2011 FIAT STRADA Owner handbook (in English)

GENERAL WARNINGS
The front airbags may be deployed if
the vehicle is subject to heavy
knocks or accidents involving the
underbody area, such as for example
violent impacts against steps, kerbs
or low obstacles, vehicle falling into
big pot holes or depressions in the
road. A small amount of dust will be
released when the airbags are
deployed. This dust is not harmful
and does not indicate the beginning
of a fire. Furthermore, the surface of
the deployed bag and the interior of
the vehicle may be covered with a
dusty residue: this may irritate your
skin and eyes. Wash with mild soap
and water in the event of exposure.
Should an accident occur in which
any of the safety devices are
activated, contact a Fiat Dealership
to have the activated devices
replaced and to have the whole
system checked.
95
Every control, repair and
replacement operation concerning
the airbags must only be carried out
at a Fiat Dealership. If you are having
the vehicle scrapped, have the airbag
system deactivated at a Fiat
Dealership first. If the vehicle
changes ownership, the new owner
must be informed of the method of
using air bags and the above
warnings and also be given this
“Owner Handbook”. Pretensioners
and/or front airbags are deployed
differently on the basis of the type of
collision. Non-deployment of one or
more of the devices does not
therefore indicate a system
malfunction.
If the ûwarning light
stays on when driving
(together with a message on
the display on some versions),
there could be a failure in the
restraint systems. If this is the
case, the airbags or
pretensioners may not trigger
in the event of an accident or,
in a lesser number of cases,
they may be activated
incorrectly. Before proceeding,
contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the
system checked.
WARNING

96
If the key is inserted
and turned to MAR
when no faults are indicated by
the warning lights, airbags may
be deployed if another vehicle
crashes into the vehicle even if
the engine is not running and
the vehicle is stationary. For
this reason, children must
never sit on the front seat,
even if the vehicle is stationary.
On the other hand, if the key is
inserted in STOP position,
none of the safety devices
(airbags or pretensioners) will
be deployed in the event of
impact. Non-deployment of
these devices does not indicate
a system malfunction.
WARNING
For versions/markets
where provided, when
the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the “yellow” Fwarning
light switches on for a few
seconds. If the passenger
airbag is active, the “yellow”
warning light switches off after
a few seconds. If the passenger
airbag is NOT active, the
“yellow” warning light
stays on.
WARNING
If the “red” ûwarning
light does not switch on
for a few seconds when the key
is turned to MAR, there may be
a fault with the “red” warning
light. In this case, the “yellow”
warning light starts to flash
after a few seconds and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING
The expiry date of the
explosive charge is
shown on a specific label
contained in the glove box;
contact a Fiat Dealership to
have it replaced when this
expiry date approaches.
WARNING
In the event of “yellow”
Fwarning light
failure, the “red”
ûwarning
light switches on and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING

97
Do not travel carrying
objects in your lap, in
front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.):
they could cause severe injury
if the airbag is deployed in an
accident.
WARNING
Always drive keeping
your hands on the rim
of the steering wheel so that
the airbag can inflate freely if
necessary. Do not drive with
your body bent forward. Keep
the back of your seat upright
and lean back into it.
WARNING
When the ignition key is
turned to MAR, the F
warning light (with passenger
side front airbag deactivation
switch at ON) switches on and
flashes for a few seconds to
remind you that the passenger
air bag will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should
switch off.
WARNING
If your vehicle has been
subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or
flooding, have the airbag
system inspected at a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
The front airbag is
designed to be
deployed for impacts of a
greater intensity than for the
pretensioners. For impacts
whose intensity falls between
the two thresholds, it is normal
that only the pretensioners are
activated.
WARNING
The airbag does not
replace seat belts but
increases their efficiency.
Because front airbags are not
deployed for low-speed
crashes, side collisions, rear-
end shunts or rollovers,
occupants are protected only
by their seat belts, which must
always be fastened.
WARNING

E-LOCKER SYSTEM
ELD - ELECTRONIC LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Some versions may feature the
E-Locker system, used in conditions
where the vehicle may slip.
This system can lock the front
differential, supplying both front
wheels with the same rotational
speed; in doing so, the wheel with
the greatest grip will be the one
which can propel the vehicle.
The E-Locker System
must not be considered
as a kind of “four-wheel drive”:
the system must not be used on
normal surfaces (dry asphalt
etc.). In any case, the system
deactivates automatically as
soon as the vehicle speed
exceeds 20 km/h.
WARNING
You are advised to use
the E-Locker System
only when a wheel loses grip
resulting in conditions of low
friction (e.g. on roads with
mud, sand, stones, wet grass
etc.).
WARNING
To operate the E-Locker System:
– press the brake pedal (vehicle
stationary);
– press the ELD button-fig. 101
located on the dashboard to the
left of the steering wheel; the
system emits a long beep, the ELD
warning light on the instrument
panel starts to blink and the
display shows a dedicated message
(ELD ON for 5 seconds);
– release the clutch slowly,
accelerating gradually; having
overcome the difficulty, deactivate
the system.
The E-Locker system
must be activated with
vehicle stationary. The expert
driver must be capable of
assessing the conditions of the
terrain before activation.
WARNING
fig. 101
F0X0082m
98

The E-Locker System
should not encourage
the driver to head towards and
travel through unknown places
and/or regions, confident of
tackling any obstacle.
The driver is always responsible
of controlling and driving the
vehicle in all circumstances.
WARNING
SEVERE DANGER:
If emergency conditions
require that a front wheel is
lifted: make sure that the
E-Locker system is deactivated
before any operation is carried
out.
WARNING
The system features manual and
automatic deactivation.
Manual deactivation
Press the ELD button again.
Automatic deactivation
This occurs when the speed of the
vehicle exceeds 20 km/h.
When the vehicle approaches this
speed (about 15 km/h):
– the system emits a sequence of
3 beeps
– the ELD warning light on the
instrument panel flashes more
quickly.When it is deactivated (manual or
automatic):
– the system emits a short beep
– The ELD warning light switches
off in the instrument panel
– the display shows a dedicated
message (ELD OFF for 5 seconds).
In the event of failure
– the ELD warning light on the
instrument panel switches on
constantly and the display shows a
dedicated message.
IMPORTANT If a user attempts to
activate the E-Locker System with
vehicle in motion and/or without the
brake pedal pressed, the command is
rejected and the system is not
activated; the ELD warning light on
the instrument panel switches on for
a few seconds at the same time.
99

CAR RADIO
For radio operation, consult the
CAR RADIO Supplement attached
to this Owner Handbook.
SYSTEM SET-UPS
According to the version, the Fiat
Strada may be equipped with
different car radio system set-ups.
The car radio purchased by the user
must be installed in the central
compartment provided:
– pressing on the retaining tabs
A-fig. 102 remove the cover to
locate the dedicated connections.
fig. 102
F0X0083m
fig. 103
F0X0084m
Basic level system fig. 103:
A – wiring for aerial;
B – wiring to connect speakers and
tweeters;
C – car radio power supply;
– speaker housings on doors
– rear side speaker housings
(crew cab version).High level system fig. 103:
A – aerial and aerial wiring;
B – wiring to connect front and rear
speakers;
C – car radio power supply.
– speakers, front and rear
(some versions only).
Speakers
– 2 coaxial front speakers with
power of 20 W;
– 2 coaxial rear speakers with
power of 20 W;
– 1 amplified subwoofer (for
versions/markets, where
provided).
100

IMPORTANT Traffic control
authorities may not allow the vehicle
on the road if devices resulting in
modifications of vehicle
characteristics are installed and
defects due to the above mentioned
modification or either directly or
indirectly related to it may invalidate
the warranty. Fiat Auto F.G.A. shall
not be liable for damage caused by
the installation of accessories either
not supplied or recommended by
Fiat Auto F.G.A. and/or not installed
in compliance with the instructions
provided.For connection to the
set-up supplied in the
vehicle, contact a Fiat
Dealership to prevent any
problem that could impair
vehicle safety and/or invalidate
the warranty.INSTALLING
ELECTRICAL/
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The electrical/electronic devices
installed subsequent to the purchase
of the car and included in the after-
sales service must be marked:
Fiat Auto F.G.A. authorises the
installation of transceiver devices on
condition that such installations are
carried out in a workmanlike fashion,
following the manufacturer’s
instructions, at a specialised centre.
101

RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
MOBILE PHONES
Radio transmitters (car phones, CB
radios etc.) cannot be used inside
the vehicle unless a separate aerial is
mounted externally.
IMPORTANT The use of such
devices inside the passenger
compartment (without an external
aerial) may, in addition to potential
damage to the health of the
passengers, cause malfunctions in the
vehicle’s electronic systems,
compromising the safety of the
vehicle.
In addition, transmission and
reception of these devices may be
adversely affected by the shielding
effect of the vehicle’s body.
As far as the use of EC-approved
mobile phones is concerned (GSM,
GPRS, UMTS), follow the usage
instructions provided by the mobile
phone manufacturer.REFUELLING
Never introduce even a
minimal quantity of
petrol to the tank, even
in an emergency; the catalytic
converter would be damaged,
irreparably compromising its
operation.
An inefficient catalytic
converter leads to
harmful exhaust
emissions, thus contributing to
environmental pollution.
The vehicle must be
refuelled exclusively
with diesel for motor
vehicles in compliance with
European specification EN590.
The use of other products or
mixtures may damage the
engine beyond repair and
consequently invalidate the
warranty, due to the damage
caused. If you accidentally
refuel with another type of fuel,
do not start the engine, and
drain the tank. If the engine has
run, even for a very short time,
with other fuels, the whole fuel
circuit must be drained in
addition to the tank.
102