2003 FIAT PALIO snow chains

DRIVING YOUR CAR
To help you handle your Fiat Palio in the best and
safest possible way, and above all use it to its fullest
potential, we have given you some hints in this chap-
ter on “what to do, what not to do and what to
avoid” when at the wheel of your Fiat Palio.
In most cases, these behaviours are valid also on
other cars. In other cases, they are related to opera-
tional particularities exclusive to Fiat Palio. It is nec-
essary to pay utmost attention while reading this
chapter, to know the use and driving behaviours
allowing you to derive the maximum from your Fiat
Palio.STARTING THE ENGINE ...................................... PAGE 65
PARKING .................................................................... PAGE 67
USING THE GEARBOX ......................................... PAGE 68
SAFE DRIVING .......................................................... PAGE 68
ECONOMICAL RUNNING THAT RESPECTS
THE ENVIRONMENT .............................................. PAGE 73
CONTAINING RUNNING COST AND
POLLUTION .............................................................. PAGE 75
SNOW CHAINS ....................................................... PAGE 77
STORING THE CAR ................................................ PAGE 78
RECURRENT CHECKS
AND BEFORE LONG DISTANCE TRIPS ......... PAGE 78
ACCESSORIES PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER ..................................................... PAGE 79
USEFUL ACCESSORIES ........................................... PAGE 79
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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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Type of snow chain
to be used
Reduced clearance snow
chains maximum projection off
wheel equal to 12 mm
Versions
1.2 EL-ELX-SPORT
1.6 16V GTX
1.9 EL-ELX
Tyres on which chains
can be fitted
165/80 R13
175/65 R14
165/80 R13
77
Traffic and road conditions
Heavy traffic and higher consumption
are synonymous: for example, when
driving slowly with frequent use of
lower gears or in towns where there
are numerous traffic lights.
Winding roads, mountain roads and
bumpy roads also have a negative effect
on consumption.
Enforced halts
During prolonged stops (traffic lights,
level crossings, etc.) the engine should
be switched off.
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains is regulated
by the legislation in force in the coun-
try the car is driven in.
The chains may only be applied to
the drive wheel tyres (front wheels).
Refer to the following
table for information on
the wheels where snow
chains can be fitted. Follow the
prescriptions.
Check the tautness of the chains af-
ter driving some ten metres.
Keep your speed
down when snow
chains have been
fitted. Do not exceed 50 km/h.
Avoid potholes, do not mount
steps or kerbs and do not travel
long stretches on snow-free roads
otherwise you risk damaging
both your car and the tarmac.
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136
Max speed index
Q
= up to 160 km/h.
R= up to 170 km/h.
S= up to 180 km/h.
T= up to 190 km/h.
U= up to 200 km/h.
H= up to 210 km/h.
V= up to 240 km/h.
W= up to 270 km/h.
Y= up to 300 km/h.
Load index (capacity)
60
= 250 kg
61 = 257 kg
62= 265 kg
63= 272 kg
64= 280 kg
65= 290 kg
66= 300 kg
67= 307 kg
68= 315 kg
69= 325 kg
70 = 335 kg
71= 345 kg
72= 355 kg
73= 365 kg
74= 375 kg
75= 387 kg
76= 400 kg
77= 412 kg
78= 425 kg
79= 437 kg
80= 450 kg
81= 462 kg
82= 475 kg
83= 487 kg
84= 500 kg
85= 515 kg
86= 530 kg
87= 545 kg
88= 560 kg
89= 580 kg
90= 600 kg
91= 615 kg
92= 630 kg
93= 650 kg
94= 670 kg
95= 690 kg
96 = 710 kg
97= 730 kg
98= 750 kg
99= 775 kg
100= 800 kg
101= 825 kg
102= 850 kg
103= 875 kg
104= 900 kg
1CORRECT READING
OF THE RIM fig. 6
The indications, necessary to know
the meaning of the identification ini-
tials printed on the rim, are listed be-
low.
CORRECT READING
OF THE TYRE fig. 6
The indications, necessary to know
the meaning of the identification ini-
tials printed on the tyre, are listed be-
low.
175= Nominal (S, distance in mm
between the sides).
65= height/width ratio (H/S) in per-
centage.
R= Radial tyre.
14= Diameter of the rim in inches
(Ø).
82= Load index (capacity).
T= Max speed index. Example
175/65 R 14 82 S
IMPORTANTThe light alloy
wheels are fixed with specific bolt in-
compatible with any printed steel
wheels, excluding the specific spare
wheel.
SNOW TYRES
Use reduced dimension winter tyres,
see “Snow Chains” chapter.
WHEEL GEOMETRY
Convergence of the front wheel mea-
sured between the rims: –1±1(Power
Steering), +1mm (Mechnical Steering).
The values refer to a car after running in.
WHEELS AND
TYRES
Pressed steel or alloy (as provided)
wheel rims; specific fixing bolts (di-
mensionally different and respective-
ly incompatible) for each of the two
types of rim.
IMPORTANTIn the event of dis-
crepancies between the information in
the Owner Handbook and the Log
Book, consider the specifications giv-
en in the Log Book only.
To ensure safety of the vehicle in
movement, it must be fitted with tyres
of specified size and of the same make
and type on all wheels.
Versions Rim Tyre
1.2 EL-ELX-SPORT5.00Bx13 165/80 R13
1.6 16V GTX51/2 Jx14C(*) 175/65 R14
1.9 D EL-ELX5.00Bx13 165/80 R13
(*) Alloy rims
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146
Main beam headlights
- control ..................................... 13-41
- flashing...................................... 13-42
- bulb replacement ................... 88
Maintenance
- Additional interventions ..... 108
- servicing schedule.................. 105
- servicing schedule plan......... 106
Max speeds ................................... 138
Paintwork identification
plate ............................................ 130
Paintwork
- maintenance .......................... 126
- Identification plate ............... 130
Parking ........................................... 67
Passenger compartment air vents 38
Performances ................................ 138
Periodic checks and before
long distances........................... 78
Plate light ...................................... 92
Power steering fluid level ......... 114
Pretensioners ................................ 32
Protecting emission control
devices ....................................... 74Protecting the environment ..... 63
Raising the car .......................... 99
Ready to start ............................... 8
Rear mirror
- rear view mirrors .................. 14-24
- driving mirror ......................... 23
Rear window washer
- control ..................................... 13-43
- fluid level ................................ 114
Rear window wiper
- controls.................................... 13-43
- blades ...................................... 127
- sprayer ..................................... 124
Rev counter................................... 34
Reversing lights
(bulb replacement) ................. 90
Roof rack ....................................... 55
Safe driving
- travelling ................................. 70
- driving with ABS ................... 73
- driving in rain.......................... 71
- driving at night ...................... 71
- driving in the mountains ...... 72- driving in fog ........................... 71
- driving on snow and ice .... 72
- before driving ........................ 69
Seat belts ........................................ 12-24
- general warnings .................... 27
- use ..................................... 12-24-26
- maintenance .......................... 28
- adjusting the height of the
seat belts ................................ 12-25
Seats
- cleaning .................................... 127
- adjustments ............................. 11-22
Side/tail lights
- control .................................... 13-41
- front bulb replacement ...... 89
- rear bulb replacement.......... 90
Side/tail lights
- control ..................................... 13-42
- front bulb replacement ...... 89
- side bulb replacement ......... 89
- rear bulb replacement.......... 90
Snow chains ................................. 77
Sound system ............................... 60
- aerial ......................................... 62
- standard equipment .............. 61
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