2003 FIAT BARCHETTA Owners Manual

64
IMPORTANTThe maximum pow-
er which can be applied to the aerial is
20W.
The microphone should be installed
near the front ceiling light so that is
does not interfere with driving visibil-
ity.
The recommended position to locate
the telephone cradle is shown infig. 80.
The cellular phone will work when
the engine is off by turning the key to
MAR.AT THE FILLING
STATION
The Fiat barchetta’s pollution control
devices make it essential to use only
unleaded petrol.
However, to avoid accidents, the
hole for the petrol pump nozzle is too
small to accommodate the nozzle of
petrol pumps containing leaded petrol.
The octane number (R.O.N.) must be
at least 95. Have the cellular phone
installed and connected
to the provision system in
the vehicle exclusively at a Fiat
Dealership.
Have the cellular phone
and the connections in-
stalled by a Fiat Dealer-
ship only. This will ensure the
best results and avoid problems
affecting car safety.
fig. 81
P5S00620m
fig. 80
P5S10037m

65
A catalytic converter
that does not work prop-
erly leads to the emission
of harmful gases and the conse-
quent pollution of the atmos-
phere.
Never put even the tini-
est amount of leaded
petrol into the fuel tank,
even in an emergency. You would
damage the catalytic converter
beyond repair.FUEL FILLER CAP
The cap is provided with a strap A-
fig. 82fastening it to the flap so that
is cannot be lost..
To open:hold the cap still and turn
the key anti-clockwise. Turn the cap
by half a turn anti-clockwise and re-
move it.
The air-tight cap can cause a slight in-
crease in pressure inside the fuel tank.
A suction noise when removing the
cap is, therefore, perfectly normal.The cap can be positioned directly on
the flap while refuelling as shown in
fig. 82.
To close: insert the cap (with key)
and turn it clockwise until it clicks
once or twice. Hold the cap still, turn
the key clockwise and remove it.
IMPORTANT If the fuel filler cap
needs changing, use only genuine
spares, otherwise you risk damaging
the fuel vapour recovery system.
fig. 82
P5S10051m
Do not put naked flames or
lighted cigarettes near the
fuel filler hole as there is a danger of
fire. Do not bend too close to the
hole either so as not to breathe in
harmful vapours.
WARNING

66
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
Protecting the environment has been
the guiding principle in the design of
the Fiat barchetta right from the start.
The result is the use of materials and
creation of devices that can reduce or
considerable curtail harmful influences
on the environment.
The Fiat barchetta is ready to travel
well ahead of the most stringent in-
ternational pollution control stan-
dards.
USE OF MATERIALS
THAT DO NOT HARM
THE ENVIRONMENT
None of the car’s components con-
tain asbestos. Padding and the climate
control system do not contain CFI’s
(Chlorofluorocarbides) the gases con-
sidered responsible for the destruc-
tion of the ozone layer. Other sub-
stances which may pollute the air and
water tables, such as cadmium used in
bolt anti-rust coverings and the chro-
mate used in some colourings, have
been replaced entirely with environ-
mentally-friendly substances. DEVICES FOR REDUCING
PETROL ENGINE EMISSIONS
Three-way catalytic converter
(catalytic exhaust pipe)
Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides
and unburned hydrocarbons are the
main harmful components in exhaust
gases.
The catalytic exhaust pipe and the
devices connected to it are a “minia-
ture laboratory” where a very high
percentage of these components is
converted into harmless substances.
The conversion is aided by minute
particles of precious metals on the ce-
ramic core enclosed in the stainless-
steel container.Lambda Sensor
All petrol versions are fitted with this
device. It ensures that air and fuel are
constantly mixed in the correct pro-
portions. This is a fundamental condi-
tions for the proper functioning of the
engine and the catalytic converter.
Anti-evaporation canister
As it is impossible to stop the build-
up of petrol fumes even when the en-
gine is not running, the system traps
them in a special active carbon canis-
ter. They are sucked in from here and
burnt while the engine is running.

67
DRIVING YOUR CAR
To help you handle your Fiat barchetta in the best
and safest possible way, and above all use it to its
fullest potential, we have given you some hints in this
chapter on “what to do, what not to do and what to
avoid” when at the wheel of your Fiat barchetta.
Most of the time, these suggestions apply to other
cars as well. Sometimes, however, the tip may apply
to an exclusive Fiat barchetta feature. You are there-
fore strongly recommended to pay the closest atten-
tion to this section for helpful hints on optimum dri-
ving practices and usage of the car that will help you
get the most out of your Fiat barchetta. STARTING THE ENGINE ............................................... 68
PARKING ............................................................................ 70
GEAR USE .......................................................................... 71
SAFE DRIVING .................................................................. 71
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
AND POLLUTION .......................................................... 76
CHEAP RUNNING THAT RESPECTS
THE ENVIRONMENT ..................................................... 78
TOWING A TRAILER ..................................................... 79
SNOW CHAINS ............................................................... 80
VEHICLE STORAGE ........................................................ 81
REPEATED CHECKS AND CHECKS
BEFORE LONG TRIPS .................................................... 82
ACCESSORIES PURCHASED BY THE OWNER ..... 82
USEFUL ACCESSORIES .................................................. 82

68
If warning light ¢remains lit
together with the warning light
U
when the ignition key is at MAR,
turn the key toSTOPand then to
MAR; if the warning light still
remains lit, try with the other keys
provided with the car.
If you are still unable to start the
engine, follow the emergency startup
procedure (see “Emergency startup”
in the section “In an emergency”)
and go to the nearestFiat
Dealership immediately.
IMPORTANTDo not leave the
ignition key at MARwhen the
engine is off.
STARTING
THE ENGINE
The engine may seem noisier than
usual during the first seconds after
startup, especially after a long period
of inactivity. This phenomenon is
characteristic of hydraulic tappets,
and does not affect the functioning
and reliability of the engine: this par-
ticular timing system has been select-
ed for the Fiat barchetta engine to
reduce the number of maintenance
interventions necessary.IMPORTANT It is important that
the accelerator is never pressed until
the engine is started.
1) Make sure the handbrake is on.
2) Put the gear lever in neutral.
3) Press the clutch pedal right
down, without touching the acceler-
ator pedal.
4) Turn the ignition key to AVV
and let it go the moment the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOPbefore trying to start the
engine again.
It is dangerous to let the
engine run in a garage or
other closed area. The engine con-
sumes oxygen and gives off carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide and oth-
er poisonous fumes.
WARNING
Never touch the high ten-
sion cables (spark plug
cables) when the engine is run-
ning.
WARNING

69
HOW TO WARM UP
THE ENGINE AFTER
IT HAS JUST STARTED
– Begin to move forward slowly, let-
ting the engine turn over at medium
revs. Do not floor the accelerator.
– Do not push the engine to its lim-
it for the first few kilometres. You are
recommended to wait until the water
temperature has reached 50° to 60°C.
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the Fiat CODE system fails to
recognise the code transmitted by
the ignition key (warning lamp ¢on
instrument panel lit with a fixed
light), you can start the engine by fol-
lowing the emergency procedure
using the code written on the CODE
card.
See the section “In an emergency”.Do not bump start by
pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill. This way of
starting could cause a rush of fu-
el into the catalytic exhaust pipe
and damage it beyond repair.
A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive it
is better to allow the engine to “catch
its breath” before turning it off by let-
ting it idle to allow the temperature in
the engine compartment to fall.STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP
while the engine is idling.
Remember that as long as
the engine is not running,
the power brakes and power steer-
ing do not work. You therefore have
to use considerably more effort on
both the brake pedal and the steer-
ing wheel.
WARNING

70
PARKING
Turn off the engine, pull up the hand-
brake, put the car in gear (1st if the car
is pointing uphill, reverse if downhill)
and turn the wheels. If the car is on a
steep incline, you should put a stone
or wedge under the wheels to block
them.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MAR because it drains the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car.IMPORTANTIf this is not the
case, have the handbrake adjusted at
a Fiat Dealership.
When the hand brake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR, panel indica-
tor light xcomes on.
To release the handbrake:
1) Slightly lift the handbrake and
press release button A.
2) Keep the button pressed in and
lower the lever. Instrument panel in-
dicator light xwill go out.
3) To prevent the vehicle acciden-
tally moving, carry out this manoeuvre
with the brake pedal pressed. HANDBRAKE fig. 1
The handbrake lever is situated be-
tween the two front seats.
To operate the handbrake pull the
lever upwards until the car is pre-
vented from moving: pulling the lever
through four or five “clicks” is gener-
ally enough on level ground while nine
or ten might be necessary on a steep
incline and with a load in the car.
fig. 1
P5S00678mDo not leave children
unsupervised in the car.
WARNING

71
GEAR USE
To engage the gears, press down
the clutch and put the gear lever into
one of the positions shown in the
diagram infig. 2(the diagram is also
on the gear lever knob).
IMPORTANT The car can be put
in reverse only when it has com-
pletely stopped moving. With engine
running, before engaging the reverse,
wait at least 2 seconds with clutch
pedal completely pressed down to
prevent damage and grating of gears.
Do not drive with your
hand resting on the gear
stick as the force exerted,
even if only slight, could lead to
premature wearing of the gear-
box internal components.
fig. 2
P5S00679m
SAFE DRIVING
In designing the Fiat barchetta, Fiat
has made every effort to come up with
a car able to provide driver and pas-
senger with top-class levels of safety.
Nevertheless it is always the behaviour
of the person at the wheel that de-
termines road safety.
Below you will find some simple tips
to help you travel in safety under dif-
ferent conditions. You will no doubt
be familiar with many of them already
but it will be useful to read them all
carefully.
You must push the clutch
pedal fully down to change
gear properly. It is therefore essen-
tial that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way.
WARNING