
30GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
INSTRUMENTS
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE fig. 29
Under normal conditions, the needle
should hover around the middle of the
scale.
If it approaches the red section, it
means that the engine is being over-
taxed and you should reduce your de-
mand on it.
Also travelling too slowly when the
outside temperature is very hot can
cause the needle to approach the red
sector. In this case, it is better to stop
and turn the engine off. After a few
moments you can start the engine
again and accelerate slightly.SPEEDOMETER
fig. 30- left-hand drive versions
fig. 31- right-hand drive versions.
REV COUNTER fig. 32
IMPORTANT The electronic sys-
tem progressively blocks fuel flow to
prevent engine from overrevving. This
will lead to a progressive loss of en-
gine power. If the situation persists
even after the measures
you have taken, turn off
the engine and have the vehicle
seen at a Fiat Dealership.
fig. 29
F0D0150m
fig. 30
F0D0149m
fig. 31
F0D0153m
fig. 32
F0D0151m

38GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL (red)
(where provided)
When the engine coolant in the radi-
ator drops under the minimum level.
n
AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX OIL TOO
HOT (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light shall come on and go off
after about 4 seconds. If the warning
light stays on or comes on when trav-
elling, it indicates that there is a failure
in the gearbox (flashing light) or that
the gearbox oil is too hot (fixed light).
– Fixed light= automatic gearbox
oil max. temperature.
Warning light coming on with fixed
light when travelling indicates that
gearbox oil temperature has reached
the max. set limit; in this case stop the
vehicle, set the gear selector to “N”
or “P” with engine idling, (in this case
engine cooling fans are on), until the
warning light goes off. You can then
continue driving but you should not
tax the engine.
If the warning light comes on again,
stop the vehicle with engine idling and
wait until the warning light goes off.If the warning light comes on again
after less than 15 minutes, stop the ve-
hicle, do not switch off the engine but
wait for proper cooling of the engine
/ gearbox unit (both engine cooling
fans off).
– Flashing light= automatic gear-
box failure.
Warning light flashing at starting or
when travelling indicates a fault in the
automatic gearbox.
Engaging the 3rd gear, the automat-
ic control system starts an “emer-
gency programme”.
Switching the engine off and then on
again, the self-test system could ex-
clude the fault and therefore turn off
the warning light.
Failure is however stored and the au-
tomatic gearbox shall be checked at
a Fiat Dealership.ENGINE COOLANT
TOO HOT (red)
When the engine coolant
temperature exceeds the maximum
set level.
u
t

61GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
IMPORTANTThe heater is
equipped with a thermal switch which
cuts off the heater in the event of
overheating caused by low or leaking
coolant. In this case, press the pro-
gram selection button to start the
heater again after repairing the cool-
ing system fault and/or topping up the
fluid.
The heater can turn itself off after en-
gine ignition or if the flame goes out.
In this case, turn the heater off man-
ually and attempt to turn it back on
again. If you cannot turn the heater on,
contact a Fiat Dealership.Turning the heater on
Before turning the heater on check
that:
– the heating/ventilation unit knob is
turned to “warm air”;
– the heating/ventilation fan speed
knob is at position “2”.Digital timer fig. 86
1) Heater cycle warning light
2)Display light
3)Clock pre-set recall number
4)Clock button
5)Hour forward button
6)Program selection button
7)Hour back button
8) Heat now button
9) Display/adjust time warning light
fig. 86
F0D0133m

123GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
– if you are forced to stop your ve-
hicle (breakdown, limited visibility,
etc.) try to stop off the road. Turn on
the hazard lights and, if possible, the
dipped beam headlights. Rhythmically
sound the horn if you release anoth-
er vehicle is coming.
DRIVING IN THE
MOUNTAINS
– Check fluid levels (oil, brake fluid,
coolant) and tyre wear before driving
in the mountains;
– when driving downhill use the en-
gine braking effect 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 gear in neutral, let alone with
the ignition key out;
– drive at moderate speed and avoid
“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:
– keep your speed down;
– use chains if the roads are covered
with snow;
– do not park the vehicle with the
engine running for long periods of
time: snow could divert exhaust fumes
into the passenger compartment;
– mainly use the braking effect of the
engine and under all circumstances
avoid braking sharply;
– when braking a vehicle 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
stretches that do not get much expo-
sure to the sun or are lined with trees
or rocks where ice might not have
melted;
– keep a good distance from the ve-
hicles in front.
DRIVING WITH ABS
– ABS is a braking system that es-
sentially offers two advantages:
1) It prevents wheel lock and con-
sequent skidding in emergency stops,
particularly when the road does not
offer much grip.
2) it makes it possible to brake and
steer at the same time and direct the
vehicle where you want while braking.

164VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
thousands of kilometres
Replace fuel filter cartridge (Diesel versions)
Replace air cleaner cartridge (Diesel versions)
Replace air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Replace spark plugs (petrol versions)
Top up fluids (engine coolant, brakes, power steering,
battery, windscreen washer, etc.)
Check timing belt conditions (***)
Replace timing belt and various control belts
(or every 48 months) (*)
Check engine control systems via diagnostic socket
Change gearbox - transmission - rear axle oil (4WD version)
Check gearbox/differential oil level (automatic transmission)
Change engine oil (**)
Replace engine oil filter (**)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Replace pollen filter (or every 12 months)
(*) Replace every 240,000 km or every 60 months for 2.3 JTD versions.
(**) Change/replace engine oil filter and oil every 40,000 km for 2.3 JTD versions
(***) Every 120,000 km for 2.3 JTD versions
30 60 90 120 150 180
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165VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
ANNUAL
INSPECTION
SCHEDULE
The following annual inspection
schedule is required for vehicles trav-
elling 15,000 Kmapprox. a year. The
schedule includes the following oper-
ations:
– check tyre condition and wear and
adjust pressure, if required (including
spare wheel);
– check operation of lights (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, boot light, passenger compart-
ment light, instrument panel lights,
etc.);
– check windscreen wiper/washer
and adjust nozzles;
– check position and wear of wind-
screen/rear window wiper blades;
– check front pad conditions and
wear;
– check for bonnet and boot lock
cleanness, lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;– inspect conditions of: engine, gear-
box, transmission, piping (exhaust, fu-
el feed, brakes), rubber parts (boots,
sleeves, bushings, etc.), brake and fu-
el line hoses;
– check battery charge status;
– check conditions of various control
belts;
– check and top up fluid levels (en-
gine coolant, brakes, windscreen
washer, battery, etc.);
– check and top up engine oil;
– replace pollen filter.
ADDITIONAL
CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long
trips, check and top up as necessary:
– engine coolant level
– brake fluid level
– power steering fluid level
– battery electrolyte level
– windscreen washer fluid
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3,000 km or before long
trips, check and top up as necessary:
engine oil
Every 10,000 kmor at cwarning
light coming on (diesel engines only):
bleed water from fuel filter.
You are recommended to use FL
Seleniaproducts designed and pro-
duced for Fiat vehicles (see the “Ca-
pacities” table in the “Technical Spec-
ifications” section).

167VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
1. Engine oil - 2. Battery - 3. Brake fluid -
4. Windscreen washer fluid - 5. Engine
coolant - 6.Power steering fluid
F0D0103m
fig. 2 - 2.0 JTD versions
F0D0102m
fig. 1 - Petrol engine versions
CHECKING
FLUID LEVELS
Be careful not to mix up
the various types of fluids
when you are topping up:
they are mutually incompatible
and could damage the vehicle.
Do not smoke while work-
ing in the engine compart-
ment: the presence of flammable
gas and vapour could cause a fire.
WARNING
Scarves, ties and other
loose articles of clothing
could easily get caught up in mov-
ing parts. This can be extremely
dangerous for the wearer.
WARNING

170VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Engine oil consumption
Maximum engine oil consumption is
approx. 450 grams every 1000 Km.
During the beginning of the vehicle’s
life the engine is tuning in. Engine oil
consumption can only be considered
stabilised after the first 5,000 - 6,000
km.
IMPORTANTEngine oil consump-
tion depends on the conditions the ve-
hicle is being used in.ENGINE COOLANT
Check coolant level when the engine
is cold. The level should be included
between the MIN and MAXrefer-
ence lines on the reservoir.
If the level is low, loosen the expan-
sion tank cap A-fig. 9and top up
slowly through the filler with the flu-
id specified in “Fluids and lubricants”
table in section “Technical Specifica-tions”, until the level approaches the
MAX line; contact Fiat Dealership
for this operation.
Coolant mixture gives freeze pro-
tection to – 40°C.
Used engine oil and re-
placed oil filters contain
substances which can
harm the environment. We rec-
ommend you have the vehicle
seen at a Fiat Dealership for the
oil and filter change. It is suitably
equipped for disposing of used oil
and filters in an environmentally-
friendly way that complies with
the law.
fig. 9
F0D0065m
The cooling system is pres-
surised. If necessary, re-
place the cap with a genuine spare
part to avoid compromising the sys-
tem efficiency.
WARNING
Do not remove the reservoir
cap when the engine is hot:
you risk scalding yourself.
WARNING
Top up only with the
same fluid contained in
the cooling circuit.
PARAFLU UP (red) cannot be
mixed with PARAFLU 11 (blue)
or with other fluids. Should this
take place, donot start the engine
and contact Fiat Dealership.