74
If the engine begins to “lose its
smoothless” when travelling, continue
your journey but reduce the demands
you are making on the engine and go
to a
Fiat Dealership as soon as you
can.
When the instrument panel fuel re-
serve warning light comes on, fill up as
soon as possible. A low level of fuel
can cause an uneven supply of fuel to
the engine with the inevitable increase
in the temperature of the exhaust gas
and serious damage to the catalytic
converter.
Never run the engine with one or
more spark plugs disconnected, even
for testing purposes.
Do not warm up the engine by letting
it idle for a while before moving off un-
less the outside temperature is very low
and, even in this case, only do so for less
then 30 seconds.Do not install other heat shields and
do not remove those already fitted to
the catalytic converter and exhaust
pipe.
Do not allow anything to be sprayed
onto the catalytic converter, lambda
sensor and exhaust pipe.
Ignoring the above rules
may lead to fire.
The catalytic converter
develops high tempera-
ture during normal oper-
ation. Do not park the car on
grass, dry leaves, pine needles or
other flammable material: fire
hazard
LOOKING AFTER EMISSION
CONTROL DEVICES
The correct use of pollution control
devices not only ensures respect for
the environment but also has an effect
on the car’s performance.
Keeping these devices in good con-
dition is therefore a fundamental rule
for driving that is easy on your pock-
et and on the environment too.
The first step to take is to follow the
Service Schedule to the letter.
Use only unleaded petrol.
If you have trouble starting, do not
keep turning the ignition key for long
periods. Be especially careful to avoid
bump starting the car by pushing, tow-
ing or rolling downhill: these are all
manoeuvres that can damage the cat-
alytic exhaust. Use an auxiliary battery
for start-ups only (see “Starting with
auxiliary battery” in the chapter “In an
emergency”).
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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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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.
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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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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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116
AIR CLEANER
REPLACEMENT fig. 14
Release the clips A, remove the cov-
er
Band remove the filtering element
C.
fig. 14
P4E01442
The symbol π, present
on the container, indi-
cates synthetic brake flu-
ids distinguishing it from mineral
fluid. Using mineral type fluid
would damage the special rubber
braking system gasket beyond re-
pair.
Do not clean the filter-
ing element. You could
damage it and conse-
quently severely damage the en-
gine.
Replace the cleaner
more frequently than
shown in the Service
Schedule if the car is frequently
used on dusty roads. IMPORTANT
Brake fluid is hy-
groscopic (meaning it absorbs humid-
ity). This is why, the fluid should be
changed more frequently than shown
in the Scheduled Servicing Plan if the
car is mainly driven in areas with high
percentage of humidity in the air.
fig. 15 - 1.9 D versions
P4E02329
DIESEL FILTER
DRAINING THE
CONDENSATE
Drain the condense from the filter
every 5,000 km.
Loosen ring nut
A-fig. 15of some
turns and retighten it when fuel comes
out free from water.
You are however advised to have this
operation performed at a
Fiat deal-
ership.
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121
SPARK PLUGS
The cleanness and soundness of the
spark plugs
fig. 19 are very important
for keeping the engine efficient and
polluting emissions down.
The appearance of the spark plug, if
examined by an expert eye, is a good
way of pinpointing a problem even if it
has nothing to do with the ignition sys-
tem. Therefore, if the engine has prob-
lems, it is important to have the spark
plugs checked at a
Fiat Dealership.
The spark plugs must be
changed at the times
specified in the Service
Schedule. Only use the type of
plugs indicated. If the heat ratio is
less than required or the life spec-
ified is not guaranteed, problems
can arise.
Spark plug (type)
1.2
Champion RC7BMCChampion RC8BYC
1.6NGK BKR5EZ
Champion RC10YCC
Bosch FR8DE
fig. 19
P4E01444
WHEELS AND
TYRES
TYRE PRESSURE
Every two weeks and before long
journeys, check the pressure of each
tyre including the spare.
The pressure must be checked when
the tyre is rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to rise
when you are driving. If you have to
check or to restore the pressure
when the tyres are warm, remember
that the pressure value must be 0.3
bar above the specified value.
Tyre pressure must be
correct to ensure good
road holding.
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123
RUBBER TUBING
Follow the Service Schedule to the
letter as concerns supply line, power
steering and brake system rubber tub-
ing. Ozone, high temperatures and
long absence of fluid in the system can
in fact cause the hardening and crack-
ing of the pipes with possible loss of
fluid. A careful check is therefore es-
sential.
WINDSCREEN/
REAR WINDOW
WIPER
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part
with suitable products.
Change the blades if the rubber edge
is warped or worn out. You should in
any case change them approximately
once a year.– Remove any snow that has settled
on the glass: besides saving the blades
you will avoid straining the electric
windscreen wiper motor and causing
it to overheat.
– Do not operate the wind-
screen/rear window wipers on dry
glass.
Replacing the windscreen wiper
blades fig. 21
1)
Lift the windscreen wiper arm A
off the glass and position the blade
so as to form a 90° angle with the arm.
2) Push the blade downwards to re-
lease it from the arm
A.
3) Refit a new blade, inserting the
tongue on the proper set of the arm.
Make sure that is locked.
Travelling with worn
wiper blades is dangerous
because it reduces visibil-
ity in bad weather.
Some simple steps can reduce po-
tential damage to the blades:
– If the temperature falls to below
zero, make sure the rubber blade is
not frozen to the glass. If necessary,
free it with a de-icing compound.
fig. 21
P4E01818
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