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.
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IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
If the car is used on dusty roads change
the air cleaner more frequently than the
indications in the “Service schedule”. If in
doubt as to how often the engine oil and
air cleaner should be changed according
to how you use the car, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments it is advis-
able to replace the filtering element more
frequently; in particular it should be re-
placed if a reduction of the amount of air
admitted to the passenger compartment
is noted.
IMPORTANT - Battery
The charge in the battery should be
checked at the start of winter to limit the
risk of electrolyte freezing.This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used mainly for
short trips, or if it is fitted with accessories
that permanently absorb electricity even
with the ignition key removed, especially
in the case of after market accessories. If
the car is used in hot climates or particu-
larly harsh conditions it is wise to check
the level of the battery fluid (electrolyte)
more frequently than specified in the “Ser-
vice schedule”. IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy con-
ditions:
❒ trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7- 8 km) re-
peated and with external temperatures
below zero;
❒ frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g. taxis or
door-to-door deliveries) or in case of
a long term inactivity;
replace engine oil more frequently than
required on “Service Schedule”.
IMPORTANT - Diesel filter
The possibility of topping up with diesel
fuel not complying with EN590 European
Norm might make it necessary to replace
the filter more frequently than indicated
in the “Service Schedule”.
160
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Car maintenance should be
entrusted to Fiat Dealership.
For routine and minor main-
tenance operations you wish
to carry out yourself, always make sure
you have the proper equipment, gen-
uine Fiat spare parts and the necessary
fluids; do not however carry out these
operations if you have no experience.
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169
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
for a long time under 50%, the battery is
damaged by sulphation, reducing its ca-
pacity and starting attitude.
The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (e.g. already at -10°C). Refer to
the paragraph “Car inactivity” in “Starting
and driving” if the car is left parked for a
long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install
electric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm, etc.) con-
tact Fiat Dealership whose qualified per-
sonnel, in addition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption, checking whether the
car’s electric system is capable of with-
standing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more power-
ful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing en-
ergy even when the ignition key is off, they
gradually run down the battery. USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and length-
en its life, observe the following indica-
tions:
❒when you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly;
❒switch off all lights inside the car: the
car is however equipped with a system
which switches all internal lights off au-
tomatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound sys-
tem, hazard lights, etc.) switched on for
a long time when the engine is not run-
ning;
❒before performing any operation on the
electrical system, disconnect the bat-
tery negative cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be per-
fectly tightened. Incorrect assembly of electric
and electronic devices may
cause severe damage to your
car. Go to a Fiat Dealership if
you want to install accessories (alarms,
mobile phone, etc.): they will suggest
the most suitable devices and advise
you if a higher capacity battery needs
to be installed.
Batteries contain substances
that can be very dangerous
for the environment. t is ad-
visable to have the battery
changed by a Fiat Dealership where it
will be disposed of according to the
law.
If the vehicle must remain
unused for a long time at
very low temperature, remove the
battery and carry it to a warm place,
to avoid freezing.
WARNING
When you must perform any
operation on the battery or
near it, always protect your eyes with
the special goggles.
WARNING
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