167
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, includ-
ing the spare, every two weeks and before
long journeys. The pressure should be
checked with the tyre rested and cold.
It is normal for pressure to rise when you
are driving. For the correct tyre inflation
pressure, see “Wheels” in section “Tech-
nical specifications”.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wearfig. 12:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn.
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
Chigh pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
Tyres must be replaced when the tread
wears down to 1.6 mm. In any case, com-
ply with the laws in the country where the
vehicle is being driven.
fig. 12F0P0191m
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒As far as possible, avoid sharp braking
and screech starts etc. Be careful not
to hit the kerb, potholes or other ob-
stacles hard. Driving for long stretch-
es over bumpy roads can damage the
tyres;
❒periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tyre wear. If any of
these occur, have the vehicle seen to at
a Fiat Dealership;
❒avoid overloading the vehicle when
travelling: this may cause serious dam-
age to the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop immediate-
ly and charge it to avoid damage to the
tyre, the rim, suspensions and steering
system;
❒tyres age even if they are not used
much. Cracks in the tread rubber are
a sign of ageing. In any case, if the tyres
have been on the vehicle for over 6
years, they should be checked by spe-
cialised personnel, to see if they can still
be used. Also remember to check the
spare wheel;
❒ In the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of dubious
origin;
❒ If a tyre is changed, also change the in-
flation valve;
❒To allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to change
them over every 10-15 thousand kilo-
metres, keeping them on the same side
of the vehicle so as to not reverse the
direction of rotation.
Remember that road holding
depends also on the correct
tyre inflating pressure.
WARNING
168
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/
REAR WINDOW
WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products; TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
Change the blades if the rubber edge is
warped or worn out. You should in any case
change them approximately once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
❒ if the temperature fall below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the
rubber against glass. If necessary, thaw
using an antifreeze product;
❒ remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this pre-
vents effort on the motor and over-
heating;
❒do not operate the windscreen wipers
on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber
hoses are concerned, carefully follow the
“Service schedule” in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and pro-
longed lack of fluid in the system may
cause hardening and cracking of the hoses,
with possible leaks. Careful control is
therefore necessary.If the pressure is too low the
tyre overheats and this can
cause it serious damage.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them from the
right of the vehicle to the left and vice
versa.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments re-
quiring to use temperatures exceed-
ing 150°C since the mechanical prop-
erties of the wheels could be im-
paired.
WARNING
