key Seat Ibiza ST 2012 Owner's manual

Table of Contents
Manual structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Proper sitting position for occupants . . . . . . . . . 10
Pedal area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Storing objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Why wear seat belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Belt tensioners* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Deactivating airbags* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Brief introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Securing child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 LPG system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Digital instrument panel display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Warning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Steering column controls* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Audio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Audio + Telephone Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Radio frequency remote control* . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Anti-theft alarm system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Panoramic tilting sunroof* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Lights and visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Visibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Rear view mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Seats and storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . 115
The importance of correct seat adjustment . . . . . 115
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Ashtrays, cigarette lighter and power socket . . . 125
First-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher . 128
Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Roof rack* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Climatronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Ignition lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Starting and stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Start-Stop function* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Automatic gearbox* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Handbrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Acoustic parking aid system* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Cruise speed* (Cruise control system) . . . . . . . . 164
Practical Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Anti-lock brake system and traction control ABS 169
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)* . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Driving and the environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Running-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Exhaust gas purification system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Economical and environmentally friendly driving 176
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Vehicle maintenance and cleaning . . . . . . . . . 181
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Care of the vehicle exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Vehicle interior maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
3
Table of Contents

31
Airbag system
The danger of fitting a child seat on the front passenger
seat
Rear-facing child seats must never be used on the front pas-
senger seat when the front passenger airbag is enabled. The front passenger front airbag is a serious risk for a child if it is activated.
The front passenger seat is life threatening to a child if he/she is transpor-
ted in a rear-facing child seat. Children up to 12 years old should always
travel on the rear seat.
If a rear-facing child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, an inflating
airbag can strike it with such force that it can cause critical or fatal injuries.
Therefore we strongly recommend you to transport children on the rear
seats. That is the safest place for children in the vehicle. Alternatively, the
front passenger airbag can be disabled with a key-operated switch
⇒ page 41. When transporting children, use a child seat appropriate to
the age and size of each child.
For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to deactivate the air-
bag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
WARNING
● If a child seat is secured to the front passenger seat, the risk to the
child of sustaining critical or fatal injuries in the event of an accident in-
creases.
● Never secure a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat if the
front passenger airbag is enabled. The child can suffer critical or fatal in-
juries if the front passenger airbag is triggered.
WARNING (Continued)
● An inflating front passenger airbag can strike the rear-facing child
seat and project it with great force against the door, the roof or the back-
rest.
● If, under special circumstances, it is necessary to transport a child in
a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, it is absolutely es-
sential that you observe the following safety measures:
–Deactivate the front passenger airbag ⇒ page 41, Deactivating
airbags*.
– Child seats must be approved by the child seat manufacturer for
use on a front passenger seat with front or side airbag.
– Follow the installation instructions of the child seat manufacturer
and absolutely observe all warnings
– Before properly installing the child seat, push the front passenger
seat completely backwards so that the greatest possible distance to
the front passenger airbag is ensured.
– Ensure that no objects prevent the front passenger seat from being
pushed completely back.
– The backrest of the front passenger seat must be in an upright po-
sition.

Control lamp for airbag and seat belt tensioner 
This control lamp monitors the airbag and seat belt tension-
er system.
The control lamp monitors all airbags and seat belt tensioners in the vehi-
cle, including control units and wiring connections. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

41
Airbag system
Deactivating airbags*
Front passenger front airbag deactivation
If you fit a rear-facing child seat to the front passenger seat,
the front passenger front airbag must be de-activated.
Fig. 21 In the glove com-
partment: switch for acti-
vating and deactivating
the front passenger air-
bag
Fig. 22 Control lamp for deactivated front passenger airbag in centre console When the front passenger airbag is
deactivated, this means that
only the passenger front airbag is deactivated. All the other air-
bags in the vehicle remain activated.
Deactivating the front passenger front airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition switch in the key operated switch in the glove
compartment to the position OFF ⇒ Fig. 21.
– Check that the control lamp “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ” in the
dash panel ⇒ Fig. 22 remains lit ⇒ 
when the ignition is
switched on.
Activating the front passenger front airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Turn the ignition key in the key-operated switch in the glove
compartment to the position ON ⇒ Fig. 21.
– Check that the control lamp “PASSENGERS AIRBAG OFF ” in
the dash panel does ⇒ Fig. 22 not light up when the ignition is
switched on ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● The driver is responsible for the proper position of the key-operated
switch.
● You should only deactivate the front passenger front airbag when, in
exceptional cases, you have to use a rear-facing child seat on the front
passenger seat ⇒ page 43, Child safety. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

44Child safety
WARNING
● Never install a child seat facing backwards on the front passenger
seat unless the front passenger front airbag has been disabled. Risk of
potentially fatal injuries to the child! However, if it is necessary, in excep-
tional cases, to transport a child in the front passenger seat, the front
passenger front airbag must always be disabled ⇒ page 41, Deactivating
airbags*. If the front passenger seat has a height adjustment option,
move it to the highest position.
● For those vehicles that do not include a key lock switch to deactivate
the airbag, the vehicle must be taken to a Technical Service.
● All vehicle occupants, especially children, must assume the proper
sitting position and be properly belted in while travelling.
● Never hold children or babies on your lap, this can result in potential-
ly fatal injuries to the child!
● Never allow a child to be transported in a vehicle without being prop-
erly secured, or to stand up or kneel on a seat while travelling. In an acci-
dent, the child could be flung through the vehicle, causing possibly fatal
injuries to themselves and to the other vehicle occupants.
● If children assume an improper sitting position when the vehicle is
moving, they expose themselves to greater risk of injury in the event of a
sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident. This is particularly impor-
tant if the child is travelling on the front passenger seat and the airbag
system is triggered in an accident; as this could cause serious injury or
even death.
● A suitable child seat can protect your child!
● Never leave an unsupervised child alone on a child seat or in the vehi-
cle.
● Depending on weather conditions, it may become extremely hot or
cold inside the vehicle. This can be fatal.WARNING (Continued)
● Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a normal
seat belt without a child seat, as this could cause injuries to the abdomi-
nal and neck areas during a sudden braking manoeuvre or in an accident.
● Do not allow the seat belt to become twisted or jammed, or to rub on
any sharp edges.
● Incorrectly worn seat belts can cause injuries even in a minor colli-
sion or in sudden braking manoeuvres.
● The seat belt provides maximum protection only when the seat belt is
properly positioned ⇒ page 25, Seat belts.
● Only one child may occupy a child seat ⇒ page 45, Child seats.


69
Cockpit
Information messages displayed on the screen*
Message a)Description
SERVICEThe service interval has ended. Take the vehicle to a Techni-
cal Service.
IMMOBILIS-
ERImmobiliser system active. The vehicle will not start. Take
the vehicle to a Technical Service.
ERRORInstrument panel faulty. Take the vehicle to a Technical Serv-
ice.
CLEAN AIRFILTERWarning: Clean the air filter.
NO KEYWarning: Correct key cannot be found in the vehicle.KEY BATTERYWarning: Key battery low. Change the battery.
CLUTCHWarning: Press the clutch to start. In vehicles with manual
gearbox and Start/Stop system.
--> P/NWarning: Place the selector level in P/N to start. Only in ve-
hicles with automatic gearbox.
--> PWarning: Place the selector lever in position P to stop the
engine.
STARTINGWarning: The engine starts automatically. Start-Stop system
activated.
START MAN- UALLYWarning: The engine must be started manually. Start-Stop
system activated.
ERROR
START STOPWarning: Start-Stop system error.
START-STOP
IMPOSSIBLEWarning: Although the Start-Stop system is switched on, the
engine cannot be stopped automatically. Not all the neces-
sary conditions are met.
START-STOP ACTIVEWarning: Start-Stop system activated. Vehicle in Stop mode.
SWITCH OFFWarning: Start-Stop system activated. Switch off the ignition
when you leave the vehicle.
STOP TRANS-MISSIONTOO HOTWarning: Stop the engine. Gearbox overheated.
BRAKEWarning: To start the engine, press the brake pedal. Only in
vehicles with automatic gearbox.
COASTING FUNCTIONWarning: Coasting mode active. Transmission engaged. On-
ly in vehicles with automatic gearbox.
CHECK SAFE- LOCKNotification of central locking function activated.
a)These messages may vary according the version of the vehicle model. 
Engine management* 
This warning lamp monitors the engine management sys-
tem for petrol engines.
The warning lamp  (Electronic Power Control) lights up when the ignition
is switched on to show that the lamp is working properly. 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. Stop the vehicle and seek technical
assistance. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

76Cockpit
If the control lamp lights up again after driving on for a short distance, stop
the vehicle and switch the engine off . Contact a Technical Service or a spe-
cialised workshop.
Coolant level too low
If the warning light comes on, stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
wait for it to cool down First check the coolant level. If the level of the cool-
ant is below the “MIN” mark, top up with coolant liquid ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● If your vehicle is immobilised for technical reasons, move it to a safe
distance from traffic. 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 escap-
ing from the engine compartment. Risk of scalding. Wait until you can no
longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.
● The engine compartment is a dangerous area! Before carrying out any
work in the engine compartment, switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down. Always note the corresponding warnings ⇒ page 200.

Alternator 
This warning lamp signals a fault in the alternator.
The warning lamp  lights up when the ignition is switched on. It should
go out when the engine has started running.
If the warning lamp  lights up while driving, the alternator is no longer
charging the battery. You should immediately drive to the nearest special-
ised workshop. You should avoid using electrical equipment that is not absolutely necessa-
ry because this will drain the battery.
If the indicator flashes the voltage is insufficient for normal vehicle opera-
tion.

Turn signals  
The control lamp flashes when the turn signals are in opera-
tion.
Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left  or right  turn
signal warning lamp flashes. Both control lamps will flash at the same time
when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
If any of both turn signals fails, the warning lamp will start flashing twice
faster than normal.
For further information on the turn signals, please see ⇒  page 106.
Electronic immobiliser “Safe”*
This warning lamp flashes if an unauthorised key is used.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser au-
tomatically when the key is inserted into the ignition. The electronic immo-
biliser will be activated again automatically as soon as you pull the key out
of the ignition lock.
The instrument panel displays the following message 1)
: SAFE. The vehicle
cannot be started in this case 
1)
Depending on the version of the model.

77
Cockpit
The engine can, however, be started if the appropriate coded SEAT genuine
key is used.
Note
The vehicle cannot operate properly if you do not have a genuine SEAT key. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

82Opening and closing
Opening and closing
Central locking
Description
The central locking system enables you to lock and unlock
all doors by just pushing the button. Central locking can be activated by using any of the following options:
● the key, by inserting it into the driver door cylinder and rotating it in the
opening direction. Depending on the vehicle version, either all doors will be
unlocked or only the driver door will be unlocked. All doors will be locked on
locking the vehicle using the key.
● the interior central lock button ⇒ page 85.
● the remote control, using the buttons on the key ⇒ page 88.
Various functions are available to improve the vehicle safety: Safe* security system
Selective unlocking system*
Self-locking system to prevent involuntary unlocking
Automatic speed-dependent locking and unlocking system*
Emergency unlocking system
-
-
-
-
-
WARNING
● Locking from the outside carelessly or without good visibility may
lead to bruising, particularly in the case of children.
● When locking a vehicle, never leave children unaccompanied inside,
as from the outside it will be difficult to provide assistance if required.
● Having the doors locked prevents an intrusion from getting in, for ex-
ample when stopped at a traffic light.
Note
For anti-theft security, only the driver door is fitted with a lock cylinder. 
Safe security system*
This is an anti-theft device that consists of a double lock for
the door locks and a disabling function for the luggage
compartment in order to prevent a forced entry (depending
on country). Activation
The “safe” system is activated when the vehicle is locked using the key or
the remote control.
To activate it with the key, rotate once it is inserted in the door lock cylinder
in the locking direction.
To activate the system using the remote control, press the lock button once 
on the remote. 

83
Opening and closing
Once this system is activated, opening doors from the outside and the in-
side is not possible. The rear lid can not be opened. The central lock button
does not work.
When the ignition is switched off, the instrument panel display indicates
that the Safe system is on.
Deactivation
Rotate the key inserted in the lock cylinder twice towards the locking direc-
tion.
To activate the system using the remote control, press the lock button on
the remote twice 
in less than five seconds.
On deactivating the “Safe” system, the alarm volumetric sensor is also de-
activated.
With the “Safe” switched off, doors can be opened from the interior but not
from the exterior.
See “Selective unlocking system*”
“Safe” status
On the driver door, there is a visible warning lamp which shows the “Safe”
system status.
We will know that “Safe” system is activated by the flashing warning lamp.
The indicator will flash on all vehicles, fitted and nor fitted with an alarm,
until they unlock.
Remember:
Safe activated with or without an alarm: Warning lamp flashes continuous-
ly.
Safe deactivated without an alarm: The indicator remains off.
Safe deactivated with an alarm: The indicator remains off.
WARNING
No one should remain inside the vehicle if the “Safe” mechanism is acti-
vated because opening the doors will not be possible in case of emergen-
cy neither from the inside nor the outside. Danger of death. Passengers
could become trapped inside in case of emergency.

Selective unlocking system*
This system allows to unlock either just the driver door or all
the vehicle.
Driver door unlock button
Unlock once. Use either the key or the remote control.
Once the key is inserted in the lock cylinder, rotate once in the unlock direc-
tion. The driver door will remain without “Safe” and unlocked. See Anti-theft
Alarm chapter for vehicles fitted with an alarm ⇒ page 90.
Using the remote control, press the unlock button on the remote 
once.
The Safe system for all the vehicle is deactivated, only the driver door is un-
locked and both the alarm and the warning lamp are also turned off.
Unlocking all doors and the luggage compartment
The unlock button on the remote control must be pressed twice 
so that
all doors and the luggage compartment can be opened.
Press twice within 5 seconds to deactivate the Safe system for all vehicle, to
unlock all doors and to use the luggage compartment. The warning lamp
and the alarm (only vehicles fitted with one) are turned off.
Unlocking the luggage compartment
See ⇒ page 93. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

84Opening and closing
Activating the selective unlocking system*
With the door open, insert a key into the start cylinder and start the ignition.
Insert the other key into the driver door lock and turn in the opening direc-
tion for at least 3 seconds. The turn signals will flash twice.
Deactivating the selective unlocking system*
With the door open, insert a key into the start cylinder and start the ignition.
Insert the other key into the driver door lock and turn in the locking direc-
tion for at least 3 seconds. The turn signals will flash once. 
Involuntary unlocking
It is an anti-theft system and prevents the unintentional un-
locking of the vehicle. If the vehicle is unlocked and any of the doors (including the rear lid) are
opened within 30 seconds, it gets re-locked automatically. 
Automatic speed dependent locking and unlocking system*
This is a safety system which prevent the access to the vehi-
cle from the outside when it is running (for example, when
stopped at a traffic light).
Locking
The doors lock automatically after exceeding 15 km/h (10 mph). The rear lid
locks automatically after exceeding 6 km/h (4 mph).
If the vehicle is stopped and any of its doors open, when starting again and
exceeding the mentioned speed, all doors will lock again. Unlocking
On withdrawing the ignition key, the vehicle will returns to its status prior to
self-locking.
Each door can be unlocked and opened independently from the inside (for
example, when a passenger gets out of it). To do it, simply operate the lever
inside the door.
Activating the system*
With the ignition on, press the locking key on the central locking system
within 3 to 10 seconds.
Deactivating the system*
With the ignition on, press the unlocking key on the central locking system
within 3 to 10 seconds.
In both cases, if the operation has been carried out correctly, the locking
lamp will flash

⇒ 
Fig. 43.
WARNING
The door handles must not be operated when the vehicle is running: the
door would open.
Note
If the airbags are triggered during an accident, the vehicle is unlocked, ex-
cept for the luggage compartment. It is possible to lock the vehicle from in-
side with the central locking, after turning the ignition off and back on
again. 