2003 FIAT PALIO spark plugs

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).
64-79 03/03/2003 06:45 PM Page 75

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
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107
Thousands of Kilometers 15 3045 6075 90105 120135 150165 180









(*) or every 3 years if the car is used in the following harsh conditions:
- Prolonged use in cold/hot climates, sity driving with prolonged lengths of time at idle speed, driving on dusty roads or roads covered with sand/salt.
- or every 5 years regardless of km covered and use conditions.
NOTE: For every 7,500 km service please refer Owner’s Warranty & Service Policy book.
For every 7,500 km or 6 months (whichever is erlier from previous service) replace engine oil and oil filter.
Top up fluids (engine coolant, brakes, power steering, windscreen washer etc.)
Timing command toothed belt check
Timing command toothed belt replacement
Spark plugs replacement, wire control (*)
Engine control system functionality check
(through autodiagnostic socket)
Change gear/differential gear oil level check
Changing engine oil (every 7,500 km or 6 months)
Replace engine oil filter (every 7,500 km or 6 months)
Brake fluid replacement (or every 24 months)
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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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132
FUEL SUPPLY/ IGNITION
Integrated multipoint electronic in-
jection and ignition system: only one
electronic control unit controls both
functions. It processes both the time
the injection lasts (for petrol meter-
ing) and the ignition advance angle.
Type: Multipoint.
Air cleaner: dry, with paper filtering
element.
Fuel pump: by immersion, in the tank.
Injection pressure 3 barMixture metered by electronic pro-
cessing of the data picked up by the
engine speed sensor and absolute
pressure sensor in the intake manifold.
Petrol metering system : a “Closed
Loop” (information on the combus-
tion trend transmitted by the sensor
Lambda).
Ignition order: 1-3-4-2.
Spark plugs:
Modifications or repairs
to the fuel feed system
that are not carried out
properly or do not take the sys-
tem’s technical specifications in-
to account can cause malfunc-
tions leading to the risk of fire.
LUBRICATION
Forced-feed with gear pump with
pressure relief valve incorporated.
Oil purification through full-flow car-
tridge filter.
COOLING
Cooling system with radiator, cen-
trifugal pump and expansion tank.
Thermostat on the secondary circuit
for recirculating the water from the
engine to the radiator. “By-pass con-
trolled” thermostat.
Electrical fan for cooling the radiator
with connection/disconnection, con-
trolled by a thermostatic switch lo-
cated on the radiator.
Spark plug (type)
1.2
Champion RC7BMCChampion RC8BYC
1.6NGK BKR5EZ
Champion RC10YCC
Bosch FR8DE
Other equivalent Spark plug for 1.6 engine
is Champion RC10YCC.
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147
Spark plugs ................................... 121
Speedometer................................. 33
Starter (specifications) ............... 137
Starting the engine ...................... 65
- Jump starting ......................... 81
- bump starting ........................ 66-82
- ignition switch ....................... 21
- turning off the engine .......... 66
- starting procedure ................ 65
- engine warm up (just
started) ................................... 66
Steering column lock .................. 11-22
Steering column stalks ............... 13-41
Steering........................................... 135
Storing the car ............................. 78
Sun visors ...................................... 47
Suspensions .................................. 134
Symbols .......................................... 4
Technical specifications ........... 128
Third brake light ......................... 91Towing the car ........................... 101
Transmission ................................. 133
Transporting children in
safety .......................................... 29
Tubing ............................................ 123
Tyre pressure ......................... 121-143
Tyres
- specifications........................... 136
- Correct reading .................... 136
- maintenance .......................... 121
- inflation pressure ............ 121-143
- changing the wheel................ 82
Useful accessories ................... 79
Ventilation.................................. 40
Warning lights
- injection system failure ....... 35
- air bag failure ......................... 36- engaged handbrake .............. 35
- direction indicators ............. 36
- low brake-clutch fluid level 35
- low engine oil pressure........ 35
- low battery recharge ......... 35
- main beam headlights .......... 36
- Exterior lights ......................... 36
- unserviceable ABS ................. 36
Weights .......................................... 138
Wheel rims.................................... 136
- correct reading of the rim .. 136
Wheels
- wheel geometry ..................... 136
- specifications........................... 136
- maintenance .......................... 121
- replacement ........................... 82
Windows
- electric window winder .... 15-49
- manual window winder ...... 16-50
- cleaning operation ................. 126
Windscreen washer
- control .................................... 13-42
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