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.
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
S.B.R. system
The car is fitted with the S.B.R. system (Seat Belt
Reminder), consisting of a buzzer which, together with
the flashing of warning light
The buzzer can be deactivated (until the the next
engine stop) as follows:
❒fasten the driver’s seat belt.
❒turn the ignition key to MAR
❒wait for over 20 seconds and then release at least
one of the seat belts.
For permanent deactivation, contact Fiat Dealership.
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Remember that in the event of a violent collision, back seat passengers not
wearing seat belts also represent a serious danger for the front seat passengers.WARNING
On versions fitted with reconfigurable multifunction
display (Comfort) it is possible to reset the S.B.R.
system only through the set-up menu (see “Warning
lights and messages” section at paragraph “Unfastened
seat belts”).
For the other versions system can be reset only by
Fiat Dealership.
MANUALLY DEACTIVATING PASSENGER’S
AIR BAG (Front and Side bag) (where required)
Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child on the front seat, the
passenger’s air bag on the car can be deactivated.
Deactivation/activation takes place with ignition key at STOP and
operating it in the special key switch on the right-hand side of the
dashboard.
IMPORTANT Operate the switch only when the engine is not running
and the ignition key is removed.
The key-operated switch has two positions:
❒passenger’s air bag (Front and Side bag) activated (ON position P):
warning light Fon instrument cluster off; it is absolutely prohibited
to carry a child on the front seat.
❒passenger’s front air bag (Front and Side bag) deactivated (OFF
position F): warning light Fon instrument cluster on; it is
possible to carry a child protected by special restraint system on the
front seat.
The warning light Fon the cluster stays on permanently until the
passenger’s air bag is reactivated (Front and Side bag).
The key can be removed when in both positions.
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F0H0146m
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GENERAL WARNINGS
WARNING
If warning light ¬does not come on when turning the key to MAR or if it stays on
when travelling it could indicate a failure in restraint systems; in this case air bags
or pretensioners could not trigger in the event of an accident, or in a restricted
numbers of cases they could trigger accidentally. Stop the car and contact Fiat
Dealership to have the system checked immediately.WARNING
WARNINGAlways keep your hands on the steering wheel rim when driving, so that if the air
bag is triggered, it can inflate without meeting any obstacles which could cause
serious harm to you. Do not drive with the body bent forwards, keep the seat back
rest in the erect position and lean your back well against it. Do not cover the back rest of front seats with trims or covers there are not set for
the use of side bags.
If the car has been stolen or an attempt to steal it has been made, if it has been
subjected to vandals or floods, have the air bag system checked by Fiat Dealership.WARNING
WARNINGRemember that with the key engaged and in the MAR position, even with the
engine not running, the air bags may be triggered on a stationary vehicle if it is
bumped by another moving car. Therefore, never seat children on the front seat
even when the vehicle is stationary. On the other hand remember that if the key is
at STOP, no safety system (air bags or pretensioners) is triggered in the event of an
impact; in these case, failure to come into action cannot be considered as a sign
that the system is not working properly.
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ENGINE STARTING ............................................................ 178
PARKING ................................................................................ 181
USING THE GEARBOX...................................................... 182
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS ................................ 183
TOWING TRAILERS ........................................................... 185
SNOW TYRES ....................................................................... 188
SNOW CHAINS ................................................................... 189
CAR INACTIVITY ................................................................ 190
C C
O O
R R
R R
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C C
T T
U U
S S
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O O
F F
T T
H H
E E
C C
A A
R R
ENGINE STARTING
The car is fitted with an electronic engine lock device.
If the engine fails to start, see paragraph “Fiat CODE
system” in section “Dashboard and controls”.
The engine may be noisier than usual during the first
seconds of operation, especially after it has not been
used for a while. This characteristic feature of the
hydraulic tappet system does not compromise
functionality or reliability. The system devised for the
Fiat Idea was designed to limit maintenance
interventions.STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever into neutral;
❒Press the clutch pedal down to the floor without
touching the accelerator;
❒Turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the
moment the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is on MAR, warning light
Y
remains lit together with warning light U, turn the
key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the warning
light remains on, try with the other keys provided with
the car.
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We recommend that during the initial period you do not drive to full vehicle performance (e.g.:
excessive acceleration, long journeys at top speed, sharp braking, etc.).
When the engine is switched off never leave the ignition key in the MAR position to prevent
pointless current absorption from draining the battery.
WARNINGRunning the engine in confined areas is extremely dangerous. The engine consumes
oxygen and produces carbon monoxide which is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
If you are still unable to start the engine, perform the
emergency start-up procedure (see “Emergency start-
up” in section “In an emergency”) and contact Fiat
Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key at MAR
when the engine is off.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR MULTIJET
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever into neutral;
❒Turn the ignition key to MAR: the warning lights
m, Uand Ywill light up on the instrument
panel;
❒Wait for the warning lights
Yand m. The
hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen;
❒Press the clutch pedal down to the floor without
touching the accelerator;❒Turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as warning
light
mgoes out. If you wait too long you will
lose the benefit of the work done by the glow
plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT With cold engine, the accelerator pedal
shall be completely released while turning the ignition
key to AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is on MAR, warning light Y
remains lit, turn the key to STOP and then back to
MAR; if the warning light remains on, try with the
other keys provided with the car.
If you still cannot start the engine, contact Fiat
Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key at MAR
when the engine is off.
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The warning light mwill flash for 60 seconds at start-up or during prolonged cranking to signal a
fault in the glow plug heating system. You can use the car as usual if the engine starts but you should
contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.