2003 FIAT PALIO condition air

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

40
RAPID DEMISTING/DEFROST-
ING
The climate system is very useful for
accelerating the demisting, because it
dehumidifies the air. It is sufficient to
adjust the controls for the demisting
operation and activate the climate
control system, pressing the button √
.
Windscreen and side windows
1)
Air temperature knob: pointer in
the red sector (fully turned to the
right) on cold days or in the blue sec-
tor (fully turned to the left) on hot
days.
2)Fan knob: pointer at maximum
speed.
3)Air distribution knob: pointer at
-.
4)Air recirculation switched off,
pointer at -
U.
When the windscreen and the win-
dows have been demisted adjust the
controls to keep the windows as clear
as possible.
Rear window
Press the button
(.
As soon as the rear window is
demisted, we suggest switching off the
device.
VENTILATION
1)
Central and side vents: fully open.
2) Air temperature knob: pointer in
the blue sector.
3) Fan knob: pointer set at the speed
required.
4) Air distribution knob: pointer at
O.
5)Air recirculation pointer: at -
U, equal to air intake from outside.
RECIRCULATION
When the pointer is at T, only in-
ternal air recirculation is activated.
IMPORTANTIn conditions of very
high external air temperature, the re-
circulation operation accelerates the
air cooling. Then, this function is par-
ticularly useful when the outside air
is heavily polluted (in a traffic jam, tun-
nel, etc.). You are advised against us-
ing this function for long periods how-
ever, especially if there are a lot of
people in the car.
IMPORTANTDo not use the re-
circulation function during cold/wet
weather as this will increase the like-
lihood of the windows misting up.
20-63 03/03/2003 06:02 PM Page 40

44
fig. 41
P4E02029
fig. 40
P4E02287
CONTROLS
fig. 40
The buttons located above the cen-
tral air vents.
The controls can only be operated
when the ignition key is at
MAR.
When a function is activated the LED
on the respective button will light up.
Press the button again to switch the
control off.
Heated rear window
Button A: to switch on /off the ther-
mal rear window.
Rear fog light
Button B: These lights can only be
switched on when the dipped beam
headlights or the front foglights are
switched on.
Fog lights
ButtonB: These lights can only be
switched on when the parking lights
are on.
Climate control system
Button C: to switch on/off the air
conditioner.
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
fig. 41
This is a safety cut-off switch which
comes into operation in the case of an
accident to block the supply of fuel
thereby stopping the engine.
If, after an accident, you
can smell petrol or see
that the fuel feed system
is leaking, to avoid the risk of fire,
do not reset the switch.
If you cannot see any fuel leaks and
the car is in a fit state to continue its
20-63 03/03/2003 06:03 PM Page 44

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.
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 72

76
Climate control system
The climate control system is an ad-
ditional load which greatly effects the
engine leading to higher(up to +20%
in average) fuel consumption. When
the temperature outside allows, use
the air vents where possible.
Spoilers
The use of optional extras, which are
not certified for specific use on the car,
may reduce the aerodynamic pene-
tration of the car and increase con-
sumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine when the
car is stationary or at high or low revs:
in this way the engine will warm up
gradually increasing consumption and
emissions. You should drive off slow-
ly straight away avoiding high revs so
that the engine will warm up more
quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving the engine when
stopped at traffic lights or before
switching off the engine and avoid
doubling the clutch as these actions
serve no purpose in modern cars and
only increase consumption and pollu-
tion.
Gear selections
As soon as the traffic and road con-
ditions allow it, shift to a higher gear.
Using a lower gear to liven up accel-
eration greatly increases consumption.
In the same way, improper use of the
higher gears will increase consump-
tion, emissions and wear and tear on
the engine.
Top speed
Fuel consumption increases consid-
erably as speed increases. For exam-
ple, when accelerating from 90 to 120
km/h, fuel consumption increases up
to approximately +30%. Your speed should be kept as even
as possible and superfluous braking
and acceleration avoided as this in-
creases both consumption and emis-
sions. A “smooth” driving style should
be adopted by attempting to anticipate
manoeuvres to avoid imminent danger
and to keep a safe distance from the
vehicle in front to avoid braking
sharply.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the
revs will greatly effect consumption
and emission; acceleration should be
gradual and not exceed the maximum
torque.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Very short distances and 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.
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 76

CAR MAINTENANCE
The Fiat Palio is new throughout, even in its ser-
vicing schedule.
For instance: the first scheduled servicing coupon
is prescribed at 1,000-1,500 kms or 3 months
whichever is earlier from the date of sale of vehicle.
However, it is useful to remember that the car
needs always ordinary attentions such as systematic
control with possible fluid level refuelling, tyre pres-
sure restoration, etc.
You should nonetheless bear in mind that the
proper maintenance of your car is certainly the best
way to keep it in tip-top conditions for years to
come and safeguard its performance and safety fea-
tures, while respecting the environment and keeping
running costs down.
Remember that the scrupulous compliance with
the servicing rules marked by the symbol ∑
can
constitute the condition necessary for the mainte-
nance of the warranty.
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................................... PAGE 105
SCHEDULED SERVICING
PLAN ............................................................................ PAGE 106
ADDITIONAL INTERVENTIONS ....................... PAGE 108
LEVEL CHECK ........................................................... PAGE 110
AIR CLEANER ............................................................ PAGE 116
BATTERY .................................................................... PAGE 117
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS ..................... PAGE 120
SPARK PLUGS ........................................................... PAGE 121
WHEELS AND TYRES ............................................ PAGE 121
RUBBER PIPES ........................................................... PAGE 123
WINDSCREEN/REAR WINDOW WIPER......... PAGE 123
MANUAL CLIMATE SYSTEM ............................... PAGE 125
BODYWORK ............................................................ PAGE 125
INTERIORS ................................................................. PAGE 127
104
104-127 03/03/2003 06:53 PM Page 104

105
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 prepared a se-
ries of maintenance controls and in-
terventions, from 1000-1500, 7500 &
15000 km and so on.
However it is useful to remember
that the Scheduled Servicing does not
completely exhaust all the exigencies
of the car: also in the initial period of
time prior to the coupon of 1000-
1500 km and later on, between one
coupon and an other, the ordinary at-
tentions are always necessary such as
systematic control with possible fluid
level refuelling, tyre pressure restora-
tion etc…
IMPORTANTThe Scheduled Ser-
vicing Coupons are prescribed by the
Manufacturer. The failure in the exe-
cution of the coupons can cause the
cancellation of the warranty.
The service of Scheduled Servicing is
performed by all
Fiat Dealership,
with prefixed times.
If performing each intervention, in
addition to the prescribed operations,
the necessity of further replacements
or repairs occurs, these latter can be
performed only with the explicit
agreement of the Customer.
IMPORTANT We suggest you to
immediately signal to
Fiat Dealer-
ship
possible small operational non
conformities, without waiting for the
next coupon execution.
104-127 03/03/2003 06:53 PM Page 105















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)
104-127 03/03/2003 06:53 PM Page 106