
GENERAL WARNINGS❒
When parking, take the utmost care to obstacles that
may be set above or under the sensors.
❒
Objects set close to the car rear, under certain cir-
cumstances are not detected and could therefore cause
damage to the car or be damaged.
❒
Indications sent by the sensors can be altered by dirt,
snow or ice deposited on the sensors or by ultrasound
systems (e.g.: truck pneumatic brakes or pneumatic
hammers) set nearby the car.
For proper operation, sensors must always
be clean from mud, dirt, snow or ice.
Be careful not to scratch or damage the
sensors while cleaning them. Avoid using dry, rough
or hard cloths. The sensors should be washed us-
ing clean water with the addition of car shampoo
if necessary. When using special washing equipment
such as high pressure jets or steam cleaning, clean
the sensors very quickly keeping the jet more than
10 cm away.
Parking manoeuvres however are always
under the driver’s responsibility. While ma-
noeuvring, the driver shall always make sure that
no-one is standing in the area, especially children
or animals. The parking sensor is designed to as-
sist drivers, who shall never reduce attention dur-
ing potentially dangerous manoeuvres even if per-
formed at low speed.
WARNING
83KNOW 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 83

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

91KNOW YOUR
VEHICLESAFETYCORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
SAFETY
F0Z0053m
fig. 98
The reel may lock when the car is parked on a steep slope:
this is perfectly normal. Furthermore, the reel mechanism
locks the belt if it is pulled and in the event of sudden brak-
ing, collisions and on high speed bends.
The rear side seats have inertia reel seat belts with three
anchor points. Upon demand (optional for 5-seat approved
cars) the central seat belt can be supplied with three an-
chor points reel belt or static two-point lap belt (for ver-
sions/markets where provided).
IMPORTANT Remember that in the event of a violent col-
lision, back seat passengers not wearing seat belts also
represent a serious danger for the front seat passengers.
SAFETY BELTSUSING THE SEAT BELTS fig. 98
The belt should be worn keeping the chest straight and
rested against the backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold the tongue A and insert it in-
to the buckle B, until hearing the locking click. On removal,
if it jams, let it rewind for a short stretch, then pull it out
again without jerking.
To unfasten seat belts, press button C. Guide the belt while
it is rewinding to prevent it from twisting. Through the
reel, the belt automatically adapts to the body of the pas-
senger wearing it, allowing freedom of movement.
Never press button C when travelling.
WARNING
S.B.R. SYSTEMThe car is equipped with an S.B.R. system (Seat Belt Re-
minder) made up of a buzzer which, together with the seat
belt warning light
<
on the instrument panel switching
on, warns the driver that the seat belt is not fastened.
091-110 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:46 Pagina 91

110
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
The front air bag is triggered in case of
stronger shocks with respect to that of pre-
tensioners. For collisions in the range between the
two thresholds, it is normal for only the preten-
sioners to be activated.
WARNING
Do not hook rigid objects to the coat
hooks and to the support handles.
WARNING
The air bag does not replace seat belts but
increases their efficiency. Furthermore,
since front air bags are not deployed in low speed
collisions, side collisions, rear-end shunts or roll-
overs, the passengers are only protected by the
seat belts which must be fastened at all times.
WARNING
If the car has been stolen or in case of at-
tempt to steal it, if it has been subjected
to vandals or floods, have the air bag system
checked by Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
Do not wash the seats with water or pres-
surized vapour (hand washing or auto-
matic seat washing stations).
WARNING
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the warn-
ing light
F
(airbag on passenger’s side en-
abled) goes on and flashes for a few seconds, thus
reminding the passenger that the airbag on his/her
side will deploy in the event of a collision, then it
switches off.
WARNING
091-110 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 13:46 Pagina 110

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
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112
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYCORRECT USE
OF THE CARWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESI
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, warning light
Y
re-
mains lit together with warning light
U
turn the key to
STOP and then back to MAR; if the warning light remains
on, try with the other keys provided with the car.
If you are still unable to start the engine, perform the emer-
gency start-up procedure (see “Emergency start-up” in “In
an emergency” chapter) and contact a Fiat Dealership.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒
engage the handbrake;
❒
put the gearshifting lever into neutral;
❒
turn the ignition key at MAR: the warning lights
m
and
Y
on the instrument panel will turn on;
❒
wait for the warning lights
Y
and
m
to turn off.
The hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen;
❒
press the clutch pedal all the way down without touch-
ing the accelerator;
❒
turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the warning lightm
turns off. Waiting too long will waste the work
done by the glow plugs.
Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT With cold engine, the accelerator must
be entirely released when turning the ignition key to
position AVV.If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel
warning light
Y
remains lit, turn the key to STOP
and then back to MAR; if the warning lights remain on,
try with the other keys provided with the car.
If you still cannot start the engine, contact a Fiat Dealership.
Warning light
m
will flash for 60 seconds
after starting or during prolonged cranking
to indicate a fault to the glow plug heating
system. You can use the car as usual if the engine
starts but you should contact a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:❒
drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium speed.
Do not accelerate abruptly;
❒
do not demand maximum performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine temperature coolant
gauge starts moving.
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116
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYCORRECT USE
OF THE CARWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESI
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
clutching is absolutely pointless on modern cars and also
increases consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and road allow, use
a higher gear. Using a low gear for faster acceleration will
increase consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high gear increases con-
sumption, emissions an engine wear.
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases with speed.
Avoiding unnecessary braking and acceleration, which cost
in terms of both fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the revs will greatly af-
fect consumption and emissions: acceleration should be
gradual.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts will prevent the en-
gine from reaching optimal running temperature. This re-
sults in a significant increase in consumption levels (from
+15 to +30% on the urban cycle) and emission of harmful
substances. Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount of time needed.
Rear heated window, additional headlights, windscreen
wipers and heater fan need a considerable amount of en-
ergy, therefore a higher requirement of current involves
and increase of fuel consumption (up to +25% in the
urban cycle).
Climate control system
The climate control system is an additional load which
greatly affects the engine leading to higher consumption
(on average up to +20%): when the temperature outside
the car permits it, use the air vents where possible.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for aerodynamic control
may adversely affect air drag and consumption levels.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car at a standstill or at
idle or high speed: under these conditions the engine
warms up much more slowly, increasing electrical con-
sumption and emissions. It is therefore advisable to move
off immediately, slowly, avoiding high speeds: in this way
the engine will warm faster.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when starting at traffic lights or be-
fore switching off the engine. This and also double de-
111-122 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 15:01 Pagina 116

117KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETYCORRECT USE
OF THE CARWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
TOWING TRAILERSIMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car must be fitted with
a certified tow hook and an adequate electric system. In-
stallation should be carried out by specialised personnel
who will issue the required papers 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 hard-
er to climb, braking spaces increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill, rather than con-
stantly using the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car tow hook reduces
by the same amount the actual car loading capacity. To
make sure the maximum towable weight is not exceeded
(given in the car registration document) account should
be taken of the fully laden trailer, including accessories and
luggage.
Do not exceed the speed limits specific for each country
you are driving in, in case of vehicles towing trailers. In any
case, the top speed must not exceed 100 km/h. Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption levers are tied to situations with
heavy traffic, for instance when travelling in queues with
frequent use of the lower gears or in cities with many traf-
fic lights. Also winding mountain roads and rough road sur-
faces adversely affect consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.
111-122 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 15:01 Pagina 117