
119
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
At their maximum inflation, their volume
fills most of the space between the dash-
board and the passenger.
In case of crash, a person not wearing the
seat belt moves forward and may come in-
to contact with the cushion while it is still
inflating. Under this circumstance the pro-
tection offered by the air bag is reduced.
Front air bag may not be activated in the
following situations:
❒in collisions against highly deformable
objects not affecting the car front sur-
face (e.g. bumper collision against
guard rail, etc.);
❒in case of wedging under other vehi-
cles or protective barriers (for exam-
ple under a truck or guard rail), the air
bag is not triggered as it offers no ad-
ditional protection compared with the
seat belts, consequently it would be
pointless. Therefore, failure to come
into action in the above circumstance
does not mean that the system is not
working properly.
In minor crashes (for which the restrain-
ing action of the seat belts is sufficient), the
air bags are not deployed. Also in this case
it is of vital importance to wear the seat
belts since in case of side crash they guar-
antee proper positioning of the occupant
and prevent the occupants to be pitched
out of the car in case of violent crashes.
Do not apply stickers or oth-
er objects to the steering
wheel or to the air bag cover on the
passenger’s side or on the side roof
lining. Never put objects on the dash-
board on passenger side since they
could interfere with proper air bag in-
flation .
WARNING
DRIVER’S FRONT AIR BAG fig. 14
It consists of an instant-inflating cushion
contained in a special recess in the cen-
tre of the steering wheel.
fig. 14
10
0
0
70
F0L0360m
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120
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
fig. 15
It consists of an instant-inflating cushion
contained into a special recess in the
dashboard, this cushion has a volume big-
ger than that of the driver. DRIVER’S KNEES AIR BAG
(where provided) fig. 16
Knees air bag consists of an instant-inflat-
ing cushion housed into a special com-
partment provided for the purpose under
the steering wheel at driver’s knees lev-
el, designed to give further protection in
the event of frontal crash.
SERIOUS DANGER: With
passenger’s air bag active,
never place child’s seats with the cra-
dle facing backwards since the air bag
activation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal. In the case
of need, always deactivate the pas-
senger’s air bag when a child’s seat
is placed on the front seat.
The front passenger’s seat shall be ad-
justed in the most backward position
to prevent any contact between
child’s seat and dashboard. Even if
not compulsory by law, you are rec-
ommended to reactivate the air bag
immediately as soon as child trans-
port is no longer necessary.
WARNING
fig. 15F0L0068mfig. 16F0L0383m
107-126 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 16:32 Pagina 120

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.
127-144 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 16:32 Pagina 130

EXHAUST OIL
(Multijet versions)
The warning light with turn on
flashing together with the mes-
sage on the display when the system de-
tects that the engine oil is exhaust.
After the first indication, at each engine
starting the warning light
vwill go on
flashing for 60 seconds and then for 2
hours until oil is changed.If warning light
vflashes,
contact Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have oil changed
and instrument panel warning light
turned off.
149
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to ON
the warning light turns on, but it
should go off after few seconds.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
v
v
If the warning light vturns on when travelling to-
gether with the message on the dis-
play, stop the engine immediately
and contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE
(Multijet versions - red)
EOBD ENGINE
CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE
(petrol versions - amber)
Injection system failure
Turning the ignition key to ONthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off af-
ter few seconds.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
when travelling, means a fault in the sup-
ply/ignition system which could cause high
emissions at the exhaust, possible lack of
performance, poor handling and high con-
sumption levels.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
In these conditions it is possible to con-
tinue driving without however requiring
heavy effort or high speed from the en-
gine. In any case, contact Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
EOBD ENGINE CONTROL
SYSTEM FAILURE
Under normal conditions, turning the ig-
nition key to ON, the warning light turns
on, but it should go off when the engine has
started. In this case, turning on indicates
proper working of the warning light. If the
U
INCOMPLETE DOOR
LOCKING (red)
(where provided)
The warning light turns on when
one or more doors, the boot or the bon-
net are not properly shut. The dedicated
message will be displayed.
When travelling with door/doors, boot or
bonnet open also a buzzer will sound.
´
POWER STEERING
FAILURE (red)
(where provided)
Turning the ignition key to ONthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off af-
ter few seconds. If the warning light stays
on, you will not have steering assistance
and the effort on the steering wheel will
be increased, steering is however possi-
ble. Contact Fiat Dealership. The dedicat-
ed message will be displayed.
g
145-156 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 15:18 Pagina 149

153
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
Parking sensor failure
(where provided)
The warning light on the dial turns on to-
gether with the message on the display
when failure is detected in parking sensors.
Contact Fiat Dealership.
Antipinch system failure
(where provided)
The warning light on the dial turns on to-
gether with the message on the display
when failure is detected in the antipinch
system.
Contact Fiat Dealership.
Twilight sensor failure
(where provided)
The warning light on the dial turns on (to-
gether with the message on the display)
when failure is detected in twilight sen-
sor (adjusting headlight sensitivity).Check tyre pressure
(where provided)
Warning light in the panel comes on (to-
gether with the message in the display)
when the tyre inflation pressure is too
low.
In this case, inflate tyres to the specified
pressure values (see paragraph “Inflating
pressures” in section “Technical Specifi-
cations”).
Flat tyres (where provided)
The warning light on the dial turns on (to-
gether with message on the display and
the buzzer), when there is a pressure drop
in one or more tyres. In this way the
T.P.M.S. system warns the driver that one
or more tyre/s is/are flat (i.e. punctured).
IMPORTANT Stop travelling with one or
more flat tyre/s since road holding could
be jeopardised. Stop the car without brak-
ing or steering sharply. Change immedi-
ately punctured wheel with space-saver
spare wheel (where provided - see sec-
tion “In an emergency”) and contact Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.Tyre pressure monitoring system
failure (where provided)
The warning light on the dial turns on (to-
gether with the message on the display)
when a failure is detected in the T.P.M.S.
system (where provided).
Contact Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.
Should one or more wheels without sen-
sor be fitted, the instrument panel warn-
ing light will come on (together with the
message on the display) and stay on until
fitting again the four wheels with sensors.
145-156 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 15:18 Pagina 153

159
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Wheel changing and correct use of the
jack and space-saver spare wheel call for
some precautions as listed below.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine (by pushing,
towing, or coasting downhill) as this could
cause fuel to flow into the catalytic ex-
haust system and damage it beyond repair.
Remember that the brake booster and the
power steering system are not operating
until the engine is started, a greater effort
will therefore be required to press the
brake pedal or to turn the steering wheel.
Alert other drivers that the
car is stationary in compli-
ance with local regulations: hazard
warning lights, warning triangle etc.
Any passengers on board should leave
the car, especially if it is heavily laden.
Passengers should stay away from on-
coming traffic while the wheel is be-
ing changed on. If the wheel is being
changed on a steep or badly surfaced
road, place the wedges or other suit-
able material under the wheel to stop
the car.
WARNING
The space-saver spare wheel
is specific to your car, do not
use it on other models, or use the
spare wheel of other models on your
car. The space-saver spare wheel
shall only be used in an emergency.
It shall only be used for the distance
necessary to reach a service point and
the car speed shall not exceed 80
Km/h. The spare wheel has an orange
sticker that summarises the main cau-
tions for use and limitations. The
sticker should never be removed or
covered.
Never fit a wheel cap on a space-
saver spare wheel. The sticker gives
the following information in four lan-
guages: caution! For temporary use
only! 80 km/h max! Replace by nor-
mal wheel as soon as possible. Do not
cover this label.
WARNING
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192
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
When towing, remember
that without the help of the
brake booster and power steering, a
greater effort is required on the ped-
al and steering wheel. Do not use
flexible cables for towing and avoid
jerks. During towing operations
make sure that fastening the joint to
the car does not damage the com-
ponents in contact with it. When
towing the car, you must comply
with the specific traffic regulations
regarding the tow ring and how to
tow on the road.
WARNING
Do not start the engine
when towing the car.
WARNING
Before starting to tow, dis-
engage the steering lock
(see paragraph “Ignition device” in
section “Dashboard and controls”).
When towing, remember that with-
out the help of the brake booster
and power steering, a greater effort
is required on the pedal and steering
wheel. Do not use flexible cables for
towing and avoid jerks. During tow-
ing operations make sure that fas-
tening the joint to the car does not
damage the components in contact
with it. When towing the car, you
must comply with the specific traffic
regulations regarding the tow ring
and how to tow on the road.
WARNING
Before fitting the hook,
clean accurately its thread-
ed seat. Before starting to tow, make
sure to have tighten the hook.
WARNING
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211
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
❒If a tyre is punctured, stop immediate-
ly and change it to avoid damage to the
tyre, the rim, suspensions and steering
system;
❒Tyres age even if they are not used
much. Cracks in the tread rubber are
a sign of ageing. In any case, if the tyres
have been on the car for over 6 years,
they should be checked by specialised
personnel, to see if they can still be
used. Also remember to check the
space-saver spare wheel;
❒In the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of dubious
origin;
❒If a tyre is changed, also change the in-
flation valve;
❒To allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to change
them over every 10-15 thousand kilo-
metres, keeping them on the same
side of the car so as to not reverse the
direction of rotation.
Remember that road holding
depends also on the correct
tyre inflating pressure.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them from the
right of the car to the left and vice
versa.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the
tyre overheats and this can
cause it serious damage.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments re-
quiring to use temperatures exceed-
ing 150°C since the mechanical prop-
erties of the wheels could be im-
paired.
WARNING
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber
hoses are concerned, carefully follow the
“Service schedule” in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and pro-
longed lack of fluid in the system may
cause hardening and cracking of the hoses,
with possible leaks. Careful control is
therefore necessary.
193-216 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 15:19 Pagina 211