
F0Z0145m
fig. 90
F0Z0162m
fig. 91
When the CITY function is on, the steering wheel effort
is lighter and thus parking operations are easier: there-
fore this function is particularly useful for driving in city
centres.
FAILURE INDICATIONS fig. 92
Possible power steering system failures are indicated by
the
g
warning light on the instrument panel – together
with the dedicated message in the reconfigurable multi-
function display (for versions/markets, where provided)
– coming on (see “Warning lights and messages” chapter).
In the event of electric power steering system failure,
the car can be driven with mechanical steering.
IMPORTANT In some circumstances, factors independent
of the electric power steering could cause the warning light
g
on the instrument panel to come on.
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING SYSTEM (for versions/markets, where provided)
Some versions feature an electric power steering system
which only works with the key at MAR and the engine run-
ning; this system, system called “Dualdrive” can be cus-
tomised by the driver according to the driving conditions.
IMPORTANT When turning quickly the ignition key,
power steering full functionality can be achieved after
1-2 seconds.
ENGAGEMENT/RELEASE OF CITY
function fig. 90 and 91
Press button A to engage/release the function.
When the function is engaged, the warning light CITY on
the instrument panel comes on.
80
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
065-090 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:45 Pagina 80

F0Z0163m
fig. 92
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
whatever after-market operation involv-
ing steering system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft device) that
could badly affect performance and safety, cause
the lapse of warranty and also result in non-com-
pliance of the car with type approval require-
ments.
WARNING
Before starting any servicing operation,
stop the engine and remove the key from
the ignition switch to operate the steering lock,
particularly when the wheels do not touch the
ground. If this is not possible (i.e. if the key must
be kept in the MAR position or the engine must
be kept running), remove the electric power steer-
ing system main fuse.
WARNING
In this case, stop the car immediately, switch off the en-
gine for about 20 seconds and then restart the engine.
If the warning light
g
is still on, along with the message
on the reconfigurable multifunction display (for versions/
markets, where provided), contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT The steering may become stiffer following
parking manoeuvres including a great deal of steering.
This is normal and caused by the system preventing the
electric control motor overheating. No repairs are need-
ed. The power steering system will start working properly
again the next time the car is used.
81KNOW YOUR
VEHICLESAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
065-090 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:45 Pagina 81

104
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
AIR BAGThe car is fitted with front air bags (for versions/markets
where provided) for the driver and the passenger and front
side bags (side bag – window bag).
FRONT AIR BAGS
The front driver/passenger air bags have been designed to
protect the occupants in the event of head-on crashes of
medium-high severity, by placing the cushion between the
occupant and the steering wheel or dashboard.
Front air bags are designed to protect car’s passengers in
head-on crashes and therefore non-activation in other
types of collisions (side collisions, rear shunts, roll-overs,
etc.) is not a system malfunction.
An electronic control unit will make the bag inflate in the
event of a front crash.
The bag will inflate instantaneously placing itself between
the front passengers’ body and the structures which could
cause injury. It will deflate immediately afterwards.
Driver and passenger front airbags are not a replacement
of but complementary to the seat belts, which should al-
ways be worn, as specified by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.
In the event of an impact, those not wearing a seat belt will
move forward and come into contact with the bag which
is still inflating. The protection offered by the air bag cush-
ion is reduced in such a case.Front air bags may not be activated in the following situ-
ations:
❒
in collisions against highly deformable objects not af-
fecting the car front surface (e.g. bumper collision against
guard rail, etc.);
❒
car wedging under other vehicles or protective barri-
ers (e.g. trucks or guard rails);
they could not provide any additional protection compared
with seat belts, so their activation would be improper.
Therefore, failure to come into action in the above cir-
cumstances does not mean that the system is not work-
ing properly.
Do not apply stickers or other objects to
the steering wheel, to the passenger’s side
air bag cover side or on the side roof lining. Nev-
er put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the pas-
senger’s side dashboard since they could interfere
with proper air bag inflation and also cause seri-
ous injury to the passengers.
WARNING
091-110 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:46 Pagina 104

105KNOW YOUR
VEHICLESAFETYCORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
F0Z0693m
fig. 111
F0Z0057m
fig. 112
DRIVER’S FRONT AIR BAG fig. 111
It consists of an instant inflating bag contained in a special
recess in the centre of the steering wheel.
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG fig. 112
This consists of an instant inflating bag contained in a spe-
cial recess in the dashboard: this bag has a larger volume
than that of the driver’s. The driver’s and passenger’s front air bags have been de-
signed and calibrated to protect front seat occupants wear-
ing seat belts.
At their maximum inflation, their volume fills most of
the space between the steering wheel and the driver and
between the dashboard and the passenger.
The airbags are not deployed in the event of minor front
collisions (for which the withholding action of the seat belts
is sufficient). Safety belts must always be worn. In the event
of front crash they guarantee correct positioning of
the passenger.
091-110 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:46 Pagina 105

109KNOW YOUR
VEHICLESAFETYCORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
GENERAL WARNINGS
If when turning the key to MAR the warn-
ing light
¬
does not turn on or if it stays
on when travelling, there could be a failure in safe-
ty systems; in this event air bags or pretensioners
may not be deployed in case of impact or, in a mi-
nor number of cases, they deploy accidentally.
Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have
the system checked.
WARNING
Do not cover the backrest of front seats
with trims or covers that are not suitable
to be used with side bags.
WARNING
Never travel with objects on your lap, in
front of your chest or with a pipe, pencil,
etc. between your lips; injury may result in the
event of the air bag being triggered.
WARNING
Always drive keeping your hands on the
steering wheel rim so that the air bag can
inflate freely in the case of need. Do not drive with
your body bent forward. Keep your back straight
against the backrest.
WARNING
Air bags may be deployed if another vehi-
cle crashes into the car, if the key is insert-
ed and at MAR also if the engine is not running and
the car is stationary. For this reason, children must
never sit on the front seat, even if the car is not
moving. On the other hand, whenever the key is
positioned on STOP, the safety devices (air bags or
pretensioners) do not deploy after a collision. In
this case non-deployment of these devices does not
indicate a system malfunction.
WARNING
091-110 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:46 Pagina 109

111KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:❒
engage the handbrake;
❒
place the gearshifting lever in neutral;
❒
press the clutch pedal all the way down without touch-
ing the accelerator;
❒
turn the ignition key to
AVV
and let it go as soon as
the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to
STOP
before repeating starting.
STARTING THE ENGINEThe car is fitted with an electronic engine lock device:
if the engine fails to start, see the paragraph “The Fiat
CODE system” in section “Know your vehicle”.
The engine may be noisier during the first few seconds of
operation, especially after a long period of inactivity. This
characteristic feature of the hydraulic tappet system does
not compromise functionality or reliability: the system de-
vised for your car was designed to limit maintenance
interventions.
It is dangerous to let the engine run in en-
closed spaces. The engine consumes oxy-
gen and engine exhaust contains carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gasses.
WARNING
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
We recommend that during the initial pe-
riod you do not drive to full car perfor-
mance (e.g.: excessive acceleration, long
journeys at top speed, sharp braking, etc.).When the engine is switched off never leave
the key into the ignition switch to prevent
useless current absorption from draining the
battery.
Remember that the servo-brake and pow-
er steering are not operational until the
engine has been started, therefore much effort
than usual is required on the brake pedal
and teering wheel.
WARNING
111-122 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 15:01 Pagina 111

127KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE
(Multijet versions – amber)
EOBD ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM
FAILURE (petrol versions – amber)
Injection system failure
Under standard conditions, when the ignition key is moved
to MAR, the warning light turns on and should go off af-
ter engine start-up.
The warning light staying on or turning on when travelling,
signal a fault in the supply/ignition system which could cause
possible lack of performance, poor handling and high con-
sumption levels.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
Under these conditions, you may continue travelling at mod-
erate speed without demanding excessive effort from the en-
gine. Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
EOBD ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE
Under standard conditions, when the ignition key is moved
to MAR, the warning light turns on and should go off after
engine start-up. The initial switching-on indicates that the
warning light is working properly. If the warning light ei-
ther stays on or comes on while travelling:
❒switched on steadily: it signals a failure in the supply/
ignition system which could cause high emissions at the
exhaust, possible lack of performance, poor handling
and high consumption levels.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message. “DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING FAILURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to MAR the warning light
turns on, but it should go off after a few seconds.
If the warning light stays on, you will not have the steer-
ing assistance and the effort on the steering wheel will be
increased, steering is still however possible. Contact a Fiat
Dealership.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
g
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING (red)
On some versions the warning light turns on when
one or more doors or the tailgate are not prop-
erly closed.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
A buzzer will sound (for versions with reconfigurable mul-
tifunction display only) when doors are open and the car
is moving.
´
U
123-134 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:49 Pagina 127

128
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING
(red)
On some versions the warning light turns on
when one or more doors or the tailgate are not
properly closed.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
A buzzer will sound (for versions with reconfigurable mul-
tifunction display only) when doors are open and the car
is moving.
´
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE
(Multijet versions – amber)
EOBD ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM
FAILURE (petrol versions – amber)
Injection system failure
Under standard conditions, when the ignition key is moved
to MAR, the warning light turns on and should go off af-
ter engine start-up.
The warning light staying on or turning on when travelling,
signal a fault in the supply/ignition system which could cause
possible lack of performance, poor handling and high con-
sumption levels.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
Under these conditions, you may continue travelling at mod-
erate speed without demanding excessive effort from the en-
gine. Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.U
Under these conditions, you may continue travelling at
moderate speed without demanding excessive effort from
the engine. Prolonged use of the car with the warning light
on may cause damages. Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon
as possible. The warning light goes off if the failure disap-
pears, but it is still stored by the system.
❒flashing: it indicates the possibility of damage to the cat-
alytic converter (see “EOBD system” in section “Know
your vehicle”).
If warning light
v
flashes, contact a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible to have
engine oil changed and instrument panel warning
light turned off.
WARNING
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING FAILURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to
MAR
the warning light
turns on, but it should go off after a few seconds.
If the warning light stays on, you will not have the steer-
ing assistance and the effort on the steering wheel will be
increased, steering is still however possible. Contact
a Fiat Dealership.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
g
123-134 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:49 Pagina 128