27GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
If the ¬warning light
does not turn on when
turning the ignition key
to MAR or if it stays on when
travelling, this could indicate a
failure in safety retaining sys-
tems; under this condition air
bags or pretensioners could not
trigger in the event of collision
or, in a restricted number of
cases, they could trigger acci-
dentally. Stop the car and con-
tact Fiat Dealership to have the
system checked immediately.AIRBAG FAILURE
(red)
This warning light is
found in cars fitting two airbags (dri-
ver’s side and passenger’s side) and in
cars fitting an electronic driver’s side
airbag system. The warning light will
come on to indicate a system failure.
û
BATTERY NOT
RECHARGING
PROPERLY (red)
When there is a fault in the current
generating system.
When the key is turned to MAR the
light comes on but should go out the
moment the engine is started.
w
001-069 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:49 Pagina 27
41GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
HORN
Press one of the two area on the
steering wheel shown in fig. 48.FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
This is a safety cut-off switch which
comes into operation in the case of an
accident to block the supply of fuel
thereby stopping the engine.
If, after a crash, you can
smell fuel or see leaks
from the fuel system , no
not reset the switch to avoid fire
risk.
fig. 48
P4Q01057
If you cannot see any fuel leaks and
the car is in a fit state to continue its
journey, press button A-fig. 49lo-
cated in the engine compartment on
the dashboard bulkhead to reactivate
the fuel supply system, as illustrated.
Remember to turn the key to
STOPto avoid deploying the battery.
fig. 49
P4Q00176
001-069 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:49 Pagina 41
71DRIVING YOUR CAR
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the Fiat CODE system fails to
recognise that code transmitted by
the ignition key (instrument panel
warning light ¢on) the emergency
start-up can be performed by using
the CODE card code.
See the
IN AN EMERGENCY. A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive
it is better to allow the engine to
“catch its breath” before turning it off,
by letting it idle to allow the temper-
ature in the engine compartment to
fall.
PARKING
Switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and put the car in 1st gear
if the car is pointing uphill, reverse if
downhill.
If the car is parked on a steep gradi-
ent it is a good idea to use a stone or
wedge to block the wheels.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MARbecause it drains the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car. Bump starting by push-
ing, towing or rolling
downhill must be avoided
at all costs. This way of starting
could cause a rush of fuel into the
catalytic exhaust pipe and dam-
age it beyond repair.
Remember that as long
as the engine is not run-
ning, the power brakes
and power steering do not work.
You therefore have to use con-
siderably more effort on both the
brake pedal and the steering
wheel. SWITCHING OFF
THE ENGINE
Turn the key to STOPwhile the
engine is idling.
Never leave unsuper-
vised children in the car.
070-082 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 71
76DRIVING YOUR CAR
LOOKING AFTER EMISSION
CONTROL DEVICES
The correct use of pollution control
devices not only ensures respect for
the environment but also has an effect
on the car’s performance. Keeping
these devices in good condition is
therefore a fundamental rule for dri-
ving that is easy on your pocket and
on the environment too.
The first step to take is to follow the
Service Schedule to the letter.
If your car has a petrol engine use
only unleaded petrol.
If you have trouble starting, do not
keep turning the ignition key for long
periods. Be especially careful to avoid
bump starting the car by pushing, tow-
ing or rolling down hill: these are all
manoeuvres that can damage the cat-
alytic exhaust. For emergency starts
use only an auxiliary battery.If the engine begins to “lose its
smoothness” when travelling, con-
tinue your journey but reduce the de-
mands you are making on the engine
and go to a Fiat Dealershipas soon
as you can.
When the instrument panel fuel re-
serve warning light comes on, fill up as
soon as possible. A low level of fuel
can cause an uneven supply of fuel to
the engine with the inevitable increase
in the temperature of the exhaust gas
and serious damage to the catalytic
converter.
Never run the engine with one or
more spark plugs disconnected, even
for testing purposes.
Do not warm up the engine by let-
ting it idle for a while before moving
off unless the outside temperature is
very low and, even in this case, only
do so for less than 30 seconds.Do not install other heat shields
and do not remove those already fit-
ted to the catalytic converter and
exhaust pipe.
When functioning nor-
mally the catalytic con-
verter reaches high tem-
peratures. For this reason do not
park the car over flammable ma-
terial (grass, dry leaves, pine nee-
dles etc.): fire hazard.
Ignoring the above rules
may lead to fire.
Do not allow anything to
be sprayed onto the cat-
alytic converter, Lambda
sensor or exhaust pipe.
070-082 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 76
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
116CAR MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANTIf the sound system
or car alarm systems are not installed
correctly, they can interfere with the
working of the electronic control
units. ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITS
When the car is being used normally,
special measures are not necessary.
The following instructions must be
followed very carefully, however, if
you work on the electrical system or
in cases where emergency starting is
necessary:
– Never disconnect the battery from
the electrical system while the engine
is running.
– Disconnect the battery from the
electrical system if you are recharg-
ing it.
– Never perform emergency starts
with a battery charger. Always use an
auxiliary battery.Modifications or repairs
to the electrical system
carried out incorrectly
and without bearing the features
of the system in mind can cause
malfunctions with the risk of fire.
– Be particularly careful when con-
necting the battery to the electrical
system. Ensure the battery posts are
connected up to the right leads (the
polarity is correct) and check that the
connection has been made properly.
– Do not connect or disconnect the
terminals of the electronic units while
the ignition key is at MAR.
– Do not check polarity through
sparking.
– Disconnect the electronic units if
you are electrically welding the car
body. Remove the units if tempera-
tures exceed 80°C (special operations
on the bodywork etc.).
105-123 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:51 Pagina 116