
60GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Correct operation of
the front airbags and the
pretensioners is guaran-
teed as long as the car is not
overloaded.
The airbag does not re-
place seat belts but
rather increases their ef-
fectiveness. Furthermore, the
front airbag is not fired in the
event of low speed front colli-
sions, side collisions, rear-end
shunts and roll-overs. In these
cases, the passengers are only
protected by the seat belts which
for this reason must be fastened
at all times. EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD (European On Board Di-
agnosis) system continuously monitors
the car emission system components.
Furthermore, the system warns the
driver of deterioration concerning the
emission system components by
means of the Uwarning light on the
instrument panelThe objective is to:
– monitor system efficiency;
– warn when failures can increase
emissions over the threshold estab-
lished by the European regulations;
– warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
Furthermore, the system is equipped
with a connector for interfacing with
specific tools used to read the error
codes stored in the control unit mem-
ory along with a set of diagnostic and
engine specific parameters. This check can also be performed by
traffic controller agents.
Contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship as soon as possible if
the Uwarning light ei-
ther does not come on when the
key is turned to MAR or comes
on, with fixed or flashing light,
when travelling.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating
the problem, your Fiat Dealership
will run a bench test to fully check the
system. In some cases, a long road
test may be required.

74DRIVING YOUR CAR
WHEN TRAVELLING
– The first rule of safe driving is pru-
dence.
– Prudence also means putting your-
self into a position where you can pre-
dict wrong or imprudent behaviour
from other drivers.
– Stick closely to the rules of the
road in the particular country where
the vehicle is being driven and, above
all, do not exceed speed limits.
– Ensure that, besides yourself, all
the other passengers in the car have
their seat belts fastened, that children
are sitting in the appropriate child
seats and any animals in the car are
placed in suitable compartments.
– You should be physically fit and
mentally alert before setting out on
long journeys. Always fasten both front
and back seat belts and
those of any child seats.
Travelling with the seat belts un-
fastened increases the risk of in-
jury or death if you are in a colli-
sion.
Driving while drunk or
under the influence of
drugs or certain medi-
cines is dangerous for both you
and other road users.
Water, ice or salt on
road surfaces can deposit
on brake disks, reducing
braking efficiency on the first
braking.
Consider that fitting ex-
tra spoilers, alloy rims or
non standard wheel caps
can reduce ventilation of the
brakes and reduce their effi-
ciency under conditions of violent
or repeated braking or long
downhill travel.
Do not drive with ob-
jects on the floor in front
of the driver’s seat: they
could get caught under the ped-
als making braking or accelerat-
ing impossible. Pay attention to the
mats: even a minor prob-
lem to the braking sys-
tem may require increases brake
pedal stroke with respect to nor-
mal.
– Do not drive too many hours at a
time but stop at intervals to stretch
your legs and recover your energies.
– Constantly change the air in the
passenger compartment.
– Never coast downhill (i.e. with the
engine off): if you do, you lose the aid
of the engine brake, brakes booster
and power steering, so that braking
and steering require greater effort.

110CAR MAINTENANCE
SERVICE SCHEDULE
These coupons are to be used every 20,000 km.
thousands of kilometres
Check tyre conditions and wear and adjust pressure, if required
Check lighting system operation (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
boot light, ceiling lights, glove compartment light, instrument panel warning
lights, etc.)
Check windscreen washer/wiper system and adjust nozzles
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear
Check front disc brake pad conditions and wear
Check rear drum brake linings and wear
Inspect: conditions of: outside bodywork, underbody protection, piping/hosing
(exhaust - fuel lines - brake lines), rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushings, etc.)
Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubrication
Check tension of accessory drive belts and adjust, if required
Inspect accessory drive belt conditions
Check tappet clearance and adjust, if required
Check/adjust handbrake stroke20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
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111CAR MAINTENANCE
thousands of kilometres
Check anti-evaporation system
Replace air cleaner cartridge
Top up fluids (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc.)
Check timing belt conditions
Replace timing belt (*)
Replace spark plugs
Check engine control systems via diagnostic socket
Check mechanical gearbox oil level
Change engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Change brake fluid (or every two years) 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
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(*) or every 3 years for demanding use (cold climates, prolonged idling in city traffic)
or every 5 years, regardless of distance

112CAR MAINTENANCE
ANNUAL INSPECTION SCHEDULE
– Inspect conditions of. engine, gear-
box, transmission, piping (exhaust -
fuel feed - brakes), rubber parts
(boots - sleeves - bushings - etc.),
brake and fuel line hoses.
– Check for bonnet and boot lock
cleanness, lever cleanness and lubri-
cation.
– Check battery charge status.
– Check conditions of various con-
trol belts.
– Check and top up fluid levels (en-
gine coolant, brakes, windscreen
washer, battery, etc.).
– Change engine oil.
– Replace engine oil filter.
– Replace pollen filter (where fitted). The following annual inspection
schedule is recommended for
cars travelling less than
20,000 km a year (e.g. approxi-
mately 10,000 km). The schedule
includes the following operations:
– Check tyre condition and wear
and adjust pressure, if required (in-
cluding spare wheel).
– Check operation of lights (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, boot light, passenger compart-
ment ceiling light, glove compartment
light, instrument panel lights, etc.).
– Check windscreen wiper/washer
and adjust nozzles.
– Check position wear of wind-
screen/rear window wiper blades.
– Check front brake pad conditions
and wear.
ADDITIONAL
CHECKS
Every 1,000 kmor before long
trips, check and top up as necessary:
– engine coolant level, brake fluid
level, windscreen washer liquid level,
tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3,000 kmcheck and top up
as necessary: engine oil level.
We recommend using FL Selenia
products which were specifically de-
signed and made for use in Fiat vehi-
cles (see
CAPACITIEStable in TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
).

147INDEX
Lubricant specifications .......... 140
Main beam headlights
– bulb replacement ................. 96
– control .................................... 37
– flashing .................................... 38
Manual climate control system
– controls .................................. 35
– cooling .................................... 36
– maintenance .......................... 36
Number plate lights ................ 99
Paint ........................................... 125
Parking .......................................... 71
Performance ............................... 137
Pretensioner ............................... 12
Protecting emission control
devices ....................................... 80
Radio-frequency remote control
– homologation numbers ...... 9-143
– operation ............................... 9
– replacing the batteries ........ 9
Rear foglights
– bulb replacement ................. 99
– on/off button ......................... 40Rear window washer
– control .................................... 39
– fluid level ................................ 116
Rear window wiper
– blades ...................................... 122
– control .................................... 39
– nozzles .................................... 124
Rearview mirrors
– exterior .................................. 31
– interior ................................... 31
Refuelling ..................................... 68
Rev counter ................................ 24
Reversing lights ........................... 99
Roof rack/ski rack ...................... 52
Rubber tubing ............................. 122
Safe driving
– before getting behind
the wheel ............................... 73
– driving at night ...................... 75
– driving in the fog .................. 75
– driving in the mountains ..... 76
– driving in the rain ................. 75
– driving on snow and ice ..... 76
– driving with ABS .................. 77– when travelling ..................... 74
Safe driving in harmony
with nature ............................... 4
Seat belts
– general warnings .................. 13
– height adjustment ................ 11
– maintenance .......................... 14
– pretensioners ........................ 12
– rear side seat belt use ........ 11
– transporting children
in safety .................................. 15
– use ........................................... 10
Seats
– accessing the rear seats ...... 31
– children .................................. 15
– cleaning ................................... 127
– fore/aft settings .................... 29
– seat back settings ................. 30
Side/taillights
– control .................................... 37
– front bulb replacement ....... 97
– rear bulb replacement ........ 99
Signs to help you drive
correctly .................................... 5
Snow chains ................................ 85