Get Tips and Maintenance -> Care and maintenance Guide for Seat Ibiza SUV Third Generation (2003-2008)

Driving and the environment 151

Safety First Operating instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

Driving and the environment

Running-in

Running in a new engine

The engine needs to be run-in over the first 1,500 km.

Up to 1,000 kilometres

– Do not drive faster than three quarters of top speed.

– Do not accelerate hard.

– Avoid high engine revolutions.

– Do not tow a trailer.

From 1000 to 1500 km

–Speeds can be gradually increased to the maximum road speed

or maximum permissible engine speed (rpm).

During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the engine is

greater than later on when all the moving parts have bedded in.

For the sake of the environment

If the engine is run in gently, the life of the engine will be increased and its oil

consumption reduced.

Passage of water (Cupra Version)

The speed of the vehicle through puddles and passages of water must not

exceed 25 km/h.

Running in tyres and brake pads

New tyres should be run-in carefully for the first 500 km. New

brake pads should be run-in carefully for the first 200 km.

During the first 200 km, you can compensate for the reduced braking effect

by applying more pressure to the brake pedal. If you need to make an emer-

gency stop, the braking distance will be longer with new brake pads than with

brake pads that have been run-in.

WARNING

• New tyres do not give maximum grip to start with, and require running-

in. This may cause an accident. Drive particularly carefully in the first 500

km.

• New brake pads must be “run in” and do not have the correct friction

properties during the first 200 km. However, the reduced braking capacity

may be compensated by pressing on the brake pedal a little harder.

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Driving and the environment152

Braking effect and braking distance

The braking effect and braking distance are influenced by

driving situations and road conditions.

The efficiency of the brakes depends directly on the brake pad wear. The rate

of wear of the brake pads depends to a great extent on the conditions under

which the vehicle is operated and the way the vehicle is driven. If you often

drive in town traffic, drive short distances or have a sporty driving style, we

recommend that you have the thickness of your brake pads checked by an

Authorised Service Centre more frequently than recommended in the Service

Schedule.

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 repeatedly 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 descents if the brakes are excessively used they will over

heat. Before driving down a long steep gradient, it is advisable to reduce

speed and change to 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 “rub” by applying light pressure. Continuous

braking will cause the brakes to overheat and will increase the braking

distance. Apply and then release the brakes alternately.

• Never let the vehicle coast with the engine switched off. The braking

distance is increased considerably as the brake servo does not function.

• 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. Observe the relevant instructions

before purchasing accessories ⇒ page 171, “Modifications”.

• If a brake circuit fails, the braking distance will be increased consider-

ably. Contact a qualified workshop immediately and avoid unnecessary

journeys.

Exhaust gasses purification system

Catalytic converter*

To conserve the useful life of the catalytic converter

– Always use unleaded petrol.

– Do not run the fuel tank dry.

– For engine oil changes, do not replenish with too much engine oil

⇒ page 185, “Topping up engine oil ”.

– Never tow the vehicle to start it, use jump leads if necessary

⇒ page 228.

WARNING (continued)

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Driving and the environment 153

Safety First Operating instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

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 60. 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!

• Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with

dry grass or inflammable materials under the vehicle.

• Do not apply additional underseal 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 driven.

Caution

Never fully drain the fuel tank, in this case, 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 reme-

died by changing to another brand of fuel.

Diesel engine particulate filter*

The diesel engine particulate filter eliminates soot produced

by burning diesel.

The particulate filter for diesel engines removes almost all the carbon parti-

cles from the exhaust system. When driving normally, the filter is self-

cleaning. If the filter is unable to self-clean (e.g. when constantly making

short journeys), there is a build-up of soot in the filter and the symbol  for

the diesel engine particulate filter lights up. See under 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

Vehicles equipped with a diesel engine particulate filter must not be refuelled

using biodiesel (RME), given that the fuel system may be damaged.

Driving abroad

Notes

For driving 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.

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Driving and the environment154

• 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 in addition to necessary maintenance

and repair possibilities.

Adhesive strips for headlights

If 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 from your Authorised Service

Centre.

Adjusting simple headlights for driving on the left*

On the right headlight, if you are changing from driving on the right-hand side

to the left-hand side ⇒ fig. 111.

Fig. 111 Right headlight

Fig. 112 Left headlight

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Driving and the environment 155

Safety First Operating instructions Tips and Maintenance Technical Data

On the left headlight, if you are changing from driving on the right-hand side

to the left-hand side ⇒ page 154, fig. 112.

Covering simple headlights for driving on the right*

On the right headlight, if you are changing from driving on the left-hand side

to the right-hand side ⇒ fig. 113.

On the left headlight, if you are changing from driving on the left-hand side to

the right-hand side ⇒ fig. 114.

Fig. 113 Right headlight

Fig. 114 Left headlight

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Driving and the environment156

Covering bifocal headlamps for driving on the left*

On the right headlight, if you are changing from driving on the right-hand side

to the left-hand side ⇒ fig. 115.

On the left headlight, if you are changing from driving on the right-hand side

to the left-hand side ⇒ fig. 116.

Covering bifocal headlamps for driving on the right*

Fig. 115 Right headlight

Fig. 116 Left headlight

Fig. 117 Right headlight

Fig. 118 Left headlight

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Tips and Maintenance -> Care and maintenance for Your Seat Ibiza SUV Third Generation (2003-2008)

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