2003 FIAT PALIO headlights

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
You should read this chapter sitting comfortably in
your new Fiat Palio. This way you can see the parts
described in the handbook at a glance and immediate-
ly check out what you have just read for yourself.
You will quickly become familiar with your Fiat Palio,
and its control and other features. Later, when you start
the engine and join the traffic, you will make a host of
other pleasant discoveries.INSTRUMENTS ......................................................... PAGE 33
WARNING LIGHTS ................................................ PAGE 35
HEATING/
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ............................ PAGE 37
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ....... PAGE 38
STEERING COLUMN STALKS ............................. PAGE 41
CONTROLS ............................................................... PAGE 43
INTERIOR EQUIPMENT ........................................ PAGE 45
DOORS ........................................................................ PAGE 48
BOOT .......................................................................... PAGE 51
BONNET .................................................................... PAGE 54
HEADLIGHTS ............................................................ PAGE 56
ABS ............................................................................... PAGE 56
AIR BAG ...................................................................... PAGE 58
SOUND SYSTEM ....................................................... PAGE 60
AT THE FILLING STATION ................................. PAGE 62
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ............... PAGE 63
20
KEYS ............................................................................. PAGE 21
IGNITION SWITCH ............................................... PAGE 21
INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS ........................................ PAGE 22
SEAT BELTS ............................................................... PAGE 24
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN IN SAFETY ...... PAGE 29
PRETENSIONER ....................................................... PAGE 32
20-63 03/03/2003 06:02 PM Page 20

41
STEERING COL-
UMN STALKS
RIGHT -HAND STALK
This stalk groups together the out-
side lights and direction indicators.
Parking lights can only be switched
on when the ignition key is at
MAR.
When the parking lights are turned
on, the instrument panel and the var-
ious controls located on the dash-
board light up.
Side/taillights fig. 31
They come on when the ring is
moved from
Oto 3. On the in-
strument panel the relevant indicator
will come on
3.
Dipped beam headlights fig. 32
They come on turning the ring from
3to 2.
Main beam headlights fig. 33
They come on when the ring is at 2position, and the stalk is pushed for-
ward towards the dashboard.
Instrument panel indicator
1will-
light up.
Pull the stalk back towards the steer-
ing wheel to switch the beam head-
lights off.
fig. 32
P4E02025
fig. 33
P4E02026
fig. 31
P4E02024
20-63 03/03/2003 06:02 PM Page 41

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

53
If you want to carry a
can of petrol as a reserve,
adhere to the laws in
force. Not following precautions
increases the risk of fire in the
event of an accident. To remove the
parcel shelf
1)
Free the upper extremities A-fig.
61
of the two tie rods, withdrawing
the eyelets from the pins.
2)Free the cover pins A-fig. 62
from their seats Band remove it.
After removing, the cover can be
transversally positioned between the
front seat backs and the tipped chush-
ion of the rear seat.
IMPORTANT If the load in the
boot is fairly heavy and you are trav-
elling at night, check and adjust the
height of the dipped beam headlights
(see“ Headlights” paragraph in this
chapter).
Heavy loads which are
not securely anchored
could seriously injure pas-
sengers in the event of an acci-
dent.
We suggest you do not
drive with the tailgate
open, as the exhaust gas-
es can come inside the car via the
boot.
fig. 62
P4E01750
20-63 03/03/2003 06:03 PM Page 53

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
20-63 03/03/2003 06:03 PM Page 56

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.
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 69

71
DRIVING AT NIGHT
If you are driving at night these are
the main rules to follow:
– Drive carefully: it is harder to dri-
ve at night.
– Slow down especially if the road is
not lit.
– At the first signs of sleepiness, stop:
continuing would be a risk for yourself
and everybody else. Only start driving
again when you have had enough rest
– Keep a greater safety distance from
the cars in front of you than during
daylight hours: it is hard to judge how
fast other cars are going when all you
can see are their lights.
– Make sure the headlight beams are
properly positioned: if they are too
low, they reduce visibility and strain
your eyes. If they are too high they can
dazzle other drivers.
– Only use main beam headlights
when you are driving outside town
and make sure they do not annoy oth-
er drivers.– Dip your headlights as soon as you
see cars coming in the other direction
and pass them with the headlights
dipped.
– Keep all lights clean.
– Be careful of animals crossing the
road when driving in the country.
DRIVING IN THE RAIN
Rain and wet road surfaces spell dan-
ger.
All manoeuvres are more difficult on
a wet road because the grip of the
wheels on the tarmac is greatly re-
duced. This is why braking distances
are much longer and road-holding is
lower.
Here is some advice for driving in the
rain:
– Reduce speed and maintain a
greater safety distance from the cars
in front.
– If it is raining particularly heavily, vis-
ibility is also reduced. In these cases,
switch on the dipped headlights even if
it is still daylight so you can be seen
more easily. – Do not drive through puddles at
speed and hold on tightly to the wheel
if you do: a puddle taken at high speed
might cause you to lose control of the
car (“aquaplaning”).
– Move the ventilation controls to
the position for demisting the win-
dows (see chapter “Getting to know
your car”) to avoid visibility problems.
– Periodically check the condition of
the windscreen wiper blades.
DRIVING IN FOG
– If the fog is thick, do not start out
on a journey.
If driving in mist, blanket fog or when
there is the danger of fog patches:
– Keep your speed down.
– Turn on the dipped headlights and
front foglights, if fitted, even during the
day. Do not drive with your headlights
at main beam.
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 71

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