engine Seat Ibiza 5D 2011 Owner's Guide

131
Air conditioning
● The engine is stationary.
● The fan blower is switched off.
● The outside temperature is below +3 °C.
● The cooling system compressor has been temporarily switched off be-
cause of an increased engine coolant temperature.
● The air conditioner fuse is faulty.
● Another fault in the vehicle. Have the air conditioning checked by a
qualified workshop. 
Air recirculation 
Air recirculation mode prevents fumes or unpleasant smells
from coming from the outside.
When air recirculation mode is switched on (button ⇒ fig. 95 
with warn-
ing lamp) strong odours in the outside air do not enter the vehicle interior,
for example when passing through a tunnel or in a traffic jam.
When the outside temperature is low, air recirculation mode improves heat-
ing performance by heating air from the interior instead of cold air from the
outside.
When the outside temperature is high, air recirculation mode improves cool-
ing performance by cooling air from the interior instead of warm air from
outside.
For safety reasons, the air recirculation should not be switched on when the
air distribution control is set to the windscreen setting .
WARNING
In air recirculation mode, no cold air from the outside enters the vehicle
interior. If the air conditioner is switched off, the windows can quickly
mist over. Therefore, never leave the air recirculation mode switched on
for a long time (risk of accident).
Note
● When engaging reverse gear, the air recirculation is connected automat-
ically to prevent the entrance of exhaust fumes in the vehicle on travelling
backwards. The warning lamp on the button 
does not light up.
● If the temperature control is turned to the coldest setting (blue point)
and the switch AC
is activated, the “Air recirculation” function is automati-
cally activated in order to cool the vehicle rapidly using less energy; its
function indicator will light.
● If the function is not deactivated by pressing the button, this will deacti-
vate after approx. 20 min. 
Economic use of the air conditioning
When the air conditioning is switched on, the compressor consumes engine
power and has influence on fuel consumption. Consider the following
points in order to have the system operating in the minimum possible time.
● If the vehicle interior has overheated due to an excessive solar radiation,
it is best to open the windows or doors to allow the hot air to escape.
● While in motion, the air conditioning should not be switched on if the
windows or the sunroof* are open. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

132Air conditioning
Climatronic
Controls
Fig. 96 Climatronic controls on the dash panelThe air conditioner only works when the engine is running and the
blower is switched on.
– Press keys 10
and 11 ⇒ fig. 96 to adjust temperature.
– The functions will be switched on when its buttons are pressed.
When the function is activated, a symbol is displayed on the
screen. Press the button again to switch off the function.
Blower level indicator.
Air recirculation display:
Display AUTO (Automatic operation)
Demisting indicator
AC indicator (Cooling connected)
1
2345
Interior temperature indicator selected
Air flow direction indicator
Fan speed increase
Fan speed decrease
Interior temperature increase
Interior temperature decrease
AUTO
button – Automatic adjustment of temperature, ventilation and
air distribution
Button 
– Windscreen demisting function. The air drawn in is direc-
ted at the windscreen. The air recirculation mode will be switched off as
soon as the demisting function is switched on. At temperatures over
3 °C, the cooling system is switched on automatically in order to dry the
air.
Button 
– Air distribution to head area
Button  – Air distribution to the upper body.
Button  – Air distribution to footwell
 – Manual air recirculation
AC button – To switch on the air conditioning.
WARNING
For your 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 system,
including the demist/defrost functions for the windows.
Note
Please consider the general notes. 
6
789101112
13
1415161718

135
Air conditioning
● The air conditioner operates most effectively with the windows and the
sliding/tilting sunroof* closed. However, if the temperature inside the vehi-
cle is excessive because of the sun, the air inside can be cooled faster by
opening the windows for a short time.
● Do not smoke while air recirculation mode is on, as smoke drawn into
the air conditioning system leaves a residue on the evaporator, producing a
permanent unpleasant odour.
● At low outside temperatures the compressor switches off automatically.
The AUTO
button cannot be switched on either.
● It is advisable to connect the air conditioning at least once a month, to
lubricate the system gaskets and prevent leaks. If a decrease in the cooling
capacity is detected, an Authorised Service Centre should be consulted to
check the system.
● To ensure correct operation, the grilles on both sides of the screen must
not be obstructed
● When the engine is under extreme strain, switch off the compressor for a
moment. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

137
Driving
Safety Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)*
ESP helps make driving safer in certain situations.
Fig. 98 Detailed view of
the centre console: ESP
button.
The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) contains the electronic differential
lock (EDL) and the traction control system (TCS). The ESP function works to-
gether with the ABS. Both warning lamps will light up if the ESP or ABS sys-
tems are faulty.
The ESP is started automatically when the engine is started.
The ESP is always active, and cannot be switched off. With the ESP switch it
is only possible to switch TCS off.
WARNING
● The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) cannot defy the laws of
physics. This should be kept in mind, particularly on slippery and wet
roads and when towing a trailer.
● Always adapt your driving style to suit the condition of the roads and
the traffic situation. Do not let the extra safety afforded by ESP tempt you
into taking any risks when driving, as this can cause accidents.
● Please refer to the corresponding warning notes on ESP in
⇒ page 162, Intelligent technology.

Ignition lock Position of the ignition key
Fig. 99 Ignition key po-
sitions 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

138Driving
Ignition switched off, steering lock 1
In this position
⇒ fig. 99 the ignition and the engine are OFF and the steer-
ing may get locked.
For the Steering lock to operate without the ignition key, turn the steering
wheel until it locks with an audible sound. You should always lock the steer-
ing wheel when you leave your vehicle. This will help prevent vehicle theft
⇒ 
.
Switching the ignition or the glow plug system on 2
Turn the ignition key to this position and release 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 until it is released.
Starting 3
The engine is started when the key is in this position. Electrical components
with a high power consumption are switched off temporarily.
Every time the vehicle is started again, the ignition key must be turned to
position 1
. The
repetitive start prevention lock of the ignition prevents
possible damage to the starter motor if the engine is already running.
WARNING
● The ignition key must NOT be removed from the lock until the vehicle
comes to a standstill. Otherwise, the steering could be immediately
blocked- Risk of accident!
● Always remove the key from the ignition when leaving the vehicle,
even for a short period. This is especially important if children or disa-
bled people are left alone in the vehicle. They could accidentally start the
engine or work electrical equipment such as the electric windows, conse-
quently resulting in an accident.
● Unsupervised use of the keys could start the engine or any electrical
system, such as the electric window. This could result in serious injury.
CAUTION
The starter motor will only work when the engine is stopped (ignition key
position 3
). 
Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser prevents unauthorised persons from driv-
ing the vehicle.
Inside the key there is a chip that deactivates the electronic immobiliser au-
tomatically when the key is inserted into the ignition.
The 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 genuine SEAT key with its correct
code.
Note
A perfect operation of the vehicle is ensured if genuine SEAT keys are used. 

139
Driving
Starting and stopping the engine Starting petrol engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key
with its correct code.
– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the start-
er to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position ⇒ page 137.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts; the start-
er motor must not run on with the engine.
After starting a very hot engine, you may need to slightly press down the ac-
celerator.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few sec-
onds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately, switch the starter off after 10 sec-
onds and try again after half a minute. If the engine still does not start, the
fuel pump fuse should be checked ⇒ page 224, Fuses.
WARNING
● Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The ex-
haust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless poi-
sonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
● Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.
CAUTION
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving
at full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
● The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
● Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and fol-
low the instructions in ⇒ page 240, Jump-starting.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle station-
ary. Start off immediately, driving gently. This helps the engine reach oper-
ating temperature faster and reduces emissions. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

140Driving
Starting diesel engines
The engine can only be started using a genuine SEAT key
with its correct code.
– Move the gear lever to the neutral position and depress the
clutch pedal thoroughly and hold it in this position for the start-
er to turn the engine on.
– Turn the ignition key to the starting position.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ fig. 99 2
. The indicator
lamp  will light for engine pre-heating.
– When the warning lamp turns off, turn the key to position 3
to
start the engine. Do not press the accelerator.
– Let go of the ignition key as soon as the engine starts, the start-
er motor must not be allowed to run on with the engine.
When starting a very cold engine, it may be a little noisy for the first few sec-
onds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic valve compensators.
This is quite normal, and no cause for concern.
If there are problems starting the engine, see the ⇒ page 240.
Glow plug system for the diesel engine
To avoid unnecessary discharging of the battery, do not use any other major
electrical equipment while the glow plugs are pre-heating.
Start the engine as soon as the glow plug warning lamp goes out.
Starting the engine after the fuel tank has been completely run dry
If the fuel tank has been completely run dry, it may take longer than normal
(up to one minute) to start the engine after refuelling with diesel fuel. This is
because the system must eliminate air first.
WARNING
● Never start or run the engine in unventilated or closed rooms. The ex-
haust fumes contain carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless poi-
sonous gas. Risk of fatal accidents. Carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness. It can also cause death.
● Never leave the vehicle unattended if the engine is running.
● Never use “cold start sprays”, they could explode or cause the engine
to run at high revs. Risk of injury.
CAUTION
● When the engine is cold, you should avoid high engine speeds, driving
at full throttle and over-loading the engine. Risk of engine damage.
● The vehicle should not be pushed or towed more than 50 metres to start
the engine. Unburnt fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.
● Before attempting to push-start or tow a vehicle in order to start it, you
should first try to start it using the battery of another vehicle. Note and fol-
low the instructions in ⇒ page 240, Jump-starting.
For the sake of the environment
Do not warm-up the engine by running the engine with the vehicle station-
ary. You should drive off as soon as you start the engine. This helps the en-
gine reach operating temperature faster and reduces emissions. 
Switching off the engine
– Stop the vehicle.
– Turn the ignition key to position ⇒ fig. 99 1
.
After switching the engine off, the radiator fan may run on for up to 10 mi-
nutes. It is also possible that the fan turns itself on once more if the coolant 

141
Driving
temperature increases due to the heat accumulated in the engine compart-
ment or due to its prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
WARNING
● Never switch the engine off until the vehicle is completely stationary.
● The brake servo works only when the engine is running. With the en-
gine switched off, more strength is needed to brake. As normal brake op-
eration cannot be performed, risk of accidents and serious injury may ex-
ist.
● The steering lock can be immediately blocked once the key is re-
moved from the ignition. The vehicle cannot be steered. Risk of accident.
CAUTION
When the engine has been running under a heavy load for a long period,
heat can accumulate in the engine compartment and cause engine damage.
For this reason, you should idle the engine for approx. 2 minutes before you
switch it off. Driving with LPG*Fig. 100 Centre console:
gas system control
switch.
Your SEAT vehicle has a bivalent engine able to run on either LPG or petrol.
The LPG tank ⇒ page 190, Refuelling with LPG is in the spare wheel well
⇒ 
.
It is possible to change from LPG to petrol while the engine is running, even
if the vehicle is moving, by pressing the GAS
button located on the centre
console ⇒  fig. 100. The selected operating mode is displayed on the indica-
tor lamp on the instrument panel ⇒ page 63.
Starting the engine
The engine is always started with petrol, even when LPG was being used
when it was switched off.
Automatic switch from petrol to LPG
When the engine is turned on and the following conditions are met, the sys-
tem will automatically switch from petrol mode to LPG mode, the notifica-
tion changed to GAS mode is displayed and the green indicator lamp on the
instrument panel lights up: 
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142Driving
● There is enough LPG in the tank.
● The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30 °C.
● Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
Automatic switch from LPG to petrol
When the vehicle is operating in LPG mode and one of these conditions is
met, the system automatically switches to petrol mode, the notification changed to petrol mode is displayed and the green indicator lamp on the in-
strument panel goes out:
● When the engine is started.
● If the LPG tank is empty.
● If there is a fault in the LPG system.
● At very low temperatures, below 10 °C.
Manual switch from petrol to LPG
Press the GAS
button on the centre console ⇒ 
fig. 100 to change mode. The
notification changed to GAS mode is displayed. When the following condi-
tions are met, the system switches to LPG mode, the green indicator lamp
on the instrument panel lights up and the notification displayed changes to changed to GAS mode .
● There is enough LPG in the tank.
● The temperature of the vehicle coolant is above 30 °C.
● Engine speed while driving is above 1200 rpm.
Manual switch from LPG to petrol
Press the GAS
button on the centre console ⇒ 
fig. 100 to change mode. The
green lamp on the instrument panel goes out and the notification changed
to petrol mode is displayed.
Running on petrol
Run the engine with petrol for short journeys at regular intervals to avoid
problems in the petrol system.
WARNING
LPG is a highly explosive and inflammable substance. It may cause se-
vere burns and other injury.
● Due care must be taken to avoid any risk of fire or explosion.
● When parking the vehicle in a closed area (for example in a garage),
make sure that there is adequate ventilation, either natural or mechani-
cal, to neutralise the LPG in the event of a leak.
Note
● If frequent short journeys are made, especially when the outside tem-
perature is low, the vehicle will tend to run on petrol more often than on
LPG. Therefore, the petrol tank may empty before the LPG tank.
● The notification LPG mode not possible may be displayed.
Start-Stop function* Description and operation
The Start-Stop function stops the engine when the vehicle is stop-
ped and starts it automatically when required.
– When the vehicle is stopped, put it in neutral and release the
clutch pedal. The engine will stop.
– When the clutch pedal is pressed, the engine starts again.
– The instrument panel screen displays information about the sta-
tus of the Start-Stop function ⇒ 
fig. 102. 

143
Driving
Start-Stop function conditions
● The driver seat belt must be buckled.
● The engine hood must be closed.
● The engine must be at operating temperature
● The steering 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 passenger compartment must be within the con-
venience limits ( AC
button should be selected).
● The windscreen de-mist function must be off.
● If in an increase in airflow is not requested.
● The temperature must not be set to HI or LO.
● The driver door must be closed.
● The diesel particulate filter must not be in regeneration mode, for diesel
engines.
● The battery charge must not be low for the next start.
● The battery temperature must be between -1 °C and 55 °C.
Start-Stop function interruption
In the following situations, the Start-Stop function will be interrupted and
the engine will automatically start:
● The vehicle starts moving.
● The brake pedal is pressed several times in a row.
● The battery has been discharged excessively.
● The Start-Stop System is manually deactivated.
● The windscreen de-mist function is turned on.
● The temperature of the passenger compartment exceeds the conven-
ience limits ( AC
button).
● If the airflow is increased by more than 3 presses. ●
Temperature setting HI or LO is selected.
● The engine coolant temperature is insufficient.
● The alternator is faulty, for example the V-belt has ruptured.
● If any of the conditions described in the previous section are not fulfil-
led.
WARNING
Never allow the vehicle to move with the engine off for any reason. You
could lose control of your vehicle. This could cause an accident and seri-
ous injury.
● The brake servo does not work with the engine off. You need more
force to stop the vehicle.
● Power steering does not work when the engine is not running. That is
why it is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
● Disconnect the Start-Stop system when driving through water (ford-
ing streams, etc.).
Note
● For vehicles 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 are not fulfilled, the in-
strument panel displays the Start-Stop indicator dimmed.
● If the steering wheel is turned more than 270°, it will not be possible to
start the vehicle again. To start the vehicle, straighten the steering wheel so
that it is turned less than 270°. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications