2003 FIAT BARCHETTA warning

118
ENGINE OIL fig. 2
Check the oil level a few minutes (ap-
prox. 5) after the engine has stopped
with the vehicle parked on level
ground.
The oil level must be between the
MINand MAXmarks on the dipstick.
The space between MINand MAX
corresponds approximately to half a
litre of oil.If the oil level is near or even below
theMIN mark, pour in oil through the
filler hole until it reaches the MAX
mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAXmark.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
When the vehicle is new, the engine
has to be run in; engine oil consump-
tion can only be considered stable af-
ter travelling 5,000 to 6,000 km.
IMPORTANTOil consumption
depends on driving style and the con-
ditions the car is driven in.
fig. 2
P5S00614m
If the engine is hot, be very
careful when you put your
hands under the bonnet as you risk
burning yourself. Remember that
while the engine is hot, the electric
fan can start up and cause injury.
WARNING
Scarves, ties and loose
clothing may be caught in
the moving parts.
WARNING

119
Used engine oil and re-
placed oil filters contain
substances that can harm
the environment. We recom-
mend you have the car seen to at
a Fiat Dealership for the oil and
filter change. It is suitably
equipped for disposing of used oil
and filters in an environmentally-
friendly way that complies with
the law.ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM
fig. 3If there is not enough coolant, pour
a 50-50 mixture of distilled water and
a PARAFLU
11liquid of FL Selenia
slowly through the filler hole in the
reservoir.
A 50-50 mixture of PARAFLU
11
and distilled water gives freeze pro-
tection to –35° C. Do not add oil with dif-
ferent specifications from
the oil already in the en-
gine.
IMPORTANT After adding or
changing the oil, let the engine turn
over for a few seconds and wait a few
minutes after turning it off before you
check the level.
fig. 3
P5S00613m
The coolant level must be checked
while the engine is cold and must not
be below the MINmark on the reser-
voir.
Do not take the cap of the
reservoir off when the en-
gine is very hot as you run the risk
of scalding yourself.
WARNING
The cooling system is under
pressure. When changing
the cap, use only genuine spare
parts to avoid damaging the sys-
tem.
WARNING

120
WINDSCREEN WASHER
LIQUID fig. 4
To add liquid, take the cap off and
and pour in a mixture of water and
TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC
35, liquid in these proportions:
– 30% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 70% water in summer.
– 50% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 50% water in winter.
If the temperature falls below –20°C,
use TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35undiluted.POWER STEERING FLUID
fig. 5
Check the oil level is between the
MINand MAXmarks on the dipstick
attached to reservoir cap when the
engine is cold and the car is on level
ground.
Before checking, clean the dipstick,
screw the cap tightly onto the reser-
voir, unscrew it again and check the
level.
When the oil is hot the level may ex-
ceed the MAXmark.
If necessary, add oil making sure that
it has the same specifications as the oil
in the reservoir. IMPORTANT Do not travel with
the windscreen washer bottle empty:
using the windscreen washer is funda-
mental for improving visibility.
fig. 4
P5S10045m
fig. 5
P5S00610m
Some windscreen washer
additives on the market are
flammable. The fluid could ignite
if it comes into contact with hot
parts in the engine compartment.
WARNING

121
Oil consumption is ex-
tremely low: if it needs
topping up after travelling
only a short while, have the sys-
tem checked for leaks at a Fiat
Dealership.
fig. 6
P5S10044m
The level of the fluid in the reservoir
must not exceed the MAXmark.
If you need to add fluid, only use the
type classified DOT 4. You are advised
in particular to use TUTELA TOP 4
with which the braking system was
originally filled. BRAKE FLUID fig. 6
From time to time check the instru-
ment panel warning light by pressing
the reservoir cover (with the ignition
key at MAR): instrument warning pan-
el light xshould come on.
On versions fitted with ABS, the
brake fluid reservoir is positioned as
shown in fig. 6; while on versions
without ABS, the reservoir is posi-
tioned lengthwise.
Make sure the highly
corrosive brake fluid does
not drip onto the paint-
work. If it does, wash it off im-
mediately with water.
Make sure the power steer-
ing fluid does not come in-
to contact with the hot parts of the
engine as is catches fire very easi-
ly.
WARNING

122
IMPORTANT Brake fluid is hy-
groscopic (meaning it absorbs humid-
ity). This is why the fluid should be
changed more frequently than shown
in the Service Schedule if the car is
mainly driven in areas with a high per-
centage of humidity in the air.AIR CLEANER
REPLACEMENT fig. 7
Unscrew knob A, remove the cap
and pull out the filter element Bto be
replaced.
Have the filter element replaced at
a Fiat Dealership.
fig. 7
P5S00719m
Brake fluid is poisonous
and very corrosive. In the
event of accidental contact, wash
the effected part with water and
mild soap and rinse. If the fluid is
swallowed, call a doctor immedi-
ately.
WARNING
The symbol πon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
type brake fluid distinguishing it
from the mineral kind. Using min-
eral type fluids damages the special
rubber braking system gaskets be-
yond repair.
WARNING

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

124
USEFUL ADVICE
FOR LENGTHENING THE
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
When you park the car, ensure the
doors, boot and bonnet are closed
properly. The courtesy light must be
off.
Do not keep accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard lights etc.) switched on for a
long time when the engine is not run-
ning.
IMPORTANT A battery which is
kept at a charge of less than 50% for
any length of time will be damaged by
sulphation leading to a reduction in
cranking power and a higher risk of
the battery electrolyte freezing (this
may even occur at –10°C).
If the car is inactive for a long peri-
od of time, refer to “Storing the car”
in the “Driving your car” chapter.If, after purchasing your car you
would like to add electrical accessories
that require a permanent power sup-
ply (alarm systems, hands-free phone,
radio navigator with satellite anti-theft
system, etc.), visit a Fiat Dealership.
The staff of experts, besides suggest-
ing the most suitable accessories in the
Lineaccessori range, will also check
whether the car electrical system can
support the required load or if a larg-
er size battery needs to be installed.
These devices will, in fact, run off the
battery even when the key is not in-
serted (car parked) and can deploy the
battery.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car.Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have the
battery changed at a Fiat Dealer-
ship. It is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries in an
environmentally-friendly way that
complies with the law.
Do not attempt to recharge
a frozen battery. Thaw it
first otherwise it could explode. If
the battery froze, make sure the in-
ternal elements are not broken
(short-circuit risk) and that the cas-
ing is not cracked (risk of spilling
the poisonous and corrosive fluid).
WARNING

125
– Do not connect or disconnect the
terminals of the electronic units while
the ignition key is at MAR.
– Do not check polarity through
sparking.
– Disconnect the electronic units if
you are electrically welding the car
body. Remove the units if tempera-
tures exceed 80°C. (special operations
on the bodywork etc.)
IMPORTANTIf the radio or car
alarm systems are not installed cor-
rectly, they can interfere with the
working of the electronic control
units.ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITS
When the car is being used normal-
ly, special measures are not necessary.
The following instructions must be
followed very carefully however, if you
work on the electrical system or in
cases where starting with another bat-
tery is necessary:
– Never disconnect the battery from
the electrical system while the engine
is running.
– When recharging, disconnect the
battery from the wiring system. The
latest battery chargers can, in fact, gen-
erate voltages of up to 20V.
– Never start the engine with a bat-
tery charger. Always use another bat-
tery.
– Be particularly careful when con-
necting the battery to the electrical
system. Ensure the battery posts are
connected up to the right leads (the
polarity is correct) and check that the
connection has been made properly.
Battery Maximum admitted
stand-by intake
50Ah 30 mA
Furthermore, remember that high in-
take electric devices (such as baby bot-
tle warmers, vacuum cleaners, cellular
phones, mini-fridges, etc.) powered
when the engine is off can run the
battery down.
IMPORTANT If you need to install
added systems to the car, improper
wiring connections, in particular if they
affect safety devices, are dangerous.The total intake of these systems
(factory and after-market) must be less
than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery) as
shown in the following table:
Modifications or repairs to
the electrical system car-
ried out incorrectly and without
bearing the features of the system
in mind can cause malfunctions
with the risk of fire.
WARNING