94
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS fig. 1
The belt should be worn keeping the chest
straight and rested against the seat back.
To fasten the seat belts, take hold the
tongue Aand insert it into the buckle B,
until hearing the locking click.
At removal, if it jams, let it rewind for a
short stretch, then pull it out again with-
out jerking.
To unfasten the seat belts, press button
C. Guide the seat belt with your hand
while it is rewinding, to prevent it from
twisting.
The seat belt reel mechanism ensures that
the belt automatically adjusts to the wear-
er allowing him or her to move in com-
plete freedom.
When the vehicle is parked on a steep
slope the reel mechanism may block; this
is normal. The reel mechanism also pre-
vents the webbing coming out when it is
jerked or if the vehicle brakes sharply, is
in a collision or when cornering at high
speed.
The rear seat is fitted with inertial seat
belts with three anchor points and reel.
fig. 1F0P0108m
fig. 2F0P0111m
fig. 3F0P0112m
Never press button C-fig. 1
when travelling.
WARNING
Remember that in the event
of a violent collision, back
seat passengers not wearing seat belts
also represent a serious danger for
the front seat passengers.
WARNING
Make sure the backrest is
properly secured at both
sides to prevent it moves forward in
the event of sharp braking causing in-
juries to passengers.
WARNING
112
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
Remember that with the key
engaged and at M, even if
the engine is not running, the air bags
may be triggered on a stationary ve-
hicle if it is bumped by another mov-
ing vehicle. Therefore, never seat chil-
dren on the front seat even when the
vehicle is stationary. On the other
hand remember that if the key is at S,
no safety system (air bags or preten-
sioners) is triggered in the event of an
impact; in this case, failure to come
into action cannot be considered as a
sign that the system is not working
properly.
WARNING
Do not wash the seat back
rest with pressurised water
or steam (by hand or at automatic
seat washing stations).
WARNING
The front air bag is triggered
for shocks greater in magni-
tude that the pretensioners.
For impacts between these two
thresholds, it is therefore normal that
only the pretensioners are triggered.
WARNING
Do not hook rigid objects to
the coat hooks and to the
support handles.
WARNING
The air bag does not substi-
tute the seat belts, but only
increases their effectiveness.
Moreover, since the front air bags do
not come into operation in the event
of front impact at low speed, side col-
lisions, bumps from behind or over-
turning, in these circumstances the
occupants would only be protected
by the seat belts which must therefore
always be fastened.
WARNING
When the ignition key is
turned to M, the warning
light
“(with passenger’s front air bag
active) turns on and flashes for few
seconds to remind that passenger’s air
bag will be deployed in a crash, af-
ter which it should go off.
WARNING
If the vehicle has been stolen
or an attempt to steal it has
been made, if it has been subjected to
vandals or floods, have the air bag
system checked by Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
114
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
ENGINE
STARTING
The vehicle is fitted with an electronic en-
gine lock device: if the engine fails to start,
see the paragraph “The Fiat CODE sys-
tem” in section “Dashboard and controls”.
The engine may be noisier than usual dur-
ing the first seconds of operation, espe-
cially after it has not been used for a while.
This characteristic feature does not com-
promise functionality or reliability of the
hydraulic tappets: the timing system de-
vised to limit servicing.
We recommend that during
the initial period you do not
drive to full vehicle perfor-
mance (e.g.: excessive accel-
eration, long journeys at top speed,
sharp braking, etc.).
When the engine is switched
off never leave the key into
the ignition switch to prevent
pointless current absorption
from draining the battery.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely dan-
gerous. The engine consumes oxygen
and produces carbon monoxide
which is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much ef-
fort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
Dashboard and controls
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever into neutral;
❒Turn the ignition key to M: the warn-
ing light
mon the instrument panel
display will turn on;
❒Wait for the warning light mto turn
off. The hotter the engine is, the quick-
er this will happen;
❒Press the clutch pedal down to the
floor without touching the accelerator;
❒Turn the ignition key to Das soon as
warning light
mgoes out. If you wait
too long you will lose the benefit of the
work done by the glow plugs. Release
the key as soon as the engine starts.
117
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
USING THE MANUAL
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch ped-
al fully and shift the gear lever into one of
the required positions (the diagram is
shown on the knob).
IMPORTANT The vehicle can only be put
into reverse gear when it has stopped
moving completely. With the engine run-
ning, before engaging the reverse, wait at
least 2 seconds with the clutch pedal ful-
ly down to prevent damage and grating of
the gears.
fig. 2 - 5 speed gearboxF0P0119m
5 speed gearbox fig. 2
In order to activate the reverse motion R
from the neutral position, move the lever
towards the right and then backwards.
6 speed gearbox fig. 2/a
In order to activate the reverse motion R
from the neutral position, lift the sliding
collar placed under the knob and, at the
same time move the lever towards the left
and then forwards.
To change gears properly
you must push the clutch
pedal fully down. It is therefore es-
sential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way of the
pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand
resting on the gear lever as
the force exerted, even if
slight, could lead over time to
premature wear on the gearbox inter-
nal components.
fig. 2/a - 6 speed gearbox F0P0347m
118
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from
the roof as soon as they are no longer
used. These accessories lower air pene-
tration and adversely affect consumption
levels. When needing to carry particular-
ly voluminous objects, preferably use a
trailer.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window, ad-
ditional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan need a considerable amount of
energy, therefore increasing the require-
ment of current increases fuel consump-
tion (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
The air conditioner is an additional load
which greatly affects the engine leading to
higher consumption (on average up to
+20%). When the temperature outside
the vehicle permits it, use the air vents
where possible.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and
consumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine when the vehi-
cle is stationary or at high or low speed:
in this way the engine will warm up grad-
ually increasing consumption and emis-
sions. You should drive off slowly straight
away avoiding high revs so that the engine
will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traffic
lights or before switching off the engine.
This and also double declutching is ab-
solutely pointless on modern vehicles and
also increase consumption and pollution.
Gear selections
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and
road allow, use a higher gear. Using a low
gear to obtain brilliant performance in-
creases consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions an
engine wear.CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Some suggestions which may help you to
keep the running costs of the vehicle
down and lower the amount of toxic emis-
sions released into the atmosphere are
given below.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Vehicle maintenance
Carry out the checks and adjustments/reg-
ulations specified in the “Service Sched-
ule”.
Tyres
Check tyre inflation pressure regularly.
Tyres should be checked at least once
every four weeks: if the pressure is too
low, fuel consumption increases as the re-
sistance to the rolling movement of the
tyre is greater.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much load.
The weight of the vehicle (specially in ur-
ban traffic) and its trim greatly effects con-
sumption and stability.
119
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do
not allow the engine to reach optimum op-
erating temperature. This results in a sig-
nificant increase in consumption levels
(from +15 to +30% on the urban cycle)
and emission of harmful substances.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied to
situations with heavy traffic, for example
in queues with frequent use of the lower
gears or in cities with many traffic lights.
Also winding mountain roads and rough
road surfaces adversely affect consump-
tion.
Enforced halts
During prolonged hold-ups (level crossings)
the engine should be switched off. Top speed
Fuel consumption increases considerably
as speed increases. Your speed should be
kept as even as possible and superfluous
braking and acceleration avoided as this
increases both consumption and emis-
sions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the revs
will greatly affect consumption and emis-
sions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANTS
For towing caravans or trailers the vehi-
cle must be fitted with a certified tow
hook and an adequate electric system.
To prevent damages to the vehicle elec-
tric system, adopt an electronic control
unit specially designed and dedicated to
the trailer.
Installation should be carried out by spe-
cialised personnel who release a special
document for circulation on the road.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-
view mirrors as specified by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the brak-
ing spaces increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight.
120
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel accord-
ing to any additional and/or integrative in-
formation supplied by the Manufacturer of
the device. Engage a low gear when driving downhill,
rather than constantly using the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the vehi-
cle tow hook reduces by the same amount
the actual vehicle loading capacity.
To make sure the maximum towable
weight is not exceeded (given in the log
book) account should be taken of the ful-
ly laden trailer, including accessories and
personal belongings.
Do not exceed the speed limits of the
country you are driving in. In any case do
not exceed 100 km/h.
The ABS system with which
the vehicle may be fitted
does not control the trailer braking
system. Therefore be cautious on slip-
pery roads.
WARNING
Under no circumstances
should the vehicle brake sys-
tem be altered to control the trailer
brake. The trailer braking system
must be fully independent of the ve-
hicle’s hydraulic system.
WARNING
121
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLE
IMPORTANT When snow tyres are used
with a max speed index below the one
that can be reached by the vehicle (in-
creased by 5%), place a notice in the pas-
senger’s compartment, plainly in the dri-
ver’s view which states the max permis-
sible speed of the snow tyres (as per EC
Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety when
driving and braking and better driveability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains is regulated by the
legislation in force in the country the ve-
hicle is driven in.
Snow chains should only be applied to the
driving wheels (front wheels). We rec-
ommend using Lineaccessori Fiat snow
chains.
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven.
IMPORTANT With snow chains, use the
accelerator with extreme care to prevent
or to limit as much as possible slipping of
the driving wheels that could cause chain
breaking resulting in damages to the ve-
hicle body or mechanical components.
SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the vehicle.
Fiat Dealership will be happy to provide
advice concerning the most suitable type
of tyre for the customer’s requirements.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread depth
is below 4 mm. In this case, they should
be replaced.
Due to the snow tyre features, under nor-
mal conditions of use or on long motor-
way journeys, the performance of these
tyres is lower than that of normal tyres. It
is therefore necessary to limit their use to
the purposes for which they are certified.
The max speed for snow
tyres with “Q” marking is
160 km/h; 190 km/h for tyres with “T”
marking and 210 km/h for tyres with
H marking. The Road Traffic Code
speed limits must however be always
strictly observed.
WARNING