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179
TOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
(RECREATIONAL
TOWING)
Your vehicle may be towed behind an-
other vehicle (such as a motorhome), pro-
vided you use the proper towing method
specified for your vehicle. The towing
method you must use depends on the
specifications of your vehicle: whether it
is a 2-wheel drive (2WD) vehicle or a 4-
wheel drive (4WD) vehicle.
Use the towing instruction table to select
the proper towing method for your vehi-
cle, and carefully follow the correspond-
ing instructions. Be sure to use proper
towing equipment designed for recre-
ational towing and make sure that tow-
ing speed does not exceed 90 km/h (55
mph). Registered maximum vertical load
on trailer hitch point (EU)
50 kg (110 lbs)
Maximum permissible overhang “a”
810 mm (31.9 in.)
When you tow your vehicle,
follow the instructions below
to avoid accidents and damage to
your vehicle. In addition, be sure to
observe government and local re-
quirements regarding vehicle lighting
and trailer hitches or tow bars.
WARNING
A safety chain should always
be used when you tow your
vehicle.
WARNING
79J158
IMPORTANT Towing an automatic
transaxle vehicle with four wheels on the
ground can result in damage to the auto-
matic transaxle.
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180
A: 2WD (EXCEPT 2WD MODE
OF 4WD) VEHICLES WITH
MANUAL TRANSAXLE OR
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
❒Secure the front wheels on a towing
dolly according to the instructions pro-
vided by the dolly manufacturer.
❒Release the parking brake.
54G212
TOWING METHOD A
FROM THE FRONT:
FRONT WHEELS ON A DOLLY
AND REAR WHEELS ON THE GROUND
TOWING INSTRUCTION TABLE
DRIVE TRAIN
2WD
4WD
including
2WD modeTOWING
METHOD
A
A B
B TRANSAXLE
A/T
M/T
M/T
54G641
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181
79J130
TOWING METHOD B
FROM THE FRONT:
FOUR WHEELS ON THE GROUND
B: 2WD (EXCEPT 2WD MODE
OF 4WD) VEHICLES WITH
MANUAL TRANSAXLE
❒Shift the manual transaxle lever into
neutral.
❒Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” po-
sition to unlock the steering wheel.
❒Release the parking brake.
IMPORTANT The steering column is not
strong enough to withstand shocks trans-
mitted from the front wheels during tow-
ing. Always unlock the steering wheel be-
fore towing.
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182
B: 4WD (INCLUDING 2WD
MODE OF 4WD) VEHICLES
WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLE
IMPORTANT Do not tow the 4WD vehi-
cle with either front wheels or rear wheels
directly on the ground (and the transaxle
in neutral). If you do, the transaxle will be
damaged fatally.
❒Shift the 2WD/4WD switch to the
“2WD” mode.
❒Shift the manual transaxle lever into
neutral.
❒Turn the ignition key to the “ACC”
position to unlock the steering wheel.
❒Release the parking brake.
IMPORTANT The steering column is
not strong enough to withstand shocks
transmitted from the front wheels dur-
ing towing. Always unlock the steering
wheel before towing.
79J175
79J176
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Page 191 of 270

MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDED UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS
If the vehicle is usually used under the conditions corresponding to any severe condition code given below, it is recommended that
applicable maintenance operation be performed at the particular interval as given in the chart below.
190
G----
HTrailer towing (if admitted)
Maintenance Operation
IInspect and correct or replace if necessary
RReplace or Change
NOTE 4WD: 4-wheel drive Severe condition code
ARepeated short trips
BDriving on rough and/or muddy roads
CDriving on dusty roads
DDriving in extremely cold weather and/or salted roads
ERepeated short trips in extremely cold weather
FLeaded fuel use
Severe Condition Code
B C D
A D
A C D E F H
A C D E H
A B C E F H
C
B E H
B C D H
B D E H
B E H
C D
Maintenance Interval
Every 15,000 km (9,000 miles) or 12 months
Every 45,000 km (27,000 miles) or 36 months
Every 36 months
Every 7,500 km (4,500 miles) or 6 months
Every 7,500 km (4,500 miles) or 6 months
Every 30,000 km (18,000 miles) or 24 months
Every 10,000 km (6,000 miles) or 8 months
Every 2,500 km (1,500 miles)
Every 30,000 km (18,000 miles) or 24 months
Every 30,000 km (18,000 miles) or 24 months
Every 15,000 km (9,000 miles) or 12 months
Every 15,000 km (9,000 miles) or 12 months
First time only:
15,000 km (9,000 miles) or 12 months
Second time and after:
Every 30,000 km (18,000 miles) or 24 months
reckoning from 0 km (0 mile) or 0 month
Every 15,000 km (9,000 miles) or 12 months
Every 45,000 km (27,000 miles) or 36 months Maintenance
Engine accessory drive belt (V-rib belt)
Camshaft timing belt (Diesel engine)
Engine oil and oil filter (Gasoline engine)
Engine oil and oil filter (Diesel engine)
Spark plugs
Air cleaner filter element
(Inspect or replace more frequently if necessary)
Automatic transaxle fluid change
Wheel bearings
Drive axle boots/Propeller shaft (4WD)
Manual transaxle oil/Transfer oil (4WD)
Differential oil (4WD)
Air conditioner filter element (for versions/markets, where provided)
(Clean more frequently if the air flow from the air conditioner
decreases)Maintenance
Operation
I
R
R
R
R
R
R
I
R
R
I
I
R
I
R Iridium plug
(Highly recommended)
Nickel plug
(Standard type)
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195
Refill with Oil and Check for Leaks
❒Pour oil through the filler hole and in-
stall the filler cap.
For the approximate capacity of the oil,
refer to the “Capacities” item in the
“SPECIFICATIONS” section.
❒Start the engine and look carefully for
leaks at the oil filter and drain plug. Run
the engine at various speeds for at least
5 minutes.
❒Stop the engine and wait about 5 min-
utes. Check the oil level again and add
oil if necessary. Check for leaks again.
IMPORTANT
❒When replacing the oil filter, it is rec-
ommended that you use a genuine
Fiat replacement filter. If you use an af-
termarket filter, make sure it is of
equivalent quality and follow the man-
ufacturer’s instructions.
❒Oil leaks from around the oil filter or
drain plug indicate incorrect installation
or gasket damage. If you find any leaks
or are not sure that the filter has been
properly tightened, have the vehicle in-
spected by your Fiat Dealership.
GEAR OIL
MANUAL TRANSAXLE OIL/
TRANSFER OIL (4WD)/
REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL (4WD)
When adding gear oil, use gear oil with the
appropriate viscosity and grade as shown
in the chart below.
TUTELA XVI SAE 75W-90, API GL-4,
FIAT 9.55550-MZ4 Contractual Technical
Reference N° F808.G08, for gasoline en-
gine, manual transaxle gear oil.
TUTELA XVI SAE 75W-90, API GL-3, FIAT
9.55550-MZ4 Contractual Technical Refer-
ence N° F808.G08 for diesel engine, manual
transaxle gear oil.
Hypoid gear oil TUTELA W90/M -
DA SAE
80W-90 API GL-5for transfer oil and rear
differential oil (4WD).
Gasoline engine, manual transaxle
oil (API GL-4)
54G095
54G096
79JM023
Transfer oil (4WD)
Rear differential oil (4WD)
(API GL-5 Hypoid)
Gear Oil Level Check
To check the gear oil level, use the fol-
lowing procedure:
❒Park the vehicle on a level surface with
the parking brake applied. Then, stop
the engine.
❒Remove the oil filler plug (1) or (2).
❒Feel the inside of the hole with your fin-
ger. If the oil level comes up to the bot-
tom of the plug hole, the oil level is cor-
rect. If so, reinstall the plug. Diesel engine, manual transaxle oil
(API GL-3)
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196
IMPORTANT When tightening the plug,
apply sealing compound Loctite 510 or
equivalent to the plug threads to prevent
oil leakage.
Gear Oil Change
Since special procedures, materials and
tools are required, it is recommended that
you trust this job to your authorized Fiat
Dealership.
(1)
(2)
79J143
(2)
79J005
Manual transaxle
Rear differential (4WD)
After driving the vehicle, the
gear oil temperature may be
high enough to burn you. Wait until
the oil filler plug is cool enough to
touch with your bare hands before in-
specting transaxle oil.
WARNING
AUTOMATIC
TRANSAXLE (AT) FLUID
SPECIFIC FLUID
Contact Fiat Dealership to receive indi-
cations about the proper fluid to use.
FLUID LEVEL CHECK
IMPORTANT Driving with too much or
too little fluid can damage the transaxle.
You must check the fluid level with the au-
tomatic transaxle fluid at normal operat-
ing temperature.
To check the fluid level:
❒To warm up the transaxle fluid, drive
the vehicle or idle the engine until the
temperature gauge indicates normal op-
erating temperature.
❒Then drive for ten more minutes.
IMPORTANT To prevent damages to the
automatic transaxle of your vehicle, nev-
er use a fluid different than that recom-
mended by Fiat Dealership.
❒If the oil level is low, add gear oil
through the oil filler plug hole (1) or (2)
until the oil level reaches the bottom of
the filler hole, then reinstall the plug.
Tightening torque for oil filler and
level plug (1) and (2)
Manual transaxle/Transfer:
21 Nm (2.1 kgm, 15.2 lb·ft)
Rear differential:
23 Nm (2.3 kgm, 17.0 lb·ft)
NOTE To check the transfer oil (4WD),
bring your vehicle to your FIAT Dealer-
ship since special procedures, materials
and tools are required.
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210
IMPORTANT Replacing the original tires
with tires of a different size may result in
false speedometer or odometer readings.
Check with your Fiat Dealership before
purchasing replacement tires that differ in
size from the original tires.
IMPORTANT For 4-wheel drive (4WD)
models, replacing a tire with one of a dif-
ferent size, or using different brands
among the four tires can result in dam-
age to the drive train.
TIRE ROTATION
To avoid uneven wear of your tires and to
prolong their life, rotate the tires as illus-
trated. Tires should be rotated every
10,000 km (6,000 miles). After rotation,
adjust front and rear tire pressures to the
specification listed on your vehicle’s Tire
Information Label.
– Your Fiat is equipped with
tires which are all the same
type and size. This is important to en-
sure proper steering and handling of
the vehicle. Never mix tires of differ-
ent size or type on the four wheels of
your vehicle. The size and type of
tires used should be only those ap-
proved by Fiat as standard or op-
tional equipment for your vehicle.
– Replacing the wheels and tires
equipped on your vehicle with certain
combinations of aftermarket wheels
and tires can significantly change the
steering and handling characteristics
of your vehicle.
– Therefore, use only those wheel and
tire combinations approved by Fiat as
standard or optional equipment for
your vehicle.
WARNING
54G114
4-tire rotation
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