
35
DRIVER’S SEAT BELT
REMINDER
When the driver doesn’t buckle his or her
seat belt, the driver’s seat belt reminder
light in the instrument cluster will come
on and a buzzer will sound as a reminder
to the driver to buckle his or her seat belt.
For more details, refer to the explanation
below.
If the driver’s seat belt remains unbuckled
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the reminder works as fol-
lows:
1) The driver’s seat belt reminder light will
come on.
2) After the vehicle’s speed has reached
about 15 km/ h, the driver’s seat belt
reminder light will blink and a buzzer
will sound for about 95 seconds.3) After step 2) has finished, the reminder
light will remain on until the driver’s
seat belt is buckled.
If the driver has buckled his or her seat
belt and later unbuckles the seat belt, the
reminder system will be activated from
step 1) or step 2) according to the vehi-
cle’s speed. When the vehicle’s speed is
below about 15 km/h, the reminder will
start from step 1). When the vehicle’s
speed is above about 15 km/h, the re-
minder will start from step 2).
The reminder will be automatically can-
celed when the driver’s seat belt is buck-
led or the ignition switch is turned off. To unfasten the belt, push the red
“PRESS” button on the buckle and allow
the belt to retract.
60A03979J187
It is absolutely essential that
the driver and passengers
wear their seat belts at all times. Per-
sons who are not wearing seat belts
have a much greater risk of injury if
an accident occurs. Make a regular
habit of buckling your seat belt before
putting the key in the ignition.
WARNING
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59
START
This is the position for starting the engine
using the starter motor. The key should
be released from this position as soon as
the engine starts.
Ignition key reminder (if equipped)
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to remove the ignition key if it is in
the ignition switch when the driver’s door
is opened.
If the ignition device is tam-
pered with (e.g.: attempted
theft), have it checked over by a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
WARNING
When getting out of the ve-
hicle, always remove the key
to prevent any occupants from acci-
dentally activating the controls. Re-
member to engage the handbrake
and if the vehicle is parked on uphill
slope to engage the first gear. If the
vehicle is facing downhill, engage the
reverse gear. Never leave unsuper-
vised children in the vehicle.
WARNING
Never remove the ignition
key while the vehicle is mov-
ing. The steering wheel would auto-
matically lock as soon as you try to
turn it. This also applies when the ve-
hicle is being towed.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect per-
formance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in non-
compliance of the vehicle with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING
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67
TILT STEERING LOCK
LEVER (if equipped)
The lock lever is located under the steer-
ing column. To adjust the steering wheel
height:
❒Pull up the lock lever to unlock the
steering column.
❒Adjust the steering wheel to the de-
sired height and lock the steering col-
umn by push down the lock lever.
❒Try moving the steering wheel up and
down to make sure it is securely locked
in position.
63J026
UNLOCK LOCK
Never attempt to adjust the
steering wheel height while
the vehicle is moving or you could lose
control of the vehicle.
WARNING
Any adjustment of the steer-
ing wheel position must be
carried out only with the vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine turned off.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect per-
formance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in non-
compliance of the vehicle with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING
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72
The light should go out after starting the
engine and fully releasing the parking
brake, if the fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir is adequate.
The light also comes on together with the
ABS warning light when the rear brake
force control function (Proportioning
valve function) of the ABS system fails.
If the brake system warning light comes
on while you are driving the vehicle, it may
mean that there is something wrong with
the vehicle’s brake system. If this happens,
you should:
❒Pull off the road and stop carefully.
❒Test the brakes by carefully starting and
stopping at the side of the road.
– If you determine that it is safe, drive
carefully at low speed to the near-
est dealer for repairs, or
WARNING AND
INDICATOR LIGHTS
BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING
LIGHT
65D477
For working check of this light, there are
following three different type operations
depending on the vehicle’s specification.
❒The light comes on briefly when the ig-
nition switch is turned to the “ON”
and/or “START” position.
❒The light comes on when the parking
brake is engaged with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position.
❒The light comes on when under either
or both of above two conditions.
The light also comes on when the fluid in
the brake fluid reservoir falls below the
specified level.
Remember that stopping dis-
tance may be longer, you
may have to push harder on the ped-
al, and the pedal may go down far-
ther than normal.
WARNING
If any of the following con-
ditions occur, you should im-
mediately ask your Fiat Dealership to
inspect the brake system.
If the brake system warning light does
not go out after the engine has been
started and the parking brake has
been fully released.
If the brake system warning light does
not come on when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON” or “START”
position.
If the brake system warning light
comes on at any time during vehicle
operation.
WARNING
– Have the vehicle towed to the nearest
dealer for repairs.
NOTE Because the disc brake system is
selfadjusting, the fluid level will drop as the
brake pads become worn. Replenishing
the brake fluid reservoir is considered
normal periodic maintenance.
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73
tion) and there may be something wrong
with both the rear brake force control
function and anti-lock function of the ABS
system.
If one of these happens, have the system
inspected by your Fiat Dealership.
If the ABS becomes inoperative, the brake
system will function as an ordinary brake
system that does not have this ABS sys-
tem. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) WARNING LIGHT
65D529
66J033
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light comes on briefly
so you can check that the light is working.
If the light stays on, or comes on when dri-
ving, there may be something wrong with
the ABS.
If this happens:
❒Pull off the road and stop carefully.
❒Turn the ignition switch to “LOCK”
and then start the engine again.
If the warning light comes on briefly then
turns off, the system is normal. If the warn-
ing light still stays on, the system will be
something wrong.
If the light and the brake system warning
light stay on, or come on simultaneously
when driving, your ABS system is
equipped with the rear brake force con-
trol function (Proportioning valve func-SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT
(if equipped)
ESP
®is a registered trademark of Daim-
lerChrysler AG.
This light blinks 5 times per second when
one of the ESP
®systems other than ABS
is activated. If this light blinks, drive care-
fully.When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light comes on briefly
so you can check that the light is working.
If the light stays on, or comes on when dri-
ving and remains on, there may be some-
thing wrong with the ESP
®systems (other
than ABS). You should have the system in-
spected by an authorized FIAT dealer.
NOTE When you disconnect and re- con-
nect the battery, ESP
®system functions
other than ABS will be deactivated and the
slip indicator light will blink 1 time per sec-
ond. For details on how to reactive the
ESP
®systems, refer to “SLIP Indicator
Light” in the “OPERATING YOUR VEHI-
CLE” section.
For details of the ESP
®systems, refer to
“Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)” in
the “OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE” sec-
tion.
The ESP®systems cannot
prevent accidents. Always
drive carefully.
WARNING
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74
Check the oil level and add oil if necessary.
If there is enough oil, the lubrication sys-
tem should be inspected by your Fiat Deal-
ership before you drive the vehicle again.
IMPORTANT
❒If you operate the engine with this light
on, severe engine damage can result.
❒Do not rely on the Oil Pressure Light
to indicate the need to add oil. Be
sure to periodically check the engine
oil level.
Oil Life Monitoring
(for Diesel Engine Model)
Your vehicle also has the oil life monitor-
ing system that let you know when to
change the engine oil and filter.
If the oil pressure light blinks, you should
change the engine oil and oil filter imme-
diately since the monitoring system has
calculated that oil life has been diminished
by detecting a deterioration, increase or
decrease of engine oil. The blinking light
goes out after 1 minute and comes back
on every hour. If the life of engine oil re-
mains 0%, the oil pressure light blinks for
1 minute when the engine is started. You
should change the engine oil and filter at
the first blink. For details on how to
change the engine oil, refer to “Changing
Engine Oil and Filter” in “INSPECTION
AND MAINTENANCE” section.
Whenever the engine oil is changed, the
light must be reset to monitor the next oil
change timing properly. To reset the light,
consult your Fiat Dealership.
50G051A
66J031
66J032
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position, and
goes out when the engine is started. The
light will come on and remain on if there
is insufficient oil pressure. When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light comes on briefly
so you can check that the light is working.
If the light stays on, or comes on when dri-
ving, there may be something wrong with
the ESP
®systems (other than ABS). You
should have the system inspected by an
authorized FIAT dealer.
For details of the ESP
®systems, refer to
“Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)” in the
“OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE” section.
“ESP OFF” INDICATOR LIGHT
(if equipped)
If the warning light vturns on when the vehicle is
travelling stop the engine immedi-
ately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
OIL PRESSURE LIGHT
“ESP” WARNING LIGHT
(if equipped)
(Electronic Stability Program) When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, this light comes on briefly
so you can check that the light is working.
When the “ESP OFF” switch is pushed to
turn off the ESP
®systems (other than
ABS), the “ESP OFF” light comes on and
stays on.
For details of the ESP
®systems, refer to
“Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)” in
the “OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE” sec-
tion.
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85
HAZARD WARNING
SWITCH
Push in the hazard warning switch to ac-
tivate the hazard warning lights. All four
turn signal lights and both turn signal in-
dicators will flash simultaneously. To turn
off the lights, push the switch again.
Use the hazard warning lights to warn oth-
er traffic during emergency parking or
when your vehicle could otherwise be-
come a traffic hazard.
79J041
79J180
“ESP OFF” SWITCH
(if equipped)
ESP®is a registered trademark of Daim-
lerChrysler AG.
The “ESP OFF” switch is located on the
center console. You can turn the ESP
®sys-
tems (other than ABS) on or off using this
switch.
To turn off the ESP
®systems (other than
ABS), push and hold the “ESP OFF” switch
until the “ESP OFF” indicator light comes
on.
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152
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per
1000 km (1 Qt. per 600 miles)
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to accurately
judge the true oil level.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for re-
peated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more of dri-
ving. This is because the oil is gradually be-
coming diluted with fuel or moisture, mak-
ing it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
You should also be aware that the dilut-
ing ingredients evaporate out when the ve-
hicle is subsequently driven at high speeds,
such as on an expressway, making it ap-
pear that oil is excessively consumed af-
ter high- speed driving.STARTING THE ENGINE
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
❒Make sure the parking brake is set fully.
❒Shift into “N” (Neutral) and depress the
clutch pedal all the way to the floor.
Hold it while starting the engine.
ENGINE OIL
CONSUMPTION
It is normal for the engine to consume
some engine oil during normal vehicle op-
eration.
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the qual-
ity of the oil and the conditions the vehi-
cle is driven under.
More oil is consumed during high- speed
driving and when there is frequent accel-
eration and deceleration. Under high
loads, your engine also will consume more
oil.
A new engine also consumes more oil,
since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder
walls have not yet become conditioned.
New engines reach the normal level of oil
consumption only after approximately
5000 km (3000 miles) driving.
Make sure that the parking
brake is set fully and the
transaxle is in Neutral before at-
tempting to start the engine.
WARNING
IMPORTANT We recommend that dur-
ing the initial period you do not drive to
full vehicle performance (e.g.: excessive ac-
celeration, long journeys at top speed,
sharp braking, etc.).
IMPORTANT When the engine is
switched off never leave the key into the
ignition switch to prevent pointless cur-
rent absorption from draining the battery.
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