspondingly steeper slopes. »
183
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety
Operation
The maximum trailer weights listed are only
ap p
lic
able for altitudes up to 1000 m above
sea level. With increasing altitude the engine
power and therefore the vehicle climbing
ability are impaired because of the reduced
air density. The maximum trailer weight has
to be reduced accordingly. The weight of the
vehicle and trailer combination must be re-
duced by 10% for every further 1000 m (or
part thereof). The gross combination weight
is the actual weight of the laden vehicle plus
the actual weight of the laden trailer. When
possible, operate the trailer with the maxi-
mum permitted drawbar load on the ball joint
of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the
specified limit.
The figures for trailer weights and drawbar
loads that are given on the data plate of the
towing bracket are for certification purposes
only. The correct figures for your specific
model, which may be lower than these fig-
ures for the towing bracket, are given in the
vehicle documentation or in ››› chapter Tech-
nical Data .
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy
objects are as near to the axle as possible.
Loads carried in the trailer must be secured
to prevent them moving. Tyre pressure
Set tyr
e pressure to the maximum permissi-
ble pressure shown on the sticker on the in-
side of the fuel tank flap. Set the tyre pres-
sure of the trailer tyres in accordance with the
trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the
road behind the trailer with the standard rear
vision mirrors. If this is not the case, you
should have additional exterior mirrors fitted.
Both exterior mirrors should be mounted on
hinged extension brackets. Adjust the mirrors
to give sufficient vision to the rear. WARNING
Never transport people in a trailer. This could
re s
ult in fatal accidents. Note
● To w
ing a trailer places additional demands
on the vehicle. We recommend additional
services between the normal inspection inter-
vals if the vehicle is used frequently for tow-
ing a trailer.
● Find out whether special regulations apply
to to
wing a trailer in your country. Ball coupling of towing bracket*
The ball coupling is provided with instruc-
tions
on fittin
g and removing the ball cou-
pling of the towing bracket. WARNING
The towing bracket ball coupling must be
st or
ed securely in the luggage compartment
to prevent them being flung through the vehi-
cle and causing injury. Note
● By l
aw, the ball coupling must be removed
if a trailer is not being towed if it obscures
the number plate. Driving tips
Driving with a trailer always requires extra
c
ar
e.
W
eight distribution
The weight distribution of a loaded trailer
with an unladen vehicle is very unfavourable.
However, if this cannot be avoided, drive ex-
tra slowly to allow for the unbalanced weight
distribution.
184
Towing bracket device and trailer
Speed
The s t
ab
ility of the vehicle and trailer is re-
duced with increasing speed. For this reason,
it is advisable not to drive at the maximum
permissible speed in an unfavourable road,
weather or wind conditions. This applies es-
pecially when driving downhill.
You should always reduce speed immediately
if the trailer shows the slightest sign of snak-
ing. Never try to stop the “snaking” by in-
creasing speed.
Always brake in due course. If the trailer has
an overrun brake, apply the brakes gently at
first and then, firmly. This will prevent the
jerking that can be caused by locking of trail-
er wheels. Select a low gear in due course
before going down a steep downhill. This en-
ables you to use the engine braking to slow
down the vehicle.
Reheating
At very high temperatures and during pro-
longed slopes, driving with a low gear and
high engine speed; always monitor whether
the excessive coolant temperature gauge is
activated ››› page 204. Retrofitting a towing bracket*
Fig. 172
IBIZA/IBIZA SC: attachment points
f or t
o
wing bracket. If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the ve-
hic
l
e i
s purchased, this must be completed
according to the instructions of the towing
bracket manufacturer. The attachment points
A for the towing
br ac
k
et are underneath the vehicle.
The distance between the centre of the ball
coupling and the ground should never be
lower than the indicated value, even with a
fully loaded vehicle and including the maxi-
mum drawbar load.
Elevation values for securing the towing bracket:
Fig. 172IBIZA/IBIZA SC
B65 mm (minimum)
C350 mm to 420 mm (fully laden vehicle)
D959 mm
E438 mm
F209 mm Fitting a towing bracket
●
Driving with a trailer involves an extra effort
f or the
v
ehicle. Therefore, before fitting a
towing bracket, please contact a Technical
Service to check whether your cooling system
needs modification.
● The legal requirements in your country
must
be observed (e.g. the fitting of a sepa-
rate control lamp).
● Certain vehicle components, for example
the rear b
umper, must be removed and rein-
stalled. The towing bracket securing bolts
must be tightened using a torque wrench, »
185
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety