2003 FIAT BARCHETTA AUX

78
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Frequent cold starting will not enable
the engine to reach optimal running
temperature. It follows therefore that
consumption will be higher (from
+15% to +30% in towns) as will the
production of toxic emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Heavy traffic and higher consumption
are synonymous; for example, when
driving slowly with frequent use of the
lower gears or in large towns where
there are numerous traffic lights.
Winding roads, mountain roads and
bumpy roads also have a negative ef-
fect on consumption.
Enforced halts
During prolonged hold-ups (traffic
lights, level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.CHEAP RUNNING THAT RESPECTS
THE ENVIRONMENT
LOOKING AFTER EMISSION
CONTROL DEVICES
The correct use of pollution control
devices not only ensures respect for
the environment but also has an effect
on the car’s performance.
Keeping these devices in good con-
dition is therefore a fundamental rule
for driving that is easy on your pock-
et and on the environment too.
The first step to take is to follow the
Service Schedule to the letter.
Use only unleaded petrol in petrol
engines.
If you have trouble starting, do not
keep turning the ignition key for long
periods. Be especially careful to avoid
bump starting the car by pushing, tow-
ing or rolling down hill: these are all
manoeuvres that can damage the cat-
alytic exhaust. For emergency starts
use only an auxiliary battery. Environmental protection has been
one of the guiding principles in the
production of the Fiat barchetta. It is
no accident that its pollution control
equipment is much more effective than
that required by current legislation.
Nonetheless, the environment can-
not get by without a concerted effort
from everyone.
By following a few simple rules you
can avoid harming the environment
and often cut down fuel consumption
at the same time.
On this subject, a few useful tips have
been given below to supplement those
marked by symbol #, at various points
of the handbook.
You are asked to read both the for-
mer and latter carefully.

85
Under no circumstances
should a battery charger
be used to start the en-
gine: it could damage the elec-
tronic systems and in particular
the control units governing igni-
tion and fuel feed.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, you can use an-
other battery to start the engine. Its
capacity must be the same or slightly
greater than the flat battery (see the
chapter “Technical specifications”).
This is what to do fig. 1:
1)Connect positive terminals (signal
+in proximity of the terminal) of the
two batteries with a jump lead.
2)With a second lead, connect the
negative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery to an earth point Eon the en-
gine or transmission of the vehicle to
be started.IMPORTANTDo not connect the
two negative terminals directly: sparks
could ignite the explosive gas output
from the battery. If the other battery
is fitted in a vehicle, prevent acciden-
tal contacts between the metal parts
of the two vehicles.
3)Start the engine.
4)When the engine has been start-
ed, remove the leads in the reverse
order.
If the engine fails to start after a few
attempts, do not keep turning the key
but have the car seen to at a Fiat
Dealership.
fig. 1
P5S00677m
Do not carry out this pro-
cedure if you lack experi-
ence; if it is not done correctly it
can cause very intense electrical
discharges. Furthermore, the fluid
in the battery is poisonous and cor-
rosive, avoid contact with your skin
and eyes.
Do not put naked flames or light-
ed cigarettes near the battery and
do not cause sparks.
WARNING

140
SUSPENSIONS
FRONT
Independent wheel, MacPherson-
type with ferritic cast-iron wishbone
anchored to an auxiliary cross-mem-
ber.
Off-set coil springs and double-action
telescopic gas dampers.
Anti-roll bar.
REAR
Independent wheels with spheroidal
cast-iron wishbones.
Coil springs and gas dampers with
vulcanised bushings.
Anti-roll bar.
Auxiliary rigid H-shaped frame con-
sisting of a tubular cross structure and
two pressed steel long members weld-
ed to it.
STEERING
Energy-absorbing jointed steering
column with rake adjustment system.
Permanently lubricated rack and pin-
ion control.
Hydraulic power steering.
Permanently lubricated joints.
Minimum turning circle: 10.5 metres.
Number of steering wheel turns lock
to lock: approx. 2.5.
WHEEL
GEOMETRY
Wheel toe-in measured from rim to
rim: 0±1 mm.
The figures refer to the car in full
running order.
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speeds after running in, in km/h:
1st2nd3rd 4th5th”Reverse
55 97 143 188 More 55
than 200