2003 FIAT BARCHETTA suspension

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

135
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Motor and engineering enthusiasts as well as those
“in the trade” will probably start reading from this point
in the manual. This, in fact, is where a section jam-
packed with facts, figures, formulae, measurements and
tables begins. In a sense it is the Fiat barchetta’s iden-
tity card. A document that introduces the car and ex-
plains in technical jargon all the features that go together
to make the Fiat barchetta a model designed to give you
superlative driving satisfaction.IDENTIFICATION DATA ................................................ 136
ENGINE CODE - BODY VERSION .............................. 137
ENGINE ................................................................................. 137
TRANSMISSION ................................................................. 139
BRAKES ................................................................................. 139
SUSPENSIONS .................................................................... 140
STEERING ............................................................................. 140
WHEEL GEOMETRY ......................................................... 140
PERFORMANCE ................................................................. 140
WHEELS ................................................................................ 141
DIMENSIONS ...................................................................... 142
WEIGHTS ............................................................................. 143
CAPACITIES ........................................................................ 144
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ........................................... 145
FUEL CONSUMPTION .................................................... 147
CO
2EMISSIONS ................................................................. 147
TYRES PRESSURE ............................................................... 148

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

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