154
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may help you to save fu-
el and reduce the amount of toxic emissions released in-
to the atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least once every 4 weeks: if
the pressure is too low, consumption levels increase as re-
sistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of
the car (especially when driving in town) and its arrange-
ment greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or ski rack from the roof after use.
These accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration and
have a negative effect on fuel consumption. It is better to
use a trailer to transport particularly bulky objects.Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount of time need-
ed. The heated rear window, auxiliary headlights, wind-
screen wipers and fan heater use up a considerable amount
of current, causing increased fuel consumption (up to
+25% in the urban cycle).
Air conditioning
Air conditioning leads to higher fuel consumption (on av-
erage up to +20%). If the temperature outside is not too
extreme, try and use the air vents.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect aero-
dynamics and fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs when the
vehicle is stationary; this causes the engine to warm up more
slowly, thereby increasing fuel consumption and emissions.
It is advisable to set off immediately and slowly, avoiding high
revs: this allows the engine to warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when stationary at traffic lights or before
stopping the engine. The latter action, like double de-
clutching, is entirely unnecessary and causes increased fu-
el consumption and pollution.
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161
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS
Warning lights are accompanied by a specific message
and/or sound when applicable. These indications are brief
and precautionary and as such must not be considered as
exhaustive and/or alternative to the information contained
in the Owner’s Handbook, which you are recommended
to read carefully in all cases. Always refer to the informa-
tion in this chapter in the event of a failure indication.
IMPORTANT The fault indicators appearing on the dis-
play are divided into two categories: very serious and less
serious failures.
Serious failures prompt a prolonged cycle of signals.
Less serious failures prompt a shorter cycle of signals.
Press MENU ESC to stop the warning cycle in both cas-
es. Warning lights on the instrument panel will stay on un-
til the cause of the failure is eliminated.
For messages relevant to the versions equipped with
a Dualogic gearbox, see the attached Supplement.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
If the warning light xturns on when trav-
elling (on certain versions together with
the message on the display) stop the car imme-
diately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID LOW (red)
HANDBRAKE ENGAGED (red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR posi-
tion, the warnintg light turns on but should go off
after a few seconds.
Brake fluid low
The warning light turns on when the level of the brake flu-
id in the reservoir falls below the minimum level, possi-
bly due to a leak in the circuit.
On some versions the display shows the associated mes-
sage.
x
Handbrake engaged
The warning light turns on when the handbrake is on.
If the car is moving, an audible warning will also sound on
certain versions.
IMPORTANT If the warning light turns on when travel-
ling, check that the handbrake is not engaged.
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162
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
AIRBAG FAILURE (red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR position,
the warnintg light turns on but should go off af-
ter a few seconds.
The warning light stays on constantly if there is a failure
in the airbag system. A specific message is displayed on cer-
tain versions.
¬
If the warning light ¬does not come on
when turning the key to MAR or stays on
during car travel, a failure may be present in the
restraint systems. If this is the case, the airbags
or pretensioners may not be deployed after an im-
pact or, in a minor number of cases, they may be
deployed accidentally. Contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system checked before
driving off.
WARNING
A problem with the warning light ¬(light
off) is indicated by the warning light “,
which indicates the front passenger airbag is de-
activated, flashing for more than the usual four
seconds.
WARNING
OVERHEATED ENGINE COOLANT
(red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR position,
the warnintg light turns on but should go off after a few
seconds. The warning light turns on when the engine is
overheated. If the warning light comes on, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒when driving normally: stop the car, switch off the en-
gine and check that the water level in the reservoir is
not below the MIN mark. If it is not, wait for a few min-
utes for the engine to cool down then slowly and care-
fully open the cap, top-up with coolant and check that
the level is between the MIN and MAX marks. Also
visually check for leaks. Go to a Fiat Dealership if the
warning light comes on again when the engine is next
started.
❒if the vehicle is used under demanding conditions (e.g.
towing trailers uphill or fully loaded): slow down and,
if the light stays on, stop the car. Stop for 2 or 3 min-
utes with the engine running and slightly accelerated to
assist better coolant circulation. Then switch the en-
gine off. Check correct fluid level as described above.
IMPORTANT On particularly demanding journeys, it is ad-
visable to keep the engine on and slightly accelerated for
a few minutes before switching it off.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
ç
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163
Degraded engine oil
(only Multijet versions with DPF)
The warning light will flash and a specific message will ap-
pear on the display (for versions/markets where provid-
ed). The warning light may flash in the following ways, de-
pending on the version:
– for 1 minute every two hours;
– for 3 minute cycles with the warning light off for inter-
vals of 5 seconds until oil is changed.
After the initial warning, each time the engine is started
up, the warning light will continue to flash in the same ways
as described above, until the oil is changed. A specific mes-
sage will appear on the display (for versions/markets where
provided) in addition to the warning light.
If the warning light flashes, this does not mean that the car
is defective, but simply informs the driver that it is now
necessary to change the oil as a result of regular vehicle
use.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
LOW BATTERY CHARGE (red)
(for versions/markets where provided)
The warning light comes on when the ignition
key is turned to MAR, but it should go out as soon
as the engine has started (with the engine running at idle
speed a brief delay before going out is acceptable). Con-
tact a Fiat Dealership immediately if the warning light stays
on, either permanently or flashing.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
w
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE (red)
DEGRADED OIL (red)
(for versions/markets where provided)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warn-
ing light switches on, but it should go out as soon as the
engine is started.
v
If the warning light vturns on when the
car is travelling (on certain versions to-
gether with the message on the display), stop the
car immediately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
PARKING SENSOR FAILURE (amber)
(for versions/markets where provided)
The warning light turns on when a fault is de-
tected in the parking sensors.
On certain versions warning light èturns on as an alter-
native.
In this case, contact a Fiat Dealership.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
t
Low engine oil pressure
The warning light turns on and stays on constantly along
with a message on the display (for versions/markets where
provided) when the system detects that engine oil pres-
sure is low.
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166
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble if warning light Udoes not light up
when the key is turned to MAR or if, while trav-
elling, the warning light comes on either perma-
nently or flashing (along with a message on the
display on certain versions). The operation of the
Uwarning light may be checked by traffic police
using appropriate equipment. Follow the laws in
force in the country where you are driving.
WARNING
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG
DEACTIVATED (amber)
The warning light
“comes on when the front
passenger airbag is disabled.
With the front passenger air bag enabled, when the igni-
tion key is turned to MAR the
“warning light comes on
constantly for about 4 seconds, flashes for another 4 sec-
onds and then should go out.
“
Engine management system failure – EOBD
Under normal conditions, turning the ignition key to MAR,
the warning light turns on but it should go off after the en-
gine starts. This indicates that the warning light is work-
ing correctly. If the warning light either stays on or comes
on during car travel:
❒on permanently: this means there is a fault in the sup-
ply/ignition system which could cause high exhaust
emissions, loss of performance, poor handling and high
fuel consumption levels.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
Under these conditions, the vehicle can continue travel-
ling at moderate speed without demanding excessive ef-
fort from the engine. Prolonged use of the car with the
warning light on may cause damage. Go to a Fiat Dealer-
ship as soon as possible. The warning light goes out after
the fault disappears, but the indication is stored in the sys-
tem.
❒flashing: this indicates possible damage to the catalytic
converter (see “EOBD system” in the “Dashboard and
controls” section).
If the light flashes, come off the accelerator pedal to re-
duce engine revs until the warning light stops flashing; con-
tinue the journey at moderate speed, trying to avoid dri-
ving conditions that may cause further flashing, and get
to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.For versions/markets, where provided, the
Uwarning
light in the instrument panel does not have the EOBD func-
tion (European On Board Diagnosis) but only that of sig-
nalling that the injection system is not working perfectly.
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GENERIC INDICATOR
(amber)
(for versions/markets where provided)
The warning light turns on in the following cir-
cumstances:
Engine oil pressure sensor failure
The warning light turns on when a failure is detected in
the engine oil pressure sensor. Go to a Fiat Dealership to
have the fault fixed as soon as possible. The associated mes-
sage is displayed on some versions.
Start&Stop fault
(for versions/markets where provided)
The warning light comes on when a Start&Stop failure is de-
tected.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
169
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
REAR FOG LIGHTS (amber)
The light comes on when the rear fog lights are
turned on.
4
Fuel cut-off intervention
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light comes on when the fuel cut-off system
intervenes (see “Multifunction display” in the “Controls”
section).
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
Rain sensor fault
(for versions/markets where provided)
The warning light comes on when a rain sensor failure is
detected (see “Multifunction display” in the “Controls”
section). Contact a Fiat Dealership.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
Parking sensor fault
(for versions/markets where provided)
The warning light turns on when a failure is detected in
the parking sensors. In this case, contact a Fiat Dealership.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) failure
(for versions/markets where provided)
The warning light turns on when a failure is detected in
the TPMS system (for versions/markets where provided).
Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
Should one or more wheels without a sensor be fitted, the
instrument panel warning light will come on and stay on
until the initial conditions are restored.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
è
The failure relating to these lights could be: one or more
blown bulbs, a blown protection fuse or a break in the elec-
trical connection. On certain versions warning light è
turns on as an alternative. On some versions the display
shows the associated message.
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172
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT Do not continue driving with one or more
flat tyres as handling may be compromised. Stop the car,
avoiding harsh braking or steering manoeuvres. Replace
the wheel immediately with the small spare wheel (for ver-
sions/markets where provided) or carry out a repair us-
ing the dedicated kit (see “Changing a wheel” in the “In
an emergency” section) and contact a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
Tyre pressure unsuitable for speed
Should you need to travel at a speed higher than 160 km/h,
inflate the tyres to the pressures specified in “Tyre pres-
sures”.
If the TPMS system (for versions/markets where provid-
ed) detects that the pressure of one or more tyres is un-
suitable for the current speed, the warning light will turn
on (together with the message on the display) (see “Tyre
pressure low” in this section) and it will stay on until the
car slows down to a speed below the preset threshold.
IMPORTANT In this case, slow down immediately because
tyre overheating could damage tyre performance and dura-
bility beyond repair, and may even make the tyre explode. CHECK TYRE PRESSURE
(amber)
TYRE PRESSURE LOW (amber)
TYRE PRESSURE UNSUITABLE FOR
SPEED
(amber)
(for versions/markets where provided)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR position, the
warnintg light turns on but should go off after a few sec-
onds.
Check tyre pressures
The warning light turns on to indicate the flat tyre. Should
two or more tyres be flat, the display will show the indi-
cations corresponding to each tyre in sequence.
Restore correct tyre pressures as soon as possible (see
“Cold tyre pressures” in the “Technical specifications” sec-
tion).
Tyre pressure low
The warning light on the panel comes on when the pres-
sure of one or more tyres falls below a preset level. In this
way, the TPMS system warns the driver that one or more
tyres may be dangerously flat and probably punctured.
n
161-174 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:40 Pagina 172
Repair and refit the standard wheel as
soon as possible. Do not apply grease to
the bolt threads before assembly: they might spon-
taneously unscrew.
WARNING
The jack may be used to replace wheels
only on the car which it equips or other
cars of the same model. Never use the jack for
other purposes, such as lifting other models. Nev-
er use the jack to carry out repairs under the car.
Incorrect positioning of the jack may cause the
car to fall. Do not use the jack for loads higher
than the one shown on its label.
WARNING
If the hub cap is not fitted correctly, it may
come off when the car is travelling. Nev-
er tamper with the inflation valve. Never intro-
duce tools of any kind between the rim and the
tyre. Check tyre and spare wheel pressures regu-
larly, referring to the values shown in the “Tech-
nical specifications” section.
WARNING
Important notes:
❒the jack weight is 1.76 kg;
❒the jack requires no adjustment;
❒the jack cannot be repaired. If it breaks, it must be re-
placed with the same type;
❒no tool other than its cranking device may be fitted on
the jack.
To change a tyre, proceed as follows:
❒stop the car where it is not a danger to other road users
and you can replace the wheel safely. The ground should
be flat and solid;
❒turn the engine off and engage the handbrake;
❒engage first gear or reverse;
❒wear the reflective safety jacket (compulsory by law in
certain countries) before getting out of the car;
❒open the boot and lift the carpet or remove the cargo
box (for versions/markets where provided);
❒ unscrew the locking device A-fig. 151;
❒take out the tool container C-fig. 151 and put it along-
side the wheel to be changed;
❒take out the spare wheel B-fig. 151;
❒loosen the bolts of the wheel to be replaced by about
one turn with the wrench provided E-fig. 152; if you
have alloy wheels, rock the car to make it easier to sep-
arate the rim from the wheel hub;
177
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
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