24
SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
(for the front seats) fig. 8
To fasten the seat belts, take the
tongue of fastener
A and push it into
buckle
B, until you hear it click.
Pull the seat belt gently. If it jams, let
it rewind a little then pull it out again
without jerking.
fig. 8
P4E01376
DOOR MIRRORS
To adjust, operate the knob inside
the car
A-fig. 7.
Make sure that the car is stationary
and the handbrake is on before you
adjust mirrors.
The reflecting surface
of the left-hand mirror is
parabolic to increase
viewing range. Consequently,
the dimension of the reflected
image is reduced, giving the
impression that the object is
more distant than it really is.
fig. 7
P4E02007
When driving, the door
mirrors must always be in
the extended position 1.
If the mirror makes it
difficult to get through
narrow gaps, fold it from
1-fig. 7 to position 2.
20-63 03/03/2003 06:02 PM Page 24
35
WARNING
LIGHTS
The warning lights come on in the
following circumstances:
BATTERY NOT
CHARGING PROPER-
LY (red)
When there is
a fault in the current gen-
erating system.
Go to a
Fiat Dealershipand pre-
vent deploying the battery.
When the key is turned to
MAR the
light comes on but should go out the
moment the engine is started.
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
When
the engine oil pressure
drops under the normal
value.
When the key is turned to
MARthe
light comes on but should go out the
moment the engine is started.
A delay in the light going out is ac-
ceptable only when the engine is idling.
If the engine has been heavily taxed,
the light may flash when the engine re-
turns to idle. The light should howev-
er go out when you accelerate slight-
ly.
v
w
If the vwarning light
comes on while the car is
moving, stop the engine
immediately and contact a Fiat
Dealership.
INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE (red) (petrol
version)
When there is a
fault in the injection system.
When the ignition key is turned to
the
MAR position, the light comes on
but should go out after a few seconds.
The warning light will stay on or
come on when travelling to indicate
imperfect operation of the injection
system with possible loss of perfor-
mance, poor handling and higher con-
sumption.
g
In these conditions, you can contin-
ue driving but you should avoid de-
manding efforts from the engine or
high speeds. Contact a
Fiat Dealer-
ship
as soon as possible.
Using the car for long periods when
the warning light is on may cause dam-
age especially when the engine is run-
ning irregularly or misfiring. The car
should only be used for short periods
at low speeds.
Occasional and brief lighting of the
warning light is meaningless.
HANDBRAKE EN-
GAGED / LOW
BRAKE FLUID (red)
In
two cases:
1.When the handbrake is applied.
2. when the brake fluid level falls be-
low the minimum level.
x
20-63 03/03/2003 06:02 PM Page 35
ABS (WHEEL AN-
TILOCKING SYS-
TEM) FAILURE (am-
ber)
When there is a fail-
ure in the ABS system.
In this case, the normal braking sys-
tem continues to work although with-
out the ABS assistance. Hence, have
the car seen to at a
Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
The warning light should come on
when the key is turned to
MARand
go out after approximately 2 seconds.
DIRECTION INDICA-
TORS (green) (flash-
ing)
When the direction
indicator control stalk is
operated (arrows).
PARKING LIGHTS
(green)
When the
side/tail lights are switched
on.
RE
3
MAIN BEAM HEAD-
LIGHTS (blue)
When main beam head-
lights are switched on
1
AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
When there is an
airbag system failure.
If the xwarning light
comes on when travel-
ling, check whether the
handbrake is engaged. If the
warning light stays on and the
handbrake is not engaged, stop
immediately and contact a Fiat
Dealership.
>
Warning light >, with
the engine running, nor-
mally indicates a fault in
the ABS system only. In this case,
the braking system is still effi-
cient, though without the an-
tilocking device. You are advised
to go immediately to the nearest
Fiat Dealership, driving in a man-
ner to avoiding sharp braking and
get the system checked.
û
The warning light should
come on when the key is
turned to MAR and go
out after approximately 4 sec-
onds. If the warning light either
does not come on or comes on
when travelling, stop immedi-
ately and go to a Fiat Dealership.
The warning light should come on
when the key is turned to
MARand
go out after approximately 2 seconds.
36
INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE (red) (diesel
versions)
When there is a fault in the injection
system.
The warning light should come on
when the ignition key is turned to
MARand go out after a few seconds.
The warning light will stay on or
come on when travelling to indicate
imperfect operation of the injection
system with possible loss of perfor-
mance, poor handling and higher con-
sumption.
In these conditions, you can contin-
ue driving but you should avoid de-
manding efforts from the engine or
high speeds. Contact a
Fiat Dealer-
ship
as soon as possible.
Prolonged use of the car with warn-
ing light can cause damage to the en-
gine, specially in the event of misfir-
ing. The car can only be driven for a
short period of time at low ratios.
Occassional and brief lighting of the
warning light is meaningless.
20-63 03/03/2003 06:02 PM Page 36
65
The key switch is equipped with a
safety device which obliges, in the
event of engine starting malfunction to
return the key at
STOP prior to re-
peating the starting operation.
At the same time, when the engine is
running, the device prevents to shift
from
MAR postion to AVV position.
In the first operational seconds,
above all after a long inactivity peri-
od, you can hear a higher noise level
of the engine. Such phenomenon,
which does not compromise the func-
tionality and reliability, is typical of the
hydraulic tappets: the distribution sys-
tem, chosen for the engine of 100
16V
version of your Fiat Palio to contribute
to the maintenance intervention re-
duction.
STARTING THE ENGINE
IMPORTANT
Do not press the
accelerator until the engine has start-
ed.
1) Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2) Put the gear lever into neutral.
3)Press the clutch pedal right down.
4) Turn the ignition key to AVVand
release it as soon as the engine starts.If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to
STOP before trying to start the
engine again.
IMPORTANT Press the accelera-
tor slightly only if the outside temper-
ature is lower than –10°C and the en-
gine does not start at the first attempt.
IMPORTANTNever leave the ig-
nition key at
MARwhen the engine is
off.
Never touch the high
voltage wires (spark plug
wires) when the engine is
running.
It is dangerous to let the
engine run in a garage of
other closed area. The en-
gine consumes oxygen and gives
off carbon dioxide, carbon monox-
ide and other poisonous fumes.
STARTING THE
ENGINE
We recommend not to
push the engine to its lim-
its for the first period of
use (e.g. abrupt accelerations, ex-
cessively prolonged distances at
max revs, hard braking, etc.).
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 65
67
With handbrake engaged and igni-
tion key at
MAR, the instrument pan-
el warning light
x
comes on.
To disengage the handbrake:
1)Slightly lift the handbrake and
press release button
A.
2)Keep the button pressed in and
lower the lever. Warning light
x
will
go out.
3)To prevent accidental movement
of the car, this procedure should be
carried out with the brake pedal
pressed down.
HANDBRAKE fig. 1
The handbrake lever is situated be-
tween the two front seats.
Pull the handbrake lever upwards un-
til the car cannot be moved. Four or
five clicks are generally enough when
the car is on level ground while nine
or ten may be required if the car is
on a steep slope or loaded.
IMPORTANTIf this is not the
case, take the car to a
Fiat Dealer-
ship
to have the handbrake adjusted.
Never leave unsuper-
vised children in the car.
Always remove the key
from the ignition switch and take
it with you when you get out of
the car.
fig. 1
P4E02046
PARKING
Stop the engine, engage the hand-
brake and engage first gear if the car
is faced uphill or reverse gear if it is
faced downhill in compliance with the
national Highway Code and leave the
wheels steered towards the road bor-
ders or the kerb. Block the wheels
with a wedge or a stone if the car is
parked on a steep slope.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MARbecause it drains the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car.
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 67
78
RECURRENT
CHECKS AND
BEFORE LONG
DISTANCE TRIPS
Periodically, remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions
– level of battery fluid
– engine oil level
– coolant level and conditions of the
system
– brake fluid level
– windscreen washer liquid level
– power steering fluid level.
STORING THE
CAR
The following precautions should be
taken if the car will not be used for
more than a month:
– Park the car in covered, dry and if
possible well-ventilated premises.
– Engage a gear.
– Make sure the handbrake is not en-
gaged.
– Remove the cables from the bat-
tery terminals (first remove the cable
to the negative terminal), and check
the battery charge. If the car is to be
stored for long periods the battery
charge should be checked every
month and recharged if it falls below
12,5V.
– Clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax.– Clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds readi-
ly available.
– Sprinkle talcum powder on the
rubber windscreen and rear window
wiper blades and lift them off the glass.
– Slightly open the windows.
– Cover the car with a cloth or per-
forated plastic sheet. Do not use
sheets of no-perforated plastic as they
do not allow moisture on the car body
to evaporate.
– Inflate the tyres to +0.5 bar above
the normal specified pressure and
check it at intervals.
– Do not drain the engine cooling
system.
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 78
83
1. STOP THE CAR
– Stop the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic where
you can change the wheel safely. The
ground should be flat and adequately
firm. If you have to change the wheel
at night, choose a lit area if possible.
– Turn the engine off and pull up the
handbrake.
– Engage first or reverse gear.
– Alert other drivers that the car is
stationary in compliance with local
regulations: hazard warning lights,
warning triangle etc.
Any passenger should get out and
wait as far away as possible from the
dangers of traffic.
If the road is sloping or bumpy, place
wedges or other suitable material un-
der the wheels to prevent the car from
moving.
2. TAKE OUT THE TOOLS,
JACK AND SPARE WHEEL
They are in the boot.
The tool bag is secured to the inter-
nal boot wall by proper belts,
fig. 2;
to take it out, lift the adhesive strip of
the belts. The bag contains: the jack
A-
fig. 3
, the jack operating handle B, the
wheel bolt wrench
C, the tow hitch D
and the screwdriver E.
fig. 2
P4E02373
fig. 4
P4E02375
fig. 3
P4E02374
– Lift the carpet covered flap.
– Loosen the fastener
A-fig. 4and
take the spare wheel.
80-103 03/03/2003 06:49 PM Page 83
145
Dipped beam headlights
- control ..................................... 13-41
- bulb replacement ................. 88
Doors.............................................. 17-48
Electric system ........................... 137
Electric window winder ............ 15-49
Electronic central units ............. 120
Engine compartment .................. 16-54
Engine compartment
(washing) ................................... 127
Engine cooling fluid
thermometer ........................... 34
Engine cooling fluid level ............ 113
Engine oil consumption ............. 112
Engine oil level ............................. 112
Engine oil
- consumption .......................... 112
- checking the level ................. 112
Engine
- power supply/ignition ........... 132
- engine type code .................. 130
- characteristic data ................ 131
- engine compartment
washing ................................... 127
- lubrication ............................... 132- marking .................................... 129
- cooling ...................................... 132
Filling ............................................ 140
First-aid kit ................................... 103
Flashing ........................................... 13-42
Front foglights ............................... 56
Front foglights
- switch on/off button ............ 15-44
- bulb replacement ................. 90
Fuel filler cap ................................ 18-63
Fuel flap opening lever............... 18-63
Fuel flap
- opening lever ......................... 18-63
Fuel level indicator ..................... 33
Fuel lock switch .......................... 44
Fuel
- level indicator ........................ 33
- fuel lock switch ...................... 44
- fuel flap opening level ........... 18-63
Fuses................................................ 93
- replacement ............................ 93
Gearbox
- gearbox use ........................... 68
- transmission ........................... 133Getting to know the car ........... 20
Glove compartment .................... 45
Handbrake ............................... 67-134
Hazard lights ................................. 13-43
Head rest ....................................... 11-23
Headlight trim .............................. 56
Headlights (upward slant
compensation) ......................... 56
Heated rear window .................. 15-44
Heating ........................................... 39
Identification data ..................... 129
If an accident occurs ................... 102
Ignition device .............................. 21
In an emergency .......................... 80
Instrument panel ......................... 10
Interior lights ............................... 92
Interior equipment ..................... 45
Keys ............................................. 11-21
Kilometer counter ....................... 33
Level control ............................. 111
Lubricants(specifications) .......... 141
144-152 03/03/2003 07:30 PM Page 145