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
77DRIVING YOUR CAR
TOWING
A TRAILER
IMPORTANTThe car must be fit-
ted with a homologated tow hitch and
suitable electrical system for towing a
caravan or trailer.
Installation must be carried out by
skilled personnel who will provide
specific documentation for authoris-
ing use on roads.
Fit special wing mirrors in accor-
dance with the highway code.
Remember that towing a trailer
makes it harder for the car to climb
the maximum gradients specified.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill rather than constantly brak-
ing.
The weight that the trailer exerts on
the car tow hitch coupling reduces the
car carrying capacity by the same
amount. To ensure you do not exceed the
maximum towable weight (indicated
in the log book) you have to take into
account the trailer’s weight fully laden
including the accessories and personal
luggage.
Respect the speed limits enforced in
the country where you are towing the
trailer.TOW HITCH INSTALLATION
The tow hitch must be fixed to the
body by an expert in accordance with
the following instructions and re-
specting the additional and/or integra-
tive information provided by the tow
hitch manufacturer. The tow hitch to
be fitted must comply with the cur-
rent regulations in force with refer-
ence to Directive 94/20/EEC and
amendments. Use a tow hitch suited
for the maximum towable load of the
car version on which the tow hitch is
to be fitted.
Use a unified coupling for the elec-
trical connections. The coupling is
generally fitted on a specific mount
fastened to the tow hitch. The ABS system, if fit-
ted on the car, does not
control the trailer brak-
ing system. Therefore be extra
careful on slippery surfaces.
Under no circumstances
modify the car braking
system for trailer braking
control. The trailer’s braking sys-
tem must be completely inde-
pendent of the car’s hydraulic
system.
070-082 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 77
85IN AN EMERGENCY
BUMP STARTING IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
General instructions
Observe the instructions on this and
the following pages to use the jack and
space-saver spare wheel correctly. The space-saver spare
wheel is vehicle-specific.
Never use the wheel on
other models. Never fit other
model spare wheels on your car.
If you change the type of wheels
(alloy rims instead of steel rims)
you will have to change the en-
tire set of fastening bolts with an-
other set of suitably sized bolts.
Only use the spare-saver wheel
for emergencies. Do not exceed
80 km/h with the spare wheel fit-
ted. When driving with a space-
saver spare wheel fitted, the dri-
ving performance of your car
may change. Avoid accelerating
or braking suddenly, steering
abruptly or fast cornering.
A space-saver spare wheel has a
maximum life of 3,000 km after
which is must be replaced with a
wheel of the same type. Do not bump start by
pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill. This way of
starting could cause a rush of fuel
into the catalytic exhaust pipe
and damage it beyond repair.
Remember that until
the engine has started
the brake booster and
power steering systems will not
work and a greater effort will
therefore be required to press
the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
Alert other drivers that
the car is stationary in
compliance with local
regulations: hazard warning
lights, warning triangle etc.
Any passengers on board should
leave the car, especially if it is
heavily laden. Passengers should
stay away from oncoming traffic
while the wheel is being changed.
If the wheel is being changed on
a steep or badly surfaced road,
place wedges or other suitable
material under the wheels to
stop the car.
083-104 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 85
103IN AN EMERGENCY
Before starting to tow,
turn the ignition key to
MAR and then to STOP.
Do not remove the key. If the
key is removed, the steering lock
engages automatically which pre-
vents the wheels being turned.
While the car is being
towed with the engine
off, remember that the
brake pedal and steering will re-
quire more effort as you no
longer have the benefit of the
power brakes and power steer-
ing. Do not use flexible cables to
tow. Avoid jerking. Whilst tow-
ing, ensure that the coupling to
the vehicle does not damage the
surrounding components.
The car can be lifted
from the side providing
the hydraulic jack arm is
fitted with a special bracket in
the plate housing.
WITH AN ARM HOIST
Jack up the car by arranging the ends
of the arms in the areas shown in
fig. 45.
IF THE CAR NEEDS
TO BE TOWED
A tow hitch is provided with the car.
To fasten the tow hitch:
1)Take the tow eye from the spare
wheel in the boot.
When towing the car,
you must comply with
the specific traffic regula-
tions regarding the tow hitch and
how to tow on the road.
fig. 45
P4Q00138
From the side
083-104 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 103
104IN AN EMERGENCY
2)Remove the flap A-fig. 46 on the
bumper levering with a screwdriver.4) Remove the flap A-fig. 48on the
rear bumper levering with a screw-
driver in the point shown by the ar-
row and fasten the ring fully B-fig. 49
on the threaded pin which appears
when the cover is removed .
This device is used for towing an-
other vehicle.
fig. 47
P4Q00140
fig. 46
P4Q00139
fig. 49
P4Q00142
fig. 48
P4Q00141
3)Screw the ring B-fig. 47 down
fully onto the threaded pin that you
will see when you remove the cover.
083-104 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 104
105CAR MAINTENANCE
If the vehicle is often
used for towing a trailer,
the scheduled servicing
will be required more frequently.
C C
A A
R R
M M
A A
I I
N N
T T
E E
N N
A A
N N
C C
E E
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is
essential for ensuring it stays in tip-top
condition for a long time to come.
This is why Fiat has programmed a
number of service checks and opera-
tions every twenty thousand kilome-
tres.
It is however important to remem-
ber that
SCHEDULED SERVICINGis not all
your vehicle requires. Regular
checked - also in the initial period be-
fore the 20,000 kilometre coupon and
later between coupons - ordinary care
is required, such as checking fluid lev-
els and topping up, checking tyre in-
flation pressure, etc. IMPORTANTThe Manufacturer
requires the Service Schedule coupon-
related checks to be carried out. Fail-
ure to do so could result in the war-
ranty being cancelled for those defects
that can be attributed to such failure.
S
CHEDULED SERVICINGis performed at
all Fiat Dealerships, and there is a
set time scale for such operations.
If it is seen that further replacements
or repairs are necessary in addition to
the work being carried out, these will
only be done after the customer has
given his/her consent.IMPORTANT You are recom-
mended to get in touch with a Fiat
Dealershipimmediately if any minor
running problems crop up without
waiting for the next coupon.
105-123 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:51 Pagina 105
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
140INDEX
– right lever .............................. 38
Storing the car ............................ 82
Sun roof
– electrically operated ........... 43
Sun visors .................................... 43
Suspension ................................... 127
Symbols ........................................ 4
Tank cap
Technical specifications ............ 124
Third brake lights ....................... 96
To the service station ................ 67
Tools ............................................. 86
Top speed .................................... 133
Towing the car .......................... 103
Towing trailers
– fitting diagram ........................ 78
– installation of tow hook ..... 77
– warnings ................................. 77
Transmission ............................... 126
Travelling safely and in harmony
with nature ............................... 4
Tyre inflation pressure ............. 130
Tyres
– changing a wheel ................... 87– inflation pressure ................ 130
– maintenance .......................... 117
– snow tyres ............................. 80
– types ....................................... 130
Usage conditions ..................... 75
Van ............................................. 62
Various controls ........................ 40
Vehicle inactivity ........................ 82
Ventilation ................................... 35
Warning lights ........................ 23
Weights ........................................ 132
Wheel
– maintenance .......................... 117
– replacement .......................... 87
– spare wheel ........................... 128
– types ....................................... 130
Wheel geometry ........................ 128
Windows (cleaning) .................. 122
Windscreen and rearscreen wiper
blades ......................................... 118
Windscreen washer
– controls .................................. 38– fluid level ................................ 112
Windscreen wiper
– blades ...................................... 118
– controls .................................. 38
– jets ........................................... 120
Windscreen/rearscreen
washer fluid level ..................... 112
137-144 Seicento GB 28-11-2007 9:38 Pagina 140