Seat Ibiza: Towing and tow-starting

Seat Ibiza Owners Manual

Tow-starting

The use of jump leads is preferable to tow-starting. We recommend that you do not tow-start your vehicle. Jump-starting is preferable. However, if your vehicle has to be tow-started: – Engage the 2nd or the 3rd gear. – Keep the clutch pressed down. – Switch on the ignition. – Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch. – As soon as the engine starts, press the clutch and move the gear lever into neutral. This helps to prevent driving into the towing vehicle.

WARNING

The risk of accidents is high when tow-starting. The vehicle being towed can easily collide with the towing vehicle.

Caution

When tow-starting, fuel could enter the catalytic converter and damage it.

Towing eyes

Fig. 171 Towing eye at the front of the vehicle

Please observe the following points if you use a tow-rope:

Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle

– Drive slowly at first until the tow-rope is taut. Then accelerate gradually. – Begin and change gears cautiously. If you are driving an automatic vehicle, accelerate gently. – Remember that the brake servo and power steering are not working in the vehicle you are towing. Brake earlier than you would normally, but with a more gentle pressure on the brake.

Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle

– Ensure that the tow-rope remains taut at all times when towing.

Fitting the front towing eye

– First remove the right hand cover from the lower part of the bumper. – Remove the bolt  , fig. 171. – Take the
towing ring from the onboard tools. – Rotate the towing ring to the left until it is completely tightened into position. – To remove the ring, rotate it to the right.

Tow-rope or tow-bar

It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow-bar. You should only use a tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar. A tow-rope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both vehicles. It is advisable to use a tow-rope made of synthetic fibre or similarly elastic material. Attach the tow-rope or the tow-bar only to the towing eyes provided or a towing bracket.

Driving style

Towing requires some experience, especially when using a tow-rope. Both drivers should be familiar with the technique required for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or tow away another vehicle. Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid jerking the tow-rope. When towing on an unpaved road, there is always a risk of overloading and damaging the anchorage points. The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the steering wheel from locking and also to allow the use of the turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and washers.

As the brake servo does not work if the engine is not running, you must apply considerably more pressure to the brake pedal than you normally would. As the power assisted steering does not work if the engine is not running, you will need more strength to steer than you normally would.

Towing vehicles with an automatic gearbox

• Put the selector lever into position “N”.

• Do not drive faster than 50 km/h when towing a vehicle.

• Do not tow further than 50 km.

• If a breakdown vehicle is used, the vehicle must be towed with the front wheels raised.

Note

• Observe legal requirements when towing or tow-starting.

• Switch on the hazard warning lights of both vehicles. However, observe any regulations to the contrary.

• For technical reasons, vehicles with an automatic gearbox must not be tow-started.

• If damage to your vehicle means that there is no lubricant in the gearbox, you must raise the drive wheels while the vehicle is being towed.

• If the vehicle has to be towed more than 50 km, the front wheels must be raised during towing, and towing should be carried out by a qualified person.

• The steering wheel is locked when the vehicle has no electrical power. The vehicle must then be towed with the front wheels raised. Towing should be carried out by a qualified person.

• The towing eye should always be kept in the vehicle. Please refer to the notes on.

Front towing eye - Cupra version

To tow the vehicle from the front, the cover in the lower front grille should be removed.

Fig. 172 Eye cover in the lower front grille.

Fig. 173 Eye cover in the lower front grille.

Remove the cover

– First remove the fastener that secures it, with the screwdriver supplied ⇒ fig. 172. – Remove the cover by releasing the two side tabs at the same time ⇒ fig. 173.

Fitting the towing eye

Fig. 174 Towing eye at the front of the vehicle

– Screw in the towing eye that is in the vehicle tool box*, turning it to the left until it is perfectly screwed in ⇒ fig. 174.

– To remove the eye, turn it to the right and put it in its place in the toolbox*

– To place the cover, hold the two side tabs and place the cover in position.

Note

The eye should always be carried in the vehicle, as it is specifically for this model.

Rear towline anchorage

Fig. 175 Rear towing ring

At the rear, on the right below the rear bumper is a towline point.