205
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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207
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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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the con-
ditions and environment of use. For exam-
ple, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are sprayed with salt, it is wise to wash the
car more frequently.
To correctly wash the car:
❒ 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.
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.
Detergents cause water pollu-
tion. Therefore the engine
compartment should be
washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid used
in the washing process.
Windows
Use specific window cleaner products.
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 damaging 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.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g.: petrol) or ketones (e.g.: ace-
tone) for cleaning front headlight plastic
lens.
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL PLATE fig. 1
The plate is to be found on the left side of
the boot floor and it bears the following
identification data:
BHomologation number.
CVehicle type code.
DChassis number.
EMaximum vehicle weight fully loaded.
FMaximum vehicle weight fully loaded
with trailer.
GMaximum vehicle weight on front axle.HMaximum vehicle weight on rear axle.
IEngine type.
LBody version code.
MSpare part code.
NSmoke opacity index (for diesel en-
gines).
IDENTIFICATION DATA
You are advised to note the identification
codes. The identification data stamped and
given on the plates and their position are
the following:
❒Model plate.
❒Chassis marking.
❒Bodywork paint identification plate.
❒Engine marking.
fig. 1F0M0368m
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
SUSPENSIONS
1.2 - 1.4 - 1.4 16V- 1.3 Multijet - 1.9 Multijet
Front
Rear
BRAKES
1.2 1.4 - 1.4 16V1.3 Multijet 1.9 Multijet
Service brakes:
– front
– rear
Parking brake
IMPORTANT Water, ice and antifreeze salt on roads may deposit on the brake discs thus reducing braking efficiency
at first braking.
Mc Pherson independent wheels
twisting axle with interconnected wheels
rack and pinion with electric power steeringcontrolled by hand lever, it works on rear brakesdrum or disc (on certain versions) disc (self-ventilating for versions where provided)
STEERING
1.2 1.4 1.4 16V1.3 Multijet 1.3 Multijet 1.9 Multijet75HP 90HP
Type
Minimum steering
cycle m 10,1 10,1 10,5 10,1 10,9 10,9
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
UNDERSTANDING TYRE
MARKING fig. 4
Example: 175/65 R 15 84T
175 = Nominal width (S, distance be-
tween sidewalls in mm).
65 = Percentage height/width ratio
(H/ S).
R = Radial tyre.
15 = Rim diameter in inches (Ø).
84 = Load rating (capacity).
T = Maximum speed rating.
WHEELS
RIMS AND TYRES
Pressed steel or alloy rims. Tubeless tyres
with radial carcass. The homologated tyres
are listed in the Log book.
IMPORTANT In the event of discrepan-
cies between the information provided on
this “Owner handbook” and the “Log
book”, consider the specifications shown
in the log book only.
Attaining to the prescribed size, to ensure
safety of the car in movement, it must be
fitted with tyres of the same make and
type on all wheels.
IMPORTANT Do not use inner tubes
with Tubeless tyres.
fig. 4F0M0169m
SPARE WHEEL
Pressed steel rim. Tubeless tyre.
WHEEL GEOMETRY
Front wheel toe-in: 1 ± 1 mm
Rear wheel toe-in: 1.7 ± 2 mm
The values refer to the car in running or-
der.
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