216
HEAVY USAGE OF THE VEHICLE
Should the car be used predominantly in one of the fol-
lowing particularly demanding conditions:
❒ trailer or caravan towing;
❒ dusty roads;
❒short (less than 7-8 km) and repeated journeys in sub-
zero temperatures;
❒frequently idling engine or long-distance, low-speed dri-
ving (e.g. door-to-door deliveries), or in the event of
long-term inactivity;
❒ in cities;
perform the following inspections more frequently than
shown on the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒ check condition and wear of front disc brake pads;
❒check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as
cleanliness and lubrication of linkages;
❒visually inspect the conditions of: engine, gearbox, trans-
mission, pipes and tubes (exhaust – fuel – brakes), rub-
ber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒check battery charge and liquid level (electrolyte);
❒ visually inspect condition of accessory drive belts;
❒ check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
❒ check air filter and replace, if required.
REGULAR CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and, if nec-
essary, top up:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressures and conditions;
❒operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indi-
cators, hazard lights, etc.);
❒operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system, po-
sition and wear of the windscreen and rear window
wiper blades;
Check and top up, if required, the engine oil level every
3,000 km.
You are recommended to use PETRONAS LUBRICANTS
products, which have been designed and produced specif-
ically for Fiat cars (see table “Capacities” in the “Techni-
cal specifications” section).
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
211-234 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:38 Pagina 216
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with an original spare part
with the same specifications.
If a battery with different specifications is fitted, the ser-
vice intervals given in the “Scheduled Servicing Plan” will
no longer be valid.
For battery maintenance, you should therefore refer to
the instructions provided by the battery manufacturer.
226
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Incorrect assembly of electric and electronic
devices may cause severe damage to your
car. Go to a Fiat Dealership if you want to
install accessories (alarms, mobile phone, etc.): they
will suggest the most suitable devices and advise you
if a higher capacity battery needs to be installed.
Batteries contain substances that are very
harmful to the environment. It is advisable
to have the battery changed by a Fiat Deal-
ership, where it will be disposed of properly and in
accordance with the law.
If the vehicle must remain unused for
a long time at very low temperatures, re-
move the battery and take it to a warm place to
avoid freezing.
WARNING
If you have to perform any operation on
the battery or near it, always protect your
eyes with special goggles.
WARNING
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make it last longer, fol-
low these instructions closely:
❒when you park the car, ensure that the doors, boot and
bonnet are closed properly to prevent the ceiling cour-
tesy lights from staying on;
❒turn off the ceiling lights, although the car does have
an automatic system for switching off internal lights;
❒do not leave devices (e.g. sound system, hazard lights,
etc.) switched on for a long time when the engine is not
running;
❒before performing any operation on the electrical sys-
tem, disconnect the negative battery cable;
❒ make sure battery terminals are fully tightened.
211-234 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:38 Pagina 226
232
VEHICLE BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against perforation, due
to rust, of any original element of the structure or body-
work.
For the general terms of this warranty, refer to your War-
ranty Booklet.
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but
also protects the underlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches immediately to prevent
the formation of rust. Use only original paint products
for touch-ups (see “Bodywork paint identification plate”
in the “Technical specifications” section).
Normal care for paintwork consists of washing the car;
how often depends on the conditions and environment
where the car is used. For example, it is advisable to wash
the car more often in areas with high atmospheric pollu-
tion or if you are travelling on gritted roads.
To wash the car properly, proceed as follows:
❒if taking your car through an automatic car wash, re-
move the aerial from the roof;
❒wash the body using a low-pressure jet of water;
❒use a sponge to wipe a slightly soapy solution over the
bodywork, frequently rinsing the sponge;
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
❒rinse with plenty of water and dry with a jet of air or
a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts particularly carefully, such as the
door frames, bonnet and the headlight frames, where wa-
ter may stagnate more easily. It is a good idea to leave
the car in the open for a while after washing it to give time
for the water to evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left in the sun or
with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine of the paint-
work.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same way as
the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees; the resinous
substances that fall off many species give the paint a dull
appearance and increase the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings should be washed off im-
mediately and thoroughly as the acid they contain is par-
ticularly aggressive.
211-234 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:38 Pagina 232
259
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
– extending the boot ....................... 94
– parcel shelf (removing) ................ 96
– removing the parcel shelf ............ 96
– unlocking with remote control..6
Boot courtesy light .............................. 197
Brake Assist system............................ 104
Brake fluid
– checking and topping up .............. 224
– specifications.................................. 252
Brake lights
– bulb replacement ...............193-194
Brakes
– brake fluid (type)........................... 252
– checking and topping
up fluid level .................................. 224
– handbrake ....................................... 152
– technical specifications................. 241
Bulbs
– bulb types......................186-187-188
– general information on
replacing.......................................... 186
Capacities
– technical specifications
(quantities)...................................... 250
Capacity for installing child seats........ 138
Car dimensions .................................... 246
Car identification data ........................ 235
Carrying children ................................ 134
Catalytic converter ............................ 128
Central locking .................................... 73Changing a wheel ................................ 176
– general information and
warnings.......................................... 176
– tyre inflation pressure ................ 245
– tyre and rim types ....................... 244
Changing bulbs
– bulb types ...................................... 186
– general information ..................... 186
– inside .............................................. .195
– outside ........................................... 189
Chassis (marking) ............................... 236
Checking engine oil ............................ 220
– consumption ................................. 220
– engine oil specifications .............. 251
Checking levels ................................... 217
– brake fluid ...................................... 224
– engine cooling fluid ...................... 222
– engine oil ....................................... 220
– windscreen/rear window
washer fluid ................................... 223
Child safety .......................................... 84
Child safety device ............................. 87
Child seats ............................................ 138
– capacity for installing child
seats ................................................ 138
– suitability for using child seats..... 137
Children (carrying them safely) ........ 134
– acity for installing an Isofix
child seat ........................................ 138
Cigarette lighter .................................. 78 ABS ....................................................... 103
ABS system .......................................... 103
Additional brake light
– bulb replacement ......................... 194
Adjusting the lighting inside the car 18
Adjusting the mirrors ....................... 44
Adjusting the seats ......................39-41
Adjusting the steering wheel ............ 43
Air conditioning controls ............ 52-56
Air filter ................................................ 225
Air recirculation ....................51-55-58
Air vents................................................ 48
Ashtray................................................... 78
ASR function / system ....................... 107
Automatic climate control................. 56
Battery
– jump starting .................................. 175
– maintenance................................... .225
– replacement .................................. 226
– tips for extending life ................... 226
Bodywork
– bodywork version codes............. 237
– cleaning, care and maintenance.. 231
Bodywork codes ................................. 237
Bodywork versions ............................ 237
Bonnet
– opening/closing ...............97-98-99
Boot ........................................................ 92
– emergency unlocking from
the inside......................................... 94
CONTENTS
259-268 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:42 Pagina 259
260
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Cleaning and maintenance
– bodywork ...................................... 231
– engine compartment ................... 233
– fabric seats .................................... 234
– interiors ......................................... 233
– leather upholstery ....................... 234
– windows ......................................... 233
– plastic parts ................................... 234
Climate control ................................... 53
– air vents ..................................47-48
Clock
– adjusting ......................................... 30
Clutch
– technical specifications ............... 240
CO
2emissions at exhaust ................ 254
CODE card .......................................... 5
Control buttons .................................. 71
Cruise Control .................................... 66
Dashboard ....................................3-265
Deactivating airbags .....................36-143
Dead lock ............................................. 86
Defrosting/demisting
– rear window ....................51-55-72
– windscreen and front
side windows ..................50-54-57
Demisting/defrosting
– rear window ....................51-55-72
– windscreen and front
side windows....................50-54-57
– wing mirrors.....................51-55-58
Digital display ........................................ 17
– control buttons ............................ 18
– setup menu ................................... 18
– standard screen ............................ 17Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ........................ 190
– switching on ................................. 61
Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ........................ 190
– switching on ................................. 61
Direction indicators
– switching on ................................. 62
– front bulb replacement ............. 191
– rear bulb replacement ................ 193
Direction indicators
– switching on ................................. 62
– front bulb replacement ............. 191
– rear bulb replacement ................ 193
Direction Indicators
– switching on ................................. 62
– front bulb replacement ............. 191
– side bulb replacement ................. 192
– rear bulb replacement ............... 193
Disposing of the car ........................... 255
Door locks ........................................... 73
Doors
– central locking .............................. 73
– child safety device ........................ 87
– locking/unlocking
from the inside ......................73-84
– remote control ............................ 6
– remote locking/unlocking ........... 6
DPF (particulate filter) ....................... 128
Driving economically ......................... 154
Electrical/electronic devices ............ 124
Emergency rear door locking
device ................................................. 88Emergency starting ............................. 175
– bump starting ................................ 176
– jump starting ................................. 175
End of vehicle life ................................ 255
Engine
– engine immobiliser (Fiat CODE) .. 4
– identification codes ..................... 237
– marking .......................................... 236
– technical specifications ............... 238
Engine codes ........................................ 237
Engine compartment
– checking levels .............................. 217
– opening/closing the bonnet ....... 97
– washing ......................................... 233
Engine coolant
– checking levels and topping up ... 222
– specifications ................................. 252
Engine coolant
– checking and topping up ............. 222
– specifications ................................. 252
– temperature gauge and
warning light .................................. 16
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ................................................... 16
– type of coolant ............................. 222
Engine cooling
– checking levels and topping up ... 222
– specifications ................................. 252
Engine immobiliser (Fiat CODE) ...... 4
Engine marking .................................... 236
Engine oil
– checking levels and topping up ... 220
– consumption ................................. 220
– specifications ................................. 251
259-268 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:42 Pagina 260