88IN AN EMERGENCY
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, you can use an-
other battery to start the engine. Its
capacity must be the same or slightly
greater than the flat battery (see the
chapter
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS).
Proceed as follows:
1)connect positive terminals Aand
B-fig. 1of the two batteries with a
jump lead.
2)With a second lead, connect the
negative terminal Cof the auxiliary
battery to an earth point Dof the car.IMPORTANTDo not directly
connect the two negative terminals:
sparks could ignite the flammable gas
from the battery.
If the auxiliary battery is fitted in an-
other vehicle, prevent accidental con-
tact of metallic parts.
3)Start the engine.
4)When the engine has been
started, remove the leads in the re-
verse order: D, C, Band finally A.
If the engine fails to start after a few
attempts, do not keep on but have the
car seen to at a Fiat Dealership. Do not carry out this
procedure if you lack ex-
perience; if it is not done
correctly it can cause very in-
tense electrical discharges. In ad-
dition, the fluid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corro-
sive. Avoid contact with skin and
eyes.
You are also advised not to put
naked flames or lighted ciga-
rettes near the battery and not
to cause sparks.
fig. 1
P4Q00087
Under no circumstances
should a battery charger
be used to start the en-
gine: it could damage the elec-
tronic systems and in particular
the ignition and injection control
units.
119CAR MAINTENANCE
Do not keep accessories (e.g. sound
system, hazard lights etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running.
IMPORTANTA battery which is
kept at a charge of less than 50% for
any length of time will be damaged by
sulphation leading to a reduction in
cranking power and a higher risk of
the battery electrolyte freezing (this
may even occur at –10°C).
If the car is inactive for a long period
of time, refer to
STORING THE CAR, in
the chapter
DRIVING YOUR CAR.
If you want to add accessories after
buying the car (antitheft system, free-
hand phone kit, radio navigator, etc.)
visit a Fiat Dealership. They can
suggest the most suitable accessories
to get and check whether the electric
system can support the required load
or whether a larger capacity battery is
required. USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE
OF YOUR BATTERY
When you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly. The ceiling lights must be off.
Top up electrolyte
Low charge level
Electrolyte level and charge
sufficientContact Fiat Dealership
Charge the battery (advisable to
contact Fiat Dealership)
No action
CHECKING THE CHARGE (where fitted)
On certain versions the battery charge can be checked through the indicator
A, and acting according to the colour the indicator shows.
Refer to the table below or to the label Bon the battery.
Bright white colour
Dark colour without
green area in the centre
Dark colour with green
area in the centre
fig. 7/a
P4Q01082
