
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

RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND MOBILE
PHONES
Radio transceivers (e.g.: CB radio systems and the like)
should not be used inside the vehicle unless a separate
aerial is mounted on the roof.
IMPORTANT The use of similar devices inside the pas-
senger compartment (without an external aerial) may, in
addition to potential damage to the health of the passen-
gers, cause malfunctions in the vehicle electronic systems,
compromising the safety of the vehicle.
In addition, transmission and reception of these devices
may be affected by the shielding effect of the vehicle body.
As far as the use of EC-approved mobile phones is con-
cerned (GSM, GPRS, UMTS), follow the instructions for
use provided by the mobile phone manufacturer.
AT THE FILLING STATIONPETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol.
To avoid mistakes, the diameter of the fuel filler is too
small to introduce the bit of a leaded petrol pumps.
The petrol octane rating (RON) must not be lower than 95.
IMPORTANT An inefficient catalytic converter leads
to harmful exhaust emissions, thus contributing to air
pollution.
IMPORTANT Never use leaded petrol, even in small
amount or in an emergency, as this would damage the cat-
alytic converter beyond repair.
87KNOW 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 87

88
REFUELLING CAPACITY
To fill the tank completely, top-up twice after the first click
of the fuel delivery gun. Further top-ups could cause faults
in the fuel feeding system.
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
The car must only be filled with diesel fuel
for motor vehicles, in compliance with Eu-
ropean Standard EN590. The use of other
products or mixtures may damage the engine
beyond repair and consequently invalidate the war-
ranty, due to the damage caused. If you acciden-
tally introduce other types of fuel into the tank,
do not start the engine and empty the tank. If the
engine has been run, even for only a very short time,
you will need to have the entire fuel system emp-
tied in addition to the tank.
DIESEL ENGINES
Operation at low temperatures
If the outside temperature is very low, diesel thickens due
to the formation of paraffin clots with consequent defec-
tive operation of the fuel supply system.
In order to avoid these problems, different types of diesel
are distributed according to the season: summer type, win-
ter type and arctic type (cold/mountain areas). If refuelling
with diesel fuel whose specifications are not suitable for
the current temperature, it is advisable to mix TUTELA
DIESEL ART additive in the proportions shown on the con-
tainer with the fuel. Pour the additive into the tank before
the diesel fuel.
When using or parking the vehicle for a long time in the
mountains or cold areas, it is advisable to refuel using
locally available diesel fuel.
In this case, it is also advisable to keep the tank over
50% full.
065-090 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:45 Pagina 88

90
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
(for 1.3 Multijet 75 HP versions)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a mechanical filter, inte-
gral with the exhaust system, that physically traps partic-
ulates present in the exhaust gases of diesel engines.
The diesel particulate filter has been adopted to eliminate
almost all particulates in compliance with current/future
legal regulations.
During normal use of the vehicle, the engine control unit
records a set of data (e.g.: travel time, type of route, tem-
peratures, etc.) and it will then calculate how much par-
ticulates has been trapped by the filter.
Since this filter physically traps particulate, it should be re-
generated (cleaned) at regular intervals by burning carbon
particles.
The regeneration procedure is controlled automatically by
the engine management control unit according to the fil-
ter conditions and vehicle use conditions.
There may be a limited increase in the engine idle speed
during the regeneration, a limited increase in fumes and
high temperatures at the exhaust. These are not faults;
they do not impair vehicle performance or damage the
environment.
If the dedicated message is displayed, refer to paragraph
“Warning lights and messages”.
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENTThe following devices are used for reducing petrol fuel
engine emissions:❒
three-way catalytic converter;
❒
oxygen sensors;
❒
evaporation control system.
In addition, do not let the engine run, even for a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected.
The following devices are used for reducing diesel fuel en-
gine emissions:
❒
oxidising catalytic converter;
❒
exhaust gas recirculation system (E.G.R.);
❒
diesel particulate filter (DPF).
The catalytic converter develops high tem-
perature during operation. Do not park
the car on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or oth-
er flammable material: fire hazard.
WARNING
065-090 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:45 Pagina 90

106
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
F0Z0170m
fig. 113
IMPORTANT Only operate the switch with the engine off
and the ignition key removed.
The key-operated switch has two positions, fig. 113:❒
passenger’s front air bag activated (position ON
P):
warning light
F
on instrument panel off; it is absolutely
forbidden to carry a child on the front seat.
❒
front passenger air bag deactivated, warning light on (po-
sition OFF
F
): warning light
F
on instrument panel
on; child protected by special restraint system can be
carried on the front seat.
The warning
F
light on the instrument panel remains
on constantly until the passenger’s air bag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front air bag does not in-
hibit operation of the side air bag.
SERIOUS DANGER: never place cradle
child seats facing backwards on the front
passenger’s seat of cars fitted with pas-
senger’s air bag. Deployment of the airbag
in an accident could cause fatal injuries
to the baby. Always deactivate the passenger air
bag when placing a child seat on the front seat.
Move the passenger’s seat as far back as possi-
ble to avoid contact between the child seat and
the dashboard. Although this is not mandatory by
law, the air bag should be immediately reactivat-
ed when children are no longer carried to ensure
better protection for adults.
WARNING
MANUALLY DEACTIVATING
THE PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
front seat, the passenger’s front air bag on the car can be
deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place with ignition key at
STOP and operating it in the special key switch in the glove
compartment.
The key can be fitted and removed in both positions.
091-110 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:46 Pagina 106

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