Page 3 of 218

2
VERY IMPORTANT!
K
U
REFUELLING
Petrol engines:only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95.
Diesel engines: refuel diesel engine vehicles with diesel fuel for motor vehicles meeting EN590 European Spec-
ifications only.
The use of other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of the warranty due
to the damage caused.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Make sure that the handbrake is up. Put the gearbox in neutral. Press the clutch pedal fully without pressing
the accelerator. At this point:
petrol engines: turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine starts.
diesel engines:turn the ignition key to MARand wait for the warning lights ¢(Y) and mto go off; turn
the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperature during operation, Do not park the vehicle on grass, dry
leaves, pine needles or other flammable material: fire hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The vehicle is equipped with a system for continuously monitoring emissions control system components to
ensure environmental-friendlier running.
Page 21 of 218

20GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Never remove the igni-
tion key while the vehicle
is moving. The steering
wheel would automatically lock
as soon as you try to turn it. This
also applies when the vehicle is
being towed.
It is absolutely forbidden
to carry out whatever af-
ter-market operation in-
volving steering system or steer-
ing column modifications (e.g.: in-
stallation of anti-theft device)
that could badly affect perfor-
mance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in
non-compliance of the vehicle
with homologation require-
ments.
IGNITION DEVICE
The key can be turned to 4 different
positions fig. 26:
– STOP:engine off, key can be re-
moved, steering column locked. Some
electrical devices can be worked (e.g.
sound system, electric window
winders).
– MAR: drive position. All electrical
devices can be used.
– AVV: engine ignition.
– PARK:engine off, parking lights
on, steering column locked. Press but-
ton Aand turn the key to PARK.
A
fig. 26
F0A0018b
If the ignition device is
tampered with (e.g.: at-
tempted theft), have it
checked over by a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
When you get out of the
vehicle, always remove
the ignition key. This will
prevent anyone from accidental-
ly working the controls. Remem-
ber to apply the handbrake and,
if the vehicle is faced down on a
steep slope engage the first gear.
If it is facing up, engage the re-
verse gear. Never leave unsuper-
vised children in the vehicle.
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
To engage the lock: remove the
ignition key at STOPor PARKand
turn the steering wheel until it locks.
To release the lock: rock the
steering wheel slightly as you turn the
ignition key to MAR.
Page 109 of 218

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