2009 FIAT IDEA key

112
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE
The car is provided with an electronic en-
gine lock device: refer to “The Fiat CO-
DE system” paragraph in “Dashboard and
controls” if you cannot start the engine.
The engine may be noisier during the fir-
st seconds of operation, particularly after
a long period of inactivity. This is charac-
teristic of hydraulic tappets, the timing sy-
stem chosen for petrol engine versions to
reduce the number of servicing interven-
tions and does effects neither functiona-
lity nor reliability.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒apply the handbrake;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒press the clutch pedal all the way
down without touching the accelera-
tor;
❒turn the ignition key to AVVand let
it go the moment the engine starts.
It is dangerous to run the en-
gine in closed environments.
The engine consumes oxygen and en-
gine exhaust contains carbon dioxi-
de, carbon oxide and other toxic gas-
ses.
WARNINGIf the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the in-
strument panel warning light
Yremains
lit together with warning light Uturn the
key to STOPand then back to MAR; if
the warning light remains on, try with the
other keys provided with the car.
If you still cannot start the engine, use the
emergency procedure (see “Emergency
starting” in the “In an emergency” chap-
ter) and go to a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
to MARwhen the engine is off.
PROCEDURE FOR MULTIJET
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒apply the handbrake;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR; instru-
ment panel warning lights m,
Uand
Ywill light up;
❒Wait for the warning lights Yand
mto turn off. The hotter the engi-
ne is, the quicker this will happen;
❒press the clutch pedal all the way
down without touching the accelera-
tor; It is advisable not to demand
maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive acce-
lerations, long distances at
top rpm, excessive intense braking,
etc.) as soon as the engine is started.
Do not leave the key in the
ignition switch in the MAR
position with the engine off to
avoid unnecessary consump-
tion of electricity which could drain the
battery.

113
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
❒turn the ignition key to AVVas soon
as the warning light mturns off.
Waiting too long will waste the work
done by the heater plugs. Release the
key as soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT With the engine cold, the
accelerator must be entirely released
when turning the ignition key to position
AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the
instrument panel warning light
Yre-
mains lit, turn the key to STOPand then
back to MAR; if the warning lights remain
on, try with the other keys provided with
the car.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if you still can-
not start the engine.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
to MARwhen the engine is off. Warning light
mwill blink
for 60 seconds after starting
or during prolonged cranking
to indicate a fault to the glow
plug heating system. Use the car nor-
mally if the engine starts and go to a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS JUST
STARTED (petrol and Multijet
engines)
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium speed. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not demand maximum performan-
ce for the first few kilometres. Wait
until the engine coolant gauge starts
moving.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the engi-
ne compartment to fall. Never jump start the engine
by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. This could cause a
flow of fuel into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond re-
pair.
A quick burst on the accele-
rator before turning off the
engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, it wastes
fuel and is damaging especially to tur-
bocharged engines.
Remember that the brake
booster and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much
effort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING

114
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
PARKING THE VEHICLE
Proceed as follows:
❒Stop the engine and engage the hand-
brake;
❒Engage a gear (on a slope, engage fir-
st gear if the vehicle is faced uphill or
reverse if it is faced downhill) and lea-
ve the wheels steered.
If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is
further advisable to block the wheels with
a wedge or stone. Avoid parking for a long
time with one wheel on the pavement or
steered against the kerb. Do not leave the
key in the ignition switch at MARto pre-
vent draining the battery. Always remo-
ve the key when you leave the car.
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located between
the two front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to operate the
handbrake.
Four or five notches are normally suffi-
cient to lock the car on flat terrain, while
nine or ten may be necessary on a steep
slope with the car loaded.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, con-
tact Fiat Dealership to have the handbrake
adjusted.When the handbrake lever is pulled up
and the ignition key is at MAR, the in-
strument panel warning light
xwill turn
on.
Proceed as follows to release the hand-
brake:
❒slightly lift the handbrake and press re-
lease button A-fig. 1;
❒hold the button Apressed and lower
the lever; the warning light
xon the
instrument panel will go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out
this operation to prevent the car from
moving accidentally.
IMPORTANT if the handbrake lever tends
to reach end of stroke (groove on the
central tunnel), go to a Fiat dealership to
have the handbrake adjusted correctly.fig. 1F0H0149m
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car. Always re-
move the ignition key when leaving
the car and take it out with you.
WARNING

124
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
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

126
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
>
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.

128
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
FRONT PASSENGER
AIRBAG
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
Warning light “comes on when front
passenger’s airbag is deactivated.
With the front passenger’s airbag on,
when the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light
“comes on steadily for
about 4 seconds; then, it continues to fla-
sh for 4 seconds and finally goes off.
“
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE
(amber)
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 comes on when the sy-
stem is not working properly or is not
available. In the case, the braking system
will work as normal without the extra po-
tentials offered by the ABS system. Drive
carefully and go to a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.>
FUEL RESERVE
(amber)
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 about 6/7
litres fuel are left in the tank.
IMPORTANT The warning light will blink
to indicate a system failure. Go to a Fiat
Dealership to have the system checked.
KFailure of the warning light“is indicated by warning li-
ght ¬. The airbag system will auto-
matically deactivate the passenger
airbag (front and side, where provi-
ded). Contact the Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have the system checked
before driving off.
WARNINGGo to a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible if warning li-
ght
Ueither does not light up
when the key is turned to
MAR to if while travelling the warning
lights comes on either steady or blinking
(along with a message on the display).
The operation of warning light
Umay
be checked by the traffic police using
specific devices. Follow the laws in for-
ce in the country where you are driving.