7GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
– lock/unlock the rear doors or the
tailgate;
– lock/unlock the side doors, Cargo
versions only;
– deactivate the passenger’s airbag.
The key B, with a built-in remote
control, has the same functions as key
Ain vehicles with door lock remote
control.
The CODE card fig. 3is also sup-
plied with the keys and bears the fol-
lowing:
a- the electronic code to be used for
emergency starting (see “Emergency
start-up” in section “In an emer-
gency”);b- the mechanical key code to be
given to the Fiat Dealershipwhen
ordering duplicate keys.
Keep the CODE card in a safe place.
Make sure you have the electronic
code of the CODE card with you at all
times in the event you have to per-
form an emergency start-up.
OPERATION
Each time the ignition key is turned
to STOP, or PARK, the protection
system will automatically immobilise
the engine.
When the key is turned to MARto
start the engine:
1)if the code is recognised the ¢
(Y) warning light on the instrument
panel will flash briefly; this means the
protection system has recognised the
key code and deactivates the immo-
biliser, turn the key to AVV, and the
engine will start.
2)If the warning light ¢(Y) stays
on, the code was not recognised. In
this case, turn the key to STOPand
then back to MAR. If the engine re-mains immobilised, try with the oth-
er key provided.
If you are still unable to start the en-
gine, use the emergency starting pro-
cedure (see “In an emergency”) and
take your vehicle to the nearest Fiat
Dealership.
When the vehicle is travelling and the
key is at MAR:
1)if the warning light ¢(Y) comes
on while the vehicle is moving, this
means that the system is running a self-
test (e.g. due to a voltage drop).
2)if the warning light ¢(Y) flash-
es, the vehicle is not protected by the
engine immobiliser. Contact a Fiat
Dealershipimmediately and get them
to store the codes of all the keys in the
memory.
IMPORTANT The electronic com-
ponents inside the key may be dam-
aged if the key is subjected to sharp
knocks.
IMPORTANTEach key provided
with the vehicle has its own code, dif-
ferent from all the others, which must
be stored in the memory of the sys-
tem control unit.
fig. 3
F0A0003b
12GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Some smoke may be produced when
the pretensioners are fired. This
smoke is harmless and does not indi-
cate the principle of a fire.
The pretensioner does not require
any maintenance or greasing. Anything
that modifies its original conditions in-
validates its efficiency. If due to unusual
natural events (floods, seas storm,
etc.) the device has been affected by
water and mud, it must necessarily be
replaced.
Operations involving
banging, vibrations or
heating (exceeding 100°C
for a maximum of 6 hours) in the
area around the pretensioner
may trigger or damage the de-
vice. Vibrations from rough road
surfaces or accidental jolting
caused by mounting pavements
etc. do not have any effect on the
pretensioner. If, however, you
need any assistance, go to a Fiat
Dealership.Load limiting device
This device reduces the load with is
normally exerted by the seat belts on
the passenger’s shoulder and chest in
a collision. It increases protection by
preventing the micro traumas which
are inevitable in road accidents (also
in vehicles with airbags). The device
is built into the belt reel. The pretensioner can
only be used once. Fol-
lowing a collision that has
triggered it, have it replaced at
a Fiat Dealership. Pretensioner
validity is written on the plate, fig.
9, set inside the glove box. Have
pretensioners replaced at a Fiat
Dealership as this date ap-
proaches.
fig. 9
F0A0421b
15GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELYFor optimal protection in the event
of a crash, all passengers must be seat-
ed and wearing adequate restraint sys-
tems.
This is even more important for chil-
dren.
This prescription is compulsory in all
EC countries according to EC Direc-
tive 2003/20/EC.
Compared with adults, their head is
proportionally larger and heavier than
the rest of the body, while the mus-
cles and bone structure are not com-
pletely developed. Therefore, correct
restraint systems are necessary, oth-
er then adult seat belts. SERIOUS DANGER: Never place cradle child’s seats not
facing the running direction on the front seat of vehicles
with passenger’s airbag, which during inflation could cause
serious injury, even mortal. You are advised to carry children always on
the rear seat, as this is the most protected position in the case of a crash.
In any case, child’ seats must absolutely not be fitted on the front seats
of vehicles with passenger’s airbag, which during inflation could cause
serious injury, even mortal, regardless of the seriousness of the crash
that triggered it. Children may be placed on the front seat of vehicles
fitted with passenger’s airbag deactivation. In this case, it is absolutely
necessary to check the warning light
Fon the instrument panel to
make sure that deactivation has actually taken place (see paragraph
F
RONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS AT ITEMFRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG). The front pas-
senger’s seat shall be adjusted in the most backward position to pre-
vent any contact between child’s seat and dashboard.
19GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
6) Always check the seat belts do
not fit around the child’s throat.
7) While travelling, do not let the
child sit incorrectly or release the
belts.
8)Passengers should never carry
children on their laps. No-one, how-
ever strong they are, can hold a child
in the event of a crash.
9)Replace the child restraint system
after an accident. To sum up the safety
precautions to follow when
transporting children.
1) The recommended position for
installing child’s seat is on the rear seat,
as it is the most protected in the case
of a crash.3) Attain to the instructions for fas-
tening the specific child restraint sys-
tem which you are using. These in-
structions must be provided by the
manufacturer. Keep the child restraint
system installation instructions with
the vehicle documents and with this
Handbook. Never use a child restraint
system without installation instruc-
tions.
4) Always check the seat belt is well
fastened by pulling the webbing.
5)Only one child is to be strapped
to each retaining system. In vehicles fitted with
passenger airbag, never
place child’s restraint sys-
tems on the front seat.
2) If the passenger’s airbag is deac-
tivated always check the warning light
Fon the instrument panel to make
sure that it has actually been deacti-
vated.
91GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The cushion immediately inflates,
placing itself as a protection between
the body of the front occupants and
the structure that could cause injuries.
Immediately after, the cushion deflates.
The front air bag (driver and pas-
senger) is not a replacement of but
complementary to the use of belts,
which should always be worn, as spec-
ified by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.
In case of crash, a person not wear-
ing the seat belt moves forward and
may come into contact with the cush-
ion while it is still inflating. Under this
circumstance the protection offered
by the airbag is reduced.
Front airbags may not activate in the
following situations:
– in collisions against highly de-
formable objects not affecting the ve-
hicle front surface (e.g. bumper colli-
sion against guard rail); If the xbrake fluid low
warning light comes on,
stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and contact the nearest Fi-
at Dealership. Fluid leaks from
the hydraulic system, in fact, can
compromise brake system oper-
ation, both traditional systems
and systems with ABS.FRONT AND SIDE
AIRBAGS
The vehicle can be fitted with front
air bags for the driver and passenger
and with side bags.
FRONT AIRBAGS
Front airbags (driver and passenger)
have been designed to protect the oc-
cupants in the event of head-on crash-
es of medium-high severity, by plac-
ing the cushion between the occupant
and the steering wheel or dashboard.
Front airbags are designed to protect
vehicle’s occupants in front crashes
and therefore non-activation in other
types of collisions (side collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.
In case of crash, an electronic con-
trol unit, when required, triggers the
inflation of the cushion according to
the severity of the collision. Warning light >alone,
with the engine running,
normally indicates a fault
in the ABS system only. In this
case, the braking system is still ef-
ficient, though without the anti-
locking device. Under these con-
ditions, performance of the EBD
system may be reduced. Also in
this case, you are advised to go
immediately to the nearest Fiat
Dealership, driving in such a way
to avoid sharp braking to have
the system checked.
92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
– in case of wedging under other ve-
hicles or protective barriers (for ex-
ample under a truck or guard rail), the
air bag is not triggered as it offers no
additional protection compared with
the seat belts, consequently it would
be pointless.
Therefore, failure to come into ac-
tion in the above circumstance does
not mean that the system is not work-
ing properly.At their maximum inflation, their vol-
ume fills most of the space between
the steering wheel and the driver and
between the dashboard and the pas-
senger.
In minor crashes (for which the re-
straining action of the seat belts is suf-
ficient), the air bags are not deployed.
Also in this case it is of vital impor-
tance to wear the seat belts since in
case of front crash they guarantee
proper positioning of the occupant.DRIVER’S FRONT AIR BAG
fig. 140
It consists of an instant-inflating cush-
ion contained in a special recess in the
centre of the steering wheel.
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR
BAG fig. 141
It consists of an instant-inflating cush-
ion contained in a special recess in the
dashboard; its volume is bigger than
the driver’s one.
Do not apply stickers or
other objects to the
steering wheel or to the
air bag cover on the passenger’s
side or on the side roof lining.
Never put objects on the dash-
board on passenger side since
they could interfere with proper
air bag inflation.
The driver and passenger front
airbags have been designed and cali-
brated to protect a person wearing
seat belts.
fig. 140
F0A0711b
fig. 141
F0A0409b
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
94GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
SIDE BAG
It consists of an instant-inflation cush-
ion housed in the back rest of the
front seat to increase protection of
the occupants’ chest in the event of a
side crash of medium-high severity.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The front and/or side airbags can be
triggered if the vehicle is subjected to
strong knocks or impacts underneath,
e.g. violent crashes into steps, kerbs or
fixed projections from the ground,
falling to large holes or dips in the road. When the airbag inflates it emits a
small amount of dusts. These dusts are
harmless and is not the beginning of a
fire; then the unfold cushion surface
and the vehicle interiors can be cov-
ered by a dusty remains: this dust can
irritate skin and eyes. In case of con-
tact, wash yourself using neutral soap
and water.
The air bag system has a validity of
14 years as to the pyrotechnic charge,
and 10 years as to the coil contact (see
the plate in the glove compartment).
As this date approaches, contact Fi-
at Dealershipto have it replaced.
fig. 143
F0A0517b
After an accident which triggered the
airbags, go to a Fiat Dealershipto
have the entire safety system, the elec-
tronic control unit, the seat belts and
the pretensioners replaced. The Deal-
ership will also check the intactness of
the electrical system.
Any diagnostic, repair or replace-
ment operations concerning the airbag
system must exclusively be carried out
at a Fiat Dealership.
If you are having the vehicle
scrapped, have the airbag system de-
activated at a Fiat Dealershipfirst.
If the vehicle changes hand, the new
owner must be made aware of the in-
dications given above and be given this
Owner Handbook.