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131
PEDAL
Clutch Pedal (1)
The clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the en-
gine, stopping, or shifting the gearshift
lever. Depressing the pedal disengages the
clutch.
IMPORTANT Do not drive with your
foot resting on the clutch pedal. It could
result in excessive clutch wear, clutch
damage, or unexpected loss of engine
braking.
Brake Pedal (2)
Your Fiat vehicle is equipped with either
front and rear disc brakes or front disc
brakes and rear drum brakes. Depress-
ing the brake pedal applies both sets of
brakes.
You may hear occasional brake squeal
when you apply the brakes. This is a nor-
mal condition caused by environmental
factors such as cold, wet, snow, etc.Accelerator Pedal (3)
This pedal controls the speed of the en-
gine. Depressing the accelerator pedal in-
creases power output and speed.
When parking the vehicle in
extremely cold weather, the
following procedure should be used:
1) Set the parking brake.
2) Shift the manual transaxle into re-
verse or first gear, or the automatic
transaxle into “P” (Park).
3) With the engine off, get out of the
vehicle and put chocks under the
wheels.
4) Release the parking brake.
When you return to your vehicle,
you must remember to first set the
parking brake, then remove the
wheel chocks.
WARNING
(1) (2) (3)
79J072
If brake squeal is excessive
and occurs each time the
brakes are applied, you should have
the brakes checked by your Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
Do not “ride” the brakes by
applying them continuously
or resting your foot on the pedal. This
will result in overheating of the brakes
which could cause unpredictable
braking action, longer stopping dis-
tances, or permanent brake damage.
WARNING
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132
FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel filler cap is located on the left rear
side of the vehicle. The fuel filler lid can be
unlocked by pulling up the opener lever lo-
cated on the outboard side of the driver’s
seat and locked by simply closing the lid.
GEARSHIFT LEVER
Your vehicle is equipped with a manual
transaxle. The gearshift lever is shown. For
details on how to use the transaxle, re-
fer to “Using the Transaxle” in the “OP-
ERATING YOUR VEHICLE” section.
63J051
Remove the fuel filler cap
slowly. The fuel may be un-
der pressure and may spray out, caus-
ing injury.
WARNING
Gasoline is extremely flam-
mable. Do not smoke when
refueling, and make sure there are no
open flames or sparks in the area.
WARNING
To change gears properly
you must push the clutch
pedal fully down. It is therefore es-
sential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way of the
pedals.
WARNING
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.
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133
The fuel tank filler cap has a “screw-on
ratcheting type” feature.
❒To remove, turn the cap counter-
clockwise. Turn the cap slowly to allow
any residual pressure to escape.
❒To install, turn the cap clockwise and
tighten it securely until a “ratcheting”
(clicking) sound is heard. The “ratchet-
ing” sound indicates that the cap is on
properly.
79J048
79J049
60G069
Open
Close
If you need to replace the fu-
el cap, use a genuine Fiat cap
or its equivalent. Use of an improper
cap can result in a malfunction of the
fuel system or emission control system.
It may also result in fuel leakage in the
event of an accident.
WARNING
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135
❒Unhook the strap (2) by pushing down
the hook as shown in the illustration.
❒Hook the strap (2) to the front seat
head restraint as shown in the illustra-
tion.
IMPORTANT When securing the folded
rear seat with a strap, adjust the strap
length so that the rear seat will not move.
❒Fold the entire seat forward.
79J124
(2)
79J125
(2)
63J059
When you unlatch the rear
seat cushion, be careful that
your face or hands are not injured
from the seat popping up.
WARNING
Luggage or other cargo
should be stowed in the lug-
gage compartment with the rear seat
in an upright position, whenever pos-
sible. If you need to carry cargo in the
passenger compartment with the rear
seat back folded forward, be sure to
secure the cargo or it may be thrown
about, causing injury. Never pile car-
go higher than the seatbacks.
WARNING
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136
❒Pull down the seat cushion until it locks
into place.IMPORTANT When returning the rear
seat cushion to the normal position, make
sure that there is nothing around the strik-
er. This prevents the seat cushion from
being locked securely. When returning the
rear seat cushion to the normal position,
make sure that there is nothing under the
seat cushion. This prevents damage to the
seat cushion.
❒Raise the seatback until it locks into
place.
After returning the seat, try moving the
seat and seatback to make sure they are
securely latched. To return the seat to the normal position,
follow the procedure below.
❒Unhook the strap from the head re-
straint and stow the strap to the back
of the seat cushion.
79J12679J12963J130
When returning the rear seat
cushion to the normal posi-
tion, be careful that your finger is not
caught between the lock and the
floor.
WARNING
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139
FRONT SEAT HEATER
(if equipped)
With the ignition switch in the “ON” po-
sition, push in one or both of the seat
heater switches to warm the correspond-
ing seat(s). The indicator light below the
switch will also come on. To turn off the
seat heater, push in the switch again. The
indicator light below the switch will go off.
IMPORTANT To avoid damaging the
heater element:
❒Do not subject the front seats to heavy
impacts, such as children jumping on
them.
❒Do not cover the seat with any insu-
lating materials such as blankets or
cushions.
79J074
79J076
Improperly using the seat
heater can be hazardous. An
occupant can suffer burns even if the
heating temperature is fairly low, if the
occupant is wearing thin pants, a thin
skirt or shorts and leaves the heater on
for long periods.
Avoid using the seat heater for these
occupants:
– People who have reduced feeling in
their legs, including the elderly or
those with certain disabilities.
– Small children, or anyone with sen-
sitive skin.
– People who are asleep or under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs
which make them tired.
WARNING
86G064
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142
CUP HOLDER AND
STORAGE AREA
(if equipped)
The cup holders are provided in the cen-
ter console.
79J051
79J052
Do not use the cup holder to
hold cups containing hot liq-
uids, or sharpedged, hard or break-
able objects. Objects in the cup hold-
er may be thrown about during a sud-
den stop or impact, and could cause
personal injury.
WARNING
For safety reasons the bon-
net must be closed properly
to avoid its opening while the vehi-
cle is travelling. Therefore, always
check it is properly closed and the
catch engaged. Should you notice
that the catch is not perfectly en-
gaged when travelling, stop the vehi-
cle immediately and close the bonnet.
WARNING
If the supporting rod is not
positioned correctly the bon-
net may fall violently.
WARNING
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143
Shipping hook
The hooks (2) and frame holes (3) are
provided for shipping purposes only. It can
break if used for any other purpose.
FRAME HOOKS
Frame hooks are provided on the front
(1), rear (2) and side (3) (if equipped) of
the vehicle for use in emergency situa-
tions.
To tow your vehicle on the road or high-
way, follow the instruction of “Towing” in
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” or “VEHICLE
LOADING AND TOWING” section.
(1)
79J079
(2)
79J080
Front
Rear
Do not use the frame hooks
to tow another vehicle or to
have your vehicle towed on the road
or highway. The hooks are designed
for use in emergency situations only,
such as if your vehicle or another ve-
hicle gets stuck in deep mud or snow.
WARNING
(3)
79J081
(3)
79J132
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