Page 129 of 258

STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒put the gear lever into neutral (posi-
tions P or N for automatic transmis-
sion);
❒press the clutch pedal (or brake ped-
al with automatic transmission) down
to the floor without pressing the ac-
celerator;
❒turn the ignition key to STARTand
let it go the moment the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to OFFbe-
fore repeating starting.
IMPORTANT In the event of fast engine
start-up (i.e.: fitting the ignition key and
turning it to ON), any slight jamming is to
be attributed to correct recognition of the
electronic key by the ignition switch.
ENGINE STARTING
The car is fitted with an electronic engine
lock device: if the engine fails to start, see
the paragraph “The Fiat CODE system” in
section “Dashboard and controls”.
The engine may be noisier than usual dur-
ing the first seconds of operation, espe-
cially after it has not been used for a while.
This characteristic feature of the hydraulic
tappet system does not compromise func-
tionality or reliability. This timing system
for petrol engines was adopted to limit
servicing.
128
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
We recommend that during
the initial period you do not
drive to full car performance
(e.g.: excessive acceleration,
long journeys at top speed, sharp brak-
ing, etc.).
When the engine is switched
off never leave the key into
the ignition switch to prevent
pointless current absorption
from draining the battery.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely dan-
gerous. The engine consumes oxygen
and produces carbon monoxide
which is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
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Page 130 of 258

STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
MULTIJET VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever into neutral (posi-
tions P or N for automatic transmis-
sion);
❒Turn the ignition key to ON: the
warning lights
mand Yon the in-
strument panel will turn on;
❒Wait for the warning lights mand
Yto turn off. The hotter the engine
is, the quicker this will happen;
❒Press the clutch pedal (or brake ped-
al with automatic transmission) down
to the floor without pressing the ac-
celerator;
❒Turn the ignition key to STARTas
soon as warning light
mgoes out. If
you wait too long you will lose the
benefit of the work done by the glow
plugs. Release the key as soon as the
engine starts.
IMPORTANT With cold engine, the accel-
erator pedal shall be completely released
while turning the ignition key to START.If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to OFFbe-
fore repeating starting.
IMPORTANT In the event of fast engine
start-up (i.e.: fitting the ignition key and
turning it to ON), any slight jamming is to
be attributed to correct recognition of the
electronic key by the ignition switch.
IMPORTANT If when fitting the key into
the ignition switch, the multifunction dis-
play shows the message stating that the
electronic key has not been recognised,
remove and refit the key; if the problem
persists try with the other keys provided
with the car. If you still cannot start the
engine, contact Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT If it is not possible to turn
the ignition key to ON, remove the emer-
gency key, fit it into slot A-fig. 1to un-
lock the ignition switch; then, turn the key
to ONand follow the starting procedure.
Contact Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
into the ignition switch when the engine
is off. In this event, when opening the dri-
ver’s door, a buzzer will sound for about
1 second. IMPORTANT If when fitting the key into
the ignition switch, the multifunction dis-
play shows the message stating that the
electronic key has not been recognised,
remove and refit the key; if the problem
persists try with the other keys provided
with the car. If you still cannot start the
engine, contact Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT If it is not possible to turn
the ignition key to ON, remove the emer-
gency key, fit it into slot A-fig. 1to un-
lock the ignition switch; then, turn the key
to ONand follow the starting procedure.
Contact Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
into the ignition switch when the engine
is off. In this event, when opening the dri-
ver’s door, a buzzer will sound for about
1 second.
129
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
fig. 1FF0L0206m
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Page 131 of 258

HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS JUST
STARTED (petrol and diesel
engines)
Proceed as follows:
❒Drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒Do not drive at full performance for
the initial kilometres. Wait until the
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.
130
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Never bump start the engine
by pushing, towing or coasting
downhill as this could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic
exhaust system and damage it beyond
repair.
A quick burst on the acceler-
ator before turning off the en-
gine serves absolutely no prac-
tical purpose, it wastes fuel
and is damaging especially to tur-
bocharged engines.
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much ef-
fort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to OFFwhile the
engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the en-
gine compartment to fall.
IMPORTANT If the engine is turned off
while the car is still moving, for safety rea-
sons it will be impossible to remove the
key from the ignition switch. To remove
the key, turn it to ONand then to OFF
with the car stopped without forcing at re-
moval.
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Page 132 of 258

PARKING THE CAR
Proceed as follows:
❒Stop the engine and engage the hand-
brake;
❒Engage a gear (on a slope, engage first
gear if the car is faced uphill or reverse
if it is faced downhill; position P with
automatic transmission) and leave the
wheels steered.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the car is parked on a steep slope. Do
not leave the key in the ignition switch to
prevent draining the battery. Always re-
move the key when you leave the car.
Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car and take it out with you.HANDBRAKE fig. 3
The handbrake lever is located between
the two 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 re-
quired if the car is on a steep slope or
laden.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, con-
tact Fiat Dealership to have the handbrake
adjusted.
When the handbrake lever is pulled up
and the ignition key is at ONthe instru-
ment panel warning light
xwill come on. IMPORTANT If after turning the engine
off with the car stopped, it is not possi-
ble to remove the key from the ignition
switch, try to turn it to ONand then to
OFF. If the problem persists, remove the
emergency key without forcing and fit it
into the proper slot A-fig. 2in the igni-
tion switch; now it will be possible to turn
the key to OFFand remove it. Contact
Fiat Dealership.
WARNING If you turn the electronic key
to OFFposition, external lights and elec-
tronic safety systems are turned off.
131
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
fig. 2FF0L0207mfig. 3F0L0373m
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Page 133 of 258

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
To engage the gears, press the clutch ped-
al fully and shift the gear lever into one of
the required positions (the diagram is
shown on the knob).
IMPORTANT The car can only be put in-
to reverse gear when it has stopped mov-
ing completely. With the engine running,
before engaging the reverse, wait at least
2 seconds with the clutch pedal fully down
to prevent damage and grating of the
gears.
To engage reverse (R) from neutral pro-
ceed as follows:
Petrol versions fig. 4
❒shift the lever to the right and then
back;
Multijet versions fig. 5
❒lift the sliding ring Aunder the knob
and shift the lever straight to the left
and then forward. To release the handbrake:
❒slightly lift the handbrake and press re-
lease button A;
❒keep button Apressed and lower the
lever. Warning light xwill turn off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out
this operation to prevent the car from
moving accidentally.
132
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
fig. 4FF0L0146m
fig. 5F0L0200m
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Page 134 of 258

ELECTRONIC
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
The car may be fitted with 5-speed (petrol
versions) or 6-speed (Multijet versions)
automatic transmission with electronic
control. Gears are shifted automatically
according to instant car parameters of use
(speed and accelerator pedal position).
Gears can however be shifted manually us-
ing transmission in sequential mode.
IMPORTANT Read carefully the follow-
ing points to learn how to use the elec-
tronic automatic transmission right from
the start.GEAR LEVER fig. 6
PParking
RReverse
NIdle
DDrive, automatic forward gear
+To upshift in sequential mode
–To downshift in sequential mode
133
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
To change gears properly
you must push the clutch
pedal fully down. It is therefore es-
sential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure mats are lying flat
and do not get in the way of the ped-
als.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand
resting on the gear lever as the
force exerted, even if slight,
could lead over time to pre-
mature wear on the gearbox internal
components.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal must be
used for gear shift only. Never drive with
the foot resting, even if slightly, on the
clutch pedal. For versions / markets where
applicable, the clutch pedal control elec-
tronics can intervene interpreting the
wrong drive style as a fault
fig. 6FF0L0315m
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Page 135 of 258

Reverse (R)
With gear lever at R, it is not possible to
start the engine.
Idle (N)
This position corresponds to the idle po-
sition of a traditional manual gearbox.
With gear lever at N, it is possible to start
the engine.
Engage idle N in case of long stops.
Drive, automatic forward gear (D)
Engage position D for urban and extra-ur-
ban use of the car. DISPLAY
The display shows:
❒selected gear (P, R, N, D) and word-
ing AUTO, in automatic mode;
❒upshifting or downshifting (through
digits) in sequential mode.
GEAR LEVER POSITIONS
Parking (P)
Select P to stop mechanically the driving
wheels.
Engage this position only with the car sta-
tionary, pull the handbrake if required.
134
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
To shift from P to whatever
position, with ignition key at
ON, press the brake pedal and
press the gear lever button.
Reverse shall only be engaged
with car stationary, engine
idling and accelerator fully re-
leased.
Shifting from R →N or D is free
whereas for shifting R →P you
have to press the gear lever
button.
To shift from N, release the ac-
celerator pedal and make sure
the engine is idling.
Shifting from N →D is free
whereas for shifting from N →R or P you have to press the
gear lever button.
Shifting the lever from P to D
(P →D), from N to D
(N →D) and from R to D (R→D) shall be only performed
with the car stationary and the engine
idling.
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Proceed as follows:
❒Set gear lever to N and press the
brake pedal
❒Restart the engine by turning the key
to STARTand set the gear lever to
D.IMPORTANT: Take the utmost care in
the following conditions: handbrake and
brake pedal released with engine idling and
gear lever at D, R or sequential since the
car can move also without pressing the ac-
celerator pedal.
The above condition can be used for park-
ing in narrow spaces, taking care to op-
erate the brake pedal only. ENGINE STARTING
❒Handbrake engaged and gear lever at
P or N: engine can be only started with
the gear lever in one of these posi-
tions.
❒With lever at P press the brake pedal
and turn the ignition key to START
without pressing the accelerator ped-
al.
❒With lever at N press the brake ped-
al and turn the ignition key to START
without pressing the accelerator ped-
al.
If the engine fails to start at first attempt,
turn the key to OFFbefore trying to
restart.
IMPORTANT With engine off, never leave
the ignition key at ONto prevent drain-
ing the battery.
IMPORTANT: if when travelling
with gear lever at D or in sequential
mode you turn inadvertently the key
to OFF the engine will turn off and
transmission will fail.
135
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARRunning the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely dan-
gerous. The engine consumes oxygen
and produces carbon monoxide
which is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
MOVING OFF
Proceed as follows:
❒at P position, press the brake pedal;
❒press the gear lever button and move
the gear lever to the required position
(D or R);
❒accelerate gradually; the car moves off
and gearshifting will be automatic.
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car.
WARNING
Shifting from P, with ignition
key at ON, is only possible
with brake pedal pressed.
127-144 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 16:32 Pagina 135