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54G535
Air bags must inflate quickly and forceful-
ly in order to reduce the chance of seri-
ous or fatal injuries. However, an un-
avoidable consequence of the quick infla-
tion is that the air bag may irritate bare
skin, such as the facial area against a front
air bag. Also, upon inflation, a loud noise
will occur and some powder and smoke
will be released. These conditions are not
harmful and do not indicate a fire in the
car. Be aware, however, that some air bag
components may be hot for a while after
inflation.
The driver should not lean
over the steering wheel. The
front passenger should not rest his or
her body against the dashboard, or
otherwise get too close to the dash-
board. For vehicles with side air bags
and side curtain air bag, occupants
should not lean on or sleep against
the door. In these situations, the out-
of- position occupant would be too
close to an inflating air bag, and may
suffer severe injury.
Do not attach any objects to, or place
any objects over, the steering wheel
or dashboard. Do not place any ob-
jects between the air bag and the dri-
ver or front passenger. These objects
may interfere with air bag operation
or may be propelled by the air bag
in the event of a crash. Either of these
conditions may cause severe injury.
For vehicles with side air bags, do not
place seat covers on the front seats,
because seat covers could restrict the
air bag’s inflation. Also, do not place
any cup holders on the door, as the
cup holder could be propelled by the
air bag in the event of a crash. Either
of these conditions may cause severe
injury.
WARNING
A seat belt helps keep you in the proper
position for maximum protection when an
air bag inflates. Adjust your seat as far back
as possible while still maintaining control
of the vehicle. Sit fully back in your seat;
sit up straight; do not lean over the steer-
ing wheel or dashboard. Front occupants
should not lean on or sleep against the
door. Please refer to the “Seat Adjust-
ment” section and the “Seat Belts and
Child Restraint Systems” section in the
“BEFORE DRIVING” section for details
on proper seat and seat belt adjustments.
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55
GENERAL WARNINGS
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
Remember that with the key
engaged and at ON, even if
the engine is not running, the air bags
may be triggered on a stationary ve-
hicle if it is bumped by another mov-
ing car. Therefore, never seat children
on the front seat even when the ve-
hicle is stationary. On the other hand
remember that if the key is at LOCK,
no safety system (air bags or preten-
sioners) is triggered in the event of an
impact; in this case, failure to come
into action cannot be considered as a
sign that the system is not working
properly.
WARNING
If the vehicle 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
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
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56
Do not hook rigid objects to
the coat hooks and to the
support handles.
WARNING
009-056 Fiat16 New GB 27-11-2007 11:25 Pagina 56
Page 59 of 266
58
IGNITION SWITCH
VEHICLE WITHOUT KEYLESS
START SYSTEM
The ignition switch has the following four
positions:
LOCK
This is the normal parking position. It is
the only position in which the key can be
removed.
It locks the ignition, and prevents normal
use of the steering wheel after the key is
removed.
You must push in the key to turn it to the
“LOCK” position.
To release the steering lock, insert the key
and turn it clockwise to one of the other
positions. If you have trouble turning the
key to unlock the steering, try turning the
steering wheel slightly to the right or left
while turning the key.
65D367
To avoid possible injury, do
not operate controls by
reaching through the steering wheel.
WARNING
60G033A
Turn to “LOCK”
Push
60B041A
ACC
Accessories such as the radio can oper-
ate, but the engine is off.
ON
This is the normal operating position. All
electrical systems are on.
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59
START
This is the position for starting the engine
using the starter motor. The key should
be released from this position as soon as
the engine starts.
Ignition key reminder (if equipped)
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to remove the ignition key if it is in
the ignition switch when the driver’s door
is opened.
If the ignition device is tam-
pered with (e.g.: attempted
theft), have it checked over by a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
WARNING
When getting out of the ve-
hicle, always remove the key
to prevent any occupants from acci-
dentally activating the controls. Re-
member to engage the handbrake
and if the vehicle is parked on uphill
slope to engage the first gear. If the
vehicle is facing downhill, engage the
reverse gear. Never leave unsuper-
vised children in the vehicle.
WARNING
Never remove the ignition
key while the vehicle is mov-
ing. The steering wheel would auto-
matically lock as soon as you try to
turn it. This also applies when the ve-
hicle is being towed.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect per-
formance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in non-
compliance of the vehicle with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING
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62
81A279S
Never return the ignition
switch to the “LOCK” posi-
tion and remove the ignition key
while the vehicle is moving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock and you will not be
able to steer the vehicle.
Always return the ignition switch to
the “LOCK” position and remove the
ignition key when leaving the vehicle
even if a short time. Also do not leave
children alone in a parked vehicle.
Unattended children could cause ac-
cidental movement of the vehicle or
could tamper with power windows or
power sunroof. They also could suf-
fer from heat stroke in warm or hot
weather. These could result in severe
injury or even death.
WARNING
IMPORTANT
❒Do not use the starter motor for more
than 15 seconds at a time. For diesel
engine model, do not use the starter
motor for more than 30 seconds at a
time. If the engine does not start, wait
15 seconds before trying again. If the
engine does not start after several at-
tempts, check the fuel and ignition sys-
tems or consult your Fiat Dealership.
❒Do not leave the ignition switch in the
“ON” position if the engine is not run-
ning as the battery will discharge. Ignition switch reminder
(When using the keyless start system)
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to return the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position if it is in the “ACC” po-
sition when the driver’s door is opened.
Ignition key reminder
(When using the ignition key)
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to remove the ignition key if it is in
the ignition switch when the driver’s door
is opened.
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65
If the lever is equipped with the “INT
TIME” control, turn the control forward
or rearward to adjust the intermittent
wiper operation to the desired interval.WINDSHIELD WASHER
To spray windshield washer fluid, pull the
lever toward you. The windshield wipers
will automatically turn on at low speed if
they are not already on and the “INT” po-
sition is equipped.
WINDSHIELD WIPER
AND WASHER LEVER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
To turn the windshield wipers on, move
the lever down to one of the three op-
erating positions. In the “INT” position
(if equipped), the wipers operate inter-
mittently. The “INT” position is very con-
venient for driving in mist or light rain. In
the “LO” position, the wipers operate at
a steady low speed. In the “HI” position,
the wipers operate at a steady high speed.
To turn off the wipers, move the lever
back to the “OFF” position.
Move the lever up and hold it to the
“MIST” position, the windshield wipers
will turn on continuously at low speed.
IMPORTANT Never use the window
wiper to remove ice or snow from the
windscreen. In these conditions, the wiper
is submitted to excessive effort that re-
sults in motor protection cutting in and
wiper operation inhibition for few seconds
as a consequence. If operation is not re-
stored (also after restarting the vehicle by
the ignition key) contact Fiat Dealership.
MIST
OFF
INT
LO
HI
62J034
62J035
62J036
To prevent windshield icing in
cold weather, turn on the de-
froster to heat the windshield before
and during windshield washer use.
Do not use radiator antifreeze in the
windshield washer reservoir. It can se-
verely impair visibility when sprayed
on the windshield, and can also dam-
age your vehicle’s paint.
WARNING
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67
TILT STEERING LOCK
LEVER (if equipped)
The lock lever is located under the steer-
ing column. To adjust the steering wheel
height:
❒Pull up the lock lever to unlock the
steering column.
❒Adjust the steering wheel to the de-
sired height and lock the steering col-
umn by push down the lock lever.
❒Try moving the steering wheel up and
down to make sure it is securely locked
in position.
63J026
UNLOCK LOCK
Never attempt to adjust the
steering wheel height while
the vehicle is moving or you could lose
control of the vehicle.
WARNING
Any adjustment of the steer-
ing wheel position must be
carried out only with the vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine turned off.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect per-
formance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in non-
compliance of the vehicle with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING
057-068 Fiat16 New GB 27-11-2007 11:25 Pagina 67