2
MUST BE READ!
REFUELLING
Refuel petrol engine vehicles with unleaded petrol, octane rating (RON) no lower than 95.
The use of other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of the warranty due
to the damage caused.
ENGINE START-UP
Make sure the handbrake is pulled up; put the gear lever into neutral; press the clutch pedal down to the floor
without touching the accelerator; turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine starts.
PARKING OVER INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL
When functioning normally, the catalytic converter reaches high temperatures. For this reason do not park
the vehicle over inflammable material, grass, dry leaves, pine needles, etc.: fire hazard.
K
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protec-
tion is fitted in your vehicle.
U
33GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
DIRECTIONAL AND
ADJUSTABLE AIR VENTS
fig. 33
The vents can be rotated upwards
or downwards.
A- Control for adjusting air flow:
turned to ¥vent open.
turned to çvent closed.
B- Control for directing air flow.
C- Fixed vent for side windows.CONTROLS fig. 34
A- Air temperature knob (mixing
hot and cold air).
B- Fan knob .
C- Air distribution knob.
D- Air recirculation slider. This pre-
vents air from being taken in from the
outside.HEATING
1)Air temperature knob A-fig. 34:
pointer in the red sector.
2)Fan knob B: pointer at required
speed.
3)Air distribution knob C: pointer at:
≤to warm the feet and demist the
windscreen at the same time;
¥to direct air to the central and
side vents;
µto warm the feet and keep the
face cool (intermediate position);
wto heat when the outside tem-
perature is especially low: to send
most air to the footwell, close the
central and side vents;
-to rapidly demist the windscreen.
fig. 33
P4Q00047
fig. 34
P4Q00019
34GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
IMPORTANTTo speed up the
heating procedure:
– close the vents on the dashboard;
– turn knob Ato the red sector;
– turn knob Bto top fan speed;
– turn knob Cto -.
REAR WINDOW DEMISTING
AND/OR DEFROSTING
Press button (.
We recommend you switch the de-
vice off as soon as the window is
demisted.Do not place stickers on
the heated rear window
filaments, this could gen-
erate a short-circuit with possi-
ble overheating and rear window
explosion.
RAPID DEMISTING
AND/OR DEFROSTING
Windscreen and side windows
1)Air temperature knob A-fig. 34:
pointer in the red section.
2)Fan knob B: pointer at maximum
speed.
3)Air distribution knob C: pointer
at -.
4)Recirculation slider Dat U. When the windscreen and windows
have been demisted, reset the re-
quired comfort conditions. To keep
the windows as clear as possible fol-
low the procedure described below:
IMPORTANTIf the outside air is
very damp, if it is raining and/or if
there is a considerable difference be-
tween the inside and outside temper-
ature, prevent the windows from
misting up as follows:
– slider at
U;
– air temperature knob in the red
sector;
– fan on 2
ndspeed or more;
– air distribution knob at
-. Turn
it back to≤if the windows do not
mist up.
If the car has a manual climate con-
trol, adjust the controls as described
above and press the √button.
35GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
VENTILATION
1)Central and side vents: com-
pletely open.
2)Air temperature knob A-fig. 34:
pointer in the blue sector.
3)Slider Dat
U.
4)Fan knob B: pointer at required
speed.
5)Air distribution knob C: pointer
at ¥.
RECIRCULATION
When the slider Dis in position
Tonly air already inside the pas-
senger compartment is recirculated.
IMPORTANTThis function is par-
ticularly useful when the outside air is
heavily polluted (in a traffic jam, tun-
nel etc.). You are advised against us-
ing this function for long periods how-
ever, especially if there are a lot of
people in the car. Do not use the re-
circulation function during cold/wet
weather as this will increase the like-
lihood of the windows misting up.
MANUAL CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
The climate control system is ad-
justed manually.
CONTROLS fig. 35
Switch E automatically sets the fan
to the 1
stspeed.
A- Air temperature knob (mixing
hot and cold air).
B- Fan knob.
C- Air distribution knob.
D- Air recirculation slider. IMPORTANTWhen the outside
temperature is very high, the air will
be cooled more quickly if the air re-
circulation function is turned on. This
function is also particularly useful
when the outside air is heavily pol-
luted (in a traffic jam, tunnel etc.). You
are advised against using this function
for long periods however, especially if
there are a lot of people in the car.
E- Climate control on/off switch.
The system uses refrig-
erating fluid R134a which
will not pollute the envi-
ronment if it accidentally leaks.
Under no circumstances should
fluid R12 be used as this is in-
compatible with the system’s
component parts.
fig. 35
P4Q00020
36GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
CLIMATE CONTROL
(Cooling)
1)Air temperature knob A-fig. 35:
pointer in the blue sector.
2)Climate control: press button √E.
3)Slider D: at T.
4)Fan knob B: pointer at required
speed.
5)Air distribution knob C: pointer
at ¥.
To decrease cooling effects: set
pointer to
U, increase temperature
and decrease fan speed.
For normal heating and ventila-
tion , do not use the manual climate
control system. Use the normal heat-
ing and ventilation system instead (see
following chapter).IMPORTANTThe manual climate
control system is very useful for
speeding up the demising process be-
cause it dries the air. Simply adjust the
controls for the demistingfunction
(see previous section) and switch the
manual climate control system on by
pressing knob √. SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
During the winter, the climate con-
trol system must be turned on at least
once a month for about ten minutes.
Have the system and pollen filter ef-
ficiency checked before the summer
at a Fiat Dealership.
The system is filled with
R134a refrigerant which
will not pollute the envi-
ronment in the event of leakage.
Under no circumstances should
R12 fluid be used as it is incom-
patible with the system compo-
nents and contains CFC.
78DRIVING YOUR CAR
Tyres
Tyre pressure should be checked at
least once every four weeks: if the
pressure is too low fuel consumption
increases as the resistance to the
rolling movement of the tyre is
greater. In this state, tyre wear is in-
creased and vehicle handling suffers
which will effect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
vehicle and its trim greatly effects con-
sumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove roof racks and ski racks
from the roof of the car as soon as
they are no longer needed. These ac-
cessories reduce the aerodynamic
penetration of the vehicle and will in-
crease consumption. When having to
transport particularly large loads it is
better to use a trailer.Electric devices
Use electric devices for the neces-
sary time only. The heated rear win-
dow, fog lights, windscreen wipers,
heating system blower require large
amounts of electricity, and as a con-
sequence, the fuel consumption in-
creases (up to +25% in town).
Climate control system
The climate control system is a fur-
ther drag on the engine causing higher
fuel consumption (on average, up to
20%). When outside temperatures
permit, use the vents.
Aerodynamic accessories
The use of aerodynamic accessories
not certified for that specific purpose
can diminish the car’s aerodynamic
penetration and increase consump-
tion.BEHIND THE WHEEL
Starting-up
Do not warm up the engine when
the car is stationary, neither by idling
nor revving up. If you do, the engine
will warm up much more slowly and
increase fuel consumption and emis-
sions. It is therefore better to start
slowly and to keep the engine speed
down.
Unnecessary manoeuvres
Do not give quick bursts on the ac-
celerator when waiting at the traffic
lights or before turning off the engine.
This type of action, like the “double
clutch” are absolutely useless on mod-
ern cars. They only increase fuel con-
sumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as traffic conditions allow,
shift up to a higher gear. Using a low
gear to have a sharp acceleration in-
creases the consumption. Likewise,
using a high gear when this is not
called for increases consumption,
emissions and wear on the engine.
79DRIVING YOUR CAR
Top speed
As speed increases, so does the fuel
consumption: note that passing from
90 to 120 km/h increases consump-
tion by about +30%. Keep your speed
as steady as possible and avoid un-
necessary braking and accelerations
that cost fuel and increase emissions
considerably. It is better to drive
“smoothly” trying to foresee the ma-
noeuvres to avoid imminent dangers
and always respect the safety distance
to avoid the need to slow down sud-
denly.
Acceleration
Sudden and sharp accelerations
revving up the engine increase con-
sumption and emissions; accelerate
gradually and do not exceed the max-
imum torque.USE
Cold start
Short journeys and frequent cold
start-ups do not allow the engine to
reach the best running temperature.
As a result, consumption rises (from
+15 to +30% in town) and so do the
harmful emissions.
Traffic situations and road
conditions
Consumption rises in heavy traffic, in
traffic jams where it is constantly nec-
essary to shift to low gears or in big
cities with many traffic lights.
Also twisting roads, mountain roads
and rough road surfaces pay a heavy
toll on consumption.
Hold-ups in traffic
During hold-ups (e.g.: level crossings)
switch off the engine.CHEAP RUNNING
THAT RESPECTS
THE ENVIRONMENT
Environmental protection has been
one of the guiding principles in the
production of Fiat 600. It is no acci-
dent that its pollution control equip-
ment is much more effective than that
required by current legislation.
Nonetheless, the environment can-
not get by without a concerted effort
from everyone.
By following a few simple rules you
can avoid harming the environment
and often cut down fuel consumption
at the same time.
On this subject, a few useful tips
have been given below to supplement
those marked by symbol #, at various
points of the handbook.
You are asked to read both the for-
mer and the latter carefully.
80DRIVING YOUR CAR
LOOKING AFTER EMISSION
CONTROL DEVICES
The correct use of pollution control
devices not only ensures respect for
the environment but also has an effect
on the car’s performance. Keeping
these devices in good condition is
therefore a fundamental rule for dri-
ving that is easy on your pocket and
on the environment too.
The first step to take is to follow the
Service Schedule to the letter.
If your car has a petrol engine use
only unleaded petrol.
If you have trouble starting, do not
keep turning the ignition key for long
periods. Be especially careful to avoid
bump starting the car by pushing, tow-
ing or rolling down hill: these are all
manoeuvres that can damage the cat-
alytic exhaust. For emergency starts
use only an auxiliary battery.If the engine begins to “lose its
smoothness” when travelling, con-
tinue your journey but reduce the de-
mands you are making on the engine
and go to a Fiat Dealershipas soon
as you can.
When the instrument panel fuel re-
serve warning light comes on, fill up as
soon as possible. A low level of fuel
can cause an uneven supply of fuel to
the engine with the inevitable increase
in the temperature of the exhaust gas
and serious damage to the catalytic
converter.
Never run the engine with one or
more spark plugs disconnected, even
for testing purposes.
Do not warm up the engine by let-
ting it idle for a while before moving
off unless the outside temperature is
very low and, even in this case, only
do so for less than 30 seconds.Do not install other heat shields
and do not remove those already fit-
ted to the catalytic converter and
exhaust pipe.
When functioning nor-
mally the catalytic con-
verter reaches high tem-
peratures. For this reason do not
park the car over flammable ma-
terial (grass, dry leaves, pine nee-
dles etc.): fire hazard.
Ignoring the above rules
may lead to fire.
Do not allow anything to
be sprayed onto the cat-
alytic converter, Lambda
sensor or exhaust pipe.