2003 FIAT PALIO fuel consumption

73
ECONOMICAL
RUNNING THAT
RESPECTS THE
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental protection has been
one of the guiding principles in the
production of the Fiat Palio.
It is no accident that its pollution
control equipment is much more ef-
fective than that required by current
legislation.
Nonetheless, the environment can-
not get by without a concerted effort
from everyone.
By following a few simple rules you
can avoid harming the environment
and often cut down fuel consumption
at the same time.
On this subject, a few useful tips have
been given below to supplement those
marked by symbol #
, at various points
of the handbook.
You are asked to read both the for-
mer and the latter carefully.
DRIVING WITH ABS
The ABS is a braking system that es-
sentially offers two advantages:
1)It prevents wheel lock and con-
sequent skidding in emergency stops,
particularly when the road does not
offer much grip.
2)It makes it possible to brake and
steer at the same time so you can
avoid unexpected obstacles and direct
the car where you want while braking.
The extent to which this can be done
will depend on the physical limits of
the tyre’s sideways grip.
To exploit the ABS at best:
– 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 work-
ing. Do not release the brake pedal but
continue to press so as not to inter-
rupt the braking action.– ABS prevents the wheels from lock-
ing but it does not increase actual grip
conditions between tyre and road.
Therefore, even if your car is fitted
with ABS, respect the safety distance
from the car in front of you and keep
your speed down when driving into
bends.
The ABS serves to increase your
control over the car, not to enable
you to go faster.
Warning light >, with
the engine running, nor-
mally indicates a faulting
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.
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75
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
AND POLLUTION
Tyres
Tyre pressure should be checked at
least once 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 in-
creased and handling suffers which will
effect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much load in
the boot. The weight of the car (above
all in the urban traffic)and its trim
greatly effects consumption and sta-
bility.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove roof racks and ski racks
from the roof of the car as soon as
they are no longer needed. These ac-
cessories reduce the aerodynamic
penetration of the car and will increase
consumption.
Electrical devices
Use electric devices for the neces-
sary time only. The heated rear win-
dow, additional lights, windscreen
wipers, heater, fan of the heating sys-
tem require large amounts of elec-
tricity and increasing the request for
power will also increase fuel con-
sumption (up to +25% when driving in
towns). Some suggestions which may help
you to keep the running costs of the
car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere are given below.
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 service
schedule (see sections: spark plugs,
idling, air cleaners, timing).
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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.
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109
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, replace
the air cleaner more frequently than
indicated in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan.
For any doubt on the air cleaner re-
placement, in relation to how the car
is used, contact the
Fiat Dealership.
The maintenance of the
car must be committed
to Fiat Dealership. For
those interventions of ordinary
and small maintenance, always
make sure to have the adequate
equipment, Fiat spare parts and
the consumption fluids; in any
event, do not perform such op-
erations, if you do not have any
experience. IMPORTANT - Fuel filter
Check the conditions of the fuel fil-
ter when changes (choking) are no-
ticed in the engine operation.
IMPORTANT - Battery
We suggest you to carry out the
check of the state of battery charge,
preferably at the beginning of the cold
season in order to avoid the possibil-
ity of freezing the electrolyte.
Such check must be carried out
more frequently if the car is mainly
used for short distances, or if it is
equipped with permanent absorption
users with disconnected key, above all
if applied in after market.
Please refer page no. 52 of 24
hours service assistance booklet
for BAT MOBILE service extend-
ed by M/s. Exide Batteries.You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the service schedulein
this chapter if the car is used in hot cli-
mates or particularly demanding con-
ditions.
24 HOURS SERVICE
CALL - 9628 290 260
This single response num-
ber is available in 9 cities.*
AHMEDABAD - BANGALORE -
KOLKATA - CHENNAI - DELHI -
HYDERABAD - MUMBAI -
PUNE - LUCKNOW
* If you are not in, but near any of the above
cities; Dial city code followed by the single
response numberFor further information about Fiat Service Network please refer 24 Hours Service
AssistanceBooklet provided.
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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
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