engine Seat Ibiza 5D 2009 Workshop Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: SEAT, Model Year: 2009, Model line: Ibiza 5D, Model: Seat Ibiza 5D 2009Pages: 257, PDF Size: 6.5 MB
Page 157 of 257

Driving and the environment155
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
If you drive with 
wet brakes, for example, after crossing areas of water, in 
heavy rainfall or even after washing the car, the effect of the brakes is less-
ened as the brake discs are wet or even frozen (in winter): The brakes should 
be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore full braking effect.
WARNING
Longer braking distances and faults in the brake system increase the risk 
of accidents.•New brake pads must be run in and do not have the correct friction 
during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity may be 
compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder. This also 
applies when new brake pads are fitted.•If brakes are wet or frozen, or if you are driving on roads which have 
been gritted with salt, braking power may set in later than normal.•On steep slopes, if brakes are excessively used, they will overheat. 
Before driving down a long steep slope, it is advisable to reduce speed and 
change down into a lower gear (or move the selector lever to a lower gear if 
your vehicle has automatic transmission). This makes use of engine 
braking and relieves the brakes.•Never let the brakes “slip” by applying light pressure. Continuous 
braking will cause the brakes to overheat and the braking distance will 
increase. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.•Never let the vehicle run with the engine switched off. The braking 
distance is increased considerably when the brake servo is not active.•Very heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid 
is left in the system for too long. This impairs the braking effect.•Non-standard or damaged front spoilers could restrict the airflow to the 
brakes and cause them to overheat. Please observe the relevant instruc-
tions before purchasing accessories  ⇒page 170, “Technical modifica-
tions”.
•If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-
ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary 
journeys.
Exhaust gas purification systemCatalytic converter*To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter
– Always use unleaded petrol.
– Do not let the fuel get too low in the tank.
– For engine oil changes, do not top the reservoir up  ⇒page 183, 
“Topping up engine oil  ”.
– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary  ⇒page 219.If you notice misfiring, uneven running or loss of power when the vehicle is 
moving, reduce speed immediately and have the vehicle inspected at the 
nearest qualified workshop. In general, the exhaust warning lamp will light 
up when any of the described symptoms occur  ⇒page 56. If this happens, 
unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the environment. 
The catalytic converter can also be damaged by overheating.
WARNING
The catalytic converter reaches very high temperatures! Fire hazard!
WARNING (continued)
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Driving and the environment
156•Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with 
dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.•Do not apply additional undersea or anti-corrosion coatings to the 
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust 
system. These materials could catch fire when the vehicle is being driven.Caution
Never fully drain the fuel tank because the irregularity 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 working perfectly, there may be a 
smell of sulphur from the exhaust under some conditions. This depends on 
the sulphur content of the fuel used. Quite often the problem can be solved 
by changing to another fuel brand.Diesel engine particulate filter*
The diesel engine particulate filter eliminates soot produced 
by burning diesel.The diesel engine dust filter eliminates most of the soot from the exhaust gas 
system. Under normal driving conditions, the filter cleans itself. If the driving 
conditions do not allow the filter to clean itself (for example, multiple short 
trips) the filter will be obstructed by dust and pollen and the indicator 
 for 
the diesel engine particulate filter indicator will light up. See section on 
Warning Lights.
WARNING
•The diesel engine particulate filter may reach extremely high tempera-
tures; it should not enter into contact with flammable materials under-
neath the vehicle. Failure to comply could result in fire.Caution
•The vehicle is not designed for refuelling with mixtures of FAME fuel 
(biodiesel) over 7%, in accordance with DIN 51628. The diesel particle filter 
will be damaged if this mixture percentage is exceeded.Economical and environmentally-friendly 
drivingGeneral notes
Fuel consumption depends to a large extent on your personal 
driving style.Fuel consumption, environmental impact and engine, brake and tyre wear 
depend largely on three factors:•Personal driving style•Conditions of use (weather, road surface)•Te chni cal r eq ui re men ts
By adopting an economical driving style and anticipating the traffic situation 
ahead, you can easily reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. This section 
suggests methods of lessening the impact on the environment and reducing 
your operating costs at the same time.
WARNING (continued)
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Page 159 of 257

Driving and the environment157
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Foresight when drivingA vehicle uses most fuel when accelerating. If you think ahead when driving, 
you will need to brake less and thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, take 
advantage of your vehicle inertia, for instance when you see that the next 
traffic light is red.Regular servicesBy taking your car to an Authorised Service Centre for regular servicing you 
can establish a basis for good fuel economy  before you start driving. A well-
serviced engine gives you the benefit of  improved fuel efficiency as well as 
maximum reliability and an enhanced resale value.
A badly serviced engine can consume up to 10% more fuel than necessary.
Check the oil level  every time you refuel  ⇒page 182. Oil consumption 
depends to a great extent on the engine load and engine speed. Depending 
on your personal driving style, oil consumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000 
km.
Avoid short journeysThe engine and catalytic converter need to reach their proper  working 
temperature  in order to minimise fuel consumption and emissions.
Directly after a cold start, the engine uses about 50-70 litres of fuel per 100 
km. This figure then drops to 20-30 litres per 100 km after about one kilo-
metre. The engine only reaches it s working temperature after about  four kilo-
metres, when fuel consumption will return to a normal level. You should 
therefore avoid short journeys.
The  ambient temperature  has a decisive influence.
The illustration shows the different rates of fuel consumption for the same 
distance at both +20°C and -10°C. Your vehicle will use more fuel in winter 
than in summer.
Fig. 110  Fuel consump-
tion in litres per 100 km at 
two different ambient 
temperatures
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Page 160 of 257

Driving and the environment
158Driving abroadObservationsTo 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”. Automobile organisa-
tions will have information about service station networks selling unleaded 
fuel.•In some countries, it is possible that a vehicle model is sold under condi-
tions where some spare parts are not available or that the Authorised Service 
Centre may only carry out limited repairs.
SEAT importers and distributors will gladly provide information about the 
technical preparation of your vehicle and also about necessary maintenance 
and repair possibilities.Adhesive strips for headlightsIf you have to drive a right-hand drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or 
vice versa, the asymmetric dipped beam headlights will dazzle oncoming 
traffic.
To prevent dazzling, you must apply stickers to certain parts of the headlight 
lenses. Further information is available in your Authorised Service Centre.
In vehicles with self-directing headlights, the rotation system must be 
disconnected first. To do this, please go to a specialist workshop.
Trailer towingWhat do you need to bear in mind when towing a trailer?Your vehicle may be used to tow a trailer when fitted with the correct equip-
ment.
If the car is supplied with a  factory-fitted towing bracket it will already have 
the necessary technical modifications and meet the statutory requirements 
for towing a trailer. For the  after-market fitting of a trailer towing bracket see 
⇒ page 173.
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. This is 
available in any SEAT dealer.
Trailer weight / draw bar loading
Never exceed the authorised towing limit. If you do not load the trailer up to 
the maximum permitted trailer weight, you can then climb correspondingly 
steeper slopes.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for  altitudes up to 
1,000 m above sea level. With increa sing altitude the engine power and 
therefore the vehicle's 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 reduced by 10% for 
every further 1,000 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 maximum permitted draw bar 
weight  on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the specified 
limit.
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Driving and the environment
160Always 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 the trailer wheels locking. Select a low gear in due course before 
going down a steep downhill. This enables you to use the engine braking to 
slow down the vehicle.
Reheating
At very high temperatures and during prolonged ascents, driving in a low gear 
and high engine speed, always monitor the coolant temperature indicator 
⇒ page 47.
Electronic Stabilisation Program*
The ESP* system helps to stabilise the trailer in case of skidding or rocking.
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Vehicle maintenance and cleaning161
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Vehicle maintenance and cleaningGeneral notesRegular washing and care help maintain the value of your 
vehicle.Yo u r  v e h i c l e  m a i n te n a n ce
Regular care and washing help to maintain the value of the vehicle. This may 
also be one of the requirements for acknowledging warranty claims in the 
event of bodywork corrosion or paint defects.
The best way to protect your vehicle against the harmful effects of the envi-
ronment is through correct maintenance and  frequent washing. The longer 
substances such as insects remains, bird droppings, resinous tree sap, road 
dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt and other aggressive materials 
remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork. High 
temperatures (for instance in strong sunlight) further intensify the corrosive 
effect.
After winter, a period when salt is put on the roads, it is impor tant to have the 
underside of the vehicle washed thoroughly.
Products for vehicle maintenance
Car care products are available in your Authorised Service Centre. Keep the 
product instructions until you have used them up.
WARNING
•Car care products can be toxic. For this, they must always be kept 
closed in their original container. Keep them out of the reach of children. 
Failure to comply could result in poisoning.•Always read and observe the instructions and warnings on the package 
before using car care products. Improper use could damage your health or  your vehicle. The use of certain products may produce noxious vapours; 
they should be used in well ventilated areas.
•Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other 
volatile fluids. These are toxic and highly flammable. Risk of fire and explo-
sion.•Before washing your vehicle, or carrying out any maintenance, switch 
the engine off, apply your handbrake firmly and remove the key from the 
ignition.Caution
Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry. 
Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could damage the 
paintwork or the windows of your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with plenty 
of water.
For the sake of the environment
•When purchasing products for your vehicle maintenance, select the ones 
which are not harmful to the environment.•The leftovers of the car care products should not be disposed of with ordi-
nary household waste. Observe the disposal information on the package.WARNING (continued)
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Vehicle maintenance and cleaning167
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Underbody maintenance
The vehicle underbody is coated to protect it from chemical 
and mechanical damage.The protective coating can be damaged when driving. We recommend you to 
check the protective coating under the body and on the running gear, and 
reinstated if necessary, before and after the winter season.
We recommend you to go to your Authorised Service Centre to carry out repair 
work and additional anti-corrosion work.
WARNING
Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, 
catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust system. The heat of 
the exhaust system or the engine could cause them to ignite! Fire hazard.Cleaning the engine compartment
Take special care when cleaning the engine compartment.Anti-corrosion treatment
The engine compartment and the surface of the power unit are given anti-
corrosion treatment at the factory.
Good corrosion protection is particularly important in winter when the car is 
frequently driven on salted roads. To prevent the salt corroding the vehicle, 
the entire engine compartment should be thoroughly cleaned before and 
after winter.
Yo u r  A u t h o r i s e d  S e r v i ce  Ce n t re has got the necessary equipment to provide 
the correct cleaning and preserving products. For this reason, we recommend 
having this work performed by them. The anti-corrosion protection is usually removed if the engine compartment 
is cleaned with grease removing solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned. 
On commissioning the work, ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and 
components in the engine compartment are given anti-corrosion treatment.
WARNING
•When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety 
warnings  ⇒page 178.•Before opening the bonnet, switch the engine off, apply the parking 
brake firmly and always remove the key from the ignition.•Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.•Do not clean the vehicle underbody, wheel arches without protecting 
your hands and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. 
Failure to comply could result in injury.•Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk 
of accident. Directly after washing, avoid sudden and sharp braking.•Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature-controlled and could 
start automatically, even when the key is removed from the ignition!For the sake of the environment
Fuel, grease and oil deposits could be removed when the engine is washed. 
The polluted water must be cleaned in an oil separator. For this reason, 
engine washing should be carried out only by a qualified workshop or a petrol 
station.
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Checking and refilling levels
176
− Insert the fuel nozzle into the mouth of the canister as far as 
possible.
− If the spare fuel canister is made of metal, the filling nozzle must be 
in contact with the canister during filling. This helps prevent an electro-
static charge building up.
− Never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the luggage compartment. Fuel 
vapours are explosive. Danger of death.Caution
•Fuel spills should be removed from the paintwork immediately.•Never run the tank completely dry. An irregular fuel supply could cause 
misfiring. As a result, unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and 
cause damage.•When filling the fuel tank after having run it completely dry on a vehicle 
with a  diesel engine the ignition must be switched on for at least 30 seconds 
without starting the engine. When you then start the engine it may take 
longer than normal (up to one minute) for the engine to start firing. This is due 
to the fact that the fuel system has to purge itself of air before starting.For the sake of the environment
Do not try to put in more fuel after the automatic filler nozzle has switched off; 
this may cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm.
PetrolPetrol types
The correct petrol types are listed on a sticker inside the fuel 
tank flap.Only  unleaded petrol, corresponding to the standard DIN EN 228 , may be 
used for vehicles with catalytic converters (EN = “European Standard”).
Fuel types are differentiated by the  octane rating, e.g: 91, 95, 98 RON 
(RON = “Regulation Octane Number, unit for determining the knock resist-
ance of petrol”). You may use petrol with a higher octane number than the 
one recommended for your engine. However, this has no advantage in terms 
of fuel consumption and engine power.
Caution
•Even one tankful of leaded fuel would permanently impair the efficiency 
of the catalytic converter.•High engine speed and full throttle can damage the engine when using 
petrol with an octane rating lower than the correct grade for the engine.For the sake of the environment
Just one full tank of leaded fuel would seriously impair the efficiency of the 
catalytic converter.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and refilling levels177
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Petrol additives
Petrol additives improve the quality of the petrol.The quality of the petrol influences running behaviour, performance and 
service life of the engine. For this reason, you should use good quality petrol 
containing additives. These additives will help to prevent corrosion, keep the 
fuel system clean and prevent deposits from building up in the engine.
If good quality petrol with additives is not available or engine problems occur, 
the required additives must be added during refuelling.DieselDiesel*Diesel fuel must correspond to DIN EN 590 (EN = “European standard”). It 
must have a cetane number (CN) of at least 51. The cetane number indicates 
the ignition quality of the diesel fuel.
Notes on filling with fuel  ⇒page 175.Biodiesel*The biodiesel fuel must comply with the DIN EN 14.214 (FAME) Standard.•Biodiesel is a methyl ester obtained from rapeseed oil.•DIN is the German abbreviation for “ Deutsches  Institut für  Normung e.V.”, 
the German standards institute.•EN means  European N orm.•FAME is the English abbreviation for “ Fatty  Acid  Methyl  Ester”. Your Authorised Service Centre can also be consulted to know if the vehicle 
has been prepared for biodiesel use.
Things to note about RME fuel (biodiesel)
•The performance of a vehicle using biodiesel maybe somewhat reduced.•Fuel consumption of a vehicle using biodiesel may be slightly higher.•Biodiesel fuel is resistant to cold down to approx. -10°C.•At temperatures below -10°C, we recommend refuelling with special 
winter diesel fuel.•Your vehicle is designed to be refuelled with up to a maximum of 7% 
blended biodiesel in accordance with standard DIN 51628.Caution
•RME fuel can damage the fuel system in vehicles which are not suitably 
adjusted.•If you decide to use biodiesel in your vehicle, please use only RME fuel 
which is DIN E 14,214 compliant.•If you use biodiesel that does not meet the required standard, the fuel 
filter could become clogged.Note
•In case of low exterior temperatures and a fuel biodiesel percentage of 
higher than 50%, an increase in gas emission may occur during operation of 
the independent heating.•The fuel filter may become clogged when fuel is changed to biodiesel. For 
this reason, we recommend you that, when having run 300 or 400 km after a 
fuel change, the fuel filter change must also be done. Also note the instruc-
tions in the Inspection and Maintenance plan.•If the vehicle is to remain parked for more than about two weeks, we 
recommend filling the fuel tank with biodiesel and driving about 50 km in 
order to avoid damage to the injection system.
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Checking and refilling levels
178Winter driving
Diesel can thicken in winter.Winter-grade diesel
When using “summer-grade diesel fuel”, difficulties may be experienced at 
sub-zero temperatures because the fuel thickens due to wax separation. 
Therefore, “winter-grade diesel fuel” is available in some countries during 
the cold months. It can be used at temperatures as low as -22°C.
In countries with different climatic conditions the diesel fuel generally sold 
has different temperature characteristics. Check with an Authorised Service 
Centre or filling stations in the country concerned regarding the type of diesel 
fuels available.
Filter pre-heater
Your vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter pre-heater, making it well equipped for 
operation in winter. This ensures that the fuel system remains operational to 
approx. -24°C, provided you use winter-grade diesel which is safe to -15°C.
However, if the fuel has waxed to such an extent that the engine will not start 
at temperatures of under -24°C, simply place the vehicle in a warm place for 
a while.
Caution
Do not mix fuel additives (“thinners”, or similar additives) with diesel fuel.
Working in the engine compartmentSafety instructions on working in the engine compartment
Any work carried out in the engine compartment or on the 
engine must be carried out cautiously.Before starting any work on the engine or in the engine compart-
ment:
1.  Switch off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
2. Apply the handbrake.
3.  Move the gear stick to neutral or the selector lever to position P.
4.  Wait for the engine to cool down.
5.  Keep children away from the vehicle.
6. Raise the bonnet  ⇒page 180.You should not do any work in the engine compartment unless you know 
exactly how to carry out the jobs and have the correct tools! Have the work 
carried out by a qualified workshop if you are uncertain.
All service fluids and consumables, e.g. coolant, engine oil, spark plugs and 
batteries, are being constantly developed. SEAT provides a constant flow of 
information to the Authorised Service Centres concerning modifications. For 
this reason, we recommend you to have service fluids and consumables 
replaced by an Authorised Service Centre. Please observe the relevant 
instructions  ⇒page 170. The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a 
hazardous area  ⇒.
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