91
ADDITIONAL HEATER
(Optional, for diesel versions, where
applicable)
The additional heater makes it possible
to integrate heating of the engine coolant
fluid, immediately after starting the en-
gine and when travelling, to more quickly
reach and maintain the optimum operat-
ing temperature of the engine and pas-
senger compartment heater.
The device works completely automati-
cally and it is activated only when the en-
gine is running with an outside tempera-
ture of +5°C or less and a coolant fluid
temperature below 60°C.
When the coolant fluid reaches 61°C,
the electronic control unit reduces the
power of the burner and stops the heater
when a temperature of 72°C is reached,
reactivating it automatically when the flu-
id temperature falls below 60°C. Con-
versely, if after reducing the power of the
burner, the fluid temperature begins to
fall, the control unit cuts in to restore full
power.The system comprises:
– a fuel oil burner for heating the water
and a combustion gas exhaust silencer.
– A batching pump connected to the car
reservoir pipes to supply the burner.
– An electronic control unit for control-
ling burner adjustment.
– An outside temperature sensor.IMPORTANT The heater is fitted with
a thermal limiting device which cuts off
combustion in the event of overheating
due to lack/leaks of coolant fluid.
The heater is also protected by the auto-
matic fuel cut-off switch, which shuts off
the fuel in the event of a crash of a cer-
tain size: to see how this works see the
“automatic fuel cut-off switch” para-
graph.
139
DRIVING UNDER ADVERSE
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Rain and fog can be extremely danger-
ous if the style of driving is not adapted
to suit these conditions. Some sugges-
tions are given below:
– if the road is wet, the friction be-
tween wheel and asphalt is greatly re-
duced thus increasing the stopping dis-
tance and decreasing road holding when
cornering.
Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– Heavy rain and fog reduce visibility.
Headlights should be switched on as the
road traffic laws and common sense dic-
tate, above all to render yourself visible
to others.
– Do not drive over puddles or flooded
roads at high speed as the aquaplaning
phenomenon may cause you to loose
control over the vehicle.
– If visibility is already reduced prevent
it from worsening by ensuring that the
windows do not steam up. Use the heat-
ing-ventilation controls as indicated in the
chapter “Know your vehicle”.– Check the condition of the windscreen
wiper blades.
– If fog is very thick avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling cannot be
avoided drive with extreme care and
moderate your speed. Avoid overtaking.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop owing
to a malfunction or zero visibility condi-
tions, pull off the road, switch on the haz-
ard warning lights and if possible, the
dipped-beam headlights.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING
Mountain driving requires a greater de-
gree of concentration. Some practical
hints follow:
– Before driving off check the level of
fluids (engine oil, brakes, coolant) and
the state of the tyres.
– When travelling down hill use the en-
gine braking by engaging lower gears to
prevent the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast downhill with the engine
off or in neutral and especially not with
the ignition key removed.
– Drive at a moderate speed and avoid
cutting corners.– Remember that overtaking uphill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being
overtaken on a hill move over to enable
the other vehicle to pass in safety.
WINTER DRIVING
If the temperature falls below 0°C or in
the presence of snow or ice the following
recommendations should be followed:
– Before driving off check that the
windscreen wipers are not frozen to the
windscreen.
– Remove the snow from the air intake
(grille) at the base of the windscreen.
– Do not stop long on deep snow with
the engine running: the snow might di-
vert the exhaust gas carbon monoxide in-
to the passenger compartment.
– Ensure that brakes and tyres are in
perfect working order.
–Ensure that the detergent liquid locat-
ed in the windscreen/headlight washers
has been topped up with anti-freeze and
anti-scale additives.
– Use engine braking where possible
and avoid abrupt braking.
