204
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, includ-
ing the spare, every two weeks and before
long journeys. The pressure should be
checked with the tyre rested and cold.
For the correct tyre inflation pressure, see
“Wheels” in “Technical specifications”
section.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wearfig. 13:
A: normal pressure: tread evenly worn.
B: low pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
C: high pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
Tyres must be replaced when the tread
wears down to 1.6 mm. In any case, com-
ply with the laws in the country where the
car is being driven.IMPORTANT NOTES
❒ As far as possible, avoid sharp braking
and screech starts, etc. Be careful not
to hit the kerb, potholes or other ob-
stacles hard. Driving for long stretch-
es over bumpy roads can damage the
tyres;
❒ Periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tyre wear. If any of
these occur, have the car seen to at a
Fiat Dealership;
❒avoid overloading the car when travel-
ling: this may cause serious damage to
the wheels and tyres;
fig. 13F0Q0101m
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop immediate-
ly and charge it to avoid damage to the
tyre, the rim, suspensions and steering
system;
❒ Tyres age even if they are not used
much. Cracks in the tread rubber are a
sign of ageing. In any case, if the tyres
have been on the car for over 6 years,
they should be checked by specialised
personnel, to see if they can still be
used. Also remember to check the
space-saver spare wheel;
❒ In the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of dubious
origin;
❒ If a tyre is changed, also change the in-
flation valve;
❒To allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to change
them over every 10-15 thousand kilo-
metres, keeping them on the same side
of the car so as to not reverse the di-
rection of rotation.
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 204
205
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber
hoses are concerned, carefully follow the
“Service schedule” in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and pro-
longed lack of fluid in the system may
cause hardening and cracking of the hoses,
with possible leaks. Careful control is
therefore necessary.Remember that road holding
depends also on the correct
tyre inflating pressure.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the
tyre overheats and this can
cause it serious damage.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them from the
right of the car to the left and vice
versa.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments re-
quiring to use temperatures exceed-
ing 150°C since the mechanical prop-
erties of the wheels could be im-
paired.
WARNING
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 205
206
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/
REAR WINDOW
WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products; TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
Change the blades if the rubber edge is
warped or worn out. You should in any case
change them approximately once a year.
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING
Changing the windscreen
wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the windscreen wiper arm and po-
sition the blade so that it forms an an-
gle of 90° with the arm;
❒press tab A-fig. 14of the coupling
spring and remove the blade to be re-
placed from the arm;
❒fit the new arm, inserting the tab into
the arm seat. Check for proper locking. A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
❒ if the temperature fall below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the
rubber against glass. If necessary, thaw
using an antifreeze product;
❒ remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this pre-
vents effort on the motor and over-
heating;
❒do not operate the windscreen and
rear window wipers on dry glass.
fig. 14F0Q0662m
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 206
207
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Changing the rear
window blade
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the cover A-fig. 15and remove
the arm from the car, slackening the nut
Bthat fastens it to the pivot pin;
❒ fit the new arm, positioning it correct-
ly, and fully tighten the nut;
❒ lower the cover.Rear window wiper fig. 17
Rear window washer jets are fixed.
The nozzle holder is on the rear window. SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen wiper fig. 16
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly check
that there is fluid in the reservoir: see
“Checking fluid levels” in this section).
Then check that the nozzle holes are not
clogged, if necessary use a needle.
The windscreen jets are fixed.
fig. 15F0Q0663mfig. 16F0Q0661mfig. 17F0Q0660m
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 207
208
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the fol-
lowing:
❒ atmospheric pollution;
❒ salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or
hot humid climates);
❒ seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the abra-
sive action of wind-borne atmospheric
dust and sand and mud and gravel raised
by other cars.
On your Fiat Bravo, Fiat implemented the
best manufacturing technologies to effec-
tively protect the bodywork against cor-
rosion.These include:
❒ Painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to cor-
rosion and abrasion;
❒ Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel
sheets, with high resistance to corro-
sion;
❒ Spraying the underbody, engine com-
partment, wheelhouse internal parts
and other parts with highly protective
wax products;
❒ Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender parts,
edges, etc.;
❒Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of mois-
ture from triggering rust inside.BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original el-
ement of the structure or body. For the
general terms of this warranty, refer to
the Fiat Warranty booklet.
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 208
209
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesteth-
ic purpose, but also protects the under-
lying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you
are advised to have the necessary touch-
ing up carried out immediately to avoid
the formation of rust. Use only original
paint products for touching up (see “Body-
work paint identification plate” in section
“Technical specification”).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the con-
ditions and environment of use. For ex-
ample, in highly polluted areas, or if the
roads are sprayed with salt, it is wise to
wash the car more frequently.To wash the car correctly proceed as fol-
lows:
❒ remove the aerial from the roof to pre-
vent damage to it if the car is washed in
an automatic system;
❒ wash the body using a low pressure jet
of water;
❒ wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy so-
lution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing with the sponge;
❒ rinse well with water and dry with a jet
of air or a chamois leather.
When drying, take particular care with the
less visible parts like door surrounds, bon-
net and around the headlights where wa-
ter may stagnate. The car should not be
taken to a closed area immediately, but left
in the open so that residual water can
evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.Detergents cause water pol-
lution. Therefore the car
should be washed in areas
equipped for collecting and
purifying the liquid used in the washing
process.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species re-
lease give the paint a dull appearance and
increase the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly ag-
gressive.
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 209
210
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g.: petrol) or ketones (e.g.: ace-
tone) for cleaning front headlight plastic
lens.
Windows
Use specific window cleaner product. Use
also clean cloths to avoid scratching the
glass or damaging the transparency.
IMPORTANT The inside of the rearscreen
should be wiped gently with a cloth in the
direction of the filaments to avoid damag-
ing the heating device.Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electron-
ic control units. Contact a specialised
workshop to have this done.
IMPORTANT The car should be washed
with the engine cold and the ignition key
at STOP. After washing make sure that
the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and various covers) have not been dam-
aged or removed.INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not trapped
under the mats (due to water dripping off
shoes, umbrellas, etc.) which could cause
oxidisation of the sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND FABRIC
AND VELVET PARTS
Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to re-
move dust. Velvet is cleaned better if the
brush is moistened.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral de-
tergent.
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 210
211
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
Remove dried on dirt with lightly moist-
ened chamois leather or cloth without
pressing too hard.
Remove liquid or grease stains with a dry
absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap.
If the stain persists, use specific products,
carefully following the instructions for use.
IMPORTANT Never use spirit or alcohol-
based products.Fabric upholstery of your car
is purpose-made to withstand
common wear resulting from
normal use of the car. It is
however absolutely necessary to pre-
vent hard and/or prolonged scratch-
ing/scraping caused by clothing acces-
sories like metallic buckles, studs, “Vel-
cro” fixings, etc. that stressing locally
the fabric could break yarns and dam-
age the upholstery as a consequence.INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS
For routine cleaning of interior plastic
parts use a soft cloth moistened with wa-
ter and neutral soap. Remove grease or
persisting stains using appropriate solvent-
free products designed to preserve ap-
pearance and colour of plastic compo-
nents.
IMPORTANT Never use spirit or petro-
leum to clean the instrument panel.
Never use flammable prod-
ucts like oil ether or rectified
petrol for cleaning car interiors. Elec-
trostatic discharges generated by rub-
bing during cleaning operations could
cause fire.
WARNING
191-212 BRAVO GB 10-05-2007 9:21 Pagina 211