
70
F0Z0075m
fig. 81
To close - fig. 81
Hold the bonnet up with one hand and with the other
remove rod B from its recess D; then, fit it back into its
catch C.
Lower the bonnet to approximately 20 centimetres above
the engine compartment and let it come down. Make sure
the bonnet is properly locked and not just secured in safe-
ty position. In this case, do not press the bonnet down, rather
lift it again and repeat the procedure.
For safety reasons, the bonnet must al-
ways be properly closed while the car is
travelling. Make sure that the bonnet is properly
closed and that the lock is engaged. Should you
notice that the bonnet is not properly secured
while travelling, stop the car immediately and lose
the bonnet safely.
WARNING
Pay attention to scarves, ties and other
loose fitting garments. If they accidental-
ly touch moving parts, they may easily get caught
up with serious risks for those who wear them.
WARNING
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 70

122
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYCORRECT USE
OF THE CARWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESI
IN
AN EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CAR INACTIVITYIf the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month,
the following precautions should be followed:❒
park the car in covered, dry and if possible well-venti-
lated premises;
❒
engage one gear;
❒
check that the handbrake is not engaged;
❒
disconnect the negative battery terminal and check bat-
tery charge. Repeat this check once every three months
during storage. Recharge if the optical indicator shows
a dark colour without the central green area;
❒
clean and protect the painted parts using protective
wax;
❒
clean and protect the shiny metal parts using special
compounds readily available;
❒
sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen and
rear window wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
❒
slightly open the windows;
❒
cover the car with a cloth or perforated plastic sheet.
Do not use sheets of non-perforated plastic as they do
not allow moisture on the car body to evaporate;
❒
inflate tyres to 0.5 bar above the standard specified pres-
sure and check it at intervals;
❒
if you don’t disconnect the battery from the electric sys-
tem, check its charge every month and recharge it if the
optical indicator shows a dark colour without the central
green area;
❒
do not drain the engine cooling system.
SNOW CHAINSThe use of snow chains should be in compliance with lo-
cal regulations.
The snow chains may be applied only onto the front wheel
tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the snow chains after the first few
metres have been driven.
IMPORTANT Snow chains cannot be fitted to the space-
saver spare wheel. So, if a front (drive) wheel is punctured
and chains are needed, a rear wheel should be fitted to the
front of the car and the space-saving spare wheel should
be fitted to the rear. This way with two normal drive
wheels, snow chains can be fitted to them to solve an
emergency.
Keep your speed down when snow chains
are fitted. Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements and also
avoid driving long distances on roads not covered
with snow in order to prevent damaging the car and
the roadbed.
111-122 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 15:01 Pagina 122

136KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCYCAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Never use a fast battery-charger to start the
engine as this could damage the electron-
ic systems of your car, particularly the ig-
nition and fuel supply control units.This procedure must be performed by qual-
ified personnel as incorrect actions may
cause high-intensity electrical discharge. Further-
more, 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
If after a few attempts the engine does not start, do not
insist rather contact the nearest Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Do not directly connect the negative ter-
minals of the two batteries: any sparks may ignite the det-
onating gas which could come out of the battery. If the aux-
iliary battery is installed on another car, prevent any contact
between metal parts of the cars and the flat battery.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by pushing, towing or driving
downhill.
This could cause a flow of fuel into the catalytic convert-
er and damage it beyond repair.
IMPORTANT Remember that the servo-brake and elec-
trical power steering system (for versions/markets where
provided) are not operating until the engine is started, a
greater effort will therefore be required to press the brake
pedal or turn the steering wheel. Proceed as follows to start the car:
❒
connect the positive terminals (+ sign close to the ter-
minal) of both batteries using a lead;
❒
with a second lead, connect the negative terminal − of
the auxiliary battery to an earthing point
E
on the en-
gine or the gearbox of the car to be started;
❒
start the engine;
❒
when the engine has been started, follow the sequence
above in reverse order to remove the leads.
135-168 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 14:06 Pagina 136

168KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCYCAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Before towing, turn the ignition key to
MAR and then to STOP without removing
it. The steering column will automatically lock
when the key is removed and the wheels cannot
be steered.
WARNING
When towing, remember that without the
help of the servo-brake and electric pow-
er steering, a greater effort is required on the ped-
al and steering wheel. Do not use flexible cables
when towing and avoid jerky movements. While
towing, make sure not to damage parts in contact
with the car. When towing the car, comply with
the regulations of the Highway Code about tow-
ing, both concerning the towing device and the
driving behaviour on the road.
WARNING
During towing, never start the engine.
WARNING
135-168 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 14:07 Pagina 168

YEARLY INSPECTION SCHEDULEFor cars with an annual mileage of below 20,000 km (for
example about 15,000 km) the following yearly inspec-
tion schedule is advised:❒
check conditions/wear of tyres and adjust pressure if
necessary (including spare wheel);
❒
check lighting system operation (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, boot light, passenger’s
compartment, instrument panel warning lights, etc...);
❒
check wiper/washer system operation, adjust nozzles;
❒
check windscreen/rear window blade position/wear;
❒
check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
❒
check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks and lever
cleanliness and lubrication;
❒
sight inspect the conditions of: engine, gearbox, trans-
mission, pipes and hoses (exhaust – fuel supply – brak-
ing system) rubber parts (boots – sleeves – bushes etc.),
fuel and brake system hoses;
❒
check battery charge;
❒
visually check the various drive belt conditions;
❒
check and top-up liquids if required (engine coolant,
brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc.);
❒
change engine oil;
❒
change engine oil filter;
❒
change pollen filter (for versions/markets where pro-
vided).
ADDITIONAL INTERVENTIONSEvery 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and, if nec-
essary, top-up the following:❒
engine coolant fluid level;
❒
brake fluid level;
❒
battery fluid level;
❒
windscreen washer fluid level;
❒
tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3,000 km check the following and top-up, if required:
❒
engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Selenia products de-
signed and produced specifically for Fiat cars (see table
“Capacities” in chapter “Technical specifications”).
IMPORTANT – Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under one of the fol-
lowing specially heavy conditions:
❒
trailer or caravan towing;
❒
dusty roads;
❒
short distances (less than 7–8 km) and with external
temperatures below zero;
INDEX TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCAR
MAINTENANCEIN
AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESCORRECT USE
OF THE CARSAFETYKNOW
YOUR VEHICLE
172
169-190 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 14:14 Pagina 172

Car maintenance should be charged to
a Fiat Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to carry
out yourself, always make sure you have the prop-
er equipment, genuine Fiat spare parts and the nec-
essary fluids; do not however carry out these
operations if you have no experience.
IMPORTANT – Battery
Check the battery charge once a year, preferably before
at the beginning of winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing.
This check should be carried out more frequently if the
car is used mainly for short journeys, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb electricity even with
the ignition key removed, especially in the case of after-
market accessories. If the car is used in hot climates or
particularly harsh conditions it is advisable to check the
level of the battery fluid (electrolyte) more frequently than
specified in the “Scheduled Servicing Programme”.
❒
frequently idling engine or long distance low speed dri-
ving (e.g. taxis or door-to-door deliveries) or in case
of a long term inactivity;
change engine oil more frequently than required on the
“Scheduled Servicing Programme”.
IMPORTANT – Diesel filter
The possibility of topping-up with diesel fuel not comply-
ing with EN 590 European Standard might make it neces-
sary to replace the filter more frequently than indicated in
the “Scheduled Servicing Programme”.
IMPORTANT – Air filter
When the car is used on dusty roads, change the air fil-
ter more frequently than shown on the “Scheduled Ser-
vicing Programme”. If in doubt as to how often the en-
gine oil and air filter should be changed according to how
you use the car, contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT – Pollen filter
It is advisable to replace the filtering element more fre-
quently if the car is used in dusty or very polluted places.
Specifically, replace if a lower air flow into the passen-
ger’s compartment is found.
INDEX TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCAR
MAINTENANCEIN
AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR SAFETY KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE173
169-190 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 14:14 Pagina 173

177KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN
AN EMERGENCYCAR
MAINTENANCETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
F0Z0182m
fig. 179
F0Z0107m
fig. 178
ENGINE COOLANT fig. 178 and 179
The coolant level must be checked when the engine is cold
and must range between the MIN. and MAX. marks on the
reservoir.
If the level is low, pour slowly a mixture of 50% deminer-
alised water and 50% PARAFLU
UP
of FL Selenia through
the filler neck A until approaching the MAX. level.
A 50-50 mixture of PARAFLU
UP
and demineralised wa-
ter gives freeze protection to −35 °C.
For particularly harsh climate conditions, a mixture of 60%
PARAFLU
UP
and 40% demineralised water is recom-
mended.
When the engine is hot, take care when
working inside the engine compartment to
avoid burns. Remember that when the engine is
hot, the fan may cut in: danger of injury. Scarves,
ties and other loose clothing might be pulled by
moving parts.
WARNING
Never add any oil with different specifica-
tions than those of the existing engine oil. Used engine oil and the replaced oil filter
contain substances that may be dangerous
for the environment. It is advisable to have
oil and filters changed by a Fiat Dealership where
they will be disposed respecting the environment
and according to law prescription.
169-190 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 14:14 Pagina 177

Certain commercial additives for wind-
screen washers are inflammable. The en-
gine compartment contains hot parts which could
start a fire if they come into contact.
WARNING
Prevent brake fluid which is highly corrosive
from coming into contact with painted
parts. Should this occur, immediately wash
with water. Brake fluid is poisonous and highly corro-
sive. In the event of accidental contact, im-
mediately wash the affected parts with water
and neutral soap. Then rinse thoroughly. If swal-
lowed call a doctor straight away.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID fig. 181
Undo the cap A and check that the liquid contained in the
reservoir is at the maximum level.
Fluid level in the reservoir must not exceed the MAX
mark.
Use the brake fluid shown in the “Fluids and lubricants”
table (see “Technical Specifications”).
NOTE Carefully clean the reservoir cap A and the sur-
rounding surface.
Take great care that impurities do not enter the reservoir
when the cap is opened.
For topping-up, always use a funnel with integrated filter
with mesh equal to or lower than 0.12 mm.
IMPORTANT Brake fluid is hygroscopic (i.e. it absorbs
moisture). For this reason, if the car is mainly used in ar-
eas with a high degree of atmospheric humidity, the fluid
should be replaced at more frequent intervals than spec-
ified in the “Scheduled Servicing Programme”.
fig. 181
F0Z0109m
INDEX TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCAR
MAINTENANCEIN
AN EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR SAFETY KNOW
YOUR VEHICLE179
169-190 PANDA EN 7-10-2009 14:15 Pagina 179