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LIGHTS AND
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STARTING 
AND DRIVING
USING THE MANUAL
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch ped-
al down fully and shift the gear lever into
one of the required positions (a diagram
is shown on the knob fig. 2). 
IMPORTANT Reverse may be engaged
only when the car is at a standstill. With
the engine running, wait for at least 2 sec-
onds with the clutch pedal fully depressed
before engaging reverse to prevent dam-
age to the gears and grating.
fig. 2F0M0503m
Depress the clutch pedal ful-
ly to change gear correctly.
There should be no obstacles on the
floor underneath the pedals; make
sure that mats are always flat and do
not interfere with the pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand
resting on the gear lever as
the force exerted, even if
slight, could lead over time to
premature wear of the gearbox inter-
nal components.To engage reverse Rfrom neutral, lift ring
Aunder the knob and at the same time
move the gearshift lever to the right and
then backwards fig. 2.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should be
used only to change gear. Do not drive
with your foot resting on the clutch ped-
al, however slightly. For versions/markets
where provided, the electronic clutch
control can intervene if it interprets the 
incorrect driving style as a fault.
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111
SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICE 
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CONTROLS
AND DEVICES
STARTING 
AND DRIVING
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or ski rack from the
roof after use. These accessories decrease
aerodynamic penetration and have a neg-
ative effect on fuel consumption. It is bet-
ter to use a trailer to transport particu-
larly bulky objects.
Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount
of time needed. The heated rear window,
auxiliary headlights, windscreen wipers and
fan heater use up a considerable amount
of current, causing increased fuel con-
sumption (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Air conditioning
Air conditioning leads to higher fuel con-
sumption (on average up to +20%). If the
temperature outside is not too extreme,
try and use the air vents.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may ad-
versely affect aerodynamics and fuel con-
sumption.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high
revs when the vehicle is stationary; this
causes the engine to warm up more slow-
ly, thereby increasing fuel consumption
and emissions. It is advisable to set off im-
mediately and slowly, avoiding high revs:
this allows the engine to warm up more
quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when stationary at traf-
fic lights or before stopping the engine.
The latter action, like double declutching,
is entirely unnecessary and causes in-
creased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear as soon as traffic and
road conditions allow. Using a low gear
for faster acceleration will increase fuel
consumption. 
In the same way, improper use of a high
gear increases fuel consumption, emissions
and engine wear.SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to save fuel and reduce the
amount of toxic emissions released into
the atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Scheduled Service
Plan”.
Tyres
Check the tyre pressure at least once
every 4 weeks: if the pressure is too low,
consumption levels increase as resistance
to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot.
The weight of the car (especially when dri-
ving in town) and its arrangement greatly
affect fuel consumption and stability.
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INDEX
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STARTING 
AND DRIVING
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-
ups will prevent the engine from reach-
ing optimal running temperature. Conse-
quently, both fuel consumption (from +15
to +30% on the urban cycle) and emis-
sions will increase.
Traffic and road 
conditions
Heavy traffic, for instance when travelling
in a queue with frequent use of low gears
or in cities with lots of traffic lights, caus-
es fairly high fuel consumption. Mountain
roads and uneven surfaces also have a neg-
ative effect on consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. at level
crossings) the engine should be switched
off.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES 
The car must be equipped with an ap-
proved tow hook and adequate electrical
system to tow caravans or trailers. Instal-
lation must be performed by specialised
personnel who will issue the required pa-
pers for travelling on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional rear
view mirrors in accordance with the high-
way code of the country in which you are
travelling.
Remember that, when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, braking dis-
tances increase and overtaking takes
longer relative to the overall weight of the
trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill,
rather than constantly using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the car’s tow
hook will reduce the load capacity of the
car by the same amount. Consider the
weight of the trailer fully laden, including
accessories and luggage, to make sure you
do not exceed the maximum towable
weight (shown on the vehicle registration
document).  Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
as speed increases. Keep your speed as
even as possible, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration, which cause ex-
cessive fuel consumption and increased
emissions. 
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects con-
sumption and emissions: acceleration
should be gradual and should not exceed
the maximum torque.
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INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel in ac-
cordance with any additional information
supplied by the manufacturer of the device.
The towing device must meet current reg-
ulations with reference to Directive
94/20/EC and subsequent amendments.
For any version the towing device used
must be right for the towable weight of
the car on which it is to be installed.
For the electric connection a unified con-
nector should be used, which is generally
placed on a special bracket fastened to the
towing device, and a special ECU should
be installed on the car to control the trail-
er’s exterior lights. 
Seven- or 13-pin 12VDC connections
should be used (CUNA/UNI and ISO/DIN
Standards). Follow any instructions pro-
vided by the car manufacturer and/or the
towing device manufacturer.An electric brake or winch should be pow-
ered directly by the battery through a ca-
ble with a cross-section of no less than
2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT The engine must be running
to use the electric brake or winch.
In addition to the electrical appliances, the
car’s electrical system may be connected
only to the supply cable for an electric
brake and the cable for a light inside the
trailer with a wattage of no more than
15 W.
For connections, use the preset control
unit with a battery cable no less than
2.5 mm
2. Respect each country’s specific speed lim-
its for vehicles towing trailers. The top
speed must not exceed 100 km/h at any
time.
You should fit a suitable stabiliser to the
trailer.
The ABS with which the car
may be equipped will not
control the braking system of the
trailer. Particular caution is therefore
required on slippery roads.
WARNING
Never modify the braking
system of the car to control
the trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
from the hydraulic system of the car.
WARNING
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116
SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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INDEX
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AND DEVICES
STARTING 
AND DRIVING
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be observed:
❒park the car in covered, dry and, if pos-
sible, well-ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is engaged;
❒disconnect the clip for the negative bat-
tery terminal and check battery charge.
Repeat this check once every three
months during storage. Recharge the
battery if the indicator is dark and the
middle area is not green;
❒clean and protect the painted parts us-
ing protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts
using special compounds readily avail-
able;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber
windscreen and rear window wiper
blades and lift them off the glass;
❒open the windows slightly;
❒cover the car with a fabric or perfo-
rated plastic sheet. Do not use compact
plastic sheets which do not allow hu-
midity to evaporate from the surface of
the car;
❒inflate tyres to a pressure of +0.5 bar
above the normal specified pressure
and check regularly;
❒if you don’t disconnect the battery from
the electrical system, check its charge
every month and recharge it if the in-
dicator shows a dark colour without
the central green area;
❒do not drain the engine cooling system.
IMPORTANT Where relevant, switch off
the car alarm with the remote control.
Keep your speed down when
snow chains are fitted – do
not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pave-
ments and also avoid driving
for long distances on roads
not covered with snow to avoid dam-
aging the car and the road surface.
WARNING
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117
SAFETY
STARTING 
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICE 
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CONTROLS
AND DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS ..................................................... 118
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL .............................................. 118
HANDBRAKE ON .............................................................. 118
AIRBAG FAULT ................................................................... 119
OVERHEATED ENGINE COOLANT ............................ 119
LOW BATTERY CHARGE ................................................ 120
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE ........................................ 120
DEGRADED OIL .................................................................. 120
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER 
STEERING FAULT ............................................................... 121
DOOR OPEN ....................................................................... 121
LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................................................ 121
EBD FAULT ........................................................................... 121
INJECTION SYSTEM FAULT 
(DIESEL VERSIONS) ............................................................ 122
ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM FAULT (EOBD) 
(PETROL VERSIONS) ......................................................... 122
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED .......... 123
ABS FAULT ........................................................................... 123
FUEL RESERVE ...................................................................... 123
SEAT BELT NOT FASTENED ........................................... 123
GLOW PLUG HEATING ................................................... 124
GLOW PLUG HEATING FAULT .................................... 124WATER IN DIESEL FILTER ............................................... 124
FIAT CODE CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM FAULT  .... 125
EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAULT .............................................. 125
REAR FOG LAMPS .............................................................. 125
GENERIC WARNING ........................................................ 125
PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED 
(Multijet versions) ................................................................. 126
ESP SYSTEM FAULT ............................................................ 126
WORN BRAKE PADS ........................................................ 126
HILL HOLDER FAULT ....................................................... 126
SIDELIGHTS AND DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS  ...... 127
FOLLOW ME HOME .......................................................... 127
FOG LIGHTS ........................................................................ 127
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ....................... 127
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ................... 127
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON  ... 127
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS .............................................. 127
POSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD ................................................. 128
LIMITED RANGE ................................................................. 128
ASR SYSTEM ......................................................................... 128
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED .................................................. 128
W 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
S S
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SAFETY
STARTING 
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SERVICE 
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CONTROLS
AND DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
AIRBAG FAULT 
(red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light turns on but should go
off after a few seconds.
The warning light stays on constantly if
there is a failure in the airbag system.
A specific message is displayed on certain
versions.
¬If the warning light ¬does
not turn on when turning the
key to MAR or stays on during car
travel, there may be a failure in the
restraint systems. If this is the case,
the airbags or pretensioners may not
be deployed in an accident or, in a
minor number of cases, they may be
deployed incorrectly. Contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately to have the
system checked before driving off. 
WARNING
A problem with the warning
light 
¬(light off) is indicat-
ed by the warning light 
“, which in-
dicates the front passenger airbag is
deactivated, flashing for more than
the usual four seconds.
WARNING
OVERHEATED ENGINE
COOLANT (red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light turns on but should go
off after a few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the en-
gine is overheated. 
If the warning light comes on, proceed as
follows:
❒when driving normally: stop the car,
switch off the engine and check that the
water level in the reservoir is not be-
low the MIN mark. If it is not, wait for
a few minutes for the engine to cool
down then slowly and carefully open
the cap, top-up with coolant and check
that the level is between the MIN and
MAX marks. Also visually check for
leaks. Should the warning light turn on
again at the next start-up, contact a Fiat
Dealership. 
ç
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SAFETY
STARTING 
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
DEGRADED OIL (red)
(Multijet versions 
with DPF)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light turns on but should go
out as soon as the engine is started.
Low engine oil pressure
The warning light turns on and stays on
constantly along with a message on the
display (in versions/markets where pro-
vided) when the system detects that en-
gine oil pressure is low.
v
If the warning light vturns on when the vehicle is
travelling (on certain versions to-
gether with a message on the display)
stop the engine immediately and con-
tact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
❒if the vehicle is used under de-
manding conditions (e.g. towing
trailers uphill or fully loaded): slow
down and, if the light stays on, stop the
car. Stop for 2 or 3 minutes with the
engine running and slightly accelerated
to assist better coolant circulation.
Then switch the engine off. Check cor-
rect fluid level as described above.
IMPORTANT On particularly demanding
journeys, it is advisable to keep the engine
on and slightly accelerated for a few min-
utes before switching it off.
A specific message is displayed on certain
versions.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light turns on but should go
out as soon as the engine is started (with
the engine idling, a brief delay can be ex-
pected).
If the warning light comes on, either per-
manently or intermittently, contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately.
w
Engine oil degraded
The warning light flashes and a specific
message appears on the display (for ver-
sions/markets where provided). The
warning light may flash in the following
ways, depending on the version:
– for 1 minute every two hours;
– for 3 minute cycles with the warning
light off for intervals of 5 seconds until oil
is changed.
After the initial warning, each time the en-
gine is started up, the warning light will
continue to flash in the same ways as de-
scribed above, until the oil is changed.
A specific message will appear on the dis-
play (for versions/markets where provid-
ed) in addition to the warning light.
If the warning light flashes, this does not
mean that the car is defective, but simply
informs the driver that it is now necessary
to change the oil as a result of regular 
vehicle use.
Note that engine oil degrades faster un-
der the following circumstances:
– use of the vehicle mainly for city driving,
requiring more frequent regeneration of
the DPF
– use of the vehicle for short drives, in
which the engine does not have time to
reach its regular operating temperature 
– repeated interruption of the regenera-
tion process, signalled by the DPF warn-
ing light coming on. 
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