Reverse (R)
With gear lever at R, it is not possible to
start the engine.
Idle (N)
This position corresponds to the idle po-
sition of a traditional manual gearbox.
With gear lever at N, it is possible to start
the engine.
Engage idle N in case of long stops.
Drive, automatic forward gear (D)
Engage position D for urban and extra-ur-
ban use of the car. DISPLAY
The display shows:
❒selected gear (P, R, N, D) and word-
ing AUTO, in automatic mode;
❒upshifting or downshifting (through
digits) in sequential mode.
GEAR LEVER POSITIONS
Parking (P)
Select P to stop mechanically the driving
wheels.
Engage this position only with the car sta-
tionary, pull the handbrake if required.
134
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LIGHTS AND
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MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
To shift from P to whatever
position, with ignition key at
ON, press the brake pedal and
press the gear lever button.
Reverse shall only be engaged
with car stationary, engine
idling and accelerator fully re-
leased.
Shifting from R →N or D is free
whereas for shifting R →P you
have to press the gear lever
button.
To shift from N, release the ac-
celerator pedal and make sure
the engine is idling.
Shifting from N →D is free
whereas for shifting from N
→R or P you have to press the
gear lever button.
Shifting the lever from P to D
(P →D), from N to D
(N →D) and from R to D (R→D) shall be only performed
with the car stationary and the engine
idling.
127-144 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 16:32 Pagina 134
When stopping the car with a gear high-
er than 1st gear, transmission will set au-
tomatically at 1st gear.
When stopping the car under poor grip
conditions (snow, ice), at next starting the
transmission control unit could engage a
gear higher than 1st gear to prevent wheel
slipping. This shall not be considered as a
fault
IMPORTANT: in the event of excessive
oil temperatures (see section “Warning
lights and messages”), the electronic con-
trol intervenes excluding sequential mode
and activating automatic mode in order to
safeguard transmission life. Sequential
mode will be resumed as soon as regular
operating temperatures are restored.AUTOMATIC MODE
D can be selected from sequential mode
under whatever driving condition.
When passing from sequential mode to D,
the gear to engage is selected by trans-
mission control unit according to engine
rpm and speed (accelerator pedal posi-
tion).
Low engine power demand will result in
long gears engagement and reduced fuel
consumption. Increasing speed by press-
ing the accelerator will automatically en-
gage short gears that will result in im-
proved performance as to pickup and ac-
celeration: in this case fuel consumption
will increase.
For speedy pickup:
❒press the accelerator pedal flat-out,
the kick-down device will cut in to ob-
tain max. performance in terms of
pickup and acceleration. In this case fu-
el consumption will obviously increase.
IMPORTANT When driving under poor
grip conditions (snow, ice, etc.) avoid to
engage the kick-down device. SEQUENTIAL MODE
In sequential mode, the electronic auto-
matic transmission works like a fixed gear
sequential gearbox.
From position D move the gear lever left-
wards:
❒move gear lever to +: to upshift;
❒move gear lever to –: to downshift.
Gears are displayed by digits on the in-
strument panel. Non-stop monitoring car-
ried out by transmission control unit ex-
cludes whatever possibility of error.
Downshifting (or upshifting) is only pos-
sible if engine rpm enables it.
In sequential mode, electronic transmis-
sion control can however intervene in self-
adapting mode by shifting gears automat-
ically when engine rpm exceeds or falls be-
low the admitted rpm limit.
136
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
127-144 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 16:32 Pagina 136
PARKING THE CAR
Engage the handbrake and set gear lever to
P. Leave the wheels steered. Block the
wheels with a wedge or a stone if the car
is parked on a steep slope.
Do not leave the ignition key at ONto
prevent draining the battery. Always re-
move the key when you leave the car.TOWING THE CAR
IMPORTANT Comply with current local
regulations to tow the car.
If the car is to be towed, observe the fol-
lowing recommendations:
❒transport the car, if possible, on the
flatbed of a wrecker or maintenance
vehicle;
❒should this not be possible, tow the
car with the front driving wheels
raised from ground.
For towing the car, the gear lever shall be
set to N. FAILURE INDICATIONS
Failures to the electronic automatic trans-
mission is indicated by the turning of warn-
ing light
ton the instrument panel to-
gether with the dedicated message on the
multifunction display (see section “Warn-
ing lights and messages”).
Contact Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble to have the fault removed.
STOPPING THE CAR
To stop the car:
❒release the accelerator pedal;
❒press the brake pedal.
IMPORTANT With the car on a sloping
road and engine running, keep the car
stopped just using the brake pedal, do not
press the accelerator pedal.
With the car parked with engine running
and gear lever at D, R or in sequential
mode, keep the brake pedal pressed to
prevent car moving off by engine idling.
For long stops set gear lever to P.
137
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car.
WARNING
BUZZER WARNINGS
The warning buzzer will sound and P po-
sition will flash for a few seconds when the
ignition key is at OFFand the gear lever
is not set at P.
Ignition key can only be removed with
gear lever at P.Do not start the engine when
towing the car.
Failure to observe the above
instructions could seriously
damage the automatic trans-
mission.
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car.
WARNING
127-144 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 16:33 Pagina 137
145
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS ...................................................... 146
INSUFFICIENT BRAKE LIQUID ....................................... 146
HAND BRAKE ENGAGED ............................................... 146
AIR BAG FAILURE................................................................ 146
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND SIDE CHEST
PROTECTION AIR BAGS (SIDE BAGS) OFF ............... 147
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED ......................................... 147
EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE ..... 148
INSUFFICIENT BATTERY RECHARGING .................... 148
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................................ 148
EBD FAILURE......................................................................... 148
INSUFFICIENT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE........................ 149
DEGRADED OIL................................................................... 149
POWER STEERING FAILURE ........................................... 149
INCOMPLETE DOOR CLOSURE .................................... 149
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE ......................................... 149
ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE (EOBD) ........ 149
FUEL RESERVE ..................................................................... 150
SPARK PLUG PREHEATING ............................................. 150
SPARK PLUG PREHEATING FAILURE ........................... 150
WATER IN DIESEL FILTER ................................................ 151
FIAT CODE - VEHICLE PROTECTION
SYSTEM FAILURE ................................................................ 151
ALARM FAILURE .................................................................. 151
BREAK-IN ATTEMPT .......................................................... 151
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT RECOGNISED ..................... 151
EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE .............................................. 152
REAR FOG LIGHTS ............................................................. 152GENERIC SIGNALLING ..................................................... 152
ESP SYSTEM FAILURE ......................................................... 154
HILL HOLDER FAILURE .................................................... 154
POSITION LIGHTS AND LOW BEAMS ........................ 154
FOLLOW ME HOME ........................................................... 154
FOG LIGHTS ......................................................................... 154
LEFT TURN SIGNAL ........................................................... 154
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ....................................................... 154
HIGH BEAMS ......................................................................... 155
POSSIBILITY OF ICE ON ROADS ................................... 155
LIMITED RANGE .................................................................. 155
ASR SYSTEM .......................................................................... 155
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ..................... 155
MAXIMUM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL
TEMPERATURE .................................................................... 155
SET SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDANCE .................................... 156
CONSTANT SPEED REGULATOR
(CRUISE CONTROL) .......................................................... 156
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................................. 156
MINIMUM ENGINE OIL LEVEL ....................................... 156
REAR SIDE CHEST PROTECTION AIR BAGS
(REAR SIDE BAGS) OFF ..................................................... 156
TURNING OFF A MOVING VEHICLE ........................... 156
STARTING PROCEDURE DISPLAY INFORMATION
MESSAGES (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)............... 156
STARTING PROCEDURE DISPLAY INFORMATION
MESSAGES (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) ...................... 156
WW W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G
L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S
A A
N N
D D
M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E E
S S
145-156 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 15:18 Pagina 145
146
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS
Turning on of warning light is accompa-
nied by specific message and/or by buzzer
sound where provided by instrument pan-
el. These indications are concise and
cautionaryand shall not be considered
as exhaustive and/or as an alternative to
the specifications contained in this Own-
er Handbook which shall always be read
through carefully and thoroughly. In case
of failure indication always refer to the
specifications contained in this sec-
tion.
IMPORTANT Failure indications displayed
are divided into two categories: very se-
riousand less seriousfailures.
Very seriousfailures are indicated by a
warning “cycle” repeated until failure is
eliminated.
Less seriousfailures are indicated by a lim-
ited warning “cycle”.
The warning cycle of both failure classes
can be stopped by pressing button
MODE. The instrument panel warning
light will stay on until eliminating the fault.
As concerns messages relevant to the ver-
sions equipped with Dualogic gearbox, see
the attached Supplement.LOW BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL (red)
HANDBRAKE ON (red)
Turning the ignition key to ONthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off af-
ter few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light turns on when the lev-
el of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls
below the minimum level, due to possi-
ble leak in the circuit.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
x
If the warning light xturns
on when travelling (on cer-
tain versions together with the mes-
sage on the display) stop the car im-
mediately and contact Fiat Dealer-
ship.
WARNING
Handbrake on
The warning light turns on when the hand-
brake is on.
On certain versions, if the car is moving
the buzzer will also sound.
IMPORTANT If the warning light turns on
when travelling, check that the handbrake
is not engaged.
AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
Turning the ignition key to ON
the warning light turns on, but it should go
off after few seconds.
The warning light stays on glowing steadi-
ly if there is a failure in the air bag system.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
¬
145-156 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 15:18 Pagina 146
147
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If when turning the ignition
key to ON, the warning light
¬does not turn on or stays on when
travelling there could be a failure in
safety systems; in this event air bags
or pretensioners could not trigger in
case of impact or, in a minor num-
ber of cases, they could trigger acci-
dentally. Contact Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
The failure of the ¬warning
light is also indicated by the
flashing for more than the normal 4
seconds of the passenger’s front air
bag deactivated warning light
F.
In addition the air bag system will de-
activate automatically the passen-
ger’s air bags (front and side where
provided). In this event, warning light
¬could not indicate safety systems
failures. Contact Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
PASSENGER SIDE
FRONT AND SIDE
CHEST PROTECTION
AIR BAGS (side bags)
OFF (amber yellow)
Warning light
Fwill come on when de-
activating the passenger front air bag and
side bag (where provided). With passen-
ger front air bag active, turning the igni-
tion key to ON, warning light
Fwill
turn on with fixed light for about 4 sec-
onds and then it will flash for other 4 sec-
onds. It shall then go off.
F
The failure of the warning
light Fis indicated by the
turning on of warning light ¬. In ad-
dition the air bag system will deacti-
vate automatically the passenger’s air
bags (front and side where provided).
Contact Fiat Dealership immediately
to have the system checked.
WARNING
SEAT BELTS
NOT FASTENED
The warning light on the dial
turns on glowing steadily with car
stationary and driver’s seat belt not fas-
tened correctly. The warning light will turn
on flashing together with the buzzer when,
with car moving, front seat belts are not
fastened correctly. The S.B.R. (Seat Belt Re-
minder) buzzer can only be excluded by Fi-
at Dealership. The system can be reacti-
vated through the set-up menu (see dia-
gram aside). The display will show the ded-
icated message.
<
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148
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
❒Car heavy duty(e.g.: towing trailer
uphill of fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on,
stop the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes
leaving the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated to further activate the cir-
culation of the coolant fluid, then
switch the engine off. Check proper
coolant level as described previously.
IMPORTANT Under severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly accel-
erated for few minutes before switching it
off.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
(where provided)
Turning the key to ONthe warning
light turns on, but it should go out as
soon as the engine is started (with the
engine running at idle speed a brief
delay in going out is allowed).
If the warning light stays on contact im-
mediately Fiat Dealership.
w
INEFFICIENT ABS
SYSTEM (amber)
Turning the key to ONthe
warning light turns on, but it should go off
after few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the sys-
tem is inefficient or unavailable. In this case
the braking system keeps its effectiveness
unchanged, but without the potential of-
fered by the ABS system. Caution is ad-
visable and it is necessary to contact Fiat
Dealership.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
>
INEFFICIENT
EBD
ELECTRONIC
BRAKING
DISTRIBUTOR (red) (amber)
The turning on at the same time of warn-
ing lights
xand >with the engine run-
ning indicates an EBD system failure or
that the system is unavailable; in this case
heavy braking may cause the rear wheels
to lock before time, with the possibility of
skidding. Drive with the utmost care to
the nearest Fiat Dealership to have the
system checked.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
x>
HIGH TEMPERATURE
ENGINE COOLANT
FLUID (red)
Turning the ignition key to ONthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off af-
ter few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the en-
gine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on when dri-
ving, proceed as follows:
❒normal driving conditions: stop
the car, switch off the engine and
check whether the water level in the
reservoir is not below the MIN mark.
Otherwise wait for few seconds to al-
low the engine cooling, then open
slowly and carefully the cap, top up
coolant and check whether its level is
falling between MIN and MAX marks
in the reservoir. Check visually any
leak. If, when restarting, the warning
light comes on again, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
ç
145-156 Croma TRW GB 28-05-2008 15:18 Pagina 148
EXHAUST OIL
(Multijet versions)
The warning light with turn on
flashing together with the mes-
sage on the display when the system de-
tects that the engine oil is exhaust.
After the first indication, at each engine
starting the warning light
vwill go on
flashing for 60 seconds and then for 2
hours until oil is changed.If warning light
vflashes,
contact Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have oil changed
and instrument panel warning light
turned off.
149
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MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to ON
the warning light turns on, but it
should go off after few seconds.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
v
v
If the warning light vturns on when travelling to-
gether with the message on the dis-
play, stop the engine immediately
and contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE
(Multijet versions - red)
EOBD ENGINE
CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE
(petrol versions - amber)
Injection system failure
Turning the ignition key to ONthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off af-
ter few seconds.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
when travelling, means a fault in the sup-
ply/ignition system which could cause high
emissions at the exhaust, possible lack of
performance, poor handling and high con-
sumption levels.
On certain versions the dedicated message
is displayed.
In these conditions it is possible to con-
tinue driving without however requiring
heavy effort or high speed from the en-
gine. In any case, contact Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
EOBD ENGINE CONTROL
SYSTEM FAILURE
Under normal conditions, turning the ig-
nition key to ON, the warning light turns
on, but it should go off when the engine has
started. In this case, turning on indicates
proper working of the warning light. If the
U
INCOMPLETE DOOR
LOCKING (red)
(where provided)
The warning light turns on when
one or more doors, the boot or the bon-
net are not properly shut. The dedicated
message will be displayed.
When travelling with door/doors, boot or
bonnet open also a buzzer will sound.
´
POWER STEERING
FAILURE (red)
(where provided)
Turning the ignition key to ONthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off af-
ter few seconds. If the warning light stays
on, you will not have steering assistance
and the effort on the steering wheel will
be increased, steering is however possi-
ble. Contact Fiat Dealership. The dedicat-
ed message will be displayed.
g
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