76
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
BOOT
The boot tailgate (when unlocked) can be
opened only from the outside through the
electric fig. 109opening handle set above
the number plate holder.
If doors are unlocked the boot can be
opened at any time.
Through the set-up menu of the cluster
display (see “Reconfigurable multifunction
display” in the present chapter) it is pos-
sible to activate the “Key” option: in this
way the boot is not unlocked together
with the doors; to open it press button
Ron the remote control fig. 110.
The tailgate opening is indicated by dou-
ble flashing of direction indicators.
TAILGATE CLOSING
First lower the tailgate using the appro-
priate handles fig. 111and then push the
tailgate until it clicks into place.
IMPORTANT If option “Key” is on, be-
fore closing the boot check whether you
have with you the ignition key since the
boot will be locked automatically.
fig. 109F0H0742m
fig. 110F0H0702m
The addition of objects
(speakers, spoilers, etc.) on
the rear shelf or boot lid, ex-
cept those envisaged by the
manufacturer, may prevent the gas
filled struts at the sides of the boot
from working properly.
When using the boot, make
sure the loads do not exceed
the permitted weight (see “Technical
specifications” chapter). Also make
sure the items in the boot are
arranged properly to prevent them
being thrown forwards and injuring
passengers should you brake sharply.
WARNING
Never travel with objects on
the rear shelf to prevent
them being thrown forwards and in-
juring passengers in case of accident
or sharp braking.
WARNING
fig. 111F0H0105m
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
ABS SYSTEM
If this is the first car with ABS you drive,
get familiar with it by some preliminary
“driving tests” on poor grip roadbeds, ob-
viously under safety conditions and in
compliance with the traffic regulations of
the Country you are driving in. Read care-
fully the following instructions.
The car is fitted with an ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from lock-
ing when braking, makes the most of road
grip and gives the best control when
emergency braking under difficult road
conditions.
System is completed by EBD (Electronic
Braking Force Distribution), which dis-
tributes the braking action between front
and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To have the maximum ef-
ficiency of the braking system, it is neces-
sary a setting period of about 500 km: dur-
ing this period it is better to avoid sharp,
repeated and prolonged brakes.ABS INTERVENTION
The driver can tell the ABS system has
come into action because the brake ped-
al pulsates slightly and the system gets
noisier: it means that the car speed should
be altered to fit the type of road surface.
If the ABS system cuts in, it is a sign that
the grip between tyre and the road sur-
face has reached the limit: you must slow
down to match the speed to the road grip
available.
FAILURE WARNINGS
ABS failure
If there is a fault, the instrument panel
warning light
>will come on together
with the message (where provided) on the
reconfigurable multifunction display (see
the “Warning lights” chapter).
In this case the braking system is still effi-
cient, though without the aid of the ABS
system. Drive carefully to the closest Fiat
Dealership to have the system checked.EBD failure
It is signalled by lighting up of instrument
panel warning lights
>and xtogether
with the message (where provided) on the
reconfigurable multifunction display (see
the “Warning lights” chapter).
In this case with sharp braking the rear
wheels might lock too early, with the pos-
sibility of skidding. Drive extremely care-
fully to the nearest Fiat Dealership to have
the system checked.
If the ABS system cuts in, it
is a sign that the grip be-
tween tyre and the road surface has
reached the limit: you must slow
down to match the speed to the road
grip available.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the tyre-
road grip at the best, but it
cannot improve it; you should there-
fore take every care when driving on
slippery surfaces without taking un-
necessary risks.
WARNING
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84
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the brake pedal pul-
sating, 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 con-
ditions.
WARNING
If brake fluid low warning
light xlights up on the in-
strument panel (together, where pro-
vided, with the message on the re-
configurable multifunction display),
stop immediately the car and contact
the closest Fiat Dealership. Fluid leaks
from the hydraulic system, in fact, can
compromise the braking system, both
traditional systems and systems with
ABS.
WARNING
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board
Diagnosis) allows continuos diagnosis of
the components of the car correlated with
emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the
warning light Uon the instrument panel
(together, where provided, with the mes-
sage on the reconfigurable multifunction
display - see the “Warning lights” chapter)
when these components are no longer in
peak conditions.
The objective is:
❒to keep system efficiency under con-
trol;
❒to warn when a fault causes emission
levels to increase;
❒to warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.The system also has a diagnostic connec-
tor that can be interfaced with appropri-
ate tools, which makes it possible to read
the error codes stored in the control unit,
together with a series of specific parame-
ters for engine operation and diagnosis.
This check can also be carried out by the
traffic police.
IMPORTANT After eliminating the in-
convenience, to check the system com-
pletely, Fiat Dealerships are obliged to run
a bench test and, if necessary, road tests
which may also call for a long journey.
If turning the ignition key to
MAR, the warning light
Udoes not turn on or if, while
travelling, it turns on glowing
steadily or flashing, (on some versions
together with the message on the re-
configurable multifunction display),
contact Fiat Dealership as soon as pos-
sible. The operation of warning light
Ucan be checked by the traffic po-
lice. Attain to the rules enforced in the
country where the car is being used.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If, after buying the car, you decide to in-
stall electrical accessories that require a
permanent electric supply (alarm, satellite
antitheft system, etc.) or accessories that
in any case burden the electric supply,
contact Fiat Dealership, whose qualified
personnel, besides suggesting the most
suitable devices belonging to Lineaccessori
Fiat, will also evaluate the overall electric
absorption, checking whether the vehicle
electric system is able to withstand the
load required, or whether it needs to be
integrated with a more powerful battery.
INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC/
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Electric/electronic devices installed after
buying the car or in aftermarket shall bear
the and marking:
Fiat Auto S.p.A. authorizes the installation
of transceivers provided that installation
is carried out at a specialized shop, work-
manlike performed and in compliance with
manufacturer's specifications.IMPORTANT Installation of devices re-
sulting in modifications of car characteris-
tics may cause driving license seizing by
traffic agents and also the lapse of the war-
ranty as concerns defects due to the
abovementioned modification or traceable
back to it directly or indirectly.
Fiat Auto S.p.A. declines all responsibility
for damages caused by the installation of
non-genuine accessories or not recom-
mended by Fiat Auto S.p.A. and installed
not in compliance with the specified re-
quirements.
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Radio transceiver equipment (e.g.: e-tacs
mobile phones, HAM radio systems and
the like) shall not be used inside the ve-
hicle unless a separate aerial is mounted
on the roof.
IMPORTANT The use of similar devices
inside the passenger compartment (with-
out separated aerial) produces radio-fre-
quency electromagnetic fields which, am-
plified by the resonance effects inside the
passenger compartment, may cause elec-
trical systems equipping the vehicle to mal-
function. This could compromise safety in
addition to constituting a potential hazard
for the passengers.In addition, transmission and reception of
these devices may be affected by the
shielding effect of the vehicle body.
As concerns EC-approved mobile phones
(GSM, GPRS, UMTS), strictly comply with
the instructions for use provided by the
mobile phone’s manufacturer.
Be careful when mounting
additional spoilers, alloy rims
and non original wheel caps: they
may reduce the brake ventilation and
efficiency during sharp and repeat-
ed braking or sloping downhill. Also
make sure that nothing (over-carpet-
ing, etc.) interferes with the pedal
stroke.
WARNING
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
FAILURE WARNINGS
See the “Warning lights and messages”
chapter.
OPERATION WITH TRAILER
The system is preset for deactivating au-
tomatically when the trailer electric ca-
ble plug is fitted into the car tow hook
socket.
Sensors are reactivated when removing
the trailer cable plug.For proper operation, the
parking sensors set on the
bumpers shall be clean from
mud, dirt, snow or ice. When
cleaning the sensors, take the utmost
care to prevent their damaging; do not
use therefore dry or rough clothes. Sen-
sors shall be washed with clean water
and car detergent, if required. In wash-
ing stations, clean sensors quickly keep-
ing the vapour jet/high pressure wash-
ing nozzles at 10 cm at least from the
sensors.
Parking manoeuvres howev-
er are always under the dri-
ver’s responsibility that shall always
check the absence of people, animals
or objects in the manoeuvre space.
This system is just a help for the dri-
ver but he shall never reduce impor-
tant during dangerous manoeuvres
even if performed at low speed.
WARNING
GENERAL WARNINGS
❒When parking, take the utmost care
to obstacles set above or under the
sensors.
❒Objects set close to car rear part, un-
der certain circumstances are not de-
tected and could therefore cause dam-
ages to the car.
❒Indications sent by the sensor can be
altered by dirt, snow or ice deposit-
ed on the sensors or by ultrasound
systems (e.g.: truck pneumatic brakes
or pneumatic hammers) set nearby the
car.
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
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AND CONTROL
SAFETY
DEVICES
SEAT BELTS
USING THE FRONT
AND REAR SIDE SEAT BELTS
The belt should be worn keeping the chest
straight and rested against the seat back.
To fasten the belt, take hold the tongue
A-fig. 1and insert it into the buckle B,
until hearing the locking click.
At removal, if it jams, let it rewind for a
short stretch, then pull it out again with-
out jerking.
To unfasten the seat belts, press button
C-fig. 1. Guide the seat belt with your
hand while it is rewinding, to prevent it
from twisting.
Through the reel, the belt automatically
adapts to the body of the passenger wear-
ing it, allowing freedom of movement.
When the car is parked on a steep slope
the reel mechanism may block; this is nor-
mal. The reel mechanism prevents the
webbing coming out when it is jerked or
if the car brakes sharply, in a collision or
when cornering at high speed.The rear seat is fitted with inertial seat
belts with three anchor points and reel.
Rear seat belts shall be worn as shown in
diagram D-fig. 2(5-seat versions) or as
shown in diagram E-fig. 3(4-seat ver-
sions).
fig. 1F0H0126mfig. 2F0H0309m
fig. 3F0H0348m
Do not press button C-fig. 1
during travelling.
WARNINGS.B.R. system
The car is fitted with the S.B.R. system
(Seat Belt Reminder), consisting of a
buzzer which, together with the flashing
of warning light
belts.
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ENGINE STARTING
The car is fitted with an electronic engine
lock device. If the engine fails to start, see
paragraph “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. The system devised
for the Fiat Idea was designed to limit
maintenance interventions.
STARTING PROCEDURE
FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever into neutral;
❒Press the clutch pedal down to the
floor without touching the accelera-
tor;
❒Turn the ignition key to AVVand let
it go the moment the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is on MAR, warn-
ing light
Yremains lit together with
warning light U, turn the key to STOP
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.
WARNINGand then back to MAR; if the warning light
remains on, try with the other keys pro-
vided with the car.
If you are still unable to start the engine,
perform the emergency start-up proce-
dure (see “Emergency start-up” in section
“In an emergency”) and contact Fiat Deal-
ership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
at MARwhen the engine is off.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
Multijet VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever into neutral;
❒Turn the ignition key to MAR: the
warning lights m, Uand
Ywill
light up on the instrument panel;
❒Wait for the warning lights Yand
m. The hotter the engine is, the
quicker this will happen;
❒Press the clutch pedal down to the
floor without touching the accelera-
tor; We recommend that during
the initial period you do not
drive to full vehicle perfor-
mance (e.g.: excessive accel-
eration, long journeys at top speed,
sharp braking, etc.).
When the engine is switched
off never leave the ignition
key in the MAR position to
prevent pointless current ab-
sorption from draining the battery.
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
❒Turn the ignition key to AVVas soon
as warning light m goes out. If you wait
too long you will lose the benefit of
the work done by the glow plugs. Re-
lease the key as soon as the engine
starts.
IMPORTANT With cold engine, the ac-
celerator pedal shall be completely re-
leased while turning the ignition key to
AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is on MAR, warn-
ing light
Yremains lit, turn the key to
STOPand then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try with the oth-
er keys provided with the car.
If you still cannot start the engine, contact
Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
at MARwhen the engine is off.The warning light
mwill
flash for 60 seconds at start-
up or during prolonged crank-
ing to signal a fault in the
glow plug heating system. You can use
the car as usual if the engine starts but
you should contact a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP
THE ENGINE AFTER
IT HAS JUST STARTED
(petrol and Multijet versions)
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.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine 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.Never bump start the engine
by pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill. This could cause
fuel to flow into the catalyt-
ic exhaust system and damage it be-
yond repair.
A quick burst on the acceler-
ator before turning off the en-
gine serves absolutely no
practical 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
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