2007 FIAT IDEA Owners Manual

“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
SYSTEM
The car is fitted with an electrically controlled power steering called
“Dualdrive”. It only works when the ignition key is at MAR and the
engine is running and it can be customised by the driver according to the
driving conditions.
ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION (CITY function)
To turn this function on/off, press the CITY button located in the middle
of the instrument panel.
On some versions the activation of this function is signalled by the
lighting up of the CITY warning light on the instrument panel, on others
by the lighting up of CITY on the reconfigurable multifunction display.
With the CITY function, the steering wheel will be lighter and require
less effort for parking. This operating strategy is suitable for driving in
cities.
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WARNINGIt is absolutely forbidden to carry out whatever after-market operation involving
steering system or steering column modifications (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect performance and safety, cause the lapse of
warranty and result in car non-compliance with the regulations in force.

FAILURE WARNINGS
Any electric power steering failure is indicated by
cluster warning light gcoming on (together, where
provided, with the message on the reconfigurable
multifunction display - see the “Warning lights”
chapter).
In the event of electric power steering failure, the car
can be driven with mechanical steering to the closest
Fiat Dealership.IMPORTANT The steering may become slightly stiff
following parking manoeuvres including a great deal of
steering. This is normal and caused by the system to
prevent motor overheating. No servicing is required.
The electrical power steering system will return to
normal operation the next time the car is used.
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WARNINGAlways switch the engine off, remove the key from the starting device and actuate
the steering lock before carrying out any maintenance operation, especially when
the wheels are raised from the ground. In case this is not possible (e.g. when the
key must be in MAR position or the engine running), remove the electric power
steering main fuse before carrying out any maintenance operation.

PARKING SENSORS (where provided)
The parking sensors are located on the rear bumper and their function is to
inform the driver, through an intermittent buzzer, about the presence of
obstacles in the rear part of the car.
ACTIVATION
The sensors are automatically activated when the reverse gear is
engaged.
As the distance from the obstacle behind the car decreases, the acoustic
alarm becomes more frequent.
BUZZER WARNINGS
When the reverse gear is engaged an intermittent acoustic signal is
automatically activated.
The acoustic signal:
❒becomes louder as the reduction of distance between the car and the
obstacle decreases;
❒becomes continuous when the distance between the car and the
obstacle is less that 30 cm and stops if the distance raises;
❒is constant if the distance is unvaried. If this situation takes place for
side sensors, the signal is stopped after about 3 seconds to prevent
sound indications when performing manoeuvres near walls.
Direction distances
The central detecting range varies according to car engine type/set-up
version: detection range is 140 cm. For small size obstacles (or in case of
parking deterrent blocks that are round shaped) it is 70 cm. Side
detecting range is 60 cm.
If several obstacles are detected, the control unit indicates the nearest
one.
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FAILURE WARNINGS
See the “Warning lights and messages” chapter.
OPERATION WITH TRAILER
The system is preset for deactivating automatically
when the trailer electric cable plug is fitted into the car
tow hook socket.
Sensors are reactivated when removing the trailer
cable plug.GENERAL WARNINGS
❒When parking, take the utmost care to obstacles
set above or under the sensors.
❒Objects set close to car rear part, under certain
circumstances are not detected and could
therefore cause damages to the car.
❒Indications sent by the sensor can be altered by
dirt, snow or ice deposited on the sensors or by
ultrasound systems (e.g.: truck pneumatic brakes or
pneumatic hammers) set nearby the car.
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For proper operation, the parking sensors set on the bumpers shall be clean from mud, dirt, snow or
ice. When cleaning the sensors, take the utmost care to prevent their damaging; do not use therefore
dry or rough clothes. Sensors shall be washed with clean water and car detergent, if required. In wash-
ing stations, clean sensors quickly keeping the vapour jet/high pressure washing nozzles at 10 cm at least from
the sensors.
WARNINGParking manoeuvres however are always under the driver’s responsibility that shall
always check the absence of people, animals or objects in the manoeuvre space.
This system is just a help for the driver but he shall never reduce important during
dangerous manoeuvres even if performed at low speed.

AT THE FILLING STATION
PETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol.
To prevent errors, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is too small to introduce a lead petrol pump filler. Use
petrol with a rated octane number (R.O.N.) not lower
than 95.
IMPORTANT An inefficient catalyst leads to harmful
exhaust emissions, thus contributing to air pollution.
IMPORTANT Never use leaded petrol, even in small
amount or in an emergency, as this would damage the
catalyst beyond repair.
MULTIJET ENGINES
Operation at low temperatures
If the outside temperature is very low, the diesel
thickens due to the formation of paraffin and could
cause the malfunctioning of the fuel system.In order to avoid these problems, different types of
diesel are distributed according to the season: summer
type, winter type and arctic type (cold, mountain
areas). If refuelling with diesel fuel not suitable for the
current temperature, mix diesel fuel with TUTELA
DIESEL ART additive in the proportions stated on the
can, putting first the antifreeze in the tank and then the
diesel fuel.
If driving or parking the vehicle for a long period in
cold areas/mountains, refuel with the diesel fuel
available at local filling stations.
In this situation you are also recommended to have in
the tank an amount of fuel 50% higher than usable
capacity.
REFUELLING
To guarantee full tank filling, carry out two refuelling
operations after the first click of the fuel delivery gun.
Avoid further topping up operations that could cause
damages to the fuel system.
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The car must only be filled with diesel fuel for motor vehicles, in compliance with European Standard
EN590. The use of other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of
the warranty due to the damage caused. In the event of accidentally filling with another type of fuel,
do not start the engine and empty the tank. If the engine has been run even for only a very short time, in addi-
tion to the tank, it is also necessary to drain out the whole fuel circuit.

FUEL FILLER CAP
Fuel flap opening is interlocked to door locking/unlocking, hence, if doors
are locked, it is necessary to push on button (E).
To fuel, open flap (A) and unscrew cap (C).
Cap (C) is fitted with an anti-loss device (B) which fastens it inside the
filler so it cannot be mislaid
The sealing of the tank may cause light pressurising in the tank. A little
breathing off, while slackening the cap, is absolutely normal.
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Do not put naked flames or lighted cigarettes near the fuel filler hole as there is
danger of fire. Do not bend too close to the hole either so as not to breathe in
harmful vapours.WARNING

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The devices for curtailing petrol engine emissions are the following:
❒three-way catalytic converter;
❒Lambda sensor;
❒fuel evaporation system.
In addition, do not let the engine run, even for a test, with one or more spark plugs disconnected.
The devices for curtailing diesel fuel engine emissions are the following:
❒oxidising catalytic converter;
❒exhaust gas recirculation system (E.G.R.).
❒diesel particulate filter (DPF)
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) (for 1.3 Multijet versions 90 HP)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a mechanical filter, integral with the exhaust system, that physically traps particulates present
in the exhaust gases of Diesel engines.
The diesel particular filter has been adopted to eliminate almost totally particulates in compliance with current / future
law regulations.
During normal use of the vehicle, the engine control unit records a set of data (e.g.: travel time, type of route, temperatures,
etc.) and it will then calculate how much particulates has been trapped by the filter.
Since this filter physically traps particulates, it shall be cleaned (reclaimed) at regular intervals by burning carbon particles.
Reclaiming procedure is controlled automatically by the engine control unit according to the filter conditions and the
conditions of use of the vehicle.
During reclaiming the following phenomena could take place: idling slight increase, fan activation, slight smoke increase,
high exhaust temperatures. These situations shall not be considered as faults and they do not affect vehicle performance
and environment.
If the dedicated message is displayed, refer to paragraph “Warning lights and messages”.
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During normal service the catalyst reaches high temperatures. Do not therefore
park the car over inflammable materials (grass, dry leaves, pine needles, etc.): fire
hazard.WARNING

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SEAT BELTS............................................................................ 152
PRETENSIONERS ................................................................. 156
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELY ..................................... 159
PRESETTING FOR MOUNTING THE
“TYPE ISOFIX” CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM .............. 166
FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS .......................................... 169
SIDE AIR BAGS (SIDE BAG -
FRONT WINDOW BAG).................................................. 173
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