84
TEMPERATURE GAUGE/
OVERHEAT INDICATOR
LIGHT (for Diesel
Engine Model)
When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, this gauge indicates the engine
coolant temperature. Under normal dri-
ving conditions, the indicator should stay
within the normal, acceptable temperature
range between “H” and “C”. If the indi-
cator approaches “H” (or the overheat in-
dicator light (1) (if equipped) comes on),
overheating is indicated. Follow the in-
structions for engine overheating in the
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” section.
IMPORTANT Continuing to drive the ve-
hicle when engine overheating is indicat-
ed can result in severe engine damage.
FUEL GAUGE
When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, this gauge gives an approximate
indication of the amount of fuel in the fu-
el tank. “F” stands for full and “E” stands
for empty.
If the indicator gets off the graduation of
“E” (not character “E”), refill the tank as
soon as possible.
If the low fuel warning light (1) comes on,
fill the fuel tank immediately.
The mark (2) indicates that the fuel filler
door is located on the left side of the ve-
hicle.
NOTE The activation point of the low fu-
el warning light (1) varies depending on
road conditions (for example, slope or
curve) and driving conditions because of
fuel moving in the tank.
(1) (2)
79J102
(1)
79J135
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130
PARKING BRAKE
LEVER
1.To set
2.To release
3.To release
The parking brake lever is located be-
tween the seats. To set the parking brake,
hold the brake pedal down and pull the
parking brake lever all the way up. To re-
lease the parking brake, hold the brake
pedal down, pull up slightly on the parking
brake lever, push the button on the end
of the lever with your thumb, and lower
the lever to its original position.(2)
(3)(1)
54G039
Never drive your vehicle with
the parking brake on: rear
brake effectiveness can be reduced
from overheating, brake life may be
shortened, or permanent brake dam-
age may result.
If the parking brake does not hold
the vehicle securely or does not ful-
ly release, have your vehicle in-
spected immediately by an autho-
rized Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
Always set the parking brake
fully before leaving your ve-
hicle or it may move, causing injury
or damage. When parking, make sure
the gearshift lever for manual
transaxle vehicles is in 1st gear or “R”
(Reverse) and the gearshift lever for
automatic transaxle vehicles is in “P”
(Park). Remember, even though the
transaxle is in gear or in Park, you
must set the parking brake fully.
WARNING
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131
PEDAL
Clutch Pedal (1)
The clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the en-
gine, stopping, or shifting the gearshift
lever. Depressing the pedal disengages the
clutch.
IMPORTANT Do not drive with your
foot resting on the clutch pedal. It could
result in excessive clutch wear, clutch
damage, or unexpected loss of engine
braking.
Brake Pedal (2)
Your Fiat vehicle is equipped with either
front and rear disc brakes or front disc
brakes and rear drum brakes. Depress-
ing the brake pedal applies both sets of
brakes.
You may hear occasional brake squeal
when you apply the brakes. This is a nor-
mal condition caused by environmental
factors such as cold, wet, snow, etc.Accelerator Pedal (3)
This pedal controls the speed of the en-
gine. Depressing the accelerator pedal in-
creases power output and speed.
When parking the vehicle in
extremely cold weather, the
following procedure should be used:
1) Set the parking brake.
2) Shift the manual transaxle into re-
verse or first gear, or the automatic
transaxle into “P” (Park).
3) With the engine off, get out of the
vehicle and put chocks under the
wheels.
4) Release the parking brake.
When you return to your vehicle,
you must remember to first set the
parking brake, then remove the
wheel chocks.
WARNING
(1) (2) (3)
79J072
If brake squeal is excessive
and occurs each time the
brakes are applied, you should have
the brakes checked by your Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
Do not “ride” the brakes by
applying them continuously
or resting your foot on the pedal. This
will result in overheating of the brakes
which could cause unpredictable
braking action, longer stopping dis-
tances, or permanent brake damage.
WARNING
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165
IMPORTANT To minimize the possibili-
ty of catalyst or other vehicle damage:
❒Maintain the engine in the proper op-
erating condition.
❒In the event of an engine malfunction,
particularly one involving engine misfire
or other apparent loss of performance,
have the vehicle serviced promptly.
❒Do not turn off the engine or interrupt
the ignition when the transaxle is in
gear and the vehicle is in motion.
❒Do not try to start the engine by push-
ing or towing the vehicle, or coasting
down a hill.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
(if equipped - Petrol
Engine Model)
The purpose of the catalytic converter is
to minimize the amount of harmful pollu-
tants in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use of
leaded fuel in vehicles equipped with cat-
alytic converters is prohibited, because
lead deactivates the pollutant- reducing
components of the catalyst system.
The converter is designed to last the life
of the vehicle under normal usage and
when unleaded fuel is used. No special
maintenance is required on the convert-
er. However, it is very important to keep
the engine properly tuned. Engine misfir-
ing, which can result from an improperly
tuned engine, may cause overheating of
the catalyst. This may result in permanent
heat damage to the catalyst and other ve-
hicle components.
54G236
RUNNING-IN
IMPORTANT The future performance
and reliability of the engine depends on the
care and restraint exercised during its ear-
ly life. It is especially important to observe
the following precautions during the initial
960 km (600 miles) of vehicle operation.
❒After starting, do not race the engine.
Warm it up gradually.
❒Avoid prolonged vehicle operation at a
constant speed. Moving parts will break
in better if you vary your speed.
❒Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid full
throttle starts.
❒Avoid hard braking, especially during
the first 300 km (200 miles) of driving.
❒Do not drive slowly with the transaxle
in a high gear.
❒Drive the vehicle at moderate engine
speeds.
❒Do not tow a trailer during the first
960 km (600 miles) of vehicle opera-
tion.
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176
– Avoid “riding” the brakes.
This could cause the brakes
to overheat resulting in reduced brak-
ing efficiency. Use engine braking as
much as possible.
– Because of the added trailer weight,
your engine may overheat on hot
days when going up long or steep
hills. Pay attention to your engine
temperature gauge. If it indicates
overheating, pull off the road and
stop in a safe place. Refer to “If the
Engine Overheats” in “EMERGENCY
SERVICE” section.
WARNING
60A186
When parking your vehicle
and connected trailer, al-
ways use the following procedure:
– Apply the vehicle’s brakes firmly.
– Have another person place wheel
chocks under the wheels of the vehi-
cle and the trailer while you are hold-
ing the brakes.
– Slowly release the brakes until the
wheel chocks absorb the load.
– Fully engage the parking brake.
– Manual Transaxle – Shift into Re-
verse or first gear and turn off the en-
gine.
WARNING
When starting out after
parking:
– Depress the clutch and start the en-
gine.
– Shift into gear, release the parking
brake, and slowly pull away from the
chocks.
– Stop, apply the brakes firmly and
hold them.
– Have another person remove the
chocks.
WARNING
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189
ENGINE OIL
AND FILTER
OIL SPECIFICATIONS -
PETROL ENGINES
Check whether the adopted engine oil is
falling within the following quality classes:
API SL, SM or ACEA A3, recommended
product: SELENIA K SAE 5W-40, Fiat
9.55535-M2 qualification.
OIL SPECIFICATIONS -
DIESEL ENGINES
Check whether the adopted engine oil is
falling within the following quality classes:
API CF or ACEA B4, recommended
product: SELENIA WR SAE 5W-40,
Fiat 9.55535-N2 qualification.
DRIVE BELT
63J132
DEF: 4.5 – 5.5 mm
(0.18 – 0.22 in.)
DEF: 3 – 5 mm
(0.12 – 0.20 in.)
DEF: 7 – 8 mm
(0.28 – 0.31 in.)
AC GE
→: 100 N (10 kg, 22 lbs) press
GE: Generator
DEF: Deflection
AC: Air conditioner compressor
When the engine is running,
keep hands, hair, clothing,
tools, etc. away from the moving fan
and drive belts.
WARNING
For Petrol Engine Model
Make sure the drive belt tension is cor-
rect. If the belt is too loose, insufficient
battery charging, engine overheating, poor
power steering, poor air conditioning, or
excessive belt wear can result. When you
press the belt with your thumb midway
between the pulleys, there should be a de-
flection according to the following chart.
The belts should also be examined to en-
sure that they are not damaged.
If you need to replace or adjust the belt
have it done by your Fiat Dealership.
For Diesel Engine Model
The drive belts tension is adjusted auto-
matically.
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195
IMPORTANT To avoid damaging your
cooling system:
❒Always use a high quality ethylene gly-
col base non- silicate type coolant di-
luted with distilled water at the correct
mixture concentration.
ENGINE COOLANT
SELECTION OF COOLANT
To maintain optimum performance and
durability of your engine, use PARAFLU
UP.
This type of coolant is best for your cool-
ing system as it:
❒Helps maintain proper engine temper-
ature.
❒Gives proper protection against freez-
ing and boiling.
❒Gives proper protection against cor-
rosion and rust.
Failure to use the proper coolant can dam-
age your cooling system. Your authorized
Fiat Dealership can help you select the
proper coolant.
79J006
Petrol engine
❒Make sure that the proper mix is 50/50
coolant to distilled water and in no case
higher than 70/30. Concentrations
greater than 70/30 coolant to distilled
water will cause overheating conditions.
❒Do not use straight coolant nor plain
water.
❒Do not add extra inhibitors or addi-
tives. They may not be compatible with
your cooling system.
❒Do not mix different types of base
coolants. Doing so may result in accel-
erated seal wear and/ or the possibili-
ty of severe overheating and extensive
engine/ automatic transaxle damage.
COOLANT LEVEL CHECK
Check the coolant level at the reservoir
tank, not at the radiator. With the engine
cool, the coolant level should be between
the “FULL” and “LOW” marks.
79J145
Diesel engine
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230
IF THE ENGINE
OVERHEATS
The engine could overheat temporarily
under severe driving conditions. If the en-
gine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating during driving:
❒Turn off the air conditioner, if equipped.
❒Take the vehicle to a safe place and
park.
❒Let the engine run at the normal idle
speed for a few minutes until the indi-
cator is within the normal, acceptable
temperature range between “H” and
“C”.
IF THE ENGINE IS
FLOODED
If the engine is flooded with gasoline, it
may be hard to start. If this happens, press
the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. (Do not operate the starter mo-
tor for more than 15 seconds).
If you see or hear escaping
steam, stop the vehicle in a
safe place and immediately turn off
the engine to let it cool. Do not open
the hood when steam is present.
When the steam can no longer be
seen or heard, open the hood to see
if the coolant is still boiling. If it is, you
must wait until it stops boiling before
you proceed.
WARNING
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