
63GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
LOOKING AFTER
THE SYSTEM
During the winter, the climate con-
trol system must be turned on at least
once a month for about ten minutes.
Have the system efficiency checked
before the summer at a Fiat Deal-
ership.STEERING COLUMN
STALKS
LEFT-HAND STALK
The left-hand stalk operates most of
the external lights.
The external lights can only be
switched on when the ignition key is
at MAR. The instrument panel and
the heating/ventilation (or climate con-
trol system) controls and the cigar
lighter ring will come on with the ex-
ternal lights.
The system is filled with
R134a refrigerant which
will not pollute the envi-
ronment in the event of leakage.
Under no circumstances should
R12 fluid be used as it is incom-
patible with the system compo-
nents and contains CFC.
fig. 79
F0A0048b
Side/taillights fig. 79
These come on when you turn the
ring from åto 6. Instrument panel
warning light 3will come on.
Dipped beam headlights fig. 80
These come on when you turn the
knurled switch from 6to 2.
IMPORTANTThe dipped beam
headlights will automatically be
switched off when the main beam
headlights are switched on if the front
fog lights are on.
62
y1Δ
fig. 80
F0A0049b

64GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The direction indicators will auto-
matically be switched off when the ve-
hicle is straightened out.
If you wish to signal a lane change
where only a slight movement of the
steering wheel is required, move the
stalk up or down without pushing it far
enough to make it click. The stalk will
return to the neutral position as soon
as it is released.
RIGHT-HAND STALK
Windscreen wiper/washer
fig. 84
The device will only work when the
ignition key is at MAR.
fig. 84
F0A0053b
Main beam headlights fig. 81
Push the stalk from position 2to-
wards the dashboard to switch the
headlights on.
Warning light 1on the instrument
panel will turn on.
Pull the stalk towards the steering
wheel to switch the lights off.Flashing the headlights fig. 82
Pull the stalk towards the steering
wheel (unstable position).
Warning light 1on the instrument
panel will turn on.
Direction indicators fig. 83
Move the stalk as follows:
up - to switch on the right-hand di-
rection indicator
down - to switch on the left-hand di-
rection indicator.
Instrument panel warning light FD
or Rand Ewill come on flashing.
62
y1Δ
fig. 81
F0A0050b
fig. 82
F0A0051b
fig. 83
F0A0052b

68GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
CONTROLS
HAZARD LIGHTS fig. 92
They turn on by pressing switch A,
regardless of the position of the igni-
tion key.
When the lights are on, the switch
and the instrument panel warning light
FDor Rand Ewill flash.
Press the switch again to turn the
lights off.CONTROL BUTTONS fig. 93
The buttons are located between
the central air vents.
The controls can only be operated
when the ignition key is at MAR.
A- Front foglight button.
B- Rear foglight button.
C- Heated rear window on/off but-
ton. IMPORTANTThe dipped beam
headlights will automatically be
switched off when the main beam
headlights are switched on if the front
fog lights are on.
The dipped beam headlights and/or
the front foglights (if fitted) must be on
to switch rear foglights on.
A
fig. 92
F0A0057b
The use of hazard lights
is governed by the High-
way Code of the country
you are in. Keep to the rules.
BA
fig. 93
F0A0509b

93GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Manual deactivation
The passenger side airbag can be de-
activated if it is absolutely necessary to
carry a child in the front passenger
seat.
Deactivation / reactivation shall be
carried out with ignition device at
STOP. Turn the specific switch fig.
142on the dashboard on passenger
side with the ignition key.IMPORTANTOperate the switch
only with engine off and ignition key
removed.
The switch fig. 142has two posi-
tions:
– Passenger front airbag on: (position
ON P): instrument panel warning
light
Foff. Do not carry children on
the front seat.
– Passenger front airbag off: (position
OFF F): instrument panel warning
light Fon. A child can be carried on
the front seat with a suitable restraint
system.
Warning light Fon the cluster
stays on permanently until the pas-
senger’s airbag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front
air bag does not inhibit operation of
the side air bag.SERIOUS DANGER:
With passenger’s
air bag active (ON),
never place child’s seats with the
cradle facing backwards since the
air bag activation could cause to
the child serious injuries, even
mortal. In the case of need, al-
ways deactivate the passenger’s
air bag when a child’s seat is
placed on the front seat. The
front passenger’s seat shall be ad-
justed in the most backward po-
sition to prevent any contact be-
tween child’s seat and dashboard.
Even if not compulsory by law,
you are recommended to reac-
tivate the air bag immediately as
soon as child transport is no
longer necessary.
ON OFF
PASS.
AIR BAG
fig. 142
F0A0213b

97GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On
Board Diagnosis) allows continuos di-
agnosis of the components of the ve-
hicle correlated with emissions.
Furthermore, the system warns the
driver of deterioration concerning the
emission system components by
means of the Uwarning light on the
instrument panel.
The objective is to:
– monitor system efficiency;
– warn when failures can increase
emissions over the threshold estab-
lished by the European regulations;
– warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
Furthermore, the system is equipped
with a connector for interfacing with
specific tools used to read the error
codes stored in the control unit mem-
ory along with a set of diagnostic and
engine specific parameters.IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the
problem, your Fiat Dealershipwill
run a bench test to fully check the sys-
tem. In some cases, a long road test
may be required. Contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship as soon as possible if
the Uwarning light ei-
ther does not come on when the
key is turned to MAR or comes
on, with fixed or flashing light,
when travelling. Warning light U
operation can be checked by
means of special equipment by
traffic agents. Always comply
with the traffic regulations in
force in the country where you
are travelling.
SOUND SYSTEM
If the “Sound System” has not been
requested, the vehicle features an odd-
ment compartment on the dashboard.
Contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship if you want to install
a sound system after pur-
chasing your vehicle. Their staff
will advise you on how to safe-
guard the life of the battery. Ex-
cessive idle intake can damage
the battery and invalid the bat-
tery warranty as well.
LIGHT PRESETTING
The system consists of the following:
– sound system power wires;
– wires for front speakers on the
dashboard, doors (where provided)
and rear speakers for passengers
transport versions;
– sound system compartment;
– aerial wire and aerial.

106DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE
STARTING3)Press the clutch pedal fully down,
without pressing the accelerator.
4) Turn the ignition key to AVV
and let it go the moment the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOPbefore trying to start the
engine again.
If the warning lights ¢(Y) and U
stay on when the ignition key is at
MAR, turn the key to STOPand
then to MARagain; if the warning light
stays on, try with the other keys pro-
vided.
If you are still unable to start the en-
gine, perform the emergency start-up
procedure (see section “In an emer-
gency”) and go to a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANTNever leave the ig-
nition key at MARwhen the engine is
off.HOW TO START DIESEL
VERSIONS
1) Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever into neutral.
3)Turn the ignition key to MAR. In-
strument panel warning lights U, m
and ¢(Y) will come on.
4)Wait for warning lights Uand ¢
(Y) to turn off.
5) Wait for the instrument panel
warning light mto go out. The hot-
ter the engine is, the quicker this will
happen.
6)Press the clutch pedal down to
the floor without touching the accel-
erator.
7) Turn the key to AVVimmedi-
ately after the mwarning light goes
out. If you wait to long, you will lose
the benefit of the work done by the
glow plugs.
D D
R R
I I
V V
I I
N N
G G
Y Y
O O
U U
R R
V V
E E
H H
I I
C C
L L
E E
It is dangerous to let the
engine run in a garage or
other closed area. The
engine consumes oxygen and
gives off carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other poisonous
fumes.
Do not touch the high
voltage cables (spark plug
leads) when the engine is
running.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
1) Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever into neutral.

107DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IS HAS JUST
STARTED (petrol and diesel
versions)
– Begin to move forward slowly let-
ting the engine turn at medium revs.
Do not accelerate abruptly.
– Do not push the engine to its lim-
it for the first few kilometres. You are
recommended to wait until the
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the Fiat CODE system fails to
recognise that code transmitted by the
ignition key (instrument panel warning
light ¢(Y) on) the emergency start-
up can be performed by using the
CODE card code.
See section “In an emergency”. The warning light m
will flash (for approxi-
mately 60 seconds) at
start-up or during prolonged
cranking to signal a fault in the
glow plug heating system. You
can use the vehicle as usual if the
engine starts but you should con-
tact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible to have problem seen to.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOPbefore trying to start the
engine again.
If with key at MARwarning light ¢
(Y) stays on, turn the key to STOP
and then to MARagain; if the warn-
ing light stays on, try with the other
keys provided.
If you still cannot start the engine, get
in touch with Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANTNever leave the ig-
nition key at MARwhen the engine is
off.Catalysed vehicles must
not be bump started
(pushed, towed or coast-
ed downhill) as this could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic ex-
haust system and damage it be-
yond repair.
Remember that until
the engine has started the
brake booster and hy-
draulic power steering systems
will not work and a greater effort
will therefore be required to de-
press the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.

108DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive
you should allow the engine to “catch
its breath” before turning it off by let-
ting it idle to allow the temperature in
the engine compartment to fall.
PARKING
Switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and engage a gear (1st gear
or reverse, according to whether the
vehicle is facing up or downhill) and
leave the wheels turned. If the vehi-
cle is left on a steep slope, wedges or
a rock should be used to lock the
wheels.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MARto prevent draining the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the vehicle.HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located be-
tween the two front seats.
Pull the handbrake lever upwards un-
til the vehicle cannot be moved. Four
or five clicks are generally enough
when the vehicle is on level ground
while nine or ten may be required if
the vehicle is on a steep slope or laden.
IMPORTANTIf this is not the
case, take the vehicle to a Fiat Deal-
ership to have the handbrake adjust-
ed.
Instrument panel warning light x
will come on when the handbrake
lever is pulled up and the ignition key
is at MAR.
To release the handbrake:
1)Slightly lift the handbrake and
press release button A-fig.1.
2)Keep the button pressed in and
lower the lever. Warning light xwill
go out.
3)Press the brake pedal when car-
rying out this operation to prevent the
vehicle moving accidentally. STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the key to STOPwhile the
engine is idling.
A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel.
Never leave children un-
supervised in the vehicle.
A
fig. 1
F0A0034b