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194
IMPORTANT When tightening the plug,
apply sealing compound Loctite 510 or
equivalent to the plug threads to prevent
oil leakage.
GEAR OIL CHANGE
Since special procedures, materials and
tools are required, it is recommended that
you trust this job to your authorized Fiat
Dealership.
54G097
(2)
79J005
Manual transaxleRear differential (4WD)
After driving the vehicle, the
gear oil temperature may be
high enough to burn you. Wait until
the oil filler plug is cool enough to
touch with your bare hands before in-
specting transaxle oil.
WARNING
GEAR OIL LEVEL CHECK
To check the gear oil level, use the fol-
lowing procedure:
❒Park the vehicle on a level surface with
the parking brake applied. Then, stop
the engine.
❒Remove the oil filler plug (1) or (2).
❒Feel the inside of the hole with your fin-
ger. If the oil level comes up to the bot-
tom of the plug hole, the oil level is cor-
rect. If so, reinstall the plug.
❒If the oil level is low, add gear oil
through the oil filler plug hole (1) or (2)
until the oil level reaches the bottom of
the filler hole, then reinstall the plug.
Tightening torque for oil filler and
level plug (1) and (2)
21 Nm (2,1 kgm, 15,2 lb-ft)
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196
ADDING COOLANT
Engine coolant is harmful or
fatal if swallowed or inhaled.
Do not drink antifreeze or coolant so-
lution. If swallowed, do not induce
vomiting. Immediately contact a poi-
son control center or a physician.
Avoid inhaling mist or hot vapors; if
inhaled, remove to fresh air. If
coolant gets in eyes, flush eyes with
water and seek medical attention.
Wash thoroughly after handling. So-
lution can be poisonous to animals.
Keep out of the reach of children and
animals.
WARNINGIMPORTANT
❒The mixture you use should contain
50% concentration of antifreeze.
❒If the lowest ambient temperature in
your area is expected to be –35°C
(–31°F) or below, use higher concen-
trations up to 60% following the in-
structions on the antifreeze container.
❒When putting the cap on the reservoir
tank, line up the arrow on the cap and
the arrow on the tank. Failure to follow
this can result in coolant leakage.
If the coolant level is below the “LOW”
mark, more coolant should be added.
When the engine is cool, remove the de-
gassing tank cap by turning it anticlock-
wise slowly to release any pressure. And
add coolant until the degassing tank level
reaches the “FULL” mark. Never fill the
degassing tank above the “FULL” mark.
It is hazardous to remove the
degassing tank cap for Diesel
engine when the water temperature
is high, because scalding fluid and
steam may be blown out under pres-
sure. Wait until the coolant temper-
ature has lowered before removing
the cap.
WARNING
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197
COOLANT REPLACEMENT
79J007
It is hazardous to remove the
radiator cap when the water
temperature is high, because scalding
fluid and steam may be blown out un-
der pressure. Wait until the coolant
temperature has lowered before re-
moving the cap.
WARNING
For Petrol Engine Model
❒When the engine is cool, remove the
radiator cap by turning it slowly to the
left until a “stop” is felt. Do not press
down while turning the cap. Wait until
any pressure is released, then press
down on the cap and continue turning
it anticlockwise.
❒After filling, let the engine idle for about
2–3 minutes to get rid of air in the cool-
ing system.
❒Stop the engine.
❒Check the coolant level in the radiator
again. If the level has gone down, add
more coolant.
IMPORTANT The coolant must be re-
placed with the vehicle on level ground.
For Diesel Engine Model
Since special procedures are required, we
recommend you take your vehicle to your
Fiat Dealership for coolant replacement.
❒Remove the reservoir by lifting it up,
and drain the reservoir completely.
❒Loosen the drain plug attached to the
lower part of the radiator and drain the
coolant into a suitable container.
❒Reinstall the reservoir and fill it with
coolant to the “FULL” line.
❒Tighten the drain plug on the radiator.
❒Fill the radiator with coolant and install
the radiator cap.
60A212
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198
AIR CLEANER
If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there
will be greater intake resistance, result-
ing in decreased power output and in-
creased fuel consumption.
IMPORTANT Damage may result if the
washer motor is operated with no fluid in
the washer tank.
79J091
Front and rearWINDSHIELD WASHER
FLUID
Check windscreen washer fluid level in the
tank and if required top up with TUTELA
PROFESSIONAL SC35 diluted with wa-
ter, if necessary.
Do not use “antifreeze” so-
lution in the windshield
washer reservoir. This can severely
impair visibility when sprayed on the
windshield, and can also damage your
vehicle’s paint.
WARNING
Certain commercial addi-
tives for windscreen washers
are inflammable. The engine com-
partment contains hot components
which may set it on fire.
WARNING
Do not travel with the wind-
screen washer reservoir
empty: the windscreen washer is fun-
damental for improving visibility.
WARNING
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201
NOTE If your engine is equipped with the
hightension cord type ignition wiring and
you experience some firing problem of
spark plugs, such as, hard engine- starting,
misfire etc., the cause may be located not
only on spark plugs but also on deterio-
rated ignition wirings (generally, used for
more than 80000 km or five years). If
spark plug replacement does not solve the
problem, have the ignition wiring and oth-
er ignition system inspected by your Fiat
Dealership.FUEL FILTER
(Diesel engine)
The fuel filter works as a water sedimen-
tor as well.
Drain water when the fuel filter warning
light comes on. To drain water:
❒Place a pan or ample rag under the fu-
el filter drain nozzle.
❒Loosen the drain knob (1). The water
will be drained.
❒Tighten the drain knob when the water
changes to the diesel fuel.
❒Tighten the drain knob.
(1)
79J147
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202
NOTE With disc brakes, the fluid level can
be expected to gradually fall as the brake
pads wear.
BRAKES
BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level by looking at
the reservoir in the engine compartment.
Check that the fluid level is between the
“MAX” and “MIN” lines. If the brake flu-
id level is near the “MIN” line, fill it up to
the “MAX” line with TUTELA TOP 4 SAE
J1704 o DOT4 brake fluid.
79J010
Failure to follow the guide-
lines below can result in per-
sonal injury or serious damage to the
brake system.
– If the brake fluid in the reservoir
drops below a certain level, the brake
warning light on the instrument pan-
el will come on (the engine must be
running with the parking brake fully
disengaged). Should the light come
on, immediately ask your Fiat Deal-
ership to inspect the brake system.
– A rapid fluid loss indicates a leak in
the brake system which should be in-
spected by your Fiat Dealership im-
mediately.
WARNING– Brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted
surfaces. Use caution when refilling
the reservoir.
– Do not use any fluid other than SAE
J1704 or DOT4 brake fluid. Do not
use reclaimed fluid or fluid that has
been stored in old or open contain-
ers. It is essential that foreign parti-
cles and other liquids are kept out of
the brake fluid reservoir.
WARNING
Brake fluid is harmful or fa-
tal if swallowed, and harm-
ful if it comes in contact with skin or
eyes. If swallowed, do not induce
vomiting. Immediately contact a poi-
son control center or a physician. If
brake fluid gets in eyes, flush eyes
with water and seek medical atten-
tion. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Solution can be poisonous to animals.
Keep out of the reach of children and
animals.
WARNING
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203
With the engine running, measure the dis-
tance between the brake pedal and floor
carpet when the pedal is depressed with
approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) of force. The
minimum distance required is as specified.
Since your vehicle’s brake system is self-
adjusting, there is no need for pedal ad-
justment.
If the pedal to floor wall distance as mea-
sured above is less than the minimum dis-
tance required, have your vehicle in-
spected by your Fiat Dealership.
NOTE When measuring the distance be-
tween the brake pedal and floor wall, be
sure not to include the floor mat or rub-
ber on the floor wall in your measure-
ment. BRAKE PEDAL
Check if the brake pedal stops at the reg-
ular height without “spongy” feeling when
you depress it. If not, have the brake sys-
tem inspected by your Fiat Dealership. If
you doubt the brake pedal for the regu-
lar height, check it as follows:
Pedal to wall minimum distance
“a”: 40 mm (1.6 in.)
54G10860G104A
If you experience any of the
following problems with
your vehicle’s brake system, have the
vehicle inspected immediately by
your Fiat Dealership.
– Poor braking performance
– Uneven braking (Brakes not work-
ing uniformly on all wheels.)
– Excessive pedal travel
– Brake dragging
– Excessive noise
– Pedal pulsation (Pedal pulsates
when depressed.)
WARNING
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206
1.Tread wear indicator
2.Indicator location mark
❒Check that the depth of the tread
groove is more than 1.6 mm (0.06 in.).
To help you check this, the tires have
molded- in tread wear indicators in the
grooves. When the indicators appear
on the tread surface, the remaining
depth of the tread is 1.6 mm (0.06 in.)
or less and the tire should be replaced.
❒Check for abnormal wear, cracks and
damage. Any tires with cracks or oth-
er damage should be replaced. If any
tires show abnormal wear, have them
inspected by your Fiat Dealership.
❒Check for loose wheel bolts.
❒Check that there are no nails, stones
or other objects sticking into the tires.
54G136
– Air pressures should be
checked when the tires are
cold or you may get inaccurate read-
ings.
– Check the inflation pressure from
time to time while inflating the tire
gradually, until the specified pressure
is obtained.
– Never underinflate or overinflate
the tires.
Underinflation can cause unusual
handling characteristics or can cause
the rim to slip on the tire bead, re-
sulting in an accident or damage to
the tire or rim.
Overinflation can cause the tire to
burst, resulting in personal injury.
Overinflation can also cause unusu-
al handling characteristics which may
result in an accident.
WARNING
Hitting curbs and running
over rocks can damage tires
and affect wheel alignment. Be sure
to have tires and wheel alignment
checked periodically by your Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
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