127
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Filling the tank
To fill the tank completely, top up twice after the first click
of the trigger. Further top ups could cause faults in the
fuel supply system.
Do not bring naked flames or lit cigarettes
near to the fuel tank opening: fire risk.
Keep your face away from the fuel tank opening
to avoid breathing in harmful vapours.
WARNING
F0U0111mfig. 128
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The devices for reducing petrol engine emissions are the
following:
❒three-way catalytic converter;
❒Lambda sensors;
❒fuel evaporation prevention system.
In addition, do not let the engine run, even for a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. The following de-
vices are used for reducing diesel fuel engine emissions:
❒oxidising catalytic converter;
❒exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR.);
❒diesel particulate filter (DPF) (for versions/markets
where provided).
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128
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
(for versions/markets where provided)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a mechanical filter, inte-
gral to the exhaust system, that physically traps particu-
lates present in the exhaust gases of diesel engines.
It is needed to eliminate almost all particulates in compli-
ance with current/future legislation.
During normal use of the vehicle, the engine control unit
records a set of data (e.g. travel time, type of route, tem-
peratures, etc.) and it will then calculate how much par-
ticulate has been trapped by the filter.
Since this filter physically traps particulate, it should be re-
generated (cleaned) at regular intervals by burning the car-
bon particles.
The regeneration procedure is handled automatically by
the engine control unit according to the filter conditions
and vehicle use conditions.
During regeneration, the following may occur: a limited in-
crease in the engine speed, activation of the fan, a limited
increase in fumes and high temperatures at the exhaust.
These are not faults; they do not impair vehicle perfor-
mance or damage the environment.
If the dedicated message is displayed, refer to the “Warn-
ing lights and messages” section.
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) (for ver-
sions/markets where required) reaches
high temperatures during normal operation.
Therefore do not therefore park the vehicle on in-
flammable materials (grass, dry leaves, pine nee-
dles, etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING
The catalytic converter also reaches high
temperatures during normal operation.
Do not park the vehicle on grass, dry leaves, pine
needles or other flammable material: fire hazard.
WARNING
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149
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ensure that the handbrake is on;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal without touching the ac-
celerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the moment
the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating the procedure.
STARTING THE ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic engine lock device: if
the engine fails to start, see the paragraph on “The Fiat
CODE system” in the “Dashboard and controls” section.
The engine may be noisier during the first few seconds of
operation, particularly after a long period of inactivity. This
is a feature of hydraulic tappets, the timing system cho-
sen to reduce the number of servicing interventions, and
effects neither functionality nor reliability.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
STARTING AND DRIVING
It is dangerous to let the engine run in en-
closed spaces. The engine consumes oxy-
gen and produces carbon dioxide, carbon monox-
ide and other toxic gases.
WARNING
In the first period of use, we recommend
that you do not demand maximum perfor-
mance from the car (e.g. excessive accel-
eration, extended travel at maximum revs, heavy
braking etc.).
With the engine off, do not leave the
key in the ignition to prevent draining the
battery.
Remember that the brake booster and
power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore you need
to apply much more force than usual to the brake
pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
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150
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel
warning light
Yremains on together with warning light
U, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try with the other keys provid-
ed with the car.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on permanently, contact a Fiat Dealership immedi-
ately.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key at MAR when
the engine is off.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTSSTARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ensure that the handbrake is on;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR: the warning lights mand
Yon the instrument panel will turn on;
❒wait for the warning lights Yand m to turn off. The
hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal without touching the ac-
celerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as warning light
m goes out. If you wait too long, you will lose the ben-
efit of the heating work done by the glow plugs. Release
the key as soon as the engine starts.If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating the procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel
warning light
Yremains on together with warning light
m, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning lights remain on, try with the other keys provid-
ed with the car.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on permanently, contact a Fiat Dealership immedi-
ately.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key at MAR when
the engine is off.
Warning light mwill blink for 60 seconds
after starting or during prolonged crank-
ing to indicate a fault with the glow plug
system. Use the car as normal if the engine starts,
but go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
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151
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a long drive, you should allow the en-
gine to “catch its breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the engine compartment
to fall. WARMING UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT HAS
JUST STARTED (petrol and diesel versions)
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly at medium revs, and accelerate
smoothly;
❒do not demand maximum performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge starts
moving.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTSRemember that the brake booster and pow-
er steering are not operational until the en-
gine has been started, so you need to apply
much more force than usual to the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. This could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is es-
pecially damaging to turbocharged engines.
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152
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
F0U0129mfig. 147
HANDBRAKE fig. 147
The handbrake lever is located to the left side of the dri-
ver’s seat. Pull the lever upwards to operate the handbrake.
Four or five notches are normally sufficient to secure the
car on flat terrain, while nine or ten may be necessary on
a steep slope with the car loaded.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, contact a Fiat Deal-
ership to have the handbrake adjusted.
When the handbrake is on and the ignition key is at
MAR,
the instrument panel warning light
xwill come on.
To release the handbrake, proceed as follows:
❒pull up slightly on the lever and press release button A;
❒hold button Adown and lower the lever. The x
warning light on the instrument panel will go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this operation
to prevent the car from moving accidentally.
PARKING THE VEHICLE
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
❒engage a gear (first gear if the vehicle is parked uphill
or reverse if it is facing downhill) and leave the wheels
turned.
If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is further advis-
able to block the wheels with a wedge or stone. Do not
leave the key in the ignition as this drains the battery.
Always remove the key when you leave the car.
Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car and take it with you.
WARNING
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153
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
F0U0130mfig. 148
USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX
To engage the gears, depress the clutch pedal fully and shift
the gear lever into the required positions (the diagram is
shown on the gear knob fig. 148).
To engage 6
thgear (for versions/markets where provided),
push firmly to the right when operating the lever in or-
der to avoid selecting 4
thgear by mistake. The same ap-
plies to the shift from 6thto 5thgear.
IMPORTANT Reverse may be engaged only when the car
is at a standstill. With the engine running, wait for at least
2 seconds with the clutch pedal fully depressed before en-
gaging reverse to prevent damage to the gears and grating.
To engage reverse R from neutral with a six-speed gearbox,
proceed as follows: lift ring A under the knob and at the
same time move the gear lever to the left and then forwards
fig. 148
Depress the clutch pedal fully to change
gear correctly. Therefore, the floor area
under the pedals should be clear: ensure that any
rubber mats are flat and do not interfere with the
pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand resting on the
gear lever, because this pressure, even if
light, can wear out the inner components
of the gearbox over time.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should be used only for
changing gear. Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, however slightly. For versions/markets where
provided, the electronic clutch control can intervene if it
interprets the incorrect driving style as a fault.
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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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