68
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
WINDOW WASHING
The right stalk fig. 46controls windscreen
wiper/washer operation.
WINDSCREEN WASHER/
WIPER
The device can only work when the igni-
tion key is at MAR.
The stalk ring nut can be moved to four
different positions:
Owindscreen wiper off;
≤intermittent;
≥continuous slow;
¥continuous fast.
Move the lever to position A(unstable)
to limit operation for the time for which
the lever is held in this position. The lever
will return to position and the wiper will
be automatically stopped when released.Do not use the windscreen
wiper to remove layers of
snow or ice from the wind-
screen. In such conditions, the
windscreen wiper may be subjected to
excessive stress and the motor protec-
tion which prevents operation for a few
seconds may trip. If operation is not re-
stored, even after turning the key and
restarting the engine, go to a Fiat Deal-
ership.
With the ring in position
≤the wind-
screen wiper will automatically adapt to
the speed of the car.IMPORTANT Replace wiper blades as
specified in section “Car maintenance”.
fig. 46F0R0039m
69
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
RAIN SENSOR
(where provided)
The rain sensor is located behind the dri-
ving mirror in contact with the windscreen
and has the purpose of automatically ad-
just, during the intermittent operation, the
frequency of the windscreen wiper
strokes as to the rain intensity.
IMPORTANT Keep clean the glass in the
sensor area.
Activation
Move the right-hand stalk knurled ring to
≤fig. 46.
The activation of the rain sensor is sig-
nalled by a control acquisition “stroke”.
Through the set up menu it is possible to
increase the sensitivity of the rain sensor.
The increase of the sensitivity of the rain
sensor is signalled by a control and acqui-
sition “stroke”.
Operating the windscreen washer with
the rain sensor activated the normal wash-
ing cycle is performed at the end of which
the rain sensor resumes its normal auto-
matic function.Deactivation
Change the stalk knurled ring position
from
≤fig. 46or turn the ignition key
to STOP.
At the next start-up (key at MAR), the
sensor will not be reactivated even if the
knurled ring is at
≤fig. 46. To reacti-
vate the sensor, move the ring from po-
sition
≤to any other position and then
return it to position
≤.
Rain sensor activation will be indicated by
at least one wiper “stroke” even if the
windscreen is dry.
The rain sensor is able to recognize and
automatically adjust itself in the presence
of the following particular conditions:
❒presence of dirt on the controlled sur-
face (salt, dirt, etc.);
❒difference between day and night.
IMPORTANT Streaks of water may cause
unnecessary blade moving. “Smart washing” function
Pull the stalk towards the steering wheel
(unstable position) to operate the wind-
screen washer.
Keeping the stalk pulled for more than half
a second, with just one movement it is
possible to operate the washer jet and the
wiper at the same time.
The wiper stops working three strokes af-
ter releasing the stalk.
A further stroke after 6 seconds com-
pletes the wiping operation.
122
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ENGINE STARTING
The car is provided with an electronic en-
gine lock device: refer to “The Fiat CODE
system” paragraph in “Dashboard and
controls” if you cannot start the engine.
The engine may be noisier during the first
seconds of operation, particularly after a
long period of inactivity. This is charac-
teristic of hydraulic tappets, the timing sys-
tem chosen to reduce the number of ser-
vicing interventions and does effects nei-
ther functionality nor reliability.
It is advisable not to demand
maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive accel-
erations, long distances at top
rpm, excessive intense braking, etc.) as
soon as the engine is started.
Do not leave the key in the ig-
nition switch with the engine
off to avoid unnecessary con-
sumption of electricity which
could drain the battery. It is dangerous
to run the engine in closed environ-
ments.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely dan-
gerous. The engine consumes oxygen
and produces carbon monoxide
which is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
Remember that the brake
booster and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much ef-
fort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
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 AVVand let
it go the moment the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
123
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the in-
strument panel warning light
Yremains
lit together with warning light Uturn the
key to STOPand then back to MAR; re-
main on, try with the other keys provid-
ed with the car.
IMPORTANT if
Yon the instrument
panel remains on and steady, go to a Fiat
Dealership immediately.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
to MARwhen the engine is off.STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR; instru-
ment panel warning lights
mand Ywill light up;
❒wait for the warning light Ye mto
turn off. 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 AVVas soon
as warning light
mgoes out. Waiting
too long will waste the work done by
the glow plugs. Release the key as soon
as the engine starts.If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the
instrument panel warning light
Yre-
mains lit together with warning light
mturn the key to STOPand then back to
MAR; if the warning lights remain on, try
with the other keys provided with the car.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel
warning light
Ystays on glowing
steadily, contact immediately Fiat Deal-
ership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
to MARwhen the engine is off.
Warning light
mwill blink
for 60 seconds after starting
or during prolonged cranking
to indicate a fault to the glow
plug heating system. Use the car nor-
mally if the engine starts and go to a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
124
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the en-
gine compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the acceler-
ator before turning off the en-
gine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, it wastes
fuel and is damaging especially to tur-
bocharged engines.HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS JUST
STARTED
(petrol and diesel engines)
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not demand to performance for the
first few kilometres. Wait until the en-
gine coolant gauge starts moving.
Remember that the brake
booster and power steering
are not operational until the
engine has been started,
therefore much effort than usual is re-
quired on the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
Never jump start the engine
by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. This could cause a
flow of fuel into the catalyt-
ic converter and damage it beyond re-
pair.
127
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from
the roof after use. These accessories de-
crease aerodynamic penetration of the car
and have a negative effect on consumption.
It is better to use a trailer to transport
particularly bulky objects.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window, ad-
ditional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan need a considerable amount of
energy, therefore increasing the require-
ment of current increases fuel consump-
tion (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
The climate control system requires high-
er fuel consumption (up to +20% in av-
erage): use the air vents when the exter-
nal temperature allows to.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and
consumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car
standing: the engine warms up very slow-
ly in these conditions, increasing con-
sumption and emissions. It is advisable to
start off immediately and slowly keeping
the engine speed down: the engine will
warm up much faster this way.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic
lights or before stopping the engine. The
latter action, like doubling the clutch, is un-
necessary and causes increase of con-
sumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear as soon as traffic and
road conditions allow. Using a low gear
for faster acceleration will increase con-
sumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions an
engine wear.CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of your
car down and lower the amount of toxic
emissions released into the atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service schedule”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly at least
once every four weeks: excessively low
pressure will increase consumption be-
cause rolling resistance will be higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the car
(especially when driving in town) and its
trim greatly affects consumption and sta-
bility.
135
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
Turning the ignition key to
MARthe warning light turns on, but it
should go off after few seconds.
The warning light stays on steady if there
is a failure in the airbag system.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
¬If when turning the key to
MAR the warning light ¬does not turn on or if it stays on when
travelling (together with the message
on the multifunctional display, where
provided) there could be a failure in
safety systems; in this event air bags
or pretensioners may not be deployed
in case of impact or, in a minor num-
ber of cases, they be deployed acci-
dentally. Contact Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have the system checked.
WARNING
Failure of warning light ¬(warning light off) is indicat-
ed by warning light
Fwhich will
blink for longer than the normal 4
seconds indicating that the front pas-
senger airbag is off.
WARNING
HOT ENGINE
COOLANT (red)
Turning the ignition key to
MARthe warning light turns on, but it
should go off after few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the en-
gine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as
follows:
❒during normal travel: stop the car,
stop the engine and check that the wa-
ter level in the vessel is not under the
MINline. In this case, wait for a few
minutes for the engine to cool down
when slowly and carefully open the
cap, top-up with coolant and check
that the level is between the MINand
MAXreferences on the vessel itself.
Also check for leakages. Go to a Fiat
Dealership if the warning should come
on when the engine is started again.
ç
136
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to
MARthe warning light turns on, but it
should go out as soon as the engine is
started.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
v
If the warning light vturns on when the car is trav-
elling (on certain versions together
with the message on the display) stop
the engine immediately and contact
a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
❒In the case of demanding use (e.g.
towing trailers uphill or car at full
load): slow down and stop the car if
the warning light stays on. Stand for
2 or 3 minutes with the engine running
and slightly accelerated to promote a
better circulation of coolant. Then
stop the engine. Check correct liquid
level as described above.
IMPORTANT Under severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly accel-
erated for few minutes before switching it
off.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
Turning the ignition key to
MARthe warning light turns on, but it
should go out as soon as the engine is
started (with the engine running at idle
speed a brief delay in going out is allowed).
Go to a Fiat Dealership immediately if the
warning light stays on either steady or
blinking.
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