SAVING FUEL
Here are some useful tips to save fuel and minimise
harmful emissions of CO2 and other pollutants
(nitric oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons, fine dusts etc.).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
General conditions which influence fuel consumption
are shown below.
Vehicle maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in
accordance with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Ty r e s
Check the tyre pressure at least once every four
weeks: if the pressure is too low, consumption levels
increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight
of the vehicle (especially when driving in town)
and its trim greatly affect fuel consumption
and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof
after use. These accessories reduce the aerodynamic
coefficient of the vehicle and have a negative effect
on fuel consumption. It is better to use a trailer
to transport particularly bulky objects.Electric devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount of time
needed. The heated rear window, auxiliary
headlights, windscreen wipers and fan heater use up
a considerable amount of current, causing increased
fuel consumption (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
The air conditioner leads to higher fuel consumption
(on average 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
aerodynamics and fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
The main driving styles affecting fuel consumption
are shown below.
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.
116
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
IN AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency, we recommend that you call the freephone number found in the Warranty
Booklet.You can also go to the www.fiat.com website to find your nearest Fiat Dealership.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Go to a Fiat Dealership immediately if warning light
comes on steady on the instrument panel.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be started using
an auxiliary battery with capacity either the same
or a little higher than the flat one.
Proceed as follows to start the engine fig. 114:
❒connect positive terminals (+ near the terminal) of
the two batteries with a jump lead;
❒with a second lead, connect the negative terminal
(-) of the auxiliary battery to an earthing point
on the engine or the gearbox of the vehicle to
be started;
❒start the engine;
❒when the engine has been started, remove the
leads reversing the order above.
If after a few attempts the engine does not start, do
not keep trying but contact a Fiat Dealership.IMPORTANT Do not directly connect the negative
terminals of the two batteries: sparks could ignite
explosive gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another vehicle,
prevent accidental contact between metallic parts of
the two vehicles.
Strictly avoid using a rapid battery
charger for jump starting: this could
damage the system electronics and the
ignition and engine supply control units.
fig. 114F0T0189
131
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA
TIONS
INDEX
REGULAR CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and, if
necessary, top up:
❒engine coolant level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre inflation pressure and condition;
❒operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, etc.);
❒operation of screen wash/wipe system and
positioning/wear of windscreen/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 specifically for Fiat vehicles (see
“Capacities” table in the “Technical specifications”
section).
HEAVY USAGE OF THE VEHICLE
Should prevailing use of the vehicle be under one of
the following specially heavy conditions:
❒towing a trailer or caravan;
❒dusty roads;
❒short, repeated journeys (less than 7-8 km) at
sub-zero outside temperatures;
❒engine often idling, or driving long distances at low
speed (e.g. door to door deliveries) or long period
of idleness;
❒urban trips;
perform the following inspections more frequently
than shown on the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
❒check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage;
❒visually inspect the conditions of: engine, gearbox,
transmission, pipes and tubes (exhaust - fuel -
brakes), rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒check battery charge status and fluid (electrolyte)
level (refer to "Battery - Check state of charge
and electrolyte level" paragraph in this chapter);
❒visually inspect condition of the auxiliary drive
belts;
170
KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA
TIONS
INDEX
