
The CODE card fig. 4is also sup-
plied with the keys and it bears the fol-
lowing:
A- the electronic code to be used
for emergency starting (see “Emer-
gency start-up” in the “In an emer-
gency” section);
B- the mechanical key code to be
given to the Fiat Dealershipwhen
ordering duplicate keys.
Keep the CODE card in a safe place.
You should always have the elec-
tronic code number written on the
CODE card with you at all times in
case you need to perform an emer-
gency start-up. OPERATION
Each time the ignition key is turned
to STOP, or PARK, the protection
system will automatically immobilise
the engine.
When the key is turned to MARto
start the engine:
1)If the code is recognised the Y
fig. 5warning light on the instrument
panel will flash briefly: this means that
the protection system has recognised
the key code and disabled the engine
immobiliser. Turn the key to AVV, to
start.
2)If the Ywarning light stays on,
the code was not recognised. In this
case, turn the key to STOPand then
back to MAR. If the engine remains
immobilised, try with the other keys
provided.
fig. 5
F0D0191m
All the keys and the
CODE card must be
handed over to the new
owner when selling the vehicle.
8GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The key B, with a built-in remote
control, has the same functions as key
Ain vehicles with door lock/unlock
remote control.
IMPORTANTIn order to ensure
perfect efficiency of the electronic de-
vices contained inside the keys, they
should never be exposed to direct
sunlight.
U.K. Vehicles only
At the behest of the motor Insurance
Companies the CODE card for emer-
gency starting and remplacement of
keys is not provided. If you need as-
sistance please contact your nearest
Fiat Dealershipor telephone Free
Phone 0800 717000.
fig. 4
F0D0001m

27GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
IMPORTANTFor foreign markets
(Italy excluded), the cabs of vehicles
for carrying goods are suitable for fit-
ting child restraint systems of the
“Universal” category, according to Eu-
ropean Standard ECE-R44 for the tab-
ulated groups.
IMPORTANTFor Italian market
only (foreign countries excluded), the
cabs of vehicle for carrying passengers
(combi and panorama), are suitable for
fitting child restraint systems of the
“Universal” category, according to Eu-
ropean Standard ECE-R44 for the tab-
ulated groups.
Below is a summary of the rules
of safety to be followed for car-
rying children:
1) The recommended position for
installing child’s seat is on the rear seat,
as it is the most protected in the case
of a crash;2) In vehicles fitted with passenger
airbag, neverplace child’s restraint
systems on the front seat.
3) If the passenger’s airbag is deac-
tivated always check the warning light
Fon the instrument panel to make
sure that it has actually been deacti-
vated.
4) Attain to the instructions for fas-
tening the specific child restraint sys-
tem which you are using. These in-
structions must be provided by the
manufacturer. Keep the child restraint
system installation instructions with
the vehicle documents and with this
Handbook. Never use a child restraint
system without installation instruc-
tions.
5) Always check the seat belt is well
fastened by pulling the webbing.
6) Only one child is to be strapped
to each retaining system.
7) Always check the seat belts do
not fit around the child’s throat.8) While travelling, do not let the
child sit incorrectly or release the
belts.
9)Passengers should never carry
children on their laps. No-one, how-
ever strong they are, can hold a child
in the event of a crash.
10) Replace the child restraint sys-
tem after an accident.
With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle facing back-
wards since the air bag activation
could cause to the child serious in-
juries, even mortal, regardless of the
seriousness of the crash that trig-
gered it. You are advised to carry
children always with proper re-
straint systems on the rear seats, as
this is the most protected position
in the case of a crash.
WARNING

92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
SIDE BAGS fig. 142
The purpose of the side bag is to
protect the front seat passenger’s
chest in the event of a side impact of
medium to high degree.
The device consists of a bag housed
in the front seat backs which imme-
diately inflates. This solution ensures
that the bag is in an optimal position
regardless of the seat position.
In the event of a side impact, the con-
trol unit processes the signals from a
deceleration sensor and fires the side
bag.
The bag inflates instantly and acts as
a soft protective barrier between the
front seat passenger’s chest and vehi-
cle door. The bag deflates immediate-
ly afterwards.
fig. 142
F0D0042m
fig. 140
F0D0163m
Manual deactivation
Should it be absolutely necessary to
carry a child on the front seat, the pas-
senger’s airbag can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand oper-
ating it in the special key switch on the
left side of the tachograph.
IMPORTANTOperate the switch
only when the engine is not running
and the ignition key is removed.The key-operated switch (A-
fig. 140) has two positions:
– front passenger’s airbag on (posi-
tion ON
P): instrument panel warn-
ing light off F; it is absolutely pro-
hibited to carry a child on the front
seat.
– front passenger’s airbag off (posi-
tion OFF F): instrument panel
warning light on F; it is possible to
carry a child protected by special re-
straint system on the front seat.
The instrument panel warning light
F(B-fig. 141) stays on permanent-
ly until the passenger’s airbag is reac-
tivated.
Deactivation of the front passenger’s
airbag does not inhibit operation of
the side airbag.
fig. 141
F0D0227m

95GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The correct operation of
front and side airbags and
pretensioners is only ensured if the
vehicle is not overloaded.
WARNINGEOBD SYSTEM
(petrol versions only)
The EOBD (European On Board Di-
agnosis) system fitted on the vehicle
complies with Directive 98/69/CE
(EURO 3).
This system continuously monitors
the engine emission system compo-
nents. Furthermore, the system warns
the driver of deterioration concerning
the emission system components by
means of the Uwarning light on the
instrument panel.
The objective is to:
– monitor system efficiency;
– warn when failures can increase
emissions over the threshold estab-
lished by the European regulations;
– warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
Remember that with the
key engaged and in the
MAR position, even with the en-
gine not running, the airbags may
be triggered on a stationary vehi-
cle if it is bumped by another mov-
ing vehicle. Therefore, never seat
children on the front seat even
when the vehicle is stationary. On
the other hand, remember that
with the vehicle stationary, with-
out the key engaged and turned,
the airbags are not triggered in the
event of an impact; in these cases,
failure to come into action of the
airbags cannot be considered as a
sign that the system is not working
properly.
WARNING
On vehicles equipped with
side bags, do not cover the
backrest of the front seats with
trims or covers.
WARNING
The airbag does not substi-
tute the seat belts, but on-
ly increases their effectiveness.
Moreover, since the front airbags
do not come into operation in the
event of front impact at low speed,
side collisions, bumps from behind
or overturning, in these circum-
stances the occupants would only
be protected by the seat belts which
must therefore always be fastened.
WARNING
Do not wash the seat back
in vehicles with side bags
with pressurised steam or water in
automatic seat washing station.
WARNING

115GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
Moving the lever back to position D
the gearbox instantly resumes the au-
tomatic mode selecting the ratio ac-
cording to the driving characteristics.
IMPORTANTThe electronic con-
trol unit is programmed to change
gear one at a time, therefore repeat-
ed fast actuations will not result in re-
peated engagements of the gears. The
higher or lower gear is engaged mov-
ing the lever to the (+) or (–) position
when the previous request has been
performed.
In the event of a fault to the sequen-
tial manual system, the system will se-
lect the automatic mode.FAILURE INDICATIONS
Automatic gearbox faults are indi-
cated by the warning light A-fig. 9 on
the instrument panel.
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light should turn on and go
out after about 4 seconds. If the warn-
ing light stays on or if turns on when
travelling, this indicates a gearbox fault
(flashing light) or gearbox oil over-
heating (steadily glowing light).– Warning light glowing steadi-
ly= automatic gearbox oil maximum
temperature.
If the warning light turns on and
glows steadily when travelling, this in-
dicates that the gearbox oil has
reached the maximum temperature.
You are therefore advised to stop the
vehicle with the engine at idle speed
and gearshift lever in “N” or “P” (in
this case engine cooling fans are on),
until the warning light goes out and re-
sume your journey without pushing
the engine to peak performance.
If the warning light turns on again, it
is necessary to stop again with the en-
gine idling until it goes out.
If there are less than 15 minutes be-
tween one turning on of the warning
light and the next, you are advised to
stop the vehicle, do not switch off the
engine but allow the engine-gearbox
unit to cool down completely (both
engine cooling fans off).
fig. 9
F0D0192m