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
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, turn the key to
STOPand then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try with the oth-
er keys provided with the car.
If you still cannot start the engine, contact
Fiat Dealership.HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS JUST
STARTED
Proceed as follows:❒ Drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometres. Wait until the coolant
temperature gauge starts moving.
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on with fixed light, the emergency
start-up can be performed by using the
CODE card code (see section “In an
emergency”). 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: the
warning lights
mand Yon the in-
strument panel will turn on;
❒Wait for the warning lights Yand
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. 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 ac-
celerator pedal shall be completely re-
leased while turning the ignition key to
AVV.
103
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
The warning light mwill
flash for 60 seconds at start-
up or during prolonged crank-
ing to indicate a fault in the
glow plug heating system. You can use
the car as usual if the engine starts but
you should contact Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
Never bump start the engine
by pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill. These opera-
tions could cause fuel to flow
into the catalytic exhaust system and
damage it beyond repair.
101-112 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:50 Pagina 103
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❒ Stop the engine and engage the hand-
brake;
❒engage a gear (1stif the car is faced up-
hill or reverse if it is faced downhill) and
leave the wheels steered.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the car is parked on a steep slope.
Do not leave the ignition key at MARto
prevent draining the battery, always re-
move the ignition key when leaving the
car.
Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car and take it out with you.HANDBRAKE fig. 1
The handbrake lever is located between
the two front seats.
Pull the handbrake lever upwards until the
car cannot be moved.
Four or five clicks are generally enough
when the car is on level ground while nine
or ten may be required if the car is on a
steep slope or laden.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, con-
tact Fiat Dealership to have the handbrake
adjusted.
When the handbrake lever is pulled up
and the ignition key is at MAR, the in-
strument panel warning light xwill turn
on. STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine is idling.
IMPORTANT After 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.
fig. 1F0G0037m
104
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
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.
101-112 Panda New GB 21-06-2007 13:50 Pagina 104
114
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS
Turning on of warning light is accompa-
nied by specific message and/or by buzzer
sound where provided by instrument pan-
el. These indications are concise and
cautionaryand shall not be considered
as exhaustive and/or as an alternative to
the specifications contained in this Own-
er Handbook which shall always be read
through carefully and thoroughly. In case
of failure indication always refer to the
specifications contained in this sec-
tion.
IMPORTANT Failure indications displayed
are divided into two categories: very se-
riousand less seriousfailures.
Very seriousfailures are indicated by a
repeated and prolonged warning “cycle”.
Less seriousfailures are indicated by a lim-
ited warning “cycle”.
The warning cycle of both failure classes
can be stopped by pressing button
MODE. The instrument panel warning
light will stay on until eliminating the fault.
As concerns messages relevant to the ver-
sions equipped with Dualogic gearbox, see
the attached Supplement.LOW BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL (red)
HANDBRAKE ON (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light turns on, but it should go off
after few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light turns on when the lev-
el of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls
below the minimum level, due to possi-
ble leak in the circuit.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
x
If the warning light xturns
on when travelling (on cer-
tain versions together with the mes-
sage on the display) stop the car im-
mediately and contact Fiat Dealer-
ship.
WARNING
Handbrake on
The warning light turns on when the hand-
brake is on.
On certain versions, if the car is moving
the buzzer will also sound.
IMPORTANT If the warning light turns on
when travelling, check that the handbrake
is not engaged.
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 glowing steadi-
ly if there is a failure in the air bag system.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
¬
113-122 Panda New GB 26-06-2007 11:04 Pagina 114
115
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If when turning the ignition
key to MAR, the warning
light ¬does not turn on or stays on
when travelling there could be a fail-
ure in safety systems; in this event air
bags or pretensioners could not trig-
ger in case of impact or, in a minor
number of cases, they could trigger
accidentally. Contact Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
The failure of the warning
light ¬(warning light off) is
also indicated by the flashing for
more than the normal 4 seconds of
the passenger’s front air bag deacti-
vated warning light F.
WARNING
FRONT PASSENGER’S
AIR BAG
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
Warning lightFcomes on when front
passenger’s air bag is deactivated.
With front passenger’s air bag on, turn-
ing the ignition key to MAR, warning light
Fcomes on steadily for about 4 sec-
onds, it flashes for other 4 seconds and
then it shall go off.
F
Warning light Findicates
also warning light ¬failures.
This is indicated by intermittent flash-
ing, over 4 seconds, of warning light
F. In this event warning light ¬in-
dicates that there could be a failure
in safety systems. Contact Fiat Deal-
ership immediately to have the sys-
tem checked.
WARNING
HIGH TEMPERATURE
ENGINE COOLANT
FLUID (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 when dri-
ving, proceed as follows:
❒normal driving conditions: stop
the car, switch off the engine and
check whether the water level in the
reservoir is not below the MIN mark.
Otherwise wait for few seconds to al-
low the engine cooling, then open
slowly and carefully the cap, top up
coolant and check whether its level is
falling between MIN and MAX marks
in the reservoir. Check visually any
leak. If, when restarting, the warning
light comes on again, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
ç
113-122 Panda New GB 26-06-2007 11:04 Pagina 115
116
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
❒Car heavy duty(e.g.: towing trailer
uphill of fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on,
stop the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes
leaving the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated to further activate the cir-
culation of the coolant fluid, then
switch the engine off. Check proper
coolant level as described previously.
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).
If it stays on, contact immediately Fiat
Dealership.
w
INEFFICIENT ABS
SYSTEM (amber)
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 sys-
tem is inefficient or unavailable. In this case
the braking system keeps its effectiveness
unchanged, but without the potential of-
fered by the ABS system. Caution is ad-
visable and it is necessary to contact Fiat
Dealership.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
>
INEFFICIENT
EBD
ELECTRONIC
BRAKING
DISTRIBUTOR (red) (amber)
The turning on at the same time of warn-
ing lights
xand >with the engine run-
ning indicates an EBD system failure or
that the system is unavailable; in this case
heavy braking may cause the rear wheels
to lock before time, with the possibility of
skidding. Drive with the utmost care to
the nearest Fiat Dealership to have the
system checked.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
x>
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
EXHAUSTED OIL (red)
(Multijet versions with
DPF)
Low engine oil pressure
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
Exhausted oil
The warning light with turn on flashing to-
gether with the message on the display
when the system detects that the engine
oil is exhausted.
After the first indication, at each engine
starting the warning light
vwill go on
flashing for about 60 seconds and then
every 2 hours until oil is changed.
113-122 Panda New GB 26-06-2007 11:04 Pagina 116
117
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
In these conditions it is possible to con-
tinue driving without however requiring
heavy effort or high speed from the en-
gine. Contact Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible.
EOBD engine control system
failure
Under normal conditions, turning the ig-
nition key to MAR, the warning light turns
on, but it should go out as soon as the en-
gine is started. The initial turning on indi-
cates that the warning light is working prop-
erly. If the warning light stays on or turns
on when travelling:
❒glowing steadily: means a fault in the
supply/ignition system which could
cause high emissions at the exhaust,
possible lack of performance, poor
handling and high consumption levels.
On certain versions the dedicated mes-
sage is displayed.
In these conditions it is possible to con-
tinue driving without however requiring
heavy effort or high speed from the en-
gine. Prolonged use of the car with the
warning light on may cause damages. Con-
tact Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
The warning light goes off if the fault dis-
appears, but it is still stored by the system.
❒flashing: indicates the possibility of
damage to the catalyst (see “EOBD
system” in section “Dashboard and
controls”). INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE
(Multijet versions -
amber)
EOBD ENGINE
CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE
(petrol versions - amber)
Injection system failure
Under normal conditions, turning the ig-
nition key to MAR, the warning light turns
on but it should go off after engine start-
ing.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
when travelling, means a fault in the sup-
ply/ignition system which could cause high
emissions at the exhaust, possible lack of
performance, poor handling and high con-
sumption levels.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
U
INCOMPLETE DOOR
LOCKING (red)
On certain versions the warn-
ing light turns on when one or
more doors or the tailgate are not prop-
erly shut.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
A buzzer will sound (only for versions with
reconfigurable multifunction display) when
doors are open and the car is moving.
´
“DUALDRIVE”
ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING FAILURE
(red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light turns on, but it should go off
after few seconds.
If the warning light stays on, you will not
have the steering assistance and the effort
on the steering wheel will be increased,
steering is however possible. Contact Fi-
at Dealership.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
g
If warning light vflash-
es, contact Fiat Dealership
immediately to have oil changed and
instrument panel warning light turned
off.
WARNING
113-122 Panda New GB 26-06-2007 11:04 Pagina 117
118
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If, turning the ignition key to
MAR, the warning light U
does not turn on or if it turns
on glowing steadily or flash-
ing when travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on the dis-
play), contact Fiat Dealership as soon
as possible. Warning light Uoperation
can be checked by traffic agents by
proper equipment. Comply with laws
and regulations of the country where
you are driving.
ç
FUEL RESERVE
(amber)
Turning the ignition key to
MARthe warning light turns on, but it
should go off after few seconds.
The warning light turns on when about 5
litres fuel are left in the tank.
IMPORTANT The warning light flashes to
indicate a failure, contact Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible to have the system
checked.GLOW PLUG
WARMING
(Multijet versions -
amber)
GLOW PLUG WARMING
FAILURE
(Multijet versions - amber)
Glow plug warming
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the
warning light turns on and it will turn off
when glow plugs reach the preset tem-
perature. Start the engine immediately af-
ter warning light switching off.
IMPORTANT With hot ambient temper-
ature, warning light stays on for very short
time.
Glow plug warming failure
The warning light turns on when there is
a failure in the glow plug warming system.
Contact Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
m
If the light flashes, it is necessary to release
the accelerator pedal to lower the speed
of the engine until the warning light stops
flashing; continue the journey at moder-
ate speed, trying to avoid driving condi-
tions that may cause further flashing and
contact Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.DIESEL PARTICULATE
FILTER CLOGGED
(1.3 Multijet versions
75 HP - amber)
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 diesel
particulate filter is clogged and the driving
conditions do not enable to activate au-
tomatically the reclaiming procedure.
To enable reclaiming, i.e. cleaning the fil-
ter, keep the car running until the warn-
ing light turns off.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
h
113-122 Panda New GB 26-06-2007 11:04 Pagina 118