2003 FIAT BARCHETTA service

123
If the vehicle is to stand
for a long time in the cold,
remove the battery and
store it in a warm place to avoid
it freezing.
BATTERY
The Fiat barchetta’s battery is of the
“Limited Maintenance” type: under
normal conditions, it requires no top-
ping up with distilled water.
The level of the battery liquid (elec-
trolyte) should be between the two
marks on the battery when the car is
parked on level ground.
If the level is lower than the MIN
mark fig. 8 have the car seen to
at a Fiat Dealership.
Running the battery on
low electrolyte can dam-
age the battery beyond
repair, crack the casing and spill
all the liquid.
For the recharging of the battery, see
the “In an emergency” section.
fig. 8
P5S00690m
POLLEN FILTER
(where fitted)
Have the filter changed at the fre-
quency specified in the Service Sched-
ule.
Have the change made at a Fiat
Dealership.
IMPORTANTIf the car is often
used in dusty or extremely polluted
environments, you should change the
filter more frequently. It should be
changed especially if the amount of air
introduced into the passenger com-
partment has decreased.
The liquid in the battery is
poisonous and corrosive.
Do not let it touch the skin or eyes.
Do not bring naked flames or pos-
sible sources of sparks near to the
battery: fire and explosion risk.
WARNING

126
WHEELS
AND TYRES
TYRES PRESSURE
Every two weeks and before long
journeys, check the pressure of each
tyre including the spare.
The pressure must be checked when
the tyre is rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to rise
when you are driving. If you have to
check or restore the pressure when
the tyres are warm remember that the
pressure value must be 0.3 bar above
the specified value.
SPARK PLUGS
The cleanness and soundness of the
spark plugs fig. 9are very important
for keeping the engine efficient and
polluting emissions down.
The appearance of the spark plug, if
examined by an expert eye, is a good
way of pin-pointing a malfunction even
if it has nothing to do with the ignition
system. Therefore, if the engine has
problems, it is important to have the
spark plugs checked at a Fiat Deal-
ership.The spark plugs must be
changed at the times
specified in the Service
Schedule. Only use the type of
plugs indicated: if the heat ratio
is less than required or the life
specified is not guaranteed, prob-
lems can arise.
fig. 9
P5S00684m
Spark plug (type)
Champion RC10YCC
NGK BKR6EZ
Tyre pressure must be cor-
rect to ensure good road
holding.
WARNING

128
RUBBER TUBING
Follow the Service Schedule careful-
ly in the case of the braking, power
steering and fuel supply systems' rub-
ber hoses. Ozone, high temperatures
and long absence of liquid in the sys-
tem can in fact cause the hardening
and cracking of the hoses with possi-
ble losses of fluid. A careful check is
therefore essential.
WINDSCREEN
WIPER
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part
with suitable liquid; TUTELA PRO-
FESSIONAL SC 35is recommend-
ed.
Change the blades if the rubber edge
is warped or worn out. You should in
any case change them approximately
once a year. To ensure the front and rear tyres all
wear evenly, you are advised to change
the tyres over every 10-15 thousand
kilometres (6-10 thousand miles)
keeping them on the same side of the
car so as not to reverse the direction
of rotation.
Do not change the tyres
over in criss-cross fashion
by moving a tyre from the left hand
side of the car to the right and vice
versa.
WARNING
Travelling with worn wiper
blades is dangerous be-
cause it reduces visibility in bad
weather.
WARNING

139
TRANSMISSION
CLUTCH
Self-adjusting with no pedal free trav-
el.
GEARBOX
Five forward speeds and reverse with
synchromesh for forward gear en-
gagement. SERVICE AND EMERGENCY
BRAKES
Front: disc, floating calliper type with
a master cylinder for each wheel.
Rear: disc type with floating calliper.
Cross-over hydraulic circuit control.
8" vacuum servo brakes.
Four-channel, four-sensor ABS sys-
tem (where fitted).
Automatic take up of clearance due
to friction lining wear.
Electronic brake corrector (EBD sys-
tem).
HANDBRAKE
Controlled by a lever working me-
chanically on the rear brake callipers.
BRAKES
Water, ice and salt sprin-
kled on the roads can de-
posit on the brake discs and reduce
the effectiveness braking the first
time they are used.
WARNING
Be careful when fitting
spoilers, alloy rims and af-
ter-market wheel caps: they could
reduce ventilation and effectiveness
in the event of abrupt and repeat-
ed braking or when driving down hill
for a long time.
WARNING

159
INDEX
ABS ........................................... 56
Accessories purchased
by the owner .............................. 82
Accessory installation......... 149
Air cleaner................................... 122
Air recirculation ......................... 36
Airbags
– general information ............ 60
– switching the passenger side
airbag off .............................. 59
Ashtray ......................................... 43
Battery
– jump starting ................ 85-105
– liquid level ............................ 123
– recharging ............................. 105
Bodywork
– maintenance ......................... 130
– paint identification plate .... 137
– versions ............................... 137
Bonnet .......................................... 53
Boot
– opening/closing.................... 55
Brake fluid level .......................... 121Brake lights .................................. 96
Brakes
– fluid level............................... 121
– service and emergency
brakes .................................... 139
Bulb replacement ....................... 91
Car maintenance................. 111
Capacities ............................. 64-144
Catalytic converter .................. 66
Ceiling light.................................. 42
– bulb replacement ............... 98
Cellular phone setup................. 63
Central door locking................. 44
Cheap running ............................ 78
Children (safety) ........................ 24
Cigar lighter ................................ 43
Climate control system ............ 36
– controls................................. 36
– maintenance ......................... 130
Clutch ........................................... 139
CO
2emissions ........................... 147
Containing running costs
and pollution ........................... 76
Dashboard ................................ 7Defrosting.................................... 35
Demisting..................................... 35
Digital clock ................................ 29
Dimensions ................................ 142
Dipped-beam headlights
– controls ............................... 38
– bulb replacement ............... 93
Direction indicators
– controls ............................... 39
– front bulb replacement ..... 94
– rear bulb replacement ...... 95
– side bulb replacement ...... 95
Doors ........................................... 44
Driving your car..................... 67
Electric windows ..................... 45
Electronic alarm.................. 13-150
Electronic control units............ 125
Engine
– cooling................................... 138
– fuel feed/ignition ................. 138
– identification code .............. 136
– lubrication ............................ 138
– specifications........................ 137
Engine compartment washing . 132

161
– homologation codes....... 156
Rear fog lights
– controls ............................ 41
– bulb replacement ........... 97
Rear windowing (cleaning) . 133
Rearview mirrors
– electric............................... 20
– external ............................. 20
– internal .............................. 20
Rev counter............................. 28
Repeated checks ................... 82
Reversing lights ....................... 97
Rubber piping .......................... 128
Safe driving
– driving at night ................. 73
– driving in the rain ............ 74
– before getting behind
the wheel .......................... 72
– driving in fog .................... 74
– driving in the mountains 75
– driving on snow and ice 75
– driving with ABS.............. 75
– when travelling ................ 72
Seat belts
– general information ........ 22– maintenance ..................... 23
– use ...................................... 21
Seats
– adjustment ........................ 18
– cleaning.............................. 134
Servicing ................................... 111
– additional operations ..... 115
– annual inspection schedule 115
– scheduled service............ 112
– Service Schedule ............. 113
Side/taillights
– controls ............................ 38
– front bulb replacement 93
– rear bulb replacement .. 96
Snow tyres ............................... 80-141
Spark plugs............................... 126
Specifications ........................... 135
Speedometer........................... 28
Starting the engine
– jump starting .................... 85
– bump starting ................... 86
– emergency start-up ........ 84
– ignition switch.................. 17
– stopping the engine ........ 69
– warming up a recently
started engine .................. 69Steering column lock............. 18
Steering column stalks
– left-hand stalk .................. 38
– right-hand stalk................ 39
Steering wheel ........................ 19
Steering..................................... 140
Storing the car ........................ 81
Sun visors ................................. 43
Suspensions ............................. 140
Symbols .................................... 9
Technical specifications.... 135
Third brake light
(bulb replacement) ............... 96
Tools............................................. 88
Top speeds .................................. 140
Towing a trailer
– tow hitch installation ......... 152
– warnings................................ 79
Towing the car ........................... 108
Transmission (ratios) ................ 139
Transporting children
in safety .................................... 24
Tyre pressure ............................. 148
Tyres ..................................... 126-148

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