2003 FIAT BARCHETTA maintenance schedule

3
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical accessories (that will gradually drain the battery), visit a Fi-
at Dealership. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the car's electric system
can support the required load.

CODE card
Keep the code card in a safe place, not in the car. You should always keep the electronic code written on the
CODE card with you in case you need to carry out an emergency start-up procedure.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring it stays in tip-top condition and safeguards its safety fea-
tures, its environmental friendliness and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER HANDBOOK CONTAINS …
… information, tips and important warnings regarding the safe, correct driving of your car, and its maintenance.
Pay particular attention to the symbols "(personal safety) #(environmental protection)
â(car well-being).

76
Here are some suggestions which
may help you to keep the running
costs of your vehicle down and low-
er the amount of toxic emissions re-
leased into the atmosphere.
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
The overall state of the car is an im-
portant factor which has a marked in-
fluence over fuel consumption and dri-
ving comfort and on the life span of
your car. For this reason care should
be taken to maintain your car by car-
rying out the necessary checks and
regulations in accordance with the
specifications given in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme (see sec-
tions... spark plugs, idle, air filter, tim-
ing).
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
AND POLLUTION
Tyres
Tyres should be checked at least
every four weeks: if the pressure is
too low fuel consumption increases as
the resistance to the rolling movement
of the tyre is greater. In this state, tyre
wear is increased and car handling suf-
fers which will affect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
vehicle (especially when driving in
town) and its trim greatly affects con-
sumption and stability. To get the most out of ABS:
– During emergency stops or when
grip conditions are poor, you will feel
a slight pulsation on the brake pedal.
This is the sign that the ABS is in ac-
tion. Do not release the brake pedal
but continue to press so as not to in-
terrupt the braking action.
– ABS prevents the wheels from
locking but it does not increase actu-
al grip conditions between tyre and
road. Therefore, even if your car is fit-
ted with ABS, respect the safety dis-
tance from the car in front of you and
keep your speed down when driving
into bends.
– ABS serves to increase the con-
trollability of the car, not to enable you
to go faster.

111
CAR MAINTENANCE
The Fiat barchetta is brand new throughout, even
in its service schedule. For example: the first service
schedule coupon is to be used at 20,000 km making the
traditional check at 1,500 km unnecessary. You should
however remember that your car needs routine main-
tenance such as systematic checking of the fluid level
and tyre pressure, and any necessary topping up.
You should nonetheless bear in mind that proper car
maintenance is certainly the best way to keep your car
in tip-top condition for years to come and safeguard its
safety features, its environmentally-friendly nature and
its low running costs.
Also remember that following the servicing regula-
tions marked with the symbol ∑as specified might be
essential to ensuring the warranty remains valid.SCHEDULED SERVICING ............................................... 112
SERVICE SCHEDULE ......................................................... 113
ANNUAL INSPECTION SCHEDULE ........................... 115
ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS ........................................ 115
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS ............................................. 117
AIR CLEANER ..................................................................... 122
POLLEN FILTER .................................................................. 123
BATTERY .............................................................................. 123
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS ............................... 125
SPARK PLUGS ..................................................................... 126
WHEELS AND TYRES ...................................................... 126
RUBBER TUBING .............................................................. 128
WINDSCREEN WIPER ..................................................... 128
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................. 130
BODYWORK ...................................................................... 130
HOOD ................................................................................... 133
INTERIORS ........................................................................... 133

112
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is es-
sential for ensuring it stays in tip-top
condition for a long time to come.
For this reason, Fiat has designed a
series of checks and maintenance in-
terventions every 20,000 km.
IMPORTANTThe Manufacturer
requires the Service Schedule coupon-
related checks to be carried out. Fail-
ure to do so could result in the war-
ranty being cancelled.
Scheduled Servicing is performed at
all Fiat Dealerships and at pre-es-
tablished times.If it is seen that further replacements
or repairs are necessary in addition to
the work being carried out, these will
only be done after the Customer has
given his/her consent.
IMPORTANT You are recom-
mended to get in touch with the Fiat
Dealershipimmediately if any small
running problems crop up, without
waiting for the next coupon.If the car is frequently
used to tow trailers, in-
crease the frequency of
scheduled operations.

116
This check should be carried out
more frequently if the vehicle is main-
ly used for short trips, or if it is fitted
with accessories that permanently ab-
sorb electricity even with the ignition
key removed, especially in the case of
after market accessories.
You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the Service Schedule if
the car is used in hot climates or par-
ticularly demanding conditions. IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more fre-
quently than specified in the Service
Schedule if the vehicle is mainly used
under one of the following particular-
ly severe conditions:
– towing a trailer or caravan
– on dirt roads
– short, repetitive trips (less than 7
or 8 kilometres) in outside tempera-
tures below zero.
– engines that are frequently left to
idle or drive slowly over long dis-
tances.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
If you drive your car on dirt roads
change the air cleaner more frequently
than specified in the Service Schedule.If you are in doubt about how often
the engine oil or the air cleaner should
be changed in relation to how you use
the car, contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is often used in dusty or ex-
tremely polluted environments, you
should change the filter element more
frequently. It should be changed espe-
cially if the amount of air introduced
into the passenger compartment is re-
duced.
IMPORTANT - Battery
You should check the status of the
battery charge preferably at the be-
ginning of the cold season to avoid the
possibility of the electrolyte freezing.Maintenance of your car
should be entrusted to a
Fiat Dealership. For in-
terventions of routine mainte-
nance and small repairs you wish
to carry out yourself, make sure
you always have the proper
equipment, genuine Fiat spare
parts and fluids available. Do not,
carry out these operations if you
have no experience.

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