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reduced to non-hazardous values) and excessive
temperature (a fuse plugnut allows natural gas to be
discharged as fast as possible when the temperature
exceeds 110°C).
The solenoid valve is connected to the Fire
Protection System (inertia switch or fuel cut-off
switch).
Active safety
The Natural Power Fiat Multipla features the same ac-
tive safety characteristics as the other versions. Passive safety
The Natural Power Fiat Multipla features the same
passive safety characteristics as the other versions.
In particular, the natural gas bottle position and
mounts have been designed so as to pass the crash
tests in accordance with the Fiat safety standards.
The flow of the natural gas coming out of the bottle is
regulated by a solenoid valve that is open only when
the engine is fuelled by natural gas.
The solenoid valve unit includes the protections in
case of excessive flow (in the event that the high
pressure system is broken, the natural gas flow will be
WARNINGThe Natural Power Fiat Multipla is equipped with a high-pressure natural gas
system designed to operated at 200 nominal bar.
It is dangerous to force the system with higher pressures. When the vehicle has to
be towed or lifted, strictly follow the instructions of the basic handbook (refer to
“Towing the vehicle”), to avoid damaging the natural gas system components.
In case of natural gas system failure, contact the Fiat Dealership only.
Do not modify the natural gas system configuration or components: they have
been especially designed for Natural Power Fiat Multipla only. Using other
components or materials may cause vehicle malfunction and affect the vehicle’s
safety. In case of “furnace” painting, the bottles shall be removed from the vehicle
and subsequently fitted back into place by the Fiar Dealership.
Although the natural gas system is equipped with various safety devices, it is
recommended that the manual tap of every single bottle is turned off every time
the vehicle is either put away for a long time or transported on other vehicles or
operated in emergency situations following a failure or accident.
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NATURAL GAS/PETROL SWITCH
As a rule, the engine is fuelled by natural gas (both the LED on button (A)
and warning light K(C) on the instrument board are OFF); in the event
that the natural gas runs out, switching to petrol fuelling will take place
automatically (warning light Kon the instrument board will be ON).
After filling up, the engine will be automatically fuelled by natural gas
again.
If you specially want the engine to be fuelled by petrol (for instance, when
greater power is required), act on switch (A).
Both warning light Kon the instrument board and green LED (B) on
button (A) light up to indicate that manual switching has taken place (the
natural gas feed system is fully OFF).
Manual selection of the operating mode is actuated only if the engine
speed is lower than 2,000 rpm.
Natural gas operation is resumed only by acting on switch (A) again (LED
OFF): the respective warning light Kon the instrument board will go out.
Do not switch over between the two operating modes during the engine
starting phase.
F0E0577m
F0E0578m
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GAUGE INDICATING THE AMOUNT OF NATURAL GAS IN
THE BOTTLE
The gauge is always illuminated, both when the engine is fuelled by
natural gas and petrol.
The bottles are full when all of the six green nicks of the meter are fully
covered. Nick (A) (amber yellow) lights up to indicate that the engine is
low on fuel and must therefore be filled up.
When the last green nick goes out (natural gas run out), automatic
switching to petrol fuelling will take place, which will be signalled by the
lighting of warning light Kon the instrument board.
Natural gas operation will be automatically resumed upon the next fill-up.
WARNING! Petrol shall always be available in the tank.
F0E0506m
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FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
The safety switch will be tripped in case of vehicle
collision and will cut off natural gas supply, thus causing
the engine to be switched off.
For further information, refer to the Owner
Handbook, chapter “Dashboard and controls”,
paragraph “Fuel cut-off switch”.ENGINE STARTING
To start the engine correctly, refer to the warnings
and recommendations provided in the Owner
Handbook, chapter “Engine starting”.
Emergency starting
If the Fiat CODE system is not able to deactivate the
engine lock, warning light ¢will remain ON and the
engine won’t start. Refer to the Owner Handbook,
chapter “Emergency starting”.
WARNINGThe Natural Power Fiat Multipla engine is always started by using petrol, even
when the switch is set to the “Natural gas” position; in this case, the green LED on
the switch will indicate that the engine is fuelled by petrol and will remain such
until automatic switching to natural gas has taken place: now, the green LED on
the switch will go out.
Therefore, it is required that reserve fuel is always available in the petrol tank.
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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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