2009 FIAT IDEA Owners Manual

120
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Fiat Dealership will be happy to provide
advice concerning the most suitable type
of tyre for the customer’s requirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in pa-
ragraph “Wheels” in section “Technical
specifications”.
The performance of these tyres is consi-
derably reduced when the tread depth is
less than 4 mm. Replace them in this case.
Due to their specific features, the perfor-
mance of snow tyres is much lower than
that of standard tyres in normal conditions
or long motorway stretches. Limit perfor-
mance according the use for which they
were approved.IMPORTANT When snow tyres are used
with a max speed index below the one
that can be reached by the car (increased
by 5%), place a notice in the passenger’s
compartment, plainly in the driver’s view
which states the max permissible speed of
the snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety when
driving and braking and better driveability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to chan-
ge the direction of rotation of tyres.The top speed of a “T” type
snow tyre is 190 km/h. Re-
spect the highway code in all cases.
WARNING

121
WARNING
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SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in com-
pliance with local regulations.
Snow chains may be only be fitted to the
front wheel tyres (drive wheels). Use of
Lineaccessori Fiat snow chains is recom-
mended.
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven.IMPORTANT Snow chains cannot be fit-
ted on the space saver wheel. In case of
puncture to a front tyre, replace a rear
wheel using the space saver spare and fit
the normal size wheel on the front axle.
In this way, you can fit snow chains on the
two front wheels.
Chains cannot be fitted on 205/50 R16
87V tyres.
Versions
ACTIVE
DYNAMIC
EMOTIONTyres suitable for fitting snow
chains
185/65 R14 86T
195/60 R15 88T
195/60 R15 88T
195/60 R15 88TType of snow chains to be used
Normal size snow chains
with maximum protrusion beyond tyre profile equal to 12 mm.
Keep your speed down when snow chains are fitted. Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes, steps and
pavements and also avoid driving long distances on roads not covered with snow in order to prevent da-
maging the car and the roadbed.
The tyres which are suitable
for fitting snow chains and the
type of chain which can be
used are shown in the table
above. Follow indications carefully.

122
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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STORING THE CAR
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if pos-
sible well-ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not enga-
ged;
❒disconnect the negative battery ter-
minal and check battery charge. Re-
peat 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
using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts
using special compounds readily avai-
lable;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber
windscreen and rear window wiper
blades and lift them off the glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a fabric or perfo-
rated plastic terrapin. Do not use
compact plastic sheets which do not
allow humidity to evaporate from the
surface of the car.
❒inflate tyres to a pressure of +0,5 bar
above the normal specified pressure
and check it at intervals;
❒if you don’t disconnect the battery
from the electric system, check its
charge every month and recharge it if
the optical indicator shows a dark co-
lour without the central green area;
❒do not drain the engine cooling sy-
stem.

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MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS ...................................................... 124
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL ............................................... 124
HANDBRAKE APPLIED ...................................................... 124
AIRBAG FAILURE ................................................................. 124
HOT ENGINE COOLANT ............................................... 125
LOW BATTERY CHARGE................................................. 125
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE -
EXHAUSTED OIL .............................................................. 126
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
SYSTEM ................................................................................... 126
DOOR OPEN ........................................................................ 126
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED ........................................ 126
EBD FAILURE......................................................................... 127
EOBD/INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE ............................ 127
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED ......... 128
ABS FAILURE ......................................................................... 128
FUEL RESERVE....................................................................... 128
GLOW PLUGS ...................................................................... 129
GLOW PLUG FAILURE ...................................................... 129
WATER IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER ..................................... 129
CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE - FIAT CODE ...................................................... 129
REAR FOG LIGHTS ............................................................. 129
GENERIC INDICATION .................................................... 130
WORN BRAKE PADS ......................................................... 131
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
OBSTRUCTED PARTICULATE TRAP ............................ 131
SIDE/TAIL LIGHTS AND
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS - FOLLOW ME HOME 131
FOG LIGHTS ......................................................................... 131
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ....................... 131
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ................... 131
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
SYSTEM ON .......................................................................... 132
CRUISE CONTROL ............................................................ 132
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS............................................... 132
POSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD.................................................. 132
LIMITED RANGE .................................................................. 132

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GENERAL WARNINGS
Lighting of a warning light is associated to
a specific message and/or buzzer when ap-
plicable. These indications are brief and
precautionary and as such must not be
considered as exhaustive and/or alterna-
tive to the information contained in the
Owner’s Handbook, which you are re-
commended to read carefully in all cases.
Refer to the information in this section in
the event of a failure indication.
IMPORTANT Failure indications on the
display fall into one of two categories: se-
riousfailure and less seriousfailure.
A warning cycle will be repeated in case
of severefailures until the case of the
problem is eliminated.
A shorter warning cycle will be run in ca-
se of less severefaults.
Press MODEto stop the warning cycle in
both cases. The warning light on the in-
strument panel will stay on until the cau-
se of the failure is eliminated.LOW BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL (red)
HANDBRAKE ON (red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light turns on and should go
off after a few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light comes on when the le-
vel of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls
below the minimum level due to possible
leaks in the circuit.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
x
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.
AIRBAG FAILURE (red)
When the ignition key is mo-
ved to MAR, the warning light
turns on and should go off after
a few seconds.
The warning light stays on steady if there
is a failure in the airbag system.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.¬
If the warning light xturns
on when travelling (with the
message on the display) stop the car
immediately and contact Fiat Dea-
lership.
WARNING

125
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If when turning the key to
MAR the warning light ¬does not turn on or stays on whilst
driving (together with the message in
the multifunctional display, where
provided), a failure may have occur-
red in the restraint systems. In this ca-
se the air bags or pretensioners may
not be deployed after an impact or,
in a minor number of cases, they may
be deployed accidentally. Contact
Fiat Dealership immediately to have
the system checked before driving off.
WARNING
The failure of the warning li-
ght ¬is indicated by inter-
mittent blinking of the warning light
“that signals front passenger airbag
deactivated. The airbag system will
automatically deactivate the passen-
ger airbag (front and side, where pro-
vided). In this case, the warning light
¬may not indicate a fault in the sy-
stem. Contact the Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have the system checked
before driving off.
WARNING
HOT ENGINE
COOLANT (red)
When the ignition key is mo-
ved to MAR, the warning light
turns on and should go off after a few se-
conds.
The warning light turns on when the en-
gine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as
follows:
❒during normal travel: stop the car,
stop the engine and check that the wa-
ter level in the vessel is not under the
MINline. In this case, wait for a few
minutes for the engine to cool down
when slowly and carefully open the
cap, top-up with coolant and check
that the level is between the MINand
MAXreferences on the vessel itself.
Also check for leaks. Should the war-
ning light turn on again at the next
start-up, contact Fiat Dealership.
u
❒If the vehicle is used under seve-
re conditions(e.g. towing of trailers
uphill or fully loaded vehicle): slow
down and stop the car if the warning
light stays on. Stop for 2 or 3 minu-
tes with the engine running and sligh-
tly accelerated to assist better coolant
circulation. Then switch the engine off.
Check correct fluid level as described
above.
IMPORTANT Under severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly acce-
lerated for few minutes before switching
it off.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
When the ignition key is mo-
ved to MAR, the warning light
turns on and 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). Go to a Lancia Dealership im-
mediately if the warning light stays on.w

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LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
EXHAUSTED OIL (red)
(Multijet versions with
DPF)
Low engine oil pressure
When the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light turns on and should go
out as soon as the engine is started.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
v
Exhausted oil
The warning light turns on and flashes
along with the message on the display
when the system detects that the engine
oil is exhausted.
After the first indication, at each engine
starting the warning light
vwill go on
flashing for about 60 seconds and then
every 2 hours until oil is changed.“DUALDRIVE”
ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING SYSTEM
(red)
This warning light comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to MAR, but it should
go off after a few seconds.
The electric power steering system will
not work when the warning light is on and
considerably more effort is needed on the
steering wheel. The car can still be stee-
red: Go to a Fiat Dealership.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
g
DOOR OPEN (red)
On certain versions the war-
ning light turns on when one or
more doors or the tailgate are
not properly closed.
The display will show a dedicated messa-
ge.
A buzzer will sound when doors/tailgate
are open and the car is moving.
´
SEAT BELTS
REMINDER
(red) (where provided)
The warning light on the display
will light up when the car is moving and
the driver’s seat belt is not correctly fa-
stened. The warning light will blink and a
buzzer will sound if the front seat belts are
not correctly fastened. The buzzer of the
S.B.R. (Seat Belt Reminder) system can
only be switched off by a Fiat Dealership.
The system can be reactivated by means
of the setup menu.
<
If the warning light vturns on when travelling
(with the message on the display)
stop the car immediately and contact
Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
If warning light vflashes,
contact Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible to have oil changed
and instrument panel warning light
turned off.
WARNING

127
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>
EBD FAILURE
(red)
(amber)
Warning lights xand >lit at the sa-
me time with the engine running indicates
an EBD system failure or that the system
is not available. Early locking of the rear
wheels may occur in the event of violent
braking causing the car to swerve. Drive
very carefully to a Fiat Dealership to ha-
ve the system inspected.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
x
INEFFICIENT
EOBD/INJECTION
SYSTEM (amber)
Under normal conditions, turning
the ignition key to MAR, the warning li-
ght turns on but it should go off after en-
gine starting.
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.
The display will show a dedicated messa-
ge.
Under these conditions, the vehicle can
continue travelling at moderate speed
without demanding excessive effort from
the engine. Prolonged use of the car with
the warning light on may cause damage.
Go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.
If warning light will go out after the fault
goes away but it will be stored in the sy-
stem.
U
Petrol engine lubricants
The warning light turns on and flashes to
indicate possible damage to the catalyser.
If the light flashes, release the accelerator
pedal to lower the speed of the engine un-
til the warning light stops flashing; conti-
nue the journey at moderate speed, trying
to avoid driving conditions that may cau-
se further flashing and contact Fiat Dea-
lership as soon as possible.