109CAR MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT - Remote control
If when the remote control button
is pressed the doors are not
locked/unlocked or the performed
operation signal (indicator lights on)
does not appear, change the battery,
using spare batteries of the same kind.
IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Should the prevailing use of the car
be under one of the following specially
heavy conditions:
– trailer towing
– dusty roads
– short distances (less than 7-8 km)
repeated and with external tempera-
tures below zero.
– frequently idling engines or long
distance low speed driving (e.g. taxis
or door-to-door deliveries) or in case
of a long term inactivity replace engine
oil more frequently than required on
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PLAN.IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Replace the air cleaner more fre-
quently if the car is used on dusty
roads.
If you are in doubt about how often
the engine oil or the air cleaner should
be changed in relation to how you use
the car, contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT - Battery
The charge in your battery should be
checked, where possible at the start
of the winter, to limit the risk of the
battery electrolyte freezing. This
check should be carried out more fre-
quently if the car is mainly used for
short trips or if it is fitted with acces-
sories that permanently take in elec-
tricity even when the ignition key is
removed, especially in the case of af-
ter market accessories.You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the
SERVICE SCHEDULEin
this chapter if the vehicle is used in
hot climates or particularly demand-
ing conditions.
Maintenance of your car
should be entrusted to a
Fiat Dealership. For ordi-
nary routine maintenance oper-
ations which you are able to
carry out yourself, ensure that
you have the necessary tools and
original Fiat spare parts and flu-
ids available. Do not carry out
servicing operations if you have
no experience.
105-123 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:51 Pagina 109
115CAR MAINTENANCE
Incorrect assembly of
electric and electronic de-
vices may cause severe
damage to your car. Go to a Fiat
Dealership if you want to install
accessories (alarms, mobile
phone, etc.): they will suggest the
most suitable devices and advise
you if a higher capacity battery
needs to be installed.
Batteries contain sub-
stances that can be very
dangerous for the envi-
ronment. t is advisable to have the
battery changed by a Fiat Dealer-
ship where it will be disposed of
according to the law.
If the vehicle must re-
main unused for a long
time at very low temper-
ature, remove the battery and
carry it to a warm place, to avoid
freezing.When you must perform
any operation on the bat-
tery or near it, always pro-
tect your eyes with the special
goggles.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
lengthen its life, observe the follow-
ing indications:
– when you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly;
– switch off all lights inside the car:
the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all internal
lights off automatically;
– do not keep accessories (e.g. sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running;
– before performing any operation
on the electrical system, disconnect
the battery negative cable;
– battery terminals shall always be
perfectly tightened.IMPORTANT If the charge level re-
mains for a long time under 50%, the
battery is damaged by sulphation, re-
ducing its capacity and starting atti-
tude.
The battery will also be more at risk
of freezing (e.g. already at -10°C). Re-
fer to the paragraph “Car inactivity” in
“Starting and driving” if the car is left
parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to
install electric accessories which re-
quire permanent electric supply
(alarm, etc.) contact Fiat Dealership
whose qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable de-
vices, will evaluate the overall electric
absorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is capable of with-
standing the load required, or whether
it should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
Since these devices continue ab-
sorbing energy even when the ignition
key is off, they gradually run down the
battery.
105-123 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:51 Pagina 115
