
89
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
Group 3
For children from 22 kg up to 36 kg the
size of the child’s chest no longer requires
a support to space the child’s back from
the seat back.
Fig. 12shows proper child seat posi-
tioning on the rear seat.
Children taller than 1.50 m can wear seat
belts like adults.
fig. 12F0G0050m
The figure is only an exam-
ple for mounting. Attain to
the instructions for fastening which
must be enclosed with the specific
child restraining system you are using.
WARNING
PASSENGER’S SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS
ON CHILD’S SEAT USE
Fiat Panda complies with the new EC Directive 2000/3 regulating child’s seat assembling
on the different car seats according to the following table:
Range Front Rear CentralGroup of weight seat seat seat
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kg U U *
Group 1 9-18 kg U U *
Group 2 15-25 kg U U *
Group 3 22-36 kg U U *
Key:
U = suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal” category, according to Eu-
ropean Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Group”.
(*) No child’s seat can be installed on the rear seat with lap belt (without reel).
081-100 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:49 Pagina 89

91
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
It is possible to mount both the traditional
restraint system and the Isofix type one,
one on the left and the other on the right,
for example.
Since sizes are different, it is possible to
install max. two Isofix type seats on the
rear seats using the proper fastening de-
vices or three traditional child’s seats se-
cured by the seat belts. Only traditional
child’s seats can be installed on front seats.
Use only Isofix type child’s seats that have
been designed, experimented and ap-
proved expressly for this car.
Mount the child restraint
system only with the car sta-
tionary. The child restraint system is
properly anchored to the mounting
brackets when clicks are heard. In any
case, keep to the installation instruc-
tions that must be provided by the
child restraint system Manufacturer.
WARNINGPRESETTING
FOR MOUNTING THE
“ISOFIX TYPE” CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(where provided)
Fiat Panda is created preset for mounting
the Isofix type child restraint system, a
new European standardised child restraint
system. Isofix type is an additional option
that does not prevent from using tradi-
tional child restraint systems. Isofix type
child restraint system covers three groups:
0, 0+ and 1.
Due to its different anchoring system, the
child’s seat shall be anchored using the
proper metal brackets set between rear
seat back and cushion or in the rear seat
cover, identified by slots A-fig. 13.
fig. 13F0G0055m
081-100 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:49 Pagina 91

92
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
FITTING THE ISOFIX TYPE
SEAT
0 and 0+ group
For children of this weight group (babies
up to 13 kg), the child’s seat is facing back-
wards and the child restrained by the
child’s seat belts D-fig. 14.
As the child grows, passing to weight
group 1, remove the child’s seat from the
base and refit it facing forwards.For proper mounting proceed as follows:
❒check whether the release lever Bis at
rest position (inward);
❒find the presetting brackets A, then po-
sition the child restraint system with
the fastening devices Caligned with the
brackets;
❒ push the child restraint system until
hearing locking clicks;
❒check proper locking by moving the
child’s seat with force: the built-in safe-
ty mechanism actually inhibits improp-
er coupling with only one coupling
locked.
fig. 14F0GXXXXm
GROUP 1
For proper mounting proceed as follows:
❒check whether the release lever B-
fig. 15is at rest position (inward);
❒find the presetting brackets A, then po-
sition the child restraint system with
the fastening devices Caligned with the
brackets;
fig. 15F0G0052m
081-100 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:49 Pagina 92

95
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
MANUALLY DEACTIVATING
THE PASSENGER’S FRONT
AIR BAG
Should it be absolutely necessary to car-
ry a child on the front seat, the passenger’s
air bag on the car can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place with
ignition key at STOPand operating it in
the special key switch in the glovebox.
The key can be fitted and extracted in
both positions.
IMPORTANT Operate the switch only
when the engine is not running and the ig-
nition key is removed. PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
fig. 17
It consists of an instant-inflating cushion
contained in a special recess in the dash-
board; its volume is bigger than the dri-
ver’s one.
fig. 17F0G0057m
SERIOUS DANGER: Never
place cradle child’s seats on
the front passenger seat of
cars fitted with passenger
air bag. Air bag activation
could cause serious injuries,
even mortal. In the case of need, al-
ways deactivate the passenger’s air
bag when a child’s seat is placed on
the front seat. The front passenger’s
seat shall be adjusted in the most
backward position to prevent any
contact between child’s seat and
dashboard. Even if not compulsory by
law, you are recommended to reacti-
vate the air bag immediately as soon
as child transport is no longer neces-
sary.
WARNING
081-100 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:49 Pagina 95

96
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
SIDE AIR BAGS
(Side bag - Window
bag)
SIDE BAG fig. 19
It consists of an instant inflation cushion
housed in the back rest of the front seat
and has the task to increase protection
of the occupants’ chest in the event of a
side crash of medium-high severity.
The key-operated switch has two posi-
tions fig. 18:
❒passenger’s front air bag activated (ON
position P): warning light Fon in-
strument cluster off; it is absolutely pro-
hibited to carry a child on the front
seat.
❒passenger’s front air bag deactivated
(OFFposition F): warning light F
on instrument cluster on; it is possible
to carry a child protected by special re-
straint system on the front seat.
The warning light Fon the cluster stays
on permanently until the passenger’s air
bag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front air
bag does not inhibit operation of the side
air bag.
fig. 19F0G0058mfig. 18F0G0170m
081-100 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:49 Pagina 96

98
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
GENERAL WARNINGS
If when turning the key to
MAR the warning light ¬
does not turn on or if it stays on when
travelling there could be a failure in
safety systems; in this event air bags
or pretensioners could not trigger in
case of impact or, in a minor num-
ber of cases, they could trigger acci-
dentally. Contact Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
Do not cover the backrest of
front seats with trims or cov-
ers that are not suitable to be used
with side bags.
WARNING
Never travel with objects on
your lap, in front of your
chest or with a pipe, pencil, etc. be-
tween your lips; injury may result in
the event of the air bag being trig-
gered.
WARNING
Always keep your hands on
the steering wheel rim when
driving, so that if the air bag is trig-
gered, it can inflate without meeting
any obstacles which could cause seri-
ous 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.
WARNING
Remember that with the key
engaged and at MAR, even if
the engine is not running, the air bags
may be triggered on a stationary car
if it is bumped by another moving car.
Therefore, never seat children on the
front seat even when the car is sta-
tionary. On the other hand remem-
ber that if the key is at STOP, no safe-
ty system (air bags or pretensioners)
is triggered in the event of an impact;
in this case, failure to come into ac-
tion cannot be considered as a sign
that the system is not working prop-
erly.
WARNING
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
081-100 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:49 Pagina 98

99
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
Do not wash the seat back
rest with pressurised water
or steam (by hand or at automatic
seat washing stations).
WARNING
The front air bag is triggered
for shocks greater in magni-
tude that the pretensioners. For im-
pacts between these two thresholds,
it is therefore normal that only the
pretensioners are triggered.
WARNING
Do not hook rigid objects to
the coat hooks and to the
support handles.
WARNING
The air bag does not substi-
tute the seat belts, but only
increases their effectiveness. More-
over, since the front air bags do not
come into operation in the event of
front impact at low speed, side colli-
sions, bumps from behind or over-
turning, in these circumstances the
occupants would only be protected
by the seat belts which must therefore
always be fastened.
WARNING
When the ignition key is
turned to the MAR position,
the warning light F(with passen-
ger’s front air bag deactivation switch
in the ON position) turns on and
flashes for few seconds to remind that
the passenger’s air bag will be de-
ployed in a crash, after which it
should go off.
WARNING
081-100 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:49 Pagina 99

STARTING PROCEDURE
FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒put the gear lever in 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.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, warn-
ing light
Yremains lit together with
warning light Uturn the key to STOP
STOP and then back to MAR; if the warn-
ing light remains on, try with the other
keys provided with the car.
If you are still unable to start the engine,
perform the emergency start-up proce-
dure (see “Emergency start-up” in “In an
emergency” chapter) and contact Fiat
Dealership.
STARTING
THE ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic engine
lock device: if the engine fails to start, see
the paragraph “The Fiat CODE system” in
section “Dashboard and controls”.
The engine may be noisier than usual dur-
ing the first seconds of operation, espe-
cially after it has not been used for a while.
This characteristic feature of the hydraulic
tappet system does not compromise func-
tionality or reliability: the system devised
for the Fiat Panda was designed to limit
maintenance interventions.
102
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
We recommend that during
the initial period you do not
drive to full car performance
(e.g.: excessive acceleration,
long journeys at top speed, sharp brak-
ing, etc.).
When the engine is switched
off never leave the ignition
key in the MAR position to
prevent pointless current ab-
sorption from draining the battery.
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 servo-
brake 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
101-112 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:50 Pagina 102