2003 FIAT PALIO brakes

25
To unfasten the seat belts, press but-
ton
C. Guide the seat belt with your
hand while it is rewinding, to prevent
it from twisting.
The seat belt reel mechanism will
adapt the belt to the body of the per-
son wearing it, offering freedom of
movement.
When the car is parked on a steep
slope the reel mechanism may lock;
this is normal.
The reel mechanism prevents the
webbing coming out when it is jerked
or if the car brakes sharply, as in a col-
lision or when cornering at high speed.
To ensure maximum
protection, keep the
backrest in the upright
position, lean back into the seat
and ensure that the seat belt ad-
heres closely to torso and hips.
Do not use the seat belt when the
seat back is reclined.
Always adjust the height of the seat
belt to fit the person wearing it. This
could greatly reduce the risk of injury
in the case of collision.
The belt is adjusted properly when
the webbing passes approximately
halfway between the edge of the
shoulder and the neck.
ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF
THE SEAT BELTS
Make the height adjust-
ment when the car is sta-
tionary.
fig. 9
P4E01783
Adjust the seat belt height only when
the car is stationary.
Fig. 9: fasten the loop in Aor B.
Fig. 10: The seat belt can be adjust-
ed on four different heights.
To raise the belt: raise loop Cto
the required position.
To lower the belt: press knob (D)
and move loop (C)down to the re-
quired position at the same time.
After adjustment always check that
the seat belt is locked by pushing loop
Cdownwards without pressing knob
D.
fig. 10
P4E01796
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56
SLANT COMPENSATION
When the car is loaded, it slopes
backwards. This means that the head-
light beam rises. In this case, it is nec-
essary to return it to the correct po-
sition.
Headlight beam adjuster A-fig.
67
Position 1- medium load car.
Position
2- full load car.
Make sure both headlights are in the
same position.
Check the headlight
beam position every time
you change the load to be
carried.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS BEAM
ADJUSTMENT
Have the lights checked at a Fiat
Dealership
.
ABS
The ABS is available on 1.6 GTX SP
version, which prevents the wheels
from locking when braking, makes the
most of road grip and gives the best
control in emergency braking under
difficult road conditions.
The driver can tell the ABS system
has come into play because the brake
pedal pulsates slightly and the system
get noiser.
This should not be interpreted as a
fault in the brakes: on the contrary is
a sign that the ABS system is work-
ing: it tells the driver that the car is
travelling at the limit of its road grip
and that the speed should be altered
to fit the type of road surface.
The ABS system is an addition to the
basic braking system. If there is a mal-
function this cuts out, leaving the brak-
ing system working as a normal system
without ABS.
If a failure occurs and consequently
the anti-lock system is not working,
the car normal braking performance is
not in anyway jeopardised.
HEADLIGHTS
ADJUSTING HEADLIGHT
SLANT
IMPORTANT
The correct posi-
tioning of the headlight beams is very
important for the comfort and safety,
not only of the person driving the car,
but also all other road users. This is al-
so covered by a specific law of the
highway code. To ensure that you and
other drivers have the best visibility
conditions when travelling with the
headlights must be set properly.
For checking and adjustment go to
a
Fiat Dealership.
fig. 67
P4E02165
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69
Water, ice or salt sprin-
kled on the road can de-
posit on the brake discs
and reduce efficiency of the first
braking.
Consider that fitting ex-
tra spoilers, alloy rims or
non standard wheel caps
can reduce ventilation of the
brakes and reduce their efficien-
cy under conditions of violent or
repeated braking or long down-
hill travel.
BEFORE GETTING BEHIND
THE WHEEL
– Make sure all lights including the
headlights are working properly.
– Adjust the position of the seats, the
steering wheel and the rearview mir-
rors properly for the best driving po-
sition.
– Carefully adjust the head restraints
so the back of the head and not the
nape of the neck is supported.
– Make sure that nothing (mats etc.)
gets in the way of the pedals when
they are pushed down.
– Do not drive using the clutch ped-
al as a foot rest. Such behaviour can
cause a premature wear of the clutch.
– Make sure that any child restraint
systems (child seats, carriers, etc.) are
properly fixed preferably on the back
seat. Follow the precautions listed in
the “Transporting children in safety”
paragraph in the “Getting to know the
car” chapter.
– Arrange the load in the boot in such
a way that it cannot be thrown for-
wards in the event of an accident.– Do not place clear objects or
sheets of paper on the dashboard that
reflect on the windscreen.
– Do not eat a heavy meal before
travelling. Light eating will help keep
your reflexes prompt. Above all, do
not have anything alcoholic to drink.
The use of some medicines can reduce
the driving capability: carefully read the
relevant use warnings.
Remember to periodically carry out
the checks specified in the “Repeated
checks before long trips” paragraph
given in this section.
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72
– Remember that fog also means the
tarmac is wet and therefore manoeu-
vres of all kinds are more difficult and
stopping distances are longer.
– Keep a good distance from the ve-
hicle in front of you.
– As far as possible, avoid spurts of
speed or sudden deceleration.
– Do not overtake other vehicles if
you can help it.
– If you are forced to stop your car
(breakdown, limited visibility etc.) try
to stop off the road. Turn on the haz-
ard lights and, if possible, the dipped
beam headlights. Rhythmically sound
the horn if you realize another car is
coming.MOUNTAIN DRIVING
– When driving downhill, use the en-
gine braking by engaging a low gear, so
as not to overheat the brakes.
– Under no circumstances should
you drive downhill with the engine off
or with the car in neutral, let alone
with the ignition key out.
– Drive at a moderate speed without
cutting corners.
– Remember that overtaking while
going uphill is slower and therefore re-
quires more free road. If you are be-
ing overtaken while driving uphill,
make it easier for the other vehicle
to pass.
DRIVING ON SNOW AND
ICE
Here are some tips for driving in
these conditions:
– Before starting off make sure that
the windscreen wiper blades are not
frozen to the windscreen.
– Remove the snow from the climate
control system air vent. – Keep your speed down.
– Use chains if the roads are covered
in snow: see paragraph “Snow chains”
in this chapter.
– Do not stay parked on high snow
for too long with engine running: the
snow could divert the carbon oxide
of the exhaust gases in the passenger
compartment.
– Mainly use the braking effect of the
engine and under all circumstances
avoid braking sharply.
– When braking in a car not fitted
with ABS, reduce the possibility of the
wheels locking by varying the pressure
you exert on the brake pedal.
– Do not accelerate suddenly and
avoid swerving.
– In the winter, even apparently dry
roads may have icy patches. Be care-
ful therefore when driving over patch-
es that do not get much exposure to
sun or are lined with trees or rocks
where ice may have not have melted.
– Keep a good distance from the ve-
hicles in front.
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106
Thousands of kilometers 15 3045 6075 90105 120135 150165 180
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Check of conditions and weariness of tyres
Check front disc brake pad
Check of conditions and weariness of rear drum brake gasket
Visually inspect: underbody protection, pipes
(exhaust - fuel supply - brakes), rubber elements
(guards - sleeves - bushes - etc.), supply and brake system tubing
Voltage check and possible adjustment of trapezoidal belts
and/or poly-V
Inspect conditions of V belts and/or ploy v-belts
Tappet clearance check/adjustment (petrol version)
(excluding the versions with hydraulic tappets)
Check and adjust tappet clearance (diesel version)
Check/adjustment of the stroke of the lever hand brake
Check evaporation system (diesel version)
Visually inspect fuel evaporation system (connections, lines,
containers, seals and filler cap)
Fuel filter replacement (see “important” in the “Additional
interventions” in this chapter) (for diesel version replace the filter
every 7,500 km)
Replace air cleaner cartridge (diesel version) (see “important” in the
“Additional interventions” in this chapter)
Replace air cleaner cartridge (see “Additional checks” in this chapter)
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107
Thousands of Kilometers 15 3045 6075 90105 120135 150165 180









(*) or every 3 years if the car is used in the following harsh conditions:
- Prolonged use in cold/hot climates, sity driving with prolonged lengths of time at idle speed, driving on dusty roads or roads covered with sand/salt.
- or every 5 years regardless of km covered and use conditions.
NOTE: For every 7,500 km service please refer Owner’s Warranty & Service Policy book.
For every 7,500 km or 6 months (whichever is erlier from previous service) replace engine oil and oil filter.
Top up fluids (engine coolant, brakes, power steering, windscreen washer etc.)
Timing command toothed belt check
Timing command toothed belt replacement
Spark plugs replacement, wire control (*)
Engine control system functionality check
(through autodiagnostic socket)
Change gear/differential gear oil level check
Changing engine oil (every 7,500 km or 6 months)
Replace engine oil filter (every 7,500 km or 6 months)
Brake fluid replacement (or every 24 months)
104-127 03/03/2003 06:53 PM Page 107

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Motor and engineering enthusiasts as well as
those “in the trade” will probably start reading from
this point in the handbook. This, in fact, is where a
section jam-packed with facts, figures, formulae,
measurements and tables begins.
In a sense, it is Fiat Palio’s identity card. A docu-
ment that introduces the car and explains in techni-
cal jargon all the features that go together to make it
a model designed to give you superlative driving sat-
isfaction.CAR IDENTIFICATION DATA ........................... PAGE 129
ENGINE CODES -
BODYWORK PAINT IDENTIFICATION
PLATE .......................................................................... PAGE 130
ENGINE ....................................................................... PAGE 131
TRANSMISSION ....................................................... PAGE 133
BRAKES ....................................................................... PAGE 134
SUSPENSIONS ......................................................... PAGE. 134
STEERING ................................................................... PAGE 135
WHEELS AND TYRES ............................................ PAGE 136
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ............................................ PAGE 137
WEIGHTS ................................................................... PAGE 138
PERFORMANCES ..................................................... PAGE 138
DIMENSIONS ............................................................ PAGE 139
CAPACITIES .............................................................. PAGE 140
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ................................. PAGE 141
TYRE PRESSURE ....................................................... PAGE 143
128
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134
SUSPENSIONS
FRONT
Independent wheel, MacPherson-
type with lower wishbones anchored
to an auxiliary cross bar.
Coil springs and double action shock
absorbers.
Anti-roll stabiliser bar.
REAR
Torsion axle coil spring.
Stabiliser bar and telescopic dual ef-
fect shock absorber.
BRAKES
SERVICE AND EMERGENCY
BRAKES
Front: disc-type with floating calliper.
Rear: drum and self-centering shoes.
Cross-over hydraulic circuit control.
Vacuum brake booster: 9”.
Four channel ABS system with four
sensors.
Automatic take-up of clearance due
to friction lining wear.
Brake distributor proportioning valve
working on the hydraulic cricuit of the
rear brakes.
HAND BRAKE
Controlled by a lever, it works me-
chanically on the rear brakes.
128-143 03/03/2003 07:39 PM Page 134