2009 FIAT IDEA tow

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CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of your
vehicle down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the atmo-
sphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service schedu-
le”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly, at least on-
ce every four weeks: excessively low pres-
sure will increase fuel consumption be-
cause rolling resistance will be higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot.
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the car
(especially when driving in town) and its
trim greatly affects consumption and sta-
bility.Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from
the roof after use. These accessories de-
crease aerodynamic penetration of the car
and have a negative effect on consumption.
It is better to use a trailer to transport
particularly bulky objects.
Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window, ad-
ditional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan need a considerable amount of
energy, therefore increasing the require-
ment of current increases fuel consump-
tion (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
The climate control system requires hi-
gher fuel consumption (up to +20% in ave-
rage): use the air vents when the exter-
nal temperature allows to.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and fuel
consumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car
standing: the engine warms up very slowly
in these conditions, increasing fuel con-
sumption and emissions. It is advisable to
start off immediately and slowly keeping
the engine speed down: the engine will
warm up much faster this way.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic
lights or before stopping the engine. The
latter action, like doubling the clutch, is un-
necessary and causes increase of con-
sumption 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 consumption, emissions an
engine wear.

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Average 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
Sudden acceleration has a very negative
effect on fuel consumption and emissions:
accelerate gradually and do not go over
the maximum torque ratio.OPERATING METHOD
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-
ups will prevent the engine from reaching
optimal running temperature. Conse-
quently, both consumption (from +15 to
+30% on urban cycle ) and emissions will
increase.
Traffic and road conditions
Quite high consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when travelling
in a queue with frequent use of low gears
or in cities with many traffic lights. Moun-
tain and rough roads also have a negative
effect on fuel consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level cros-
sings) the engine should be switched off.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
The car must be provided with a type-ap-
proved tow hitch 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 as specified by the Highway
Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the braking
spaces increase and overtaking takes lon-
ger depending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill,
rather than constantly using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the car’s tow
hitch will reduce the loading capacity of
the car by the same amount. Consider the
weight of the vehicle fully laden, including
accessories and luggage to make sure you
do not exceed the maximum towable wei-
ght (shown on the log book).

118
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Respect the speed limits specific for each
country for vehicles towing trailers. In all
cases, the top speed must not exceed 100
km/h.
The ABS with which the car
may be equipped will not
control the braking system of the trai-
ler. Particular caution is required on
slippery roads.
Never modify the braking sy-
stem of the car to control
the trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
from the hydraulic system of the car.
WARNING
WARNING
INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel accor-
ding to any additional and/or integrative
information supplied by the Manufacturer
of the device.
The towing device must meet current re-
gulations with reference to 94/20/EC Di-
rective and subsequent amendments.
For any version the towing device used
must match 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 normally fa-
stened to the towing device, and a spe-
cial ECU for external trailer light control
shall be installed on the car. For the electrical connection, 7 or 13 pin
12VDC connection is to be used (CU-
NA/UNI and ISO/DIN Standards). Follow
the instructions provided by the car ma-
nufacturer and/or the tow hitch manufac-
turer.
An electric brake should be supplied di-
rectly by the battery through a cable with
a cross section of no less than 2.5 mm2,5.
IMPORTANT Electric brake or other de-
vice shall be used with running engine.
In addition to the electrical branches, the
car’s electric system can only be connec-
ted to the supply cable for an electric
brake and to the cable for an internal li-
ght, though not above 15W.
For connections use the preset control
unit with battery cable no less than 2.5
mm
2.

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F0H0151m
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM fig. 4
The tow hook structure must be fastened
in the points shown by the symbol
Øusing
a total of 4 M10 screws, 2 M10 screws and
2 M12 screws.
The hook should be fastened to the body
avoiding any type of drilling and trimming
of the rear bumpers that remains visible
when the hook is removed.
IMPORTANT It is compulsory to fasten a
label (plainly visible) of suitable size and
material with the following wording:
MAX LOAD ON BALL 60 kg
After fitting, the bolt holes
must be sealed to prevent
exhaust gas leaks.
WARNING
fig. 4
Existing holes
Standard ball
Existing holes
loaded
Existing holes

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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

133
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OPENING/CLOSING THE DOORS................................ 134
STARTING THE ENGINE ................................................. 134
FIX & GO AUTOMATIC
(QUICK TYRE REPAIR KIT) ............................................. 136
REPLACING A WHEEL ..................................................... 140
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB .................. 144
REPLACING EXTERIOR BULBS ...................................... 147
REPLACING AN INTERIOR BULB ................................. 152
REPLACING FUSES ............................................................. 153
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT ................................................. 158
LIFTING THE CAR ............................................................. 158
TOWING THE CAR .......................................................... 159
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
In an emergency we recommend that you call the toll-free number found on the
Warranty Booklet. You will go to our web site at www.fiat.com
to find the Fiat Dealership nearest to you.

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fig. 2F0H0718m
IMPORTANT Never connect the negati-
ve terminals of the two batteries direc-
tly: sparks could ignite explosive gas re-
leased from the battery. If the auxiliary
battery is installed on another car, prevent
accidental contact between metallic parts
of the two cars.
This procedure must be
performed by expert per-
sonnel because incorrect actions may
cause electrical discharge of conside-
rable intensity. Furthermore, battery
fluid is poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with your skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames away from the battery.
No smoking. Do not cause sparks.
WARNING
Never use a rapid battery
charger to jump start the en-
gine: this could damage the
electronic systems and the en-
gine ignition and injection control units.BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. This could cau-
se a flow of fuel into the catalytic conver-
ter and damage it beyond repair.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake
servo and the electric power steering sy-
stem are not activated until the engine is
started, a greater effort will therefore be
required to press the brake pedal or turn
the steering wheel.
Indicate that the car is sta-
tionary according to the laws
in force: emergency lights, refracting
warning triangle, etc. Passengers
should leave the car, particularly if
it is very loaded, and wait for the
wheel to be changed away from on-
coming traffic. Arrange wedges or
other suitable material under the
wheels to block the car on slopes or
rough roads.
WARNING

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FIX & GO AUTOMATIC
(QUICK TYRE REPAIR
KIT) (where provided)
The quick tyre repair kit Fix & Go auto-
matic is placed in the boot.
The kit includes:
❒bottle A-fig. 3containing sealer and
fitted with:
– filling pipe B;
– adhesive label Cbearing the words
“max. 80 km/h”, to be attached in a
position easily visible to the driver
(on the dashboard) after tyre repair;
❒instruction brochure fig. 4, to be used
for prompt and proper use of the
quick repair kit and to be then handed
to the personnel charged with hand-
ling the treated tyre;
❒compressor Dincluding gauge and
connections;
❒a pair of protection gloves located in
the side space of the compressor;
❒adapters for inflating different ele-
ments.The quick repair kit container in the boot
under the mat also contains the screw-
driver and tow rings.
fig. 3F0H0354mfig. 4F0H0355m
Give the instruction booklet
to the tyre repair workshop
personnel.
WARNING
IMPORTANT Do not use the quick repair
kit if the tyre was damaged by running on
a flat.IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The sealing fluid of the quick tyre repair
kit is effective with external temperatures
from –20 °C to +50 °C.
The sealant fluid has an expiry date.
In the event of a puncture
caused by foreign bodies, the
kit may be used to repair ty-
res showing damages on the
track or shoulder up to max 4 mm dia-
meter.