Traffic situations and road
conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied to
situations with heavy traffic, for example
in queues with frequent use of the lower
gears or in cities with many traffic lights.
Also winding mountain roads and rough
road surfaces adversely affect consump-
tion.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g.: level
crossings) the engine should be switched
off.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car
must be fitted with a certified tow hook
and an adequate electric system. Installa-
tion should be carried out by specialised
personnel who release a special document
for circulation on the road.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-
view mirrors as specified by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the brak-
ing spaces increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill,
rather than constantly using the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car
tow hook reduces by the same amount
the actual car loading capacity. To make
sure the maximum towable weight is not
exceeded (given in the log book) account
should be taken of the fully laden trailer,
including accessories and personal be-
longings. Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
with speed. Avoid superfluous braking and
accelerating, which cost in terms of both
fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the revs
will greatly affect consumption and emis-
sions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do
not allow the engine to reach optimum
operating temperature. This results in a
significant increase in consumption levels
(from +15 to +30% on the urban cycle)
and emission of harmful substances.
131
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel accord-
ing to any additional and/or integrative in-
formation supplied by the Manufacturer of
the device.
The towing device must meet current reg-
ulations with reference to 94/20/EC Di-
rective and subsequent amendments.
For any version the towing device used
must match the towable weight of the car
on which it is to be installed.
For the electric connection a unified con-
nector should be used which is generally
placed on a special bracket normally fas-
tened to the towing device, and a special
ECU for external trailer light control shall
be installed on the car.
For the electrical connection, 7 or 13 pin
12VDC connection is to be used (CU-
NA/UNI and ISO/DIN Standards). Follow
the instructions provided by the car man-
ufacturer and/or the tow hitch manufac-
turer.An electric brake should be supplied di-
rectly by the battery through a cable with
a cross section of no less than
2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT Electric brake or other de-
vice shall be used with running engine.
In addition to the electrical branches, the
car’s electric system can only be con-
nected to the supply cable for an electric
brake and to the cable for an internal light,
though not above 15W.
For connections use the preset control
unit with battery cable no less than 2.5
mm
2. Do not exceed the speed limits of the
country you are driving in. In any case do
not exceed 100 km/h.
It is recommended to use a proper tow-
ing stabiliser on the trailer drawbar.
132
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
The ABS system with which
the car may be fitted does
not control the trailer braking system.
Drive with extreme care on slippery
roadbeds.
WARNING
Under no circumstances
should the car brake system
be altered to control the trailer brake.
The trailer braking system must be
fully independent of the car hydraulic
system.
WARNING
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM fig. 7
The tow hook structure must be fastened using a total of 4 M10 screws
(A).
Thickness of upper plates, left Band right C, shall be 6 mm min.
Thickness of lower plates, left Eand right F, shall be 8 mm min.
The hook should be fastened to the body avoiding any type of drilling
and trimming of the rear bumpers that remains visible when the hook
is removed.
IMPORTANT It is compulsory to fasten a label (plainly visible) of suit-
able size and material with the following wording:
MAX LOAD ON BALL 70 kg
After fitting, screw holes shall be sealed to prevent exhaust gas inlet.
133
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
fig. 7F0L0236m
EXHAUST OIL
(Multijet versions)
The warning light with turn on
flashing together with the mes-
sage on the display when the system de-
tects that the engine oil is exhaust.
After the first indication, at each engine
starting the warning light
vwill go on
flashing for 60 seconds and then for 2
hours until oil is changed.
140
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
❒Car heavy duty(e.g.: towing trailer
uphill of fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on,
stop the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes
leaving the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated to further activate the cir-
culation of the coolant fluid, then
switch the engine off. Check proper
coolant level as described previously.
IMPORTANT Under severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly accel-
erated for few minutes before switching it
off.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
Turning the key to ONthe
warning light turns on, but it should go out
as soon as the engine is started (with the
engine running at idle speed a brief delay
in going out is allowed).
If the warning light stays on contact im-
mediately Fiat Dealership.
w
INEFFICIENT ABS
SYSTEM (amber)
Turning the key to ONthe
warning light turns on, but it should go off
after few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the sys-
tem is inefficient or unavailable. In this case
the braking system keeps its effectiveness
unchanged, but without the potential of-
fered by the ABS system. Caution is ad-
visable and it is necessary to contact Fiat
Dealership.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
>
INEFFICIENT
EBD
ELECTRONIC
BRAKING
DISTRIBUTOR (red) (amber)
The turning on at the same time of warn-
ing lights
xand >with the engine run-
ning indicates an EBD system failure or
that the system is unavailable; in this case
heavy braking may cause the rear wheels
to lock before time, with the possibility of
skidding. Drive with the utmost care to
the nearest Fiat Dealership to have the
system checked.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
x>
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to ON
the warning light turns on, but it should go
off after few seconds.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
v
v
If the warning light vturns on when travelling to-
gether with the message on the dis-
play, stop the engine immediately
and contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
149
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
JUMP STARTING .................................................................... 150
BUMP STARTING .................................................................. 151
IF A TYRE IS PUNCTURED ................................................ 151
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB .................... 157
IF AN EXTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT .......................... 161
IF AN INTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ........................... 166
IF A FUSE BLOWS ................................................................. 169
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT ................................................... 180
JACKING THE CAR .............................................................. 180
TOWING THE CAR ............................................................ 181
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
151
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Wheel changing and correct use of the
jack and space-saver spare wheel call for
some precautions as listed below.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine (by pushing,
towing, or coasting downhill) as this could
cause fuel to flow into the catalytic exhau-
st system and damage it beyond repair.
Remember that the brake booster and the
power steering system are not operating
until the engine is started, a greater effort
will therefore be required to press the
brake pedal or to turn the steering wheel.
Alert other drivers that the
car is stationary in com-
pliance with local regulations: hazard
warning lights, warning triangle etc.
Any passengers on board should lea-
ve the car, especially if it is heavily la-
den. Passengers should stay away
from oncoming traffic while the
wheel is being changed on. If the
wheel is being changed on a steep or
badly surfaced road, place the wed-
ges or other suitable material under
the wheel to stop the car.
WARNING
The space-saver spare wheel
is specific to your car, do not
use it on other models, or use the spa-
re wheel of other models on your car.
The space-saver spare wheel shall
only be used in an emergency.
It shall only be used for the distance
necessary to reach a service point and
the car speed shall not exceed 80
Km/h. The spare wheel has an oran-
ge sticker that summarises the main
cautions for use and limitations. The
sticker should never be removed or
covered.
Never fit a wheel cap on a space-sa-
ver spare wheel. The sticker gives the
following information in four langua-
ges: caution! For temporary use only!
80 km/h max! Replace by normal
wheel as soon as possible. Do not co-
ver this label.
WARNING
157
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WHEN NEEDING TO
CHANGE A BULB
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
❒When a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before changing a bulb. For the loca-
tion of fuses, refer to the paragraph “If
a fuse blows” in this section;
❒Before changing a bulb check the con-
tacts for oxidation;
❒Burnt bulbs must be replaced by
others of the same type and power;
❒Always check the height of the head-
light beam after changing a bulb.
❒Stow the container C-fig. 12, com-
plete with tools in the boot;
❒Place the space-saver spare wheel B-
fig. 11in the space provided for the
purpose inside the boot and secure it
with the clamping device A-fig. 11.
fig. 12F0L0219m
Halogen bulbs must be hand-
led touching only the metal-
lic part. If the transparent bulb
is touched with the fingers, its
lighting intensity is reduced and life of
the bulb may be compromised. If tou-
ched accidentally, rub the bulb with a
cloth moistened with alcohol and allow
to dry.
Modifications or repairs to
the electrical system (elec-
tronic control units) carried out in-
correctly and without bearing the fea-
tures of the system in mind can cau-
se malfunctions with the risk of fire.
WARNING
Halogen bulbs contain pres-
surised gas which, if broken,
may cause small fragments of glass to
be projected outwards.
WARNING
181
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TOWING THE CAR
The tow ring provided with the car is hou-
sed in the tool box under the boot mat.
TOW RING HOOKING fig. 47-48
Proceed as follows:
❒release the cap A;
❒take the tow hook Bfrom its support;
❒tighten the ring on the rear or front
threaded pin.
Refer to the specific chapter for towing
cars fitted with electronic automatic tran-
smission.
fig. 46F0L0098mfig. 47F0L0178m
fig. 48F0L0179m