2007 FIAT MULTIPLA gas type

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INTRODUCTION
The Fiat Multipla “Natural power” version features
two fuel feed systems: one for petrol, one for natural
gas.
The two systems are independent from each other;
the natural gas system is of the sequential, timed
Multipoint type.
One single starting system, that is the petrol one, is
available.
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a mixture of gas used as a primary
power source.
Methane is the main component of natural gas; for this
reason, natural gas is usually reffered to as “methane”
in Italy, even though it contains other hydrocarbons
and inert gases in small amounts.
Natural gas is extracted in a gaseous state and carried
to the place of utilization through gas pipelines;
supplies are abundant and well distributed worldwide.
Methane is a fuel that has a low impact on the
environment as, it significantly reduces the
contribution of exhaust fumes to the greenhouse
effect and pollution.Natural gas Multipoint injection system
This is an original product of the research work
carried out by Fiat in the field of alternative fuel,
realized in close co-operation with qualified suppliers
in the natural gas field.
By matching the natural gas features with highly
sophisticated techniques for electronic petrol engine
control, significant results have been obtained as far as
driveability, exhaust emissions and consumption are
concerned.
The natural gas Multipoint injection system ensures
the same engine driveability features as with petrol
fuelling.
In any case, it should be reminded that, under any
driving condition, the engine power and torque
features are, during natural gas fuelling, reduced by
approximately 10% compared with petrol fuelling.
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Selecting the type of fuel feed
The Natural Power Fiat Multipla has been designed to be normally fuelled
by natural gas.
When the natural gas is running out and the pressure inside the bottle is
nearing the limit of correct operation, switching to petrol fuelling will
take place automatically.
The engine will always be started by petrol fuelling (in order to keep this
type of feed efficient), with automatic switching to natural gas fuelling
after a few seconds.
For this reason, petrol should always be found in the tank.
The control button located on the dashboard (A), represented by
ideograph K, makes it possible to select petrol fuelling. Automatic
switching to natural gas fuelling will not take place in case petrol has run
out.
Manual selection of the operating mode will be actuated only if the
engine speed is lower than 2,000 rpm.
F0E0500m
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AT THE FILLING STATION
NATURAL GAS FILLING PIPE UNION
The natural gas filling pipe union (B) is located next to the petrol pipe
union and can be accessed by opening the fuel lid.
It is equipped with a dual “non-return” valve: one fitted into the pipe
union body itself; one located next to the bottle, at the start of the filling
pipe.
To gain access to pipe union (B), unscrew cap (A).
The contour of pipe union (B) is of the “multi-purpose” type.
During filling up, natural gas pipe union cap (A) can be positioned directly
on the lid, as illustrated.
In certain European States, the adaptors are considered ILLEGAL (e.g.
Germany).
In the case of service stations equipped with m
3gas guns (with dissolved
air pressure) so as to verify the residual pressure in the gas bottle, the
non-return valves must be unblocked by supplying a small quantity of
Methane.
The other plates (delivered with the vehicle documents) indicate the
expected date for the first testing/inspection of the gas bottles.
The employees assigned to the Methane supply are not authorised to fill
the gas bottles with the test date expired.
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IDENTIFICATION DATA
IMPORTANT! If a vehicle has been registered in a country other than
Italy, the certification/identification data and the natural gas bottle
check/inspection procedures shall conform to the national law
regulations of that particular country. In any case, it must be specified
that, the life cycle of the gas bottles is 20 years from the date of
production as in ECE Regulation n° 110.
Bottle marking
Each natural gas bottle is identified at the manufacturing plant by means
of a hallmark made on the nose of the bottle itself.
The hallmark bears the following information:
❐ Type of gas for which it is indicated (Methane);
❐ 20-year expiry date of the gas bottle (month/year);
❐ Name of the manufacturer of the gas bottle;
❐ The gas bottle registration number of the gas bottle;
❐ Nominal capacity of the gas bottle in litres;
❐ Weight of the gas bottle in kg (specific for every gas bottle);
❐ Working pressure (200 bar at 15°C);
❐ Testing pressure of the gas bottle (300 bar);
❐ Identifying stamp of the certifying Nation;
❐ ECE certification number;
❐ Production date of the of the gas bottle (month/year).
The other plates (delivered with the vehicle documents) indicate the
expected date for the first testing/inspection of the gas bottles.
BOTTLE INSPECTION
The gas bottles must be checked, according to the ECE Regulation
procedure n° 110, every 4 years as from, the vehicle registration date, or
according to specific provisions made by single States.
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FUEL FEED (Natural gas)
Electronic injection specific to the natural gas.
Type: Sequential, timed Multipoint injection.
Injection pressure: approximately 9 bar.
Stoichiometric metering of the air/natural gas mixture.
The natural gas injection system is controlled by a
special control unit by making use of the sensors
previously fitted to the vehicle, including the oxygen
sensor for fuel metering control.
IGNITION
Electronics with static advance integrated with
injection.ENGINE COOLING
Engine cooling system with branching-off to bring hot
fluid in contact with the pressure reducer (which is
subject, during its operation, to heavy cooling).
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speeds in the 5
thgear (kph):
petrol fuelling: 168
natural gas fuelling: 157
Any modification or repair made to the fuel feed system in a wrong way and
without considering the technical features of the system may cause operating
anomalies with a risk of fire.WARNING
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FUEL CONSUMPTION
The consumption values shown below refer only to
the vehicles used for carrying persons.
The fuel consumption values, illustrated in the table,
have been determined in accordance with the
homologation tests prescribed by the relevant
European Directives.
Consumption values are defined by means of the
following procedures:
❐ urban cycle: it involves a cold start followed by a
simulated drive in the city street traffic;
❐ extra-urban cycle: it involves simulating a drive
outside a city with frequent accelerations in all the
gears; speed ranges from 0 to 120 kph;
❐ average combined: it is determined by considering a
weighed covered distance of approximately 37%
urban cycle and approximately 63% extra-urban
cycle.
IMPORTANT! The different types of route, traffic
conditions, weather conditions, driving style, general
conditions of the vehicle, body
versions/outfits/accessories, utilization of the air
conditioner, vehicle loaded conditions, roof-racks and
any other condition that may affect the vehicle’s drag
or rolling resistance will result in fuel consumption
values other than the detected ones.
Consumption according to the EC Directive 1999/100/CE
Natural gas Petrol Fuel distance
(m3x 100km) (litres x 100km) natural gas fuelling
Urban 11.5 11.9 323
Extra-urban 7.6 7.5 504
Average combined 9 9.1 419
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