GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
110
Do not travel with the
hatchback open: the ex-
haust fumes could enter
the vehicle.TAILGATE EMERGENCY
OPENING fig. 154
To unlock the tailgate in the event of
an electric failure, proceed as follows:
– introduce a screw driver into hole
A from inside the car
– to unlock the latch mechanically,
turn it on the left.
TRANSPORTING LUGGAGE
IMPORTANTFor vehicle versions
without Xenon lights travelling at night
with the luggage compartment loaded
it is necessary to adjust the dipped
beam headlight position (see “Head-
lamps” paragraph in this chapter).When loading the lug-
gage compartment, do
not exceed the permitted
weight limits (see “Technical
specifications” chapter). Also en-
sure that any objects in the lug-
gage compartment are firmly se-
cured and that they cannot be
thrown forward causing injury to
passengers if the vehicle brakes
suddenly.
Heavy loads which are
not securely anchored
could seriously injure pas-
sengers in the event of an acci-
dent. The addition of objects
(spoilers, etc.) on the rear
shelf or boot lid, except
those envisaged by the manufac-
turer, may prevent the tailgate
from working properly.
fig. 155
F0B0105b
fig. 154
F0B0169b
Anchoring the load fig. 155
The load can be secured with the
belts fastened to the appropriate rings
Ainside the luggage compartment.
These rings can also be used to fix
the luggage retaining net, where fitted.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
128
All control, repair and replacement
operations concerning the air bags
must only be carried out c/o Fiat
Dealership.
If the car is to be demolished, Fiat
Dealershipshould be contacted to
have the system deactivated.
If the vehicle changes ownership, the
new owner must be informed of the
method of use of air bags and the
above warnings and also be given this
“Owner handbook”.
IMPORTANTThe triggering of
pretensioners, front air bags and side
air bags is decided in a differentiated
manner by the electronic control unit,
depending on the type of crash. The
failure to deploy one or more of them
does not mean that the system is not
working properly.GENERAL NOTES
If the
¬warning light
does not turn on when
turning the ignition key to
M or if it stays on when travelling,
this could indicate a failure in
safety retaining systems; under
this condition air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in the
event of collision or, in a re-
stricted number of cases, they
could trigger accidentally. Stop
the car and contact Fiat Dealer-
ship to have the system checked
immediately.
When the ignition key is
turned to M, the warning
light
“(with the passen-
ger’s front air bag deactivation
switch in the ON position) turns
on for about 4 seconds and flash-
es for another 4 seconds to remind
that the passenger’s air bag and
side air bags will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should go off.
IMPORTANTTriggering of the air
bags releases a small amount of pow-
der. This powder is not harmful and
does not indicate the start of fire; al-
so the surface of the deployed bag and
the vehicle interior may be covered by
dusty residue: this may irritate the skin
and eyes. In the event of exposure,
wash with neutral soap and water.
The airbag system has a validity of 14
years for the pyrotechnic charge and
10 years for the coil contact . As this
date approaches, contact a Fiat Deal-
ership.
WARNINGSShould an accident
occur in which the Airbag is activated,
take the vehicle to a Fiat Dealership
to have the safety device, the elec-
tronic control unit, the seat belt, the
pretensioners and the electric system
checked.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
132
GENERAL NOTES
While parking, pay attention to ob-
stacles above or below the sensors. In
fact certain objects very close to the
vehicle rear part are not detected by
the system and so the car or the sen-
sors might get damaged.
Warnings coming from the damaged
sensors may be altered and no longer
reliable, also when they are covered
with dirt, mud, snow or ice, or con-
founded by nearby ultrasound systems
(e.g. air brakes of trucks or rivetting
hammers).SOUND SYSTEM
For the sound system, see the
“Sound system” handbook enclosed
to this “Owner handbook”.
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If, after purchasing your car, you wish
to add electric accessories (alarm,
satellite antitheft device, etc.) that re-
quire permanent power supply or high
feed accessories, visit a Fiat Dealer-
ship. The staff of experts, beside sug-
gesting the most suitable accessories
in the Lineaccessori Fiat range, will al-
so check whether the car electrical
system can support the the required
load or if a larger size battery needs to
be installed.Take care when fitting
additional spoilers, alloy
rims and non-standard
wheel caps: they might reduce
ventilation of the brakes, thus
their efficiency, during abrupt
and repeated braking, or long
downhill slopes. Make sure that
nothing (mats, etc.) gets in the
way of the pedals when they are
pushed down.
DRIVING YOUR CAR
140
BEFORE GETTING BEHIND
THE WHEEL
The main suggestions are the fol-
lowing:
– make sure all lights including the
headlights are working properly;
– adjust the position of the seat,
steering wheel, driving and door mir-
rors properly for the best driving po-
sition;
– adjust the head restraints careful-
ly so that they support the head and
not the neck;
– make sure that nothing (mats, etc.)
gets in the way of the pedals when
they are pushed down;
– make sure that any child restraint
systems (child seats, carriers, etc.) are
properly fixed, preferably on the back
seat as this is the safest place in the
event of an accident;– make sure that objects being trans-
ported are carefully arranged so they
will not fly forward if you have to
brake sharply;
– do not eat a heavy meal before
travelling. Light eating will help keep
your reflexes prompt. Above all, do
not have anything alcoholic to drink.
Using certain prescription drugs can
reduce your ability to drive: read in-
structions for use carefully.
Periodically, remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– engine oil level;
– coolant level and conditions of the
system;
– brake fluid level;
– power steering fluid level;
– windscreen washer liquid level.WHEN TRAVELLING
The main suggestions are the fol-
lowing:
– the first rule of safe driving is pru-
dence. Prudence also means putting
yourself into a position where you can
predict wrong or imprudent behaviour
from other drivers;
– stick closely to the rules of the
road in the particular country where
the vehicle is being driven and, above
all, do not exceed speed limits;
– ensure that, besides yourself, all the
other passengers in the vehicle have
their seat belts fastened, that children
are sitting in the appropriate child
seats and any animals in the car are
placed in suitable compartments;
– you should be physically fit and
mentally alert before setting out on
long journeys;
DRIVING YOUR CAR
141
Be careful when fitting
additional spoilers, light
alloy rims and optional
wheel caps: these devices could
reduce brake ventilation and ef-
ficiency in the event of repeated
and sudden braking or long
downhill drives.Never drive with objects
on the floor in front of the
driver’s seat. The objects
could get jammed under the ped-
als making braking or accelerat-
ing impossible.
Driving while drunk or
under the influence of
drugs or certain medi-
cines is dangerous for both you
and other road users.Pay attention to mats: if
you note even a small
problem in braking, the
pedal stroke may need to be ad-
justed.
Always fasten both front
and back seat belts, in-
cluding child restraint sys-
tems. Travelling with the seat
belts unfastened increases the
risk of injury or death if you are
in a collision.
Water, ice and road salt
may deposit on brake
discs making it difficult to
brake the first time this is neces-
sary.– do not drive too many hours at a
time but stop at intervals to stretch
your legs and recoup your energies;
– make sure the air in the vehicle is
being changed continuously;
– never coast downhill (i.e. with the
engine off): if you do, you lose the aid
of the engine brake, power brakes and
power steering, so that braking and
steering require greater effort.
DRIVING YOUR CAR
145
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
AND POLLUTION
Tyres
Tyre pressure should be checked at
least once every four weeks: if the
pressure is too low fuel consumption
increases as the resistance to the
rolling movement of the tyre is
greater. In this state, tyre wear is in-
creased and vehicle handling suffers,
which will effect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
vehicle (especially when driving in the
city) and its trim greatly effects con-
sumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof/ski rack from the
roof when no longer necessary. These
accessories reduce the vehicle’s aero-
dynamic penetration, which affects
consumption. Use a trailer, if particu-
larly heavy objects are to be trans-
ported. Some suggestions which may help
you to keep the running costs of the
car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere are given below.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
The overall state of the vehicle is an
important factor that has a marked in-
fluence over fuel consumption, driving
comfort and on the life span of your
vehicle. For this reason, care should
be taken to maintain your vehicle by
carrying out the necessary checks and
observing regulations in accordance
with the specifications given in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme
(see section, idling, air cleaners, tim-
ing).Electrical devices
Use electric devices for the neces-
sary time only. The heated rear win-
dow, supplementary lights, windscreen
wipers, heating system blower require
large amounts of electricity; this means
an increase in the request for power
and consequently an increase in fuel
consumption (up to +25% when dri-
ving in built-up areas).
Climate control system
The climate control unit is an addi-
tional load that greatly affects the en-
gine leading to higher consumption (on
average +20%). When the tempera-
ture outside allows it, use the air
vents.
Spoilers
The use of optional extras which are
not certified for specific use on the car
may reduce the aerodynamic pene-
tration of the car and increase con-
sumption.
DRIVING YOUR CAR
151
STORING THE CAR
The following precautions should be
taken if the car will not be used for
several months:
– park the vehicle in covered, dry and
if possible well-ventilated premises;
– engage a gear (Pfor versions with
automatic electronic gear);
– make sure the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
– clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
– sprinkle talcum powder on the rub-
ber windscreen and rear window
wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
– slightly open the windows;
– inflate the tyres to 0.5 bar above
the normal specified pressure and
check it at intervals;– switch off the electronic car alarm;
– disconnect the terminals (–) from
the battery poles (negative pole first)
and check the battery charge. When
the vehicle is in storage, this check
should be carried out once a month.
If no-load voltage is less than 12.5V,
recharge the battery;
– do not drain the engine cooling sys-
tem;
– cover the vehicle with a cloth or
perforated plastic sheet. Do not use
sheets of non-perforated plastic as
they do not allow moisture on the car
body to evaporate.RESTARTING THE CAR
AFTER STORAGE
Before restarting the vehicle after a
long storage, make the following op-
erations:
– do not take dust off the bodywork
without water;
– check if there are fluid leakages (oil,
brake and clutch fluid, engine coolant,
etc.);
– have the engine oil and the filter re-
placed;
– check the level of: brake and clutch
fluid, engine coolant;
30 60 90 120 150 180
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CAR MAINTENANCE
186
Thousand of kilometres
Check engine control system operation (through diagnostic socket)
Top up special particulate filter fluid (2.0 JTD 136 HP and 2.2 JTD version)
Replace particulate filter (2.0 JTD 136 HP and 2.2 JTD version)
Replace timing belt*
Replace diesel fuel filter
Bleed diesel fuel filter
Change air cleaner cartridge
Change engine oil and oil filter
Change brake fluid (or every 2 years)
Change pollen filter (or every 2 years)
(*) The timing belt shall be replaced every 180.000 km or 10 years..