145
LUGGAGE RESTRAINT
LOOPS (if equipped)
Four luggage restraint loops are provid-
ed on the luggage compartment floor. An
optional rubber net can be hooked to
these loops to help keep cargo from mov-
ing around in the luggage compartment
during normal driving.
FRONT SEAT BACK
POCKET (if equipped)
This pocket is provided for holding light
and soft things such as gloves, newspapers
or magazines.
60B119Do not put hard or break-
able objects in the pocket. If
an accident occurs, objects such as
bottles, cans, etc. can injure the oc-
cupants in the rear seat.
WARNING
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146
LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT LIGHT
When you open the rear door with the
luggage compartment light switch in the
“ON” position (1), the light comes on and
remains on as long as you keep the rear
door open.
When the luggage compartment light
switch is in the “OFF” position (2), the
light remains off regardless of whether the
rear door is opened or closed.
IMPORTANT Do not leave the rear door
open with the luggage compartment light
switch in the “ON” position for a long
time, or the battery will discharge.
LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT COVER
(if equipped)
Luggage or other cargo placed in the lug-
gage compartment are hidden from view
by a luggage compartment cover.
79J128
(1) (2)
79J053
Do not carry items on top of
the luggage compartment
cover, even if they are small and light.
Objects on top of the cover could be
thrown about in an accident, causing
injury, or could obstruct the driver’s
rear view.
WARNING
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150
DAILY INSPECTION
CHECKLIST
BEFORE DRIVING
❒Make sure that windows, mirrors,
lights, and reflectors are clean and un-
obstructed.
❒Visually check the tires for the fol-
lowing points:
– the depth of the tread groove
– abnormal wear, cracks and damage
– loose wheel bolts
– existence of foreign material such as
nails, stones, etc.
Refer to “Tires” in “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for details.
❒Look for fluid and oil leaks.
NOTE It is normal for water to drip from
the air conditioning system after use.
❒Make sure the hood is fully closed and
latched.
❒Check the headlights, turn signal lights,
brake lights and horn for proper oper-
ation.
EXHAUST GAS
WARNING
52D147
Avoid breathing exhaust gas-
es. Exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, a potentially lethal
gas that is colorless and odorless.
Since carbon monoxide is difficult to
detect by itself, be sure to take the
following precautions to help prevent
carbon monoxide from entering your
vehicle.
Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
Do not park with the engine running
for a long period of time, even in an
open area. If it is necessary to sit for
a short time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running, make sure the air
intake selector is set to “FRESH AIR”
and the fan is at high speed.
Avoid operating the vehicle with the
tail gate or trunk open. If it is neces-
sary to operate the vehicle with the
tail gate or trunk open, make sure the
sunroof (if equipped) and all windows
are closed, and the blower is at high
speed with the air intake selector set
to “FRESH AIR”.
WARNING
To allow proper operation
of your vehicle’s ventilation
system, keep the air inlet grille in
front of the windshield clear of snow,
leaves, or other obstructions at all
times.
Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear
of snow and other material to help
reduce the buildup of exhaust gases
under the vehicle. This is particular-
ly important when parked in blizzard
conditions.
Have the exhaust system inspected
periodically for damage and leaks.
Any damage or leaks should be re-
paired immediately.
WARNING
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151
Once a week, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, perform the following under-
hood checks:
❒Engine oil level
❒Coolant level
❒Brake fluid level
❒Power steering (if equipped) fluid level
❒Windshield washer fluid level
❒Battery solution level
❒Hood latch operation
Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without re-
leasing the secondary latch. Be sure to
close the hood securely after check-
ing for proper latch operation. See “All
latches, hinges & locks” of “CHASSIS
AND BODY” in the “Periodic Main-
tenance Schedule” in the “INSPEC-
TION AND MAINTENANCE” section
for lubrication schedule.Once a month, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.❒Adjust the seat and adjustable head re-
straint (if equipped).
❒Check the brake pedal and the park-
ing brake lever.
❒Adjust the mirrors.
❒Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your seat belts.
❒Make sure that all warning lights come
on as the key is turned to the “ON” or
“START” position.
❒Check all gauges.
❒Make sure that the BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING light turns off when the
parking brake is released.
60A187S
Make sure the hood is fully
closed and latched before
driving. If it is not, it can fly up un-
expectedly during driving, obstructing
your view and resulting in an acci-
dent.
WARNING
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154
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER
Diesel Particulate Filter warning
lightHowever, you should drive carefully with
keeping the legal speed limit, and take care
the surrounding traffic condition.
If you drive your vehicle at an average
speed of 50 km/h (31 mph) for about 5 min-
utes, the regeneration of the diesel partic-
ulate filter will be completed and the Diesel
Particulate Filter warning light will go out.
IMPORTANT Be sure to regenerate the
diesel particulate filter when the Diesel Par-
ticulate Filter warning light comes on. Non-
regenerate the diesel particulate filter will
cause the vehicle malfunction due to the
clogged filter.
NOTE When you drive your vehicle, the
white smoke may be emitted depending on
the grade of fuel used. This is due to the
particle filter being regenerated automati-
cally, and does not affect the way the ve-
hicle runs.
64J244
If the Diesel Particulate Filter warning light
comes on when driving, there is a risk of
the particle filter becoming clogged. You
should regenerate the diesel particulate fil-
ter when the Diesel Particulate Filter warn-
ing light comes on. To regenerate the diesel
particulate filter, we recommend that you
drive the vehicle until the light goes out,
at an average speed of 50 km/h (31 mph)
for about 5 minutes.Vehicle With Keyless Start System
The ignition switch can be operated when
the remote controller is in the vehicle ex-
cept the rear luggage area. To turn the ig-
nition switch, push the switch first.
NOTE
You must push in the ignition switch to
turn it from the “LOCK” position to the
“ACC” position. To return to the
“LOCK” position from the “ACC” posi-
tion, turn the ignition switch counter-
clockwise while pushing in the switch.
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155
If the keyless start system blue indicator
light illuminates on the instrument cluster,
you can turn the ignition switch. If the red
indicator light illuminates, you can not turn
the ignition switch.
NOTE
❒The ignition switch can be turned to
the “ACC” position when the keyless
start system blue indicator light illu-
minates. The blue indicator light will
illuminate for several seconds and
then turn off to protect the system.
In this case, you must release the ig-
nition switch once and push the
switch again.
79J232
❒If the keyless start system red indicator
light illuminates, the remote controller
may not be in the vehicle or the battery
of the remote controller may be unre-
liable. The red indicator light will turn
off within several seconds after the re-
mote controller is returned in the ve-
hicle except in the rear luggage area.
When the remote controller is in the ve-
hicle except the rear luggage area, you can
turn the ignition switch without using an
ignition key.
NOTE
❒If the battery of the remote controller
runs down or there are strong radio
waves or noise, the operating range
may be narrower or the remote con-
troller may be inoperative.
❒If the remote controller is too close to
the door glass, it may not operate.
❒The ignition switch may not turn when
the remote controller is on the instru-
ment panel, in the glove box, in the
door pocket, in the sun visor or on the
floor.
The remote controller is a
sensitive electronic instru-
ment. To avoid damaging it, do not
expose it to impacts, moisture or high
temperature (such as on the dash-
board under direct sunlight).
WARNING
You can also turn the ignition switch by
inserting the ignition key into the slot.
If you leave any of the doors open with the
ignition switch in the “ACC” position for
a while (and no key inserted), the engine
may not start when you turn the ignition
switch to “START”. If the engine does not
start, close all doors completely or turn
the ignition switch back to the “LOCK”
position, then start the engine.
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157
IMPORTANT Do not drive with your
hand resting on the gear lever as the force
exerted, even if slight, could lead over time
to premature wear on the gearbox inter-
nal components.
IMPORTANT
❒To help avoid clutch damage, do not
use the clutch pedal as a footrest while
driving or use the clutch to keep the ve-
hicle stationary on a hill. Depress the
clutch fully when shifting.
❒When shifting or starting off, do not
race the engine. Racing the engine can
shorten engine life and prevent smooth
shifting.
USING THE 2WD/
4WD SWITCH
(if equipped)
This 4WD system enables you to select the
driving mode according to the driving con-
ditions by operating the 2WD/4WD
switch. With this feature, you can select 3
mode positions, “2WD”, “4WD AUTO”
and “4WD LOCK” by operating the 2WD/
4WD switch even when the vehicle is mov-
ing, provided the front wheels are in the
straight ahead position.
DESCRIPTION OF TRANSFER
CASE POSITIONS
2WD
In this position, engine power is supplied
to the front axle only. Use this position
for normal driving (on dry, hard surfaces).
4WD AUTO
In this position, engine power is supplied
to the front and rear axles at normal
speed, providing greater traction than 2-
wheel drive. Use this position for driving
on paved roads or on slippery roads (icy,
snow- covered, muddy, etc.).In the AUTO mode, the 4WD controller
judges the driving conditions using signals
from sensors.
When slipping of the front wheels is de-
tected, the electronically controlled cou-
pling supplies optimum driving force to the
rear wheels. This function improves dri-
ving stability and running through perfor-
mance on rough roads and stabilizes dri-
ving performance even on a snow covered
up- hill road or the like.
Also, during normal driving on paved
roads, torque distribution to the rear
wheels is reduced to achieve the nearly
front wheel drive condition, thereby fuel
consumption is improved.
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159
IMPORTANT
❒Never use the “4WD LOCK” mode
when driving on dry paved roads.
Avoid using the “4WD LOCK” mode
when driving on wet paved roads as
much as possible. Use of the “4WD
LOCK” mode in above conditions will
apply excessive force to the driving
system and may cause a critical failure.
Also, the tires may wear faster and fu-
el consumption may be affected ad-
versely.
❒Note that 4WD vehicles are not al-
laround vehicles. Be sure to observe
following instructions when driving
your vehicle.
– Do not drive through water like
crossing a river.
– Do not drive continuously where
front wheels tend to race such as in
the sand and mud.
– When any wheel is in the air for such
reason as running off the road, do
not race it needlessly.
❒If the “4WD AUTO” and the “4WD
LOCK” indicator lights stay on and
come on simultaneously when driving,
there may be something wrong the
4WD system. Have the system in-
spected by an authorized Fiat Dealer-
ship.IMPORTANT Unevenly worn tires can
cause problems in the operation of the
2WD/4WD switch. Be sure to rotate the
tires according to the maintenance sched-
ule. Refer to “Tires” and “Maintenance
Schedule” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for proper tire
rotation procedures.
❒While making turns or accelerating and
decelerating, operating the 2WD/
4WD switch or turning off the key
switch in the “4WD AUTO” or “4WD
LOCK” mode may cause a shock, but
this is not a system malfunction.
❒While driving in the “4WD LOCK”
mode, as the vehicle speed increases,
the driving mode changes to the “4WD
AUTO” mode automatically. Even
when the vehicle speed reduces, on the
other hand, the driving mode does not
return to the “4WD LOCK” mode au-
tomatically. You should press the
“4WD LOCK” switch according to the
driving conditions.
❒Any forcible operation while driving of-
froad in the sand or water or when a
wheel has run off the road, the differ-
ence of the revolution between front
wheels and rear wheels increases
(wheels run idle). If this state continues,
the oil temperature of the driving sys-
tem parts rises.
In such case, the “4WD AUTO” indi-
cator light blinks and the driving mode
changes to the 2WD mode to protect
the driving system parts.
When you operate your vehicle in the
4WD mode continuously, park the ve-
hicle at a safe place and run the engine
idle. After some time, the “4WD AU-
TO” indicator light turns on again and
the driving mode returns to the “4WD
AUTO” mode.
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