201
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
fig. 10F0M0154m
WINDSCREEN/REAR WINDOW
WASHER FLUID fig. 10
To top up, remove the cap A.
Pour a mixture of water and TUTELA
PROFESSIONAL SC35, in the follow-
ing concentrations:
30% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35and 70% water in summer.
50% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35and 50% water in winter.
In case of temperatures below –20°C, use
undiluted TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35fluid.BRAKE FLUID fig. 11
Unscrew cap A: check that the fluid level
in the reservoir is at maximum.
Fluid level in the reservoir shall not exceed
the MAXmark.
If fluid has to be added, it is suggested to
use the brake fluid in table “Fluids and lu-
bricants” (see chapter “Technical charac-
teristics”). Check level through the reservoir.
Do not travel with the wind-
screen washer reservoir emp-
ty: the windscreen washer is funda-
mental for improving visibility.
WARNING
Certain commercial addi-
tives for windscreen washers
are inflammable. The engine com-
partment contains hot components
which may set it on fire.
WARNING
fig. 11
NOTE Clean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface.
At plug opening, pay maximum attention
in order to prevent any impurities from
entering the tank.
For topping up, always use a funnel with
integrated filter with mesh equal to or
lower than 0.12 mm.
IMPORTANT Brake fluid absorbs mois-
ture, for this reason, if the vehicle is main-
ly used in areas with a high degree of at-
mospheric humidity, the fluid should be
replaced at more frequent intervals than
specified in the “Service schedule”.
F0M0155m
Make sure that the highly
corrosive brake fluid does not
drip onto the paintwork; if it
does, wash it off immediate-
ly with water.
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Brake fluid is poisonous and
highly corrosive. In the event
of accidental contact, wash the parts
involved immediately with neutral
soap and water, then rinse thor-
oughly. Call the doctor immediately
if the fluid is swallowed.
WARNING
The symbol πon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
brake fluid, distinguishing it from the
mineral kind. Using mineral fluids ir-
reversibly damages the special brak-
ing system rubber seals.
WARNING
AIR CLEANER
Air cleaner replacement shall be carried
out at Fiat Dealership.
POLLEN FILTER
Pollen filter replacement shall be carried
out at Fiat Dealership.
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
INSPECTING THE CHARGE
AND THE ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
Inspection operations must be carried out
by specialised personnel, following the
prescriptions contained in the Use and
maintenance booklet. Any top-up opera-
tions must be carried out by specialised
personnel and by Fiat Dealership.
Battery liquid is poisonous
and corrosive. Avoid contact
with the skin and eyes. Keep naked
flames and sources of sparks away
from the battery: risk of explosion
and fire.
WARNING
Running the battery with an
excessively low liquid level
will damage the battery beyond re-
pair and even cause an explosion.
WARNINGBATTERY
The car fits a low-maintenance battery: no
top-ups with distilled water are needed in
normal conditions of use.
CHANGING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a gen-
uine spare part having the same specifi-
cations.
If a battery with different specifications is
fitted, the service intervals given in the
“Service schedule” in this section will no
longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Incorrect assembly of electric
and electronic devices may
cause severe damage to your
car. Go to a Fiat Dealership if
you want to install accessories (alarms,
mobile phone, etc.): they will suggest
the most suitable devices and advise
you if a higher capacity battery needs
to be installed.
Batteries contain substances
that can be very dangerous
for the environment. t is ad-
visable to have the battery
changed by a Fiat Dealership where it
will be disposed of according to the
law.
If the vehicle must remain
unused for a long time at
very low temperature, remove the
battery and carry it to a warm place,
to avoid freezing.
WARNING
When you must perform any
operation on the battery or
near it, always protect your eyes with
the special goggles.
WARNING
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and length-
en its life, observe the following indica-
tions:
❒when you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly;
❒switch off all lights inside the car: the
car is however equipped with a system
which switches all internal lights off au-
tomatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound sys-
tem, hazard lights, etc.) switched on for
a long time when the engine is not run-
ning;
❒before performing any operation on the
electrical system, disconnect the bat-
tery negative cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be per-
fectly tightened.IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
for a long time under 50%, the battery is
damaged by sulphation, reducing its ca-
pacity and starting attitude.
The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (e.g. already at -10°C). Refer to
the paragraph “Car inactivity” in “Starting
and driving” if the car is left parked for a
long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install
electric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm, etc.) con-
tact Fiat Dealership whose qualified per-
sonnel, in addition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption, checking whether the
car’s electric system is capable of with-
standing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more power-
ful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing en-
ergy even when the ignition key is off, they
gradually run down the battery.
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
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. 14:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn.
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
Chigh 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;
fig. 14F0M0160m
❒avoid overloading the car when travel-
ling: this may cause serious damage to
the wheels and tyres;
❒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
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 not to reverse the di-
rection of rotation.
Remember that road holding
depends also on the correct
tyre inflating pressure.
WARNING
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/REAR
WINDOW WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products; TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they
should be replaced. In any case they
should be changed once a year.
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 wipers
on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING
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.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. The mechanical properties
of the wheels could be impaired.
WARNING
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Changing the windscreen wiper
blades fig. 15
To remove the blade:
❒raise the windscreen wiper arm A;
❒turn blade B90° around pin C, locat-
ed at the end of the wiper arm;
❒remove the blade from the pin C.
To refit the blade:
❒fit pin Cinto the hole loacted in the
middle of the blade B;
❒refit the arm with the blade on the
windscreen.
fig. 15F0M0161m
Changing the rear window
blade fig. 16
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the cover Aand 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.
fig. 16F0M0162m
SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen wiper fig. 17
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.
fig. 17F0M0163m
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
❒ 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 Fiat Punto is covered by warranty
against perforation due to rust of any orig-
inal element of the structure or body.
For the general terms of this warranty, re-
fer to Fiat Warranty Booklet.
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 touching
up carried out immediately to avoid the for-
mation of rust. For touching up use only
original products (see “Bodywork paint
identification plate” in section “Technical
specifications”).
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 car, Fiat implemented the best
manufacturing technologies to effectively
protect the bodywork against corrosion.
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; Rear window wiper fig. 18
Rear window washer jets are fixed.
The nozzle holder is on the rear window.
fig. 18F0M0164m
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