The rear seat belts shall
be worn as shown in fig-
ure 6. Figure 6a shows
wrong seat belt fastening, not to
be followed.
11GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
fig. 7
P4Q00018
Remember that in the
case of violent collision,
back seat passengers not
wearing seat belts also represent
a serious danger to the front pas-
sengers.
ADJUSTING THE SEAT BELT
HEIGHT
There are two anchoring positions
A and B-fig. 7 for front seat belts on
the door post.
Before driving off for the first time,
adjust the position of the seat belt an-
choring point according to your height
and favourite driving position. If re-
quired, have the anchoring point of
the seat belt adjusted.
IMPORTANT Have this operation
performed at a Fiat Dealership only
as it involves passenger safety.USING THE CENTRAL REAR
SEAT BELT
(For versions/markets)
To fasten the seat belt:push the
fastener tongue A-fig. 7ainto slot B
of the buckle, until you hear it click.
To unfasten the seat belt:press
button C.
To adjust the belt:slide the web-
bing through D, pulling length Eto
tighten and length Fto loosen.
IMPORTANTThe belt is adjusted
properly when it fits closely across the
hips.
fig. 7a
P4Q00037
In order to ensure that the correct
tabs are fitted into the corresponding
buckle, the tabs of the side belt and the
buckle of the centre seat (only ab-
dominal) are incompatible.
15GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
fig. 11
F0C1076b
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELY
For optimal protection in the event
of a crash, all passengers must be
seated and wearing adequate restraint
systems.
This is even more important for chil-
dren.
According to 2003/20/EC Directive,
this prescription is compulsory for all
European Community countries.
Compared with adults, their head is
proportionally larger and heavier than
the rest of the body, while the mus-
cles and bone structure are not com-
pletely developed. Therefore, correct
restraint systems are necessary, other
then adult seat belts.The results of research on the best
child restraint systems are contained
in the European Standard ECE-R44.
This Standard enforces the use of re-
straint systems classified in five groups:
Group 0 - 0-10 kg in weight
Group 0+ - 0-13 kg in weight
Group 1 9-18 kg in weight
Group 2 15-25 kg in weight
Group 3 22-36 kg in weightAll restraint devices must bear the
certification data, together with the
control brand, on a solidly fixed label
which must absolutely never be re-
moved.
Over 1.50 m in height, from the
point of view of restraint systems,
children are considered as adults and
wear the seat belts normally.
Lineaccessori Fiat offers seats for
each weight group, which are the rec-
ommended choice, as they have been
designed and experimented specifically
for Fiat cars.
16GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
fig. 12
P4Q01077
The figure is only an ex-
ample for mounting. At-
tain to the instructions
for fastening which must be en-
closed with the specific child re-
straint system you are using.
GROUPS 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried
facing backwards on a cradle seat,
which, supporting the head, does not
induce stress on the neck in the event
of sharp deceleration.
The cradle is restrained by the car
seat belts, as shown infig. 12and in
turn it must restrain the child with its
own belts. SERIOUS DANGER: Never place cradle child’s seats on
the front passenger seat of cars fitted with passenger’s
air bag. The air bag activation could cause serious injuries,
even mortal. You are advised to carry children always on the rear seats,
as this is the most protected position in the case of a crash. In any case,
children’s seats must absolutely not be fitted on the front seat of cars
with passenger’s air bag, which during inflation could cause serious in-
jury, even mortal, regardless of the seriousness of the crash that trig-
gered it. Children may be placed on the front seat of cars fitted with
passenger’s air bag deactivation. In this case, it is absolutely necessary
to check the warning light
Fon the cluster to make sure that deacti-
vation has actually taken place (see paragraph “Passenger’s front air
bag” at item “Front air bags”). The front passenger’s seat shall be ad-
justed in the most backward position to prevent any contact between
child’s seat and dashboard.
20GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
IGNITION SWITCH
The key can be turned to four dif-
ferent positions fig. 16.
– STOP: engine off, key can be re-
moved and the steering column is
locked mechanically. Some electrical
devices can be used (e.g. sound sys-
tem).
– MAR: drive position. All electrical
devices can be used.
– AVV: engine ignition.
– PARK: engine off, parking lights
on, steering column locked. Press but-
ton Aand turn the key to PARK.
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
To engage the lock: remove the
ignition key at STOPor PARKand
turn the steering wheel until it locks. If the ignition switch has
been tampered with (e.g.
someone has tried to
steal your car), get a Fiat Deal-
ership to make sure it is still func-
tioning properly before you start
driving again.
Always remove the igni-
tion key when you get
out of the car. This will
prevent anyone from acciden-
tally working the controls. Re-
member to apply the handbrake
and, if the car is faced down on a
steep slope engage the first gear.
If it is facing up, engage the re-
verse gear.
Never remove the igni-
tion key while the car is
moving. The steering
wheel would automatically lock
as soon as you try to turn it. This
also applies when the car is being
towed.
fig. 16
P4Q00004
To release the lock: rock the
steering wheel slightly as you turn the
ignition key to MAR.
It is absolutely forbidden
to carry out whatever af-
ter-market operation in-
volving steering system or steer-
ing column modifications (e.g.: in-
stallation of anti-theft Device)
that could badly affect perfor-
mance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in
non-compliance of the car with
homologation requirements.
25GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
If after the display of the
message the smell of fuel
or leaks from the supply
system are noted,do not re-en-
gage the switch to avoid the risk
of fire.
fig. 23
P4Q01058
WARNING LIGHTS
These warning lights will come on in
the following cases:
DIRECTION
INDICATORS
(flashing) (green)
When the direction indicator con-
trol stalk is operated.
EXTERNAL LIGHTS
(green)
When the side/taillights
are switched on.
TRAILER
DIRECTION
INDICATORS
(IF ANY) (green)
When the direction indicator con-
trol stalk is operated.
y
l
3
MAIN BEAM
HEADLIGHTS (blue)
When the main beam
headlights are turned on.
1
WHEEL ANTI-
LOCKING SYSTEM
(ABS) FAILURE
(amber)
The normal braking system contin-
ues to work but you should have the
car seen to at a Fiat Dealership.
When the key is turned to MAR the
warning light will come on but should
go out after about 2 seconds.
>
26GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
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. 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.
FUEL RESERVE
(amber)
When there are about 7
litres of fuel left in the tank.
K
PASSENGER SIDE
AIRBAG OFF
(amber)
The warning light will come on when
the passenger side airbag is switched
off.
The light will flash when the engine
is started: this signals the airbag is be-
ing activated and not a fault.
F
Warning light Findi-
cates also warning light
¬failure. This is indi-
cated by intermittent flashing,
over 4 seconds, of warning light
F. In this event, warning light
¬could be not up to indicate re-
straint system failures, if any.
Stop the car and contact Fiat
Dealership to have the system
checked.
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.