Seat Ibiza ST 2011 Owner's manual

109
Lights and visibility
– Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers con-
tinue until the end of the cycle.
– Move the lever towards the steering wheel to switch off.
WARNING
● A worn or dirty wiper blade will obstruct visibility and reduce safety.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 209.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the
glass before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper
when the wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the
wiper blade and the wiper motor.
Note
● The rear window wiper will only work when the ignition is switched on.
● Depending on the version of the model, when you engage reverse gear
and with the headlight wiper activated, the lamps are wiped. 
Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses. The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steer-
ing wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped beam headlights
or main beams are switched on. Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from
the headlights at regular intervals, for instance when filling the fuel tank.
Note
● To ensure that the headlight washers work properly in winter, keep the
nozzle holders in the bumper free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer
spray.
● To remove water, the windscreen wipers will be activated from time to
time, the headlight wipers will be activated every three cycles. 
Rear view mirrors
Adjusting the rear view mirrors
Before beginning any journey, adjust the rear view mirrors for correct visibil-
ity. 
Interior mirror
It is dangerous to drive if you cannot see clearly through the
rear window. Manual anti-dazzle function for interior mirror
In the basic mirror position, the lever at the bottom edge of the mirror
should be at the front. Pull the lever to the back to select the anti-dazzle
function. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

110Lights and visibility
Automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror*
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on and
off as desired.
Fig. 67 Automatic anti-
dazzle interior mirror.
Switching off the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 67. Indicator lamp B goes off.
Switching on the anti-dazzle function
– Press button A
⇒ fig. 67. Warning lamp is lit.
Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is switched on.
The green indicator lamp lights up in the mirror housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is enabled, the interior mirror will darken au-
tomatically according to the amount of light it receives. The anti-dazzle
function is cancelled if reverse gear is engaged.
Note
● The automatic anti-dazzle function will only work properly if the sun
blind* for the rear window is retracted and there are no other objects pre-
venting light from reaching the rear view mirror.
● If you have to stick any type of sticker on the windscreen, do not do so in
front of the sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-dazzle function from
working well or even from working at all. 
Folding in the exterior mirrors
The exterior mirrors of the vehicle may be folded in. For this, press the mir-
ror housing towards the vehicle.
Note
Before washing the vehicle with an automatic car wash, fold in the mirrors
to avoid damage. 

111
Lights and visibility
Electric exterior mirrors*
The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using the rotary knob
in the driver door.
Fig. 68 Controls of exte-
rior mirrors
Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob ⇒ fig. 68 to position L (left exterior mirror ).
2. Turn the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn knob to position R (right exterior mirror ).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle ⇒ 
.
Heated exterior mirrors*
– Press the demisting button
 ⇒ 
fig. 58 –
The mirrors demist for some minutes to prevent draining the
battery.
– If necessary, press the button again to repeat the function.
– The exterior mirror heating is not activated with temperatures
above 20 °C.
Folding in exterior mirrors*
– Turn the control ⇒ fig. 68 to position  to fold in the exterior
mirrors. You should always fold in the exterior mirrors if you are
driving through an automatic car wash. This will help prevent
damage.
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the extended position*
– Turn the knob to position L or R to fold the exterior mirrors back
out ⇒ 
.
WARNING
● Convex or aspheric mirrors increase the field of vision however the
objects appear smaller and further away in the mirrors. If you use these
mirrors to estimate the distance to vehicles behind you when changing
lane, you could make a mistake. Risk of accident.
● If possible, use the rear view mirror to estimate distances to vehicles
behind you.
● Make sure that you do not get your finger trapped between the mirror
and the mirror base when folding back the mirrors. Risk of injury!
For the sake of the environment
The exterior mirror heating should be switched off when it is no longer nee-
ded. Otherwise, it is an unnecessary fuel waste. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

112Lights and visibility
Note
● If the electrical adjustment ever fails to operate, the mirrors can be ad-
justed by hand by lightly pressing the edge of the mirror glass.
● In vehicles with electric exterior mirrors, the following points should be
observed: if, due to an external force (e.g. a knock while manoeuvring), the
adjustment of the mirror housing is altered, the mirror will have to be com-
pletely folded electrically. Do not readjust the mirror housing by hand, as
this will interfere with the mirror adjuster function.
● The rear view mirrors can be adjusted separately or simultaneously, as
described before.
● The fold-in function on the exterior mirrors is not active at speeds over
40 km/h. 

113
Seats and storage compartments
Seats and storage compartments The importance of correct seat adjustment
Proper seat adjustment optimises the level of protection of-
fered by seat belts and airbags.
Your vehicle has five seats, two in the front and three in the rear. Each seat
is equipped with a three-point seat belt.
The driver seat and the front passenger seat can be adjusted in many ways
to suit the physical requirements of the vehicle occupants. The correct seat
position is very important for:
● a fast and easy operation of all controls on the instrument panel,
● a relaxed posture which does not cause drowsiness,
● a safe driving ⇒ page 7,
● ensuring that the seat belts and airbag system provide maximum pro-
tection ⇒  page 19.
WARNING
● If the driver and passengers assume improper sitting positions, they
may sustain critical injuries.
● More people than available seats must never be transported in your
vehicle.
● Every passenger in the vehicle must properly fasten and wear the
seat belt belonging to his or her seat. Children must be protected with an
appropriate child restraint system ⇒ page 43, Child safety.
● The front seats and all head restraints must always be adjusted to
body size and the seat belt must always be properly adjusted to provide
you and your passengers with optimum protection.
WARNING (Continued)
● Always keep your feet on the footwell when the vehicle is moving;
never rest them on the dash panel, out of the window or on the seat. This
is also applied to passengers. An incorrect sitting position exposes you
to an increased risk of injury in case of a sudden braking or an accident.
If the airbag is triggered, you could sustain severe injuries due to an in-
correct sitting position.
● It is important for the driver and front passenger to keep a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel and dash panel. Failure to respect
the minimum distance means that the airbag will not protect you. Risk of
fatal injury. The distance between the driver and the steering wheel or
between the front passenger and the dash panel should always be as
great as possible.
● Adjust the driver or front passenger seat only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. Otherwise, your seat could move unexpectedly while the vehicle
is moving. This could increase the risk of an accident and therefore, in-
jury. In addition, while adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect
sitting position. Risk of fatal accidents.
● Special guidelines apply to installing a child seat on the front passen-
ger seat. When installing a child seat, please observe the warnings de-
scribed in ⇒ page 43, Child safety.

Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

114Seats and storage compartments
Head restraints
Correct adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
passenger protection and can reduce the risk of injuries in
most accident situations.
Fig. 69 Front view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
Fig. 70 Side view: head
restraints and seat belts
correctly adjusted
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top is at the same level as
the top of your head or as close as possible to the same level as
the top of your head, at least at eye level ⇒ fig. 69 and
⇒ fig. 70.
Adjusting the head restraints ⇒ page 115
WARNING
● Travelling with the head restraints removed or improperly adjusted
increases the risk of severe injuries.
● Improperly adjusted head restraints could lead to death in the event
of a collision or accident.
● Incorrectly adjusted head restraints also increase the risk of injury
during sudden or unexpected driving or braking manoeuvres.
● The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the pas-
senger's height.


115
Seats and storage compartments
Removing or adjusting head restraints
The head restraints can be adjusted by moving them up and
down.
Fig. 71 Adjusting and re-
moving the head re-
straints
Adjusting height (front seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired
position.
– To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head re-
straint downwards.
– Make sure that it engages securely into position.
Adjusting height (rear seats)
– Press the button on the side and pull upwards to the desired
position.
– To lower the head restraint, press the button and push head re-
straint downwards. –
Make sure that the head restraint engages securely in one of its
positions ⇒ page 14.
Removing the head restraint
– Push the head restraint up as far as it will go.
– Press the button ⇒ fig. 71 (arrow).
– Pull head restraint out of fitting without releasing the button.
Fitting the head restraint
– Insert the head restraint into the guides on the backrest.
– Push head restraint down.
– Adjust the head restraint to suit body size ⇒ page 13.
WARNING
● Never drive if the head restraints have been removed. Risk of injury.
● Never drive if the head restraints are in an unsuitable position, there
is a risk of serious injury.
● After refitting the head restraint, you must always adjust it properly
for height to achieve optimal protection.
● Please observe the safety warnings in ⇒ page 114, Correct adjust-
ment of head restraints.
Note
● To fit and remove the rear head restraints, gently tilt the seat backrest
forwards.
● When fitting the head restraints again, insert the tubes as far as possi-
ble into the guides without pressing the button. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

116Seats and storage compartments
Front seats
Adjustment of the front seats
Fig. 72 Front left seat
controls
1
Adjusting the seat forwards and backwards
– Pull up the grip and move the seat forwards or backwards.
– Then release the grip 1
and move the seat further until the
catch engages.
2
Adjusting seat height
– Pull the lever up or push down (several times if necessary) from
its home position. This adjusts the seat height in stages.
3
Adjusting the backrest angle
– Take your weight off the backrest and turn the hand wheel.
WARNING
● Never adjust the driver or front passenger seat while the vehicle is in
motion. While adjusting your seat, you will assume an incorrect sitting
position. Risk of fatal accidents. Adjust the driver or front passenger seat
only when the vehicle is stationary.
● To reduce the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger in case of
a sudden braking or an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted to-
wards the rear. The maximum protection of the seat belt can be achieved
only when the backrests are in an upright position and the driver and
front passenger have properly adjusted their seat belts. The further the
backrests are tilted to the rear, the greater the risk of injury due to im-
proper positioning of the belt web!
● Exercise caution when securing the seat height into forwards/back-
wards position. Injuries can be caused if the seat height is adjusted with-
out due care and attention.
● To move the seat lengthways, pull upwards and not sideways on the
lever, as the force exerted on it in this position could damage it.


117
Seats and storage compartments
Heated seats* 
The front seat cushions and backrests can be heated electri-
cally.
Fig. 73 Front seats heat-
ing switch
– Press the corresponding switch ⇒ fig. 73 to switch on the seat
heating.
– Press once to connect the heating at a maximum force. Two
LEDs will light up ⇒ fig. 73. After 15 min. of high intensity, the
upper LED goes out, the system is deactivated for 2 min. and is
then reactivated at low intensity (lower LED remains on perma-
nently).
– Press the switch again to set the heating to minimum force.
(The lower LED lights up).
– To disconnect the heating, press the switch again.
CAUTION
To avoid damaging the heating elements, please do not kneel on the seat or
apply sharp pressure at a single point to the seat cushion and backrest.
Note
The seats are only heated electrically when the engine is running. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications

118Seats and storage compartments
Rear seats
Folding down rear seats
Fig. 74 Folding up the
rear seat cushion
Fig. 75 Button for un-
locking the rear backrest Folding seat down
–
Remove the head restraint ⇒ page 115.
– Pull the front edge of the seat cushion ⇒ fig. 74 1
upwards in
the direction of the arrow.
– Lift the cushion 2
forwards in the direction of the arrow.
– Pull the release button ⇒ fig. 75 in the direction of the arrow
and fold the backrest forwards
– Insert the head restraints in the spaces on the rear of the seat
cushion which are visible when the seat cushion is lowered.
Folding seat forward
– Remove the head restraints from the spaces in the seat cush-
ion.
– Lift the backrest, before securing it, replace the head restraints
in the seat cushion, and then click the seat correctly onto the
locking rails.
– Once the backrest is locked, pull on the central seat belt or di-
rectly on the backrest to check that the backrest has properly
engaged in position.
– Check that the position lever is in neutral position.
– Lower the cushion and push it backwards below the seat belt
buckles.
– Press the front part of the cushion downwards. 