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.
069-128 Fiat16 New GB 3-09-2008 8:19 Pagina 72
150
DAILY INSPECTION
CHECKLIST
BEFORE DRIVING
❒Make sure that windows, mirrors,
lights, and reflectors are clean and un-
obstructed.
❒Visually check the tires for the fol-
lowing points:
– the depth of the tread groove
– abnormal wear, cracks and damage
– loose wheel bolts
– existence of foreign material such as
nails, stones, etc.
Refer to “Tires” in “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for details.
❒Look for fluid and oil leaks.
NOTE It is normal for water to drip from
the air conditioning system after use.
❒Make sure the hood is fully closed and
latched.
❒Check the headlights, turn signal lights,
brake lights and horn for proper oper-
ation.
EXHAUST GAS
WARNING
52D147
Avoid breathing exhaust gas-
es. Exhaust gases contain
carbon monoxide, a potentially lethal
gas that is colorless and odorless.
Since carbon monoxide is difficult to
detect by itself, be sure to take the
following precautions to help prevent
carbon monoxide from entering your
vehicle.
Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
Do not park with the engine running
for a long period of time, even in an
open area. If it is necessary to sit for
a short time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running, make sure the air
intake selector is set to “FRESH AIR”
and the fan is at high speed.
Avoid operating the vehicle with the
tail gate or trunk open. If it is neces-
sary to operate the vehicle with the
tail gate or trunk open, make sure the
sunroof (if equipped) and all windows
are closed, and the blower is at high
speed with the air intake selector set
to “FRESH AIR”.
WARNING
To allow proper operation
of your vehicle’s ventilation
system, keep the air inlet grille in
front of the windshield clear of snow,
leaves, or other obstructions at all
times.
Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear
of snow and other material to help
reduce the buildup of exhaust gases
under the vehicle. This is particular-
ly important when parked in blizzard
conditions.
Have the exhaust system inspected
periodically for damage and leaks.
Any damage or leaks should be re-
paired immediately.
WARNING
149-166 Fiat16 New GB 3-09-2008 8:15 Pagina 150
151
Once a week, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, perform the following under-
hood checks:
❒Engine oil level
❒Coolant level
❒Brake fluid level
❒Power steering (if equipped) fluid level
❒Windshield washer fluid level
❒Battery solution level
❒Hood latch operation
Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without re-
leasing the secondary latch. Be sure to
close the hood securely after check-
ing for proper latch operation. See “All
latches, hinges & locks” of “CHASSIS
AND BODY” in the “Periodic Main-
tenance Schedule” in the “INSPEC-
TION AND MAINTENANCE” section
for lubrication schedule.Once a month, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.❒Adjust the seat and adjustable head re-
straint (if equipped).
❒Check the brake pedal and the park-
ing brake lever.
❒Adjust the mirrors.
❒Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your seat belts.
❒Make sure that all warning lights come
on as the key is turned to the “ON” or
“START” position.
❒Check all gauges.
❒Make sure that the BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING light turns off when the
parking brake is released.
60A187S
Make sure the hood is fully
closed and latched before
driving. If it is not, it can fly up un-
expectedly during driving, obstructing
your view and resulting in an acci-
dent.
WARNING
149-166 Fiat16 New GB 3-09-2008 8:15 Pagina 151
163
The ESP may not work prop-
erly if tires or wheels other
than those specified in the Owner’s
Manual are used. When replacing
tires or wheels, use only the size and
type specified in this Owner’s Man-
ual.
The ESP
®may not work properly if
tires are not inflated to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure.
The ESP
®may not work properly if
tires are fitted with tire chains.
The ESP
®may not work properly if
the tires are excessively worn. Be sure
to replace tires when the tread wear
indicators in the grooves appear on
the tread surface.
The ESP
®is not a substitute for win-
ter tires or tire chains on a snow cov-
ered road.
WARNING
The ESP®may not work
properly if engine related
parts such as the muffler are not
equivalent to standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated.
Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion since the ESP
®may not operate
correctly.
WARNING
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
ABS will help you avoid skidding by elec-
tronically controlling braking pressure. It
will also help you maintain steering con-
trol when braking on slippery surfaces or
when braking hard. The ABS works au-
tomatically, so you do not have to use any
special braking technique. Just push the
brake pedal down without pumping. The
ABS will operate whenever it senses that
wheels are locking up. You may feel the
brake pedal pulsate while the ABS is op-
erating.
(For more information on ABS, see “Brak-
ing” in the “OPERATING YOUR VEHI-
CLE” section.)
NOTE If the ABS system is activated, you
may hear a clunking noise and/ or feel pul-
sating in the brake pedal. This is normal
and indicates that the brake fluid pressure
is being controlled properly.The ESP®indicator lights are described be-
low:
SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT
66J033
When one of the ESP®systems other than
ABS is activated, the SLIP indicator light in
the instrument cluster blinks 5 times per
second.
IMPORTANT If the SLIP indicator light
comes on and stays on while driving, there
may be a malfunction of the ESP
®systems
(other than ABS). You should have the
systems inspected by an authorized Fiat
Dealership.
NOTE When the SLIP indicator light
comes on and stays on while driving, in-
dicating a malfunction of the ESP
®systems
(other than ABS), the brake system will
function as an ordinary ABS with no ad-
ditional ESP
®functions.
149-166 Fiat16 New GB 3-09-2008 8:15 Pagina 163
181
I I
N N
S S
P P
E E
C C
T T
I I
O O
N N
A A
N N
D D
M M
A A
I I
N N
T T
E E
N N
A A
N N
C C
E E E
60G410
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ........................................... 183
MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED UNDER SEVERE
DRIVING CONDITIONS .................................................... 188
DRIVE BELT .......................................................................... 189
ENGINE OIL AND FILTER ................................................ 189
GEAR OIL .............................................................................. 193
ENGINE COOLANT .......................................................... 195
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID ...................................... 198
AIR CLEANER ...................................................................... 198
SPARK PLUGS (Petrol engine).......................................... 199
FUEL FILTER (Diesel engine)............................................. 201
BRAKES .................................................................................. 202
STEERING .............................................................................. 204
CLUTCH PEDAL ................................................................. 205
TIRES ....................................................................................... 205
BATTERY ............................................................................... 210
FUSES ...................................................................................... 212
BULB REPLACEMENT ........................................................ 218
WINDSCREEN - REAR WINDOW WASHER /
WIPERS .................................................................................. 223
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ....................................... 224
8
181-224 Fiat16 New GB 3-09-2008 8:17 Pagina 181
182
660B128
You should take extreme
care when working on your
vehicle to prevent accidental injury.
Here are a few precautions that you
should be especially careful to ob-
serve:
– To prevent damage or unintended
activation of the air bag system or
seat belt pretensioner system, be sure
the battery is disconnected and the
ignition switch has been in the
“LOCK” position for at least 90 sec-
onds before performing any electrical
service work on your Fiat. Do not
touch air bag system components,
seat belt pretensioner system com-
ponents or wires.
The wires are wrapped with yellow
tape or yellow tubing, and the cou-
plers are yellow for easy identifica-
tion.
– Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
WARNING
– When the engine is run-
ning, keep hands, clothing,
tools, and other objects away from
the fan and drive belt. Even though
the fan may not be moving, it can au-
tomatically turn on without warning.
– When it is necessary to do service
work with the engine running, make
sure that the parking brake is set ful-
ly and the transaxle is in Neutral (for
manual transaxle vehicles) or Park
(for automatic transaxle vehicles).
– Do not touch ignition wires or oth-
er ignition system parts when starting
the engine or when the engine is run-
ning, or you could receive an electric
shock.
– Be careful not to touch a hot en-
gine, exhaust manifold and pipes,
muffler, radiator and water hoses.
– Do not allow smoking, sparks, or
flames around gasoline or the bat-
tery. Flammable fumes are present.
– Do not get under your vehicle if it is
supported only with the portable jack
provided in your vehicle.
WARNING
– Be careful not to cause ac-
cidental short circuits be-
tween the positive and negative bat-
tery terminals.
– Keep used oil, coolant, and other
fluids away from children and pets.
Dispose of used fluids properly; nev-
er pour them on the ground, into sew-
ers, etc.
WARNING
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184
15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180
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SERVICE SCHEDULE PETROL VERSIONS
Service coupons shall be carried out every 15,000 km
Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if required
Check electric system operation headlights,
direction indicators, hazard lights, passenger compartment/
boot light, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper operation, adjust nozzles if required
Check windscreen blade position/wear
Check front disk brake pad wear conditions and brake
pad wear indicator operation
Check rear disk brake pad or shoes conditions and wear
Sight inspect conditions and integrity of: bodywork and
underbody protection, pipes (exhaust, fuel, brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.), brake and
fuel system hoses, axles and axle shafts
Top up fluids (engine coolant, brakes, clutch, battery,
windscreen washer, etc.)
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions
Check antievaporation system
Check and adjust handbrake lever stroke, if required
Check and adjust tappet clearance, if required
181-224 Fiat16 New GB 3-09-2008 8:17 Pagina 184
185
15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180
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Thousands of km
Check exhaust emissions/smoke
Check cleanness of bonnet and boot locks and lever
cleanness and lubrication
Change spark plugs (change iridium spark plugs every 105,000 km)
Change engine oil and oil filter
Check air cleaner conditions
Replace air cleaner cartridge
Change engine coolant
Change accessory drive belt conditions
Sight inspect fuel tank conditions
Check manual transaxle gear oil level
Change manual transaxle gear oil
Check transmission unit oil level (4x4 version)
Check rear differential oil level (4x4 version)
Change rear differential oil (4x4 version)
(just the first time at 15,000 km)
Check suspension operation
Check steering system (electric drive)
Check engine control system operation
(through diagnostic socket)
Change brake and clutch fluid (or every 2 years)
Change pollen filter (or every 2 years)
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