2003 FIAT BARCHETTA 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

127
Wrong pressure causes uneven wear
of the tyresfig. 10:
A- Correct pressure: tyre wears
evenly.
B- Underinflated tyre: shoulder
tread wear.
C- Overinflated tyre: centre tread
wear.If you get a flat tyre, stop immediately
and change it so as not to damage the
tyre, the wheel, the suspension and
the steering.
Tyres age even if they are not used
very much. Cracking of the tread rub-
ber and the side-walls are a sign of this
ageing. In any case, if the tyres have
been fitted for more than six years
they should be examined by an expert
who can judge whether they are still
fit for use. Remember to check the
spare tyre particularly carefully too.
If a replacement is necessary, always
use new tyres and avoid using ones the
origin of which you are not certain
about.
The Fiat barchetta uses Tubeless
tyres. Under no circumstances use an
inner tube with these tyres.
If you replace a tyre it is a good idea
to change the inflation valve, too. Tyres must be replaced when the
tread wears down to 1.6 mm. Comply
with the laws in the country where the
car is being driven.
IMPORTANT
As far as possible avoid sharp brak-
ing and screech starts.
Be careful not to hit the pavement,
potholes or other obstacles hard. Dri-
ving for long stretches over bumpy
roads can damage the tyres.
Periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tyre wear. If any
of these occur, have the car seen to at
a Fiat Dealership.
Avoid travelling with an overloaded
car: this can seriously damage wheels
or tyres.
fig. 10
P5S00685m
If the pressure is too low
the tyre overheats and this
can cause it serious damage.
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

133
HOOD
Normal maintenance of the hood
consists in washing it.
Dust the hood off before washing it.
Dirt must be removed using an ap-
propriate cleaning compound; then
rinse thoroughly using a low pressure
hose.
INTERIORS
From time to time, check that wa-
ter has not collected under the mats
(from dripping shoes, umbrellas etc.)
which could cause the steel to rust.
You are advised to wash
the hood by hand. When
washing a car in an auto-
matic car wash, the rotating
brushes exert a strong pressure
on the surface of the hood that
could damage it and scratch the
rear window. In addition, the
cleaning compounds and addi-
tives could have a negative effect
and spoil the hood's appearance.IMPORTANT Do not use petrol,
stain removers, benzol, paint thinners
or solvents to remove dirt marks; on-
ly use products designed for the pur-
pose. If the marks still will not come
out, see a Fiat Dealership.
REAR WINDOW
This window can be replaced; con-
tact a Fiat Dealershipto have this
done.
When cleaning the rear window be
particularly careful to avoid scratches
or scuffs that could spoil its appear-
ance.
Never use flammable prod-
ucts (petroleum ether or
petrol) to clean the inside of the
car. Electrostatic charges generat-
ed by rubbing while cleaning could
cause fires.
WARNING

134
If the stain does not come out, use
a special cleaning compound being par-
ticularly careful to follow the instruc-
tions for use.
IMPORTANTNever use alcohol
or alcohol-base products.
PLASTIC PARTS INSIDE
THE CAR
Use special products designed not to
alter the appearance of the compo-
nents.
IMPORTANT Do not use alcohol
or petrol for cleaning the glass of the
instrument panel. CLEANING THE SEATS AND
FABRIC UPHOLSTERY
– Remove the dust with a soft brush
or a vacuum cleaner.
– Rub the seats with a rag moistened
in a solution of water and neutral de-
tergent.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
– Remove the dry dirt with a buck-
skin or very slightly moist cloth with-
out exerting too much pressure.
– Remove liquid or grease stains with
a dry absorbent cloth without rubbing.
Then wipe with a buckskin or soft
cloth moistened with water and neu-
tral soap.
Do not keep aerosol cans in
the car. There is the risk
they might explode. Aerosol cans
must never be exposed to a tem-
perature above 50°C. The temper-
ature inside the car might go well
beyond that figure if the car is ex-
posed to the sun.
WARNING

138
FUEL SUPPLY/IGNITION
Integrated electronic injection and ig-
nition system: a single electronic con-
trol unit controls both functions. It
processes both the time the injection
lasts (for fuel metering) and the igni-
tion’s advance angle.
Type: Sequential in phase Multipoint
Air cleaner: dry-type with paper fil-
ter element; thermostatically con-
trolled intake.
Petrol pump: in-tank.
Injection pressure: 3 bar
Method of measuring the amount of
aspirated air by directly measuring the
maximum rate of flow with a hot wire
air flow meter.
“Closed loop” petrol metering (in-
formation about combustion provid-
ed by the Lambda sensor).Firing order: 1-3-4-2
Spark plugs:
– Champion RC10YCC
– NGK BKR6EZLUBRICATION
Forced-fed with gear pump with
pressure relief valve incorporated.
Oil purification by means of full-flow-
cartridge filter.
COOLING
Cooling system with radiator, cen-
trifugal pump and expansion tank.
“Controlled” by-pass type thermo-
stat on the secondary circuit for the
recirculation of water from the engine
to the radiator.
Electric fan for radiator cooling with
thermostatically-controlled on/off
switch on the radiator.
Modifications or repairs to
the fuel feed system that
are not carried out properly or do
not take the system’s technical
specifications into account can
cause malfunctions with the risk of
fire.
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

151
LOCATION
OF COMPONENTS
IN THE VEHICLE fig. 2
A- Radio-frequency receiver in ceil-
ing light
B - “Bonnet open” signal switch con-
trol (adjustable cap)
C- “Bonnet open” signal switch
D- “Right door open”, “left door
open” and “boot open” signal switch
E- Electronic alarm control unit (in
the engine compartment)
F- “Electronic alarm on” warning led
G- Radio-frequency remote control
H- Passenger compartment protec-
tion sensor (located under the central
tunnel).
fig. 2
P5S10042m