52GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Take care that scarves,
ties or loose clothing do
not accidentally come
near moving parts; they could
become entangled with serious
danger for the wearer. To close the bonnet:
1)keep the bonnet lid raised with
one hand and remove the rod B-
fig. 76from the recess with the other
Cthen secure it in its clip A.
2) lower the bonnet until approx. 20
cm from the engine compartment and
then let it drop, ensuring it is fully
closed and not just held in position by
the safety catch.
If the bonnet does not close properly
do not push it down but open it again
and repeat the above procedure.ROOF RACK/
SKI RACK
ANCHORING
ARRANGEMENT fig. 77
The anchoring seats for roof racks
are shown in the illustration.
The rear clips are to be secured in
the area immediately above the side
window rubbers.
Specific roof/ski racks are available in
the Fiat Lineaccessori range.
For safety reasons the
bonnet shall always be
perfectly closed when
travelling. Always check for
proper bonnet locking. If the bon-
net is left inadvertently open, stop
the car immediately and close the
bonnet.
fig. 76
P4Q00070
fig. 77
P4Q00071
54GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
ADJUSTING THE FRONT
FOGLIGHTS
The foglight beam can be adjusted by
means of screw A-fig. 79.
Have the lights checked at a Fiat
Dealershipand adjusted if necessary. If you have never driven a car with
ABS before, you should practice using
the system on slippery terrain, obvi-
ously with the necessary safety pre-
cautions and keeping to the Highway
Code of the country you are in. It is
also a good idea to read the following
information carefully.
The advantage in using the ABS sys-
tem is that it continues to give you
maximum manoeuvrability even when
braking hard in conditions of poor grip
by preventing the wheels locking.
You should, however, not expect
the braking distance to always de-
crease: for example surfaces with
gravel or fresh snow on a slippery
road will in fact increase the braking
distance.
To exploit the ABS system to the full
in the event of necessity, you should
take heed of the following advice:ABS
The car is fitted with an ABS braking
system, which prevents the wheels
from locking when braking, makes the
most of road grip and gives the best
control when emergency braking un-
der difficult road conditions.
The driver can tell the ABS system
has come into play because the brake
pedal pulsates slightly and the system
gets noisier.
This should not be interpreted as a
fault in the brakes; on the contrary it
is a sign that the ABS system is work-
ing: it tells the driver that the car is
travelling at the limit of its road grip
and that the speed should be altered
to fit the type of road surface.
The ABS is an addition to the basic
braking system. If there is a malfunc-
tion, the system turns off automati-
cally and only the ordinary brakes
continue to work.
If a failure occurs, and, consequently,
the wheel anti-locking system is not
effective, the braking system will con-
tinue to work as usual.
fig. 79 Versione S and Active
P4Q01017
55GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
The ABS exploits the
road hold available as
much as possible but can-
not increase it. You should al-
ways drive carefully on slippery
surfaces and avoid any unneces-
sary risks.Braking while cornering always re-
quires extreme care even when using
ABS.
The most important advice to follow
is this:
If the ABS intervenes, it
means that the grip be-
tween the type and the
road is reduced with respect to
the normal conditions. Reduce
speed immediately to match the
poor road conditions.
If there is a fault in the
system and the instru-
ment panel warning light
>comes on, drive you car
slowly to a Fiat Dealership, to
have the system checked and put
right.When the ABS cuts in,
and you feel the brake
pedal pulsating, do not
remove your foot, but keep it
pressed. In doing so you will stop
in the shortest amount of space
possible under the current road
conditions.
If you follow these tips you will be
able to brake better in any situation.
IMPORTANTCars with ABS may
only be fitted with wheel rims, tyres
and brake pads of the make and
model approved by the manufacturer.The system is completed with an
electronic brake force distributor
called EBD which improves braking
system performance by means of the
ABSsystem control unit and sensors.
The car is fitted with an
electronic braking device
(EBD). The >and x
warning light will come on at the
same time when the engine is
running to indicate that there is
an EBD system failure. In this
case violent braking may be ac-
companied by early rear wheel
locking with the possibility of
skidding. Drive the car extremely
carefully to the nearest Fiat Deal-
ership to have the system
checked.
56GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Warning light >alone,
with the engine running,
normally indicates a fault
in the ABS system only. In this
case, the braking system is still
efficient, though without the
anti-locking device. Under these
conditions, performance of the
EBD system may be reduced.
Also in this case, you are advised
to go immediately to the nearest
Fiat Dealership, driving in such a
way to avoid sharp braking to
have the system checked. FRONT AIRBAGS
The car is fitted with front air bags
(for versions/markets where applica-
ble) for the driver and the passenger.
FRONT AIR BAGS fig. 80
The front air bag (driver and pas-
senger) has been designed to protect
the occupants in the event of head-
on crashes of medium-high severity,
by placing the cushion between the oc-
cupant and the steering wheel or dash-
board.
Front air bags are designed to pro-
tect car’s occupants in front crashes
and therefore non-activation in other
types of collision (side collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.In case of front crash, an electronic
control unit, when required, triggers
the inflation of the cushion.
The cushion immediately inflates,
placing itself as a protection between
the body of the front occupants and
the structure that could cause injuries.
Immediately after, the cushion deflates.
The front air bag (driver and pas-
senger) is not a replacement of but
complementary to the use of belts,
which should always be worn, as spec-
ified by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.
In case of crash, a person not wear-
ing the seat belt moves forward and
may come into contact with the cush-
ion while it is still inflating. Under this
circumstance the protection offered
by the air bag is reduced.
Front air bag can be activated in the
following situations:
– in collisions against highly
deformable objects not affecting
the vehicle front surface (e.g.
bumper collision against guard
rail); If the xbrake fluid low
warning light comes on,
stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and contact the nearest
Fiat Dealership. Fluid leaks from
the hydraulic system, in fact, can
compromise brake system oper-
ation, both traditional systems
and systems with ABS.
fig. 80
P4Q00074
68GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
IMPORTANTThe hermetic clo-
sure may cause a slight pressure in the
tank: a slight hissing when turning the
cap is quite normal.
To close:
1)the cap coupling is “bayonet”
type. Insert the cap (with the key) and
turn it clockwise until it clicks;
2)keeping the cap still, turn the key
clockwise and remove it; close the
flap.
fig. 92
P4Q01051
Never pour even the
tiniest amount of leaded
petrol in the tank, not
even in an emergency; this would
damage the catalytic exhaust be-
yond repair. FUEL TANK CAP
The fuel filler cap is fitted with a lock.
To open:
1)press on the point indicated and
open the flap fig. 90;
2) holding the cap still, turn the key
anticlockwise fig. 91;
3) turn the cap anticlockwise by
about one fourth of a turn and re-
move it.
The cap is provided with a strap A-
fig. 92fastening it to the flap so that
is cannot be lost.
fig. 90
P4Q00076
fig. 91
P4Q01050
An inefficient catalytic
exhaust causes harmful
emissions with conse-
quent environmental pollution.
REFUELLING
To guarantee full tank filling, carry
out two refuelling operations after the
first click of the fuel delivery gun.
Avoid further topping up operations
that could cause damages to the fuel
system.
71DRIVING YOUR CAR
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the Fiat CODE system fails to
recognise that code transmitted by
the ignition key (instrument panel
warning light ¢on) the emergency
start-up can be performed by using
the CODE card code.
See the
INANEMERGENCY. A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive
it is better to allow the engine to
“catch its breath” before turning it off,
by letting it idle to allow the temper-
ature in the engine compartment to
fall.
PARKING
Switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and put the car in 1st gear
if the car is pointing uphill, reverse if
downhill.
If the car is parked on a steep gradi-
ent it is a good idea to use a stone or
wedge to block the wheels.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MARbecause it drains the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car. Bump starting by push-
ing, towing or rolling
downhill must be avoided
at all costs. This way of starting
could cause a rush of fuel into the
catalytic exhaust pipe and dam-
age it beyond repair.
Remember that as long
as the engine is not run-
ning, the power brakes
and power steering do not work.
You therefore have to use con-
siderably more effort on both the
brake pedal and the steering
wheel. SWITCHING OFF
THE ENGINE
Turn the key to STOPwhile the
engine is idling.
Never leave unsuper-
vised children in the car.
72DRIVING YOUR CAR
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is between the
front seats.
Pull the handbrake lever upwards
until the car cannot be moved. Four
or five clicks are generally enough
when the car is on level ground while
nine or ten may be required if the car
is on a steep slope or laden. IMPORTANTIf this is not the
case, go to a Fiat Dealership to
have the handbrake adjusted.
Instrument panel warning light x
will come on when the handbrake
lever is pulled up and the ignition key
is at MAR.
To release the handbrake:
1)Slightly lift the hand brake and
press release button A-fig. 1;
2)keep the button pressed in and
lower the lever. Warning light xwill
go out;
3)to prevent accidental movement
of the car, this procedure should be
carried out with the brake pedal
pressed down.
STEERING LOCK LEVER
Use the brake pedal to lock the bot-
tom end. HOW TO USE
THE GEARS
The lever positions for the different
gears are shown in fig. 2(this diagram
is also on the gear knob).
Press the clutch fully.
To put the car in reverse (R), wait
until the car has stopped and, from
neutral: move the lever to the right
and back.
fig. 1
P4Q00078
fig. 2
P4Q00079
76DRIVING YOUR CAR
IMPORTANT On stretches of
road with good visibility, switch off
your rear fog lights; the brightness of
these lights could annoy the people
travelling in the cars behind
– Remember that fog also means the
tarmac is wet and therefore manoeu-
vres of all kinds are more difficult and
stopping distances are longer.
– Keep a good distance from the
cars in front of you.
– As far as possible, avoid spurts of
speed or sudden deceleration.
– Do not overtake other vehicles if
you can help it.
– If you are forced to stop your car
(breakdown, limited visibility etc.) try
to stop off the road. Turn on the haz-
ard lights and, if possible, the dipped-
beam headlights. Rhythmically sound
the horn if you realise another car is
coming.DRIVING IN
THE MOUNTAINS
– When driving downhill use the en-
gine braking effect by engaging a low
gear so as not to overheat the brakes.
– Under no circumstances should
you drive downhill with the engine off
or with the car in neutral, let alone
with the ignition key out.
– Drive at a moderate speed with-
out cutting corners.
– Remember that overtaking while
going uphill is slower and therefore
requires more free road. If you are
being overtaken while driving uphill,
make it easier for the other vehicle to
pass. DRIVING ON SNOW
AND ICE
Here are some tips for driving in
these conditions:
– keep your speed down;
– use chains if the roads are covered
in snow: see paragraph
SNOW TYRESin
this chapter;
– mainly use the braking effect of the
engine and under all circumstances
avoid braking sharply;
– when braking in a car not fitted
with ABS, reduce the possibility of the
wheels locking by varying the pressure
you exert on the brake pedal;
– do not accelerate suddenly and
avoid swerving;
– in the winter, even apparently dry
roads may have icy patches. Be care-
ful therefore when driving over
stretches that do not get much expo-
sure to the sun or are lined with trees
or rock where ice might not have
melted;
– keep a good distance from the ve-
hicles in front;